Members dilin Posted May 15, 2006 Members Share Posted May 15, 2006 Hi, Just need your expert advice on this. I'm shopping for a Strat copy, and here we've only SX, Squier and Samick Greg Bennett as the decent budget brands. I used to have a Squier Bullet, but sold it (plywood body) to get my Samick Avion 3 (love it). I'm plugging in into the VOX AD30vt. Now, I've tried the SX, but the hardware is too soft for my liking, and the affinity doens't sound right, while the standard squier strat is made of agathis. I've played the Samick Malibu 1, which don't have an alder body (nato) but sounds,looks and plays more solid than the SXs and Squiers. I want something considerably better than the bullet, since i don't want to trade a pebble for another pebble. I'm considering ordering the Malibu 3 (maple body, DD pups, Wilkinson bridge, and best of all the maple fretboard), without actually playing it (the Samick distributor doesn't carry it, only the Malibu 1), but based on my experience with its lesser sibling, the Malibu 1. I've came across someone in the forum who has a white Malibu 3 in his sig, a penny for your thoughts and comments. Thanks for listening. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members 03hal Posted May 15, 2006 Members Share Posted May 15, 2006 No help on tha Malibu, but I had a Greg Bennett RW-2 (the explorer type) that absolutely smoked. Solid, great hardware, duncan-designed pups, perfect binding. Nut was too high, but they always are. To me, the Samick Bennetts are much better than the squiers. Never played an SX, but if they are a step down from the Agiles, then I would not even bother with them. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dilin Posted May 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 ^thanks Anyone more thoughts and opinions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larryguitar Posted May 16, 2006 Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 Well, I've got the Malibu 1 (listed as having an alder body on the Greg Bennett/Samick website?) and it's a fine instrument. One fret needed trimming, but the p/ups sound decent and it's got a very 'stratty' feel to it. I like it quite a bit, and for the $159 I paid I'm very pleased. HTH, Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dilin Posted May 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 ^ thanks larry for the heads-up http://www.samick.co.kr/eng/product/guitar_gregView.asp?types=7&series=33 According to this site, which I find to be more helpful, the MB-1 has a nato body. If the MB-1 rocks than the MB-3 should rock too. Ha Ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Virgman Posted May 16, 2006 Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 There are a few more "budget" brands out there. Johnson makes a very decent strat (JS-800) for $119 shipped. I have one of these. Alder body. Very nice. Here's a deal I spotted: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Johnson-Del-Mar-Electric-Guitar-JS-800-CLOSEOUT_W0QQitemZ7362778337QQcategoryZ41437QQssPageNameZWD1VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Also Jay Turser has had some good feedback.. I'd also consider the Kramers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vintage clubber Posted May 16, 2006 Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 I love my Greg Bennett designed Samick Royale, but for a strat style I can't get past the 3 x 3 headstock on the Malibu...Eeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwww!!! That said, there are a ton of decent strat style guitars out there for under $200.00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larryguitar Posted May 16, 2006 Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 Hmmm...their websites contradict each other!Samick USA Either way, I like it! I have a Johnson Tele, also, and it's a nice guitar. Required a bit more fretwork than the Samick (a lot more, actually) and the tuners SUCK, compared to the Grovers on the Samick. Not a bad guitar, mind you, but not quite as nice as the Samick out of the box. OTOH, I only gave $100 total for it in 'like new' condition. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dilin Posted May 16, 2006 Author Members Share Posted May 16, 2006 Thanks guys... Anymore more Samick owners with comments? Still waiting for the white MB-3 owner to show up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dilin Posted May 18, 2006 Author Members Share Posted May 18, 2006 ^ any feedback on greg bennett series would be welcome... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members parnick Posted June 4, 2009 Members Share Posted June 4, 2009 I own the Malibu MB-1M with maple fretboard. I love it. I find it plays as well as a MIM Strat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members D Carroll Posted June 4, 2009 Members Share Posted June 4, 2009 Greg Bennett is a great guy, if you email customer service, he usually responds himself in about a day, I've met him a few times, and he said that he usually spends about 4-5 hours a day replying to every email, so I'd go with that guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JC777 Posted June 4, 2009 Members Share Posted June 4, 2009 ^ any feedback on greg bennett series would be welcome... I have a UM3. Pound for pound it's an excellent guitar. Fit and finish is excellent, real Grovers, real Wilkinson bridge. The only thing that stands out as cheap is the Photo Quilt. I actually play the UM3 more and like it a bit more than my PRS SE Single Cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members JC777 Posted June 4, 2009 Members Share Posted June 4, 2009 My bad. It's a UM4 (discontinued).The UM3 is a Stop Tailpiece Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Busk Posted June 4, 2009 Members Share Posted June 4, 2009 Go buy a used Carvin bolt for next to nuthin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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