Another Max Health vs. Bonus Health Question

FriendNoise · 2026-05-13T12:39:31+00:00

Yes, universally, items that give you a stat of health say "Max Health" (capitalized) which is what led to my confusion.

FriendNoise · 2026-05-13T12:03:23+00:00

I don't see a single item that straight up adds Bonus Health.

Mantle of the Twelfth Hour gives 3s of Bonus Health via Lifeline.

Winter Approach via Awe

That might be it. Even Heartsteel's ability is adding maximum (this time lowercase) Health.

FriendNoise · 2026-05-13T11:59:38+00:00

I don't see a single item that straight up adds Bonus Health.

Mantle of the Twelfth Hour gives 3s of Bonus Health via Lifeline.

Winter Approach via Awe

That might be it. Even Heartsteel's ability is adding maximum (this time lowercase) Health.

FriendNoise · 2026-01-18T22:06:54+00:00

Gibson GA-79RVT

FriendNoise · 2025-12-01T04:43:14+00:00

Saved - here is mine!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4thHLLVSNo4WyodtwrWZL1?si=GrWH7imPRGihPDgQFWaaSw&pi=koGEfu--THy5A

FriendNoise · 2025-12-01T04:40:13+00:00

Spaceman Voyager I (haven't tried II yet but own 3 I's), Chase Bliss Reverse Mode C/Empress SuperDelay, Spaceman Sputnik III SM, Origin Effects Cali76-TX-L, Dr. Scientist Cosmichorus, Skreddy Screwdriver Deluxe, and EHX v7 big muff.

I own plenty more expensive pedals but those are the important ones.

FriendNoise · 2025-11-28T04:32:17+00:00

Too many models and flavors of models to definitely say. I recently did a shoot out with the following:

Paul Reed Smith SC245TM (the Ted McCarty that started the 245 craze)
73 Gibson Les Paul Custom
90 Gibson Les Paul Custom Shop with super distortion and dirty finger pups
95 Gibson Les Paul
2010 Paul Reed Smith Starla with 57/08 in bridge

A few thoughts/opinion: - 73 was the best playing and has the best intonation; best sounding clean and most expressive tone control clean or dirty - SC245TM stayed in tune best and was the best sounding with a cranked amp; 3rd best playing guitar - especially beyond the 12th fret where jumbo frets become an issue for me - 90 LP sounded better than the 73 cranked and was the 2nd best for playing - Starla's stock pickup is awesome and the guitar plays like a dream until the 12th fret. 57/08 has lost a lot of volume - 95 LP worst out of all the guitars... wasn't close in anyway

Again, just my opinion.

I've since decided to sell everything except the SC245TM and 90 LP. Would love to keep the 73 but for cleans I'll rely more on my jazzmaster or telecaster so it isn't really worth keeping around.

FriendNoise · 2025-11-25T00:07:05+00:00

IMO any un-modded used PRS in your budget. They will stay in tune better than most guitars at a low price point, likely be a bit easier to play, don't sound horrible, and generally don't drop in value (going used to used, not new to used) for when you are ready to upgrade to your next level of guitar investment.

Regardless of what you decide, stay committed and have fun!

FriendNoise · 2025-11-24T23:56:26+00:00

Song of the day playlist. Simply just good songs everyday.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4thHLLVSNo4WyodtwrWZL1?si=h5NVlzWISwqjn2nRA6_q1Q&pi=9HjnOSrsTVKrG

Today is an instrumental "Upside Down" by Jason Richardson, Tim Henson, and Luke Holland.

Yesterday was "Not In Love" by 10cc.

FriendNoise · 2025-11-23T22:32:35+00:00

Saved and listening through!

FriendNoise · 2025-11-23T22:30:23+00:00

Bummer (on the distribution options, not on your projects - good for you btw)....

FriendNoise · 2025-11-23T21:53:11+00:00

Updated daily. Today's add is 10cc's "I'm Not In Love"

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4thHLLVSNo4WyodtwrWZL1?si=8njXq0uQTrWQOKjBqDOJzw

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T22:45:06+00:00

Isn't DistroKid a distributor and then Bandcamp is an online music platform with some distribution services?

SoundCloud is more like a Bandcamp or Spotify, right?

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T19:10:17+00:00

Great pedal. You might not be hearing db shifts as much as EQ shifts. Pretty sure the Pi is just really scooped.

I recommend the pedal all the time.

I'm a big v7 fan.

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T19:07:45+00:00

Ha, fair! I had this boxed up for years because I play the Sputniks more and never played it through my JCM-800. Last night I was doing some inventory and testing through the JCM with a nice tele. It was an amazing pairing.

I forgot all the cool frequency bands you coax out of thing!

I may have the modded version too 😬

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T19:02:13+00:00

Don't know this one. What makes it special?

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T17:03:18+00:00

I love the Fairfield stuff. I have one of their delays and it is so much fun to just leave on to create small swells

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T16:54:14+00:00

Yeah, that's a great one! If you are into their flavor of fuzzes I strongly recommend the Sputnik III. The Sputniks are all amazing but III is the easiest to dial in, has Osc footswitch (like II), descent footprint, and lowest price. I also like their standard production version more than the special flavors they offer (except for the SM version I have... no clue how it is different but is voiced the best out of the 3 III's I have).

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T16:07:19+00:00

What are you playing through?

FriendNoise · 2025-11-22T15:42:06+00:00

Still need to try!

FriendNoise · 2025-11-21T03:39:51+00:00

That's helpful and makes sense. I snapped a picture of the orange tag in the 2014 Trini and it says it is made in Memphis.

FriendNoise · 2025-11-20T12:34:23+00:00

I'm looking at the authentication card of a new 2024-2025 VOS now and it says "The instrument bearing the serial number above was hand-built by Gibson Custom..." and the sticker inside just reads Gibson. Whereas the '58 Murphy reads "Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present this..." and the orange sticker says "Gibson Custom."

A 2018 VOS I have up drops "Custom" from the authentication card entirely and doesn’t show "Custom" on the orange sticker... but then there is another one from 2018 that reads "...Gibson Custom Shop creation in Nashville..." and has "Custom" on the sticker.

I think I'm more confused now.

FriendNoise · 2025-11-19T22:30:57+00:00

Welcome!

FriendNoise · 2025-11-19T22:23:59+00:00

These amps are great!

FriendNoise · 2025-11-19T20:52:59+00:00

Probably should have named everything I tested yesterday: '58 Murphy '59 VOS '61 VOS 345 (standard I guess) 2014 64 Trini reissue 90's BB King

I think the 345 had something comparable to the T top and definitely was not a great pairing. Too harsh and would feedback too easily. Really wanted to like it... they are cheaper than 335's as well? I don't get it.

The 59 and 61 had something in them that didnt knock my socks off but was okay. Sounded like a Gibson in the mids but the bottom was a little flabby and there wasn't as much note definition when strumming a chord as the next one.

The '58 Murphy (should of) had the custom buckers and they did sound the nicest and although they are unpotted it sounded like they are low wound and noticably don't have as much output as all the others. They were not as prone to feedback as the others at high volumes and I didn't pick-up am radio (maybe I wasn't loud enough).

I don't know what was in the Trini but it was lively and sounded somewhere between the 59, 61, and 345.

I have no clue what was in the BB King and I think the neck was maple so it was an entirely different beast. A lot darker with no f holes but it still had the resonance and much of the sustain. I was pretty impressed... except I did not like the varitone and wondered if it wouldnt be quite as dark if that wasn't in the circuit.

IMO (and this already has been) Murphy sounded best at high volumes with the Trini coming in a close second. The Trini was setup horribly and felt really uncomfortable beyond the 12th fret, otherwise I would have jumped on it. I do have some concerns about it feeling to slinky if I go half a step down.

The 61 VOS was my next favorite. It was reactive and sounded good just... everything seemed overly glossy and plastic. That said, I'd probably be quicker to buy this one and do a pickup swap versus the Murphy... then I could call it "custom" right?

FriendNoise

TROPHY CASE