FGN J-Standard Odyssey

[@MrPolevaulter]

Check out some cheap alternatives: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn6cq36Bnr-irsUsi=lPv7OYr0ebt5xdh-

[@christoguichard4311]

Fujigen (FGN) are a legendary company, that actually SAVED Fender. They still make Fender Japan guitars today, and made Ibanez in its glory years. They deserve the utmost respect.

[@zoeherriot]

I think they still make the Ibanez prestige guitars. The current Odyssey is suspiciously similarly specced to the Ibanez AZ HSS guitars.

[@neomatrix888]

​And Steve Vai Ibanez Pia (they made Jems)​@@zoeherriot

[@zoeherriot]

@@neomatrix888 ah good point. Yes that's true.

[@octtrinittolavg]

I heard Cort make Ibanez guitars nowadays

[@zoeherriot]

@@octtrinittolavg cort may make the cheaper guitars, but the Prestige range (and probably some of the artist guitars) are made in the Fujigen factory in Japan.

[@880golf]

Sold my 2 american fenders... Only playing my FGN Illiad now. Excellent workmanship. Good price.

[@sublyme2157]

The clean sounds through the Roland are to die for!

[@emelle1283]

Nah man - i like your reviews usually but you got this one wrong - i have had 45 guitars - including Fenders and Gibsons (i sold ALL of those - way overhyped brands living on brand rep from DECADES ago) - i also have 3 FGN (Fujigens) and 4 high end series Bacchus - the FGNs are noticeably the best quality - slightly above even PRS at the same price - the Bacchuses are nice too (about on par with PRS) and it took me a while to pick a winner between Bacchus and FGN but after a few years with them all i am now certain FGN is the best. Do some research - they are HIGHLY regarded - renowned as one of the world's best factories. I have heard now heard HUNDREDS of guys say their FGNs WHOOP their Gibsons and Fenders. Before releasing their own Fujigen house brand (FGN) they were the OEM for some Fender and Gibson lines in past decades - they did some Satriani and Vai sig series lines and still do Ibanez Prestige line. The CFS concept is not a gimmick - it is solid in theory - albeit fixing a very small "problem" that doesn't really matter too much - but nonetheless is a micro improvement. If you're not impressed with that unit you have in this review - it's possible the one you have there is a dud unit though it would be the first i've heard of - their quality control is legendary - but just in case i suggest you try another one and see if you change your mind. IMO (and many others I see) FGNs are the best cost performance guitars in the World - $1200 guitars as good as $3000 BIG BRAND units.

[@Mark-fo3hx]

I bought a FGN odyssey used at Guitar Center a couple of years ago. I had never heard of FGN brand but I saw it was made in Japan by Fujigen and put 2+2 together that it was their house brand. The build quality was perfect and it played great so I bought it. I had it for a week or so before I did any research on it and learned about the CFS frets. It’s so subtle I didn’t notice it. I swapped the stock pups for DiMarzios and still play it often.

[@zyabber]

broke into tears when Elmo started reading in Rally Finnish

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@KjellBerg81]

And that is how you go from guitar prodigy, to Monte Carlo in one second :D Love it

[@CarloRegadasGuitar]

Bruce Bouillet (Racer X) has played FGN Guitars. Not sure if he still does.

[@dragan4658]

This particular guitar sounds & looks amazing, but then lets not forget Elmo is playing it 🤘

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks :)

[@grene1955]

Yeah...Elmo makes everything he plays sound great!

[@zoeherriot]

The original J-Standard Odyssey (at least some of them here in Japan) come with Seymour Duncans too. The ones I know of use Seymour Duncan SSL-1's and the Pegasus in the bridge.

[@bmac5085]

Hi Elmo. I have 2 fgn guitars. One like you have been playing there, only in antique white. It comes with seymour duncans on change is that the bridge is a pegasus sd humbucker on mine. The other is the iliad j standard (tele shape) hardtail comes with 2 humbucker pickups. Seymour duncans. I love playing these guitars, the necks feel comfortable to me, but I understand that everyone is different. I also think that the workmanship is very good with these guitars, and very good value for a Japanese made guitar. I recently sent a similar fender stratocaster player back because it had issues regarding sharp fret edges. But like I said I might like a guitar whilst someone else might not. Keep up the good content 👍

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you!

[@streetlegal008]

Hey Elmo - it would be interesting to me if you could do a video on 8 string guitars at the budget end.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Maybe at some point.

[@craigthomson3621]

The Iliad J standard (Tele) shape is a great guitar. I have a lefty in off-white blond. For a price under 4 figures you get a Japanese made guitar (same factory as Fender Japan and Ibanez Prestige), Contoured Ash Body, Binding, Brass Saddles, Maple Neck, Seymour Duncan Pickups, Gotoh Tuners. Well worth the money.

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

Oh no! I keep playing a FGN Iliad (Tele) in my local shop, and falling more and more in love with it. It’s kind of above my budget (£850) but I have just discovered a pot of money I had forgotten about (£860!) so I am almost ready to go in and buy it. Now you are Luke warm about this one, I am less sure . . .

[@AdamManley7]

Try to find a used model ESP E2 those are basically guaranteed quality

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

@@AdamManley7 I am looking for single coils and a trad tele shape

[@craigthomson3621]

The FGN IIliad Tele is a great guitar (I have one). If you have played one and liked it then go for it.

[@matthewtyler-jones8317]

@@craigthomson3621 I did. Shortly after making that post. Love it. 😊

[@JohnuSmithu]

I bought FGN EOS-H-R in 2013. This is the perfect stratocaster. His sound is perfect. After it, all USA brands look outdated.

[@The_Macaroon]

I bought an odyssey and sent it back. I then picked up a used FGN Tele and its absolutely fantastic.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Glad the Tele worked.

[@germanCrowbar]

Before the odyssey std series was revised, the guitar had seymour duncan alnico II pro aps-1, seymour duncan vintage staggered ssl-1 and a seymour duncan pegasus-tb pickup. For 799€.

[@norseman61]

Good video! The prices aren’t too bad for made in Japan guitars, but I can’t see myself choosing this brand over several of the others in this price range. The competition is fierce in this price range, and the options are many. I guess their unique feature (or gimmick) is the CFS, which solves a problem that doesn’t exist. Makes you wonder how all those great guitar legends were able to play in tune before CFS came along!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Yeah 😀

[@das.ruderboot]

What would you recommend looking at instead? @norseman61

[@christianpiana4268]

It's a great guitar...better than other brands at a similar price....

[@luminol5989]

Hi Elmo. Can you please review Aria 714 MK2?

[@MrPolevaulter]

Maybe at some point.

[@ВладимирКолев-к8ъ]

I would be interested in checking some of the Arias too. I recently bought a Nashville, trying before a Fullerton (with smaller frets), Fender Classic Vibe '70s, Pacifica 112V and an Ibanez AZES 40. Frankly, I was astonished by the Aria and the AZES and bought the first because of the look. It has issues. Mine has a buzz on the 6th string (the problem is in the nut), most of the youtubers say that the pickups should be changed (I like the original ones though), but there is something special in this guitar.

[@bluwng]

The EART you preferred is their low end model. I love honest reviews not impacted by brand bias.

[@timayris3375]

Jeepers Elmo, sometimes you're like a man possessed . You're playing is phenomenal on this one.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you! :)

[@weedian710]

My concern with the frets is crowning them.

[@GabrielNacu]

I'm a bit of an FGN nut Elmo, but I do agree that the neck profiles on the cheaper strats (under £900) are not great compared to the FGN Experts (which are way more money - I know...). I did speak to a luthier before buying one as I was dubious how easy those CFS curved frets were to work on, but he claims its its not impossible so....yeah... While I think FGN are one of the best brands out there currently, that doesnt mean I love every single FGN model in my hands; I can totally get why you would prefer the EART if its cheaper and has a nicer neck profile for the money.

[@MrPolevaulter]

👍

[@richardjones2811]

7:48 for review

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

I've had a few FGN guitars, often times they are branded differently (History, Fender Japan etc). The History Les Paul guitars they make are phenomenal. The CFS thing strikes me as more of a marketing gimmick than anything that makes a practical difference. And when the guitar inevitable needs a refret, it makes it that much more difficult!

[@pieterjanzijlstra5399]

Refretting is not noticably different as on any other guitar.

[@blustulagu]

Rally Finnish! Love it I'm pissing myself 😂😂😂😂😂😂❤

[@MrPolevaulter]

😀

[@MikeSingSing]

Recently got my hands on a few FGNs and i gotta say the necks aren't my thing, especially on the guitars that are inspired by the guitars a dude named Leo F. came up with. The neck on the FGN DC was great though.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@D-8-Tone2]

Love your Mediterranean accent 😂😅😊❤

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@PhuongNguyen-qw8xy]

hey between an Cort g250, Donner dot 400 and an Ibanez azes 40 which one should I get as a beginner

[@Neoma1999]

Maybe the one you like most and stays in tune the best

[@ItsRael108]

Whatever tickles your fancy

[@raytorvalds3699]

All of those should be a decent beginner guitar (if you don't get a lemon). I see you picked HSS as your pickup configuration. Good choice. Very versatile. I'd never recommend a guitar with a trem to a beginner though. So there is that. I'd go with a hardtail HSS guitar. But out of those three, I would go with the Cort (for a couple of reasons).

[@MrPolevaulter]

Whichever you decide to get, try to before you buy.

[@HunnysPlaylists]

The guys from Monuments also plays them. More popular in Germany.

[@HunnysPlaylists]

Not that exact one, but the same brand.

[@bluwng]

Which luthier would be able to fix those frets?

[@JickDalida]

I had my fgn LOS2~ALR fret leveled by a guitar luthier. All professional luthiers know how to deal with CFS (including refretting) just tell them that your guitar has CFS.

[@matej9255]

🔥🔥🔥!!!

[@kipponi]

Tobacco Sunburst. I have Ibanez same color but mahogany body. My eyes are used to this color 😎🎸. Looks could kill and this guitar looks nice but got player little confused 🤔.

[@HunnysPlaylists]

Same factory.

[@JonnyMoto]

Always try before you buy indeed. I went to buy a guitar and had another to cross shop it with. I ended up going with the cheaper guitar because I simply liked it more, and it was cheaper! keep on rocking Elmo 🤙

[@MrPolevaulter]

Cheers!

[@HunnysPlaylists]

I like indonesia made ones a lot.

[@jimmyjames2022]

It's always fun watching you try to be generous but honest with these "ish" guitars (where they aren't just outright garbage). Good to see an Elmo review of an FGN J-Standard after all I've read about how great they are.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@Earthstein]

I forgot; Elmo is a master player.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thank you!

[@CopyCatplus]

Bonjour, Je vie à Ténérife et ici pour essayer des guitares c'est plus que difficile et faire venir d'un autre pays d'europe c'est la galère. J'ai passé la matinée à essayer ce qu'on trouve ici. Prs se silver sky, fendre MIM player plus, vintera, et divers copies bon marché. Et donc fgn odyssée. Et bien cette dernière les enterre toutes, finition soin des details et surtout le son. Alors je ne sais pas si le circle machin est un gadget ou pas, mais en tout cas ce sont de très bonnes grattes pour le prix.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

😀

[@FlynnAndrew-b9f]

Baron Lights

[@hessamyoushani3174]

Say love from iran🤟

[@MrPolevaulter]

👍😊

[@Barbarapape]

A bit expensive for what it offers and feels weird to play. It should have modern locking tuners and a slim wide radius neck for me. Those pickups sounded a bit thick at times, we will never know what the originals sounded like. I can only agree with you regarding the Eart, i have two and play them more than any other with their compound radius fretboards they are so easy to play, and they are a lot cheaper.

[@MrPolevaulter]

They sure are.

[@axe2give]

Damn Elmo’s wacky shred style is pretty awesome. still got work to do on your Gary Moore face but them wacky shred leads are tight.

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@NoelAaron-t7g]

Devyn Mountains

[@DisruptedSinner]

Nice review, Elmo. I would definitely not pay $1000 Euros for the FGN. I'd personally rather go for a Schecter, Ibanez or PRS for the same price or less. But that's just me.

[@Healcraft]

PRS SE Paul's Guitar ❤❤❤❤

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@larsheuker]

So youd rather buy an ibanez at 1k made in indonesia? Then a FGN which makes the ibanez prestiges? Thats a downgrade for no reason other then brand name

[@DisruptedSinner]

@@larsheuker Pfft... yep. Ibanez and PRS have globally known and well respected brand names for good reason so... again, yep. Also, I've been playing both for decades so, it's not a downgrade by any means... it's called experience and good taste in quality and performance.

[@larsheuker]

@@DisruptedSinner you know ibanez doesnt make guitars.. they contract factories. And Fujigen is their japanese factory that makes their prestige. If you buy an ibanez prestige youre buying a fujigen. Its the OEM

[@michaelgregory2231]

Hieno keppi

[@johnnorth9355]

Almost sounded like a Telecaster on cleans ? (not a bad thing in my opinion). Very Strat like through the Plexi. (in a thin brittle Japanese Fender Strat type way). For the money I would probably just get a USA Fender and pocket some change 🙂.

[@GaryHall-g7l]

Wayne Flats

[@seanbarker4610]

The Gary Moore has to get in there somewhere! Lol

[@mattsikes919]

I've played a couple FGN guitars and I think they're ok. I wouldn't spend the money on them personally though if its someone's thing have at it. Guitars are all in how they sound to you and feel.on your hands. Not for me. I am thinking about picking up an Eart strat though. I finally had a chance to play one of those and those things are really rockin for the money. Great video Elmo!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks!

[@John_Doe657]

The bridge pickup is to bright sounding for my taste but otherwise it sounds and looks good.

[@raytorvalds3699]

A veneer.

[@owlcaps7876]

Tommi Mäkinen is jealous of your rally english

[@MrPolevaulter]

🤣

[@niklasfogel5413]

Rallienglanti..😂

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@AnthonyWalker-v7e]

Destiny Squares

[@shanewalton8888]

This is a Japanese company so we need a Japanese accent next time.

[@kipponi]

It is easy us finns. Arigato😂.

[@MrPolevaulter]

:D

[@bratskiy.ostrog]

Fujigen строит качественные инструменты! Единственное что мне не нравится это дизайн головы!☝️

[@Uncle_Gray]

Sounds really nice tho But one grand it's a total rip off for me

[@MrPolevaulter]

Fair enough.

[@jaywells5283]

I mean, it stayed in tune ….. relatively well! But why did the owner feel the need to not only change the pickups, but put I. That switch as well? Was it a personal taste thing? Or was it a “I just spent a load of money on a guitar that sounds mediocre, and I want better!” Instead of just saving their money?!? The weirdest thing is, a lot of these foreign companies, back in the late 80’s and through the nineties, they sucked! Horrible horrible stuff! With the occasional one the would squeak through as a pretty good platform! But now a days the quality isn’t so much an issue anymore, it’s more ….. “you get what you pay for!”! And the way they described that “circle fret” thing, sounds like how a luthier would actually install and shape frets! On a curve, with the curve of the fretboard! And round off the ends! Is that just me?!?! Oh well, thanks for the video, love to you and yours!

[@MrPolevaulter]

Thanks Jay! I don't know why the previous owner made the changes.

[@jasondorsey7110]

Fujigen rocked in the 80s and 90s, as did Matsumoku...the Korean made stuff from that time though is a different story

[@zyzzyx3160]

Fujigen never sucked. In the 70s and 80s, Fender and Gibson had horrible quality. Fujigen had much better quality.

[@tymanngruter1808]

Looks nice, price is much to high! Better a Harley Benton!

[@cookiemonster2949]

Too expensive.

[@stevedriver1476]

the j standard had seymore duncan from new, the pickups in that guitar were most likely original. i never saw 1 bad remark about these guitars ever..till now.. i have 2, there perfect. And if you have a steve Vai Jem like i do from the 1980,s they were made by FGN,, so were FENDER jap Strats for over 25 years.

[@UseAndGo]

first 3 mins... elmo goes blues =) and when was the guitar giveaway coming ?

[@MrPolevaulter]

If you're referring to when I'll be choosing the winner, then I'll probably get it done in just over a week. I've been swamped.

[@UseAndGo]

@@MrPolevaulter ok =) mate