When you are shopping for a moderately priced instrument, contrary to what people think, you need to pay special attention and care to your choice. It is very important that the guitar be the best it can possibly be. The idea that if you are going to spend little it doesn't matter what you buy is more than wrong. Besides looking for an appearance that satisfies you, you should try to get a guitar that stays in tune as well as possible, with the best-quality intonation you can find (that is, in tune all along its fretboard), that doesn't buzz or make strange noises, and that isn't excessively stiff. All of these things will help you work through your exercises and even sound reasonably decent in your band. This is the first time this brand (like others) has come through our test bench. The first impression was of a guitar that is attractive to look at, aggressive but discreet. It gives off a powerful look and appears heavy-hitting, among other things because of its clearly visible dual-coil pickups. Two PAF-style humbuckers. Specifically, two LP 9s.
There are no major references on the Internet about the instrument, although I have seen exchanges and comments about the brand on various forums around the web. However, you can go to www.ferrermusical.com to quench your thirst for information about the make, as they are the ones who distribute the brand in Spain.
Body and Neck
As you can see in the photographs, the cut is total "Les Paul." You could say it suits it quite well, if we relate it to the type of sound it delivers, differences aside, because when we talk about a Gibson Les Paul, we're talking about the big leagues.
The guitar is heavy which, along with its pickup artillery and looks, gives a feeling of power before it is plugged in. It is the first time I have used a guitar built on this material for the body: agathis.
As for the woods used in the neck (maple) and fretboard (rosewood), I'm surprised that such fine woods are achieved considering the 175 € asked for it.
Its Excellent Value for the Money
At first glance, before plugging in, I had the impression that this was a budget guitar (although I didn't imagine how much). Gradually, and especially yesterday, the day I was testing it, it pleasantly surprised me. Even more so today, the day I learned the exact price.
To be absolutely frank, I am not overly in favor of cheap guitars, even for learning, because in many cases manufacturing costs are cut so much to reach a low selling price that the end result is completely unplayable. That result (in general) makes beginners go through hell just to play reasonably in tune, or discourages them when they try to do certain things they hear other guitarists do and can't pull them off (obviously, practice and experience are needed too).
I mention all this because this is one of the few instruments at such affordable prices that offers more than reasonable quality. I would even say it has a very pleasant touch in its sound (a fighting sound, basically).
So, and I think for the first time in my writing, I state that I find it an interesting purchase for musicians who are starting out, and even as a second guitar (on the cheap), because its value for the money is surprising.
In Testing
Almost instantly, after plugging in the cable, the Stix was asking for some grit. So right off the bat I added some effects tweaks full of distortion. I thought I knew what I would hear, but no. It sounds better than I expected. It has a dark, muted, low and powerful color. To these characteristics is added an interesting natural roundness that ultimately delivers a solid sound.
I planned to start an aggressive, heavy-style demo, but the guitar wanted to stretch out (to my taste) in a different setting. Since the body of its sound especially caught my attention, I started playing around in the highs, sustaining notes in fifths. Later, enjoying those long notes, I began adding lows (with a fifth and a sixth) to that playing.
Another surprise, since I started playing these passages in different positions on the neck and the tuning/intonation was quite reasonable.
I'll also note the emission of some more than curious feedback you can get from the guitar. The advantage is that you can play with more nuances, harmonics and sounds, depending on your gain levels on the distortion effects (and volume), in combination with your position relative to the speakers. The downside is that they are quite shrill and sensitive, meaning they kick in at the slightest provocation if you're working with powerful distortion, and sometimes you'll have to avoid feedback at unwanted moments.
Bridge, Pickups and Feel
I think putting on a fixed Tune-o-Matic bridge is a smart idea. Although, as I mentioned, the guitar is not bad at all for 175 €, I doubt it could comfortably withstand the assault on tuning that a floating bridge (or rather, its aggressive use) brings.
As for its pickups, I confess they have a striking sound. Keep in mind that this instrument was under test alongside others worth 10 times more. So, being objective, the Stix had a tough time meeting expectations. Well, it met them, within that dark vibe I described a few lines ago.
All its hardware is chrome, which gives it an "elegant" touch. The tuning machines are nothing to write home about, but they do their job quite well: keeping the tuning as stable as possible and helping us set the best tuning for the instrument.
The feel of the fretboard is surprisingly smooth and comfortable, especially when we consider the class of instrument this Stix sits in. Obviously you don't feel the spotless precision of a luxury guitar, but little explanation is needed to understand that this isn't possible for under 200 €.
Conclusions
I think essentially everything has been said. Few guitars in this price range will offer you such a well-judged balance: good sound, good looks, reasonably comfortable feel and more accurate tuning than usual in cheap instruments.
The best thing is to stop by your usual store and try it and judge it yourself. In my view, at this price there are few better things.
