Vela '24

PRS revised the S2 range this year equipping all guitars with American parts. The Vela was no exception. Instead of giving this instrument the American version of its default pickups, PRS decided to replace the neck pickup entirely hence the 2024 version features a Narrowfield humbucker.

So the pre-2024 version is rather collectible in this aspect as it used to feature an HS pickup configuration: DS-01 (bridge - retained + American-ized) / Type D singlecoil (replaced with the Narrowfield humbucker). We note the coil split function in the 2024 version only splits the bridge humbucker, the Narrowfield pickup remains as a humbucker throughout.

Pics: PRS

Gold & sustain

Some news from the Solar camp. This is the new Marcus Siepen (Blind Guardian) signature model. It's a first in the Type A Series to feature gold hardware.

Sustainiac fans, here's the A1.6FRPM Sustainiac+ featuring the Stealth Pro in the neck position. I respect how the Solar brand is slowly filling up the gaps in their own line up with features that are already in instruments of other brand names. So if you are a Solar loyalist, you need not abandon brand loyalty, chances are, there's an instrument in the Solar line up offering what you want. A very smart commercial move.

Pics: Solar

Size matters

Folks, this is Jackson's Minion Dinky guitar. Yes, it's that scaled down model, much smaller in dimensions compared to its standard siblings. The headstock is smaller as well to ensure no neck dive occurs in view of its reduced size. However, standard size tuners are in use here & that space in between tuners... well, there's hardly any space there to accommodate your fingers. 

Pic: Jackson

I've swapped mine out for these smaller button type tuners. Why bother? That lack of space in between tuners is something that should have been addressed at the design stage, really. While tuning, I kept knocking the adjacent ones out of tune due to the lack of space. There is a ready solution for this oversight which does not require a complete re-design of the headstock. We wonder why it wasn't done so at the factory. My take - Jackson has a ready inventory of the standard tuners so they made do with that. Ordering a differentiated version for such instruments might incur costs.

QM top

This is the limited run Fender Japan Hybrid II Strat featuring a QM top. Nice. It's now available at Swee Lee (List: $1,699) & the Tele version is also available for your considerations. With the most affordable American Fender in excess of $2K & the Mexican models asking for more than it's worth, we could agree that the Japanese Fenders are always there for those in search of value-for-money instruments, yes?

Pic: Fender Japan

Ibanez June '24 (2)

On the non-solid body front, Ibanez has introduced a flamed top GA5 in a blue finish. Again, like a broken record, I'm of the opinion that it's money well spent if Ibanez invests in a solid top instead. Then again, the non-flame veneer version that I've tried has a decent tone for the money. 

A new one for the Talman lineup, again, a flame maple veneer for this iteration - TCM50FM. I find the Talman acoustic to be appealing in terms of the neck profile. Also, due to the pickup in the neck position, this is one of the few acoustic electric guitars out there that manifests a more likeable plug in tone; more rounded top end & fuller sounding.

Pics: Ibanez

Price watch (82)

If you play the ukulele, Kala would be a familiar name to you. The U-Bass you see here was made in the spirit of the instrument's niche appeal. It lists for USD349 (SGD470) on the manufacturer's web store so the asking price is a little unreasonable. 

If you have a shop & this is part of your inventory, reminding buyers of the original price, shipping & tax considerations might be a case in point considering it's the only one available here in the mean time. But this was a personal purchase so it should be treated as such. 

We note the Blackstar Carry-on ST bass is available at City Music for $295. It's similarly spec'd & much more affordable with after sale services by the store. For the record, the ST bass has a scale length of  23.46" so it is even shorter in this respect. On that note, I have nothing against the U-bass, just presenting a case here.

Pic: Blackstar