Just delivered in the midst of a snowstorm, the Bullfighter guitar finally arrived after a UPS delay. Despite a concerning hole in the shipping container and minimal protection beyond a gig bag, the guitar itself was thankfully unscathed. My initial unboxing experience revealed a few surprises compared to the online listing for this 3/4 scale acoustic-electric model.
First Impressions and Unboxing Surprises
Upon opening the box after dinner, I immediately noticed some cosmetic differences from the advertised photos. The tuner buttons were black instead of the expected white, and the string posts were also black, not white. A welcome surprise, however, was the inclusion of a battery access door on the guitar’s back – a feature not shown in the product listing. On the downside, the promised capo was missing from the package, though this isn’t a major issue for me as I have several on hand.
Initial Setup and Playability Assessment
Moving on to the guitar’s setup, the intonation was reasonably close right out of the box, as were the action and neck relief. When attempting to fine-tune the neck relief with the truss rod, I encountered limited adjustment range, achieving only about .005 inches of movement. Despite this, the guitar plays comfortably without any fret buzz or excessively high frets.
The bridge visually appears well-seated, but I’m aware of reports in other Bullfighter guitar reviews mentioning potential bridge lifting issues over time. This is something I will definitely monitor closely in the coming weeks and months of playing.
The factory strings are still on the guitar, and I don’t plan on using the extra set of economy strings that were included. One immediate drawback I discovered was the sharpness of the fret ends. After just a short playing session, my hand felt noticeably scraped – the fret ends definitely need some attention and filing for smoother playability. “Cheese shredder” accurately describes their current state.
Weight, Neck Profile, and Dimensions
Contrary to some reports suggesting the Bullfighter is a heavy guitar, my scale showed it weighing in at a comfortable 6.5 pounds. The finish is visually appealing, and the neck profile feels comfortable in hand. However, the nut width measured 1 13/16 inches, slightly narrower than the advertised 1 3/4 inch specification. While a minor discrepancy, it’s worth noting for players who are particular about neck dimensions.
Sound Evaluation and Amplification
In terms of sound, my initial experiments are ongoing. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the sound when plugged into my acoustic amplifier. However, running it through my Fender Deluxe Reverb produced a much more pleasing tone. Of course, as the saying goes, almost anything sounds good through a Deluxe Reverb! Further sound testing and experimentation with different amps and settings will be necessary to fully evaluate the Bullfighter’s sonic capabilities.
Conclusion: Promising First Impressions
Overall, my first impressions of the Bullfighter 3/4 scale guitar are positive. Despite some minor discrepancies from the advertised specifications and the need for fret end attention, it seems like a decent instrument, especially considering its price point. Time will tell how it holds up with regular playing, particularly regarding the bridge. I look forward to spending more time with this guitar and exploring its full potential.
