Gretchy Gibby...

[Tubetwang]

Popped the clutch on a semi hollow with a big block.

She's from the good folks at Rondo Music. I purchased 7 guitars from them so far...

Got her on friday.

I had been doing heavy research for days on a big box Gretsch type guitar and wanted a Bigsby and good tuners...she has Grover.

Did not want to pay big bucks for a Gretch. I had an old Country Gentleman in 1975.

I opted to buy a clone, as quality guitars can be bought for cheap now-a-days.

Meet my Douglas WNO 675 SO.

I am amazed at the quality of this instrument...all i had to do in work on the intonation. She was a little off...not by much...

I oiled the neck and stringed her up...she's a dusy with a nice bite.

All for 300$...

I think she's made in China from a Korean/Chinese business venture named...Shine (Saein Musical).

http://www.saein.co.kr/2007/archtops/wno600.php

The SNO 685 and SNO 686 are most probably next...

[CaseyJones]

I had some Setzer-esque delusions of grandeur so I checked out some of the new Gretsch electric hollowbodies. No disrespect to Mr. Setzer... in his prime in the mid-'80s he could kick EVH's ass, ooh yeah, the boy could play! We all get older and mellower. Except me. Older, yeah. Mellower, no. More and more delusional? Hell, yeah! I got my hallucinations to keep me company!

Anyway... I've played CV Strats and Teles so I know the Chinese can set up a guitar. Or are the new Gretsch guitars made in Korea or something? Anyway, put a big check mark in the "Not Impressed" box for me regarding the Gretsch reissues.

It wouldn't surprise me if Rondo got their knock-offs really right. Now if they could only get the headstock shape exactly right... and use vinyl "Agile" decals that come off with a hair dryer... with a cattle brands on them...

[Tubetwang]

Just realized that this thread should of been posted in the Garage Talk section...

Sorry...my mistake!

It's all Rondo's fault, really...they have no business selling such quality guitars for so low greens...

[Tubetwang]

It wouldn't surprise me if Rondo got their knock-offs really right. Now if they could only get the headstock shape exactly right... and use vinyl "Agile" decals that come off with a hair dryer... with a cattle brands on them...

Right!...but...it would'nt be a Rondo then, if, i'm so bold as saying myself...but rather a Paylessguitars.com...

I know of at least one dude around the North Countries who has purchased one of them Les Paul paylessguitars.com...he's a local slinger in a rock band.

He paid 220$ for the axe and 110$ shipping. Broker fees included!


Limey dude who was operating Paylessguitars is off the air now, but, the Korean/Chinese factory is still operating in China, churning out Gretsch, Gibson and Fender clones like there is no tomorrow.

There on alibaba and you tube.


My Douglas 675 SO is a unique instrument, abalone inlayed, poifect nut, and she's a rocker that i'm proud of playing in the confort of my home...it's 86 below outside.

I would not purchase a guitar clone...but i know that it could be tempting to a younger duder...

I'd build one though!

Wait!

Come to think of it?

I'd rather order one from Kurt at Rondo...'cause i know that it will turn out great!

He's the man!

[Bob-I]

Actually Karl's the man, but Kurt is a clone of his Dad. I bought my first electric guitar from Karl in 1963, 4 years after Rondo opened the doors in Union NJ. It was a single PU double cutaway Dano, I paid $35. He's been an expert and finding and providing great instruments at reasonable costs for all these years. I was sad to see them close the store and go 100% internet, but I understand the move.

Looks like a really cool piece, enjoy.

[CaseyJones]

My Douglas 675 SO is a unique instrument, abalone inlayed, poifect nut, and she's a rocker that i'm proud of playing in the confort of my home...it's 86 below outside.

86 a-friggin' below... you ain't a kiddin'.

How come you ain't out a pickin' on yer front porch Jacques... I mean Pierre.. I mean Twang...

Oh yeah, I know... You'd leave yer nuts frozen to the chair.

I'd rather order one from Kurt at Rondo...'cause i know that it will turn out great!

He's the man!

Kurt, Karl... whatever. I cross paths with him every so often, red Toyota 2WD PU. Still has Jersey plates and no back bumper.

[Bob-I]

Come to think of it?

I'd rather order one from Kurt at Rondo...'cause i know that it will turn out great!

He's the man!

I tried to get into paylessguitars.com today just for shits and giggles, no site, no google hits, nada. Maybe they're dead.

As for Rondo, you can count o nthem. If something is substandard when you get it, they'll either fix it or replace it, and in a reasonable time. Like I said before, I deal with them since 1963 until they closed. Honest and dedicated to the student musician.

One of my best experiences at Rondo was at a Battle of the bands they stages in the last 60's. My band "The Dark Syde" competed and came in second out of over 50 bands. The competition was run professionally, stage turnover smooth (they setup 2 stages fully equiped with state of the art stuff from their stock) and well judged.

[CaseyJones]

Come to think of it?

I'd rather order one from Kurt at Rondo...'cause i know that it will turn out great!

He's the man!

I tried to get into paylessguitars.com today just for shits and giggles, no site, no google hits, nada. Maybe they're dead.

I hope so. Another Asian bootlegger belly-up can't be a bad thing. Manners and ceremony all fall apart when it comes to patents, trademarks and copyrights, if they can rip it off they will. And y'all think I'm rude!

As for Rondo, you can count on them. If something is substandard when you get it, they'll either fix it or replace it, and in a reasonable time. Like I said before, I deal with them since 1963 until they closed. Honest and dedicated to the student musician.

They are by no means closed. You just can't see 'em in their current location no matter how hard you look. Yeah, I used to breeze right by their old location out on Route 22, by the time I had my signal on I'd be in Dunellen or something! Like a lot of vendors they've considered their market, pondred where their bread and butter is and then went for a simple formula that works.

One of the assets of their old location was that they were visible but they didn't have a zillion nose pickin' teenagers playin' the snot outta their inventory all day long. They've distilled that even further, every customer is a paying customer now.

Rumor has it Twang is a paying customer x7!

[Tubetwang]

Thanks for the interesting info Bob-I.

Paylessguitars became too succesful i guess.

The E-Bay store is still open but the web site is closed...

Their copy even had a serial number and a "Made in the U.S.A." carved in the back of headstock.

I'm older and wiser now but, i can easily understand why a younger rocker would order a White Falcon or a Penguin for 330$.


Here another web site with the same products...there are plenty more on alibaba.com

www.guitarscn.com

[CaseyJones]

Here another web site with the same products...there are plenty more on alibaba.com

www.guitarscn.com

Oi! The nerve of some people!

Check the pics, there's one sunburst Telecaster... "Made in USA Stratocaster" decal onthe headstock. Korean style hole in the head headstock, 22 fret neck, none of the maple necks have a skunk stripe...

"Fender Bullet Strings" decal onthe pickguard! The nerve!

Check the body rads and contours, no even close...

Click on "violins", there are some good deals to be had there. Price: "$00.00"! At least the price is right...