RIP Jeff.

Here’s my pick for the best improvement on an old design. 

enjoy

 dantheman

dantheman

dantheman

This post is in response to eight random things about ig.  In no particular order or ranking.

1.   I had a mullet.  Not proud of it, but it was the eighties.  Nuff said.

2.  My major in college (the first time) at Concordia University Irvine was Humanities with an emphasis in music ( I had only been playing guitar for 1 year at the time).  I have since gone back and I am majoring in Accounting.

3.  My wife is taller than I am.

4.  I don’t knit (sorry IG), but I do know way more about yarn than a muggle (non-knitter) should!

5.  I play a mean game of 8-ball.  My dad has a pooltable next to the kitchen and the turnaments at Thanksgiving can get brutal. 

6.   Actually since I started writing this post (months ago) I have learned to knit.  I made something for my wife for Christmas. 

7. I was a stay-at-home Dad for a year when my son was an infant after my wife went back to work.  I wouldn’t trade that time for anything.

8.The first concert I went to was Cinderella with Badlands and Tangiers.  Had great seats.

Have a Happy (and safe) New Year!

dantheman

pictures courtesy of musicyo.com

The Powertune Guitar may have disappeared, but The Robot Guitar is here in limited 1st run production.  So this again brings the question ‘Is a guitar that tunes itself a help or a hindrance?’  ‘Is it a crutch or a tool?’

Time will tell.  As for me I really like the idea, but know that since I am a mere mortal I probably can’t afford one.  Oh well.

 Tell me what you think.

dantheman

Here it is!  The Explorer of your dreams!  Or at the very least mine.  A reissue of the 1984 gibson explorer.  An upcoming Guitar of the week (week 47).  Now I know I have said some bad things about Gibson in the past, but I have wanted this guitar for about the last 10 years.  Only one problem – they did not make this version any more.  Oh and I don’t have the money, worry about the details later right?  Yeah, I don’t think so.  Oh well.

For now just enjoy the picture.

 Later

dantheman

UPDATE

Here are the specs from Gibson’s website on this model for those who are wondering.

The fret size is most likely medium jumbo or 6130 fret wire.  This is the most common size for Gibson.

 Later

dantheman

The S520EX and it’s 7-string counterpart below sports a ZR (Zero Resistance) tremlo bridge.  Is this the answer for those of us who have to have a trem, but are also obsessive about being in tune?

The S7320

The ZR tremolo may be the most significant advance in locking tremolos since the first locking tremolo. Most floating tremolos use a knife-edge system, but the ZR tremolo uses a ball-bearing based system for precision and friction-free smooth action.

ZR tremolo (Zero Resistance)

The ZR tremolo with the ZPS successfully addresses the inherent drawbacks in traditional locking trem systems. Thanks to the unique ballbearing mechanism, action and feel are incredibly smooth. The Zero Point System consistently returns the tremolo to the center position (zero point). This system offers ease of tuning, tuning stability and the ability to keep playing even after a string is broken.

Ball-Bearing Pivot

Smoother than smooth. The ZR tremolo’s ball-bearing pivot system allows ultra-smooth arm control. The pivot’s precision movement virtually guarantees tuning stability. In the floating position, you can really feel the exceptional smoothness and durability of this significant advance in tremolo technology. U.S.PAT No.6710,235

Intonation Adjustment Tool

Just unscrew the built-in intonation adjustment tool from the base and screw it into the bottom of each saddle for quick adjustments. U.S.PAT No.6,867,354

Arm Torque and Height Adjustment

Arm torque is easily tightened or loosened by turning the arm-holder adjustment screw. The arm height can be adjusted by spinning the arm clockwise or counterclockwise. No matter what the setting, the arm always feels secure. U.S.PAT PENDING

ZPS (Zero Point System)

No friction points make the ZPS the smoothest Ibanez Back Stop ever. An additional outer pair of springs provides easier tuning and better tuning stability than the traditional floating tremolo \plus the other strings will remain in tune if a string breaks.

Manually Adjustable Spring System

Spring tension can be quickly set by thumb. There’s no need for a hex wrench.

Switchable To Floating Trem

One of the best ZPS features! Just remove the stop bar and the ZPS easily changes to floating trem operation.

dantheman

 pictures and descriptions courtesy of www.ibanez.com.
 

My guitar bloging guru IG over at igblog posted about Zakk Wylde.   Direct link to the interview with Modern Guitars Magazine.  I also just wanted to share some cool videos I found. 

Zakk doin what he does best.  Enjoy!

This one shows an early Dean Version of the ZV.  I think it was given to him by Dime. 

dantheman