PLAYING A KIESEL FOR THE FRST TIME EVER! ALLAN HOLDSWORTH Model HH2 REVIEW!

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Marko gets gifted a KIESEL from his brother James after famously resisting ever playing one. Now he's stuck living with one and reviewing it!
The most honest review from a person's first impressions!
00:01 INTRO
00:53 FOREWORD
04:01 BEAUTY CONTEST
06:45 SPEC SHEET ANALYSIS
11:02 CRAFTSMANSHIP
13:04 ANNOYING TRAITS
18:54 SOUND TEST GEAR
19:40 CLEAN SOUNDS
28:57 DIRTY SOUNDS
35:29 PERSONAL CLOSING THOUGHTS
43:49 MORAL BANKRUPTCY

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1 окт 2024

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Комментарии : 134

@JohnB.123 2 года назад

Interesting perspective. I think Kiesel continuing to produce the Holdsworth model after his death is a nod of respect to his ideas and vision, while also being one of their best-selling models ever. It's an idiosyncratic guitar for a very demanding and singular player like Allan. Personally, I like the tiny body and headless construction, it just makes sense to me. Is it conventionally beautiful? No, not really. But you can order it with beautiful, figured top woods and classic burst finishes too if you like. That's why Kiesel is cool, flavors and variety for everyone.

@marcthomas8192 Год назад

Allan Hokdsworth was constantly on the search for the perfect gear. This guitar is exactly how he wanted it. No compromise. Yes, it doesn't appeal to everyone but it is THE Allan Holdsworth guitar. ...and yes, Kiesel makes the best guitars IMO.

@jfo3000 Год назад

You don't have to tighten it, then loosen it, then tighten it. Just thread it through, cut it, pull it back until it's not sticking out, then tighten it. Just like changing strings the first time with regular tuners, you learned a couple things with every string change until you figured it out, it made sense, and you had a procedure. Have patience, change is good. You can file down that sharp edge on the nut. Not a big deal. I do that on most guitars. That characteristic is not specific to the headless design.

@lex.cordis 13 дней назад

I used to do that, then I just stopped worrying about it altogether. I just cut it as close as I can the first time and then forget about it. What you explain works well though. I just figure that headstock guitars have even more string poking out and chocked it up to being a guitar thing and not something to ever worry about. The guy is worried about an imaginary problem.

@yannick2047 10 месяцев назад

Furthermore, essential benefits of the headless design, apart from saving space: - Better balance (no neck-dive), - Better tuning-stability (I am guessing the HH2 on which the review is based stays in tune rather well (?)), - no un-wanted string-resonance between nut and tuner (which for instance is why Guthrie Govan and other players often play with a sort of „hair-band“ placed on the strings above the nut of their guitar. - Some players say the attack they get on headless guitars is more direct or „snappier“ than on ordinary guitars with headstock. However, such a thing is of course very difficult to measure, with regard to whether it is objectively true or not. I totally get that the look of this and other headless guitars is not for everyone. These looks are completely matters of personal taste, thus to each their own.

@nmcben 5 месяцев назад

Allan didn't seem to have a problem getting a beautiful tone from this guitar with vast amounts of sustain.

@tgnz24 Год назад

Who cares what it looks like or what people think.Guitarists are the biggest assholes when something different comes along.If it sounds good,then use it.EVH didn’t give a fuck about how the steinberger made him look.He just wrote awesome songs with it in the very image driven 80’s scene

@1013301 Год назад

I get what you are saying, but then again, it is Allan Holdsworth's "Signature" model with his "Signature" pickups (which are not wax potted, so the pickups are very "microphonic"), so they are meant to pick up the resonance of the wood, which is exactly the way Allan wanted it. It is a very "specific purpose" guitar because Allan Holdsworth has that same "specific sound", with all of his past guitars, no matter the brand. People buy "signature" instruments all the time because they want "that sound", not realizing that they are not that artist, and don't play the same way as they do, stylistically, or physically. Plenty of guitar players use this guitar, or specifically want these pickups installed because they have a similar style (Alex Sill, Wes Thrailkill, among others). Most of the time, Allan only used the single pickup version of his signature models. It's all in the application and the touch of the artist that decide the specifications of the instrument. Kiesel makes many different pickups, and the Holdsworth pickups are the only pickups in their line that are not wax potted. That was Allan's request, and the way he prefers that sound. Allan was always more about "articulation" and "resonance", because he was a "legato" player, and even his chord playing was percussive with some plucked strings within, so he wanted the depth of the tone of the guitar to be more featured, than the sustain. This is why a lot of Jazz players will play a hollow-body. They want the tone of the wood and the pickups to be heard with fast/percussive playing.

@Mordred478 Месяц назад

I appreciate your honesty. First of all, everyone is free to have his or her own aesthetic taste and preferences when it comes to the physical design of a guitar, and so forth. You gave a very heartfelt reaction to this guitar. If I may, I would just like to respond to a couple of points you made. First, unlike all those other beautiful guitars you own, which are the famous ones music lovers have both seen and heard for decades now, the AH Kiesel, every detail of it, was designed for a singular purpose: to enable Allan to get the tones he wanted for the kind of music he played, plus the physical layout of the controls, the bridge, his preference for the headless neck, and the chambering of the body. For jazz/fusion players, this guitar is a great choice, and the last thing they care about is its looks. There are the guys who practice nine hours a day, getting lost in the sound and the never-ending struggle to apply the principles of music theory to the physical act of playing the instrument. Then they perform live late at night in tiny, darkened clubs where neither the audience nor the players care what their instruments look like, only the beauty of the tones they make. In summary, the AH Kiesel is a guitar for a very specific type of music and type of playing. For most other music and playing styles, I would certainly recommend one of the more famous guitar models. Finally, about an hour before seeing Allan perform for the last time, because he died not long thereafter, I met him and shook his hand in a restaurant near the club he performed at that night in NYC. I had known that he was a large man with big hands and very long fingers, allowing him to spread them across the fretboard in ways the rest of us wrestle with to the point of tears. But it was not until I shook his hand and got that up close and personal that I learned first hand how and why he approached the instrument the way he did: he was genetically designed to do so. Remember, this was a man who first fell in love with the great jazz saxophone players, as a child, like Charlie Parker and John Coltrane. He wanted to play a horn for that reason. So when his grandfather (Allan was raised by his grandparents) one day brought home for Allan a cheap second-hand acoustic guitar he had picked up at a pawn shop, Allan, not being interested in playing the guitar, immediately started trying to find ways of playing the guitar that made it sound like a wind instrument, a horn. Years later, we would all benefit from this. Anyway, cheers for the great review.

@davidfavaloro2034 2 года назад

I own a couple of headless Kiesels and love them. But all good points here. Honestly, one of the biggest selling points to me is the size - I'm shorter in stature, so the headless guitars feel much better proportioned to me and my body frame.

@heyman3752 9 месяцев назад

i'm a big Holdsworth fan, if you hate that guitar, you could send that to me! Lol 😅

@pobinr 2 года назад

Seems like you had some bad preconceptions. For a pure musician all that matters is how it plays & how it feels. To hell with what anyone else thinks. You're video could be half as long & still convey the important information. Btw i have an HF2 & I love it

@THEVATICANTS 2 года назад

Guess I’m not a pure musician like you.

@pobinr 2 года назад

@@THEVATICANTS no need to be sarcastic. That's not what I said

@celpabedn 2 года назад

If it does affect the mind, do not record with it, there might be suits made from good materials, but if you feel like you are not attractive in it, it will not help you seduce...

@johnnyromero3336 Год назад

Marko this was a fantastic review, . I am not a fan of the headless guitar, or that system, that's like hacking off the roof of a classic car and not finishing it . Visually it just does not make sense or appeal to me personally. To each his own though. I would like to play A Keisel, not buy one anytime soon.

@yannick2047 10 месяцев назад

The point of the bigger body, as opposed to the smaller „block“ on for instance the Steinberger-design, is at least 2-fold (as far as I can tell): 1.) Body on the Kiesel is, at least in Allan‘s preferred version, chambered. That gives it a bit more dynamics and generally more of the character of a hollowbody guitar. As you can see in Kiesels commercial Videos with Allan, this chambering of the body was essential to him. With a Steinberger-Style block-guitar, you cannot get a chambered body, at least to my knowledge … 2.) Larger body gives your picking hand and in particular your palm a larger space to rest on. This is then simply more comfortable to play. I tried Steinbergers, and these bodies have a kind of sharper „heel“ at the bottom of the body, more or less where your picking arm rests. So, Steinberger players have two options: position arm either above or below that „heel“. If you put your picking arm directly on top of said heel, you get tendinitis from picking rather quickly.

@evetsnitram8866 11 месяцев назад

Its sort of Holdsworth centric. The thing about artist centric guitars is that they were designed for a particular artist's needs. Now take a strat designed by a non-guitarist and you get more of a universal guitar. Same with the Les Paul which is really a Gibson jazz guitar shrunk down in solid body form so it came with a universal DNA but oddly had more appeal to rock and blues types whereas jazzers want the box.

@x3a3x3 2 года назад

I got one just like that in white a few years ago just to play at home and take to rehearsals because of its size and weight. It quickly became my favorite guitar out of about 25 I currently own and I haven’t used any of f my other guitars live since I got the HH2. The pickups are bright but I adjusted the EQ on my fractal and they work well together for P&W music. With that said I don’t like the switch position and the body is not that comfortable, so I ordered a custom Zeus. Better switch position and bevels..

@Chillnote 2 года назад

I think I am the only one that finds it pretty, just not in satin black. If I would order it I would probably go with different pickups and without the chambered body.

@alwatsky Год назад

I got a solid model , it's good. I would be curious to play a chambered model though. The sustain on the solid model is pretty amazing , it surges. The chambered model might be a bit easier to manage as a rhythm guitar.

@cryptosecuritytools Год назад

You nailed it on the neck. Try a Vader and put some pups in it you like. I think you will have partner for life.

@costcolawschool 3 месяца назад

i have owned 2 carvin dc127s and 1 kiesel dc600. still have one of the dc127s and the dc600. great guitars. i stay away from the headless and fanned fret ones though. i like them because if you buy used you can get a prs custom chop quality instrument for $1000-$1200 shipped. i have never ordered one from the factory. one of these days.

@thenumber1bobo 6 месяцев назад

lost me at the jubilee being too tone specific....what? Its insanely versatile and has one of the most responsive tone stacks of any amp Ive ever encountered, gave you credit for having one; lost credit for choosing not to demo with one of the greatest amps of all time. With that said, I dunno what to tell you about the pickups...the clean sound sounded really good to me; plenty of mids, sparkly highs and balanced lows. Great presence. Stick a boost in there man; scooped fender cleans are inherently anemic sounding. Plug it into the jube and pull the rhythm clip and give em a shot. Cleans are garbage...pushed cleans are gold. Transients are everything and the harmonics live in the upper mids. Im wondering if you know Allan Holdsworth? I mean, the guitar and pickups were developed for what is essentially jazz fusion. They're voiced for him. Also, the unbridled hubris...god damn man. Maybe some self-reflection? Like...video doesn't need to open with you shirtless; we dont need to know about the endorsements you turn down because "number 1 I dont need the money..." Seriously though, a little humility goes a long way

@mountainman8775 3 месяца назад

Great review, thorough and honest and sprinkled (peppered?) with great cooking analogies. Appreciate every tone example. It seems to me the guitar is aiming tonally for sustain with the least distorted sound possible, hence the pafs.

@ahaua1 Год назад

Thanks for the raw and honest review. Like you, I'm not a fan of this style guitar; however, I have heard so many good things about Kiesel and am thinking of ordering either a C3 or C6, (Les Paul bodies). One of my biggest dilemmas is which pickups to go with. If I go with Kiesel pickups, I was leaning towards the Holdsworth; however, I may purchase Seymour Duncan pickups, (SH4??), and have Kiesel install them. Once again, thanks again for your review!!

@yannick2047 2 года назад

It is interesting you mentioning a lack of sustain while playing Single-note lines with overdriven sound. Would you say this has maybe something to do with the setup of the guitar action or maybe with the amp? It seems a bit confusing because actually by design this guitar should be well capable of producing a nice overdriven lead-guitar tone with lots of sustain (as that is what Allan was doing …). Otherwise great review-video, by the way!

@THEVATICANTS 2 года назад

You can definitely achieve sustain with processing but by itself just on a rhythm crunch channel this guitar won't be able to do it. Just not enough body force there. Also needs better pick ups. But playability of this guitar is incredible!!

@yannick2047 2 года назад

@@THEVATICANTS thanks for the quick reply! In his demo-videos for this guitar (for instance most recent one called „Earth-Video“) on RU-vid, Allan gets a HUGE sound from this instrument. But he then certainly does it via processing using his substantial effects-rig. It is also interesting that he chose the option of using lower-output pickups and then boosting the heck out of the signal in the effects-chain in order to get his signature sound. This might tie in with the whole dynamics-aspect to his playing and sound which he talks about in the Kiesel videos. However, I agree with your sentiment regarding the pure clean tones coming from the pickups, which sound thin and too bright (almost tinny …). Anyway, Cheers!

@iceWaterProductions1 Год назад

Do you think it could make a big difference with a solid body model with the old Seymour Duncan custom Shop model Holdsworth pickups?

@THEVATICANTS 11 месяцев назад

It’s WOOD but at that point you might as well just go get an Ibanez or Les Paul or PRS altogether…

@cshades8026 Год назад

Awesome that you finally had a chance to review a Kiesel. Would love to see you order a mode that you like and see your thoughts on that.

@jonnydoesguitars4247 6 месяцев назад

I completely agree, dude... kiesel guitars are about as ughly as they come and looks matter to me if im paying good money for an instrument and not just the sound/playability quality. Of course, those factors outweigh the looks, but there are plenty of other high-end instruments of great quality as well that in appearance look much more mature compared to kiesel.

@colindamo Год назад

Super awesome and very in-depth review. Thanks for sharing! I have a kiesel headless Leia. I completely understand, not liking the looks/aesthetics of a headless guitar. I hated the look of them as well too…..but I have a neuromuscular disease that makes my muscles weak, and therefore lugging around/playing a heavy full size guitar just doesn’t work for me anymore. But now since I have a headless guitar, it pretty much solves my issues. As well, I have now grown to like the looks and convenience of a headless guitar. It’s cool of you to give these guitars a chance and give an awesome in-depth review. Take care and keep on putting out awesome videos 👍😀

@cchavez248 3 месяца назад

Get the Holdsworth in black limba, koa, or walnut, beauty problem solved!

@gavrilopricip11 2 месяца назад

one man's ugly guitar.......is another man's super cool 6 string electric ukelele

@MPNNag 2 года назад

That is the ugliest looking guitar ever. I took your advice and bought a Malmsteen Strat.

@alwatsky Год назад

Fun overview. As it happens I have a particular interest in your review because I ordered on of these a few weeks ago. I'll be receiving my guitar this week. I'll confess to having slightly more experience with the brand then you did. I would occasionally see one of the strat type builds that a student of mine brought in. I was impressed with the build quality . They take themselves seriously and turn out a good product. So, full disclosure , I have played headless guitars in the past, toured with them used them, actually took some training at Steinberger in the days I was working for their distributor. Any way. No surprise that you are annoyed by the headless hardware, the profile of the headstock part is often annoying , what I have done in the past is relieve the edges where the left hand comes in contact with the hardware. That solves that problem , the tuning function on the other hand you have to learn to live with . That will loosen up with use and a drop of light oil on the threads will allow them to run as smoothly as is possible. One thing I can say is that once these things are in tune they will stay in tune. So once you're set you're set. In my case I ordered the set bridge because I wanted the bridge in full contact with the body. Its gonna keep that string energy where I want it. I ordered a non chambered model because I know from past experience that a chambered body in this type of guitar isn't what I'm going to want . I think Allan dug the quick decay because he was such a notey player, If his guitar had too much sustain it might be a problem. For me though solid Alder and a fixed bridge will get me what I need , I think. Now confessions , I bought this because I have to do plane tours in Europe, runouts and short hops on continent . So I have to get the axe on board. So dig that , this will get the job done. So bang, Now this is not my usual thing , I've done most of the tours with a Strat or Tele or a semi hollow. So this won't have the tone of my other guitars , but its gonna get the job done with style. So dig this , that little headless guitar will just about disappear on stage. I've seen shots of my band with me playing another small bodied headless and it looks like I'm standing there gesturing and playing air guitar. Its a hoot. Not my favorite look. But heck, its the right tool for the job. Let me say this. I'll set mine up with 11's and a wound G. Yep. I ordered their PAF style pickup. 90% of what I'm doing is all clean sounds. Playing funk and jazz . Medium sized venues 1600 seaters . Fellow Berklee dude BTW, finished up with a conservatory diploma in classical guitar. Glad to see this review. Props. If your curious I'll update comments when I receive mine.

@THEVATICANTS Год назад

Awesome bro, yeah, keep me posted when you get yours for sure

@alwatsky Год назад

@@THEVATICANTS Long update. 2 weeks after seeing your review and 13 days since I received the HH2 I had ordered. I got a base model in alder , maple neck , ebony board, no chambering . I chose their Beryllium pickup set, its a PAF clone and a fixed bridge. So my build is different than yours , but it's the same model. I was impressed with the fit and finish. Their build methods result in a clean product and the model handles well. I set my guitars up very differently than the average Kiesel buyer. I use a set of 11's with a wound G and the height is about what I would dial in on any other electric. I would classify it as a "high medium" set up. Not crazy high, but it would be up there for some folks. My set up is so much higher in fact that I had to get longer set screws for the bridge saddles. NBD. The guitar is almost too easy to play. Ergonomics are very good and at under 6 lb. ( I think it was 5lb 13oz) it's not tiring to play for long periods of time. A headless guitar generally tends to have low string tension and long sustain, this one has so much sustain its almost distracting ! I'm very pleased with the stability of the neck and its relief profile, excellent function . No hint of movement from day to day. The fret work is very good. I've personally done hundreds, if not thousands of fret jobs. This is very good ,no need to dress frets or tinker, its excellent right out of the box. You mentioned that you were coming in contact with the hardware at the head. I experienced that too. I initially thought it might have been the Hipshot fitting , but in fact what was catching me was the nut. It was a bit high, the slots were deep. So I lowered the nut and now its perfectly smooth. As far as the sound goes, I've been using semi hollow guitars as well as traditional solid bodies for years on tours and in the studio. The HH2 isn't at all hard to see fitting in the role of touring guitar for me. I'm playing Funk and Jazz in the context of these tours. The HH2 will cover it. I'm on the fence about their pickups, they certainly sound good and are a pretty good PAF type pickup, but they seem to be a bit lacking in fidelity somehow. The guitar sounds better before I plug it in and I've got very good amps. I know that I could use this as is though. It's not like the pickups are bad, just not exactly as complex as I would like. Any way. I like this well enough to be considering ordering another one , but this time chambered and with the AH pickups, which sound like they are a hotter PAF type. Oh, and as you mentioned the neck profile is great , not the skinny twig some folks seem to like. The HH2 is a winner if you're willing to adjust your picking arm . Not having much body to support the right forearm takes some getting used to , but its not a radical adjustment. All the best ! Let me know how you're getting along with your HH2.

@m...6119 Год назад

This is great feedback. I really appreciate it, since I’ve been on the fence, deciding whether I should pull the trigger on a HH2. The only undecided point for me right now, is finishing on the body. I’m not sure if I should go for the raw tone or satin matte. I’m looking for something that would most feel like my Fender Custom Shop Telecaster, finished in nitro. Thanks again for your invaluable comment.

@Babesyann Месяц назад

Yeah man I see your point.. I think only Allan is used to that guitar...

@Prajnana 2 года назад

I briefly owned this model and thoroughly disliked the pickups - absolutely no bottom end, weak mids. and shrill trebles, at least to my ear when played into a clean amp.

@alwatsky Год назад

The Beryllium are very bright as well.

@doubleslit3389 Год назад

same experience here. it's a totally unique and weird guitar with unbelievable amounts of sustain and dynamics, but I'm still looking for a pickup that can compliment it. Fralin Big Singles are next.

@alwatsky Год назад

@@doubleslit3389 I installed a set of Bareknuckle mothers milk PAF type. Sounds better to me. More complexity from the scatter wind .

@fredrikpihl 2 года назад

Main reason for making it headless and chambered is the weight and balance of the guitar. I don't own a Kiesel but I have a couple of Strandberg guitars that are also headless. Going back to a headstock guitars feels weird now.... (even though I've played headstock guitars for about 25+ years).

@jfo3000 Год назад

I think also compact size for travel. Even in a hard case, it's almost like carrying around and stowing a violin.

@joshtorresfdu6621 Год назад

I don’t own a kiesel and I think the only gibson that looks good is a 335. So I’ll take the holdsworth

@cortical1 Месяц назад

It's a good thing Allan never played with any sustain. 🤣

@metalhed6t7 2 года назад

I have 4 Kiesel’s…Aries, CS6, Jason Becker #’s and most recently the ultra V. I put EMG’s in two of them(Aries-Het set, CS6- 57/66) and they both sound and play great. The JB24 #’s has Seymour Duncan pickups which sound great. The ultra V had Kiesel pickups(lithium/berillium) and sound ok. Three of them came with manufacturing defects/dings, which you don’t expect from a 3k guitar. They all play great, but like you mentioned, they lack balls due to mass and weight IMO. The ultra V is so light and neck heavy and is the one I’m most disappointed with. I don’t see myself buying another one. I gave them a serious shot and overall was a bit let down after 10k worth of guitars. I could go on and get into my customer service experience, but I won’t….

@BOOLsheet Месяц назад

If Allan’s name wasn’t attached to it this model would sell no more than 20

@jeromeweissmann8350 2 года назад

Having one of those guitar is a dream for me. I don't find them in france. So if you don"t use it, send me a message i'll give you my adress ad you can send it to me :) Cheer

@robroymenzies8641 2 года назад

Great review, I'm right with ya on this one....Kiesel makes some great guitars, but I can't feel it with this one...

@barrymiller2272 2 года назад

Was watching your review of the EVH amp you sold me and fell asleep. Awoke to Marko playing a Kiesel! God Marko, that guitar is f'in UGLY. I have 3 CT-6 models, all great instruments if you get those lithium pickups out of them. It's like driving you're Ferrari with a Ford Pinto motor. If i were a younger man,i wouldn't be caught dead playing live with that boat anchor..Keep up these great reviews. Oh, and Fender has gone to shit! You warned me about the Frankie

@THEVATICANTS 2 года назад

You said it, my brother!!!

@sean4586 2 года назад

Thanks Marko for such an honest review. Was there much of a difference with a 20" radius finger board? Really love what you and your wife are creating. Thanks

@TopGearRacer007 2 года назад

Also interesting which is the best in terms of playability compared to your favorite EVH Stealth Black USA guitar?

@kcb5150 2 года назад

Headless guitars can sound huge.. Leslie West used them for many years... Vito Bratta used a Steinberger a lot of the time. As far as this Holdsworth, watch video of Holdsworth and it makes sense why he wanted it the way it is. He was all fast legato, using all the fretboard all the time, and playing a lot of notes so he probably wanted to weigh clarity and touch over sustain as well as a balanced body he didn't need to be worried about repositioning all the time. He also processed the hell out of his guitar where it hardly sounded like one because he really didn't like the sound of the guitar. He wanted to be a saxophone player as a kid but got saddled with a guitar to learn, so between that sensibility and basically inventing his own scales, you get what you got with him. On the plus side, this kiesel is fender scale length.

@alwatsky Год назад

Its more tone generator than "guitar" , but does make "normal" guitar sounds. I'm running mine clean into Fender type amps . I've used Steinberger and other headless models in the past. This HH2 sounds better than a GM series Steinberger , a lot better. So theres that ..

@davidwoodhead7109 Год назад

Great review as always. Worcestershireshireshireshire sauce😂 did I miss the unboxing? Would be useful to know the case situation. Also is the ebony dyed to get it so black. I heard it sometimes is these days. Have a good day. 👍

@THEVATICANTS Год назад

Thnx ;) I think the ebony is non-dyed and good quality. It literally just came in a gig bag inside a box...

@C-S128 2 года назад

You have been my go to reviewer for a while and are the reason I’ve bought 4 of my high end guitars without being able to play them first just because I trust what you say about them. I do have a question though. I recall in your EVH Ernie Ball vs peavy vs fender Wolfgang video you said you used a peavy Wolfgang when you were at Berkley and you would play dream theater stuff. Would you be willing to do a video of you shredding as well as playing more melodic stuff on your peavy to show off what it can do and get the most out of it? I ask only because when Eddie primarily used the peavy it was during his really dark times with addiction and substance abuse, and we never really got here what could be done with it unlike his Ernie ball and current Wolfgang. I’m more curious to see if the pickups are versatile enough to cover multiple genres well. Since the guitar has more modern day and versatile specs.

@Paul_Lenard_Ewing 2 года назад

The thing is that a guitars can be a greyhound but a bulldog is just as much a pedigree. The A. H. is a bulldog. I wouldn't choose it in black but Holdsworth had them in orange and Sonic blue as well. Nothing wrong with small body when a larger one does little for the tone. None of us seeing a big guy with a banjo or a violin and think anything of it. Ry Cooder has some Kays that are that same small size. As for odd shapes...the main core of an audience are not players so playing something different is enjoyed by the audience. Keeping in mind an eye catching Fiesta red finish gets more looks than a guitar that looks like it was carved out of charcoal.

@alwatsky Год назад

Yes the audience will follow a red guitar with their eyes, it grabs their attention. The size of the body does effect the tone, but the small body isn't a detriment , it changes the character of the tone to a degree though.

@BuskyBusk Год назад

Great review. I've played and owned everything, but hold Kissel in high regard. For me, the Theos models are absolutely outstanding. Between the chambering, the Hipshot trem, the neck joint design and the SS frets, it's just another level. Clearly, it's a different animal from an LP Custom or Fender EJ, but it walks among the best modern builders out there.

@matthewmp111 2 года назад

Thank you for another thorough and quality review. I wonder if Jeff Kiesel will pop in here on the comments. Cheers!

@balotpenoy371 Год назад

What is the brand of their tremolo bridge?

@jtwidmer 6 месяцев назад

I may be wrong but I think it’s hip shot.

@James-vr5wh 2 года назад

Once again you have a spot on review. I have a good friend who swears by Kiesels. He has 5 or 6 of them and I have had a good amount of playing time on each. They do make a fine product and the craftsmanship is top notch however I have always felt they lacked something tone wise. Perhaps they would be better with a decent set of after market pickups.

@DWLImages 2 года назад

Worcestercestershire and Prius, love those descriptions! Great honest review, thanks for your thoughts.

@stevesmith5434 2 года назад

I don't play guitar with my eyes. Function over form for me every time.

@THEVATICANTS 2 года назад

Then you're missing out on some beautiful guitars. I'm sure you picked your woman based on brains only too....

@lex.cordis 2 года назад

Honestly, I think headless guitars also _look_ better. They're more streamlined. Now, whenever I play a traditional guitar, I'm distracted by the goofy headstock at the end of the neck.

@bigsauce1116 Год назад

A big part of the appeal of a guitar for me is looks. If a guitar doesn't look good then I won't be inspired to play it. Even if it plays super well.

@e.l.norton Год назад

Then why play anything but cheap, knock-off, yard sale guitars if function is all that matters? Form is at least as important as function in guitars, as the form shapes the sound, AND the playability and feel. Just like with women, the form is what draws the attention, holds the eye, and tantalizes the senses.

@jimbomctimbo1610 6 месяцев назад

@@THEVATICANTSthat's a spiteful statement do not be feminine. We are talking about guitars here

@Rezparviz Год назад

Do yourself a favor and get a Becker

@Yourweakminds Год назад

It’s not a rock machine and was never meant to be. Have fun buddy.

@THEVATICANTS 11 месяцев назад

Kiesel would tell you it can do rock…

@coronabong6664 2 года назад

yeah is stupid looking guitar

@serazac25 2 года назад

Reminds me of the Carvin guitar reviews from back in the day, that the main con of the guitar was the pickup. Some of them have fishman fluence as an option now so that's good.

@jtwidmer 6 месяцев назад

Fun fact (and you very well may know) Carvin became Kiesel.

@jmj5150 Год назад

bought a Steinberger Elite GT Headless for less than $400.. it is what it is.. a minimal practice and travel guitar while you're on the toilet..

@pipespeeps5349 Год назад

i personally really like the design at what's its purpose is, but i haven't played one so can't say how good it is to play

@RobertJones-rd5wl Год назад

I think it’s objectively(according to my subjective opinion😄)not good looking. And it’s not because it’s headless. The body looks off. Compare it to Ibanez Quest headless- the body is much more pleasing to the eye- more streamlined/ symmetrical.

@cechichan Год назад

On videos on the AH sig becouse i need a travel guitar, looks come way after size and playability to me. Only at the start of the vid i am tho

@isaaccordero8632 Год назад

Allan is my favorite guitar player, but I would not buy this guitar. It’s just a odd looking guitar and I don’t really like hollow body guitars. But I do see why he would design it like that because he was chasing a tone in his head that was driving him crazy. But I do love his pickups I would put them in another Kissel guitar shape or my own guitars because I love playing fusion and they give me the tone I need for that. But great review on it, maybe later on I would buy it because maybe it would grow on me and because it’s Allan Holdswroth.

@kencreten7308 Год назад

It's an ALLAN HOLDWORTH guitar! It's not a travel guitar. It's a guitar that was built to the specifications of the late Allan Holdsworth. OK? We all know who Allan Holdworth was, right? In case you do not know. That's his last version of his signature Kiesel that I own. ALSO semi-hollow. I play Metal with that guitar. It's awesome. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IcPbmPM7epY.html

@brannonevans3685 Год назад

Actually Allan's specs on his guitars, that he actually played were different. How, for one thing, they all had just one humbucker in the bridge position. I think you can order one with his specs, for $1000.00 more. If not a $1000.00, close to it.

@KevinNolin 2 года назад

I think the Kiesel is ugly. So is my Strandberg, but it’s lightweight, well built and plays amazingly well. However if I could only keep one guitar it would be my Les Paul. It just inspires me to play more cause it looks so awesome. I find it funny that my Strandberg also has something rattling around inside the body somewhere.

@zoomzoom3950 2 года назад

I own a few Steinbergers, none with trem, and a Gittler Titanium; I've been considering a Keisel Holdsworth for awhile, down to the color choice... I'm 6'5", and fit; my Steinbergers look like toys, and the Gittler looks even smaller and much less like a guitar...these AH are much smaller bodied than I realized. I play most Fender Jags and Strats, but have larger bodied guitars that fit my size better (Rhoads V, Warrior, and Backlund Model 400). Thanks for a great review!

@allenl5321 Год назад

I share your exact sentiments on the looks and agree with your tone assessment of your guitar. However, after hearing a Holdsworth model with a chambered mahogany body and neck, I actually ordered one. The tone was much fatter, warm but still articulate, making it more versatile . I love the overdriven fusion sound of the Holdsworth pickups, but the mahogany construction gave the guitar a very warm sweet voice when playing clean that suited other genres also. I own many guitars and love this one for its’ great playability and warm unique sounds. I never thought I would ever buy a headless guitar, but the sound convinced me. I was also surprised how good the split coil sounds were. The amazing playability was icing on the cake! You are spot on. This is a great alternate tonal spice in the guitar kitchen.

@r.a.fiallos234 9 месяцев назад

One really cool thing is you don’t have to check this in when flying. It’s compact enough for a carry on compartment. \m/

@scottgroves5204 Год назад

LOLOL...Brother I'm 60 years old and I felt the same way...Untill I played one...Now I want them all! :)

@ncscene 2 года назад

Marko struggling as it is not a Nuno, EVH or Les Paul…. I don’t get the love either even though our bassist swears by his 5 string Kiesel….

@gavrilopricip11 2 месяца назад

how tall was Allan Holdsworth?

@lex.cordis 2 месяца назад

I heard 6'1" from his own mouth in an interview, but he was referring to himself as a young man, so I don't know if he got taller at any point after that.

@swisspunker94 2 года назад

always love your videos man !

@chrislandrum62 Год назад

Dig your reviews man. I'd like to hear your opinion on other kiesels like the Aries or their custom 24 (ct6)

@JB-ru2zb Год назад

Very interesting review. I’ve become fascinated by this “mini” guitars lately and seeing how you despite your objections and aesthetic disappointment. Also the fact that it’s apparently a amazing instrument to play also is nice at the same time. Enjoy the Prius, it’ll take you places.

@rctony710 2 года назад

what accent is that?

@Rezparviz 2 года назад

He is from Mexico bro can’t you tell .

@chocolatecookie8571 2 года назад

I have a DC700 but I am selling it. Too many flaws for my taste. Kiesel is a bit of a hype

@peterschaefer1665 Год назад

Hey hello there! Just a question. Does the vibrato stay in tune as well as a Floyd Rose let's say? Thanks

@Gramps714 11 месяцев назад

I’m interested in your complaint about how hard it is to turn the tuners.. only one person giving comments mentions it. He says put a drop of oil in there. No one else says there’s a problem at all. Maybe needs adjusting, or you’re just teeing off without giving it a chance?

@THEVATICANTS 11 месяцев назад

I have been playing guitar for 35 years, I have owned/played over 2000 guitars in 12,000 hours of playing. I don’t waste time mentioning something is not intuitive, like these tuning pegs, if it weren’t the case. There are far more intuitive and easier to tune guitars than this one. The problem is, like everything else, fanboys have to defend their guitar and of course, if you’re an ALLAN fan then this the holy Grail. Problem is, I am honest and tell it how it is. I don’t have the time to tee off just for the sake of doing so. Great guitar, but one of the most unpractical guitars you’ll ever take in the studio, let alone if the string breaks. Problem is, an owner who saved six months to buy this, will never tell you this, because to him the guitar of courses perfection.

@carsonwyatt8915 Год назад

The lack of a headstock has more to do with comfort, neck dive and tuning stability than it does with ease of use

@Zanthxs 2 года назад

Thorough authentic review. The real, raw deal. Thank You. I would miss the headstock personally no matter what playing since I was 12 and going on 65.

@davidmay3348 Год назад

It was Alans his thinking. His desire for the guitar he dreamed of.

@natrixxvision6997 Год назад

Holdsworth was a weird guy who liked small guitars and necks that would allow him to stretch so he could hit weird chords. The pickups were designed by Kiesel with his input and from what I’ve heard they sound great. That’s what it is.

@lex.cordis 2 месяца назад

He played weird chords even when he played an SG or Strat-style guitar. He always played full scale length guitars. He just knew how to position his arm/hands to stretch for big chords. The headless guitars he played were full-size guitars, just with the unnecessary stuff gone.

@xRaptis94 2 года назад

Great review Marko - totally agree with all your points. Resonates with my thoughts too - it looks like a great guitar for a specific player, but definitely doesn't appeal to the masses, both tonally and aesthetically. Would love to see reviews of those beautiful gems in your collection. Keep up the great work. Can't wait for the next one .

@goiastr7760 2 года назад

Oh noo!..my weakness...... A Black Strat....

@Magic_Man916 2 года назад

I appreciate you giving your honest opinion

@Allguitarinfo Год назад

Jeez what r u doing to have z friend that buys u a 2k guitar

@pipespeeps5349 Год назад

Lmao it’s insane

@Magnum5160 2 года назад

Plenty of fair points. I’m a Paul player/collector who specked a hard tail, solid alder, gloss black, no inlay, single Lithium pickup holdsworth model specifically to solve the problems of my favorite guitars. It’s as stripped back as possible to serve two purposes: to be rock solid reliable and flaunt its lack of beauty. As a workhorse instrument I’m completely satisfied and my back never hurts after a long rehearsal. Thank you for what you’re doing here, really helping my search as I’ve expanded to Edward style guitars recently.

@pythonflying 2 года назад

I bought the HH2X back in 2012 when they were Carvin and it is holding up fantastically. Very well made.

@HB-ss4en 2 года назад

Nice review. I have the same opinion as you, these guitars just don't look good to me (I actually can't stand the look). And if you are not eager to pick up the guitar to play it will never inspire you.

@alwatsky Год назад

I would describe it as utilitarian. Its an odd look on stage, but not a deal breaker.

@johndodson4527 2 года назад

Good job.truth.dig.

@milf_cookies Год назад

Try out Sophia trem for the headless. The tuners feel like regular headstock tuners and the strings you can either put through like a tone o matic or you can cut the ball ends and set up like a Floyd rose. Check it out you won't regret it.

@AdamsMurderer Год назад

Hi, thank you for reviewing this guitar. Iam thinking of getting one. However, Iam somehow worried about the playability while being seated (without a strap) due to its size. Could you please comment on that?

@alwatsky Год назад

I own one. It's a small guitar so it sits low on the lap without a strap. Thats not much of a problem because of the light weight. Mine is under 6lb.