Fundamentals

These are definitely decent for the price - Walrus Audio's Fundamental Series pedals. As the name suggests, fundamental offerings at fundamental prices, not too different from the JHS 3-Series pedals. If you are interested, be informed that these only run on PSUs, not battery accommodation.

 

Pic: Swee Lee webstore

I'm selling what?

Once in a while, I will stumble upon something like this; it's an Ibanez SRC6 consolidated sale page. 

It actually features one of my pics with the implication that I'm selling something. This is what happens in cyberspace folks, when you least expected, there's some form of abuse involving you. Great. 

ESP 2023: E-II

I believe ESP had released its full 2023 offering in view of the recently concluded NAMM show. The EC FT ET FL you see here gets my vote for the best looking model but personally, the Evertune bridge there is a deal breaker for me. It kind of broke the visual pleasantries but remains discrete here owing to its colour scheme.

I'm still not a fan of the Snapper headstock but this reversed version is very acceptable indeed. (SN-3)

Would have loved this more if it has a maple 'board but ebony is more than worthy. (M-1 Thru).

This year, the E-II models have largely been contained to kinda regurgitate the ESP counterparts so nothing really new was featured. Many models are now featuring Fluence pickups which is of course keeping up with the times. The Fluence is a hit with many players because it caters to both the high gain & clean-ish camps.

Pics: ESP Japan

Sunflower

The new finish for this PRS Fiore is called sunflower. To me, it doesn't conjure a sunflower image every time I look at this. We've all been conditioned to accept this finish as sunburst, yes? Whatever.

Pic: PRS 

Special run prices

Not too long ago, we note the Squier's 40th Anniversary models' prices which exceeded the $600 mark. The FSR models you see above are fresh offerings but the prices are, once again, beyond the aforementioned mark. Implication - Squier prices are no longer supporting players who are new to the scene, still in search of meaning when it comes to value-for-money. OK, maybe these are FSRs which retail slightly more reflective of their special status. Keeping watch of Squier developments, definitely.

Selling: Gibson G-45 Studio (SOLD)

Another lesson in buying something which I know won't do me good. That's right, I simply cannot come to terms with a standard-sized acoustic, this Gibson G-45 is no exception & it's not getting the play time it deserved. I like the neck & overall tone of this one. Yes, the G-45 is an electro-acoustic so it has an under saddle pickup for plug-in moments. It's up for sale: $1,349. Thanks for reading.

• Gibson: G-45 Studio (first gen)
• Condition: 8.5/10
• Hard case included
• No trades / reservations
• Self-collect: Yew Tee / CCK mrt station
• Further queries: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Price is FINAL

Edwards '23: Legacy pickups

Many of the rejuvenated Edwards models (which are largely Gibson-esque) now feature in-house Legacy pickups. These guitars used to have Seymour Duncans in them but not any more. The way these are documented in the manufacturer's catalog, anticipate a responsive but flat-sounding pickup which are not inclined to any specific music genre. These should be heard to be believed. Till then.

Pic: ESP Japan

Non-festive indoor adventure

That's right - staying home. Expecting guests. Not bothered. I kinda miss playing this guitar so it's out today. New knobs.

AIDILFITRI 2023

Eid greetings to all Muslim friends & blog readers. Down time for me. This year, it's hitting me quite hard but let that be a private ordeal. Enjoy the merry-making with friends & relatives - you deserve it.

Head error

This is Jackson's DK2X HT, available at Swee Lee in the mean time. Note - fixed bridge.

We wonder why a fixed bridge guitar requires locking nut. Then again, we also noticed the wrong inlay there. So...

Pics: Swee Lee webstore

Available: ICHI100

The new Ibanez ICHI100 is now available at Swee Lee. That was fast. Price? $879. I thought, being a signature model, it would be on par with its Q counterpart but there's a $500 difference there. Ichika, together with Yvette Young, are now the prominent ambassadors of the Talman shapes.

Pic: Ibanez

MOMM (40)

Depeche Mode: Memento Mori

I simply like this album. It has that lethal mix of pop & forboding atmosphere that would appeal to cult followers as opposed to casual listeners. There's a very strong Ultra vibe here which is why it clicked well with me. More importantly, the synth element did not experience any reduction since the passing of Andy Fletcher. Good release.

Enslaved: Heimdal

The Enslaved camp continues to defy black metal expectations & forge onwards into the prog realm. OK, it's not an entirely prog release, remnants of their roots could still be heard. There's a more focused composition here compared to the previous outing (utgard), putting it simply, it's not that boring. If you think Enslaved is going to revert to their formative years in terms of music-making, then be informed that this fine bunch have moved well on.

Raya deals

Pic: Swee Lee

 

Some festive deals are available at Swee Lee in the meantime. Guitar-wise, mostly Jackson & Gretsch stuff. I believe it won't appeal to the Raya group because these people will be spending their money for for the occasion, yes? Just saying. 😎

Meliora

Pic: Strandberg IG

Latest from the ergonomic landmark brand, Strandberg - Boden Meliora. Essentially a solid center part with a skeletal wing frame. Sounds familiar?

Pic: Yamaha

Yamaha Silent guitar was there before & done that. OK, so theirs was an acoustic take but what goes round, comes round.

Red rise Sunday

Early start to the guitar-ing day with the RG550DX. I tried to keep things within the single coil realm & playing cleans under loads of chorus & reverb but I should not kid myself, yes? That lasted for like 20min till the distortion kicks in along with the angry tunes.

This RG550 (discontinued) is the less prominent member in the Genesis range but it packs a punch like the rest. It's somehow heavier than its siblings, the reason I played it lesser these days, especially after my post-chemo lifestyle kicked in. I am still lost in the greatness of the Seymour Duncan - Ibanez fusion & this guitar is one of the better playing / sounding among them.

NAMM '23: Dean

OK... so this is the latest manifestation for Kerry King, it's a Dean Overlord, excessively pointy & hey, there's a Kahler on board. The thing with Kahler today (yes today, not decades ago) is, there are no ready parts replacement if the bridge requires some looking into over time. Dean has made a very bold commitment with KK considering he's living on his Slayer reputation & currently without a band. No disrespect to Mr. King as he has a formidable catalog of crushing thrash tunes under his belt, some of which are definitely industry standard, to say the least.

Pic: Dean

NAMM '23: LTD

This seems to be the LTD highlight in the mean time. People are giving this serious considerations at NAMM '23 & this would be the case if you are actually unfamiliar with what ESP has to offer. The KH-V is a clear iteration of ESP's Arrow model with a slight mod to differentiate itself from the established offering. The fact that a Kirk Hammett fanfare was thrown into the mix, things got hyped up rather easily. 

On that note (no pun intended), even the new Gary Holt signature looks very close to the Kirk Hammett version less the locking hardware & whammy bridge. This one would get lesser attention because it's not Kirk Hammett associated.

Elsewhere within the camp, there's a little celebration over the fact that the Vulture is finally available in white. 🙄

Perhaps some respite can be had here - it's the BK-600, Bill Kelliher's latest signature commitment. This is a full body thickness affair with no belly cut for that traditional singlecut feel (whatever that means to you). Pickups are BK's Mojo Tone Hell Bender, ebony fretboard. We note that, despite a signature affair, this is a tier 600 model, keeping things rather affordable / appealing. 

Pics: ESP

NAMM '23: Ibanez

So Ibanez let loose a bunch of new releases for NAMM 2023. The models on offer are all signature instruments which may / may not appeal to guitar fans in general. This white Talman-esque model you see above is the new Ichika Nito (ICHI100) guitar which is as utilitarian as it gets; nothing fancy, not even branded pickups. Consolation - roasted maple neck.

 

Satch's Chrome Boy (JS3CR) returns to its traditional format - 22 frets but pickups are DiMarzio's PAF Pro / Satchur8. I prefer 22 frets for the JS, it's been this way from the start but saw a 24 fret revision along the way. It's good to see this one keeping it true to its origins.

Pics: Ibanez

Cradle Rock

I'm a big Seymour Duncan fan but I don't see Joe Bonamassa' signature Cradle Rock single coils as a dedicated release. I pretty sure everyone would agree that he's associated with the Les Paul more than any other guitars. OK so maybe there's a Strat resurgence that he's a part of which escaped everyone's attention; then I have myself to blame for not keeping up. 

Pic: UG

DJR - low & behold

An exciting development in the Martin camp leading to NAMM 2023 - the Dreadnought Jr acoustic bass. That's right, a scaled-down acoustic bass in an already obscure acoustic bass market. This is a bold move.

Even bolder - the cutaway version. I need to try one of these to see if it's that missing link in my bass quest. Yes, I'm in the hunt for a scaled down bass after parting with my beloved Bacchus not too long ago. String gauge for such a peculiar instrument is definitely going to be an issue so here's hoping Martin will supplement this provision.

Pics: Martin / GW

SALE: PRS CE @ Davis GMC

Pic: PRS

PRS CE sale is now happening at Davis GMC. This amber version is listing for a neat $2,970. Yes, a bolt-on PRS is not what everyone goes for when it comes to the PRS name but many players become converts once they try one in person.  

Review quickie: MXR Distortion +

Dunlop's MXR pedals are some of the most enduring effects unit out there. The Distortion + here is definitely one of them. Of course, this is the revised edition, the original being the script version, featuring no indicator LED which is a pain when you need to monitor power. 

Likes

• simple to use
• effective
• well-built
• runs well on battery

Dislikes

• lacks EQ control

This is not my first episode with the D+ (CLICK). It's a very utilitarian pedal, effective in fulfilling fundamental objectives, very similar to what the BOSS DS-1 & Ibanez Tube Screamer are in context. I sold my first D+ away after thinking intense distortion units (Metal Zone et al) are the way to go. However, if you are already happy with a your amp's dirty tones & wish for some mindful reinforcements, this is the pedal to get. On that note, the D+ was used to boost my already driven amp & that's the perspective of this appraisal. The D+, I must say, is a good match for the DS-1, but it lacks any form of EQ control. However, do note that the OUTPUT control adds to bass & the DISTORTION adds treble to your signals. I didn't realize this with my initial bouts with the pedal due to the preoccupation of making things sound heavy. It gets a firm recommendation from me but it will loose out on price appeal against the DS-1. 

Overall rating: 85%

Dunlop MXR Distortion +

• Availability: Davis GMC / Swee Lee / Ranking Sports (please check out the respective dealer's websites for prices)

Edwards... slight return

Pics: ESP Japan

This is a good sign, definitely. The above Edwards models were marked as discontinued at the closing quarter of 2022. There were plenty of speculations as to the removal of these guitars, the most rife being legality issues pertaining to product design. The return of these instruments without major revisions might allude to something else which we are not privy to. Whatever it might be, it's good to see this update by ESP.

Selling: Pedals

If these pedals appeal to you, know that I have put them up for sale. This pedal runs on PSU which I don't own any more so I don't see using it in any circumstances.

Know that I take care of my gear & these are in very good condition. Prices are final & I appreciate your contributions to my well-being. The pain of unstable employment & funding medical treatments are real. Thanks for reading.

Friedman: Dirty Shirley ($180)

Biyang EQ: $80

• boxes included
• Self-collect: Yew Tee / CCK mrt station
• No reservations / trades

Easter greetings

Ah... the long weekend is here. Wishing everyone a good, restful break. It's gear catch-up day for us, guitar geeks. 

MOMM (39)

Obituary: Dying of Everything

Have not been following Obituary for quite a while; boring music, fuzzy guitar tones. However, this new one is something I like. There's this sublime emphasis on heaviness & some tasty guitar solos by Ken Andrews.

Van Halen: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge

Throwback spin of sorts. Still prefer the Hagar-Anthony era, used to have this on cassette tape. Right Now - firm favourite.

Sonic

Pic: Squier

Squier's Bullet Series are now called the Sonic Series. Guitars are USD199, Bronco bass is USD209 & the P-Bass lists for USD219. Fender prices are going crazy these days but it's good to see some sensible pricing for Squier. It simply doesn't make sense to put premium prices on a range of supposedly affordable instruments (e.g. Squier's 40th Anniversary range) just because the brand name is conveying the image of its greater counterpart. People will simply look elsewhere because at this price range, quality goes before branding. Bacchus is a good example.

Krys is here

Pic: Ibanez

The Ibanez KRYS10 is now available at Swee Lee. Polyphia fan boys would be pleased to know that this lists for $1,999 which I find respectable. I predicted a $2K+ price tag in view of the Fluence pickups on board. I chose this tilted view of the guitar to show you the binding at the body which many of us would be unaware of. 

Flip-flop S (2)

The flip flop finish of my Ibanez S521 was the end product of spraying Krylon paint. Yes, it's a budget, home DIY adventure which turned out OK. Here's how it went:

1. Guitar body was detached from the neck & all hardware & electronics removed
2. The top surface was sanded off. Essentially, it removed the lacquer coat while keeping the original finish in tact. I had no intention to remove the finish entirely because it would mean dealing with a bare wood surface which requires a pore filler coat. Sanding off the lacquer means giving the subsequent coat of paint a better 'grip' onto the surface.
3. A black base coat was applied as recommended by Krylon. This would give a prominent glitter effect.
4. 3 layers of flip flop paint was applied with sufficient drying time in between to prevent smudges / cloudy build ups.
5. 2 lacquer coats were applied to finish things off.

A bit on the drying process - the 2nd & 3rd coats of Krylon received a sun-dry treatment. This was after discovering the first layer manifesting that sticky feel despite leaving it to dry indoors, overnight. The heat helped a lot. The image above shows my absolute novice approach in exposing the guitar body to the hot afternoon sun. That's right, it was left to rest on the railing at the staircase landing where the sun shines in. On some days, I see residents leaving their laundry here to dry as well. 

If you are an absolute amateur like me in dealing with (partial) guitar re-finishing, fret not, things would turn out OK with the right amount of diligence along the way. I did everything using spray cans, no costly air brushes involved. Also, paint types are generic but suitable for wooden surfaces. Do shop around before purchasing but do not skimp on paint because the cheaper ones won't do you good in terms of visual appeal & quality finish. 

RGBs

Not everyone's cup of tea when it comes to bass but the Ibanez RGB  basses are available in Swee Lee now. Seen above: RGB300 (List: $449)

For $50 more, you can get the 5-string version (RGB305). These basses pretty much bowed out of the catalogues back then when the SR models were released. The RG design might be a hit with players but manifesting a bass version makes it a little less wieldy & in need of certain player ergonomics which the SR design addressed.

Pics: Ibanez

Heritage return

Pic: Heritage

Just glad to see the Heritage brand name being made available again at Swee Lee. Definitely on my to-get list once my purchasing power resumes. Wonder when that will happen.

Hello April...