Exclusive kiss

Looks like Ibanez made a pact with Sweetwater for an RG565R in a vampire kiss (VK) finish. The VK finish is offered for the maple 'board RG565. Let's see if this goes into regular production.

Pic: SW

Pyro Azul

This is downright attractive - AB1.6 in this blue-ish pyro azul finish. Apparently, it's not that new. It had been in the catalog but with a different bridge (FR1000). This time, a GOTOH bridge supersedes the previous iteration. It costs a little more as well as it's finished in Spain.

Pic: SOLAR guitars

Rails details

I'm installing this into one of my Ibanez guitars. The pickup in question is a Seymour Duncan  JB Rails model. Just sharing some details here... Firstly, the mounting screw flaps are now rounded as depicted above. Duncan fans are aware that majority of the flaps are the square type so it requires a good rounding off if the pickup is to be fitted into Ibanez guitars. Of course, not all Ibanez guitars were manufactured to accommodate the rounded flaps exclusively but majority are as such. Secondly, the brand name had been blackened out to appeal to those who dislike the screened label in white.

Thirdly, there are no brand engravings on the baseplate. Makes the pickup look cheap but that's blatant cost cutting right there. 

Re-shimmed

This guitar is currently tuned to fourths. I'm getting used to this arrangement & liking the fact that not much positional shifts are involved to move quickly across the neck. However, the action past the 14th fret or so is horrible. So it left me with no choice...

... but to re-shim the pocket. Just a reminder to us all, we sometimes need to re-visit the tinkering done to our instruments. Things might not work at the first instance. This isn't a failure indicator, it simply means that if a certain tinkering works for one guitar, it doesn't mean it will work for another. Don't give up, ok? (Guitar: Ibanez GS121)

Krisiun @ SG

If you like your death metal fast & furious, do check Krisiun out. Also, the riffs & solos are a little technical so there's something in store for everyone. Happening in about 2 month's time.

Pic: Street Noise SG

Keepin' it alive

Just very happy to see the younger generation being interested in music & keeping the passion alive. In this day & age, youths out there are too immersed into social media & thinking that's the benchmark of personal ability. If you stop to take pics of performing individuals out there, please offer some contributions, even if it means giving up loose change; it means a lot to them.