Tom D: The return

Fender announced the return of the ever popular Tom Delonge Strat (USD1,299) in a limited edition run. Fixed bridge, single humbucking - my kind of guitar. Despite being a Seymour Duncan fan, I dislike the Invader. Also, it's a signature model which I am not into.

Pic: Fender

DOD: OD Preamp 250

This is good news indeed - the return of DOD's fabled OD Preamp 250 pedal. It's basically a no-frills OD unit that work for many applications, nothing magical but being useful, effective & reliable is indeed the magic. Really hoping the price won't be extravagant just because it's a come-back production; it wasn't costly back then.

Pic: GW 

Ibanez: Re-intro is a Prestige

Some friends were asking if the re-introduced/re-issue Ibanez RG550/570 are Prestige models since it's not indicated at the headstock. I believe the above screen grab would help. There is no 'Prestige' at the headstock because that's how they were back then. I don't believe such qualitative labeling actually puts the product in good stead automatically; it's the actual QC & personal experience that would qualify a product to be up there with the best, not self-proclamations by the manufacturer.

Ibanez: RG550 (re-intro/ Genesis) Part 2

With the preservation of the initial design comes the block heel as seen here. The primary issue is that of access but let's get this straight- this design does not hamper access, it's just that the revised Ibanez all-access-neck-joint (AANJ as it's commonly referred to in other forums) provides more for the adventurous finger gymnast. 

Ibanez: RG550 (re-intro/ Genesis)

First post of the month- Ibanez RG550. This Japanese model is part of the domestic Genesis series, a range of re-issued RGs. However, 2 of the models in this range, the RG550/570, are not marketed as a Genesis model in this region but they are the same guitars.

Return of what worked- the V-series pickups & Edge bridge. After much playing, I don't see the need to swap those pickups out, they will remain where they are.

Ibanez: Prestige Re-issue RG550/ 570

If you'd recall not too long ago (September, in fact), Ibanez released the Genesis models which are essentially reissues of the '80s RG models, complete with the old school block neck-body heel & the beloved Edge bridge (OK, just click this to refresh your memory: CLICK). Those were Japan-only models but this October, the manufacturer announced the availability of the RG570/ 550 reissues to the region (sorry they won't make it to the USA. Yet). Oddly, Ibanez didn't label it as a Genesis offering, instead it's described as a Prestige re-issue but it still sports the same blocky heel joint & Edge bridge. By virtue of this implication, these guitars should be the Japan-only Genesis models but whatever they are, they are making a timely comeback but these won't be here soon, perhaps early 2014. I'd say it'll be the worthy wait.

Gibson: M-III back to life

Ladies & gentlemen, Gibson has just re-introduced its M-III model to the world.

This is the original M-III for those of us who had missed it.

Looks like it's pretty much the same as before less the pickguard & coil-split toggle switch. Of course, the logo placement is slightly off as well so don't go round saying it's a fake because of this.

I personally won't miss the pickguard. It's an oddity from the look of things & it could only imply scarcity when replacement is due. As for the coil-split switch, Gibson had incorporated it into the volume knob so it's not totally missing. My only concern here is the single coil middle pickup- note the direct mounting. Say you prefer some other single coil to be in there, let's think of which other brand names feature screws through the bobbins.

Price? MSRP: USD2082 & they will hit the stores (in the States) come November. Let's say you want one, it's prudent to hold on for a month, chances are, there'll be yuletide discounts to be had. I won't mind buying one if the price is 'right' :-)

Genesis fall

This fall is gonna be great for Ibanez fans- the Genesis series.

These are strict re-issues. By re-issue here we are getting exact, period correct specs from the RGs (yes, it's limited to the RGs this time). The two guitars you see above are the RG550 in that signature desert yellow finish as well as this RG670 in mahogany & gold hardware. 

Because it's adhering to a certain degree of accurate representation, be mindful that the instrument features the traditional tilt, block inlay. But we know what we are after with these irresistible guitars- that super sleek, super thin, Super Wizard neck. However, here's the not so good news- it's a Japan-only release in the mean time so if you are gonna be there for a Fall break maybe in the next couple of weeks, you know what's good for you. :-)

Epiphone Casino '61 re-issue

 

Epiphone is re-issuing the '61 Casino models, the above model is one of them. I've tried whatever Casino models which are available here throughout the years; they are great-sounding guitars but the upper fret reaches are limited.

Gibson: RD...

1970s was a down period for many guitar designs & QC, it was also the decade of rejects. The guitar you see here, the Gibson RD, didn't win favours in terms of visual appeal. In giving it due credit for being experimental, some fans could see that it's a fusion of the Explorer, Thunderbird & SG but gone horribly wrong in Dr. Frankenstein lab. Anyway, if you are into such quirks, the manufacturer decided to give it a re-issue run in the mean time. The model you see here is the RD Standard Exclusive.

Ibanez: Re-issue RG770

So you thought the Anniversary RG550 (2007) was downright attractive- this year, there's the RG770 to consider. This will definitely make the shred-era '80s Ibanez lovers drool.

Jap Fenders = Re-issues?

• The Japanese Fenders, if you've any experiences with them, are superb instruments in terms of craftsmanship & tone; it is very little wonder why these are not made available in the US (among other reasons)... Many of the Jap models are assigned alpha-numerics for their model designation, the above guitar is an example. People are then too quick to deem a certain model a 're-issue' by virtue of this understanding, so the ST57 is a '57 reissue, yes? Absolutely not.

• If we take a closer look at the specs of the ST57, we note its basswood body, among other things- were Strats made in '57 sporting basswood bodies? Similarly, those pickups- a little sleuthing would reveal those aren't the single coils used way back in 1957. This scrutiny is important in light of our understanding of the term 're-issue' which, in its fundamentals would be, an item made to the exact specification of a certain historic guitar. More importantly, you'd get into legal complications selling off an ST57 as a '57 re-issue. I've nothing against the Jap Fenders, I own one (& a bass) & it's one heck of a guitar.