First I must note that the one shown in the pictures is an older version, made in a different factory (CGS serial) to the one they sent me (CYKL serial). I own both, the older one has much better build quality. As far as I know, they no longer make them in the CGS factory and so Thomann should change the pictures to match...
This one the neck pocket preparation and fitment was poor and the lacquer already cracked because of it. The body contours are not as smooth (less rounded = less sanding / smoothing done to body before paint), the neck lacquer is much thinner and has a very curry-like yellow tint vs the more amber tint of the older model. The necks feel very similar and both have good fretwork. The pickups sound about the same, but the pots are different (old one has Alpha, new one some korean brand). The paint is lighter colour, the scratchplate a deeper yellow. Pickup selector is louder (acoustically), to the point that I will swap it out (along with the output jack).
Still a great guitar, if you're willing to put in a little effort to set it up and swap a few cheap parts, but better to get an older one if you can find them (CGS serial number). Even better if you can find one with a rosewood board, although there's very little, if any, difference tonally. I decided to keep it despite the crack in the lacquer and generally poor build quality, because the neck feels great and the frets are well prepared, the fingerboard is dark and doesn't look "dry" like some laurel boards can, and the sound when plugged in is lovely. The rest I can live with and sort out as I go.
