National Day deals @ SL

Swee Lee is having seasonal discounts (National Day 2026) for selected products. 

I'm attracted to this Fender FSR Hybrid II P-bass. Usually not a finished headstock fan but this one looks very flushed together with the rosewood 'board. That white pickguard adds class, IMO. This is about the only thing I'm interested in this time round 😅

Pic: SL web store

Plus discount

I have no idea if players here are still looking up to the Japanese Pacificas for a deserving throwback episode but here it is; the Standard Plus Series (made in Japan) are on sale. Just looking at the price per se, players would be asking themselves why opt for this one instead of an American Fender or even a Japanese Edwards for that matter (the latter for less). The glorious, shred-tastic Pacifica days are well over, yes? But these are good guitars (do take time to try them out) albeit an absence of that 90s Pacifica vibe. 

Pics: Yamaha SG

Mid-year promo @ SL

Swee Lee is having a mid-year promo on selected items. No idea how many of us out there are still in the market for the Ibanez AZ but be informed that it's on 20% off (AZ2203, AZ2204, AZS2209 included). I find this enticing considering the list price of an AZ is a whisker away from $3K.

For a more utilitarian option, the RG470DX / RG450DX are also on sale - $559 after discount.

Pics: Ibanez

Up to 40

Swee Lee is currently having this promo, do take note of the time frame.

Predictably, this one listing at the upper end of $1K is a difficult proposition. It's on 20% off.

In a similar league, the Corey Wong Strat is also on 20% off. Despite his social media stardom, the name is still rather estranged to many guitar players & you're paying so much for his guitar.

This, on the other hand, is a good consideration; the Malmsteen Strat (Japan) is $2.5K after 20% off. My only beef is the colour. The Japanese finish is somehow a little pale compared to the American version. 

Pics: Fender

CW Sale @ Davisguitar

Cyber Week sale is now on @ Davis GMC. Some recommendations...

This one will never revert to this price in time to come. Never. Ironically, players tend to gravitate to the over-priced Epiphones, claiming it to be a close repro of a Gibson. Wait... what? But I'm not here to assert brand superiority. I feel that the Edwards are darn value-for-money when it comes to this pedigree of guitar & having owned a few myself, I prefer the Edwards brand name in this price bracket. (E-LP STD CHS)

Same observation; people rather go for the over-priced Mexican Strat. No issues with those per se but this is a very good opportunity to own a very fine Strat-type guitar at an incredible price. Come on... ditch that ego & do the right thing. (Edwards E-ST90ALR 3ST)

You want something affordable but nothing too shabby - this EC-200DX is an underrated monster.

Pics: ESP Japan / USA / Davis GMC FB

Final sale @ SLBB

If you are linked to Swee Lee via social media, you would have gotten news of this on Friday evening (26 July). The retail activities at Swee Lee's Bras Basah branch will cease soon. Items in the showroom would be on sale, as this ad implies - up to 80% off.

After dropping by the sale event, here's the discount code list. People were looking out for stickers on the price tags. Having seen none on many instruments, they thought the particular item was not on sale & left empty-handed. If you read carefully, the sticker-less items (first line) are actually on 10% discount. 

I dropped by the sale event for throwback's sake. I have absolutely no budget to buy anything. My first ever Swee Lee sale event happened here at Bras Basah Complex. Back in the day, the venue wasn't as extensive as the current floorspace. The queue was crazy, it snaked round the escalator to the (former) bookshop there. In fact, some very enthusiastic buyers camped overnight on site. Those were the days. 

Pics: Swee Lee Co.

The other 30%

Swee Lee updated this today - in addition to the sale happening at its Bras Basah branch, there are also 30% discounts for selected instruments.

Majority of the guitars on this list are Fenders, these Squiers are discounted as well. They sure look familiar don't they? For the Nth time - Squier's 40th Anniversary was back in 2022. These instruments are still around today in the store & subjected to repeated discounts... well, it implies something, yes?

 Pics: SL webstore

SALE: Swee Lee BB

The Swee Lee sale (Bras Basah branch) is now on. Instruments with an orange sticker on its price tag are on 30% discount. Moving forward:

• Swee Lee can re-consider holding a sale event on a weekday. Many gear enthusiasts are working (yes, we have day jobs to feed out GAS). By the time we get there after work, we are left with scraps...
• Please paste the discount indicator sticker on the same side as the price. The current orange stickers are currently pasted on the flip side of the price tag making it difficult for buyers to know if a certain item is on sale or not. It becomes a little more challenging if these instruments are hung at the upper tier of the display wall.

Pic: SLFB 

BOSS discounts

FYI - Swee Lee is giving good discounts for selected BOSS pedals & amps. Do visit the webstore for more details. The CE-2w is worth checking out.

Pic: SL 

9-9 sale @ Sound Alchemy

Sale happening at Sound Alchemy (till 17 Sept). Not much details to share but do visit the store.

Pic: SAFB

SE sale

Some great deals for selected PRS SE hollow body models. In view of the price hikes, you won't come across these kind of prices any more in the near future.

Pic: DGMC 

Squier Anniversary - slashed prices

The Squier 40th Anniversary models are going for a discount. Again. I believe this is the third round of slashed prices. I have no intentions to impede sales but these guitars are not moving due to the price, more than anything else. I've mentioned this to a friend who asked for a frank opinion on this deal.

Pic: Deviser Co.

A Squier above the $500 mark is a difficult enticement. Why would I spend that much money when I can get a Bacchus BTE-1RSM/M (above) for slightly more than $320? The Bacchus comes with a roasted maple neck which is more enticing than the Anniversary Squier's normal, nothing special, neck. We can see why the 40th Anniversary guitar is virtually screaming do not buy one at the original $700+ price tag. The 40th Anniversary slant is merely commemorative, nothing extra in terms of features, were factored into the design. If these do not clear the shelves by the year end, that 40th Anniversary thing means nothing in 2024. If you have ever owned a Squier, you'd agree that the Standard, non-commemorative models are good enough to see you through so paying more for an anniversary model is definitely not the way to go. 

CM: Re-Opening SALE

Following its soft re-launch recently, City Music is holding its official re-opening at its new premises (LHK Building, Sims Drive) with the above-mentioned sale. *Checks wallet*

Pic: CM

SALE: PRS CE @ Davis GMC

Pic: PRS

PRS CE sale is now happening at Davis GMC. This amber version is listing for a neat $2,970. Yes, a bolt-on PRS is not what everyone goes for when it comes to the PRS name but many players become converts once they try one in person.  

Why?

The final sale happening at City Music now is offering this G&L ASAT  Classic Fullerton Standard for $1,305. Awesome guitar, made in the USA.

Meanwhile, the most affordable American Telecaster (American Performer) is listing for $2,049.

Given the price enticements, many of us won't go for the G&L. It's a good guitar, well-made & the discounts just made it a very enticing instrument with regards to value-for-money. Nope, it's a G&L & it's a no go. Considering the close history this brand name has to Leo Fender, we still won't budge. 

So what is really preventing us from buying a non-Fender, is our ego, really. For many of us, it has to be a Fender. We just have to go with that name because it's status symbol of sorts. Many people will understand this because they still aspire to acquire Mercedes & Rolex when other brand names offer better performance & quality. There's nothing wrong with getting a Fender. It's still the benchmark in the industry but if something more worthy is presented to us, we have to be wiser with our decisions. On that note, I'm not compelling you to get a G&L. At that discounted price, why not check it out, at the very least. If it doesn't click with you, then it's all about personal appeal. Nobody can fault you on that.

Sale: Swee Lee @ Penin

 

This is happening in the mean time - stuff @ Swee Lee Peninsula Shopping Center are clearing for 30% (unless otherwise stated). Please be informed that instruments here are largely B-stock so expect minor flaws & also the fact that they don't come with a bag. Sale ends in a week's time.

Pic: SL IG

LT

Was at City Music's YES & got this one since I'm in the mood for distortion. I was wondering if the ISF feature can do its magic to somehow mutate the distortion voicing but of course it cannot. However, it remains on my reference list as a good pedal if you wish to tinker with tone. 

Sale: Sound Alchemy

Sound Alchemy is having a sale for all their Japanese products till the end of November. Good time to check stuff out before the new GST rate kicks in.

10 for 10

Swee Lee is having a 10% off selected products for 10 days. If your pay day happens to be within these 10 days, good for you. 

Pic: Swee Lee 

ZOOMing

Last minute catch from the recent mid-year City Music sale. Planning to capture inspiring sounds around me. Really. 😅