Schaller

Was asked to try these Schaller humbuckers which I believe are defunct. Someone told me these were called Hot Stuff pickups & they simply polarize opinions in terms of distortion applications. From what I hear, having spent a week with them:

• the bridge pickup has a strong midrange response like the Seymour Duncan JB, lots of clarity but sounds bland in clean settings
• the neck pickup has excessive bass, not too appealing when it comes to solo applications, note separation could have been better. Apparently, the boomy overall tone sounds good for clean, jazz-type playing. 

In session

In the mean time, Gibson has a new Les Paul Studio called the Session. In my opinion, this is a good release but nothing ground breaking: chambered body, ebony 'board, 57 pickups, stuff like that. The controls allow you to tap each pickup to give that pseudo-single coil experience. There's a phase switch & a tone bypass switch for the bridge humbucker. Countoured heel feature here means you get more upper fret access.

Pic: Gibson

Gibson moving to...

Many people are awaiting the confirmation of this announcement. The source of this article had already taken it down just hours ago. I reserve further comments till more details are made available.

Pic: MSN news

Ibanez December '24

In a strange move this December, Ibanez decided to put out something new. It's a 7-string J-Custom RG8527 in this sunburst-esque finish, they call it brownish spharelite. Be informed that the black version is already available at Swee Lee ($4,799). 

 

Pic: Ibanez

CHUG Tuner +

This is a really neat tuner by SOLAR Guitars, the CHUG Tuner +. It has a boost function on board so if you want more gain, it's there. That big knob is also a good consideration for those of us in need of a quick reach. A sturdy overall construction as well. Tempting.

Pic: SOLAR

'84 HH

So the Kramer camp decided the '84 deserves a neck pickup & it happened. In addition to this detail, the guitar also features two mini switches for split coil applications. This ebony fretboard version comes with a maple veneer.

You can also get the maple fretboard alternative but these come in  non-veneered tops featuring solid colours instead. Giving the '84 a neck pickup is good for tone variation but this feature, together with the mini toggle switches simply killed the inherent '84 vibe - simplicity & focus. 

We already know the new Gibson & Epiphone distributors, waiting for a certain commercial music establishment here to announce their dealership for Kramer but it looks like another case of sheer disinterest. 

 Pics: Kramer