Guitar variety packs that are smart buys
You save cash buying these and at the same time discover new tones, so it's a win-win situation all around.
Picks and strings. Every guitar player buys these things. The problem is that when you want to try something different, money is wasted buying too much of something you may not like - unless you get a variety pack.
Variety packs are good buys for three reasons. First, they cost much less than buying each product individually. Second, even if you don't like everything in the pack, you'll at least find something you do like. Third, you may find something good enough to switch over to and then you can spend a little more on just that one thing.
Where strings are concerned, Ernie Ball is one of the few that does offer variety packs. They call theirs a Tone Pack, and offer this in both electric and acoustic versions.
Now to be clear, the Ernie Ball Tone Pack is not the same set of strings 3 times like what D'Addario offers. What you get is three different sets from the same brand. For example, in the 9-42 size Tone Pack set, you get a Super Slinky, Cobalt and M-Steel set. Three sets, same gauge. Each set has a different tone character and feel.
I do wish more guitar string companies would do this, because it's an excellent way to try out what the brand offers.
Where picks are concerned, there are several that offer variety packs, but one of the better ones is the Dunlop Variety pack.
What I like best about it is that it's not just one pick shape in one material using different thicknesses. With this pack you get picks in different shapes, sizes and materials. Included in the pack is delrin material (Tortex), delrex material (GatorGrip), round tip, pointed tip, plain grip, textured grip and more.
For as cheap (and it truly is cheap) as this pack sells for, you get a lot of different choices here, and that's the whole point of getting a variety pack. You want variety, and this pick pack delivers.
Lastly I'll say again that concerning string companies, more of them really need to start offering variety packs. Every string brand I know of offers different models of strings that are distinctively different from each other both in tonal character and feel. Offering 3-pack variety sets is just a really good idea. I'm glad at least Ernie Ball does it.
Ibanez has the best green of 2020 (so far...)
Green, as I've said before, is usually a terrible color for an electric guitar. But Ibanez actually made it work with this RG solid body.
Okay, technically the RG470MSP model is actually the color Turquoise Sparkle, as there is some heavy metallic flake going on with this finish. But I see green when I look at this guitar, and most likely so would you.
Is this guitar expensive? No. It's very nicely priced.
Does that mean the guitar is skimping on features? No. It does feature the Ibanez Wizard III neck, double-locking tremolo system, and Quantum pickups. And yes, that is body binding you see there too.
Ibanez is also one of those guitar makers that's able to make a maple fretboard look pretty darned good aside from Fender where the guitar looks correct.
Also notice that all the hardware matches. The tuners matches the bridge that matches the vibrato that matches the knobs that matches the pickup rings. In addition, the binding, pickup covers and pickup switch tip are all white and match - a detail other guitar makers would skip. Little details like that are just nice to see at this price point.
Yes, you could get a regular RG470. But this one is cooler.
Modern natural done right: Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK
Yes, there is such as thing as going with a natural-ish finish that's modernized, and Jackson has done it.
Why do I call a finish like this natural-ish? It's not 100% natural. Color is added, but the point is you can very prominently see the grain lines on both the body and headstock.
Take the Jackson Pro Series Dinky DK Modern Ash FR6 in "Baked White". Other colors are available with this Modern Ash treatment such as a hardtail in Baked Red, or 7-string versions in Baked Blue or Baked Green, but the Baked White is the best of the lot because it has that "ghostly" appearance to it that just looks cool.
This is an interesting take on the baking/burning process of a guitar body to bring out a different look. Baked wood is a relatively recent thing guitar makers have been doing, but ordinarily it's for 100% natural finishes only. The difference here with what Jackson did is the application of color with it.
The baked look fortunately carries over the entire body, meaning front and back, meaning it's not just some cheesy baked veneer.
I also like the fact this gives the guitar a different appearance without being stupid about it. Jackson didn't go "loud" with this and didn't have to, because the very prominent grain lines are more than enough to keep it interesting.
Said another way, I firmly believe this guitar look will stand the test of time. When you see this guitar 5 years from now or 10 or more, it will still look good. Jackson should make this a regular finish option on all their guitars.
D'Angelico Deluxe Atlantic is a crazy good value
If this guitar said "Gibson" on the headstock, it would be $8,000.
...but you won't believe how much less it sells for considering what you get.
Satin finish. Ebony fretboard. Seymour Duncan pickups. Full electronic complement with push/pull for coil tapping. Contour cut in the rear for greater comfort. C neck profile. Set-neck construction. Thin-but-not-too-thin body. Gold hardware everywhere. Binding everywhere. Crazy ornamentation for the fretboard inlays.
Wow, is this guitar packed with stuff, stuff and more stuff. You pretty much get everything and the kitchen sink with this axe.
To note, this guitar is also available in Vintage White, Natural Swamp Ash, Black, Hunter Green and Matte Wine, but the one in Matte Rose Gold seen above is the show stopper. That's the one that has, as far as I can tell, every premium option you can get.
I'm not saying this guitar is cheap, because it's not. But again, considering how unbelievably packed with features this axe has, the price is a total bargain.
Remember the Gibson Les Paul Supreme, as in the one that sold for over $5,000 back in the day? This D'Angelico Deluxe Atlantic is just as good as that was (if not better) and has basically all the same ornamentation the Supreme did along with more advanced electronics.
This is one to get for sure if you have the cash for it.
SX Liquid would be a great guitar...
...but it has one major thing against it.
Obviously, that thing is the body shape. The guitar just looks hideous. But it could be better.
What is the SX Liquid?
SX is a brand by Rondo Music, the same company that has the Agile, Hadean and Douglas brands among others.
Most of you who know SX are familiar with the Furrian (Telecaster copy) and Hawk (Stratocaster copy). Both of those are great.
What is the Liquid supposed to be? It's a Jazzmaster body shape with a huge chunk cut off the body. I've absolutely no idea why Rondo decided to make the guitar this way. They could easily have a full Jazzmaster shape body and it wouldn't impede on Fender's intellectual property since what matters is the headstock shape and not the body.
The body shape is literally the only thing that keeps me from buying the Liquid guitar. Several versions of this guitar exist. Some have the vibrato system as seen above and others are hardtail with not two but three P90 pickups in them and a roller style bridge.
Oh, and something I almost forgot to mention. You can buy one of these new for under $200 USD.
If this guitar had the full (as in not have that huge chunk cut out) Jazzmaster style body, this guitar would be such a winner. It's so close. So unbelievably close to being just right. All it needs is a "complete" body and it's there.
I think the body shape is terrible on the Liquid. Unique and different, yes, but still terrible. If you like it however, get one. It's a great guitar. If the look completely puts you off, stick to the Squier Classic Vibe Jazzmaster instead.