New ghost

This is perhaps my favourite SG in terms of playability. Tone - it lacks that black metal touch. I like the wider neck profile which is a trademark of the 2015 models but these were plagued by the rubbish robot tuners which I did away almost immediately.

Actually, today's session is about trying the new Northern Ghost pick - the Coffin mini... 3mm & as hard as it can be so it's my kind of pick. Deliberately opted for a smaller pick to test my picking efficiency. Update in good time.

Nothing special but special anyway

Midweek guitar therapy. Really, I needed the guitar time before plunging into cancer-related thoughts & despair. Today's guitar of choice - the much maligned 2015 SG Special. Maligned (to me especially) because it features two foolish features: 1) The GForce tuning system 2) Adjustable metal nut.

The 2015 models, SG or otherwise, feature the dreaded GForce tuning mechanism where a robotic implement resides at the headstock & tune your instrument up each & every time tuning is required. It's an intelligent system, they said. It keeps you in tune all the time without you realizing it, they said. It's a break-through guitar technology, they said. But I strongly believe it removes the emotional intelligence  required for guitar upkeep, to say the least. It deprives the learner of that educational & adaptive rigour pertaining to the guitar & its ownership. Ironically, Gibson & Tronical, the company that manufactured the GForce, were having a litigative relationship along the way leading to terminal circumstances. I still stand by the belief that this GForce system is unnecessary & a wasted venture through & through. By the way, the GForce system was removed from this guitar, the RATIO tuners are handling things very well in the mean time.

The metal nut design for the 2015 models actually incorporated a zero fret which was a wonderful consideration. Ideally, it helps reconcile the issue of open notes not sounding as 'true' as their fretted counterparts. This nut design is also adjustable so you can raise & lower the nut height to accommodate different string gauges with reference to action adjustments. However, this nut is not a fixed feature, it requires the strings tension to secure it in place. I'd rather have a non-metal nut that stays put all the time because in intense distortion applications, open & fretted notes are undistinguishable. To compound the negativity, the headstock says Les Paul 100 as a commemorative label.

Before playing proceeded, the SG Special received a fresh set of Darco strings. I feel that this 2015 iteration has the best, shred-inducing neck ever. No, it's not Wizard thin, it's just profiled to facilitate fast fretting hand movements. The wider feature has something to do with this inducement as well. I only bought this guitar after trying it in the store. I already dislike the guitar for the GForce & metal nut but it was listed to clear so I decided to give it a try before totally dismissing it. In view of its awesome playability & the probability of overcoming the GForce system successfully, I bought it. 

Hello, June 👋

Special burst

Some playing time this morning after too much allocation for maintenance & makeovers - Gibson SG Special.

After some serious considerations, the '61 humbuckers made way for a pair of Burstbucker Pro. Nothing bad about the '61s, I have three Gibsons with these pickups so it's time for change. The BB Pro, in a nutshell, is the high octane rock reference if Gibson is your thing, without losing vintage-esque voicings at lower guitar volume settings. Some Alnico V magic here, definitely.

Fresh set of strings while I'm at it. Not an Ernie Ball fan but I don't exclude them entirely.

Price watch (13)

 

After-market item, seller is asking for $2,200. It's a Gibson Les Paul Deluxe 2015. We know that 2015 is a very difficult year for Gibson with that altered Les Paul script at the headstock & the Tronical auto-tune device that plagues the credibility of the instrument's brand name. Nut material is metal. 

Owning a 2015 Gibson is equally very difficult for sellers, there are no fortifying features in the instrument to leverage attraction. The Tronical is the ultimate bane in the instrument. Buyers will stay well away from a 2015 unless there's substantial price reductions with the instrument in very good condition. Can this particular model sell for that asking price?

Unfortunately, these issues here are compounding reasons why we shouldn't pay more than $2K for this guitar:

1. Checking at headstock. These might look like chipped edges but they are definitely checking marks. 'Bubbles' would develop underneath the finish causing these to happen. Over time, these will weaken the top coat resulting in minor cracks. Chipping off will follow suit.
2. Tuners installation. So you decided to do away with the abominable Tronical contraption & equip this guitar with Gibson's Deluxe, Kluson type set. Look at how these were installed; only one screw is used to hold each peg in place & the alignment is all messed up. Tuner-related, re-look at Pic 1, see how long the head shafts are? Do you think these were the suitable ones to begin with?
3. Chips. More of what you do not wish to see / pay for. Also look at that strap button - original? Hmm...

Dear Gibson 2015 owners, if there's anyone remotely interested in your instrument, please pay close attention to them. More importantly, swallow your pride & accept a 50% consideration in terms of price. Do not propagate the belief that 2015 instruments are collectibles, they are bumps in the manufacturer's retail goodwill & Tronical would tell you Gibson owes them money & had to drag their bums to court for payment (Disclaimer: Issue might have been settled already). Also, the Tronicals would become slow charging over time & they die off faster when in use. I'm not putting anyone down for selling a 2015 Gibson for sky high prices, they have their reasons for doing so. Anyway, Swee Lee is clearing the 2015 Deluxe for $2,561 (look under Hot Deals). 

Wishing everyone a good weekend ahead 😎

That neck

Last weekend, I was at Swee Lee Katong & managed to try this discontinued 2015 Gibson LP Traditional. We know what went on that year; robot tuners & a metal nut. What made me pick it up? The neck profile. I believe I handled a wider-than-usual slim taper LP neck. It's definitely one of a kind or maybe, not being an in-the-know LP fan, this was a typical offering. I don't know for sure & not motivated to look into the matter (just not an LP guy).

However, I must say that a certain amount of flatness coupled with a commanding width, the guitar was an awesome player. It's somehow the right kind of neck for this guitar. I'm still holding out till Gibson releases the 2019 LP Standard. Remember, the current ones you see in the stores are the Juszkiewicz leftovers, not what Curleigh would have approved.

EOY play list

It had been a hectic week despite the X-mas break. Had been listening to the radio on the way home for the festive tunes. The above albums are on my playlist on days when I choose to ditch the festive mood & revert to my kind of music instead:

1. Firespawn: Shadow Realms. My latest acquisition, an intense side project by members of Entombed A.D., Necrophobic & Skineater. There were no obligations to bring their respective band elements into the mix & this is one heck of a release. Great solos by Fredrik Folkare as well. I still believe that intense music does not need to shed the technicalities & this is how it's done.
2. Black Sabbath: Cross Purposes. This is my kind of Black Sabbath, not the 70s, hippy-laced version, not the current Bill Ward devoid line up as well. This is Tony Martin at his vocal best & Bobby Rondinelli keeping it as Sabbath as it should be. Used to own this in cassette tape version- $7.50 of my weekly school allowance.
3. Carach Angren: This is no Fairytale. The band's best produced album, my most respectable trio churning out awesome black metal without a working bassist. Awesome drummer as well.
4. John Scofield: Past Present. Got to give it to Sco for keeping jazz relevant in this day & age.
5. Hate Eternal: Infernus. Attack brand death metal, relentless & focused.
6. Rick Astley: Ultimate Collection. Grateful to be able to re-connect to my childhood music, Rick Astley's dance-able tunes are some of them.

Season's greetings 2015

Christmas is here again.

It's not been a wonderful year for me, wishing the year could end faster but as it is- it's not happening.

Nevertheless, I always enjoy Christmas as a holiday & the days leading up to it. I see people preparing for the occasion & that means there is more to life than pleasing your bosses. Ha! People are also buying presents- they are into the spirit of giving but there is an increasing apprehension pertaining to the commercial overtones of the season as opposed to the spiritual side of things.

Christmas is on a Friday this time round so it means a long weekend for many of us. So here's wishing all friends, acquaintances & blog readers a restful 3 days or so. Spend time with your family, yes?

Gibson LP Std: Price differences

As mentioned, the Gibson price differences to note. I'm not doing anyone a favour here but empowering you with some comparative background so that you can make your decisions accordingly. Many of us would leave Gibson purchases to the year end all because we'd be receiving some bonus & the fact that these instruments aren't that affordable :-) Also, do note that some 2016 models do not come with a hard case, please check before you think someone duped you. Happy shopping.

PS: 2016 models are available now. Do act quickly as some models come in limited quantity (like ONE only).

SALE: City Music

Sale starts today :-) Will recommend stuff along the way.

Deepavali

Happy Deepavali to all Hindu blog readers & friends. When I was over at East Malaysia some years ago, they reminded me that the two states there do not observe a public holiday for this occasion. It's a little bewildering that under the same authority, there is a dichotomous treatment due to demographic reasons. If you respect your fellow country men, it should go beyond numbers. Happy holiday to the rest of you out there.

Eid-ul Adha greetings

To all Muslim friends & blog readers; a warm Eid-ul Adha greeting.

What is sacrifice to you? Is it a simple forgoing of a current gain for the benefit of others? Is it giving up what you have to make others happy for a cause? A simple abstinence for a common good perhaps? You might not have realized this sacrifice till you sit back & think about the occurrences. A sacrifice might have taken place without you knowing it & along the way, rejoice in the knowledge that a benefit took place & you made it happen.

Eid 2015

Here's wishing all Muslim friends, acquaintances & blog fans a meanigful Eid. Meaningful because you did your best during Ramadan & now you feel accomplished. Nothing else matters, yes? A very restive & enjoyable long weekend for the rest of us. Awesome!

Fathers' Day

The obvious gift to all fathers are their kids. Without them, that 'father' title doesn't apply. For the record, I have never received any gear-related Fathers' Day gifts so today, I choose to highlight my greatest gift a father could have- my daughter. Some Dads have to give up their guitar-ing once they have kids around but for me, guitar-ing continues as it doesn't (it SHOULDN'T) get in the way of fatherhood.

To all Dads out there- Happy Fathers' Day!

A blessed Ramadan

By the time you read this, you'd probably had your iftar after a successful first day of Ramadan. So to all my Muslim friends & blog readers, here's wishing you a blessed Ramadan. For those of you going through Ramadan in a summer environment, it's a little challenging but faith will pull you through, God-willing.

PRS: Vela

You might have read about it by now- the latest in PRS' S2 fold, the Vela. It's every bit awesome despite drawing dangerously close to mundane regurgitation in terms of outline. The HS pickup combo is also an interesting provision.

However, PRS is drawing flak for giving the Vela this bridge. It's fundamentally a 2-saddle, vintage tele-type affair which had gone a little too far. The immediate concern is of course intonation issues. If you think the 3-saddle Tele bridge is a beast to intonate, this one might drive you beyond lucid limits. In any case, the design is a fresh take & if you understand what the PRS name stands for, these guys won't dish out something devoid of merit, no matter how peculiar it is.

Roving electric

Washburn has a range of travel acoustic & they are merely shaped as above; a simple instrument meant for mobility. Players are concerned that such a narrow & thin body wouldn't keep up with volume projection. This year, the Rover (as named by Washburn) received a plug-in treatment so the RO10E here has an amplification capability that might be useful for traveling performers. How about that?

Ibanez: Open pore

The Ibanez RG350/370 are new in the Standard range. I'd say these guitars are rightfully there to perpetuate a no-frills, mid-price affair. New this year would be the finish. These models were given an 'open pore' treatment, meaning- a non-gloss overcoat with the stain sunken into the wood grain. Together with the binding treatment, it's a fair regurgitation to stir some interest among us who are in search of RGs in this price range.

Screaming mini

You can now stop trying to find the mini equivalent of the Tube Screamer because the Tube Screamer has gone mini. The manufacturer promises the same tone standards so there's nothing to lose except some weight from your pedal board. No battery support for this one, just keep that in mind.

ESP: Gus G

The latest addition to the ESP Gus G fold is this EC model you see here. It's a very regular looking affair, in fact, the most regular of them all.

The other Dimension

You've read about the Fender Dimension bass here; how it started as an affordable Fender model & now being offered as a Standard & Deluxe American models (the very affordable Modern Player version is still available, no worries). This 2015, the Dimension trickles down into the Squier range & it's offered in a 5-string version as well. If you are not too keen with the P/J type basses, the Dimension should be worth checking out.