Romanic..

Modtone is currently working on producing a reverb. You would have known about this if you have read my last post on Modtone. They called it "Coliseum Reverb". I wonder why they choose to give it a Romanic name.

This is how it will look like. How it sounds like? Well, no idea. It is still 'coming soon'. Not yet available. =) However, once it is available, I am sure SV Guitars will bring them down.

Warzone I

I've tried Warzone II before. Today is my first time trying Warzone I, the active pickup version of Warzone II. Why only by today? Well, I've never been a fan of active pickups. However, I decided to do something for a change.

The Tesla custom active pickup of Warzone I is more aggressive than the passive ones on Warzone II. It is able to give a stronger distortion. However, the trade-off of this extra aggression would be the sweet clean tones; active pickups have very muddy clean tone. However, the clean tone of Warzone I is just enough to make a metal head happy. =)

Opps- =x

Remember about the Fernandes Sustainer? Well, I thought it is not available in Singapore. Apparently, I was wrong. 
The photo below is from Sound Alchemy's Facebook

This S$280 only includes the price for the sustainer.  The installation of the kit WILL NOT BE FREE as it requires routing. The cost will vary on the type of guitar.

Sorry for the wrong information I gave previously. =(

SV's 2 day promo

SV Guitars is offering their UNO Warzone I and II at an offer price of S$599 (U.P. S$790).

If you wish to save S$191, you may have to make a decision before 29th of May. The offer is only valid on 28th and 29th of this month. Let's take this as a school holiday special, shall we? 

Pseudo-wood

Ahead is a non-wood drumsticks producer, yes? However, they do try to provide something as close as wood sticks. 

Ahead Crossroads Drumsticks

The aluminium  70-75 Easton Alloy core rather than the usual ones. The taper cover of these sticks are different. They are not normal polyurethane but special taper covers with different chemical composition to imitate a wood. It is called "Wood Tone" covers. They provide a much crispier feel and improve cross-sticking. 

For price infos and other inquiry,  

Drums Resources 

Ph: 91170692 (You will be speaking to Nigel. CALL HIM FIRST before you go)
Lock & Store 37 Keppel Road #01-03 Tanjong Pagar Distripark Singapore 089064

Ampkit is back!

Peavey Ampkit Link has been away in Singapore for quite some time. However, it is finally back in SV guitars!

Please like their Facebook link for future updates!

Or check out at the right column of their homepage at http://www.svguitars.com/

Drumsticks: Episode 2

First off, let me start by quoting a certain statement made by Vic Firth.

"Of course, there are a variety of other materials that drumsticks can be made of, but these two types of wood (hickey & maple) are considered best for all around playing. Non-wood products (such as composite fiber or metal), which may offer extra durability, can deliver undue shock to a player's wrists and arms, sometimes resulting in sore muscles or even tendonitis."

Quoted from Vic Firth 2011 Catalog

Question: "Non-wood products can deliver undue shock.......or even tendonitis". Is this statement true?

Unfortunately yes. However, Ahead sticks are well-known for shock absorbing. How is this possible? Well, there are two assumption which Vic Firth is making when it makes this statement: 

1) The drumsticks are made entirely of metal. 

2) It is true, Ceteris Paribus  

All Ahead did was to break this assumption. It makes its drumsticks out of different individual parts and install some Vibration control system.

A pair of Ahead is made up of an aluminium shaft and a replaceable taper cover. This implies that taper of the Ahead drumsticks are removable and changeable. In fact, you are supposed to change this polyurethane taper cover. So when playing with Ahead, you are not hitting the drums with aluminium but plastic instead. Furthermore, since the cover and the shaft are not joined together, it will dampen the shock. 

The aluminium sticks itself has a built-in vibration control system (VRS) as well, breaking Vic Firth's 2nd assumption. This VRS is patented by Ahead.

Note: Ahead Drumsticks are available at Drums Resources.

Drums Resources 

Ph: 91170692 (You will be speaking to Nigel. CALL HIM FIRST before you go)
Lock & Store 37 Keppel Road #01-03 Tanjong Pagar Distripark Singapore 089064

Shrinking M-series

For those who are looking for a multi-effect pedal/stompbox at the same tier as Zoom G2Nu or G2.1Nu, you now have one extra option.

Line 6 M5

It was first introduced at Musikmesse 2011 and it is now available in Singapore at City Music (for Malaysia, it would be CK Music).

Line 6 has decided to introduce a more compact version of their existing M-series (M13 & M9). It is almost as big as its Zoom counterpart or slightly (but negligibly) smaller. However, it is heavier and expensive as well.  However, this Line 6 stompbox are very durable and which is precisely it is called a 'stompbox'. 

Price: S$297.50

Other multi-effects of the same type which you can consider:

-Vox TonelabST

-Boss ME-25

Hamer Echotone

I have a chance to try one of my friend's Hamer Echotone. (as seen below).

It is a semi-hollow. Nothing very prestigious so don't compare it with some Gretsch or Gibson. However, it is still very well built. Echotone provides a very clean tone and I find that it is especially true when played through its neck humbucker. The neck of the guitar is a set-neck. The neck is rather thin as well. However, after a quick research, it is made of maple and not mahogany as I have anticipated. Maple gives a brighter tone, so those who prefer bright sounds will like it. However, I do not have enough time to play it with some distortion. I will make a better review of it after I'd thoroughly tested it out.
It costs $527 at City Music. If you are looking for a good and affordable semi-hollow, here you go. =)

Striking resemblances

I just would like to share something which I've recently got to know.
Take a look at the following pedals,

Digitech Grunge

DOD Grunge (FX69)

OR

Digitech Death Metal

&

DOD Death Metal (FX86)

Any resemblance? Both 'Grunges' have the same relic design, with the same name and even the knobs has similar names. Is it a mere coincidence? Or one of them imitate the other? Copyright infringement? Well, neither.

DOD is under Digitech. Digitech used to produce Death Metal, Grunge and other effects under the name of DOD. It is just recently when it decided to revise these DOD pedals and name them under the Digitech family instead. 

1st drum post: Drumsticks...

What comes into your mind when you hear the word 'drumsticks'? Is it this? (see below)

A usual wooden drumsticks. 
Many thought that only wood is used to make drumsticks. However, there are alternatives to wood. Drumsticks can also be made of the following:

Aluminium

Polyutherane 

(polymer) Carbon fiber

Need an example of a non-wood drumsticks? Take Ahead for example.

It uses 2 'ingredients' of the above to make their sticks (aluminium and polyutherane). However, are you worried about hitting the drums with an aluminium stick? Are you worried about the shock it would send to you hand? (Everyone knows that aluminium is much denser compare to wood.). Well, I will explain more tomorrow.

Note: Ahead Drumsticks are available at Drums Resources.

Drums Resources 

Ph: 91170692 (You will be speaking to Nigel. CALL HIM FIRST before you go)
Lock & Store 37 Keppel Road #01-03 Tanjong Pagar Distripark Singapore 089064

>>to be continued<<

Teak anyone?

You have seen various acoustic guitars made of full mahogany, maple, rosewood or a combination of spruce top and mahogany sides and the list goes on. However, have everyone has a guitar (either electric or acoustic) made of teak? Well, I own an acoustic guitar made of teak; it is a customised guitar from Myanmar

What is teak?
A teak is a exotic topical hardwood and is used in production of furnitures, boats and etc. (My country has a lot of them). Teak is often mistaken for mahogany as they have the similar brown colour. However, if you give a thorough study of the wood side by side, you will find that teak has a much dryer look. They also have very different wood grains.

Mahogany

Teak

So you rarely see a teak guitar before? Well, there is a reason behind it. Teak is very high in oil content and that factor makes it hard to glue. Luthiers, not wanting so much of trouble, choose not to use teak as a tonewood.
Teak is also relatively heavy. It also has large pores. This could be the reason why my acoustic guitar sounds very bright apart from it being a grand concert.

The bolded words are the reasons why teak is unpopular as tonewood.
 Don't get me wrong though. Teak is still used as a tonewood, just not as popular. So there are still teak guitars like the Cripe Guitar below.

Grunge - the re-review

I've done a review on this pedal before, but not a thorough one. 

'Grunge' is actually a subgenre of alternative rock, somewhat related to that of hardcore punk and heavy metal. So, by naming a pedal 'Grunge', one can tell what type of distortion it is. (It can be considered a metal distortion.)

General

"Loud" is volume level and "Grunge" represents the gain. For metal distortions, I would prefer it to have the mid tonal control as well. However, as you can see, there is only low and high knobs; implying that the mid frequency is fixed. It has a dual-output. The Amp output is for connecting directly to an amp (of course) while the Mixer output is useful when you wish to do recording. 

This pedal has a sturdy built. The housing of the pedal is fully metal. It also has a relic-style design. For those who prefer relic finish, Grunge might be an eye candy to you.

Sound

It is tested through my 'Vendetta' (my Fernandes). This pedal is just very loud despite level clocked at 9 o'clock position, same goes to my 10W practice amp. In fact, I got 2 complaints from 2 different neighbours while testing this out. 

It is also very distorted. The grunge knob doesn't seem to do much of a difference. Grunge is also too distorted. Even with your grunge at its lowest, the distortion is still there. So if anyone is trying to reduce the gain and use it as some mild distortion, you might want to give up that idea.

However, I still like this pedal. Why? It has a very unique tone. Very crunchy and gritty tone which, in my opinion, gives you an boosted effect on palm-muting. Those who like to have a coarse and crunchy lead tone, it would do a perfect job. I, for one, prefer a much smooth distortion which my Metal End King gives with the amp simulator on. I would rather use Grunge for playing rhythm rather than lead. However, it's all a matter of preferences. 
Hooray to sustain lovers, this pedal gives you a good one. Those who know how to utilise feedbacks will also find it useful.


Overall

★★★★☆ : 
-A good friend for anyone seeking for a fierce distortion
-Sturdy-built
-Dual output: Ideal for recording
-Crunchy tone (unique tone). Those wanting to be unique may consider this
-Good sustain


-Very loud and the gain can't be lowered.
-Lack mid frequency controls. 

More than guitars?

Dear readers,
This blog is a guitar blog. However, I would still like to add in a few posts on drums and other instruments. Some may call this sidetracked but I believe it is not a bad idea to know more about other instruments as well, isn't? Moreover, I believe some of you can play more than one instrument, isn't? =)

Alumitone's Secret

I've wanted to attach a video on my previous post but decided that it would be better to make a new post instead. Many people pay very little attention to Lace Sensor pickup. So I thought it would be nice to share the little knowledge I have for Lace.
The video below will show you the differences between a normal humbucker and a alumitone. You can now picture what I mean by Alumitone being 'coil-less' through this.

Swarovski + pickup?

This is the 2nd post that mention Swarovski. The 1st post was on Orianthi's MJ (click to read more)
The equation this time would be...

+

and you get

Blingbucker (what an awkward name)

These lace sensor pickups are basically Alumitone pickups, Deathbucker to be exact, studded with Swarovski crystal. Don Lace first introduced them to the world at Winter NAMM 2011.

Lace Music's main focus on producing their pickups is to be 'noiseless', which would be a great help for recording. Alumitone is one of such innovations. (This was the  What makes Alumitone pickup unique compared to other pickups is... they are 'coil-less'. Yes, they do not have copper wire wounded around it.  

More pictures of our Bling friends:

Take a look at this Dog-ear style pickup. What is the difference between with the usual P90? 

Lace's P90 is created using the Alumitone technology, rather than the usual pickup technology. So why are there poles in the pickups? Actually the 'poles' on the pickups are Swarovski crystals.

I'm not a bling-inclined person. In fact, I find them excessive. 

SV Guitars is the distributor for Lace Sensor Products.

Swing 22-350TE

Every time I go down to City hall, I usually try electric guitars. Yesterday, I decided to do something for a change, to try out acoustics. So I decided to try a Swing.

Swing SS-350TE

Let me explain why I choose this one. I like a mellow/warm sound for it. Thus, I prefer a dreadnought. However, I usually play up to 21 frets and cutaway is equally important for me even though it changes to sound dynamics.
For $330, this guitar is heavenly, what is termed 'value-for-money'. You get a solid top, and you get a pre-amp as well. I also have nothing bad to say about Korean's craftsmanship. However, SS-350TE lacks the clarity when open chords are played. It works better when you are picking single notes and it sounds better as well, given its mellow sound. I would suggest the non-cutaway version if you want better clarity.

Sticky pick holder?

Here is a traditional pick holder.

Here is a new type of pick holder, a cooler version. 

They are simply double-sided stickers. Of course it is not like a double-sided tape. The adhesive for holding the pick last much longer and is waterproof; it won't lose its stickiness due to moisture. 

More pictures:

Seymour Duncan

These are the few new stuffs for Seymour Duncan in 2011. It is already near mid-year of 2011. I wonder why it takes so long for Seymour Duncan to post this up.

1. YJM High-Speed Volume Pot
2. Blackouts Modular Preamp << this is intriguing.
3. Antiquity Gold Humbuckers
4. Seymour Duncan Zephyr Silver Pickups

5. Custom Shop JB/Jazz Concept Set

6. Liberator™

7. 35th Anniversary Commemorative JB/Jazz™ Set

8. '53 Tapped Tele^® Model T "Guitar Shop" Set

Click on the links to learn more about them!

Side-tracked.

My initial intention of going down to City Hall is to accompany my cousin look for drumsticks. In the end, 2 extra events took place. 

1) My guitar pick collection grew. I bought a set of Skelanimal guitar picks. Well, why? I just can't stand cute stuffs like this. I think it is about 0.83 thick, just suitable for acoustics for those who prefer thicker picks.

2) I went to apply for SV Guitars Membership!

Apparently, you are supposed to buy an item in order for the person to issue you the membership card. Since it is any item, I just bought a few batteries. <Click here to read more about the membership and its benefit>.

Danger! Watch out for Bears!!

New distortion and overdrive unit is in town!!

They are available at SV guitars or Standard Value. 

Resemblance

Take a look at these two guitars.

LTD H-1001FR

Schecter Hellraiser C-1 FR

Don't the two of them share the same look? Quilted maple top, Abalone binding, EMG 81/85 and they even share a similar headstock! However, H-1001FR has a neck-binding while Hellraiser C-1 doesn't have one.

Many other ESP such as Antelope and Forest GT or Ltd's F-series have the similar look with schecter's signature headstock as well. Why? Remember that Schecter is under ESP despite the fact that they are separate entities. However, that doesn't mean ideas could not be shared, isn't?

Eco-Music

Do you environmental friendly?
You can express your support on eco-friendliness through your music!

Sorry about the broken photo.