TEST: Mooer GTRS Wing 800

 Anyone who knows the Asian manufacturer Mooer knows that once the Chinese have set their sights on something, they really do everything they can to put their plans into action. It is therefore not really surprising that the manufacturer, which should be known to most musicians from the field of FX pedals, is consistently expanding the range of its new electric guitar line called GTRS and is not afraid to put models into practice to implement, which are likely to meet with rejection from the large, mostly more traditional competing companies. The Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB presented for testing thus includes a number of special features and clearly focuses on transportability.

The concept of the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB

Both optically and in terms of electronics, the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB goes its own way. The electronic area with regard to tone modeling has already been extensively tested by me in the Mooer GTRS P800 test - https://www.amazona.de/test-mooer-gtrs-p800-e-guitar-with-built-in-fx-processor/ - discussed, so in this test I would like to focus more on the analog section of the guitar, since the digital section is identical for both instruments.

As you can easily see at first glance, the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB is a headless guitar, a model that has lost a lot of popularity in recent decades. After Ned Steinberger launched the forefather of all headless instruments with his radical design in the early 1980s and thus triggered a gigantic fashion wave, by the 1990s at the latest it became very quiet about the missing headstock, the hard cut above the nut corresponded to the aesthetics very few musicians.

What you have to give the headless instruments credit for, however, is their consistently very small dimensions, which brings great advantages in terms of transportability, especially when using a gig bag, and especially in cooperation with the internally installed electronics and the fact that amplifiers and cabinets are not required and loudspeakers bring new possibilities. Aware of this, Mooer also included the appropriate, high-quality gig bag with the instrument, which only slightly exceeds the dimensions of a tennis racket bag. However, I wouldn't call it a real travel guitar, since the instrument is neither collapsible nor does it have a children's scale for reasons of size. Overall, the instrument, which weighs only 2.5 kg and has the dimensions (L x W x H): 820 mm x 297 mm x 60 mm, is more than just handy.

The headless principle

If the special features are not enough, the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB with its fanned fret fingerboard is once again aimed in particular at the prog fraction, so that all strings have the most even string tension possible and the associated swing-in and swing-out phase. A solution was chosen in which the zero fret is at a regular right angle to the neck and the 24 jumbo frets made of nickel silver move evenly towards the bridge, so that the bottom line is a scale length of 640 - 648 mm.

Regular sets of strings are hooked to the bridge with the ball ends, as with a standard headstock guitar, clamped behind the zero fret with six Allen screws and then brought into the necessary tuning with six "rotary tube mechanisms". However, this tuning process is not as comfortable as with a regular headstock, since there is very little space between the mechanics and the effort required is significantly higher than with regular tuners. With a little practice, this works quite well, although you can smoke the quick tuning, for example to Drop D, in your whistle.

What I don't think Mooer has solved well is the upper neck finish below the clamping screws. You may have noticed that almost all guitar and bass headstocks have a relatively smooth transition after the saddle to the first tuning mechanism. The reason is that with low frets, especially the first fret, the gripping hand is behind the saddle and therefore needs some "space" in this area. Unfortunately, we don't have this space with the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB, rather the neck wood, which consists of a 5-fold mixture of roasted maple and rosewood with a rosewood fretboard, wedges to the right and left immediately behind the zero fret, so that you can only place your gripping hand at right angles to the first fret. Alternatively, you have to reach over the clamping screws, whereby both solutions represent a very awkward and ergonomically questionable solution. In my opinion, Mooer should definitely make improvements here, as the playing comfort suffers considerably.

The woods

When it comes to wood, the otherwise comparatively futuristic guitar takes a more traditional approach. In addition to the already described maple neck, which was screwed 4 times, a body made of American alder is used. The body shape of the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB is a bit reminiscent of the Ibanez Reb Beach model from the eighties, which was unfortunately quite unpopular at the time, although it was equipped with a Floyd Rose vibrato system.

The cutaways of the body are very generously dimensioned and, not least because of their good shaping, allow the high frets to be played easily. The classic rib protector is also included and makes personal play easier in combination with the armrest shaping, which is also a popular choice. The paint work is impeccable, and the instrument was well adjusted from the factory.

The shaping of the neck is specified as standard C, which describes the design well, even though the neck is comparatively narrow. This fact will suit musicians with small hands, especially since the middle scale length on the treble strings underlines this impression. However, if you have real "shovels" for hands, you should try it out if you can handle these dimensions.

The Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB in practice

As always when I pick up a headless guitar, I always confuse the seventh fret with the fifth fret. The missing headstock requires a completely new adjustment of my optical perception, especially when the increasingly sloping frets play their part. However, the problem is solved relatively quickly, so you should not pay too much attention to this fact.

Interestingly, you hardly notice the fanned fret fingerboard up to the 12th fret, the unusual fret spacing only comes into play in the upper register, especially when it comes to multiphonics. Here you may have to change your personal fingering a bit, but this also works surprisingly quickly if you always keep an eye on the fretboard. Still, it's interesting how much the overall vibration behavior benefits from the more even string tension. The general sound impression is rounder, more balanced and leaves a really good impression, especially since the vibration behavior in terms of sustain improves significantly due to the roasted neck alone.

Unfortunately, as with the P800 model, the in-house GTRS HM-2N/HM-2B Alnico V humbucker pickups can't really convince me with this model either. The basic sound is too harsh for me personally and "bites" me too much in the high mids, which unfortunately somewhat reduces the otherwise all-round successful impression of the instrument. However, if you see the whole thing in connection with the processor system, which is still the focus of the instrument, you get a very flexible tool for just over €1,000, whose practical management in terms of transportability and flexibility picks up many hobby and cover musicians right there , where many musicians see themselves in their claims.

As already mentioned, you should listen to the processor sound files in the test report mentioned above, in this test there are only analogue sounds via the internally installed electromagnetic pickups. The sound files were created using a Hughes & Kettner Triamp MKIII, a Marshall 412 with Celestion G12 75T and 2 pieces of Shure SM57, all connected with Cordial cables. These are not emulations, profiles, plugins or other imitations, but the analogue originals.

Conclusion

With the Mooer GTRS Guitars Wing 800 Int PB, the Chinese manufacturer offers another model from the Intelligent Process System range. The guitar is very light, has only small dimensions and, through the combination of analog and digital guitar signals, offers many possibilities to produce as many sounds as possible with as little transport effort as possible.

If you only want to drive / cycle to the gig or to the test with a tiny guitar gig bag plus possibly a foot switch and two cables, you should try out the instrument.

Additional Informations:

Moeer Audio: A Comprehensive Company Report

Abstract:
This report provides an in-depth analysis of Moeer Audio, a prominent company in the audio equipment industry. The report covers the company's background, product range, market presence, technological innovations, business strategies, and future prospects. Moeer Audio has established a strong reputation for producing high-quality, innovative audio gear that caters to the needs of musicians, producers, and audio enthusiasts worldwide.

Introduction:
Moeer Audio is a renowned company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of audio equipment and effects pedals. With a commitment to innovation, quality, and affordability, the company has gained significant recognition in the music industry.

Company Background:
Founded in 2010, Moeer Audio has rapidly grown to become a leading player in the audio equipment market. The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, China, and operates globally, serving customers in over 80 countries. Moeer Audio's core mission is to provide musicians and audio professionals with accessible and versatile gear that enhances their creativity and performance.

Product Range:
Moeer Audio offers an extensive range of products that cater to various audio applications and user preferences. Their product portfolio includes:

Effects Pedals: Moeer Audio is well-known for its diverse lineup of effects pedals, covering a wide range of tones and effects. From classic overdrive and distortion to modulation, delay, and reverb, their pedals are designed to deliver exceptional sound quality, versatility, and user-friendly operation.

Amplifiers: The company also manufactures amplifiers that combine solid-state and digital technologies to offer reliable performance and tonal flexibility. Moeer Audio's amplifiers are renowned for their compact size, portability, and high-quality sound reproduction.

Multi-Effects Processors: Moeer Audio provides multi-effects processors that integrate a wide range of effects, amp simulations, and digital signal processing capabilities into a single unit. These processors offer musicians and producers a comprehensive toolkit for sound shaping and experimentation.

Technological Innovations:
Moeer Audio's success can be attributed, in part, to its commitment to technological innovation. The company invests significantly in research and development to stay at the forefront of audio technology. Moeer Audio continuously incorporates advancements in digital signal processing, circuit design, and component selection into its products, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and tonal integrity.

Market Presence:
Moeer Audio has established a strong market presence, with its products being well-received by musicians, producers, and audio enthusiasts worldwide. Their gear has gained recognition for its sound quality, durability, and affordability. Moeer Audio actively participates in industry events, trade shows, and collaborations with artists and influencers to increase brand visibility and engage with its target audience.

Business Strategies:
Moeer Audio implements several key strategies to maintain its competitive edge:

Product Affordability: The company focuses on offering high-quality audio equipment at competitive prices, making professional-grade gear accessible to a wide range of customers.

Product Diversity: Moeer Audio continually expands its product range to cater to diverse musical genres and user preferences. This strategy ensures that musicians and producers can find the right tools to achieve their desired sound.

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Future Prospects:
Moeer Audio's future prospects look promising. With its dedication to innovation, affordability, and customer satisfaction, the company is well-positioned to expand its market presence and capture new opportunities. As the demand for audio equipment and effects pedals continues to grow, Moeer Audio can leverage its strong brand reputation, technological advancements, and diverse product range to solidify its position as a leading player in the industry.

Conclusion:
Moeer Audio has established itself as a reputable company in the audio equipment market, renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and affordability. With a diverse product range, technological advancements, and effective business strategies, Moeer Audio continues to cater to the needs of musicians, producers, and audio enthusiasts worldwide. The company's focus on technological innovation, customer engagement, and product affordability ensures a promising future in the highly competitive audio equipment industry.