Guitar Gig Bag

My old cheap gig bag had its time last Dec 2011 and I needed to replace it urgently as we have an upcoming gig.  Good thing there's Guitar Central in Southampton near Bargate just beside Maplin.  You can google map it if you're not familiar of the place.  Again as I've said before friendly atmosphere and all willing to help.

I tried and look around for a gig bag just a quick replacement and Guitar Central got a lot to choose from.  Mind you, just be careful coz there are bass gig bag, guitar gig bag and electric guitar gig bag so it is better to ask assistance.  I was also tempted to buy a hardcase one but apart from short of budget I just needed a replacement for my softcase gigbag.

The one I bought was a good one.  It has two pockets, one at the top where you can put your strap and/or guitar lead then a bigger one where you can put a multi-effects processor i.e. Digitech RP55.  Also you can put in some songbook or any music magazines, chord charts, DVD lessons, etc. in this big pocket.  Also apart from the back straps there is also a sort of handle at the side so you can easily carry your guitar when it becomes a little heavy on your back.  It is also worth mentioning that the padding for this gigbag is far better than the one I got where there's hardly no padding at all to protect or cushion the guitar.  Lastly, I got an extra Behringer sticker from my K450FX and put it on this new gigbag and it made a difference. I am now looking for more stickers to add some colour or art to this gigbag.

Thanks again Guitar Central...... BIG HELP.  Cheers guys!

Guitar Central post Boxing Day

I went to Southampton post Boxing Day because I was working long day during boxing day.  I went straight to Guitar Central and have a look what's on sale and it was a total BARGAIN.  I was drooling from guitar amps to effects pedal and most especially the electric guitars.  ESP, Dean, Washburn and one of my favorite brand, Gretsch.  There was a guy playing this semi-hollow Gretsch and I was with my son that time in his pushchair, I was really amazed by the sound of the guitar.  It was plugged in a Randall guitar amp stack, I am not sure but it looks like a tube amp.

The Randall KH-15, a Kirk Hammett's signature practise amp was on super sale and by the way, Kirk Hammett was born to a Filipino mother and an Irish American father, so technically Kirk is half Filipino.  Kirk is an avid ESP guitar user and was using Mesa/Boogie before he made his move to Randall Amplifiers.


There are junior electric guitar as well that was on sale, guitar books and DVDs, lessons and other music materials were on sale.  Have a go guys and try to visit Guitar Central if you got the chance or time.  Dimebag's guitar is waiting for you guys there. R.I.P.


Here's their facebook link:  https://www.facebook.com/guitarcentralsouthampton

Guitar Central Experience

We went to Southampton a couple of days ago just to unwind and spend time with the family.  We come across a new music store and it's called Guitar Central.  This is located just next to Maplin when you're headed towards Bargate on your left hand side.  We went inside the shop look around and check out the place, the ambience is quite nice and has a friendly atmosphere. It was also a good timing because I am planning to buy a guitar amp and this is the right place to go.

I have checked some of the amps there and saw Kirk Hammett's signature series Randall KH-15 and it caught my attention.  It looks cool but I haven't tried it or heard the sound of it, although I find the price affordable.  Also the guy there recommended to me a Hiwatt amp which looks decent and affordable as well.  Me and my brother wanted to have a Cajon (wooden percussion box) so I was trying my luck if they got one.  At the moment they don't have but they've attended to us very well.  They even took our contact info as well as giving us their card to get in touch once they got the item.

I have seen some good stuff there like Dean Dimebag's guitar.  It is rather huge, really massive for me, quite a big guitar for my height and size but Im drooling because it is really beautiful.  Also I have seen effects pedals, stompboxes and multieffects.  I am a fan of Digitech.  I own an RP55, which I am currently using and back home my mate lend me his RP300.  I have used Boss Distortion, Super Overdrive, Chorus, Hyper Metal and Metal Zone. There are stompboxes there which are the real deal, however, you need to collect at least 3 of them or more to get and balance your tone i.e. Chorus or Flanger for modulation, Distortion or Overdrive for Crunch then Reverb or Delay for ambience and then compressor, wah, etc. if need be which will accumulate prices.  I find that the prices of the instruments and other items are quite all right.

The last stop was a Yamaha electronic drumkit that was on a mini stage.  While we were stuck in front of this drumkit, a member of the staff approach us and said do you want to try? Well, my nephew, who's turning 6 this month was really keen on drums and I let him play the drums.  They were amazed to see my nephew playing the drums.  Although, Marco has not had any formal lessons, he knows how to play drums because I used to own a Music Studio back home in the Philippines called Sepra Music Studio and Marco used to come and watch myself or some bands practising.  It was a lovely experience for us to visit Guitar Central.  I hope we can come back there pretty soon and explore more of what's in store.