Stu's TOUR Guitar review, one of three

[imported_vangit]

Hey guys
Sorry for the delay to post some stuff. Still a bit crazy here with the one month old, and today we got about 12 inches of snow dumped on us.

When I buy a guitar, I base my choice on three things (other than price), Looks, Feel, and Sound. So I thought I would start my review with the Looks section.

*I did NOT use a flash on any photos and did NOT edit the photos.

Obviously the first thing I saw was the case. I LOVE it. Looks like a piece of vintage luggage. The case also has very large interior storage, a humidity control system and protective feet on the bottom and side. They only downside some may find is that itís big and heavy. If you gig, you may leave this case at home and throw your Schroeder in a gig bag. Hereís a pic next to a PRS case for size reference.
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129267964.jpg

Open the case and POW. The pics Jason posted didnít do it justice (hmmmm, next Christmas may call for a better digital camera :D ). Here are two pics of the guitar in the case. You can see in the pics that it is a one piece top. Just gorgeous soft quilt. Beautiful stain work with no bleed threw.
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129047824.jpg
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129047378.jpg

The Black Limba used for the back wood looks great and makes a very nice contrast with the natural maple binding, and compliments the rosewood neck well. The neck is so perfectly shaped, itís quite amazing there is no computerized machines involved.
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129267998.jpg
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129268323.jpg

Hereís a pic of the belly carve. Not only does it look great, I love it. Iíll explain in my FEEL review.
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129267987.jpg

Hereís a pic of the S-Jack plate and the Back plate. Real cool, tight fit.
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129268319.jpg

Something pretty cool is Jason would like everyone that is on the TOUR to write their name and state\zip on the case.
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129267974.jpg

LOOKS CONCLUSION. The guitar is gorgeous. If you were to just look at the guitar not knowing anything about it you would be impressed. Once you are realize that it was made with no computerized equipmentÖ..hell, the top is carved with a chiselÖ..it just blows you away. It may sound stupid but there is defiantly a ìMo Joî factor when you realize how it was made.

Stay tuned for the FEEL review.

[imported_DrPCR]

great review Stu

I talked to Stu on the phone tonight while he had the guitar in hand. He strummed it for me unplugged throught the phone and it sounded amazing. I thought he had it plugged in.

I can't wait to get to play this thing. I really don't care if it looks pretty, which it is and thats a bonus, I just feel that this guitar is going to sound great and feel like a "players" guitar.

[imported_sleepingtiger]

Gorgeous, just gorgeous!

[imported_Will]

Sounds Great Stu! I can't wait to see it myself! Really nice pictures. I look forward to your sounds review. I've seen on the news the snow fall that you guys have had out there. Stay warm!

It's 34 degrees out here and I thought this was cold.

Cheers, Will

[imported_Will]

Hey Stu, Can you take a picture of the guitar next to a PRS for a side by side shot of the differences in the two? Just a thought.

Thanks, Will

[imported_vangit]

Hey Stu, Can you take a picture of the guitar next to a PRS for a side by side shot of the differences in the two? Just a thought.

Thanks, Will

Sure, I'll do it later.

If you guys want any other specific pics, just let me know.

[imported_Schroeder]

Wow Stu. That camera actually makes the guitar look like it does in real life. Very nice photos.

[imported_WHY_U_TRY]

STu I think I might have to come down and take that guitar from you earlier than Sunday now buddy 8) I am planning on coming with you Sunday to that guitar show down at Brookdale College

[imported_Shadscbr]

Great review so far Stu...thanks!!

Oh yeah, I love the pics too. The body curves are a thing of beauty :D

Shad

[imported_Chun13]

Waow !

Guys, I really can't wait for Jason to start my limba SC !

Nice work !

[imported_kev]

Just outstanding! Great work Jason and nice pictures Stu, thanks!

Kev

[imported_Hansv]

I can't wait to hear all the reviews, I've been waiting for this to make the rounds so I can hear what everyone has to say, my order will be going in shortly if everything is a thumbs up. I am sure there are others in the same position as me... get ready to get flooded Jason :)

[imported_Big Mike]

That thing looks better in person. I swear.

Freaking cool.

[imported_Will]

The suspense is killing me! LOL! Looking forward to Stu's tone report. About the pickups and how versatile they are. I know the guitar is stunning. That's a given! Jason's quality of work is in no question here.

Will

[imported_vangit]

The suspense is killing me! LOL! Looking forward to Stu's tone report. About the pickups and how versatile they are. I know the guitar is stunning. That's a given! Jason's quality of work is in no question here.

Will

I PROMISE I'll have the review done in the next day or two. Hard to type when I'm changeing diapers :D

[imported_Will]

LOL Stu! I know where your at with the diapers! My daughter turns 2 next month. They say you get used to changing diapers as time goes on and they get older. I still can't stand changing dirty diapers. But I do it. But every once in a awhile I bribe my wife to change them when it's just to smelly. My wife has developed a great wardrobe in the last 2 years and a new truck, dvd player in the truck, custom wheels, you get the idea.

I think I should start changing more diapers so that I can afford a couple of JZS guitars..LOL!

Will

[imported_vangit]

LOL Stu! I know where your at with the diapers! My daughter turns 2 next month. They say you get used to changing diapers as time goes on and they get older. I still can't stand changing dirty diapers. But I do it. But every once in a awhile I bribe my wife to change them when it's just to smelly. My wife has developed a great wardrobe in the last 2 years and a new truck, dvd player in the truck, custom wheels, you get the idea.

I think I should start changing more diapers so that I can afford a couple of JZS guitars..LOL!

Will

I'de be knee deep in dirty diapers if it meant getting a few more Schroeders! It's going to be hard giving this guitar to Tommy Sunday.

[imported_vangit]

Hey Stu, Can you take a picture of the guitar next to a PRS for a side by side shot of the differences in the two? Just a thought.

Thanks, Will

Here is a head on shot. You can see the PRS cutaways are on the same line, "the cresant shape". Jasons cut aways are offset. Jsaons distance from bridge to stap button (gutiar butt) is also smaller than a PRS. Obviously the pictures only show the guitar in two dimensions. In person, I believe Tour guitar is more drastically arched
http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129590422.jpg

Side view: You can See the Tour guitar has a much deeper belly carve and more drastic belly carve to horn thickness.

http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129590413.jpg

Back view: As you can see, quite different. PRS has it's cresant shape while Jasons offset cutaways flow. I think Jasons design adds a little neck to body contact (Jason would have to comment)

http://pic2.picturetrail.com/VOL1004/4368191/9223655/129590409.jpg

I love PRS guitras and will always own a few. But when you look at the designs, I think Jasons is a bit more artistic.

[imported_vangit]

FEEL report up guys
http://www.norcalguitars.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=182