Are IR Guitars Suitable for Professional Players?

In this video, Phillip McKnight addresses the question of whether IR guitars are suitable for professional players. And introduce a specific guitar model, the T380, which is considered a high-end beginner guitar. He highlights the guitar's features, such as a roasted maple neck and fretboard, bone nut, basic tuners, and a compound neck and radius fretboard. Also discuss the body, which is made of roasted mahogany and has tummy and arm carves. The guitar has a volume, tone, and three-way switch, as well as a mini switch for multiple switching combinations.

Video: Are IR Guitars Good Enough for Professionals?

Features of the T380 Guitar

• Roasted maple neck and fretboard
• Bone nut
• Basic tuners
• Compound neck and radius fretboard
• Roasted mahogany body with tummy and arm carves
• Volume, tone, and three-way switch
• Mini switch for multiple switching combinations

Assessing the Guitar's Components

Phillip examines various components of the guitar, including:

• Tuning keys: The rounded and cool-looking tuning keys are of high quality and function well.
• Nut: The bone nut is well-cut, providing good string action.
• Action: The action of the strings is slightly high but can be easily adjusted for better playability.
• Frets: The stainless steel hemispherical frets are well-rounded and polished, providing a smooth playing experience. The fretwork is commendable.
• Pickups: The pickups sound average and could benefit from an upgrade for better performance.
• Electronics: The guitar's electronics, including potentiometers and switches, are functional and of reasonable quality.

Stability and Tuning

Phillip McKnight rates the stability and tuning of the guitar as 3.5 out of 5. While the guitar stays in tune most of the time, using the tremolo system can sometimes cause it to go out of tune. However, with proper setup and using the original factory strings, the chances of staying in tune are still good. The tuning keys, bridge, and nut contribute to the overall stability.

Sound Samples

The video includes sound samples of the guitar played through a Fender Supersonic 22 head and a 112 cabinet with a cream back. The samples showcase both clean and overdriven tones, demonstrating the guitar's capabilities.

Final Thoughts

While the T380 guitar may not be on par with a professional custom shop guitar initially, with a good setup and pickup upgrade, it has the potential to match the performance of higher-end guitars. The quality of the neck and the overall playability of the instrument, the guitar's appearance and build quality are commendable.

Ultimately, the T380 offers a solid foundation that can be enhanced to meet the demands of professional players. With proper adjustments, it can handle the rigors of touring and perform reliably.