Surfliner series

[barrycreed]

Crying out for a Bigsby, or maybe even the Hagstrom trem from the Tbird!

 

[twocorgis]

Its all about how they’re spec’d. My Fender Jim Adkins Tele was “crafted in Indonesia”, and it is as good as any US made Fender (non-custom shop). It also retails for more than these. So the factories will meet whatever your price point is and are very capable of some fine work.

Interestingly enough, I recently bought an Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" J45 that is also made in Indonesia, and it's surprisingly good for what it is. All solid woods, and great QC from what I can see. Arguably better than the low end "G" series American made guitars they've been cranking out lately too, but still no match for my 2001 Working Man 45. Once I pried off that hideous (and thick) pickguard that came stock, and replaced it with a spare J45 model, it sounded even better too.

My only problem with Indonesian made guitars is that it seems to be a race to the bottom by corporations to find the cheapest labor pool. How long before we see African made guitars?

 

[GGJaguar]

My brain keeps inserting a chrome Mustang or Jaguar type control plate into the photos of the Surfliner. The way the pickguard curves near the volume knob makes it look like a control plate should be fitted. Someone Photoshop one in to put me out of my misery!

Oh well, cheaper to have rear-mounted controls I reckon.

 

[archiestone]

I rather like it (white sage, oooh) but find the -poplar body and -long (25.5") scale weird choices.
Any idea how heavy it is?

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Interestingly enough, I recently bought an Epiphone "Inspired by Gibson" J45 that is also made in Indonesia, and it's surprisingly good for what it is. All solid woods, and great QC from what I can see. Arguably better than the low end "G" series American made guitars they've been cranking out lately too, but still no match for my 2001 Working Man 45. Once I pried off that hideous (and thick) pickguard that came stock, and replaced it with a spare J45 model, it sounded even better too.

My only problem with Indonesian made guitars is that it seems to be a race to the bottom by corporations to find the cheapest labor pool. How long before we see African made guitars?

Someone here once pointed out that many of these countries have centuries old traditions of building some kind of stringed instruments. Think sitar in India, wakkagi in Japan, and many variations in China.

 

[DeArmond Hammer]

Well, it is really Sixties, with a very strong Kawaii/Teisco-vibe...so they had to copy something from Japan of that era...

Yes, those switches reminded me of my old Teisco! The missing tailpiece and homely woodgrain add to the thrift shop vibe. The Surfliner's draw for me is the Guildish voice that I hope to get from the pickups, but it's hard to judge the pickups from the available demos.






The Polish demo, previously posted by @spoox, has my favorite clean-reverby tones of the demos I've seen.

 

[amnicon]

Someone here once pointed out that many of these countries have centuries old traditions of building some kind of stringed instruments. Think sitar in India, wakkagi in Japan, and many variations in China.

For a long time I made a link between east Asian manufacturing and poor quality. I then learned that these same factories make much higher quality items for other countries, it's just that we asked them to make cheap crap so they made cheap crap for us. Clearly, low wages allows for this, but the driver seems to be our priority on low cost.

 

[Nuuska]

For a long time I made a link between east Asian manufacturing and poor quality. I then learned that these same factories make much higher quality items for other countries, it's just that we asked them to make cheap crap so they made cheap crap for us. Clearly, low wages allows for this, but the driver seems to be our priority on low cost.

Same thing has been visible at hardware stores and more on those "cheap-stores" - ( whatever the proper word ) - for centuries. Ultra-low-priced tools that with good luck can take light chores but brake right-away when a real job comes along. Just waiste of material, labour and buyers money - all this just so some other people could make profit of it.

I'll stop here, because I can see the limit of political discussion approaching.

 

[Bill Ashton]

@archiestone , the 25.5 inch scale is pure Fender (not sure what Guild has used before on solid body electrics) and poplar as a body wood is also ala Fender. I am pretty sure that the Musicmasters, Duo Sonics and Mustangs of the '60's were poplar-bodied. I had a late 90's Squier tele that was multi-piece poplar. I do not think it is as heavy as ash or maple for guitar bodies...

 

[Bill Ashton]

The demo players seem to be satisfied with the quality of the build, but I would like to hear some tones that are actual surf-like, understanding that the 60's guitars that this is emulating may not have had that as their strong suit either.

Note: In Guild's description, they mention the Amtrak-Surfliner, so they must have crossed their t's and dotted their i's for permission to use the name

 

[mellowgerman]

If we could get a short scale Surfliner bass with a single Bisonic in the middle position, I would pick one up for sure.

I am also confident they would sell like hot-cakes. People on the talkbass forum are loving the solid-body short scale offerings these days, especially the ones at the ~$500-700 price point. Sterling by MusicMan has one, Squier and Fender have a few affordable variations on the Mustang, G&L Fallout, Chowny, Sire, etc.

I think Guild could hop right in on the craze without too much new design work necessary.

 

[AcornHouse]

Listening to the demo videos (when they weren’t trying to show off their favorite distortion pedals ), what struck me was how hum-y those single coil pickups were singly. Definitely want to use them paired.

 

[mavuser]

whoever originally decided that was a good place for those switches on a mustang guitar, or any guitar...should be put in a straight jacket, locked in a room, amd made to listen to Foreigner's greatest hits, on repeat.
other than that, i like it

 

[GAD]

whoever originally decided that was a good place for those switches on a mustang guitar, or any guitar...should be put in a straight jacket, locked in a room, amd made to listen to Foreigner's greatest hits, on repeat.
other than that, i like it

I love Foreigner. Bring it on.

 

[DrumBob]

As of today, Guild is sending me a Surfliner for review in Vintage Guitar. When I get, I'll return with a report.

 

[twocorgis]

I love Foreigner. Bring it on.

OK, Nickleback. Nobody likes them!

 

[fronobulax]

whoever originally decided that was a good place for those switches on a mustang guitar, or any guitar...should be put in a straight jacket, locked in a room, amd made to listen to Foreigner's greatest hits, on repeat.
other than that, i like it

You got a problem with Foreigner?

Lou Gramm played Rochester NY as Louis Grammatico in Black Sheep, I band I recall enjoying.

 

[krysh]

I love Foreigner. Bring it on.

I‘ll see them with my wife on friday in hamburg!

 

[GAD]

OK, Nickleback. Nobody likes them!

I’ve been known to listen to Nickelback. The whole “your favorite band sucks” thing is dumb. Hell, I even have a Creed CD somewhere. It should be obvious by know that I don’t really care what people think of me.

 

[theoddfather]

I'm kind of amazed at the price point. Considering that Mexican Fenders are now $800+, this is a steal. I suppose it's more of a direct competitor to Asian-built Squires, but still, it's an impressive price. I'm swimming in guitars right now, so I won't be picking one up, but I'm certainly curious about them. I'll look forward to some of your reviews here!