UNBOXING: MXR EVH Phase 90
If you are a fan of Eddie Van Halen you won't want to miss our review, check out the unboxing.
Thanks to Strings and Things.
UNBOXING: Kirk Hammett Cry Baby
Quality signature wah from Dunlop, if you are a fan of Kirk Hammett don't miss our review.
Here is the unboxing:
Thanks to Strings and Things.
UNBOXING: Dime Distortion
What a pedal!, if you are looking for Dimebag's tone then this is the pedal for you.
Full review coming soon.
Thanks to Strings and Things for the pedal.
REVIEW: PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow
PRS SE Custom Semi Hollow
An affordable PRS SE made in Korea retailing at around £450, which has all the makings of a top quality guitar and doesn't look out of place next to a USA made one.
- Maple top
- Mahogany back and neck
- Rosewood fingerboard
- PRS gig bag
Build Quality
If you don't check the back of the headstock you wouldn't guess its made in the far east, PRS haven't forgotten their quality checks on any of the SE range.
I couldn't see any blemishes on this review model on the finish, fingerboard or headstock.
Electrics worked 100% and volume and tone pots were responsive.
In use
Controls are as expected on a guitar with two humbuckers:
- Volume
- Tone
- Three-way switch
The neck is wide/fat which is comfortable and not too chunky, feels vintage.
Sounds
This is one of the brightest clean guitar tones I've heard, sounds almost single coil.
The bridge pickup is crisp clean and also handles gain well but loses a little clarity on single notes when using lots of volume.
The neck pickup is warm and great for blues.
My favourite is using both pickups, it gives an almost acoustic quality that I haven't heard on an electric.
Overall
I think the SE range are often overlooked by guitarists looking at PRS but they shouldn't be discounted, especially the Semi Hollow. It stands on it's own as a unique guitar at a great price, as already mentioned an unbelievable £450.
If you are after something a bit more versatile and you are on a budget you can't go far wrong with this.
Pros:
- Price
- Build quality
- Acoustic qualities
Cons:
- Will be overlooked by people after a 'proper' PRS
- Laminate top wont be for all
G | H rating 4/5
Thanks to World Guitars and Headline Music.
LTT: Pickup update
Recorded a short video overview of the pickups we are putting in the Spear Gladius.
Enjoy
UNBOXING: Dunlop Maintenance Station
Here is the unboxing of the Dunlop Maintenance Station we reviewed.
REVIEW: Dunlop Maintenance Station
Dunlop Maintenance Station
The Dunlop Maintenance Station is a plastic neck cradle that can support both the guitar by the back of the neck and the fretboard.
Developed in conjunction with master luthier Ron Thorn this is an invaluable product.
Build Quality
It's made of plastic but good quality and gives confidence that it is going to hold your prized possession without any worry.
Each edge is covered by a thin layer of foam and isn't going to cause damage to your neck.
Ease of use
Easy to use, one side for back of neck and another one for the fretboard.
See pic (1) and (2).
Pic (1)
Pic (2)
Our Verdict
This is a MUST have, the number of times that I have worked on my guitars at home on a table or bench with no stability. If you think how many times a year you change your strings or clean your fretboard having something that you can rely on to hold your guitar in place is invaluable.
It's as applicable to home guitarists as it is tech's, recommended.
G | H rating 5/5
Thanks to Strings and Things (www.stringsandthings.co.uk) for the review product.
REVIEW: Chrome-frets
Chrome-Frets
Chrome-frets is a string cleaning and fret polishing system that is quick and easy to use and gives great results.
The kit comes with the following:
- TefloWax solution
- Micro-fibre cleaning cloth
- Reusable pad with leather on one side and a cloth on the other
One thing to note, this isn't suitable for maple necks.
Retails around £15.
Build Quality
A lot of care and attention has gone into this product, it's very well made.
All the parts are of good quality, the instructions are well printed and the bag is resealable so you can keep it all together for when you next need it.
Ease of use
The instructions are very well explained and the application process was a breeze, there is a HD video at the Chrome-frets website if you want to see how its done.
Basics are:
- Spray solution onto pad
- Wipe from nut to bridge for around 2 minutes
- Turn pad over and wipe with the cloth side to polish for approx 2 minutes
- Use the included micro-fibre to polish frets
- Wrap the cloth around each string and wipe each string in turn lengthways
Job done.
Very quick and easy, whole process takes no more than 5 minutes.
It leaves the strings clean but not too slippery as with other similar products I have used.
There is also a bit of cloth on the top of the bottle so that you can apply to each string if you want a silky playing action.
Our verdict
There are a lot of products out there for maintaining your gear, this is one that should be top of your list.
An invaluable product for the gigging musician, no need to get your gear looked at by a professional just use this after each gig and you will always be presented with a playable clean neck.
Just be careful if you do decide to use on an unfinished Maple neck.
G | H rating 5/5
Thanks to Chrome-Frets - www.chromefrets.co.uk
Nice and clean
Next load of reviews
Website is going from strength to strength, loads to review and unbox.
Here are a few pics:
Loads of stuff
PRS SE
Thanks to Strings and Things for the accessories and World Guitars for the PRS SE CUSTOM.
UNBOXING: Chrome Frets
Thanks to the guys at Chrome Frets who gave us the opportunity to check out their Chrome Frets string and fret polishing system.
I've done a little unboxing for you guys.
Guitarist Hub TV Intro now an iPhone ringtone
If you fancy having the Guitarist Hub TV intro as your ringtone you can now download for free HERE
Gear coming up in the next few weeks
Got some cool gear for review in the next few weeks:
- PRS SE
- Couple of Spear's
- Laney Cub10
- and some more....
REVIEW: JOYO JT-20 Clip Tuner
- Joyo Tuner
There’s plenty of small, inexpensive guitar tuners around these days, all doing a decent enough job and the JOYO JT-20 is no exception. It’s a small, no-nonsense tuner that operates as a clip or microphone and does exactly what you want.
- LCD Backlight in Yellow/Green/Red
- Clip or Microphone mode
- Tuning options for Guitar/Bass/Violin/Chromatic
- 410 – 450Hz tuning frequency
- Tolerance +/- 1 cent displayed using needle-style indicator
- Power saving function
- Powered by 1 x CR2032 battery (3v) supplied
- Dimensions: 67mm x 46mm x 44mm
Build Quality
Made of plastic with a sturdy clip mechanism, it’s overall quite small and should prove robust enough for most occasions.
Ease of use
The instructions are clear enough though it’s all fairly straightforward anyway. Once powered up, the power button is used to switch to clip or microphone mode.
Up/Down arrows will change the frequency and the mode button will switch between the tuning options of guitar/bass/violin/chromatic.
The display screen is well lit and generally easy to read, but strong direct light is a bit trickier. However, as it has a 360degree turning circle it can easily be adjusted when clipped to avoid direct light. Also, as it’s a fairly small unit, the operating buttons are quite small, so chunky fingers may find them a bit fiddly.
Overall I didn’t have any problems with it and found it very easy to use and more importantly, accurate with it’s tuning measurements.
Overall
A decent, compact little tuner with a no-nonsense operation. It’s a Tuner and nothing else, so that’s all you pay for– and at around £10, good value too.
G | H rating 4/5
- Bob
Marshall MS-2 update
Marshall MS-2
I'm continually impressed by this little micro stack.
I use it a lot at home now and has become my practise amp.
So simple to use and sounds harsh cranked but has a certain gritty quality that I love, especially good when you have your normal pedals plugged into it.
New Di Marzio pickups are here
As you know I've ordered some Di Marzio pickups for our LTT Spear Gladius.
Got a package this morning.....
Di Marzio Package
LTT update – Gladius your pickups are on their way
Pickups have been bought and are winging their way to us.
Went for:
- DiMarzio PAF PRO - Neck
- DiMarzio MO JOE - Bridge
- Mulitple 5 way selector
Will be getting wired up like THIS
Thanks to Steve at DiMarzio Uk for the advice.
World Guitars – Win a £10,000 GBP private stock
World Guitars are celebrating their 1st anniversary by giving away a £10,000 PRS Private stock.
Check out the link
LTT update – Hard tailed PRS Custom 24
Our LTT (Long Term Test) PRS Custom 24 was hard tailed a week ago and what a difference it has made.
PRS Custom 24
I was having a problem of the G string dropping tune on a regular basis, I didn't even use the tremolo so after a discussion with Rob Chapman I decided to take the plunge and hard tail it.
Since it's been done I have had zero tuning problems, I also restrung at the same time moving up to 10's from 9.5's.
It's my number 1 again.
REVIEW: Marshall Single Footswitch
Marshall Single Footswitch mini review
I was after a cheap footswitch to switch between clean and gain channel's on my Laney GH100L so after a quick shopping trip ended up getting the Marshall P801.
Marshall P801
Price paid - £15
Cheap, well built, hard wearing and simple to use (one switch!).
I've used this at home and rehearsing and it's not failed me once, solid build means it can stand even the hardest abuse.
If you are looking for a single footswitch that's going to last then this is the one for you.