NGD: Happy birthday to me (Shijie custom shop)

[7NationArmy]

What are some notable features to consider when selecting a mandolin, and how do these features affect its tone and playability?

[7NationArmy]

What are some popular techniques used by guitarists to create unique and memorable solos in various genres of music?

[1neeto]

Wow that’s a beauty congrats!

[jseth]

Wow! Gorgeous guitar!!!

First time I'd heard of the builder, but I can see why you have several of their instruments... have a blast playing that thing!

[Chickee]

Purple/Violet guitars to me are the same as the mythical call of the sea sirens that no mortal man could resist. I turn to jelly when i see purple guitars.😂

The parts list looks very solid and well chosen. The brass nut I don't get on a pretty expensive guitar, but I am biased, I just don’t understand the choice. Is the top a real flame maple cap or a veneer finish? A 5A rated slab of flame maple doesn't come as a budget item and I see their guitars aren’t at all inexpensive, especially the custom rigs they build.

Happy Birthday, 7NA! You are celebrating in style🎂

frank d.

[JustGlyphs]

Gorgeous instrument. Not enough purple guitars in the world. Congrats!

[bendandsnap]

Congrats! Great looking guitar!

[DaveyC]

You must be one of their best costumers 7NA - getting a "happy birthday" from the owner Alex Wong was nice! I'm up to 6 Shijie guitars now, but they are all production guitars, so far. The most recent was an older 2021 STN "Black Pearl" stratocaster (white/rosewood/humbucker), which I like more than the slightly newer (both from 2021) "STE Pro". I like the older "Japan 57" pickups sound more than the "Japan 62" pickups used later - which are hotter. I also prefer the earlier Wilkenson bridge with six screws, that came decked on a steel block with 4 springs, while newer STE came with 3-springs and 2-point floating bridge that sits on big brass block. The STN/Black Pearl has a slightly chunkier neck with more shoulders, the STE is slightly less chunky and more of a C shape. They are both from 2021, the serial number is the year followed by the sequential number built that year (I assume), so they are only a few hundred guitars apart. Maybe mid-2021 was when the factory moved and model names were changed at the new factory perhaps.....?
(hopefully Shijie will upgrade their website, including a company history)

[7NationArmy]

The composition of brass can vary, with the proportion of copper to zinc typically ranging from around 60% copper and 40% zinc to 90% copper and 10% zinc, depending on the specific application and desired characteristics.

[7NationArmy]

"GAS" stands for "Guitar Acquisition Syndrome." It's a term used within the guitar-playing community to describe the strong desire or compulsion to acquire new guitars.

[Glennwillow]

Wow, what a beautiful guitar! Awesome! Good for you!

- Glenn

[jricc]

Beautiful guitar! Congrats and Happy Birthday!

[PTony]

That….is….gorgeous! I agree with Chickee. Weak in the knees, lol. I prefer chrome/nickel over gold. But, beyond that…outstanding. The pickguard is fantastic! Well done. Enjoy that beautiful addition. I’m sure it plays and sounds sublime.

[marty bradbury]

Beautiful guitar! Have fun!

[ghostnote]

I’d never get through a whole song playing that guitar - I’d keep putting down to look at it some more!