Eid Mubarak 2014

It's that time of the year again & I'd like to express my utmost thanks to you, my dear readers, who have been reading the entries here regardless of where you are. If I've offended you in any way through the entries here- due apologies. Those not celebrating- have a great holiday; go play more guitar!

Sale @ Yamaha

Sale happening at Yamaha as well. It's beginning to feel like a good mid-year after all :-)

Gibson: Les Paul Studio 2014

The Gibson LP Studio 2014 edition (note 12th fretboard marker) is now available at Swee Lee Co. Let's go for the good news first- it's a wonderful piece of work. I'm happy it featured some new considerations that we would implement into our LP Studios as a 'upgrades'; coil split feature at both volume knobs, Orange Drop capacitor (finally!), Graph Tech nut, large strap buttons & grip speed knobs. The default pickups are Gibson's own 490R/490T pair which many distortion fiends find lacking but these are undeniably the manufacturer's signature tone to begin with so any disagreements here is strictly personal. The audition model was virtually flawless. I was paying particular attention to the fretboard edges because time & again, Gibson's unbound neck had proven to be its Achilles heel in finishing QC but this one did well. The overall playability was enhanced (subjective) by the instrument's Slim Taper 60s profile which many speedsters would be at home with. Despite the default set of .010s in there, the default Cleartone strings just felt right.

The not so good news is that, this year, Gibson had decided to exclude the LP Studio from the hardcase option. This means, you only get a supplementary Gibson bag with your purchase. I personally don't see this as a negative in any case, maybe this helps to keep prices down & that could only be good for us (buyers). 

Rating: 80%

Gibson: LP Studio ver 2014

Availability: Swee Lee Co.

Price: SGD1,390

Other online price references: USD1,089/ Euro945/ BP767.25/ Aus1,700

Gibson: ES-335 Studio ver 2014

Remember this guitar- the ES-335 Studio ver 2013? According to many Gibson fanatics, it's a major let down. The idea of a 'Studio' version was to faithfully recreate the Standard version with much trimming in the aesthetics, not some features compromise. A good example would be the Les Paul Studio in various incarnations, these are wonderful guitars that kept close to their upper tier counterparts.

This year, much was done to atone this 'mistake', Gibson released the ES-335 Studio in its more 'accurate' interpretation; everything a 335 should be less the flash (so no binding here) & a single volume/ tone affair which didn't take away much of the essentials (but still managed to piss the purists- so you can't please ALL the people ALL the time, yes?). The MSRP is very well under the USD1.5K tag so look forward to a very toneful guitar (if you are into semis, of course) at a very reasonable asking price considering the 'GIbson' there at the headstock. I might just consider this one at the year's end :-)

A message to the stores still carrying the 2013 version- clear now or suffer further sale difficulties.

Earth hour 2014

We have been commemorating Earth Hour & it was no exception this 2014. Unlike previous years, there was absolutely no playing last Saturday (29-3-2014), I actually read in the dark for the entire 60min. There was less EH promotion this year or so I noted. I remember the media making it a big deal in 2013, asking people to come down to town & join the rest of the participants in the name of awareness. The news did some pre-EH coverage to play their part.

This year, the focus was at Marina Bay where Garfield, Fox & gang were part of the EH 2014 event so it was an Amazing Spiderman Earth Hour so to speak. Imagine the amount of electricity used for this event, regardless if it's gagged for an hour to observe the event proper. Gee... Hopefully, it had been an amazing EH in terms of awareness but once again, having looked around on that day, just in my neighbourhood vicinity, people were largely oblivious to EH. The love for Mother Earth, it seems, appeals to only a certain fraction of the national demographics. The typical Uncles & Aunties here had no clue what it was all about. This had been the case for the past few EH commemorations or so. In terms of reach, in my opinion, it failed quite miserably.

Whatever it had been, we did our part in our own special ways. Some of our ways were more EH than others.

Ibanez 2014: Good fix trio

I tried to ignore these guitars (T-B: RG652/ 752/ 852) but I couldn't. They are 3 of the new models introduced this year with fixed bridges. As I get older, I am more inclined towards no-frills bridges so these 3 are indeed appealing to me. The thing is, Ibanez is only making them available in Europe & Japan so the chance of seeing them in the stores here are very slim. Sometimes I don't know if I should feel lucky living here.

Gibson 2014: Sensible pricing- thumbs up!

What you are looking at here are Gibson's SGJ models, the top darling is 2013's manifestation (which is still available) & this year's release, easily identifiable by that anniversary 12th fret marker (bottom). I'm giving Gibson a thumbs up for pricing 2014's version very sensibly- it's USD100 lesser than its predecessor. So regardless of the anniversary hype, Gibson had tagged this year's model sensibly when many other manufacturers would be tempted to hike prices to capitalize on their products' commemorative anniversary status.

If you see any dealers/ stores giving the 2014 version a wayward price tag, ask them why that's the case. Boycott them if you have to because many online stores offering Gibson guitars now ship internationally.

Ibanez 2014: Bare Knuckling

In case you missed this- Ibanez has 2 models out this year featuring Bare Knuckle pickups. This is the RGD7UC with a pair of Aftermath 7 humbuckers.

This is the FR6UC also featuring the Aftermath humbuckers. Pertaining to the guitar per se, Ibanez removed the pickguard, gave it a satin finish & binding so the FR, this year, has a more contemporary look as opposed to its very 'Telecaster' vibe of the past. The reality of it is the fact that nobody's gonna buy the FR to emulate the Telecaster so Ibanez did the right thing by giving it a makeover.

It's also good to know that Ibanez is open to having other brand name pickups in their instruments instead of having the traditional DiMarzios for their upper tier models.

Ibanez 2014: Signatures

Tosin Abasi fans, this is the more affordable make of the 8-string model. It costs significantly lesser than the Prestige version (a good USD2,700 difference!). Summary of the differences:

• Neck is maple/walnut as opposed to the wenge/bubinga of the Prestige. To put it nicely- it's a regular neck, nothing special.
• Rosewood fretboard (Prestige version sports a wenge fretboard)
• Non-locking bridge & nut. Black finish as well, no gold flash here
• Basswood body, no maple cap
• Coil tap switch is under the pickguard unlike the Prestige version which is embedded in the body. Implication- it's a standard basswood body meant for the standard RG, no extra cavities in the body equals less production costs
• Fretboard markers- side dots

Periphery's Jack Bowen gets his signature model based on the RGA with a Lo-Pro Edge bridge (yeah!). Pickups are Bowen's signature Titan humbuckers. Together with the ebony fretboard, it should be a sleek player- available in Summer 2014.

Mick Thompson's MTM100 is still in tact with a preserved Glaive-type body shape but his budget alternative reverts to the RG-type outline as seen here. So the MTM20 is new despite reverting to its initial body design.

Korn's Munky is still with Ibanez this 2014 & he gets a new signature; wondering if his band's current status makes this a worthy inclusion but personal sentiments aside, the APEX200/ 20 are there for the taking. The APEX 20 has a blank fretboard & it should be neutral enough to attract non-Korn fans. 

And if that's not Korn-y enough (no pun intended), Brian Welch gets a new signature as well (it's called the Komrad) & hopefully that's not due to his return to Korn per se. I've talked to people about this, the guitar is Ibanez's appreciation of his brand commitment because during his non-Korn days, Mr. Welch stayed true to Ibanez. Despite its RGD looks, the guitar sports a standard 25.5" scale length but it's factory strung with a set of .011s. Debut: Summer 2014.

Saving the best for last- Ibanez's Paul Gilbert Fireman FRM250M, celebrating his 25 years with the brand name. What's new?

• Humbuckers for neck & bridge
• Flamed maple top
• Bound neck

Let Mr. Gilbert do the talking:

New Year greetings

It's the final day of the initial month, year 2014. It's another new year today; the Lunar New Year & here's my best wishes to all Chinese friends, blog visitors & fellow guitar dweebs- a prosperous year of the horse & success in all endeavours.

Fender 2014: Malmsteen stuff...

Greetings. Welcome to planet Malmsteen.

If you think you need a supplementary supply of Fender accessories to go with your scallop-neck Malmsteen Strat, you can now acquire a signature cable & gig bag at the very least.

Say what? You've been buying a set of mix-&-match strings for your Strat because you couldn't get a Malmsteen set? Well, do not fret (no pun intended), this year sees the release of the signature 8-11-14-22-32-46 set.

And the grand master of neo-classical shred specifies his clip-on tuner to be functional despite a noisy background so this one might be another must-have on the list of acquisitions. Aren't you excited yet?

Ibanez 2014: Double screaming goodness!

This is what many of us would like in our effects chain; an 808 Tube Screamer which can be brought up to some aggressive standards without losing character. So essentially, the boost should be included in the pedal itself to preserve authenticity & that's what we get here- a TS808 with its own boosted circuit. Another to-get on my list for 2014.

That pedal shouldn't be confused with the Turbo Tube Screamer which is already in Ibanez's catalog. Tube Screamer fans will know that the 808 is more adept to boosting tasks especially if you do not wish to lose the clean character- SRV style to be precise (but SRV didn't use the TS808). Also, the TS9DX does not feature an independent switch for its more intense selections. I'd say it's a regurgitation of a theme but differentiated somewhat.

BOSS 2014: ME-80

I was expecting a GT-type release but nothing of that nature this time round, it's the ME-80 for 2014. There's this argument that digital effects don't deliver convincing guitar tones but players are embracing digital offerings from Fractal & Kemper, among others. Double standards? Definitely. I won't say BOSS is heading in that direction but since they had a go at their ME & GT models, the tones had been good. The ME series by BOSS is a more user-friendly (to me at least) unit compared to the GT stuff but both work in terms of delivery; you get BOSS' signature pedal tones despite dealing with a digital platform.

Ibanez 2014: Acoustic!

Ibanez introduces a tenor guitar this year (AVD1) & I'm looking forward to check it out. The tenor guitar was first conceived to allow a cross-over for the banjo chaps to double up on guitar. How is it tuned? In fifths (C/G/D/A) but there is no fixed application & I'm gonna employ it in baritone ukelele tuning. The body outline appeals to me as it is not overwhelming like a standard guitar, in fact, it's modeled after a parlour. Coupled with that solid spruce top, it should help me open up some unconventional ideas.

Following the success of 2013's PF58MH, Ibanez has one more for us in terms of a travel-size offering, the PF2MH (from the Performer series). Body & neck are mahogany, fretboard is rosewood but this one has no electronics whatsoever unlike the PF58 but it should offer a similar tone palette. I'm totally happy with the PF58 in terms of warmth, clarity & volume projection despite the size so I have high expectations for this baby. Following this introduction, the PF58 is discontinued for 2014. Glad I bought one :-)

We're still in the Performer range & for those of us who are more at home with standard-sized acoustics (who might venture into the mahogany territory), Ibanez has the PC12MH for you to check out. Not forgetting the bassists among us, PCBE12MH with pre-amp & on-board tuner- how's that?

Ibanez 2014: Mikro up!

Ibanez 'promoted' the Mikro RGs into their standard models this 2014 so it no longer bears the GIO tag. Wonderful move, in my opinion. You might assign this to the kids but on a laid back day, a no-frills guitar is all you need to get things going. Ibanez RGM55 is on my to-get list :-)

Ibanez 2014: Bass!

Just look at this bass (Ibanez BTB686)! It's really too bad there's no 4-string version (in the mean time), otherwise it's a taker for me. To the uninitiated, it looks like a foul design with that very restrictive no-cutaway upper bout.

But on the flip side, the design allows for maximum reach to the upper frets. However, this idea is nothing new, big names like Fodera was there way before Ibanez. Having that bulk there equals good balance, it may look quirky but that's how it works. If you are bass inclined, you'd know how many basses are neck-heavy so this singlecut outline so to speak, provides liberation to handling issues. I agree that it looks a little awful... Do we have to wait till 2015 for a 4-string version? Darn.

Ibanez 2014: The 9

This is one of the talked about guitars coming from the Ibanez camp this 2014; the RG9. A real surprise at all? Not really, there was a proto 9-string in 2013. Ibanez most probably had things in motion already & waited for the right time to release this monster. Am I gonna get one? No obligations at all. More strings doesn't equal greatness for both the player or the instrument per se. I foresee strings availability issues (ditto pickups) unless the manufacturer had tailored things to encroach bass strings compatibility but that would mean some serious design considerations over at the headstock, nut & bridge. Will give it a go if it makes it here, not really enticed.

BC Rich 2014: Tasty 8s

BC Rich is back with some intention for 2014. Seen here is my pick from the manufacturer's current releases. From top to bottom:

1. Jr V Lucky 8
2. Warlock Lucky 8
3. Villain Escape 8

No, I'm not here to only favour the 8-string releases exclusively but this trio caught my attention more than anything else. The latest introduction to the fold is of course the Villain range; a super-strat type outline with a shortened lower cutaway & beveled generously at the cutaway area. It's good to see one of the industry's most iconic brand name up & about this year. If there's any extroverted outlines to be had out there, it comes from BC Rich more often than not. Hail!

Enough distortion?

2014 may be a pedal year; thusfar, lots of good stuff to check out & list down as to-gets. Noted the fact that many manufacturers are offering 2-in-1 models like this EHXtortion. I appreciate such consideration because it eliminates my headache of saturating a drive/ distortion pedal I favour with another booster/ drive unit without having to deal with gain-related noise. The DI guys would appreciate the DI output there. Very enticing, this one.. :-O

Fuchs!

I'm a phantom admirer of Fuchs pedals. I absolutely love their drives & it's not about the intensity, it's the saturation that complements my light pick touch. This year, the Dual Plush Drive is on my to-check list (which would end up as an acquisition). With a Fuchs drive, all I need is a complementary clean tube tone, it doesn't have to be stellar, just there to serve the amplification need. However, we know that Fuchs stuff are not wallet freindly :-/