I got this in a trade. What to do?

[Twang Factor 10]

I got this in a trade with 2 other guitars, a compound bow and a dulcimer. I have either sold or traded everything else except for this and the dulcimer. I've got the dulcimer traded when the right item comes in the local music store (the store owner wants it.)
The guitar says Drive on the headstock. Does anybody know anything about this brand?
When I got the guitar, I restrung it, took a couple of pictures and put it in the corner. I've had it for sale/for trade on craigslist for several weeks. I've even tried to throw it in on some trades. No one will touch it.
Today it was taunting me from the corner of my music room. I picked it up and tuned it. Its playable but needs a set up. Next I peeked under the pickguard. The pots, switch and input jack all look and feel pretty cheap. The body seems pretty good though.
I have always paid a professional to set my guitars up. I've been watching youtubes of how to do a setup. I'm gonna block the trem and attempt to set it up myself. If I still have it in a few weeks I might try my hand at soldering.
Give me your opinions please!

Attachment 136987

[alnicopu]

Attachment doesn't work

[Twang Factor 10]

Lets try this.

[Twang Factor 10]

And these.......

[Kennedycaster]

It's an asian import. Wouldn't be worth more than about $50. That being said, it's the perfect guitar for you to practice your guitar tech skills on. Learn how to do set-ups, level frets, swap pickups etc. Go for it, you really got nothin' to lose!

Bob

[Twang Factor 10]

Yes Bob, it has made in China on the back of the headstock.
I blocked the trem last night and tightened the tuners. It seem to be staying in tune. I checked the neck. Its straight. Tonight I'm gonna try my hand at getting the action down.
In the future I may install some GFS pickups. Never tried them. I've heard good and bad things about them.
I have my 2 player guitars and a few put up that are collectors. This guitar will be my beater. Maybe let my kids learn on it.

[TeleDrifter]

How's it play & sound???

[63dot]

Any strat type guitar is the best thing for modding and learning the craft of, well modding. If it plays and sounds good, keep it.

GFS should do nicely as well as Duncans or DiMarzios (or Lollars or Keystones, too). There's a lot of things you can do with bridge and setup. It's a bolt-on and with proper shimming, you can get the action down to a crazy low level if you want. The best part is you aren't modding and testing stuff out on a pre-CBS strat.

[E5RSY]

Originally Posted by Kennedycaster

That being said, it's the perfect guitar for you to practice your guitar tech skills on.

A guitar cadaver...

[63dot]

Originally Posted by Kennedycaster

It's an asian import. Wouldn't be worth more than about $50. That being said, it's the perfect guitar for you to practice your guitar tech skills on. Learn how to do set-ups, level frets, swap pickups etc. Go for it, you really got nothin' to lose!

Bob

Not all Asian imports are created equal:

http://www.espguitars.com/guitars/signature/ron.html

What the OP needs to do is to see what potential that particular guitar has. Being a guitar easy to rewire and mod, and with nothing to lose like you mention, there are a lot of things he could change to make it a pro level guitar in every way.

[Twang Factor 10]

I already have a 2 guitars with Duncans and one with Lace pickups. The whole idea is to see what I can do on the cheap. I have been curious about GFS for awhile, how they sound for the price? Are they just as good as the big name pups?
The goal of this guitar is more crash test dummy as opposed to making a player out it.

[waparker4]

Originally Posted by Twang Factor 10

I have been curious about GFS for awhile, how they sound for the price?

Good

Are they just as good as the big name pups?

No. MHO's

[Commodore 64]

Fret level it, tweak the nut, and it will be more player than crash test dummy.

[guitarzan13]

Originally Posted by petrucci

100$ maybe?

Nah... It was only $100 new. MF Used to sell them

[teletwang67]

Originally Posted by Twang Factor 10

I have been curious about GFS for awhile, how they sound for the price? Are they just as good as the big name pups?

My favorite middle pickup is one of the 5.15k pickups that they have for about $20. Every other pickup is overwound, but I like this one because it sounds great clean and overdrive is smooth.

[teleamp]

Originally Posted by guitarzan13

Nah... It was only $100 new. MF Used to sell them

That was what I was thinking... $99 shipped was a special they ran IIRC.

[harold h]

Originally Posted by guitarzan13

Nah... It was only $100 new. MF Used to sell them

They blew them out for $49 shipped. I have one, they have a solid wood
body and a nice neck. Great deal.

[Old Cane]

I thought we were going to talk about the bow.

[Twang Factor 10]

Originally Posted by Old Cane

I thought we were going to talk about the bow.

Dang the bow was the quick seller. You know how it is in Southern TN with fall around the corner. Would've kept it if it weren't a youth bow.

[Old Cane]

Ah. Yeah, that's how I got my first compound from my shop. Somebody wanted one of these cheapie platic overdrives I sold. I think my cost was $16. The last Matthews I bought was, well, a little more than that.