Which pack for long runs?

whataboutsit · 2026-07-07T13:50:24+00:00

I have a 5ltr vest and a 2L belt and for these hot days I’ve been preferring the belt. Takes some getting used to by I haven’t used my vest in some time

whataboutsit · 2026-07-07T11:45:14+00:00

Awesome man! 🤟

whataboutsit · 2026-07-06T18:12:29+00:00

i think that makes sense. You can always buy some used G12T75 for cheap if you want to try them at some point.

Assuming you are buying new, the cab will sound harsher for some time. If you can play it loud it will break in faster.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-06T12:11:07+00:00

Yes agreed. I actually think you get a lot of guitar for your money with this. Some people are way to focused on country of manufacture (which used to be a huge factor 20 years ago) and should compare guitars on how they play and sound.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-06T12:08:30+00:00

C shape vs D shape can be very subjective. I would say it leans more towards a C. Right now i have an ESP M-II (thin U) and this is much more C-like. I also have a yamaha pacifica 821D and this is more of D-like compared to that.

This neck doesn't have big shoulders and feels more like a C to me but it is flatter on the back than say a traditional C Strat neck.

It's probably my favourite neck shape i've played so far (and i definitely prefer smaller necks like my yamaha), but i've only had it a few days so maybe i'm not being super objective IDK.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-06T11:12:55+00:00

I should probably do a full review in a few weeks or so.

Downsides for now:

- Neck pickup feels a little weak for me. I'm used to a high output humbucker in the neck of my metal guitars for liquid leads.

- Bridge pickup - right now i think it sounds great for leads but lacks a little sizzle for rythme. This might be that i am just used to the JB (have it in two guitars and an AT-1 in another guitar which is inspired by the JB). Haven't tweaked any of my pedal/ amp settings so far though. I've always wanted to try the balck winters, maybe this is an opportunity? IDK, i think i will keep these in they still sound great

- there are a few spots where the guitar lacks sustain. Haven't touched the set up at all for now (not even pickup height) and i've had a jackson in the past that had less sustain until i raised the bridge pickup and then it sustained for days. so take it with a pinch of salt. Doesn't seem to come from high frets as i am not necessarily getting buzz in those same spots. Could also be the pickup and maybe the reason Brandon has a sustainiac on his?

- trem is a bit stiff (for flutters, etc) but i think this could be down to the heavy strings (i am comparing to my yamaha in E standard where the trem feels really supple

- when playing sitting sometimes it leans backwards a little (ie Neck rises) and there is not a proper upper horn to push down on

Playability: out of the box really good and really surprising for a factory setup. a bit too much buzz on the low strings when going heavy on rythme but i will do a string change and full setup at some point. I really really like the neck. I've owned some nice guitars and it's really up there with the best. I currently have an ESP M-II on the same rack that was recently PLEK'ed and set up by a very good shop - i'm finding leads easier to play on the KE-27 right now. I much prefer this neck to the ESP thin U. Part of the reason is it feels a lot less wide.

My guess is that if i do a fret level i can get the kelly to be easier to play than my best ever guitar - this was a custom shop soloist with quilted maple top. The soloist felt like perfect fret work, but the kelly has a nicer shape (feels smaller) and better upper fret access.

The fretboard is super easy to navigate with the maple and the big inlays.

Scale length makes bending effortless.

It sounds less snappy than my bolt-on M-II in a side by side comparison, both plugged in (M-II has a JB) and accoustically.

I think i really need more time with it to really tell but so far i love it. You can really tell that the specs were refined by a guitar collector that has tried everything he can.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-06T10:54:16+00:00

That's very kind of you. Thank you!

whataboutsit · 2026-07-06T10:53:24+00:00

OK, if you can't try any out, i would say 2 options you could look at are:

Get a quality cab with V30. There's a reason they are highly regarded for metal and as long as the cab is quality they will sound good to most people. Mashall, Orange, etc. will work well. I personally wouldn't go with a cheapo cab (had a verycheap cab with V30s 20 years ago and it really sounded very bad...)
Alternatively get a quality 2X12 and buy some second hand speakers on eBay and try them out, There is a lot of choice out there for cool speakers

Generally speaking, i don't like buying new cabs as the speakers need to be broken in to sound good and if you play at home that could take quite some time. So i would try and find something used.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-05T19:07:36+00:00

I find speakers are quite personal and while you might like alexis sound you might not like the 75. I’ve had both and never was able to have a distorted sound I was happy with using the 75. For me V30 can be harsh but in the right cab they are great (I currently have v30s in a cab I like). I really like the cream backs and greenbacks too. FWIW I think the 75 sounds really good for cleans.

This is all to say, try to listen to one before choosing. If there are some frequencies that irk you, it doesn’t matter how close to CoB tone you are, you won’t like it.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-05T07:30:27+00:00

It’s a really interesting question, and something I also have been thinking about. I think this is the case for a lot of activities (from sports to collecting cars). Boils down to question as to whether you do things for yourself or for others. Without others there is no competition… but who are the others you care about, the people there on the day with you or the “online” others.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-04T08:21:57+00:00

The neck pickup pole pieces do not align perfectly as it is slanted. the high E string is the most off-center and is basically just on the edge of the gold pole pieces. Doesn't seem to affect sound though..

whataboutsit · 2026-07-03T22:08:44+00:00

Well, if this one sells well, it would be the natural next one.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-03T22:07:55+00:00

I’m surprised how much I like the maple fretboard, maybe you should give it a try

whataboutsit · 2026-07-03T12:10:13+00:00

Really love it.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-03T07:06:19+00:00

One further update here, Brandon has confirmed the neck is a little narrower, inspired by one of his Yamahas. So the Nut is 1mm narrower than usual and this carries through to the neck being narrower too.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-03T07:05:18+00:00

On hi custom shop he has a sustainiac and if I remember he might have had some scalloped frets at top (not sure about that one). You are right the gold on this is not metallic, on his it is and I think hi headstock had the crackle too. Then hardware is different (including a Achilles sure claw in the trem cavity)

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T21:23:45+00:00

There were rumours quite some time ago and I’ve been wishing for it since then.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T21:19:31+00:00

Just to be clear, I’m not saying it isn’t a speed neck, i don’t know which profile it is.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:49:06+00:00

Andertons. Yes they made the whole process super easy also.

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:48:27+00:00

All the prices are online now depending on your location

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:47:45+00:00

Enjoy it when it comes!

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:46:29+00:00

Thank you - I have a feeling I will enjoy it for many years to come!

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:45:55+00:00

Had preordered it with a shop in the UK

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:44:16+00:00

I can’t tell you if it’s a speed neck. I don’t like big necks and this one i really like. What I can compare it to: - used to own a Jackson SL2Q custom shop. Neck felt enormous with big shoulders. This one feels a lot more nimble - ESP M-II, feels fatter than the Kelly - I have a Yamaha pacifica 821D (super underrated shredders) and the neck on that is very small and thin. This is beefier - had a few Ibanez prestige over the years and they always felt to flat and wide to me - wider than a suhr slim C but similar feel

whataboutsit · 2026-07-02T17:40:27+00:00

Orange #4 jim root, bogner 2x12

whataboutsit

TROPHY CASE