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Audiofanzine FRPublished on 12/06/08 at 04:46(Originally written by Tchix/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
The RG770DX is a guitar made in Asia in Samick's factory and assembled in the USA in Temple City, near Los Angeles.
The brand Rawenwest Guitars was previously called Raven Guitars and changed its name when Mr Raven died.
It seems that the brand only produced small quantities before he died... almost like handcrafted instruments on demand.
The new brand continued to produce the same models but improved the hardware, increased the number of models and lowered the prices.
So you won't meet someone playing a Ravenwest that often...
This guitar looks like a handcrafted guitar and you could almost call it that!
Fea…Read more(Originally written by Tchix/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
The RG770DX is a guitar made in Asia in Samick's factory and assembled in the USA in Temple City, near Los Angeles.
The brand Rawenwest Guitars was previously called Raven Guitars and changed its name when Mr Raven died.
It seems that the brand only produced small quantities before he died... almost like handcrafted instruments on demand.
The new brand continued to produce the same models but improved the hardware, increased the number of models and lowered the prices.
So you won't meet someone playing a Ravenwest that often...
This guitar looks like a handcrafted guitar and you could almost call it that!
Features:
3-ply body-through neck: maple / walnut / maple
Plated head: birdseye sycamore
Fingerboard without inlays: ebony
Frets: 24 jumbo XL frets
Scale: 25.5"
3-ply body: birdseye sycamore / alder / birdseye sycamore
Inlays: abalone
Machine heads: sealed lubricated Wilkinson (satin gold finish)
Tremolo: Double locking Wilkinson under Floyd Rose license (satin gold finish)
Controls: one volume and one push/pull tone control to split the humbuckers (satin gold finish)
Toggle switch: five positions (9 pickup combinations with the split function)
Pickups: Smokin HOT Blades
Summary:
It looks awesome! The use of rare woods (sycamore, ebony, etc.) makes you think of a handcrafted guitar. The reflections looks beautiful, the wood structure is visible and emphasized by the satin varnish finish.
The satin gold hardware enhances the look of the guitar. It makes you want to touch it! And let it scream!
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10/10
UTILIZATION
Neck:
The body-through neck feels very nice... Like an Ibanez RG. The sustain is unbelievable and you can feel every single vibration of the instrument.
The ebony fingerboard and the jumbo frets feel very pleasant.
Access to the upper frets is easy like with every Ibanez neck and similar.
The lack of fingerboard inlays is disappointing in the beginning... but it gives an original look to the guitar.
Playability:
The guitar is quite heavy but that's not a problem.
The overall balance is good, the handling is intuitive and the body shape is very practical.
9/10
SOUNDS
Use:
It's a very versatile guitar. The HSH pickup combination and the 5-way toggle switch provides lots of sound possibilities. Add the push/pull function and you get 9 different sounds... you have the possibility to fine tune your own sound.
I use it with a Line 6 Pocket POD preamp or with a small 5-watt class-A all-tube amp... The sound is very GOOD!
Sound:
Without split function:
1/ Bridge humbucker
2/ Bridge humbucker + single coil
3/ Single coil
4/ Neck humbucker + single coil
5/ Neck humbucker
With split function:
1/ Bridge humbucker as single coil pickup
2/ Bridge humbucker as single coil + center single coil
3/ Single coil
4/ Neck humbucker as single coil + center single coil
5/ Neck humbucker as single coil
When they are not split, the rail humbuckers (without pole pieces) sound aggressive with a lot of overtones when distorted. The sound definition is good. The clean sound easily becomes crunchy.
When they are split, the sound is great, as if you would play a Stevie Ray Vaughan Strat in bridge+middle position.
The sound range goes from big and heavy to bluesy crystal-clear and round lead tones.
It's just incredible for no-name pickups. Obviously the sound is the result of the overall configuration (wood + body-through neck + pickups), but it's positively surprising! I thought I would have to install a Dimarzio Evolution kit on this guitar... In the end I think I'll keep the original pickups.
Summary:
I love the versatility of this instrument, its numerous sound colors and the good quality of its pickups.
10/10
OVERALL OPINION
I've had it for a few days and I just can't stay away from her. It's the best guitar I've ever had! I had already played an Ibanez RG... and this guitar is like its twin but much better. It's exactly like a handcrafted Ibanez RGT!
Pros:
Rare woods: ebony, sycamore...
Body-through neck for an unbelievable sustain.
Numerous sound possibilities!
Unexpected pickups quality.
Life-long manufacturer warranty (yes...)
Cons:
No fingerboard inlays (but it's an advantage for the overall look)
The tremolo under Floyd Rose license because it requires a careful handling! I plan to upgrade it to a Schaller or an original Floyd Rose tremolo.
Based on my experience, I would buy it again 100 times. The value for money is exceptional! I regret having bought a Telecaster that doesn't even come close to it.See less00