Bit the bullet at last!
I've been lusting after an AVII Jazzmaster for ages but I'd never been able to find one to try out. That changed today, merchant city music in Glasgow had one in stock and now they don't!
This is my first Big Boi™ guitar and I am BUZZED, the tren feels wonderful, the Sherwood green is beautiful, and the neck is perfect!
Photos pending as they're setting it up with 12s, and I forgot how to get into my Imgur account lol
Big NGD purchase
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pork rind
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Love it, congrats. Can't wait to see the pictures.
I'm danger close to making the same purchase myself. My finger has hovered over the "buy now" button a couple of times. I've got some stuff up for sale right now that when it goes through, I may no longer be able to restrain myself.
I'm danger close to making the same purchase myself. My finger has hovered over the "buy now" button a couple of times. I've got some stuff up for sale right now that when it goes through, I may no longer be able to restrain myself.
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IrishBread69
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Ah, I noticed they had one in stock and have been checking in on it regularly! Looks amazing!StrangeIdols wrote: ↑Fri Apr 04, 2025 6:13 amBit the bullet at last!
I've been lusting after an AVII Jazzmaster for ages but I'd never been able to find one to try out. That changed today, merchant city music in Glasgow had one in stock and now they don't!
This is my first Big Boi™ guitar and I am BUZZED, the tren feels wonderful, the Sherwood green is beautiful, and the neck is perfect!
Photos pending as they're setting it up with 12s, and I forgot how to get into my Imgur account lol
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StrangeIdols
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Okay so, after an evening with the guitar I have some observations (and photos).
With my anniversary classic Jazzmaster for the family photo
First off is the positives, the general QC, feel, sound, and aesthetics are amazing. This is my first guitar with a 7.25" fretboard and the neck just feels right. The colour is also brilliant, plenty of sparkle and a bit darker than stock images, catching it in the light is class. The trem, although it does bottom out, has plenty of range for how I use it, and is responsive and slick. The pickups are a bit brighter and hotter than the PV65s in my classic anniversary, I'm unsure how much of that is placebo and/or parts tolerance though, or if they genuinely are a different pickup design but hey, they sound good. Whilst bright they aren't ice picky, and the middle position just growls, it's wonderful.
The less positives. The QC issues are still there, but are considerably less significant.
Point 1, paint/debris under the finish on the treble side of the nut. Not a big deal, I can't see it when I'm playing and neither can anyone else.
Point 2, air bubbles under the decal and under the finish. I had to actively look for this, and wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been looking at how the decal was sat. Point is it's barely noticeable.
Point 3 is harder to photograph but the case lock on one side doesn't fit the key, and appears to be due to a burr in the lock. Bit weird but eh. The case isn't brilliant, and I was surprised that they don't ship with a strap and cable, but to be honest the case is still better than the one for the classic anniversary, and I can kinda live without proper bougie case candy.
Overall I am very impressed with the guitar, I'm probably biased, I'm probably in the honeymoon period, but these kinda small issues don't hugely bother me. Its gonna get heavily used in the near future, and I'm buzzed to hear it in anger at rehearsals!
With my anniversary classic Jazzmaster for the family photo
First off is the positives, the general QC, feel, sound, and aesthetics are amazing. This is my first guitar with a 7.25" fretboard and the neck just feels right. The colour is also brilliant, plenty of sparkle and a bit darker than stock images, catching it in the light is class. The trem, although it does bottom out, has plenty of range for how I use it, and is responsive and slick. The pickups are a bit brighter and hotter than the PV65s in my classic anniversary, I'm unsure how much of that is placebo and/or parts tolerance though, or if they genuinely are a different pickup design but hey, they sound good. Whilst bright they aren't ice picky, and the middle position just growls, it's wonderful.
The less positives. The QC issues are still there, but are considerably less significant.
Point 1, paint/debris under the finish on the treble side of the nut. Not a big deal, I can't see it when I'm playing and neither can anyone else.
Point 2, air bubbles under the decal and under the finish. I had to actively look for this, and wouldn't have noticed it if I hadn't been looking at how the decal was sat. Point is it's barely noticeable.
Point 3 is harder to photograph but the case lock on one side doesn't fit the key, and appears to be due to a burr in the lock. Bit weird but eh. The case isn't brilliant, and I was surprised that they don't ship with a strap and cable, but to be honest the case is still better than the one for the classic anniversary, and I can kinda live without proper bougie case candy.
Overall I am very impressed with the guitar, I'm probably biased, I'm probably in the honeymoon period, but these kinda small issues don't hugely bother me. Its gonna get heavily used in the near future, and I'm buzzed to hear it in anger at rehearsals!
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StrangeIdols
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Oh also
The ashtray bridge either doesn't fit, is a shitty design, or I'm an idiot. I figured it was a pressure fit that you'd push down and clip over the side of the bridge, but on the AVII it just kinda sits there, and threatens to fall off if you lean even a tiny bit forward. And I'm too afraid of marring the top to push it down.
BUT
It fits perfectly on the MIM hardware on my anniversary classic? I love the look of the ashtray, and I'd been weighing up getting one for the MIM, but now that it either doesn't or can't fit on the AVII, I'm just gonna keep it on the MIM
The ashtray bridge either doesn't fit, is a shitty design, or I'm an idiot. I figured it was a pressure fit that you'd push down and clip over the side of the bridge, but on the AVII it just kinda sits there, and threatens to fall off if you lean even a tiny bit forward. And I'm too afraid of marring the top to push it down.
BUT
It fits perfectly on the MIM hardware on my anniversary classic? I love the look of the ashtray, and I'd been weighing up getting one for the MIM, but now that it either doesn't or can't fit on the AVII, I'm just gonna keep it on the MIM
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jdr1014
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Re: Big NGD purchase
That's a beautiful guitar - congrats! 
As far as the bridge cover, usually you can bend the sides slightly to make it hold on your AVII. Done that on several Tele ashtrays.
As far as the bridge cover, usually you can bend the sides slightly to make it hold on your AVII. Done that on several Tele ashtrays.-
MrFingers
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Re: Big NGD purchase
It's a pity the AVII comes with a cheap generic MiC case in "G&G" style, but distinctly inferior. It's cost-cutting / increasing margins, but still rather inexcusable.
I treasure my actual G&G cases.
I treasure my actual G&G cases.
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PJazzmaster
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Looking really good. What is the weight of the guitar?
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Unicorn Warrior
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Congrats. Thats an awesome guitar. I’m very happy to see NGDs these days. Seems like we do not see enough of them anymore. Enjoy!
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Daitong II
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Re: Big NGD purchase
That is gorgeous, congrats.
Really makes me want one.
Really makes me want one.
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LeftyJ
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Lovely, that finish paired with the blocks and bindings is absolutely gorgeous. The case wouldn't be an issue for me as I only use gigbags. I would keep it because it came with the guitar, but I wouldn't use it. The cases for my Jazzmaster and Jaguar are keepers too, but are just taking up room.
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StrangeIdols
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Thanks everyone for the kind words! It's pretty wonderful!
Had my first outing with it last night, it absolutely screams, and I guess it's no surprise that everything falls under the hand very naturally. What I was surprised by though is how much faster the 7.25 radius feels compared to the 9.5 I'm used to!
Strongly recommend anyone considering one to go for it, they're wonderful, even if the case is kinda eh
Had my first outing with it last night, it absolutely screams, and I guess it's no surprise that everything falls under the hand very naturally. What I was surprised by though is how much faster the 7.25 radius feels compared to the 9.5 I'm used to!
Strongly recommend anyone considering one to go for it, they're wonderful, even if the case is kinda eh
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nothingtowish
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Re: Big NGD purchase
Love the color. I've never seen the bridge cover before, interesting. Looks so great next to the Anniversary!