• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

I was at the local guitar shop today, and it the never ending sea of strats on the wall, I saw one of them had a crucifix on it. "That must be the new KWS strat!" I said. So I took it down to play it. With an $800 tag, I look at the back of the headstock (assuming it was going to be Made in US) and it was built in Mexico. That that, right away, told me to compare it to other MIM strats, and not the US ones.

One thing I liked about the guitar was that the signature is located on the back. When signature guitars are played by others and the signature is blarringly obvious - fellow musicians refer to them as a "fan-boy" guitar. So aside from the crucifix, I would have never known it was a KWS. I'm glad the sig. is on the back.

Now the feel. The body? curvy, comfy and seemingly slim - like a strat usually does. The neck? BIG - out - and ROUND. The 5th and 7th fret area of the neck is just monstrous. I'm sure that is how it is supposed to feel, but I was totally not digging it. Anyone who likes a bigger than baseball bat neck would probably like it. It sounded good, but for me that didn't justify the price. Plus, with the neck not being my preference there was no way I'd ever be tempted to take the guitar home with me. I might have spent 5 minutes tinkering on it.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

I'd just like to say I've got a Clapton signature model and a Les Paul model and I've never been called a "Fan Boy Guitar Player."  Not that I would care even if they did but as time goes on I would hope people would realise its not about looks or names its about how good the damn thing sounds!  If it sounds great and its got Joe Bonamassa's name on it so be it.  If it sounds bad and has your name on it you got to ask yourself would you play it?  Its just a signature doesn't mean your in love with them.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

I was really interested in the KWS guitar, but with the neck as big as you say, I'll probably stay away from it. My hands are just too small. Mostly my thumb, which is just a stub. I always have to have slim necks. Thanks Nick.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
www.reverbnation.com/deesfriends
  • From: Mt Clemens Michigan
  • Registered: 2006-09-12
  • Posts: 572

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

The only problem is that it is MIM. I have played Mexican Strats and they are pretty nice guitars but the value sinks drastically when you purchase one brand new! I suggest trying one out and if you like it, buy one used. You can pick one up for probably $500 to $600 on the street.

Kenny said he had it this way so many of the young players could afford one. Thats a great idea but it would be nice to see an American series in his name. Anyone have any pics or know what his pedal board consists of? I seen him twice last year and his tone is to die for! I know he plays through 2 twins and Im sure a keeley modded Ibanes TS (just guessing) but what are the other effects he incorporates into that killer tone?

KWS has restoked my desire to play Strats again!

Thanx
Rob

All my tears they fell like rain, cant you hear them falling?
Led Zeppelin: Since I been Loving You
  • Registered: 2009-01-01
  • Posts: 665

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

MIM Strats are assembled by Mexicans in Mexico.
USA Strats are assembled by Mexicans in California.

  • From: Mt Clemens Michigan
  • Registered: 2006-09-12
  • Posts: 572

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

Bluesbreaker wrote:

MIM Strats are assembled by Mexicans in Mexico.
USA Strats are assembled by Mexicans in California.

LOL!

All my tears they fell like rain, cant you hear them falling?
Led Zeppelin: Since I been Loving You
  • From: Harrison, Arkansas
  • Registered: 2006-04-21
  • Posts: 3,155

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

Bluesbreaker, so true, so true.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make"

My ReverbNation page for Dees & Friends - check us out!
www.reverbnation.com/deesfriends
  • From: Mt Clemens Michigan
  • Registered: 2006-09-12
  • Posts: 572

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

Yeah, thats probably very true on Bluesbreakers post. I hope nobody took offense to my post thinking I dislike Mexicans. What I said is true though. Mexican, Korean, China. They all lose their value in the aftermarket. For example:

I bought a Epiphone Sheraton guitar a few years ago for $600 at Guitar Center. Guitar played really nice and I dug its tone and loved its natural maple finish! It was beautiful! I think it was made in Korea, not sure though. I later looked at them on Ebay and seen them selling for as low as $300! I couldnt believe it! I ended up taking it back and returned it for a Taylor 110. I ended up selling that guitar a year later for $500.

My main purpose for this post was to say that, I believe KWS guitar could sell as good as many of the other American Strat signature guitars. Like EC, Malmsteen, Eric Johnson, Jeff Beck, Rory (well, thats a custom shop. LOL), Mayer, and SRV if it was built here in America. They could continue to make the MIM strat for the more cash strapped folks.

All my tears they fell like rain, cant you hear them falling?
Led Zeppelin: Since I been Loving You

9 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2009-01-19 09:09:55)

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Review of the new KWS signature series f Strat

AD3THREE wrote:

I'd just like to say I've got a Clapton signature model and a Les Paul model and I've never been called a "Fan Boy Guitar Player."

You're right. The Clapton Blackie is not a model where the majority of people could easily say "that's a Clapton Strat." Now the SRV strat and the Buddy Guy polka dot strat are pretty blatant. The term "fanboy guitar" is more poking fun at the guitar guitar than the player. Eric Johnson's Sig. strat is simply amazing, and it doesn't scream "I'm an Eric Johnson guitar."

Ironically, I don't count a Les Paul as being a sig guitar - more of a model type. How many people buy a Les Paul so they can sound like Les? (or how many can even name a Les Paul song?) I would say that most people buy signature guitars in part because they are fans of the player's music.

With exception to the Ace Frehley Les Paul, Gibson has been pretty good about making their signature guitars subtle as well. For example you could play BB King Lucille or Jimmy Page LP and many people would not even recognize the sig model, unless they were a gearhead... or unless you have the BBKING inlayed across the entire fretboard.  Gigliotti's JB guitars are subtle in the way that it says Joe Bonamassa on the back, and it is MADE for YOU custom.

I personally don't see anything wrong with buying sig. guitars, I like em too. Would like to own some of them someday.
I'm just saying sometimes they are subject of ridicule from "arrogants" in the guitar community. These people would probably never get it anyway.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool