MOMM (54)

Say it: Marcin Patrzalek. Bet you can only get half the name correct. That aside, I have been listening to this the entire week as an effort to address ear fatigue. We've seen Marcin's guitar exploits online; his ridiculously technical playing can only be inferred to by the guitar playing purists at best. However, Dragon in Harmony showcases very listenable tunes, much laid back as opposed to his hyperactive demeanour. Cover tunes like Smooth Operator & Heart-Shaped Box underscore his strength for melody amidst those chaotic & percussive playing. Perhaps many of us overlooked this as we preoccupy ourselves with chastising excessive non-musical sounds in Marcin's playing approach. If you are that kind of listener, you came to music with a very preconceived idea of what acceptability should be. Shame on you.

Marcin's

This is the new Marcin Patrzalek's official signature model, the Ibanez MRC10. I'm just glad that this happened because Marcin picked an Ibanez up by choice. The clever thing that Ibanez did was to give him an official recognition, hence giving the AE acoustic line a firm ambassador as well; two birds, one stone. 

The scratch pad on this guitar, accommodating the way Marcin manifests his music, is actually real wood; sitka spruce. We note that this guitar runs parallel to the Tim Henson model in terms of cost-to-feature concept; nothing extravagant, highly enticing. 

If that name isn't familiar to you, highly likely it's  because you are not a frequent visitor to the acoustic domain, watch / hear what Marcin Patrzalek is all about:

Ibanez is playing a strange game here in October. Unlike other months where all new releases were listed at a single entry, new models are updated individually in the catalog this time round. If they wish for us to be on the edge wanting for more (releases), it's working. 

Pics: Ibanez

Solid AE

The Ibanez AE came a long way from being a budget cutaway acoustic electric (hence the name) to its latest iteration seen here - AE410 (new for June 2021). It's still the likeable  AE that we know but this version sees a full solid construction; solid sitka spruce top + solid mahogany back / sides. To many of us, Ibanez would be the last name we would go to for a great acoustic reference. The Martin / Taylor / Takamine models we have here in the stores are easy pickings due to their brand name reputation when it comes to this kind of guitar. The odd campers would stray into Ibanez territory to realize how far the manufacturer have come when it comes to acoustics. Anyway, enjoy this cover of Kashmir by acoustic extraordinaire, Marcin Patrzalek with his AE:

Pic: Ibanez