Legend has it...

Legend guitars are manufactured by Aria & as you can see here, the focus is replication. The LMG-01 is an outright Mustang copy. It begs the question: Does it sound like a Mustang? Is there a signature Mustang tone to begin with or is the Mustang a variation of the single coil theme? The LMG-01 is available at Davis GMC for $300+ if you think you need to be seen with a Mustang outline but not quite a Fender.

Ibanez: RG1450

This is a strange appearance; the RG1450 is not offered here but it's available at Swee Lee (BB branch). I own the RG1451; simply this very same guitar but sporting a fixed bridge. The white finish here is lacquer-free so it gives you the satin feel & tone-wise, it enhances more midrange. The RG1450 is a super player, it's a simple guitar that works, even those in-house V-series humbuckers & RT single coil are worthy inclusions. The only gripe here is that, despite being a Prestige model, a hard case is NOT included. In fact, the 1XXX series Prestige makes do not come with hard cases in the price package.

Ibanez RG2560: Brief take

The Ibanez RG2560 is a rare gem for 2 reasons: (1) The pickup combo (2) Body wood

There are no issues pertaining to build & finish to forewarn, this is a series 2XXX Prestige selection which sits further up the elite tier so if there are indeed any issues in this aspect, the manufacturing team should shoot themselves in the foot & suffer their incompetence. The pickup combination is perhaps a reminiscence of past glory; the RG560 of the 1980s did sport an HSS pickup combo- I own one. The pickups are of the DiMarzio IBZ pedigree so expect some smooth, contemporary tones from the instrument. The ash body is an interesting inclusion & it accentuates the single coil performance more than the humbucker, which by the way, could use some bottom end reinforcements. Em... this guitar is still waiting for its list price assessment & I'd reckon it is going to exceed $2K.

Jet City Amp: JCA100H

Jet City amps offer us, tube enthusiasts, a chance to own some creamy tones at affordable prices. In fact, I can't recall any JCA models going for more than $750; the flagship JCA 100H (100W) model shown here is $650... The alluring price tags aside, what can you expect from Jet City amps? Please look elsewhere if you are thinking of the super intense Soldano SLO 100 even if there is a Soldano label there on the control panel. It's a different tonal palette, this one- think British, think lots of EL power tube push but strangely, the JCA 100H has no ELs in there. In fact, it's a quartet of 6L6s. This amp will benefit us players who love digging deep across our fretboards while enjoying some power tube cream; speed is optional. In terms of intensity, the JCA 100H would require some pedal re-inforcements of you are treading the metal territory. So there you have it, some serious tube tones for the taking at very reasonable prices.

PS: Thanks to Burn & Davis GMC for giving me the chance to try the JC amps- all the amps, in fact :-)

Ibanez: Jet Driver

The Jet Driver is one of Ibanez's new pedals for 2011 & it's a true-bypass unit unlike its other Series 9 siblings (good news for some of us?). I've told myself not to devote too much funds toward pedals acquisition because to me, pedals aren't too adaptable to guitars unlike amps. But this Jet Driver, I just had to hear it in action because it generated quite a buzz online. The JD9 is supposed to address the TS9's lack of midrange manipulations hence the mid control knob. 

However, hearing is believing & I believe, after hearing this in action, the JD9 is NOT treading the Tubescreamer territory; ladies & gentlemen, the JD9 is a distortion unit, not an overdrive. Yes, it can pull-off a subtle, drive-type voicing but it doesn't contain that characteristic mild mannerism of the typical Tubescreamer. I personally find it appealing because it contains more crunch & this differentiates itself from the Tubescreamer. So it's one of those BOSS DS-1 clone? A definite negative. The JD9 has more saturation (yeah!) despite being a non-intense performer. It also manifests more definition & doesn't mud-up your notes unlike some smooth overdrive units. On a personal note, the JD9 could give my Plush Cream a run for the money. I like what I heard, tried it in-store with some guitars & bought it :-)

A big thank you to Yadni @ Swee Lee's BB showroom for the assistance (& eventual purchase).

Ibanez: RG2560

The new Ibanez RG2560 is already available at Swee Lee (one unit available @ BB showroon as well). Was in a hurry, did not manage to try it out...

Unlike the finish depicted here, the one I saw at Swee Lee's BB showroom sports a burst-type effect which is really more attractive.