Tribute Plus

Finally, Epiphone realized it shouldn't treat the SG as a second class citizen in its Tribute line up. I'm saying this because the previous Tribute lineup (affordable bolt-on models) featured an inaccurate manifestation of an SG - two knobs instead of four. Currently, the newer Tribute lineup, called the Tribute Plus, are not in (yet) at City Music.

Pic: Epiphone

CK @ KL

Was in KL (Malaysia), dropped by CK Music which was merely a couple of blocks away from my hotel. I wish they would update their website because the listings did not match the in-store inventory. Enough said.

Iron-iversary

Still in the Fender end of things - the Iron Maiden 50th Anniversary collection was just announced / released. The guitars you see above are the (L-R): Janick Gers Strat / Dave Murray Strat / Dave Murray Masterbuilt Strat. That's right, no Adrian Smith model because he's playing a Jackson which ironically is a Fender sister brand. 

Of course, Steve Hariss' P-bass is included in this line up.

For the record, the 50th Anniversary's time line started in 1975 when the band first formed up. The debut album only happened in 1980.

Pics: Fender

Cyber

Swee Lee's Cyber Monday deals are now on. Before Fender focused on the Players & Vinteras in an attempt to elevate the Mexican models as value-for-money guitars, the Standard model had always been there to fulfil this aspiration. Good to see this on the CM deal list: $719.20 Quite frankly, this is a sleeper in plain sight. If you wish for a good Strat without paying excessively for one, this is a good consideration. Coincidentally, this was the last good Mex Strat I tried, hence the recommendation.

The Fender (Japan) Malmsteen is also on a good CM deal: $2,479. Between the Japanese & American versions, the former vibed with me better when I last tried one in store. Ironically, this CM price is currently higher than the Japanese MSRP: $2,246. Regardless of this difference, it's one of those signature models that I truly like for what it is - a good playing, good sounding guitar.

Pics: Fender

Short

I play short scale basses. I struggle the least when doing so. A major headache will take place when it's time to re-string them as the string brand  choices out there are limited. I don't fancy the Ernie Ball brand but it's one of the available options in the shops. If you see any such strings during your shopping spree, do let me know - TIA.

Goodbye, November...

Low

Been playing lots of acoustic lately. Attempted to play the electric today but my brain wasn't in the right gear to even churn out interesting riffs. So out came the bass. Did it help? Not quite. When you spend way too much time on guitars, you still think like a guitar player when playing the bass. Didn't last for even 30min.

Pictured above - my Ibanex Mikro bass & the Blackstar Fly 3 Bass. The idea was to chill on the couch with the amp close by. Maybe when I'm more clear headed, it might happen.