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The mini bar (off topic & misc) / Peavey....WTF?

« on: April 09, 2021, 12:35:07 PM »

So I noticed around 2012 that the quality of their gear, even though they always seemed to market themselves as a lower budget alternative, started to go down a little. It was things like their combo amps (I was working at a Peavey retailer at the time), felt like feather compared to the 'ole Bandit series from back in the early to mid 80s (I know the Black widow speakers had a lot to do with the weight factor). I also noticed that, for instance the Special 212, looked and sounded like a generic copy of the transtube Special 212. Then I looked a the back and saw the absence of the Made in the USA label.

I know I am a little late to the party with the whole Undercover Boss episode, and how they ultimately did nothing they claimed they would, shut the plant down, put loyal employees out of work, just a whole douche fest on the part of Peavey. So I get an email that they have a speaker sale. I look at a  Q&A where someone is asking about the correct speaker as a replacement for their Bandit 112. The answer? "So many speakers sound so different. It's a matter of taste, I guess." This was from a PEAVEY EMPLOYEE. Do they just NOT like making money? It's no wonder they don't control the market share in the price range where they once ruled. I don't think with that attitude towards a prospective customer that any amount of moving manufacturing overseas will compensate from such a "I don't know, and furthermore, don't care that you want to spend money with me" approach to people.

What a joke of a once successful company.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Middle single in an HSH

« on: April 08, 2021, 11:55:54 AM »

Thanks. I have a lot of options now. That's not a bad thing.

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The Pickup Place / Re: PAF 36th vs Duncan '59

« on: April 08, 2021, 11:48:10 AM »

I actually like the AII Pro Slash set as well as the AII Pro. Another I like from Seymour is the Custom Custom.

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The Pickup Place / Re: PAF 36th vs Duncan '59

« on: April 02, 2021, 12:27:27 PM »

The Air Zone/36th are going in my RG project based on your description. After looking at some vids comparing it to the '59, I am sold. I may end up replacing the PG+/'59 combo in my Big Apple Strat with the 36th set. Time will tell. I have just gotten so used to that combo in that guitar that it's hard to justify changing. At least on THAT guitar that combo just sounds SOOOO good. On second thought, I'm not touching my Big Apple Strat. All others are a different story. That particular guitar, even though I had some real tuning issues with it in the beginning, the tone and neck made the other work (LSR nut and locking tuners) worth it.

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Guitar Lounge / Re: Hit a problem and need some advice

« on: April 02, 2021, 12:22:47 PM »

I have more than one Floyd original in more than on guitar along with more than one Ibanez with stock trem (Edge, lopro, edge zero). I have found none of them to be inferior to a Floyd Rose. In fact, I think the Edge series of trems is actually very comfortable, along with being a ERY stable double locking platform. I have an RG450 that has one of the non edge Floyd licensed Ibanez trems. It works as well as any Floyd I have, contrary to what you see others post in various forums and reviews. One thing to keep in mind is that not all reviews are posted by people who actually have an instrument, etc. Sometime they are brand loyal people with nothing better to do than to slag anything that isn't their brand. I know that I am posting this on the internet, but I am going to tell you to not believe everything that people post on forums. There is a lot of bad info.

I would check out the ESP offerings, as well as the Ibanez, or Shecter stuff. I can't really fault any of them as far as their mid line to higher line stuff. i have a couple of LTD offerings (GL200-k because I can't afford the ESP Kamikaze, and an MH1000) as well as Ibanez (RG 550, 450, and 220), and can testify that both are pretty good (except for the pickups in the 220) guitars for the money, and are light years over what you could get in a mid line back in the day. Alot of the metal instrumentals I record are on a Big Apple Strat. But..... I had to spend some extra time, and coin installing an LSR roller nut and locking tuners to keep it from falling out of tune from just hand bends and vibrato, much less using the trem. That being said, with the Beck treatment, it is as stabile as a double locking guitar. But with that guitar, you would be back in the same universe as the Charvel with the big chunky neck heel. Even still, once you are used to it, you adapt. It took me time to get used to the smaller heel after growing up with guitars that had the big chunky neck heel.

If you like the Shava Ibby, then go for it. You won't be disappointed.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Air Zone...Anyone?

« on: April 02, 2021, 07:39:34 AM »

Ooh. That DOES sound good. Thanks for the heads up. I think that's the way I'll go.

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The Pickup Place / PAF 36th vs Duncan '59

« on: April 02, 2021, 07:38:22 AM »

So I checked out a shootout between the 36th and Duncan '59 last night. Now keeping in mind that when you watch those things you can't see if anyone did any eq doctoring, etc., to make one sound better than the other. That being said in the same guitar, in the same position, The PAF 36th, and it seemed especially true in the neck position just sounded alive compared to the '59. It really has me re-thinking what has been my neck humbucker go to for 20 yrs.

It sounded like a blanket was lifted off of the guitar. Not bright or shrill, but just articulate while still getting that, what I call neck pickup noodliness for lack of a better term. So......Now I have the neck pickup squared away for the RG220. 

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The mini bar (off topic & misc) / Good Therapy

« on: April 02, 2021, 07:33:01 AM »

So some of you know that I am hip deep in recording a Christmas album. I haven't been able to in a minute because my wife had gotten sick. Thankfully, she is better now. The funny thing is, the day she got out (I spent a week in the parking lot due to COVID restrictions as I was NOT goin to be any further than need be), she asked, "So did you finish anything else?" So after a few months of acting like a terrified child over her and what I can't control with her health, I finally hit the record button for a couple of hours last night. I haven't been that relaxed in months.

I can't believe that I have spent that much time away from doing what I love. I also can't believe how easy it is to forget how music, and more specifically playing and creating it, can wash all of the stresses, and bad things away. It's like I said-Good therapy. I truly believe music is on of those gifts given to us by God to communicate what our sould feel.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Air Zone...Anyone?

« on: March 30, 2021, 02:55:07 PM »

Alright. Based on what I have heard, I am going Air Zone w a 36th neck. I will also be doing a 5 way superswitch for split 5 (bridge, bridge split, inner coils together, neck split, neck). The guitar was a freebie from my brother in law (old RG 220) that he got for free from a mutual friend that owns a pawn shop. I have a real Floyd in the box that is going on it.

I think this one was either bought for a kid or for a beginner electric because there is NO fret wear. Oh well, a cheap guitar, but also free from two friends (my brother in law was my bassist/keyboardist before I married into the family).

Weird. I never bought an Ibanez, but have four that came to me as gifts. They're perfect for my playing, so I really have no idea why I haven't dropped dime on an Ibby.

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The Pickup Place / Re: The best Combo for Sustain, Harmonics (Rock and Metal)

« on: March 30, 2021, 02:44:30 PM »

I second the 36th neck. The Duncan '59 is also good, but can be a little boomy in some guitars. I haven't found one, at least in my collection, that the 36th neck sounds bad in.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Dimarzio tech support MIA?

« on: March 30, 2021, 10:48:33 AM »

It seems that things are getting back to normal. I sent them a product request and they got back to me within a few hours

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The Pickup Place / Re: One thread finally makes it past the first page and gets locked down.... Figures

« on: March 25, 2021, 11:42:42 AM »

Agreed. I always wanted to try a double whammy or megadrive, or at least hear something about them.

have you tried google?   

I've had a megadrive review up on my site for 5 years.   

What? In this world of instant gratification you have the audacity to suggest I actually take what will equate to the time it took to write this response and actually look for something? What gives?

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The Pickup Place / Re: Favorite humbucker in a strat?

« on: March 24, 2021, 11:49:38 AM »

I like to be able to split the bridge humbucker too, so I like the CustomCustom.

One of my favorite Duncans. I love the Custom Custom. Good suggestion.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Favorite humbucker in a strat?

« on: March 23, 2021, 04:06:57 PM »

Agreed. The "Gates" isn't for everyone. I like the PG+ a little better, but tend to like them both. I wouldn't call what I have bright, but I would call it aggressive for such a low output pickup. But.....I like it in the Strat I have.

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The Pickup Place / Re: Air Zone...Anyone?

« on: March 18, 2021, 11:36:51 AM »

May have to try one in the 'ole RG. I kind of like a5 pickups anyhow.