Ibanez MGF

Ibanez decided to delight the Q-Series fans at the end of November by releasing this signature model. It's the MGFM10, endorsed by one Manuel Fernandes. For those of you who are steep into technicalities would find this name familiar. However, this is also the guy who was once called out for cheating by increasing the speed of his videos. Nothing too special about this guitar, in fact, you wouldn't lose out by getting the QX52 (for less $$ as well) unless gold hardware is your thing.

Pic: Ibanez

Raven @ SG

I must have overlooked this in favour of the Malevolent Creation / Nile dates; it was there all along at the guitar stores. If you know the history of this band (stretching back to 1974), you know what they are capable of dishing out.

Pic: Phil Studios

 

Monster Hunter something

Fender Japan has this collab release with Monster Hunter World called the Rathalos Tele. Seriously, I am clueless when it comes to all these... just feel that these guitars are cool as heck 😅 

This one has those claw marks & cost a little more than its mark-less counterpart. Like $1K more. OK so it comes with a hardcase as well.

Pics: Fender Japan

KR @ Davis

I'm just glad to know this guitar is still in production & it's still being brought in by Davis GMC (Schecter Japan,  KR-24, List: $1,499). If you fancy a singlecut with modern vibes, this one is really under-rated. Notice the bridge upgrade - it's now the hipshot version as opposed to the in-house model in mine when I bought this guitar like nearly a decade ago. Also, the price had gone up by $200 since then. 

EDIT: Mine was the maple 'board version but this matching headstock version is just ... 👌

 

Pic: Schecter

MXR: Malmsteen

You guessed it - the MXR Malmsteen signature pedal is finally available here (List: $189) & it's immediately out of stock - it's a Malmsteen thingy & I want one kind of fever setting in, every time all the time.

Pic: Dunlop

Price watch (85): Close

If you have to decide between the Fender Player II Strat & an Edwards:

• Fender - a typical Strat, nothing special. Maybe those Alnico V pickups might appease to the contemporary players who are more at home with driven tones.
• Edwards - a typical Strat as well, one less fret + truss rod access at the neck heel. tradition 6-screws bridge. Made in Japan. 
• Something with Fender on the headstock vs Japanese QC... tough call.

If you have to decide between the Squier (Affinity) J-bass & a Bacchus WJB

• Squier - ceramic pickups, laurel fretboard. Good features for something in at this price point.
• Bacchus - roasted maple neck + steel frets, both for a sub-$500 asking price.
• $60 price difference between a good beginner bass & something that offers more in terms of value-for-money. What would hold you back - that Bacchus brand name, yes?

If you have to decide between a Jackson (RR24) & Edwards (Alexi Ripped) V-type outlines

• Jackson - Ebony 'board + JB/Jazz pickups, potent combo
• LTD - Ebony 'board + EMG HZ pickups, equally potent (EDIT: Pic shows the ESP version... oops)
• It's always a little difficult putting money into something with an endorser association but the Alexi Laiho models are popular (till today) with a good re-sale value. But in this outline domain, the RR will always be the standard reference / to beat. A single coil in the neck for the Laiho might be deal breaker for many of us. Then again, it already sounds very good just with the bridge humbucker.

Pics: Davis, Swee Lee