Current Standards

We end February on a reassuring note. In the spirit of keeping things objective, Gibson had streamlined the Les Paul Standard to a few sensible models WEF 2019. The one you see here is the LP Standard 50s.

This one is the LP Standard 60s. These two anchor models are definitely worthy of the manufacturer's recent resurgence, thanks largely to the new CEO pulling the brand name out- surely but slowly- of a bleak quagmire. With the above iterations of the LP Standard, the LP Traditional would be phased out & that's a very objective move. The rationale- the LP Traditional is what a historic Standard should be, a true reflection of tradition & in the current scheme of things, is an overlapping model. With that, the 2019 LP Standards are now devoid of the weight relief body & would manifest the true feel of a Standard. 

In the mean time, these models have yet to be cataloged in the Gibson records & the 2019 line up at the official web page are the final iteration of the 2018 models. This is happening because Gibson, under the former CEO, had announced the 2019 models a little too early (back in August 2018) & had to honour the distribution of those models. Similarly, the later models are not available at the stores here just as yet. We are anticipating an official release in spring/ summer. 

I'm definitely holding back till these make their way here. I've been wanting a deserving LP for the longest time & had been distracted along the way. 

Dimension

An unlikely candidate for last night's practice; V-Pick's Dimension 4.0 (ghost rim).

I was feeling a little edgy playing fast stuff & felt that the pick I was using didn't have that much meat to deliver the aggression through effectively. It's not about not having a hard pick material but a thicker pick to promote a more effective grip especially when attacking the strings from a certain slant. The Dimension is 4mm thick, 1 mm thicker than what I usually have lying around & that's all I needed to make the session more effective & enjoyable.

808-40

Ibanez isn't the only one marking an anniversary event this year with a commemorative pedal. Maxon has its OD808 40th anniversary model (unfortunately limited to 400 units) to remind the world where the Tube Screamer is coming from. For those of us who gets on with a strict embrace of one pedal over the other, we need to stop & re-visit this history. The Maxon & Ibanez camps collaborated to give us some of the most enjoyable over drive manifestation in history. They subsequently disembarked on a separate journey once the collaboration was over & we note that this wasn't detrimental to either camps. 

Am I looking forward to this one? If it gets here then it's worth checking out. Otherwise, Maxon has a formidable range of over drive in its current catalog to serve our needs.

V12

If this one appears at City Music, it's gonna be a hard time for me not wanting one. It's basically a Doheny with humbuckers but a closer look at those pickups- they are housed in a JM-type bobbin (Doheny V12 they call it). If the G&L people are true to their spirit of R&D, it means that each humbucker sports a wider winding both ways to give a differentiated sonic experience. Also, the guitar is equipped with a 3-way switch to manifest a true humbucker, parallel & split coil mode for sonic variations. 

PIC: Andertons

Quality

Had been playing my offset Tele for the past few days or so. This thing is heavy.

Was curious to see what those Japanese folks included in there in terms of electronics & was surprised they didn't go with Gotoh. A pair of CTS pots but both are A models. Hmm...

Selling: EVH 5150 III LBX (final price) SOLD

Letting this one go to a deserving owner. Have been using at home, never left the house. I have two 5150 III, so...

• This is Ver 1, not to be confused with Ver 2 which has a clean channel
• Selling the head only (as depicted)
• Foot switch included as depicted
• Self-collect: CCK mrt stn
• No trades
• Queries/ confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price is final: $750

Item SOLD on 3/12/2019

Vinter's end

Aw, damn!

Read this late but Andreas Hedlund aka Vintersorg had left the Borknagar camp. I've always considered his vocals to be a signature standard in this music genre. So that makes two- Ryland & Vintersorg, key members of the band now pursuing a quieter profession but not out of the scene entirely.

With that, ICS Vortex will now assume lead vocals role & we rest in the knowledge that he is one heck of a vocal powerhouse in & out of the band.

Holdswoth/ Mayhem

Couldn't resist these. If you've ever heard Holdsworth playing live in Japan on Youtube, you'd know how fat & smooth his tone was. It took a live release like this one for me to really like his tone. So much clarity in the overall music as well. One of the best live productions I've come across. Mayhem's Grand Declaration of War was re-released late last year with one-up mastering especially for the drums. The percussive tones are more upfront with a bolder bottom end push. Due to the hectic festive delivery schedule, it didn't make its way here before the year ended. It missed January as well but it's here now. 

The same

Spent 15min playing each guitar today, strictly on the bridge pickup through the same set up. What's the point? Hearing what I specifically like about each guitar.

GIO: Despite being entry level, with the preferred features, it still sounds appealing.

SV: The S-series is always the second fiddle when Ibanez is concerned. RG had been the flagship model for this brand name but that tapered body coupled with an appealing neck is something.

I have never considered buying a new guitar as a move to replace the lower models. I respect every instrument the same, there's no pariah guitar in my books, just the ones that don't meet my needs. Mind you, some high end guitars don't meet my needs. 

Tight

It's not until the recent volume pot replacement of my Ibanez SV5470 that I discovered these rusty/ corroded screws. Still wondering how they deteriorated this bad since the probability of moisture entering those small cavities are remote. Whatever. These were replaced.

This is the cavity view of the said Ibanez SV5470. It's definitely a tight space in there housing 2 control pots, a very big capacitor an a 5-way selector switch. Note that the volume pot there is a push-pull coil split feature which is a little long but it would definitely fit if you designate it at the volume position. I'm saying this because there are techs out there claiming such pots won't ever fit into the shallow cavity of an S-Series guitar. Of course, if you bought the longer shaft version, it won't fit for sure. Stick to the standard version. 

In flames

OK, might have missed this one due to NAMM shenanigans- the Ibanez AZ2402FF. It's essentially an AZ2402 with a flamed maple top & a one piece flamed maple neck. Maybe I'm the only one who see white pickups in a sunburst finish to be sorely out of place. Maybe.

RE-string Sunday: Ibanez SV

Another dead pot. This one looks rather pristine but don't let that fool you.

Was at Beez earlier today to get that fixed & fresh set of GHS 009s for this guitar. That's my last set from that 6-pack.

The pickups (Seymour Duncan, what else...): Full Shred (b)/ Quarter Pound Staggered (m)/ Jazz (n). I love how the high output single coil is able to keep up with the rest of the pack in terms of punch. Of course there's a bit of twang going since it's a single coil.

So here it is, my Ibanez SV5470. It's my first S-Series to feature a non-locking bridge/ nut as well as 24 frets. Along the way, I value my 22-fret models more because it tend to play more at the higher register than the 24. Still looking for good, used 22-fretters out there. 

Acoustic @ Ibanez

Owing to last year's success with the AW54JR, two more Ibanez acoustic guitars now feature the elbow relief- the AW150CE (t) & AC150CE (b). 

Not so good news- the AEWC series are now devoid of a solid top. Ibanez chose to adorn these models with a flame top instead. Bummer. 

Terminal

JHS founder, Josh Scott, had announced a severance with artist, Ryan Adams, while investigations are under way alleging misconduct (sexual & assault) by the said artist. The signature VCR pedal seen here would be cleared off the JHS inventory immediately with future plans of re-branding the product on the cards. Reputation is everything.

Thicker

It's good to know the mail order's in when you reach home. Nothing special here, just a bunch of strings. It's a significant purchase for me because these are the gauges I've never tried before since I started playing. Two reasons: 1) I'm not a fan of thicker strings by any means unless the instrument was conceived to be equipped with such strings to begin with which is the case in the mean time 2) These gauges are not available at the stores hence the reason I've not been playing them.

The D'Addario 11 - 49 sets will replace my 11 - 48 sets in my Ibanez RGDs. Yes, it's only that slight change in the thicker E string, I could have bought just that one string but no stores here stock 049s in their inventory. The 10.5s will be an experiment with my Jaguars. I'm currently using 10s in them & felt that a wee bit more tightness might do the trick in terms of feel. Friends are urging me to move on up to 11s since I'm currently using that set in some guitars anyway but those guitars do not sport standard tunings (I tune my RGD to C#). Since GHS offers such a gauge set, I'm just gonna try for variety's sake. 

Fender: Japan Hybrid series

Folks, Fender's Japan Hybrid Telecasters have also made their way here- 50s & 60s version.

Also- the 60s Jazz bass...

50s P-bass...

Not so good news though- most models are already sold out. On a price-to-quality ratio assessment, these Jap models are definitely worth it (now that the Mexican models are seeing price hikes).

That much

Some online pre-orders are listing this one for EURO499 😒 Damn you can get an electric guitar at that price.

Standard Tribute

FYI, there are no more Gibson SG Special/ Faded this 2019. These are all phased out & the only other offering below the Standard is the Standard Tribute model. It's a smart move by Gibson to curb distractions & maintain a 22-fret feature for the SG. It's purported to be the more affordable take on the Standard less the finish (satin body & neck) & pickups (490). Listing for a dollar shy of $1.5k, it's a reasonable asking price. In the mean time, it's out of stock at Swee Lee- might be more popular than we think it is.

RIP: Jim Dunlop

RIP: Jim Dunlop. Playing only Dunlop picks this weekend. 😔

Japanese hybrids

Good news for Fender dweebs on a budget; the Japanese Hybrid models are now available at Swee Lee.

Seen above are the Hybrid 50s & 68 (big headstock) models. Hopefully, the Hybrid 60s will make it here over time to complete the line up. Prices are very reasonable & more colours are offered here as opposed to Fender's own website. If this signals the regular feature of Japanese models instead of just seasonal special runs, it's a winner for us.

1451

Took out my Ibanez RG1451 for re-stringing.  This is perhaps my least problematic, well-maintained RG in my possession. Pickups (Seymour Duncan): Jazz (n)/ Classic Stack + (m)/ JB (b). The bridge pickup is a trembucker model despite the instrument not sporting a whammy/ dual action bridge. 

A little re-conditioning of the fretboard & it's good as ever. The RG1451 is one of the few Prestige models to not come with a hard case upon purchase. 

Mira: Slight facelift

New pickups in my PRS S2 Mira: Phat Cat (n)/ Custom (b). Still keeping things 100% Seymour Duncan here. 

This is the uncompromising Beez standard when it comes to wiring: 1) Exposed wires are tubed up (that blue coat you see there) 2)  Extended wire length is kept in check (by strapping things up).

These screws are compatible with pick guards & rear cavity covers. Unlike the default screws (round heads), they are flat heads. The thing with flat heads is, you have to prevent it from being over-sunken into the hole. If that happens, it will crack your pick guard. They are definitely way more affordable than those sold at guitar stores; for 80c, you get 14 screws. The ones at guitar stores- $6 for 10 pieces; that's daylight robbery. Remember my dead, rusty screws? These are the deserving replacements. 

The other thing to note is that these generic screws come in a chrome finish only. I have no issues coating them black with paint markers for selected guitars. If you refer to the first picture of this post, you'd see them all blackened. 

A set of D'Addario 9.5s for the Mira.

Good as ever. This was done last Sunday before things get busy over the festive period. 

GE go!

Had been reading good stuff about Mooer's GE300 here from the recent NAMM coverage. I'm not too enthusiastic when it comes to a multi-effects unit because it ends up being fiddly. Most of the time, if there are any synth modules in there, the latency issue just kills the joy of playing (& the stupidity of paying for such a unit kicks in). But we have to give it to Mooer for living the times, such issues have come to pass. If you think this one is aimed at a certain LINE 6 implement of a similar nature then you do get the hint. Home recording dweebs will appreciate the IR modules included here so this is a really neat release by Mooer. 

Oink!

Ah, yes! I simply love the CNY holidays because shops are closed & everyone takes a break spending time with family & friends. OK, these days, some commercial establishments do open during the festive season for a little while & they close thereafter. Planning to catch up on re-stringing & other music-related stuff. Not forgetting family time, of course. 

So here's wishing you a wonderful time merry-making & gobbling up lots of new year treats- huat ah!! Also- safety first, yes? 🍻

84 2019

This year, Kramer re-issues The 84 model. It's as simple as it gets & I'm totally into the single humbucker vibe despite that body outline looking a little stunted/ retarded.

The legendary Nightswan is also making a come-back, seen here in its distinguished polka dot finish but purists are frowning on the double Duncan JB feature because the original Nightswan had a JB/ Full Shred combo. 

Chance of these guitar being available here- next to zero. 😒

PICS: Kramer

Screw it

With effect from 2019, I will not attempt to save dead screws. These will be trashed immediately. No use being sentimental when replacements are readily available. 

The guitar in question is my Ibanez S970 which was brought out for re-stringing. Nothing fancy this time, just a trusty set of D'Addario 9s. I was removing the rear cavity cover to check if the electronics are in good shape & those rusty screws simply had to go.

It's also good to hear the 59/ Custom in action; this should be one of my fat-sounding pickup that doesn't mush-up at higher gain settings, thanks to the hybrid vintage components in there to keep things in check.

A good wipe down & lots of love for this guitar- one of my favourite S-Series because it's good-sounding & good-playing, as simple as that.

Jr 2019

Martin's 2018 Dreadnought Jr is now known as the DJR-10. It's everything the 2018 model offered (sapele top) with a revised, thinner body. Not so sure if this is a wise move for a scaled down guitar as it makes the instrument less boomy & sharper sounding. 

Short Sting

This is new for 2019- EBMM offers the Stingray bass in a short scale version (30"). That's good news for people with a smaller body frame like yours truly. We also know how commanding a name like EBMM is, so something of this iteration would definitely retain its quality & appeal. This is unfortunately a limited run & only available in September 2019. We know how it is when it comes to EBMM distribution here- no confirmed availability compounded by disinterest.That's a double whammy for sure. 

It's February! 😎