Nut job

My SCA220 after being given some due attention. I just love this guitar, it sits between the S & SZ Series in terms of design. The SCA is not to be confused with the SC, the difference being the former's thicker body that allows the input jack to be located at the edge of the body.

This was the ongoing issue with this guitar; there's corrosion going on at the G, B & E nut string slots. The G slot manifested the worst corrosion & it persisted even after a good cleaning up / sanding down.

Decided the old nut must go, I don't see the point of dealing with this issue repeatedly. The nut is expendable & quality replacements are available at the shops. Before the nut was knocked out of place, both the fretboard & headstock surfaces were taped up. At the headstock side, a slit was made (using penknife) between the nut & headstock so that, when the nut is knocked out with a hammer, it won't dislodge the headstock finish.

The replacement nut is a TUSQ, for an Ibanez neck, the correct length measurement is 43mm. Do inform the shops you need an Ibanez version to prevent them from selling you the Gibson version which is slightly shorter. Also, a fresh unit requires some sanding down, do keep this in mind.

Finally, a set of Dunlop 9.5s because the SCA sports a shorter scale length compared to a regular S-Series.

Modern gain

The last time I tried an EVH-related pedal, I was disappointed. It failed to capture the proverbial EVH high octane, no holds barred type distortion but then again, I failed to put it in context; it wasn't an amp (which is the primary source of EVH's distortion tone). Essentially, it lacked that crucial element that made it a menace - a tube. With this Modern High Gain pedal, I really don't know what to expect. No significant revision took place, only that bass frequency shift option; does this make things sound better? I reserve judgement till it's here in the shops to defend itself.

Pic: Dunlop

Bandbox

Interesting release by a non-guitar manufacturer - JBL has amps for you. That's right. These are portable amps with onboard effects & editing (e.g. the Trio lets you subtract / mute an instrument during play, this way, you can flex your own version of a loaded song. Neat). Online clips had been very positive pertaining to the tone / voicings on offer. I'm of the opinion that prices could have been better. These are in stock at JBL SG if you are interested. I'm definitely interested but not for that kinda price. Software DAW features are available at more competitive prices. OK, the manufacturer had factored in the amp manifestation & such but JBL should learn a thing or two by looking at the Positive Grid prices.

Pic: JBL SG 

Ibanez 2026: Ice, ice, baby...

Interesting developments in the Iceman offerings this 2026. A maple fretboard version was added to the lineup. I like it a lot but that black headstock is a poor consideration in terms of aesthetics. Just me, I guess. Iceman basses are also back. The black version features Bartolini pickups while the flame maple counterpart has Nordstrands in there. All instruments are available at Swee Lee less the IC420MFM which is already out of stock. That was fast.

Pics: Ibanez

Ibanez 2026: Xiphos

The Ibanez Xiphos is back this year as a standard offering (Xiphos Standard). It didn't go away actually, there were existing models in the Iron Label series. This current Standard is just a normal affair, nothing special. Unlike its Iron Label siblings (ebony), the fretboard here is rosewood. EDIT: This model is already available at Swee Lee ($1,479)

Pic: Ibanez

Silver blue

PRS did a simple thing to perpetuate the sales of its Silver Sky this year; giving it a matching body - headstock finish. Only this colour is offered (in the mean time) & it's called the Wild Blue.

Pic: PRS