Arash -> The Yngwie Malmsteen Interview (Feb. 18 2026 21:29:48)
I don't know why but this brought back so many memories and so many things I could relate to, plus even so much stuff I could carry over to flamenco and learn from as weird as that sounds
Soon after that I was inspired actually to acquire my own YJM Strat. I got to replay the first one I tried to compared and I think I was just a bit drunk when I tried it and not used to electric guitar period. I say that as the one I acquired I got used to quickly and realize the high action is a total optical illusion due to the scalloping. If you go at it aggressively a guitar like this doesn’t work…it takes a type of fineness that I had lost due to playing acoustic in a more aggressive way…so getting that more precise and delicate approach was the trick and then this guitar became a dream to play especially on the left hand with vibrato etc. that we don’t do on acoustic.
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Grats! It looks fantastic. It's funny, I was inspired too by some recent stuff I watched again. First I wanted to buy a Strat too, but since meanwhile I also listen and would like to learn Jazz too, I went for this bad boy at an amazing price used. These semi hollows are so versatile, you can do Jazz, Metall, anything. And meanwhile I also like the look of them (back in the days I thought these are old grandpa guitars) and god damn, it plays like butter. Straight neck with no releaf, action below 2mm, no buzz or dead spots, nothing. Switching from flamenco to these type of guitars feels like cheating.
Now this is the fun part. Since I haven't played E-guitar for almost more than 2 decades, coming back and exploring all the new gear and stuff and what happened with technology and the quality is simply astonishing. First of all the quality of even cheap beginner guitars! This quality was unthinkable when I started. But it seems like meanwhile factories can produce top quality guitars for really low prices. And the E-guitar scene is so huge now!
Then there is the modeling technology. So my friend had bought a Valeton Gp-50. This thing costs around 120 bucks. And I was speechless, how many different amps, tube amps, effects and whatnot it can reproduce with an astonishing quality. So I also ordered one just today. You can plug this thing directly to any PA or Box. Don't even need an amp anymore. It is an all in one thing and is also battery powered. There are also different versions of it like GP200 with expression pedal etc, same tech.
Gp200
There is also an even cheaper very small pedal GP-5 which is below 80 bucks, basically the same tech and sound, but no screen and some other stuff missing.
This is pretty much the sound I want with my semi hollow, but also perfectly achievable with Strats, Teles just using the neck pickup.
However, at some point I will also buy a Strat again :)
BTW, those white spots aren't really there. It just looks like it on the photo. It is perfect condition
As for the setup, apparently the setup he uses is like 7mm from buttom of the scallop to strings. Don't know which setup you have but you also have to have the correct screws at bridge with enough length to be even be able to get that high :D
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Thanks Arash! I really enjoyed the interview. Dude is obsessed with gear! He comes off like he’s still 18 years old and wants to rock out with bombs going off in the background. I liked him. I’ve never thought about trying to play like him but he did something new and plenty of people liked it enough for him to have a career. I’ve still got my ‘75 white strat which I’ve had since it was new. I put a lot of miles on it.
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