Earlier this month, the buzz around the Fesley Electric Guitar finally got to me. Influenced by online reviews, I decided to order one, specifically with the sunburst finish, which was appealingly priced. My intention from the outset was to explore its potential as a modding platform, and sunburst is always a great base for custom paint jobs. A few days later, the guitar arrived, ready for inspection.
The Fesley electric guitar immediately struck me as being well worth its affordable price tag. It’s a solid instrument, but there are a few nuances that might differ from the overwhelmingly positive reviews often seen online, particularly from those who received guitars for review. Firstly, the packaging was basic, offering minimal protection, though thankfully, my guitar arrived undamaged. The electronics functioned as expected and sounded adequate. However, they didn’t strike me as exceptional – standard ceramic pickups, mini pots, and a PCB switch are what you’d anticipate at this price point.
The neck profile was a pleasant surprise. It felt comfortably normal, avoiding the overly chunky, generic shapes often found on budget guitars. However, closer inspection revealed a slightly lifting fret and some sharpness at the fret ends, issues that would need attention. The neck wood itself appeared rather plain, lacking any remarkable grain character. The hardware was of acceptable quality, although the tuners exhibited a slight jumpiness when used.
Despite these minor shortcomings, there were several aspects I appreciated right away. The inclusion of a decent gig bag was a definite plus. The guitar’s body size, slightly smaller than a Stratocaster, felt comfortable, and there was no noticeable neck dive. The sustain block was surprisingly substantial for a guitar in this price range. The neck profile truly was comfortable to play. Importantly, the nut was properly cut, a crucial detail often overlooked on budget instruments. A small card detailing setup specifications and measurements was included, indicating that someone had at least attempted a proper setup, which is a welcome touch.
For the price, the fundamental components of the Fesley electric guitar are undeniably impressive, making it an excellent foundation for modifications. In fact, it might even be perfectly playable straight out of the box for many. However, my curiosity and modding inclinations took over quickly. Within just ten minutes of its arrival, the Fesley was already disassembled, ready for its transformation.
My modification journey began with refinishing both the body and neck, opting for an aged aesthetic. I addressed the fret issues, ensuring smooth playability. The electronics cavity received copper shielding for improved noise reduction. The wiring was simplified with a 3-way switch and a single full-size volume potentiometer. A mini toggle switch was added to enable series/parallel switching for the humbucker. Finally, the output jack was relocated to the guitar’s face, and the original jack hole was plugged.
Drawing inspiration from Page Hamilton’s guitar modifications, I placed a spring in the vacant middle pickup cavity. The humbucker was upgraded to a DiMarzio Air Zone, known for its powerful tone. For the neck pickup, I repurposed a Telecaster pickup I had on hand, feeling it complemented the overall vibe of the modified guitar.
The result of these modifications is a guitar that I am extremely pleased with. The DiMarzio Air Zone humbucker, in particular, delivers exceptional distorted tones, perfectly suited for the high-gain applications I anticipate using it for the majority of the time. The Fesley electric guitar, with a little work, has become a fantastic and personalized instrument.
