What's new in 2013: Episode 1

Happy new year, everyone! Maybe some of us would wish to start our new year with a new gear. I would want some studio equipment instead though. Anyway, these are the new guitars in 2013 thus far.

Schecter:

The 006 isn't exactly new. It is more of a revival actually. It's been on the catalog some times ago. And Schecter decided to include it in this year's catalog. Recently, seeing a Sustainiac on Schecter guitars is a very common sight, with a few notable Sustainiac users among Schecter artists. Now you can have a Hellraiser C-1 FR S (with S, needless to say, acronymizing Sustainiac. Another attractive inclusion would be the Damien Platinum series which is available in 6, 7 and 8-strings model. TSH Classic features the lipstick-style pickups. I don't have much interest in them but if given the opportunity, would definitely love to try. (If only I can readily find all the retailers easily... and if only they let me try in peace).

PRS:

Here are the new PRS for 2013 (PRS and PRS SE)

SC-245

 C-22

Grainger's 4-strings and 5-string basses

and SE-245 with Soapbars (hmmmmm)

What really interest me are these two guitars:

Brent Mason Signature PRS

and Paul's guitar (said to be designed after the very guitar PRS plays in his studio). This guitar has been quite popular and discussed on various forums and the new brushstrokes inlays are rather unique. 

To be continued

Your new studio consideration?

Hey folks! Guess this would probably be my first proper post.

I'm a person who's rather obsessed with in-ear monitors (musician level earphones). Ever since I bought my first one, I've rarely listened to the music on my MP3 players with regular earphones. In ear monitors are especially useful to musicians. A well designed in ear monitor comes with a great noise isolation capability, allowing the musician to pay attention to his music as he plays without having it muffled by the noise from the crowd. While those with bigger wallets go for custom acrylic moulded in ear monitors, the rest of us prefer the universal ones (fits all ears). I am a huge fans of the Westone's in ear monitors. I've tried every one of their models, the UM3x being my favorite. When I listen to my music with Westone's monitors, it's so much easier to distinguish each instrument in a song. For entry level musicians, or a person who's looking for a dynamic sounding, comfortable earphone, I recommend the UM1. To those wearing these for the first time, you'll be surprised at how well these fit in your ears (after a minute or two to figure out how to wear them properly). The sound quality for these, well worth the price, they're built for clarity, detail, precision. Listening to these I found that the dynamism in my music was enhanced, or to say it simply, made more "fun". The UM-1 comes in various colors, and now they come in packs of 5 too, Westone calls this the Jamhub (above). I love this idea. For those of you who wanna get your monitors as a band or build your own studios, these're probably a good option. The color variety makes it easier when you link up your earphones to the various ports, avoiding mix ups here and there (a huge time waster when you're jamming). You can check Westone's website for more details.

Well that's all from me for now, Happy New Year!

LTD Elite

ESP is coming up with a new range of LTD called LTD Elite. (In case you don't know, yes, ESP, LTD, Grassroot, Edwards, they are all by ESP.

Notable features are that these LTD Elite are Japanese. The regular LTDs are made in various places; China for most of the non-deluxe models. Deluxe ones, I believe, are Korean. 

And of course, they have a totally new headstock logo.

They won't be officially introduced until January 2013 though. I am interested in the basses. Since bass and workstation are the next on my To-Buy-List.

HACKED

My gmail got hacked. I don't know how and why did that happened but because of that I was unable to post anything for a few days. My sincerely apology to all the readers.

Anyway, I'm planning of writing more about effects, multi-effects in general though some of these ideas are applicable on analog ones, too. It's nothing much really. Just my personal understanding of different types of effects and tips and tricks I'd learned over time.

The "Mobius" rises

Strymon has added one more awesome pedal to its list once again. This pedal is named "Mobius", which is a all-in-one Modulation effect pedal.

As you can see, it follows the similar construction as Timeline. The below is a Youtube Video they uploaded.

Its status is still "coming soon". So if you are eager to get them, please contact the distributors.
If you are in Singapore, it would be SV Guitars.
If you are in Bangkok, check with Pedals' Park Music Playground.

Year End Sales @ City Music

Hi those in Singapore!
December is coming soon so you know what to expect, don't you?

What if - No tone knobs

I hear this almost everywhere: "No tone knobs? That's bad!". "Why 3-way switch and not 5 ways?".

Actually, I wonder why people want those in the first place. There are some guitarists who will use all the knobs and pickup combinations. I would definitely use the tone knobs especially when I'm playing jazz, blues, etc..., in other words, genres would use overdrive instead of heavy distortions. However, how many of the rest actually touches the tone knobs? Many just leave the tone and volume all maxed out.

I'm writing this after reading some comments on the Jim Root's signature stratocaster and Mick Thompson's Ibanez.

In case you are wondering what shape is Mick's guitar called, Ibanez called them 'Glaive'. It looks like a glaive too.

In general, they are complaining about the lack of tone knobs. That is one thing they have in common; no tone knobs and 3-way switches.

Their reasons for the exclusion of the tone knobs are actually simple:

1. They don't use it - How many metal guitarists do you see fidgeting around with the tone knobs? Well, I myself hardly ever touch the tone knobs whenever I'm playing metal songs. All the tonal adjustments are done on the EQs of the amp or my ME-70. Mick did mentioned this when he talked about his Signature Glaive. So it is as simple as this. Why would you want something you don't touch at all on the guitar?
2. To increase the output - This was something new when I first read about this. Another reason for the exclusion is to maximise the output of the pickups. Wiring the pickups straight to a single volume pot would have preserve more signals than having it pass through all the extra volume knobs. If Jim Root Strat would have tone knobs like a regular strat, it would be two knobs. I am not so much of an electrician but it does make sense to me if I would think logically.

So in conclusion, there are no tone knobs because they are of little use to them. Sometimes, simplicity works the best, no?

The Roland Experience @ Central Plaza

This happened last Sunday. However, it's better late than never!

There was an event going on at Central Plaza in Bangkok.

All most all types of Roland products are displayed there; piano, electric piano, synth, vintage synth, drums, etc... Of course Boss products were featured as well. What did they feature? All their products in their 2012 catalog ranging from single pedals to multi-effects. 

This is definitely a heaven for any gear addict.

You get to try all the pedals just like in the picture above! All the pedals are connected to a clean channel of Roland Cube, a 50W if I'm not wrong. I can't remember though. Sadly everyone is trying them and there were these two dudes (two brothers I guess since they look alike) who tried the pedals for the whole 45 minutes I was at the event! That's inconsiderate of them. 

Here is the multi-effects section. They have everything, even the vocal effects. I played around with the GT-100 and the ME-25. GT-100 obviously have an upgraded and improved COSM system. The amp models there are definitely sweeter sounding. And trust me, it is not that complicated to operate, though ME-70 is much easier to do so. ME-25 sounds pretty much like the ME-70 actually. Not much of a difference though tweaking on ME-25 is not as straightforward as the ME-70.

Here is the e-Band and others section. I spent most of my time at the e-Band. I almost wanted to get it. Trying it was a double-reassurance that Boss will always sound very acceptable. Actually, I love it. Most of my tone nowadays is from my ME-70. What is the blue effect thing over there? That's a guitar synth processor. I have not much interest in them so I didn't bother with it. 

Most of the guitars provided are actually of brands I've never heard of. Some of the guitars, however, are equipped with Teslas and some of the basses are Fernandes. The guitar I tried that day, it has covered Tesla pups, which I assume is the VR-60 Classic. 

 This kid was sort of a 'highlight' for the day. This kid was actually playing the drums, not playing with the drums. You should see him play the double-kick roll. It wasn't perfect but pretty amazing for what a kid as young as him could do!

There were musicians to entertain us as well. I see that the musicians are not limited to Roland products only. I smelled a Dr. Z over there! The synths were Rolands of course

Oh! I almost forgot. They featured the Roland V-guitar as well! What is it? It's a Fender stratocaster with equipped with synth capabilities by Roland. A collaboration between Fender and Roland.  

Veelah La Vita

Say hi to La Vita!

This is a Veelah V1-GACE. GA stands for Grand Auditorium and CE means that there is a cutaway. So let's say for a Dreadnought with a cutaway, it will be V1-DCE. Now I prefer the sound of the Grand Auditorium than a dreadnought. A grand auditorium, to me, sounds more open, bright and clear. Dreadnought has a darker and warmer tone. I would go for the brighter tone. I don't know how else to explain. I just like grand auditoriums or jumbos.

Veelah has 4 different series, V1, V2, V3 and V4 with V4 being the most expensive tier and V1 (of course) the most affordable tier. 

One way to bring down on the cost and making the V1 affordable and yet not compromising quality specs is to strip down on cosmetics. If you've seen my guitar, V1-GACE has no bindings at all. None on the fretboard, none on the top or the back of the guitars. Binding can be expensive. There is no fancy roselette as well and not even inlays. Inlay-less fretboards look attractive to me. How much simpler could a guitar get? Oh yes, this pores on the wood are open and this is no gloss finish. Sonically, it adds up more to the mids. Imagine speaking through a mask and without one. That would be the difference between open and sealed pores.

What I get in return is a solid top and the following:

Graphtech NuBone Parts

I think having a quality nut and bridge is as important as changing the strings when they go dead. Graphtech Nubone synthetic bone bridges and saddles. If I'm to get the separately, at cheapest, they would cost me SGD 40 or about a thousand bahts.  So this is a plus for Veelah, for providing even its V1 range of guitars with these parts instead of plastics. You will also find that Swing acoustics do come with Nubone parts as well!

Fishman iSYS-T

 This is a very simple yet useful preamp there. iSYS-T (T stands for tuner). It isn't a ground-breaking awesome preamp but for a default preamp, this is definitely awesome. I played this through a VOX AGA70 and I was sold. That was when I decided to buy the guitar. You don't see any EQ knobs or sliders on this so the colour of the tone is fixed. Well, of course you can readjust the EQs on the acoustic amp or the mixer if you want. It comes with phase and contour buttons to add some colours to the tone. Simple enough? 

 The fretboard of the guitar is dry, a condition you would expect to see for a guitar stored away in the warehouse. So I'm not surprised.

 So I pampered this baby with some Ikea SKYDD. For anyone who's new to this, it is a wood conditioner. And yes I got that from Ikea. Safe to use on instruments? Safe enough to use on open pore fretboards like rosewood and ebony. Maple? I don't know. Most maple are finished and the pores are all sealed up and thus doesn't require reconditioning.

One problem is yet to be solved though. The action is too high. For acoustic guitars, I normally wouldn't adjust the truss rod myself. I would find someone experienced in this. Acoustic guitars can get really messy.


Price: THB 6300
If you are looking for this guitar in Singapore, check with SV guitars!

Veelah!

Veelah is not a random exclamation. It is a name of a guitar brand.

Not many people know this brand. Veelah is a brand from USA but from what I've learnt, they are manufactured in Taiwan. "Veelah? What brand is that? I don't know! I am not getting this." Well if you are one of these people, you are surely missing out a lot of good guitars.

One thing special about Veelah acoustic guitars is that all guitars are have a solid top regardless of which tier it is from and the nut and bridge of each guitar are Graphtech Nubone. A plus for a guitar with such specs.

Is it great? Well, this picture will tell.

I needed an acoustic guitar; all of mine is back in Myanmar. So I need a quality guitar. I can't afford Taylor or Martin or any high tier brands. So I was looking for one with a tight budget.
Let me introduce you to "La Vita". It got this name because I feel that it has so much life it in.

More about this tomorrow!