Who designed, built and purchased a Kiesel?

[paulyc]

Not surprised to hear that, they often won't go off spec for the signature guitars. Reminds me that I really want a Numbers guitar though - $1,799 for a premium spec'd guitars (original Floyd Rose, Jason's Seymour Duncans, premium woods, quartersawn neck, etc.) is a stupid good deal.

I get that-to a point. I didn’t ask for a weird headstock shape, just reverse the one it comes with. I didn’t ask for any other deviations from the stock spec, and let’s be real here, Peavey made the original Numbers for Jason, so for Kissel to be so rigid on the spec for a guitar they never made for the artist back in the day is a bit absurd,

 

[MetalThrasher]

I've had 3 Carvin and 1 Kiesel builds. All where 7 strings and they didn't disappoint me at all. Just don't go crazy with the options and accept the fact that a pickup change may be necessary. Whatever you do, please don't order online! Call them to place the order.

 

[MatrixClaw]

If only necks on EBMMs wouldn warp that frequently.

Interesting. First time I've heard about this.

 

[CrystalSky]

Interesting. First time I've heard about this.

Majesty Artisan one gentleman I know bought came out twisted, had to pay hefty ammount to fix that. On one non-English speaking forum they are sometimes described as a brand with unreliable necks.

Might be user error too, I can’t say anything myself, haven’t owned them sadly or happily.

 

[MatrixClaw]

Majesty Artisan one gentleman I know bought came out twisted, had to pay hefty ammount to fix that. On one non-English speaking forum they are sometimes described as a brand with unreliable necks.

Might be user error too, I can’t say anything myself, haven’t owned them sadly or happily.

Interesting. Why would he have to pay anything to fix it if it was new?

 

[eddyrox]

those Ares 7's - OMG!!

 

[Yehuda]

I've designed dozens with the builder, never purchased.

Who here designed and purchased a new Kiesel?

Thoughts on the process and the results?

Getting sooo close on doing it.

I have a kseries Ive ordered that was pretty customized, and the turnaround time was significantly longer than the average Kiesel- but still way quicker than other custom shops. The guitar sounds and plays great- my only gripe was having to send in my own pickups since the Kiesel ones kinda suck. As far as custom guitars go they are about as good as it gets price wise if you don’t go for crazy finishes- once you start getting in the 3k range, there are better builders for sure.

 

[CrystalSky]

Interesting. Why would he have to pay anything to fix it if it was new?

It was used. Does it change anything? I highly doubt it was used as a showel anyway.

And we’re not in US, you know. Brands care not much about anything happening not in the first world lol

 

[rsm]

It was used. Does it change anything? I highly doubt it was used as a showe anyway.

And we’re not in US, you know. Brands care not much about anything happening not in the first world lol

I'm happy with my aliexpress knockoff; have another on its' way to me.

 

[Smash]

I have a kseries Ive ordered that was pretty customized, and the turnaround time was significantly longer than the average Kiesel- but still way quicker than other custom shops. The guitar sounds and plays great- my only gripe was having to send in my own pickups since the Kiesel ones kinda suck. As far as custom guitars go they are about as good as it gets price wise if you don’t go for crazy finishes- once you start getting in the 3k range, there are better builders for sure.

The kiesel ones do suck. But i found all their electronics crap. I believe they use "euro" pots. So i just bored the hole for the pot and put new jack and pups

 

[CrystalSky]

I'm happy with my aliexpress knockoff; have another on its' way to me.

Harasho, tovarishch

 

[rsm]

Harasho, tovarishch

Ваше здоровье!

 

[Tone Junkie]

I’ve bought a few but they were not new. No issues excellent guitars. Some people have varying opinions on their pickups but you can send your own in.
I picked up one owned by Chris Kelly when he played with Baby Metal Kami band. He did the star wars band thing too.

 

[Hamer95USA]

Does any of the vintage or older Carvin or Kiesel guitars have any resale value in the used guitar market?

 

[rsm]

Does any of the vintage or older Carvin or Kiesel guitars have any resale value in the used guitar market?

I hear it's not very good since other people can easily order exactly what they want from Kiesel for a little more than buying something used somebody else spec'd out for themselves. chances are low that what you build is something someone else wants to but and will pay much for.

if you want resale value, go Gibson, PRS, etc.

IMO

I figure if I order a Kiesel, I'd never get close to my money back. I could be wrong though

edit: also, Kiesel often sells pre-built guitars at a comparative discount. some of these a builds that never get paid for and they want to unload.

 

[MatrixClaw]

It was used. Does it change anything? I highly doubt it was used as a showel anyway.

And we’re not in US, you know. Brands care not much about anything happening not in the first world lol

That definitely changes things - it's a used guitar and you can't guarantee it was an EBMM QC issue in that case. Make the previous owner pay for it since he sold a messed up guitar, or return it. Otherwise, if you bought it knowing it had that issue, there's nothing to complain about...

 

[CrystalSky]

That definitely changes things - it's a used guitar and you can't guarantee it was an EBMM QC issue in that case. Make the previous owner pay for it since he sold a messed up guitar, or return it. Otherwise, if you bought it knowing it had that issue, there's nothing to complain about...

No, He didn’t know. Guitar was actually newish, excellent shape. Neck warps are usually a material selection thing afaik, and might manifest itself a little after it was produced, what is the case here I guess.

But hey, I am not in any way trying to defamate EBMM, I actually would like one myself. What models you tried and recommend? Is there any decent fixed bridge model except Steve Morse’s one? Literally all the ones I saw on their site had some kind of floating bridge, which is a strict no-go for me.

 

[beej]

But hey, I am not in any way trying to defamate EBMM, I actually would like one myself. What models you tried and recommend? Is there any decent fixed bridge model except Steve Morse’s one? Literally all the ones I saw on their site had some kind of floating bridge, which is a strict no-go for me.

You used to be able to get many of the models as hardtails- used you can find Axis Sports, Alberts Lees, Silhouettes, etc. with a fixed bridge. New you're looking at the Morse or Valentine models, maybe one or two others. (Or get one with a trem and crank up the tension on the springs so the bridge says put.)

 

[Rayneman]

Does any of the vintage or older Carvin or Kiesel guitars have any resale value in the used guitar market?

Not really, as far as I know or have seen.

Several years ago I bought a used 80s V220 for a couple hundred. The prices have since gone up like everything else, but still not "valuable" even though they are fine guitars.

I have two Kiesels, a Vader and Osiris, bought them used within the last year at a huge discount over the new price. Its fun to spec out a model, but the value does seem to plummet on the used market, more so than other brands. You'd really have to love and plan on keeping your 8-piece African Rosewood board with Megalodon Tooth inlays, Roasted Zebrawood neck and Dragon-burst finish, gold hardware 20" radius with diamond-encrusted granite knobs Zeus model. However, they are absolutely killer guitars IMO and (headless ones) very light, which is why I bought them.

 

[BeZo]

Does any of the vintage or older Carvin or Kiesel guitars have any resale value in the used guitar market?

Sellers tend to think they do, but buyers don't. I see people sitting on their custom guitars forever asking close to what they paid, and I bought a few Calvin's used for cheap. Basically, for close to the price of a new one, it's worth it to pay the extra to get (A) a new guitar that (B) is the color and finish you want and (C) is the specs you want. I always see used Kiesel/Carvin and think, "I wouldn't have ordered it like that."

Nobody else is building my dream guitar and selling it cheap on Craigslist.