Jourdan

Prior to this, I had no idea who Jon Jourdan is. I'm currently not following Wolfgang Van Halen's musical developments so the name was simply unfamiliar. This here is Jourdan's signature model which I really fancy; single pickup, single knob, no fretboard markers. Downright simply & to the point. Already, many people are looking forward to seeing this manifested as the SE version along the way. Really hope it would happen. This grey finish is rather wicked. Not so good news in the mean time - this is limited to 200 pieces & PRS is not hinting at further production.

Pic: PRS

Special single (3)

Someone asked me if the pickguard was custom-designed. Answer: No. It's a DIY thing starting with a blank pickguard for a lone humbucker. 

Then came the stickers - $3 for 50 pieces. I like these stickers as they are waterproof so the top layer won't peel off easily when it comes into contact with moisture. In this case it's sweat from the hand.

A lot of patience went into trimming the pickguard edges. A very sharp blade is required otherwise the edges would fray. 

To be continued...

Previous entry: CLICK

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

DK-1 H

This just popped up on Swee Lee's web store: Jackson DK-1 H. Single pickup guitars are definitely my thing but I'm still averse to the FR Special bridge. I do not wish to have anything to do with it. Anyway, Swee Lee listed this one for $949. Let's take a look at how much other stores (out of SG) are listing it for:

• Canadian Dollars 829 (SGD820)
• Pound Sterling 549 (SGD936)
• USD 665 (SGD895)

No further comments.

Pic: Jackson

Price eruption

I am actually interested in this guitar, being a single pickup enthusiast. This EVH '78 Eruption (Striped Series) is now available at Swee Lee but the price is a deal breaker - $2,749. It's not even made in the USA (Made in Mexico, Fender). The 'EVH' association is everything. So it's a no go for me.

SM-1H

I'm seriously GASing for this new one by Kramer - the SM-1H. They already have the SM-1, it's an HSS guitar but this one is a simple beauty. Mahogany (body / neck) & ebony (fretboard) is a good combo. This one's a neck-through design & sports a slim taper neck profile so it's primed for shred but maybe that gloss finish might get in the way but it's not a deal breaker. A FR1000 bridge also means it's not quite a beginner model then again, it's not mid-priced as well. Pickup - Duncan JB. The only make / break consideration here is, I believe, is the inlay. Personally, I hate them. OK not to say too much because Kramer is a brand under Gibson & the Gibson status here in this country is still very hazy - what's really happening? Your guess is as good as mine

Pic: Kramerforum

Gibson LP CM T: First impressions

This was gonna come next year but since it's here in the stores already: Gibson Les Paul CM T (2016) :-)

LP purists will hate this for its thin body (it's as thin as an SG) & that single pickup. The neck profile is also a little different; feels flat at some places & I prefer this to a rounded profile. No bottom end boom so it's definitely gonna put the LP camp off. Absolutely gloss free- yeah!

Subtraction company (2)

This Jackson belongs to a blog reader & friend, Steve. Absolutely no refinishing involved, no cavity fills as well. All done with stickers & it's good as ever. FYI Steve isn't a member of Impiety, but under all that powder & the band's numerous line-up changes, we'd never know for sure. Thanks, Steve, for sharing!

PS: If you have a guitar for the subtraction club & don't mind sharing the outcome of your tinkering (or proxy tinkering), do send me a pic & I'll gladly feature it here.

Ibanez: RG2717

New from Ibanez for this fall- RG2717. My kinda guitar: single humbucker/ non-locking hardware/ mahogany body. In the mean time, it's a Japan-only model but we know how these things can be acquired. It seems that all the good stuff are elsewhere but here. Hmm...

Single is good

Spent some time with my GIO today. It's called, 'Working with limitations'. Sometimes I find it difficult to conjure some original ideas & it's times like this I am grateful for having the GRGR010LTD here with a single pickup to prove my worth. You are more productive working under pressure.

Single packs

I like the new LTD starter packs- they feature single humbucker guitars. There are 4 models offered in this format: Viper/ Eclipse/ Forest/ Mirage, hopefully they get here soon.