GT

 

This was released rather recently, I've meant to mention it here but got distracted; as usual. This is the new GT series by Taylor. The manufacturer says it sits between a grand concert & a GS mini with a full solid body construction (spruce top + back / ash sides). The scale length is also an in-betweener; 24.3" +/- the fretboard is eucalyptus. If this is meant to entice the GS Mini fans to cross over to the GT camp then it's a risky call price-wise (USD1,399 without electronics). There are very few GS Mini fans who are truly displeased with the instrument in the mean time; the playing comfort & tone are simply done right. The financial profile of the current GS Mini owners are also not ready to own the GT. Also, Taylor is  competing against itself because for USD1,399 the American Dream model would be easy enticement for players who want to move into a bigger sounding acoustic domain, which is a natural thing to do if one is to move away from a smaller, compact-sized instrument. 

PIC: Musicradar

The boss in your pocket

 

BOSS now has this travel-mate effects processor cum pre-amp for you because they know you can be creative on the go. I'm definitely gonna check it out once it's available here but my experiences with such devices are negative when it comes to overdrive / distortion. The digital interpretation of drive & distortion is simply too buzzy at this price point. The good ones are in the higher end devices - POD/ LINE 6/ Fractal & co. I have no complaints with digital modulations, these sound good. In fact, they sound more refined & appealing than the analog version (subjective, tone chip & capacitor purists would understand), then again, I'm pretty much a straight-to-amp type & wouldn't be too affected by specific tone chasing. Some good stuff done by Mr. Hutchings:

421

When I started out, the Ibanez 3XX & 4XX models are bare bones entry level models. They were nothing bad but they were definitely fundamental. Today, the economics of production allow for such lower rung models to sport a decorated top. This RG421PB here sports a poplar burl top.

This RG421G on the other hand, has gold hardware. How times have changed. If it's a good time to buy affordable guitars with good looks, then the time is now. 

Mini blue

If you are a fan of that Ibanez PGM Mini currently available in white / military green, then this fall, Ibanez offers the jewel blue version. I'd say this blue + pink colour combo is more attractive than the white version with F-holes in boring black.

Is it too darn difficult to provide a pair of black string retainers so that the hardware in this guitar looks more uniformed?

Hollow availability

The much anticipated PRS SE Hollowbody II Piezo is now in stock at Davis GMC (List: $1,950). Only the black gold burst (seen above) is available in the mean time. Stock is moving fast, folks. 

Power of P (3)

Before giving the PRS SE P20 a full appraisal, I'll just disclose some bits here. Really, the workmanship is as good as it gets, no particular unhappiness relating to price-quality issues. The ones I'm highlighting here are too minor to cause a major upset. First up, we see the uneven corners of the truss rod cover; one end being sharp, the other, rounded off. We are well aware that wood working & plastic accessories are handled by different hands at the factory. 

This one shows the uneven trimming of the binding but it's only evident at this end, the other end is perfect. 

On that note (forgive the pun), I'm happy to say that the PRS SE P20 is every bit worthy of its asking price. However, we still have people who whined at the fact that it's made in China. Despite being educated & having access to technical information, we still get people who are dismissive of products originating from a certain country. This shows how narrow people still are today & they are willing to cascade their negative experience from another encounter unto something unrelated. From my end of things, I still rank China as the standard to beat when it comes to hollow/ semi-hollow/ acoustic craftsmanship in the entry level to mid-price bracket. Indonesia is well ahead, in the mean time, for the solid body reference for the same price considerations. 

Jupiter 6

The best thing to happenthis week - the Seymour Duncan Jupiter 6 is finally released. Bonus - there's a neck version as well. I'll let the endorser do the talking:

Control

This is the latest EHX release called the Cntl Knob. It's basically an expression pedal without any rocking parts. You set the two knobs there to toggle between your desired differences & that's it. Why the need for this one? If you are put off by expression pedals taking up real estate on your board, this would be a possible alternative. The catch - it only works with pedals with an expression input. However, for the love of me, I could hardly imagine the need for one after watching the demo clip. I shouldn't talk too much as I'm not the pedal board type. Anyway, if you can spare the time:

More new Solars

Solar guitars are beefing up their bolt-on lineups which is the right thing to do. A gold hardware version is now available (FR bridge, do note) & that delicious maple flame top veneer. Seen here: SB1.6FRFM.

At the fixed bridge front, we have this wonderful AB1.6HTPB. It's not quite obvious here but the burst edges are not black, it's purple. Basically, my prayers for a non-evertune bridge version for this model is answered with this model. One more time, we rest in utmost trepidation knowing that the Solar dealer here is not pro-active when it comes to having the latest offerings in store. Damn! 

Paranormal

What you are looking at here are the instruments for Squier's Paranormal Series. Details were made available earlier in the year (Winter NAMM) but were withdrawn leaving many confused. Regardless, these are now officially released & should entice the cult followers of Fender's Parallel Universe & Alternate Reality camps. 

There is actually no real 'new' models in this range. The line-up - Cabronita/ Cyclone/ Offset Tele/ Super Sonic/ Toronado - were once in the Fender offerings less the Offset Tele which is still in production. These should be affordable (SGD500 - $600 bracket) & could become the tinkerer's choice for personal/ quirky tone exploits. 

PIC: Guitar.com

Special

Gibson just released these LP Special Tribute models, in P-90 & humbucking options. Special because back then, these were known as specials & the monicker spills over to the current manifestation. The body is mahogany but neck is maple while the fretboard remains to be rosewood. These are not the usual carved top models so they cost way less than the standard LP. The simple wrap over bridge also hints at affordability. 

Big deal? Not really. But in the mean time, this remains to be one of the more affordable Gibson out there. Quality issue - this can be scrutinized once they are available here. 

Type V

The Type V is finally released (some days ago). All this in the midst of a Gibson intimidation pertaining to design trademark & Kiesel stood firm. Personally, I'm interested but it's the wrong time to buy in view of the rising USD + pandemic uncertainty. It's easily in the SGD2K bracket after shipment so it has to wait. It's more affordable than the Silver Sky that I struck off my to-get list so the  consideration is still alive. SGD2K will see through a low income family here especially during this dire times where people are unemployed & struggling to see the days through. Until I attend to this social needs within my means, the Type V is on indefinite hold.

Positive distress

More good stuff from the Solar camp. These are the so called distressed models but they look absolutely mint to me. I'm quite a sucker for that natural finish but we all know how it is with the availability of anything Solar &  new - S L O W.

New Heritage

Fender has launched the new Heritage Series (Japan) just days ago. It's good to know that we now have more Fender options which are non-American & on par with their State-side counterparts in terms of quality & tone. However, I feel that the Japanese catalog is a little choked in the mean time with the Traditional, Hybrid & Modern offerings. The selections from these series can easily fill the void from the Heritage models despite Fender reminding fans that the Heritage range are period-correct models (50s/ 60s/ 70s) & outstanding in terms of affordability compared to the American Original range. We can look forward to these being available here unlike our friends in the USA as these are Japan-only releases.

Pic: Fender Japan

Epiphone: 2020 (4)

Not too many entries ago, I cited the remarkable increase in price for the LP Jr. That was the Gibson version. I'm definitely glad that there's an Epiphone version for 2020 & it will (hopefully) costs about a quarter of the Gibson's list price. 

Still on the P-90 front, the SG Special is also available. The reason why I am highlighting these models is because Epiphone actually went the extra mile to include these 'lesser' or student models in their new lineup. The utilitarian profile of these models would mean it remains viable in terms of sales & won't be sitting in the corner reserved for quirky, forgotten models.

YY

This had been a quiet release. You won't even know it's a signature model as no significant quirks were made visible. Folks, this is the Ibanez YY10, Yvette Young's signature release based on the Talman model. The default design is so agreeable that no further mods were needed to accommodate her playing style. Pickups on board are Seymour Duncan's Five Two & that's a Wilkinson bridge there. 

Now that there's an established ambassador, it'd be interesting to see if this series of guitars deserve a re-issue/ re-introduction. 

Dean 2020

Nothing much from the Dean camp this year (maybe more later in the year). This MD 24 Select looks more mainstream featuring a headstock we can all like. 

Equally simple & mainstream but still attractive is the Tele-style Nashvegas. 22 frets on this one. 

They made this official - the Karl Sanders signature V. Of course, the other V that made a greater highlight is the Kerry King model but I've mentioned that before & it's not that affordable.

HM

Fender's commercial strategy for 2020, it seems, is a return to its glorified past. This HM Strat was a significant part of shred history once but it couldn't keep up with the Ibanez/ Jackson pace of things. While there's still no firm representation from the Fender range in terms of fast & furious playing, why not bring the HM back to stir it up a little, leverage on nostalgia while everyone else is distracted by 'new'. 

The reality here is, when it comes to 'Strat', players would be affected if the design moves away from the traditional outlines. Fender would argue that there are design refinements here to facilitate modern/ shred applications. If that's the case, then Fender is trying too hard to fight itself because they endorse players like Malmsteen, Blackmoore & the Iron Maiden guys whose guitars are all the traditional Strat design through & through. 

It's good to see Fender offering both rosewood & maple fretboards for die hard fans. For me, this is the deal-breaker right here - FR Special bridge. I've had very bad moments with the bridge & it won't sway me back into believing that it's an OK bridge to begin with.

Epiphone 2020 (3): A-MUSE-ing

Continuing with Epiphone's impressive 2020 showcase - the Muse LP. It's a modern, chambered body affair but with thoughtful appointments. I like the inclusion of the belly cut & this green finish here - I've never seen one coming from Gibson/Epiphone - is downright attractive. 

The SG version is also available. This finish is equally enticing but that green is calling me...

Nele

I was hoping to get more details on the new Washburn Nele from the official website but it seems that no new details had surfaced (as yet). When we thought Nuno would end his Washburn relationship somehow, we get a new signature which has all the simple attractions. As a mark of respect, Washburn, the least you could do for endorsers is to update details of new products at your home page. Perhaps this is a little too difficult for you to do.