[Review] Items I’m Glad I Bought in 2021

Hey everyone! It’s Kaoru the composer.

2021 has passed by in the blink of an eye, hasn't it? This year, I made a lot of purchases from Sound House.

So, today, I would like to introduce various items that I’m glad I bought and share my experiences about them.

First up, here’s this one:

Michael Kelly Guitars / Custom Collection 50 Striped Ebony

This brand seems to be well-known among American music stores, but there isn’t much information circulating about it... However, I instantly fell in love with it, so I decided to take the plunge and buy it.

By the way, there’s an introduction video on their official YouTube channel, so if you're interested, feel free to check it out!

This guitar feels incredible! The wood grain is beautiful, and the logo on the side of the body looks really cool! Both the front and back of the body have contouring, so it fits snugly next to your body. On top of that, it's lightweight, so it's not tiring to play! The fretwork is well done, so there’s no problem with playability!

The metal parts are of good quality as well, so there was no immediate need to replace them. Originally, I was planning to modify it, but it’s such a high-quality instrument that I think I’ll just enjoy it as it is for a while!

*The one that arrived had a small scratch on the back of the body, but it’s not too noticeable unless you look closely, so I’m not upset about it at all!!

As for the sound, it has a unique 4-way switch that’s a very cool feature. Not only can you get a bright Telecaster-like sound, but it also covers thick tones like those from a humbucker. The knobs respond well, so I found it easy to shape the sound.

For this price, I’m more than satisfied!!

If I had to mention one downside...
the body is so lightweight that it tends to head dive. For me, it’s not an issue because I make the strap shorter and hold the guitar higher up.

The octave tuning wasn't set, so I had to adjust it myself. If you're unable to do it yourself, you can always take it to a music store, and they’ll take care of it, so even beginners don't have to worry!

There was also some dirt on the frets and the fretboard looked dry, so I used this to address it:

dmiguitarlabs / FRET BUTTER Fret Polishing Cloth

The dirt came off immediately, and it became shiny again!!

This is just my personal opinion, but I found Michael Kelly Guitars to be a very trustworthy brand! I really wish Sound House would carry more of their products...

PICKBOY / BP-150.

These are brass bridge pins for an acoustic guitar.
Originally, I was using plastic bridge pins, but I wasn’t satisfied with the higher end frequencies.

I could have changed the strings, but I didn’t want to alter the playing feel, so I decided to buy these.

As soon as they arrived, I swapped them out and played... "!!!!!"
The higher end frequencies became more brilliant and emphasized. It really transformed the sound into something much closer to my ideal.

The price, around 1,000 yen, is also a pleasant surprise!

ELECOM / PCA-LTTT6033OAK Folding Laptop Table

This folding laptop table is adjustable in height and top angle, making it perfect not just for using on the floor, but also on the sofa or bed.
For me, I mainly work from home, but staying in the same place for too long can get a bit stifling...

So, I bought this so I could work in different places.
My first impression when it arrived was that it was incredibly light!!!
It’s also compact, so you can carry it in one hand.
The lack of sharp corners makes it safe for homes with small children!

Even when I place my

• laptop
• mouse
• and audio interface

on the table, there’s still a bit of extra space.
It’s also great for students doing online classes!

Nekodamari Koubou / Homemade Clear Beeswax Wax with Sunlit Fragrance

Since December 2020, the homemade clear beeswax wax has been available for sale at music stores.
It seems to have become incredibly popular since its release, so I decided to give it a try.

This one product can be used on wood, metal, and leather, making maintenance a lot easier!
I’ve also tried it on a leather wallet and leather shoes, and it gives them a nice shine!

The "Sunlit Fragrance" is slightly sweet and refreshing.
The tin is also stylish, so once I’m done with it, I plan to use it as a small container!
I liked it so much that I’ll definitely be repurchasing!!

They’ve also released other new products, including this one:

Nekodamari Koubou / Homemade Clear Beeswax Wax with Sky Blue

Nekodamari Koubou / Homemade Clear Beeswax Wax with Cherry Blossom Color

Nekodamari Koubou / Homemade Clear Beeswax Wax with Dandelion Color

That wraps up my list of things I’m glad I bought in 2021.
I hope you found it helpful, and feel free to use it as a reference!

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