NGD: Fender Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar
Jul 4, 2015 16:56:41 GMT
Martin, ocarolan, and 1 more like this
Post by grayn on Jul 4, 2015 16:56:41 GMT
Up until late yesterday, I was intending to go and get a PRS Swamp Ash Special, today.
It would have involved trade ins and some travelling.
Then I decided, that although they are truly, high quality guitars, I've never really liked PRS.
God knows why.
Just the way they look and their headstocks are horrible, IMO. Sorry PRS fans, it's just the way I am.
Anyway, in my twisted, GAS induced logic, I desired a surfing, playing partner, for my recently acquired, MusicMan Albert Lee.
My Epi Pelham blue, SG with trem, is a great rock guitar but not twangy enough, for da surf.
Fortunately, the already hugely stocked Reidys, in Blackburn, had recently had another influx of Fender guitars.
And 2 of them, really took my fancy.
A Fender Special Edition 60s Strat, RW, Daphne Blue.
And of course, the Fender Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar.
The 60s, daphne blue strat, has a matching headstock and looks every inch like it belongs on a Californian beach.
All vintage and lovely in appearance and actually, very sweet sounding.
I don't know how they do it but these pickups sound pretty authentic, especially through a Fender Hot Rod deluxe, with plenty of spring reverb.
Things that aren't so cool, to my mind, are the vintage tremolo, tuners and 7.5 inch neck radius.
They work OK but aren't really that great at what they do.
You can get by fine with them but why should you?
The Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar, is based on the strat design but for a starter, the body is offset.
It kind of reminds me of the old 60s Hofner Galaxie.
Also, they've put, what looks like, a Jaguar bridge plate, under the bridge and tremolo.
The pickups are in the HSS layout.
But instead of a 5-way switch, you get a 5-way knob.
And you can't have the middle pickup, on it's own.
Where you might expect to access the middle pickup, in the 5-way's middle position, you actually get the bridge and neck pickup, together.
In phase, thank God.
And, as it turns out, this is my favourite setting.
It sounds bloody brilliant.
Overall the pickups are reasonably hot.
Clear and punchy.
Spot on really.
The only other knob, controls the volume.
You do get some very nice extras, with this model.
The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles, locking tuners and locking strap buttons.
The first 2 are great additions, on a guitar at this price, IMO.
One thing you don't get, is a back plate, to cover the tremolo's workings.
I think it's a naff idea and I'm thinking of putting one on.
The only slight hindrance, is the sculpting, on the back of the guitar's body.
Apparently PRS did it on one of their Santana models.
Nah! I don't like it.
With it's Hot Rod Red paint job, tortoiseshell pick guard, black pickups, 2 knob control plate and under bridge, signature plate, I think the Sergio Vallin looks pretty cool.
As soon as I got home, I replaced the 9s on it, with 10s (Elixirs).
These pulled up the trem, so no back plate came in handy, to re-adjust the trem springs.
Those 10s really were icing on the cake.
With full surf settings on, on my amp, this beauty sounded awesome.
Really strong and vibrant.
The neck is very nice, especially the fretboard.
The 2-point trem is very useable.
OK, not as smooth as my Albert Lee but not much is.
Everything stays in tune too, which is a real boon.
Helped by those locking tuners, that also make re-stringing, a doddle.
This is a Mexican built guitar and they've done a good job.
Now I've set it up how I like it, this is some guitar.
Kind of offbeat cool, with a tough edge.
A very good player that sounds like it looks.
Really worth a look.
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Specifications:
Model Name: Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar.
Model Number: 0140300315
Series: Artist
Color: Hot Rod Red
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss Urethane
Body Shape: Offet Stratocaster®
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neck
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.685" (42.8 mm)
Position Inlays: Dot
Truss Rods: Standard
Truss Rod Nut: 3/16" Hex Adjustment
Neck Plate: 5-Bolt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronics
Electronics Controls: Master Volume
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Rotary Selector Switch: Pos. 1: Bridge Pickup. Pos. 2: Bridge
and Middle Pickups. Pos. 3: Neck and Bridge Pickup. Pos. 4: Neck and Middle Pickup. Pos.
5: Neck Pickup.
Pickup Configuration: HSS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware
Hardware Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking
Pickguard: 4-Ply Tortoiseshell
Control Knobs: Black Plastic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous
Unique Features: Decorative Chrome Plate Under Bridge with Artist Signature Stamp, 5-
Bolt Neck Plate, No Back Tremolo Cover Plate, Artist Signature on Front of Headstock
It would have involved trade ins and some travelling.
Then I decided, that although they are truly, high quality guitars, I've never really liked PRS.
God knows why.
Just the way they look and their headstocks are horrible, IMO. Sorry PRS fans, it's just the way I am.
Anyway, in my twisted, GAS induced logic, I desired a surfing, playing partner, for my recently acquired, MusicMan Albert Lee.
My Epi Pelham blue, SG with trem, is a great rock guitar but not twangy enough, for da surf.
Fortunately, the already hugely stocked Reidys, in Blackburn, had recently had another influx of Fender guitars.
And 2 of them, really took my fancy.
A Fender Special Edition 60s Strat, RW, Daphne Blue.
And of course, the Fender Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar.
The 60s, daphne blue strat, has a matching headstock and looks every inch like it belongs on a Californian beach.
All vintage and lovely in appearance and actually, very sweet sounding.
I don't know how they do it but these pickups sound pretty authentic, especially through a Fender Hot Rod deluxe, with plenty of spring reverb.
Things that aren't so cool, to my mind, are the vintage tremolo, tuners and 7.5 inch neck radius.
They work OK but aren't really that great at what they do.
You can get by fine with them but why should you?
The Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar, is based on the strat design but for a starter, the body is offset.
It kind of reminds me of the old 60s Hofner Galaxie.
Also, they've put, what looks like, a Jaguar bridge plate, under the bridge and tremolo.
The pickups are in the HSS layout.
But instead of a 5-way switch, you get a 5-way knob.
And you can't have the middle pickup, on it's own.
Where you might expect to access the middle pickup, in the 5-way's middle position, you actually get the bridge and neck pickup, together.
In phase, thank God.
And, as it turns out, this is my favourite setting.
It sounds bloody brilliant.
Overall the pickups are reasonably hot.
Clear and punchy.
Spot on really.
The only other knob, controls the volume.
You do get some very nice extras, with this model.
The 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles, locking tuners and locking strap buttons.
The first 2 are great additions, on a guitar at this price, IMO.
One thing you don't get, is a back plate, to cover the tremolo's workings.
I think it's a naff idea and I'm thinking of putting one on.
The only slight hindrance, is the sculpting, on the back of the guitar's body.
Apparently PRS did it on one of their Santana models.
Nah! I don't like it.
With it's Hot Rod Red paint job, tortoiseshell pick guard, black pickups, 2 knob control plate and under bridge, signature plate, I think the Sergio Vallin looks pretty cool.
As soon as I got home, I replaced the 9s on it, with 10s (Elixirs).
These pulled up the trem, so no back plate came in handy, to re-adjust the trem springs.
Those 10s really were icing on the cake.
With full surf settings on, on my amp, this beauty sounded awesome.
Really strong and vibrant.
The neck is very nice, especially the fretboard.
The 2-point trem is very useable.
OK, not as smooth as my Albert Lee but not much is.
Everything stays in tune too, which is a real boon.
Helped by those locking tuners, that also make re-stringing, a doddle.
This is a Mexican built guitar and they've done a good job.
Now I've set it up how I like it, this is some guitar.
Kind of offbeat cool, with a tough edge.
A very good player that sounds like it looks.
Really worth a look.
Specifications:
Model Name: Sergio Vallin Signature Guitar.
Model Number: 0140300315
Series: Artist
Color: Hot Rod Red
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss Urethane
Body Shape: Offet Stratocaster®
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Neck
Neck Material: Maple
Neck Finish: Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 9.5" (241 mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.685" (42.8 mm)
Position Inlays: Dot
Truss Rods: Standard
Truss Rod Nut: 3/16" Hex Adjustment
Neck Plate: 5-Bolt
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronics
Electronics Controls: Master Volume
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Rotary Selector Switch: Pos. 1: Bridge Pickup. Pos. 2: Bridge
and Middle Pickups. Pos. 3: Neck and Bridge Pickup. Pos. 4: Neck and Middle Pickup. Pos.
5: Neck Pickup.
Pickup Configuration: HSS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware
Hardware Bridge: 2-Point Synchronized Tremolo with Block Saddles
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Tuning Machines: Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking
Pickguard: 4-Ply Tortoiseshell
Control Knobs: Black Plastic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Miscellaneous
Unique Features: Decorative Chrome Plate Under Bridge with Artist Signature Stamp, 5-
Bolt Neck Plate, No Back Tremolo Cover Plate, Artist Signature on Front of Headstock
Not at all Graham! Just is not possible to have too many NGD posts!
Jo whoever he is.
