Schecter: Omen 7

I've been neglecting the 7-string; these days I play my 6s & resort to the 8 if there were moments that require lower notes peddling. So today, after Janet alerted me to the arrival of my Omen 7, I headed out to town despite the flu bout... 

As stated on the headstock truss rod cover- Omen 7. This is the entry level tier of Schecter's offering but the QC on show would shame many other costly instruments. I like everything about the Omens; they are really no-frills guitars fit for the beginners or seasoned players alike, who wish to focus on play rather than be over-delighted with instrument cosmetics.

I've chosen the lacquer-free finish for all my Omens (my upcoming Omen 8 included), I simply love the brighter acoustics because this does good to the overall heftiness of the instrument. Based on my personal encounters, I know this finish type compliments many Tesla pickup models which are what I will purchase in time to come, to replace the default pickups.

LTD: H301

ESP has made it clear that their LTD models are the company's more affordable instruments without a stark contrast in QC. Well, my encounter today with the LTD H301 was a simple witnessing of the company's promise. The H301 was a class act from one end of the instrument to the other. Perhaps the only feature which doesn't quite manifest class appeal are the active pickups (EMG 81/85) but this would tread the issue of personal appeal- some of us prefer these pickups because they help us achieve our objectives. To me, pickups which over-power the instrument's dynamics & literally breathe a life of their own, should not belong here. However, these pickups did wonders to the instrument's commanding presence, even I enjoyed the tonal offerings (not quite the cleans, though) after plugging the H301 into a 30W Marshall- fantastic!

The H301's playability is tops in my books considering I have limited tolerance for guitars with a lacquered neck finish. Top top it all off, the dazzling looks make it worth every cent of the asking price. If you are looking for an instrument in the $700 - $1K price bracket, the H301 should be on your list. Highly recommended (not for those looking for an immaculate clean tone).

PS: Thanks Janet & everyone at Davis GMC for tolerating 20min of my 'test-drive' today.

LTD: EC-54

This is a wicked bass by LTD, it features a solitary pickup which I initially thought was an active unit since it sports a battery compartment- the pickup is passive but the controls are active. There's a healthy dose of boom on board which would appeal to traditionalists but I like my bass tones to have a brighter option for solos which is not quite the forte of this EC-54. Available at Davis GMC...

*PS: At time of testing, the retail price was not released yet.

ESP: Special order - touchdown (3)

Rushed home today to hear my new darling in action- ESP MII Special Order. I've had enough of black, so it's an all white affair this time.

The only special change for this guitar- otherwise it's an ordinary, off-the-shelf M-Series- is the inclusion of a single coil neck pickup instead of a humbucker. This is my first Special Order guitar, I just want to observe the QC standard which is unquestionably superb!

Body rear view- the heel there had been inclined & bevelled as an upper fret allowance.

A very ordinary, M-Series headstock...

... the rear headstock has the label proof that this is not a custom order model. The Special Order is any Standard Series guitar with specific instructions from the buyer to incorporate a little deviation in specs.

This is another ESP guitar of mine, featuring an Original Floyd Rose bridge, which allows for a very low action. I'm not concluding that a Floyd Rose inclusion is the end-all solution for you if you wish for a low action but it facilitates this set up.

The pickups in this guitar:

• Neck: Seymour Duncan Classic Stack Plus
• Bridge: Seymour Duncan JB

I am currently favouring the single coil pickup in the neck for its more top-end protrusion; I wouldn't like to hear too much bass in this position.

My utmost thanks to Janet @ Davis GMC for making this acquisition possible, Chris for leaving a message to inform me of its arrival & Burn for helping me hook this guitar up with many Fuchs pedals! Thank you, everyone!

LTD: TE-202

I managed to try the above LTD TE-202 while I was in the store to collect my ESP Special Order guitar. This one's made in Vietnam & feels rather hefty. Unlike its ST counterpart, the TE has a more authentic feel when it comes to the 'relic' finish especially on the neck. The guitar in its entirety isn't a vintage product, particularly the pickups which are rather hot with distortion in use. The good people at Davis GMC told me the set up is as it is out of the box which I find very impressive- a comfortable action for both speed fretting or extended blues bends. The weight also contributed to the thick tones on board so if you are looking for that Telecaster twang on a budget- not quite. Also, the distressed nature here is merely a novelty but I must say it's a good player for fans who aren't too keen with authenticity but a fan of the Tele outline nevertheless.

LTD TE-202

Available @ Davis GMC

List: $550

ESP: Special order - touchdown (2)

I've brought my Special Order ESP home; revelation tomorrow. Tired... not feeling well.

ESP: Special order - touchdown (1)

I was at Davis GMC earlier today... em... that should be yesterday. Never mind. I was there to settle payment for my ESP Special Order model which finally arrived on16th July 2011. I didn't bring it home because I was on the way to another destination; dinner beckoned.

Schecter: JL proto

If it's to your interest, there is a Schecter Jeff Loomis prototype model currently available at Davis GMC. His signature on the body, please take note.

Fuchs!

Fuchs, the name more associated with boutique amps, have some effects pedals to offer (both tube-powered & transistor models). They are now available at Davis GMC...

Hey, dad! (Part 47): A little solution

Hey, dad! I am taller than your new bass! Ha, ha!

I know why you bought this bass...

... it's your cramps- you still want to play bass but do not wish to strain your fretting hand by over-stretching, right?

I hope it helps you, g'night! I have school tomorrow...

Cheap & cheerful (5): Washburn WIN14

 

You are looking for an affordable singlecut guitar with above average tones but something definitely affordable, Washburn's WMI14 should be on your checklist. When I played it yesterday, the thinner-than-Les Paul body gave it a different voicing plus the fact that it's a basswood unit, the guitar was definitely something not of the Les Paul type when it comes to tones. The maple neck was of a wider profile, again moving away from the LP expectations. If you solo in the neck, the in-house neck pickup has lots of definition for your widdling pleasure.

Pot!

If you insist on Gibson parts for your em... Gibson guitar, Davis GMC has Gibson pots for you... at affordable prices, of course.

Luxe

This is something I am definitely willing to try- Luxe repro caps. These are now available (including the Bumblebee version for Les Pauls) at Davis GMC, do contact them for price quotes.

The manufacturer aims to offer the user a very close manifestation of the original item so please do not expect an 'upgrade' of any kind but it should be your attempt to experience what Fender/ Gibson went through in their tone history. Also, do look forward to hear a marked difference as these minor components in your guitar only serve to differentiate your current experience.

LTD: Phoenix 204

I'm still no good with a full-scaled bass. It's nothing to do with playing capacity but the comfort involved. However, every now & then, some exceptions come my way. The LTD Phoenix 204 bass above, is one of those exceptions. It's a well-made bass & made its status heard- the factory default pickups there may not be stellar but they get the job done. Do not expect some P/J-bass voicings here but if you are looking forward to some 'in-between' working tones (in between a single coil & a humbucker, that is...), this is a great bass to own.

PS: Thanks to all @ Davis GMC for the opportunity.

MXR: '78 Distortion

It's been a pedal-trying Friday; a quick trip to Davis after lunch time to check out the fresh shipment of MXR pedals. I am a drive/ distortion person so the '78 Distortion was virtually calling out to me. Before the CRUNCH switch was activated, this red pedal sounded very much like its Distortion + brother but with a grittier top end. Once the CRUNCH mode was engaged, the pedal manifested more distortion, akin to a crunchy Brit-voiced amp; the manufacturer is probably hinting at a certain '78 Marshall JMP which had its place in tone history (hence the name). If you have heard a (Wampler) Plextortion in use, you'd know where this one's going but it's less throaty. I would caution you against conjuring superlative images after reading that 'Badass' label because it might be the case for some of us but not for the rest.

Thank you Janet/ Chris @ Davis GMC for the extended testing...

Cheap & cheerful (4): Aria IGB-Std

Aria is currently experiencing a come-back of sorts. Either this or there is an attempt by the manufacturer to make Arias more accessible to players. The IGB bass I tried yesterday wasn't a costly unit- $350 <$250 & you get a very decent J-bass tones & those deep, wicked Stingray-esque voicing from that humbucker. The construction- I give it a thumbs up despite a slight fray at the exposed neck tongue, near the single coil pickup. A great bass that won't break your piggy.

Thanks to Davis GMC for the opportunity.

LTD: Phoenix 200

I just had to test this LTD Phoenix 200 (List: $550) simply because I own the ESP version. Part of me wanted to know how far off this one is to its ESP sibling, mind you, there's a $1,400 gap between these two instruments. The LTD version was a very pleasant player as it turned out. In terms of feel, the finish sets it apart from the ESP not because it's shoddy but we know, after a personal handling experience, the LTD had undergone lesser treatment before leaving the factory. It's rather 'hard' to the touch as opposed to the ESP's more organic nature. The tone on offer also manifested some differences namely in the upper frequency offerings. The LH-150 humbuckers in this guitar sounded a little too sharp, even the neck's wooly tone had that extra treble in there & there's no tone knob to address the matter. But all in all, it's certainly an above-average player & I'm glad LTD preserved the neck-through-body construction even at this price point. Thumbs up!

Thanks to the good people @ Davis GMC for letting me spend some time with this guitar today.

LTD unplugged

LTD's X-Tone acoustic- just tried one recently, it's the AC-10 model. I wouldn't say it's up there & chiming with Martin, Taylor, et al but they sound above average. Some acoustics sound dead unplugged, they are only worthy after plugging in, but the AC-10 fared well in both worlds.

Product availability: Davis GMC

Price: Call for quotations 6337 5092

LTD: Snakebyte

LTD's Snakebyte is in stock at Davis GMC now. It's another EMG equipped guitar & it definitely sounds like a typical guitar equipped with the same pickups. The factors that will draw you to this guitar are most probably your personal admiration for all things James Hetfield. Please call Davis GMC for price quuotations.

LTD: Vintage 204

The relic finish of LTD's Vintage 204 is the flavour of the moment which does nothing to tone. In any case, it's a pseudo relic implement; you can't feel the bare wood as there's a layer of finish over it. I give the 204 a thumb's up in terms of tone, it has a great boomy voicing despite the single coil pickups in there. The rosewood fretboard did well to inject some warmth in the mix.All for a sub-$500 price tag.

Product availability: Davis GMC (please call for a price quotation: 6337 5092)