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. 

Power of P

My latest acquisition (hinted last Thursday) is this marvelous PRS SE P20. I can never fully let go of my attraction to parlour-type acoustics for its sheer fit to my needs. That's right, folks I am more comfortable with smaller bodied acoustics be it a 3/4 model or a parlour make like this one. I enjoy playing travel-sized ones as well but it restricts technical movements & lacks projection when dealing with single notes. OK, more on this soon, do watch this space.

A big thank you to Janet & the good people at Davis GMC for a pleasant acquisition. 

Selling: Takamine GY93E (parlour) SOLD

Staying away from acoustic guitars in the mean time... My GY93E- well taken care off.

Rosewood back with a maple wedge.

• Takamine GY93E electric-acoustic, parlour sized guitar (generic bag included)
• Condition: 9/10
• No reservations/ trades
• Confirmation/ queries: subversion.sg@gmail.com
• Strictly self-collect @ CCK mrt station
• Price: $300 (final)

Sorry, no testing.

Item SOLD, 24th Sept.

Dandy

Aw, darn! I'm a sucker for small bodied acoustics & this Gretsch Jim Dandy G9500 is calling to me (now available at Swee Lee). The agathis body is something to think about but I value good tones than being picky when it comes to body wood (for acoustic guitars). Just wish it's a solid top.

Fender: CP-60s

No idea if it's an in thing to have a parlour version of your acoustic line but this body design sure helps inject some enjoyment into playing. This is especially true for people (like your truly) who aren't acoustic inclined but resort to acoustics for inspiration. From Summer NAMM as well, Fender has this arguably affordable CP-60s (listing for USD199) with very acceptable features: Mahogany neck, back & sides, rosewood fingerboard & a solid spruce top.

Parlouring (Ibanez)

The Ibanez (AVN4) camp has just up-ed the ante when it comes to parlour style acoustics- this AVN4 is stunning. For those of you new to the parlour outline/ dimensions, be informed that the tones on offer are neither the deep concert type nor the crisp dreadnought type but there's a focus on a certain upper midrange bandwidth which is definitely not wimpy. In fact, it reminds me of a resonator voicing without that metallic clunk.

Ibanez: The Parlor menace

Yes, something I've been waiting for! A decent parlor release by Ibanez but nothing exorbitant in terms of price- the AVN2. Don't get me wrong; the AVN1 was alright, just that I want to avoid the spruce + mahogany formula. The AVN2 goes one up by being a full solid model. Another one on the 'to-try' list.

Still on the parlor front, sporting an even smaller body- the PN1. Nothing fancy here (laminate body = more affordable) & it's definitely one for the spruce + mahogany fans. I'll still give it a try when it reaches here but it won't be a purchase consideration.

Reconciliation: Spruce top (Part 2)

The guitar in question is Takamine's GY93E. It's Chinese & it sings beautifully. I've noticed that Chinese instruments are particularly well made when it comes to the acoustic & semi-solid construction. It's something else when solid body construction in concerned. That, shall not be discussed here.

This is how the guitar looks like from the rear. That light strip of wood there is maple. A stunning look has nothing to do with sounding good & playing well for that matter (especially when it's hidden at the back *duh*).

So this was how it went; my coming to terms with a spruce top. I won't be too keen to embrace another spruce top instrument simply because it's not my thing, I prefer the darker woods for their warmth & individual notes accentuation but this GY93E is an exception. As I'm not a keen acoustic fan either, it's down to that parlour-style body as well; something I can deal with without struggling.

Thanks to Davis GMC for their warm service in this acquisition.

Ibanez: PN15

I had some expectations with this guitar (Ibanez's PN15). It's probably a deflection from the travel-size PF-58, something small yet impressive. This one's small, sporting parlour dimensions but the scale length (24.4") isn't travel-type. So playing one today dispelled the association; if it's small, it doesn't incline towards a travel-type performance. The PN15 isn't a wimpy instrument by any means, it's very strum-friendly but the lower frequencies lack projection once you get down to individual notes. Other than that, the PN15 is a fine investment. In terms of construction & finishing, the neck binding suffers from fine fraying at some spots but you'd need to get real close to the subject matter for such scrutiny. The fretboard on this test model needed a little re-moisturizing; it's not excessively dry but a little pale for a new unit. All in all, the PN15 is a parlour wonder, it's one that keeps you strumming your favourite tunes on end, nothing else matters.

Rating: 70%

Ibanez: PN15

Availability: Swee Lee Co.

Price: $209