MOMM (52)

Today's Music of My Moment episode is a gentle reminder to manage expectations when you listen to the latest Mr. Big album, Ten. We all know the Addicted to that Rush / Green Tinted Sixties Mind / Colorado Bulldog Mr. Big has left us for good. There is absolutely zero shred-tastic moments in Ten. Guitars sound fuzzy for the most part with no attempts to perpetuate the good 'ol intense rock servings we know this band for. It might be a little harsh but the music is as such due to Paul Gilbert shedding skin to become a born-again guitarist free from his shred notoriety. We respect musicians for taking a turn in their career to embrace a fresh lease of life but fans reserve the right to dislike the newer manifestations while still respecting the musicians for who they are. 

Take heed folks, Eric Martin is still that force to be reckoned with when it comes to vocals. This is perhaps the saving grace of this release. Come to think of it, Eric Martin can pull this off without the Mr. Big monicker. I had the intention to purchase this album but something told me to just listen to it for free instead & it's the right thing to do. 

Double R

I didn't know Jackson has the V version called the Double Rhoads. It is not a standard production model though, something from the custom shop / master built selection. It's a simple design formula; the longer side of the RR is reflected over to the other side, hence the name Double Rhoads. This is different from the King V as the dimensions are longer / more extensive.

In any case a V body design with extended protrusions was quite the staple for ESP guitars not too long ago. Seen above: LTD V-401.

 Pics: Jackson / Reverb / Amazon

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.

Roman's body

This is a Jackson baritone guitar. It is a signature model, belongs to Roman Ibramkhalilov from the band, Jinjer. Nothing amiss here, it looks cool.

According to Jackson, the body is unique; you won't find anything like it. I find this insulting because the design is clearly a double cutway, super Strat type which is rather generic across many guitar brands out there. 

If Jackson wish to lay claim to those chamfering in the body design, Gibson & PRS, among others, were way ahead in this aspect. Wondering which mould they broke, maybe the boredom mould.

Pics: Jackson / MFriend

Special single (2)

I have this habit of inserting a gasket under the guitar's bolt plate. This had been the case after seeing the after effect of the plate having the body paint fused to it. For hard, lacquer overcoat, the after effects might not be as severe. For those organic / satin finishes, having patches of paint removed from the body this way, is undeserving, especially after you have been taking good care of your instrument. Of course, if you are the relic lover, this is unnecessary.

This is how it looks after installation. Against that 'burst finish, it's almost invisible.

To be continued...

Previous entry: CLICK

Ibanez: July '24 (2)

Also new this month, from the Ibanez camp, is the RG470PB. The immediate impact here is of course the poplar burl top. To some of us the burl top just looks messy & unattractive but given this finish, it looks aggressive & attractive. Nothing is too special about this guitar, even the pickups are the in-house Q models & that EZ II bridge is just a utilitarian affair. Body is a meranti. Coming form Indonesia, this is a convenient acquisition more than an attempt to be unique. 

Pic: Ibanez