Exploring the Gopherwood Guitar: A Unique Experience
Hey everyone, welcome back! Today we’re diving into an intriguing guitar brand that doesn’t get enough attention: Gopherwood. This review is particularly special because I’m not just showcasing a brand-new model; this is a guitar owned by a friend of mine, and I’ve borrowed it for this review. It’s always exciting to explore something new, especially when it comes to guitars!
Why Gopherwood?
So, why Gopherwood? I stumbled upon this brand while watching my friend play, and I was immediately intrigued. I had never heard of Gopherwood before, which made me want to find out more. The second interesting aspect of this review is that I don’t have the specific specs of this model. I couldn’t find much information online, which adds a layer of mystery to this review. Is it a discontinued model? A prototype? Who knows! Let's explore this guitar together and see what it has to offer.
First Impressions
Let’s start from the top and work our way down. The headstock features the Gopherwood logo, and on the back, there’s a serial number indicating it was made in Korea. This gives it a certain authenticity, right off the bat.
The tuners are reminiscent of Gibson’s style, and the tilt on the headstock isn’t bad, although I personally prefer a straighter alignment. Nevertheless, it stays in tune quite well, which is a big plus. The tuners are standard, likely a 18:1 ratio, which is common in many guitars.
Fretboard and Feel
Moving on to the fretboard, it appears to be either PO FOH or rosewood. It feels great to the touch, and I had no issues while playing. The fretwork is decent, comparable to a made-in-Mexico Strat, which I would rate around an 8 out of 10. It’s not perfect, but it certainly gets the job done.
The fretboard markers are present, making it easy to keep track of your position while playing. The double cutaway design allows for easy access to the upper fretboard, and I found that high notes ring out beautifully. It’s clear that this guitar has some sustain, which is a delightful surprise.
Acoustic and Electric Performance
Now, let’s talk about the sound. Even though the strings are used and not brand new, the acoustic quality is impressive. It has a nice resonance, which is expected from a hollow body guitar.
The tonal quality remains rich even when unplugged, and I believe it sounds great considering the strings’ condition. The double humbucking pickups are low-output, which gives it a more subdued, lower-gain style. This makes it suitable for certain genres, though I do feel it could benefit from a bit more punch.
Bridge and Electronics
The bridge reminds me of those Gibraltar bridges, which is a good thing. It feels smooth to the hand, and palm muting was effortless. However, the electronics could use some improvement. The three-way selector switch has a bit of crackling, indicating that it might need an upgrade in the future.
As for the volume and tone controls, they are straightforward, which I appreciate. There’s no unnecessary complexity—just what you need to get started. However, I do wish there were higher-quality switches, as many import guitars tend to skimp on these components.
Weight and Build Quality
One of the standout features of this guitar is its weight. Being a hollow body, it’s incredibly light compared to my Strat, which is around 8 lbs. This makes it comfortable for long playing sessions.
Despite not having the exact specs, it feels solid and well-built. The materials used seem to contribute to its warm tone, although I would have loved to try it with fresh strings to see how much of that warmth comes from the guitar versus the strings themselves.
Final Thoughts and Recommendations
In conclusion, the Gopherwood guitar is a worthy alternative to some of the more mainstream brands out there. While it has its quirks—like the scratchiness of the frets and the need for a better pickup—it’s far from being a bad instrument. I genuinely believe that Gopherwood offers solid craftsmanship and a unique sound that deserves recognition.
If you’re considering a 335-style guitar, I think Gopherwood is worth a shot. It’s not junk; it’s a solid instrument that could fit well into your collection. I’m eager to borrow more models from my friend, including a Tele and a Strat, to see how they compare. I’d love to hear your thoughts on Gopherwood guitars! Have you had any experience with them? Let me know in the comments below!
And remember, if you’re looking for quality music production tools, check out the Saucy Sounds Store for sample packs, MIDI chords, and more! Keep strumming, and I’ll see you in the next post!