Is Kiesel Sending YouTubers Hand Picked Guitars?

[@lucasstoll5387]

I bought a Kiesel off Reverb about 2 years ago now, fantastic guitar. I’m not a crazy Kiesel fanboy, but it’s hard to argue with their overall value.

[@GhostKing6790]

They used to have good value, but not anymore. Run of the mill kiesel is about 2.5k now, when I got a nicely built one new from they years ago for 1300.

[@fakemint934]

@@GhostKing6790 2500 is still a pretty good price for a full custom

[@GhostKing6790]

@@fakemint934 true, but nowhere near that good of a deal when I got mine for 1400 and they were starting at 999 a few years ago.

[@noire1991]

@@GhostKing6790 I mean it’s an American custom good quality guitar. Fender is now asking $1700 for a new american pro with no special features like stainless steel frets or locking tuners so I guess that it depends what you value man.

[@paulblair474]

@@GhostKing6790 So what you’re saying is… the value is *less*, not none. “They used to have good value, but it’s diminished slightly” would be an accurate way to say it, rather than “not anymore”. Yes?

[@michaelwashere]

I bought a Kiesel and was happy with what I got. I did, however, end up selling it a year later since I really didn't bond with it. Great American made custom guitars. I'd buy one again.

[@suedeface]

I do really like that you pay for different options, not higher specs. It is nice to know that I won't get a "lesser" guitar due to my budget, I'm only making aesthetic choices.

[@suedeface]

@@johnnytruck2009 I was hoping for that for a long time. I was grabbing pics of different fretboard, finishes etc. and photoshopping them to get an idea. Virtual builder is great.

[@Jasonbova]

Phil is just a genuine dude! Rock on!

[@Jasonbova]

@@johnnytruck2009 Right? Takes some faith!

[@etherboy3540]

I've had my Kiesel Delos for about 2 months now, and the workmanship on mine is also first-rate. I went over every inch of it and could not find a single flaw. I was amazed by the neck. The action is super low and doesn't buzz anywhere, and the tung oiled maple is amazingly smooth. It is by far the best neck I've ever played.

[@mynamesjondowell]

Did you change the profile of the neck or keep it standard?

[@etherboy3540]

@@mynamesjondowell I got the thinner neck profile in 3-piece maple.

[@Barflew1]

Glad you're happy with your Delos..Sorry I let my Osiris go around a year ago.Ordered another 1 last week. Added the 12 to 16 neck radius,and other upgrades my first 1 didn't have. Agreed, they have the Fastest neck I've ever played on.With the lowest non-buzzing action.Only guitar I've ever done Barre Chords on the 14 th fret on.Intonation was spot on.Looking forward to having neck action like that again..

[@Lesspaw41]

What's your action at? My low E buzzes all over the place at 4/64 on the 12th.

[@crappy60]

Being a south paw my favorite thing about the company is that they do not charge extra for left handed models. Which is why one day I will get a guitar made by them. Living in SoCal, I have been to the showroom many times and there is just something so special about how they play and feel. I would get a Kiesel before getting Gibson just because you get what you pay for. You’re not buying tradition, you’re buying quality.

[@pleasantlindsey33]

I STILL love my 1995 Carvin DC127 neckthrough, the predecessor to the Aries. Keisel makes some of the best necks in the business.

[@picksalot1]

Thanks John for letting Phil evaluate your new guitar. It's gorgeous, and Kiesel obviously did a wonderful job making sure everything was set up to perfection. Congrats

[@walth9092]

Very nice of you to do this for people like me just wondering. BIG thanks to the Phil Man. Keep up the great work.

[@roychan2160]

I'm writing as the video is paused will continue after this. Ordered my Vader 6 with HSS pups and acoustic saddles at the start of the pandemic only had the chance to gig with it this April. Guitar was delivered within the timeframe given and had countless hours of joy practicing with it. Once gigs started only had problem with the low E and A acoustic saddles As I'm halfway round the world away in Singapore sending guitar back would be the last option. Reached out to Kiesel and problem was identified and resolved promptly. Have been loving and using the guitar problem free since. Good job Kiesel

[@LP5369GT]

I miss the Crazy Elephant.

[@roychan2160]

@@LP5369GT Yeah they have great bands and music

[@LuisHernandez-dy1rq]

I just ordered a Delos today because of your own Kiesel Guitar review. Mine is all black with MOP logo

[@willlewis153]

Kiesel makes the best bang for your buck guitars out there. Iv been playing my Carvin CS6 regularly since 2011 and it’s never had any playability issues. The only cosmetic issue is oxidation on the bridge and bridge pickup cover from being played so often, but I actually like this since it gives a sort of vintage look now. Definitely a dream guitar I’ll have for the rest of my life and leave for my future kids one day

[@Old_Sailor85]

My wife got me a Carvin in 1996. It was built as well as anything made by PRS, Gibson, or Fender. Plus an ebony neck, locking tuners, and their old pickups are as good as any aftermarket ones I've tried in a Les Paul.

[@IDGAF_PLUS]

That's one of the most beautiful guitars I've ever seen.

[@kylegrossi8175]

I bought why first Kiesel Zeus in 2018. Incredible guitar, quality is second to none. I haven't adjusted the neck once and i live in Canada with a lot of daily temperature fluctuation. I got so used to the neck and the sound of the guitar that i just ordered my second kiesel. Aries bolt on, spalted maple top, 5 piece neck, black limba body. can't wait! great video Phil

[@gorlagOv]

I have been in the fence about Kiesel guitars for a few years. This is a really wholesome video I really enjoyed it. Congratulations on the new gear day John!

[@danstringer7610]

Beautiful guitar!!! In the past I had 2 Carvin CS6 and a CT6. All great guitars. I had to sell due to hard times…but I will have another Kiesel some day.

[@willlewis153]

Sorry you had to sell yours. My CS6 has been my main guitar for over a decade and I couldn’t imagine selling it.

[@canadiancombatwombatthe3rd782]

I ended up going with strandberg. I used to ask them so many questions and they responded in record time when setting up my old guitars. They didn't care if I had a strandberg, they just wanted to give me the best advice based on their product. They would send specs, answer questions about pricing and shipping etc. Compared to other companies that never got back to me, strandberg gave me a step by step walk through to set up my guitars and it feels good, made me pull the trigger on a 2600 dollar Boden NX 8 string.

[@onlyguitars]

@@jeffmckinnon5842 I totally agree. Customer service makes a huge difference. I was hunting for a specific guitar, and was asking on different dealers, and ended up getting one from CME. Their customer service is fantastic. They replied fast, I even asked for weight and 1st and 12th fret size of neck and they told me would send it to me next day since it was on the storage facility. In less than 24 hours they send it to me, I was impressed they did it so fast and with no certainty of a sale. Also they packed the guitar very well, on 2 boxes, the setup was good indeed when it arrived (Im from another country and it took 3 weeks to get here so great to see the guitar well protected and still with a good setup), and they installed the poker chip I bought from them too. I also asked on other places about this model, and some took forever to reply, even days lol. And when that happens it makes me want to not continue asking or purchase from them. I would actually beforehand expected the opposite, since CME is a big retail, to take more time, and other smaller shops to be quicker and more engaging. I can see now why CME does so well. Totally deserved, I'm very happy with them.

[@drad8266]

My DC600 with Floyd was around $2000. Absolutely killer sound, terrific setup and flawless fit and finish. Local luthier who does work for big names said the guitar was effectively nearly perfect from the factory and didn't need to touch it. I've had 2 Carvins and 1 Kiesel, and would buy another...that said I wish you could get more non-kiesel pickups. The Kiesel products are stellar regardless.

[@drad8266]

@@Magic_Man916 Yep, but they charge you $50 and it becomes an “Option 50”. I would rather get the factory pickups, sell them and install what I want. Regardless, I’m super happy with the Beryllium pickups I had as they’re very close to the JB/Jazz sound I had in mind.

[@drad8266]

@@Magic_Man916 I’m sure if Kiesel makes a mistake they will make it right, but they may not necessarily return the guitar if it’s something they can fix. What I believe most folks think of, and what you mentioned is the loss of the 10 day trial period. The policy (whether enforced or not I can’t speak to) is that any Option 50 (minor or not) is non-returnable under the 10 day period, however the warranty is unchanged and the guitar will be supported/repaired like any other. I did an option 50 and it was perfect but I knew exactly what I wanted.

[@MaestroJericho]

If anything order them with pickup covers so they have the full sized routing.

[@pietro6227]

At least now fishman modern are an option on kiesels

[@lewisderfuss7537]

I’m on my 5th build which is a HK in multiscale. All mine are headless multiscale guitars with raw tone finish. Best guitars I own out of a dozen others.

[@andrewfrazier1182]

I have 7 Custom Carvin/Kiesel guitars dating back from 2006 and through thier transition from Carvin to Kiesel and I have to say the quality, customer service and over all craftsmanship is the absolute best!

[@ericbruce5075]

Got a Kiesel RS6 days after they were announced. It came buzzing on almost every fret. The nut slots were alittle high and the action was super low. I raised the action but couldn’t get it working very well on my own. Took it in to my local guitar shop and got it setup… plays great now.

[@Cougar139tweak]

@@Leo_ofRedKeep more likely young under stabilized wood, owned over 20 new guitars, never had that issue, ever

[@AAllinsonNN]

@@Leo_ofRedKeep agreed Plenty of my older wood guitars have to be adjusted all the time in my climate. Can’t say a 63 SG doesn’t have old wood lol The only guitars that seem to be most resilient are my carbonized necks. And a schecter Custom S. That thing is really freaking solid

[@kiyanharchegani2588]

@@Cougar139tweak or a guitar going from sunny california to the cold ass east coast lol.

[@davidhowe6023]

Sounds fantastic Philip!

[@chrisggoodwin777]

I ordered the beryllium in both the neck and bridge on my CS6 being built. I watched the pickup demo video on Kiesel's KZbin page and thought those were exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for another great video!

[@Gene_Cali]

Impressive, most Impressive! Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th be with you.

[@ericlewis9638]

It both looks and sounds like a work of art, thank you for a great unbiased review!!

[@vansongs]

One of the best videos of this type I've seen. You are a modest man concerning your playing skills as you seem to have a feel few possess.

[@ramilak]

Another awesome review Phil. I have an early 90s Carvin which I bought in the 90s and was still wet behind the ears. Got it out of the newspaper classifieds. Only now after all these years of other guitars do appreciate the quality of this instrument.

[@grg-mpgmusic7247]

Now this was a great video and a great idea. I am glad you have fans willing to do this. Too many times I wonder if some of these sponsored demos are 'set up' with the best of the best. Really fun idea and I loved taking 11 minutes with you and that beautiful guitar.

[@lrblouie]

I have an older Carvin SH-575 and it is a work of art!!! It only seems they have gotten more and more beautiful!

[@ericjam6346]

Beautiful. What a dream guitar!

[@tzd]

Wow, this is the best sounding guitar I have heard on your channel, by far! Not to mention beautifully and perfectly built too!

[@RyanMcQuen]

My first good guitar was a Carvin HF2, saved up forever. It arrived in tune! Still plays perfectly! Carvin/Kiesel is a phenomenal value.

[@frank241973]

Really really enjoyed the review, hope on seeing more .. can't get enough...Phil really would be great to see more Kiesel's on the Chanel, also really would like to see some Kramer's..lol

[@onionheadguy7094]

Wow that is an absolute gorgeous guitar!

[@gabewilliams7462]

Wow Phil, this video is insanely well done! Not dissing your other videos or anything, but this one is just top notch. Love it!

[@23centrifuge]

Holy crap thats a beautiful top!

[@HeFoundAgartha]

All I know is I have 2 Kiesel and they are extremely well made guitars. And the fact that you can customize certain models for borderline CHEAP (considering it’s custom and US made) is practically unbeatable. Having a Kiesel in the 1600.00 price range compared to other companies that only offer overseas models in that price range, the Kiesel plays and feels far better.

[@duckyjp17]

Very cool guitar to review. Great idea for a video. Well done all around.

[@rockdaddy2168]

Great review, I've been wanting to order a Kiesel and this took me much closer to it. I just cant make up mind what all I want on a guitar. I'll figure it out. Thanks Phil.

[@shuster1921]

One of the best guitars I've ever owned is my Carvin guitar, looks stunning and plays like butter!

[@rocknrollmouseuk]

Great idea Richard! (sadly) I expect we'll all be glad of an uplift in mood by Christmas - I'm already looking forward to seeing/hearing the custom instruments being played. Great idea, you're our first Christmas'22 Hero 👏

[@stonedome93]

4:26 thank you so much for this measurement. I've asked for these numbers several times during qnas with Jeff

[@dalgguitars]

OK. It's absolutely beautiful. Thank you john for the guitar. Thank you Phil for such great content. fantastic video.

[@a.c.4953]

Thanks to John for sharing his baby

[@courier11sec]

😳😮😯 holy crap that's a gorgeous machine.

[@ph0kused]

i have a monster burst Aries multiscale 7, they didnt skip on my top at all, huge thick flame maple figuring, plus royal ebony board, i mean the thing is a work of art and sounds so amazing.

[@kimblers]

I really enjoy your channel Phillip. I have really learned a lot from you and many other channels. but mostly yours. Keep up the good work.

[@jacobbaranowski]

Happy 4th, may the 4th be with us 🇺🇸

[@robhunt7346]

I’m pretty jealous of John. A gorgeous guitar! Sounds great too.

[@anomalous9448]

This could be the best guitar review on the internet. Thanks.

[@TinyLegs15243]

I have 3 and each is pretty much impecable and a joy to play.

[@andrevilaca6469]

With EQ curve on the Neck pup pushing the mids like that, this guitar can very well be used for Jazz with either a clean or slightly overdriven sound.

[@adamjolin]

I like it a lot, they seem to do great work! Nice guitar John, enjoy!

[@gtr1952]

Congrats John!! That guitar is just beautiful to the max!! I really like the neck-through also! There is something about the pups and frets being on the same board, sounds great! I've got one started in my shop, maybe that will inspire me to get working on it again!! LOL 8) Good luck with her!! 8) Peace --gary

[@cellarcatband]

Wow, the neck pickup sounds gorgeous

[@phillippitts6294]

That is an awesome build!🖖🏼

[@zaz4667]

1.25 mm to inches is 0.049 of a inch. About 3/64th of a inch. That tells a lot! I got to get a 7 string Aries! Love the bevel on those!

[@Fast2Whls]

Man, that thing sounds badass through the BadCat. What a tone! I love my Carvins from the early 2000's, but I think their new pickups are a step above the C22's that are in mine.

[@slsalkin]

Did not expect to be hearing Heaven and Hell in this review ;) Actually, for all the guitarists and bands I've heard you mention, I don't think I've ever heard you mention Iommi except maybe in reference to the Iommi signature. Since I'm commenting, nice idea for a video and great execution as always, really appreciate your commitment to continuous improvement.

[@rudiyantohalim736]

I love Kiesel because of Jason Becker

[@pvdmac]

Beautiful piece of Wood…Fantastic Guitar…

[@JAKE.A.47]

I'm 3 for 3 with excellently built flawless kiesels. Finest craftsmanship I've played, but a lot has to do with the specs

[@edwardmiller3469]

A beautiful work of art.

[@wadekresak2149]

Thank you for being so candid. If you ever have the opportunity to review one of the Jason Becker guitars, please do so.

[@toddjoseph1tj]

My son has a Becker custom shop and he loves it.

[@YummyPork]

That's a beautiful guitar. I liked the clean tone. Thanks to John for sharing this with the rest of us!

[@gk6993]

A beautiful instrument

[@danielhorsley2259]

Guitars like this usually aren’t my style but this thing sounds fantastic!! Very cool video Phil!🤘

[@rhugh02]

Wow, a wet dream of a guitar for sure.

[@gillamb8669]

That is a beauty. 👍🤘

[@zynosgd9982]

I bought a Kiesel about 5 years ago. It played like a dream then and hasn't need a single setup since. While I'm not the biggest fan of Jeff Kiesel himself, the instruments are top tier.

[@kevinconroy2583]

The guitar owner John has got to be a Jerry Garcia fan. That guitar just gives me that vibe and it looks fantastic. Great video Phil!

[@ryanbarker3978]

I have 6 Kiesels and they are all absolutely perfect. The quality of their product is superb.

[@cwantuch]

Thanks!

[@PhillipMcKnight]

You bet! Thank you

[@216trixie]

I just bought a new dipsy Doodle from guitar center. Best ukulele I've ever played.

[@bigpapavee]

What a great idea for consumers! Thanks Phil!

[@JimDewdGuitars]

I have 10 kiesels with a K series on the way and since getting my first one in January 2019 I've gotten builds ranging from $1200 to $4400 and all have been the same amazing quality and playability. they really do amazing work and since my first one I haven't wanted to buy anything else since.

[@ragnakak]

Do you have a cs6? If so how do you like it compared to a lp?

[@JimDewdGuitars]

@@ragnakak no cs6 yet, I have a vanquish, osiris, Delos, Vader, headless Delos, neck thru aries, hyperdrive, crescent, Andy james AJ2, and solo. I will say the Delos and solo feel way better than any strat or tele I've ever played. Better neck feel and stability as well as fit and finish and the tone was much better too.

[@calibcrockett]

Damn, thats an average of 3.33 guitars per year, high end ones too! Lucky ducky 🐤

[@JimDewdGuitars]

@@calibcrockett thanks I really appreciate that. I have worked a lot of hours to be able to get a nice collection. I'm hoping to eventually get one of each model.

[@calibcrockett]

@@JimDewdGuitars hopefully you don't work so much you don't have time to play them haha 😆

[@kittysofdoom6968]

Beautiful guitars. I have been priced out of Kiesel. I do own a Carvin. The carvin was my first custom guitar i got in 1988. I love that guitar. Kiesel make such beautiful guitars. Some day i will get one.

[@BobPerrone]

Not my taste for guitar style, but Holy cow what a beautifully made instrument. Worth every penny.

[@kjhellfire]

Just commenting for the engagement. Keep it up Phil!

[@suedeface]

I've had 5 Kiesels. They all played great and were built flawlessly. But...the custom color on one was not even close and there were spots throughout where the dye didn't get absorbed into the wood. They wouldn't do anything for me. I was open to any idea they would have had to help make it right. I refinished it myself and it looks much better but I still can't stand looking at it

[@ChainsawChristmas]

Built flawlessly. Custom color was not even close. Not my definition of flawless.

[@suedeface]

just saying playing the guitar was great, looking at it...not so much.

[@richardclark.]

Jeff doesn't make mistakes. Just ask him. You didn't order the right color. End of story.

[@suedeface]

@@richardclark. haha, and Jeff did the finish on it too

[@courier11sec]

Man it's crazy how many times I've seen a similar story. I don't have "order a custom guitar" kind of money, so it wouldn't ever be an issue for me. If I were to ever get one it would be used, but if I ordered a custom, it wasn't right, and I got that kind of response, you'd never get me to shut up about it.

[@Prometheus4096]

The 'problem' with Kiesel is that customers can spec their own guitar, which results in some Kiesels just being very ugly or over the top. The numetal/djent skew they have possibly makes this worse. Another problem might be that some people just want to pick a fight with Jeff Kiesel. And that never works, to put it mildly. Additionally, because you spec out your guitar yourself, some people aren't sure what they want or like. Additionally, somehow their pickups get a bad rep, even though they have a long long history of designing their own pickups. Not sure why Kiesel pickups need to be replaced by after market ones, but PRS or Ibanez ones don't. Because Kiesel guitars got so popular, they weren't able to meet demand. So logically, they upped their prices to follow the market trend. So one cannot really say anymore they are a total bargain.

[@hur1kane]

Phil, stellar playing as always, I'd love to see you break down the bigsby pedal

[@_NoDrinkTheBleach]

I've got two Kiesel guitars, an SCB from 2015 and an Andy James 7 string from 2020. I think the SCB has more mojo, but the Andy James guitar is impeccably built in comparison. I think that they've got a mixed reputation because of how polarizing Jeff can be, the QC inconsistencies, and the ongoing war between fanboys and haters. I also have an old Carvin DC that I bought in the late 90s that still punches above its weight class in terms of sound and playability.

[@necrojoe]

Yeah, I have a 2008, 2016 and 2020. The 2008 is still my #1 just because of the model, but the 2016 is built better than the 2008, and the 2020 is built better than the 2016.

[@cpfs936]

My problem is, they don't make the one I'd want anymore! (Holdsworth Fatboy with a headstock-there was a picture on the website that was almost exactly it.)

[@quantum_beeb]

That guitar is stunning

[@CRAZYCANUCKTV]

Stunning Axe!

[@billsguitargarage]

Beautiful guitar. My Kiesel was also flawless when it arrived.

[@PaulKingMetal]

Excellent video, amazing guitar. Very well done! Love it😉👍

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

A Gibson Custom shop start at $6k. For the amount spent on this, I don't know how you can get a better value. Just look at that thing! The only custom shop I have ever owned is my Schecter California and it is nothing like this masterpiece. Amazing!

[@Furtheronmusic]

The wood combo on that is amazing. They are pretty unknown over here in the UK a shop near me that sadly closed down a few years back did stock a few in the Carlin days. I was impressed then.

[@GilaMonster971]

I have a Carvin Icon 5 I had them build about 15 years ago. It’s an awesome beast.

[@Great-Scotthew]

I have 2 and both are incredible

[@54fighting5]

Nice job on the review Phil. John you have a beautiful instrument there. It looks like a top quality build also. May you have many years of enjoyment from this guitar🙏🙏 It's so pretty that I would be nervous every time I took it out of the case lol.

[@timothyplonk6881]

I have a Kiesel DC600 and a CARVIN bolt , both are excellent guitars my favorites. The quality of the woods,hardware electronics and construction are off the hook and chain 🎸

[@billycramer8066]

That's a beautiful ax

[@MaxSalada]

I love my Kiesel vanquish i bought for my 50th birthday. such a great guitar

[@davidjoel111]

What a beautiful guitar, love natural finishes especially with gold hardware!

[@ivonsmith4255]

My Kiesel Vader 6 should arrive in 1-2 weeks in Malaysia; this demo model sounds incredible

[@RichardGarcia93]

What’s that blue guitar all the way to the right? It looks gorgeous!