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

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?

Smooth operator

This is the same Duncan YJM pot you initially read here: CLICK It's now available @ Davis GMC.

If you need a little convincing as to how smooth this pot is, the manufacturer had packaged each pot in such a way that the shaft protrudes out of the casing for your testing pleasure.

Make sure you get the correct value pot for your guitar. Despite Malmsteen being a committed single coil user (which would dictate the provision of the 250K version exclusively... but no), the manufacturer also offers this pot for humbucking guitars so for people like me, I've gotten myself the 500K version as indicated there on the top side of the package.

Duncans @ DGMC

Seymour Duncans are in at Davis GMC. If you are looking forward to try the Fury (Malmsteen) set, they are also available (& clearing fast).

Malmsteen's POT

It's a great time for Malmsteen, he has a new set of signature pickups, Marshall amp & even his own, cutomized volume pot. Notice how Malmsteen has his pinky ready at the volume pot? That's because he utilizes it as second nature, muting & accentuating notes for a differentiated tone all the time. It'd be a clumsy affair should the pot in question not address this quick roll on-off...

... so Seymour Duncan customized a pot for him which in fact is a super lubricated unit, nothing extra. This product is manufactured by Bourns for Seymour Duncan but ladies & gentleman, even if you do not possess the YJM pots, there areothers out there which are equally easy to manipulate- I have a GOTOH unit in my Ibanez GRGR010 as proof. However, no harm trying this one, yes?

Malmshall

The Marshall talk of the moment is indeed Slash's AFD head but another enthusiastic Marshall devotee is also getting his signature Marshall amp this 2011- Malmsteen!

It's based on the legendary (1959) Plexi tone which had been Malmsteen's staple but 2 of the most worthy features to be mentioned here would be the amp's half-power switch as well as an on-board noise gate.

Fender: Malmsteen Tribute Strat

This is the new Malmsteen Tribute Strat by Fender, not cheap (>USD 12K...) & you get all the cracks & gunk courtesy of the Malmsteen rigours.

I remember reading something about this guitar of his & it came to me today- the headstock snapped/cracked. I'd say Fender would recreate this mishap in the tribute series but would you buy something quasi-destroyed?