E-II: SN 3

I'm not a fan of ESP's Snapper headstock but the reverse version here looks acceptable (to me). This is a pretty neat SN 3 (Available at Davis GMC: $2,900) with simple details that will spur you to play. I like everything about this guitar (HSS / fixed bridge / 22 frets) but I have stopped acquiring sunburst finishes (black is the other NO for me). Also, it's been a very long while since I acquire new guitars off the shelf. It's simply not feasible considering the intermittent employment status I am in. It would take me about half a year's time to recover & would interfere with my post-chemo expenses. Some difficulties in life would cascade into the various aspects of our well-being & prolonged till God knows when.

Pic: ESP

Reverse the reverse

This got me cracking a little; SOLAR calls this its 'reverse' headstock. The default headstock is a reverse design so flipping it this way makes it a 'reverse'. Get it? This aside, the 'reverse' headstock design is now available for three models  in the mean time.

Pic: SOLAR

Reverse liking

It seems like this Fender (Japan) is creating quite a stir Stateside. I saw this on the manufacturer's webpage yesterday. Nothing special in the appointments. Perhaps the anodized pickguard & reverse headstock is proving to be a quirky appeal. OK, some of us are turned on by gold (hardware). 

If this design looks familiar to you, it was done in 2015 under the Hendrix monicker, complete with the slanted bridge single coil. 

Back to the Japanese guitar in question, I am currently turned off by anything black / sunburst. I will make the exception if the guitar is well-playing & appeal to me tone-wise. Under these considerations, Telecasters appeal to me more. The guitar is currently under a Japan-exclusive offering but we know this might not be the case in our part of the world.

Pics: Fender Japan / Guitar

Reverse?

A few days ago, Jackson asked, in its official social media page, whether players prefer the regular or reverse headstock. The above image is how they depict the reverse headstock. 🙄 There is simply no pride in making effort & reflecting appropriateness. Whatever.

Pic: Jackson FB

Re-string Saturday

Still in the mood for some Ibanez. Let me tell you why I like this guitar - it's darn light. It's less than 3.5kg. This is my SIX6FDFM, one of the Iron Label models before they discontinued this colour, gave it a grey make over & a pair of Fluence humbuckers. Not my thing. The other thing that I fancy here is the blank fretboard. This is the first S-Series I own that sports a revere headstock.

A fresh set of GHS 9s before playing started. 

Ibanez's richness

It seems that Richlite had crept into the Ibanez camp as well. Fortunately, it's limited to a veneer top seen here in this RGDR4327 (available at Swee Lee: $3,199). The body's core is mahogany & fretboard is ebony. 

If you don't already know, Richlite is a paper-resin composite. It has proven its worth as a durable, water-proof & fire-resistant alternative to wood. As such, Richlite is readily embraced in the interior decor industry as a premier component for kitchen counter tops. In the mean time, the guitar industry includes Richlite in its instrument construction rather sparingly for an obvious reason; it's not wood & has a different tone manifestation. As such, Martin & Gibson, among others, designated Richlite as an alternative fretboard material as opposed to a major instrument component (body/ soundboard) so as to avoid averse reactions in this aspect. Even if it's proven that Richlite appeals tonally, purists wouldn't want a non-wood element in guitars as it devalues the instruments.

DuRability

I somehow knew I had this lying around in the house somehow. I bought colour variations to match some guitars but this blue one was (again) stashed away in a guitar bag somewhere & forgotten. In fact, it's now discovered about a year later. OK so the strings were coated to begin with & upon opening the pack, everything was as good as new. My GRGR010 happened to require a fresh set so it now has a proud blue set to see things through. I have ceased buying DR colour coated sets as I simply do not see the need for them in the mean time but I still buy the 10.5 set & occasionally, the flatwounds. You can get DRs at Davis GMC. 

Copper

This was yesterday's lockdown guitar of choice: Ibanez GRGR010. It's the cheapest Ibanez I currently own (bought new) & certainly one of my best. It's one of those guitars I can't play 'nice' songs with, the playability & tone just screams heavy metal & beyond.

Reverse head rush

Last few re-string entries before work kicks into full swing. This is none other than my Ibanez RGR321. After I bought my GRGR010LTD, this one appeared in the store- damn! The idea of buying the GRGR was to own a reverse headstock Ibanez which I detested. I simply disliked how an Ibanez reversed headstock looks like; I find it unacceptable. However, I told myself if there's one I could get for cheap, I'd do it in a snap. So the GRGR happened & I could get along with it despite the unsightly headstock. It's a mind-over-matter therapy; ignoring the ridiculous implement & concentrating on one's abilities. So when the RGR appeared in store one fine day, it was an attraction.

I had Beez instal these Seymour Duncans just two days ago: JB (b)/ P-Rails (n). I'm in the P-90 swing of things so the P-Rails in split coil mode did the job. The JB in any of my guitars, is simply a joy to work with. A definite favourite but preferred in some guitars over others. 

WEF 2019, I'll be investing in 6-in-1/ 3-in-1 packs for certain gauge types because it makes more economical sense. Mathematically, it works out to be less than $6 per pack. If you are a seasoned string buyer, you'd know that quality starts at the $6+/- price point & we don't see many of such offerings in the stores. To think that we could get a good pack of D'Addarios for less than $5 some time back is so unreal. Those were the days. 😔

So I had the ferocious meow here to look after the instrument while I showered & I must say she did a good job. 

It's the final Sunday of the year & everyone's bracing for the 2019 chapter to begin. 😀🍺

The other way

I'm really, really glad I bought this. It's not an easy purchase, lots of snooping around the net, trawling through Japanese websites & finally finding it. The info was relayed to the good people at Davis GMC (thanks, Joe/ Janet!) & it finally touched down like more than 2 months later. Why Davis? Because they have an excellent relationship with ESP & that's why we see selected Edwards model making it here. In my case, this is the 3rd 'special order' involving the Edwards brand & it went as smooth as my other 2 orders. It's only the waiting that kills.

Recently, it had its 5-way selector replaced- corroded + no notching in any positions.

While I was at it, got Beez to replace the default cap to the Emerson you see above. I only bought it because it's on sale. ESP pots by default.

3 x single coil cavities.

Anyway, the pickups on board are Seymour Duncan's SSl-1s by default, very normal but sounding extra special in this guitar. The bridge pickup there has some mojo going namely due to its reverse tilt. Well, if this was meant for a lefty, that would have been a normal tilt. When my playing runs into a black hole, totally lost, uninspiring, dead, chances are, I'll give this guitar a go; it's just very inspiring. 

I know what you're thinking- I'm actually trying to re-create that Hendrix magic down to the quirks but hey, I'm not a Hendrix fan, will never be one. I dislike his playing & might be the very few guitar dweebs out there who might be behaving this strangely. Well, that's how it is. One thing for sure, this guitar taught me to deal with limitations & discomfort, focus on the good tones & feel instead. FYI, it's an Edwards E-SE-125M/RB.

Ibanez: SIX6FDFM

Despite closing accounts, I still have to get this one because it had been on my 'to get' list since it was released. If something made it to my acquisition list, it is of great significance & I won't take it lightly. The Ibanez SIX6FDFM is the first standard production S-Series to feature a reverse headstock & it's strictly a personal attraction. Other features that made it my type of guitar- blank fretboard & a fixed bridge.

The default pickups are DiMarzio's Fusion Edge humbuckers which performed better here compared to the RGDIX6MPB. I'm not a DiMarzio fan but these are deserving pickups for the money. The guitar features a 3-way pickup toggle & a coil split switch. 

Despite the charming front, the rear body is simply good mahogany. FYI, this instrument sports a satin finish from the headstock right down to the body. 

Sure grip knobs for a sure response at all times- thumbs up to this.

Gotoh locking tuners for quality performance, however these might prove to be an oversight. They add weight significantly to the neck end & the instrument is neck heavy. If you get to handle this guitar in person, you'd know how light it is & the neck dive is downright annoying. 

We've seen the S-Series before & this is merely a variation sporting a novelty reverse headstock. In fact, that quirky feature along with the satin finish & blank fretboard might reduce it to a niche appeal. It's compounded by the neck heavy feature but offset by that outstanding tone & playability. Thumbs up to the QC as well, in fact, I'm starting to believe that extra care was given to the Iron Label series knowing that the instruments here costs a little more than the standard range without the Iron Label being a definite tier above Standard offerings before things get into the Premium selections. 

Thank you Mr. Faizal @ Swee Lee I12 for the assistance leading to the instrument's purchase.

Reverse Beck

Pic: Fender forum

This is the venerable Jeff Beck, seen here with his Custom Shop signature Fender Strat. Recently, during his performances supporting his new album (Loudhailer- awaiting the arrival of my ordered copy), he's seen playing a reverse headstock version.When asked, his reply predictably mentioned the change in string tension; the lower, thicker strings are now less pressured due to the greater break angle from the nut to the machine head. The reverse is true for the treble side. 

I own several guitars sporting reverse headstocks. I don't feel the tension difference namely because my smaller, thinner fingers are already bothered by the standard tension of the strings compounded by lots of stretching during play. Hence, my lethargy is much due to finger movements as opposed to the efforts of countering string tension.

PS: August is here!

Iron S

Awesome releases by Ibanez this summer.

These are from the Iron Label series, featuring DiMarzio's Fusion Edge pickups which are currently in the RGD range of this series. 

That reverse headstock- it's a welcomed change. Looking forward to their availability here.

Seen on this page, top-bottom:

• SIX6D- 6 string, EZII bridge
• SIX6FD- 6 string, fixed bridge
• SIX7FD- 7 string fixed bridge