Temu Sent Me Their Best Selling Guitar | Here's What Happened

[@DrewCreal]

Hey guys, I wanted to mention a couple things here that might bring some clarity. If I'm being completely forthright, being a KZbinr is tough these days. I've made videos being very critical of Temu in the past and have been completely ridiculed for knocking a company that caters to the "every-man" type of buyer. In my eyes, Temu is a company very similar to Amazon, an American household staple at this point. They lack some of the customer service and distribution channels that Amazon has, but if you step back, it's nearly an identical model. My point is that I've talked about the pros and cons of using Temu and it's up to you to decide if you like it. I've bought pedals and guitars from them to experiment with on the channel, mostly for my own knowledge and to help my viewers make a more informed decision for themselves. What I've mostly done on this channel is to make videos on the stuff that I like and will actually buy. If a company wants to send me an item for free, most of the time, I'll happily review it, and I'll only ever share my honest opinion, which is what I did in this video. If you like inexpensive and cheap guitars and pedals, Temu is the cheapest, Amazon would be a slight tear above that. Make the choice for yourself, share your opinion below. Attack me if you must, but just remember, we probably have a lot more in common that you think, we're guitar players after all. In this video, my goal was to take an honest look at a very cheap guitar and see if it's any good or worth buying and I sincerely hope I succeeded in doing so. Thanks for watching!

[@NapalmThunderbum]

Mad impressed with your demo at the end. You made distortion sound clean it was so good. Thanks for the video.

[@DrewCreal]

Hey thanks a lot for watching, I appreciate the kind words! Cheers!

[@tony_n316]

I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s an actual Ibanez GIO. Everything looks the same and they even use that inlay design on some of the GIO models. As an engineer I’ve worked with the manufacturers in China and I can tell you there’s an old saying most people don’t know. “What they make for your company during the day, is then made for the black market at night.” Meaning, once they have the tooling and the CAD’s there’s nothing stopping them from making your product and selling it out the back door with no branding on it. I had colleagues who would travel there and they could buy a complete set of Calloway golf clubs for 175.00. They were supposed to be knock offs, but they weren’t, they came right from the factory that made them for Calloway. Given that neck and headstock, I have no doubt that’s an Ibanez.

[@DrewCreal]

Thanks for sharing this inside view of the manufacturing world. I'm amazed at the lack of innovation in China and their endless quest to copy and re-sell everything they can, including the Amazon model. All that to say, I'm sure there is at least some innovation going on over there. Ive been really impressed by the Dingwall basses from China, they're perfect. You can play a chord and all the notes sustain evenly. Thanks for the comment.

[@grimora-dg3vq]

@@DrewCreal China is all about copying whatever is already made and then offering lower quality but similar looking at ultra-cut pricing. Most other Asian countries (Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Japan, etc.) know that to compete in the U.S. and European markets they have to at least offer like quality parts. Pots seem to be their price cutting feature still though and sometimes pickups. Could it be night time black market production? Sure, but given China's history they'll spend the small investment time to copy designs, features and what not to make you also think it is brand A or B but re-branded. I've worked over the years with many Asian mfgs and China is the one who just seems to have no limits at all unless they have to. It has gotten better because they have been forced to raise some standards in order to compete but be sure to keep your expectations minimal!

[@user-UncleDickey]

TEMU HAS NEVER FAILED ME

[@FACTUALITY-1]

aliexpress is Chinese! So how is Temu the Chinese version of aliexpress?

[@DrewCreal]

You're right, AliExpress is Chinese as well, I was mistaken, thanks for pointing that out.

[@yanagida_01]

oh my god it's a rebranded Smiger L-G4😂 there's a version with a double locking floating trem which is the S-G5, it also has dot inlays instead if the GRG saw inlays. really good as a project guitar! Smiger also has this really popular(here in south east asia) LG-2 Pro which is a traditional strat with a roasted maple neck and stainless steel frets.

[@DrewCreal]

I'm making another video with this guitar next week. I'm going to completely over-haul the electronics and swap the bridge out.

[@yanagida_01]

@@DrewCreal my favorite type of videos! looking forward to it!

[@35milesoflead]

I am convinced that these Temi guitars are overruns or ones that fail Q.A. after the production run. And I am further convinced this is just an Ibanez Gio overrun looking at the headstock. The GIo's are awesome once given a setup. But cost prohibitive when the Gio cost me £165 and a setup by my local luthier is £60. I'm looking forward to pt. 2 to see what you upgrade.

[@JodyHolcomb-du7rp]

Sounds good on rock

[@maxnormann5799]

Thanks for the video sir & happy new year

[@DrewCreal]

Same to you

[@raysheppard8040]

For the money I have got to say, one .might be better off with one of the kits then again one has to paint and assemble

[@Mikere5]

Aliexpress is also Chinese FYI. It's part of the company AliBaba (and the 40 theives).

[@jamesyakel2359]

Where is part 2

[@corporalrich]

Not even close, lol. I wouldn't get my 9 year old close to this. He's playing a $160.00 Ibanez parlor that I didn't need to set up now. Wow, that was crap. I can buy a husk for $80 and build it up for $300 and get close to what you are describing.

[@DrewCreal]

I've overhauled this Temu guitar, new bridge, tuners, frets leveled and crowned, new pickups, output jack, it's screamin now. Video coming soon.

[@robzvlogs1987]

How is the wood compared to an ibanez grg 170?

[@DrewCreal]

To be honest, I don't know, but the GRG looks like it's a more quality instrument.

[@davidcollin1436]

$50 guitar and you're concerned about wood, how pathetic 😂

[@35milesoflead]

A number of cheap guitars are mahogany in my experience.

[@larrygessner3155]

Drew, I cant find this guitar on TEMU

[@grimora-dg3vq]

Not uncommon. For whatever reason you'll see this A LOT on Temu, Ali-Express, etc.

[@brianpartridge5654]

😂 you'll pay 2x the price for the setup lol if you you need fretwork intonation nexk adjusted grounding issues easy over 1hundo

[@DrewCreal]

You're right man, which is why I made this video...so consumers will know what they're getting into.

[@roninmartin5607]

My experience with Temu: It's buyer beware.

[@DrewCreal]

I think that's a good take

[@sammonaco5400]

I think they are Ibanez only with out the name look at the head stock and the shark tooth inlays

[@jackoszuscik6669]

THAT NOISE IS A GROUNDING ISSUE. WHEN YOU TOUCHED THE STRINGS THE NOISE STOPPED.

[@DrewCreal]

@@jackoszuscik6669 yep, and it seems the guitar came with this problem.

[@jackoszuscik6669]

@@DrewCreal I wired the output jack backAssWards on an assembled guitar project. 🤔😂

[@DrewCreal]

@@jackoszuscik6669 hey, it happens to the best of us. I struggled big time trying to wire this thing up, luckily my buddy helped me out.

[@ejackmovex]

PEAVEY

[@TheRazorsH]

I guess you will be better with a Firefly guitar

[@DrewCreal]

I am not familiar with this Firefly guitar, is it on Amazon?

[@bluwng]

No this is more like a Jackson JS11.

[@bradmiles8242]

You said temu sent it to you free of charge and then a few sentences later you said you ordered it liar

[@DrewCreal]

Looks at the title homie, they sent me the guitar. Let’s not get too hung up on the verbiage.

[@godsinbox]

Lol, dont recommend people go and accidentally order a 1/2 size guitar. Then say they will only get a partial refund. when they were 'Leary' in the first place. Temu you say 'are a real company' but you neglect to say that they have no manufacturing capability, control or contact to any 'store' within their website, any more than you can also send them a terse email. Do you have morals?

[@DrewCreal]

Yes I do have morals, I took the time to make this video so you can see what a real Temu guitar looks like. I pointed out several flaws and hopefully helped people make a decision on a guitar like this. Try and get down a few layers deeper and see what’s going on homie.

[@KennethFinuf]

It is a piece of junk,you get what you pay for. Parents beware!!!! 😮

[@Nick-b7b9s]

If I brought that guitar to a reputable Luthier in my town he'd either laugh or want $330 to set it up

[@Nick-b7b9s]

Thomann offers better quality for $30 more

[@Dayvid177]

Please stop supporting this fraud company. I've had nothing but garbage sent to me. They're nothing like Amazon. Everything is cheap because it's made from cheap materials. Buy a quality pedal instead of a cheap one, because when it falls prematurely you will have to spend more money for a new one. Buying a quality item from a reputable dealer will give you some piece of mind if anything breaks. And please stop with the cheap guitars. So many issues right off the bat. I think your information is a bit skewed. With all the issues and cost of fixing the guitar you bought from Temu just doesn't make sense. Buy a squier or a used Fender American or Mexican made Strat. It may cost more but at least all the components are of good quality.

[@protarget1]

Good vid, This guitar looks identical to my old 1992 Yamaha RGX 121, except for the head stock. Mine black, As for guitar sets ups, I think every manufacture leaves the action high, so to avoid people noticing any fret buzz 😊

[@davidcollin1436]

PRS doesn't

[@iafru-desing]

Washburn wg series very similar

[@RobBob555]

Man, this guy is boring 🤔

[@DrewCreal]

Sorry dawg, there's an endless stream of guitar content on KZbin, go watch something else!

[@xR0N1Nx]

I "bought" a guitar on temu 😆 🤣 😂. I bought it 7 or 8 months ago, and I'm still waiting.

[@DrewCreal]

bummer, did you get a refund?

[@larrygessner3155]

Cant find this guitar on temu​@@DrewCreal

[@KennethFinuf]

Be careful you get what you pay for!!!!! 😮😮

[@DrewCreal]

Correct!

[@BBGuitars]

normally thats true, but your not even getting close toy instrument for your money this time...

[@gabedestellano]

Plastic saddles? I've never seen that before... Are the height adjustment screws metal? That's nuts...

[@DrewCreal]

Yep, plastic saddles and metal screws, pretty weird right?

[@grimora-dg3vq]

Absolutely agree here! Especially with electronics I don't like mixing and matching quality pedals with ultra-affordable ones especially IF it can possibly do damage to my amp ($500+) or my other effects pedals. I think as long as you keep your expectations in check Temu is probably a good deal for any bedroom guitarist or hobbyist wanting to get into luthering or budget modding and playing. Ugh those pickups on that guitar sound horrible! I'd have to change out ALL the electronics, tuners, definitely saddles and bridge and likely the nut. To make it decently reliable your going to have to spend at least several hundred dollars and don't expect to get your money back if you sell it or trade it. That's just the reality of it.

[@Mark-hv6mi]

I think it's simple. It's a cheap guitar and it gives some who can't afford a guitar something to play that sounds ok. Better than not having one. If you go into this with the mindset that your gonna have to spend several hundred bucks to make it a good guitar, your buying it for the wrong reason to start with. Again, it's a cheap guitar and it looks pretty cool. Probably can be set up to play pretty good. Just let it be what it is...

[@Tom3013]

Here is the thing, for $100 that is a fantastic deal for a playable guitar. Back when I was a kid 50 years ago, a starter guitar was horrible in every respect. With a little bit of work, found on youtube, you can make these play just fine. Guess what, you are not going out on a world tour, so this will work just fine for your bedroom or jamming with friends. Also, from an artwork perspective, they look great on the wall!

[@DrewCreal]

I agree, you get something that you can play on, which is sweet.

[@olenfersoi8887]

Ali-Express is Chinese, so it is a bit redundant to say that Temu is its Chinese equivalent. Big difference is that Temu has goods here already, so it ships from the USA at the time of customer order...whereas Ali has the big delay of goods being shipped from Asia at the time of the order.

[@DrewCreal]

You are correct about AliExpress! For some reason I thought the company was based elsewhere in the world. Thanks for your comment.

[@robzvlogs1987]

Its a grg 170 with i different head cheaper electronics and bridget looks good foa a project

[@DrewCreal]

I think you're right man.

[@Allguitarinfo]

Project of what. Dont waste money on these.

[@FirstLast-nd3lw]

dude what are you smoking? increase the value of a k-mart guitar? why the hell would anyone ever do that?. turning a k-mart guitar into decent guitar sure ok but dont talk like youre selling a car and are about to give the low down on how to get the most out of your pos on trade-in or sale.

[@FirstLast-nd3lw]

its simple its the same thing anyone who plays and enjoys playing guitar would do. buy decent pots, maybe a coil tap, decent set of pickups. everyone from Dean Markley to Dragonfire sells full kits or just pieces. speaking of i just got my killswitch from DF last week and keep forgetting to hook it up

[@edwinstovall3334]

Yeah, it's a little late for Christmas, but ... here's the perfect gift for a budding musician. First, a cheap guitar, like this one. Second, and more important, would be lessons on SETUP! I once read a novel in which the main character began her career as a harpist by building her own harp! My suggestion is more or less the modern-day equivalent.

[@DrewCreal]

That's a great idea 💡👍

[@edwinstovall3334]

@@DrewCreal Thank you!

[@davidcollin1436]

Thinks the bridge is plastic "but that doesn't matter " how ridiculous 😂

[@DrewCreal]

The bridge saddles are plastic, and it does matter, which is why I pointed it out.

[@samHagar-nc3ni]

I love Temu. I’ve added them to my Amazon,eBay shopping.

[@OfficialDreamTheater]

Ok bot.

[@ceilingfan42]

Seems a bit dishonest to say both "free returns" and "I've heard they will only give you a partial refund." in the same review. Either give your honest opinion of the company or don't get in bed with them.

[@DrewCreal]

That's the terminology that Temu uses. The shipping and returns are free, I just wanted to point out what I've heard from others to help you guys make a decision if you wanted to use them. Temu sent me the guitar for free, they wanted me to mention a few things about their company, which I did, and I shared my experience and pointed out the pros and cons. I'm not sure why you think I'm in bed with them, when I clearly pointed out all the pros and cons I could think of. I don't have to make video like this, and in the future, maybe I won't.

[@rybeliaz9886]

I've experimented sent stuff back on Temu and most items didn't even have to be sent back , and always got a full refund, even for items that were won in the games for free.

[@TalmageL-pn2pv]

I like the way you assess things. From more than just one angle. 🤔😎

[@DrewCreal]

You gotta have lots of angles these days on KZbin!

[@bradmiles8242]

Don't you age you still look the same as when you played Hoyt on True Blood

[@DrewCreal]

Hoyt is actually my cousin.

[@bradmiles8242]

@@DrewCreal has anybody else ever brought up that resemblance before

[@xxlazylamaxx8378]

I got same one no bag no strap

[@DrewCreal]

Bummer!

[@davidcollin1436]

Thinks a "professional" wouldn't use the free gig bag...sorry, but a "professional" wouldn't be buying a cheap guitar worth $50.😂

[@DrewCreal]

Dang Dave, you ok man?

[@Gregster1234]

A pro would buy it and do the work to make it awesome! Whiners complain and do nothing!

[@RobBob555]

SHIIIIILLLLLLLL 🤷🙄

[@DrewCreal]

I took their money, then I told them how much their guitar sucks, pretty cool right?

[@GLITCH-XOFFICIAL]

You look like the low budget version of Tyler from music is win,music is lose

[@DrewCreal]

Preciate it dude, nice roast 👌

[@GLITCH-XOFFICIAL]

@@DrewCreal no hate at all good review tho I just thought that it was funny

[@ellsbyr7855]

Another TEMU poppet

[@DrewCreal]

You're right Temu paid my video fee, and I shared all the pros and cons in painstaking detail for you. This is my most viewed video from the past few months, which is sad to me, because I'm not particularly passionate about this one...at all. I have TONS of pedal demos and original songs that I've produced. No one cares or watches those. If you don't like what you see on KZbin, I implore you to make your own videos.

[@kellyjmason]

I had a cheap body (Ibanez or ??) and felt like putting it together for a friends kid with a reverse headstock Strat neck. I bought a lefty Temu maple neck, swapped the nut and used it. The neck is surprisingly decent. Truss rod adjusts well, it’s straight and true, fret work was..okayish. Level and set well but a bit raw. I dressed, leveled and polished the frets, and rolled the fretboard edge slightly, gave the back a light sand, adjusted the nut and bolted it on, and I hate to say it but it plays and feels as good as my MIM Strat. Not as refined as my vintage MIJ or MIA fenders but it was ~ $30 delivered. I’ve bought much much more expensive necks that needed the same or more work from new. So, for a cheap project or for someone learning, I think there is some reasonable stuff.

[@DrewCreal]

The neck on the guitar in this video is straight, I had a friend clean up the frets a bit. I completely overhauled this guitar and will have a video up soon showing the upgrades. Thanks for watching.

[@markgallagher8129]

Looks like ibanez

[@1959LP4U]

@markgallagher Yeah, an ugly pointy-assed guitar!!!