Wilkinson Vintage 60s MWVS and Hot Humbucker MWHB review

Wilkinson single coil and humbucker pickups

I had hard time deciding on what pickup to buy to upgrade my stock pickup on my Lyon by Washburn guitar. I bought this guitar around 2009. So it's been a long while and I've used this guitar a lot from gigs, recordings and home videos. Anyways, Im not expert on pickups moreso on changing stuff on my guitar. Im scared of soldering things.

My first challenge was the wiring of the stock pickup. So I took a photo of the pickup and the wiring setup. Then I also checked on YouTube some videos on how to change pickups. The second challenge was the 5 way switch was wired differently from most videos on YouTube. So I had to learn the concept behind it. Pen and paper plus a bit of drawing came handy.


I got the original photo of the wiring positions, etc. and I got my drawing of the switch and connections, I think Im ready to dismantle my guitar. Strings removed, I started with the neck pickup. Unscrew and removed the wires. It was straight forward. Just solder the wires from where the original pickups were attached.


Now, with the humbucker, I had to go back to YouTube because I got 4 wires on Wilkinson's and only 2 wires on my stock pickup. Again try to learn some concept on humbuckers between 2 wires vs 4 wires. Good thing, Wilkinson's got a piece of paper that came with the pickups saying what colour the wires and what it's for. But obviously, like myself, being new to this 4 wires couldn't get it at an instant by just reading that piece of paper. That's when YouTube came to place and helped a lot. So, to cut the story short, 4 wires is for coil split or coil tap and all I needed to do is to just left the red and white wires soldered together and just wrap it with an electrical tape and just solder the yellow wire to the selector switch and solder the black wire to the pot.

Put the guitar back together and I used my old strings back. Because I haven't bought a replacement strings yet and was too excited to put the pickups and try it. Hence, the video was done for my own reference to know the difference between the old and the newly fitted Wilkinson pickups.

CONCLUSION: There's a subtle difference between the two pickups. If you are not too techy and sensitive sound differences, I think there's no need to change your pickups. It saves you all the hassle. Unless you really got a crap guitar or a knackered pickups that's making a lot of noise or feedbacks a lot. But if your pickups are functional, I think it's best to just leave it.

I think the sound that you produce from your guitar is a combination of a lot of things. Like what type of guitar your using i.e. strat vs les paul or other brands, shape, size, etc. of a guitar. Strings that you put. Amp you use. Effects pedal you use.  So, if you are that particular, then go for it. You have to really chase that tone and experiment from one pickup brand, style, customisation, etc. to get your tone right. Because there's really a lot to learn and even with subtle differences, you can decipher the changes in your tone.

Roland CM30 Cube Monitor review

Roland CM30 Cube Monitor

As the name goes.... Cube Monitor, it is really designed as a monitor either as home recording studio monitor or live stage monitor.  But, you can improvise on this one as a portable all-in-one PA system. Only 30 watt but loud enough for small venues plus it has 3 channel with one as XLR plus an AUX input where you can plug your mp3 player or iPod and use it as a backing track.

The CM30 can be linked and connect up to 8 cube monitors. Actually even just two of these that are connected together is powerful enough for a small to medium size venues. We've used this one time when we went out on a holiday and rented a caravan. We brought our karaoke and plugged it here and it sounded great. Everyone enjoyed singing. Also during birthday parties, I normally use this because it is so portable and sounds big enough on most venues.

The only downside on this one is that it does not have effects like reverb, echo or delay. So if you are a vocalist just use a mixer that has got built-in effects on it and that will solve the problem.

Overall, a very good monitor and reliable portable PA system.

                                                            

23" toy ukulele review and repair

23" Ukulele (designed for music lovers)

Bought this toy ukulele from a toy shop and it says 23" Ukulele (designed for music lovers) and it says on the side of the box "A great introduction to playing the ukulele."

The Ukulele is made from China and there's a website on the box (TheWorks.co.uk). The ukulele itself is built nicely, painting is decent, and looks like it can survive a serious beating from a child. Having said that, I dont think this one is a musical instrument. I think it's designed to be a toy. Something that a child can hold, make noise and pretend like a rockstar. Apart from that, there's not much to it.

However, after two years of its survival, my son got a ukulele lesson at school. And started to be interested in playing ukulele. Now, I managed to alter and rectify some of the issues of this toy ukulele and make it work.

First was the nut, I had to file it using a bread knife just to lower the strings and make it closer to the fretboard or frets.  Second the bridge was not attached which is good thing because I managed to find the right spot for that bridge to sort of rectify and intonate the ukulele. Meaning, I can't tune it properly before but having to fiddle with it around, I did find a good spot and superglued it and tune the ukulele.

I dont know how to play the ukulele, had to google and youtube it. So after learning a little bit about ukulele, I managed to tune it and learn few chords and managed to play the ukulele on a beginner or very basic level. Plus, my son enjoys the ukulele now.

To those who wants to buy a ukulele, I would suggest to go to your local music shop and try their ukulele, ask some assistance from the staff. Or, if you want to buy a cheap ukulele online, buy one that looks pretty decent and got good reviews so you wont have headaches.

Remington HC4250 Quick Cut Clipper Review

Remington Quick Cut Hair Clipper

This is one of the most effective hair clipper out there to cut DIY. The ergonomic design, makes it easy for you to hold and manoeuvre. No need to ask someone to do it, no wires that's in the way and saves you from going to a barbershop. Out of the box, you'll get the hair clipper itself, the charger, manual, different fixed combs from 1.5 up to 15 mm or Grade 0-4. Battery can be used up to 40 minutes on a 4-hour charging. Waterproof and can be rinse under the tap directly. Do not wash the unit when it is plugged. On the manual there's instructions on how to disassemble the blades. There is a pouch that's included where you can put the clipper. But it's too small that you can't put anything else in it. So far I've tried it and really works. Im very happy with this one.