NGD! Delayed...Xaviere content, lots of pics

[Funkwire]

The XV-500 arrived on Tuesday afternoon, right around the time my PC decided to take a big, steaming dump. Whoever invented the Vundo virus...you suck. Thanks to the local techs, my PC is back in the land of the living. So here we go:



The box had plenty of bubble wrap around the hard shell case...opening the case revealed plenty of further packing:



It was right around freezing that day. The guitar was very cold to the touch. While letting it warm up to room temperature, I performed my first mod: Dunlop straplocks.

You can clearly see the maple cap in contrast to the mahogany:



Here's a nice natural light shot showing the flame:



Popping off the neck pup revealed a GFS Crunchy Pat and a clean cavity with a long tenon:



Control cavity:



A little endorsement: I clean my fingerboards with Gorgomyte whenever I change strings. You can see how much grime came off of a brand new neck. Look at the shine on those frets!



Headstock:



OK, to get the negatives out of the way: the tuners are really bad. I wouldn't feel comfortable gigging with the XV-500 until I swap them out. The high E tuner in particular slips badly. The pots are linear taper and don't give you a lot of variety. This particular guitar was wired backwards, so the when the switch is pointed to 'Treble', the neck pup is on, and vice versa. The pots are also reversed.

I was planning to swap out the tuners and change the electronics anyway, so this isn't a big deal to me.

There are two minor flaws on the body: a small bump underneath the binding on the upper bout, and a small nick in the binding between the 17th and 18th fret. Neither affects playability, and are not visible from more than a foot away from the guitar.

The positive: everything else. This guitar has a nice weight to it. I haven't had a chance to put it on a scale yet, but it feels right in the 8.5 pound range. The GFS humbuckers sound great, and I imagine better pots will only bring out more of their quality. The set up was great--I haven't touched the neck. I made small adjustments to the intonation, and that's it. The neck is similar to a 60s profile, and feels great.

The case was offered for $39 ($10 off regular price when bought with the guitar). It seems very durable and solid. It has the faux alligator tolex that tends to show wear and tear fairly quickly, but the case itself looks like it will hold up.

I tried the guitar out at practice tonight. It played smoothly and sounded great. The guys in the band were blown away by how much guitar GFS is offering for the money. I think I gave our bass player G.A.S. for one of the Xaviere Teles!

As I said, I will change the pots and caps, and probably the switch. Definitely the tuners. I will probably get the Gotoh TOM replacement bridge as well. So I'm looking at around $100 in parts.

With case and shipping, I got the XV-500 for under $300. Throw in the replacement parts, I'm still well under $500. For a LP copy with a 2-piece mahogany body, real maple cap, and good pickups, I'm very happy. I give this the highest recommendation.

[vrm]

HNGD! Nice review.

[strat les sg]

I got the thinline in a 2nd ,the only thing was the toggle switch hole wasnt drilled out enuff & the switch was in sideways, easy fix with a new switch which doesnt take up the room the stock jap 1 does,but I agree price wise this thing is an awesome buy,I got cutom gibbys,Epis,Prs,, fender,this thing plays just as good,a sleeper for sure.

[Funkwire]

And just for the heck of it...a couch shot:

[Bro Blue]

HNGD! You think you love it now? Keep playing it. The pickups are great on these. I have not changed anything on mine yet. I've had it about six months trying to see what I needed versus what i wanted. I think changing the tuners is about the only thing I'm going to do.

[rock-lobster]

Very cool my friend! HNXD!

also, re: fretboard gunk. man, whenever i get a guitar shipped to me that is new, there is so much crap on the fretboard. it's not noticeable until it's on your fingertips.

it happened with my xaviere, my old LP, and my Carvin, so all three new, shipped guitars.

[axegrinder]

Sorry about the QC issues. I am sure Jay would make it right, but if you're happy that is most important.

Kudos for poppin' the hood to show us the innards of the axe.

Congrats (@ Y @)

[Geeter]

Congratulations and Happy New Guitar Day!

[archiemax]

Nice lookin' axe!

[A-20]

Great! thanks for the details!!!

[blingdogg]

Congrats on the new guitar!!!!

[Brian Krashpad]

Congrats!

(o)(o)

[JC777]

Congrats.

Glad you like it despite some pretty serious screwups.

[chqtarzan]

HNXD!

[Frets99]

Good thing you don't mind getting into her. Those wiring issues could have easily sunk the guitar!

I have the same finish on my XV-700 and I love the look. Still a helluva lotta guitar for short money. Enjoy kicking ass with it!!

[A3C]

good looking guitar.

HNGD!

[ganjaseed]

Nice! HNGD!

[Cold Gin]

Thanks for the great review and pics and HNXD!

[EMG_GUY]

Originally Posted by rock-lobster

also, re: fretboard gunk. man, whenever i get a guitar shipped to me that is new, there is so much crap on the fretboard. it's not noticeable until it's on your fingertips

either that or its taking off stain.

[Bud M]

Originally Posted by Funkwire

This particular guitar was wired backwards, so the when the switch is pointed to 'Treble', the neck pup is on, and vice versa.

Can't you just loosen the nut that holds the switch in place and rotate the switch 180 degrees to fix that?