NGD Fret King

KrisGee

I don't buy too often recently due to uncertain times ahead but this was cheap enough to pull a trigger.
Cheap and cheerful must say, my first Fret King and pleasantly surprised with how nice it plays. Comfy, chunky neck and vari coil thing does VERY convincing strat type tones.

Anyone else on here digging their Fret King?

Winny_Pooh

Looks cool, the p90 in the middle feels more "correct" than a single. Stock pickups?

KrisGee

Thanks. All stock mate and good enough to leave as it is

KrisGee

grungebob

These look very nice. Would like to try one sometime. 

KrisGee

Defo worth checking out mate.

donbot

I kinda like it. What model is it? Can’t seem to find anything like it on their site.

KrisGee

It's an Elan Super 60 HB, here on their website:

https://fret-king.com/super-60-hb-538.html#.XshbpRjTU0E

Not sure if they still make them though. Not even sure if FK are still an active company - I had a few questions regarding the guitar prior to purchase and after and had zero response to my questions. 

Superb guitar though, really tempted to try other models.

Sassafras

Were Fret Kings originally designed by Trevor Wilkinson?

fields5069

I had a Jerry Donahue tele-type, the one with Wilkinson pickups. I liked it, but was aware it was some sort of prototype with either too many or not enough neck bolts when compared with the production version. Also seemed to have a seized truss rod, so I traded it at some point, but it sounded very nice indeed. I've been tempted to buy one of the newer versions with Seymour Duncan pickups. 

KrisGee

Sassafras said:

Were Fret Kings originally designed by Trevor Wilkinson?

Yep. I think they're a step up in quality from Vintage guitars, fancier designs etc. It's all Wilkinson hardware and pickups, apart from Gotoh magnum locking tuners. 

DrBob

I used to have an Esprit V. The neck on it was great. If I’d been gigging it would’ve been the tool for the job ! 

kentuckyklira

I have a made in England Elan 50 in gold. It's currently my go to guitar at band rehearsal.

kentuckyklira

KrisGee said:

Sassafras said:

Were Fret Kings originally designed by Trevor Wilkinson?

Yep. I think they're a step up in quality from Vintage guitars, fancier designs etc. It's all Wilkinson hardware and pickups, apart from Gotoh magnum locking tuners. 

AFAIK Wilkinson started Fret King before Vintage. I know they had a major setback when the place they were storing their wood in burnt down. That's when they moved most production abroad, first to the Czech Republic and then to Asia. Trevor isn't involved in Fret King anymore. I had an issue with one of my Fret Kings a few years ago, post Wilkinson, and they sent me a few parts and some tips on how to take care of of the problem for free. Mind you, it was a guitar I got used.

This was a few years ago, can't say what's going on there nowadays.

les287

I've got a blue label éclat, deffo a keeper (on the look out for a blue one)

https://i.imgur.com/z0trkRv.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IZa5AHi.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TvqKCoq.jpg

rawk100

Heres my blue label Esprit which has a BK Cold Sweat in the bridge. Its a great guitar and gets played more than my Gibsons....
https://i.imgur.com/5dPUTqz.jpg

monquixote

rawk100 said:

Heres my blue label Esprit which has a BK Cold Sweat in the bridge. Its a great guitar and gets played more than my Gibsons....
https://i.imgur.com/5dPUTqz.jpg

I had one like that.

Great guitar!

kentuckyklira

rawk100 said:

Heres my blue label Esprit which has a BK Cold Sweat in the bridge. Its a great guitar and gets played more than my Gibsons....
https://i.imgur.com/5dPUTqz.jpg

Here´s my made in the Czech Republic Esprit.

Stratavarious

I have an Esprit with 3x P90.

Instant no. 1 gigging guitar... stock pickups are superb. Interesting shape without being too out there.  Superb neck. 

Always worth a try if you spot one.

Kittyfrisk

rawk100 said:

Heres my blue label Esprit which has a BK Cold Sweat in the bridge. Its a great guitar and gets played more than my Gibsons....
https://i.imgur.com/5dPUTqz.jpg

@rawk100 ; Which year, model etc. is your Gibson LP?

rawk100

@Kittyfrisk its a 1980 standard in tobacco sunburst, ive had it for nearly 30 years and gigged the arse out of it so its a bit battered. Its not a heavy one and sounds very fat and resonant, great guitar.