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Posted on 11. Apr, 2012.

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Epiphone Ace Frehley Budokan Vs Gibson Ace Frehley Budokan

Posted on 28. Mar, 2012.

If you’ve got you’re heart set on a Les Paul guitar and you’re strapped for cash its pretty obvious you’re going to go for an Epiphone, famous for being high quality guitars at a reasonable price. I will be comparing two almost identical guitars that differ greatly when it comes to the price tag, the Epiphone Ace Frehley Budokan and the Gibson Ace Frehley Budokan. Now I’m not going to lie, the Gibson Les Paul is obviously a better guitar but over a £1000 better? I don’t think so! Not to mention it terms of extras you actually get more with the Epiphone than you do with the Gibson, so lets have a look at the similarities and differences in a bit more detail.

They are both signature guitars based on the legendary Kiss guitarist’s Les Paul that he used in the four night sell out gigs in the Budokan theatre in Tokyo. This is actually a record previously held by the Beatles, which is no mean feat and definitely worthy of a signature guitar. Frehley joined a very impressive list of celebrity Les Paul players and is perhaps the most famous one who wears make-up! So this isn’t just you’re standard Les Paul and for a guitar with such a heritage at such a price it really is quite impressive.

Lets start with ultimately the thing that matters, the way they sound. To recreate the famous Kiss tone both guitars are fitted with three high output DiMarzio pickups, a DiMarzio Super Distortion pickup fitted at the bridge and two DiMarzio PAF style pickups at the middle and neck positions. In Frehley’s original guitar only the bridge pickup was wired but new models all are available which gives you more playing versatility.

Now the design and looks and in all fairness the Gibson is quite interesting. In the mid 70’s when the guitar was first introduced there was a few specific construction features. It has a four-piece maple top, a ‘sandwich’ constructed rear and a mid and back mahogany section, connected with a thin maple veneer. To most of you that wont make a whole lot of difference but in plain terms it means the guitar was solid, with no weight relief giving it a distinct tonal difference. I’m sorry to say that the Epiphone isn’t as interesting with a mahogany back and neck and maple top, still nice though!

Excluding the logo of course it is the minor and precise details that set the guitars apart. The Gibson Les Paul has the exact Grover Banjo Button style tuners, gold speed knobs and mother of pearl block inlays. The Epiphone isn’t as accurate but still flashy, with a Locktone Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece are a more familiar feature with Les Pauls.

We most certainly don’t buy guitars because of the extras but this might be considered for the Epiphone Ace Frehley Budokan, especially if you’re Kiss fan. It comes with the custom hard case with ‘Budokan’ stencilled on it, a binder with pictures of Ace and his famous axe. The Gibson can’t offer you this but what it can offer you is authenticity. I don’t think it would be fair to finish the article on a biased note as the Gibson Les Paul Ace Frehley is a beautiful guitar, and if you have the money I’d advise you to get it. But for such a brilliant guitar at such a low price, and ONLY 100 DUE TO BE PRODUCED, the Epiphone is a steal and if you’ve always wanted a Les Paul, then act fast!

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Improve your site with this free savings calculator

Posted on 04. Jan, 2012.

One of the best ways to keep visitors coming back to your financial website or blog is by offering them handy widgets they can use to help them manage their money.

Unfortunately, most of us don’t have a degree in HTML code, so this can be a bit tricky – but fear not, Halifax has come to the rescue with a brand new savings calculator that it is making available to anyone who wants it.

All you need to do is click on the link at the bottom of the tool below and you’ll be given a bit of code which you can add to your site wherever you see fit. With so many people thinking about getting their money in order in the New Year, it could be well worth thinking about!

Every year the Government allows people to save a certain amount tax efficiently in whats known as an ISA (Individual Savings Account).

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Choosing a student account

Posted on 12. Sep, 2011.

Student accounts can be very rewarding, so they are a must have for all University goers.

Although banks do initially lose money on student accounts, they act as a loss leader because they work to the fact that many students will continue to use the bank for years to come, generating profits through other products, from savings accounts to mortgages.

Student accounts are designed specifically with students in mind, allowing money to be paid in and withdrawn, as well as offering a number of other benefits including 0% overdrafts and discounts on products and services.

Below are some on the main things to keep in mind when searching for the best student account.

ñ  Look around for the best interest free overdraft

Most students will find the overdraft facility is the most useful tool they have, so it can pay off to find the best deal. Look into how the overdrafts are given, as some accounts advertise big limits but in the small-print you will see that these can’t be reached until the second or third year of study.

While many banks try to attract students with cash incentives or discounts, the most valuable feature of all is the 0% overdraft (unless you don’t need it). This can also be true after you have graduated, so look into the graduate accounts that will follow.

ñ  Always stay within your overdraft

It very important to make sure you never exceed your 0% limit. This isn’t just a rule for student accounts, it’s something you need to stick to for life.

Doing so is likely to lead to penalty charges, so if you’re desperate, go and speak to your bank as they may agree to increase your limit.

If you do find you have accidentally gone over your overdraft and you are charged, call your bank to explain – they may refund the charges if you are back within your limit and don’t make a habit of it. Something else to keep in mind is that different banks charge different amounts, so you could be charged up to £30 per transaction upon exceeding your limit.

ñ  Building up your credit score

Any products that allow you to spend money that you don’t already have, including bank accounts with overdrafts, are used to build up a picture of your financial activity which will affect your credit score. The data is stored, so if you stay within your limits you will build up a good credit rating.

However, exceeding your overdraft will have a negative affect on your credit score.

Your credit score is used by lenders to make an informed decision on how much of a risk you pose to them. Prove that you can be trusted with credit and you are more likely to be accepted on application to the top deals on loans, mortgages and credit cards.

This rule also applies to student credit cards, so be sure to stay within your credit limits.

ñ  Don’t choose your provider based on convenience

Just because a bank has a branch near to your campus, or it is the bank that you have used in the past, it doesn’t make it a reason to open a student account with them.

Most cash points offer free withdrawals these days and most banks come with online banking facilities, so this should mean you won’t need to visit a branch very often. Therefore, you should focus your reasoning purely on what the account offers.

ñ  Switch to a graduate account after finishing your studies

Once you have graduated, you will still be eligible for preferential terms, including interest free overdrafts to help you clear your debts without having to pay interest for the privilege. In some cases these accounts are free, but those that do charge often come with other benefits such as mobile phone insurance and breakdown cover, which may be less than you currently pay for these services.

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Standing order or direct debit – which is the best current account option?

Posted on 17. Jan, 2011.

When you are looking for the best current account facilities available, one thing that is likely to come up time and again is the ability to set up Direct Debits and standing orders. Both represent a convenient way to help manage your finances and pay bills, but deciding which is right for you might not be as simple.

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Consumers unafraid to seek out the best current accounts

Posted on 17. Jan, 2011.

No matter where you go in the UK, it seems consumers everywhere are keener than ever to make sure they have the best current account – with many happy to vote with their feet if they feel the service they are receiving is not up to scratch. This is according to new research published by consumer watchdog Which? that posed the question to people across Britain.

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Savvy credit card spending – turning bad debt into good debt

Posted on 06. Jan, 2011.

Fearing debt can be just as damaging as falling into it in some instances. In many walks of life, you really do need to spend money to make (or save) money. Borrowing money to buy something, especially something as big as a house, can be daunting at first, but can also reap major rewards if done in the right way. If the purchase is smaller, spending on a credit card may be the best way to go.
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Travel insurance tips for savvy holidaymakers

Posted on 06. Jan, 2011.

Any expert worth his salt will tell you that travel insurance is an essential thing to sort out before going away. But with so many policies to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to start.

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Make Money From Your Old Mobiles

Posted on 31. Mar, 2010.

Mobile phones have become a basic necessity of modern life, especially with teenagers, who follow the trends of technological advances much closer than other groups. Since it would seem that we are more interested in new mobile phones rather than old ones, the older ones soon find themselves obsolete and thrown out.

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Top 5 Ways to Alleviate Your Financial Stress

Posted on 29. Mar, 2010.

Managing money matters is no easy task and we can often quickly lose our way. Bills, debts, expenses, they can swamp us if we’re not careful and the stress they can rain down on our heads is detrimental to our health and well-being. Here are five ways to help alleviate your financial stress.

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