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Parent Category : 'Products'   Musical instruments User-reviews
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Epiphone Valve Special
By goodbyebluesky on 03/24/2008 at 16:38 Music is a hobby.

Characteristics  
The Epiphone Valve Special is a true class A tube combo. It delivers 5 watts of single-ended power through an epiphone 10" speaker. It has a single input, and an 8 ohm speaker output (more on that later). An effects loop would have been nice but is nonexistant in this price range so I don't hold it against them.
This lineup of amps and heads from Epiphone is most likely their answer to the Fender Junior amps. Having high quality tube sound in a simple package thats affordable appeals to everyone from a sound-savvy beginner, players that frequent small venues and are looking for an uncomplicated setup, to studio use since their low wattage makes them easy to crank up. The whole Epiphone Valve lineup is incredibly affordable.

The Valve Special combo is a step up from the Valve Junior because unlike the VJ it offers seperate Gain and Master Volume controls (the VJ has a single level) and a moderately usable EQ, along with reverb and onboard effects. It also has a standby switch, which the lesser models do not have, so thats a bonus.
Utilisation  
This amp is a breeze to plug into and play with minimal fuss. To be honest, I never looked at the manual. I easily got a good sound out of it with every guitar I own.
Sounds  
This amp is not as versatile as many would like it to be, since it is a single channel amp. With that being said, I still get a wide variety of sounds from it, but keep in mind it will not give you a metal sound, or even a high gain sound without outboard effects/stompboxes. What it will give you is a fairly British sounding bark at high gains, moderate sustain, but still with clarity on the indivudual notes. More of a slightly crunchy overdrive that never enters "distortion" territory.
My favorite strategy is plugging my Ibanez Ghostrider (Les Paul style) guitar in, maxing the Master Volume, and playing with the gain to get a perfect balance between chime and dirt. One tip for you if you have Gibson style pickups that clean up as you lower the volume (like mine do) is to use more gain than you want, and use the controls on your guitar to clean it up. It yields a creamy clean sound that is to die for if you are used to sterile solid state amplifiers. Sometimes I drive the amp with a TS9 Tube Screamer and get some great lead sounds that satisfy my need for Santana-like sustain.
The reverb on this amp is very good, better than that of any of the other tube amps in this price range like the Fender Junior amps. Its fairly full up to 70% or so then gets flabby after that, so don't expect true Fender tube reverb or drippy surf style reverb. It works perfectly for me, as I like a good amount of reverb on my clean sounds.
The built in effects on the Special suck. It would have been better to just leave them off, or just give a decent chorus effect in place of UNusable multi-FX. The delay is too drastic and will turn off most players with a tasteful ear, and the flange is absolutely, terribly cheesy. I do not use them at all.
One more cool feature is that rather than hardwire the speaker to the amp, Epiphone purposely used 1/4" connections that can be dissconnected to use the 8 ohm output to drive a seperate cab in place of the stock 10". The stock speaker is not bad, but I did get some good results by driving the speakers of a 212 combo I had laying around. Its cool to have the option of driving different configurations, so its harder to outgrow this amp.
Overall Opinion  
I've been paying this amp for nearly a year. Most of all, I like the simplicity, and the creamy sustainy clean to mildly overdriven sounds sounds. Its versatile enough to gig out small venues w/minimal outboard effects. FYI, I did swap in some JJ's Eurotubes and it made this amp sing like it does for me. I strongly reccomend doing this and not settling for the stock setup.
I have tried the Epi Valve Junior, the low end Crate tube amps, and the Fender Blues Junior and Pro, and I think this amp wins when the chips are down. The reverb is better, is a bit more versatile in terms of the controls and what tones you can dial in, and is cheap. I picked mine up for under 200 on ebay including shipping. Its a great value for the price even if you bought it new.
I would buy it all over again if I had to.
[ More info : Epiphone ]
Guyatone MD3 Micro Digital Delay
By Rockmonster on 03/24/2008 at 05:10 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.

Characteristics  
Analog voiced digital delay... more knob twisting, easy... yay!! Rackmount quality in a very, very small foot pedal package. 1/4" connections... no Midi here!
Utilisation  
Very easy to use... as an effect. The typical user will absolutely, no questions asked, want to get an adapter with this pedal. This has a very high power draw. Eats batteries like tic tacs...AND aside from that, the battery compartment to this undersized, and lightweight pedal is a horrible design. It is sophomoric at best. The access to the battery compartment is covered by a tin plate, held together by a big black rubber band. Clumsy, difficult to attach, and worst of all... the battery feels like it needs to be forced into the space. NOT what you want to do to sensitive chips and circuit board... And not what you expect in a pedal that sells for 115.00 dollars.. but, I suppose the perspective on this would be that the price is for the quality of the effect. Get the adapter... And no worries! Other than that.. it is a straight ahead, 3 knob effect pedal that can be used without a manual... not sure mine came with one!
Sound Quality  
Rack mount quality in a foot pedal. Nice bypass... not True Bypass, exactly.. but buffered. I notice no tone loss with this pedal.
Using a Voodoo Lab Preamp, Carvin T100 poweramp,Cannabis Rex speakers in closed back cabs. Les Pauls,Strats,Tele's, etc. I don't use this much in my current rig, as I have a Digitech GSP2101 that I use for effects..but I have used it extensively with combo rigs, and it foots the bill.
I love the quality... better than my rack mount unit..( a little)...I don't use it because I need the other effects..and because I don't want 50 pedals on the floor in front of me....for very little difference in tone. ( I already have 2 footcontrollers and 3 other pedals in front of my rig... and all my effects essentially come from 1 unit. And hate lugging around more junk than I need!)
A solid "9" for sound quality. The bypass and organic tone beat all the other offerings in the price range ( Boss,Digitech)
Overall Opinion  
Had this pedal for about 3 years. Love the tone, HATE the battery access. Easily solved by the adapter.. but still an annoying feature. Tried several other delays.. this is the best in it's price range. ( unless you need a bunch of other features,tap tempo,reverse,etc... we're talking strictly sound quality of repeats here.)
I think it could be a bit cheaper due to the VERY cheap chassis design.. but I suppose the argument would be, again for the quality of the sound..which is hard to beat... so, I just shut up and paid it.
If I were to buy another dedicated delay pedal, I might pony up and buy the new Nova delay or the Eventide Time factor... both of which are wayyyyy more money. More than double for either, although probably with more features than I would ever bother using. If you are looking for JUST delay.. this is the way to go.
[ More info : Guyatone ]
Schecter Ultra III
By moosers on 03/24/2008 at 05:07 Music is your Profession.

Characteristics  
Made In Korea..22 or 23 frets, 3 pick-ups (the standard Ultra III)...
Utilisation  
The feel of this guitar is pretty good, it isn't as smooth as some other guitar I've played, but its pretty easy to play, great for both lead and rhythm playing. It's a very heavy guitar but it's well worth it for the sound of it.
Sounds  
I love it because I feel I can get very diverse tones between the three pick ups. I use it mostly with my 1976 Fender Twin Reverb along with a few effects pedals (DL4, Boss comp, chorus and distortion)...I feel that with this guitar I can get some great lead tones as well as heavy distortion or a great clean sound. I listen to mostly anything so I'm always trying out new sounds and this guitar is great for that.
Overall Opinion  
I've had this guitar for about two years now and I've enjoyed adding it to my repertoire. Although its very heavy, I don't really mind it, you get used to it and its definitely worth it for the great feel and the sound. If you are looking for a guitar in this price range I would definitely give this one a shot.
[ More info : Schecter ]
Ibanez TS-9 Robert Keeley Baked Mod
By Rockmonster on 03/24/2008 at 04:23 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.

Characteristics  
Hmmmm..let's see... All analog, improved bypass,chip, capacitors,filaments, etc. classic overdrive reissue pedal. Good old fashioned ingredients. Texas Instruments integrated circuit. A buncha other stuff I have no idea about.
Easy knob twisting...no editing software, rack mounting, etc... just a great clean boost and/or overdrive.
Utilisation  
Easy, easy, easy. Twist the knobs. Find your tone. No manual required, but the controls do function a bit differently than a stock Ibanez unit. The range of gain is higher, the level has become more of a clean boost...but..um. Honestly, no manual required.
Sound Quality  
Great overdrive. I mostly use my amps distortion (Voodoo labs Preamp) with this to push it into molten territory. Adds searing harmonics and "hair" to the signal... On a clean channel, this does add grit...giving a tweed overdrive characteristic...in front of my rhythm channel..all the way from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Eddie Van Halen. Lead channel...well, VH to whatever. This pedal is a bit geared toward mid tones, but won't impact your tone negatively if you have dialed your amp into a scooped metal sound.
Using this with a Strat, Les Paul, Telecaster, and some other humbucker equipped guitars, this offers something different with each. My favorite combination is using this with my Strat.. I have a Dimarzio HS-3 stacked humbucker in the bridge for this guitar. You don't typically think of a Strat as a screaming guitar..but this setup rocks. It adds harmonic richness and sustain. I am not one to say "notes leap off the fretboard"... but.. this has sure made them more "jumpy" :b

This pedal, even with the mods adds some noise to my signal, but let's face it. It IS an overdrive pedal...it IS noise!
Overall Opinion  
I've had this pedal for about 4 years. The honeymoon is DEFINITELY over.... and I still love it. Tried a few different pedals before this..this being the only Keeley modded pedal I tried (sight unseen). Mmmm..value, well, that is very subjective. You can get close to this tone without the mods...but let's face it...sometimes it is worth paying an extra 50 bucks to get an extra 7% of tone on an already good pedal...pushing it into an exceptional pedal...
As far as buying a distortion pedal again...I would definitely buy this again..although I may consider the Keeley DS-1 if my financial situation was restricted...it has less of a midrange thing going, and a bit smoother gain...less gritty, but that is more of a distortion pedal..as opposed to overdrive. Hmmm... I might have to go get one anyway!
[ More info : Ibanez ]
Vox V848 Clyde McCoy Wah Wah
By Rockmonster on 03/24/2008 at 01:42 Serious about music, want to make it your profession.

Characteristics  
Classic wah tones. Pure and simple.. at least the closest available using Fasel inductors.. maybe not the EXACT same tone as the original Clyde, but certainly the closest you can get without running the boutique route at about 100+ bucks more.
This is a pure analog device.. pivoting rocker pedal.. True Bypass, shiny chrome.. no modeling,chips or silicone...
No editing options.. Put it on the floor. Step on it. Click the button. Wiggle it back and forth. Yay! It's a wah wah.
Utilisation  
Um.. no manual necessary... no editing options... see characteristics. My kid can figure this out. (of course.. he already thinks he knows everything... so.....
Sound Quality  
Very sweet. The closest to classic tones available without spending at least $100.00 more. Great midrange manipulation within the lower ranges... it gets a bit screechy in the upper registers. The treble range becomes a bit tinny... almost similar to the high speed pitch shift on a Whammy effect... this can be neat, or annoying. Depending on the application. The best feature of this effect is the fact that it is not a watered down Morley effect.. with virtually no sweep, and tasteless generic flavor ( I cannot speak for the Vai or Tremonti wahs.. just their basic offerings. Never played the signature wahs..) And it is stronger than a Crybaby...(although from my understanding, this is built in the same facility) The recent addition Crybaby Classic also uses a Fasel inductor.. so.. the tones may be similar.. and at only $99.00.. it IS a worthy consideration... unless you need to see chrome on the floor. Whatever does it for you..
I have owned mine for almost 2 years.. and the pots are beginning to get scratchy. Yuck. Used with Les Pauls, Strats,Teles... running thru a Voodoo Lab Preamp, Carvin T100 poweramp, Digitech GSP2101 (for effects) into 2 closed back cabs with Eminence Cannabis Rex speakers. (more on those later
This wah provides realistic, classic tones heard on your favorite albums. As with any instrument.. the more you practice with it... improve your technique and level of control, the greater the sonic reward. It's sweep can be construed as a limitation.. in the fact that it gets TOO trebly, but this can be relegated to a control issue... when you become accustomed to the sweep, it is great to have the "gas in the tank". You may not need it.. or use it.. but it's there!
Overall Opinion  
Using this for a bit over 2 years. Love the classic wah tones and True Bypass. For years, the only options where tone draining washed out Morley or Crybaby options..To be truthful, the boutique guys like Fulltone, RMC,Budda, etc did everyone a favor. They raised the bar for quality. The wah had become an almost passe' effect.. brought back to life by the likes of Slash and Joe Satriani..(thanks guys!)... hence, the demand for better quality bypass... and a more pronounced effect.
I don't like the fact that it is getting scratchy...I will investigate my options and try some contact cleaner. We'll see.. should do the trick!
I find the value to be acceptable in the $150.00 price range.. although, being that I am not exactly a "gear snob" I would probably opt for the Crybaby Classic.. which I believe is also True Bypass and equipped with the Fasel inductor as well...At about $50.00 less. Other considerations would be the new Morley George Lynch model wah.. or perhaps the Vai Bad Horsie stuff, although these may not cut it for classic tones.
[ More info : Vox ]
Ion Audio iED-01
By xojjt on 03/22/2008 at 20:37

Overall Opinion  
I purchased this product about six months ago. I was in the market for a drum set and living in an appartment, this seemed like the perfect choice. I looked at the electronic roland drum sets, but they just seemed way too expensive(although the feedback/response of the roland drum sets felt of higher quality and more realistic). This product was the best value that I was able to find for an electronic drum set. I found it relatively easy to assemble and also easy to position the drum heads to suite the needs of the user. The sound bank has many different drum kit sounds and you can plug any of the drum heads into any of the inputs on the control module which allows you to easily switch two pad sounds without re-mountin them. The pedals seem to be good quality although at first it wants to double tap the bass drum when you tap it once with your foot, although with practice this can be overcome. Overall I am satisfied by my purchase. You get what you see when you buy this product. I would reccomend this product to anyone as specially a new student learning how to play the drums.
[ More info : Ion Audio ]
Kurzweil PC1-X
By webbkline on 03/22/2008 at 01:14 Music is your Profession.

Characteristics  
Full 88 key weighted keyboard.

Typical no-frills stereo analog outputs, midi-in, out, through, 2 ports for damper and volume pedal.

Nice, diverse bank of effects which are easily edited or disabled when necessary. 4 rotary controls which perform a variety of functions-octave shift, reverb density, 3 band EQ control, and 2 assignable switches which will do just about anything you need them to do.

Acoustic piano sounds are my first priority and the ones on the PC1X don't disappoint. I wouldn't rate them as the best out there, but they do a fine job of cutting through a less-than-perfect stage mix and crowd noise. Like all stereo acoustic piano samples, they won't satisfy unless they are played in stereo. But, I can always find one that matches the room I am playing in well. Rhodes and Wurly sounds are decent--not the best but decent. Strings are a mixed bag. My personal favorite is the "Intense Strings" patch which is rich and full, with plenty of attack, yet offering excellent dynamics. You can set up your favorite programs from the 6 available preset banks and 2 user banks so that you can access them on-the-fly from their assigned buttons. The PC1X is also very easy to do splits on, as well as layering up to 4 sounds. One of the songs I perform with one of my artist gigs requires 10 program changes within the same song and the Kurzweil gets it done effortlessly.
Utilisation  
The action sold the PC1X to me. It is lighter than a Yamaha, Korg or Roland, and even significantly lighter than it's more developed sister, the PC2x. I could have bought either,but opted for the PC1X because I flat-out loved the performance of the keyboard. I'm 52 and have been playing all my life. I can play just about as fast as anyone, but the Kurzweil's keyboard keeps up with me no matter what I throw at it, yet it is extremely dynamic. To me, it is the single most inspiring aspect of the instrument. If I am doing session work and the producer or engineer wants a piano sound that the PC1X is not capable of, I still use its keyboard to play their sample of choice. I can outrun any Yamaha or Roland, so I hope Kurzweil never lets go of this action. However, if you are a classically trained Steinway fan, you might not appreciate the lighter action as much as I do.

The manual is big and complete, although not always easy for this technophobe to understand.
Sounds  
I think the horns and organs leave a lot to be desired. The strings are deceptive. Many of the string settings don't sound that good by themselves, but most of them sound surprisingly fine in a mix. I've often been amazed by how well some of them lay in a recording mix when I listen to the playback. This makes me believe that there are--or at least were--some brilliant sound designers under the employ of Kurzweil.

The Rhodes samples are kind of funny. It really seems that the PC1X's action sucks as badly as an old Fender Rhodes suitcase piano when using any of the Rhodes patches. I find that the Rhodes and Wurlitzer samples have about a 3 octave limit in the center of the keyboard. If you go beyond that zone in either direction, the sound is both unconvincing and unplayable.
Overall Opinion  
I still manage to glean a lot of inspiration from this board after over 3 years of owning it.

There are several things you should be aware of, however.

1. There is a tiny screen contrast knob on the back of the board, which is very necessary, especially if you are going to be using it outdoors. If you try taking this keyboard to a gig in a soft case or with no case, I promise you that you will eventually break that knob off of the circuit board that it is soldered to. It will get pushed back in to the body and the screen will be rendered unreadable. After the 2nd time this happened to me, I glued a large rubber grommet around the knob to prevent this from happening. I'm not the most mechanically inclined guy to come down the pike, but this girl was a bear to get inside of to solder that control knob back on to the circuit board. It took 3 of us wrestling with it to get the job done. This was a terrible engineering oversight.

2. Another completely idiotic afterthought is the fact that you have to scroll down through 16 pages of the global menu to find the transposer. Fortunately, I can make all the setups I need prior to a performance so that I can just keep the screen set on page 16 of the global settings. For someone who plays with the same band all the time, this might not be a problem, but I have as many as a half dozen different gigs, many times having some of the same songs in different keys. A transpose button is a Godsend in those instances. What were they thinking??

3. You have to periodically go around the keyboard and tighten all the screws. It seems that they come loose rather easily.

4. While I haven't broken any yet, the 4 multi-task rotary knobs I mentioned earlier are very spindly and I know quite a few guys who have broken them off, so that is another thing which requires a little TLC.

Well, nothing's perfect. But, overall it is a great board. Mine is over 3 years old and I will likely buy a new one soon and keep this old girl around for a spare. I ride 'em hard and have put 'em away wet more than once and this one has yet to let me down. Kurzweil has had some hurdles in its transitions between companies, and hopefully they have been able to maintain the integrity. Those questions aside, it's a fine tool.
[ More info : Kurzweil ]
Gibson Les Paul BFG
By Kilroy1976 on 03/20/2008 at 11:04

Characteristics  
Gibson Les Paul BFG (Barely Finished Guitar)

Built by Gibson USA
Mahogany body, maple table in a wood milled "Tiger", round mahogany
22 Medium Jumbo frets - Channel profile Rounded 50s glued to the 16th
Tune-O-Matic Bridge / Stop Bar
Pickups P-90 in neck position and Burstbucker Zebra 3 at bridge.
2 volumes - 1 tone - 1 switch selector micro instead of the second tone

An unusual feature of this model, the Kill Switch instead of the usual position selector microphones. Its purpose is "turn off the guitar"
Utilisation  
The neck does not stick because it is satin finish, it is becoming increasingly fluid as with the other models of the series "Faded"

She is light for a Les Paul
Sounds  
In my humble opinion, this guitar is made ideally for the Blues
Overall Opinion  
Hello,

So the real significance of BFG is Barely Finished Guitar

In recent months, following various changes in my life, I went back to the guitar after a ruling 15 years ...

My first visits to shops instruments greatly disturbed me ...

The Fender Mex at a price of US (at the time) and other increases, modelling and many other things made me realize that I had a few time behind.

In fact, I wanted to return to her that I had at the time with the Gibson Les Paul, a Deluxe Pro of the year 1977 (two P-90) in a good Fender amp tube.

After extensive research and hesitations and especially given that the model in question is not found at that time, I resolved to take a PRS Singlecut Soapbar.

But it still was not what I was looking for, in the meantime, my game had changed and my tastes are more affirmed (Cotton Blues until more modern blues of different types, Texas, Chicago, the Louisiana brief rally starting Delta (Highway 61)

My main access to news, test and criticism being the net, I had already seen this BFG which could respond to my mind my expectations (I play with the neck pickup only on all my guitars) So the P-90 in handle perfect position on a Gibson Les Paul.

Unfortunately, after having read many opinions who criticized especially the poor finish, the race's 50 qualified as "not comfurtable" and also big problems of noise. That scared me because my electric facility is not equipped to take ground (I am a tenant, I can change the installation)

After some time, I did acquire a Faded SG Worn Brown at a price promo at an open-door day. I was really amazed by the satin finish, the absence of varnish thick wood allows better "breathed"

I was on my hunger for a Les Paul and resold after having several things in my old hobby, I made several purchases including an LP Standard Faded in Honey Burst series that I discovered while reading various post on the net.

I think that people who qualify for the Faded "sub-Gibson" or "gibson of the poor" are not objective, I had also been misled in response to their opinions and also on the weight.

Finally, I found a Les Paul with whom the feeling passed.
But I had still not found a real LP with P-90 (and Historic collection is too expensive)

In recover from a guitar that I tabled for review at my luthier, I saw the BFG, which I had heard so hard.

In Trans Black, the finish did not matter to me, I found it rather mild compared to the view that I had read. The neck satin well fluid, transparent plates are nice, well-polished and frets without being trendy, guitar sounded good, remained the problem of "buzz"

Plug in a Fender Blues Junior identical to mine, no noise except for the P-90 which responded well to my games, in such a drive, the combination of two excellent pickups, Burstbucker 3 easel later as well, but less used in my game

(This is the most powerful of this series to vintage structure, not dipped in wax, it includes a single magnet gross ALNICO II and enjoys a slight little more winding. Both coils of wire size 42 do not have the same number of laps, phénomêne current at the end of 50 years. micro That makes the less effective against interference but gives him a bite compared to a creamy its models equal to two coils)

The P-90 is not impregnated with wax too.

In terms of sound, after some time, I sensed that it was with this Les Paul that I found my sound, while taking into account the fact of my "maturity" more sophisticated level and blues music of my expectations.

My wife had already understood that the guitar was made for me, just by listening, in addition, I was virtually isolated from the outside world, immersed in the sound coming out of the amp. With the 50's neck, no problem despite my small hands ...

After discussions with my wife who had completely changed his mind about the finish of the guitar (as she said, the photos did not undermine the value) Game comfort, weight, etc ... We decided to make the acquisition.

Back at home, I set a black truss-rod cover that I had in reserve. The buttons add one side "wooded touch" guitar. For the switch to change a microphone, I ordered a black on the net.

Plugged in my Deluxe Reverb, not unpleasant buzz (thought to acquiring quality cables!) On the contrary, curves, deep, powerful and respected attacks, and sustain medium in front ...

It is amazing with Maxon 808 or OCD with or without the Fat Boost upstream, the DP-1 in the Junior Blues is great for a good Texas blues, Maxon OD-9 provides crunchs well bluesy ...

In the end, I am very pleased with my purchase, I found what I was looking like his guitar and does shock not in the middle of my material more "classical"

On this Gibson has been in the hunt for costs, combining artistic creativity, value analysis, marketing and boldness ...

Certainly, it does not please everyone, and from experience, I know that many people have easy criticism.

I think that when he formed opinions and made a critical, it is preferable to see a real and give it a try and after only give an opinion or criticism.

For me, with the truss-rod cover I added that, in my view, it is perfect.

My only regret is that it took into account the opinion that in the end are not appropriate in my case.

Like what tastes and colors ...

Kilroy
[ More info : Gibson ]