Lion & Iron

In recognition of Martin Miller's & Tom Quayle's love for their respective Laney amps, the manufacturer has collaborated with these master players to manifest amps in a pedal format.

The Martin Miller version is a repro of the Ironheart amp. Two channels are available for your various overdriven needs plus a boost option if things need to get over the top for some of us gain freaks. 

Over at the Tom Quayle end of things (Lionheart), there's more emphasis on clean tones hence the bright / dark modes on offer unlike the Ironheart's symmetrical / asymetrical clipping modes. Both pedals have onboard reverb to insinuate amp-like voicings as these are indeed amps in a pedal manifestation. 

My most likeable feature for these pedals is definitely the FX loop option. Amp geeks will get to fully enjoy the amp's powerful offerings while those of us who are busy keeping things colourful via pedal manipulations can let the loop section do its thing without interfering with the amp's front end. Be reminded that these pedals have no tubes whatsoever in their respective circuits so if they sound great or as convincing as the real tube amp counterparts, then the circuits were well designed to be mindful of such appreciations. I see this as a bold move by Laney, shoving non-tube amp stuff onto our tone platter because tone aficionados wouldn't settle for anything less than tube technology when it comes to amps. Emulation technology of late has shown how good non-tube tones could be so riding on this successful formula, names like Laney are smart to latch onto the hype while it lasts. 

Pics: Laney

It's Miller time

Listen to what Martin Miller has to say about his new signature 7-string guitar. The significant thing to note here is the fact that, despite being a 7 with a wider neck, the strings are spaced out slightly closer for maximum playability.

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2021

 

This confirms the rumour that a 7-string AZ model would dominate proceedings in 2021. Seen above is the Martin Miller version.

For those of us who are not interested in signature models (like yours truly), it's offered in this HH pickup configuration (AZ24027)...

And the HSS version (AZ24047). Unlike previous years where official announcements of new models were done post-NAMM, this year, Ibanez did a new year number which makes a lot of sense since Winter NAMM 2021 is not happening.

AZ7

The rumour that there's an Ibanez AZ 7-string version out there had been quelched. This model you see here, belongs to Martin Miller.

This other version belongs to Wes Hauch. Both are protos & won't be in regular production soon (till announced). Interesting to see only one knob in the Hauch model. Anticipations....

Q&M @ SG: Done

So I was at the Tom Quayle & Martin Miller guitar masterclass last evening. I decided to sit at the top & rear row (3rd last from the back), away from the potential blast of the sound system. Forgive this zoomed in picture on that note. 

Turnout

The attendance for the evening was fantastic. By 6.20pm, almost all seating spaces were occupied. By the time the gentlemen made their way to the stage, the gallery could hardly accommodate curious passers by. It was a good mix of guitar buffs & whoever else with time in their hands & happened to be there. Definitely more attendance compared to the Marty Friedman show.

Sound

A let down. When both guitarists plugged in, there was nothing to be heard for a few minutes. Quayle made a quick appeal to the audience to 'hang in there' while the tech look into things. A few minutes later, only his guitar signals got through, nothing from Miller. After countless plugging & unplugging, flicking of switches & running to & fro, the tech dismissed the possibility of Miller's amp making it for the show. I couldn't quite make out who asked, "Is there any other amp?" but the tech shook his head in the negative. It's every performer's nightmare coming to life- equipment failure.

It is disturbing to know that there was simply no backup considering that Swee Lee's flagship store was just a level above the performance area. No efforts were made to source for a replacement there (I might be wrong, though). A little perplexing because I was there just before the show to grab a smoothie. People were there trying guitars & I really wonder where all those guitar sounds came from. 

Technical glitches continued to plague the show further into the performance but that was handled more swiftly than before. All this while, I only saw one bloke trying to troubleshoot the matter, reorganize failed equipment & manning the mixing console. Yes- ONE person. After this underserving episode, I hope the relevant parties would look into contingency management, including having helping hands from individuals not from the equipment provider. 

The sound system management was poor in its entirety. Quayle's show opener was plagued by inaudible guitar sounds; the backing track overwhelmed everything. Miller kept gesturing to the mixing desk for Quayle's guitar volume to be turned up but being at the side of the stage instead of the front, the poor guy couldn't really gauge how much of which signals to be boosted or cut accordingly. Quayle & Miller's microphones manifested volume imbalance; Miller's was way louder than Quayle's. It seems that when the softer mic was turned up, it automatically did likewise  to the other & when Miller started speaking, the volume was overboard. To be fair to the tech, this could have been affected by the fact that both guitarists had one working amp to be contented with- the reason why you only see one amp mic-ed up in the pic above. The re-routing of signals might have everything to do with the wayward volume. A let down for sure.

Performance

Both gentlemen were outstanding professionals throughout the show. Despite the technical flaw, they got the audience engaged while things were attended to. They sequenced their contents very well, no clash of talking, guitar playing, even the jokes & sarcasm were in place. Thumbs up to them, nothing less. On a personal note, there were too many clean moments, I'd love to hear more overdrive & distortion from two of the best guitar educators right now. Whatever was dished out that evening, the music was simply outstanding.

All in all, the show was delivered as intended (glitches & all) & I got to enjoy an overpriced serving of banana-mango smoothie as consolation. There were free magazines given out so people had something to bring home instead of just the rancid memories of the sound system gone wrong. I have always enjoyed guitar clinics & this was no exception. Just wished that things were handled better but hey, these things do happen & let's not forget the fact that Tom Quayle & Martin Miller were there to deliver awesome music & that happened.

M & Q @ SG- confirmed

Here it is, folks- confirmed. 😁

M & Q @ SG

Stay tuned, folks. 😀

Q&M (2)

Also available at Swee Lee, the Martin Miller (T) & Tom Quayle (B) signature Ibanez models. These list for more than $3K but if you are a fan, especially after trying out the AZ series, these are worth considering. 

M & Q

So the NAMM 2018 instalment is done & dusted, Ibanez did pretty well this time round. The new AZ series are ace. Say whatever you want about treading in a certain boutique brand's shadow & coming out with borrowed themes. We very well know that it's a commercial affair. The AZ was there to sell, Martin Miller & Tom Quayle played a big part in that & by the looks of it, things are gonna go down well. The MM1 you see here...

... & the TQ1 are deserving models for the endorsers per se. These are not short term ideas especially churned out for 2018 but a well thought out plan for the AZ series in general. This is a lesson in moving away from the comfort zone but sticking to one's roots. The AZ guitars look very removed from the shredability of RGs & the sleek design definition of the S-series but one thing's for sure, you can pretty much do what you want them to do, namely, make great music. There is a high chance that an AZ model will make it here into my humble abode & it's gonna serve my needs. In the mean time, enjoy this wonderful clip featuring the endorsers mentioned here with a jazzy, Stevie Wonder number peppered with very tasteful shred passages:

ibanez 2018 (5): Q&M

The new 2018 Ibanez AZ models have two formidable ambassadors- Tom Quayle (L) & Martin Miller (R). They should be no strangers to you if you frequent planet shred. However, we often overlook their very imposing musicalities as well. This signals a shift from the RG shred dominance but we know how influential the RG is to speed freaks- deep cutaways, super thin necks, et al. Both Quayle & Miller were heavily involved in the prototyping & road testing the AZ Series prior to the 2018 announcement. 

The two maestros seen here will be announcing their respective signature models based on the AZ model come NAMM 2018 (TQM1/ MM1) & we wish them well in their new guitar adventure.

PIC: Martin Miller FB/ M Leicht

Miller's custom

This is the initial prototype of Martin Miller's customized Ibanez. It's already dichotomizing Ibanez fans out there. The pro camp says it's a thing of beauty with a touch of Ibanez history. The anti camp opines that it's moving too far away from the current manifestation, it barely retains the identity. There's also the disoriented camp saying it's a Suhr in an Ibanez shell & it's awesome- we wonder what they were drinking.

It brings me back to the pre-RG era where Ibanez Roadstars were the highlight. This RS225 for instance, has very similar outline to Miller's custom albeit the cutaway refinements. 

More RS models here with that very simple but elegant design. I'm just of the opinion that professionals like Martin Miller prefer features in their guitars that adds to playability & tone rather than conforming to a certain take on design. We await further developments with bated breath 😊

EDIT: As at October 2017, we know it's not an artist custom but a new Ibanez model to be released @ NAMM 2018.