ESP: New models for spring

The Horizon 27- not really new, you've seen the LTD version, yes? Still thinking if I should special order this in another finish since it's only released in gloss black.

The Eclipse-II is now offered as a 24-fretter. Emm... only available in black.

Earth Hour 2011: Embracing darkness

2011's Earth Hour just ended moments ago. The community around me was oblivious to the attempt in giving  Mother Earth her due respect. A quick look out of the window showed no signs of massive participation. The wedding preparation two blocks away showed no signs of moderation either, life at the coffee shop across the road went on as usual, full of loud talking & approved time squandering. 

There was an attempt to maintain essential visibility in my residence so a box of little candles were put to good use. The observation was that birthday candles would last you 10min while the slightly bigger variant for kiddy lanterns, gave light for 30min. It was time well-spent listening to music & lying down since bed-time was looming ahead. At the end of the observance, a quick check with the local news showed more participation down town where concerted efforts created the necessary awareness to rope in public participation. People, left to their own undertaking, wouldn't see the hour's worth in sparing a thought for the planet in which they live in.

I sincerely believe there are guitarists, bassists & other musicians alike who took part in Earth Hour this year, regardless of how big/ small their contributions were. I salute you.

Earth Hour 2011

Dear friends, let's observe Earth Hour today. Please switch off as many electrical devices/ equipment as we can at 8.30PM for one hour. The people of today are educated enough to empathize with the fate of this earth, let's act within out means.

A big THANK YOU in advance.

Ibanez: Discontinued models for 2011

I've been wanting to do this but not motivated enough to get it going; so here it is, the list of discontinued Ibanez solidbody models for 2011 (E&OE):

• RG3550
• RGT6
• RGA420
• SAS32
• SA120
• AR250
• AR200
• JS1600 (Joe Satriani signature)
• MBM1/ MBM2 (Matt Bachand signature as pictured above)
• STM1 (Sam Totman signature, superseded by STM2)
• APEX1 (Munky signature)

2011 targets: Part 1

Before the revelations of some other distractions come Winter NAMM 2011, I only have these 2 items on my to-buy list. (1) Peavey 6505+ head: I already have Marshall's JVM410 which is outstanding for my music preference, I should be acquiring the 6505+ to help me establish the monstrous, metal tone based on the 'American' expectations, in other words, the 6L6  power tubes. No, I'm not a MESA fan.

(2) Ibanez SR300M bass: I need a bass sporting a slimmer & narrower neck profile, with 24 frets. My current Mustang bass has a shorter scale length while the SMASH JB-1 retains the Fender livery despite holding its own attractions. The SR300 is superb for the money, I was unfortunate not to have grabbed it (arrived late at the SALE venue due to professional commitments) last year when it was on sale. So I told myself, should I be getting an SR300, it's worth to have something a little different from the standard production range offered here, so the maple fretboard would be that difference.

Happy New Year!!

My sincere best wishes to all friends, acquaintances & visitors to this blog- I keep blogging because you keep reading. Apologies if I have offended anyone in the process, in any case, there were no intentions to do so- that's not what this blog is all about.

May 2011 be a splendid year for all of us- thanks, once again, cheers!

Ibanez 2011: Possible additions

The following Ibanez instruments are available in the Japanese market. There are no indications these are the 2011 servings but the fresh features in them simply hinted 'new'.

SR4500E: This is a stunning Prestige SR bass, elite features all round & more tone controls at the helm.

AFS77T: There's the new transparent pickguard seen here again, not to mention the fresh ACH pickups & that new cross block headstock motif in place of the traditional lightning bolt for the Artcore series. Unlike the Edge whammy bridges, the ART birdge are a little wanting in terms of effectiveness. Black binding on a white body- cool, this one...

ASR76T: A racing stripe AS body; how about that?

RG8527Z: The J-Custom range gets a 7-string addition. Of course, the chances of this making it here is very remote.

Unofficial

Word has it, Ibanez has introduced a fresh tier of instrument. We have the standard models & the Prestige offerings in the catalogues but come 2011, there will be the Premium series; models which sit in between the aforementioned tiers. I'll update them here as the soon as the confirmation comes in.