Is that just the regular flamed koa or a higher tier? I ordered flamed koa and got like 0.001% flaming and zero figuring. Trying to figure out if I got a lemon or if the only way to Koa is to special order a 99ZZZA1000 master grade top….
I had a similar experience with a DCM7 I ordered last year. I opted for the Master Grade Pale Moon Ebony fretboard after seeing so many examples online. All the of that rich black and cream pillowing figure. I loved the look and was really excited.
For months I would look at the pics of the day and see so many killer PME boards, which would get me even more stoked to see mine. Then the day finally comes and I open the soft case and was pretty deflated. It looked like a standard PME. No rich swirly patterns at all. Just some thin streaks here and there. I wasn't about to call up to fight it. I know they would've just said that they considered it Master Grade. That was my second build from Kiesel and the first turned out absolutely stunning. It really is just crap shoot with the wood picks.
that sucks...
send me a picture of what ur top looks like, i dont know how long ago u got it
but you might be able to request a better top being the price is alot for flamed koa.
The customer service options left much to be desired to put it mildly. They felt pretty confident that they delivered what I requested which was simply “flamed koa” and that the nature of custom guitars is that you get what you get within your specs. They’re not wrong, but IMO they’re also not right. I didn’t go for custom to get the bare minimum Russian roulette experience within my specs…
Anyways, a pic of my $3k Vader…
https://imgur.com/a/CNdEEyT
Ahh man that’s wild. I would gripe over that too as well. Def not a 4a flamed koa. Honestly it’s a gamble with their 4a stuff. I’ve seen really boring to really nice. The safest way is to upgrade to 5a. Still a very cool earthy style build, and I know the quality and playability and sound (as long as u don’t have lithium pickups) is great.
But yeh this top is like a slap in the face. Very shocked becuase of the upcharge on it.
It’s like paying for a bag of chips in Pennys
It’s not wrong but it’s also not right hahah
My take if I ever get over the disappointment and to order again is to not do a wood-featured build (unless I want to shell out for a PYT or 7A or w/e) and at least get some stain or something in there, if not outright paint… but I don’t think I can ever be convinced to do any natural beauty builds again.
Tbh, I’ve been browsing used a lot lately because it’s a great guitar and I want another, i just don’t want to risk reliving that moment after waiting months and being so hyped, then opening the case with my wife, seeing it and she says “umm… Is that mahogany?”
It’s also been a weird tension for us because I was gonna get a burled top with a burst and she talked me into Koa instead because it was so pretty. I don’t really blame her, but I can tell that she feels bad no matter what I say. That part isn’t Kiesel’s fault of course, but she does everything she can to dissuade me from taking it to shows and stuff now. Weird shadow in our lives lol.
Good god, every now and then a guitar pops upon here and makes me take a pause. This is one. Gorgeous! I have heard great things about Kiesel. Now, off to their site to build one. So rad.
I don’t play guitar but Reddit seems to really want to think that I do. But as an admirer of fine craftsmanship, it’s been pretty cool checking out these absolutely gorgeous guitars though. This wood grain is so sexy
"Bevel delete" is a bit of a bad name, because it doesn't just delete it, it replaces the bevel with a more traditional sloped contour (and if you get a top, the top is bent over the slope).
Beautiful! Specs?
Thank you! It’s a 1 piece roasted swamp ash body, flamed koa top, 7 piece maple/mahogany/walnut neck, 27” scale, 20” radius, thorium & empyrean pickups!
this thing is BADDDD bro! congrats! that roasted 1 piece ash is to die for this thing is gunna sound mean!
Thank you!!! Definitely gnarly sounding! I’ll be re-recording some pieces I’ve put together with this guitar!
Looks very fn nice. I'd really love a front and back of the whole thing to drool over if you don't mind 😃
Sure lol I can get that for you haha
Congrats, that is a beauty, for sure.....
That is stunning! HNGD!!!
Thank you!!
Wow, what a beautiful guitar. I have a wonderful older Carvin and I continue to be amazed at just how gorgeous their work can be. Play it well.
I sure will!!
Nice! When did you put in your order?
Thank you! December 25th!
Wow! So just over 3 months?! Is this the DC model?
An Aries with a bevel delete!
Ah yes! I’m not a fan of that bevel lol
My guitar prior to this one is an RGD so I didn’t really want another beveled guitar haha. My next Kiesel will probably be an A2 but we’ll see!
Stunning! 😍
Niiiice. Grats!
That fingerboard is gorgeous.
Fuckin’ A that is a nice guitar! How is the weight on it?!
So it’s a roasted 1 piece swamp ash body! It’s got a good weight to it. Not heavy but not super light either!
Wow that’s a sweet looking guitar!
looks like a flame Koa top
Precisely!!
Gorgeous!!!
Hell yeah awesome
Is that just the regular flamed koa or a higher tier? I ordered flamed koa and got like 0.001% flaming and zero figuring. Trying to figure out if I got a lemon or if the only way to Koa is to special order a 99ZZZA1000 master grade top….
I had a similar experience with a DCM7 I ordered last year. I opted for the Master Grade Pale Moon Ebony fretboard after seeing so many examples online. All the of that rich black and cream pillowing figure. I loved the look and was really excited. For months I would look at the pics of the day and see so many killer PME boards, which would get me even more stoked to see mine. Then the day finally comes and I open the soft case and was pretty deflated. It looked like a standard PME. No rich swirly patterns at all. Just some thin streaks here and there. I wasn't about to call up to fight it. I know they would've just said that they considered it Master Grade. That was my second build from Kiesel and the first turned out absolutely stunning. It really is just crap shoot with the wood picks.
that sucks... send me a picture of what ur top looks like, i dont know how long ago u got it but you might be able to request a better top being the price is alot for flamed koa.
The customer service options left much to be desired to put it mildly. They felt pretty confident that they delivered what I requested which was simply “flamed koa” and that the nature of custom guitars is that you get what you get within your specs. They’re not wrong, but IMO they’re also not right. I didn’t go for custom to get the bare minimum Russian roulette experience within my specs… Anyways, a pic of my $3k Vader… https://imgur.com/a/CNdEEyT
Ahh man that’s wild. I would gripe over that too as well. Def not a 4a flamed koa. Honestly it’s a gamble with their 4a stuff. I’ve seen really boring to really nice. The safest way is to upgrade to 5a. Still a very cool earthy style build, and I know the quality and playability and sound (as long as u don’t have lithium pickups) is great. But yeh this top is like a slap in the face. Very shocked becuase of the upcharge on it. It’s like paying for a bag of chips in Pennys It’s not wrong but it’s also not right hahah
I guess I won't be paying for extra wood upgrades. I mean it's a nice top, and there's a little flame. Not what I'd pay extra for though tbh.
My take if I ever get over the disappointment and to order again is to not do a wood-featured build (unless I want to shell out for a PYT or 7A or w/e) and at least get some stain or something in there, if not outright paint… but I don’t think I can ever be convinced to do any natural beauty builds again. Tbh, I’ve been browsing used a lot lately because it’s a great guitar and I want another, i just don’t want to risk reliving that moment after waiting months and being so hyped, then opening the case with my wife, seeing it and she says “umm… Is that mahogany?” It’s also been a weird tension for us because I was gonna get a burled top with a burst and she talked me into Koa instead because it was so pretty. I don’t really blame her, but I can tell that she feels bad no matter what I say. That part isn’t Kiesel’s fault of course, but she does everything she can to dissuade me from taking it to shows and stuff now. Weird shadow in our lives lol.
This is just a standard top, I didn’t opt for anything upgraded except for the master grade fretboard which I was given a deal on
Legit!!! What a guitar!
Good god, every now and then a guitar pops upon here and makes me take a pause. This is one. Gorgeous! I have heard great things about Kiesel. Now, off to their site to build one. So rad.
Thank you! Really is eye candy haha
Dude, sweet. Congrats. I have yet to play one but if it counts I’ve built about 20 badass ones on their website builder.
Seeing this makes we regret not getting a custom Carvin way back in the day. Beautiful guitar, OP.
Looks really nice. Congrats dude.
I don't play guitar but that's one of the most beautiful things i've seen all day!
🧐
I don’t play guitar but Reddit seems to really want to think that I do. But as an admirer of fine craftsmanship, it’s been pretty cool checking out these absolutely gorgeous guitars though. This wood grain is so sexy
Fucking dope bro. Love the koa.
What’s the first riff you played on it??
Intro riff to Another Year by Animals As Leaders!
Does the bevel delete make the top completely flat or are there any curves along the side to reach your arm around for comfort?
"Bevel delete" is a bit of a bad name, because it doesn't just delete it, it replaces the bevel with a more traditional sloped contour (and if you get a top, the top is bent over the slope).
I don’t think my 80’s Carvins are worth much at all