SX STL50 Tele Guitar Tone Samples Demo (GFS Pickups)

[Kid0fThePast]

Is this worth getting shipped from America to England? It would cost like $200 but this is only about £120 (very cheap for a guitar in England) I just love the look of these

[ltbproductionz]

Whoa nice! I have hip hop samples too check it out!

[Hoopermazing]

The necks on those SX guitar are so freaking flat. Little metal bastards might like that on their pointy whammy-bar specials, but it has no place on a Tele.

[SilentKRock]

toneslingercliff@ what body of this sx guitar is?i was searching and it issolid alder ans some are ash what is better?what is your?

[zer0dahero]

in an interview slash said that the only way to relic a guitar is to play it until you wear it out. People who damage a guitar to make it look old are lazy idiots.

[TrevorGNF]

@zer0dahero well, it would be a good idea for you to call Fender Custom Shop and tell them that lol. Dumbass/

[zer0dahero]

@TrevorGNF Im sure they're aware of how guitarrist like slash feel about it since he's the one i quoted. Did you understand that when you read my comment? Seems you're dumber than me if you didn't. By the way you lash out at me, you're proably one or those lazy idiots and thats really your problem, not mine.

[TrevorGNF]

@zer0dahero Its like this.. I wasn't lashing out, but why do you and everyone else have to say things like "don't relic your guitar, thats stupid"? Its not your guitar, you're not the only playing it. Some people like the look of old guitars, but aren't lucky enough to have one. And modern finishes on guitars (poly-based) don't relic by themselves... at all for that matter. Its just a hobby. And I just think its unnecessary to post comments like that, good sir.

[zer0dahero]

@TrevorGNF the custom shop relics guitars for profit, not because they feel its a good thing. They charge $6k for a $3k guitar only cause they damaged it. As long as dumb people pay, they will build. Imagine buying a wrecked car just cause it cost more momey? How dumb is that? Have you ever had the pleasure of owning a guitar so long that you dinged it and have worn and cratched the finish to the wood? Or you would just pay for a damaged one out of inability to play or lazyness?

[zer0dahero]

And... there is nothing wrong with relicing your guitar the good old fashioned way. By playing it until you wear it out. Any other way is lazy. In case you aren't aware, and you clearly aren't, calling some one a dumb ass is lashing out. Maybe you are the type of person whos so coarse that you offend and lash out at people and not know your doing it.

[TrevorGNF]

@zer0dahero Okay, the point is this and simply this. This guy obviously wants his guitar to look old. He probably doesn't own an old guitar and considering he bought an SX I'd say he doesn't want to spend the money on an old one. And just so you know, old guitars that you see the Fender Custom Shop or whoever copy and relic or guitars that have relic'd naturally are finished with Nitro Lacquer. Today barely any guitars are finished with that especially under $500.

[TrevorGNF]

@zer0dahero You're right there's nothing wrong with doing it naturally, but I'm pretty sure these guitars were finished with many coats of Poly or cheaper paint, therefore they won't relic naturally. So, instead of refinishing it, he wants to relic it. I don't know why you have a problem with that? Its not your guitar. He bought a budget friendly guitar and if he likes the look of it all beat up, then why do you care? You're not going to change anyone's mind about it.

[prydec1]

Love the sound of the guitars, especially the one with gfs pick ups. Question though w\is it easy to bend and get solid tone without breaking your fingers on the fretboard - in other words hows the action and feel.

[GameLevelEditor]

Try a few different examples of strumming or lead licks then we'd hear more from the pickup. Its like demoing a reverb but not doing mutes or stops to hear the reverb. Thanks for trying though I guess anything is better than nothing.

[wendalclarke]

having owned this model I can tell you that the bridge PU sounds the best the neck is muddy. The Whole sx line needs a lot of setup there is a tremendous amount of buzz from the nut on the LP, strat, and Tele, lines it is the cheap plastic nut.That should be your first upgrade on all their guitars I reccomend graphtec I also find the necks usually need a thin shim up front on the heel in front of the first 2 screws

[peskypesky]

thanks for the video. very helpful.

[ivncdo0809]

hi what gfs pickups are those? i have an agile tc 630 and i'm planning to drop some gfs on it what would reccomend?

[ivncdo0809]

hi! what gfs are those??

[ekserchina]

Play it clean duuuuuude! Seriously man you should play it clean so we can really see if they're worth the money. I mean don't get me wrong a $100 is cool but will it measure up to a MIM Fender Tele or just a Squire.

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

All that distortion...can't tell what it really sounds like.

[rangerinthehood]

upgrade the pickups and you got yourself a really good guitar

[DynaflowDonnie]

I appreciate the review. Personally I don't like the tone rolled off so much, I know thats a personal preference but cutting is what the Tele is about and in this review it just sounds sounds rather muffled to me. Personal preference though. Thanks.

[nomorejournos]

hey man, are GFS pickups worth their price? any funky issues or problems?

-thanks

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

Dude, some of us would actually like to hear a CLEAN sound. Can't really tell much about the pups from all that distortion...

[mw13068]

@ROCKSTARCRANE I agree. I didn't hear a pickup demo in this video. I heard a distortion demo.

[PieroMtMz]

Hey! Beautiful made review, im thinking of buying this one but in sunburst and i was wondering if you could answer me how's the neck profile, if it's thin, middle or fat/chunky?

[monstermouth5]

i want a tele' for under two hundred dollars.

the squier affinity is $179, should i get this guitar or the squier???

help please.

[scoobyfckndoo]

i would go with the sx squires in my opinion are a junkier guitar

[Chamomileable]

@monstermouth5 go for the sx.

[JimmyPage968]

get this one trust me, you'll like it way more.

[toneslingercliff]

I'd take an SX over a squier any day!

[ace69er]

Go the Xaviere from Guitar Fetish. Well built, all feature quality GFS p/ups & hardware. They range bewtween, US$150-210!!!

CAN'T go wrong!

[mcbrowny94]

are the pickups hot?

[hannababalon]

gfs minibucker is awesome, have one in my MIM neck position..good comparison

[skyau]

has anyone ever told you you look like the security guard in the Mental hosptial in Terminator 2?.,

Great review and video

[toneslingercliff]

Nope. first I've heard of that one but I gotta check it out now!  :)

[matteo4990]

@skyau the one who takes the coffee and die immediatly?? YESSSSS!

[ibbyfan350]

@skyau He totally looks and almost sounds like a chubbier (no offense about his weight) Louis C.K. The comedian. Sweet guitars dude :D

[dyingforastrat]

@ibbyfan350 Haaaaa, that was funny, He does look like and sound like Louis c.k

Good review guy, except lose the distortion, I don't understand that when folks do that, covers the tone completely.

[oldchilltortoise]

hey man where did you get the sx with the tele headstock? i cant find any

[toneslingercliff]

they are sold by rondomusic

[Enforcer010]

would you say this is equal to a normal fender tele?

[toneslingercliff]

tone wise I would say yea. Feel? hmmm maybe with a change in neck setup probably.

[Enforcer010]

@toneslingercliff i agree with the neck cause i hate maple necks covered in gloss i just want a plain Guitar Neck (possibly 24 frets or 22) with a rose wood finger board

[bluesman1981]

dude i bought one of these, tobacco sunburst, man am i ever happy with it, will post a demo soon, man i couldn;t beat it for 122 bucks with shipping!!!

[bebenavole]

whats the neck like?

thanx.

[radiodaze409]

this is so true with sx/agile guitars i always buy them cuase i lefty and they make great guitars i always say im gonna get a sx/agile and up grade them but then i get the guitar and i love the tone out of the box leaving me with tons of gfs guitar pickups.

[dus65]

can a humbucker be fitted into the one with a P90 slot easily?

what do you think about a TV Jones neck/Hot Rails bridge combo?

[ibanezmon]

I have been thinking of getting one of these SX tele's and replacing everything on it and replace it with these pickups. Also do regular tele pickguards fit into this body?

[toneslingercliff]

I replaced mine with a standard tele pickguard no problems.

[eatonkid1]

do you get the pickguards with 5 holes or 8?

[joweerocks]

Very nice relic job. Have you ever tried

the Angelfire texas specials? I just did a

video on you tube under sx stl-50 stormtroopin using them in a butterscotch

blond stl-50. They cost me 34 bucks and

I really like their overwound sound.

[toneslingercliff]

no. I've never heard of em. I'll definitely check them out.

[theghost2987]

So i'm buying my first electric and this wud be a good choice??

Thanks

[billjoe534]

yes i would i have a couple sx's the sound really good for the money and they're easy to play

[Gomagomes]

for your first eletric guitar, i would recomend a strato, it's more versatile than the tele

[theghost2987]

thank you sir!

[Gomagomes]

u'r welcome!

actually i have a sst57 from sx, i will record a viideo with some sound samples for ppl hear how the sx strat sound =)

[theghost2987]

so wens the vid coming?

[Gomagomes]

hey dude, sorry for the delay lol, i put some videos of my strat

[theghost2987]

thanks uncle

[dustin11]

Strat's aren't good for first guitars, the vibrato will cause a lot of tuning problems if not set up properly. Something with a fixed bridge, like these Tele's, would be much better for a beginner, who is likely to become frustrated and give up if his only guitar won't stay in tune for more than 5 minutes. Not to mention the ice pick treble tones the bridge will give if not dialed in right.

[Gomagomes]

well, so it depends on the guitar quality, my first guitar were a cheap HSS strat with no tuning problems at all...overall, i think most of the cheap guitars have some minor problems like that even the teles, their also could have bad locking tuners but you have a good point. depending on which style someone wants to start playing, i think a les paul could be a good first choice as well

[zomgzomglawlawlawl]

well the bridge on a strat isnt too bad about tuning cuz its not like a floyd, they're alot more stable.

[zomgzomglawlawlawl]

yeah lol

[zomgzomglawlawlawl]

i was saying a floyd is alot more sensitive to having issues than a strat bridge. a strat trem goes out of tune easily when used but if its not being used its rather stable and fixed firmly.

[dustin11]

which is why i told the noob to get a tele.

[tjsr21]

it is possible to set up a strat so its tuning is stable despite heavy trem use. I hae a strat, it used to have the usual trem issues, but i put in locking tuners and a roller nut, and its now bang on all the time.

[toneslingercliff]

try lubricating the nut and the bridge where the strings touch. You could have an issue with string binding. check out my website for details on how to do this, there is an article. you can find my website from my profile.

[bugabutu]

haha i think you should try strippng the orange neck and relicing the rest of the wood under it? maybe age it even more? xD

[bsuite123]

Alnico not alneeeko

[hillbillyz9497]

How well do the guitars stay in tune?

[surfco]

LMAO at 04:39

[RAZOR4U]

Cliff:

Would a regular Tele replacement neck fit these guitars? I have heard that the neck pocket on the SX guitars is a bit big for the regular Tele neck so thats why I was asking.

[toneslingercliff]

you know, I have no clue. I would recommend emailing the folks at rondomusic and ask them. I've never thought about replacing the neck.

[jacobjj12]

Good Stuff. Next time I get $110 to blow I'll buy one.

[toneslingercliff]

they are definitely worth the money. Let me know which one you wind up buying.

[hillbillyz9497]

Where can I buy one of these guitars? I wanna buy one for my Father.

[toneslingercliff]

they are sold through rondomusic. you cant put links in comments here so you'll have to figure out the link below to their site

rondomusic com

[hillbillyz9497]

Thanks and one last question. What do you think of the neck? Is it fast and play like butter or is it slow and sticky?

[toneslingercliff]

To me, neither one. It just feels like a regular guitar neck. a neck playing like butter is all relative to how you like the action setup and the shape of neck you prefer. Its very relative to the player.

[wildhorsestudios1421]

What's that terrible hum?

[toneslingercliff]

Cheap video camera I had to work with. Sorry.

[wildhorsestudios1421]

Well it's a great comparison anyway. Sounds like the air conditioning is running. lol

[surfco]

You should've shown the sound of both clean, not distorted.

[toneslingercliff]

you're probably right. Next chance I get I'll record the clean and post em'.

[surfco]

"probably" right??

ha! you maybe meant "completely" right.

hehe =P

Just kidding, Cliff.

best regards-

[toneslingercliff]

Fine! You are totally, absolutely, completely right!

Uncle! Uncle!

He He! love the comment. take care my friend.

[toneslingercliff]

thanks for the thumbs up. I've bought 3-4 of the SX teles. I really like them for the money. Ive given most of them away though as gifts.

[myageoldthing]

hey, what GFS pickups are these? fatbodys?

[toneslingercliff]

watch the video again. I think I give the exact model for them.

[toneslingercliff]

Overall they aren't bad. I mean its not a 3k Gibson Les Paul and they are mass mfg but generally speaking, I cant complain for what you get.

[RAZOR4U]

Hey Cliff....Thanks for all the videos. They have been a great help. How are the frets on those SX guitars? On every lower priced guitar I ever purchased they all needed a fret level. Is the fret work decent on these guitars? The paint job looks decent. The pickups seem fair but at that price I would expect that.

[toneslingercliff]

Overall they aren't bad. I mean its not a 3k Gibson Les Paul and they are mass mfg but generally speaking, I cant complain for what you get.

[musicmatty67]

Dont you think you should have done this with a clean tone to really show what the pups sound like?

[toneslingercliff]

Probably right.

[tight384]

What were the settings such as tone and gain on the VOX.

[toneslingercliff]

Master: 1

Gain: 4

Treb: 5

Bass: 4

[uria702]

This is a STL model not an SLT.

[toneslingercliff]

thanks for catching my dyslexic fingers! :)

[KHearse87]

I'd love to put a p-90 in the neck of a cheap tele. GFS and SX are both some of the biggest "bang for your buck" companies out there. Great quality for dirt cheap.

[toneslingercliff]

Thats be interesting to see how that would sound.

[ehceubnodnarb]

*More specifically, it satrts at 4:11

[toneslingercliff]

See my comment below.

[ehceubnodnarb]

that main riff that you play- what song is that from or did you make it up?

[toneslingercliff]

I made it up. Its built around a Dm chord.  Lots of hammer ons, etc. sounds great with a little delay.

[lifeisdeath203]

Does it stay in tune well?

[toneslingercliff]

Yea, for the most part.

[Klippstar1]

Thanks for the upload and effort mate. Very interesting.

[toneslingercliff]

Thanks for the praise and i'm glad you enjoyed them.

[darthspliff]

the 62 sounded great, the humbucker like ass, if I had to choose I actually like the overall sounds/tones coming from the stock pups better.

[toneslingercliff]

I am impressed with the stock pickups they have in these Chinese SX guitars.

[stratocasterplayer88]

Where is the best place online to get that telecaster model, I am planning on making a Keith Richards style "Micawber" gutar and is it routed to be able to put a humbucker in the neck slot.

[StoneAndPete44]

Rondo Music is the best stratocasterplayer88. Do you want the link?

[JKryanX]

i have a question that you may or may not have and answer for. do you know if a fender replacement neck, like a warmoth neck, would fit in one of these sx guitars?

[toneslingercliff]

That I have no clue on. You would need to measure the neck pocket on your guitar and see if it matches. I would guess that it would but I couldn't know for sure.

[shakey64]

great review..thanks for sharing!

[toneslingercliff]

Glad you liked it. Hope it helps.

[Muskogeee]

Other than the sound how is the overall quality of this guitar? Can you get pretty good action after setting it up properly?

[toneslingercliff]

For the price you cant beat em. I've bought four of the things so far and everyone was pretty rock solid. Had to set them all up, but what guitar do you not have to setup when you get it?

[Muskogeee]

yeah they sound pretty good with the upgraded pickups, another question did you have to do any routing on the body to fit that humbucker?

[toneslingercliff]

Nope. Didn't have to route the body. Its already routed for a humbucker. It was just a simple drop in and go.

[tony93666]

I've got GFS pickups in my Strat and my SG - good stuff!

[toneslingercliff]

So you like the way they sound?

[rogerneeb]

thinking of getting one of the vintage white models...

how do you like the vintage white finish? it looks more yellow for some reason on your camera...

[toneslingercliff]

It looks more yellow on camera than it actually is, but yes it does have a very very slight yellow tint to it. Makes it look like a white finish that has aged somewhat.

[taradead]

ehh, the stock pickups sound better - more musical

[SKFukuda]

And i thought im the only one that thinks the same way

The stock pick ups are way better IMO

[toneslingercliff]

Yea, like I said above. I think the stock pickups have more of a natural flavor and tone, if not as in your face.

[toneslingercliff]

You can definitely hear a difference in sound. The new ones are grittier. I agree I think the stock ones have more definition and flavor.

[fabianromano]

My god, the upgraded guitar is worlds apart from the other one

[toneslingercliff]

Pretty amazing what changing pickups will do for the tone of the guitar, huh? Your tone is only as good as your weakest link.

[rockerdude29]

GFS pickups rule.Ive got a crunchy pat and pro tude lipstick in my strat.Dragonfire pickups are great too.

[toneslingercliff]

Havent every heard those. I wish GFS would do some tone samples on their website. I like their lipstick pickups though.  I'm going to have to try those out sometime.

[rixills]

they have tone samples of one of there start pickups. i dont remember the exact name of the set though, too many of them have similar names. there the 59 dollar set, not the 60s ones.

[rockerdude29]

Yeah,seriously.For the price new you cant really beat GFS pickups,but you know theyre now the fastest growing pickup manufactuer in the world now?

[JAVIER12321]

im plaing to get SX SEG1 STD Plus but change the pickups out and put on EMG 81 and 85

[toneslingercliff]

I've never tried any of the EMG pickups. But I'd be interested in hearing how they sound once you get them in. Let me know.

[JAVIER12321]

planning* i just need 200$ and ill be able to do it but right now im getting a tube amp so it wont be for a long time sry. but when i get them in ill send you a video

[DrumKing667]

i cant find thoughs sx guitars i want a tele but i cant find them on the internet

[blackfireINSANITY]

google "rondomusic"

The page will be there.

[ikarusbodom]

nice videos, I am planning to change my pickups and also I want to shield both the pickguard and the body cavity to be electrically continuos to avoid hum and buzz, I am using Fender strat vintage white, 3 picks single coils, and 5 way switch, but I have fear!! would be nice if you upload a video tutorial on how to do that if you have the strat, please take into consideration Cliff Merrill

regards.

[toneslingercliff]

Sorry, but I dont have any plans to change any of my strat pickguards. However, the basic process is the same. For shielding, I use foil insulation tape that is used for air conditioner duct work.  It works great. Check out Dan Erlewene's book "Guitar Player Repair Guide" He has a pretty good section on insulating pickguards and pickup cavities.

[LeviMan2001]

wish it wouldn't have had that low buzz.

[toneslingercliff]

my apologies. Dont have the best video camera around. I'm working on recording samples directly into my DAW and will post on my website.

[punkclash05]

Thanks, man.

This helped alot

[toneslingercliff]

im glad it helped. Let me know what you wind up buying.