Posts by ST

  • KPA toaster or stage?

    Quote from mike418418418

    I've already bought stage, arrives tommorrow.

    Then you'll need the welcome package.


    Documentation

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    ✔Download Main Manual 8.5 English

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    Essential Videos for Beginners and Veterans

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  • KPA toaster or stage?

    Hi, Mike.

    I love the unpowered head (Toaster).

    • The aesthetic, the vibe, the convenience of using the knobs, and easy to read display, but note: I have it at eye level while standing (because I play standing most of the time.
    • The Remote is an essential part of the system - even just for playing at home.
    • When making adjustments to your sound, you can do everything from the front panel.

    I like the Stage,

    • I use it for small gigs where portability is essential.
    • It lives in a gig bag most of the time. I pull it out for updates and to sync it up with the Toaster and rehearse stagecraft. I don't play it much at home.
    • Yes, the Stage is a little faster for Startup, but not so much that it matters to me.
    • I dislike having to bend down to read the display and operate the buttons - but this is only an issue when making adjustments and creating Performances. You can use Rig Manager for most of that, but I don't take my computer to gigs. And a lot of the time, even at home, I just don't want to use a computer when I'm playing guitar.
    • How many places do you want to look when adjusting your sound? (Floor, computer monitor).
    • It has more flexibility for external stereo effects (nothing I use)
    • It has support for Rig Manager via Wi-Fi. (inconsequential to me)
    • If I could have only one, for playing at home, I'd keep the Toaster.


    I also have a powered rack unit. That's another story.


    Glad you joined us.

  • Show your latest guitar

    Quote from Kahuna59

    I love it, but admit if it were mine it would probably end up hanging on a wall because I'd be afraid to touch it.

    Don't touch it!
    We'll I wasn't going to touch it, I was just pointing at it.
    Well... don't point! It can't be played.

    I won't own anything I won't gig, but not all gigs are equal.

    And another thought for those who think such things are too precious, "What are you saving it for?"

  • Show your latest guitar

    Quote from deadman42

    With those looks I wouldn't care for the weight and just stare at it the whole day ST! :/ ...what a beauty! :thumbup:8)

    It plays and sounds way better than it looks. I've had it since 1996. The manager of a local store called me when it arrived. "You've gotta see this!"
    I stopped by and left with it shortly thereafter. With respect to this model, people love it or hate it. There's not much in-between.

  • Show your latest guitar

    Quote from Wheresthedug

    8.2 isn'y too bad. My main guitar these days is a PRS HBii and my other current fav is my Strandberg Boden (I had a Parker Fly prior to the Strindberg). All of which are super lite. All my other PRS are over 8 so I'm used to it but once you get used to holding something at 5 or 6 it makes you acutely aware of how heavy even a modest weight normal guitar is.

    Wow - I just spent a few minutes on the Strandberg site. Those are stunning guitars - and some models at 5 pounds. Talk about an all-access pass. Of course, comparisons to the Steinbergers are inevitable. My GM 7SA weighs about 7 pounds. Didn't we have a conversation about that some time ago? I can't help but feel a twinge of "I wanna" as look at the Strandbergs.

    The PRS HB II should be similar to the JA15.

    Another guitar that gets a lot of play time here is the Santana MD. I just checked, and it weighs about the same as the Relish. So I don't know why the Relish felt different. Well, different is different, and sometimes it's hard to pin down why.

  • Show your latest guitar

    Quote from Wheresthedug

    ST nice find. I’ve had a bit of a thing for those since first seeing them a few years back.


    Not sure about the practicality of the pickup selector 😳


    How much does it weigh?

    Hey, Alan.

    Thanks for weighing in (couldn't resist).


    Weight

    The Relish Mary weight 8.2 pounds. In the specs I've seen online I've seen 8.2 and 8.8. Mine is 8.2. (This info added to my post above).

    I forgot to mention this, but the weight is a bit of an adjustment. I spend a lot of time with my hollow body PRS JA15 (6.1 pounds) so I was concerned about this before I got it. It's not bad. I play standing up most of the time. The guitar is slim, balances well, and rests close to the body. It's very comfortable.


    Pickup Selector

    I'm coming to think of the pickup selector like volume and tone controls (so, analog).

    "Relative to what I hear now, what do I want to hear?"

    or
    "I want more neck or I want more bridge."

    or

    "I want the neck to be single coil now."


    This works better for me than thinking, "I need an 80/20 split neck to bridge."


    With that more analog thinking, I can get what I want without having to pause, read the selector and move the little light to a precise position.

  • Show your latest guitar

    And now for something a little different. I got a Relish Mary (mine is not Walnut like in the linked video, but the rest is applicable)
    Click the picture to see an album with some close ups of the pickup selector, back, and pickup swapping system.



    This is a real departure for me:
    25.59 inch scale length (650 mm) (usually I play 24.5-25 inch)

    8.2 pounds (a little heavier than most of my guitars)
    Ghost Piezo pickup in the bridge (I haven't had one of these since I lost my Parker Fly in the mid-90s)

    C profile neck (apparently somewhat like a Strat - I haven't had a Strat in maybe 10 years)
    Intriguing 17-position pickup selector (including switching to single coils). This is controlled by touch (not a physical blade switch).
    And finally an opportunity to explore how much difference the pickups make. (Quick take - not as much as I expected).

    There were a few growing pains: The Line 6 G10 transmitter I use with my THRII 30 wireless is not compatible with the TRS output jack on the guitar, so this required an adapter cable, but my Sennheiser wireless systems work fine.
    It's taking a little time to get used to it and the touch activated pickup selector may be a challenge on stage. It's not like you can feel where you are with a toggle or blade switch. But now that I've set up the relief and intonation, I'm having a lot of fun.

  • Per collection thread

    Quote from Monkey_Man

    Ha! Not surprising 'cause I didn't (and never do) listen to the lyrics; I've always been this way.


    It's just about the music for me. I like to form my own imagery from music, untainted by words.

    Oh Monkey_Man,

    You're a waste of good lyrics!


    I wish there were more like you. I would have finished so many more songs.