AFD USA vs AFD VOS vs 2008 Slash VOS

[Gn'R Junkie]

First of all i wanted to say I'm brand new to this AWESOME site and Thanks for having me.

I have Been trying to find an AFD VOS and have been really picky about the Tops (trying to find one with a close look to the Derrig guitar). Yesterday I located a USA model with a Killer top that looks really close.

Can someone who has owned or played both the AFD USA and AFD VOS please give some some feedback on tone, sound, feel etc.......Im wondering if i should just hold off and keep looking.

Also how does the AFD VOS play vs the 2008 Slash VOS???? Is there a big difference in sound, tone, feel etc...??? I currently have the 2008 VOS and will be selling it to fund the AFD VOS. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[philisonislandae]

Well I can assure you one thing. A buddy of mine has the 2008 Slash Signature USA (NOT VOS), I have the AFD USA (NOT VOS).

The AFD is way lighter and has a brighter tone, especially in mid and high.
The 2008 is heavier, more sutain, a bit darker.

I feel that the 2008 Slash is a good compromise between the goldtop and the AFD.

BTW:
There is a good video on youtube AFD USA vs. AFD VOS. There you can hear the difference.

 

[Ayy Itss Daveee]

I've played both the VOS AFD and the USA AFD.

While the VOS is a slightly better guitar, there's no way it's $3,000.00 better. And there are some USA's out there with the correct chevron top, you just gotta look hard.

Here's my USA...

 

[Walman]

I may be able to help, but this is only an opinion and highly subjective. The other day I played the AFD VOS (2010) against the SVOS (2008) and they are noticeably different. The SVOS model is basically built to a 1988 LP Standard specification which includes a short neck tenon, 3 piece maple plain top and includes regular Alnico 2 pickups. The ADS VOS is built to a '59 specification featuring a completely faded 2 piece flame top, different hardware, long neck tenon and features the new Slash Alnico 2 pickups which are wound differently to the regular Alnico 2's. The AFD is noticeably lighter although it is not chambered or swiss holed as they selected the lightest woods available to hand. In my opinion this is the better guitar. The set up is fantastic and it feels great to hold and play and the tone is very rich and resonant. However, for me the SVOS is the better looking out of the two and is for me more iconic and synonymous with the artist, so it's a tough one and depends what you're looking for, especially as to whether you're looking for a collectible or a player. The pickups sound different and to get a better idea you would need to play the AFD VOS so you can see which is better suited to you. I had 2 AFD USA models that I got rid of, which although very nice guitars were heavier, very glossy and the tone was very different to the Custom Shop version. Basically you would be paying extra for the lighter wood, different hardware, VOS faded and dulled finish, limitation to 300 with COA, and the Custom shop build.

 

[Gn'R Junkie]

Davee and Walman.......Very Nice Tops!!!!! Thanks for your advice.

Walman, I sent you a pm!!!!!!

 

[Walman]

Davee and Walman.......Very Nice Tops!!!!! Thanks for your advice.

Walman, I sent you a pm!!!!!!

No probs I sent you back an email. Here's some pics of one of the USA's that i got rid of. I loved the top on it.

 

[adrexel]

Hey Walman, first of all, thanks for your posts. they have been very helpful. I currently have a AFD USA model and love the guitar, but when I played the appetite VOS guitar, I clearly heard the difference in tone. I am planning to upgarde to the VOS. I have not played on the SVOS (2008), but my question for you is, in terms of tone alone, which VOS which you recommend, the SVOS or appetite VOS. Also, I was wondering if you could only keep one of you Slash model LP's which would you keep in terms of tone alone. your input would be greatly appreciated. thanks a ton!!

 

[sonnyksac]

My 2008 VOS has a long tenon. Im positive of it. And the piezo pickup thing is a sweet little feature. I love that guitar. More than the 12k Aged and signed AFD.

 

[smcgov]

My 2008 VOS has a long tenon. Im positive of it. And the piezo pickup thing is a sweet little feature. I love that guitar. More than the 12k Aged and signed AFD.

This is a different guitar than they are asking about, I believe they are referring to the "series" of Slash guitars beginning with the one in my avatar 2008 USA. That piezo one was an earlier custom shop model.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

My 2008 VOS has a long tenon. Im positive of it. And the piezo pickup thing is a sweet little feature. I love that guitar. More than the 12k Aged and signed AFD.

Yeah, they are not talking about the the Gibson USA or Gibson Custom Shop Slash guitars (The darkburst/tobaccoburst ones) but the Inspired by' Slash VOS like in my sig (Which are AWESOMEEEEEEE. I am playing mine right now! )

 

[adrexel]

crusader rabbit, how would you compare your slash SVOS to the appetite VOS or USA model if you have ever played them. Also, any others have any input?

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

Haven't played the AFD's i'm afraid.

They are thin on the ground down under.

 

[sonnyksac]

OK. Thanks for the clarity. And Crusader QUIT TALKING ABOUT THAT NEW GUIATR OF YOURS!!!!!

But, I have played the CS AFD signed and aged LP, the 2008 Slash that I own, a USA tobacco burst from 2008, and a USA AFD. Personally, after picking up the CS ones the USA LPs lost most of their appeal, FOR ME. And that 12k signed and aged AFD LP did not play well for me. Its more like art. The guitar just didnt feel right. My two cents, hope it helped.

 

[sonnyksac]

GNR junkie, whats up with that Warlock? How do you like it??

We've been jamming so many GNR covers lately that a Warlock would be nice added novelty to You Could be Mine. But you probably know that.

Can we have a thread where we talk about this artist and guitars that we love and keep all the haters out? You would have to be able to play Mr. Brownstone to join?

 

[sonnyksac]

And uh Walman...

You basically have the sweetest collection Ive seen so far on the forum of guitars that I would love to own. Good stuff bud.

 

[Crusader Rabbit]

QUIT TALKING ABOUT THAT NEW GUIATR OF YOURS!!!!!

Just Sharing the love.

 

[adrexel]

Thanks for the feedback crusade and sonnyksac!!!!

 

[adrexel]

also, anyone have any feedback on the SVOS vs appetite VOS. Walman, any input? does anyone know if there is a way to send walman a message directly cause I know he has both these guitars.....

 

[adrexel]

also, anyone can comment of the slash CS tobacco burst with piezo vs SVOS vs appetite VOS? thanks in advance!!

 

[Walman]

also, anyone have any feedback on the SVOS vs appetite VOS. Walman, any input? does anyone know if there is a way to send walman a message directly cause I know he has both these guitars.....

They are all great guitars. The Appetite has an R9 spec so that is to say it has a long neck tenon and ABR-1 bridge and also it is crafted with lighter weight mahogany without being weight relieved. This is the best playing example, however the SVOS is so iconic for this artist and even though it is a reproduction of an '88 standard short tenon, it is a very nice guitar with impressive sustain and this is why it was priced considerably lower than the AFD VOS 59 spec example. The Custom Shop tobacco is actually built around the 59 spec to some extent and has the added feature of the piezo bridge which is very cool so it's very tricky. No history was ever created with this guitar however so it's not really synonymous with the artist if that's important to you. If you had to pick one I would pick one according to what you like as the tops and history of each are very different. One essentially was a recording guitar, the other was his live guitar notably used during the Illusions tour in '92 and the tobacco CS was imaginatively and loosely based around the November Rain LP, although it doesn't come close.