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

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/

 

Tailpeace Dsignz - Tailpieces

Tailpeace Dsignz Tailpieces

I had a friend of mine send me a picture of a guitar that had a chrome snake tailpiece on his guitar and I knew that this was something unique. I did some looking around and met the owner Neal Gallop via Facebook and he explained the entire company out to me. I did my homework on the product talking to a few other guitar players that loved there Tailpeace so I knew I had to have one for myself. Something that really surprised me is that most of the profits made on these go straight to charity. Today we will talk about the Tailpeace Dsignz custom tailpieces. 




Layout & Features

Tailpeace makes four standard models the Snake, Bull Head, Cross and Skull. They are in multi different colors Chrome, Gold, Black, Nickel and Raw. They are made out of lightweight aluminum so they will not add weight to your favorite axe. These beauties will fit right into your stopbar tailpiece guitar like a Les Paul without any modifications or
tools needed. They float above your body of your guitar so no
scratches on that beautiful finish. I purchased a Gold Cross and put it on my Carvin Cs6 (There version of a single cut Les Paul). It only took me about ten min to install cause of the added length I had to change my strings (It was time to change them anyway). A very simple upgrade all the way around.

 
Sound
This is a upgrade but not to enhance your tone but I was very surprised when I installed this Tailpiece and I noticed a difference
in my sound. There was a noticeable difference in sustain and it added a bit of acoustic sound to the cleans. The heavy saturated leads really had more overall tone to them. As we know with like
brass blocks on a Floyd Rose Mass=Tone and adding this adds
a bit of enhanced sound. It really was a pleasant surprise cause it
was made for eye candy.


My Opinion
Neal really has come up with a great product that will really spruce up your favorite stopbar tailpiece guitar. It is a brilliant idea to make your guitar unique and separate you from the crowd. The Tailpeace looks really good under the lights on stage also. I am so impressed that most of the money goes to a charity so buying this not only makes your guitar look and sound better but you are helping out to make the world a better place. They are
very reasonable priced so any guitar player with a bit of scratch can
afford to dress there axe up. My Carvin Cs6 has never looked and played
better then it does with my Gold Cross Tailpeace.


Contact
www.facebook.com/TailPeaceDsignz 
http://tailpeace.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

Carvin - Ultra V Classic Reissue

Carvin Ultra V Classic Reissue
Carvin is a company that is really a do it all company that started with pickups over 60 years ago making the Kiesel a house hold name. I first got my taste with Carvin about 5 years ago when I was hanging out with a good friend of mine and I told him ''I am looking for a different sound''. My friend went in his back room and brought out this Carvin V guitar from the 80's and told me to take it home for the weekend. This guitar looked like it was ready for the scrap yard not my studio with more dings and bings and rust on the knobs and bridge. I took this guitar home and plugged it into my Marshall stack and my jaw about hit the floor I had not played a more cool V in my life the tone was amazing and it played like a dream. I at the time was playing single cut guitars for the most part like Les Pauls so I orderd a Cs6 and the rest is history for me. Today I would like to talk about the V Reissue from the legendary company Carvin!!
Since Carvin is a Custom Shop your guitar or bass may differ from the specs you choose.

Layout & Features
Alder Body
Flamed Maple Neck
25'' Scale
Plain Maple Top
Ebony Fretboard
Abalone Square Inlays
24 Jumbo Frets
Master Volume & Tone 3 Way Selector With Coil Tap
Original Floyd Rose Tremolo
C22 Covered Pickups
Carvin Locking Tuners


Sound
This guitar is oozing tone from the great tone woods Carvin put on this to the great C22 pickups that are standard for most models. Lets talk about the Carvin c22 pickups first, These are great all around pickups that are made in house with 22 pole pc's that have no drop out and can get sparkling cleans to down right distortion and really has a great sustain for them melodic leads these pickups are standard on most models. I can use this guitar for a full set of styles cause of the versatility of the guitar from blues to metal with the use of the coil tap it really opens up for limitless tones and possibilities. The Floyd Rose Original is top of the line what has never failed me for the heavy chunking whammy's we all love to play to get that chop effect or squeals or add tons of difference in leads.


My Opinion
Carvin Reissued this guitar cause lets face it V's are damn cool and this one is really right on with any V on the market today. The neck is smooth and extremely comfortable one of the best I have ever played in my life not to thick or thin. This guitar has the four main features that make a V a killer guitar 1. Weight-It is light on the shoulder so no shoulder damage. 2. Tone- This guitar is a blues, rock, classic rock, metal, prog metal, pop rock, industrial, thrash guitar all wrapped up in a pretty purple package. 3. Looks-  No one makes them quite like they do from the heel to the offset that is backwards from most offset V's, It has that madman taking stage look! 4. Playing Comfort- This guitar is not a cheap made guitar it is made to not just sound good but for total comfort, it is a 2 hour at a time guitar that will not leave you feeling fatigued. I own a storage full of guitars and this one is not only one of my favorite V's of all time but one of my favorite guitars. With all Carvin guitars your experience will be different then mine cause you will design your own guitar with your own features with a 10 day money back guarantee and a 5 year warranty for any defects in craftmenship. They are all made in the USA in there shop in California using the best equipment on the market and honestly one of the best customer service departments. If the V is not your flavor then you are in luck they make about every body style you would ever want just check there website!!!

Contact
https://www.facebook.com/carvinguitarsofficial
http://www.carvinguitars.com/

This Video Is Not Me Nor My Carvin V Just Thought It Was A Really Cool Video Of Another Satisfied Carvin V Owner!!!!!!!