(Originally written by Seth Rotten/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Made in China... but the manufacturing quality is much better than a Chinese BC Rich made in China. Same quality as Korean LTD models. Or even better.

Features from Lag's website:

- Bolt-on maple neck (Hard Rock Maple)

- Proprietary Lag body/neck reinforcement system made of rosewood

Indian ebony fingerboard

- 24 jumbo frets

- High-precision Lag machine heads

- Massive mahogany body

- Flamed maple top

- HSH EMG HZ kit (H4A: neck, S3: center, FH3A:bridge)

- Floyd Rose-type tremolo

- Volume control + tone control with push/pull function to split the humbucker

- Ergonomic circular 5-way toggle switch

- Black hardware

- Glossy finish

Notes: I had never saw such a bolt-on neck system but it seems to be reliable. Exceptional manufacturing quality, even better than the famous MH 400. The money you save on active pickups you pay for the high-quality finish.

Update from 01/18/2007: when I received it the tremolo was not properly adjusted (to high and not perfectly straight) and the guitar was not tuned. It's not serious but I had to mention it. Due to this I would give it only a 9.5 but it's impossible, it still gets a 10.

Update from 03/16/2009: I had to tighten the toggle switch, which was a bit worn. The ergonomic shape of this toggle switch is very thought out but it must be tightened after a while.

I decrease its grade to 9 because of this.

UTILIZATION

The neck is a bit thicker than that of the MH 400 but very pleasant. The hand slides smoothly along it and it's very comfortable. It's an excellent neck and even though I'm used to slimmer necks I got used to it in 30 seconds. Perfect.

Excellent access to the upper frets. You'll easily reach the last frets but it's a bit less comfortable than a body-through neck because of the heel.

This guitar feels extremely comfortable. It's the most ergonomic guitar I've ever played to this day. It's very light considering it's made out of mahogany, and the body shape is perfect. Perfect.

You'll easily find your own sound with the passive EMG HZ pickups. I haven't tested the push/pull system. I won't say anything else about sound because I believe it's the amp that influences the sound more.

Update from 01/18: even though you can feel the effect of the push/pull system with distortion, it's much more evident with clean sounds. The Floyd Rose tremolo is excellent and it stays in tune.

Update from 03/16/2009: I've owned the guitar for over two years and I find the Floyd Rose tremolo is great. The guitar always stays in tune even after the tremolo sprang out this one time I dropped the guitar. Sturdy and effective: very good gear!

I'll increase the mark again to 10/10.

SOUNDS

I play mainly heavy metal, from early Black Sabbath to modern black metal but also thrash metal (mainly Slayer) and death metal (Carcass and Morbid Angel for example). I plan to install an EMG81 on the bridge and a 85 on the neck (I love how these pickups sound). I'll replace the middle single coil later (with an active EMG single coil or a Seymour Duncan). But even with the passive HZ pickups this guitar is amazing for my music style! Apparently the push/pull system ought to provide a Fender Strat-like sound. I haven't tested it yet but if it's true this guitar will have a huge versatility. The HSH configuration alone provides me more sound possibilities than I expected.

I tested it with a Mesa Single Rectifier. I'm not a fan of this amp but the sound was great. Power chords, barre chords and palm mutes sounded great even without maxing the gain. It was also easy to play high-speed solos à la Metallica/Slayer, and the Floyd Rose tremolo seemed to be excellent (but I didn't abuse it because I tested the guitar in a shop). I think this guitar will clearly outdo LTD, Jackson, BC Rich and Ibanez guitars on the same price range with the pickups I plan to install on it.

Update from 01/18: I didn't upgrade the HZ pickups because I don't think it's necessary. They sound very good. I will test different active EMG pickups before upgrading this kit.

Update from 03/16/09: Finally, I think I will change the original pickups for DiMarzio X2N. The HZ kit sounds pretty good but I want more output power. I think the guitar is now available with active pickups and even though I'm not a fan of the 81, I think they have more power. I've noticed that the guitar generates hum (bad shielding) and it causes feedbacks ever since I dropped it...

So I decrease the mark to 8/10. The wood is still excellent.

OVERALL OPINION

I played it one hour at a shop and it was difficult to let go of it. The playing comfort is AMAZING. That's the word that best describes this guitar.

I like its look, playing comfort, perfect manufacturing, balance, weight... A great guitar!

I also tested an MH 400, which is its nearest competitor, but my verdict is unappealable. The MH has also some advantages (neck, active EMG pickups, high-quality finish) but I think this Lag is much better than the LTD except for the pickups (I prefer active pickups). For me, it's the best guitar in this price range.

Amazing value for money. The MH is a bit more expensive (because of its active EMG pickups) but the manufacturing and finish quality of the Lag are better... That's more important than the pickups. This guitar is a masterpiece!

Would I buy it again? Yes, ten times.

Update from 03/16/09: I confirm what I wrote: if I were to buy another guitar in this price range again it would be this one. I've never been disappointed in two years. Very good product!