S2 Ver 2024

PRS' S2 lineup has undergone a -mindful revision, so to speak, this 2024. The instruments now feature the American 58/15 LT pickups. The other electronic components are equally American, ditto the bridge. So the S2 is truly an American guitar this year.

My perspective: Even before this overhaul, the S2 prices had increased by so much, it's no longer worth considering getting one. This is compounded by the fact that the SE version of the Core / S2 lineup are up there when it comes to value-for-money options. The Indonesian craftsmanship plus export electronics simply get the job done. In view of the aforementioned price hikes, PRS did a smart thing by American-izing the S2 so that buyers would not feel short-changed when they pay exponentially more for the latest iteration because it's American through & through.

Pic: PRS

MOMM (50)

Throwback music moment. Pure Holocaust is the second full length release by Immortal (1993). The production here still featured a largely treble inclined guitar works with lots of blast beats dictating the pace of things. Had the urge to listen to this one as I believe the current wave of black metal music are lost when it comes to identity & the embrace for resistance. 

FYI, the rightmost guy in this lineup is Grim. He did not play on this album but toured with the band as its drummer. 

Inspired by ... headstock

When we were just celebrating the new revised Epiphone headstock, the Inspired By series went one up by basically putting a Gibson headstock there. Pickups are also the 490R / 498T affair (not my type though). Gibson wants you to feel OK paying more for their instruments in the mean time so they are going the extra mile giving you are near-Gibson experience while treading the Epiphone economy. Not good for those of us who look forward to the Epiphone name to account for our gear budget. USD1,299 ... Hmm ...

Pic: Epiphone

SL @ Clark Quay

Following the closure of its Bras Basah branch, Swee Lee now has a new lifestyle music store at Clarke Quay. If you enjoy the Star Vista outlet's vibe, this should be a grand extension of that atmosphere. Looking forward to dropping by. Wonder when...

Pic: Straits Times

Scream

Another artist-related pedal. Mille Petrozza's KHDK Deathscream has the appropriate graphic to let you know what it's for. This isn't an intense-type, Metal Zone-esque pedal, be informed. It was conceived to push the distortion of Petrozza's Kemper on live outings. If you are in need of a similar implement, do consider.

Pic: MR

Ibanez: April '24

There were no new releases in March despite Ibanez saying otherwise in the SM feeds. Come April, four Japanese models were unleashed. The one you see here is the AZ2203N, not exactly new but a new finish - seafoam green. If it's not as seafoam green as the Fender version that's because Ibanez has no obligations to match that.

Another new but not really new - the AZ2204N in gray metallic.

 Another gray finish goes to the AZ2402.

Last but not least, the RGDR4527ET. Not my thing: 1) Evertune bridge 2) Richlite fretboard / body top.

Pics: Ibanez