This Is the basic evaluation list I use when I am inspecting a guitar. I have given this form a lot of thought. I have tried to make it so that it would work universally on any new or used guitar. I rate on a basic 1 through 10 system.  Occasionally I may bestow an 11, because I might be overly impressed with a certain aspect of the guitar.

This guitar requires that you read the entire article, While the fit & finish is excellent, this guitar leaves a lot to be desired in the final analysis.  Read the whole evaluation to get my meaning.

10  Neck Wood; Honduras mahogany, nicely figured and even grained
11  Neck Finish;  Nitrocellulose lacquer (So perfect I could barely tell it was nitro)
10  Neck Heel;  small like the original Paul Reed Smiths* (See Note Below)
08 Neck Joint  glued in Traditional
10  Neck Fit & Finish;   Perfect
10  Neck Feel;  Subjective of course but I liked it
10  Neck Action;  Low Fast Action
09  Neck Inlays;  CNC Done
10  Neck Inlay Material;   Paua Abalone
09  Neck Fingerboard;   Indian Rosewood (I prefer Ebony or Madagascar Rosewood)
10  Neck Scale;    25 1/8 inch
10  Neck Frets Size;   Medium Jumbo Dunlop 6155
08  Neck Frets (How Many);  22 Sadly they do not offer a 24 fret model at this time
10  Neck Frets Material;      18% Nickel Silver
___Neck Binding;    no binding on this model
10  Neck Stability;   Rock Solid
10  Neck Truss Rod;;  Stainless Single Action Truss rod  (Truss rod Slot Curved)
                                  Graphite Reinforcement between 9th fret and Body
9.5 Neck Truss Rod Location;   Head stock Traditionally located
10  Neck Truss Rod Adjustability;    Smooth and Even
9.7 Head stock Overlay;    Black 3/32 Phenolic on this model
10  Head stock Logo;  Very Tastefully done,  Signature type Logo
09  Head stock Tuning Pegs;   It Comes with Sperzels

Note # 1  I compare the heel against Paul Reed Smith because like them or not PRS Guitars are today's benchmark guitar.  I believe that any guitar company worth dealing with today has to build a better guitar than PRS or just go away.  Terry has to do a 24 fret guitar or I am simply not going to promote them.

10  Body Wood;  Maple & Mahogany combination
9.5 Body Wood Cosmetically;   (10 Top)
11  Body Finish;  (Outstanding Finish Work) (So smooth so perfect I could not tell it was a Nitrocellulose Lacquer Job)
10  Body Color & Staining;  Beautiful 3 dimensional translucent
9.7 Body Overall Appearance;   But Remember this guitar LISTS For Only $2,200.00  in 1998
09 Body Ergonomics;  Excellent except for the knob placement
__ Body Binding;   None
10 Body Strap Pins Cosmetics;  (You can Tell Terry used to work for Hamer)The Attention to detail here is second to none
10 Body Strap Pins Locations;   Guitar balances perfectly
10 Body Cavities;  Fully recessed
10  Body Backplate Tremolo;  Recessed Neat and tight
10  Body Backplate Electronics Cavity Cover;  Recessed neat and tight

8.9   Pickups Tone;   Subjective  A little Squeely but the trade off is sensitivity  (I hate Dimarzio Pickups)
7.5  Pickups Mounting;  I prefer solid mounting to the wood
07   Pickups, Location; I prefer off axis 24th fret mounting
09   Potentiometer Quality;
07 Potentiometer Location;  One pot seems to be at slightly different angle, that bothered me quite a bit
10   Switch Quality;  Mexican Made
10   Switch Location;  Well thought out especially the 5 way switch
10   Internal Shielding;  Hand Applied Electro Dag  (2 Coats)
10  Wiring Neatness;
10  Control Functions;
10  Controls Ease of Use;

06  Tremolo;  ( Vibe tremolo I thought it might be a trifle bulky size wise) 1998  (New one I don't like)
07  Tremolo Feel;
10  Screws ;
09  Plating Quality;  very good
10  Case;   British Racing Green, Tolex with Black Trim,  TKL Canadian High Quality
10  Case Interior;  Black Plush  Typical Excellent Quality

10 Builders Attitude toward Quality;  
10  Builders Attention to Detail;  Committed Totally
04  Builders Attitude to details of customer wants and needs
10  Setup and Action from the Factory;  Excellent
10  Intonation from the Factory;  Perfect
06 Available in 24 fret or 22 fret models  No 24 fret models  "fuhgedaboudit
09  Price Structure; Confusing and hard to figure out  Especially the paint costs
10  Overall Balance & Feel sitting;  Excellent
10  Overall Balance & Feel standing;  Excellent
08  Overall Value;  Very Nice Guitar, I like it OK but I can buy a Hamer for much less if I could accept 22 frets  (Which I cannot accept) There are 3 or 4 other small builders with more to offer 1n 2002  

HERE IT IS 2002 AND THIS LINE IS NO LONGER AS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AS IT WAS IN 1998.  IT WAS GROUNDBREAKING THEN BUT TODAY IT 'S JUST LIKE PRS.