Cool Casio watches for late 2017 (and into 2018)
Some newer and some older Casio watch models make for some cool timepieces. These are a few of my favorites. I might be picking up one of these soon.
This is the spiritual successor to the A158 and A168. I've talked about this watch before, but I'll say a few more things I didn't mention. First, it's more or less the same as the F108 model but in a much nicer looking case. Second, the case is frost painted (not steel nor chrome plated) just like the B640WD. That's a turnoff for some, but I think it's acceptable.
There are also two other flavors for this particular model. The rose gold B650WC-5AVT (meaning not yellow gold) and the all-black with reverse display B650WB-1BVT. But the modern classic look is definitely the B650WD-1A.
This one is a simple diver style with day-date complication. I like this one because it's really easy to read, the red stripe at the top right of the dial is a nice touch (a nod to traditional diver watches), and the crown is just the right size without being goofy-big. The lug design also makes it really easy to change out straps on this one, and I'm also liking that the second hand is thin, orange and stays out of the way. Great design for a diver overall.
There are 4 versions of this model. CL-1 as just mentioned, CL-3 with reverse display, CL-5 which is a brown-ish looking thing with reverse display and the CL-7 which is all-white with regular LCD display. The CL-1 is the one I like.
This is a winter G-LIDE model for 2017. It's a G-SHOCK, so of course it can handle a ridiculous amount of abuse, and that includes the strap itself. Casio states the band ring is made of stainless steel. There is also a decorative patch on the 12 o'clock side that "gives it the appearance of a flight jacket", again according to Casio description. You can see the beginning of the patch on the top of the band.
My favorite part about this is that it is not a goofy-big G-SHOCK. Casio is finally wising up to the fact ridiculously big watches are just stupid. This one measures 46.7mm lug-to-lug x 43.2mm across x 12.77mm thick. This is a watch that even I could wear on my smaller 6.75" wrist. Very nice.
The design of this G-SHOCK is simplified and clean. No crazy colors or any other dumb styling. This is definitely one of the good ones.
This is a PRO-TREK model. Ordinarily I don't like these, but this is one I could get along with. It has the blackout style, but the hands make it very easy to read. One of the cooler features of this is that the inside of the band is luminescent that glows faintly when in a dark environment. It also has the "neon illuminator", so when the face is lit up, oh yeah, you can read it. Being it's PRO-TREK, it is a triple sensor (bearing, altitude/barometric pressure and temperature) and is a Tough Solar.
Casio states this watch is specifically built for night activities, hence the look and specific functionality it comes with. Basically that means that this is a great outdoors watch. Built tough, lights up very brightly and gives you the info you want when you want it.
I like the fact the styling is reserved on this one. I'm a sucker for simple, clean timepiece looks if you couldn't tell that by now. Most PRO-TREK models look a bit dopey, but this one has a style that really works. I also like the fact there are actual numbers on the dial.
The 3-second riff that made me a better guitar player
This is the riff that really opened up my playing style.
If you know rock guitar, you know the main rhythm riff in Watch Your Step by Bobby Parker.
It's not so much the rhythm as it is a very short solo riff that opened up my playing style.
That main rhythm riff is heard in Led Zeppelin's Moby Dick.
...and in Deep Purple's Rat Bat Blue.
...and in The Allman Brothers Band's One Way Out.
Yeah, you've heard this riff before.
But again, it's not the rhythm riff that opened up my play style.
In Watch Your Step, there's a very short solo riff from 0:33 to 0:36. It's those 3 seconds that made me say, "Whoa. That's cool."
That little run sounds easy. It's not. The fifth note played is a one semitone bend. That's the sweet note of sorts. Nailing that bend just right is what makes that little run work.
This solo riff can be only be played in two ways. Either mostly in the 5th through 7th fret range, or mostly through the open through 3rd fret range. My guess is that Bobby Parker chose the latter, but I can't say for sure. I can play it both ways, but the open-thru-3rd way of going about it adds more "smack" to the note.
When you listen to that 3-second run in the recording, all instruments stop, only the guitar is heard, and it sounds absolutely huge. And remember, this is a 1961 recording. The overdriven sound you hear is nothing but guitar and a tube-type amplifier. When guitar guys say they want the tube-type sound, that 3 seconds is what they're talking about.
I still practice that 3-second solo riff to this day because it just sounds that cool.
Schecter Traditional Custom Maple 3048
If you want a Strat not by Fender that really, really gets it right, this Schecter is it.
In the Schecter lineup there are two specific Strat style guitars that would please any Strat player. The 3048 and the 3047, which is the the rosewood version with white cover pickup covers.
How much? About the same price as Fender Standard Stratocaster...
...but when you know the specs of the Schecter, you might prefer it over the Fender.
The body is swamp ash. Scale is 25.5". Fretboard radius is 12" (like a Gibson). It has locking tuners (a feature not on the Standard Strat). Neck is bolt-on. Fret size is X-Jumbo (better for soloing). Nut is TUSQ. Nut width is 1.653". It does have push/pull controls in addition to the 5-way selector (which again the Fender does not have).
What's great about the Schecter is that it's a Strat that has what most guitarists wish Fender would make as a standard model. Flatter radius, a volume knob moved out of the way that won't get knocked while playing, a better nut for smoother string travel, and solid traditional construction.
In other words, Schecter made a modernized Strat without getting goofy about it. It has arguably just the right blend of traditional + modern, both for styling and electronics. And the price is great for what it is.
China build guitar? No. South Korea build. And those in the know understand there are some darned fine guitars that come from there, including this one.
Schecter is one of the few guitars I would openly buy without trying it first where it arrives near-perfect out of the box. Yes, they're that good.
10 ESP LTD guitars for under 300 bucks!
I have to hand it to LTD, as they sure offer a lot of choice for the budget guitar player. What you're about to see here is not the same model repeated 10 times in different colors. Nope. These are 10 distinctly different models.
Note that these guitars are all under $300 new at the time I write this. Prices of course will change later on.
This is the best of the lot. So if going through this list you're undecided about which to get, stop right here, look no further and get the EC100AT.
This is your basic SG clone, except with a slight lean in the body shape. There are actually some pro guitar players who use this decidedly cheap guitar because it's a solid performer and very easy to modify.
Strat style double cutaway body... with a Floyd system? Why yes, yes it does have one.
Dopey shape, but there are some metal bands that are into the "guitars that look like weapons" look. If that's you, this is your guitar.
LTD's take on the Gibson Explorer shape, except decidedly more pointy.
Another dopey shape, but again, it has that "looks like a weapon" thing to it. There is also another feature about this guitar that a lot of people miss. It actually balances quite well when being played standing. Note the top horn does extend out to the 12th fret. No neck dive here.
Like the MH-50 but in a hardtail version with a reverse headstock.
Just like the M-10, but in a 7-string version.
The venerable V-50 has been around for a while. It is the best bang for the buck where V shape guitars are concerned. It's priced as low as you can get a V guitar for that will actually last a while.
This is a less-fancy version of the EC100AT. The difference at the time I write this between the two guitars is about 50 bucks. The only reason to get this one is because it's slightly less in price, so it you're really being a penny pincher and like the EC shape, then get this one.
Cyber Monday guitar deals for 2017
For those not in the know, "Cyber Monday" is an actual real thing. It's the Monday after Black Friday where you can get the best deals specifically buying stuff online.
But this is about guitar deals, so let's get to that.
Squier by Fender Stratocaster Pack
This Strat pack is a "comes with everything" that includes an instructional DVD. Still a great price and still one of the best ways to gift a guitar to a beginner because everything needed is literally in the box.
If you want just the guitar, that's listed below.
Epiphone Les Paul Electric Guitar Player Package
This is the same price as the Strat pack above but in a Les Paul flavor. While it does not come with a DVD, it does come with everything else. If you'd rather just get the guitar alone, it's specifically the Epiphone Les Paul Special II model.
Safstar Electric Bass Guitar Full Size
Glad to see a beginner bass package this year. It is a full size 34" scale bass (meaning not kid size,) comes with the gig bag, and yes it comes with an amp. Photo doesn't show one but it is provided.
If you want just a bass guitar without the extra stuff, I recommend the Ibanez GSR200. Good colors, solid build, good sound, good features, nice price.
Squier by Fender Affinity Telecaster
One of the best (if not the best) bang-for-the-buck Teles, this one looks right, plays right, and sounds right. The redo of the Squier logo on the headstock also gives this guitar a classy look. Lefty version available.
Squier by Fender Affinity Stratocaster
Good to see Squier offering a Strat in Surf Green this year, which is definitely one of the coolest Strat looks that has ever existed. If you're going to go for a low-cost Strat, this is a decent option and priced right. Lefty version available.
What's a really special guitar gift?
The Fender Classic Series '50s Stratocaster in Fiesta Red.
The specific combo of Fiesta Red with the one-piece maple neck is arguably the most recognizable Stratocaster look of all time. Since it is a Classic Series model, it's built to '50s specifications where the hardware matches the look. And since it's a Mexico build, it's well under $1,000 to buy.
For those that want a Strat that totally and absolutely captures the classic style and sound, that one is what to get. And believe me, it's a good one as it does have high ratings. It doesn't get much better than that.