U.S. Masters guitars...

[zorrow]

I just discovered this: http://www.usmasters.com/. Some of them look really amazing! Has anyone here tried one?

[Brewmaster]

I never tried one but I believe they were making part of the Dean USA line for a while.

Maybe they still are.

BTMN would know, he keeps up with what Dean is doing better than I do.

[Guest Meshuggah]

They do a Talladega lookalike

http://www.usmasters.com/SportsterCustomFlametop.htm

[Guest cruster]

Back several years ago, when I was taking lessons, my instructor had one of their strat-o-copies with a amber finished lacewood body (or maybe it was a top on an ash back, can't remember). The neck was either satin finished or raw (again, it's been a while), but it had a great feel. Construction seemed to be top shelf, but it was a bolt on, so...

The music store he teaches out of had a used one in trans blue over one-piece ash, at the time. They had it tagged at $600, which I thought was pretty reasonable. When I went in the next week, thinking I'd make an offer, it was gone. My instructor had picked it up as a backup.

[Steve Haynie]

Back in the 90's a rep brought in some U.S. Masters guitars to the store where I was working. The store did not pick up the line, but I do remember the guitars looked nice. No one had a problem with the quality, either. The store did not pick up the brand at the time because it was new and the store had several lines of guitars at that time.

[shredmeister]

I belong to a couple guitar forums. A lot of guys over at the Jackson Forum have had these and they say the quality is off the charts.

They were started by some guys that use to work for Washburn. They make some of the USA Deans.

They have some patents on their stuff. Really cool necks and neck joints.

I was actually speaking to them the other day and they are coming out with a new guitar that I am considering buying. I have a pic but they are still working out all of the details.

They have one of their guitars at American Guitar Boutique here in MPLS and I am going to go there this week end to try one out.

[edgar_allan_poe]

I had one for a while. Nice guitars. Build quality was fantastic.

[BTMN]

I am not sure which models they build with certainty but I will do a lil research and get back to you. I do know the guy who was coordinating and head of Deans design department recently went to work for USMasters and he like to crank it out when it comes to being good quality work. Mick Donner is a good Bass player too. IIRC, they build the Pro Series and Time Capsules Pointy guitars and a company in California builds the Hardtail and Vendetta USAs. I will try to find out if it is something differant.

[straightblues]

Anybody know what they are charging for these guitars?

[prototype-fan]

Anybody know what they are charging for these guitars?

They appear to be in the $500 - $1K range according to reviews on Harmony Central. Seems very reasonable for instruments made in the US of A.

[BadgerDave]

Does anyone know if that's Dick and Dave Regenberg in the photo?

From what I've heard they are (or were) the primary owners/managers of US Masters. I knew Dick and Dave way back when they owned Regenberg Music on University Ave in Middleton, WI, but I haven't seen them in 20 years. Great guys. Dave did all kinds of "above and beyond" stuff for the band I was in, like running sound, lending us equipment from the store, and engineering recording sessions (on 4 track open reel tape!).

[Sitamoia50]

I Picked up this US Masters custom shop guitar from ebay for an insanely low price a few months back on a whim. It just looked like too good a guitar for the low price he was asking (I bought it for $549 and it was a $1700 custom ordered LeGrand Legend, he included the receipt and i talked at length to the guys at us masters who were incredibly helpful and just super nice). When I first got it I was playing strictly set neck guitars so it was a little while before i got real comfortable with it........long story short, it is now my main guitar and one of the nicest guitar Ive owned. All top of the line stuff. Pickups are custom Bill lawrence pickups and sound great. The neck is just insane! I really can't rave enough about it. they are compared to Andersons, Suhrs etc. but more reasonably priced. If you have a chance try one, its worth it.

[clmazza]

Does anyone know if that's Dick and Dave Regenberg in the photo?

From what I've heard they are (or were) the primary owners/managers of US Masters. I knew Dick and Dave way back when they owned Regenberg Music on University Ave in Middleton, WI, but I haven't seen them in 20 years. Great guys. Dave did all kinds of "above and beyond" stuff for the band I was in, like running sound, lending us equipment from the store, and engineering recording sessions (on 4 track open reel tape!).

The guy on the left is Mick Donner (Almost positive) ... formerly of Dean Guitars. I'm not sure of the guy on the right.

US Masters indeed made (makes) a good majority of the USA Deans... including the TC's and Hardtails. Killer company that makes very good guitars at Great prices!

[BTMN]

Picture tag says Brian.gif but yeah that is Mick on the left.

[BadJaxx]

on their website, i saw list prices from $2300 to $3000, which would indicate much higher prices than mentioned...

[Eric Weston]

There's a used one at the local music store here in Golden Valley(My Music Store). Trans purple with a subtly flamed maple top, 2 point non-locking trem, HSS. It's VERY nice....$1099.

[BTMN]

The cat in the picture with Mick is Brian Bromberg.

http://www.brianbromberg.net/

Looks like he WAS a Dean endorsee.

Any V lovers might want to check out that New V they are making. Looks cool. New thing US Masters is do is an interesting take on Mahogany necks by putting in a Maple core to take the "mushyness" out of all Mahogany. Might have to check it out myself.

[shredmeister]

I have been looking at a new model that they are coming out with.

I dont like the headstock but look at that upper fret access. And their neck joints are killer.

I am going to check out the one in Golden Valley to get a feel for their necks (compound radius). If I like it I am going to get one of these when they finalize the details....

[Sitamoia50]

I have been looking at a new model that they are coming out with.

I dont like the headstock but look at that upper fret access. And their neck joints are killer.

I am going to check out the one in Golden Valley to get a feel for their necks (compound radius). If I like it I am going to get one of these when they finalize the details....

If the neck is anything like my Masters then you will be amazed. It's just a pleasure to play. seriously, when you pick it up and play it, it's like a treat. Plays head and shoulders above a lot of other necks out there in guitarworld. It's hard to describe the feel of it, so very different, so very playable. Your right on about the neck joint, the "lip" that locks the neck & body is "oh so solid". Please give a report when you try the new Masters, looks very "intruiging".

[jettster]

Those look pretty damn sweet!!!

[ZR]

That's extremely cool! Where do you see that on their website? I couldn't find it. How much will it cost? Is that just a paint finish or some kind of actual carbon fiber material/overlay?

[shredmeister]

It is not in production yet - it is on the drawing board. I spoke with Dave - one of the builders.

I said I don't like any of your body shapes on your website - he said we have this new one coming out still on the drawing board and sent me an email of this.

The don't have the truss rod details worked out yet nor the bridge. They are coming out with an innovation on the Floyd Rose design he said and this guitar may have it.

He said to call him in 3 months.

I am trying to persuade them to change the headstock but I don't have much hope that there is a chance. All of their machinery is designed around this headstock. They would have to retool and design a whole new neck because all of their guitars have a one piece neck - that is NO scarf joint.

They also are not sure yet on the woods that will be used or the graphics. This is just a drawing they did.

[serial]

I've seen that finish in person (BCR Greg had one in his shop a couple of years back)-it looks "interesting". SOrt of like black corduroy/tweed but under a smooth finish.

[shredmeister]

I've seen that finish in person (BCR Greg had one in his shop a couple of years back)-it looks "interesting". SOrt of like black corduroy/tweed but under a smooth finish.

I would not get that finish anyway. YUK.

Flamed maple top for me.

I get all of my guitars custom made these days. After going through lots of guitars and playing everything I could get my hands on after all these years I figured out what I like in terms of function. And I can only find them by ordering a custom made one.

Bolt on - they get more growl than other styles of contruction. A good one will have as much sustain as a neck through.

Maple necks and fingerboards - I find these to be more toneful than ebony and can get more growl than rosewood. I like the very percussive sound of maple. Its very articulate at high speeds.

Nut - 1-11/16" nut. 1-5/8" makes my fingers feel cramped - a huge difference in feel.

No scarf joint in the neck - don't like glue in between the wood on my guitars.

Frets - Dunlop 6105 preferebly stainless steel. The 6105's are thinner and taller than the 6100 so the strings touch the surface of the fret less - thereby getting better sustain.

24 frets, Floyd Rose or similar bridge. Nothing stays in tune like a good Floyd Rose. Plus I use it. The springs on a Floyd Rose are supose to be 25% stiffer than other brands - transfering to better sustain and resonance.

Fingerboard - no fret markers - only side markers. Frets 22 - 24 scalloped (thanks Ibanez - the best thing about the JEM I owned was giving me this idea). Better sound and sustain on the smaller frets.

Neck Width and Shape - I like a slim C shape with a flat backside shape. This pronounces the curved sides of the fretboard - makes it easier for me to grab onto for vibrato.

Combination Radius neck.

I don't like my necks too thin. I have bigger hands and longer fingers and those Wizard type ulta thin necks suck for vibrato. I like a reasonable neck. You don't need a super thin neck to play fast - thats a myth.

Once I get my guitars I have them set up by a professional. I also either block the trem or add something like an ESP arming adjuster for added contact of the bridge and body of the guitar. It seems to aid in sustain and resonance between the neck and body.

[SteveC]

I've had a U.S. Masters "strat" style guitar for about 5 years. Excellent build quality, feel and sound. The problem is, the company went to market by establishing a dealer network, then decided to also sell direct to players at a substantial discount via the internet. Made it very difficult (impossible?) for dealers to compete. I haven't really kept up with the U.S. Masters company, but I would guess the only way to get a new one now is direct?