Review: AXL USA 1216 Classic and USA Bulldog Solidbody Electric Guitars

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AXL made an auspicious debut a few years ago with its Badwater Series guitars, which proved that even low-cost, entry-level import solidbody electric guitars could have plenty of attitude and vibe. In 2011, AXL rolled out its first AXL USA model, the SRO Classic, which is assembled at the company’s factory in Hayward, California. It offers a compelling combination of pro-quality parts, meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship, and the distressed aesthetics and broken-in feel that made AXL’s Badwater guitars stand out from the crowd.

The USA 1216 and USA Bulldog are the two latest additions to the AXL USA line conceived by the company’s U.S. design team. Both guitars are based on classic single-cutaway set-neck Gibson Les Paul designs, but in typical AXL fashion they also possess their own distinct character and personality. The bodies and necks are constructed overseas, but the final assembly work—which includes installing the frets, pickups and hardware, and setting up the guitar—is done by hand in the U.S. by AXL’s experienced team of technicians and craftsmen.