Ibanez Project

Project Guitar Ibanez Rg370DX

Guitars are no different then your car or truck they need a bit of maintenance. When a friend brought me his Ibanez guitar to have some life breathed into it there was a ton of things that needed to be done. When looking at the guitar the bridge pickup was all way way down. The fretboard was really dirty and dry. the bridge was all the way down and dirty. The action was really high on the guitar and it had a ton of scratches.

This write up will be what I did to take this guitar from where it was at and then get it up and running almost like new!!

The products and items I used to bring this bad boy back to life!!!

Strings

I used a set up Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinky's (These are roughly 9.99 a set) I know there are cheaper strings out there but I really wanted to dress this guitar up the best I can.




Cleaner













 Dunlop 65 cleaner is the best on the block and not very costly about 6.50 for a bottle that will last a very long time.



Fingerboard Conditioner













Dunlop's fingerboard conditioner is great stuff and only roughly 3.99 a bottle what will last a long time. (Check before you use on maple fretboards)



Finger ease














Finger ease is great for strings they lubricate the strings to keep rust off and coats the strings. I also use it in between conditions on the fretboard. This product is awesome also to use on the back of the neck to slick it up to take any drag out (Do not use on satin finish). Roughly 3.75 a bottle.


Dr Gooze Axe Wax











This is the best stuff in the world for small and light scratches and also waxes the body and leaves a nice shine. This is roughly 12 bucks.


String Winder













I will admit it I am lazy and this saves time only runs about 2 bucks.


Soft Cloth Rags











I usually buy these down at the local Napa and get a dozen for a few bucks. They are super soft and works great for guitars!


Trem Stopper

 This model of trem stopper be purchased for about 12 bucks. There are some bigger and more bold ones you can buy for more money but for the average trem this one works just fine for the musician on a budget.

You will also need the normal guitar tools from allen wrenches and screwdriver and needle nose pliers.
I first tore the guitar down to basically the body including taking the strings off and removing the tremolo.


 The first thing I put the trem stopper in the guitar

I then next cleaned the fretboard and conditioned it using the Dunlop cleaner and conditioner. I also check the nut cause gunk and dirt can build up in the nut what can cause some problems. I have a high tech way of cleaning the nut and a old luthier technique. I use a old toothbrush LOL yep I know really high tech huh BUT it works very well for cleaning the nut and even parts of the guitar like the bridge or small places. (Do not use toothbrush on body of guitar).

Since I have everything taken off the guitar I cleaned up the guitar and used the Dr Gooze Axe Wax on the guitar to make it pretty but also to remove most all the light scratches. ( I know there is a chance of getting a few prints on the guitar later on but will buff of really easy). I also like to run a bit of oil on the two contact points of the trem bolts where the trem will fit in the cavity of the guitar.













I put the tremolo back into the guitar after a through cleaning and adjusting. Adding the trem stopper will make it where the small plate that holds the springs in place cannot be used. In
25 years I have never had a spring come out of my trem so no worries. It is important to also get your trem set at the right height. I went to factory specs on this but your trem will be at the height you prefer for your guitar. After I am done I loosen the two screws going thru the claw plate one full turn. (You will see why in a second) Also the fine adjust screws should be right in the middle so minor tuning will be a breeze.













Time to put on the strings and make sure you stretch them really well I just use my hands but some people invest into a string stretcher.













I then tighten up my strings to snug a bit. Then I am ready to tune the guitar I always tune the guitar a step low so if I want to have the guitar in a standard E then I will tune the guitar to D. When I am done with this I turn the guitar over and them screws we already pre loosened now it is time for them to do there job. I use a screw driver and then tune the guitar screwing in them screws till I get to E standard (It takes a few min to do this but once you are there you will be right on the money). Then I put on the locking nuts and the back over the trem cavity.













I adjust the pickups to where they should be and then we are ready to remind the neighbors why they hate us so very much!!! It is really simple to do most of the maintenance on your guitar that even them that do not have much skill with a screwdriver can usually take care of things like this.

It is kinda hard to explain some of this so if you have any questions about your guitar or if you need help with your favorite axe feel free to contact us. We will do our very best to help out and even set up a skype session if possible to help even further. It is important to try to keep your strings clean to get the full life out of them. It is important to keep an eye on your fretboard and not let it get to dry also.

Swiss Picks

 Swiss Picks - All Models



I met Swiss Picks owner Pete Punckowski some time
ago and did not find out he was the owner of Swiss Picks
till recently. Pete is one of the nicest down to earth guys 
that truly loves his customers and loves to see and hear 
about there experiences with his picks. The entire design
is totally original with them looking like a piece of cheese
but they are designed to be so much more then a great gimmick. There is so many styles of picks on the market
today from big to small and thick to thin from rounded ends to very sharp ends. The materials used this day in age with picks is endless from some being made out of  metal and brass to plastics and even some rubber mixes. A guitar or bass players pick is almost as important as the guitar they play cause they can have a huge impact on the sound and speed a player can play at. Today we will be talking about the very original company Swiss Picks.






Features


Swiss Pick Original in thickness 55mm, 80mm and 1.10mm. These are the largest in the collection.

Sharp Cheddar Jazz Mini in thickness 1.30mm

Sharp Cheddar- Derlin and Rusty Cooley sig
 mini jazz 1.30mm

Sharp Cheddar in thickness 1.10mm, 1.50mm and 2.0mm





Sharp Cheddar Rusty Cooley Edition in 
Thickness 1.10mm, 1.50mm, 2.0mm






From the pictures posted they all look very similar but there is differences in each model to appeal to a different player.


Sound:
These picks themselves do not add sound but in there own way they kinda do. I noticed when I tried out each model that nailing harmonics was a total breeze and notes were very rich with tone cause a good pick is a tool to achieve the music you are looking for.


My opinion
I was really excited to try these picks out I have seen them around known a few guitar players that swear by them and I wanted to see if they was a real tool or just a great gimmick. These picks are the real deal and built strong to keep burning into the late night whether it be on a stage, jam room or studio. I have always had a problem with picks turning in my hand after a while what is a real pain in the ass but that problem was gone in a instant using these picks. They look like pieces of cheese but they have been designed that each whole and groove to help that player excel at playing. I have always had my personal favorite brands of picks but these have really made me rethink everything I thought I knew about picks and have convinced me to switch over to the swiss side of the force!!
My personal favorite picks out of all of them for playing guitar (They all was great picks) was the Rusty Cooley Jazz Mini, I have always preferred a smaller pick for guitar cause I can play a bit faster with them and more comfortable in my hand. I found for playing bass the original sharp cheddar picks really did the job for me they was well balanced and I was able to rumble the walls. I would recommend these picks for all styles of music from beginner to the most advanced player on the block. Swiss Picks are more then a tool they are the real cheese the whole cheese and nothing but the cheese so help me metal gods!!!!!


Contact Info Just Click Links
Swiss Picks Webpage
Swiss Picks Facebook Page

Vibramate V5 Standard

Vibramate V5 Standard

This day in age guitars are so much more then just wood with strings on them. There are so many upgrades you can do to make that certain axe in your life perform up to the level that is needed from jam rooms, studios to the grandest stages. The Bigsby tremolo is known all around the world and used in just about every style of music know to man. I was put in touch with Vibramate a few years ago when a fan of my work told me to check them out. I was first a bit on the fence with the products cause I did not want my guitar to be scratched or dented and I was worried that this product might somehow hurt or destroy some of my favorite axes. I wanted a model that I could put on many of my guitars and be able to take it off and have my guitar be as beautiful as it was before I added the device to it. Today we will be talking about
one of the many products that Vibramate does the V5 Standard with the String Spoiler.


Features
Base Mounting Plate
Base Mounting Screws (English or Metric Threads)
Front Mounting Screws
Rear Mounting Screws
String Spoiler (Optional Accessories)
(I also purchased my Bigsby from Vibramate but if you already have one there should be a model of Vibramate to suit your needs).


Sound
The Vibramate itself has no sound but it allows the Bigsby to be mounted to any Stopbar Tailpiece guitar (Check the charts on the Vibramate website to make sure this model fits your guitar there are many models you can choose from that will fit Tele's, V's, Arch tops and just about any other guitar you can think of). It sounded amazing on all the guitars I tried it on I could get that southern twang clear to dive bombs usually reserved for trems like the Floyd Rose.

My Opinion
Vibramate really has hit a home run with there products allowing a musician to be able to dress up there favorite guitar with a Bigsby and to be able to undress it at any time with no marks, dings, bings or scratches of any kind. I tried this on my Carvin Cs6, Gibson Les Paul, Ltd Eclipse, ESP Phoenix, Dean Cadillac with no problems or issues of any kind. It only takes a few minutes to change over (Might need a new set of strings cause it will take more string length). I recommend also to get the String Spoiler cause it makes changing strings a breeze and looks really cool to boot. The V5 is built using the highest grade aluminum on the market so it will not bend or break and hold the tension of the strings with ease. This is a remarkable product that I have used now for a couple of years and have fallen in love with it. If you check the website they have many other products also to upgrade other parts of your favorite guitar to make it the axe you have always dreamed of.

Contact: www.facebook.com/vibramate?ref=br_tf
http://vibramate.com

Chili Custom Guitars

Chili Custom Guitars

I met Horst from Chili Custom Guitars some time ago via Facebook and become good friends cause of both our passions for guitars and music.

Chili Custom guitars is out of Austria made with a one man operation with the finest materials known to man kind. Horst and Chili Custom Guitars is RBJ Spotlight Gear Maker for Oct 2014. I was honored to have him be a spotlight cause of not just his guitars but his willingness and passion to give musicians not just a guitar or tool of the trade but a piece of art like no other.This write up will be about my personal Chili
guitar that I call my Tigerbaby!!


Features
Walnut Body
Walnut Neck
Flame Maple Figured Top
Two Volume
Two Tone
Locking Tuners
Mother Of Pearl/Abalone Rectangle Inlays
Stop Bar Tail Peace Bridge
Three Way Toggle
Binding On Body & Neck
Two Humbuckers


Sound
The Tigerbaby has such a brilliant sound and tone from top to bottom. The Walnut wood in the guitar gives it so much more darker blend of tones what is perfect for just about all styles of music. The cleans are open and sparkle in the neck that almost sound acoustic. When I lean on the gain a bit it breaks up to give that southern blues and classic rock that musicians love. When I kick it into the bridge I can lay on the distortion and it sounds a lot like a Les Paul but with more natural tone and more of a bold feel. This is very similar to a double cut Gibson but has so much more balance and resonance. The Tigerbaby is a guitar that could work its way into any style of music you would want to play from country and blues up to hard rock and prog.

My Opinion
Horst over at Chili Custom Guitars has such a great eye for wood and design when it comes to guitars. When I first seen this guitar I fell in love with it because of the natural beauty of the flame top and the amazing inlays that are all hand done. Once I got this guitar into my hands it was love at first chord. I could not believe how light this guitar was considering walnut usually can make a guitar really heavy. I was simply blown away of how easy of a guitar this is to play and how well the balance was from top to bottom with this guitar. The neck is as smooth as butter and not to thick or thin what allows any player to easily run up and down the fretboard. When you get your Chili you will prob have a different experience cause you will have it built your way with the woods and set up you want cause Horst makes every guitar custom to the customers wishes.

When you buy from places like Chili Custom Guitars you are not supporting big box stores or a board of owners. The guitars are not made on a factory line you are supporting a single person that makes all the guitars by hand and it allows Horst to follow his passions what is making top of the line guitars one at a time!!

Contact: www.facebook.com/pages/Chili-Custom-Guitars/324692780908377

Sept 2014 Gear Spotlight Metal Shop Pedal Boards

      September 2014 Spotlight Gear Maker



   Metal-Shop Pedal Boards          
 It is amazing how a idea and a piece wood could spark something so amazing. Frank says that his first setup was ''Nothing Special'' but his friends all wanted him to build them one so then Metal-Shop Custom Pedal Boards was born. 
I got to know Frank (Owner) from Facebook when I come across his boards one day. I work in the gear world so I have seen just about every board and deck from just about every place there is and something stood out with his pedal boards to me. Metal-Pedals boards are top notch quality but what really stands out is the service after the sale and how one on one Frank is with his customers he has stayed grounded to his roots treating everyone like they are a ''Rock Star''.



Frank Says
 ''We've had the the pleasure of meeting so many great people. I still get giddy when we get contacted from the "Big Name " musicians. I'm still a fan & will always see myself that way. So when we get contacted by " the guy I just saw in concert the other night " & he's on the the phone asking me to build him something ... It's very surreal. It a great feeling to be recognized by people in this industry. We've evolved into something I didn't think was possible. Of course we still have a long road ahead of us but, It's been a hell of a ride so far & 
I am very excited about the future of Metal-Shop Pedal Board''. 



   

       Frank and I had a chat all about his products and how he got started!!


RBJ
Do you make just custom pedal boards or is there select designs for a customer to pick from?

FG
We have a few styles to choose from .. Our Metal-Shop style Case or the M.S Road Case .. Both styles come with "Standard Options ". We don't really have any particular sizes , mostly because everyone's setup differs so much . We have build few of the same size pedal boards but , each case is built specifically for the customers pedal setup . 
                   
RBJ
You also make Custom Decks and Road Cases are they also as custom as your pedal boards?

FG
Absolutely .. With the variety of gear that is on the market today , it's rare to see two musicians with the same set up . Whether it's rack mount , amps , mixers . Everyone's individuality stands out when it comes to their gear , so each case or deck has to reflect that & that's what we try to do here at M.S.P.B

RBJ
With the market this day in age where so many products are imported and made out of cheap plastic why did you take the high road.

FG  
I like to give my customers a quality product , I think they deserve it . Being a guitarist myself , I know what I want in a pedal board or a road case ... I don't like cheap , not when it comes to protecting my equipment . We spend a lot of our hard earned money on our gear & I want to know that it's safe .

RBJ
What is the turn around time from order to delivery on average (I know it can differ on how complex the model is)?

FG
The normal turn around time is about 3 weeks but if it's a complex road case , like a guitar tech cabinet that could be up to 5 weeks.

RBJ
You have worked with some amazing artists like Wayne Findlay tell us what that was like?

FG
It was probably one of the best days in my life hahahahaha... You have to understand first & foremost "I am still a fan ". Working with Wayne was an absolute pleasure . Having the chance to hang out at sound check & getting to know him , not just as the guitarist in MSG but also on a personal level ... That type of experience is what makes doing what I do worth everything single minute . 

RBJ
With so many Pedal Boards out there what really separates you from the pack.

FG 
Besides building killer Pedal Boards LOL .. I Would have to say personal service . I do like to interact with my customers . We go over every aspect of the Pedal Board or Road Case with them. We cover everything & take you through the process with us . Every few days we keep you up to date on the progress of your deck . We keep you in the loop with pictures & posts of your deck from start to when it's almost finished .... We leave the last few steps out , so when you get it it's still a surprise.

RBJ
I am sure you are a musician yourself since you make musician pedal boards, Tell us a bit about your own gear you like to use?

FG
I'm your typical gear guy . My wife always tells me " you don't need another guitar .... But hey she has 3 closets full of clothes & shoes ..... There's guitars an amps , efx , pedals , drums , keyboards everywhere hahahaha...I don't think there is a room in my house that doesn't have a guitar in it .... I do have a small recording studio . My main axes are my ESP & my Ibanez Blazer ( early 80's model ) & I run that through my boss super chorus , Godbox Tesla Crybaby & my trusty , couldn't live with out Zoom 1010 . That all runs directly into my console ..... Or if I'm lazy & just want to plug into an amp .. The Roland Micro cube works fine & it runs on batteries & it can go any where .

RBJ
Why pedal boards, Why not Making trumpets or flutes maybe a ice cream truck driver.

FG
One day I looked at my floor & my pedals were sitting there , wires all tangled up , & I couldn't stand looking at it any more so I built a pedal board ..it is a bit different from today's boards but, I still have that deck . It's a reminder of where it all started . I am very happy about what I have achieved so far. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings ... You can contact Metal-Shop Pedal Boards on our Facebook Page.
 

With high end enclosures and materials they are build like a tank to last many years of the rough life on the road or keep you totally organized in the studio.




 I see musicians every day spend over 2000 dollars on a great guitar and then again on the perfect amp but when it comes to accessories that really improve performance like a board they cheap out with a cheap big box store one. For not much more then the cheap import models you can have a full custom made pedal board hand made in the USA that is designed for your exact style and setup. Metal-Shop Pedal Boards might be a smaller company but that allows the one on one service that we all crave to have in our products. There is not many other board makers that can offer the quality and exact specs that Frank and his mighty boards can!! Do your rig a favor and get the best get a Metal-Shop Pedal Board!!!!! 

 You can contact  Metal Shop Pedal Boards here just click the links below
www.facebook.com/MetalShopPedalBoards  
http://www.metal-shop-pedalboards.com/  


You can also email Metal-Shop direct for any questions you might have. 
metal-shop-pedalboards@comcast.net

Many options to create your own masterpiece in a pedal board!! They offer multi color and layouts to meet even the most discriminating players dream board!!