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SX GG1K
List: $235
The SX GG1K is a Chinese guitar starter pack which includes the above depicted items. For those of us who are more brand name wary, the SX tag would only conjure images of a horrific guitar experience & would rather opt for a more dependable offering in the guise of Ibanez/ Yamaha/ Squier. What would make you invest in this SX package especially when it costs much lesser than the latter brand name offerings?
Construction/ fit/ finish
Despite its entry-level status & a virtually estranged brand name, the GG1 is a well-constructed guitar. In fact, it’s as good as any Ibanez/ Yamaha/ Squier starter unit out there. I would have expected a bland offering in terms of physiques but the GG1 was difficult to fault, even the neck/ body bolt-on was well done, no gaping slots visible there. My only concern here was the 3-way pickup selector switch which was a little loose but still very functional.
Playability/ tone
Unplugged, the GG1 sounded neutral; no particular brightness or inclinations toward the low frequency but that’s expected from a basswood unit, more so when it’s finished from one tip to the other. The frets feel very comfortable despite not being jumbo. The action is a little high by default, my 2.0 Dunlop Stubby pick slipped through easily from the bass side but it’s nothing you can’t tinker with to suit your needs.
Amplified, the drive tones from both the default humbuckers were distinct. The neck unit has a sweet Duncan ’59 vibe to it which is likeable, however, harmonics were difficult to conjure here, unlike the bridge counterpart which screams with every pinch executed. Also, the bridge pickup has a healthy dose of low-end for days when you play metal. Clean, the neck unit displayed nice comping tones for you jazz cats out there. The bridge humbucker sounded rather lacklustre driveless, I only appreciated its distorted tones.
A little on the neck; an impressive feel, very similar to Epiphone’s D-profile but a little thicker. The model I auditioned has a slight relief to it but it’s nothing severe or indicative of a dysfunctional unit, if you’re adventurous enough, a little truss rod twist would make it straight, if that’s the profile you desire. Do not expect immaculate upper fret access with this design, especially when the GG1 features a blocky heel, but with a little effort, you’d reach the 22nd fret quite easily.
Last say
A serious proposition- If you are looking for a starter pack which wouldn’t cost you an arm/ leg while offering serious playability & tone, I’d say you should check the SX GG1K out & evaluate your needs. The sub-$250 price tag is a no-brainer value for money, especially when there’s an amp & other desirable accessories thrown in. Personally, I wouldn’t mind paying for the guitar only at this price since the GG1 has proven its worth, beyond my expectations actually. Bear in mind that other brand name starter packs, especially the ones mentioned in the initial part of this review, retail for more than $350 on average. It’s now beyond me to convince you that the GG1 would make a splendid starter if you are a sensible buyer who prioritizes good tone & playability over established brand names. Swallow some pride, plug it in & check it out...
Rating: 83%
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PS: Note that the GG1 has a 3-way switching instead of the 5-way indicated in the pic.
PPS: Thank you brothers stars & cloudsky for coming along to check the SX GG1K out, I think we’re convinced that the guitar is a good player per se
