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My friend Phil King delivered the TOC 2 last night and I gave it a preliminary run-through. The TOC 2 has an alder body with a maple/ebony Gajic neck. The overall balance and feel of the guitar is great (small adjustments notwithstanding). As as been my experience since getting my 1st Gajic neck (this is my 3rd), the guitar felt way more solid in my hands.

A couple of pics:

(Thanx to PhilKing for snapping the pics!)

This guitar has a burnt chrome Cold Sweat in the bridge and a Trilogy Suite in the neck.

The Cold Sweat was very suprising to play. It doesn't sound anything like I expected it to!!! It's very, very clean sounding. From top to bottom it has a very smooth, flat frequency response. In the alder body, I found the midrange to perhaps even be slightly depressed, but I need to play the guitar at home to be 100% certain. I had some difficulty getting pinch harmonics, but there were mulitple reasons for that. (4 pints of Guinness being one of 'em )

That being said, I can say right off the bat that the CS is MONSTROUS! The sustain is INCREDIBLE! Better than the Rebel Yell, imo. It's luscious, smooth, distorts well, plays cleanly with a dark edge to it that I found incredible.

PJ's reaction to my initial noodlings:
Hehe, we play L O U D, btw.

Okay, moving on ....

The Trilogy Suite in the neck. All I can say is wow ... best neck pickup I have ever heard! It's not as middy as the Irish Tour. It also has SERIOUS balls!! Nice low end chunk, same sustain as the CS, too.

Overall, it's a really well-balanced set!!!

Comparing it to my TOC 3, which is an ash body, maple/flame maple Gajic neck with a single VHII in the bridge -- once again, the VHII is more raw, has less 'power' and overall clarity than the Cold Sweat, imo, but is also more dynamic with screaming harmonics and high frequency detail.

Pics:

For my taste, which do I prefer? I can't!!! I'm so glad I have so many amazing guitars and AMAZING pickup choices now!

Dude sounds sweet! Both the axes are cool. Initially i wouldn't have thought the spiderweb on the strat would match but it really looks cool! Good stuff.

Jeff
ps. the piles of amps behind you looks very expensive

Thanx!

Yeah, that room is pretty outrageous!!

did someone tell you that laz screwed up your necks?? they're all on backwards


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyFor my taste, which do I prefer? I can't!!! I'm so glad I have so many amazing guitars and AMAZING pickup choices now!

Variety is the spice of life. I find myself saying the same thing when someone asks me which guitar I like best... I like them all the best... for different reasons.

Rock on! What's the current TO lineup?

Oh, does the Trilogy suite neck give a good rendition of the Dave Murry fluid neck sound?

-Matt

very cool pics, the wall of amps is great!!! glad to hear you are liking all 3 guitars!

slightly off topic...but does that studio have any diezel herberts you can use or only VH4s??

-Mike


Originally Posted by JammerMattRock on! What's the current TO lineup?

You mean personnel-wise?

Oh, does the Trilogy suite neck give a good rendition of the Dave Murry fluid neck sound?

I will know when I play it with the Splawn this w/e.


Originally Posted by XSSIVEslightly off topic...but does that studio have any diezel herberts you can use or only VH4s?

Herbert is on the other side of the room. I prefer the VH-4, plus Stage Left is my domain, lol.

Great review, as allways. We don't get to hear much about some of those pups. Thanks!

Looks and sounds killer! I'll have to get a set of BKs for my next axe, I think. Who knows what I may be missing?

Clips! Clips! Clips!


Originally Posted by JohtosotkuClips! Clips! Clips!

Soon.


Originally Posted by TwilightOdysseyYou mean personnel-wise?Yeah. Is Gennady on bass and Igor on guitar?

If you daisy chain all those amps together, I think the world would end.(do it!)

Whoa... so many amps... but why?

so many big and exspensive looking amps.... what the hell? How loud do you play?


Originally Posted by MintyWhoa... so many amps... but why?Originally Posted by Pecanso many big and exspensive looking amps.... what the hell? How loud do you play?

You don't like my amp collection?!!!

LOL ... that's the gear they have at Ultrasound Rehearsal in NYC.

HOLY **** BEN! Whats the address of that place? Amp St. Heaven Ave.?

Killer axes man, I love the snakeskin finish on the first one. And that strat looks awesome with the reverse headstock.

TOC=Twilight Odyssey Custom?


Originally Posted by JB_From_HellTOC=Twilight Odyssey Custom?

IIRC, yes.