Kamikaze.... Episode-2

Just to reinforce something, which many of you already know but some pay little attention to it.
Regardless of what guitar (acoustic, classical, electric blah blah blah) it is, all guitars are FRAGILE!

Even though it's not my guitar, it hurts to see a guitar 'crippled'. Here is the scenario.
I was jamming with my other friend in front of my CCA room when a girl came up with a Masestro SD-1 (laminated spure top with mahogany sides) to us and said, "Could you help me check? The guitar seems to be out of tune."


It was out of tune. But the reason isn't that simple. The headstock of the guitar was broken. I failed to take a picture of it. (Of course, it won't be nice to take photo of the guitar when the culprit is crying.) But I managed to find a similar case of it. 

(Okay, the cat is cute xD)

According to her, the guitar strap came off and neck of the guitar dived towards the floor. Now, how do the strap come off? It didn't break or anything. In fact, it is not the straps fault. It is the player's fault.

The above picture will describe how it comes off. If the guitar strap is folded as shown above, it is as good as trying to take it off. This is the most common reason of 'kamikaze-ing'. This folding will usually happen at the back of the guitar rather than the front strap lock. You must watch out for this and correct it before your guitar kisses the floor. 

This is not gonna happen to me. All my straps are securely locked. 

This doesn't give 100% protection but at least 90% (or 95%). I will still take the pain to check my straps after every song.

I am sure many of you know this but how many of you actually take the effort to check?

Headache.......

Hi guys.

I wanted to post something up today and it's already halfway there. But this headache I am having is killing me. So I decided to take a break for today. =(

Guitar + crystals

What do you get when you add Swarovski (ask your girlfriend or google if you don't know what this is xD, U ought to know) and PRS together ?

+

This is what you get. (take note of the guitar)

It is crazily hard to find just the photo of it alone online. These are all the few 'visible' pictures I've got. 

This PRS is a normal Custom 24 but at the same time, it is one-of-a-kind Custom 24. The only difference is that, this whale blue guitar is totally covered with Swarovski Crystals. It was custom made for Michael Jackson's ill-fated 'This is It' tour and she nicknamed it after him, MJ. 

'MJ' was also featured in a cover of her album 'Believe' (2009) and also in her MV 'According to you'.

DIY?

Have you ever thought of making your own DIY guitar and you have difficulties finding all the parts? 

Well, Swing has a solution for you in this case.

Swing's ST-DIY Electric Guitar Assembly Kit allows you to enjoy making your own DIY guitar. They give you all the parts, instructions and all you need to do is to get a soldering gun and a set of screwdrivers. This reminds me of making Crush Gear when I was young. xD 

As for the specs...

• Alder body
• Hard Maple neck, maple fretboard
• S-S-H Alnico Pickup set
• Synchronized Tremolo Bridge
• comes with D'addario EXL120 set (gauge 9)

My Band's Gears

This post is about the gears each of my band members uses now or have used before (it will be crossed out). This includes everything; drums, bass and guitars. This is not a review of equipments. Just sharing our equipments. Nothing special though.
This is just a random idea which was actually suggested by the drummer of my band. 
Ok.. here we go! All the names below are just nicknames.
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KJ, Guitarist 
Guitars: 
LTD Viper-50
LTD F-250
Epiphone Les Paul Std Plus Top
Fender '97 California Strat with scalloped neck.
(I think this scalloped neck is actually customised since california strat originally comes with the normal type.)


Strings used: DR strings (10-48)


Effects:
Boss GT-10
Boss DS-1 (Beez modded)
Modtone Vintage Wah
Korg Pandora PX5D
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Loki, Guitarist (me)
Guitars:
Squier Standard Strat
Fernandes FGZ-400 (with Tesla VR-extreme and Plasma-RS2)
(This Fernandes is long discontinued. It would be impossible to find it on the current catalogs)


Strings used: GHS coated (10-52)


Effects:
Vox V847 Wah
Behringer PB100
Biyang Metal-End King
Modtone Extreme Metal 
Ibanez TS-7
Danelectro Milkshake Chorus
Zoom G2.1u
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Jack, Bassist
Bass:
Fernandes FRB-45 (1995 model. Like many old Fernandes, it is out of production. Discontinued)


Strings used: D'addario (0.045-0.100)


Effect: 
Boss ME-20B
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And last but not least...


Osiris, Drummer
Drumsticks:
AHEAD Hybrid Series 5AB (studio)
AHEAD JJ-1 Speed Metal
(previously Joey Jordison's signature drumsticks. Ever since he had switched to Pro-Mark, his signature was replaced with 'Speed Metal'. Has the dimension of a 7A but slightly heavier. 3g that is.)


You might not have notice this. But Ahead is the only drumstick producers who has listed the weights of their drumsticks. And yes.. they are not wooden. I'm sure some of you will know this.

Earth Hour 2011

Opps.. this post comes rather late. I just realised that I never press 'Publish post'. =P

Today's Earth Hour 2011. We are supposed to switch off as many electrical appliances as possible.

Alright then, time for me to switch to my tiny amp instead. My laptop and the amp are the only things that are powered up now. xD

How heavy is this thing?

I was randomly watching videos on Youtube. Michael Angelo Batio's guitar catches my attention during my Youtube-tour.

This is MAB's Armorflame Quad. It is actually 4 separate pieces of guitars all combined together to become a quad guitar. Without a doubt, this looks cool alright. However, this is my thoughts: how heavy is this thing exactly? =x
And....it's very exaggerating. However, his videos can 'wow' you though.


P.S. I am not a fan of his by the way. -.-

Shopping (again)^3

Alright. Everybody needs a break, agree?
Well, doing Physics for continuous 6 hours yesterday without budging a single inch from the table is not at all healthy. So I decided to take a break by going out for shopping (at City Hall~)

These are what I bought.

From right>>
GHS Coated Guitar Boomers (10-52). Well, my usual stocking of electric guitar strings. Until now, I still prefer GHS coated boomer the most; it is the cheapest coated strings. I usually buy the 10 gauge ones with thicker bass strings. The normal type is (10-48)

Cherub WST-900 Clip Evo Tuner. Bought this from SV Guitars. I have been looking for a new tuner since my old tuner has spoiled. This sounds pathetic but my one and only tuner is my Zoom G2.1u. So I decided to get this chromatic tuner. Why chromatic? I usually play dropped-tuning so it's necessary. And (obviously) it is the most flexible type of tuner. I prefer clip tuners more than the pedal types. They are cheaper and much lighter. Adding another block of metal in my pedal case is not a very good idea. The Vox Wah already weigh a tonne. xD

Gallistrings Phosphor bronze round wound: Again, my top priority in getting strings is to get a coated one. So I decided to give this a try. Haven't string them onto my acoustic as I can't find plier and I borrowed my Planet Waves Clipper to my friend.

Audio Technica? Nah.. that wasn't part of my list. It's just my headphone =P.

EXAMS ARE OVER!!

Today is the best!! Why?

That's why.

To celebrate this, I watched a movie I wanted to watch. It had been months since I last watched a movie.
Well, time for me to update my blog!!

Kamikaze.... Episode-1

I know I am not supposed to post but... I can't help posting this up. =3

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I think everyone can remember the old Japanese infamous Kamikaze during WWII.

Have you then see the guitar version of this? Well, I did, at my void deck today.
On my way back after mugging at the library, I saw this two guys jamming at a void deck. One guy was using an LTD F-250 or F-350 while the other was using an Ibanez. White colour, white pickguard, and HSH configuration. I would assume that it is  They had their babies plugged into Orange Micro Crush each. 

Suddenly, the white Ibanez goes "BANG" on the floor. I don't know how much this act of 'kissing-the-floor' does to it. 

What I want to bring up today is.... there are many ways he could have prevent this.

1: Getting an external strap lock

OR ALTERNATIVELY

2: Get a lock strap.

Some would suggest using of duct tape instead. I don't like to use it. It is far too complicated compare to the above-mentioned. Simplicity is the best.

NOTE: I don't think the Dunlop Strap Locks (above) can fit in the strap locks of PRS guitars. I can't confirm this but that's what I've been told.

EXAM PERIOD!!! =(

To all my dear readers:
I am sorry that I may not be able to post anything here from Monday to Friday. It's my common test period. I wish to concentrate on it. =) I've gotta study hard!

I will start posting again once it is over.

UNO Standard: not discontinued ??

I went to SV guitars today to buy a fresh set of GHS coated Guitar Boomers. But I still managed to try a guitar there: UNO Standard.

I'd heard from a few people that it is already discontinued. Still unwilling to accept this, I once again asked the staff there if UNO Standard is discontinued. He shook his head. Apparently, it wasn't UNO Standard that was discontinued. It was UNO Standard Plus, the active pickup version of the one above.

Please share with me what you have heard as well. =) Too many people are bombarding with various answers. 

V-PICK

I used to use Clayton 1.52mm picks (1) since my favourite pick "Star pick" is not available at Davis...

However, about a week ago, Subversion gave me a free complementary V-pick small pointed. (2). I immediately fell in love with the pick. The pick is 2.75 mm think, nearly as thick as my Alice 3mm. I am able to play faster with V-picks.
Reason:
It is due to its smooth curved edges of the V-pick. I believe some do call them as 'beveled'.  When I play a note, the pick will just slide pass it, not reducing any of the sound quality. This sliding motions allows me to do alternative pickings much faster.
How much I like it? I immediately get another 3 more of them, ruby red medium pointed this time. I just can't resist red colour. =P.. Why buy 3? One for me, one for my cousin and one for my friend. =)

@subversion: Once again, thank you very much for the V-pick you've sent me!!!

Swee Lee Promotion update

Once again, Swee Lee sale. 

This time is a bit different though. Rather than an seasonal sale, it is a renovation sale instead.

SNAP~!

Just a small post before I go to Bugis to start mugging (once again).
One of the main reason why my guitar strings snap is usually because I love to bend too much. This is especially true if it the 1st (e) string.

Just my luck. I got slapped by the e-string of my Fernandes. It was loaded with Gallistring previously. http://theguitarmaniac.blogspot.com/2011/03/new-gauge-new-tuning.html

Snapping of the string is nothing interesting. What really intrigues me is where it snaps. Take a look:

'

Apparently, it was at the ball end: the part where is string is tied around the ball part. I thought it was because of rust. After having a quick check, it wasn't. The string is still fresh! Low quality of the strings? I don't think so. All the other strings look perfectly fine. Maybe it is just my luck to get a defected e-string. =(

New Products at City music

Well, a huge shipment and just arrived at City Music today, guitars, keyboards and anything you can name of.

There are tons of miniature stuffs. Korg Pandora is continuing to shrink in size, like the Pandora below

 

and their nanoSeries.

Here's nanoKey to nanoKey2

 

Best is to check out at the shop itself. 

This video will help too. >>CLICK<<

STARDUST Audition

Yesterday, I and my JC band went to join the Stardust Audition. Our time slot was at 3:15pm. 

First of all, there have been a lot of changes compared to last time.

In 2010, the judges were very anal about the '6-minutes' rule and would stop in the middle of the song.
However, my experience today was totally different.

They are very friendly and supportive. They let your have proper sound checks before we actually begin. All you need to do is to be smiling. It'll be easier for the judge to communicate with us as well. =) 

Whether we win or not doesn't matter (at least to me) as long as we enjoyed ourselves and played some music, isn't? 

Pe-Are-es! (PRS)

New PRS?

Well, yeah..... but... not mine though. I wish it was =P. It's my friend's first guitar. She got it fresh from Davis Guitar today (and yes it's a 'she')!! To be specific, at its expanded branch.


This is PRS SE Orianthi Signature model in Red Sparkle (indeed, it is sparkling, especially under the light).

Price: S$850

Special Features
Its most outshining feature is the 'O' at the 12th fret rather than a usual signature spread eagle of PRS.

Body
The body is made up of Korina with a maple top. Korina is rarely used in guitars. In fact, PRS is the only brand that I know uses Korina for the body. It is somewhat like a mahogany, having similar grains of mahogany. However, compared to mahogany, it has a brighter sound.
The hierarchy of brightness will be as shown below:

Mahogany < Korina < Alder

Neck
The neck is a maple neck according to the PRS website.
As for the neck profile, it is a bit wide but rather thin compare to a PRS SE Custom 24, which features a much thicker neck profile.  It is a set-neck construction and allows easy access to the lower frets.

The fretboard is an Ebony fretboard. Its extremely dark and shiny looks highlights it. Ebony is said to have a brighter attack in terms of tone, which further contributes to the brightness of this guitar.

Pickups
The pickups in it are PRS Designed SE TFS Treble at the bridge and Vintage Bass at the neck. The pickups do it job well when it is played through clean. The resultant tone (with the pickup switch in the mid position) is of my preference, bright and clear sound. When some distortion kicks in, it sounds somewhat like my alder-bodied Fernandes, with less brightness. It does a good job in sustaining (I'm very particular about this). Do take note that the sustainability doesn't just depends on the guitar but also on the level of gain on the amp and other factors as well.

Controls
It has a 3-way pickup switch, a volume knob and a tone knob.

Bridge
The bridge is a PRS Designed Tremolo bridge like many other PRS SE has. 6 screws bridge. Nothing too special that I could expand on this. The tremolo is the not a screw-in type. All that is needed is to insert the tremolo at the bridge and use it.

Accessories

Other extra accessories included are (of course) a guitar bag, a short cable, tremolo bar and all the Allen keys. The included bag is a well-padded bag which would normally cost around $35-40 to get it. Well, after paying a $850, such quality bag is to be expected, isn't?

Overall: 5/5
This guitar is a great guitar. The neck profile, though it isn't as slick as an Ibanez RGs, it is still considered as thin. Shredding isn't a problem for me. Its standard action is just right; neither too low nor too high. If I have the ability to buy it, I would DEFINITELY do so. Of course, the stock pickups will be changed accordingly to the genre I would use it to play. However, it would be much better if PRS features a 2-point bridge; after all the problem my Squier has given me, I feel that it's safer use the tremolo without going out of tune so much for 2 point bridges than its 6 points kins.

Limited Premiums

Swee Lee's Newest promotion.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS in this shipment, Limited Edition RG870Z & RG870QMZ available at Bras Basah Showroom only.

NOTE: ONE PIECE OF EACH COLOUR AVAILABLE.

I suppose there should be 5 pieces only?

Premium series are said to be made at the same tier as Prestige. (Wizard premium neck is claimed to be identical to that of Prestige Wizard)

I have yet to try them out. However, I'm not so into all Ibanez guitars at the moment. My knowledge about them is very limited as well.

Buy, buying, bought! (continue)

Continuation.

The answer in the blank is this:

Biyang Metal End (King), Tonefancier Series.

I have only one thing to say about this. "It's awesome".
Judging from all the different modes and 4 tonal controls on the pedal, one could tell that Metal-End is extremely versatile.

Amp Simulator
In layman term, Amp simulator makes your Metal-end king sounds more like a real amp's distortion and less like a pedal. (it added life to your pedal). When I first tried it, I failed to notice its effect on the tone because I was playing at a very low amp volume. There are also some other people trying out guitars and I don't wish to disturb them. The amp simulator's effect is obvious especially at high amp volumes.

Modern, normal and classic modes
Modern mode is basically a high gain mode whereas the classic mode has a lower one. Normal is in between the two.

High cut
High cut allows the user to immediately reduce the 'High' tone (treble) with just a toggle switch instead of meddling with the tone controls. It saves time and trouble when you wish to reduce your highs.

Normal, Bright, Warm
The name describes it. No need me to say more.

Why is Metal-End King so cheap ($110) despite having so many functions?
1. The packaging is very simple and there are not any decorations/drawings on it and thus reducing the cost of producing it.
2. There is no manuals or any other papers, which we usually get whenever we buy electronic stuffs. Saves the cost of printing.
3. Remember it is manufactured in China. China has the lowest cost of productions, taxes and other charges. Moreover, most pedals are expensive because of the name of the brand it is printed on it.

It is also a true bypass; there will not be any loss of my desired tone, especially when it is connected along with various pedals. 

Benefits from buying this?
1. Versatility (It can go very fierce or even mild, depending on how you tweak the controls)
2. Cool-looking (Looks to me is a minority. I don't really care much about looks for guitars or pedals as long as they are functioning. But the metal casing indeed makes it pedal look cool)
3. A mirror xD (it is so shiny that I could use it as a mirror instead of my handphone to check if my hair is fine!!)

Buy, buying, bought!

Opps.. I'm buying new stuffs again. Wanna guess what is the answer in the red-coloured blank? The receipt gives more than a single clue. =)

Dr Duck's FTW

I went to SV guitars to actually try out an effect pedal. Since I was already there, I might as well buy something from them.
This is what I buy, for $14.50

Uses:

• Do the entire instrument (fretboard, headstock, front. sides, back, pickguards).
• Lubes and restores strings.
• Increases string life.
• Cleans and lubes bridge saddles and fine tuners on locking tremolo systems.
• Lubes tuning machine knobs and posts and strap locks..
• Raw wood conditioner... (fingerboards, bridges, etc..)
• VERY FRIENDLY to delicate VINTAGE finishes as well as all modern instruments.

This is the reason why the fretboards of the guitars in SV looks marvelous. Dr. Duck's is claimed to be one of the best raw wood conditioner. I only believes it after it'd done wonders to my two guitars. It is most visible on the fretboard; they become much darker as it is re-hydrated. I previously use Dunlops Lemon Oil. But...

Dr. Duck's > Dunlops

..in terms of its function as a fretboard conditioner! Just 3 drops of it can do miracles on a guitar. =)

I've read a review on this saying that the applicator of this cleaner is a bit too large to pour out the desirable amount. Well, it is not wise to pour it on the instrument. What I do is to put a piece of clean cloth at the applicator and pour out 2 to 3 drops (3 is enough!). 

Slacking...?

I haven't been posting for the past few days... Well, not because I was slacking.. JC's common test (known as block test in my jc) is coming up very very soon. Need to start mugging!

New gauge, new tuning

The DR-strings EXTRA LIFE on my Fernandes has snapped. It was quite an irony that DR EXTRA LIFE only lasted for not more than 3 weeks. So I have restrung it with a new set of strings.

Gallistrings. gauge-11

I bought a larger gauge of strings on purpose. Main purpose is to cut string slack when I tune my guitar one step down. And in fact, I usually use my Fernandes for songs with guitars tuned 1 step down. My plan worked. There aren't that much of string slack. However, there is also a limitation I face. I can't tune my guitar to standard tuning. The tension of the strings might be too much for the neck and the tuners to take. Well, that's exactly when my Squier comes in whenever I wish to play something at normal tuning. =)