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Ziggy Played Guitar ....

There's more

To check the firmware version on your Arturia MicroFreak, you can either look at the loading screen when powering on the device or use the MIDI Control Center (MCC) software [AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOAD FROM THE LINK ABOVE] on your computer. The MCC will also display the current firmware version and inform you if an update is available.

Here's how to check using the MCC:

  1. Connect: your MicroFreak to your computer via USB.
  2. Open: the MIDI Control Center.
  3. Select: the MicroFreak from the "Device" drop-down list if it's not already shown.
  4. Look for: the firmware version under the "Firmware" section.
Alternatively, when powering on the MicroFreak, the current firmware version will be displayed on the loading screen.

AND TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE...

https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/how-to-update-the-firmware-on-an-arturia-microfreak/
 
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It has taken a full month to get here but the headless Volgoa GTWT-01 has finally arrived.

This is a really tiny guitar (you would think it was a toy) but has a full scale length. It is also fairly light and feels solid. Very comfortable to play and nicely balanced.

Busy today. More later.
 
Changed the strings on the Volgoa this morning after watching a YT instruction video (you can find literally everything on there) about how to restring and setup a headless guitar with an EART bridge. The stock strings were very 'tinny' sounding and dirty.

There is a tiny key that clips magnetically into a slot on the bridge, this is needed to wind and tune the strings. Dropped it immediately and went into a panic before I found it again.

After the first string was in place, the rest went like clockwork. Also oiled the fretboard, checked the truss-rod and lowered the saddles. Getting quite adept at guitar maintenance now, the cheap guitars certainly benefit from some attention.

The neck pickup was tilted forward at quite an angle. Unscrewing it, I saw that the thick cable running back towards the bridge was pushing it up at that side. Remedy: wedged a piece of plastic in-between the pickup and the neck-side of the body. Works a treat! I spotted the same thing on some of the factory photos, so it appears to be a result of the low-cost production.

With a fresh set of D'Addario's and a bit of setup, the guitar is feeling and sounding better, although I still have to work out what it's lts 'character' is.

When I ordered the headless, a month ago, I got a cheap strap from Amazon with a Chinese floral pattern on it - I think it looks rather tasteful.

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Congrats. Looks fab.

How are the pickups?

I can heartily recommend OilCity Pickups if you’re looking for an upgrade. Very reasonably priced, and excellent workmanship and tone.
 
Sonically, the pickups seem to have a rather low output level. There is a lot of clarity and edge to the tone.

This could well be a candidate for a pickup change. Which will be the first time I attempt that.
 
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Don't know if this photo shows just how small this guitar is but it sure is comfortable, lightweight too at around 2Kg. The lack of a head makes it feel very compact, easy to manoeuvre with.

A visitor yesterday remarked what a lovely and unusual thing it is - and it certainly has s striking appearance. The style was s bit let down by the setup and last night I was having doubts about what to do with it.

However, a bit of dedicated work this morning has ironed out the worst shortcomings and allowed me to get some serious time finding out what this guitar can do.

Clarity is the keyword here. The tone has a crystalline precision, very controlled - especially on the lower strings. The bridge-tuners give a sense of rock-solid solidity and I don't expect to have to retune very often.

Another outstanding feature is the sustain, which is incredible. Again attributable to the headless design.

These are the strengths of this guitar, making it perfect for use in an Ambient setting - which is what I had hoped for when I ordered it.
Also, it works brilliantly with the Ebow which is vital for me.

This evening I fired up the sequencer on the MicroFreak and had a moody, quiet guitar session exploring some tonal possibilities. Yes, the fairly neutral character of the Volgoa allows plenty of room for expression, coupled with the comfort and light weight make it absolutely ideal.
 
AliExpress gave me one of their 'bundle' packages with ridiculous discounts and there is a collection of effects pedals and stuff on the way: Flanger, Amp Sims and a Wireless hookup.

They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
 
AliExpress is addictive and the ads worm their way into just about anything you do on your phone.

Prices vary enormously on the same object through different shops - and there are a variety of discount deals and coupons to be had. Sometimes you can get more than 50% off the average price.

Delivery is faster too, about 10 days. When I was getting a lot of Chi-Fi odds and ends about 5 years ago, it would take several weeks for stuff to arrive.
 
Those following this ramshackle plunge into instrumental chaos will maybe be wondering 'wasn't there mention of another guitar?'.

Well, yes there was and here it is:

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This was a spur-of-the-moment purchase - unlike the Volgoa headless that I spent ages researching. It is a Harley Benton TE90FLT VW (no, not Volkswagen, 'Vintage White'). Colour is a creamy white and the website photos had a semi-transparent finish that you can see the wood-grain through. This doesn't have that, which initially disappointed me.

Checking out some YouTube films on this model, one thing struck me; hardened reviewers who have had hundreds of 'budget' guitars in their hands all got this big, satisfied smile when they started playing one of these. Must be something special ....

It's an odd beast. The reversed headstock gives it a punky, idiosyncratic look but at the same time it has a classic, understated simplicity. A 'love it or hate it' look.

The design is a take on the Fender Cabronita Tele-style model. A chambered body that makes it fairly lightweight and comfortable. Retro-look 'Filtertron' pickups and a rather thick neck.

So, it arrives in a beaten-up box with a big 'B-Stock' sticker. This ain't a new one - but that's why it was so cheap. Pulling it out, the pickguard shows signs of some intensive playing and there were some fingermarks on the lacquer although I didn't see any serious dents or scratches.
I really had doubts straightaway as to whether I wanted to keep it.

The positives: there is a set of really nice DR strings on this, very similar to the Regular Light D'Addario's I've been using. Setup and action are perfect, it was even partially in tune!

Time to plug in and the neck feels like I'm holding a baseball bat, but it is really smooth and solid. Anyhow, strum one of the handful of chords that I know and immediately a shocking thought hits me - I am simply not good enough to play this guitar!

It feels and sounds like an expensive axe. There's this sensation of 'rightness'. The pickups are clear and powerful, doing delicate picking and dirty powerchords with equal ease. The TE90FLT invites you to just play and enjoy yourself. All I can say is - what a beautiful guitar!

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Two Harley Bentons, both with the same TE90 prefix but totally different in sound. The red QM 'flatline' is a joy to play and the 'Cabronita' as well.

My intention was; get the Cabronita, try it out and send it back. But every time I pick it up I get more attached to it. Also, where else could you get s guitar this good for that price?
So I'll be hanging on to it and it's probably going to be my main instrument. Certainly it will be hard to beat.

Ordered a new pickguard on AliExpress (really, you can find absolutely anything on there). And this guitar definitely gives me a push to learn more chords and styles.

Rock on!

(I miss the 'Banana Guitar' emoji from the old forum)
 
Congrats. These are great guitars, and I’m a huge Filtertron fan (the only humbuckers I get along with).

Remember, to get the best out of these, the pickups have to be as close to the strings as you can get, without fouling while playing.

Never raise the pole pieces, raise the pickup. When you get the pickups set ‘just so’ (usually takes me a few days of playing with minor tweaks here and there), you’ll love it even more.
 
Thanks Marlin. It sounds wonderful already. I'll have a look at the pickups but it might be next week.
 
Feeeeeeeeeeel the addiction. Feeeeeeeeeeeed the addiction. 🤣🤣🤣

That neck wouldn't do for my small, Trump-like paws at all. I look for something with a D, a C/Modern C/Slim C neck, or a modern flat oval, if possible. Baseball bats are not within my grasp, literally. That's one of the reasons I get on so well with my modded short-scale bass.

Were I to buy another Tele, I'd probably plump for something (or exactly) like their TE-70 Black Paisley

I'm glad you're having fun, but maybe it's time to slow down? ;)

 
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Non-stop today. Post from Ali and a pair of super-cheap pedals that internet raves about: the Joyo American Sound and AC Tone.

Two Amp Simulators which give the character of either a classic Fender or Vox AC30 amplfier. Not having either, I can't comment. But the resulting effect is massive!

Basically these are 'Instant Rock Hero in a Box'. I didn't realise how anaemic-sounding I was until I just tried them out.
 
Feeeeeeeeeeel the addiction. Feeeeeeeeeeeed the addiction. 🤣🤣🤣

That neck wouldn't do for my small, Trump-like paws at all. I look for something with a D, a C/Modern C/Slim C neck, or a modern flat oval, if possible. Baseball bats are not within my grasp, literally. That's one of the reasons I get on so well with my modded short-scale bass.

Were I to buy another Tele, I'd probably plump for something (or exactly) like their TE-70 Black Paisley

I'm glad you're having fun, but maybe it's time to slow down? ;)

I’m the opposite, I’m 6ft 1, and love a chubby neck. My hand struggles on skinny and thin necks. The fatter the better :)
I’d love a Rickenbacker, but every one I’ve played felt like trying to play a pencil.
 
Slinger. As a point of reference, I know that you have the TE90QM and the neck of the FLT is slightly (1/4 inch or so) thicker at the base) but is more rounded and feels 'chunkier'.
 
Slinger. As a point of reference, I know that you have the TE90QM and the neck of the FLT is slightly (1/4 inch or so) thicker at the base) but is more rounded and feels 'chunkier'.
Cheers. I took a chance on the TE90 and was lucky to find it was comfortable enough for me.
 
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