Duesenberg Paloma CSR Reviews

What a finely crafted guitar!

When I ordered the Duesenberg Paloma CSR I had just sent back a Gibson SG Standard 61 Maestro Vibrola which was defective and should not have left Gibson’s factory. So what an incredible surprise when I inboxed my new Duesenberg Paloma. Everything about it is nearly perfect as best I can tell and the craftsmanship is the best I’ve ever seen in a production guitar.

The setup was perfect straight out of the box. The fingerboard is a dark rosewood with tight grain and it was not dry like a lot of American guitars. It plays like butter. So comfortable and nice in the hands.

I wasn’t sure about the color CSR as I thought it might be too pink but no. It’s very classy and this color of all available really suits this instrument.

The guitar can hold its own with any custom shop instrument from any manufacturer. No, it’s finer than any custom shop guitar that I’ve ever seen.

The strings (10s) that came on the guitar were brand new as you’d expect but look and felt fresh unlike other companies’ strings. They felt like premium strings also. No rust or oxidation.

I hated to waste the new Duesenberg strings but I want 9s on my Paloma and put a set of Elixir Polywebs 9s on it. I only had to raise the bridge ever so slightly a turn or two. No truss rod adjustment necessary. Tuned them up and all were perfectly intonated. No saddle adjustments needed.

I’ve heard the phrase “Strat killer” and this guitar is just that. When Fender fired master builder John Cruz from their custom shop I sold my US Strat. I had questions as to whether I’d miss the Strat or want to purchase something similar but the Paloma has all bases covered. No YouTube video comes close to what the Paloma sounds like in person. Awesome is the best descriptor.

I will definitely be a Duesenberg customer for life. I’ve got a Starplayer Custom on my wishlist. If you’re on the fence or uncertain about buying a Paloma I can assure you that it will meet all expectations and then some.

I had the guitar sent to Florida which only took fives days from Germany. Very fast and efficient trip. Loving my Paloma, you will too!