I'll admit, this was a what I'll call an educated impulse buy. In other words, I wasn't looking to buy anything new. Bur, I saw a review video in my YT recommended, with some hyperbolic title. That put it on my radar. Thus it was an impulse buy of sorts.That said, I had researched in the past the non USA made Sterling brand from Ernie Ball Music Man. I once had a MIA Ernie Ball Music Man. It was bar none, the best Guitar I have owned. But when I had to get a bunch of cash fast, a while ago, I sold it. I got almost what I paid new, back. SO, when back from that setback, I looked at their budget line.But they WERE made in China, which I have a thing against, so passed back then. But, from that video, I found they moved their manufacture to the Cor-tek factory in Indonesia. AND, the 2021 new models have a lot of nice features for sub $500 guitars.Overall, this is a really good guitar. It wasn't perfect, as delivered, though that was Sterling's bad, not zZounds. Most notably, the jack plate was installed slightly crooked. There was also the tiniest bit of not roughness, but, not as smooth as the rest, area of neck near the joint. It was barely perceptible, but was perceptible. A minute or 2 with the finest grade fret eraser, then Ernie Ball Fret Conditioner, for roasted maple necks, and no more Though the action was setup OOB fine, usual height you get from a factory setup. But, I like it a little lower. So out with the fret rocker. Yep 3 of the top 5 upper frets were the tiniest… read more high.10-15 minutes of using fret sanding tool, and fret erasers and no moreK, bad out of the way, what was good?Rest of the fit and finish was perfect. The bridge and trem is really high quality. Tuners, are better than most Asian made guitars I have gotten. Rolled fret ends, and overall fret dressing was great and smooth. Pots feel very smooth. Taper is actually pretty good. As good as top notch Bournes, etc? No, but about as good as stock from anyone. Switch feels solid. Uses mini pots. But, they are top quality minis.Setup, as far as intonation goes, was perfect. So was neck relief. Nut cut perfectly/Pickups sound really good. The 2 single coil are surprisingly good sounding. With the shielded cavity, they are darn quiet too. The Bridge Humbucker is decent. It's matched well with the 2 SS pups. BUT, I'm not 100% sold on it yet. But, I'll give it some time first. They all read out as vintage output. I can easily see the stock staying on all around, and being perfectly happy with them.Holds rock solid tune. Part great trem, part great cut nut, part MM design on headstock and string path,The neck is a joy to play. Close to a 59 LP type, but it is thicker on the base side, more like slim taper on other. moves more to a C shape at 12th, but still thicker on bass. Satin Roasted maple is just NICE.Overall, It is every bit as good (once I reset the jack) as the MIM Strats I have, or have had, the Squier CVs I have had, the Asian PRS I have played..So, for the price, this is an excellent guitar. The jack is easily fixed. I've got guitars costing twice as much that this is equal quality to and I usually replace the pickups on those, and at worst will only the Bridge HB on this CT50 (and might not).

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