NGD Strandberg Boden Original 6

[seannx]

Have this on a two week trial (no questions return policy), and so far love it. Did extensive research, read all the reviews, watched all the YouTube videos, and the only somewhat negative comments (on the current production models) were that Strandbergs seem expensive for an Indonesian made guitar.

Strandberg customer support was really helpful with questions, said the choice to make them in Indonesia was for quality control, and due to their proprietary hardware, it keeps costs down as much as possible.

Here are the specs:
GENERAL
Bolt-On Construction
Chambered Body
Arm, Torso and Heel Carves
Book-matched Solid 4A Flame Maple Top
Swamp Ash Body
Roasted Maple Neck, Carbon Fiber reinforced
Roasted Birdseye Maple Fretboard
Approximate Weight 2.3 kg / 5 lbs
Standard Lightweight Gig Bag Included
Manufactured in Indonesia
VITAL STATS
25.5” – 25” scale lengths
EndurNeck™ Profile
20″ Fretboard Radius
24 Frets
Jescar 57110 Stainless Steel Fretwire
Strandberg* EGS Series 5 fixed bridge & string locks
Black Hardware
Original Luminlay™ Blue Side Dots’
Original Luminlay™ Blue Inlays
Available Finishes: Natural/Red/Black Semi-gloss Polyurethane
SONIC PROFILE
H – H Pickup Configuration
Neck: Suhr™ SSV
Bridge: Suhr™ SSH+
5-Way Pickup Selector
Neck
Neck outer coil
Neck + Bridge in parallel
Neck inner coil + Bridge inner coil in parallel
Bridge
Master Volume + Master Tone

The ergonomic body shape is super comfortable, and lets you play in multiple positions. Mine weighs all of 4.5 pounds. The Suhr pickups sound incredible through my 68 Custom Princeton Reverb and Bugera V5 Infinium. Am really impressed with the tuners and headless hardware design, and the fan fret EndurNeck is a dream to play. The finish is silky smooth, and the tapered geometry of the back is easy to adapt to, and very comfortable. Build quality is excellent, and I think this one is a keeper.

The obligatory photos...

[Dru Edwards]

Congrats! Guessing there are not too many Indonesian made guitars with Suhr pickups. Where did you order it from? Is it a keeper?

[seannx]

Ordered it direct from Strandberg US. Am really liking the guitar, and think it's a keeper. One of the YouTube videos compared a Suhr guitar with the same pickups through the same amp and settings to the Strandberg, and the sound was exactly the same.

[Gordon Currie]

Nice looking instrument!

I've had my eye on Strandberg for awhile, but have yet to see one in person.

They are sought after by a lot of folks into metal. I'm wondering if that is your style, and if not, what drew you to this particular maker?

I am a big fan of super light electric guitars as well as headless.

[seannx]

Originally Posted by Gordon Currie

Nice looking instrument!

I've had my eye on Strandberg for awhile, but have yet to see one in person.

They are sought after by a lot of folks into metal. I'm wondering if that is your style, and if not, what drew you to this particular maker?

I am a big fan of super light electric guitars as well as headless.

Am not into metal, mainly play blues and rock, and got the standard version. Couldn't play any locally, so ordered from Strandberg direct. They have a two week "no questions asked" return policy. The motivation came from my guitarist/music major son. He plays a lot, was starting to have occasional cramping on his fretting hand, and started researching headless fan fret guitars. I'm playing a lot more electric lately, and noticed some minor discomfort in my fretting hand, so I decided to try out Strandbergs ergonomic design. YouTube videos like this one, were really helpful...

[Livingston]

Wow! Cool looking guitar. Congratulations!

[guitararmy]

Wow that's a beauty!!
Congratulations! Is it hard to find replacement strings?

[seannx]

Originally Posted by guitararmy

Wow that's a beauty!!
Congratulations! Is it hard to find replacement strings?

Thanks! It comes with D'Addario NYXL 10 - 46 (10 - 13 - 17 - 26 - 36 - 46) strings, and that's what I use almost all of my electrics anyway, so no problem there.

[KevWind]

Wow congrats , looks to be fairly future proof

[Vyse Hazuky]

I had seen these guitars for a while, but hadn't seen up close pics like these. I was especially interested in a Strandberg Sälen. I hadn't realised these were made in Indonesia, and that's certainly a mental block for me but there's also no doubt east asia is where the future of guitar building (and not just factories, but also handmade instruments) seems to be...

It looks flawless.

[PTony]

Very nice! Love the ergonomic look. I bet it plays like a breeze. Congratulations! I hope it ends up being a keeper. Keep us posted and play it in good health.

[seannx]

My 2 weeks were up Saturday, and the guitar is a keeper. Am really enjoying the ergonomic shape, and body contours. The build quality is excellent, along with the proprietary hardware. I think the same model with equal specs would cost significantly more if made in the US, with the only difference being the price. So I'm more than fine with it being made in Indonesia.

It's my first guitar with stainless steel frets, and bends are so smooth and easy. The EndurNeck is so comfortable to play, and it was very easy to adjust to, along with the fan fret design. I'm glad I took the chance to order it without playing one first.

[ghostnote]

That's really cool looking. Not my personal taste, but cool nonetheless. I think I once saw one of those on a Star Trek episode...
Enjoy it - NGD is always a good day!

[BigTim]

and it also looks like it could go mach 2 for some speed playing too!! Wow totally cool looking and different. I looked at some of the Kiesel vader style guitars but I do not think I will ever pull the trigger one something like that. However, I think it would be fun to test drive one. Congrats if you keep it. It is a nice looking piece or work I think too. The neck profile looks fantastic by the way.

[seannx]

Originally Posted by BigTim

and it also looks like it could go mach 2 for some speed playing too!! Wow totally cool looking and different. I looked at some of the Kiesel vader style guitars but I do not think I will ever pull the trigger one something like that. However, I think it would be fun to test drive one. Congrats if you keep it. It is a nice looking piece or work I think too. The neck profile looks fantastic by the way.

Interesting that you mention Kiesel, as it was the first brand my son was considering. The owner of our local stores recommended Strandberg as a better option. After finding out all I could from print and video reviews, and learning about the benefits for playing comfort, I went with the Strandberg Boden original 6. The shape sure looks different, but if the right lower part was filled in like on more regular electrics, it would fit right in. The purpose of the inward curve there is to allow for more ergonomic seated playing positions. It can rest on the right inner or left outer thigh, and combined with the rest of the body shape, contours, and the fan fret EndurNeck it's so comfortable, and light. Here's a link to more about the neck design: https://strandbergguitars.com/strandberg-endurneck/

I'm looking forward to when my son is home from college this June, when he can try it. He's a music major at UCSD, an excellent guitarist, and I think he'll probably want one of the seven string models with a trem. Six strings are plenty for me.