Pros:
+ Metallic green finish looks great, especially in this seemingly neverending era of veneers
+ Thigh cutout as effective as on Strandbergs for playing sitting down
+ Forearm contour very comfortable (broad and deep)
+ Lightweight as one would expect from a headless, but a bit heavier than most Strandbergs, including non-chambered ones
+ Non-polarizing, comfortable C shape neck that most should appreciate
+ Upper fret access slightly easier than on NX Strandbergs
+ Good fretwork (potentially specific to the model I received): fret ends nicely rounded, a couple are a hair higher in the upper registers but no buzz despite relatively low action (1.6 mm on the low E)
+ Build quality on a par with Strandbergs at much less elitist pricing
Cons:
- Neck width at the nut (~41.2 mm) might feel cramped for some, it did for me
- Low E string a bit too close to edge of fretboard and seemingly no room to adjust given the tightness of the neck joint, although I made no attempt--did not want to unscrew the neck
- All pickup positions sound very similar to each other. Also, even when lowered, there is a boominess and fizziness with both pickups that I could not EQ out.
- Volume and tone pots not progressive at all.
- Pickup switch on the cheaper side where intermediate positions do not click firmly into place.
- Volume knob a bit too close to the strings, somewhat like an Ibanez RG--should have been located a bit further back but this personal preference
- Intonation adjustment really bothersome since the bridge pickup gets in the way unless fully lowered into the body, and string tension must be released for the saddle to actually move forward or backward. More precise than on current Strandberg tremolos, but equally fiddly and frustrating.
- Likely specific to the guitar I received so your mileage may vary: 1) sitar sound on the G string saddle, and only that one; 2) low E nut slot cut too low, caused buzzing when played open with normal pick attack; 3) subpar tuning stability after several bends and/or mild pressing on the bar where the pitch of all strings goes down--could be a string or more binding at the nut although I applied some graphite; 4) a couple tuners like the low E and G can be quite hard to turn; 5) some finish imperfections like scratches near the headpiece where the strings are screwed in, or near the jack, but definitely forgivable at this price point
Conclusion:
Despite its pros, this one is going back especially because of the bridge and nut issues explained above. Hopefully Sire will come up with a fixed bridge version with simpler intonation adjustment, and retain the current price of €699, to confirm this as a true alternative to the Boden Essential.
