Guitars Archives - Drefff Blog

Tagima TG-540 HSS (TG-530 Pro) Review

jepatawaran — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 03:24:25 +0000

TL;DR (Short summary of my Tagima TG-540 HSS Review)

This Tagima TG-540’s hardware is ok, except for the springs on the back. And I also upgraded the bridge to a thicker, more solid one for sustain. Sound is ok, but the humbucker pickup is pretty dry. I upgraded it to the Wilkinson brand.

Price range: Php 9500. Bought on Lazada from Guitar Pusher. Visit their website here. Or their Lazada store here.

2024 Update: Check my YouTube video here where I change the pickups.

Thoughts on this Tagima TG-540 HSS

Personally, I like this guitar a lot. But it also needed a lot of upgrades, for a semi-perfectionist-gear-noob like me(not sure if that’s a word). I like the neck because it’s wider than my Fender Mexican Tele and I can do vibrato stuff. The springs do not hold for long. It will become rusty, specially if you like using the tremolo a lot.

I upgraded the 2 single coil pickups to the Schrauben middle and neck pickups, and the humbucker bridge is upgraded to a Wilkinson series. Those might be the cheapest of the bunch, but it made my guitar come alive than it was before with the stock pickups. See the YouTube demo here.

Btw, the black saddle on the bridge is a Graphtech saddle I bought long time ago for my Tele, but it’s not the right spacing, so I bought another correct one for it, and used the old saddle for this one instead.

If you’re planning to use this as your main guitar, I’d recommend upgrading the springs first. The tuning keys are pretty ok for me, they tune and hold well.

Before using the tremolo like crazy, you should probably buy new springs then bring it to a trusted luthier near you so it can be setup and can be played efficiently. I’m using Kluson springs. They come in 3 pieces per set, so I bought 2.

I use a 9-42 strings here, so it has less tension on the springs.

Btw, the paint/print from your shirt, or even your leather strap could cause paint stain on the back of the guitar. Hated this issue, but I grew to not care anymore about this issue on this guitar.

I bought this guitar last October 10, 2020. I think this one could use a refret after a year or 2 of heavy playing. There’s no fret buzz, no protruding fret wires on the neck. It’s smooth as butter.

Overall Rating

Hardware – 7/10
Sound – 7/10
Neck – 9.5/10
Playability – 10/10

The body is heavier than the neck, so there’s no neck dive going around here.

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Phoebus PG-30 NCE Review

jepatawaran — Sat, 27 Mar 2021 08:54:44 +0000

TL;DR (Short summary of Phoebus PG-30 NCE Review)

Sound is superb, great, awesome even though it has laminated top. I love it. It feels sturdy. The Fishman Presys pups sounds awesome too! (see Soundcloud recording below).

Price range: Php 6900 (w/out the Fishman pickups) – 9500(w Fishman Presys I) . Bought on Lazada from Guitar Pusher. Visit their website here. Or their Lazada store here.

Phoebus PG-30 NCE Review

This acoustic guitar is pretty much suited for beginners and professionals alike. Although I’m not a pro myself, but the specs are pretty good for this guitar within its price range.

I bought this to replace my RJ Dreadnought Quilted series, since its bridge is starting to come off from the body, and that’s not good because when you’re playing it might come off. And that’s not very likely. I can take it to an expert or a luthier, but the cost and the shipping fee would be wayyyyy more expensive that the price of the guitar.

When I got Phoebe(I named it Phoebe, because of Phoebus. Yep. I had a hard time thinking of that name.), I tested it out immediately, and voila. I was amazed! It feels great on the neck, and the sound is great even without using the pickups.

If you’re looking for a “budget-friendly” guitar, or maybe a little bit over your typical budget guitar, this one should definitely be on your list! Not to mention the great support and customer service from Guitar Pusher, this guitar is definitely a winner for me.

March 2025 Update: We’re still using the Phoebus PG-30 NCE on our church, and it’s still doing great! I’ve recorded some songs with it, and it still sound as good when I first bought it.

Aside from replacing the batteries and string, there are really no issues with this guitar.

If you’re planning to buy a good acoustic guitar that’s worth it and without having to think too much of the upgrades or replacement parts, then this guitar is worth a try! After 4 years, it’s still doing great!

Check out my gear, pedals, and pedalboard here!

Drefff · Goodness Of God - Phoebus PG-30 NCE

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How to improve your guitar playing and guitar tone?

jepatawaran — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 09:55:32 +0000

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Best Brand of Guitar Strings… Ever?

jepatawaran — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 00:27:09 +0000

Here are my recommendations for the best guitar string brands. I’ve only included the brands that I’ve used and tested. I will try to add the gauge and other details if it’s possible. You can check it out on Amazon, Lazada, Shopee or any other online or physical guitar stores near you.

Electric Guitar Strings

Daddario – NYXL, EXL110, EXL125, EXL120, EXL115, EXL120+ (Daddarios are my first set strings, and I fell in love with it)
Dunlop – Nickel Wound
GHS – Boomers,
DR Handmade Strings – Veritas, Pure Blues, Tite-Fit
Elixir – Optiweb, Nanoweb (This is the best string if you’re hands are sweating too much, like me)
Roto Sounds – Roto Reds
Curt Mangan – Perfecto de Castro signature
Stringjoy
Fender – Super 250’s, Super Bullets
Cleartone – Nickel Plated

Acoustic Guitar Strings

Orphee – TX620 (I really like the Orphee when used on an acoustic, but on electric, nope. Never again. I tried 2 sets, everytime I tune the high E string from a D#, it snaps very easily.)
GHS – Bright Bronze

Bass Guitar Strings

Ziko – Nickel Wound 45-100 (I’m pretty sure there are other great bass string brands out there, but this is the most budget-friendly strings that I’ve tried since 2020. It costs Php 500 or $10.)

I know that there are lots of great guitar strings out there that I’ve yet to try, but for now, these are my top picks and these are the best string brands for me.

I’ve used it mostly on my Fender Mexican Tele, Clifton Jazz Bass and RJ Acoustic. I liked it, maybe bought a couple or more, but everything in this list is pretty much great in their own way. For example, I like the tone and feels of the Daddario EXl110. I like how the Elixir Optiweb stays clean and free from rust after 3+ months. I like how some of the gauge-specific DR Veritas strings comes with 3 free G, B and E strings.

So the best way to determine or define your “own best brand of guitar strings” are to test them out, have fun with it and explore.

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Clifton Jazz Bass Review

jepatawaran — Mon, 15 Feb 2021 13:07:29 +0000

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Deviser TG-30 Review

jepatawaran — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 23:27:24 +0000

TL;DR (Short summary of my Deviser TG-30 Guitar Amplifier Review)

Clean sound is great. But putting a high gain drive pedal in front of it will make your sound muddy, muffled and raspy (garalgal). It will take low-medium drive pedals pretty good. And for me, it’s not that really loud for a 30-watt amp. My Champion 40 is still the best when it comes to a pretty loud, lower watt amp.

Price range: Php 2800-3000. Bought on Lazada

To be honest, I’ve been eyeing for an Orange 20 or 35 watts for some time now. I want to see if it’s louder, punchier, cleaner and more worth it than the Deviser TG-30.

I might buy it this 2021 or not. Who knows. I’ll create a review, and maybe a video demo on my YouTube channel of the 2 when I got my hands on the Orange amp.

I’ve used it with my Phoebus PG-30 NCE, and it sounds “ok” in clean mode. No gain knob, no pedals, just the guitar and a cord.

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Joyo I-Plug Review

jepatawaran — Sat, 05 Dec 2020 04:47:29 +0000

TL;DR (Short summary of my Joyo I-Plug Review)

Sounds great on guitars and bass(not tested with pedals). It takes guitar pedals very well but expect some hiss. And keep your phone(I’m using Android) away or far from the device as it may cause some static noises. Used for practice with my Tagima TG-540 HSS, etc.

Price range: Php 600-750
Seller: gearshipper from Lazada
Product link

What's In the Box?

2x AAA(triple A) batteries
I Plug device
3.5mm to 3.5mm connector
3.5mm to 3.5mm extension
User manual

Is it Worth It?

Yes.

If you want to practice, play or just have fun with the guitar or bass without waking or disturbing your family members, neighbors or roommates with the loud noise of your amp, especially if you’re using dirt* pedals, then this device is definitely worth it.

Extra Notes

Reminder: Please don’t or refrain yourself from using the Joyo I-Plug on high gain or high volume as it may damage your ears. As a musician, our ears is one of our greatest weapon, so take good care of your ears.

*TL;DR – Too Long, Didn’t Read. For those people who just want a short summary of the content because the content is too long.

*dirt = overdrive, distortion and/or fuzz pedals

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Amp, Effects Pedals and Pedalboard Timeline

jepatawaran — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 16:00:00 +0000

I change stuff on my board a lot…

2018 pedalboard. With no pedalboard. In terms of pedalboard, we have no pedalboard.

Signal Chain: Zoom G2.1u for a compressor and EQ > DS-1 > Hustle Drive > Kokko OD > DD-7 > Zoom G5(Modulations and reverb)

2019 pedalboard. Built my first pedalboard, added a carpet, and LED. I’m very happy and pleased with it. Should’ve taken more pictures before it was taken apart.

Signal Chain: Kokko Comp > DS-1 > Engager Boost > Kokko OD > Hustle Drive > Orange Burst > Volume Pedal > DD-7 > Slo

Signal Chain: Buffer > Tone Press > SD-1 > Pugilist Distortion > VS XO > Pure Sky > Tauren > Volume Pedal > Zoom G5 for modulation, delays and reverbs

Signal Chain: Tuner(finally got myself one) > Tone Press > Pure Sky > Blues Crab > VS XO > Tauren > M234 Chorus > DD-7 > Digiverb

Signal Chain: Buffer > Tone Press > Pure Sky > Tauren > Blues Crab > VS XO > Pugilist > Volume Pedal/Tuner > Zoom G5(mods, delay and reverb)

Quarantine board 2020. Lots of changes in the signal chain, and lots of new pedals. And I bought a new guitar, Tagima TG-540.

2021 pedalboard. I wanted to use my other board, but it’s too big. Imma stick with this one until I got a custom flight case for the bigger board. Right now, i’m happy with this setup.

#YearOfTheOverflow

Signal Chain: Tone Press > Joyo Tauren > VS XO > Volume Pedal/Tuner > DD-7 > BigSky

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Fernando Strat(M.I.K.) Parts Replacement

jepatawaran — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 16:07:54 +0000

Yeah. I know what you’re thinking. It’s dirty, it’s kinda old, oh wait, it’s really old. If I’m not mistaken, it’s around 10+ years. I wan’t to restore the looks, the feel, and the ease of playing with it. It’s rusty, the fret board is bent, the pick guard and tone knob is not white anymore, the 5-way switch is kinda loose and the fret board is dirty due to the years of playing. I’ve used this guitar for the very first time when I played the lead guitar on God is Able by Hillsong, and used my cousin’s acoustic guitar to practice the song all the way through.

Note: I don’t know what measuring tool I am using on the 2nd and 3rd picture. Just a reference for the string height measurement.

So yeah, I bought some tools from Ace Hardware at a reasonable price. Creston Screw Driver Set, Creston Wrench 6 and Stanley Allen Wrench Set, which costs me around Php 800.00. That Blue Magic box, is, well, for, you know, I took this photo last February, and you know what that means. Blue pick from Planet Waves, Planet Waves string winder, and a Nescafe “tool” box. The Planet Waves is a set I bought from JB Music last December 2016, which includes a Guitar Strap, 10 Medium Celluloid Picks, Guitar Cord, EXL110 Gauge 10, and a String Winder, which is used for cutting strings, removing bridge pins and…. Winding strings to save time.

Right now, March 9, 2018, I’ve bought a saddle, bridge and a tremolo, with springs, for Php 400.00 from a person in a Facebook group, good thing we’re near each other’s workplace so we can save time from going to long trips. All I need now is a brand new S-S-S pick guard, 2 tone knobs, 1 volume knob, 5-way switch(optional) and some screws for the pick guard, which is very hard to find. S stands for Single Coil, here’s a picture of it. There are other types of pick guard, like S-S-H, H-H, and many more.

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