Over a shoebox full of Casio watches
Yeah, this is ridiculous.
By nature I am a bit of a minimalist, but the one thing I genuinely have too much of are Casio wristwatches. They are plentiful, after all.
My Casio watches fill up an entire shoebox plus a few extra timepieces on the side.
I didn't buy these watches all at once. It took years to get as many as I have. Each year I would pick up 2 or 3 of them. I've not counted them all, but I think I have over 20 now, most of which have their boxes.
The most expensive one of the lot was the A500WGA-9DF because it's a gold color. And, of course, I have the stainless steel version too.
The second most expensive was my second G-SHOCK DW-9052V, both bought used for under $40 each. Why two? The first one started getting some fraying on the strap keeper, and it was cheaper to just outright buy a second one instead of getting a replacement strap. Eventually, when the first one finally gives up the ghost, I'll have the second ready-to-use.
At least it's a cheap hobby that doesn't take up too much space
A slightly-more-than-a-shoebox's worth of digital watches doesn't get in the way of anything, and I do genuinely enjoy having variety for what I want to wear on the wrist on any given day.
Sometimes I feel like something thin and in steel like the A158WEA. Sometimes I want something small and light with countdown timer like the F201. Sometimes I want a big display like the SGW100B. Sometimes I go with the G-SHOCK. Sometimes I strap on the CA-53 calculator watch. Whatever I'm in the mood for.
Yes, my watches actually get used. Most of them, anyway.
Casio W59 inbound
In the late 2000s I had a W59 and returned it, but I've decided to give it another go because while I really like the F-91W (I have 2 of them), the W59 has slightly better water resistance and slightly bigger buttons on it.
Function-wise, the F-91W and W59 are identical. Size-wise, the W59 is a little smaller, but I've got small wrists anyway so that's not a big deal. (For larger wristed folk that like the F-91W but want a bigger case, the W217H is a much better choice. Steel version is the B650WD).
Will I keep the W59? I won't know that until I receive it. I'm no stranger to returning watches I don't like as I've done that several times. But I think this one will work out and it should see some decent wrist time.
Fender Jazzmaster in CME Lake Placid Blue
I'm not sure if this works or not.
This is not a regular production Jazzmaster solely because of color. Ordinarily, the Fender Classic Player Jazzmaster Special is only available in 3-color sunburst or black and that's it.
But then there's this Jazzmaster in Lake Placid Blue. It's a CME exclusive color. Every now and then, CME being a large seller will order up colors exclusive to only that shop. While technically not FSR (Fender Special Run), it's treated the same where you get the same price, same warranty and so on.
Lake Placid Blue on a Jazzmaster with matching headcap is not new because this particular finish was available in the 1960s as a custom order. However, it was with a white pick guard and not tortoise shell.
If this guitar had the white guard, I'd consider it a total winner. But with the tortoise shell, not-so much.
However, there's no stopping anyone from buying this new Jazzmaster, taking off the tortoise shell guard and replacing with a Fender issued "vintage" new guard in eggshell white.
To anyone considering picking this guitar up: If you do get this, get the white guard separately and install it yourself (or have a tech do the work). Trust me, that simple color swap makes a huge difference in how this guitar looks in the positive direction.
A Fender Deluxe model is a decent upgrade from a Squier
Five different models of these exist, and they do serve as the best possible upgrade from a Squier if going with the Fender brand.
In Fender's lineup there is a series called Deluxe which consists of three Stratocasters and two Telecasters. One of them is the Deluxe Nashville Tele. More details on that guitar in a moment.
The other four models are Deluxe Strat, Deluxe Roadhouse Strat, Deluxe Tele Thinline and Deluxe Strat HSS.
All Deluxe models are made in Mexico so they don't cost as much as American models do. And the nice thing with Deluxe is that you get things not found on Squier models. This means when you buy one of these, you're not just getting a copy of a guitar made in a different country, but rather getting something that has decent hardware upgrades.
What I'll be listing below is what you get with a Deluxe that you don't get on any Squier model.
Deluxe Strat- Noiseless Strat pickups
- Push/pull that adds in the bridge pickup on positions 4 and 5
- 12" radius fingerboard
- Gig bag
- Twin head vintage humbucker pickup, two noiseless Strat pickups
- S-1 switching to switch the humbucker to a single
- 12" radius fingerboard
- Gig bag
- Noiseless Strat pickups
- V6 switching (similar to a Gibson Vari-Tone)
- 12" radius fingerboard
- Gig bag
Note: I've played one of these personally. This guitar uses a 9V battery located on the back of the guitar. It does not require the rear plate to be taken off to get to it, and the V6 switching is a nice thing to have.
Deluxe Nashville Tele- Two vintage noiseless Tele pickups on neck and bridge, vintage noiseless Strat pickup in the middle position
- Five way "Strat-o-Tone" switching
- Block saddles
- 12" radius fingerboard
- Gig bag
Note: This guitar is not just a Strat with a Tele body. The tonal character of the pickups is voiced to still be "very Telecaster," so to speak.
Deluxe Tele Thinline- Noiseless Tele pickups
- Four-way switching (for series wiring)
- Block saddles
- 12" radius fingerboard
What are the best parts about upgrading from a Squier to a Fender Deluxe?
The first obvious thing is the fingerboard radius. The 12" really does help when bending notes and you will fret out a lot less.
Some think the noiseless pickups take away too much from what a Fender guitar is supposed to sound like, but I disagree. Yes, the character is different, but not in a bad way. The noiseless pickups are voiced in a way that works very well with modern amplification and when plugging into the computer direct via DI.
The last thing is the hardware goodies. All models have switching that you can't get on any Squier that really opens up the sounds you can get out of the guitar.
Make no mistake, Fender Deluxe is where you get true upgrades over Squier. With other models in the Fender line, most of the time you're just getting a copy of what you already have with a Squier guitar. But with Deluxe, you legitimately get more hardware. That along with the 12" fingerboard for easier note bending is what makes Deluxe a good upgrade.
What is the American equivalent of Deluxe?
Fender Elite Series. Namely, Elite Stratocaster, Elite Stratocaster HSS, Elite Telecaster and Elite Telecaster Thinline.
What you get with those over the Deluxe models are some hardware changes, a compound radius 9.5" to 14" fingerboard and an ABS molded case with TSA locks (if you fly at all, having those TSA locks is nice because it passes security check without a problem.)
As you will notice, Elite costs a lot more than Deluxe does. Personally, were I to upgrade from Squier to Fender, my pick is Deluxe first, especially considering I can get a case with TSA locks for under $150. True, the case isn't Fender-branded, but to me a case is just a case. The guitar matters more.
How to add robot tuners to a guitar
These are cool to have if you use alternate tunings often.
How do you add robot tuners to a guitar?
Before answering that question, you should know what's involved first.
Can you motorize your existing tuners? No. You must replace all tuners outright.
How many pieces are involved? An entire kit usually has 8 total pieces. Six tuners, one backplate, one control module.
Are there any holes required to be drilled? No. The kit is designed to be a drop-in solution.
How long does it take to install this whole thing? About 20 minutes.
Does it add a bunch of weight? Probably not. While I don't know the exact weight of the kit, it shouldn't add more than just a few ounces.
Does it work? Yes, it works.
What kit do you get? Tronical Tuning Systems makes the kits, such as for the Gibson Les Paul.
Is it worth getting?
Note what I said above. It's cool to have if you use alternate tunings often.
The Tronical system has 18 different tunings you can choose from. So if you want to switch from EADGBE to DADGAD and back again very quickly, yes you can do it. And yes, you can program in your own custom tuning presets if you use something that's not covered by the 18 factory presets.
If however you don't use alternate tunings often or only use a simple alternate tuning like a "drop-D" where only the 6 string is changed, then the robot tuners really aren't any faster than tuning yourself. Just grab yourself a cheap headstock tuner and call it a day.
Are robot guitar tuners just a fad?
Some argue they are while others swear by them and wouldn't use anything else.
In the end, it all depends how often you change tunings that dictates whether you need the robot tuners or not. Yes, the price of a kit is up there, but generally speaking it's cheaper and more convenient than having multiple guitars in different tunings.
What you're buying with robot tuners is convenience and not better tuning stability. Small adjustments will still have to be made by you depending on your playing style. But yes, they do work...
...or you can just stick to regular Les Pauls with manual tuners, which is a-okay. That's the way they've been made for a very long time and it's always worked.
There is a reason I don't talk about this guitar
A couple of reasons, actually.
Take the Epiphone Les Paul SL. It is cheap and and plentiful at the time I write this. Ever since this guitar was introduced, people have been asking me what I think about it since I like good low-cost guitars.
I don't like this one.
There was a time when I owned an Epiphone Les Paul Special I P90. That was a guitar I liked because it got everything right for what it was.
The Les Paul SL misses the target.
First is the guitar's look. The skinny Strat-like pickups and big pick guard just don't work, making the SL look too much like a toy.
Second once again has to do with the pickups. They're not P90. While I've not heard this guitar in person, I am 100% certain that it absolutely does not have that cool P90 "growl".
Les Paul shape guitars are best suited to humbuckers or P90s both for look and for sound, and the SL doesn't have either of those.
I'm really not sure what Epiphone was thinking with this one. They had a hit with the 'Paul P90, but this...?
However, there may be some of you out there that like this thing. If you're one of them, grab one. They're sure to sell out quickly given the super low price point.
My suggestion: If buying for yourself, get the sunburst with the black guard. It looks way better than the turquoise.