Awesome Purchases Bought in 2021

Cheena: I’m going to talk about something completely unrelated right off the bat, but if you log into Twitter from https://studio.twitter.com/library, you can access Media Studio, where you can easily view and organize your past photos. You can also repost quickly, and it’s a great feature for taking a look back over the past year, so feel free to use it.

- Profile -

Parazio: It’s already time for the year-end roundup! This time, we're showcasing the things we bought this year, so there should be plenty of material to talk about!

Cheena: Shall we list everything we bought first? We can either pick out the best items or ask questions about things that caught our attention...

Nemoto: I’ll go first.

● Main Items
Warwick Vampire 6-string
Grassroots Mini Ikutron
Gibson SB-400 ('71)

● Accessories
Radial J48
Mackie M48
Clark Technik 76-KT
And some consumables.

Cheena: As for me:

● Main Items
Warmoth Bass6
SUZUKI Violin Kit
Aria 714 AE-200 Lavender

● Accessories
Boss BC-2 Combo Drive
UHMW Polyethylene Picks
MöbiusPick/Möbiuspick Wide

● Machinery
Rattmmotor CNC 3019
Anycubic Photon Mono
Anycubic Wash & Cure
And some other bits and pieces. The supply-related stuff might have been more interesting!

Eru: There’s too much to list, so I’ll just go with the ones I have at hand...

● Main Items
Kanade SOUND DESIGN Amico-HTB
Kanade SOUND DESIGN KPJ
Sago Seed Tabuchi Mk-Ⅱ
Sago Seed Kanderbird
YAMAHA BB735A

● Effects Pedals
Vivie Owlmighty Pro
KarDiaN (almost all types)
Zahnrad by Nature Sound 4000pre
Altero Custom Guitars Wal

● Amplifiers
PJB NANOBASS X4
HARTKE TX300

Parazio: And lastly, here’s mine.

● Main Items
Bacchus 5-string WJB5-630-RSM/M Act
Thunderbird

● Effects Pedals
BOSS ODB-3
ZOOM B1X Four
ZOOM G1X Four
Darkglass B7K Ultra V2
I think that’s everything. I really bought a lot, didn’t I?
And, it seems like everyone ended up buying rods too.
As for the Thunderbird, I didn’t buy it—I received it as a gift.

Cheena: Vanpyre, KarDiaN (almost all of them), the B7K... some really expensive items stand out...

Parazio: Expensive items are both a sign of being a working adult and a sign of someone who’s gotten a little numb to it, so I’d say good kids shouldn’t imitate this.
In a sense, it’s the hobby of someone who understands the value of things, or you could see it as an investment.
Especially Darkglass, it was a great experience.

Nemoto: Other than the Mini Ikutron, I felt like everything else could be resold at the same price I bought them for, so I was fine with it.
There are rods I want, but honestly, they’re not in a price range I can afford, so next year I would like to buy some effect pedals.

Eru: The first KarDiaN I bought, the Vitamin C 4th Anniversary version, is really great. Since it works for both guitar and bass, I thought it was a two-in-one deal, so I replaced almost all the pedals I had. Well, part of it was that I just wanted gear from Shiga.
https://kardian.net/collections/frontpage/products/vitamincagv
Right, expensive gear can always be sold if you need to—though you really don’t want to get to that point.

Nemoto: As long as you’re careful not to get to the point where you have to sell your gear to make money, it’s fine. It was tough when a bunch of my friends were getting married, though.

Cheena: The great thing about DIY gear is that no matter how much you spend, the resale value is zero (is that really a great thing?). It might be better to just break it down and sell the parts...

Nemoto: Well... yeah...
Shall we get to the main topic now?

Cheena: Shall we get started? We’re just introducing the gear we liked, right?

Parazio: Please, go ahead!

Cheena: Who’s gonna start?

Parazio: I don’t have a lot so I’m gonna start first.
This year I got a lot of things, but I think the Thunderbird was the most significant, as it led me to start repairing gear.
It made me want to learn about the structure of instruments, and as a result, I’ve been diving into the world of craftsmanship in my personal time, which has been really fun every day.
Another one is the BOSS ODB-3 effects pedal—this was really great!
When I started playing bass, the music store recommended it to me, and I tried it, but I didn’t like it at all back then. However, when I bought it again and tried it now, I was really impressed.
What I liked is that you can surprisingly use it for everything from overdrive to distortion.
This year was really a year of learning for me.

Eru: Here comes the big guy. I think we talked about this before somewhere, but when I bought it the first time, I didn’t like it and let it go quickly... It might be different now, though. The thing is, I just can't get into the design of BOSS pedals in general...

Cheena: Yeah, BOSS pedals have a unique shape that pretend to be a standard design...
That being said, I actually bought the BC-2 at the beginning of the year. I found it when I visited a music store on New Year's Eve, right before their New Year’s sale started. I asked them to set it aside for me and bought it on the spot... It’s got a lovely, warm sound with just a classic overdrive, really.

Nemoto: Distortion is a world I don’t really understand.
I’m thinking of buying a VOX MV50 for my piccolo bass, or maybe a Rat pedal would work as well.

Eru: Yeah, distortion can be confusing. The fun part is combining different distortions to create a new kind of distortion, or mixing in boosters and spatial effects. There are endless ways to use it—it’s so much fun!

Nemoto: Alright, I’ll go next. I’ll talk about the J48.
My PJB Bass Buddy has been acting up recently, so I thought it was time to get a new DI. I decided to try a Radial, which I hadn’t used before, and it turned out to be a great choice.
It delivers a clear and flat sound, and by using the low-cut switch to remove any unwanted lows, it improves the clarity. The phase inversion switch allows you to thin out the character, too. It’s an active DI, so the downside is that you need phantom power in some form. It works really well with active basses, but when you connect a passive bass, that clear, flat characteristic works against it a bit. But still, I highly recommend it.

Parazio: Thank you, Nemoto, for the valuable review.
There are a lot of things you can’t know about a DI until you buy it.
I’ve only ever used the DI built into my preamp, so I’m really curious about dedicated ones.
By the way, does it have EQ?

Nemoto: No, it doesn’t have an EQ.

RADIAL / J48

This is strictly a DI and not a combination with a preamp like you often see.

Parazio: Ah, I see, a DI really can shape the character just like a preamp.
This feels like the beginning of a rabbit hole...
By the way, Nemoto, how’s that Warwick?

Nemoto: Despite the very rugged look, the sound is surprisingly neutral, and the pickups have a low output. I think it’s quite versatile.
Since it doesn’t use any African woods, it doesn’t have the typical “Warwick sound”. It’s more on the rock side, though.

Cheena: That sounds awesome... Instruments with a C-Bout are great... very nice...

Eru: The C-bout refers to the “C” curve in the middle of the body, right? I just learned that. Seems like it would give the instrument a lot of punch (just guessing).

Nemoto: The archtop design is also a key point. If you look at a flat-top Vampire (a rock bass), it looks pretty cheap by comparison...

Cheena: Feel free to compare for reference.

Parazio: I see, so despite its appearance, it’s actually quite a straightforward instrument!
It looks like a final boss, though, haha.
Another surprise is the Ikutron!
Actually, I’m a fan of Baba-san.
How’s it working for you?

Nemoto: Oh, what a coincidence! It’s surprisingly about 7 times more reasonable than I imagined.
Despite being passive, it’s more powerful than the Vampire. I’m thinking of putting piccolo strings on it and making it sound more like a guitar.

Parazio: Really? That’s also really unexpected!
It sounds more reasonable than its looks, just like Baba-san himself, haha.
(Dragon Ash really could have used Baba-san, I wish he’d stayed with them.)
By the way, Nemoto, what’s the best thing you bought this year?

Nemoto: It's not that I dislike KenKen, but I thought about that. Well, there were health issues, so I understand.
As for the best purchase, it's definitely the Vampire.
I've wanted one for a long time, but since it's a made-to-order model, it hardly ever comes up on the market. When I got a quote, even for a 5-string, it started at 800,000 yen, which was a bit much. Then, a friend offered it to me at a surprisingly low price, so I was a bit hesitant but ended up buying it. It turned out to be a really great purchase.

Parazio: That sounds like a great buy!
Dragon Ash was the music of my youth, and since Baba-san was in the band at the time, I have a strong attachment to him.
By the way, how’s the rack compressor doing?

KLARK TEKNIK (Klark Teknik) / 76-KT Compressor

Nemoto: It sounds really good. Compared to the original, I feel like the S/N ratio is a bit worse, and it clips more easily (it’s been a while since I’ve touched the actual unit, so this is a bit fuzzy), but considering it's over 200,000 yen cheaper than the original 1176, I can’t really complain. I think it was a good purchase.
Unfortunately, the signature full-on distortion is gone, which is a bit disappointing.

Parazio: So, it’s a bit different from the original, huh?
Sorry for asking so many questions, but lastly, can I ask about that Gibson?
What’s the SB-400 like? Is it the classic mahogany model?

Nemoto: To put it simply, the SB-400 debuted in 1971 as a budget version of the SG series (similar to how the Junior is positioned within the Les Paul series). However, it wasn't a commercial success and it was discontinued after a few years.
This was one of the basses I considered when I was looking for a Gibson, but ultimately, I went with the Thunderbird.
It has a maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and the body material is not listed in the catalogs from that time, but some people suspect it might be alder.
The tone is about as thick as a Precision Bass, so it’s more versatile than other Gibson basses. It has a bit of a cheap feel, though. Also, the neck is in rough shape, and I don't think it can be fixed much more without compromising its condition.

Parazio: I thought it looked a bit like an SG, but I didn’t realize it was a budget version! (I know it’s not great to talk about instruments in terms of price…) The Thunderbird is just cooler in terms of visuals!
Also, the fact that it has a Precision-like tone is a bit surprising considering its look.
Are you thinking of making any modifications at all?

Nemoto: I’m thinking of changing the bridge, but since it’s a vintage model, if I can’t find a drop-in replacement, I probably won’t bother replacing it.
Other than that, no modifications for now.

Parazio: Keeping the original feel, huh? That’s good too.
Cheena, did you work on that 6-string bass this year? I think you mentioned something about assembling it…

Cheena: Yes, the Bass VI is made from a Warmoth body and neck. I’ve already written an article about it, but it’s been further modified since then, mainly with some minor parts and electrical work. Related article: "Researching Bass VI and Building My Own"

Parazio: So, the best thing you bought this year was the BASS VI? I've never seen this type of bass in person. Is it somewhere between a guitar and a bass?

Cheena: I’ve used it on stage a few times, but I still don’t fully understand it. It can be seen as an instrument that allows you to play bass lines in the style of a guitar, or as an evolution of the bass to make it easier to play chords. I think it’s best to think of it as a third force that’s neither a guitar nor a bass. I rewired it to get phase sounds, but it’s definitely not a guitar sound…
When it comes to what I’m most glad I bought, it’s not the BASS VI, but rather it’s the Aria 714-Evergreen 200 and various picks.

Parazio: It’s got an odd position in the instrument world, right? Haha. And to think the best thing about this year was a guitar. Also, what’s that machinery you’re talking about? Haha.

Cheena: The CNC 3019 is a small machine that can carve and cut materials as hard as aluminum with drill-like tools. The Photon is a 3D printer that uses ultraviolet light to harden liquid resin. The Wash & Cure is the resin cleaning machine.
All three of these are under 20,000 yen, and with these tools combined with the machines I’ve had before, I can now make almost all my instrument parts out of metal. This means I can make bridges that won’t break and peg buttons that won’t be impossible to put together. (See the previous three-person collaboration article and the Bass VI building article for more details.)

Parazio: You own a CNC machine!? That’s amazing.
What size can it handle?
At this point, your bass is practically not even an instrument anymore! Haha.

Cheena: The working area is about 20 cm wide, 15 cm deep, and 5 cm tall. It’s a bit small, but even if it were larger, I wouldn’t have any parts to work on for instruments.
Right now, I’m happy to be able to do simple work on things like nuts and saddles. With a little ingenuity, I could probably make a fretboard as well.
Next, I’m aiming for a large CNC machine that can make the body and neck along with a tabletop lathe and laser cutter. It’s the real deal.

Parazio: The stuff you want sounds like something a business would use! Haha.
Alright, how about we get back to talking about instruments? Eru, please share what you bought this year that you’re most happy with!

Eru: Since I’m writing this article, I already wrote another one, so please check that out.
Related article: “Introducing Amazing Local Brands from Shiga – Rod Edition”

But I want to share one thing; I was pretty shocked by the KarDiaN pedals. I’m not very knowledgeable about the details of the sound, so please bear with me. I’m more of a feel-based person.
Everyone else has way too much knowledge and talks too much… haha.
The first one I bought was the Vitamin C 4th Anniversary version, and what surprised me was how little noise it made. I’ve bought other fuzz pedals before, but they were so noisy that I didn’t want to use them (though I can’t say that noise is always bad).
It’s technically a guitar pedal, but it has such a wide range that it works just fine for bass as well. The sound isn’t inorganic but rather it feels alive, so I really like it. I’m planning to write a separate article about this as well…
https://kardian.net/products/vitamincagv

Parazio: Indeed, both of you have incredible knowledge.
I got to know KarDiaN through Eru. It's a nice local brand from Shiga—I'm really into local manufacturers.
In Kyoto, I only really know Sobatto...
Honestly, ALBIT is my favorite Japanese pedal manufacturer.
By the way, how was the 4000pre that everyone’s talking about?

Eru: If it's Kyoto, how about Vin Antique? I haven’t used it myself, so feel free to review it.
https://www.vin-antique.com/
As for the 4000pre, it's good. You don’t absolutely need it, but it’s nice to have.
It definitely improves the sound, but it’s not something that you absolutely have to have. It’s one of those things where the improvement is more of a feeling than something you can explain logically.

Nemoto: K.Laboratory is also from Kyoto, right?
http://www.and-k-lab.com
I’m not very knowledgeable about pedals, but their flashy looks left an impression on me.
In Kyoto, there’s also Higashi Gen Gakki Seisakusho (though they don’t make pedals), so it seems like there are quite a few manufacturers.
I wonder if there are any pedal makers in Ibaraki… There’s D’sdesign… though they don’t seem to have a workshop.

Cheena: In Kyoto, there's also NISHIHARA GUITARS, which makes acoustic guitars with some unique shapes. But I guess we don’t really have any acoustic guitar players here…

Parazio: There are so many makers in Kyoto, right?
Also, NeMoto, you really know a lot about Higashi Gen Gakki Seisakusho! You’re obsessed!
They’re located in a residential area, right?
I used to go to their concert every year, but it’s been canceled since COVID hit.
Maybe I should visit some local instrument shops.
By the way, Eru, didn’t you buy a ton of amps this year?

Eru: No, just the TX300. I’m not counting the NANOBASS though.

HARTKE TX300 Bass Amp Head

Parazio: You bought an amp! Lucky you.
I’ve always wanted a Hartke, so I’m a bit envious.
As for me, I’m pretty satisfied with what I bought this year.
I got my first 5-string, the Bacchus 5-string WJB5-630-RSM/M Act (check it out here), and it was at a really great price. Also, I finally got the BOSS ODB-3 and, more importantly, the Darkglass B7K Ultra. That was huge for me. It’s been a dream of mine for over 5 years.
So, surprisingly, I feel like I’ve managed to get out of the gear rabbit hole… but now I’m getting into modification, repair, and DIY, so it looks like I’m just going to dive into that world instead.
Next year, I want to level up and expand my knowledge. One of my goals is to really master the Darkglass B7K Ultra. I thought it would only be capable of modern sounds, but it actually does some surprisingly warm tones too.
I’m looking forward to exploring this preamp more!

Cheena: The B7K is great, isn’t it? By the way, did anyone get any new gear this year?
For me, I got 4 custom-made picks...
Three MöbiusPick ones for fast picking (one with glass coating, one for right-handed players, and one with a reverse shape), and one made from UHMW polyethylene, a material that’s naturally lubricated for smoother play.

Parazio: When it comes to small items, I’ve been collecting things for repairs.
Check out my related post on useful items for repairs.
It’s surprising how having the right tools can give you a lot of confidence (and some mystery).

Eru: For me, I got some beeswax from Nekodamari Kōbō. It’s super versatile. Is it gear? Well, kind of! It’s a game-changer for all kinds of uses!

Nekodamari Kōbō / beeswax

Cheena: Beeswax is really great, isn’t it?

Nemoto: You might already know this, but the moisturizing effect of beeswax is actually quite low, so be careful.
It can give a nice shiny look that might make you miss the fact that it’s drying out, especially on an unfinished fingerboard. Essentially, it can cause over-drying, so keep an eye on it.

Parazio: Yeah, I think it’s good to apply wax after moisturizing.
It’s a bit of a hassle, so I just use Freedom Custom Guitar's lemon oil.
It’s a mix of beeswax and lemon oil.

Freedom Custom Guitar / SP-P-11 Lemon Oil

Eru: For me, it’s mostly about replacing Finger Ease. I used to spray Finger Ease on a cloth, but I’ve heard it could negatively affect the fingerboard, so I was quietly concerned about that. Just getting rid of that worry is enough. Plus, it lasts forever!

Cheena: I totally get what you mean about it lasting forever. I was going to buy the big one from the -HATA- collaboration (costing 50,000 yen!), but I realized the regular one is more than enough.

Parazio: Speaking of small accessories, this year I bought Playtech bass strings for the first time. I was surprised by how well they work, and the price for the 5-string set is incredibly cheap. I think I’ll buy some more in bulk. Also, I tried DR's black strings earlier this year, and they’re pretty great. They’re still going strong!

DR / BKB-40 BLACK BEAUTIES BLACK Colored Light 40-100

I’m excited to try the Medium gauge this winter, since I liked the Light gauge. I think I might get hooked on stainless steel strings. I’m even thinking of switching my frets to stainless too.

Nemoto: Those black strings are great, aren't they? The overtones are somewhat subdued, so they aren’t flashy, but that makes them solid and full-bodied.

Cheena: Yeah, I understand them as coated black stainless steel strings that have a thick sound. I’m thinking of using them for a semi-acoustic along with some black nylon ones.

Nemoto: It’s good to select strings based on the sound you want. DR’s Sunbeam strings are nice too.
They’re a little softer and easier to play. If you like D’Addario, you might not be into them, though.

Parazio: Have any of you bought any other strings this year?

Nemoto: This year, I’ve stuck with the usual ones. I went with the JF346 from Thomastik-Infeld again

Thomastik-Infeld / JF346

and EXL220BT

DADDARIO / EXL220BT Nickel Bass BALANCED TENSION Super Light 40-95

or something like it. I’m thinking of finally replacing my Wooden strings next year. Evah Pirazzi Slap — they’re expensive, but if you're using stringed instruments, it’s an inevitable cost... The Belcanto strings I have now, even though the tuning stability has dropped a bit, they’re not rusty or anything, so I’m not sure if I want to throw them away just yet... I think.

Cheena: I’m still using Playtech strings as usual. Also, as usual, I'm evangelizing about Ernie Ball's guitar Wound 3rd strings and 13-52 gauge.

Parazio: Strings are the part we touch the most, so they’re really important, right? By the way, I only change my strings once a year! (laughs)

Cheena: Among the budget string series, these are the cheapest (guitar for 240 yen, bass for 580 yen). Anything that surpasses this would be from some weird brand selling 10-piece sets for about 1500 yen. But the quality of those is...

Parazio: When you think about it, Playtech strings offer an amazing value for the quality!
So, it looks like everyone has been buying new basses this year! (laughs)
As always, new basses are exciting... And then, there’s the effects pedals and equipment, and that’s about it. Let’s share what we buy again next year if we get something awesome. Thanks for everything this year. I look forward to working with all of you again next year!

Nemoto: Thank you. I look forward to working with you next year!

Cheena: Then, have a great New Year!

Eru: Thanks for everything. Have a great New Year...

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