C1 Standard

This is how the C1 looks like today. I used to own one but it was in a natural, non-gloss finish. The good thing about Schecter is that, along the way, they would refine their current models to acclimatize to the contemporary looks based on the developments of their other models in the catalog. Faded finish, covered pickups & that hardtail bridge are ready enticements for beginners & pros alike. The list price here is also an enticement itself: $680

Pic: Schecter

Metro express

Good stuff from the Sadowsky camp, the affordable Metro Express (China) basses. This J-type lists for $999 (Swee Lee).

Also available, the PJ variation listing for as much. In this price range, it's good to look at non-Fender stuff out there for some value-for-money considerations unless the F name is a pre-requisite of your bass desires.

Pics: Star Music

Indoor Sunday

It's one of those days when playing some guitars don't work. Was playing singlecuts before settling down with this one. Was working on some doom-type riffs; lots of bottom end & slightly fuzzy overall voicing. On other days, those singlecuts worked fine, especially the heavier ones but not today. This one saved me the frustration of trying to figure out what went wrong. So the next time something doesn't work for you, try switching guitars. 

Departed

Taking a break from gear updates today as I bid farewell to an old friend. He was my ex-school mate. We kept in touch along the way. He managed to send over some food when I was on chemo & stayed indoors due to the COVID outbreak. His mum was one of the school canteen vendors back then so I jokingly said I missed his mum's cooking & the food arrived a couple of days later. It was a sudden death on the early Friday morning, he did not make it to the office. 

Reminds me of how fragile life is especially for individuals like myself; immuno-deficient & a high likelihood of a recurring cancer. It was a blazing hot day & my knees barely made it at the end of it all. 

Sphalerite

Not new. The RG8870 had been in the catalog since October 2024. Just wanna announce its presence here (Swee Lee, $4,899). It took seven months. Some people give birth after seven months, yes? One more time - this finish is called brown sphalerite.

Pic: Ibanez

Mother

This is a trio of single coils designed for Philip Sayce. They are affectionately referred to as the Mother single coils. Apparently, these are on a limited run of 500 units but high demand necessitated the production of more units to come but expect a back-order queue if you are interested in these. Have yet to see them at Davis GMC & not expecting to see them any time soon.

Pic: Seymour Duncan