Cancer

 

Ending the month remembering where I was this time last year - in hospital fighting cancer. I was diagnosed with leukemia. Apparently, this form of leukemia does not require bone-marrow transplant but extensive chemotherapy. That lasted 10 months. 

Along the way, I was overwhelmed by grief & depression fighting a loss of income & treatment side effects. It took me about three months to pay off my treatment bills after going into remission & the figures were substantial. A treatment cycle consisted of 5 days of treatment a week for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks of rest. I had to go through the mandatory 4 cycle before a final diagnosis.

It's all about the money. If you are currently without a medical insurance, I suggest you sign up for one. Make sure it includes a post-hospitalization coverage. After insurance & MediSave coverage, I still had to fork out cash for my treatment bills. Falling sick is miserable compounded by the fact that you have no income to finance your medical bills. I had 90 days of hospitalization leave, beyond which, I was put on no-pay leave. Nobody asked me if I am able to cope with the treatment bills. Nobody. The assumption here is that people are insured to see them through life's challenges & that the government subsidized medical costs for the people. If that was sufficient, I wouldn't have to sell off gear to keep up. I got low-balled for the stuff I tried to sell off as well despite listing them for a fair price. I remembered a guy who said it's strictly buy-sell, my medical consideration shouldn't be factored in. I was fortunate to have an awesome ex-boss who sponsored my transportation costs to & from the treatment center; I will remember this for life.

Moving on. I had not bought a substantial piece of gear since the cancer happened. Looks like it will stay this way as my life took a further turn at the close of 2021. I will disclose this at a later opportunity. I am happy with my gear inventory now with a few listed for parting. I am also happy my gear indulgences had seen me through the cancer grief. It had taken away substantial attention from my ailment. Come to think of it, I would be worse off without such distractions, leading to possible tragedy.

Thank you. To all those who had supported me throughout my dark cancer days - I appreciate all gestures. I had thought of giving up guitar indulgences while lying down on the hospital bed but guitar & gear inclinations saw me through my personal struggles. 

It had been a good November, one that was spent away from cancer. Cheers, folks. ✌🏽

Pic: Onhealth

An S

Looks nice but problematic. This  one has fret buzz past the 5th fret across all strings. We wonder how it passed QC & made it to the store shelf. To be fair, it might have turned problematic due to weather-related issues; Ibanez SEW761

The first thing I do when dealing with fret buzz is to check the neck tilt. Look at how this one was shimmed at the factory 🙁 There might be a reason for doing so but it's not addressing the current issue. If this shim is placed as such. it will elevate the neck straight up with hardly any tilt angle.

That was removed. I placed the shim at the pocket end as depicted. This way, the tilt angle would be akin to that of a Les Paul. I find that such a tilt angle addresses action related issues better. 

To be continued...

Selling: Ibanez AF105 (SOLD)

Good Sunday morning, folks. Another one on the goodbye list: Ibanez AF105. Hard case included as seen here. Colour has turned into this tea-like hue over extended storage. Seldom played, so 95% fret life for your playing pleasure.

Just showing the colour difference which is more apparent at this part of the instrument.

• Ibanez AF105 full hollow body, hard case included
• Colour has darkened over extended storage
• 95% fret life, seldom played
• No reservations / trades
• Query / confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Self-collect: CCK / Yew Tee mrt station
• Price: $550 (final)

Guitar SOLD 28/11/2021 ✌️

Selling: Wally looper pedal

Letting this go; I don't see myself having a pedal board with wired pedals any more. Barely used, box included.

• Hotone: Wally looper pedal (first gen)
• Box included, 9/10 condition
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• No reservations / trades
• Query / confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price: $60 (final)

Selling: Gibson 490 pickups

Have these to clear: Gibson 490 humbuckers

 9/10 condition, 17cm of wire length for each pickup.

• Gibson 490R / 490T humbuckers in 9/10 condition
• 17cm of wire length + screws included
• Self-collect: CCK / Yew Tee mrt station
• No reservations / trades
• Query / confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price: $250 (final)

CM Sale 2021

City Music's annual sale begins today. Unlike other years, no catalogs are provided, do visit the links given at the homepage for details.

 Was there for a look-see & bought these. Might just get something else there.

Pic: CM

BS Sale

Solar Guitars' Black Sabbath sale. Why the mention? Because you know how it is with the Solar dealer here... let's not go there. Focus on what the sale has to offer. Folks it's 40% off, it's never been done before but yes, you have to factor in the shipping charges but it's still worth getting & not waiting for things to happen here at the stores.

These are good examples of value-for-money considerations. 

Do take note that this is the case now.

Pics: Solar Guitars

Give away: CPs (Done)

 

Good morning, folks. I have no Black Friday deals here but some Chicken Picks to give away.

This is a sponsored give away by the good people at Chicken Picks & the wonderful friends at Davis GMC. I gain nothing from this, in fact, I will incur postage charges but it's the least I can do for those of you who are with me & reading stuff here when there are plenty of other video-based, attention-grabbing stuff out there. I'm still a proponent of reading so this is my effort to engage you in some reading, he he...

Anyway, same drill applies, all the best:

• Send me an email with the title: I want chicken (picks)!
• Do not divulge your personal details till I confirm you are the successful recipient
• Please indicate (1 only) which model you wish to try (Bermuda / Badazz) note the difference in thickness & sizes between the models
• I will share the details once everything gets snapped up
• Bro Ijau - one pack already reserved for you & on the way. Thanks for your support from across the channel - you are treasured & remembered!

Also - this is not my final give away for the year. One more to go so stay tuned.

Essentially better

Spent time with the AZES31 today. Ever since I owned it, I find the default single coil pickups in this guitar above average but there's one thing it's unable to manifest well - twang. 

The main suspects were the default 500K pots & 22uf capacitor as evident in this entry: CLICK Took it down to Beez today to swap them out for 250Ks & a 47uf capacitor. That humongous Orange cap happened to be the most proximate when I was looking for a replacement capacitor. Verdict: It went from good to great. I still believe that single coil pickups match well with 250K pots. Some of us might enjoy the extra crispy tones of the 500K ones but they will take away some twang factor, that's what I noted.

Gave it a fresh set of EB Primo set (.0095s). I bought this pack about a month ago & intentionally kept it away for some time to see if rust spots would appear on the strings but none were seen here. However, due to the delayed use, the 'slinkiness' were not as apparent as those coming from a fresh pack. Not a bad Tuesday after all. 

Orange-ish

Today's visit to Davis GMC. 😑 To be continued...

Selling: PRS SE P20 (SOLD)

Good morning, folks! In view of the changes coming my way soon (sooner than expected), I'm selling off stuff to see me through. Will share more along the way. Letting my PRS SE P20 (non-plug in version) go. It's hardly played, bag included. Just a reminder, a parlor guitar is NOT a student-sized / travel guitar. Thanks in advance for your support.

• PRS SE P20, parlour type acoustic, Vintage Mahogony finish (solid top)
• PRS SE bag included
• No reservations / trades
• Self-collect: CCK / Yew Tee mrt station
• Queries / confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price: $490 (final)

Smoothie (2)

Was inspired to play early, like 7am early 😅 Cascaded a clean boost into the TS7 & had some of the creamiest tones for legato. The Killing Floor there is a bit of overkill, really. More than 30kb of boost. With high output pickups, it becomes an overdrive. The formula for smooth overdrive is not about adding more low frequencies into one's tone. In fact, without a marked treble response, it would be a muddy affair. The reason the TS7 was dialled up  for more top end & the KF tone mode was set to neutral. It had been a good Sunday morning.

Nippon '51

Squier fans would find this familiar; it's the '51. It was a popular mod guitar in the early 2000. Players don't mind paying for one because it was well-made, first & foremost. The default pickups were not bad as well. The most defining feature of this guitar is of course it's lack of a pickup selector switch. It's also a quirky model; Tele neck, Strat body & a P-bass pickguard. Last checked, it's still available in the after-market here.

Well this year, Fender Japan did a revival but unfortunately for the domestic only. This blond version with the Original P-Bass colour scheme is darn cool.

Pics: Amazaon / Fender Japan

Not custom

We often read claims in ads / forums that the Ibanez S540 is a custom made model; it's clearly indicated on the fretboard as seen above. 

Contrary to popular belief & owing to that misleading label, the S540 is not a custom made model. In fact, it's featured in the catalogs (in this case, a 1997 reference) as a standard model. This has led to many confusion & denial by countless uninitiated owners. Do not despair though, the S540 is every bit an elite, Japanese made guitar out there. The Ibanez of the 80s / early 90s were the stuff of legends when it comes to immaculate construction, fit & finish. I just wished I was already a working individual back then & could have acquired more of these instruments. 

Strong arm tactics

The new Epiphone Billie Joe Armstrong LP Jr is every bit a standard issue LP Jr with more than $100 difference between the models. Will you pay more for one? Why was this released in the first place when it's just an endorsed version without material difference? Whatever, Epiphone.

Pic: Epiphone

Acoustasonic Player

The Acoustasonic models are a big hit for Fender despite them being above the midprice range. With the Player version (seen above - Acoustasonic Player Telecaster), it's no hiding the fact that they are cashing in on the popularity. This Mexican version shaved $800 off the list price. It will first attract the interest of those who had dismissed the Acoustasonic based on price per se. After witnessing the goodness first hand, they might just do an 'upgrade' along the way. The uninitiated will of course venture into the Acoustasonic territory as things are seemingly more 'affordable' with the Player models. So it's win-win for Fender.

Pic: Fender

The other greenie - ver. sparkle

The Nobels ODR-1 is the other greenie pedal. Modelled in the image of that infamous greenie but not quite a clone or close copy. It's just that other greenie that holds its own in terms of tone. This time, it's offered in a green sparkle variation & it's available on pre-order @ echoinox (List: $228).

Pic: GW

Smoothie

I usually don't do this but in an attempt to manifest that smooth drive tone, one has to employ a drive unit of that ilk last in the chain. The DS-1 is there as a push / boost unit. The TS, in my opinion, is capable of producing some of the smoothest drive tone out there but sometimes it needs assistance in terms of saturation. 

Rat stock

If you are waiting for the pack, it's now available at Swee Lee (List: $359). For those of us new to the scene, the Rat is a gruff-sounding distortion, something with a little fuzzy twist to things. It may / may not appeal to you. Certainly not the heavy metal type distortion.

Pic: Held M

Imperial goodness

I thought this wouldn't make it here but it's now available at Davis GMC. The 24-fretted Bacchus Imperial24-BP-RSM/M features a baked maple neck & fretboard like its BST siblings - all for a sub-$400 consideration.

Pic: Bacchus International

New 7s

New Solar S1.7AHLB featuring Fluence pickups. Poplar burl is still the top of choice for some Solar guitars & it's a very tasteful inclusion. For me, it's a move away from flames & quilts. 

The HS pickup combo is now featured in a 7-string offering - AB1.7HTPB. Together with the roasted maple neck & SS frets, it's one heck of a guitar. Can we get these in the stores here, what do you think?

Pics: Solar guitars

New Bill?

Was watching a Mastodon clip a few days ago about their creative processes. Saw this interesting guitar, it just looks cool; Bill Kelliher double-cut LP type.

Dug a little deeper, it seems that the guitar had been teased online since May. OK so I was late but still good to know. 

Pics: Youtube / Guitarfxdepot

Re-string Thursday

Spent time with this woody. It's one of my preferred guitars not because it's better than the rest but because it brings out my better playing moments.  I love everything about it as well; unfinished body, 22 frets, wide neck, Seymour Duncan pickups & a very wield-friendly weight. Kinda regret not paying more attention at the S540 guitars when they were available. A fresh set of D'Addario 9s for this one. FYI, the pickups in this one: PATB (b) / Hot Rhythm (m) / Full Shred (n).

Off schedule

Now you know why. I'm personally not looking forward to any incoming products till 2022. 

Pic: Ibanez 

Multi-colours

I think we'd noticed that if a product is enjoying some degree of commercial success, variations of it would be manifested & people will buy the same thing in different guises. Les Pauls & Strats are easy references. Ibanez did likewise with its multi-tool. Among the new finishes offered - faux leather, faux carbon fibre & everyone's favourite colour - pink.  

Pic: Ibanez

Micro menace

We've seen this before in guitardom; small amp heads packing a big punch. These are Orange Micro models - the Micro Terror (L) & Micro Dark (R). Not for those who are looking for overdriven sweetness as the names imply. Something you need to know - these run on an ECC83 pre-amp tube. Available at Davis GMC. 

Pics: Orangeamps

MOMM (8)

Taking it easy today, a lot on my mind so chilling indoors, listening to music & spending time with the cat.

• Torn Arteries (Carcass). The latest release, down to a trio. Original drummer, Ken Owen chose to retire his musical endeavours after a brain haemorrhage in 1999. Dan Wilding has since taken over with no drop in drumming standards. Torn Arteries is the Carcass of late, redefined by marked guitar works as opposed to churning out grind sludge ala Reek of Putrefaction. Bill Steer is still one of the best guitarist out there. Take time to listen to this one, folks. It's a fine album.
• Celebrate: The Collections (Simple Minds). I've been slowly hunting for compilation releases by 80s bands. That's the music of my era, they are still playing in my head & I still like them. Simple Minds might not be well known, the only impressionable track they have is Don't You (forget about me) compounded by their Scottish existence. 80s music is teaching me about effective simplicity. BAnds like SImple Minds & New Order, these are the perfect references for that.

Take care, folks. The infections are not relenting & at this rate, it's befitting of the semi-abandonment treatment; if you're infected, you have to fend for yourselves, mostly. Subliminal screwing.

Orange Ps

Some Orange pedals are available at Davis GMC now. 

Contrary to popular beliefs, these are not boutique units so they are reasonably priced. Do check them out. 

Pics: Orange Amps

Up... up...

This....

 And this....

And darn, this...

Lights... '21

Deepavali greetings to Hindu friends & blog readers. We were at Malacca a few years ago during Deepavali & the town was punctuated  with people letting go crackers & mini fireworks. It lasted through the night till early Deepavali morning. Didn't get much sleep but enjoyed the moment. It's another muted & restrained Deepavali this year but knowing it's there & observed is more important.

Crushes

Some Orange practice amps are now available @ Davis GMC. These are not tube amps, just keep that in mind. 

That's the reason these are affordable. That Mini is a desktop unit just like the mini Fenders & Marshalls.

Pic: Davis GMC

J-Tal

 

I will continue to taunt the Ibanez fans with the J-Line models which are obviously not available here. The Talman (TM730) model received a pair of new finishes, nothing new in features. These are quality Japanese models & should be accessible to fans in terms of price. Hmph!

Pic: Ibanez Japan

Johnston Trad

Nick Johnston is a single coil person but strayed into the HSS path quite recently. The SSS version is still in production in addition to this wonderful iteration. The Schecter NJ Traditional (Indonesia) is every bit a Nick Johnston, just a pickup combo variation. We've seen a few HSS guitars here that are value-for-money; Bacchus BST, GTRS S800, Ibanez AZES etc. This guitar is another one for the list but it's in mid-price territory due to the endorser affiliation. Just be informed that the frets are extra jumbo stuff so it's not quite the Fender-esque feel but a contemporary variation of it. Available at Davis GMC (usually not for long, he he...).

Pic: Schecter GR