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!! 

 

Flying V Leather Acc

Flying V Leather Acc

This day in age there is so many companies offering aftermarket
products for musicians. From tuners, straps, picks, braces, upgrades and on and on that it is sometimes hard to know what is good and what is made well. When it comes to being a musician it is like most things that you can spend as deep as your wallet wants to go on some really fancy items. So many musicians choose leather straps over nylon or other materials cause of the comfort and styles that can be made from it. Flying V Leather Acc is a company that will make just about anything out of leather (Depending on how deep your wallet wants to go) Straps, V Rests, Braces, Drum Bags and with new products on the way. 


Instead of the normal review I am going to break down the products I
own from Flying V and what separates them and why they are great
products. 

1. V Rest

The V Rest is a great product that allows the V guitar players to have a hands free approach to playing there favorite V. It is pretty simple basically you put the fin of your V into the bucket end of the V Rest and the rounded end goes on your leg. It is kinda the same feel as taking your favorite strat and balancing it on your leg and playing. Flying V offers these for all V guitars and if you per chance come across a really crazy one off then a Custom one can be made. They are light weight and can fit in your favorite gig bag or case and do not cost much at all so anyone can afford them.


2. RR Pro Series Strap

Flying V makes this strap to pay tribute to one of
the greatest guitar players in the world. This strap is 
recreation of the late great Ozzy guitar player that uses
the highest grade leather and handcrafting available and hand
driven studs. You can order it in different widths and lengths
to adjust to the size of the player. This is one of my favorite 
straps I own it is really comfy and looks great on any stage or
jam room. This is build like a tank and beautiful from top to bottom!


3. Wrist Brace

This is a simple but very effective wrist brace that is great for looks
or for the player that needs a bit of support on there playing arm. High
end leather and two buckles allow for total comfort. The chrome and black
look is always just rock n roll. Flying V has some you can choose from or
you can design your own style or add or take away anything you choose to
make it perfect for your comfort.



4. Wrist Brace

I had Matt make up this brace cause of a accident at work some years ago that totally messed up my wrist and I need tons of support but also allowed to have it be tightened down in different spots to allow me to still play guitar. I had him keep it simple cause sometimes less is more but the chrome buckles look amazing cause black leather is always in season. If you can dream it then Matt can build it!!! This is a brace I wear almost all the time now cause I have cannot live without it. 




5. Guitar Strap

I went to Flying V when Carvin Guitars was making me a custom guitar that was really flashy (DC400A Orange To Purple Burst Over Quilt). I told Matt that I wanted this strap to go hand in hand with the guitar with colors and have my name on it. Matt said ''No problem Jon if you can dream it I can make it''. This is actually very simple strap (Exactly what I wanted) that is hand made and hand colored with my name printed on in orange. This strap is amazing and very comfy to play it supports the most heavy guitar without making my shoulder tired.



My Opinion

I have owned and or played over 100 straps in my 25 years with a guitar or bass strapped to my body. I have owned more brands then I can even remember. I have had a few wrist braces also but never was able to get someone to build me one with there own two hands to fit me perfect. Matt over at Flying V Leather Acc is at the front of quality and takes each customer one on one to make sure they get exactly what they want. He has great service after the sale if you do not get what you was hoping to get. Build times can be a bit lengthy but that is cause he is making them by hand one at a time by himself.  The V Rest is one of the coolest must have products for the V player since the actual V itself. It allows you to push them long sessions without having to wear a strap and be in total comfort. I have another strap being made for my VG Guitars Phoenix guitar (I did a talk about it in a earlier session) that is going to have everything but the kitchen sink on it that only Matt can do. The prices are amazing and the products are all hand made in the USA so there is no going wrong with this company.

Contact Info

www.flyingvleatheracc.com
www.facebook.com/TheFlyingVLegRest

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