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Nik Huber Krautster II | Luthiers Review
Рет қаралды 26,692
Күн бұрынWelcome to CRIMSON GUITARS HQ www.crimsonguitars.com/
In this video, Ben chats about a 2014 Nik Huber Krautster II, and the reasons why he does NOT love it!
#nikhuber #teardown #bencrowe #guitarbuilder #luthier
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:08 The Certification and Pamphlet
4:30 First impression for Ben - the finish!
5:59 All the good things...... and a few not-so-good!
10:17 That neck joint - Ben's favourite thing.
10:49 The back, and the cavities
14:58 Conclusion
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Ben's camera setup includes: the Blackmagic ATEM Mini Pro, Prime Cameras (Front facing and over the bench) Canon EOS 250D, suspended from the ceiling (bench side) Canon EOS 90D, and on the movable tripod a Canon M6 Mark II
Any music used in this video from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
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We'd like to thank our partner for helping to make this video possible.
TRITON TOOLS - www.tritontools.com/en-GB
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Thank you again for all your support, we really, really appreciate it! - Ben
Stay tuned and stay awesome!
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@CrimsonCustomGuitars 8 ай бұрын
This guitar could be YOURS! - dailyguitardraw.com/product/nik-huber-krautster-ii-in-worn-onyx-330/ Only 13 days left, but if you get tickets on the DGD Black Friday Sale - Buy 3 and get 1FREE - more chances to own one of Ben's guitars!
@russellzauner 8 ай бұрын
I have an FGN FL Expert plaintop that I can very much say people should save 3k USD and buy one of those instead of a Huber or Knaggs. I have a hard time imagining a guitar playing better, so why pay more? If you want something with a prettier top, you can buy up a few hundred dollars but honestly I really like plaintops...the cap/top is just as thick, just not *fancy* lol
@godbyone 8 ай бұрын
It’s because it’s hasn’t been played. There is a thing called “” prime vibe “ it has little speakers u put on guitar. Play music with a looper. On the guitar. It’s crazy how much it will vibrate more after a week of that . Evh. Always put his guitar s in front of his speakers. And Godin guitar owner. Said do the same. It loosen s the wood
@godbyone 8 ай бұрын
I bet. It’s because guitar has not been played. That’s why people like. The beat up old guitar s they have been played. But try that trick I told u about prime vibe.
@NikHuberGuitarsOfficial 7 ай бұрын
It was awesome to see your thoughts on the Krautster, Ben. It’s always worthwhile to get people’s impressions and to hear from someone with such an experienced perspective, even though it’s sad to see that this one didn’t do it for you. I think we’ve all experienced that mysterious phenomenon as guitarists, where there’s lots you love about the instrument but for some reason it just doesn’t click. But we’re always wanting to do everything we can to make each instrument someone’s dream guitar, so it’s just another thing that drives us to try and be better and better. The madness of guitar building, maybe! You mentioned you’ve been following our work for a while - well, we have some big followers of yours here in the workshop too! I think one or two of them may have already been in touch to excitedly tell you about some of the changes we’ve made to the Krautster over the last ten years 😅We’re always tinkering with things and developing what we do, so again, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. What you’re doing to build connections across the world of guitar making is fantastic, and it would be great to have you visit the workshop sometime. Having that exchange of ideas and knowledge is so important, and maybe it would be of interest to the amazing guitar making community you’ve built over the years. Either way, love what you’re doing and thanks again for sharing your thoughts. Thanks to everyone in the comments for sharing your experiences too, positive and less positive - that's always invaluable for us to hear.
@ROLEPLAYA64 8 ай бұрын
I think a lot of guitarists have had that - a high end guitar that does nothing for you, and a cheap and cheerful one that just sings. It's the nature of the beasts.
@donbishop6994 8 ай бұрын
That's why I now ignore the name on the headstock. I had a Gibson Les Paul that was just ok, and I have an Epiphone Les Paul that is a forever guitar for me. You have to play them, forget the brand.
@locky828 8 ай бұрын
Definitely. I got a PRS CE24 2023 and a PRS Hollowbody 2 Piezo SE and the CE24 went back. Very bland sounding
@adriankurt1872 8 ай бұрын
Funny isn't it ? I myself have such a relationship with one or two of my guitars too. There's this Gibson R8 that I have and I would not sell cause it's a phenomenal guitar. But it does nothing special for me other than beeing an R8 and beeing a status symbol. And there's my fucking Yamaha Pacifica J112 which was made when they would still operate in Taiwan. And while it's just a entry level guitar it's soaring when plugged in. It was as playable out of the box as any high end guitar I have ever bought the action and stuff like this is exellent. And if I had to save 2 guitars while there was an earthquake going wild, the Yamaha would sure be one of them.
@tadpaponzo 8 ай бұрын
@AManCalledMoose 8 ай бұрын
Nothing like a proper critique by someone who knows their stuff. A thorough and fair opinion and as you said at the top of the video, it's gonna be honest and it was. Always fascinating to see how different makers make guitars
@daytripper7879 8 ай бұрын
I love the format of this review. Looking forward to seeing more
@thehighadvisor5731 8 ай бұрын
I own 2 of Nik’s guitars - a Krauster II and an Orca 59. Both fantastic instruments. My Krauster has a beautiful Nitrocellulose finished top in Cadillac Green Metallic and open gear tuners. I love them both. Yes the are expensive but one usually gets what they pay for. Thank you for your content Best
@chrisoakmountain2387 8 ай бұрын
"What am I doing right?" Honest opinions, explained in loving detail and delivered in a relaxed, unsensationalist and patient way. Very refreshing in this day and age.
@cscheid 8 ай бұрын
I hang out with an older dude who got one of these recently in white. His finish is the same as yours if I can remember right, I don't remember any sanding marks but I could be mistaken, definitely satin though. One of the most resonant and alive guitars I've played. Im not a les paul guy but I love how they play and you can feel the quality. I love these things!
@davidrichards6750 8 ай бұрын
Really useful, thanks Ben... A Krautster is on my list for my next guitar but i had reservations about the finish. I have even more now after watching that - it just looks like they abandoned the finishing process part way through. The wiring looked untidy in yours too but I think they may have sorted that now...
@SdruhCram 8 ай бұрын
I’ve owned a Krautster II in the same colour and sold it due to some of the reasons you cited - the sharp edges on the neck join were something that, due to the way I play, something that I felt when playing down the dusty end. I’ve spoken to another luthier re the way the neck join is executed and his conclusion was exactly the same as yours, that it relies on the machining process over spending time rounding those edges over. Mine had a powerful bridge pickup and I felt something more PAF flavoured would have suited the guitar better, although personal preference also plays a part there. I loved the feel of the neck and I liked the finish. Like the example you have there, the guitar rang loud acoustically. However, just like you, I found myself not loving the guitar, so moved it on.
@paulstaffordcook8799 8 ай бұрын
Great vid, I enjoyed that! Thank you.
@timothycormier3494 8 ай бұрын
I love that guitar!! It’s got all the right things for me. Great pickup combo. I love the satin finish and it seems to have all the sustain of an SG…ya know double cut. In a single cut body. That means great choice of wood and properly dried. I’ve got a stupid epiphone sg jr that was only $250 new. Someone before me had installed a bigsby on it and it just rings for days. It’s very light and resonant. Go figure! I’ve played high end Martin $$$ acoustic’s and some are just dogs. Most are great. But there is always the exception to the rule. As artists we either enjoy and work with the paintbrush we have on hand or we struggle with it. Both can be the exception to the rule. If that makes sense.
@scottlevine5030 8 ай бұрын
I feel that way about Suhr guitars. They are beautiful, and incredibly well made, and I never found one that I actually liked to play.
@martintaylor1758 8 ай бұрын
Thanks for this video. I know exactly what you mean. I bought a lovely Duesenberg Starplayer TV back in January. I had always wanted to get a Gibson but I was put off by what I read. I went with the Duesenberg instead because I was so impressed with their reputation for quality. Basically I can’t fault it. It’s pretty much flawless and gorgeous to boot. I just don’t love it though and I really don’t know why. I’m almost certainly going to trade it very soon. Lesson learned not to rush into things and to love before I buy.
@johnwebb2562 8 ай бұрын
Hi Ben , great 😸👍 to see 🙈 you. That Nick Huber guitar is really nice , don't know if it's partly chambered it has good resonance, I'm in the same mind frame 🪟 as you regarding the run of the neck curve that's been interrupted about the heel neck joint with that negative curve 😢 Nevermind I bet it sounds great.Its great 😸 to see different manufacturers approaches. Thanks 👍 all the Best. John.
@Getep 6 ай бұрын
Lovely video, i am getting so much from your content. Sincerest thanks from Stockport. Pete 🏴
@CrimsonCustomGuitars 6 ай бұрын
Great to hear! Thank you
@petrekguitars 8 ай бұрын
Hey Ben, thanks for your review. Love watching and learning the perspective of other Luthiers. Funny think is I have made a repair on a Nik Huber back in the days. These are amazing and perfectly CNC build Guitars. From my experience the Neck Body connection is the big issue on this construction..... Feel free to check out the repair Video on my Channel. And if you are looking for great inspiration in Les Paul Junior style Guitars I would recommend to have a look in older Gordon Smith Guitars. Actually I have replaced a broken Trussrod on one of these Guitars and this baby sounds amazing . I didn't expect that but it's true... All the best for you. Best Regards to U.K. Nik
@antonrandle4146 8 ай бұрын
you use your years of experience to point out pros and cons of instruments. You are brave enough to point out that these are just your opinions. Yet you can back up your opinions with knowledge and skill, unlike many people on forums etc. We are all looking for the one true guitar but the truth is we have to try out many until we find the one that really sings to us. Then we still want to try more and chase after the one that got away!
@stevenkenny2213 8 ай бұрын
I like these reviews. I’d love them if the strings were removed and we get to see under the pick guard. Always good to know whether the QC continues to the places we don’t see when we buy… how clean are the routs, is there shielding, are the pick ups waxed, etc.?
@rvaguitars 8 ай бұрын
One thing that he has going for him big time is his photography. That’s the thing that has been the biggest surprise to me getting into guitar building and selling them is how important photography is. It can matter just as much as the guitars themself.
@normbarrows 8 ай бұрын
When eBay first started, I had a friend who ran a store auctioning off stuff he'd get at yard sales and such. He said the key to selling something was a good picture.
@maxupp 8 ай бұрын
Out of curiosity, what would be your method to achieve a similarly dulled finish to match the hardware? The Revstar range had a few cool "brushed" finished, but that would look a little "hifi" on this guitar I think.
@stu_y 8 ай бұрын
This was great to see if a bit surprising! It rings very true though; I have a £1950 guitar that rarely comes out of the case and I don't know why I don't like it. I also have a £320 second hand Fender Duo Sonic that I customised with new electronics and bridge (plus polished the frets into mirrors) and it's the first guitar I pick up every day despite the horrid scale length - it just sounds brilliant.
@patgleeson1934 8 ай бұрын
Would love for you to do a luthiers teardown on a Heritage guitar or a comparison between the mass produced Gibsons and a Heritage just to see what we may be missing! Just a thought.
@rstrefford 8 ай бұрын
I owned a Krauster II goldtop from new a few years ago. Finish didn’t have the scratches you are seeing - suspect that was caused by polishing ocleaning from the previous owner? I was a huge fan of the neck profile, and fretwork. Only thing I didn’t jive with was I thought the bridge pickup was too dark sounding. If you are hunting for exceptional Les Paul Special/Jr type guitars Collings 290, Ivison Dakota, and Eggle Macon should be on your list.
@ricky6foot 8 ай бұрын
I'd have to agree, Ben. If the finish on a gloss monotone isn't prepped perfectly, it just shines the imperfections through, and that is all I would see upon gazing at the guitar. Sure, its finicky. And somewhat pedantic. But, if you're shelling that much out on an instrument, you don't want to feel off when looking at it. That attack and sustain though! Wowzers!
@Indigamesforlife 8 ай бұрын
Vox Phantom XII should be on your radar for the museum, mainly because its the model that jimmy page used on stairway to heaven Edit: also I worked in paint for a while and flater lacquers have a dulling agent in the lacquer, the gloss doesn't have the dulling agent added so gloss tends to be lighter and glossy but dulling it after the fact is a great way to make a bad looking finish.
@RobCrawford23 8 ай бұрын
I think you mean the Phantom AND the Fender XII were used on Stairway
@FaithsFallen 8 ай бұрын
I have a 2006 Highway One Strat, I have yet to find another guitar that has the sustain it has, unplugged it resonates in ways that defy all logic and laws of physics! I got incredibly lucky!
@AManCalledBiggles 8 ай бұрын
Love the humbucker/P90 combo - Not seen enough as a standard option! I had to do something irreversible to my 335 for such a combo 😅
@theabandoneddoor 8 ай бұрын
Have a Krautster II (in Gold) with a black head stock, the streaks in the finish you describe are there but much more subtle. On the body I can hardly spot them. The paint has developed cracks, but in a good way. Like on old Gibson's etc. The Krautster II was/is supposed to be a raw'ish guitar. If you want PRS like finish you need to seek other models from them.
@TheWelhaven 8 ай бұрын
At some point I got rid of my really expensive guitars, then the price doubled. Luckily there are a lot of great midpriced guitars. My Maybach and Eastman are both outstanding.
@kmatax9237 8 ай бұрын
Id love to see you compare this to an Eastman lp jr for build quality comparison
@ford351wpi8 8 ай бұрын
Ben, keep in mind that sometimes its could just that particular guitar. for instance I bought an early 2000 MIM Fender and I love to play it. when I saw the same guitar at a local shop, but in this beautiful blue finish. I traded mine in on it. after a week I noticed that I would sit there and look at the blue one, but not play it. I ended up going back and buying my old guitar back, and I am now selling the blue one. they are the same year same model only difference is the color, but one I like to play because I like how it plays, and the other I hate to play but it so pretty to look at. just something to keep in mind.
@the_hippykiller22 8 ай бұрын
great thing about fenders is if the blue has a nice and resonant body you can just swap them and have a great playing and sounding blue guitar
@garygratzer9670 8 ай бұрын
Aaaggghhh! I’ve had four of those! I find them irresistible yet never keep one. Why?? I was waiting for the answer. 😊
@MichaelKeeter 8 ай бұрын
It needs neck binding. Ben the nut on my classical came loose what kind of glue should I use to attach it back?
@CrimsonCustomGuitars 8 ай бұрын
The nut does not really have t be glued in place, the strings hold it in place. Ben normally puts a small dot of superglue to hold it while stringing the guitar
@terryhastings1553 8 ай бұрын
Do you think you ll ever finish the hand tool only build?
@normbarrows 8 ай бұрын
That heel carve is actually concave. As you demonstrated when you tried fluting a neck, concave and neck/heel profiles don't work well together. They can also lead to sharper than necessary edge angles. An interesting tear down. My own observations on the acoustic contribution to the tone of electrics are in line with yours. A build specifically designed to take advantage of that could be interesting. At first glance I'd say the front on that guitar got a bad re-finish job. That definitely doesn't look factory. Not much treble on the audio on this vid - mic issue?
@user-qx8jb3nl3x 8 ай бұрын
I have a 2016 Nik Huber Krautster II in "Worn Petrol Blue". The factory finish is nothing like the finish on your guitar - do you really imagine a high end boutique maker would produce such a sloppy finish? These guitars are slightly aged in the factory but the finish is immaculate.
@Benz2112 8 ай бұрын
My baseline for all Juniors/Specials is my 65' SG Junior. The frets are worn, the finish is cracked, and it has a lot of the common Gibson design flaws, so it is the anthesis of a beautiful boutique instrument like the Huber. My SG inspires me when I pick it up, and it is a good lesson in how it isn't the sum of the parts.
@user-xb5oy5tk2j 5 ай бұрын
Beautiful guitars, and certianly should be in the running if you're considering a 'custom shop' level instrument from any of the big manufacturers, however, my wallet's access to the wormhole linking it to the bank's vault is currently out of order. PJD guitars Carey series LPJ/LPS types are also excellent (the as yet unreleased Custom version looking particlarly nice) and worthy of a look at a significantly lower price point - yes they've got bolt-on necks but it doesn't stop them being good. I look forward to what you come up with.
@Slikx666 8 ай бұрын
Ben. Is there a chance of you or a member of your staff doing a 'How to make a sturdy guitar case'? There's some of us that can't buy a case for the strange shaped guitars or the ones we can buy cost more than the guitar.
@GuitarDocAndMore 8 ай бұрын
Well, I don't know if it's the same for you but I had a wonderful PRS Custom 10 Top, what was my dream guitar for years. And as I got it I played it for a while but got much more attracted by my G&L Telecaster. The later one has a soul, the former one did not.
@davepayne164 8 ай бұрын
Yes, same here. I’d wanted one for a long time, got it and just didn’t fall in love with it. It was objectively superb, but fairly soulless.
@halvach1998 8 ай бұрын
Agree on the top finish, only thing I'd change is to swap the pickup positions. P90 in the bridge makes a rock machine, HB at the neck a great Jazzer ( I know, they're harder to balance that way...)
@ScottsGuitar 8 ай бұрын
Julian Lage plays a p90 in the neck so I could see that going both ways, although I’d love to try a flipped combo sometime.
@MichaelBogomolny 8 ай бұрын
I had a Gibson LP Junior doublecut, TV yellow, ebony(?) fingerboard with a single P90 and a wraparound, it was perfect and I really wanted to to fall in love with it but it just never happened. Even after a moderate tuning (bone nut, gotoh tuners, deferent pickup) still didn't sound/feel right for me. So I guess just wacky partcasters for me, to each his own.
@aeynghus 8 ай бұрын
It is not unusual to not "love" a guitar. I have played some that were impeccably built that just didn't "do it" for me. Conversely, I have played some that weren't impeccably built that sounded and played great.
@andresilva8444 8 ай бұрын
Yeah, looking at the soldering joint it feels like it was all done afterwards (not "after the fact"). And the finish might have been the same if it wasn't for the headstock being the same. Don't see whoever did that soldering joint risking losing the logo by taking some sandpaper to it. Or is the logo lacquered in?
@163739 8 ай бұрын
I've got a purple Jay Turser Les Paul copy if you'd like to look in a cheap(er) style instument..?
@alpeterson 8 ай бұрын
A lot of those sharp corners/edges are also a look and we’re probably chosen because of that. It is an art piece as much as an instrument after all.
@1066wastrel 8 ай бұрын
I agree with every word Ben said, maybe perfection isn`t attainable at €3.5K but, there are far too many sharp edges & corner `points` for my liking at that price! & I`d be looking for another 5mm on the body for that neck joint, just my opinion!
@cmanson42 8 ай бұрын
Opportunity for a future refinishing video
@val-vs5wq 8 ай бұрын
Just someone else love it and. Good bless my friend..... Some things cannot get made right 😮😅
@waynebake1123 8 ай бұрын
Honestly I would be tempted to buff up the top finish.
@LfunkeyA 8 ай бұрын
great guitar, but the tailpiece was creating issues for me with string buzz/zing. probably the plating over the string slots was interfering with the vibration/tone of the strings. basically, needs to be re-filed/slotted imo. or maybe that's the tone you'll always get and i didn't fully dig it. the neck was sweet though. better to have individual brass/steel/other saddles imo. aluminum alone is not great for tone imo. i've never played a junior/old-style les paul with just a wrap-tail either, so maybe i'm a pro-TOM heretic.
@user-iy4cf1yf5r 8 ай бұрын
Interesting. I too never plug an electric guitar in when I play it to see if I'm going to buy it. If you start with the assumption that it will play well, the rest to me is more down to how the build reacts to playing than anything else. Plug it in and immediately what you hear is coloured by the pickups and whatever amp and effects you're playing though. If a guitar sings to you when played acoustically, then it's going to sing like crazy when you plug it in. I've found this to be the best way to see if you're buying a magical guitar rather than simply a good one and I've not been wrong so far. Then it's down to whether it suits your playing style or not to making the final choice. The electronics you can change. If the guitar doesn't sing then replacing the electronics won't make it sing any better. Nice review Ben. Glad to see you back and hope things are falling in place for you.
@robertprichard3236 8 ай бұрын
Ben i know what you mean by just not loving a guitar. Had 3 gibson lespaul standards. Liked them all but just didn't love them. Have harmony lespaul copy that I love.
@adamdutton9922 8 ай бұрын
I think if you are buying something cheap it is easier to love it - as you expect less of it. If something has age and a story - then it brings gravitas and a story with it automatically. If you are buying very high end and expensive but also new-ish of anything you can appreciate it but you are looking for some platonic ideal. You are entering a point somewhere between your dream of a guitar and something material. You said something similar about the PRS. It makes total sense. It may even be possible that you can never love someone else’s high production at that end of the range because even you aren’t sure what you are looking for - because you are striving for something ephemeral.
@joeking433 8 ай бұрын
Yeah, it's hard for a $3500 guitar to meet expectations, IMO.
@adamdutton9922 8 ай бұрын
@@joeking433 though I would love to have to money to give a $3500 guitar the chance to disappoint me.
@joeking433 8 ай бұрын
@@adamdutton9922 That's why the price is so high, to make it a dream rather than a reality. Reality never matches the dream. It's just guitar lust and it never goes away because every guitarist is always looking for something just a little better than what they have.
@joeking433 8 ай бұрын
Why did he choose that nonadjustable bridge? I hate those bridges. How do you intonate it?
@whiletr 8 ай бұрын
That floating capacitor will probably bring some audio feedback in high gain setup
@halvach1998 8 ай бұрын
BS
@stuahlers1528 8 ай бұрын
Ben, understanding your personal intensity and perfectionism, it only understandable that your vision and idea’s may differ on guitars you buy, play and review. Understanding other builders will help you understand their limitations, not assist you in creating YOUR perfect guitar. It seems like your view of likes and dislikes comes across as opinionated and full of yourself. Case in point was continuing for two minutes about the headstock decal when your point could have been made in one sentence. Make your perfect guitar and lighten up on the harsh belittlement of another’s build. There is a difference between intensity and arrogance. This is my opinion and mine alone, I mean no disrespect to you and your skills.
@xgdgdjdhdhdhd3493 8 ай бұрын
The scooped neck is perfect. What are you talking about!!! Omg
@alexcorona 8 ай бұрын
Neck P90 with Humbucker bridge is probably the most versatile ever.
@wolvesandguitars 8 ай бұрын
You were a bit harsh. Buy a new one and do one ???? You have no idea what some other dude did to it!! I just got a 594sc and I hate it due to the work that was done to it by a novice.
@JordonBeal 8 ай бұрын
PRS does all of their Core satin finishes by sanding out a gloss finish.
@eddiejr540 8 ай бұрын
I love it😍
@stringrip 8 ай бұрын
Curious to know why Ben doesn't like the 25 inch scale length that much. It seems to offer the best of both worlds.
@ForeverDownByLaw 8 ай бұрын
I have a PRS with a 25" scale. Compared to my 25.5 and 24.75 guitars, the 25 seems to be a bit neither here nor there. Not the fat of a Gibson scale, nor the snap of Fender scale. Not my preference either. I think it's one of those things that seems ideal on paper, but in practice not as much.
@stringrip 8 ай бұрын
@@ForeverDownByLaw Of course its a matter of personal taste but I like the 25 inch scale because it make bending easier than on 25.5 scale. And the 24.75 inch bass strings sound a bit too muddy and the high frets seem crammed. I find the 25 is fat enough but with more definition.
@VTRAddict 8 ай бұрын
Funnily enough, I saw this on the site and my first impression of it was a little bit "meh", but this video made me go buy a ticket in the draw. It looks way better in motion than static, if that makes sense...
@stu-j 8 ай бұрын
I've got many high end guitars and also love Jr's I've got a lp Jr and 2 sg Jr's from Gibson and I love them but having high end guitars and when I was playing in a band in some very very rough pubs ( always the best gigs tho ) the risk of theft is massive and I know of gigging musicians who have had gear stolen. I bought a harley benton sg junior single p90 guitar just as a backup and I swapped in a Gibson p90 into it and it's one of my favourite guitars to play! For some reason I just love it! The neck shape is superb and it has great chunky frets and it's light but it sounds astonishing! It's not a Gibson it's just a cracking guitar!
@TitlisBusyKitchen0 8 ай бұрын
You strike me as a someone for whom attention to detail is really important. Maybe you don't love the guitar because you feel let down by the apparent lack of attention to detail in a high-end product. I know i would! Sometimes the little things can be big things. 😘
@Stu66orn 8 ай бұрын
I had this model but sold it neck was too chunky even for big hands.
@costelloandsilke7321 8 ай бұрын
I owned a Krautster - briefly. Like you, I just didn't get it. Intellectually and constructionally faultless, but it felt sterile to me and I really didn't like the pickups. Just one of those things - I didn't bond with it so it was an expensive romance.
@f.duranleau4416 8 ай бұрын
As incredible a Nik Huber Krautster II is, it will never be a '50s Gibson Les Paul Junior or a '50s Les Paul Special. The light weight mahogany that Gibson used in the '50s is the key ingredient. I'm lucky enough to own a 1956 Gibson Les Paul Junior and the tone is perfect. Honduran mahogany body, honduran mahogany neck, brazilian rosewood fretboard, one P-90 pickup,,,That's hard to beat!
@aapddd 8 ай бұрын
I wouldn’t mind one, right up my alley. Too expensive for me though. There are other choices for the same money.
@thesteamycreamofdualjabbar6486 8 ай бұрын
Hopefully that top finish was done by a previous owner because it wouldn''t make sense with how well done everything else is otherwise.
@frankcarter6427 8 ай бұрын
I've always been deeply disappointed with very expensive guitars, once I've stopped purring at the stripey wood and started playing them, I tend to think, yeah this is a nice guitar, just a very pretty nice guitar
@gramursowanfaborden5820 8 ай бұрын
Are all Les Pauls destined to be more brand than substance?
@Tony_SZ97 8 ай бұрын
Not particularly talking about this NHK In my opinion there is a very fine line between a good relicing and something that looks just like a poorly done finish, it is indeed an art to relic a guitar in the proper way so that it looks naturally aged, having said that, still it is not everybody's cup of tea.
@TeeFetch 8 ай бұрын
refinish it
@whisperthiefmusic 8 ай бұрын
I cant unsee the screw in the middle of the pickguard between the pickups… thatd annoy me!
@Bloosee 8 ай бұрын
I have a Kiesel guitar that I had custom made. Its immaculate but it's been sitting in the case for years, seems sterile and lacks soul. I just play my USA Strat...
@_NoDrinkTheBleach 8 ай бұрын
The top finish is baffling, considering the way the rest of the guitar is finished. I really do wonder if someone did that after the fact. But this isn't a $200 Les Paul Special. Someone would have to be really careless if they did that to a $3000 guitar.
@sergeyv4908 8 ай бұрын
It is easy bro - play authentic)
@matthewf1979 8 ай бұрын
That black finish looks dirty. Almost like a poor “relic” attempt. I hope that’s not a factory option.
@philippehendrickx1109 5 ай бұрын
I tried PRS and Suhr guitars and although they are built to perfection, i couldn’t gel with them. To me they lack soul, character
@benlogan430 8 ай бұрын
That looks like I did the wiring?
@victorhugoloera 8 ай бұрын
Well... the back looks great and it seems to me that the entire guitar should have been made like that, it contrasts a lot with the poor quality of the front, but when I saw the electrical tape I was convinced that you have been ripped off...
@raoulduke8382 8 ай бұрын
But if the thing you love most about it is the sound, why would you suggest to change the orange drop capacitor to a PIO?
@BrandOdyssey 2 ай бұрын
I agree with you. The build is terrific. But for that money you have to love the look as well as the play as well as the sound. Plenty of $1000 guitars that are great but not loveable.
@peachmelba1000 8 ай бұрын
Guitars like this confuse me somewhat. Such pains are taken to make it look aged (in this case not reliced), but then some features immediately point to the guitar being contemporary. To be clear, I'm not a fan of rehashed ideas, so "tribute" instruments mean nothing to me, but all the same, builders, pick a lane.
@jujuUK68 8 ай бұрын
It's very high quality, in all the wrong and pointless places. I would't swap that for my cheap £600 (as was) Les Paul Special faded finish, that oddly, does feel "special". I'd rather custom spec a Gordon Smith GS and have a second hand car or a good holiday with the change. Why a cheapo finish on a $3k guitar? Its like that bloke you know who went to public school, (IN UK thats an expensive fee paying) who talks like a roadman. But only to his dealer.
@1foulman 8 ай бұрын
That's an impressive rack of chisels.
@BillyTheKidsGhost 8 ай бұрын
The secret to becoming a great guitar builder is building one for yourself. 😂
@zubeystinzen540 8 ай бұрын
Give me a lump or plank of wood with strings that sing & I'm happy,never have or will seek the brand over playability
@Stephan77645 8 ай бұрын
The logo is hand written by himself
@guitarmind1013 8 ай бұрын
You're very picky and i've got to say i agree with most of the criticisms, but knowing how you build, it sounds a bit ironic.
@ForeverDownByLaw 8 ай бұрын
As has been said, perfection is the enemy of the good… For me, too slick and perfect and a guitar seems to lose personality and "soul". Sometimes quirks add up to a bit more character imo.
@johnbach2380 5 ай бұрын
There's POS guitars in the collection that we just hold dear. The heart can't decide sometimes. 🤣
@danytoob 7 ай бұрын
Yup...another LP style guitar. Yup, that's exactly what it is. Yup.
@eliotmccann2589 8 ай бұрын
Perhaps you don't love it because it's nothing you haven't seen before. You yourself strive to make innovative designs and interesting instruments, and this (albeit rather nice) is plainly not that.
@user-le5in5uv1y 8 ай бұрын
Looks like luthier made for luthiers, or for collectors…. To enjoy of angles, coating etc… look… 99% real musicians are not able to buy expensive stuff for working. It’s easy to buy few cheap guitars and not have had a headache because it’s broken by airport cargo. Believe me listeners absolutely don’t care on what you taking a gig…
@mattomon1045 8 ай бұрын
Ben I think you do better then this one
@jamesonpace726 8 ай бұрын
Is it fair to harshly judge a 9 year old guitar....
@reijerlincoln 8 ай бұрын
Why wouldn't it be?
@user-qx8jb3nl3x 8 ай бұрын
@@reijerlincoln because he is critiquing an old guitar as if it was new. You can't blame the builder for how one or more owners may have treated the guitar. If you want to critique the builder then do it to a factory fresh version.
Crimson Custom Guitars
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Jon is just TOO LouD!!
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