Oli's V

This is new for 2018, it's an Oli Herbert (if you are a shred guy, you should know the name) signature Rhoads by Jackson. It's one of many signature Jackson guitars to debut at NAMM this year. This one got to me because that 3-per side headstock is just not 'right', made it look un-Jackson. That Floyd-alike bridge is a Fu-Tone unit with a tremsetter. Interesting instrument, could have been more appealing in terms of the headstock outline. 

Heads up, people! February is here. 😁

Laney minis

These debuted at the recently concluded Winter NAMM 2018- the Laney minis. Comes in two versions; the Mini & Mini-ST. Since the success of Blackstar's FLY3 desktop unit, I've been anticipating a rival offering. BOSS' Katana Mini offers a serious challenge & perhaps these Laney offerings might be another. Good to know they will be available at Davis GMC. 

Chrome & Ice

In addition to Martin Miller, Tom Quayle & Nita Straus getting themselves onto the Ibanez endorsers roster, Ibanez has 2 commemorative signature models this 2018. The highly reflective model you see here is the JS1CR30, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Chrome Boy. The chrome plating was a nightmare to produce with the previous versions (eventual flaking was the bane) but they got it right this time & we know a certain Mr. Satriani is currently very happy with the end product.

Paul Stanley's Iceman is seeing a 40th anniversary incarnation with the PS1DM here- behold the bling. I don't mean to be the party pooper but Mr. Stanley parted ways with the manufacturer along the way so I question the legitimacy of this commemoration (unlike Satch who stayed true to form in terms of endorsement). 

By the time you read this, NAMM 2018 is over & we know that whatever commemorative models Ibanez churned out this year, they were over-shadow by the AZ series debut, backed by the Quayle & Miller show. Heads up, people, it's already Tuesday. 

Bonsai

Still in pedal territory, new for 2018, JHS' Bonsai. 😁

As the colour suggests, it's a trove of Tube Screamer goodness. The manufacturer reminds potential antagonists of its true reference; it's not emulating but replicating the TSes. Whatever this means to you, there is a need to hear the modules in action personally & not be taken in by any commercial slants. What you get is an investment of 40 decade's worth of the TS manifestations plus two re-interpretations of the voicing made famous by other brand names- Keeley & JHS. 

I currently own a few JHS pedals & they are pragmatic in terms of tonal considerations. Many of us just can't come to terms with the prices. This one's listing for USD229 so by the time it reaches our shores, you can easily get a starter level guitar for that kind of price. But let's appreciate it for what it is, a bona fide best-of pedal that easily solves the issue of choice. 

Fender stomps

New for 2018, a sextet of Fender stomp boxes. Let's see now, we have reverb, compressor, distortion, delay, buffer & drive. We know Fender isn't known for effects pedals but these may be the manufacturer's break into the market. 

I like how presentable they look & that drawer-type battery access is awesome (but it screams DOD all over) & the knobs' pointers are futuristic (OK you might see them in vehicle dashboards somewhere out there). These are mid-priced units but we know how 'mid' can easily cross over into boutique territory & with the 'Fender' name there, they won't hesitate to do it.

Kiesel joy

Re-string Saturday. 😊

The previous string set in my Kiesel DC was the Elixir with whatever celebrated coating preferred by the masses but not me. I was just enduring them & they felt wrong under my finger tips. This is not a performance appraisal so there's nothing to say about Elixir's durability quotient which is rather renowned by now. 

The substitute strings- a set of 9s by Stringjoy. You won't get this off the shelf, it's strictly an online purchase. It's critical how your preferred string set influence the way you play, regardless of the touted technology surrounding the hype. I'm not putting Elixir down for what they do but they definitely do not address my preference. We have our personal preferences & we are free to choose.