Areeya House: October 2012

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Ahad is One - My Blood's Heart (Jantung Darahku)

My Heart


My Heart

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Nuno Bettencourt Best Solos

Nuno Bettencourt has been many people's favorite guitar player since the band Extreme was first big back in the 80's. His Washburn N4 guitar has always been an instrument shredders want to buy, and the relic version looks awesome to the eye.

Nuno Bettencourt

Washburn N4 Electric Guitar

Washburn N4 Series Technical Specs:

Weight : 8.23 lbs
Full length : 37.0inches
Full Width : 13.5 inches
Headstock Width : 3.5"
Fingerboard Width : 1 11/16" at first fret, 2 3/16" at 22nd fret
Scale Length : 24 3/4"
Neck Shape : C shaped neck, really great

Pickups : BL L500, Seymour SH1 59

Control Layout : Master Volume, 3 position pickup selector
Bridge System : Schaller Floyd Rose Trem

It's Nuno Bettencourt !!

It's Nuno Bettencourt !!

Bettencourt used quite a bit of equipment over the years, although he stayed true to his guitar and amp choices throughout his career. Pretty much from the beginning Bettencourt used Washburn guitars. Washburn now has several Nuno Bettencourt signature models called the N series to honor his accomplishments.

Of course, being a rocker in the ’80s and ’90s, Bettencourt had a nice complement of Marshall amps backing him up on stage every night. But Marshall wasn’t the only amp he relied on; he also had some Fender Twin Reverbs for those softer moments.
Like most of us who can remember playing the classic analog pedals, Bettencourt was a big Boss and MXR fan, using digital delays and phasers. He also used a Digitech Whammy, a talk box, octaver and several other pedals throughout his career.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Boss ME-25 Guitar Multi-Effects Pedal

Boss ME-25

"Tough little bastard!"

Sound: I can get all the sounds that I need just by doing a little extra tweaking once I get my basic sound.

Feature: I'm going to give it a 10 despite the fact that it didn't include a power source (other than so

me cheap cheezy batteries that do not live up to the Boss name). As it sounds good and one can do so many things with it, I'm not going to go down from a 10.

Ease of Use: Yes, it is easy to get great sounds. Learning curve? (in comparison to what?) Seriously the manual is clear and the learning curve is small. One can pick it up in little time.

Quality: This is sturdy as a tank and would be hard to break after many, many breakings though I'm not going to experiment and find out! I see no problem with using this on the road at all. Depending how well one takes care of it=time the thing will last. I'm not encouraging meticulousness. Just general care. It is, afterall, an instrument. Like Buddy Guy said, (paraphrase) if one is out to keep their instruments looking brand new then they aren't playing them!

Value: Yes.

Manufacturer Support: Haven't dealt with the company.

The Wow Factor: I'm not married to it, I just use it. It looks fine.

Boss ME-25

Overall: I don't plan on looking for another effects unit for a long time. This does a fine job and I just plan on fooling around with it doing some recording for fun. If this were stolen, I'd have to have another one.

more at...
http://www.zzounds.com/a--3059676/item--BOSME25

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Bill Lawrence L-500/L-500XL Pickups

A Testimony

Artists using:  Dimebag Darrell of Pantera; 
Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme

reason for pickup change:  stock Jackson humbucker was fine, but it didn't 
     have the extra edge or drive necessary for metal.

perceived output level:  pretty loud; more than most average humbuckers.  
     the pickup is quieter than most, also.

tone:  plenty of treble and bass; gives that sucked out mid metal tone 
     without being harsh in the high end; without that whiny chainsaw 
     sound in the high end.

candid evaluation:  i play mostly metal through a tube preamp and a 
     Mosvalve power amp.  i like the pickup because it gives clear highs, 
     solid bass crunch, and lots of output.  

it also gives a nice bluesy half distorted sound when i turn the guitar 
     volume control down.  most high output pickups that i have heard 
     sound way too treble-y when you turn the guitar volume down.  that's 
     fine if you never do that, but i like a mellower sound every once in
     a while.

i liked the XL500 so much that i installed it in my second Charvel Model 3.  
     it sounds better in one of them than it does in the other - could be 
     wood quality differences, or pickup quality differences - it sounds 
     darker in the second guitar.  i also tried it in a Fender Heartfield 
     [Ibanez copy] and it sounded quite good.  all three of these guitars
     are made of basswood - i highly recommend the XL500 for any guitar, 
     especially basswood guitars, if you want a metal sound.  Jackson 
     Custom Shop guitars now feature the XL-500 as the standard bridge pickup.

the pickup casing is made of plastic, not metal, so it looks a little "cheap"
     from the outside, but it sounds great.  

suitability:  this pickup is great for metal.  they make a less powerful 
     version, the L500, that might be better for plain hard rock.  you
     can't beat the price, especially with "big" pickup manufacturers
     [Duncan and DiMarzio] charging $20 or more for similar models.

they also make neck models of both the XL500 and L500, apparently with
     less output in this position.  i have no idea how these sound.

on a scale of 1 - 11:  i'd give the XL500 a 10.  this pickup does high 
     gain sounds very well.




Testimony submitted by: Scott Andrews
Source: http://www.billlawrenceusa.com/swampkaster/testimonials-L-500XL.htm

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Everything You Need to Start Playing

Stop Dreaming, Start Playing!

Guitar, Amplifier, Headphones, Instructional DVD, Tuner, Strap, Cable, Gigbag, and Picks.

Review this gear here

Guitar, Amplifier, Headphones, Instructional DVD, Tuner, Strap, Cable, Gigbag, and Picks.

If you’re looking for a good beginner’s guitar to start playing guitar, or perhaps for a birthday present, my first recommendation is to take a long look at Fender’s Squier SE Special Strat Pack.

Includes: Guitar, Amplifier, Headphones, Instructional DVD, Tuner, Strap, Cable, Gigbag, and Picks.

This set features a great-sounding, sweet-looking and easy-playing Squier SE Special guitar with three single-coil pickups; plug it right into the included 10-watt Squier SP-10 amp with headphone jack.

Accessories include an instructional DVD, electronic tuner, guitar strap, gig bag, guitar cable, guitar stand and picks—everything you need to Stop Dreaming and Start Playing.

Fender’s Squier SE Special Strat

Agathis Body
Maple "C" Shape Neck
Rosewood Fretboard
25.5" Scale Length
9.5" Fretboard Radius
22 Medium Jumbo Frets
Synchronous Tremolo
Standard Die-Cast Tuners
1-Ply White Pickguard
Chrome Hardware
Brown Sunburst Finish

For the price ($199.99 at time of writing) you can’t really beat this package – it includes Fender’s Squier SE Special Strat, Squier SP-10 amplifier (with built-in switchable distortion,) an electronic tuner, guitar strap, cable, guitar picks, a beginner’s guitar instruction book from Fender, and a gig bag. honestly, you pretty much get everything you need in the package to start playing right out of the box.

Let's Rock!!

While far from a professional-level instrument, Fender’s Squier-brand of electric guitars are very well made for this kind of pricing, and they sound quite nice for the true beginner.

The Squier SP-10 amp controls include volume, treble, bass, and an overdrive on/off button that delivers tube-like tone.

I don’t personally suggest buying anything cheaper for a budding guitarist, because I can tell you from personal experience that it is very difficult to stay motivated while learning a new instrument if the quality is so low that the guitar won’t stay in tune, and the action is so high that it’s difficult to play.

Black color

That said, if you’re pretty sure you’re little guitarist is going to keep at it, or if you want to purchase a guitar for someone who has already been playing for a few years, you might take a look at something a little more expensive. In that case I’d suggest the Fender Standard Stratocaster; it’s a jump up in price (just under $450 for the guitar,) and it doesn’t come with an amplifier, but you’ll get an instrument that won’t be grown out of in a few years.

Sunburst!

Either way you go on this you’re going to get very good quality for what you’re spending…

Fender dominates the guitar market for a reason –– they just make really great instruments –– and their Squire brand of guitars brings excellent production quality to the low-cost market. Check one out. I think you’ll be impressed.

Review this gear here

A rock 'n' roll legend
You've seen countless guitar legends playing Stratocasters, from Jimi Hendrix to Eric Johnson to Yngwie Malmsteen. It's a favorite around Sweetwater thanks to the iconic, snappy tone and incredible performance. With this Squier Strat Pack, you've got a time-proven recipe for amazing playability and sweet tone.

The Foot

Save!

The Strap!

Ideal beginner's amp
You get an ideal first amp with the Squier Strat Pack, the SP10 combo amplifier. It's got two switchable channels (one for clean sounds, one for overdriven tones), and treble/bass tone controls to help you find your own unique sound.

Everything you need
On top of a sweet Squier Strat and a rockin' amp, you also get the accessories you need to keep your skills honed. You get a shoulder strap, a cable to connect to your amp, a selection of picks to try out, a tuner so you always sound your best, a stand for convenience, and a gig bag to keep your Squier Strat safe and secure. It even includes an instructional DVD to start you off right!

The Tuner

You have 'em all!!

Review this gear here

Guitar, Amplifier, Headphones, Instructional DVD, Tuner, Strap, Cable, Gigbag, and Picks.

Squier SE Special Strat with Squier SP-10 Amp Value Pack

This Squier SE Special Strat Value Pack includes a Squier SE Special Stratocaster electric guitar and an SP-10 amp, plus an instrument cable, electronic tuner, instructional DVD, guitar stand, gig bag, and picks.

The Squier SE Special Strat Electric Guitar combines 3 single-coils and 5-way switching for great tonal range. It also has a solid agathis body with shell pickguard, 21-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot position inlays, die-cast chrome tuners, and standard fulcrum tremolo bridge.

The Squier SP-10 amp controls include volume, treble, bass, and an overdrive on/off button that delivers tube-like tone.

The Squier SP-10 amp controls include volume, treble, bass, and an overdrive on/off button that delivers tube-like tone. A headphone output allows silent practice. 10 watts drive a 6" speaker and the amp has a tough textured vinyl exterior.

Detailed Description

Model Name:	Stop Dreaming, Start Playing!™ Set: SE Special with Squier® SP-10 Amp
Series:	Packs
Color / Part # :	· Black 030-1600-006 · Sunburst 030-1600-032 · Arctic White 030-1600-080

Body Shape:	Stratocaster®

Number of Frets:	22
Fret Size:	Medium Jumbo
Position Inlays:	Dot Position Inlays
Neck Material:	Maple

Hardware:	Chrome
Bridge:	Synchronous Tremolo