This took a week of my time to do correctly. I changed a young, existing website from its wonderful name of www.KaizenGuitarist.com to the very good name of www.ShoshinGuitarist.com .
Both Kaizen and Shoshin are Japanese words. Although I am not Japanese, I do admire their cultural beliefs in improving quality every day (Kaizen) and in approaching all learning with a beginner’s mind (Shoshin).
Why I Changed My Website’s Name to Shoshin Guitarist
I originally chose the name www.KaizenGuitarist.com . I loved that name and its concept. It means a guitarist who improves 1% daily. Yes, it’s a Japanese term I learned from my scrum master days when I worked at the insurance company.
I reserved the domain www.KaizenGuitarist.com and then two days later I realized someone made Kaizen Guitars. The large guitar company Ernie Ball makes them for $3500+ . Here’s an announcement of those guitars for NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) show in 2022.
Made by Ernie Ball.
Designed by guitarist Tosin Abasi.
After several months of blogging, I decided to eliminate any potential conflict with Ernie Ball, Tosin Abasi, and their new Kaizen guitars. So I changed my website name to www.ShoshinGuitarist.com .
What does Shoshin and Shoshin Guitarist Mean?
What is a Shoshin Guitarist?
What does the Japanese word Shoshin mean?
Shoshin means “Beginner’s Mind” in Japanese and Buddhist thinking. Here is a succinct definition from Wikipedia on the word Shoshin.
What is a Shoshin Guitarist?
He or she is a guitarist who is open to new things, new learnings about guitar. I will venture a guess that even great guitarists have a beginner’s mind open to learning new things about playing Guitar.
BeginnerGuitarist.com was Taken
A lot of cool names for beginner guitarist are already taken on the Internet.
www.BeginnerGuitarist.com – Taken – $69.99 minimum bid
www.NoviceGuitarist.com – Taken – $69.99 minimum bid
www.TyroGuitarist.com – Available
But does anyone really know the meaning of the word Tyro?
www.BoomerGuitarist.com – Taken – $100,000 minimum bid
Yikes.
Shoshin means “Beginner’s Mind”
I chose Shoshin Guitarist as a website name for two major reasons.
Shoshin means “Beginner’s Mind”. It’s a freshness and openness to learning new things.
If a guitarist is open to learning new things, he or she has a beginner’s mind. Whether the guitarist has played 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years, or a lifetime, if they have a mind open to learning new things they are a Shoshin Guitarist.
Today is January 23, 2024 and I began my Kaizen Guitarist website. I reserved my domain name of www.KaizenGuitarist.com on GoDaddy and set up a simple website. It’s not perfect, but it will get better.
This feels good.
I have no pretentious dreams or plans about the website. I want a “bucket” where I can store my guitar journal. I’ve been keeping one since I began playing guitar on October 5, 2023.
For 3 months I’ve thought of this website and for maybe 1 month I have checked frequently to see that the domain www.KaizenGuitarist.com was available. Today, I just grabbed the domain name.
Ironically, this is the same day I purchased a Journey JF410 acoustic travel guitar from Jay W.
For too long I delayed starting this website. Old thoughts on being perfect prevented me from starting it. I am newly retired. But after 5 years of working at CNA Insurance (love you guys), I became more Agile, hopefully Kaizen. You see, building a website is a bit like playing guitar. You don’t magically become good at websites, neither do you magically become a good guitarist overnight. It grows little by little, you get better, little by little. It’s a Kaizen kind of thing.
Website Plan for KaizenGuitarist
Here are a few ideas (I’m so rusty with WordPress I’ve forgotten how to do bullets):
Guitar Journal. Store my daily Guitar Journal notes in this blog. It’s not because they are great. It’s because it shows how someone fumbles a bit as they learn to play guitar better. Hopefully, you’ll learn from my mistakes.
Learn WordPress a 2nd time. I stopped blogging actively on WordPress perhaps 7-10 years ago. I have a lot to learn.
Learn SEO. Search Engine Optimization is difficult. You can blog forever but if you don’t have good SEO, no one will find you. I hope you find me.
Help beginner guitarists. I am a beginner so I hope to help beginners.
Guest posts from experienced guitarists. Yes, I hope others will post for me. Or, I can at least interview them.
Podcasts. People have said I have a pleasing voice. You can find some of my work on YouTube just by searching for Richard Kraneis. I’d like to interview other guitarists, luthiers, musicians, store owners, music groups, etc.
Build an email list. Yes, that would be good. I haven’t done it in a long time.
Get questions and feedback. Really, I want everyone to hang out with me, say hello, ask questions, give my advice.
Make a bit of money? Yes, nice also. But we either blog for money or fun. Hopefully both. I think if I serve others with good content, a few dollars may come my way.
Become a better guitarist. Yes, that’s the ultimate goal.
So today, Kaizen Guitarist is born as a website. I just want to have fun, learn new things, and keep getting better at guitar. Thanks for visiting www.KaizenGuitarist.com today.
I visited my guitar guy for guitar repairs and “horse trading” (guitars really) last night in Oak Park, IL. It was worth the drive.
I traded in a Hohner and Bristol acoustic for a future electric guitar and brought my Ibanez V70CE for him to examine.
I had traded a 1969 Harmony student guitar for the Ibanez V70 CE acoustic electric about a year ago. Nice looking black guitar, sounds great when amped on my Roland 40GX.
“I just can’t play the Ibanez very easily. The action is too high.” – Shoshin Guitarist
“Let me Lower the Action on your Ibanez”
While I played a few guitars I considered trading for, Paul the Guitar Guy sat in his tiny space (I couldn’t see him) and he worked on lowering the action on my Ibanez.
I peeked into his office and saw him sanding down the bridge on a tiny glass (?) surface.
Paul: Try Your Ibanez Now
First I eyeballed it. Without a ruler or “Fritz Ruler”, I could see that the action had been lowered. Even with its older strings it played more gently, easier than before. The action was significantly lower.
Awesome, I could now play the Ibanez and it wasn’t painful.
Paul, what did you do to lower the action on the Ibanez?
In 12 minutes he had made the guitar useable, actually fun.
This is what he said or what I surmised from his remarks.
Paul adjusted the truss rod to eliminate the bowed neck.
I am sure he loosened the strings before doing so.
Then he turned the “wrenched” the truss road clockwise to flatten the truss rod and reduce the bowed guitar neck.
Paul sanded down the saddle. That’s the thin white thing on your guitar bridge that all the strings pass over before being tied down.
First he loosened the strings a lot.
Second, he removed the bridge.
I wish I had seen that step. What was the technique?
He sanded the removed saddle by moving it back and forth on a sandpapery small tool. I didn’t see it.
Then Paul tightened the screws, checked the action, strummed it briefly and handed the Ibanez to me.
Have Courage, Lower the Action on Your Acoustic Guitar
I need to learn how to lower the action on an acoustic guitar. It shouldn’t be hard.
But the “first time” in many things is always a bit more difficult for all of us.
I have played guitar for 2 years and bass for 1 year. It’s time to actually take care of my guitars/basses by myself.
Perhaps two weeks ago Tom G., and old and good friend, said that an “almost” family member said he wished he had an electric bass so he could play it, learn it, and enjoy it.
So it was Sean who day dreamed he wanted a bass guitar.
Since I love searching and finding guitars, basses, and amps, I immediately began my search.
Overnight Craigslist Ad for Squier Bass for $100 or Best Offer
I called the next morning.
Unfortunately, the seller does “bait and upsell”. He said, “I have offers of $200 on this bass.”
So watch out for Craigslist, Facebook, and Offerup sellers who use the phrase “…Or Best Offer”. The seller was fishing with a low price and than getting you to bid against mythical competitors.
“OK, I’ll Pay you $125 cash, Today”
I told the seller I was “real”. I keep my word on offers and showing up to buy or sell musical equipment.
Tested Squier PJ Bass and Amp, Then Purchased for $165
The blue Squier PJ Bass was made in Indonesia in 2022. I would call it a “Covid bass”. Made during the Covid-19 days, purchased at that time. $125.
We also purchased a $40 Behringer Bass Amp (sorry, can’t remember the model) that worked fine and sounded good. The seller wanted use to buy his Fender 15 that sounded rattly. No thanks.
Prepping Sean’s Squier PJ Bass and the Behringer Amp
Well, the amp needed no work.
But the PJ Bass had sharp spikey frets. I dropped by Tom G.’s house and carefully filed down the spikey frets so they were acceptable. Not perfectly done, just better so Sean wouldn’t cut himself.
We also ordered a stand for Sean’s bass and I tossed a Fender tuner and bass gig bag into the package for Sean. Glad to help.
Giving Sean his 3 Year Old PJ Squier Bass
Gosh, Sean sure looked good with his new bass. This is in the first minute of him seeing the blue bass. He may not be smiling, but he was a happy guy 🙂
Bald White Guy Smiling with Sean and his New Bass
Yep, this is me. Not my best look. Ugly sweater, eyes closing, bald head shining. I think I need to wear better clothing when I meet new people 🙂
But I was happy to help “gift” a bass to Sean.
“Hey Sean, this Squier Bass with an Amp was $399 3 years ago. It’s a bargain. Hope you like it.”
Brief Bass Lesson for Sean
Since Tom G. doesn’t know the bass, I gave Sean 10 minutes of advice on playing bass.
We added the strap with its locking ends.
Encouraged him to build the bass stand we purchased.
Showed him how to use Fender tuner.
Basics on plugging into his Behringer amp and its controls.
Sean’s pluck technique was already good. I showed him where to anchor his right thumb on a pickup.
Tom and I also jammed a bit. Tom played harmonica and I played bass. We chose “Hey Joe” played on my Android. I showed Sean how to plug into the Aux port with his Android/iPhone.
So now Sean can jam to any song he can find on YouTube. He just needs to learn how.
Best Wishes to Sean, Enjoy Your PJ Squier Bass
It was fun helping Tom G. gift a nice Squier bass to his friend Sean. Good stuff, good times.
This felt good, maybe I’ll help on another gifting of a guitar or bass. We shall see.
First Impressions of the Leo Jaymz Popcasterm 2025
Decently packed, undamaged box.
It’s beautiful blue peeked through the wrapping, gorgeous.
Wonderful neck, feels good and the fret ends aren’t spikey
Not a big fan of the truss rod being at the bottom of the neck where it meets the bo
Great resonance as I strummed it without an amp.
Yes, I had high hopes for my Leo Jaymz Popmaster until I plugged it into my various amps.
My Leo Jaymz Blue Popmaster is Gorgeous, Just Not Talented
After a week of playing this blue Popcaster it’s time to send it back to Amazon. I think I received a defective Popcaster.
I am an advanced beginner guitarist of 2 years and a bassist of 1 year. Love it. I also wear hearing aids (it matters for this review). I own my share of electric guitars.
Three respected Youtubers recommended the Leo Jaymz Popcaster for both quality and sound. That’s why I bought it.
Initial Testing of My Leo Jaymz Popcaster on 3 of My Amps
It’s a beautiful blue, gorgeous. But when I plugged it into my Peavey, Fender, and Roland amps it didn’t sound right. Better put on my hearing aids. It had too much hummm on switches 1 and 3. Not even my cheap, used Glarry Semi-Hollow hummed that much on switches 1 and 3.
“I am sorry, I don’t have a decent recording of playing the Popcaster. All I can tell you is I was ecstatic to receive a beautifully made blue Popcaster. I was also equally disappointed that the Leo Jaymz Popcaster just didn’t sound good on switches 1 and 3. I tested it on 4 of my amps.” – Shoshin Guitarist
My Guitar Repair Guy Examined the Leo Jaymz Popcaster
I took it to my guitar guy (ex-roadie guitar tech) to check it out. He absolutely adored its fit and finish, he loved the neck. He said, “It’s amazing they can build this, ship it, and still make a profit.” He played it on a cheap speaker in his garage setting. “Hello, hello?” I can hear myself. The pickups are microphonic. Wax potting would fix that (I don’t know how to wax pot an electric guitar pickup.)
Comparing the Popcaster Single Coil Hum against 7 Other Electrics
One more day I turned on my Fender LT25 Amp, put it on the Fender Clean 01 setting, and tested the Popcaster against all of my electrics.Â
I played the same riff on each guitar, same volume, and all switches. All of my electrics ranging from a 1980’s Harmony HT-80 strat to a Jet JT300 played better and with more diverse/pleasing sounds than the Leo Jaymz Popcaster.Â
And sadly, the Popmaster “hum” was the worst of all my guitars.
Now the G String is Rattling
Yikes. Maybe I am being too picky.
But I have only had this Popcaster for less than 2 weeks. I am returning it.
Pretty Guitars aren’t Good Enough for Me
So I don’t enjoy playing it. Beautiful looks aren’t everything. Sound matters more than anything.
But I think I got a slightly defective Popcaster. I may try Leo Jaymz again as I consider their Hurricane guitar. So I am being neutral and rating the Popmaster as a “3”.
I hope my review was helpful to you. The Popcaster is a beautiful tele. Perhaps I just got a “slightly defective” one.
I once had bi-focals now I have had cataract surgery. I see adequately for reading but seeing my guitar strings perfectly for strumming or picking is difficult sometimes.
My Black Peavey Tele Solution to Near Sightedness (can’t see near)
Today I was playing my year 2000 black Peavey Predator-Plus TK from Korea and I noticed something. This is an Android photo without flash. Sorry, I think the focus is imprecise.
The black Peavey has a black background for seeing the strings better. It’s an improvement. – Shoshin Guitarist.
Pretty simple. Playing electric guitar is easier when you have a black guitar.
Harder to see Guitar Strings on a White Background
It’s harder for me to see strings on a non-black background.. Here’s my Glarry Thinline Semi-Hollow with its mottled white background. This is an Android photo without flash.
My Electric Guitar isn’t White – What Shall I do?
Well, you could purchase colored guitar strings. I know they exist.
But there is an outside possibility that one of those colors would blend in to your guitar’s color no matter what the color. Maybe.
Buy a colored pack of guitar strings and string on your electric guitar.
Acoustic Guitar Solution to Seeing your Guitar Strings Better
Even with my near sightedness (can’t see near perfectly), I normally can see my guitar strings for strumming or picking. Sometimes it’s a problem.
Again, you could buy some colored strings as a potential solution.
Did the Black Guitar Solution Help you See Your Guitar Strings?
Hope so. Or at least consider using colored guitar strings.
I noticed it this morning and wanted to do a small post about it.
Either purchase a black guitar or colored guitar strings.
He is absolutely correct. The Dean MLX is both pretty and unique.
Unfortunately I rarely play it. Its shape feels awkward to me and I still haven’t perfectly figured out its tone controls.
Looking to Trade the Dean MLX for a Telecaster
In late July, 2025, I thought, I wonder if anyone would trade me something for my Dean MLX. I especially would like a better telecaster. So I looked on Facebook Marketplace and searched for the phrase “guitar trade”. This picture listing in Chicagoland popped up.
Well I wanted a telecaster so I dug deeper into the ad. More pics below.
So very clearly, this seller wanted a Dean ML. He also was offering a Cort 5 string bass. I have always wanted such a bass. I owned the Dean MLX so I sent a message to the owner/seller proposing a trade: my guitar for one bass and one guitar.
Liam Wants To Trade for my Dean MLX
I sent Liam on Facebook a photo of the Dean MLX and he wanted to trade. If you’re into heavy metal, this Dean is a good place to start.
Liam and I made arrangements to trade at a Starbucks near 80th and Cicero (Chicagoland) in about 10 days (he was on vacation).
Meeting in a Starbucks to make a Facebook Guitar/Bass Trade
We met at a Starbucks in the south Chicago suburbs. Dependable safe space, electrical outlets, nobody bothers you if you play your guitar with headphones.
Liam Loved the Dean MLX
It took Liam less than 10 seconds to fall in love with the Dean MLX.
This was the Dean MLX that my house contractor gave me for free. Dusty, broken string, wires dangling from a missing guitar jack hole. Here’s a link to the free Dean MLX story on my website.
$125 in parts and labor by my guitar guy Paul G. and the Dean MLX was as good as new. Built in I believe 2009 in China.
I liked the sound of the Dean MLX but I never fell in love with the shape of the Dean MLX. But Chicago southside Liam loved the Dean MLX the first moment he held it. Wow.
Richard Liked the Cort Action DLX V Plus
Liam handed me the Cort Action DLX V Plus to play.
Wow, this thing is light for a bass. – Shoshin Guitarist.
I would later learn the Cort weighed only 6.8 pounds. That’s 2.4 pounds lighter than my Deltatone bass guitar. This old guy was delighted with a lighter bass.
And oh my goodness, the Cort Action DLX V Plus was pretty (on Facebook ad) with a cherry sunburst top. See below.
I didn’t notice the knick on the left side immediately. Liam, an honest seller, declared the nick on the finish. Not a horrible nick, but not good. See the scarry close-up shown below.
But in person, the nick was 2 inches long and not as bad as originally thought. My guitar guy Paul G. already said he could fix the small gash for a reasonable price ($50).
I played the Cort bass with headphones on my Orange 12 amp. It sounded OK. How much can you test a bass with headphones?
I could not test the on-board pre-amp because there was no battery available for the pre-amp. But I hoped that there would be no problems with the pre-amp later on. (I was correct, no problems later).
Richard “Tolerated” the Squier Sonic Telecaster (2024)
Liam, if you are reading this, don’t be offended 🙂
The Squier Sonic tele, although almost brand new and hardly played, felt like average workmanship at best.
Almost all of my electric guitars felt better to me than holding a Squier Sonic tele for the first time. I wanted to like it, but my heart wasn’t in it.
SOUND TEST: The Squier Sonic Telecaster, with headphones, had a strange sounding low E. Buzzing? Something not quite right. And I was disappointed in the low output of the neck pick up. I had hoped I would be a little impressed with the Sonic pickups. After all, the same pickups are used in the 2024 Squier Affinity Telecaster.
So I knew my guitar guy would need to fix or do a setup on this Squier of marginal quality. Looked great, but it sure didn’t feel or sound great.
I tried to hide my Squier Sonic tele disappointment from young Liam (a very nice young man).
Was the Dean MLX for Squire tele and Cort Bass a Good Trade?
Yes, it was.
Liam got the Dean guitar he wanted. Not quite a Dean ML, but certainly a Dean MLX for playing or upgrades.
Richard traded in a little used guitar (Dean MLX) and received a working guitar and bass.
My $250 in value (Dean MLX) probably netted $350 in value (Squier tele and Cort Action DLX V Plus bass guitar). But more importantly I received a bass I really liked and a Squier tele I could hopefully improve with a good guitar technician.
But since I will put $100 into the Cort Action DLX V Plus bass for repairs and minor set-up, let’s call the trade a financial “0” net gain. That’s fine with me.
Good Facebook Trades aren’t just About Money
So it’s not just about money.
Liam acquired the Dean MLX he wanted. I acquired a pretty, light, 5 string Cort bass and a Squier Sonic tele.
So I think this was a good trade, a fair trade, between a 19 year old guitarist and a 74 year old retiree (me). That’s what I love about guitars and basses. You get to meet and to like people you would never normally meet in your life.
In the early days of a website, there are often very few visitors.
So thanks for visiting my website. Shoshin is a Japanese word that means “beginner’s mind”. It’s approaching every day of guitar and bass with an eagerness to learn, just like a beginner.
I have an opinion on which AI tool is best. Yes, I know there are other AI tools. But for today, just looking at Google AI and Chat GPT.
For guitar and bass players choosing the correct AI or artificial intelligence tool matters when we research guitars, basses, and/or amps.
Google – How Heavy is a Cort Action DLX V Plus?
That was my Google search prior to buying trading for my Cort 5 String Bass.
Here’s the result from Google AI shown below
Google AI was Wrong by 4 Pounds About the Weight of My Bass Guitar
Google Artificial Intelligence said weight was 11 pounds. Apparently their AI search found one website that said the Cort bass weighed 5 kilos or 11 pounds.
My Cort Bass Guitar actually weighs 6.8 pounds.
So Google AI or Artificial Intelligence was off by over 4 pounds. They thought my Cort Action DLX V Plus was 11 pounds when it was less than 7 pounds.
Why was Google AI so Wrong about the Weight of my Cort Bass?
Frankly, their AI search was a bit sloppy.
They found one website from a guitar re-seller who wrote that the Cort bass was 11 pounds. That was it. Wrong.
If Google AI had dug deeper they would have at least found a www.TalkBass.com article where one user said his Cort Action DLX V Plus weighed 8.3 pounds.
Chat GPT – How Heavy is a Cort Action DLX V Plus?
Chat GPT was more accurate. See below.
Chat GPT was better than Google AI for two major reasons.
Chat GPT was refined enough to mention that one user said his Cort weighed 8.3 pounds. This was the www.TalkBass.com reference I mentioned earliar in this blog post.
Chat GPT wrote: Expect the Cort bass…to weigh 8 to 9 pounds.
That’s reasonable.
Once again, my Cort bass weighed 6.8 pounds (hurray).
Try Chat GPT in the Future on your Guitar, Bass, and/or Amp Purchases
I know, this is a sample size of just ONE. So this isn’t scientific.
But for me, Chat GPT will be my first choice in researching a guitar, bass, or amp I have never seen but wish to purchase.
If you already know what BPM means, than this short blog post is for you.
BPM as every beginner guitarist or bassist knows is Beats Per Minute.
A Metronome is Useless if you Don’t Know the BPM for a New Song
Yes, obviously metronomes are useful in learning guitar.
But in learning a new song, just having or using a metronome isn’t enough. You need to decide on the BPM for your new song.
Poor Ways to Determine the Beats Per Minute for a New Song?
I am focusing my recent guitar studies (18 month advanced beginner guitarist) on playing songs from my Old Town School of Folk Music Songbook. You can purchase the 60th edition of this book at Abe Books (used, of course).
The OTSFM Songbook has many useful features but it’s 100+ songs lack two important pieces of information in learning a new song:
BPM or Beats Per Minute.
Strum Pattern or suggested strum pattern.
My Early Mistakes in Determining BPM for a New Song I am Learning
Research the song for BPM on the Internet.
This wasn’t that helpful.
Even when I found suggested BPM they were in a range like 100-115 BPM for example.
Play the song on YouTube, imitate the BPM with an older, physical metronome.
Again, this didn’t work great for me.
Use JustinGuitar’s Tap Tempo Tool to determine the BPM for a New Song You are Learning
Find a rendition of the song on YouTube that you like.
Strum along with your guitar (mute the strings, it’s just percussion) to see if you like the BPM.
If you like the BPM, do the next step.
Use JustinGuitar’s Tap Tempo Tool on your mobile phone to match the YouTube song BPM that you like. That worked for me.
By the way, Justin Guitar is best known for his online guitar lessons. I have used them for easily one year now.
Here’s Justin Guitar’s instruction in using his Tap Tempo Tool.
You just tap the orange button with your finger while your new song plays. The Tempo Calculator will give you its best estimate of the BPM.
Using the Tap Tempo Tool designed by Justin Guitar worked for me.
When I determine the BPM for a song I am studying I write the BPM in pencil into the OTSFM Songbook. Over time, the correct strum pattern “comes to me” automatically and I also write that into my OTSFM Songbook, in pencil.
Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today
When I learned how to use Justin Guitar’s Tap Tempo Tool, I wanted to share that technique with you also.
Yes, if you are a Shoshin Guitarist you approach learning guitar (or bass) with a “beginner’s mind”. Try it. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced guitarist/bassist, stay open to learning new things every day, just like a beginner.
First of all, it’s a slightly smaller telecaster. Nut to bridge is normal but a shorter headstock and body. 36 inches long, perhaps 2-3 inches shorter than my other electrics. Configuration wise it’s very much like a Peavey Reactor accept it has a strat body. Although the Peavey Reactor probably has better pickups.
Peavey didn’t make a whole lot of telecaster type guitars. Most likely, my Peavey Predator-Plus TK was made in Korea in the 1990’s.
This will be a long post since I do it as I get to know a guitar. I hope you don’t mind reading it.
Before its setup I played it and now after it’s setup I play this Peavey even more.
Strangely, this slightly short telecaster with a standard 26 1/2″ scale length makes lovely music when paired with a Peavey Vypyr VIP-1 amp. It’s only 2 inches shorter than my other electric guitars. It is NOT a MINI guitar. Just an inch shorter on headstock and one inch shorter on the body. It’s just comfortable.
Finding the Peavey Predator-Plus TK on Facebook
Here it is on Facebook in Chicago, IL in April of 2025. A Peavey and a Huntington bass with cases for $100. Heck yes I want them. Here’s the original ad showing the Peavey Predator-Plus TK. I gobbled up the Peavey and Huntington in less than 24 hours beating out the competition.
Here is the Peavey Predator-Plus TK photo from Facebook Marketplace.
Inspection and Purchase of the Peavey Predator-Plus TK.
My hurried search didn’t yield much info on this guitar. I thought it was a Peavey Reactor telecaster but the headstock said Peavey Predator-Plus TK.
“Palm Sunday” Peavey
This purchase took place over a weekend.
On Facebook Marketplace Saturday night I saw the Peavey Predator-Plus TK and the Huntington Bass, both for a total of $100. I bid $120, overprice, in hopes of being first to the seller.
The seller chose another buyer who was first offer. But I hung in there during early Sunday (Palm Sunday) telling the buyer I was his “backup buyer”. The first buyer fell through or didn’t show up. The seller pinged me around lunchtime and I promised to be at his NW side home in Chicago at 2:30 PM. I was on time for the sale.
Initial Peavey Inspection
The Peavey looked relatively clean for being in a guitar bag for about 15 years. The seller’s teenage daughter bought it around the year 2000 but gave up on guitar. That’s quite common. Visible problems below.
Plugged Peavey into my bright Orange 12L amp. The Peavey guitar input jack was a little loose.
The Peavey did not amp or play.
Neck looked straight.
Truss rod wrench hole is at the body, looked odd. I tried an allen wrench and it held firm, didn’t slip. I didn’t want a guitar with a stripped truss rod.
Chrome was a bit tarnished, guitar a bit dirty.
But the guitar wasn’t beat up.
Peavey switch seemed a little gummy or imprecise.
Couldn’t test the pickup switch since guitar wouldn’t work with amp.
I figured I or my guitar guy could fix it.
Seemed a bit smaller than a regular guitar.
Later I would measure its fretboard and scale and it equaled my Jet JS400 guitar. Standard size. The body and the headstock are a little smaller.
Entire guitar is 36 1/2″ long versus my Jet JS 400 which is 39″.
Nice guitar bag in good condition (actually, great condition and padded).
Zippers work, nicely padded.
It will fit this Peavey and my other electric guitars.
So, I did buy the Peavey and the Huntington bass (very pretty, nice sounds). I had offered $120 for both guitars, $20 more than asking. That meant I was 2nd among buyers. When the first buyer cancelled, my extra $20 probably got me sale.
However, since the Peavey needed work I asked the seller to reduce the price. He immediately dropped the price back down to $100. For me, that was a bargain.
First Impressions at Home with my Peavey Predator-Plus TK
Tuned it and had to be careful because someone had strung the B string incorrectly. You don’t want strings snapping in your eyes.
I tightened the guitar input jack, plugged in the cable, plugged into a Peavey VIP-1 amp (fun, Peavey to Peavey), and played it amped. That was a nice surprise.
It worked. Simple fix. Peavey sounds nice and bright.
DeoxIT D5 for Peavey Coil Selector Switch
The coil selector 3-way switch is pretty gummy and has a bit of static. You need to place it just right in its slot to get sound. I sprayed some DeoxIT D5 into the slot a few times, worked the switch, and the selector switch static is gone. Every used guitar buyer needs a can of DeoxIT D5 in their guitar room.
Peavey is Nicely Balanced
I played and played. I experimented with the coil switch for bridge pickups. I experimented with different amp settings on my Peavey Vypyr VIP-1 amp (love that $40 amp).
The guitar is lighter so that’s a blessing with my injured right elbow (yanked my right elbow carrying a bass and slipping on icy steps). This light Peavey telecaster is easier on my right elbow when I lift it.
But the Peavey Predator-Plus TK felt friendly, almost a part of me as I noodled through a few tunes, riffs, etc. I felt like this was a 3/4 guitar so I measured it against my Jet JS 400 guitar.
For the Peavey and Jet the fretboard and scale are the exact same length. So it plays like a full size guitar.
The Jet JS400 is two inches longer in total length than this Peavey guitar because of 1 extra inch on the headstock and 1 extra inch in the body.
Peavey measurements.
Fretboard: 18.5 inches
Scale: 26.5 inches
Total length: 36.5 inches
Jet JS 400 measurements.
Fretboard: 18.5 inches
Scale: 26.5 inches
Total length: 38.5 inches
The Peavey guitar reminded me of my Epiphone LP Express that I sold. The Epiphone Express was a 3/4 guitar with bad tuners. I loved the Epiphone LP Express sound but got tired of constantly re-tuning the guitar. The Peavey tuners were rock solid and did not slip off in an hour of playing. Hurray.
Yes, I am very pleased with my first serious test of the Peavey Predator-Plus TK guitar. Nice telecaster sound and a balanced guitar that is fun to play. – Shoshin Guitarist.
Deeper Internet Research on the Peavey Predator-Plus TK Guitar
Before I purchased the Peavey, I didn’t have time to dig into its past. But now I have time and I want to share my results with you.
This is from a French guitar teacher who wrote: “This Peavey Raptor Plus TK is my go-to guitar: I carry it everywhere, to lessons, on vacation, my all-terrain guitar.”.
Fun to watch.
It’s in French.
Wikipedia info on the guitar. Bummer, I thought the Peavey was made in USA like the other Predators. Nope, it’s made in Korea. But they often do good work.
3. Peavey Forum info on the guitar. Peavey does have a very nice forum if ever you need it for research.
So the Peavey Predator-Plus TK is a Korean made telecaster type guitar that has a good reputation on the Peavey forum. It’s slightly smaller than a standard electric guitar without sacrificing string length. It was made in the mid to late 1990’s. My Peavey Predator-Plus TK which looks like the one shown above, is what I call, a “keeper”.
$50 setup with new strings and it will be even better. However, I may need a new guitar input jack. That depends on my guitar repair guy.
Peavey Predator-Plus TK, Purchased from a Chicagoland Drum Store in 2001
One week after purchasing the Peavey on Facebook, I reached out to the seller’s daughter who had played the guitar.
In 2001 she purchased the Peavey telecaster from a drummer’s store in the Chicago NW suburbs. It was one of their cheaper guitars that a teenager could afford. A good drummer friend of hers helped with the purchase.
Since the Peavey was purchased in 2001. It makes sense now based on my research.
The Peavey Predator-Plus TK was made in the 1990’s in Korea. So being purchased one or two years later in a Chicagoland store makes perfect sense.
Peavey Predator-Plus TK Visits my Guitar Guy
I knew I couldn’t setup this guitar properly. I took it to Paul G. on Chicago’s Facebook Marketplace. He does fine work.
Known problems.
Needs new strings and a set-up.
De-rust the screws.
Verify the guitar input jack is tight.
Clean up the tarnished chrome.
Paul did that and a whole lot more. Apparently by screwing in a new screw into a guitar pickup I broke part of the pickup plate. But thankfully, Paul fixed that.
He also shaved down some frets because with the size 10 new strings and lower action they were buzzing near the 12th and beyond fret. I had never noticed. That’s why Paul G. is my guitar guy.
Paul the guitar guy said:
It’s made of plywood. I didn’t notice it until I got into fixing some pickup problems. But its plywood construction is done well.
I said to Paul, “I think I will call it the ‘Peavey Plywood’. He smiled. – Shoshin Guitarist
He said he couldn’t thoroughly intonate E and A string. The bridge placement in the factory was off by 1/16 of an inch making perfect intonation impossible.
Paul the Guitar Guy’s Assessment of my Peavey
It has more “mids” than he would like personally. He prefers “treble” sounds. But heck, I’m moderately deaf and will I notice?
He liked the neck pickup especially for its tele twang.
But it sure does look pretty.
Grabbing the “Plywood” Peavey
I have owned my newly setup Peavey for about 2-3 weeks. And I often grab the Peavey throughout the day.
Today I riffed a bit on my Peavey with different amps.
Fender G-Dec. Although I enjoy this $25 amp greatly, today I didn’t fall in love with its amping of the Peavey guitar.
Peavey Vypyr VIP-1. I have come to respect this 20 watt amp a great deal. My goodness, I just realized this fact. I am testing my Peavey guitar with a Peavey amp. The modeling from the VIP-1 seems almost mystical in how it nicely amps the Peavey Predator-Plus TK. Fun.
Roland 40 GX. I often overlook this amp. Probably because I have always had trouble modeling/mixing my own sounds. But I plugged in the Peavey guitar and the Roland 40 GX just about BLEW MY SOCKS OFF. I focused on the bridge pickup and got nice trebly twang out of the guitar. Very LOUD. Fun.
Mustang LT25. Perhaps because I had 60 pre-sets to choose from, I didn’t search too hard for the right tone. So I will return to the Mustang LT 25 another day.
But the Peavey Predator-Plus TK sounded great through the Peavy Vypyr VIP-1 amp and the Roland GX40 amp. Both amps made the “Plywood” Peavey sing.
Final Thoughts on the Peavey Predator-Plus TK
Remember, I bought the Peavey for $50 along with a beautiful Huntington PJ bass for $50.
After a $50 dollar setup, I now I have $100 ‘invested” into the ‘Peavey Plywood’ most likely from Korea.
I can pretend it’s Peavey Reactor made in the U.S.A. but it isn’t. That’s the Peavey telecaster to buy. But I don’t have $300-$400 dollars laying around so I am happy with my Peavey telecaster from Korea.
But my rehabbed Peavey Predator-Plus TK is good enough for me. It plays well as long as I don’t play above the poorly intonated 12th fret (which I never do).
My slightly smaller Peavey also came with a wonderful electric guitar super-padded case that is worth perhaps $40 new. So I will always have that case for my electric guitars.
So if you find a cheap Peavey Predator-Plus TK for $50 that works, it’s a bargain. But it’s older brother the Peavey Reactor telecaster made in U.S.A. is the Peavey “tele” that you want to find and to purchase at a good price.
