Pointy returns

I'm liking what I see; Charvel has returned the pointy headstock to its fold. This was released a couple of days ago - SD1H 2PT M. This is definitely my thing; single pickup (Duncan Distortion), maple 'board, 22 frets & a non-locking bridge. It is currently listing for USD1,499 & to some of us, this might be the deal breaker since it's not American.

Pic: Charvel

Maple Sky (SE)

PRS has finally announced the official (Summer) release of the Silver Sky SE maple fretboard version. These are available in three colours in the mean time: Overland Gray, Nylon Blue (above) & Summit purple. Hopefully, when these get here, prices won't be too inflated.

Pic: PRS

Supplementary review: PRS Silver Sky (maple fretboard)

Instead of an independent appraisal, this is a comparative perspective of the PRS Silver Sky. The initial review can be found here: CLICK. It’s the rosewood fretboard version & sports the exact details as the maple version, less the fretboard material, of course. I will treat this as a supplementary opinion based on that slight detail difference & focus on tonal concerns.

 

Tone

The Silver Sky maple fretboard (SSMF) guitar has an immediate difference in the top end. That’s right folks, the guitar has a more intrusive treble response making it brighter in all pickup positions. Brighter in a good & usable way of course. The single note definition here is impressive & that applies to the upper frets as well. For those of us who venture into this neck register, things can dissolve into an unpleasant, stubby & muffled sonic manifestation especially when significant overdrive is in use. Simply put, things would mud-out & there’s not much your amp & other external effects could do to address proceedings. So the maple fretboard did its job by preserving definition albeit the extra brightness. The SSMF would entice more soloists into its camp, the chorders among us would resort to the rosewood version for a warmer take on bundled notes. 

 

The other noteworthy detail here is feel. The maple fretboard has this close-grained texture that causes a little fight-back when it comes to movement. It’s a subtle call but those of us who are not speed-prone & take our time with every fretted note would feel a certain fullness / satisfaction when it comes to touch. You’d notice this sensation when you watch Eric Clapton play; he makes every fretting moment sensational & that’s a whole lot of maple under his fingertips. 

Unlike the rosewood version, the SSMF features outline bird inlays which looks classy with a contemporary appeal. This is definitely an aesthetic plus.

 

Conclusion

The way I see it, both the rosewood & maple versions of the SS are awesome in their respective applications. The commercial hindsight would tell us that PRS is making efforts to appeal to the Strat camp in its entirety, not just the rosewood fans. John Mayer prefers the 60s tone & the rosewood SS delivers that in substantial servings. He also mentioned, in one of his videos, that he’s averse to the top end shrill & the SSMF will crash into that territory if one is less mindful of one’s EQ settings. The review model, unlike the rosewood version that I tried, had no technical  issues; nothing was amiss in terms of playability. No bad frets, no set up anomalies – nothing. After the SSMF experience I must say that it’s not a substitute for its rosewood counterpart but a supplement. You can definitely be a fan of both. 

Rating: 95%

PRS Silver Sky (maple fretboard)

• Availability: Davis GMC / Swee Lee Co.
• Price: $2,999 (bag included)

Maple Sky

 

Heads-up! If you've been waiting for this maple fretboard  version of the PRS Silver Sky, it's now in stock at Davis GMC. I hope by now you would've realised that the new list price for these models (the rosewood  version included) exceeds $3K. I find this Orion Green version very attractive. 

DC stuff

These are the bird's eye maple spotting on my Kiesel DC400H fretboard. I have no idea what's the fixation on bird's eye maple, personally, I don't find them attractive. Then again, I'm not a fan of such features, flame stripes & quilts included.

Top marks for this - look at how well the nut slots were cut. I prefer these V-profile nut slots, strings rest better this way, very little room for nut materials from the sides to choke the strings during tuning. Yes, I remove all strings during re-stringing regardless of the guitar's bridge type. This way, I have better access to the fretboard surface for cleaning. 

Leading

Reminding ourselves of Fender's re-living its past glory with current re-issues. This is the Lead II.

Both maple & pau ferro fretboard versions are available.

If you fancy a humbucking version instead, the Lead III might be it.

That's right, pau ferro version here. The fact that these are Mexican models imply affordability. Prices are along the lines of the current Duo Sonics. 

Maple brotherhood

Had been busy for the last couple of days; was acclimatizing to the new work place & after three weeks, all's good.

Played a little bit last night, 15min with each guitar seen above. I have to say that I'm totally OK with both rosewood/ maple fretboard. The thing with maple is, you don't get to feel the open grain under your fingertips while playing. That's ridiculous you say? Maybe. But do not discount the fact that some of us out there feel this & it affects play more than affecting choices with regards to tone. Feel-wise, the Kiesel has a more rounded profile & things are not that slim while the Schecter has a shallower C-carve; very Fender-ish but slimmer. 

Guitars seen here:

• Black: Kiesel DC400H
• Amber: Schecter KR-24-2H

Not coming here as well

Regional exclusive (USA), the Ibanez RGA has a reverse headstock version going. It's predictably called the RGAR42. That maple fretboard there- I think you know what's going on as this instrument isn't manufactured in the USA. Looks good, no doubt but that bridge there should be avoided if you are factoring reliability into your purchase considerations. 

Ash - maple

As the CITES authority tightens its grip, we see more Ibanez models featuring a maple fretboard. This RG421 also features a gorgeous blue-based finish (coupled with those visible ash grains- awesome); personally, I'm rather sick of the sunburst finish. It's as agonizing as buying a black guitar. On that note, many Ibanez fans find a matching body-headstock combo more appealing than a standard black version. It adds a more personal touch I would say. Kudos to Ibanez for making charming, affordable guitars. 

The maple fb version

In another earth-moving, concrete-shattering & mind-blowing Ibanez development, the RG655 is now offered in a maple fretboard version this summer. Oh, this is a new finish for the season as well. 

The 52s...

These Ibanez RGs might look familiar to you because they were once mentioned here: CLICK

They are finally available at Swee Lee but the down side- black only (what!?). For that particular reason, I'm not going to fork out any more money on another black guitar despite knowing these are awesome instruments for the money.

In Japan, the RG652 is offered in white.

It's also offered in this stunning blackwood top finish.

You want a maple board version? Here... You know what, these variants are even available in the UK so I guess, this country is not as deserving when it comes to this consideration. 

Terra maple

Still hot on the BTB singlecut basses, the 686 is now avaialble in a maple 'board version. Aw, darn it!

LTD: ST-213 Ash/ Maple NAT

Ah... the LTD ST-213. What's there not to like after trying them at Davis GMC recently. So I got myself this ash body + maple fretboard version. Superb QC I'd say, some very high standards seen here & it's all below the $500 mark. Previously, LTD only manufactured the distressed version of the ST model which I did own: CLICK The ST-213, in my opinion, is a little above the ST-203 not because it's free from the distressed/ relic hype but because there were more attention to playability & presentation, making you more immersed once you get things started. 

I've heard it in action in store, more updates after I've put it through the rigors of my set up. There is no other way, of course :-)

Ibanez 2013: RG2228M

This is a new one for 2013- Ibanez's RG2228M, 'M' for maple fretboard.

Look: EMG pickups. In terms of tone, it's no different if the guitar sports a maple or rosewood fretboard; it still sounds like... it features a set of EMGs in there. If you commit to this purchase it means, you prefer the maple fretboard feel.