Chinese Concorde?

[beachjammer]

I didn't even know these guys existed until I ran across this thread the other day. I've been looking over their website and they have a guitar that I've always wanted but was always out of reach. I've sent them an email to get the process started. I'm glad your concorde came in and you're pleased with everything! It makes me feel alot better about the future transaction with them.

[Gartron]

That looks pretty good....would love to see what you do with it, how is the playability of it?

[Model1VH2]

Just so I'm clear ...
The fact that the guitar exceeded my expectations does not necessarily mean it's a good player or doesn't need work. Truth be told, I had very low expectations. In fact, my expectations were so low that I was surprised that I received a guitar at all.

I do have to say that the Wilkinson pickups sound pretty decent. I was surprised.
I'll still be swapping them out but I was really surprised to hear them sound as good as they do. The neck profile is also very nice. Much like a Gibson 60's neck carve.

I am most happy with it's overall appearance.
It looks to be a pretty accurate replica which inspires me to want to move forward with the project.

As for playability ... it needs work.
String alignment is slightly off so I'll have to dowel and redrill when I replace the trem.
It's off just a hair but noticible and a fairly easy fix. Frets were leveled leaving file marks in some places so I'll need to crown, dress, and polish them up.

Again, this was purchased as a "project" guitar so it's really no disappointment. I enjoy tinkering with this sort of stuff. But if you're looking for a good player right out of the box, you will most likely be disappointed.

[Dog Boy]

I know you haven't had it for long but has the wood "moved" at all. That's my main worry with this sort of thing...crappy, glued together, green wood. I bought a strat body from overseas. Great finish but after a year the paint was sinking into the grain and I counted FIVE pieces. Its obvious that body was made from wood picked up off the floor that should have gone into the dumpster. I don't even think they were all the same species!

[coloradoman25]

Dogboy thats how the les paul copy I have is going. Starting to sink in all over the place but I did manage after way more work than its worth to make it play well.

[Model1VH2]

I know you haven't had it for long but has the wood "moved" at all. That's my main worry with this sort of thing...crappy, glued together, green wood. I bought a strat body from overseas. Great finish but after a year the paint was sinking into the grain and I counted FIVE pieces. Its obvious that body was made from wood picked up off the floor that should have gone into the dumpster. I don't even think they were all the same species!

I've had the guitar for about a week or two and it still looks great!
Nothing has "moved" and there's no shrinkage or paint sinking into the grain.
The finish appears to be done in a urethane.

My main concern was the neck and accuracy of the shape of the body and paint job.
The neck feels really good in my hands, much like a Gibson 60's neck carve. And the fretboard is a nice dark ebony.
A few frets have some minor file marks but they were all leveled properly so a good polish should be all they need.
The body shape looks pretty accurate (IMO) as do the stripes.
Granted, the stripes and headstock were painted black, not the dark blue like the original, but that's really a detail I didn't expect them to pick up on anyway.

The guitar is nice enough and has the potential I was looking for to want to invest a little time and money into.
I ordered a NOS Charvel brass tremolo, a new nut, new CTS pots, a new gold switchcraft toggle, brass knobs, and Seymour Duncan pickups.
I'm looking at tuners now to see which will fit the existing holes. (suggestions welcome)
I wouldn't invest in all of these upgrades if I didn't feel the guitar was worth it.

I also bought a case for it because I wasn't sure I would be able to find one that fit later on.
It was $100 shipped to my door and fits perfect.

[eakinj]

I sort of want one of these as a wall hanger. I have the read deal but I don't want to leave it out in the open so one of these would be kind of nifty to have, maybe with a polka dot. dunno. i'm kind of torn on the idea

[Model1VH2]

I sort of want one of these as a wall hanger. I have the read deal but I don't want to leave it out in the open so one of these would be kind of nifty to have, maybe with a polka dot. dunno. i'm kind of torn on the idea

I'd love for you to get one and do a comparison.
I'd like to know just how accurate it is.

It would make a really nice wall hanger for sure!

[Shawn Lutz]

pretty cool, do they make a Floyded one? heck, these are cheap enough to use as wall art if you didnt want to replace electronics etc.

[veemagic]

Very cool it turned out so good for you. I too have looked at this site, and wondered if, I lowered my expectations enough, it would be worth it? You've given me something to think about for sure. Has anyone else ordered one since this thread started?

[Model1VH2]

I spent a little time working on the Chinese Concorde over the weekend.
I leveled, dressed and polished the frets, I swapped out the Chinese trem for a really nice NOS Charvel brass trem, replaced the Chinese toggle, and added NOS Charvel brass knobs. It's coming along really well. Next, I'll add good tuners, swap the nut, swap the input jack, change the pots and add all new wiring, shield the cavity, and add some Seymour Duncan pickups with gold pole pieces. It should be a good player and a real looker when it's done.

[Nightbat]

Hey, you can get a VV guitar from these guys for what it's actually worth

[Model1VH2]

Delete

[Model1VH2]

UPDATE:
Unfortunately, I didn't take many "before" pictures and most of the work done didn't really change the appearance of the guitar. But I'd like to show you what I've done so far ...

NOS Charvel brass tremolo, Seymour Duncan JB (with gold pole pieces) and brass knobs shown in this pic. Note the 2-point (two trem screws) mounted trem, like the original.
(Bridge saddles still needs to be adjusted for proper intonation)


Brass block and brass trem claw.


Bourns 500k pots and Sprague capacitors


Schaller locking tuners.
They may not be authentic to the original or even period correct, but they were direct "drop in" replacements and they work great! So I opted for function over "authenticity".


I may refinish the headstock and remove the Jackson logo. I'm undecided.


I'm having some polished brass covers made for the back.
I'll probably get them in a couple weeks.

[warlok]

Sounds like all the right stuff. Nice job! I want one of these one day, as a wall hanger/occasional player. I still may just build my own tho..