[RipVanWinkle]

I believe somebody posted earlier in the year that Xaviere gear was giving them G.A.S.

Well...

I was scouring eBay today, and I found this guy. First, let me say, I am a sucker for binding on ANY guitar. I dont see as many strats and teles with binding (my charvel DOES have binding).

But check this dude out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Xaviere-XV850-Ho...QQcmdZViewItem

Wilkinson Tuners
Wilkinson Trem
GFS pups
Flamed burst top
BINDING (my favorite)

Now..Im not in the market for a guitar or any gear (realistically) but dang...looks nice!

[presbystrat]

They sell them for the same price on the Guitar Fetish website too. Poplar isn't the greatest tone wood is it? I think calling this a handcrafted guitar is a little overboard; by that standard, any guitar could be called handcrafted. The best thing this guitar has going for it are the GFS pickups.

[thomaspg70]

Do you know where it's made?

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by presbystrat

Poplar isn't the greatest tone wood is it?

Fender was using poplar instead of alder on their MIM models in the late 1990s/early 2000s if I remember correctly. I believe that poplar and alder have similar tonal characteristics, however the grain of poplar is not has nice to look at.

[earlessdog]

i was wondering about these, if they're any good.

[CheshireCat]

Originally Posted by earlessdog

i was wondering about these, if they're any good.

This is Guitar Fetish's house brand, which explains why it's cost effective. Also, they are using excellent parts, which is another good sign. I'm really beginning to dig on what GF is doing.

[Hopeful]

Originally Posted by RipVanWinkle

I believe somebody posted earlier in the year that Xaviere gear was giving them G.A.S.

Well...

I was scouring eBay today, and I found this guy. First, let me say, I am a sucker for binding on ANY guitar. I dont see as many strats and teles with binding (my charvel DOES have binding).

Wilkinson Tuners
Wilkinson Trem
GFS pups
Flamed burst top
BINDING (my favorite)

Sorry, Jeff, binding only looks good on a Paul.

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by Hopeful

Sorry, Jeff, binding only looks good on a Paul.

they've got those too...
http://store.guitarfetish.com/xaviereguitars.html

at least LP copies like this one:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/xvth7lbtrchf.html

[CheshireCat]

Originally Posted by thesteve

they've got those too...
http://store.guitarfetish.com/xaviereguitars.html

at least LP copies like this one:
http://store.guitarfetish.com/xvth7lbtrchf.html

They are going to start being the new guitars I recommend for beginners, especially kids with a budget of $300.

They can mow a few lawns for the rest of it methinks.

[RipVanWinkle]

Originally Posted by Hopeful

Sorry, Jeff, binding only looks good on a Paul.

I know your posting in jest, but I'll have to disagree with you



Thats one nice looking guitar

[Third_Day_Rocks]

Originally Posted by RipVanWinkle

I know your posting in jest, but I'll have to disagree with you



Thats one nice looking guitar

THAT IS A SWEET LOOKING TELE!

[CheshireCat]

Originally Posted by RipVanWinkle

I know your posting in jest, but I'll have to disagree with you



Thats one nice looking guitar

Is that your guitar!?! How does it play? Give us a review!

[thesteve]

Originally Posted by CheshireCat

Is that your guitar!?! How does it play? Give us a review!

here's the thread he made when he originally bought it
http://www.christianguitar.org/forum...d.php?t=126978

interestingly Chesh, you've posted in it...

[CheshireCat]

Originally Posted by thesteve

here's the thread he made when he originally bought it
http://www.christianguitar.org/forum...d.php?t=126978

interestingly Chesh, you've posted in it...

Oh, okay. No, that's a Charvel. I was thinking that he was posting a pic of an Xaviere.

(Note the similar headstocks.)

[gtrdave]

Originally Posted by presbystrat

They sell them for the same price on the Guitar Fetish website too. Poplar isn't the greatest tone wood is it? I think calling this a handcrafted guitar is a little overboard; by that standard, any guitar could be called handcrafted. The best thing this guitar has going for it are the GFS pickups.

It's using the term "handcrafted" in the same loose way that Esteban peddles his guitars as being "handcrafted"; somewhere and at some point of time, someone's hands had something to do with the creation of this guitar, even if it only meant to push a button and start the process of a CNC machine.

That said, it looks nice enough but looks are very deceiving especially with low-buck poly finished imports. I'd have to play one to get a real impression of it.

Also, poplar has been used for years in guitar manufacturing, most notably by Godin afaik. And while I don't know if it's the choicest of choice tonewoods, I'm sure that there are better planks of poplar and worse planks of poplar just as there are with basswood or maple or mahogany, etc...

The price and features do make it an attractive guitar, though. Is it a "stands the test of time and gigs" guitar like more popular brands and models costing more?
That's to be seen.
Is it a great alternative to more popular brands and models?
Maybe. I don't know if anyone here remembers them but there was a short-lived guitar brand from a couple years ago by the name of Brawley. They were Korean-made guitars from the guy who headed up Fender's Squier line for a time, Keith Brawley.
The guitars could be purchased new from $250 to $500-ish and I played several of them across the price ranges...totally blown away by their quality, features, and playability; Wilkenson hardware, Duncan pickups, beautiful fit and finish.
For whatever reason they just did not catch on.
If you're fortunate and live near a Guitar Center that happened to buy the stock after Brawley closed their doors, you can pick one up for a firesale price.
These Xaviere axes may be similar.