W & G

The Ibanez RG550 in white / grey are now in stock at Swee Lee: $1,549. No price hikes (yet). 

Pics: Ibanez

5111

Didn't realize this was already in the manufacturer's catalog. The ibanez RG5111 is a no-frills guitar; single pickup, single knob & non-locking appointments. My kind of guitar but I'm not into the colour & the Fluence humbucker. If the pickup is the major concern then you are better off with any single humbucking Ibanez, need not be a Prestige.

Pic: Ibanez

Starhill

Before I left KL, I managed to drop by Gibson Guitar Avenue at this rather classy mall called Starhill. This was the direct translation for Bukit (Hill) Bintang (Star), which is the heartbeat of KL to say the least. I sincerely feel that the distinguished label, prevented the store from being a typical guitar hangout that is inviting & doubles up as a gear watering hole for many gear buffs regardless of their background.

I felt like I had stepped into a Louis Vuitton boutique, under constant camera surveillance & had to be content with what's available. I was hoping they would have the Victory in stock but was informed that it would only be brought in upon a confirmed purchase order; it's one of those models that would not sell readily. So playing it safe is still the order of the day. But the guys at the helm were very friendly, engaging & accommodating. 

I wish guitar stores today are not tied down by the brands they distribute in terms of presentation; the guitars in GGA are like expensive wall decors, with glass panels which are more preventive rather than inviting. Would want to drop by Music Bliss on the next trip.

Elev8 what?

Gibson is now making pickups with Alnico 8 magnets. It's called the ELEV8. On the flip side, there are no markings / etchings / labels to say it's a Gibson pickup. Let's say, someone's selling you one in the after-market, how would you know it's a Gibson pickup? That someone could have bought a nameless cheapo from Ali Express for all you know & passing it off as an ELEV8. The unthinkable would be Gibson buying these from Ali Express & installing them into Gibson guitars & getting away with it. Let's all clap for Gibson 👏

Pics: Gibson

Black Metal

ESP released these LTDs calling them the Black Metal Series. These are only two from the lineup of six guitars. Variations apply, do visit the manufacturer's homepage to know more.

I actually find this Black Metal label rather contentious. We do know (my assumption) Black Metal is a music genre as well, yes? So by inviting this distraction, players might be thinking these guitars are for this music genre exclusively. Yes, the Seymour Duncan Mortal Coil pickups in these guitars are the perfect supplement for hard, heavy music but not exclusively. Reb Beach has EMGs in his guitars but he's not a metal guy. 

If that colour scheme looks familiar, it's actually the reverse of what SOLAR is doing with their Assassin models. 

And everyone was inspired by BC Rich, yes? 😅

Pics: ESP / SOLAR / GC

H-Slinky

Had been playing this set for about a week. Not really an EB fan, just wanted to try this gauge to see if it accommodates my perfect fourth tuning. Verdict - swapping the .011 out for a .010.