'Crystal-isation'

Take a closer look at the frets. They are glittering, isn't?

That is because the fret wires aren't made of metal. There are frets made of ceramics and glasses. For this one, it is made of quartz crystals. It is 'claimed' that quartz crystal frets give more sustain. The hardness of the quartz could be the reason for more sustains. Quartz crystals are harder than metal and can only be cut or polished using diamond cutters. This also means that the metal strings cannot wear down the frets, just like glass. It is not brittle like glass as well.

Here's what the producer has claimed:

Metal frets and a metal string create a natural distortion due to metal on metal contact.

It sounds logical but maybe I'm too deaf to hear that noise as it is mentioned above. And I bet this is not going to be cheap at all.

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!). 

Thirty-six!

Anyone out there complaining that 24-frets are too little? Well, ESP Russia has a 36-fret guitar.

Apparently, the neck pickup of this guitar is covered by the excessively long fretboard of the guitar. I assume it be a neck-thru construction. How can a neck like this be bolted-on?

However, my question is, is the additional 12 frets really necessary?
In fact..

Syu's 27-fretted CRYING STAR - REBEL is already high pitch enough for me. So don't you think a note played at the 36th fret will be outrageously high pitched?

Rosewood or Ebony

A friend of mine asked me what is the difference between a rosewood fretboard and an ebony fretboard and how to differentiate it.

Well, basically, it is very simple; the look tells everything.

Here's a rosewood

and here is a ebony

Ebony can be identified by its shiny look and smooth feeling. (I told him it looks like dark chocolate when he asked me to further elaborate 'shiny').  Rosewood doesn't shiny look. 

Maple gives you a bright tone, rosewood a darker one and ebony gives you a brighter tone with more sustain.

In terms of durability, many say that ebony is most durable.