Kiesel Vader 6 vs Strandberg Boden Fusion 6

[@moekrause7110]

"I'm more of a plug n' play kinda guy" This guy is my spirit animal. He could not care less.

[@guitrr]

I bought a custom Vader that I was able to spec out. It’s a beautiful, great sounding guitar. Then I bought a Strandberg. Then I bought another Strandberg. Next, I bought another Strandberg. My Kiesel is a fine instrument, but I rarely pull it out of the case, whereas my Strandberg(s) get played constantly.

[@CyberSoulLover]

Kane Miller. What do you enjoy about your strandberg more? I’ve played a strandberg and loved it. Never played a kiesel headless though. I wanna buy a strandberg 8 next hopefully

[@guitrr]

Logan CR I like the body design, I.E. that I can sit with it comfortably on either leg. The tuners on the Strandberg are smoother than those on the Kiesel. I like that I can change pickups on the Strandberg - my Kiesel is a multiscale neck, thus the Kiesel pickups are offset coils, whereas those on the Strandberg are standard humbuckers. Also, I prefer to have that slight bulge behind the nut of the Strandberg, so I can feel where the fretboard ends.

[@CyberSoulLover]

Kane Miller yeah man. I was looking into kiesel for a 7 string but man they don’t offer anything I really like tbh. Their headless shapes are just so meh for me. Even the new HD one is just bleh. The strandbergs always look great to me. I loved the neck on the 8 string one I played. It’s not necessarily a must but it felt great and comfortable. Thank you for the info! I definitely look forward to getting one in the future🙂

[@jdj62464]

Hey Kane I'm thinking about getting a Strandberg but I'm not so sure about that EndurNeck shape, the guitar neck that I'm most comfortable with are the ones on my MusicMan guitars. What do you think of the Strandberg neck and how had was the transition from a standard neck and vise-versa when playing a different guitar? What style of playing do you think that type of neck benefits or hampers the the most? Are yours bolt-on or neckthru, if you have one of each which do you prefer? Wish I could try one out before shelling out $2k plus.

[@jdj62464]

@Viral Virus I'm kinda in the same boat, from everything I've read and seen online about the Strandberg I like and want in my next guitar lightweight, comfortable to play in a sitting position, except the uncertainty about the neck which for me is probably the single most important thing. Besides the neck shape I'm also not so sure about the Fan-Fret style fretboard, wish I could find one used locally to try out.

[@JPT00]

Wow I'm amazed at how good Matt is!! Hats off to him for sure and you of course Phil

[@mattvandal7713]

Thank a BUNCH!!🤓

[@rmg471]

Phil, I love this guy’s comments and ability. You HAVE to feature him more.

[@mattvandal7713]

Thank you so much!!👍

[@Naxt366]

the guy in the black shirt can't stop talking omg

[@johncunningham4820]

@@Naxt366 It's HIS Channel .

[@elevenAD]

holyshit your friend can rip!!!

[@elevenAD]

@Caligula lol

[@tomsxe]

Distortion doesn't help about what he is capable to do

[@athmaid]

That is some of the most efficient technique I have ever seen, holy crap

[@kheledkitt]

Thanks for covering Kiesel (Carvin). I've been a lifelong fan (35 years of playing guitar and bass) and have always found their stuff a killer value, especially for US made instruments.

[@OrfinMusik]

I got a strandberg about 3 months ago and I have absolutely loved it I’d recommend it to anyone

[@nachom1971]

Strandberg seems superior in every way; fanned frets, weight, materials, pickup config, ergonomics, and the shape is more appealing . In terms of sound they are indeed different tastes. The strandberg does look like a puzzle piece lol but the vader looks like something out of the flintstones. Both great guitars.

[@JL-ef7bh]

The Kiesel can be customised with multiscale too.

[@edlicari3909]

Kiesel all the way! Strandberg is but ugly. It reminds of the old ZZ Top United States of America body guitar lol.

[@transmundanemusic]

It's a basswood import guitar. The Kiesel is a USA built instrument with much better materials.

[@gozer9556]

Walk softly but carry killer licks, dude this guy is like a Shaolin guitar monk

[@gitarmats]

Both look really nice! Currently considering a Vader myself.

[@niclastname]

You should have Matt on more, he's a great guest! Not only is he a fantastic player, but he's pleasant to listen to. :D

[@mattvandal7713]

Thanks so much man! Means Alot!!

[@elevenAD]

nothing against the fancy $4000 Vaders and Strandbergs, they rock but Bang for your buck its hard to beat a base $1250 Vader,just great guitars!

[@flowryan5829]

@Chuckle Duck I was just gonna say, that your can get yourself a brand new .Strandberg* Boden 6 for around 1500 bucks.

[@mika-hp5ch]

The Kiesel is definitely brighter. I own a Strandberg Classic and it tends to be a bit boomy in the low mids, sometimes. But it's fine IMO since you can compensate with the presence knob of the amp

[@MattPula]

Hi Phil, I'd love to see you get another Strandberg on the channel, thanks for making all the great videos!

[@katyungodly]

The Strandberg sounds crisper, I like it! Gives you the option of rolling your treble knob back if you don't want that high end.

[@johanjotun1647]

Kiesel has expander their pickup selection, also you can get non Kiesel branded pickups of your choice Strandberg doesnot compare even the neckthru version is sub par and i wanted it to not be so but holding both you will instantly know.

[@lazyboydtown]

Great vid.. Matt is a fantastic player. wow.

[@mattvandal7713]

Thanks a bunch man!!

[@RC32Smiths01]

Kiesels have some of the most diverse sets of guitars in both performance and design. One of the more unique guitar brands out there. Awesome work!

[@tdrake59]

I thought the Keisel sounded more articulate.

[@ScottHz]

Thanks for playing some clean tones!

[@BigHairyGuitars]

This is a GREAT video for the headless-curious

[@nikospaleologos3907]

Great job Matt, need to see more of you in the future.

[@abdullahhashmi9126]

Old Uncle can shred better than many "legends".👌👍

[@aaronbolean6903]

I have two Vaders, an 8 string VM8 and the VB5. The guitar was a simple build where the bass was option 50 and loaded with custom options. I really love the vader and have played a Strandberg once before. If i get another it will most likely be another Vader due to the price. The Strandberg i am after is very specific in looks and hopefully in sound. It would probably cost me twice the amount a Vader would cost. Both are awesome guitars in the right hands.

[@krisrudecki9477]

Strandberg 6s are great, but this design really shines with 7 and 8 strings. Got a Prog 7 and Standard 8, both weigh around 2.3 kilos which is super light, especially for an 8. Both play incredible. Prog 7 has a small compact neck and it really feels like a small 6, Gibson or something, the 8 has a wider neck, but still super comfortable. All in all best guitars I’ve played

[@Minotauro_di_Chieti]

That blue pearl Kiesel is just amazing!!!

[@danshieldsguitar]

2:58 McNights face is priceless! 😅 It's the 'holy cow, he's good/I'm glad I'm letting him demo this' face

[@Necromanos]

I have one of the new Kiesel Type X on order. I have never been more excited to get a new guitar. I have an original 1984 V220 so the body style is perfect nostalgia for me and being headless is intriguing. I haven't played a headless since the 80s era Steinberger.

[@PhillipMcKnight]

That guitar looks so good.

[@SombraPiloto]

I ordered an X as well. I'm old enough to have drooled over the V220 in the 1980s Carvin catalogs but have never gotten around to actually ordering one because I'm impatient.

[@Necromanos]

I was 15 when I bought my V220. I saved up allowance an lunch money to buy it. It was my first good guitar. Yes the wait for the X is going to be a bitch. I'm sure it will be worth it.

[@User15275-g]

With strandbergs new product line, they are doing neck through

[@robertbeacham907]

Just for the record I like Phillip McKnight his experience and knowledge with music and his channel.

[@williamstevens7648]

Interesting to hear other people's opinions. I found the strandberg to feel like a toy when I tried one. My Vader on the other hand feels like a normal guitar minus the headstock. The strandbergs are great guitars though

[@craig.encinitas]

Yes. Feels like a toy, but I could play it all day…

[@dajoler]

I like how Matt looks like a clarinet teacher who thinks KISS is short for "Knights In Satan's Service" but can actually burn through a fretboard like a total boss.

[@mattvandal7713]

Haha😅👍 Thank you!!👍🤘

[@mickenilsson]

It actually sounded like he enjoyed playing on the Kiesel more... 😁

[@mickenilsson]

@8palms5fists Can be Sir... Can be 😊

[@martin6315]

I think the kiesel has higher output pickups, which makes it more forgiving to play.

[@quiltface83]

could be that "new" feeling for him, playing a new guitar is always more fun

[@dontderockmeriz4546]

Seeing the headless guitars remind me of Vito Bratta.

[@sunsparkle8443]

Awesome guitarist he is. always liked his solo style.

[@americanbystandard]

I would love a Strandberg, but if I'm gonna get it I want it MIJ and fully decked out

[@biohazard8295]

What a cool review and vibe from you. Also loved the playing. The guy can jazz but also shred

[@Claimjumper55]

I like both but went with the Strandberg for a few reasons. First was the pickups. The Suhr SSH+ and SSV pickups are amazing. It's the same setup, and switching system, that comes in the Suhr Modern Satin. Second was availability. The Strandberg is easy to find whereas the Kiesel can take awhile. The lighter weight was a factor too. My Strandberg Boden 6 weighs 4.5 lbs. In the gig bag and with a HX Stomp, guitar cable and pair of headphones, I end up with a total weight of under 12 lbs. I do like the Kiesel as well though.

[@elenbrandt290]

Your video really helped answer my questions - I bought the Standberg Boden... THANKS!

[@Instagramlessgreg247]

Best part of owning a left handed strandberg prog is people asking, "What is that?" Hahahaha

[@mikeaustin4138]

I considered a Kiesel, but went with the Strandberg "Standard". It was a "second" but I couldn't find the flaw. I bought it to be a "travel" guitar - pre-covid. It took me about 10 seconds to get used to the neck...

[@ChrisBrown-oo4bf]

I actually own both. The best way to put it is that they are just totally different guitars, but both awesome. The vader that I have is also a "fan fret". When you get a brand new vader, the price is actually closer to $1900, when you add a few things like thinner neck and such. Again, both absolutely awesome and easy to play guitars.

[@ccmusic2249]

That...was impressive. Great insights Phil!

[@ruchirsajwan]

his shredding took my by surprise, nice video!

[@BrianSGuitars]

Excellent video!

[@commercialking]

your friend is an absolutely fantastic player!

[@ToothDecay7758]

One of my local Guitar Centers actually has both a used Strand (6 string) and a used Vader (7 string). Would definitely get the Strand if I could but I've also played a 7 string Strand before and hated how the neck felt, if I had to get a headless 7 string it'd be the Vader

[@dalepal]

I think both guitars sound great so it may come down to which neck you prefer. The Kiesel may be the better one for the money.

[@iamyila]

How about the sound? Stranberg sounding much nicer from here

[@donindri]

I think you can also get the Kiesel with fanned fretting. Not exactly the same as Strandberg, but it is supposed to be varied scale length as well. I have the strandberg classic 6, and the Salen (tele style). I think the varied scale design gives a better bass tone to the lower strings. Both these models are less expensive than their other ones. Once I got used to the neck, it seemed very natural.

[@adambrittain]

I want to play the guitar like Matt when I grow up.

[@ShaneGelven]

Cool shredding

[@MetalMaineiac]

Holy Shinto Matt, fantastic playing!

[@AJgeartalk]

Insanely good player! Great video Phil.

[@mattvandal7713]

Thanks so much man!!👍

[@luthiervandros]

Oh man great tone on that kiesel

[@brianrose2487]

Totally solid for sure! Dang

[@chadbouterse8617]

I bought my Prog 6 and was just in love with it. The enduro neck and the weight was great. After about 6 months, I gravitated back to my PRS guitars. I still love the Strandberg, but its been pigeon holed to couch noodling and traveling.

[@elevenAD]

I want to try a Standard but my biggest fear is that this will happen.

[@ronaldbrasseur9327]

I love the neck on the Strandberg. As a older player, the neck is soooooo comfortable.. I still own n play a les Paul, a tele, and other guitars. My hand still cramps up playin. Not on the Strandberg. I can play for hours !!!

[@BaldPerspective]

Fun time with the Brothers in Baldness!!

[@craig.encinitas]

Checking in! 🤘🏻

[@donald-parker]

One of the big differences is the tuning mechanism. I wish you would have talked more about that. The accuracy, the stability, the ease of use, etc. I have had a couple of headless guitars, and I have never been happy with the tuning approach. And it would be worth mentioning if the take standard strings or need double ball ends.

[@edlicari3909]

Kiesel Vader is definitely the way to go! 🤘🏻

[@guitarded222]

Very cool! Great comparison guys

[@Murphmonster69]

Finally someone playing a strandy who can actually play jazz harmony

[@Mrthreadedtime]

Man...that guy can PLAY!

[@Unchainedmaple888]

Absolutely love the endurneck on a 6 string. On a 7 string, it's just too damn chunky.

[@holstorrsceadus1990]

Meh, sand down and refinish.

[@edgyswordsmanmusic6769]

Is it to the point where it negates the benefit? My plan was to get a 7 string if I ever get a strandberg.

[@Unchainedmaple888]

@@edgyswordsmanmusic6769 I bought a Boden 7 recently and I completely take back my criticism. The 7 string endurneck feels great because Strandberg thinned down the profile a few years ago. Turns out the one I had tried had the thicker profile. Definitely buy one if you haven't already :)

[@charalamboshadjigeorgiou5588]

what set up are you using ?.. amb and staff.. btw great tones

[@94Shredder]

What a monster player!!!!!

[@mattvandal7713]

Thanks a bunch man!!👍

[@TomTom-km6bo]

What was the signal chain

[@ryanwilson5936]

That Vadar body reminds me a lot of my 91 Ibanez RBM-1 Voyager.

[@TheSunIsMad]

What a master player!

[@cbeserra]

Matt is a monster player. He reminds me of some of my favorite instructors. Cool video. I like the Vader look better, but haven’t played either of those instruments.

[@mattvandal7713]

Thanks man!!!😃👍

[@mixos23]

for a moment i thought he was Jody Fisher... :)

[@AntonioGomez-ob9og]

I love these two in the bush

[@bluglass7819]

Matt is a beast.

[@avielkharrat5788]

Both guitars sound GREAT! Matt can rock 'em like he should. I thought the Fusion was more at ease with that clean jazzy "fusion" sound (Guess what!!!) And the Vader was definitely on its ground with gain. But then again, it's probably just a matter of settings!! LOVE that kind of comparison / collab thing! You should do it again.

[@avielkharrat5788]

@@Prajnana aaahhhh... Maybe, but those lithium can sound great clean too. It's just a matter of tweaking the amp right

[@red240red2]

You can tell by just looking at each who owns what guitar.

[@TaipeiDawg]

Suhr pickups on my Strandberg sound great. Nice lightweight guitar, I don't notice the neck at all most of the time - but I don't play 'correctly' with my thumb on the back of the neck. The wood and hardware on the Strandberg are really nice - I got the SSH $1495 model, well worth the price and a great intro to Strandberg if you've been hesitant to drop the big bucks on the high end ones. The thing I'm not into are the fanned frets - not noticeable at all over the lower 12 or even 17 but the higher you go on the neck the more the frets fall off. I do a lot of melody playing on the highest frets and when you are playing live standing up the fanned frets can be tricky and the visual of the fretboard with the frets and the dot placements is weird. I have a Vader as well with Seymour Duncan Jazz/JB and it's a great guitar. Although the Strandberg sounds great and is super light to carry around on subways, etc..... there have been gigs where I reached for the Vader instead coz I like the standard frets better. Wish they made a Strandberg with standard frets - I bet it would sound just as good as the fanned frets.

[@icenic_wolf]

Both look like great guitars. I'm super interested in knowing if that little cutout on the Strandberg's lower bout makes it more comfortable to hold the guitar in the classical position. Thoughts?

[@icenic_wolf]

Also, I love that top two reasons you picked the Kiesel were: 1. The neck 2. Also the neck

[@KMHoran]

I believe that is exactly the reason for that cutout.

[@icenic_wolf]

Kevin von Heymann-Horan That's what I've heard, but - is it actually comfortable? Is there a lip edge that I can't see that would make it not great for long periods of time, or is it ideal? I mean, core PRS guitars look like they'd be comfy, but that edge where my forearm goes disagrees - I have an S2 precisely because it doesn't have that kind of bevel. I don't know that the Strandberg has one of those or not, but it's tough to see from photos (and I've never actually had the opportunity to hold one in my hands to feel for myself).

[@RalphKramden-q4t]

Bought a Strandberg Boden 7. Was already intellectually in love with it. In reality it had horrendous neck dive. Changing strings was the worst experience I’ve ever had on any guitar. It soon developed fret chatter. And it developed poking fret edges. In other words it did not do well in a low humidity environment in which I live. Turned out to be the worst experience with any guitar I’ve ever had. I was so bummed! I don’t believe my experience is typical. But if I ever take a 7 string plunge again it will be Kiesel. Probably a Zeus.

[@vondano]

did you get it new or used? Was it the NX line or another one?

[@drexcote25]

That’s shredding straight up

[@supreme_klon]

strandberg for cleans, kiesel for distortion

[@michaelbrohl1625]

They sound great but I personally could never get used to the looks of them. But that's just me of course.

[@bozwellification]

Michael Brohl You don’t really notice the looks when playing it. Only when it’s hanging on the wall. It may not fit your image when gigging, but it’s not that noticeable otherwise.

[@jeffruebens8355]

@@immanuelbaptistchurch4327 you hang it upside down like a bat (the mouse with wings).

[@jeffsadie9496]

The Kiesel sounds better to me. I used to think I was really good, til I saw Matt play. Back to the drawing board, I guess.

[@milliesdad8322]

I love Sewer Pickups! 😎

[@tperry5839]

That S berg is killer I have a kiesel Zeus love it but I’m gonna buy a s berg next

[@Theox-jq4jo]

Top noodling like you hear in a guitar shop!

[@TomboLP]

Who is that Matt guy? Amazing player! I preferred the sound of the Strandberg for clean, but thought there was little difference in the dirty sounds. However, I've played both and got the Strandberg. The neck and the fan frets do it for me, as well as the design. Mine came with SD pups, which I didn't like. I changed them out for EMGs, because I wanted a kind of "blank slate" sound, but those Suhr pickups sound a thousand times better again. Of course, the guy playing probably has something to do with it...

[@ZIMMSGUITARS]

I think the Kiesel sounds better with the dirt on.

[@Guitarmickey23]

Great player, just one thing struck me, I think my boy is really used to the fan frets, notice how his fretting is not as clean on the lower strings of the Kiesel?

[@danilobriz8499]

Kiesel had more clarity for me.

[@natfingerboard]

pretty sure the tone knob was rolled off on the strandberg

[@danilobriz8499]

@@natfingerboard there's that too

[@leelauder4411]

Not for everyone, that's for sure! Peace brother

[@cchavez248]

This is an awesome video but I would have liked for you, Phil, to have played both guitars so we could hear them with a different touch/style. Also, it would have been nice to have a more in depth opinion of the strandberg vs. the Keisel in both your and his opinions.

[@mer1red]

For a clean sound I prefer the Strandberg (harmonically, sound color), the Kiesel for the distortion. But good guitar playing requires developing precise muscle memory, so I would hesitate to start with yet another neck shape and fanned frets. I decided for myself to stick strictly to one body and neck configuration (scale, radius, thickness). Otherwise you keep on adapting and learning until your next life.

[@jorgesantiago9990]

Well, both guitars are great. Is very easy to buy a Strandberg, each model have a unique price but Kiesel is different, the page is a little confuse; the are 3 different prices, they never show the basic model, however, you see a price posted in a beautiful guitar, but, these is not the real price, when you try to construct the same guitar in the show page, the case is that the price is very high compared with the one show in the presentation sale page. Also , Strandberg is different in shape while Kiesel is very similar to a regular guitars with headstock.

[@sw4gneto891]

That endurneck looks super appealing to me. Seems like something I can get behind for sure. Anyone here own one that’s not a fan?

[@sovitmaharjan6177]

where can i hear more of this? played on 2:33 - 2:53 . Can anyone recommend me something similar to this.

[@largelysubatomic]

a vader specced out like that strandberg with the chambered body, flamed maple top, multiscale, some other kind of neck etc. is like the same price

[@seangriffey8669]

I feel like the biggest detractor for headless guitars for me is the tuners being on the bridge. I hate playing guitars with locking trems because you tune with the fine tuners and I think it would feel similar

[@elevenAD]

Yes,they do feel the same

[@jazznotes3802]

Liked the Kiesel best!

[@TimberMoto]

The Strandberg sounded much warmer clean. Not sure about that neck profile though.

[@jovanvukovic830]

Oh man, I would love to try a strandberg

[@sopwithsnoopy8779]

I wonder why headless guitar makers can't make us a shorter scale headless, like a Les Paul scale 24.75" or PRS scale 24.5". Since regular guitar strings are used now instead of double-ball end strings, It'd be a no-brainer. Us short stubby fingered players would like the option :)

[@vincentdelmas2792]

why not but as a fooking little guy, let's admit it's our best choice i mean headless. Force is with you to actually care bout the size of the guitar. It seems 99,99% of small people does not give a pee about the size of guitar and picks Strat's or LP like everyone else. Thing is regular sized electric guitar ( even worse with dreadnought acoustic of course but we have many options there, like little Jane by Furch, Little Martin etc...) doen't fits well with very small people, looks too big, even by a bit. We don't have to bother ourself with " almost " okay sized guitar when we can have perfect fit. Headless are the way to go in my opinion, or you get your money 'n time to get build a custom little one ( even with a little head like the cute Music Man's ones ). check out B'nG little sisters ( parlor sized LP's) , Maybach little wings ( later available ) and Mayones Hydras for exemple.