Passive Jeff

These are the new Seymour Duncan Noumenon pickups conceived for Jeff Loomis. He's basically an active guy so these passives are something special for him. 

Folks, there are currently 6 & 7-string versions of these pickups which are voiced differently. The Alnico 8 6-string models are voiced to manifest a more cutting top end as this is essentially the Jeff Loomis tone. The Alnico 5 7-string versions are scooped which quite obviously supplements that extra low string of a 7. 

In this demo clip, Loomis kept saying the pickups have a 'more dynamic range'. Then again, any typical passive pickup does that; the three frequencies are there for the taking. This is unlike an active pickup where the focus has always been the top end. 

Pics: Seymour Duncan

Archless

The greatly talented Jeff Loomis had parted ways with Arch Enemy. I'm a Loomis fan & have been listening to his Nevermore & solo materials every now & then to remind myself the relevance of guitar technicalities in heavy music given the right attitude & treatment, of course. I don't listen to Arch Enemy, just not a fan. I see Loomis' presence in Arch Enemy as a misallocation of precious talent. Somehow glad he left. 

Pic: Blabbermouth

Pro Loomis

A new one from Jackson - Jeff Loomis' Pro-Series Kelly got a hard tail treatment. That's about it. Should it be more interesting than merely featuring a non-whammy version? If it should, then Jackson would be wise to hold it off till 2024. Nice body grain there & it's not ash.

Pic: Jackson USA

Looming revelation

Here is Jeff Loomis' signature Jackson. I was expecting a little more extravagance but it's a considerably down to earth instrument. No surprise that it turned out to be a Kelly type as he was seen with one on many occasions towards the end of 2018. 

Jackson looms

It's official- Jeff Loomis is now on the Jackson roster with an upcoming signature model to be revealed at Winter NAMM 2019. 

Pic: GW

Looming Jackson

Better late than not knowing- Jeff Loomis has left Schecter, it seems. He's seen playing Jacksons while on tour with Arch Enemy.

Pic: Jeff Loomis i/g

The Cygnus test

I'm sure you have come across the new Schecter Jeff Loomis Cygnus model (2016). Mr. Loomis wrote this tune just to test the guitar out:

Loomis' Duncans

We've seen these pickups in Jeff Loomis' new Schecter Cygnus guitar. We know Jeff Loomis is with the Seymour Duncan camp this 2016. More importantly, we know Jeff Loomis knows exactly what he wants. Interestingly, he mentioned the primary purpose of having these in development- for solos. Lots of great midrange on offer, listen:

In Cygnus & in health

This is Jeff Loomis' latest signature model- a Schecter Cygnus (to be released in 2016). It's acquired taste for many of us in terms of the body outline but that reverse headstock there is cool. These aside, Mr. Loomis has Seymour Duncans in there :-)

PIC: Schecter GR

Pro Loomis

You know Jeff Loomis, you know how much distortion/gain he has on board. That in mind, Mr. Loomis has recently teamed up with Protone for a signature drive pedal. I own a Protone drive pedal & must say it's one of the best in terms of saturation & harmonic trigger but it doesn't come cheap.

Jeff Loomis is the enemy

Didn't see this coming- Jeff Loomis is now with Arch Enemy.

Schecter 2014: Jeff Loomis

2014- Jeff Loomis is still with Schecter, here's an updated bit:

• more pronounced body curved top
• re-aligned fretboard for upper fret access
• EMG 57/66 humbuckers
• Hipshot fixed bridge version available this year

Loomis V

Schecter's Jeff Loomis V (version FR) is now available at Davis GMC. The thing I like about this guitar is its price: $1.2K- an affordable signature model. The QC on offer: Superb!

Jeff Loomis: Plains of Oblivion

Time to say something about this album since I've reached that settling in stage after repeated spins- I think. Jeff Loomis set a very high standard in metal guitar technicalities when Zero Order Phase came to the fore. There are very few metal guitarists fortifying their finger gymnastics with memorable grooves- this is important because Loomis propels tunes not just blocks of solos. It's also an uphill climb trying to out-do Zero Order Phase, many listenings later, we should realize that Loomis isn't trying to surpass his previous efforts here, he moves on. As such we don't quite hear tracks trying too hard to impress, all the numbers are well-penned & balanced in terms of appeal. Guests musicians in this album:

• Marty Friedman: TRACK 1 Mercurial
• Tony MacAlpine: TRACK 2 The Ultimatum
• Chris Poland: TRACK 6 The Continuum
• Atilla Voros: TRACK 5 Requiem for the Living
• Ihsahn: TRACK 7 Surrender

There are 3 tracks with vocals, in addition to the Ihsahn featured song mentioned above, Christine Rhoades did superbly in Tragedy & Harmony (TRACK 4) & Chosen Time (TRACK 8). Don't expect an Arch Enemy type vocals here, it's more Ava Inferi than anything else. 

I'm still listening to this release, paying special attention to Mr. Loomis' phrasings & riffing ideas. He's much overlooked in this aspect because to the rest of the world, Jeff Loomis was Nevermore's Mr. Technical but to me, Jeff Loomis is a musician, first & foremost.

New CDs

Just got these new releases:

• Job for a Cowboy: Demonocracy. I used to ignore these guys, namely because their earlier albums were devoid of solos. I thought they weren't as competent as guitar players, banking on intense riffing to get by until I watched some clips of Ravi & Bobby giving guitar tutorials. Subsequently, Bobby was the cover artist for the Ibanez 2011's catalogue so that meant much to me. Sadly, Bobby & Ravi are no longer in the band but Alan Glassman & new shredder Tony Sannichandro did extremely well to propel the band's establishments.
• Jeff Loomis: Plains of Oblivion. The highly anticipated 2nd release by Loomis; not as cutting as Zero Order Phase but there's much thought in this product. Loomis' collaboration with Ihsahn in Surrender is fantastic to say the least.

Schecter: Jeff Loomis (slight return... 2012)

New for 2012, a Jeff Loomis 6-string version.

But if you still prefer a 7-string, Mr. Loomis has a V-type model this year.

Schecter: Jeff Loomis

Speaking of Schecter, the Jeff Loomis model is available @ Davis GMC (List: $1.4K). Everytime I was in store to test it out, I ended up being distracted by something else.

Schecter: JL proto

If it's to your interest, there is a Schecter Jeff Loomis prototype model currently available at Davis GMC. His signature on the body, please take note.

Nevermore @ 50% strength

Nevermore's Jeff Loomis...

... & Van Williams have left the band. More stuff here: CLICK ME

Check this space soon to know if their date here is called off.

Nevermore @ SG

Catch Jeff Loomis in action (yeah!!) this June 23- that's NEVERMORE's date here. Early bird package: $55 ticket + complementary t-shirt, available at:

INOKII

Far East Plaza

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