igor_klemann's Reviews

A Bit Overrated Pedal

I know this might be a controversial opinion, but I think the Boss DS-1 is a bit overrated. Don’t get me wrong — it’s a very good pedal, used by countless legendary guitarists, and it definitely has its place in music history. However, it just didn’t work as well for me as I had hoped. Maybe my expectations were too high, but the sound simply didn’t click with me. That said, I really like it when used with low gain, where it delivers a more pleasant and versatile tone. It’s still a great pedal, especially for those who enjoy that classic distortion sound.

A Simple but Very Pleasant Keyboard

This is an entry-level Casio keyboard with many functions and a wide range of sounds. Some of them are very good, while others sound weak and artificial. However, it can also be used as a MIDI controller, and since that’s how I use it, I must say it performs very well in this role. It’s responsive, comfortable to play, and provides a great experience for its purpose.

A Well-Built Nylon-String Guitar

This guitar belonged to my father and was where I first started playing music. It’s a simple beginner model, but very well made. It plays smoothly, feels light and comfortable to hold. Its volume is a bit low, and while the tone is pleasant, you can tell it’s an entry-level instrument. Even so, it’s a great guitar for anyone just starting out.

An Inexplicably Impressive Guitar for the Price.

I bought this guitar in July 2025, second-hand, for only 200 reais (around $40 USD), because I needed a guitar with a humbucker to complement the clean tones of my P90 — and I was genuinely blown away by what I found.

This model hasn’t been produced in years; mine, for example, is over 12 years old. Back when it was sold, it was priced very cheaply, but that is by no means a reflection of its quality. On the contrary, it’s an incredibly surprising instrument. The pickups deliver a full, balanced tone that far exceeded my expectations. Its playing comfort is remarkable, and its tuning stability is unexpectedly solid.

My specific unit does have a few issues — the neck pickup sits a bit too high, and the G string tends to go out of tune when bending near the 12th fret — but I recognize these are just signs of age and neglect from the previous owner, and they’re easy fixes for a luthier.

Overall, this guitar has impressed me far more than I expected, and even though it can only be found second-hand nowadays, it’s worth every penny.

Excellent Value for Money

Excellent value for money!

I bought this guitar as my first one in mid-2023 and was very satisfied overall. The biggest highlight is definitely the P90 pickups, which deliver a beautiful clean tone and a rich, pleasing distortion. However, one thing that really bothered me was the noise when using high gain — it becomes quite noticeable and can get in the way, especially if you enjoy heavier tones or high-drive settings. In some videos I’ve seen, this issue didn’t seem as present, so it might vary from unit to unit.

Overall, it’s still an excellent guitar, especially considering its very affordable price. I’d even say it’s one of the best options in its category and would recommend it to both beginners and more experienced players.

Preferred Settings + Usage:

Reaper is the best

Reaper is a relatively simple and intuitive DAW, but light and very good, it has become my main DAW.

Really underrated Pedal

The Boss ML-2 is easily one of Boss’s most underrated pedals — even more so than the famous Metal Zone. It provides an excellent tone for very heavy distortion, with plenty of gain and clarity. I didn’t have to work hard to dial in a really good sound on both of my guitars. The controls are straightforward and effective, making it quick to find the right tone. If you’re into metal or heavy music, this pedal is definitely worth trying out.