Got my lefty orion 2 weeka ago and super happy so far..the guitar looks top shelf and is made very well..I really like that the orion design has been changed to add an aluminum neck plate( the online model pictures show it with just screws into lucite body, but mine came with a alum neck plate with a large engraved "A" which adds coolness..ironically I had actually planned to add a neckplate myself since I think it will distribute the pressure from neck screws better..so they are obviously always improving their product...the stainless frets are way better then I would have expected. Super smooth bends and it just plays so smooth everywhere. Zero dead frets and has low easy to play action.. James was helpful with delivery since I am on the road and wasnt sure how I would work that out..
I got this for a more maintanence free travel guitar that can have neck easily and more reliably removed for airline carry on if need be..since I split time between a boat and traveling in an rv it can be a pain with temperature changes with my wood guitars... I do have a carbon fiber acoustic which is rock solid but in rv parks its tough to play without disturbing neighbors, where as an electric can be played with headphones.
This guitar is very thin. Some may not like that but I love it...I guess its maybe just a bit over an inch or so thick....after chunky les pauls this is so nice of a change..with my low ribcage I had correctly assumed this body shape would be more cormfortable to use with its angles since I dont sling guitars too low....it indeed is comfortable...the body angles allow it to ride under my ribcage and thin body keep elbow pressure off the guitar which also helps...the thin body ,to me, is pretty cool & makes it very sleek, like a stealthy weapon.., it's a guitarist's samuari sword.!!!!!..
for me the added benefit of thin body is when I travel with it then the thinner body will pack away better in small backpack..
One thing I wasnt sure of was how it would balance with the neck heel strap button..James told me it would balances well and I have to say he is right..I have a nylon strap and there is only very slight neck dive but nothing dramatic enough to bother me..and i am picky on this...granted I do have the carbon fiber fretboard which is a bit lighter then polished alum, but still it is probably good balance with that neck also...
I admit I dont like how a straight jack cable sticks out the end of the guitar so I prefer a 90° jack cord then run that back up thru strap..of course some wont mind a straight jack at the end.
The rear strap button is lower on rear that most guitars and Im sure its for a reason so its fine..I usually raise strap buttos up from center line to creat better neck balance hang but this was probably put in that spot for a reason...I did find that if a want a tighter to the body feel I just run the strap over the upper section of the tail of guitar like some do with Explorers,etc...that pulls it in tight and even give a bit more neck up hang..I find I switch up how I use the strap so I havent set a favorite way of the 2 i mentioned.
My brother is an artist and musician and when he saw it he immediatley loved the lines and the style..its different, but not B.C. rich level different!!! So its a fairly conservative classy way to break from tradition body style without a death metal shape..tho it may look a bit the same it is not a St Vincent copy tho some of its angles could be mistaken for that at first glance.. so as far as explaining the shape then st vincent is what most will relate it to..I see it as kind of a cut down reshaped Explorer...
James set the guitar up just like I wanted..simple and basic and reliable...I am currently traveling around florida and it has been dead on in tune since I got it a few days ago...so far I couldnt be happier and it is just what I was hoping for..
The area under pickguard is large cut out and it looks the design would allow up to 3 pickups if thats your thing...so far everything has been rock solid on my orion and I can honestly say that the carbon fiber neck is well worth the extra price over standard aluminum...
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