G-EC flame

Grass Root's G-EC debuted in September 2024 & now its flame veneer top iteration is here for your consideration. LTD's prices are going out of hand in the mean time. We thank ESP for the Edwards & Grassroots for us commoners.

Pic: ESP

SG week

Had been an SG week. I just prefer the playability & tone of the SG over the Les Paul but on some days, I love listening to the deeper distorted tones of the latter. Yes, the SG is plagued by that notorious neck dive but things remain playable if you get the hang of it. Dreaming of a single pickup SG because on most days, I only need one pickup. Someone suggested buying a modified pickguard but that doesn't address the 4-knobs situation. Really, I need only one knob 😅

Wishing everyone a good week ahead.

GSG

Monday, spending time with an unglam guitar - Grass Roots G-SG-STD. I love this one because the neck's a little wider than a Gibson. Come to think of it, it feels like a 2015 / 2017 Gibson model where the neck was indeed a little wider.

Of course, an obligatory re-string because it was last played in July & I don't remember wiping the strings down. We will be seeing lesser Edwards / Grass Roots guitars which bear resemblance to a Gibson due to copyright infringement issues, of course.

Good grass

The LP-like Grass Roots singlecut model has been available at Davis GMC for a while. The Grass Roots name is akin to the 'Squier' of the ESP brand. 

Only the initiated would know that Grass Roots has some serious value for money considerations to offer in their instruments, regardless of the series. The above video would shed some light as to why these things are, in my opinion, a little under-rated. 

Pic: ESP Japan 

Review quickie: Grass Roots G-SE-58M/SC

There's no hiding the fact that this is an outright Strat copy. This one has a scalloped fretboard, not quite obvious in this picture. FYI, the Grass Roots (non-Japanese) name is a budget version of the Edwards (Japanese) lineup which are replications of Gibson & Fender instruments in addition to its own series of offerings.

Likes

• quality construction, fit & finish
• good overdriven / distorted tones
• price

Dislikes

• stiff tuners (2 units)
• poorly cut backplate 
• input jack angled up excessively

I was expecting a downtrodden Squier-esque craftsmanship; something riding on the remarkable reputation of its eminent sister brand but this G-SE-58M holds its own. Yes, it's a flagrant copy of a Strat & those scalloped fretboards are not unique to the Grass Roots / Edwards name. The construction quality here is very impressive for the price. In fact, it would easily put some higher tier Squiers to shame. This guitar was let down by its obviously cheap set of tuners with two units proving to be stiff & threatening to invite distasteful opinions by enthusiastic players. The badly cut slot of its cover plate didn't help either; its uneven edges are at best a novice affair. I'm still wondering if the input jack was intentionally angled up more to avoid cable plug contact with the plate or was it a sheer reject from the start; this escaping QC scrutiny is concerning. However, this guitar proved to be addictive & I will credit it for its overdriven tones & overall feel. In clean mode, the budget single coils would give themselves away; these are next to characterless without the aid of any driven influence. All in all, a positive investment if you don't mind the unalluring brand name at the headstock.

Overall rating: 79%

Grass Roots: G-SE-58M/SC

Availability: Davis GMC

Price: $650 (bag not included)

New Horizon

ESP's Horizon III is now offered as a Grass Roots version (new for 2011: G-HR-68) & they still look enticing. As it is a budget manifestation, the pickups are in-house units (but I suspect they are GOTOHs) & the Floyd Rose bridge is the Special model.

Rooting the MG

 

Had a great time with my Marshall MG10 & Grass Roots G-LP-50S. I lowered the guitar's action slightly but I am still unaccustomed to the .010 set of strings in there. Playing time was an endurance act, really, but the tone & neck profile of this guitar made me play on. The MXR Distortion + plugged into this amp also helped me maintain clarity throughout, especially when the neck humbucker is in use.There's no delicious LP-type tone to be heard, it's what I like to hear; lots of Marshall growl & individual note clarity. In fact, had some serious shredding going on & the picking hand gave in to lethargy & quasi-cramps on a few occasions. Nevertheless, a very satisfying day with some budget equipment in my possession.