Kala u (2)

This is me preferred ukulele. It's a KALA & purchased from this store called Ukulele Movement:

• All solid mahogany body
• Truss rod included
• Baritone scale length
• Ebony fretboard

The decision to finally purchase a ukulele was compounded by the fact that the store accepts CDC vouchers as payments.

To be continued...

National Day deals @ SL

Swee Lee is having seasonal discounts (National Day 2026) for selected products. 

I'm attracted to this Fender FSR Hybrid II P-bass. Usually not a finished headstock fan but this one looks very flushed together with the rosewood 'board. That white pickguard adds class, IMO. This is about the only thing I'm interested in this time round 😅

Pic: SL web store

MoMM (65)

I listened to this online & was not expecting to purchase a copy. This acquisition was more of an attempt to supplement the need for grandiose black metal riffing & composition ideas. Saying this upfront because there are (to me) no outstanding numbers in this collection. Songs are mostly unnecessarily lengthy (especially the intros) & patched with orchestration to remind listeners, ardent followers & newbies alike, the Dimmu Borgir identity. However, the staunch listeners would agree that things took a turn in this aspect after Death Cult Armageddon (2003). But this is definitely not a shabby effort. FYI, Grand Serpent Rising is DB's eleventh LP, the first after Galder departed in 2024.

Kala u

Totally out of my comfort zone, totally unnecessary but went ahead anyway.

To be continued...

GM-II-FX

Just look at this one; isn't it simply attractive? Yes - simple & attractive. It's merely a Grass Roots but as the model citation suggests, it's a Grass Roots (G) version of the ESP M-II. I'd rather spend money on this one as opposed to a lower tier LTD because those cost too much these days. Really hope this would make it here regardless of when that would be.

Pic: ESP Japan

TOD100N

We end July in the knowledge that the TOD model moves one up to become the TOD100. The guitar has an immediate visual impact with the exposed layers at the elbow rest area. This finish is referred to as the natural high (gloss).

This rather pale version is called the toasted marshmallow (matte). Visual distractions aside, it's good to know that the TOD100 feature a solid body. The natural high version sports a solid spruce top while this pale beast has a flame maple top. Both versions have solid okume backs & sides.

One of the new feature highlights for this TOD version is the smoother neck-to-body joint. It's especially useful for those who venture up the upper fret area.

The other note worthy revision - double hole bridge. This offers a tighter grip but a little fiddly which I discovered while dealing with the AUP10N. I'm just happy to see the TOD100 moving a tier up in terms of features as opposed to being another obligatory signature adventure.

Pics: Ibanez