Okoume Eclipse

This was announced today - Edwards eclipse (E-EC-CTM) featuring okoume body & neck. The fretboard is ebony & the guitar features a pair of Duncans (JB / Jazz). There are currently three finishes available, this hematite (grey-ish), together with black & white. Very happy to see this happen because it reflects how ESP is reaching out to that group of players who are priced out by the ESP brand on the headstock or those excessively priced signature LTDs. That aside, even the regular LTD models are going for crazy prices these days.

Pic: ESP

Little issue

Playing the little one today. The tuning was a little cranky, I've slotted the problematic slots twice before & ensured sufficient lubrication to prevent further choking yet it happened again today. No re-slotting took place, I just flossed the slots & added more lubrication - problem solved.

I played this standing up throughout & it improved the upper fret adventures somewhat. When played sitting down, due to the shorter nature, playing the upper frets was a real challenge. When the guitar was strapped on, it somehow pushed the entire instrument towards the left shoulder so the fretting hand did not feel too awkward while playing. Of course, dealing with the narrower fret spaces was another issue.

MoMM (67): Refined Storm

Had been listening to this since Friday. This is my favourite / go-to Dimmu Borgir's album while the rest of the world worship Death Cult Armageddon (2003). Not to be confused with the original version of Stormblast which was released in 1996, this is the re-recorded version (2005) with essential contributions by Mustis (keys) & Hellhammer (drums). Mustis did well in DCA & his musical arrangements there helped polish this re-recording. Hellhammer, well his flagship drumming, which in my opinion exists almost independent of (any) band's expectations, helped put malevolence back into the music. These days, the bands that claim a stake in black metal always forgot what the genre is all about to begin with. Also, Stormblast represents the formative days of Dimmu Borgir unlike the band's incarnation today that sounds like a competitor in demure black metal.  Will be Stormblast-ing till further notice.

TOD - non-black

The non-black TODs are in at Swee Lee. Despite the colour changes (yes, everything else stay the same), price stays put at $999.

Pic: Ibanez

 

To the RB

Off to the recycling bin; 5 month's worth of guitar / bass / ukulele-related activities.

Good bundle

I consider this a good deal. The MT-130 itself retails for $450. For an additional $50, you get the necessary essentials which are especially meaningful for newbies. The guitar cable & bag here are winning inclusions because we know how it is these days: 1) If you buy a new guitar (the entry level ones especially), there's no bag included 2) Those default, complementary cables are very repulsive to say the least. That desktop LANEY amp is an acceptable performer. I prefer this one to any Marshall / Fender novelty amps. Strap, pick-holder & capo are nice inclusions.

Pic: DAVIS GMC