“Only they who believeth in their guitar quest shall be granted passage”

Author: Bayadji

Ibanez Digital Delay DL5 SoundTank Series Pedal: Vintage Delay on a Budget
Ibanez Digital Delay DL5 SoundTank Series Pedal

If you’re a fan of delay effects but don’t want to spend a fortune on boutique pedals, the Ibanez Digital Delay DL5 from the SoundTank Series is a hidden gem worth checking out. Released in the early 1990s, this underrated digital delay pedal has quietly gained a cult following among guitarists looking for reliable tone with vintage character. In this article, let’s dive into the features, sound quality, and why the DL5 still holds its own today.

A Quick Look at the SoundTank Series
Ibanez introduced the SoundTank Series to provide affordable, compact pedals with pro-level tone. The plastic casing may not look premium, but inside these quirky enclosures lie some serious sounds. The DL5 Digital Delay stands out for its simplicity, clarity, and surprising versatility.

DL5 Key Features

The Ibanez DL5 offers a delay time range of 30ms to 260ms, ideal for everything from slapback echoes to ambient trails. It includes just three knobs:
- Delay Time – Controls the time between repeats
- Repeat – Sets the number of repeats (feedback)
- Delay Level – Adjusts the mix between dry and delayed signals
Despite its minimal design, the DL5 delivers a clean, digital delay with smooth decay and no noticeable degradation of tone. Its signal clarity makes it perfect for clean passages, solos, and even rhythmic delay textures in a band mix.

The Sound: Clean, Sharp, and Musical

Unlike analog delay pedals that add warmth and modulation, the DL5 produces pristine, accurate repeats. This makes it a great choice for players who need clarity—whether for funk, fusion, indie rock, or ambient loops. It’s especially useful in a live setting where you want your delay to cut through without becoming muddy. check this video out:

Some guitarists also use it in the effects loop of their amp to preserve tone while adding spaciousness to leads or rhythm playing. While it’s not a tap-tempo delay, you can still dial in precise timing for most musical situations.

Is it built Like a Tank? Sort Of. One common critique of the SoundTank series is the plastic housing. While it’s not as durable as metal enclosures found on more expensive pedals, the DL5 holds up surprisingly well for bedroom use, studio work, and careful gigging. The rubberized switch can be a little soft, but it still responds reliably after years of use. Today, many guitarists seek out the DL5 on the used market for its vintage digital charm and affordable price point. It’s a perfect entry into delay effects for beginners or a great secondary pedal for experienced players building a budget-friendly pedalboard. That’s why it’s still worth owning.

The Ibanez Digital Delay DL5 SoundTank Series pedal proves that you don’t need to spend big to get high-quality delay. With its no-frills controls, dependable tone, and retro vibe, the DL5 is an excellent choice for any guitarist looking to explore delay without breaking the bank.
August 4, 2025
Ibanez RG 2770Z Sapphire Blue: Japanese Precision, Rock Power

If you’re a fan of Ibanez guitars, especially those crafted with Japanese precision, the Ibanez RG 2770Z Sapphire Blue deserves your full attention. This stunning instrument not only looks beautiful with its mesmerizing sapphire blue finish, but it also offers the legendary playability, tone, and craftsmanship that Ibanez is known for—especially their Made in Japan Prestige models.

Let’s take a deeper dive into why this model has become a favorite among shredders and progressive players worldwide.

A Masterpiece from the Prestige Line
The RG 2770Z hails from Ibanez’s Prestige series, which means it was built in Japan by Ibanez’s top luthiers at the Fujigen factory. The Prestige line is all about blending modern specs with high-end craftsmanship—and it really shows here. Every detail, from the fretwork to the electronics, screams quality.

Ibanez launched this model as part of their RG series, designed primarily for rock and metal players. But with the right amp and effects, the RG 2770Z can handle everything from blues to fusion.

Eye-Catching Sapphire Blue Finish
One of the first things you’ll notice is the Sapphire Blue finish. It’s a deep, glossy blue that highlights the wood grain underneath, especially when hit by stage lights. The aesthetic is sleek, modern, and just aggressive enough to fit the vibe of a high-performance guitar.

This finish sits atop a flamed maple top, giving the guitar a premium look and adding some brightness to the tone.

Premium Wood Selection
The guitar features a basswood body, known for its light weight and balanced tonal response. The flamed maple top not only boosts its looks but adds a little snap and articulation to the sound.

The 5-piece Super Wizard HP maple/walnut neck is ultra-thin and smooth, made for fast shredding and technical playing. It’s paired with a rosewood fingerboard and 24 jumbo frets, giving you excellent control for bends, legato, and sweep picking.

DiMarzio Pickups = Serious Tone
Ibanez didn’t skimp on pickups here. The RG 2770Z comes loaded with a DiMarzio Air Norton (neck), True Velvet (middle), and Tone Zone (bridge). This H-S-H configuration offers amazing tonal flexibility.

Air Norton delivers a warm, rich tone that’s perfect for solos and clean tones.

True Velvet offers glassy, vintage-like single coil tones.

Tone Zone in the bridge is fat, powerful, and built for distortion.

Whether you’re playing clean arpeggios or high-gain solos, this setup gives you pro-level sound in every setting.

Edge Zero Tremolo: Stability Meets Precision
The RG 2770Z is equipped with the Ibanez Edge Zero tremolo system, which offers excellent tuning stability and ultra-smooth action. It also includes the ZPS3 (Zero Point System) to help return the bridge to its neutral position. This means you can go wild with dive bombs or flutter effects without worrying about tuning problems.

Built for Serious Players
Everything about the RG 2770Z screams “performance.” The ultra-low action, flawless fretwork, and ergonomic body contours make this guitar incredibly comfortable, even during long sessions or gigs.

The Prestige fret edge treatment ensures that every fret end feels smooth and comfortable under your fingers—no sharp edges, no snags.

Why It Stands Out
There are a lot of great guitars out there, but few balance looks, playability, and tone quite like this one. The RG 2770Z Sapphire Blue isn’t just another pretty face; it’s a serious instrument for serious players.

Whether you’re into shred, prog, metal, or even jazz-fusion, this guitar can handle it all. And being a Made in Japan Ibanez, it also holds excellent resale value. If you’re looking for a high-performance electric guitar that looks amazing, feels like a dream, and sounds killer, the Ibanez RG 2770Z Sapphire Blue should be on your radar. It’s more than just a guitar—it’s a statement of tone, craftsmanship, and style
July 31, 2025
Tech 21: The Undisputed Brand in the Guitar Effects World with their FlyRig5 lineups

When you think about brands that have truly changed the game in the world of guitar effects, Tech 21 is always in the conversation—if not leading it. Since the late ’80s, they’ve been delivering killer tones without the need for bulky amps or complicated setups. And their most recent hit? The Fly Rig series. These compact, all-in-one units are a dream for guitarists who want tone, portability, and reliability in one sleek package.

What Makes the Fly Rig So Special?
Let’s be real—lugging a full pedalboard around can be a pain. That’s where the Fly Rig shines. Imagine a powerful rig that fits in your gig bag. Each Fly Rig includes key effects like overdrive, delay, reverb, and modulation, all built around the legendary SansAmp analog amp simulator that put Tech 21 on the map.

Let’s check some of them

Tech21 Fly Rig 5 Plexi multi effects pedal
The original Fly Rig 5 was a hit right away. It gave you that crunchy Plexi-style drive, warm analog delay, a clean boost, and of course, the SansAmp. Players loved it because it was plug-and-play. No guesswork. No tone chasing. Just great sound, fast.

The Tech 21 Fly Rig 5 Plexi is a compact powerhouse designed for guitarists who crave classic British amp tones without hauling a full rig. At the heart of this sleek unit is the Plexi-style overdrive, which delivers that iconic Marshall-style crunch—rich, responsive, and full of character. Combined with the legendary SansAmp analog amp simulator, built-in delay with tap tempo, and a clean boost, the Fly Rig 5 Plexi offers a complete, gig-ready setup in one pedal. It’s perfect for players who want vintage rock tones in a lightweight, travel-friendly format.

Tech21 Fly Rig 5 Cali multi effects pedal
The Tech 21 Fly Rig 5 Cali is built for players who love the bold, high-gain tones of classic West Coast American amps, especially the modern punch of California-style boutique heads like the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier.

Check this Tech21 California Character Series Preamp Pedal video and catch the glimps of FlyRig Cali

Tech21 California Character Series Preamp Pedal
Featuring the SansAmp Cali preamp section, it delivers tight, aggressive distortion with plenty of articulation—perfect for metal, hard rock, and modern blues.

With an onboard Boost, lush Delay with tap tempo, and analog signal path, the Fly Rig 5 Cali offers massive sound in a slim, tour-ready format. It’s a go-to choice for guitarists who crave versatile American high-gain tones without the bulk.

Tech21 Fly Rig 5 Brit multi effects
The Tech 21 Fly Rig 5 Brit is designed for guitarists who crave the legendary tones of classic British amps—specifically those gritty, harmonically rich sounds associated with vintage Vox and Marshall stacks. Built around the SansAmp “Brit” preamp section, this compact rig nails those chimey cleans and crunchy overdrives with remarkable warmth and clarity.

Alongside its signature Brit-style gain, the Fly Rig 5 Brit features a powerful boost section, lush delay with tap tempo, and a robust analog signal path for authentic, amp-like response. It’s perfect for players who want British-flavored tones in a road-ready, all-in-one pedal.

Artist Models and V2 Upgrades
Tech 21 didn’t stop there. They teamed up with pro players to create custom versions. The RK5 Fly Rig (Richie Kotzen’s signature model) added a gnarly fuzz-style distortion, a tuner, and some slick tone tweaks. If you’re into heavier stuff, the Paul Landers PL1 Fly Rig has a tight, focused gain section perfect for metal and industrial tones.

Then came the Fly Rig 5 v2
The Tech 21 Fly Rig 5 v2 is an upgraded version of the original best-selling Fly Rig, offering even more versatility and tone-shaping control in the same ultra-compact format. Centered around the legendary SansAmp analog preamp, the v2 adds an independent reverb section, an enhanced delay with tap tempo, and a more refined Plexi-style overdrive for classic British tones. New features like a switchable clean channel, FX loop, and XLR output with ground lift make it more stage- and studio-friendly than ever. Whether you’re gigging, recording, or practicing, the Fly Rig 5 v2 delivers pro-level tone in a grab-and-go pedal.

Overall it’s an improved version on the original with more control, better speaker simulation, and even more flexible routing options. Basically, they took a great pedal and made it even better.

Why It’s Perfect for Modern Guitarists
Whether you’re touring the world, playing local gigs, or recording at home, the Fly Rig just works. It’s especially great for fly dates where space is tight, or when you need a reliable backup in case your main board fails. And yeah, you can totally record with it—just plug it straight into your interface and enjoy that rich, analog warmth.

The analog design also sets it apart from the sea of digital multi-effects. The Fly Rig responds like a real amp and sounds organic, not sterile or overly processed. If you want pro-level tone without the pedalboard hassle, Tech 21’s Fly Rig series might be your new best friend. It’s one of the smartest tools out there for modern guitarists—and that’s why Tech 21 remains the undisputed brand in the guitar effects world

July 28, 2025
Fender Custom Shop LTD ’50s Esquire – Vintage Tone, Modern Mojo

The Fender Esquire holds a special place in electric guitar history. As Fender’s first solidbody electric guitar, the Esquire has built a cult following for its raw tone and minimalist design. Now, the Fender Custom Shop LTD ’50s Esquire brings that vintage charm back with modern craftsmanship. A True Fender Classic. If you’re into vintage guitars, Tele-style tone, or classic rock and blues, this reissue is worth a closer look. (not many free pics about this guitar out there,so please bear with me with this historical story)

Back in 1950, the Esquire was priced at $139, while the Broadcaster (which included a second pickup) cost $169. That $30 difference seems small now, but it defined the Esquire’s character. Only One Pickup is exactly The Esquire’s Secret Weapon. At first glance, the Esquire may seem limited. It’s got just one single-coil bridge pickup—no neck pickup, no frills. But that’s exactly what makes it special.

With no neck pickup magnets pulling on the strings, the Esquire offers clearer ring and longer sustain makes the Esquire Unique Also the bridge pickup is full of bite and attitude, making it perfect for country, rock, and blues that loads more punchier tone. Its simplicity forces you to rely on playing dynamics and tone control—ideal for expressive guitarists and drives out more Character.

two-tone sunburst finish Esquire

Esquire Jeff Beck replica model.

even with one pickup the 3-way switch on the Esquire gives it surprising flexibility:
Forward Position – A bassy preset tone (some say it’s muddy, others love it for rhythm work).
Middle Position – Standard bridge pickup with tone control engaged.
Rear Position – Bridge pickup with tone bypassed for maximum brightness and bite.

1st prototype of 1949 (replica).

This isn’t just a tone monster—it’s a visual stunner. The Fender Custom Shop version features hand-aged relic work that gives it the look and feel of a well-loved ‘50s road warrior. Expect vintage-style tuners, nitrocellulose finish, and authentic ‘50s specs. It’s built to feel like an original, not a replica. If you’re a fan of vintage Fender guitars, crave simplicity, and want a classic tone machine that stands out in a crowd, the ’50s Esquire is a gem. It covers many needs and interest from Tone purists to Country twangers and Blues rockers whether you are Minimalist players or Fender collectors.
July 25, 2025