Eastwood guitars have just announced a 'flash' 24 hour sale on some of their guitars and today it's the turn of my Astroluxe Cadet signature model. A very good saving on the original price, but you'll have to be quick!
https://eastwoodguitars.com/pages/astroluxe-cadet-flash-999?_ke=eyJrbF9lbWFpbCI6ICJ3aWxsaWFtLm5lbHNvbjFAYnRpbnRlcm5ldC5jb20iLCAia2xfY29tcGFueV9pZCI6ICJNVGJROUUifQ%3D%3D
Unfortunately, I've just sprung for a Backlund JB-400 DLX (a red one!).
Had i known about this, my decision might've been different.
Cheers, 'Pod.
Actually, I've just had a look at the Eastwood website and the Astroluxe Cadet is now selling for £788, which is a BIG saving from its original price of £1,430.00. A fabulous, stylish and great sounding guitar for a ridiculous bargain price!
I had purchased a Backlund 400, as well, but then I caught them before they packed it up when I saw the sale on the Astroluxe the next day, which is amazing as I have wanted one for a couple years now. I could not pass up on the sale. Okay, so here is the question... Bigsby or Les Trem? I have until the morning to lock it in.
I would do a Les Trem.
Just couldn't justify purchasing both at the same time.The Astroluxe was an early "dream guitar" when I started playing a couple of years ago. I love Backlund designs, but I have what may have been his first production run of his 800. I also recently purchased a 200 and not being a tele guy, I asked for a return and the guys at Eastwood gave me a credit, which I first put on the 400 DLX. Then when I saw the Astroluxe Cadet on sale Friday, I felt like it was meant to be, so I caught the 400 before shipping and that is that. I would BTW, I prefer the Les Trem, but I tend to hit the base of it with my hand when I play, so I was thinking Bigsby, but I do not like all the holes it makes. I have until the AM to confirm, so you may have just sealed the Les Trem version.
Probably just as well I missed this as it would have delayed my intended purchase of the Backlund 100 DLX. I already have the standard 400 and the Katalina. They are both beautiful (obviously) and have great tone (the Katalina sounds very strat-like with nice warm tones at the bottom end), but both have issues with finding the optimum action level avoiding finger wading at the top of the neck while negating fret buzz at the bottom end (I know this is an issue with all guitars, but it seems a particularly fine line with these two). Also, the 400s shape means that if you're wearing a strap, it will twist awkwardly around the 'fins' on the body. The shape of the Katalina, meanwhile, means that you need to wear a strap to hold it out of your lap when playing sitting down as otherwise, your leg blocks the jack socket. This could have been avoided by having the socket located on the front instead of the side.
Regarding Bigsby-style trems, I find them a bit clunky. They tend to get in the way of the tone and volume controls more because they are wide and flat rather than slim and round.
I have now taken possession of the 400 DLX and I absolutely love it! Gorgeous guitar.
Re: strap issues. I find I have them with pretty much all of my guitars. A function of being a large guy (only a little smaller than Steve Painter ;-), arthritis in both hands, and not having selected the optimum straps for the instrument. I find myself now having to pay much more attention to that.
Does anyone have the answer to what is probably a dumbass question? Why does the Astroluxe only have 20 frets? It has only been an issue with one song I was working on last week. Easy workaround, but it is the only guitar I have owned with this, for lack of a better word, anomaly.