Worker Man's Les Paul Jr: The Maxitone Story
A cheap Japanese Les Paul Jr copy from the 60s or 70s lands on my bench, and I go full detective on wraparound bridges, PVC wires and refrets. Then I put on my pointiest cowboy boots and kick some balls about why your five-figure guitar isn't magic either.
The Luxury Explorer: 1982 Ibanez Destroyer II
1982 Ibanez Destroyer II (Made in Japan)
Crafted in January 1982 at the legendary Terada or FujiGen Gakki facility in Japan, this Destroyer II captures the absolute peak era of Golden Age Japanese luthiery. Highly sought after by collectors and vintage enthusiasts, these early ’80s models deliver classic offset attitude, effortless playability, and high-output tone.
Epiphone IGC Amethyst Sparkle: it had to happen…
Bought a beautiful Amethyst Sparkle Epiphone IGC on impulse. It had to happen: fret issues, a wonky truss rod, and a trip straight back to Thomann. Still rate the IGC series, just not this one.
…and The Japanese Jazzmaster
Is it true that Fender Japan makes the best guitars? I put that claim to the test by reviewing the Fender MIJ Trad II late '60s Jazzmaster. Read on to find out if this sought-after guitar lives up to the hype.
Old vs New J Mascis Jazzmaster: What the Hell Changed?
Two Squier JMJM Jazzmasters — one old, one new. Everyone says the old one’s better. Rosewood this, vintage that. But fuck the hype — I played both, and only one of them made the amp wake the fuck up. Here’s the truth, no fluff.