Schecter: Red Dawn

New for 2025: Schecter Red Dawn guitars. This particular model you see above is the Sunset 6 ET. The Red Dawn models are basically shred-type players with Fishman pickups (Modern Ceramic / Alnico) which sport a rail design instead of pole pieces. If you don't fancy the Evertune bridge, a tune-o-matic type bridge is also offered. Other variations include baritone & 7-string models.

Pic: Schecter

Fish(man) pedals

Fishman pedals are also available at Swee Lee now. Was expecting more but these don't cost as much as their Fluence pickups 😜

Pic: Swee Lee webstore

LTD 2022: 7s

Still on single pickup guitars, actually - the LTD Black Metal Series are seeing a couple of 7-string models, this one is one of them; the EX-7.

This is the other; the Phoenix -7. By the way, both are baritones, sporting a 27" scale length. You get stainless steel frets with these guitars. The EX has EMG & the Phoenix, a Fluence, so the intention is clear - all out metal assault, no compromise. Also, these come with form fit cases, so that's value for money for both instruments. These are not high end LTDs, unlike the Deluxes but they are spec'd out well. Due to the single pickup nature, these will be a niche appeal. 
 

Pics: ESP international

S71AL

There is now the 7-string version of this- seen here S71AL.

I'm attracted to the panga panga/ walnut neck. It's a different kind of smoothness coming from the darker wood types. After trying the 6-string version, it got kinda addictive but the Fishman Fluence Modern pickups are not my thing. 

Ibanez 2019 (3): Initial sadness

Damn it. This is the only new Ibanez S-Series for 2019: S61AL.

Thanks for having the Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers in there but gone are the maple neck (walnut/ panga panga) & mahogany body (nyatoh). If there's any implications to all this, Ibanez is telling us that the active pickups would render body wood consideration less significant.

This makes the S61AL the only other S-Series to be featuring active pickups in a regular production model. The last time we see this happening was the S920E (above) & that's been done with in 2014. Instead of the active push per se, the Fishman electronics feature 2 voicings via the volume knob's push/ pull facility. Together with the coil tap feature, this would make an interesting tonal palette.

I sincerely hope there are some other regional exclusive models for consideration or Ibanez would be releasing subsequent variations by Summer NAMM (high hopes!). Having only a single addition in  the midst of others is a sign of impending extinction. 

In Fluence

Available at Swee Lee's Star Vista branch during my recent visit- Fishman's Fluence pickups; the current flavour of prog/tech music geeks. 

It's Boxing Day. Every where else, it's still a holiday. 😑

Influenced

This was a recent intro at the Summer '15 NAMM- LTD's Fishman Fluenced equipped Snapper model. The Snapper isn't new, the Fluence is. Fishman's Fluence are coil-less pickups so instead of fine wires going round the magnet core, it's replaced by an applied material. Advantage- humless applications. I've yet to hear one in action personally but it should make a good consideration for those of us who are looking for  alternatives.

Selling: Veelah V1-OMCE (SOLD)

To clear: Veelah V1-OMCE, 8-days old, bag included. Some specs: Solid spruce top/ mahogany sides/ Fishman IsysT preamp (with tuner).

• Selling: Veelah solid top electro-acoustic guitar
• Slightly more than a week old (bag included)
• No reservations/ trades
• Queries/ confirmation: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Self-collect: CCK mrt station
• Price: $200 (final)

SOLD as at 29-12-2013