Kiesel CS6 Review

Forgive me for shooting this on an iPhone 8 but at the time I wasn't able to get a proper video and audio rig set up. However I know this will be informative for those looking for a deeper dive into a buyers experience and some features offered from Kiesel custom orders. @kieselguitars

[@chocolatecookie8571]

Thanks for the review. But dude, the hard transition from gloss to satin at the back of the neck can be seen on all the pictures of guitars they put online. Even in the builder. Also the belly cut can be seen easily on the builder

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I never noticed so that’s my bad 😣 the hard line from gloss to satin isn’t to nice looking imo. If it was gradual it would look like the cost of the instrument. They also mention that the builder is not 100% accurate in how things look but very close.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

@@GuitaristGuyJames Have you send it already? I’m curious how the return procedure will end. You hear stories sometimes, you know

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@chocolatecookie8571 I did return it within the 10 day return policy window. It was an easy process, no hassle. Good vibes only.

[@chocolatecookie8571]

@@GuitaristGuyJames Good to hear that! I’m happy for you it worked out. And what is the next guitar. Another Kiesel, Halo, Gibson, or…?

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@chocolatecookie8571 I went with a prs S2 594 after I returned the Kiesel and I couldn’t be happier! I’ll do a review on that sometime. Thanks for chiming in 🙏🏼

[@TheSweezer]

Dust specs in headstock or bubbles is an instant return.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Yeah it wasn’t nice, especially considering it was an up charge to have the rosewood headstock face.

[@GilaMonster971]

And an easy fix...

[@LoweCommotionStudio]

They did the finish wrong on my Vanquish multiscale bass and when I mentioned it on their Facebook page (I gave a great review and pictures but stated they did the finish wrong) and the owner went on a FB video tirade about me. The dude is a total jerk and after buying 8 guitars and basses from them, I'll never buy another new one from them again. I hope your return went well.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I think that was a moment in time when they may have had some internal issues with customer service but I believe it has since been resolved. I understand your experience though. My return went great.

[@GilaMonster971]

The finish on my Carvin Icon 5 also had some waves in the finish. They were super polite about it, fixed it, and returned it pretty quick.

[@GJSwiech]

Carvin / Kiesel introduced the CS6 in 2007 and have been doing the body / neck finish transition the same way all these years. No complaints from me.

[@gunnerdesron]

They have now switched to using Bourns volume and tone pots on their guitars standard.

[@zipchtkdn7804]

Chris is great sales person.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Absolutely!

[@roychan2160]

Had my Vader 6 HSS with acoustic saddles since mid Apr 2020. Ordered beginning Feb 2020 and delivered within timeframe promised. Very happy with it and when live music started it performed as I envisaged. Perfectly happy with it. It's a major bummer about your headstock bubbles QC should have spotted it.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Hey I’m glad your experience was perfect. My customer service experience was exceptional

[@kinazoranalvirovic3117]

California Single 6 Is Amazing Guitar! Carvin/Kiesel Rules!🎉

[@yeahairwick]

Awesome honest review dude! Kiesel boiz 🤘🏾

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Thank you I hope it helps others

[@barrymiller2272]

I purchased a Carvin CT-6 in 2004. My mom passed away that year and i got it tricked out with gold hardware..tung neck..her name engraved on truss rod..awesome guitar! I've played it hundreds of hours...purchased another under the Keisel name..almost identical specs except lithium pickups and i hardly play it! It looks fantastic but I've never bonded with it. Pickups are horrible imo. Some love them..others are saying Jeff has become arrogant. I do know Carvin was a fantastic company. I still own a PA system and a Vai Legacy amplifier...great stuff

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

That carvin has sentimental value no other guitar can too for you. Hey I’d love you you checked out my music 🤙🏼 tr.ee/5gMO7frvrz

[@drad8266]

Try the Beryllium pickups. Great PAF tones

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@drad8266 prs makes me happy

[@snfrd]

Just shocked that you didn't inquire about the body thickness considering you wanted a similar thickness to an LP. And Kiesels aren't cheap.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Me too 😂 I wish I would have but pictures looked thick so I didn’t have any doubts.

[@GilaMonster971]

@@GuitaristGuyJames not sure if their website is the same as when they were Carvin, but they use to give all the measurements of the instruments on the website.

[@timjenkins502]

To be fair every guitar with a gloss body and a satin neck has that hard line. That's just kind of how it is. And it is designed to be a more modern single cut. With a belly carve, light weight and thin body. Sucks it wasn't what you had in mind.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I can’t say I’ve ever played a through body single cut guitar that has a satin neck/gloss body. It’s never something you consider on a bolt on so I just assumed it would be a smooth transition. Man the guitar played and sounded wonderful Though!

[@WinterhouseRecords]

This comment section is weird. I thought your review was completely fair. I think trying a CS3 was a fine choice in searching for an LP alternative; I’ve dabbled myself into looking into one myself. And your criticisms are valid: It is an odd decision to have serial numbers on the input jack. If a guitar is stolen, it would be so easy to swap that out and then now there’s no hard identifier (besides specific specs) to help you identify it. The satin/gloss transition definitely has room to improve. People are correct in pointing out that they do make that visible on the builder, but that doesn’t mean the issue itself doesn’t exist. I agree that it does detract from the aesthetics, as well as probably feel a little jarring on the higher frets - but since I haven’t played their neckthroughs I can’t say for a certainty whether its problematic. My two main guitars are Kiesels and, whilst not “perfect”, I absolutely love them. My headless Delos (headless strat-style) came with what appears to be weird tooling marks on the fretboard, and little blemishes on the plastic of the tone knob cover. Some people in these comments would probably say that’s unacceptable for a $2k guitar… I suppose I just don’t see it that way. No guitar is “perfect”, and it plays like a dream. Until those issues interfere with my playing then 🤷‍♂️ I don’t really care too much. I got to make a cool guitar tailored to my needs - that matters more to me than if it’s not “perfect”. Sorry for the novel. I feel like people need to spend less time nit-picking minor issues and just play guitar lol

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I’m happy with this comment section, most people have been understood and respectful. I agree about you last statement of just playing and not worrying about the guitar too much. For me I just didn’t want to regret my hard earned purchase and since I had the opportunity to return in full I’m glad I did. I would recommend Kiesel still.

[@GilaMonster971]

I’m betting the serial number is stamped hidden inside the body somewhere and not just on the jack.

[@markaustin3959]

Very helpful video mate! Thankyou. I’m sure by this stage you’ve now got a Les Paul haha cheers

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

No actually I found success with the PRS McCarty 594 Core!

[@alexchejlyk7764]

The finish bubbles would irk me. Everything else would be a non-issue. I may be odd because I like the abrupt transition! Beautiful guitar, BTW. Glad to hear the return was smooth. Good, honest review.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Thank you for your comment

[@GilaMonster971]

I have a Carvin Icon 5 bass that I love. Bought it when they offered the asymmetrical neck option and it’s one of the best playing, sounding, and looking basses I have ever owned. But I agree that playability, and tones are subjective and we all need to find the instrument that suits us. Thankfully my bass did it for me.

[@lrblouie]

All the issues you pointed out (except the bubbles on the headstock lacquer), if you had done your research, you would and should have known about. The satin necks in particular, the transition from gloss is well known and in my view very well executed (I have the same in my SH-575).

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

If you think that’s well executed that’s your opinion. Mine is, it doesn’t look or feel good. It honestly deserves more attention in the marketing because I’m not a fool, I obsessed over the online builder and went over the order multiple times with my rep. There’s even a disclosure on the builder saying things may look a bit different.

[@ahaua1]

I have a Gibson Les Paul Custom and really like it; not a big deal, but I do wish it was lighter. This is one reason, I'm considering Kiesel. With that said, I'm looking to order either a CS3 or CS6 and have them do a Silverburst finish, (big fan of Adam Jones). I'm initially thinking of doing the entire guitar in a Satin finish, but wonder how the Silverburst would look in Satin vs gloss like my Les Paul. Still debating on pulling the trigger; nice to know that their return policy is good, but I would hate to have to go there, unless there were manufacturing flaws. Thanks for the honest review! Enjoy that PRS.

[@RKDriver]

I have an impeccable Aries from 2016. Just amazing, solid guitars. I think his concerns are legit with respect to that hard line on the neck and the volume pot. I don't think the body thickness and contours are a concern. It's a different guitar made by a different manufacturer and that has to be factored in. My advice on ordering one is to keep design specs as simple as possible. The more add-ons you put on, the more likely it could clash with other parts.

[@BParker55]

I know this is late but kiesel could literally address most if not all of these concerns if you just followed the instructions to call about specifics before placing an order. The specs in the headstock are definitely a return tho at least for them to cleanly refinish it.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I did go over the order twice with my rep. Never was it mentioned “by the way there is a hard line between the satin neck and gloss body” nor did I notice it on the online builder. Anyway it’s all good now.

[@charliewelch328]

I own 15 Kiesel's. So I would say yes!

[@Amiga1200_Juicer]

İ dont really think you have high expectations , including the neck. You just need to tell them about that transiction tho, otherwise they gonna send it the way it seems on the web. Kiesel guitars are great. Thanks for that awesome review. Hope you find what you want . Cheers

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

All is well they were great in the return process

[@MegaGuitarpicker]

Warmoth may be a better “affordable” option. I personally dislike Gibson and Fender products. I have dealt with Fenders’ disrespectful customer support when I had a Jeff Beck Strat with dead pickups and worn out case when I bought brand new. Gibson uses the Tune-O-Matic bridge which should be obsolete along with other issues by now, but aren’t . There are other reasons however, I can put a Gibson scale neck on a Telecaster body with the options I want with many styles of neck thickness and headstock options, hundreds of wood and finishing options including the option of unfinished products, bridge rout options, pickup options, control options and many others. Sure you need to put it all together but that is also a wonderful experience. When Carvin switched to Keisel, I saw prices go up and up. I also saw new models and options. Way back Carvin motivated me to build my own guitars when they offered the unfinished thru-body neck option. I built a couple guitars from them then decided on the shorter scale necks and started making my own. I have used Warmoth for a couple builds and they are fairly decent people to deal with and have outstanding choices. For the money, there are many better choices than Fender and Gibson in my opinion. Good luck!

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I like Warmoth! I’ve done two guitars with them. I eventually sold them however… really nice to have the flexibility. I’ll probably buy a bare bones kit someday to have as a build project. I always had someone else do it

[@lisaayers1975]

I agree 👍💯. When Kiesel was Carvin prices were really good..I have 2 Carvins I bought..Man the prices have really gone up on the Kiesels

[@bri.g.5105]

How do you choose the back to be painted same as front. Can't find that option.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Contact customer service if you don’t see something you want

[@TheHumbuckerboy]

I own a 1978 Gibson 'The Paul' which has a chunky body but the body is also contoured and comfortable

[@aninfinitemindofmusicandreams]

You're saying you want a guitar that improves upon the LP but feels like the LP. I dunno how you feel about ESP/LTD Eclipse's but that's exactly how I'd categorise them. They feel like Les Pauls minus some of the things I dislike about LPs. I suppose there's no point in saying this now since you ended up getting a PRS singlecut that ticks that box for you. This Kiesel looks nice though and the thinner body and feel is more inline with what I'd personally want out of a LP style guitar.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I haven't tried the ESP/LTD Guitars but they look great and are affordable. The PRS really did it for me. I like the chunky body although I will say it's heavy but a good 3 inch leather strap helps. My Single Cut hum bucker search is over!

[@TheSlandis]

Kiesel takes great pride in the quality of their finishes so I'm surprised that the headstock looked like that. I'm not sure if you can do a gradual transition between gloss and satin without entirely changing your process. I've never seen a gradual transition on a Kiesel. Regarding the volume knob, I've noticed that the volume band on most of my Kiesels are biased where most of the volume gain is either 1 - 3 or 8 - 10. That's probably the thing that bothers me; the lack of a smooth volume swell.

[@zankywatanabe9400]

No you dont need to buy Kiesel guitars, Jeff Kiesel will send them to each and everyone of you for reviewing.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Hey you’re attitude is wrong brother. I had every hope this would workout, I’m not badmouthing Kiesel production or customer service.

[@zipchtkdn7804]

Yeah I was very disappointed when I got mine several years ago. It was the ultra v in the damn thing was so damn tiny I laughed and it had to go back then I got the DC 125

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

It’s a risk buying custom guitars you can’t find in shops. They make great stuff nonetheless

[@marketplayer]

I would return it simply because the covers are different. I mean what were they thinking???

[@philandviki]

I’ve own several Gibson Les Paul’s since the early 1990’s and have no issues with them . I also have purchased several Epiphone les Paul’s and like them . I do however like to look and experiment with other manufactures . Thank you for the video :)

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I’ve never played one that stays in tune past a few big bends and the stock frets aren’t for me. But I know it’s possible to get them dialed into personal perfection. Happy playing to you 🤙🏼

[@DoctorMcFarlandStudios]

Send it to me.... I will rock that guitar. I have two Chapman guitars and they both have that hard line from the gloss to satin finish.

[@sublyme2157]

So other than the headstock, neck, body, and electronics, it's a great guitar! lol ;) I've had a few Carvins and Kiesels in my day, and I can honestly say they're pretty great guitars that almost never turn out how I hoped. The sole exception is an Aries, which exceeded expectations.

[@kennethmeeker6369]

carvins and kiesels come with the jackplate serial number have for years I’ve got a carvin from 2008 and a Kiesel Kseries from 2017 there both decent players for the money . I’ve got a PRS DGT that’s the ultimate les Paul type for me and I played custom shop les Paul’s the same day I picked it up Gibson has a lot of little issues like that carvin lol

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Thanks for your comment 🤙🏼

[@LoweCommotionStudio]

Not all of them. Some of them are stamped onto the highest fret on the fretboard, which is also kind of dumb but not as bad as the jackplate. That's just stupid.

[@GilaMonster971]

It’s likely the serial number is stamped in the interior of the body somewhere also.

[@grants7752]

You know it'll clean up if you just change the pots, at a capacitor maybe if you want lol but realistically if you just change the pots you can clean it up halfway like other guitars

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

That would’ve worked. Other things were a deal breaker though. Cheers

[@Harrysound]

@@GuitaristGuyJames they should use decent electronics in the first place….unbelievable

[@corecreekproductions6533]

The scale length is not the same as a Les Paul. Kiesel uses a 25” scale like PRS for this guitar, not the 24.75” scale of the Gibson. That alone would knock it off my list of guitars that play like a Les Paul. I own two CS guitars and love them (and one Les Paul)… I think they did a great job updating on the classic design and prefer them to my Les Paul.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

In custom orders you have scale length options and I chose the 24.75 option.

[@corecreekproductions6533]

@@GuitaristGuyJames Are you sure about that? I’ve been a Carvin/Kiesel fan for over 17 years now and I’ve never seen 24.75” as an option, and it’s not an option for the CS model in their online builder. If you called it in and they offered that option it’s definitely new, and I suspect it would make the guitar non-returnable.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@corecreekproductions6533 I see that online it’s not an option but I did go over the order with my rep when placing it and got that spec. Maybe they changed in recent months. I placed my order sometime last year. When I received it I returned it successfully with in a few days

[@corecreekproductions6533]

@@GuitaristGuyJames Just helping in case anyone else came to your video and thought it was 24.75” scale. I’m pretty sure the CS line never was…. I prefer the 25” scale but if I wanted a guitar that felt like a Les Paul this wouldn’t be it. Did you replace the guitar with another Kiesel?

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@corecreekproductions6533 totally appreciate it! No I went with a prs 594 single cut I found locally and man it’s exactly what I wanted

[@14TacomaDR]

those air bubbles could get worse over time

[@american_psycho1147]

Sounds to me like you wanted a Les Paul but weren't willing to actually pull the trigger on one so you "settled" for a Kiesel instead and are disappointed it's not a Les Paul. Of course it's not a Les Paul, it's a CS6, they're not the same guitar despite how much you want them to be. You could get a USA made ESP Eclipse and probably still be comparing it to a Les Paul

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

To be fair, Les Paul’s are the model which most single cut guitars are modeled after. I love me a gold top LP but there’s just to many red flags with Gibson for me now. I was actually hoping the Kiesel would be as nice or better “for me” as a prs 594 single cut. I’m glad I tried a Kiesel and don’t have anything bad to say about my experience. For someone that wants a Les Paul “style” guitar that advances in its inherent design flaws, PRS 594 are the best I’ve found.

[@deadspeak1126]

I bet that keisel plays better than a Gibson

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@deadspeak1126 I bet that’s an impossible statement to prove because it’s all subjective.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@JJ Groo how about a prs that solves all the problems of gibson 😅

[@brandonbryson3317]

I’ve tried a lot of the higher end Les Paul alternatives…all built better, play easier, weigh less, and stay in tune better. Yet none of them had the tone. Even my 594 after swapping the pickups to bareknuckles…they all sounded great, until I plugged in one of my 3 Les Paul’s haha so I stopped fighting it. I still love PRS and have several of their models. Also, I have 2 Kiesel and they are badass too. I just buy the double cut super strat styles so I don’t compare them to the Paul lol

[@KevinORourke25]

I have 4 Kiesel guitars and I love them. However, I would not call Kiesel a "CUSTOM" guitar company. They offer a nice variation in any guitar you want, but the choices are what Kiesel presents to you from their menu of options. I'm only pointing this out for people who are not familiar with the Kiesel process. Also, the 10 day return policy includes the time it takes for you to get the guitar and the time it takes you to ship it back. So it really is a 4 day return policy, I could be wrong about that, but I think that's the current policy.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

There custom in the sense you can pick their offered specs but yeah you can just draw a picture and say make this, no company really does that. But for what they offer there is a lot to choose from. The 10 day return begins when the delivery is registered as received. From that point you have ten days to try it and or contact customer service to return. I returned mine after about 4-5 days

[@lesnacke]

I got that impression after watching just one of their live Q&As, they deny so many requests it just says it all, even basic stuff that you'd think wouldn't be a big deal. And it's usually a flat out "no" with no explanation. They do not offer plastic binding on a LP copy guitar even after calling them which is quite disappointing.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@lesnacke they have their menu and we as the consumer have to decide if it’s the right place to spend our money. They excel in other areas like craftsmanship because I can say that the cs6 I had was a great player

[@tommysawake4130]

Jeff personally said that the 10 day return time doesn't start until you receive the guitar, not when they ship it

[@KevinORourke25]

@@tommysawake4130 Thanks for the update. Do you know if the return time includes the number of days it takes to ship it back to Kiesel if you do return it?

[@nathangreen5097]

With all due respect…… You’re exactly what I imagine Saitama would look like in real life.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Best comment ❤️

[@zipchtkdn7804]

Yeah customers get a bill and they don't like it there's always somebody that wants one already built and will sacrifice on some cosmetic stuff and options a lot of people cannot wait three or four months so I bet you that guitar gets back to kiesel's online it's going to go fast

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I hope cause it really was a great player. Someone that doesn’t mind fixing things to their spec could probably sand the gloss down around the heel and get it right too.

[@robinhaag3417]

How close does the cs6 sound to a Les Paul ?

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

That’s a tough question to answer because there’s no real sound that is specific to a Les Paul these days with how many single cut dual humbucker guitars there out there. This guitar was spec’d out to Les Paul materials. With the exception of the dimensions of those specs the guitar SOUNDS like a Les Paul sure, but it doesn’t FEEL like a Les Paul, which for me is what is what’s most unique about owning any guitar, the feel of it.

[@stevelowery4764]

@@GuitaristGuyJames Without knocking you too much, I don’t think you did your homework before ordering. They list the dimensions of each model on the website, including weight, so I’m not sure what the complaint is there. The pots I can understand, but that’s a fairly quick fix. I own a few Kiesels and would be rather disappointed about the headstock, so that would in fact prompt a return for me. That said, if the playability is great and you like the sound, what are your priorities? If the only guitar that makes you happy is a Les Paul, then that’s the ONLY guitar you should consider purchasing. Either take your chances on Reveb, EBay, etc finding that holy grail guitar, or do your research and find a reputable custom builder that specializes in making Les Paul clones. Try out some of their previous builds, and spend the $$$$ to have them spec out precisely what you want in a replica..

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@stevelowery4764 i did look size up before buying and knew it would be different but I didn’t know just how small it would feel. I imagined slightly smaller but it’s significantly smaller like at least a quarter smaller than an LP. With that said, LP is just the flagship… I know I mentioned it in the video but that because I think most people want an LP style guitar that solves the LP problem. Kiesel gets close. If the body was comparable in depth and the cosmetics were on point this would be a gold mine. However I ended up picking a PRS 594 s2 for cheaper than the Kiesel and ended up way happier. I would recommend the s2 594 single cut to anyone looking for a improved upon LP style guitar

[@stonephilips9361]

Looks like a PRS copy 😅beautiful Top.

[@betolicks4071]

CS3 vs CS6 what's the difference 🤔???

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Basically just the top wood.

[@betolicks4071]

@@GuitaristGuyJames oh I see how to distinguish with such similar names lol

[@owlperchedsilo3745]

if only it was not weight relieved and had 24 frets, then i would buy 2.

[@levivue8972]

Sounds like you want a Chibson

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Love me a good chibson 😂

[@nuthinbutlove]

I don't understand for the life of me how on earth they let that guitar be sent out with those blemishes, not to mention the lack of control of the volume knob. That's just poor quality control. ... and to put the serial number on the jack plate instead of burning it in the back of the headstock 🙄

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Yeah… glad you agree, it’s those small things that make or break it. Guitar played great though.

[@genustinca5565]

So you actually returned it for being a better guitar than the original LP... right.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I never said it was better. I said it was great and still this is only my experience and opinion in my hands. The PRS I picked up however is better for than both. ✌🏼

[@mattbrillhart2922]

So you basically wanted a LP…and bought a Kiesel…

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

This is becoming a repeating comment. I wanted a guitar that improved on Les Paul problems but to still feel like a Les Paul… that’s not uncommon, many people buy strat style guitars from company’s like Anderson, Suhr etc because they want a “strat” style guitar but improved… they will almost always compare it to the strat for reference in conversation.

[@kennethdixon4854]

Hey Putz, how would YOU transition from a gloss body to a satin neck finish? The answer is: you can't! Deal with it. Secondly, if you want a Gibson Les Paul body thickness, buy a Gibson. Kiesel specs are readily available and expecting something that wasn't delivered without doing your research is on you. I own a CS6 with a quilted maple top and 2 Gibson Les Paul Traditionals and believe me, body thickness is not an issue.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

You’re attitude is an issue putz… you’re bringing unneeded negativity to this comment section.

[@mariosangermano]

I've had the serial numbers the jack plate on all my Kiesel/Carvin basses for 20 + years and It never presented an issue in any way shape or form. Seems like a silly gripe to me. But, you are entitled to your opinion. I've never once in 20 + years ever heard anyone complain about the serial number on the jack plate. strange! You can simply write the serial number down and put it somewhere for future reference If you need It.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

It’s something I haven’t seen any other company do.

[@TheAudivisioner]

I bought a Carvin AC50F fretless bass from Guitar Center in Wichita Falls, Kansas (online order). Had to get the old world flatwound strings off of it. Plays fine so far. It came with the original case, and the original invoice. Considering it was made and first sold in 2006. Also bought a Carvin BB76P bass (P for piezo) from a GC location in New Orleans, Louisiana. Original case and the original invoice. Bit of a coincidence. Happens that way sometimes.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@TheAudivisioner I used to live next to the one of the only car in storefronts in Santa Ana California growing up. First time I got to play quality built instruments taking my first guitar lessons on 2007

[@berchartv.-ty7qv]

It doesn’t sound and feel like a Les Paul? Because it’s not a Les Paul! People doesn’t like to pay and will settle for a copy then gets upset when it doesn’t sound like the real thing.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I agree with you. I’m happy I found out how much more I prefer PRS now.

[@Allguitarinfo]

Do you even know what your saying. .l..."the guys at the bench havent seen or heard of that" man theyve been building guitars longer thaN youve been playing them i guarantee they KNOW WHAT THEYRE DOING... they build wonderful guitars

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I never said they don’t make great guitars… but this one had issues and things I didn’t expect from a first time Kiesel buyer.

[@chrislandrum62]

Very fare review. Not fare all these people are ripping you for it. How would you compare the build quality to prs? (Less the headstock issue)

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Man it comes with the territory of online keyboard warrior culture. The Kiesel headstock break angle was great with the headstock I chose. The PRS 595 Mccarty I now own is just amazing man. I just put different pickups in it and it’s flawless for me. Chunky body like a lp but comfortable body contours, big frets NO NIBS! And the flawless headstock break angle. All at a price point thats reasonable

[@Lomoholga2]

This is a great unintentional anti GAS video The people who generally buy Kiesels are looking for their ultimate dopamine hit, but like all quick consumerism the rush is gone quickly and you’re just stuck with another guitar in the end Just get a good guitar that you love playing and play everyone

[@jimbomctimbo1610]

I think it's just the fact that they're customizable. I have a few custom bc riches that are amazing and a custom mammoth. Just ordered a kiesel as well. I think if you go in with the mindset that every guitar is gonna be different for a reason you won't feel that way. If you buy 4 guitars with hipshot fixed bridges and paint differences you're gonna be sad

[@serritt005]

if u want les paul specs get a freakn gibson/epiphone end of story

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Not really bud because the story is you get a bunch of problems with gibson/epiphone… prs solves though (for me).

[@stevenrosado7692]

Sounds like you just wanted a Gibson instead 😂

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Gibsons are over priced and unreliable now

[@stevenrosado7692]

@@GuitaristGuyJames I mean, you're not wrong lol

[@crazyforbeingsane611]

This is why customer service is hard...Doesnt even know half of what you have or have ordered ....you made a lot of assumptions and then just kinda see what shows up....which seems odd..and the paint line thing...its how it goes. They clearly make it visible in photos on the site. You got what ya ordered sounds like. Its a sweet guitar

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

It was a learning experience… the neck finish and body size were things I thought would be fine from the work I did leading up to buying. Other than that, the headstock blemishes, and pots are another story. It’s all a learning experience. Side note, at the the time of ordering I didn’t see any CS6 pictures with satin neck gloss body…

[@dan197573]

the complaints of this guitar make no sense go buy a Gibson and look at the garage product you get compared to that Kiesel

[@acetechnical6574]

lol no I should buy a cheap Malaysian Jackson and spend time playing music instead of wasting thousands on pretty pieces of wood that cork sniffers will obsess over while struggling to play an open chord correctly.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I agree that it’s not the instrument that makes anyone sound great… tone and personality are in the hands however, a great instrument just makes everything more enjoyable and reliable.

[@manson9083]

Good luck finding what you want in a guitar, they don't make a les paul that has the specs your looking for either. Lmao

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Lmao PRS Core did the trick ✌🏼

[@manson9083]

@@GuitaristGuyJames that's not a les paul homey 🙈🙉🙊

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@manson9083 ​​⁠have you played one? They’re honestly better in many ways out of the gate. It’s all personal preference of course but that’s what worked for me. LP’s are timeless but have always needed a lot of work to stay in tune and it’s rare to find a good weight.

[@manson9083]

@GuitaristGuyJames I own a 2019 standard, stays intune just fine. And is my number one. I also own an SG Standard and an EC1000

[@jonljacobi]

If you want an LP, buy an LP.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

You meant to say if you want a Les Paul but not the problems it poses buy a prs…. I did thank you for recommendation 😂

[@wesleyc.4937]

No one needs a skinny Les Paul.

[@shawnshipstad2184]

Jeff Kiesel is going to tell you to get lost. He will do nothing. I think. Your complaints have little to no weight. I think You will be lucky if he takes it back less 20%.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Dude you should look past your nose… I’ve said multiple times in this comment section that I returned it without problems… FULL REFUND. You can Get lost 😂

[@samright4661]

Nice knock off nothing beats the original! Les Paul is way better than that copy

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

I actually prefer PRS than any of them.

[@samright4661]

@@GuitaristGuyJames Well you have bad taste then PRS can’t match Gibson in tone fell or anything

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@samright4661you’re a little internet troll 🧌 go somewhere else

[@samright4661]

@@GuitaristGuyJames No I’m not I been playing guitar since the 80s punk

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

Cool dude… well telling people they have bad taste when you know nothing about them and you yourself have nothing to show on your account is acting like an internet troll. If you didn’t mean it that way then please just consider what you say online before you comment.

[@keithvandegryp4673]

I wouldn’t want you as a customer. Ordered a custom guitar to your specs and you return it? Thumbs down.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

That’s fine bro, I wouldn’t want your service if you’d let the same cosmetic faults out of your shop. It goes both ways…. Peace ✌🏼

[@thirteenthandy]

To be fair, Kiesel welcomes returns. That's why they have that policy. Their hope, of course, is that you try a Kiesel and if it's not exactly to your liking that you return it for another Kiesel, but they well know that doesn't always happen. You can't try these guitars in stores. The only options you have to test drive them are to buy used and be stuck with it, buy from their in-stock section and have a return option, or build a custom with no non-returnable options and have a return option. They're not going to fire you as a customer for deciding that it wasn't quite your style and sending it back. The thing that is really not cool is building a custom with non-returnable options and then taking trash about the company when they won't take it back. My own experience: I owned two Carvin guitars, a used DCM7, a used AM7, a custom NAM7, then most recently a custom Ultra V which I returned because it wasn't really what I hoped it would be, and now have a custom AM7 on order. No regrets.

[@thirteenthandy]

@@GuitaristGuyJames But to your point, the gloss-to-satin line is not a fault at all. It's an intentional design. I happen to love my NAM7 with the same line. I get that your preference is otherwise. Of course I'm not downplaying any of the other items you mentioned being unhappy about, just talking about that line specifically.

[@GuitaristGuyJames]

@@thirteenthandy totally agree! I am have nothing bad to say about Kiesel as a company. Just wasn’t for me.