Ok...finally have a second to sit and tell you all about
this guitar. I picked it up Tuesday. Good thing I had the tracking # and
watched it like an obsessive mom waiting for her child to come home from
college for the first time. The people at UPS did not call me nor did I
receive an email as promised. Dicks.
I am going to try to refrain from comparing this guitar
to my walnut...although it is easier, I will try to describe it in a way
to preserve it's own integrity. Upon opening the case I of course got the
'whoa' factor of 10. Although you take great pains to photograph your instruments
for the world to see, nothing is like seeing these guitars in person. The
guitar is absolutely striking in appearance. Shocking even. The color combinations
are artistically and aesthetically pleasing and the neck it begging to be
torn up. It is an animal.
So....now I play.... ...it is noticeably heavier than my
other Z2. (ahh..comparison!) One pound makes a difference. Playing acoustically,
the guitar has amazing resonance and tone. Thick as a brick. Lots of nice
bass response even on the high end. The neck is nicely carved and it is
quite easy to keep my thumb stable underneath the curvature. The action,
is of course perfect and it is just simply the easiest guitar to play. No
effort at all. Scales, arpeggios, sweeping, tapping all brain to fingers
with no interference.
I now really understand the purpose of scale length. It
all depends on height/body type. If I was taller, the 25.5 or 26 would be
preferable, but let me tell you, being 5'10", this 25 is absolutely perfect
for my body. WAY comfortable. Strapped on, the extra weight makes the guitar
sit like a rock and the scale length is exactly where my body needs it to
be to play without any strain on my back, shoulder and wrist. AND it is
easier to do blues bending and country licks.
Let me tell you, this is one SERIOUS instrument. Serious.
I took it to rehearsal the same night I bought it. Plugged into my Zachary
pedal and Fender DLX amp, and the tone on this guitar is THICK. Punchy all
over and NOT wimpy or muddy on the low end or high end. Having played on
a Z for almost 4 years, I was able to rip on it without having to 'get used
to it' at all. It feels so SOLID. Yes, solid. This is no pussy guitar. It
has balls for sure. Eli, as both of us suspected, it is similar to Shadow.
They would almost be sister guitars. My bandmates commented on how thick
and WOODY it sounds. The trem is way responsive and the tuning stability
is spot on. Got to play with all the tonal variations and I must say I love
every combination. No need for a tone control on this one at all. It is
not pingy or too bright. Just the right richness and balance.
I had to laugh a few times as we played...looking down at
the guitar, realizing what I was playing and how amazing it looks, plays,
feels, and sounds. I know why you didn't want to sell it. Surely it is one
of your best. It growls and sings. It can be nasty and devastating or warm
and gentile. It's name is Tiger.
Zach Fenner (RI)
