Saving place: EQ + Tuner

If you are looking for a graphic equaliser and a pedal tuner and you have a very limited space on your board, maybe Artec SE-GEQ 8 band Graphic EQ might be a solution.

Or maybe not. A combination of the two pedals will indeed save some space. However, there are trade-offs as well. It only has a range of 10dB cut and boost. So it all depends on you. If you are looking for something of a larger range, it is better to invest on something else.

Marshall Major @ Stereo

I had a few friends asking me where to buy Marshall Major. Well, I am not sure if Davis has them (but they should since they are the distributor of Marshall products).

If you are looking for one, look no further. Stereo sells them at $120 for the Major. Now that is $80 lower than the price that was predicted by many before it was released. So I gave it a try. If you are to ask me for my opinion, I would say it isn't what I am really looking for if I am to listen to my music. But I bet it will work well as a gear for silent guitar practicing. It is kinda focused on its mid-range and a bit more bassy. For listening to music, I like my headphones to be less bassy and more of mids and highs. That's how I find that I can hear the guitar parts better. And yes, another important thing is the clarity of the tone. For the price, Major does give clarity. What I mean by clarity is that the tone isn't muffled like you get from those $10 headphones. A headphone that is too treble-ish is very jarring to the ears for guitar playing. 

Modtone Current draw list

A few weeks back, I remember asking on Modtone's Facebook page for the current draw of Speedbox and Vintage Wah. They did reply me and gave me the information I needed. In addition to that, they had provided a whole list of current specification of their pedals. Here is the list.

ModTones and Mini-Mod (MT and MTM part numbers) Model Number Current    Model Number Current MT-WAH (Wah-Wah Pedal) = 3 mA  MT-SK (Stutter Kill) = 40 mA MT-VOL (Volume Pedal) = N/A MT-CH (Chorus) = 11 mA MT-CB (Clean Boost) = 2 mA MT-PH (Phaser) = 13 mA MT-FF (Envelope) = 12 mA MT-FL (Flanger) = 12 mA MT-DD (Octave) = 10 mA MT-BB (Fuzz) = 13 mA MT-EM (Extreme Metal) = 25 mA MT-RV (Reveb) = 76 mA MT-OD (Overdrive) = 6 mA MTM-CH (Chorus) = 13 mA MT-DS (Distortion) = 4 mA MTM-DLY (Delay) = 29 mA MT-AD (Analog Delay) = 29 mA MTM-DS (Distortion) = 4 mA MT-HT (Tremolo) = 9 mA MTM-FL (Flanger) = 12 mA MT-CP (Compressor) = 10 mA MTM-FZ (Fuzzer) = 13 mA MT-CT (Tuner) = 90 mA MTM-OD (Overdrive) = 6 mA Power Plant (MT-POWP) Version Port(s) Current Voltage 1.0 1-5 100 mA 9-12 VDC 1.0 6-7 200 mA 4-9 VDC 1.3 1-5 100 mA 9-12 VDC 1.3 6-7 200 mA 4-9 VDC 1.3 8 1300 mA 9-12 VAC Powered Pedal Board (MT-PB8) Ports Voltage Current 8 9 VDC 450 mA

The chromatic tuner draws the most current. Hmm... And indeed, it draws 3 times the maximum current drawn by Korg Pitchblack. And as usual, wah draws the 2nd least current (clean boost is the first, I expect it to draw more current). As for volume pedal, the reason why it doesn't draw any current is because it is a passive pedal. They also provide the information for its powered pedal board. 450mA for 8 pedals would mean 56.25mA per pedal. It wouldn't be a problem powering the Modtones though but how about the other brands?

The people can make better informed decisions before buying anything. 

The crate of rock.

Sometimes, listening to our amplifier screaming on the floor isn't what we want. The sound is not directed at you. I have a few friends who would keep their amps on a stool/table so that they can hear what they are playing much clearer. Maybe they might be interested in the Rock Cr8. 

Rock Cr8 is basically a crate which serves 3 different purposes, as a pedalboard, as a store place for your cables and pedals and also as a riser for your combo amps. You can call it as a guitar accessory organiser. They have a power strip inside so that you can power up your pedals with your Godlyke power supply, etc... The pedalboard is about the size of PT-2 (or slightly longer). You do have quite a lot of choices for the Tolex of the crate.

I have to admit that it is indeed cool. However, do I really need it? For me, I don't think so. I think I am quite organised when it comes to keeping my guitar stuffs. And this is not available here. 

Timeline @ SG

Finally, Timeline has  finally arrived.

If you have watched all the demos on Youtube, you know what this box can do. It is without a doubt a very good delay. But this is definitely not for me. SG$625 isn't in the 'affordable range' of mine, for now.

Available at SV Guitars.

Hardwires = true bypass

Hardwire pedals are usually mistaken to be buffered bypass. This is because it is built like Boss pedals and others of similar structure. Boss pedals are not true bypass, but I supposed everyone knows that. Another reason is Hardwire do not feature the normal true bypass switch like this.

Something different for Hardwire pedals from other true bypass pedals is that you can choose whether you like it to be true bypass or not. 

(This isn't my photo)

If you open up the battery compartment of a Hardwire, you will see a switch at the lower left corner of it. There is your true bypass switch. 

Striking resemblance (Episode 3)

This is Biyang Metal-End. 

And here is its brother from another father, Akai Deluxe Distortion.

Both pedals has the same features. 4-band EQ, Amp Simulator, High-cut and the Mode switch. They even have that steel chassis (which could serve as a mirror). The only differences are that Akai pedals are more 'pimped' compared to Biyang and they come in different names. These two distortions aren't the only case of 'striking resemblance' between these two brands.

The bullseye

The title might give you a hint of what I am trying to talk about. Indeed, it is about Zakk Wylde. If you are a loyal fan of Wylde and wanted a guitar like him, Swee Lee has an Epiphone version of his signature guitar.

The models available are both Custom Plus. The Camo version comes with a maple fretboard, which is something you don't normally see on a Les Paul. Both comes with EMG-81 and 85 unlike the Buzzsaw version: it comes with passive EMGs. 

Go LP with Swing

Swing's LP-shaped guitar, Classic II. I always see them in the product list at Swing's website and finally it's in SV. 

I have yet to try it and I've only seen it in photos. There are 4 choices of colour altogether. It is priced at $640. More expensive than the Rally GL300/400 but it is still cheaper than an Epiphone LP Standard Top Plus. Some may find it rather expensive (compared to Rally) but I believe you are not paying that price for nothing. I am sure Swing's craftsmanship is worth paying that amount. 

What I am more interested in is  Swing Korina-X.

It is in satin black finish but looks aren't what I really care. I just need more exposure to korina guitars. I have so far only tried 3 guitars made of korina.

Cioks DC10 and PT2 Issue

I had a friend who just got a Cioks DC10 and when he tried to fit beneath his Pedaltrain PT2. Normally, this shouldn't be a problem for PT Pro but for any other Pedaltrains, U will find the whole board pivoting on the DC10 instead. Mounting it on top of the board is easy however it is very space-consuming.  

There are many ways to make the DC10 fit beneath the board though. 

1. Cut off some part of the rail like what this picture suggest.

The owner cut of part of the rail so that he can mount the DC10. This is definitely the solution but the task is difficult if you don't have the appropriate tool to cut it.

2. Replace the feets of Pedaltrain with a higher ones.

A much simpler solution. Cioks sells these feets in their DC10 mounting kit. Pedaltrains are more Voodoo Lab friendly. 

Or you could just wait for DC8/AC8. They will fit in the board according to the manufacturer.