Flagship @ Japan

The Fender flagship store was recently launch in Japan & these two (among others) caught my attention. This is the Flagship Tokyo Gold Strat. Nothing really special considering the many Strat iterations out there but the body binding suggests a non-rounded outline, very much like the Aerodyne model. 

Here's the Tele counterpart. Yes, both sport a quilted maple top & rosewood 'board. 

Pics: Fender Japan

Paranormal June '23

An interesting Summer '23 Squier releases. This Jazzmaster XII is creating quite a stir among offset fans & the guitar community at large. If there's a 12-string revival then this might be it.

Fender fans would know the Nashville Tele but this is the Strat version. Tele bridge & control plate in a Strat; this should be interesting.

This is something I need to check out. Remember the Noventa Strat that's very hyped up & ultimately over-priced (for a single pickup guitar)? This should be a good alternative & I like the fact that the bigger, JM-like headstock is used here. Also, it's a 24.75" scale length.

Speaking of single pickup, this finally happened & it's also high on my to-check list. Single pickup is it for me.

Of course, not forgetting the bass fans, this is the Paranormal reiteration of the Rascal bass (short scale: 30"). How the original Rascal bass looked like: CLICK

Pics: Fender / Squier

Edwards '23: Legacy pickups

Many of the rejuvenated Edwards models (which are largely Gibson-esque) now feature in-house Legacy pickups. These guitars used to have Seymour Duncans in them but not any more. The way these are documented in the manufacturer's catalog, anticipate a responsive but flat-sounding pickup which are not inclined to any specific music genre. These should be heard to be believed. Till then.

Pic: ESP Japan

DJR - low & behold

An exciting development in the Martin camp leading to NAMM 2023 - the Dreadnought Jr acoustic bass. That's right, a scaled-down acoustic bass in an already obscure acoustic bass market. This is a bold move.

Even bolder - the cutaway version. I need to try one of these to see if it's that missing link in my bass quest. Yes, I'm in the hunt for a scaled down bass after parting with my beloved Bacchus not too long ago. String gauge for such a peculiar instrument is definitely going to be an issue so here's hoping Martin will supplement this provision.

Pics: Martin / GW

Troy's P

Pic: No Treble

I'm just glad the big names in musical instruments take note of formidable players in the metal zone. Mastodon's Troy Sanders got a new signature bass. It's a P (J) bass, a simple one with a colour scheme not too far off his previous Jaguar signature. If there's a deserving criterion in awarding a signature instrument to any player, it's that recognition of his / her contribution to the music. Troy Sanders deserves it.

Cort 2023

These are rather new, quite hot off the press. The good thing is, they are already available at Swee Lee (prices as indicated). Judging by my recent positive experience with the G300, I would say, these are something to look forward to if you want a value-for-money consideration. All models feature a Duncan JB / Jazz combo.

Pic: Cort

Review quickie: Ibanez SML721

This is an easy appraisal; the guitar brought in for review was not fit for review. In fact, it was semi-unplayable. There was excruciating fret buzz from the 11th fret onwards, across the board. However, the instrument's physicality was top notch but the playability / set up totally let it down. I passed the guitar to two other individuals to concur my diagnosis on the matter; they agreed. 

Upon closer inspection, there seems to be marker / ink stains on many of the frets. Looks like someone tried to cure this issue (maybe by filing the frets) but was unsuccessful. Also, the overall action was too low so that didn't help either. No ratings for this appraisal because no actual appraisal took place. One word: Bad. 

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (8)

Things are starting to get interesting in the Ibanez ukulele lineup. The URGT100 trio you see above are definitely inviting some interests from the guitar camp. That RG outline will definitely set you apart & it just screams rock. The fact that it has a plug in option invites you to just employ your favourite distortion pedal on days when you want to obliterate others in your ukulele groupie. Also - 24 frets; that's darn interesting. In the meantime, I have refrained from buying a ukulele because it's not equipped with a truss rod.  

Pic: Ibanez

Thanos

While we fall into the 2023 slumber as price hikes continue to dominate proceedings, Kiesel has unleashed a new model upon us - the Thanos. Actually, the Thanos had already existed as a bass, this is just a guitar spinoff. 

Pic: Kiesel

Ibanez 2023 (7)

Ooo la la... This is a gorgeous one; a fretless EHB currently offered as a 5-string only (EHB1005F). I fancy this blue as well, Ibanez calls it Arctic Ocean Matte. However, take note of the fretboard material - richlite. I firmly believe that this non-wood consideration had everything to do with the durability provision. If you have played a fretless before, there's this tendency for it to get scratched by your fingernails & the fact that the strings come into contact with the fretboard. Just wish that fretboard tongue was finished in blue as well; just my OCD. 

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (6)

The J.Custom gets a new model this year; RG8870. The catalog already offered an RG8570, which, from the images depicted above, look darn close. These sport DiMarzio pickups albeit different models & the 8870 gets a covered bridge humbucker which looks a little misplaced against the black hardware. It really belongs in the 8570 (chrome hardware).

The major difference here which is not obvious - the 8870 gets the Axe Design Lab treatment. Meaning - something that isn't the usual deal had been implemented in the instrument's design / spec. In this case, the 8870 is chambered body instrument (alder), while the 8570 is a solid affair (mahogany).

Pics: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (5): Penta!

Really, this was least expected. Ibanez has a new pedal for 2023, the Pentatone. The fact that it's labelled as a preamp got some people confused. The Pentatone can be applied as a stand alone distortion / drive unit as well. It has features that I like - EQ, noise gate & of course pre-boost (most prob my favourite feature here). As if these aren't enough, there's a post-boost & bright switch as well. Again, is this a unique offering in the market? Definitely not. The Tone Workstation (Keeley), Palladium (Seymour Duncan) & Theta (ISP) are some examples which function like the Pentatone but aren't really referred to as a preamp. Here's a quick take which I feel is a very good presentation of what this pedal is all about:

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (4)

 

The Axe Design Lab instruments are new for 2023. This range of guitars replace the Axion Label models with immediate effect. These are basically models having unique features which are not offered elsewhere in the catalog; a minor customized range if you will. My beef here is that the ADL is not a series of instruments in their own right. In fact, the ADL is a treatment because we note the instruments offered are already existing in a certain series eg. RGA / S / RG. I find this confusing.

Pic: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (3): Qs

A fair development with the Q-Series. First up, the Q52 gets a poplar top finish, everything else remains the same.

The 7-string version is now offered in an HSS configuration & non-tilted frets. No major changes observed for this series of guitars. Seen above: Q547

Pics: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023 (2): AZ does it

Moving on with the new Ibanez 2023 offering, the AZ is now offered in a triple single coil configuration. Like the Mantovanelli signature, the dynaMIX switch was not included & replaced with a blend knob. Fretboard is rosewood & frets are stainless steel.  Gentle reminder - this is the N version so there is no cavity under the bridge to make it rest in a permanent floating position. Seen above: AZ2203N

The AZ2204N has a new finish this year; dark tide blue. It's dark enough to pass off as black from a distance but once the body catches light, the blue will be more prominent; subtle flip-flop effect.

So DiMarzios have officially crept into the AZ line (EDIT: These were already available in the Premium models). The HSH configuration & flame top are exclusive to the DiMarzio equipped models. Body is however basswood, which IMO, is a good match for the pickups. This is not an N model so the cavity under the bridge means it is resting in a permanent floating position. No dynaMIX switch here as well but no blend knob either, it's a standard 5-way selector. This model is a very close competitor to the RG in terms of features (mostly) with the latter having the upper hand in pleasing the shred purists due to the thinner neck profile. Seen above: AZ2407F

Pics: Ibanez

Ibanez 2023: Luca

Good 2023 morning, gear heads. Exciting times at the Ibanez camp, interesting new models for your considerations. First up, in the signature camp, the new Luca Mantovanelli signature. Notice it doesn't include the dynaMIX switch, instead, one of the tone knobs is a blend control, allowing you to have all-on / neck-bridge options in some settings. All this while, Ibanez had been avoiding an SSS combo to exclude themselves from the purist Strat camp but I think they did a good job by waiting to see if the world is ready for their version of the unadulterated single coil offering.