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Tele-Meister
I was planning to build a La Cabronita from a Warmoth neck and body (and I may still) when this guitar caught my eye in a Craigslist ad. I did a little research and read nothing but good about these guitars, so I purchased it today. It's a King Bee custom built in east Texas. It is a light to medium relic with TV Jones Pups (Powertron bridge and Classic neck).
I got home about three hours ago and quickly put new strings on it, lowered the action and set the intonation. Then I ran down stairs to my studio and plugged it in and cranked it up. First off I must state that the PUPs are likely the highest output that I've ever owned. My Bassman clone on three was hurting me. That said, the tone of the bridge PUP is awesome with twang and bite to spare. The neck PUP to my tastes is a little dark and bassy, but otherwise has a nice balanced tone. Given time, I think I can dial it in. I haven't weighed the King Bee yet, but I would guess it at around 7.5 lbs. It is extremely resonant and has the flushest, tightest neck pocket joint I have ever seen. The components are all top quality and the relic job is done tastefully (not too much!). The neck is sanded to the wood on the back and is otherwise not reliced. There are a couple of finish issues that I won't go into detail on that I'll just say wouldn't pass if the guitar were not a relic. At first I was a little put off by this, but they are things that will never be noticed by anyone but me and the incredible tone and playability of this guitar make them a non issue.
Anyway, here it is.
I got home about three hours ago and quickly put new strings on it, lowered the action and set the intonation. Then I ran down stairs to my studio and plugged it in and cranked it up. First off I must state that the PUPs are likely the highest output that I've ever owned. My Bassman clone on three was hurting me. That said, the tone of the bridge PUP is awesome with twang and bite to spare. The neck PUP to my tastes is a little dark and bassy, but otherwise has a nice balanced tone. Given time, I think I can dial it in. I haven't weighed the King Bee yet, but I would guess it at around 7.5 lbs. It is extremely resonant and has the flushest, tightest neck pocket joint I have ever seen. The components are all top quality and the relic job is done tastefully (not too much!). The neck is sanded to the wood on the back and is otherwise not reliced. There are a couple of finish issues that I won't go into detail on that I'll just say wouldn't pass if the guitar were not a relic. At first I was a little put off by this, but they are things that will never be noticed by anyone but me and the incredible tone and playability of this guitar make them a non issue.
Anyway, here it is.
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