That time of the year

It's darn difficult to be merry at this time of the year with issues on my mind; employment, finances, health... the list goes on. Went round the malls the last couple of days or so to soak in the atmosphere but it's just not working. In any case, wishing everyone a good time today catching up with friends & loved ones.

Green P

I've shelved this project for some time already: 1) I'm in no mood to revive any instruments that require extensive attention 2) I'm trying to avoid using spray paint in the mean time as it causes unrest at home due to its odour.

I just got bored & depressed lately so this is a good distraction. With reference to the pic above, sometimes, we shouldn't trust a seller's fret life assessment too much because his ultimate objective is to sell away something he dislikes in the mean time. Sugar-coating some wear or damages might happen. The seller told me this guitar has a good 90% fret life left in it but in reality, I would only give it a 75% rating. So many uneven frets & some areas were manifesting dents which were not disclosed to begin with.

Spent quite some time today levelling, dressing & re-crowning some frets. I skipped the afternoon coffee break along the way just to attend to this. Let's see if it's a worthy endeavour.

To be continued...

JS-Duncans

Nothing fancy, an entry-level Jackson JS11. I'm re-visiting my preference for 22 frets.

Since I have these two lying around, they go into the JS11 giving it a much deserved voicing for heavy / intense music. The Alnico II Pro sounds surprisingly good in this guitar considering it's not one of my favourite Seymour Duncan neck models. I prefer the '59 or Jazz for some dynamic responses. I was expecting a Slash-esque tones but since I don't have a Slash set up to begin with, things turned out pleasant. The tones from this one are at least meeting my expectations. The Dimebucker is something I'm used to hearing & it's a welcomed inclusion here.

Length matters

After years of handling pickups, I thought this would be good info for both seasoned & beginning players alike. The pickup depicted above is the Seymour Duncan trembucker version of the JB.

This here, is the F-Spaced version of DiMarzio's Evolution humbucker. Notice the length difference for both pickups.

Yes, I'm highlighting a minor length difference between these pickups but it makes a lot of difference if you intend to install these into the various guitar brands / models out there. Do keep these in mind:

• For guitars with pickguards, there is a high chance that a little trimming / filing needs to be done if you opt for the SD trembucker. Yes, it's only a mere mm difference but the trembucker would either not fit into some pickguards or the fitting is so tight, the sides of the pickup are scraping against the pickguard.
• For guitars with pickup mounting rings, the same issue would manifest. Notice Seymour Duncan includes a complementary mounting ring for all its trembucker pickups. So this is what it's for, please do not discard that.
• For guitars with direct mount pickups, the trembucker would again scrape against the sides of the pickup cavity. Filing this away is a little tricky but from experience, it's a tight fit as opposed to an impossible fit.

Jukjae

The manufacturer said this is a first. Yes, a first signature Fender by a Korean artist. Do you know Jukjae? It's OK, I don't know him either. Yes, there are only two control knobs here so for those of you who do not want a volume knob too close to the bridge pickup & making unnecessary contacts with your picking hand, this might be a good Strat for you. Last but not least - it's made in Japan 😅

Pic: Fender Japan

Snapper: Soft re-boot

Edwards had re-instated the Snapper in its current catalog. As depicted above, it's available in both the alder/rosewood & ash/maple configurations. Unlike the recent 20th Anniversary model, this revised edition features the two-post bridge. It is unwise for Edwards to exclude or remove the Snapper entirely as it is easily the most Strat-looking model to rival the F-brand.

Pics: ESP Japan

Pale encounter

Headless start to the weekend - Ibanez Q52PEB. That streak-y top there is pale moon ebony (PEB). Just wanna play something light but good-sounding.

Another layer (second) of shim material was added to facilitate my upper fret dexterity. Will decide if an additional layer should be added if this doesn't meet my expectations. The shim material there is a thin layer of name card paper.

Also replaced the default selector switch tip to the conventional RG-type. I just prefer the feel.

A friend gave me this set of EB strings because, according to him, he had upgraded to Elixirs. By the way this was like a good 5 months ago.

Destroy

Ibanez DTX120, manufactured in Y2K, Korea. More of a novelty model because players prefer the standard size Destroyer, not this petite version. Not a fan of such irregular body outline but since it's smaller than the usual Destroyer, why not.

The default AH pickups were below expectations, to put it nicely. These are used Schaller pickups I got for cheap. Nothing outstanding, they serve my needs & certainly not for those of us in search of immaculate clean tones.

Roots tone

Sent this to Beez for pickups installation yesterday. Had been playing it all morning. It's my Grassroots G-SG. Obviously a Gibson SG copy but it's darn affordable.

Someone sold me these Gibson 57 classic pickups for cheap. I had forgotten about these pickups as these were kept inside the pocket of one of my guitar bags which had deteriorated over time. Was about to throw away the bag last weekend when I found these. I dislike Gibson pickups, especially the neck model; they sound muddy as heck at high gain settings. I decided to swap out the default G-SG pickups as they sound below expectations especially when I have lots of distortion dialled in. These remind me of those cheap Ibanez GIO pickups; next to lifeless. Told myself I got nothing to lose by putting Gibson pickups in there. 

Surprisingly, these sound impressive. Even the neck humbucker did well, lots of definition in both clean & driven settings. These would sound interesting in split mode for sure but the 2-conductor wiring means there's no chance to hear that happen.

Olympia 10 - 46 for this guitar.

Neck

Finally back, my SEW761. Sent it to TYMC for bolt holes to be drilled. The neck you see there is a replacement neck so it came without neck screw holes. TYMC did an awesome job, alignment was spot-on.

The new neck also came with no trus rod cover. I choose to leave this as it is; a reminder of what took place & the amount of patience that I put into this guitar to bing it back to life.

Machete

The new Seymour Duncan Dino Cazares signature pickup depicted above, is called the Machete. Despite looking traditional, it's an active unit. The 7-string version is also available. I like the fact that a small SD logo was preferred instead of the full name version. Do note - this was conceived to manifest a pronounced treble response by default.

Pic: Seymour Duncan

Edwards' 50th

Lest we forget, this year, ESP celebrates its 50th Anniversary. The ESP / LTD commemorative releases were costly. Even the LTD was priced excessively for many of us. It's rather late (December) but ESP has released the Edwards version of its commemorative piece - the E-Horizon CTM. Very classy looking with its gold appointments but it will definitely be as costly as its other anniversary counterparts. Darn.

Pic: ESP Japan

More minions

I was of the opinion that Jackson's Minion Series would be a temporary occupation in Jackson's catalogue but it seems that the numbers are growing. To date, they added a maple fretboard version of the Dinky ($299) & the latest addition being a pinstriped body RR ($399). Two things:

1. Appealing novelty. The novelty of owning such scaled down instruments might have carved out a strong niche appeal. Players actually love these guitars & wouldn't mind forking out money for one (or more than one).
2. Real applications. There might be players out there who actually have real use for such guitars. For instance, these might be purchased to supplement guitar lessons for kids. Those who show competency would be allowed to move up to a standard-sized guitar. Also, there might be some bedroom maestros who want a simple offering for fun times.

Bottom line - these instruments would definitely not appeal to everyone. Do not believe the hype or blind recommendations. Best to try one out in the stores before parting with your precious cash. Both are available @ Swee Lee now.

Scaled down Becker

Kiesel has this scaled down guitar for your considerations before they cease operations for the holidays. If it looks familiar then it's the Jason Becker signature Numbers model but scaled down to 22.2" giving it a very similar dimension to the Jackson Minion model. This pedigree of instruments is more novelty than anything else. Depending on the urgency of the manufacturer, it might stay in tune because we all know too well that an instrument of this nature has a prominent weakness; it is unable to stay in tune. On this note, Jackson's Minion & Ibanez's Mikro models are amongst those that do stay in tune. More importantly, proceeds from this sale would contribute greatly to Jason Becker's medical maintenance which should appeal to us fans more than the instrument per se.

Wishing everyone a good weekend ahead.

Pic: Kiesel

Arm the homeless

Fender has finally unveiled the Arm The Homeless guitar, having worked closely with Tom Morello. It's made in Mexico. Pickups are EMGs & the bridge is the highly acclaimed GOTOH GE1966T.

However, Fender had issued a disclaimer about this flag image on the body which is disallowed for display in some parts of the world. Do take note if you are interested.

Pics: Fender

YY

I have no idea if there are (still) Korn fans who are looking forward to these Ibanez K7 guitars. The price tag there is quite excessive, especially for guitars which are not made in Japan. Then again, when PRS released the SE version of the Chleo, there are people who bought them.

Pics: Ibanez

Connect

Ibanez Connect is the manufacturer's international get-together event for enthusiasts as well as musicians in general. In local context, it's a product / brand roadshow. 

It will make its way here on 7 February 2026. More details from Swee Lee closer to the event date.

Pics: Ibanez

 

M-II

Good to see more ESPs sporting a fixed bridge. This new M-II CTM features a Hipshot bridge, keeping things simple. However, with the ESP label on headstock, do not expect a more accessible price even if the guitar features simpler appointments.

Pic: ESP

Gib-Sunday - MM edition

I'm very happy playing a lesser known guitar. It's a firm indicator of not yielding to trends. This Gibson Melody Maker is a good example. Nobody would be motivated to spend good money on an estranged guitar with a missing tail piece; the reason it was listed for sale.

The usual let's re-string before playing routine. Not a Roto fan, this was purchased when Swee Lee had discounts for them. They are currently OK, unlike previous episodes of rust spots & oxidation even when purchased new.

Nylon Saturday

Masochistic Saturday - indoors with nylon strings. I definitely need more time to adapt to nylon strings. These things simply roll under my fingers while playing, making me look & sound beyond amateurish. But I deem such torture necessary to become a better player. It's when you dwell beyond your comfort zone, you are compelled to adapt & excel.

Did a re-string before play. I tried the ball-end set, now back to the tie-end method. For nylon strings, I like my action a little higher than what I'm used to when playing the acoustic. It somehow reduced the rolling phenomenon during play.

Assassin 27

New one by SOLAR guitars - the Assassin VA1.61FR. The first to feature 27 frets. Actually, the 26th & 27th frets are partial frets. Hamer, ESP & Ibanez had such frets in their respective models. As for me, I'm happy with 22 frets 😅

Pic: SOLAR

Tribute Plus

Finally, Epiphone realized it shouldn't treat the SG as a second class citizen in its Tribute line up. I'm saying this because the previous Tribute lineup (affordable bolt-on models) featured an inaccurate manifestation of an SG - two knobs instead of four. Currently, the newer Tribute lineup, called the Tribute Plus, are not in (yet) at City Music.

Pic: Epiphone

CK @ KL

Was in KL (Malaysia), dropped by CK Music which was merely a couple of blocks away from my hotel. I wish they would update their website because the listings did not match the in-store inventory. Enough said.

Iron-iversary

Still in the Fender end of things - the Iron Maiden 50th Anniversary collection was just announced / released. The guitars you see above are the (L-R): Janick Gers Strat / Dave Murray Strat / Dave Murray Masterbuilt Strat. That's right, no Adrian Smith model because he's playing a Jackson which ironically is a Fender sister brand. 

Of course, Steve Hariss' P-bass is included in this line up.

For the record, the 50th Anniversary's time line started in 1975 when the band first formed up. The debut album only happened in 1980.

Pics: Fender

Cyber

Swee Lee's Cyber Monday deals are now on. Before Fender focused on the Players & Vinteras in an attempt to elevate the Mexican models as value-for-money guitars, the Standard model had always been there to fulfil this aspiration. Good to see this on the CM deal list: $719.20 Quite frankly, this is a sleeper in plain sight. If you wish for a good Strat without paying excessively for one, this is a good consideration. Coincidentally, this was the last good Mex Strat I tried, hence the recommendation.

The Fender (Japan) Malmsteen is also on a good CM deal: $2,479. Between the Japanese & American versions, the former vibed with me better when I last tried one in store. Ironically, this CM price is currently higher than the Japanese MSRP: $2,246. Regardless of this difference, it's one of those signature models that I truly like for what it is - a good playing, good sounding guitar.

Pics: Fender