Grassroots G-FR-62GT Review

This guitar suits me very well as I play a lot of metal, visual kei and rock. It has a pretty bright sound but I wouldn't expect warm tones from it.

Features:	7
Sound:	6
Action:	8
Reliability:	6
Impression:	8
Overall rating:	7.1
Reviewer rating:	7
Users rating:	7.2
Votes:	30

Reviewed by: unregistered, on november 15, 2012

Price paid: € 300

Purchased from: second-hand

Features: This guitar was probably made in Korea like all the other later Grassroot models. 24 frets, 648mm scale, Hard maple 3p neck with a rosewood fretboard and a bolt-on joint with a body made of ash. See thru red finish. A floyd rose licensed bridge, 3 way p.u. selector, double humbuckers volume, tone with tap. // 7

Sound: This guitar suits me very well as I play a lot of metal, visual kei and rock. Using a Roland Cube 20X this sounds pretty good and isn't noisy at all. Thanks to the Duncan designed pickups and tap there is plenty of variety. It has a pretty bright sound but I wouldn't expect warm tones from it. I'll be swapping out pickups soon because the Duncan designed aren't very good. // 6

Action, Fit & Finish: Because I bought this second hand, it had been set up by the previous owner who had done a pretty good job adjusting the pickups. The finish has no flaws, simply put: it is outstanding. The Floyd (licensed) was a pain to set up as the previous owner had kept it in place using a battery. Other than that, no flaws. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I believe this guitar will hold up pretty well and can probably withstand live playing. Of course, I'd still bring a backup. The hardware does seem like it will last but it isn't the highest quality. The floyd was a real b-tch to set up as it had been blocked before but after balancing it out it worked out fine. It stays in tune really well and has impressed me a lot. // 6

Impression: This guitar suits my style very well as previously mentioned. I've been playing it for 2 months now and own a LTD F-100FM as well. If it were stolen... Well, I'd be pretty upset as this is a Japan market only model. I absolutely love the body shape and finish and it plays like a dream my favorite feature being the tap on the dual humbuckers. I would however swap out pickups as previously mentioned. // 8

Comments

[rv_phoenix]

Man, how ugly can it be!... One of the ugliest guitars on Earth, second only to Vintage Metal Axxes.

[Air_Stryker]

Despite the somewhat peculiar shape, I quite like it.

[Air_Stryker]

Just found the See through black picture. Looks like sex in guitar form =D
I might actually have to try one of these =P

[raittarian]

Love ESP japan exports. Too expensive though.

[Samhuinn]

I love the Forest shape, quite extraordinary!

[BionicRooster]

rv_phoenix wrote:

Man, how ugly can it be!... One of the ugliest guitars on Earth, second only to Vintage Metal Axxes.

I disagree that this an ugly guitar but those metal axxes are only good for smashing on stage

[scotty baldwin]

what is visual kei?

[Menza_]

ESP Japan is unreal.

[Linkerman]

These are pretty nice guitars. I wonder how many of the users who rated this guitar have actually played it...

scotty baldwin wrote:

what is visual kei?

Google it? You lazy bastard... Here you go:

Visual kei (literally "visual style" or "visual system") is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its own particular sound, related to glam rock, punk rock and heavy metal. However other sources state that visual kei's unique clothing, make-up, fashions, and participation in the related sub-culture is equally as important as the sound of the music itself in the use of the term.

[NakedInTheRain]

i have no doubt that sounds great. but the shape is just distasteful. lol.

[EpiExplorer]

scotty baldwin wrote:

what is visual kei?

Japanese transvestitism without the implied homosexuality (in a blunt nutshell). Also can affect the music, for instance, many prominent visual kei acts have unique and unorthodox approaches to metal, such as The Gazette (who mix everything from traditional japanese music to hip hop, pop and other crazy stuff) and Dir En Grey (who are just crazy).

[shikkaka]

I have wanted an ESP import for a while now, but they would be around 3000 dollars...

Crossing my fingers for the NAMM show this year.

[Mayu!~]

Linkerman wrote:

These are pretty nice guitars. I wonder how many of the users who rated this guitar have actually played it...

Not a whole lot of people I think.

the shape is actually similair to the F models except that is is somehow sleeker. It has nicer curves and the horns are a bit different.

Japanese transvestitism without the implied homosexuality (in a blunt nutshell). Also can affect the music, for instance, many prominent visual kei acts have unique and unorthodox approaches to metal, such as The Gazette (who mix everything from traditional japanese music to hip hop, pop and other crazy stuff) and Dir En Grey (who are just crazy).

grow up man

[feathers632]

"rv_phoenix wrote on 12/22/2011 - 067 am / quote |
Man, how ugly can it be!... One of the ugliest guitars on Earth, second only to Vintage Metal Axxes." - it could be way uglier. Could be fender ugly or Dean Axe ugly. This guitar has some nice gothic bat shaping.

[Skuzzmo]

looks like rats have been eating it.....

[Ibeanez]

Mayu!~ wrote:

Linkerman wrote:

These are pretty nice guitars. I wonder how many of the users who rated this guitar have actually played it...

Not a whole lot of people I think.

the shape is actually similair to the F models except that is is somehow sleeker. It has nicer curves and the horns are a bit different.

Japanese transvestitism without the implied homosexuality (in a blunt nutshell). Also can affect the music, for instance, many prominent visual kei acts have unique and unorthodox approaches to metal, such as The Gazette (who mix everything from traditional japanese music to hip hop, pop and other crazy stuff) and Dir En Grey (who are just crazy).

grow up man

Why tell him to grow up? He simply paraphrased the same thing as Linkerman said.

It sounds like one of many musical fads that emphasize looks more than anything else.

[strat0blaster]

First of all, Visual Kei has nothing to do with gender. It's a rock and roll interpretation and application of Kabuki theater with costumes and theatrics. The only piece androgyny plays in either is that often times, and not only in Japanese culture, male actors would play female parts and females would play male parts. It's not gender based. Inform yourselves before you run with something you're not familiar with, or just don't speak on it.

Secondly, there should be some sort of sticky for instrumental reviews on UG that suggest reviews done with modeling and purely digital amps should be without a comment on tone, as any guitar plugged into a digital or modelling amp is going to sound the same. You can't accurately comment on the tone of an instrument when it's processed to the point of indifference.

[Faudeth]

This looks a lot like the F series models. A little more "complete", though. I'm hopefully getting an F-10 for Christmas...Can anyone tell me the difference between the F models, like F-10, F-50, etc.?

[strat0blaster]

Faudeth wrote:

This looks a lot like the F series models. A little more "complete", though. I'm hopefully getting an F-10 for Christmas...Can anyone tell me the difference between the F models, like F-10, F-50, etc.?

The lower the number, the less quality the instrument, basically.

[DemonMusicInc]

Guys shut the hell up about the shape. This guitar sounds pretty awesome and damn, I find the shape to be freaking sexy.

[Ibeanez]

strat0blaster wrote:

First of all, Visual Kei has nothing to do with gender. It's a rock and roll interpretation and application of Kabuki theater with costumes and theatrics. The only piece androgyny plays in either is that often times, and not only in Japanese culture, male actors would play female parts and females would play male parts. It's not gender based. Inform yourselves before you run with something you're not familiar with, or just don't speak on it.

You explained nothing other than what the previous two people had already said, so take your own advice.

[GibsonMan321]

This is the best looking F-shape guitar I've seen from them, but the normal F's are absolutely horrid.

[GibsonMan321]

horrid looking*.

[cthom124]

now if it came in 7 or 8 string models with solid tail pieces

[Sylux]

that is such a bad ass looking guitar.

[K!d_MeTaL]

If the longer horn was a little shorter it would look ****ing awesome

[Most_Triumphant]

I find this guitar incredible ugly looking.

[Mayu!~]

the point is that this guitar was probably made a japanese market only model because it is supposed to be apealing to japanese guitarists who are usually into visual kei. A lot of japanese artists play guitars like this model and other weird shapes. Looks do count..

[swave75]

Most_Triumphant wrote:

I find this guitar incredible ugly looking.

I find it cool looking!!! Love the color.

[pailoong]

rv_phoenix wrote:

Man, how ugly can it be!... One of the ugliest guitars on Earth, second only to Vintage Metal Axxes.

Agreed.

[strat0blaster]

Ibeanez wrote:

strat0blaster wrote:

First of all, Visual Kei has nothing to do with gender. It's a rock and roll interpretation and application of Kabuki theater with costumes and theatrics. The only piece androgyny plays in either is that often times, and not only in Japanese culture, male actors would play female parts and females would play male parts. It's not gender based. Inform yourselves before you run with something you're not familiar with, or just don't speak on it.

You explained nothing other than what the previous two people had already said, so take your own advice.

If the three statements look that similar to you, your opinion has little value here. Sorry.

[slipknot836]

rv_phoenix wrote:

Man, how ugly can it be!... One of the ugliest guitars on Earth, second only to Vintage Metal Axxes.

Dropped on your head as a child?

[Mizaki Len]

man i have a license floyd rose grass root that never goes out tune.....

[6-String_Madman]

Gaaarrrrhh!!!!

[fas789]

I just got paid $6784 working off my laptop this month. And if you think that's cool, my divorced friend has twin toddlers and made over $9k her first month. It feels so good making so much money when other people have to work for so much less. This is what I do, cloud68dotcom

[animemetalhead]

Anybody know how I can get these? I'm absolutely in love with these guitars, but I can't even find an online seller that'll ship to the states. Big fan of ESP though, so if they make these about the same quality as the LTD line, I'm definitely a buyer if I can find someone who sells 'em.