SLICK Guitars SL51 Review

It seems like the internet is flooded with affordable off-brand copies of Fender's famous strat and tele designs. While many of these guitars can only be distinguished from one another by the waterslide headstock logo, Earl Slick has come along and done something different. Let's review his SL51 tele and see how it sounds...
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#earlslick #sl51 #tele

[@bradleestone5344]

I was seriously considering a Squire Affinity before I watched this. Great Demo! With lead And rhythm😎

[@RumblinMan]

Thank you! This beats the Affinity for SURE.

[@thegolfingmusician6345]

I own three Slick guitars and the hardware is phenomenal. They do need a pretty extensive setup including redressing the frets. After that I’d play this guitar anywhere, but just be advised it will require a comprehensive setup.

[@bobbywilliams4655]

You should demo more of the GFS stuff. I Was never as interested in buying one until now. Thank you for showing us who can not spend as much as some what is good as well as affordable. I'm intending on getting a zoom g3n.

[@RumblinMan]

I’m all about affordability, man. Thank you. The ZOOM G3n and G3Xn are a great affordable option. I definitely want to do more GFS stuff, but I don’t have any kind of hookup with them, so I have to take it as a find it. But plan to!

[@hiramstumpjumper2836]

My favorite Tele is my relic'd diyNocaster, an upgraded $109 Solo kit w/ Fender Custom Shop pups & upgraded tuners, bridge, nut, pots, switch and wiring. After including custom reliefs to the body by the neck for my hand & one for my belly, sting-thru ferrules, a fret job & intonation, stained Sea Blue front, Golden Fruitwood stained back with black binding between & Straw stained neck finished with low gloss Tung Oil. It turned into my dream machine out of all the name brand guitars I already owned. Lightweight basswood body, maple neck, similar to play as my SL54, but lighter & has the same kind of vibe. It was my first build and cost about $500 for the kit, upgraded components, tools and supplies. Even including shipping from Germany My SL54 cost less than building my first guitar and they play just about the same.

[@RumblinMan]

Sounds like an incredible DIY!! Congrats.

[@GuitarSavvy]

Great review. Thanks! I just bought one of these for $100. Can’t wait to see what it’s like. This will be cheapest guitar I’ve ever bought (by far) so we’ll see

[@RumblinMan]

That’s a great deal. With a good setup, these teles can really be great.

[@toploadtele]

I love my creme color, white guard Sl-51 with a maple neck. I did my own set-up and fret finishing then stripped the black headstock back to the natural finish. Fantastic value!

[@RumblinMan]

Nice!! SL55 review just posted!

[@jeffreykercheval9177]

I bought one about 6 months ago on a whim! I have played for almost 40 years, and play almost every day. I was planning on upgrading all the parts.....but whoops. I don't need to, and don't even want to. It is an incredible instrument for the price. It stays in tune better than ANY of my other (10) guitars. This is the cheapest guitar I own....and one of my favorites! Including my Fender American Strat, My Gibson L1, My Taylor CE414, My Takamine Santa Fe, My Godin, etc. etc.

[@NGS2410]

Man... I am on the same situation. I love my sl52.

[@diddymies]

sure

[@jayfender4486]

@@diddymies You played one?

[@JackSon-yn4hm]

Hey Jeffrey. What is the weight of SL 51? Some say Slick guitar are heavy

[@JORDIMB1970]

Nice! If they only had left the headstock on natural color...

[@RumblinMan]

Yeah, the headstock bugs me a little.

[@JORDIMB1970]

@@RumblinMan and the logo looks so 80's...

[@tonyn1926]

Just ordered the SL51 in the brown burst! Thanks for a great demo.

[@RumblinMan]

Congrats!

[@balu8757]

Thank you for this review. I should receive mine this week.

[@RumblinMan]

Awesome! Congrats on a SWEET guitar!!

[@Addicted2Guitar]

I am totally sold on Slick Guitars. I want to get my hands on a strat model now too.🎸

[@RumblinMan]

Addicted 2 Guitar I tried the strat one day and it was very cool!!

[@mdwayne741]

Nice video.... really considering buying one of these. I've just recently subscribed to your channel. Amazing content!!!

[@RumblinMan]

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!

[@joebob344]

My barber keeps guitars in his shop from time to time. Today he had a black Slick dual P90 "Les Paul" style one in there today. I can't vouch really for the sound since I couldn't realy turn it up much but the feel of it was incredible! Had a decent weight to it. The neck felt amazing and it looked really cool. I am buying one asap. But most are out of stock right now. I'm very impressed!

[@shardnz]

Congratulations on the 5k subs. Another great review Rm! Love the sound of this sweet tele.. God bless and prayers in these uncertain times!

[@RumblinMan]

shardnz thank you brother Shardnz for ALL your support!! May the Lord protect you and your family!

[@user-jd6rd8cq7k]

@@RumblinMan Hello, Is it like a Harley Benton?

[@jerryjohnson2421]

excellent review A+

[@RumblinMan]

Thank you so much!

[@alanlevesque7180]

I've got one but it has the rosewood and the white pickguard. I love the thing and I have much more expensive stuff I can play.

[@pickersgrip]

Nice playing!

[@RumblinMan]

Thank you!!

[@huntermediaphotography]

Kick ass! Sounds like my old 1996 American Tele. I was wondering how the swamp ash body sounded with those pickups and solid maple nwck. I'm sold on this bad boy! Thanks !

[@RumblinMan]

Yeah man! Enjoy. The Slick stuff rocks.

[@ryanzarbatany7311]

I have 3 tele necks from guitar fetish I put on my strats.... my fav tele I own in a custom tele it started life as an sx guitar but my friend took it apart requires the pups and stripped it down and repainted it and added the logo Yashua is my master on the headstock truly a one off guitar!!!!

[@RumblinMan]

Ryan Zarbatany amen dude that’s amazing!! Love the headstock logo idea. Sometimes the best and most playable guitars are the ones we assemble that have that “mojo” to them!

[@ryanzarbatany7311]

Rumblin Man I’ll send you a pic

[@lordtssd]

I decided to get this color after some consideration. Heres my thoughts so far. First off, the package was damaged in shipping so the headstock had banged agaisnt something and actuly went through the package. A decent dent on the headstock. I mean its reliced so its not a big deal, but yea. Secondly the pictures and the actual color of the guitar was way more different than I expected. The pictures made it look more dark yellow, almost towards brown. In reality its closer to that mustard yellow. I thought the finish would be more glossy, but its not and you can feel the grain of tree through it. It also quite lightweight, or atleast to what I am used to. Which is nice, I always thought my other guitar was abit on the heavier side. The plastic knob on the mic switch feels cheap and almost bent. Havent played it too much yet, but the intonation sounds off, will have to look at that aswell.

[@lordtssd]

Update. After some time to play around with the guitar. Dang, it indeed has some versatility, as I don't have any effect pedals. I can get a really nice clean tone, but also a nice crunchy tone, if you turn the volume up and up the gain. The intonation is slightly off, but then again I'm just a beginner.

[@kernjames]

Great video and demo. thanks.

[@RumblinMan]

Thank you!

[@GeorgeMaddaloni52463]

Excellent review. I will be ordering the SL51!

[@RumblinMan]

George thank you!!

[@GeorgeMaddaloni52463]

@@RumblinMan You are welcome. God bless you man!

[@RumblinMan]

George same time you!!!

[@pearlandGUITARIST]

I was such an Earl Slick fan back in high school. Just saying... Excellent review and great playing from the Rumblin Man, as usual. Cool guitar too!

[@paulweddle9250]

My favorite Telecaster is a 2008 Squier Tele custom. $200.00. It's Black and stays in tune ALWAYS! Even if I leave it hanging for two months! It's heavy and has a perfect neck. The action never changes and it's nice and low. Pick ups so so but who cares? I purchased a new American Made Telecaster and was a little disappointed. Had a hump in neck, needed a serious fret dress.

[@rossw73]

I have the SL54T and its my go-to guitar. I play it more than my Les Paul or Strat.

[@W3SL3Y23]

Isn't too heavy for go-to guitar?

[@rossw73]

@@W3SL3Y23 it is heavy but I prefer my guitars on the heavier side. My number 2 is a Les Paul Special SL

[@dragan4658]

The guitar sounds quite good. I'de love a T with a roasted maple neck and headstock with a tiger eye finish or something similar, no brand in particular just affordable and good quality. Thanks for posting!

[@frann8394]

sounds realy nice!, idk if was because you did a good performance or the guitar is just really great for the price. I'm argentinian and i found this guitar (Slick) and a Sx. Both are telecasters. What do you recommend? (sorry if my english is bad)

[@RumblinMan]

Frann hey Frann! I recommend this guitar over an SX any day. The Slick has better electronics, better pickups, and better hardware.

[@BrandochGarage]

Fun playing. I've been jonesing for a Slick, but the shipping costs of Guitarfetish always make me think twice.

[@kirbonite]

this will be the next electric I purchase I'm pretty sure.. the only thing I can see.. Is the body looks a little thinner than a trad tele

[@toploadtele]

How is that one strung? That bridge can be set up either way, through the body or a top loader...

[@RumblinMan]

Nashville standard.

[@thetownspeople6486]

My favorite Tele is easily my Wolf Tele from All In One guitars out of LA. It has a through body neck and outstanding sustain. Got it with a hard shell case for $500. I also have a Fender but I like the Wolf much better. I also own a Wolf Les Paul which is my favorite LP. I liked it so much I sold my Gibson Studio. But getting back to the Tele it’s the Wolf and it’s not even close.

[@RumblinMan]

I’ll have to check one out!

[@willistaylor4077]

I didn't know you played Guitar. I've only seen you play Bass. ❤️

[@RumblinMan]

Willis Taylor thanks man!! Yeah, I’m trying to make this channel for both bass and guitar players!

[@2010njdevil]

Great demo and useful in my search for my 1st Tele. I like that the width at the nut and is wider than most Teles....1 11/16" vs. the Fender at 1.65" They look great also. My concerns are: 1) quality of electronic/wiring....are they on par with a Squire in your opinion, 2) Is the quality now just as good as when the video was posted?; 3) Is the body coating too thin so that changes in humidity have changed it so far?

[@RumblinMan]

So, I don’t own this guitar but borrowed it from a friend for the review. So I may not be qualified to answer these questions accurately. But I can say that everything about the guitar seems superior to Squier. I was very impressed with the build quality!

[@maxwellcohen2917]

Albeit a year later, to give you more insight, typically, Squier builds their guitars with what in the guitar world is deemed lower quality woods. Poplar, basswood, okume, pine, laminated cheap woods akin to plywood (not as much anymore fortunately). Whereas most Fenders made in America will be alder or swamp ash. Fenders made in Mexico will sometimes be made with poplar as well. This guitar is built from 3 - 4 pieces of swamp ash, making it by guitar world standards, more tolerable by copy standards. All and all, the wood makes such a miniscule difference in sound for electric guitars, you shouldn't even care about the wood. If you're going for a certain sound, it all comes down to scale length of the guitar, your electronics, and setup of the guitar. Also, the amp plays the biggest role.

[@2010njdevil]

@@maxwellcohen2917 Good insight and love your comment about the role of the amp....I couldn't agree more and have really learned the past few years just how the majority of my tone is voiced from the amp vs. the guitar.

[@BruceHarms]

Owned a Blade Delta Telecaster, was awesome but now the fretboard has gone awry.... Looking at these slicks... Nice playing!

[@72dodge340]

I got the Swamp Ash one a few months ago... I LOVE it. An old looking Tele with a flatter more modern neck. Really great. I HIGHLY recommend the Slick guitars. (I'm just gonna paint the headstock with some flat/satin black paint and dry brush some brown over it to match the body... headstock look is terrible!) Subbed!

[@RumblinMan]

72dodge340 that sounds extremely cool man!!!! Thanks for the subscription!

[@GeorgeMaddaloni52463]

Rumblin Man I love the SL51 but I ended up ordering the XV830 Tele copy from Guitarfetish instead. It was more to my individual taste and liking and the components all seemed to be of good quality. Solid alder body, GFS pickups and a Canadian rock maple neck. Check one out and let me know what you think.

[@RumblinMan]

George I’d love to review one. How’s it working for you?

[@GeorgeMaddaloni52463]

Rumblin Man I just ordered it yesterday so I haven’t had a chance to play it yet but I’ll let you know after I’ve spent some time with it. Customer service from GF has been great though. 👍

[@dragonclaw88]

too bad their almost always out of stock..im really wanting that sl57 with rosewood!

[@theRedPortal]

Nice video. I'm digging the slick guitars. Guitar fetish has some decent stuff.

[@RumblinMan]

sammy regensburg for sure man!!

[@adneria]

Would you happen to know if it’s pre-routed for a middle pickup?

[@thestratman7903]

I've got the SL51 and the Xaviere pro 830 and 840{both Xaviere Alder Tele's with kwickplug harnesses, one with std tele pups,one with blade buckers} Both Xavs are 60 cheaper but not a dealbreaker.....ANY ADVICE?????{Don't say get em all}

[@RumblinMan]

FRANK BOOTH SL51!

[@thestratman7903]

​@@RumblinMan Thanks for the advice..Any reason? I'm just trying to weigh my options,I already have an old Xaviere p90 strat that I really like,so I have faith in Xav and Slick,I was just thinking about how the Xavs come with kwickplug harnesses in case I wanna change the Pups,but I'm assuming the Slick Pups are better if they're putting their "Slick" retail pups in the Slick teles...

[@RumblinMan]

FRANK BOOTH the Slicks are just really well-built guitars that can hold up for a long time. They are equipped with Slick pickups. Xaviere’s aren’t bad either though, as they do have GFS pickups.

[@guitarfeverl.a.8502]

Nice video. . thinking of buy a slick guitar . Fabian Dead.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

So range would you say the feel is like cost wise? Like does it play like a +$1000 guitar? Or like a higher mid range $500-$800 guitar?

[@RumblinMan]

Jose Pineda I’d say it plays like a $500 guitar.

[@JosePineda-jn8jk]

Rumblin Man okay that’s not bad. I got a cheap epiphone hoping I could take a $200 guitar and make it play like something more and man.. it’s still just a horse with lipstick even after all the upgrades haha. Don’t wanna make that mistake again but I think I’ll take the chances on this thank you 🙏🏽

[@jerryjohnson2421]

is the slick better than the amazon telecaters

[@RumblinMan]

YES.

[@franklinwilson3783]

Not as twangy as a Fender....lots of mids.....good sounds

[@NickSchneiderChannel]

Nothing like a yellow tele!

[@RumblinMan]

Nicholas Schneider agreed!

[@vulepetronijevic1900]

Hi, how it feels in case of weight? Is it heavy?

[@RumblinMan]

Vule Petronijevic slightly heavy.

[@vulepetronijevic1900]

@@RumblinMan thanl you. nice video btw :)

[@cigdamagelungs]

Need fretwork out of bx?

[@cigdamagelungs]

@@EmeryCalame mine came in perfect.got lucky

[@JackSon-yn4hm]

Is SL 51 heavy? Some say Slick guitar are heavy

[@RumblinMan]

It’s a little heavy.

[@JackSon-yn4hm]

@@RumblinMan Do you know which model of Slick guitar is not heavy? at least less than 3.3 kgs

[@RumblinMan]

@@JackSon-yn4hm sadly I’ve only tried the tele. I’m not sure about the exact weight but they may have that info on the guitarfetish website.

[@pravinkamble5438]

Nice sir 👍💕🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@RumblinMan]

pravin kamble thanks bro!

[@mrgermanman1]

So funny. I heard a lot of people saying 'oh no, a Chinese guitar, never', and this guy praise the Chinese handwork as a sign of quality. And the best thing...he'right.

[@RumblinMan]

mrgermanman1 sometimes the Chinese nail it! My luck with Chinese instruments has been just as good as my luck with a Mexican instruments. Goes to show you don’t have to be in North America to produce a decent guitar!

[@hershogwhite]

Wow won't be buying one of them now it sounds horrible