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For those not familiar. Dean B. Zalinsky, formerly of Dean Guitars, started up DBZ Guitars. He eventually merged with Diamond Amps and we now have DBZ-Diamond.
I had almost bought one of these used, in Trans Purple. But the color always held me back. I also would have paid more used, than I did new, as it turns out.
On another forum I live at, forumite posted about a big sale. They list the MSRP on the Royale ST as $1,100. But usual regular price is $699, on sales for $400-$500.
Got it on sale straight from DBZ/Diamond for $199. Case was extra. At that price, I just couldn't pass it up, even though I recently got two SGs, and really don't NEED another guitar.
What I like about the Royale (and the bigger bodied Imperial) is the uber thin body. It's 1/2" at the edge. SUPER contoured as well.
Here's my little review.
I'll admit at first, I was a little upset. I was expecting a 1 piece body. Their stock photos show that. So, I called them up. Talked right with the tech that set mine up before shipping. Had a great chat with him. Learned a lot about them and their guitars.
Apparently the Royales are SUPPOSED to be multipart bodies, with the pieces mounted opposite grained as far as the rings go. They do this because of the thin body. One piece would be not very sturdy (aka very breakable, worse than a headstock) and prone to warping or 'cupping'. Older models (i.e. ones on site pics) weren't and had this issue. It would make a stronger body, less prone to warping.
They did a pretty good job on the piece matching. But, under some lights and/or angles, it is noticeable. This much more so on the back. Under others it can look like one piece or 2 at worst. See the pics. I wish they had ben a little better matched, however.
Finish is flawless. Trans walnut is put on evenly and well. That DOES show the different grain of the 4 piece body (like a neck through almost).
Also found out these are made in the same Korean Factory that the PRS SEs are made.
Some of the Best dressed frets I have had on a NEW guitar.
Came setup perfectly. EXTREMELY low action, zero buzz anywhere. Intonated 99% perfect, TINY adjustment needed to one saddle. Pots feel firm.
The finger board was a little dry in two spots. Talking with the tech its an actual Ebony board now. Thought it was going to be ebonized rosewood from some online (older) reviews). They used to Ebonize Rosewood, but the black stuff came off. It IS a wider grained, more porous ebony (aka lesser quality, say B+) than I have on other guitars. This is between my best rosewood boards and top quality Ebony boards. A little board oil and its very smooth as it should be.
Tuners are nice Grovers. Guitar came almost in tune. Shipped in case, then boxed.
Weighs in a 6.2 lbs.
Thin body is oh so comfy to ply, specially sitting down. It plays fantastically. Neck is, for me very nice. It's 50s style LP thickness with a slightly flat back. Ends up being between a 50s and 60s Gibby neck. Wish more guitars of mine had this profile. Super low action. Plays very fast. Body fits very nicely and comfortable. It is now my most comfy guitar to play sitting. SGs are a little better standing.
Thin body and thick neck make it a bit neck heavy. With a slippery strap will go to horizontal. But, it's so light it takes little to keep that from happening. Press on body a tiny bit, or a little pressure on the neck, no worries.
Tidy, little cavity. Has mini Alpha pots. But, A full size Alpha should fit (I checked). Not sure about a push pull though. Better than average cheap caps. Step up from the cheap, import ceramic disks.
Unplugged, it is very loud, very active, a little bright and sustains a good 12-15 seconds easily. Body resonates like mad. Probably my loudest guitar unplugged. Bright'ish unplugged. Not as much bottom end on the unplugged tone. But it is a VERY lively tone unplugged with quite a bit of complexity.
This doesn't fully translate to plugged in so much. But, I lay that completely at the pups feet. They are very bland and OK ceramics, and imho too overpowered for this guitar. Bridge is 14 something K. Pups hold it back. I can tell that with a quality pair of pups in it, this guitar seems like it will be one heck of a voice, and unique at that. Least I hope so.
I played with heights. I was able to get a pretty darn good clean on all positions, but it took having both pups very low. That took some fatness away when dirty. Add that fat back, and they get too boomy clean. Put in the middle and they are just eh, ok. So, I left them sounding real good clean.
Dirty, no matter where, they are too overly compressed, a little buzzy with not nearly enough string separation for my tastes.
They are DBZ-Diamond and Seymour Duncan Designed, but I think this guitar can do better than them. Way overpowered for the guitar as well. I've ordered some TV Jones Power'Trons for her. I think they will be JUST the key for this guitar.
Case looks great. Has two spot neck support, and fits Royale like a glove. Plush feels great. Made in CHina. Sides are a little thin. Its a good, not great built case, that looks fantastic.
UPDATE on NECK
Been playing all night. Finally went and took some measurements. I was mistaken. Neck is real close to a Gibson 60s Neck. It is pretty closer to my Tributes necks.
I had almost bought one of these used, in Trans Purple. But the color always held me back. I also would have paid more used, than I did new, as it turns out.
On another forum I live at, forumite posted about a big sale. They list the MSRP on the Royale ST as $1,100. But usual regular price is $699, on sales for $400-$500.
Got it on sale straight from DBZ/Diamond for $199. Case was extra. At that price, I just couldn't pass it up, even though I recently got two SGs, and really don't NEED another guitar.
What I like about the Royale (and the bigger bodied Imperial) is the uber thin body. It's 1/2" at the edge. SUPER contoured as well.
Here's my little review.
I'll admit at first, I was a little upset. I was expecting a 1 piece body. Their stock photos show that. So, I called them up. Talked right with the tech that set mine up before shipping. Had a great chat with him. Learned a lot about them and their guitars.
Apparently the Royales are SUPPOSED to be multipart bodies, with the pieces mounted opposite grained as far as the rings go. They do this because of the thin body. One piece would be not very sturdy (aka very breakable, worse than a headstock) and prone to warping or 'cupping'. Older models (i.e. ones on site pics) weren't and had this issue. It would make a stronger body, less prone to warping.
They did a pretty good job on the piece matching. But, under some lights and/or angles, it is noticeable. This much more so on the back. Under others it can look like one piece or 2 at worst. See the pics. I wish they had ben a little better matched, however.
Finish is flawless. Trans walnut is put on evenly and well. That DOES show the different grain of the 4 piece body (like a neck through almost).
Also found out these are made in the same Korean Factory that the PRS SEs are made.
Some of the Best dressed frets I have had on a NEW guitar.
Came setup perfectly. EXTREMELY low action, zero buzz anywhere. Intonated 99% perfect, TINY adjustment needed to one saddle. Pots feel firm.
The finger board was a little dry in two spots. Talking with the tech its an actual Ebony board now. Thought it was going to be ebonized rosewood from some online (older) reviews). They used to Ebonize Rosewood, but the black stuff came off. It IS a wider grained, more porous ebony (aka lesser quality, say B+) than I have on other guitars. This is between my best rosewood boards and top quality Ebony boards. A little board oil and its very smooth as it should be.
Tuners are nice Grovers. Guitar came almost in tune. Shipped in case, then boxed.
Weighs in a 6.2 lbs.
Thin body is oh so comfy to ply, specially sitting down. It plays fantastically. Neck is, for me very nice. It's 50s style LP thickness with a slightly flat back. Ends up being between a 50s and 60s Gibby neck. Wish more guitars of mine had this profile. Super low action. Plays very fast. Body fits very nicely and comfortable. It is now my most comfy guitar to play sitting. SGs are a little better standing.
Thin body and thick neck make it a bit neck heavy. With a slippery strap will go to horizontal. But, it's so light it takes little to keep that from happening. Press on body a tiny bit, or a little pressure on the neck, no worries.
Tidy, little cavity. Has mini Alpha pots. But, A full size Alpha should fit (I checked). Not sure about a push pull though. Better than average cheap caps. Step up from the cheap, import ceramic disks.
Unplugged, it is very loud, very active, a little bright and sustains a good 12-15 seconds easily. Body resonates like mad. Probably my loudest guitar unplugged. Bright'ish unplugged. Not as much bottom end on the unplugged tone. But it is a VERY lively tone unplugged with quite a bit of complexity.
This doesn't fully translate to plugged in so much. But, I lay that completely at the pups feet. They are very bland and OK ceramics, and imho too overpowered for this guitar. Bridge is 14 something K. Pups hold it back. I can tell that with a quality pair of pups in it, this guitar seems like it will be one heck of a voice, and unique at that. Least I hope so.
I played with heights. I was able to get a pretty darn good clean on all positions, but it took having both pups very low. That took some fatness away when dirty. Add that fat back, and they get too boomy clean. Put in the middle and they are just eh, ok. So, I left them sounding real good clean.
Dirty, no matter where, they are too overly compressed, a little buzzy with not nearly enough string separation for my tastes.
They are DBZ-Diamond and Seymour Duncan Designed, but I think this guitar can do better than them. Way overpowered for the guitar as well. I've ordered some TV Jones Power'Trons for her. I think they will be JUST the key for this guitar.
Case looks great. Has two spot neck support, and fits Royale like a glove. Plush feels great. Made in CHina. Sides are a little thin. Its a good, not great built case, that looks fantastic.
UPDATE on NECK
Been playing all night. Finally went and took some measurements. I was mistaken. Neck is real close to a Gibson 60s Neck. It is pretty closer to my Tributes necks.
