Price Paid: $300 USD
Description: Semi-hollow, 2 Semore Duncan humbuckers, Gibson style bridge, wider flatter neck than a strat
Tone:
Comments: Super tone. Extremely full without getting muddy like a lot of the less expensive semi's (e.g. Dot). Get's a variety of tones with the two pickups, three position switch and tone controls. Doesn't get as bright/cutting as my strat. This guitar approaches an accoustic guitar in a "woody" sound sense (if that makes sense).
Quality:
Comments: The finish is outstanding. This guitar is stamped "2" on the back - so it's a factory second. There is a noticable thin-ness of wood stain on the bottom of the neck - I think that's why it's a second. The neck/body joint could look tighter, but I noticed the non-"seconds" have this too (at Guitar Center). The hardware is very good. I'd like to see better looking tuners, but these feel solid and allow for precise tuning.... Tuning: Because this was a "2nd", I don't believe they adjusted the intonation at the factory. So it was way out of wack. But after I set the intonation myself, it's rock solid on throughout the entire neck.
Overall:
Pros: I paid $300 on Ebay for this factory 2nd. I played dozens of other guitars by various makers and price ranges before deciding on the Echotone. It has the best sound quality and playability of anything else I played... I use it for Jazz, rythm and for finger picking. My strat is my first choice for screaming leads, cutting chords, and slide; this Echotone is my first choice for everything else.
I'm extremely happy with it. Like I said, I auditioned a lot of other guitars and this one really stood out. If you want to expand your sound and technique from a thin neck strat (or other solid body), this one is worth considering. They usally go for around $500-600 and they're worth every penny... But $300 on ebay for a 2nd closed the deal for me.
Cons: The intonation was out when I got it. But I was able to take care of that myself.

Submitted by:
Rick Hoffman (rick.g.hoffman@monsanto.com)
Playing Experience:
over ten years
Musical Tastes:
blues classical heavy metal jazz

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