Gauge error

This happened last Saturday. After re-stringing, I was wondering why the A string required extra tension during tuning. A closer look revealed that both the wound E & A strings were of the same gauge (.042) *sigh* It's quite obvious from the pic above. Folks, these things do happen every now & then. Don't get too upset, bring it back to the store with the issued receipt. If you kept the strings for a while & the receipt is gone, then simply get a replacement string (like I did). 

My D

This is my Ibanez RGD321. Yes, it's the RGD 3-series before they phased it out to make way for the RGD 4-series. The latter features a toggle selector as opposed to this lever type. They did away with the tone knob as well & the fretboard markers are the simple dots. For something that dwells in the lower tuning domain, removing the tone control is a wise move. I can't really think of an application where a boomy sounding guitar would benefit from a tone control that is rolled down; it takes away clarity. 

Just last week, Beez helped me replace the above dead components:

• Capacitor: It was leaking from one of its tip. Maybe it was cut a little too short. Maybe it was punctured while I tried to snip it off the tone pot. Whatever the case might be, it had to go.
• 3-Way selector switch: It worked after I gave it the contact spray treatment but subsequently, it was stuck. You can see the amount of corrosion there on one of the plate surface. We shouldn't bother saving such things.
• Tone pot (push-pull coil split): Despite looking OK, it's actually dead; could not rotate, failed to pull up as well

After everything is in place, it's a fresh set of strings for the RGD. I am a D'Addario fan. I would digress from time to time but always return to the familiar & trusted feel & performance. Why owning an extended scale length guitar (26.5") is a plus for me:

• It allows me to detune the instrument with less set up issues when dealing with a thicker set of strings
• Allows me to be more riff/song-oriented instead of solos
• I play tapped notes better on such guitars
• No lower string action focus - it's the action that gets the job done
• Incorporate more open strings into playing ideas

Curved goodness

The Ibanez RGA121 was my first Ibanez Prestige. It was the first curved top RG offered by Ibanez together with the RGA321 (flame maple top). As I'm not a fan of elaborate flame tops, I opted for this plain version instead.

From this view, we can see how much maple was used for the instrument. At its thickest part, it is 1.5cm thick. The Prestige line was serious (still is) about having a top wood enhancement for all the guitars featuring a cap top.

Same ol' story... wood drying out but conditioning is the answer. 😀

There's a cloudy build up over at the headstock. No amount of polishing seems to cure the situation. Maybe some car-care product might do the trick. The other guitar suffering from this anomaly is my PRS S2 Singlecut.

Ibanez equipped this model with a pair of V pickups at the factory. It did very little to make me happy when it comes to overdrive/ distortion. These are the deserving Seymour Duncan replacements: JB (b) / Jazz (n). The JB will remain prolific when it comes to single note definition under high gain settings. Some players dislike this citing the extra treble as the cause of poor power chord tones but that happens if you ignore the EQ at your amp. The JB was conceived to be as such. If you wish for a pronounced bottom end thickness with the top end definition in check, the Custom is your best bet. The Jazz sounds good in all the guitars I own. Between the 59 & the Jazz, I prefer the latter as it doesn't mud out at higher volume settings. For woman tone lovers (all ye Clapton-era Cream fans), the 59 does a better job.

I'm in the initial stages of testing the new D'Addario XTs out, more comments when the time comes. 

XT

The XT range will be in full force here soon. Trying. 👍

XT

I'm still fanatical when it comes to strings. D'Addario has the new XT range to offer & this was recently launched at Summer NAMM. The key highlights are physical durability & extended lifespan. I've been through treated strings & noted that string chemistry contributes poorly to tone. In an attempt to make strings last, there's this tonal compromise which isn't on par with the product's physical longevity. The case in point would be Elixir. If you feel these are superb for your needs, then please do not let any opinions here waver your belief. The best-of-both-worlds offering in my books is still Cleartone, with D'Addario's NYXL coming in close but let's see what the XT has to offer. These will be in stores only in 'Fall (September or later). 

Goodbye July. 👏