Monoprice Indio Cali DLX Plus | Review | Demo
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- In this 151st installment, Jimmy gives us the usual “sight & sound” tour of the latest addition to the studio, the Monoprice Indio Cali DLX Plus. This is a ash body Strat style guitar from Monoprice and we get the up front and personal look and listen, from unboxing to the outro tone checks!
He's not heavy; he's my Cali... Ash bodies tend to be almost 2 pounds heavier than their alder brothers. Really nice addition to the Monoprice collection!
Oh yeah…expected it to be “heavy” but it’s HEAVEY! 😎
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Cal B…the channel support is much appreciated!! 🎸👍
Isn’t funny how several years ago we were fooled into believing Ash is a light wood. Light only if you consider a tank light.
I’m the 200 thumbs up and hit it before starting the review. I just appreciate you taking the time to upload a review to help me out.
Hi Awesomedave! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! Much thanks…🎸👍
Awesome guitar Jimmy! That DLX Plus sounds and looks great. Monoprice has been knocking it out of the park with their guitars. As I've said before, Monoprice will be one of my top brands when shopping for budget friendly guitars. If you keep ordering guitars, you're going to need a bigger studio. Thank you for the demo and have a great week!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Tim! Greatly appreciated. What was that line from Jaws….🤣
Jimmy,
Just wanted to drop by, I recently was able to acquire one of these Six strats from Monoprice. I was impressed with it right from the get go. Definitely a step up from the Cali, although I like it as well. You were right on with your review, and it helped me a bunch when looking...thank you. Best wishes for a Great Summer. re
Hi Redelk…nice to see you drop by and congrats on your new Strat!! So glad this was helpful in your decision making and enjoy it!!
Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts!!
All the best and keep pickin’ my friend…🎸👍
Beautiful guitar and wonderful outtro jam Jimmy, thanks so much for sharing. Inspirational!!!
Really do appreciate you watching and commenting mCKENIC! Really do appreciate your support…thanks so much! 🎸👍
Went a head and pulled the trigger on getting one of these while they are on sale. $133 total w/ tax and S&H. What a steal. Hope it sounds as nice as yours. Thanks for all these amazing well made videos on these guitars my friend. What a service, what youtube was made for!
Hi Mo…thanks ever so much for watching and the kind comments! Congrats and enjoy it!! Incredibly good price on a very nice “budget” Strat. Hard to even buy a “kit” worth anything at that price…truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and have fun with your new DLX Plus Cali…🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Oddly enough I have a kit on the way as well. My daughter was so impressed with the monoprice jazzmaster with p90s video that you recorded that I ordered the "JagMaster" kit from GFS. I also ordered their original p90 soapbars as well. Hopefully it will sound close to the one you recorded. However, when monoprice has a sale, I will live by your motto and look forward to new guitar day next week here in my studio! Here is another video with the big ash body strat doing some "metal" tones for anyone interested.
czcams.com/video/iP2mJtdnjaM/video.html
@@mosneedly3751
Ha!! Tell your daughter she has “good taste”!! 🤣
The GFS is good stuff….enjoy your build!! Again, appreciate your stopping in and sharing. I have a few Jazzmaster styled guitars and love em…as you probably already know if you have spent some time on the channel, I am a big fan of P90’s and offset guitars in general….🎸👍
Yay a Strat! 🎸 It's a real beauty and sounds good. I always enjoy your great playing. You can never have too many Strats imo. I have the Cali Classic Sunburst L/H and it's a great Strat.
Yes!! A Strat! 😎
Thanks so much for watching and commenting David! Glad you enjoyed. My other Monoprice Strats are also great! Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍
I have been playing guitar for many years. I own a Gibson Les Paul, a Taylor Acoustic and a top of the line Squire Telecaster. I've never really liked Strats all that much but bought the Cali DLX on sale to give it a try. It was a great guitar out of the box but I did not love the pickups so I put in some Fender Deluxe drives. With these pickups the Cali DLX is awesome. It plays and sounds like a $1000+ guitar. I am becoming a Strat convert. A good one is so versatile!
Hi Peter…interestingly over my 55 years or so or playing, it wasn’t till around 2000 that I got my 1st Strat. Much like you, I never really got into them, and used Gibson LP JR and my 85 Steinberger as my main stage guitars. The Cali DLX is a lot of guitar right out of the box indeed! Appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! Much thanks…🎸👍
Thanks Jimmy for another interesting review. I have two HHS's to unpack when I get back to the states later this month.Unfortunately the black one arrived via FedEx with the carton destroyed and left in the rain ten feet from my covered porch. I may have to send that one back. I really enjoy your reviews and especially your jamming.
Thanks so much fleetfoot…sorry to hear about the black HSS…you never know..it maybe good to go? So glad you are enjoying the channel and reviews! Appreciate your stopping in and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍
Wilkinson WVP tremolos as so smooth.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Much thanks!! 🎸👍
Howdy Jimmy! That is a beautiful looking and beautiful sounding guitar. Monoprice definitely has some cool guitars.
Yes they do Danny! Thanks so much for stopping in to the channel and watching/commenting! Much appreciated! 🎸👍
Am I the only one who screams "NGD" and "Buy it" on cue? LOL I truly enjoy these informative mini jam sessions Jimmy!! Keep up the great work! I think you may have something about the setups on the higher end guitars. I noticed that on my boardwalk also! Thanks again and keep jamming!
Thanks so very much Reggie!! I hope your not the only one!! 😎
So glad you enjoy the videos and it’s always a pleasure to have you stop in to the channel and share your comments! Much appreciated my friend…🎸👍
good stuff as always, Jimmy...Love ya
Thanks so very much Bob!! Much appreciated! 🙏👍
Love the color .sounds good .good to see ya jim
Thanks so much Tom! Appreciate your stopping in! 🎸👍
I have that exactly model too! I’ve upgraded to Wilkinson EZLok tuners, added a red pearl pickguard (looks amazing) - was totally surprised to find not only AlNiCo pickups, but also full sized 250k pots! I’m very happy that I got one with this two point trem! It floats so nicely to bend in both directions! I also love all the vocal tone options on this thing…nothing else quite like it!? Although mine was a three piece ash body…still with lovely grain matching! 👌
Hi Dennis…yours sounds like a great guitar! Very cool…congrats and enjoy it!! Glad I picked mine up as well. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍
You need to show a pic! Would love to see it!
@@carlc2597 HI Carl C....here it is! drive.google.com/file/d/190VQ4NHa2eXVlSalSIecXe29vRjTMubA/view?usp=sharing
@@carlc2597 you’ll note I made more changes - a tortoiseshell pickguard now and HSS Wilkinson pickups…with black plastics! Interesting!!??
@@carlc2597 And here are the three iterations over the last few months! ;) drive.google.com/file/d/1R36r57JjquuPhzXe4Fd43Fo_70JA7ws2/view?usp=sharing
77 I graduated and went on the road soon after.
Still got a few years on ya Funk…😎
Truly appreciate your stopping in! Appreciate your watching/commenting! Keep pickin’…🎸👍
Nice Guitar. Great review. Heavy though. And great picking on your part, it sounded Great.
Thanks so very much David for the kind comments! Truly appreciate your stopping by the channel! 🎸👍
I got the les Paul copy man that thing looks and sounds great. Better than my squire classic vibe. I didn't think I'd like it that much
Hi Mike…thanks so much for watching and commenting. Yes…I have both of their DLX Plus LP’s as well. One with humbuckers, and the Goldtop with P90’s. Both have full reviews and demos here on the channel. Truly appreciate your stopping in and sharing your thoughts. Much thanks…🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 well I appreciate you doing all the reviews they are really helpful
@@mikevega7740
Thanks Mike…glad to hear that they have been helpful and you are enjoying them! 🎸👍
Jimmy, that is EXACTLY the same model that I have! Same color, too! But over 9 lbs?!? Holy smokes, and I thought mine was slightly heavy at 8.5 lbs!!!!!!!! I’m torn though, because as heavy as it is, it is still possibly one of the BEST playing guitars I have, and that 2-point Wilkinson tremolo is GORGEOUS-it keeps tune really well for a non-locking system! BEWARE THOUGH: it seems some of the newer ones have replaced it with a 6-point tremolo system-not as good, I say! At the opposite end, the IYV IPF-300 is still by far the lightest one I have at 5.5 lbs. If I were in your spot though, I’d probably want to start pruning my collection and keeping only the best and most played ones!
Nice!! Though it’s heavy, my initial impressions are very good. It’s only been a day however, and I am certainly prone to grab something “light” to practice/bang on..😎
I realize that at some point, I will have to “thin the herd”, but really don’t look forward to it. Perhaps I can come up with a way to do it that will be fun/interesting and not a pain or dreaded task. We shall see I guess…thanks as always for stopping in and sharing your thoughts PG…much appreciated! 🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 I can definitely think of ideas that would make your “thinning the herd” more FUN, and less painful! You’ve got some wonderful and truly unique models, but I also notice some duplications and minor variations creeping in-for this reason, I bet if you choose carefully, you could do it without sacrificing too much. For example: shedding models that are simply color variations of the same model (unless they’re truly UNIQUE or one-of-a-kind colors that you don’t have anywhere else in your collection), or ones that don’t bring anything unique to the table in terms of tone, feel, or playability. Along those lines, I’m trying right now to shed a red Firefly FFTL and a green IYV IP-350!
@@zuperdee
Oh, I can certainly come up with ways to do it…it’s just the logistics of the whole thing…I dislike selling guitars. Shipping is expensive and a hassle. I would have to concentrate on local. I have some thoughts on it, along with some possible donations but like I said, don’t know if I am emotionally ready yet….😎
man i love the color of that puppy wooo!!
i bought "part" of one of that series....a pickup set from one on ebay....
not sure what theyll go in tho as of yet...
great review and playin as alwayz brother!
The finish is wonderful…yes! Glad I was able to grab one of these, though I needed another Strat like a….😎
Really appreciate your stopping in Mike…. thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it! 🎸👍
Those mono's continue to amaze me. But I'm just such a firefly fan if I buy any guitar it will come from them I've owned 3 and recently got My 3rd at they all have been incredible maybe I'm lucky or they've stepped the game up. But for 200 dollars my Lord it can't be beat but I've never played the other budget models I maybe selling myself short.
Hi Chuck..thanks for watching and commenting! I am a big Firefly fan myself (having more than a dozen of them) so I know how you feel, but you are certainly selling yourself short on many fine budget models from Monoprice, IYV, Grote and others. This guitar was around $145 shipped to the studio on sale….a great buy!!
Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel, and hope you have a look around at a lot of the budget guitar reviews I have, along with the Firefly’s! 🎸👍
I have one, bought it recently on sale also, and you are right, it is a nice guitar, looks and sound, especially for the price!
That’s great Bobby! Congrats and enjoy it! Thanks so much for stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts! Much appreciated! 🎸👍
Mine has a lot more graining to the ash and is very obviously at least two pieces. I like the grain but not too excited about how the pieces were put together. I'd probably trade the grain for less of an obvious seam (or no seam at all!) like you have. Definitely one of my heavier strats too!
Hey Greg…thanks for watching and commenting. I was very surprised by this. Great looking/playing guitar, and glad I was able to grab it. It’s quite heavy yes…in my situation it will mostly be a studio guitar, so not really a issue. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing! 🎸👍
Really enjoy your new guitar day. Do you keep all of these guitars or later sell them. How many guitars do you have. Like you I enjoy getting a new guitar.
Thanks so much R. Honeycutt! Nice of you to watch and comment! As of right now, I have kept every single guitar shown here on the channel. I will (at some point) have to start thinking about “thinning the herd”, but do not look forward to it. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and hope to see more of you here. Current guitar count is a highly kept secret, but it’s less than 100 but not by much! 😎
Oh wow. I've gotta say, I do not like the color on this one. It looks great on the website, darker orange amber and much better blending to that red edge. If they sent me the one they sent you, it'd have to go back. Makes me think of Ronald McDonald. Sad. I'm glad that you and so many others like it, but that's not for me. I've never liked cherry burst Les Pauls for the same reason. Needs more blending and a darker center. More amber less yellow. Glad I got to see a real one before deciding to purchase. As always though, great video Jimmy!
Hi Sean…thanks so much for watching and commenting. You know, we all have a preference in what we see in any particular finish, so I totally get it. It’s not for everyone…I don’t have any issues with the finish myself, but totally understand what you are saying. My biggest issue (though I was aware going in) is the weight. These ash bodies are heavy….
Thanks so much for stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts. So glad to hear I was able to assist in your decision making! 🎸👍
Hey Jimmy! Been watching your show for a while now and have seen mostly Indio guitars - I take it that you review budget friendly guitars generally? I have been online shopping for that kind of guitar for a while now. Decided on a Tele or Strat style and looked at Indio (bought my grandson the Indio Strat dlx plus, very nice,and I own the Stage Right 15 watt tube combo). Also looked at Sire, Squire, G&L amoung others. Finally settled on the Yamaha pac112vm for 339.00. Went with that because I wanted alnico pups and a maple neck. It also is HSS configured with coil tapping on the bridge pup. You can get the pac 012 with standard ceramic pups minus the coil tapping with rosewood fretboard for 209.99! 209.99 for a respected brand name guitar is one hell of a deal! I owned a Pacifica years ago and gave it to another grandson.😢 Anyway, if all goes as it’s supposed to, Tuesday will be new guitar day for me! YIPEEEEE!
Hi Carl…thanks so much for watching and commenting! Initially, I started this channel after grabbing a couple of Harley Benton and Firefly guitars that I thought were great bargains for guitarists looking to add a certain model or style guitar to their arsenal without breaking the bank. I own a number of “high end” guitars as well including Gibsons, Fenders, Martins, etc…etc..I have since done reviews of them as well here on the channel. I have a series here called “Classic/Vintage Guitars”.
I do reviews of “lots” of brands, but obviously you simply can’t do them all…I tend to go with what I find to be something I have wanted over the years, but simply didn’t want to spend big bucks on duplicating what I already have. I am a fan of offsets, short scale guitars, or anything just a little unusual and affordable. I have a number of reviews here including Monoprice, Firefly, Harley Benton, IYV, Grote, Slick, LyxPro, Squier….
Anyway…congrats on your new Yamaha and hope you enjoy it!! Have a look around the channel and you will discover a lot more that just Monoprice guitars…(though I think they are a great value overall). Thanks again for stopping in Carl…much appreciated! 🎸👍
Nice hearing back Jimmy! Thank you and have a great day! It’s cool that you actually reply to your viewers - a lot of CZcamsrs don’t!
Also Jimmy, roughly how many guitars do you have? Still married……..?
@@carlc2597
Thanks man…appreciate it! 🎸👍
@@carlc2597
The actual number is currently “classified” but I can tell you it’s just short of “just one more”….😎
Seriously though….getting close to the century mark…and yes, happily married to my wonderful wife and we just celebrated our 44th anniversary! 🙏👍
I got one of these for like $140 new recently. 🎉
Yes indeed!! Got to love a good “sale” and then…”BUY IT” 😎
Thanks so very much for stopping in to the channel…congrats on yours as well! Enjoy! 🎸👍
Were the frets dirty? I didn't see anything. The fingerboard looked like it definitely needed cleaning. I just saw the date. Never mind if you don't remember.
Thanks for watching…as I recall it was not that bad right out of the box to be honest. I usually clean them up after the initial “review”, but as I remember this was pretty clean. Appreciate your stopping in! 👍🎸
You got a good one. I ordered one in the same finish and it didn’t look that good. It also didn’t have the nice two point trem. I’m jealous
Hi Chris…thanks for watching and commenting. I have heard that some have received a slightly different version of this model without the Wilkinson 2point trem.
I wonder if like their Retro models that have changed, if in fact that some are now being made in a different plant?
The “newer” models have Wilkinson stamped on the pickups and a six point bridge/trem it seems. I am only speculating here, but this could be what’s happening. I truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing! 🎸👍
Yeah I love watching you’re videos. I’m new into guitar playing and I’ve gravitated towards the Indio because with the sales they are just so cheap. And the other ones I’ve received have been pretty darn great. The one I got does have the Wilkinson stamped on the pick ups and a white pick guard and the 6 point trem. I know it’s a gamble but it’s hard not to feel a little jipped. Anyways I’ve watched basically all of your videos on all the different Indios and some of the other more inexpensive guitars. Thanks for the great content
@@chrisallen3885
Thanks so much…I appreciate your kind comments and glad to hear you enjoy the channel! Depending on when you purchased yours, you can always contact Customer Service at Monoprice if you dislike or feel you didn’t receive the guitar you bought. They have a 30 day return. I still think that they are sourcing different manufacturing and current stock is a mix of “older model and newer model” on certain models they sell.
What did you give for this one Jimmy? And what was the fretboard radius? I guess I missed both.
Thanks for watching…you didn’t miss both, as I never stated either…😎
This guitar is normally $199 and with the sale, it was around $145
The fretboard radius is the Asian standard 350mm or 13.77 inches.
Thanks so much for stopping in to the channel! Much appreciated! 🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Thanks Jimmy. How about doing a couple of videos, one comparing neck profiles and finishes and the other on scale lengths, nut widths and radiuses on these low cost guitars (Indio, IVY, Grote, Squier, etc), comparing them to each other and then vs. the models they're copying? So much of playing is related to neck comfort, I'd really like to see you do a deep dive since most of us won't know until we get them in the mail and actually lay hands on them. I'm really enjoying your channel, sir.
@@floydthebarber9956
I usually go over scale and fretboard radius on each review. I didn’t on this one, as I figured most already knew what it was, as I have done a number of Monoprice guitar reviews with the biggest difference in this being the weight! I appreciate your sharing your thoughts here and will consider how to bring some of your suggestions into the fold! Thanks again for stopping in 🎸👍
Gotta ask my friend. How many guitars are you up to now?
Hi Jeff…thanks for stopping in! I can say that it’s less than 100, but not by much…😎
@@JimmyStewart1 I was going to say we'd love to see a video of your collection, but I guess it would have to be a series haha. Keep it up sir!
@@Jeff_Blanton
🤣🤣
It would be tough to do all in a single video for sure…😎
I’m looking for a guitar mage of feathers and marshmallows not granite needs to be light.
Thanks so much for stopping into the channel. There is certainly other Strat style guitars out there that are lighter than this Cali Deluxe! The standard Monoprice Cali is a much lighter instrument. This model is Ash, so…tends to be on the “heavy” side. Let me know if you find that “feather & marshmallow” body Strat….😎
What about us lefties! We're like the bastard step children! Come on Firefly, IYV and you rest. Show us some love!
Agreed! You “Southpaws” are a special breed…😎
It’s always been tough for lefties in the world of guitars…you do see them from time to time, but you can also imagine it being tough for the manufacturers as well. Inventory of left handed guitars will sit for much longer until sold just due to the small market numbers involved. When you are a smaller company, keeping inventory tied up is simply not cost effective. Firefly has done a few drops of lefties…you may want to look at what Squier may have to offer as they are currently reducing prices on a number of models and big enough to carry some left handed models as well! Good luck in your search, and thanks so much for stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍
Ash is hard to spot seams
Hi Jim…thanks so much for watching and commenting. Agreed…
Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! Much thanks…🎸👍
That is a lot of guitar for the money! Very nice....But...that weight, Oy-Vey....My aching back.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Frank in NY…
Yes, it’s a heavy bugger, but like most Strats, nicely balanced with comfortable belly/arm contours. For studio use, sitting down it’s just fine! Still lighter than some of my LP’s….😎👍
@@JimmyStewart1 I hear ya Jimmy. I'm a Jazzmaster guy, I have a 66 that I've had since I was 15, and a 65 Reissue. At around 8 lbs, they make nice sitting electrics.
@@Frank-in-NY
Nice!! Love those JM’s….I have a few “clones” in the JM configuration and my Classic Vibe JM…very balanced offsets that are very comfortable “sit down” guitars.
@@JimmyStewart1 Yeah...Didn't bother me when I was 15 Standing and playing...LOL!
@@Frank-in-NY
I hear that…even throughout my 20’s/30’s/40’s I still used a lighter guitar for my main stage guitars (LP Junior) and then Steinberger mostly.
I am trying to think if I have ever seen a guitar weigh in heavier than this one. Nothing comes to mind.
But I am usually wrong. Memory was never great, and getting progressively worse.
My two Firefly LP’s are a bit heavier, but not by much. Both my Monoprice LP’s are lighter by a pound and a half!!
Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel ekw555…always nice to see you watching and commenting! 🎸👍
Ive never seen the bag ripping take longer in all my youtube days...
A.N.T.I.C.I.P.A.T.I.O.N 😎
I am seeing it for the 1st time too C H E
Appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 lol good review
@@che2335
Thanks so much…truly do appreciate your watching and commenting! Glad you enjoyed! 🎸👍
I didn't Father knows best played 🎸 guitar. 🙂🥂🇬🇧
🤣🤣
That’s great….😎
Thanks so much for stopping in to the channel Anthony. It’s much appreciated, and of course I should know…👍🎸
A bridge pickup with NO tone control... just like Fender since the 1950s.... How stupid. A short jumper makes the front tone pot control the tone for the bridge as well as the neck pickup...
Yep!! That’s a hack that many make. Appreciate your stopping in and commenting Doug H…🎸👍