Dean Micheal Schenker V

Dean Micheal Schenker V

I got a letter from a reader a while back asking me not only about a nice V for under 800 bucks but also asking if I had played or owned one of the Micheal Schenker V's from Dean.


Dear Jon

I am a huge fan of Micheal Schenker from back to the old UFO days. I have been playing guitar for five years now and was wondering if you had played the Dean signature MS guitar? If not could you help point me in the right direction of a V that is in the 800 dollar or less range?
                                                                                            
                                                                             Rachel (San Diego California)

When Micheal Schenker was born in Jan 1955 he had no clue he would make such a impression on millions of guitar players around the world. He has graced the stage under so many banners from Scorpions, UFO, MSG and his solo material. He is known for playing V's and most of them with the white and black of some form almost a Yin & Yang feel to them. Micheal was known for his Gibson V's and some still feel his place is among the guitar giant. Micheal started working with Dean guitars sometime ago not only putting a fresh face on his signature V guitars but also helping design the pickups that grace these axes. My personal favorite out of the line was the flame MS signature and I bought one a while back to add to my ever growing collection of V's.


Features

Top: Mahogany
Body: Mahogany
Scale Length: 24-3/4 inch
Nut Width: 1-11/16 inch
Neck: Set Mahogany C Neck
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays : Pearl Block
Tuners : Grover
Hardware : Chrome
Bridge : Tune-O-Matic
Pickups: USA DMT Michael Schenker Lights Out
Graphic: Black and White Custom Flame Graphic
Case: Hardshell Case Included


Sound

Schenker had a direct effect not on just the woods but the actual guts of this beast with helping of the Lights Out Schenker sig pickups. This Mahogany loaded beast has all that classic rock brilliance so many of us cheer for. This guitar is basic in setup but loaded with tone and sustain for days. I was able to back off the neck pickup and have that robust full sounding blues and clean that guitars three times this cost cannot effectively get. When lighting up the neck pickup I could get them singing ballad leads to the snarling rock leads Schenker is known for without much effort. The bridge pickups is a great southern rock to a balls out hard rock beast. I found that using the tone and the volume knobs (depending on the setting) could really sculpt out sounds easily instead of reaching for the amp. I could not quite push this guitar into the hardcore or death metal arena without adding a pretty heavy distortion from a pedal but all in all this is a stellar bad ass sounding guitar that is brilliant, bold and simply bad ass!!!!


My Opinion

This guitar looks huge from the bottom of the Flying V to the reversed V headstock. I was shocked on how light the guitar was and holding it for long periods of time did not take a toll on my back or shoulder. This guitar is a breeze for them long nights in the studio and has the looks for them long stage sessions that will leave the crowd head banging and pointing on how damn cool it looks!! This is a jack of almost all trades guitar that anyone from blues to hard rock can easily adapt this axe into there rig cause of the dependable build and the looks of some of the most sought after axes of all time. Micheal would not have stuck his name on this guitar unless it was anything less then perfect. This is about the import version of this guitar cause after playing but the USA and the import version of this guitar I could not tell enough of a difference to shell out the 2 or 3k more for it. The hardshell case that comes with it is form fitted and built like a tank to protect your new V and keep it looking brand new for many years!!! I think anyone who tries this axe will fall in love with it as much as I have!!!


www.deanguitars.com

Carvin Bromberg B25 Bass

Carvin Bromberg B25 Bass



Carvin has been a household name for 60 plus years now going back almost four generations of family owned and operated making some of the finest guitars, basses, amps, pro audio on the market today. Carvin and Brian Bromberg set out on a musical journey a while back making his signature line of basses from four and five string with a unlimited amount of options. I am known for being more of a metal player so looking into a jazz bass was a little bit out of the ordinary but being such a fan of Bromberg and his style I had to take the leap on the five string version. I set it up a bit more as a metal bass on the options for me personally but the sky is the limit when it comes to all Carvin basses. Lets take a look what this bass is all about!!!!

 
Standard Features

Construction - Neck Through
Scale Length - 34''
Body - Alder (Optional Flame and Quilt Top)
Neck - Maple
Fretboard - Ebony 14'' Radius
Inlays - 12th Fret Abalone Bromberg Inlay
Neck Width 1.75'' Wide @ Nut, 3.0'' Wide @ 24th fret
Hardware - Chrome
Bridge - Hipshot A-Style Wish .75 String Spacing & String Through
Tuners - Carvin Premium Tuners 20:1 Ratio
Frets - 24 Medium Jumbo
Pickups RJ2 Radius Top Alnico Single Coils
Electronics - 18v Active, Volume, Pickup Blend Stacked Concentric Mid Frequency and Sweep, High Impedance Circuitry With Active Volume Pot 



Sound

The sound on this bass with the massive controls is extreme and brilliant with options to be able to dial in any and every sound under the rainbow. I love the sustain this bass has it is beyond anything out there. Brian and Carvin really has really done this bass the right way. The controls take a bit to get use to cause it is not set up like so many with a single volume and tone but once you get them figured out everything from that old school fender to the new school active is within your reach. I was lucky enough to run this bass into two of Carvin's own amps the combo b10 and the bx500 half stack to get a feel on both fronts. The first thing I noticed is running the EQ on the amps was all but not needed I 12 o clocked them on both amps and the tone was still bright and warm with brilliant sounds. The most important thing to remember is your bass will differ tons from mine cause you will be building your own bass. (My personal bass is even different then the standard features but we will get into that in a second). 



My Opinion

Carvin sets out to set them apart from the rest not just on amazing prices but by options that you will not find on any street corner. They want when you get a guitar or bass with your hard earned money that it will be more then just a one trick pony and you can use it for many styles and genres on many fronts from the stage to the studio. The Bromberg bass is not just a good looking bass with a very almost flame flowing luster but is the most balanced bass I have ever used. I can just set the bass on my knee and it stays there so playing without a strap is easy for them long nights in the studio or late night jam sessions. The neck is a bit thick for a five string but the neck is very smooth and easy to play. The radiused pickups from the standard single coil to the optional humbuckers are amazing and well thought out. They allow all the strings to ring through and be well balanced with no drop out like some basses with flat pickups can do. I would recommend this bass to them that play all genres if you take the time and have it built with the options you desire.


My Personal B25 (These are the different options I have on mine then the standard features)

Radius Humbuckers
Mother Of Pearl Diamond Inlays
Deep Flame Maple Top 
Moss Green Paint
Upgraded Nut
Dunlop Straplocks
These allowed me to enjoy a jazz style bass but be decked out as more of a rock and metal bass.

                       Video of Brian Bromberg Talking about his signature Carvin Bass!!!

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

LTD-MW-Skull Wilton Signature

LTD-MW-Skull

LTD is owned by ESP it is basically the Epiphone to Gibson. LTD has been known to make some amazing guitars at prices that most any musician at any skill level can find that perfect guitar to suit there needs. I personally own a handful of LTD guitars and I have never had a issue with them in any way form or function. For them that are still unclear it is basically Epiphone to Gibson guitars. I have always said there are three kinds of guitar player in the world 1. The guitar player that will not play anything but high priced Gibson's or Paul Reed Smith priced guitars or hand made super expensive ones cause they honestly feel and think it means the guitar will play better. 2. The guitar player that looks for feel and sound and plays a guitar cause they love them no matter the price whether it be high or low. 3. The guitar player that is a looking for low end guitars to do minor upgrades to get the most of out a little. Today we will talk about the Queensryche Wilton signature model.


Features

Construction-Bolt On
Scale-25.5
Body-Alder
Neck-Maple
Fingerboard Radius-350mm
Finish-Black/Skull Graphic
Nut Width-42mm
Nut Type-Locking
Neck Contour-Thin U
Frets/Type-22 XJ
Tuners-Grover
Bridge-Floyd Rose
Neck Pickup-Seymour Duncan Sh-1
Bridge Pickup-Seymour Duncan TB-4
Electronics-Vol/Tone/3-Way Switch


Sound

This guitar by LTD is a great all around guitar that can do the beautiful full bodied cleans clear up to the hard rough edged metal that Queensryche has been known for. This is a import guitar but has all the uptown features to give you any sound you are really looking for. I spent time playing this guitar into many amps and configurations and found that there was no sound I could not get from this axe. Wilton made sure if he was going to sign his name on the headstock that this guitar better be able to put up with nightly gigging and studio work and come out smelling like a rose. I found that this guitar shined the hardest with getting the 80's metal sound to a early thrash sound. This guitar is a jack of all trades with humbuckers style guitar. I did notice that this guitar really did not quite satisfy my blues and single coil strat needs but honestly I doubt anyone buying this will be for that style of music. This guitar is as solid and stable as any guitar you will own will be from top to bottom!!


My Opinion

If you cannot afford a 2000 dollar guitar or if you are a guitar player that does not think you need to pay four months rent to get a guitar this might be the one for you. The street price for this guitar is right around 700 bucks and it is loaded with a full on Floyd Rose and actual Seymour Duncan pickups that even the highest end guitars are loaded with. The neck on this guitar is insane smooth making shredding a ease. Alder wood is such a great all around wood that so many of the highest end guitars are made and sounds amazing on this guitar. Every one of my friends that jam usually pick this guitar up first cause of not only how cool it looks but know that Micheal Wilton is a guitar god and is not going to allow anyone to tag his name to junk. The inlays on this guitar are beautiful with the Queensryche logo and diamonds in the upper frets. This guitar does not have any binding on it but I usually am not a fan of binding anyway. I would recommend this guitar to anyone that loves a full bodied guitar that will sound and look good and command the attention of the crowd in any show you do!!!


Contact
http://www.espguitars.com/
www.facebook.com/espguitars

Carvin - UX16 UHF Wireless Receiver & Body Pack Transmitter

Carvin UX16 UHF Wireless Receiver & Body Pack 

When people usually think about Carvin, Guitars is what usually comes to mind. The company that is in its fourth generation started out winding pickups but now does guitars and basses, guitars and bass amps, live sound, guitar kits, effects, wireless and so much more. I am such a huge fan of Carvin cause they are not in big box stores they do not sell out like so many do to the import market and you can get custom gear for half the price or less  then the average Gibson or Paul Ree Smith with as much if not more quality and more service after the sale. Today we are not going to be talking about the guitars or amp side.
We are actually going to talk about the UX16 UHF Wireless Receiver & Body Pack.


Layout & Features
The UX professional wireless systems are built to last. 16 channels offer the freedom of running multiple systems simultaneously - no more buying one frequency systems that you have to specify each frequency. Rack mount one or two UX systems together with the optional UX-DR rack mount chassis. The UX-MC hand held system utilizes our finest CM68 element for crisp hi-end with a smooth bottom-end. Our latest dual AA batteries technology replaces the old 9V battery system lasting up to 25 hours without changing, and the PLL (phase lock loop) engineering uses UHF technology (ultra high frequencies) to assure the signal carrier is locked-in for up to 300'. Dual Diversity receivers automatically switch to the best signal path so you don't get drop-outs. Full bandwidth with less than .5% THD delivers impeccable sound that even the high priced systems lack.
 
Frequency Response: -3db @ 40 Hz & -10db @ 30 Hz (suitable for guitar, bass or similar instruments)
S/N ratio: 100dB
Wireless frequency: 692 - 697.975 Mhz
Audio Input: 600 ohms XLR
Stability: ±.005%
Freq. stability: ±0.005%
Crystal Controlled
Powered by AC/DC power adapter (provided)
Dimensions: 8.701" wide x 1.575" high x 5.984" deep

The body pack can be used for a Lavalier mic, Headset mic or Guitar/Bass.


Sound
The UX16 setup has a crystal clear sound and clarity that us guitar players really need. It does not add any sound itself to take away from your treasured tone. I do not have any pops or clicks that some cheaper systems will do. I have actually had it set up in my basement walked up the stairs across the kitchen and on out the garage went two houses down and still had total clarity and response (Had windows open and my Carvin V3 full stack playing but had a mic rigged up so I could play it back to make sure no cut outs or clips or pops).


My Opinion
There are so many wireless systems out there some that have more features (Carvin offers systems that have more features then this model) and also that can cost a truck payment. This model is a great wireless for the gigging, touring, studio, jamming musician that wants top of the line but does not want to pay a outrageous price to get it. With the 16 channels you will never be in a position to not be able to use it or have interference. If you are in need of more then one wireless you can get two and the Carvin mounting kit and only use one rack space so it is not big and bulky. Carvin offers a 90 day warranty with it in case you might have problems with it (Not Going to happen) and also they have the best customer service I have ever dealt with (I had a guitar one time get delivered with a chip in it and they took care if it with lightning speed). You will not go wrong with this unit I use it constantly and have for a while now and it has never failed me!!!

Contact:
carvinguitars.com 
www.facebook.com/carvinguitarsofficial 
www.facebook.com/carvinaudio/timeline 

There is a great video on the Carvin Guitar Website that you can watch by clicking this link! http://www.carvinguitars.com/products/UX16-BP

Conquest Cables Guitar Cable

Conquest Cables OPI 10' Custom Shop Cable

This day in age it always frustrates me when I see a guitar player that has a 2500 dollar Paul Reed Smith guitar and a 2400 dollar Marshall amp and then they buy a 7 dollar cable and wonder why there sound is a bit off.

Larry Spalla and his company Conquest cables has gone up and beyond to take care of the musician making hundreds of different cables all hand made in the USA with using the best materials on the market not skimping on anything to deliver musicians a product that can compete and devour products up to three to four times the price. Conquest also makes custom cables for the musician or studio that needs something special. 

I have got to know Larry and his passion for the little guy is amazing and his products are even better!! Today we will talk about the OPI Custom Shop Guitar Cable. 

 

Layout & Features

4 Conductors

24ga with 41x40 in each .995 pure (When the conductors are combined the actual gauge becomes 18 and the actual strand count is 41x164)

Effective conductor (copper) O.D IS .44

Shield Coverage is 95% of tight angle braided T.C .995% pure

conductor resistance: 6.39 ohms per 1,000

Shield Resistance: 3.958 Ohms per 1,000

Capacitance: 29 pf/ft

Overall O.D. is .245 of specially constructed PVC

1/4 Nickel Phone Plug

10' long

 

Sound 

The technical specs can be really confusing to most musicians that are simply just looking for something that sounds really good. I tried this cable out with a Gibson Les Paul Classic, Gibson Sg Standard, Carvin Dc400a, Carvin Cs6, Dean Micheal Schenker V, Ltd Wilton signature, Schecter Hellraiser Solo 6 guitars. I also bounced with amps using a Carvin V3, Carvin V3m, Mack Gem, Crate Blue Voodoo, Marshall Jcm 800 and 900 heads. I wanted to really try this cable out with multiple setups to see how it would handle with high gain to country style sounds and settings. The Conquest cable is quiet with no pops no hisses and super quiet. I also compared the Conquest to four other brands (Will not name brands) hooked up into a recording unit to check the measurable background noise it made. The conquest was almost nothing at all while all four of the other cables you could see the background noises and pops coming into the recording unit. I noticed something that honestly I did not think was possible when I was trading in and out the other four cables against the Conquest cable, My overall sound was clearer and brighter. I had never heard in the 25 years I have been playing that a cable had the way to not only be quiet and quality but actually make your sound better. 

 

My Opinion 

Conquest has really taken steps to make sure that the hand made cables they make are not just another company. When it comes to your sound you really do not need to cheap out with a poorly made import cable when for about the same price you can have a Custom Shop cable that will not only last you a lifetime but also give you a better tone. Conquest has a lifetime warranty for all there cables what is a very cool feature that so many cable companies would not even think about doing. If you are a musician that has to have all the crazy gear out there and need something that is not a standard cable they make then just contact them they will make it for you for a price you can afford. Conquest is the oldest cable maker in the United States and not just made for the pro musician they are made for everyone!!! 

 Contact 

Facebook Link  

http://conquestsound.com/

 

Select A Head - Custom Drum Heads

Select A Head Drum Heads  


I got turned on to this company a while back cause I am such a huge collector of Rock N Roll items and a avid collector of any and all guitar and bass gear. After a few talks to the owner of the company I was totally sold on how these products are made. I was on the website and was totally blown away with the college teams and bands that have given there names to the company to use there names and album covers. I had to pick out one of my all time favorite bands that helped carve out the thrash and metal genre that started back in the 80's and still releasing albums and touring up to today Metal Church!!


Layout & Features

Width 23''

Depth 5''

Weight 8lbs

Chrome lugs & Bass drum claws

Black drum head, hoop & shell

Band, College Team or your custom graphic on head


Sound

These are not meant to be played these are for being hung up on the wall and or used for promotion of your product or band. The drum head can be played or used if put into your drum kit with your custom graphic.


My Opnion

Select A Head has really come up with a great product whether if you are a fan of music or college sports and want to show your colors. They also offer custom heads if you own a company or in a band and want your logo and or band name on the drum head. While the head is for display purposes they take a extra measure laminating the decals providing a UV protection and helps with scratches and scuffs for them that want to play it. This product is solid as a tank and top notch components to make it a product that will be around for a very long time whether you are hanging it on the wall or having fun pretending to be your favorite drummer. This is a great product for the musician or music fan in your life or maybe your favorite drummer!!! I will be a fan for a very long time and maybe we will be seeing the Reviews By Jon custom one made up in the future!!!

Contact
www.facebook.com/selectahead
selectahead.com

Re-Axe Products - The Axe-Handler

Re-Axe Products Axe-Handler

 I met the guys from Re-Axe for the first time on the side of the road and did a interview for a radio show I was doing at the time. I can honestly say Jeff Cutler is one of the most genuine, honest, down to earth people you will meet that truly cares for people in a way I almost never see anymore from business people. The American company is based out of Arizona with there Axe-Handler being there top product also there gearbox is a great tool for musicians on the move and a great
acoustic guitar pick with many more products on
the way. Re-Axe makes products to make the 
musicians life better with well thought out 
products in a price range even the starving musician can afford.
Today we will talk about the mighty Axe-Handler!
Layout & Features
There is two versions of the Axe-Handler ''The Original'' and ''Strings Out''.  The Original works by using the fretboard to sit right in the small C in the Axe-Handler that is set on any flat surface from your cab, combo amp, table or any other surface. The Strings Out works in the same aspect but instead of having the guitar leaned with the face of it inward you turn your guitar around like more of a standard guitar stand. The product is heavy enough that your guitar will not slip out of it from normal use or vibrations of cranking your amp on a
heavy vibration stage or jam room. The Original also has a small open on the top great for your guitar picks or loose change. Both of these products are small and light weight that can fit into any guitar case or gig bag for a instant guitar stand on the go from jam rooms, stage, studio or just showing off your favorite instrument.

My Opinion
Re-Axe products has not just made another ''Guitar Stand'' they have totally reinvented it from the ground up. I have three of these that I use on a daily basis from Jam room, studio and bedroom playing. I have never once had the product fail on me or my high priced guitars that I would not trust anything else to keep them from losing a headstock. I honestly do not think for under 20 bucks you can find a better product that will do everything the Axe-Handler will. This gets rid of the bulky overpriced tube guitar stand that has been littering jam rooms and stages since the guitar was first invented and gives you the freedom to never be without a guitar stand. If you also are a company that likes the Axe-Handler then Re-Axe Products can make up a custom run of these bad boys with your company logo or band name and or logo. They do not deal with big box companies giving the mom and pop shops the exclusive selling rights or you can buy them for the same price right off the website.

Contact Info
http://axe-handler.com 

www.facebook.com/ReAxe 

 

 

 

EarCandy Cabs 2x6

EarCandy Cabs
EarCandy is located in Valparaiso Indiana the owner Tim has a very passionate work ethic in making the best in guitar and bass cabs. I think people underestimate what a great guitar cab can do for there overall tone. Tim will take your ideas and wishes and turn it into a cab of your dreams. He has is patent way of making cabs sets him way apart from the Marshall, Mesa, Peavey etc cab you have been using. Tim is the nicest guy you will ever meet and make your tone his top priority in the making of your new cab.

Layout & Features
 ¾” AAA White Birch Wood Cabinet
Pat pending Twin ported baffle 
Steel Circle Grills
All steel hardware
Steel top strap handle
Point to Point hand wired with silver solder
Wired with 14 gauge OFC professional grade speaker wire
Steel reinforced Rubber feet
15 pounds, 15.5” wide x 10” tall x 8” deep
This cab is 60 watts at 4 ohms

 Sound
Do not let size fool you on this tiny cab this is a dynamite comes in small packages style of guitar cab. I will admit at first look I was scared it would be all highs with the 6'' speakers but it will keep with the best of them on aggressive lows, chunky mids, crystal clear highs. The twin ported baffle system really takes this cab into tonal directions I do not get out of some 4x12's I have used in my life. The speakers do not fuzz out with higher volumes and it is a great all around speaker for all genres from country to metal.

My Opinion
This is so much cab in such a little space from stage to studio this cab will drive your tone into directions you never thought about. EarCandy will make you a much bigger cab loaded with any speakers you want and any theme, tolex, colors, design your imagination can take you. I was looking for a light small cab with a big voice that I could toss into my truck for jam sessions to save space in the studio and not give up quality like some speaker cabs are at this price range. I have seen so many musicians put little stock into there cabs taking whatever companies throw at them or the local guy at the Guitar Center tells them to take. I see musicians spending 5000 dollars on a guitar and then just use any cab and cannot figure out why there sound is a bit dry. EarCandy is the real deal and I will have one of there cabs in my rig cause when it comes to my tone I cannot expect nothing but the very best!!!

Contact
http://earcandy.com/    

Warlord Custom - The Switch

           Warlord Custom Effect Pedals

Warlord Custom is a hand built custom effect pedal company from Greece. I met the owner George Liagas some time ago via social media I fell in love with his passion and designs instantly. George has been pushing into many different directions then just effect pedals working on different amps and just added the Geoge Karafotis Signature Distortion Pedal. This day in age it really is hard to know good versus bad when it comes to effect pedals. There is a insane amount of companies making pedals along with so much guitar gear so much of it is made in countries I cannot pronounce with terrible parts and plastic casings. Warlord reigns up in the top of the top with quality, sound, design and service after the sale. I have got to know George and he is different then so many of the gear makers out there cause his passion and love is driven by his designs and
his love for gear and others. This pedal is not for making sounds it is for driving amps and guitars case in point two guitar amps with one guitar or two guitars with one amp.

Layout & Features
This pedal is straight up and yet very effective with two foot switches. The side has for one input or two inputs and two outputs or one output depending on how you are setting up. A plug in for your pedal board rounds of ''The Switch''.

Sound
This pedal is extremely quiet unlike so many name brand and imported switching or A/B pedals. This pedals has no hum, hiss, click and to my to my surprise both channels are at the same sound. This is one of the times that no sound is actually a very great thing!!!

My Opinion 
The switch from Warlord Custom is a great pedal that really does exactly what it is supposed to. I can run two guitar amps at equal volume or two guitars into a single amp depending on your needs for the show or studio. What makes this pedal so much different then many others I have owned tried or seen in live setups is the extreme quiet of this pedal when clicking from amp A or amp B or having amp A & B going at the same time it is super quiet non hiss non click coming thru the speakers. This pedal will do nothing for your sound unless figuring that having two amps going whether you are setting up the now very popular wet/dry, heavy medium heavy low end, clean amp dirty amp, or having two guitars set up into a single amp for a easy transition. I love what this pedal has opened up for me as a musician and I would recommend it to anyone looking to take there depth a bit further with there tone.

Contact
guitarpedals.eu 
 https://www.facebook.com/warlordcustom 

   

VG Guitars - Phoenix V

VG Guitars
I first met the owner of VG Guitars on Facebook (A very mild mannered down to earth guy by the name of Chris Conrad a couple years ago). I loved the classic looks of the guitars and basses he had made from Les Paul and SG copies to beautiful Strats and Basses. I originally had talked to Chris about possibly making me a guitar made from Swamp Ash a lighter wood for a very light guitar (This was right after I had my massive heart attack). After much talking back and forth and passing ideas back and forth we started a journey on another guitar. When the metal gods speak you must listen and between a mill messing up and stealing our design and flooding in Colorado to a musician chipping a huge piece out of it we went back to the drawing board and out of the ashes of our mistakes and others come this beauty we deemed our ''Phoenix''.

Layout & Features

Maple neck, mahogany body, ebony fretboard, mother of pearl diamond inlays, 3 way toggle, 2 toggle switches, 1 volume, 2 tone, stopbar tailpiece, Dimarzio Chopper, Super Distortion, D Activator pickups, locking tuners.
The toggles allow for coil tapping and more flex to change pickups to active to make for more combination of sounds.
               


Sound
The term of ''Jack of all trades master of none'' is so not this guitar it really is the ''Jack of all trades and mastered them all''. There is usually no comparison of a custom made guitar to your exact specs to a stock off the shelf guitar. This guitar is a Strat, Tele, Les Paul, Sg, Firebird, Jackson, Esp, all wrapped up into a ball of fury that when I first plugged it in took flight over my soul. The ability to combine subtract and use the pickups in any configuration buckered or singled out really gives this guitar such a unfair advantage over any guitar I have ever played. When I use the Chopper (Bumblefoot's favorite pickup) and turn the tone way down I get the sweetest smoothest cleans I have ever heard and add some sweet tube infused distortion and the leads I get are articulate, brilliant, smooth and robust. The Super Distortion has graced more guitars then a buffets have rednecks so it really was a no brainer to add this pickup to the center to give me that classic rock of the Ace Frehley. I really had to think long and hard about the bridge pickup and what to use (I am a metal player by trade) I was a bit nervous not have really used Dimarzio's before but wanted to go all in and take a chance and after being on the Dimarzio website looking at all the high output pickups I knew I had to go with the D activator. I know Dimarzio makes higher output pickups then this but you can also get to much of a good thing and I was worried it would way over power the other two pickups but it is magically delicious. This guitar is quiet, loud, soft, brutal, heavy, coarse, classic and is a fire breathing guitar like nothing in the universe!!!!! This guitar is tonally the full package in every way shape and form and I would trade half my collection before I would even think of parting with this musical masterpiece.

My Opinion
VG Guitar is not a household name in the guitar world chances are this is the very first time you have heard of them. Way over in Woodstock VA is a one man guitar maker that does not do this for money or fame or fortune he does it cause he honestly loves guitars, music and people. In a world that is over run by imports from places I cannot even pronounce, it is so refreshing that someone does this still the old fashion way of hand tools, love, blood, sweat and tears!! This V is raw and straight from the hip no flashy binding or pretty add ons it is a natural wood lovers paradise. I do have to confess this guitar is not 100% VG the neck was made by my good friends at Carvin Guitars and also there tuners and stop bar and tailpiece. The use of Carvin parts or hybrid was because of me I love the neck on my Carvin V and wanted a neck that was similar to it and I love there locking tuners but this write up is not about Carvin. I am not total savy with how guys like Chris work there magic but he took this neck and made it feel like silk or felt on a pool table it is smooth as a babies butt. I usually am not a huge fan of bolt on necks but after this guitar I will take a much closer look and not be so prejudice against them. I wanted to add also that originally this guitar was going to have a custom air brushed paint job of massive rolling flames like of a explosion but after I seen the grain of the mahogany I could not do it I felt it would have been a crime against nature. I have so much love for this company and what Chris does check them out for your classic guitar or something different.

Contact
https://www.facebook.com/VGGuitars 
               

NSX Engineering - Delay Pedal

NSX Engineering
Some time ago I was contacted by a friend and was told there was a new company hand making effect pedals. I contacted NSX Engineering cause I was excited cause gear makers are very far and few here in the valley.
NSX Engineering is from Idaho Falls Idaho with Nathan Slade at the helm taking a bit of a different take on full on hand wired all analog pedals. When Nathan and I talked on the phone it almost sounded way to good to be true a pedal of my choosing with the skin of my choosing all the entire way I want it for under a 100 bucks but he said that was totally how it would happen. I ordered a Delay pedal but wanted it worded really different so went with D-Laid and a orange simple skin on it. It took about a week and a half and then Nathan said it was ready so I made the hour long trip to Idaho falls and took a quick look around his setup. Nathan had some pedals that he made all setup and played a bunch of them from all styles some that had some of the most beautiful skins on them I had ever seen. Nathan's setup was everything I had hoped it to be from all the components and parts and a bit messy (I like messy). I got this pedal home and it was time to give it a whirl in my own settings and guitars.

Layout & Features
The pedal has three knobs Delay, Mix, Repeats and a toggle Infinity. The layout is basic with a In and Out and Infinity toggle with a simple switch on and off.

Sound
I honestly was not expecting a lot for 100 bucks with most import pedals being close to 200 and high end reaching 500 dollars but this pedal would give any boutique Delay pedal a run for there money. I can get that rich full sounding Pink Floyd sound to the Prog Metal sounds of Dream Theater without a lot of dialing. I could dial in them 80's leads clear to modern day shredding with a quiet on and off what really surprised me This Delay pedal really was bold when it needed to be and it was purring like a baby kitten when the music called for it. I used my Carvin V3 and V3m heads with it mixing it with the amps reverb and I was getting such beautiful sounds that a pedal costing three times the amount would only deliver. I can hear a change with  the Infinity toggle but have not really been in a situation that required me to change it back and forth cause I am getting all the sounds I need without it.   

My Opinion
This pedal can perform up with pedals costing three times or more and who does not like custom features on skin and name of the pedal. While talking to Nathan he was up for making new pedals and new designs of any kind shape or sound. It impressed me this day in age of having products made in other countries using sub par parts and made in huge patches that a person right here in the United States would offer such options and not take the rent money to do so. I would and will use and support this company cause not just cause of the amazing products but honestly Nathan is one of the nicest guys I have ever met and is willing to go up and beyond at a moments notice to keep his customers happy.

Contact
https://www.facebook.com/NSXmusicaltechnology