"No...that wasn't the point I was making...it has p-90-alikes on it that could just as much account for the different tone. I had a processed sound and what sounded like room echo. I was just commenting from a sales position, that these are comparisons and what they may hear without variation is what the guitar lacks in comparison, not it's features.
It was really a response to this claim...
...which is a risky sales pitch if it doesn't deliver!"
Keeping in mind that this was only one setting and one pickup being used for this quick sample and not the full-blown demo coming, I heard things on the lower strings that were very unique in that he had a right-hand technique that almost made it sound like he infused slap-bass into it. I hadn't really heard that from another guitar before. A good part of it was his playing technique, but it helped very significantly that the guitar could bring that out. It is apparently VERY responsive. I have a goncalo alves topped and backed Cicada that responds like that to the right hand. Very special...
"The ergonomics are almost entirely in the light weight which is admirable, it's lack of countouring and thickness of the body undermine some of this. These features have been offered before in the market place such as in Fenders Robben Ford model (designed to sound like a smaller 335) and many others, this is what fender tried..."
You can't really say this without having played it. The body is smaller than other guitars that really require the contouring. It was smaller than Dave had imagined and as he put it (although not in the video you saw), there wasn't a place on it where his hands didn't feel like they belonged. It was very comfortable playing either sitting or standing. Classical seating position as many jazz players like is perfect in how the guitar bottom rests between the legs and the neck is at the right position even when the hands are taken off of it when using a right-angle cable... The body is not as thick as a Strat or a LP so contouring is not really required. It also is not a featherweight. It still feels substantial (and balances perfectly) despite the generous chambering because of the density of the old growth woods used.
"A more convincing demo video and explanation is this from which you have largely drawn inspiration I'd suggest (and which I don't hear a lot of reference to)..."
This was a short concept piece he did for me. He has all of the information now he needs to do the full-up demo showing the various features, use different pickup combinations, different amp settings, etc. This was just a sample. All will be presented in the full demo.
"Here's some specs...link...retailing at $719. The rear cutout on yours looks a lot like a reversal of the carvin and the internals less "designed" perhaps by comparison, this model of yours looks better than previous designs on the concept but with a stock fender neck, you are only inviting comparison with fender. Carvin's headstock is a custom design and a 20" radius board."
This guitar (which really is the engineering model as it is a brand new model from me" will remind you of the Holdsworth Fatboy as that was its inspiration, but it is entirely different in construction. Doing the cutaway in the opposite direction has MANY advantages as you will see when the other full demo is completed. It was done for multiple functions that the Fatboy cannot do quite as well. I love the Fatboy, by the way... It was completed in its current state with the standard Strat headstock the day before I had to ship it to Hipshot to take to NAMM so I did not have time to re-shape it to my current configuration which I developed (and pictured in another thread) from this. It will be done when I get it back. I still haven't even played it yet as it has been on the road ever since. You can also get my guitars with whatever neck configuration you want. I have done custom headstock designs for customers, too. You cannot get that from Carvin (who I respect a GREAT deal). I can even take the neck off the guitar you see and replace it with what you want. You are not locked in. I am getting away from the stock Fender headstocks though. I just didn't have time to do it on this due to delivery date requirements. I understand what you are saying though. I also do appreciate the time you took to give me so much good feedback! Thanks, Pete! Cheers!
Boggs