Peerless Guitars Serial Numbers
Wow, interesting. Check this out, this is a Gretsch 5120 Electromatic:And this is the Peerless Tonemaster Standard:The differences? According to their respective spec sheets, the Peerless has a solid spruce top as opposed to the Gretsch's laminated maple, and some of the hardware is gold instead of chrome. Also, block inlays and headstock binding. It's also about $50 cheaper.
Less money AND a solid wood top makes it sound pretty attractive.e: The electronics are different, too. The Gretsch has Master Volume, Neck Vol, Bridge Vol, and Master Tone. The Peerless has 2 vol, 2 tone. Due to the good reviews Peerless got up to now and the cool specs of their guitars I decided to buy a Tonemaster Custom. The rare white model was offered by the European distributor as a one-time ebay special.I ordered it and the guitar arrived quickly. First impression was good. I had a meeting with my favorite luthier a few days later.
So I took it to him for inspection and setup.After a few seconds the fun was over: he showed me that the guitar's neck (fretboard) was very uneven and it was impossible to fix it via the tussrod because it had an s-shaped curvature. Major issue.So I showed it to another luthier and he told me exactly the same: major issue, needs fret removal, grinding, new frets. Costs about 300 EUR+ (ca.
400 US$).So I contacted peerlesseurope to solve the issue. Several times. I always got friendly but useless replies such as 'I will chase the factory again to get a resolution and get back to you this week.'
Peerless Guitars Serial Numbers 1233951
In fact they didn't and after several attempts I gave up.Although according to European law a 3-year warranty is mandatory, they left me alone.I paid the neccessary repair myself and I sold it on ebay with a further loss of about 350 EUR. That's a total loss of 650 EUR (ca. 800 $)In the meantime I had ordered a Tonemaster Standard via a local music shop from the German distributor. It arrived and showed the fretboard dissolving from the neck - see picture.The shop sent it back. The German distributor tried to put the blame on the postal service which is nonsense since the guitar came in a case which didn't show a single scratch.Finally I went for a Gretsch Electromatic. Recently found a statement of a Gretsch offical on the web: 'Gretsch guitars with serial numbers that start with 'KP' were produced at the Peerless factory in Korea. Unfortunately their consistency of quality fell short of our requirements which is why we no longer have them produce guitars for us.'
Bottom line:- no consistency in quality (that CAN happen once)- no serious quality control (that shouldn't happen)- inadequate customer support (now that is inacceptable)Bottom line: 'consistency' is the word. I have no doubt the positive reviews are true.
But if you buy one, better take a luthier with you. For sure I wouldn't buy one via internet.Just my 2c. The differences? According to their respective spec sheets, the Peerless has a solid spruce top as opposed to the Gretsch's laminated maple, and some of the hardware is gold instead of chrome. Also, block inlays and headstock binding. It's also about $50 cheaper.
Less money AND a solid wood top makes it sound pretty attractive. E: The electronics are different, too. The Gretsch has Master Volume, Neck Vol, Bridge Vol, and Master Tone. The Peerless has 2 vol, 2 tone.They're available here for a little less than the Gretsch models too. Intriguingly, they also seem to offer a better left handed range. I'm disappointed, though, to discover that particular model has the Gibson style wiring - one of the real weaknesses of Gibson, imo, has always been the lack of a master volume.
YMMV, of course.
Actual photos. Click tabs at top for more views.Specs & PricesManufacturerPeerlessModelSongbird SOLDInstrumentElectric left-handed guitarConditionNew in caseColorNatural High GlossWeight6.3 lbs. (wonderfully light for a guitar this size)BodyAll Maple hollow body with Ivoroid bindingNeckMahoganyFingerboardRosewoodBridgeChrome Tune-O-MaticScale Length24 3/4'Width at Nut1 11/16' bonePickups2 Dog Ear Gibson P-90s Classic styleSwitching3 WayControls2 Volume, 2 ToneHardwareChrome Kluson typeStrings10-46CasePeerless OHSC includedFeaturesLightweight true thinline hollow body, Dog Ear P-90s, beautiful build qualitySuggested Retail$1185 USOur PriceN/AShipping$29 in continental USA. Call or e-mail for rates to Alaska, Hawaii and worldwide.WarrantyLimited Lifetime to original owner.' I get more calls and emails looking for lefty Casinos than any other guitar.
Since Epiphone built their own factory in China in 2002 and no longer contracted with Peerless, no leftys have been built in China. The old Casinos that Peerless built (KP for serial numbers with KP meaning Korea/Peerless) are universally sought over the Chinese made Epiphones. Well, I contracted directly with Peerless to make me what is essentially an upgraded Casino (real MOP inlays instead of acrylic for one thing), to their higher standards than the low dollar amount they had to build the Casinos to. They have done a beautiful job. The Beatles sound you have been looking for at a great price (which includes Peerless OHSC).' – Jerry Welch.