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Hello surfguitar101:
Well, I just spent my second week with the new Retrotone
Surfmaster...and I have to say I am 100% satisfied with this fine
surf instrument.
Details and impressions:
1. Overall construction: not quite as heavy as a Fender Strat, not
quite as light as a Mosrite Ventures Model...beautiful birds-eye
maple neck, solid hardwood body.
Smooth lustrous paint job in "Mary Kay" pink...not a deep deep
intricate multilayer vintage paint job, but a good hardworking modern
finish (reminiscent of early Fender Mustangs or Duosonic finishes).
All hardware is heavy duty, and all construction is sturdy and
tight. Even the output jack was nice and tight...it never loosened
up once (unlike every other guitar I have ever owned).
2. My set-up: I like guitars set-up on the "heavy" side. Initially,
I set up with .013 roundwounds, with a wound "G" string. I use 5
springs in the Strat-like trem system. I figured if old "Mary Kkay"
could shine with this set-up...she'd be fine with any other set-up I
try later on
3. the neck: Upon arrival, I added 1/8 turn of tension to the truss
rod...and the neck settled in to a nice flat aspect. The neck is
reminiscent of the early Fender "C" shape...meaty and definately not
a "delicate" neck...Jumbo frets...a nice solid straight maple
neck...kind of feels more "Tele" than "Strat" to my hands...whatever
that means...
4. Pikups: The electronics and pickup tone surprised me... Dual
Armstrong single coil "lipstick tube" pickups and a three position
blade selector switch...
bridge: wonderful bright "chime-like" treble strum...again very "Tele-
like", but with a touch of Danelectro, if Danelectro made solid
guitars.
middle: "biting" twang...volume level jumps up a
notch...excellent "default" tone for rhythm/strum/lead combo work.
neck: the most surprising tone of all...volume level increases
signifcantly over "middle" position, bass reponse increases...a clear
powerful lead tone...not too "twangy"...but more "Miserlou-Strat-
like"...addictive tone and volume...but, once you get to this setting
there is no more room to get any louder...
of course, this guitar does not sound like a Jaguar nor
Jazzmaster...but it does approximate several of the Strat, Tele and
Danelectro tones...a very interesting combination for that "surf
sound"...
5. the trem: this is my first experience with a "Strat-style"
trem...usually I am a "Bigsby-style" guy...
I like the trem bar to "stay put" parallel to the strings and not
hang down floppin' around pointing to the ground...so I ended up
modifying my trem bar a little: I used a 1" long piece of 1/4" clear
vinyl aquarium hose to make a little sleeve on the threaded end of
the arm. The vinyl sleeve gives enough resistance/friction to keep
the trem arm in place where I like it...Carl suggested a small spring
inserted into the trem socket, I haven't tried that yet.
I am starting to really like the "Strat-style"trem system...the
tuning stability has remained exceptional...no problems at all, even
after a racous rendition of "Mr. Moto", "Pipeline" and "Walk-Don't
Run"...
6. Overall Value: Carl Petteys makes a great surf guitar! Very, very
Fender-like with a cool Danelectro-tone twist...hand made in America
with outstanding materials and craftsmanship. If you are looking for
something a little different (but, not too different) in the $700
range, this might be the guitar for you.
If you'd like to see old "Mary Kay", check out the photos in
the "Guitar" section at surfguitar101.
well that's it for now...I have found my "workhorse" surf guitar and
I am a happy guy...
sincerely,
Dave Pike
D.P.,
I concur with your review...I am really glad you liked Carl's guitars.
I remain ecstatic with mine. Glad I helped put you two together.
Best wishes, surf on!
Gavin
--- In , "D. P." <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> Hello surfguitar101:
>
> Well, I just spent my second week with the new Retrotone
> Surfmaster... I am a happy guy...
>
> sincerely,
> Dave Pike
Gavin:
Thanks for all your help!
I am truly stoked,
DP
--- Gavin Ehringer <> wrote:
> D.P.,
> I concur with your review...I am really glad you liked
> Carl's guitars.
> I remain ecstatic with mine. Glad I helped put you two
> together.
> Best wishes, surf on!
> Gavin
>
> --- In , "D. P."
> <noetical1@y...> wrote:
> > Hello surfguitar101:
> >
> > Well, I just spent my second week with the new
> Retrotone
> > Surfmaster... I am a happy guy...
> >
> > sincerely,
> > Dave Pike
>
>
>
>
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