Today’s edition is brought to you by Loop Earplugs – the innovative ear guards designed for musicians that won’t A) break the bank and B) make everything sound like a muffled stew

Protect your ears today, so you can hear music later!

This is ELECTRIKJAM, your weekly dose of electrifying insights and updates from the world of guitars, gear and (mostly) metal music.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• 🎸 Where’s Steph? Everybody love the Deftones. But things appear to be getting messy with the band, calling into question its future….

• 🤗 Oh, Hi… mega rare Jackson Surfcaster: It’s pink, it’s insanely rare, and there could be a production model coming soon…

• 🎛️ New Blackstar HT Series MK III amps: Blackstar’s announced a trio of tasty-looking amps that’ll get your palms nice and sweaty

• 😱 Squier Contemporary Telecaster: As you’d expect, this thing RIPS….

• 🕹️ The Octave Game: Wanna learn the power of octaves? I’ve put together a fun, interactive lesson that’ll get you up to speed and using octaves like a boss in no time (PS – I forgot to include it last week. My bad 🫠).

🎛️ Gear Drop Alert: New Guitars You Need to Know About ⏬

🎸 Misha Mansoor And The Tale of The UNICORN Jackson Surfcaster… 🦄

Why unicorn? Because it’s rarer than Joe Rogan’s elk steaks and it’s utterly beautiful too. You know, like a unicorn that’s fluent in Spanish, or something.

Anyway, here it is…

Misha managed to snag one, he’s thrilled (as you’d expect) and it looks devilishly good in pink. 

Check his Insta for videos and specs (they’re very, very tasty).

But that’s not all for the folklore; no, this guitar is also a Frankenstein or sorts too. You see, it’s a Jackson with a Charvel Surfcaster Body and a Fender headstock. 

Oh, and it’s also a baritone too.  

Plot twist: speculation is mounting, given that Misha’s a social media monster, that this little photo-op is a soft launch of sorts ahead of a proper release later this year. 

Be still my beating heart..

🎨 Sterling by Music Man Makes Waves With NOT ONE, BUT TWO Ultra-Affordable Intro Series Guitars

Sterling by Music Man just went nuclear on guitar prices. Impressed? You will be – these things pack a punch and are cheaper than your Uncle Bob when it’s time to get a round in.

 The Damage:

• Cutlass guitars: $199 (That's like, 40 lattes?)

What's the catch? There isn't one! You're getting:

• Official Sterling logo (Flex on 'em)

• EBMM's sexiest shapes

• Specs that'll make your wallet do a double-take

Cutlass Rundown (AKA "How Did They Do That?"):

• HSS pickup config (versatility, baby!)

• Vintage Fulcrum tremolo (whammy for days)

• 22 frets (for those stratospheric licks)

• Dual action truss rod (keeping it straight, folks)

The 5 B's of Budget Brilliance:

1. Brand: Sterling (EBMM's cool little bro)

2. Build: Poplar body, maple neck (solid stuff)

3. Bargain: Prices that'll make your credit card giggle

4. Beginner-friendly: Easy to play, hard to put down

5. Backing: EBMM's rep is your quality guarantee

Sterling just turned the beginner guitar market on its head. These things look incredible and you can bet cat’s whiskers we’ll be getting them in for testing ASAP.

⚡ A Holy Trinity of Blackstar HT Series MK III Amps…

Blackstar just dropped their new HT Series MK III amps, and it's like they've crammed a whole guitar store into a few boxes.

Let's dive in!

LESSON #1: Size Doesn't Matter (But Watts Do)

Remember when we thought bigger was always better? Well, Blackstar's laughing at that idea. They've got three new toys for us:

1. HT-1RH MK III: The pocket rocket (1W)

2. HT-5R Combo: The apartment-friendly beast (5W)

3. HT-20RH: The "I can't believe it's not 100W" head (20W)

These things are like those tiny cars in the circus - you won't believe how much they've packed in there.

LESSON #2: Features That'll Make Your Fingers Tingle

Let's geek out for a sec:

• Two channels: Because sometimes you need to be Dr. Jekyll AND Mr. Hyde

• ISF control: It's like having British and American accents in one box

• CabRig: Three-way switch for when you want to pretend you're playing through different cabs

• USB output: For when your computer needs to hear your sick riffs too

And get this - they've all got power scaling. It's like having a volume knob for your neighbors' complaints.

LESSON #3: Pricing That Won't Make Your Wallet Cry

• HT-1RH MK III: $449 / £399 (cheaper than your last pedal splurge)

• HT-5R Combo: $679 / £599 (mid-range price, top-range tone)

• HT-20RH: $/£749 (because who needs food when you have tone?)

So there you have it, folks. Blackstar's new HT Series MK III amps - proving once again that good things come in small (but kinda expensive) packages.

🎙️ THE PODCAST YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED 🎙️

🫣 What’s Going On With Deftones!? WHERE IS STEF…

If you've caught Deftones live lately (outside the USA), you might've noticed something missing.

No, not Chino's belly – we're talking about Stephen Carpenter, the riff-master himself!

Turns out, Stef's decided to be a "strictly domestic guitar player." Translation? He's ghosting all gigs not on US soil since 2022.

But the ‘Tones just did a few shows IN THE US and guess what? Stef wasn’t there either…

Questions, speculation, and rumors, of course, are now afoot.

Let’s do some back story first, in case you missed the whole saga unfold (which started during The Dark Times of 2020)

🌎 Flat Earth, Flat Tours

Stef's always been... let's say, "unique" in his worldview. Flat Earth? Check. Vaccines are poison? Double-check.

I respect other people's opinions and beliefs, but I would feel cheated if I did not get to see the band I paid for because of the place I live. Beyond fan backlash, this is a terrible financial move for Stef Carpenter.

💸 Money, Money, Money (Left on the Table)

Festivals are the most important part of the Summer touring season. These are shows that can bring in 50,000 people for the main stage. While the USA has great festivals, there are few on the total circuit.

Bands make their biggest money from festivals, usually starting in March and ending in the Fall.

You often hear of bands recording in the Winter because the money maker is touring season.

A band like Deftones makes around $200,000 to $300,000 for a headlining spot at a festival like Lollapalooza.

Depending on the venue size and maximum capacity, this figure could be larger or smaller.

That means Stef Carpenter is missing out on twenty to forty thousand dollars per show. 

But this is only the festival money we are talking about.

Regular tour dates overseas can bring thousands of dollars a night as well!

Here's where it gets wild:

• Festival headlining gig = $200k-$300k per show

• Stef's cut = $20k-$40k per show (POOF! Gone!)

• Overseas tours = $$$ left behind

Chino's net worth? $15-20 million. Stef's? It’s likely takin’ a pounding right now; streaming royalties do not pay the bills – even when you’re the Deftones.

Perhaps he’s cut a deal, gone halvsies with Lance for the overseas gigs: Stef gets 50%, Lance gets 50%. It’s Deftones. I’d take that deal. Hell, I’d do it for 10%.

No has any idea what’s going on right now and fans of the band are – rightly – concerned.

🏄‍♂️ Riding the Legal Waves

• Stef still gets album royalties (cha-ching!)

• Live show pay? Probably not (womp womp)

• Endorsements? ESP might be scratching their heads

🍑 The Bottom Line

I can understand the pressures and anxiety of travel. I cannot understand the anxiety coming from a possible lockdown or a "sudden jab". Hopefully we see Stef next year during the Summer Festival Season.

The new album is out soon too, so that’ll need to be toured. Finger’s crossed we Stef back in action soon.

GUITAR RECOMMENDATION OF THE WEEK ✅ 

🔥 Squier Contemporary Telecaster: The Metal MONSTER…

The Squier Contemporary Telecaster marks a significant evolution for Squier, offering a modern, heavy-music-ready twist on the classic Telecaster design.

It stands out with features typically found in higher-end guitars, including a roasted maple neck, 22 jumbo frets, and a striking gloss metal flake finish that looks stunning under stage lights.

But what truly sets this guitar apart is its pickup configuration, how it performs under high gain, and it’s price – you can grab one for just $400.

Equipped with a Squier Atomic humbucker in the neck and a rail-style humbucker in the bridge, this guitar is built for rock and metal.

The neck pickup delivers a hot but clear tone, with excellent note separation, even under high gain.

You can dial in creamy, Les Paul-like solo tones by rolling off the tone knob.

The bridge humbucker is the real star, providing tight, cutting mids that excel in drop tunings and complex chords without the muddiness often found in budget pickups.

The middle position offers a unique clean tone with an almost acoustic quality, perfect for more atmospheric playing.

Despite some minor drawbacks, like a basic plastic nut and tuners, this guitar exceeds expectations for its price.

Its modern specs, such as the 12" neck radius and contoured heel for easy high-fret access, make it a shredder’s dream.

Visually and sonically, the Squier Contemporary Telecaster is a standout instrument that challenges the notion of Squier being just a beginner's brand.

If you're a fan of Telecasters but need a guitar that can handle heavier tones, this model won't disappoint. It’s a great guitar—period, not just "for the money."

🔥 Check it out in full here, including color options.

BITE-SIZED NEWS FOR THE ROAD 🍪

We covered all the big news up top, but here’s a quick recap of some other stuff that happened:

🛍️ Fender Launches Certified Pre-Owned Program

Fender has introduced its first-ever Certified Pre-Owned program on Reverb. New second-hand instruments will be added weekly, each professionally checked, refurbished as needed, and backed by a one-year warranty.

🔥 MXR Unveils Limited-Edition Randy Rhoads Distortion+ Pedal

The long-awaited Randy Rhoads Distortion+ is now available. Based on Rhoads' original pedalboard, this special edition has been released with the support of his family, marking the first time it's been showcased in 42 years.

🎛️ Universal Audio Releases UAFX ANTI 1992 Pedal

Universal Audio has reimagined Eddie Van Halen's iconic Peavey 5150 amp in pedal form. The UAFX ANTI 1992 comes equipped with a built-in noise gate and overdrive, offering modern metal and heavy rock tones in a compact package.

🎸 Roman Ibramkhalilov Gets SICK Signature Baritone

Jackson Guitars has launched the Roman Ibramkhalilov signature baritone guitar. With custom-voiced pickups and a 27" scale length, this model is designed for guitarists seeking versatility and unique tones.

ALBUMS YOU (PROBABLY) SLEPT ON 🤣

You definitely haven’t heard of Colour Haze. I know that because 99.9% of people I meet – even those heavily steeped in stoner rock – have no idea who they are. 

But once they hear them, a new fan is born – and this happens like clockwork every single time. 

The band’s 2006 album, TEMPEL, in particular is a fantastic jumping off point because it combines all of the band’s best elements in one album. 

Like all great albums, TEMPEL by Colour Haze is a journey. You start at the beginning, you’re taken in, captivated, and by the end you’re left wondering how the hell you lived for so long without this wonderful stuff in your life.

Colour Haze are German, fronted by singer and guitarist Stefan Koglek, and they combine elements of prog and heaviness in equal parts – like a wave building up, gradually, and then crashing down. 

Perfect music for kicking back with some beers and your good buddies Mary and Jane. 

Fans of Elder, KYUSS, QOTSA, Brant Bjork, and anything even remotely stoner rock/metal oriented will love this band, so stop what you’re doing right now and get TEMPEL blasting. 

You might have just found one of your new favorite records…

STANDOUT TRACKS 👑

• Aquamaria

• Tempel

• Gold & Silver

• Fire

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

SMELL YOU LATER 👋

That’s it for this week, another week wrapped. Next week, we’ll be back with more news and thrills from the world of guitar and gear.

Oh, and if you missed it here’s today’s free lesson: The Octave Game, complete with charts and a backing track.

Hit us up on X with any questions/comments, listen to the podcast, and click the share button below to win stuff (like my pro guide to mastering that’ll show you what took me 20+ years to learn inside a few days).

Peace.

Chris & Richard