GROTE Hollow Body "Jazz Guitar" - Unboxing and first impressions. Ephiphone Century clone?

[@ravenslaves]

When Gibson first made it in the early 40's, it was $125. Now it's $169. That's not bad.

[@MrDokek]

Well, that's not taking inflation into account. In today's cost, that would be about $1800

[@ravenslaves]

@@MrDokek Even better! $1,800 _then_ $169 _now_ . :)

[@edwardlouisbernays2469]

OMG! You guys floor me!

[@Zezezeze69]

@@ravenslaves lmao

[@Voxguitarsrock]

But it's not " authentic "? 😂😂

[@TheRisingoftheLights]

Worst brand name ever? Sounds like a portmanteau of gross and scrote!

[@DustyNonya]

I'll say it again...I don't want my guitar to sound "Grote-y" LOL

[@scottconnors8419]

Prostate 500..

[@scottconnors8419]

The gooch

[@humancentered3447]

Fun fact: you’re close. These are actually made by Grohl’s Scrotum.

[@DMSProduktions]

It's Dutch!

[@Motorcyclefisherman]

I'm ok dyeing under a pile of guitars. There are worse ways to go.

[@DMSProduktions]

A pile of pussies? ;oP

[@davidburke2132]

Randy Huff what colour are you intending to go?

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

@@davidburke2132 it sounds like the sort of thing George Lynch used to do in the 80's.

[@Motorcyclefisherman]

Black and blue of course !

[@DMSProduktions]

@@davidburke2132 Ryan's brother?

[@XLBiker13]

It would've been nice to see if you could actually intonate the guitar. That would have made a big difference in how good it sounded.

[@alanhardman2447]

Play it hard for a year, and you'll LOVE it! Guaranteed. The small adjustments made over a year can perfect any decent guitar. It sounds just fine!

[@Parrmageddon]

I didn’t even know Chris Elliot played guitar! Keep it up man!

[@60CycleHumcast]

MikeChiefs15 I used the money I made from cabin boy to buy my first guitar, it’s been down hill ever since.

[@WalkenDead]

holy shit dude! He plays with the little hand lmao

[@WalkenDead]

@@60CycleHumcast Sorry man, I had to laugh at that one, but that's a good responce!

[@sash_andmusic5019]

Starts actually playing at 8:11

[@frankieroberts3444]

Exactly awful video

[@rycengac]

"Well, actually a hundred and 69 bucks... which is... a little nicer lol"

[@DinoJr.686]

Seems like the ultimate budget Jack White guitar. Highly considering!

[@littvay]

Nicholas Tropiano I hear he is using an EVH nowadays :P

[@alexlogan124]

@@littvay He switches around, he uses his EVH’s, teles, and gretsches the most now a days

[@joehelsper2331]

I have the Grote ES335 clone. In the 6 months I have gigged more than a dozen shows and always get compliments for sound and of course, all the curiosity. I live near Kalamazoo where Gibson manufactured for decades, so everyone around are very familiar with the original. Seems to be a great choice for me, and I'm not as worried about theft or damage. I also own a few Gibson's.

[@kiaora12]

Dude, can’t believe you found my knife! Always wondered what happened to it :-)

[@DJMerck]

I'm upset with you, when you clearly asked did we thank you should plug it in I yelled at my phone three times no don't, no don't, no don't! and you still did... smh... lol

[@60CycleHumcast]

DJ Merck I heard you and purposely ignored you. I’m sorry, that was very rude of me.

[@tonray9395]

Pretty good for $169 bucks. I bought from Grote way back when he was selling only "new" old stock items before he developed his own line....reputable company to deal with. I had purchased a Tanglewood Semi Hollow...nice guitar for about $150 bucks at the time.

[@littvay]

I am Grote

[@chaoticembrace6984]

A whole bunch of Firefly guitars just were added to Amazon as of this afternoon (11/1) ....just passing the info along - I bought the yellow 1 pup hardbody for $129 .....gonna modd the $h*t out of her ....and she will also be given to a young one ....gonna give to a local music teacher in hopes she can give it to a young lady this time!

[@ToolsAreToys]

Why not buy the cheap guitars, then set them up well and sell them. People would probably pay for cheap guitars set up well, or even slightly upgraded.

[@jamesreyes4654]

Learn autumn leaves its a good jazz standard

[@mr.j1400]

I bought one off of Amazon I’m waiting for it to arrive thank you for the review I feel better about my decision

[@davenewton4862]

I bought one and got it yesterday. Love it! Nice tone and very playable right out of the box (after a tune up, of course). Thanks for your review!

[@timothy6966]

Looks really good. And sounds really promising as well. Strings just need some stretching to keep their tune. Wonder what you could achieve if you took 30 minutes adjusting everything.

[@carlparker3571]

The sound reminds me of some of the old silvertones, and some of the japanese thin bodys from the 60's. I have been looking at those on amazon, I really want one now. I would add 3 more p90's and some switches lol. So polish the frets, tuners, bridge i would go with wilkinsons) Thanks for the great review.

[@duffman18]

Check out the Dean Palomino. Sounds like what you are after. I've got one myself, I love it. It's got 3 p90s and is wired like a strat, with those quacky in between positions except beefier and more output obviously.

[@carlparker3571]

@@duffman18 Thanks, I'll go check it out.

[@jpvvandermerwe87]

- looks like the guitar is deff worth of the asking price. Nice review - thank you very much !

[@christophegadbois4181]

its 200 usd at this point with 169 dollars usd of shipping to Canada. Not quite a bargain at this point for Canadians.

[@NoCoverCharge]

so glad to watch reviews with regular amps... and Not Two Rocks...everything sounds good on a Two Rock

[@stewartkotler9024]

Mark Farner Rock the guitar like that in Grand funk railroad it was like one of his main guitars played it all the time

[@Nefi0011]

I have the epiphone century, I took off the strings that d'dario doesn't even sell anymore. I put some acoustic strings and omg this guitar just opens up and the P90 still helps keep the electric tone.

[@ravenslaves]

Huffing guitars... ...You are not alone.

[@dirkbonesteel]

From PU position I expected a warmer fuller sound. Replace the P-90 with a real one, add a backbone in side, and you would have a serious guitar

[@DMSProduktions]

Probably very under wound & ceramic powered. You're right, it SHOULD have sounded a bit more woody than it was! Sounded GOOD on the Fender amp, as it was quite scooped! Revv has a big MID hump, making it brighter. Still, I've heard worse from cheap pick ups!

[@johnpick8336]

We could not make a living or build that guitar with free shipping for $170 ! As long as the wood is right, hardware and electronics can be easily upgraded ! Thanks for posting your videos.

[@zrxdoug]

The "e" in Grote is long..pronounced Groaty. No, really.

[@davidsalas9824]

Like joe dirt ?dirtay

[@jackflash5659]

@@davidsalas9824 , correct. Grotay like dirtay like this way.

[@joederue9900]

I thought it was an uh as in Porsche, like said like Groat-uh

[@celticwolff5429]

Ryan, when you broke out the slide I started hearing some Ry Cooder.

[@sodredosias99]

give me that guitar please, this beautiful one, I don't have the resources to acquire it:CCC

[@Cypherdude1]

11:08 "It's already going out of tune". My own amateur advice: Since the strings are new, stretch them 1-1.5 inches above the neck, run your thumb along both sides of the nut and the bridge, and then tune the strings. Although, the first time I stretched the high "E" string I made the mistake of stretching it 3 inches above the neck. I didn't realize I could do that. Nice jazz type guitar for only $169. Although, I would probably buy something more for rock or pop such as a PRS SE, Fender, Ibanez, Epiphone, maybe even a Yamaha. *Yamaha makes excellent guitars. BTW, Amazon sells the Yamaha PAC012, PAC112J and the PAC112V for $180, $200 and $300 respectively.* Why take a chance when you can buy a Yamaha? I'm not sure about Harley Benton's pickups and pots although I'm not an expert. Currently, I have a Takamine acoustic electric and a Voyage-Air VAD-2 (folding) guitar. My Amazon Takamine review can be found here: RJQJ6LV8S6469.

[@dannyrivers3922]

You measured? You just give them a couple way tugs per string and you still got to play it and it'll go out but won't do it for as long if you tug them.

[@PeteAxeShields]

I really like this guitar .... and for the money, it's a no brainer to have in your armoury .... I want one :-)

[@jamesmunro8804]

Just curious: why would you want to replace the TOM bridge with the "vintage" one? I mean, besides "authenticity?"

[@conorbelvin9024]

Have to be careful how high you crank the gain, but I love running that Epiphone Century through any Orange amp, I love the tone it gives. And I think that having the TOM-style bridge on this gives better tuning accuracy, maybe try replacing them with nylon saddles, something Gibson did back in the day, it might give you more of that jazzy tone.

[@richgarc84]

Any kid who wants to go as a Borg for Halloween is one cool kid!

[@WalkenDead]

I think that guitar could be a blues monster. Has the look, maybe a higher end P90.

[@alecjahn]

Looks good, seems like it plays good from the video. But that pickup is ehhh, weak. And not necessarily in output but just really limp sounding. Must not be a traditional P90 under that cover. That'd be the first thing I would replace. Other than that... Seems great!

[@60CycleHumcast]

its pretty far away from the strings, that might be the problem.

[@alecjahn]

@@60CycleHumcast ahh!

[@DovidM]

Grote, for the Dutch-impaired, means great.

[@fredflintstone1419]

and is spelt groot. These guitars are chinese

[@MobileDecay]

R.i.p. Ryan. He died under a pile of cheap Amazon guitars. 😔

[@fuckgoogle8661]

How every KZbinr wants to go. Well besides the orgasm option obviously. Then again for that select few one would lead to the other.

[@jagermeister830]

Heck yeah I love the idea of paying it forward Keep kids out of trouble and give them a guitar!!! Love it So many want to play but may not have the means to buy one Great vid as always

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

When buying the assesory bits for your bargain guitars you should always go to AliExpress to get things . The wood bridge for the Grote is $16.28 USD mailed to your door from the Senmohan Store.

[@makemontanamyhome]

Ryan, another great video, and thanks for taking the time to share. I got one. Fantastic guitar. The newer ones have bound F-holes, an output lack plate, and a plain black truss rod cover. I am more than impressed with this guitar. Enjoy yours, I am certainly enjoying mine.

[@RandomTuber782]

I want fuzz and octaves and slide al a jack white!

[@harper.the.confused]

out of curiosity have you heard of the volkswagen guitar by first act? you can almost always find them under 250 and i love mine, though they almost always need a set up

[@chaoticembrace6984]

Great idea of changing your content!!! But whatever you do - make sure you don't short yourself money because you deserve the money you earn - you put a lot of work into it......iv modded and given 20+ guitars to school music teachers and young men and women who don't have the opportunity to buy a guitar - let alone one that is modded to make it playable for years!.......I am still doing it ....I am retired and it's the most rewarding thing iv done in my entire life - that including coaching sports for Chicago public schools many years ago for a decade!!!......kids need instruments to broaden their lives and helps their self esteem!.....great vid today Ryan!!.....Grote makes GREAT headless guitars!!! .....I own 3 of them that I modded out and they play great !!!.....the red jumps off the screen on this guitar ur demoing .....it's pretty to look at!!!....

[@BottleneckMoses]

I was sold on this when you pulled out those insane Derek Trucks slide licks 😉

[@lousimpson3070]

Not bad the reviews on Amazon are good also..hmmm do I need or want another guitar? Nahh, I'm full to the brim..lol

[@EDOGGH]

BUY a guitar from DHGATE app and review one ! At least check them out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just a viewer not aphiliated with the app.

[@JazzGuitarScrapbook]

And plus you get to have guitar with the word ‘Grote’ written on the headstock. What’s not to like?

[@scottconnors8419]

Black spray paint..done deal black out special, just play the shyte out of it n El kabong for that matter..

[@isaacdillon7648]

What's wrong with dying in a pile of guitars?

[@jonathanmeyer1164]

Was looking at a kit guitar thats similar to this for 200. Might have to get this instead. Swap the bridge for a wood bridge, and put a set of flatwounds on it.

[@acpinion1]

Jazz guitar players don't use flat wounds!

[@Vman9484]

Leo Jaymz USA Flag Les Paul on amazon. $209. I've had my eyes on it for a while and not sure if I should pull the trigger. It does have Grover tuners.

[@tedspens]

I always wished I had an ear for music. He says it's already going out of tune and I'm like, really? I could hear zero difference. Oh well, I'll just keep playing out of tune so long as the neighbors don't complain. 🎸🤣

[@DustyNonya]

I don't think I'd want to own a guitar that, no matter how good it is, sounds "Grote-y". Granted I'm not the type of person who generally likes sub 200$ guitars anymore, but I could say the same thing for anybody who's played something worth more than 600$. As much as I sympathize for people who've convinced themselves a 100-200$ guitar is the "best thing in the world" (I was one of them for 18 years), with KZbin and decent earphones it only take about 30-60 seconds on any Martin, Gibson, Larrivee, Cort, Lowden, etc. video to disprove for anybody but the most Folk-Punk Savvy people.

[@stewartkotler9024]

Mark Farner play the guitar like that

[@joekasprowicz2635]

I really like the look and sound of that style guitar. I always been into classic and metal rock. That guitar makes me want grab the old lady and serenade you. I may just have to buy one and play around with it myself.. Thanks for the video!! Rock on.

[@littvay]

That looks like a great guitar to hang on the wall and pick up when you want to nibble or need something different in the mix for a recording.

[@johnnyray1652]

How about testing an AKLOT silent guitar SOLID BODY TELE STYLE WIH ACOUSTIC BRIDGE

[@highseasmarinediaz493]

That's my knife!

[@davidkastin4240]

😆

[@UmVtCg]

Nope, it's mine

[@TheBabarada]

Hi, any idea of comparing this grote guitar to ibanez AF55-TF? As getting Grote ZTVS-001 shipped and payed import tax for here in Norway makes it just 70 usd cheaper than ibanez makes me wonder could Grote be kin of better guitar? Thx :)

[@whoozl3540]

I'll give you as many likes as you want and you give me this guitar, okey? You're even do it for a good cause, because I only receive an early pension...🥺

[@mattdoliver1984]

60 psycho Bums 😂👍🏼

[@PeterDad60]

Truthfully, my cheap guitars are as good as my expensive guitars. I think it's an ego thing to aspire to owning only expensive guitars or actually expensive anything for that matter. If something works and does the job it's designed for why spend more money? BTW, I own the same model of Grote Hollowbody guitar and it plays and sounds just fine. I like the acoustic sound very much. She's a keeper. Yes the instrument is not perfect and some people may upgrade some parts like the tuners. I won't be doing that because they are fine as they are. My $2,000 Gibson had more problems/issues. The fretwork is fine, the tuners do turn very easily but so far that has not been a problem, The size and weight please me. So I go by what feels comfortable and plays well and sounds pleasing. I don't care how much or how little it costs anymore. - Peter 72

[@generico7485]

You should do something like trogly's new guitar day program, like people who want that cheap guitar and would buy It anyways should tell you the model and color, then you buy it and review it and sell it to that same guy who wanted It but a little bit cheaper or idk

[@jeremythesurfingalien3013]

You should also try CMG guitars. I think you'll love them.

[@leightnite3056]

Very cool, definitely not as cheap looking or sounding than those fireflys... funny name as well, you ever tried an SX Liquid? (Rondo music) Been looking into those!

[@CeresKLee]

I want to heard it head to head with Inyen Vina IYV IJZ-300 TSB Jazz Solid-Body Electric Guitar, Tobacco Sunburst.

[@michaelolson7495]

Grote has made high quality electric truck parts for years. Buy them for my big truck a lot. Didn't know they made guitars. Like the tone. My just have to give one a try.

[@AndrewCCM]

For the record, I just received my FF338 today...no inlay issues. Looks really good and clean.

[@140397kent]

I have got this in a ES335 shaped body. Except for a faulty wiring, it is an awesome guitar, fun to play (don’t expect descent metal hardware, though)

[@strangequark420]

That costume was ADORABLE.

[@dlmullins9054]

Isn't it a really cool little Epi Century style guitar? It's a handy practice without amp player too. I know this is a old post but just had to say i love mine. How do they build this and ship across the world for the price? Not complaining, but i am over 70 and played since 13. I wish we could have had these deals when i started out. Great review man!

[@humancentered3447]

I have built and repaired guitars a long time. There are not vast practical differences between a $200 guitar and a $2000 guitar. “Tone wood” is largely overrated for an electric instrument you’re running through 8 signal processors but universally 1) the player makes the vibe which people perceive as tone 2) the saying is true, guitarists hear with their eyes. 3) You can, with very little money, make a cheap guitar a great guitar... but then how are you going to impress your friends, right?

[@nazmoking3171]

Looks good, sounds OK, but not much tonal dexterity with the single pick up Guitar so I view that as a drawback. While it is cheap, I would invest a couple hundred more dollars and get one of the streamliners from Gretsch with a Bigsby and then you’ve got a real guitar.

[@DeFiSiYT]

Pretty cool looking/sounding for the price! Decent quality control too... I'm tempted! Or maybe a present for my wife... She's hard to please and I wouldn't be too out of pocket if she didn't like it 😂

[@AlessandroVolta1]

I think it’s a good deal, but here is what I don’t get about this thing. Musicians are some of the most socially and politically active people around. I’m a Gretch fan and own their products made in the Far East, but not from China because of the incredibly awful events that have been unfolding in Hong Kong and with religious persecution against Falon Gong practitioners, Uighur Muslims, and Catholics, not to mention deplorable environmental conditions that affect everyone worldwide and not just some religious minorities. Clearly if some instrument manufacturer in the USA or anywhere in the western world only communicated something against the lgbt community or something that could be interpreted as racist they would be flat out boycotted. I just don’t understand what the deal is with this glowing double standard.

[@w13rdguy]

You're the sixty cycle chameleon, LoL, your playing changes to match what's coming out of the guitar! 👍

[@gwugluud]

I don't "get" guitars that don't have bridge pickups. I like the style and the color.

[@olipas2775]

I bet you could record a top of the notch jazz album with this and nobody would notice

[@nyacoustics8373]

I tried same guitar at the store . I thought it sucked. Wouldn't stay in tune and the sound wasn't great. This is no hidden gem.

[@rollofthedice]

they were 159, then 169, then 179, now at 5-29-20 they are 199. Get the hint? Soon they will be Epihone prices for cheap guitars so get one while you can!

[@josephs.horton7625]

Thanks for the review brother. There are so many of these lower end guitars out there and the quality for each varies so much. It makes it difficult to make a choice unless guys like you post vids. I would be curious to see a comparison chart of the ones you thought were better than the rest. Again, THANKS!!

[@TechnikMeister2]

Offering a ten year, new for old warranty through the Amazon Prime Australia website. Anyone spending $3000 on a guitar is nuts.

[@milehigh1762]

The best deal period is the mugig strat on Amazon 79$ amazing value!!!!!!!

[@Miningfordiamonds1]

I love the look and tone but at the same time I kinda want to see it with 2 pickups. I'd 100% buy a 2 pickup version.

[@dbsound882]

This Company is on 'A express' you can buy them for a little more but get a lot different styles and they a showing up on eBay but maybe different sellers. 30 years ago we had to pay and go to a music store wow post generations have it better-I think.

[@doesntmatter6734]

I know you get a lot of shit from people talking out of their asses on here but I’ve gotta be the one to say, I thoroughly enjoy your videos, I find them very informing and even enjoyable to watch even if it’s something I’m not particularly interested in, I still find your videos entertaining and I find myself learning a lot from them too. So thank you for ignoring those morons and just going with your own flow, it’s truly inspiring.

[@mrlongtree]

How does the body size compare to say an ES 335 or ES 339 size hollow body. Got to say I like the sound of it.

[@williammclemore5815]

Mot bad for tone, by my ears. If I were to buy one I would not use it in a distortion setting. Being hollow one might have feed back issues. It does have a jazz sound and look to it. So like a 335 or similar style would use it in the same music genre. Unfortunately I do not have the extra time in my days to play the guitars that I do own. So buying this just to have it sit or lay around is a no go. Now if I was a beginner and wanted a jazz style guitar than this might be a good buy.

[@Mark_Williams300]

You made a Borg costume for little Henry. Josh would have made a "Bord" costume 🤣

[@rindred]

That guitar's got a really relaxed P-90 sound; all the mids, no stinging high notes, and lows like an acoustic (round, but not too bassy). It reminds me of 1950s/early 1960s R&B and non-surf rock 'n' roll. The glass slide gives the notes a lot more bite, nailing the electric blues vibe. You'd have to want to play music with the aforementioned kind(s) of character to get the most out of buying this guitar.

[@60CycleHumcast]

rindred it’s a pretty specific guitar. Not at all like a 335 style semi hollow that can wear lots of hats.

[@raspberryjuiceentertainmen719]

When you played slide it sounded like you were gonna play in my time of dying

[@GAdamBarrett]

Anytime you feel overwhelmed with you guitar collection, please feel free to call on old Uncle George to help you relocate them!😉

[@rogerblack3519]

For $169 you are not risking much. If you don't like it, give it away to a kid that can't afford one.

[@philbarrows424]

“I can’t keep keeping guitars”

[@lifelikedavid]

For sub 200 total for a century/L-style guitar it's got enough character.

[@electron7373]

I'd love to see an unboxing with a work boot size hole clear through the middle of the soundboard! 🤣

[@ronroberson]

I have a Grote Lp style guitar, it's really nice, no mods needed.