Back when I saw this one launched with its straight frets, my first thought was "Does Andre know?"

It's nice to watch a real review and not a PR piece. Thank you.

I appreciate how andre's reviews are both nitty gritty and also very measured. He's just like "this is what works for me and my life" and the guitarsphere needs more of that.

im a jazz guitar major dealing with debilitating wrist pain for a couple months now, to the point where ive had to postpone my juries and even drop a class. ive seen a doctor and received multiple steriod injections, and ive been waiting to buy the bullet on a strandberg essential until you made a review about it. thanks so much!

Nice video. I wasn't sold on this essential collection, but this really gave me a great new perspective on them.

A note about the neck: On other Strandbergs, the neck is carbon reinforced, you will see 2 lines down the back. The Essential is a one piece neck, no reinforcement.

Thanks for considering the suggestion, Andre. I wonder where this leaves the rest of the Strandberg lineup. This comes at a ~40% discount to the next cheapest Strandberg models, and those models only have 1. brand-name pickups (pointless because the OEMs sound fine) 2. fancier wood (pointless because the audience for these guitars likely aren't cork-sniffers, and their prettier tops are just veneers anyway) 3. multiscale (some might care) 4. Trem option (probably will be added to this lineup later) If anything, I applaud these guys for putting their newest advancements at the lowest-end first. Nobody else does that.

Gotta say I love the fanned frets on my Sälen. It's the one guitar I pick up every day and the one I miss when I'm traveling. I'm close to buying a second one with a humbucker.

They really need to release the Salen classic with the Essential woods or whatever they need to put it at the Essential price point.

I'm pretty sure strandberg got tons of feedback just from your channel alone. That 1 hour review is the most in-depth and very great review of a guitar i've watched. Every aspect is covered very well.

Fanned frets made me sell my first Strandberg after two days. The essential is perfect with straight frets and It made me realize I actually love the enduraneck shape…. When it’s not paired with fanned frets… Strandberg player for life now. 🤘🏻

Andre, i want to thank you for your videos on guitar ergonomics. The tips about the guitar cushion and the performaxe have helped me tremendously. Have a good one!

I got mine about a week ago in Elemental Blue and it is literally the perfect guitar for me. I can’t get over how amazing this thing plays!

Agree 100% with what you said.Had 3 other Strandburgs.Always Trem equipped.Got my Essential (red)about a month ago from Sweetwater.Got it Plek-ed and had a Graphteck nut put on it.👍Asked Strandburg for a 25 1/2 in.scale in 2019.Glad to have 1 now.Don't feel the need to replace the pick-ups.Ola knocked it out of the park with this one.My Kiesel Osiris has a trem,when I want a trem.Still playing my D'Angellico with Vega-Trem. Glad to see your channel is doing so well.Subbed from just about the start. Best Regards..

You never miss with these reviews man I really love how you pick apart each thing you review, exploring every possible thing no matter how insignificant it may seem to most

I'd be super interested to see your take on the Ibanez QX line. Mostly your take on the frets. The body shape is not as good as Strandberg, but I'm really curious as to the uniformly angled frets.

I have the Elemental Blue one, it is unbelievable. What surprised me the most was the resonance as you demoed. For such a small guitar it rings better than some of my expensive high end guitars.

You're right. Tried it, love it, search finally over for me. Just need a 7 string version now.

Honestly, this video just pushed me over the edge. I've been thinking about ordering this guitar for so long and this was the final push to just order it. Wish me luck!

Finally, I was tired of your ocd tearing up Strandbergs. So glad you are happy. I still love my Boden Prog 6NX.

the only thing stopping me from buying this is the bridge

I’ve never found a 6 string strandberg in any local music store to try but have been interested. This model really checked a lot of boxes for me except a floating tremolo. If they put one of the essential models out with a Tremelo I will buy it.

Even though English is not my mother language I understand Andre’s reviews very well and I love them because he is very honest and clear. In the past I sold both my Strandbergs, a 7 and a 6 string, but because of this review I’m going to try one of this. Thank you for your honesty.

The only things putting me off from picking one of these up is that they’re matte finished and 25.5” scale. I would really love to see more headless manufacturers making 24.75” scale guitars, the only model I know of currently is the Kiesel Zeus.

About the Strandberg multitool, I had recently asked Strandberg support about getting a new one and they did send it for free as they have been for others, but it was also an improved multitool. With the exception of the end that just fits into the tuners to turn them easier, every single end now made out of metal which alleviates the problem I encountered with my old one!

Thank you! Great review! you helped me decide what my first electric guitar will be!

I have one and love it. My first Strandberg guitar after many years of traditional guitars with heads.

Amazing video! As a jazz guitarist, I'd love to see you review the Strandberg Sälen Jazz. Cheers from Latinoamérica!

Hey Andre! I have two strands, and I've had plinking sounds when I was bending. Sometimes, it can definitely be the zero fret, but both mine were new from the factory. What I had found was that the saddles themselves had little burrs in them that the string was getting caught on. Annoying, but I was able to fix it with a little elbow grease and an exacto (not the ideal tool for the job at all, but it worked.. eventually). I had isolated the string at the nut and at the bridge, and bent it, listening for what end was making pinging sounds. Just a heads up for others who might have this issue.

Yet another wonderfully in depth review, Mr. Fludd! Although your content is different, you and Rick Beato are both channels I look forward to with each and every new video! Thank you ever so much! - Cheers! Brian Cooper, Shinkai Studio, Japan

Thanks for the video Sir, I’m definitely getting one!

The key to zero fret maintenance is to start early. Plinkers can be sanded & polished away. Strandberg's zero fret is slightly taller and it will function so long as it is as least as high as the other frets. For stainless steel, that will take a while.

Bought one of these a month ago. It was ‘B’ stock from a UK retailer. It’s perfect, love it. Haven’t played another one of my other guitars since I got it. it’s that good that I have decided to sell a couple of my existing guitars.

This is the different guitar channel I've was looking for. I'm also very interested in ergonomics and that stuff and Andre makes it very clear.

Great review and spot on. Loving my Essentials. Perfect backup guitar for live playing due to small size and light weight. Easy to play. Pickups sound much better than expected.

I recently bought a boden original 7 and an essential and you’re pretty much spot on. The essential is a damn good guitar for the price

i used to own a strandberg and was stoked when the essential came out as it addressed the zero fret / nut and fan fret issues I had with it. However, I would prefer a premium option like with a wood top like the plini with similar specs over a budget one. Although, I have kind of soured on headless guitars in general as the hardware is prone to break and it would be difficult to replace years later. It just also has a very prog aesthetic.

Hey Andre, I really appreciate the review - especially the Q&A at the end.

I saw these on sweet water I was wondering how good they are. Thanks for your indepth video. This will be my next axe purchase as I've always wanted to get a Strandberg.

Now, I’m glad I ordered the exact same model (the same colour too) and I can’t wait to experience it. A great review Andre💯.

This might be the most game changer guitar ever, can't wait to get mine once it's on stock

Thanks for answering our questions! love your videos.

You definitely sold me on this, answered all the questions i had about this guitar. Great review!

I got boden resq:d this spring for 1300 because I didn't want to wait for this one to release. And I'm in love with the guitar. For 300 extra I think it's a good deal since I actually like fanned frets😅

Really interesting video (as always) Andre. I had a 2018 Boden Metal 6 and couldn't get along with it due to the sharp string lock issue you mentioned in Improvement 2 - it literally cut my hand. Much prefer the straight frets and new heel sculpt too so might have to check it out. Glad to see Strandberg supporting your videos :)

Wow, thank you for being so comprehensive with your format. I always learn something from your channel and take away new things to consider when thinking about purchasing a new guitar. Appreciate you 👏

2-3k$ for a solid body made in Indonesia it's just crazy.for the same price u can get a 60's or 70s Fender Mustang

I"VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS REVIEW!!!!! Great work sir

The amount of effort you put on ur vids is insane, everyone should watch it, seriously

Yooo, this one looks great, the old school features makes it more accessible to everyone, I am so used to jackson, ibanez, dean, even fender, this one would not feel so alien

I hope you are well, my East Coast friend. I know I can trust your review and it is nice Strandberg has a more "affordable" and it is the best. Although 1000 bucks is still a lot of money.

Soon after seeing model @NAMM 2024 I wrote to Strandberg asking if they’d release a trem’d version of this guitar. The reply was basically a friendly “no plans at this time but keep your eyes open”. I can’t be the only one who’s asked this of them. Got a used Boden Strandberg off Reverb and it was a GREAT guitar in every way except for the fanned frets which were a no-go so I sold it. If they made the above instrument with a trem I’d get it tomorrow.

I've been eying this model since it's announcement and have discovered your channel because I was looking for as many Strandberg reviews as I could find. The coincidence of you making this analysis of exactly this model in black is just fantastic. Almost everyone is buying the red model. Thank you for making this video, you've sold me (as soon as I have the cash haha).

Andre, your reviews rule. I actually pounced on the essential when I found out about them bc the price point and your review of your other Strandberg. Glad to see you like it too!

I wanted a Strandberg to save space and weight and this new series might be the one. They are so expensive but this one might do the trick if I decide to sell the one im using now for one of those...

Hi Andre, I got the fusion nx 6 a year ago, and am loving it to pieces, but when you made your comment about the tuning issue with a tremolo bridge, I was all with you on that! Thanks for the great review, I guess I will have to consider adding the Essential to my arsenal for sure! Oh, and I like the red, guess we can't all agree on everything ;-)

I'm absolutely planning to check one of these out. I haven't had great luck with fanned frets in the past, which means I haven't really gotten to try the endure neck either.

This is a great review. I've been very interested in the Boden Essential since it dropped. You and I seem to have similar tastes in guitar necks, features, etc., so I feel that if you liked it, I should too. I do plan on getting one of these from Sweetwater. Seems like exactly what I've wanted all along.

These guitars will be a very good deal used. At 1100-1200 EUR here in the EU it's still kinda expensive for what it is, but I really like that they put more effort in the comfort side of things, and removed everything that isn't necessary. Cool demo/review!

That was so articulate and useful, thank you. You've got a new sub!

love the endoor neck

Thank you for making this video Andre, great work!

Watching this video as my very own got delivered today feels amazing! Always loved the looks and quality of Strandberg guitars, but the prohibitive cost in my country (Brazil) wouldn't allow me to buy it. Can't wait to spend countless hours playing it

Thanks for your great videos 😊 As a owner of 2 Strandbergs with fanned frets, I’m curious to try one of these 😉👍🏻

Finally... The Boden essential review 😭 Also I think the fretwire is the same as many cheap guitars like Harley benton (I think this fretwire comes from the 'blacksmith' line iirc)

Thanks for this video ! It make me to be reassured about maybe buy a boden essential

Great video. I appreciate your content; your honestly and straight forward approach is a breath of fresh air.

I considered this guitar but ended up taking a risk on an aliexpress Acepro guitar, in a Strandberg body shape. (I generally prefer the shape to the Essential, just aesthetically). It cost £230 UK including delivery and arrived in 3 weeks! I put Seymour Duncan Seth Lover pickups in for jazz tone and it still cost less than £500. Not for everyone, but if you’re prepared for some setup it is such a bargain, with all the major ergonomic advantages of the Essential. Differences are: Position of the volume button (which causes me no problems, personally). 3-way switch. Cheaper hardware. Setup (the nut slots needed lowering just slightly. The stainless frets needed final polishing). Normal, non endurneck neck profile (with what I find to be a very comfortable profile). The string locks are different to Strandberg’s but they do not stick out, and do not use the ball-bearing system seen on some other cheap Strandberg knock offs. Strings are easy to change, and the lock/s itself would also be easy to replace. Very slight flaws in finish (tiny areas of filler, and a few well hidden flaws in shaping around the cable socket. The bridge/tuners work well and hold tune. There are also more expensive/quality controlled ones available -though I don’t see the need, and the guitar would still be 1/2 to 3/4 the price of the Strandberg depending whether you change the pickups (the pickups it came with were functional but not great).

Love seeing this considering I just purchased one yesterday!

Nice! Love that Matt black colour too.

I've been considering pulling the trigger on a Strandberg for a while now but have been waiting for this review before doing so

Yep looks like a very good value in ergonomic designs if you don’t mind have a tremolo.

I wish I could get one in Brazil. They don't have an official reseller here I'm afraid.

Great stuff as always Andre. Please tell me what studio chair you have. Thanks!

Love your videos and playing. New sub as of today. Take care. Haha that petrucci stuff is tricky.

Those are the tools they originally sent before coming out with the NX model. And when the multi tool was back ordered when the NX models first came out up until about a year after, they sent those tools in place of the NX multi tool. I was sent the original metal tools with my NX PROG 7 and contacted them awhile later and they sent me the multi tool free of charge. I’ve never used it though. I just stick with the metal ones.

12:30 unless if you found yourself a deal for one on the second hand market - then it's definitely worth it. For less than $1300 I got me a Boden Original 7 and I couldn't be any happier with it.

It would be interesting to see how this guitar compares to an Ibanez Q54, which I believe is similar in price and concept.

The Strandberg Boden Essential is priced similarly to the PRS DGT SE. Very different instruments, of course, but with that sort of budget, which would you choose? I hope and suspect that Strandberg will add floating bridge models to the Essentials line-up, which would make the comparison more direct. Finally, just a thank you for the enormous amount of time, effort and cost you put into your videos. It really shows and is much appreciated!

I also saw this released and finally had interest. I prefer straight frets, and i like how they ditched that zero fret on this one. Great review!! get vid, liked and subbed!

Im looking into strandberg cause i need a more ergonomic 7 string than what i currently own, but at this point youre gonna make me buy the essential lol. Great video as always.

I, being a contrary individual, never consedered a Strandberg...until now. Thank you for another stellar review/investigation!

I think this release was a great idea. I certainly like the idea of the more expensive ones more than this model (having not played this model) but think if I was in a different position (not already having a Strandberg) I wouldn't think twice. Since you mentioned the zero fret first, I feel like I have to say the absence is almost a deal breaker. I haven't actually heard any complaints about this from anyone else and think it is a fantastic addition to the guitar. I haven't noticed any wear on my Strandberg 8 string. I don't believe this model has a treble bleed included, which is a feature I love on mine. Make it much more useable with the tone knob and better for backing off especially when playing fusion stuff, fantastic for live use. The bridge is cheaper but can't be much more than .5% worse and the absence of the carbon fiber neck reinforcement is something I would want as I move a TON... But these don't matter to me on a 6 like they do on my 8 string. The absence of a trem is what has so far really stopped me from buying this. I have been considering another Strandberg for a bit, and I think when I need one I will still get the cheaper Salen with the trem due to *everything* being an upgrade (except for the scale, but the 25.5 on the low and the shortest scale length being 25 is still better with the EndurNeck than a longer scale without IMO), unless they release an essential with a trem before then. I agree the fan isn't necessary for playing 6s. I was fine with the fan on 6 string Strandbergs I have played, but as a dude with big fingers and a decent stretching ability I prefer longer scale length in every situation, which is in fact why I love multiscales-they usually allow for longer scale lengths and good balanced feel. So I prefer the 25.5 straight to 25-25.5. I actually prefer the Strandberg OEM pickups to the Suhrs and Fishmans that are alternatives, and solid finishes to fancy tops. I really like the 6 string even if it isn't as good as the higher-priced ones, but they have most Strandberg staples and are easily worth it. I can only hope for an 8 string essential with fanned frets. On an 8 I would be fine with every other downgrade since I already have one but on non-6-strings the multiscale is a need IMO.

The fanned frets were the thing that made me sell my Strandberg. Other than that I liked it.

Getting rid of zero fret and updating string lock design is really a great update. Really hoping this will be updated on the other models like metal nx and so on..... These models haven't been updated for years though they're sort of the main products of strandberg.😢

As a luthier/guitar tech I prefer nuts over zero frets too, just easier to work with as they are standard so all the tools and processes and practice are around them, and when cut well there's no difference or even better performance than a zero fret. The rest of the stuff is just taste, but if I never see a zero fret again I'll die happy.

Thanks for the review, I was on the fence about this model or the Ibanez and do not have a way to play either one before purchasing them.

Interesting video - I'm intrigued by these guitars, now.

Been waiting to see what you think about these! I thought I was crazy for thinking "This is better than the fan fret!" Guess that makes at least two of us, huh?

LOVE your videos! Keep it up!

I hope they release one with a floating bridge itd be AWSOME to have as a first bought guitar

Now we need a Sälen Essential!

I own several GOC Guitars and I am very satisfied

Thank you this really helps me make up my mind!!! ❤

Try the Ibanez ICHI10! Would love to see you compare the Strandberg with this one (even though the Ibanez has single coils)...

As someone who owned 7 Strandberg models (and now just one, after selling off 6 of them), I agree with pretty much everything Andre said. And I'll go a step further--I would gladly swap out the Endurneck for a conventional neck if I could, because although I don't hate the Endurneck, it is not as comfortable to me as a normal neck. To me, the entire concept was misguided to begin with, because guitarists all grip the neck in different ways, depending on what they're playing, and having the flat facets and angles just makes it less comfortable when you don't want to place your thumb exactly on the flat sides dictated by the Endurneck design. So basically, a perfect Strandberg to me would be the Essential but with a normal neck. Since that's unlikely to ever happen due to how closely tied to the Strandberg identity the Endurneck is, I ended up getting a Dean Gordon Virtus Headless (full-carve) custom-build, which is everything I've ever wanted in a guitar and fixes all the issues I have with Strandbergs.

Your video about the eart gwpro2 was one of the few honest one I found on KZfaq,I really REALLY hope that you are honest (or that Strandberg did not send you an”especially” good one) cause my Essential will arrive this week and I’m tired of being disappointed by brands and youtubers! Take care!

Nice Shawn lane vigier in the back!

Yes, sustain. But it never has that play feel given but an old strat or tele. Resonating feel in ur body

Thank you for all this information, I really appreciate it. I really want a 7-string. Do you know if either the Standard or Prog 7-string Bodens also received those updates you mentioned at the beginning of the video? Or should I wait for a "Next generation of 7-strings" that then include the updates?