Submitted by tomkatb (see all reviews from this person) on 1/4/2022

Where Purchased: Vandalia ohio

Year Purchased: 2021
Price Paid: $4200 ($US)

Sound

My style is mostly country with some bluegrass.
Played without electronics.
The guitar goes from quiet to very dynamic if required. A little less bright than my maple Harlow. More bright than the regal black lightning.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

When delivered Frank and I spent an hour checking it out. Quiet, medium and digging in hard. No adjustments required.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

A bit on the decorated side. Some semi precious stones. Lots of headstock trim. Fancy fingerboard.
The wood is an old species of black heart cherry. Not the usual straight grains but, more like swirls on the back.
Inlays were well done. Beyond plain Jane several steps.
Frank let me play
Gene Wootens jumbo cherry. Best described as, every expensive option there is . Likely a $10,000 minimum guitar. Gold engraved parts.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Good quality hardware.
Well done traditional finish.
Guitar is well built structurally. Not light.
Seldom needs much tuning.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Best service possible. Promptly returned calls. For my last guitar Frank had me pick out wood, fretboards, etc.
Then he had me help him mix stains to get exactly what I wanted. Burgundy with black on the maple. I asked him to match G Wootens guitar on this one in color.

Customer Service: 10

Components

All first class parts. Black Diamond strings. Beard cover plate.
A 100 year old maple saddle. Bone nut.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Frank Harlow does wonderful work.  This guitar just does its job at a high level.  It shocked me at how it sounds when you pluck hard!   Very expressive.   Just this has caused me to play harder.  
Delivery time was under two months.  
And, it is pretty!  
Frank has also modified three $500 guitars for me as well.   They are worth the effort.  I will not sell them.  Gretchen Honeydipper.   Recording king brass tricone.   Regal black lightning.

Overall Rating: 10