As of Friday, I am the proud owner of a CE Blade.

I almost feel compelled to write a review as I got it at the introduction, direct from CE, deal. I'll start by saying I really like the direct sales business model. I commend CE / CA for attempting it and listening to their customers.

I also plan on adding picts and additional info later, but for now I'll give you my initial impression.

It arrived via UPS in a brown box with a little damage. Very minor puncture holes and minor crumpling. I opened the box from one end and pulled out a black hard/ soft case by SKB. It did an excellent job protecting the guitar and no marks or issues on the case. The case has exterior zipped pockets with additional pockets inside. Seems very nice looking and very functional.

I opened the case by opening the two well designed large zippers and the Blade was sitting snug in it's place. My first impression was it looks great, but I was a bit hesitant as I've heard from other owners that minor issues had been noticed. I pulled the guitar out of the case and inspected it. I was very happy with the finish and craftsmanship work with the carbon fiber. The back was perfect and very smooth. The neck showed no imperfections and the seams were great. Clearly this guitar could be a display as easily as an instrument. I was equally proud that this guitar was initialed and numbered just as some of the others have described.

In regards to the weight......As a high end car enthusiast, I'm familiar with carbon fiber and the weight advantages it has. I was a bit surprised the guitar didn't feel lighter. Though, I know everything is relative and it seemed much lighter than a Stratocaster I picked up about two weeks ago. I do think there might be some room to make it a little lighter.

One other thing I noticed was how far off the guitar the bridge was. I can see, easily, 1/2" of thread from the bolts below the bridge. Not a big deal to me if this is in fact the design.

As I pulled the guitar in to get the "comfort" test. I really like how thin it is. I play a folk sized AE and it has a similar feel that allows a guy my size the ability to tuck it into and control it easy. (I'm 6' +) I sat it on my lap and positioned it in a very comfortable location. It didn't seem heavy or even noticeable on my leg.

So, so far.... nice packaging... good case.... nice craftsmanship.

I will say the design is a bit "heavy metal" looking for me and I think that is just a "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" issue. But, I could see cutting out an additional 1" along the edge to make it a bit easier to reach the high frets.

The dots showing the frets are inlayed into the top of the neck and work perfectly for me.

The knobs seem fine, but if there is one thing that makes me scratch my head, it's the switch. It seems real small and flimsy and I'm not sure it's in the right place.

Another design issue that has been discussed, is the removal of the bottom to get access to the inside to make modifications, etc. I want to clear something up. I would describe it as being able to remove the top, not the bottom. The distinction being I don't see a way you could get inside it and make any changes without removing the strings. It seems to me you would remove the strings, unscrew it from the bottom and break the seal to pull the top off. Maybe in a future design rear access could be possible allowing changes without restringing. Don't know.. just a thought.

So, how does it sound? How does it play? Well, here is where I fill you in. This is my first electric guitar and I've only been playing acoustic for about three months. So I'll attempt to give you my observations but keep my admission of noobieness in mind.

Frankly I was just as eager as you to find out. So fortunately, being a Friday, I knew a local band was playing at the local watering hole and I was invited to bring the Blade up to be checked out. Actually, a friend of mind was just as eager to see it as I was to see it played and get some opinions.

So, I walk into the bar, guitar in hand, and when I opened the case you would have though I was (insert your favorite guitar player here). I felt like a rock star. Comments like, "man, that's beautiful", "that musta cost $4000", "can I hold it?"... all came out. So I was getting some nice responses from the out start. I happily turned over the guitar to several of the friends of friends I was introduced to. Giving them a chance to feel it and dry play it (Is that the correct term?). It was a bit hit... loved the action.... loved the weight.

When the band finished their set I was introduced to their lead guitarist. A real nice guy that judging by the songs I just heard him play, knew his was around a guitar and then some. I gave him the guitar and he said the same thing, "nice action" "nice weight" and asked if he could play it. I told him he could play his next set with it. He tuned it up in about 1 min. and played it for about five songs all to me sounded very good. Other band members and guitarists said it sounded great. I was bit surprised a guy could play it only having it in his hands a few minutes before.

So, that's my review for now. Like I said, I felt a little obligated to post up my thoughts rather quick as I know before I recieved mine I wanted to read reviews.

Later I hope to post picts and give you the break-in review.

I will say, for those of you that caught my other thread, the Satch Always you, Always me, is coming along. I played the intro and the first part o the verse on the Blade already. (Though, rather poorly)