FGN vs History, LP Custom

By any chance, does anyone on here have both
- FGN NLC20
- History HS-LC

As far as I see the History is created by the same FGN guys as a custom? run for some specific guitar store in Japan.

I was curious in what are the differences between them (which one is more "modern" in terms of build). As spec wise they both seem very similar, price wise they are very similar.

Biggest difference I spot are the pickups and Gloss vs lacquer

I've had both pass through my hands, though don't own either currently. They're both made by Fujigen so the quality, fit & finish is going to be very similar.

I'm fairly sure that the newer NLC20 is chambered, so it will be lighter. I'm aslo fairly certain that the finish on the FGN is also described as lacquer, though it is pretty hard and stable so must have some plasticizers in the mix. Same with the History, the lacquer finish is hard and stable. It's unlikely to finish crack.

Personally, I don't like the pickups in either, so would swap them out eventually. But that's just a preference. But if you want hotter, modern pickups, I believe the History will get you closer.

I think you'd be happy with either.

I don’t lose my mind over specs, but I prefer the History line.

FGN seems mid level at best, & I prefer my History LV (mid level beginner/intermediate guitar) to my 2 FGNs. Not that they’re bad.

Can't comment on the FGN NLC, but the History HS-LC is a really well made instrument. The fretboard and fretwork is flawless on mine. Its very heavy just under 4.5kg.

Re-the pickup comment above, I somewhat agree. I think they sound good with crunch/distortion but clean are a bit lifeless.
To be honest I don't play it that much (probably because of the above) and have considered selling, but every time I think about it and pick it up again I realise how beautiful it is (especially in wine red) and put it on the rack!

FGN builds to price points, and are capable of anything from meh-level budget guitars to exceptionally well-made, pricey models. So it doesn't really mean much to genericaqlly refer to Fuji-Gen, or FGN, as though the brand means a certain level of quality. I think they always deliver value for money, but it's like a Strat. A Squier by Fender is not going to be comparable to a MIA or MIJ Fender. All are good value for money, but they are not made to the same standard despite all of them being producxts of the FMIC.

As someone who enjoys a Les Paul Custom styled guitar and is also from the Great Lakes Area of Canada it's a slam dunk to the History.