Guitar Gear Gems: Fender Flagship store Tokyo, Gibson Leo Scala & HRM
Hot Rubber Monkeys and more!
2,9 / 5,0 | 
The Fender Flagship store opened in Tokyo this last weekend and it could become a major attraction for any guitarists in the city on holiday or business trips. We also check out the latest Gibson Leo Scala highly limited one-off custom models. Finally we check out the latest Hot Rubber Monkey overdrive pedal based on a Dumble amp tone.
Fender Tokyo
The Fender Flagship Store opened in Tokyo this weekend. The building previously known as The Ice Cubes was once occupied by H&M and it is in the ultra-stylish Harajuku area of Tokyo.
Tokyo Store · Source: Fender
Massive
This new store includes a basement plus the first three floors for a total of just over 1,000 square meters of floor space offering an unprecedented array of Fender instruments, equipment, accessories and other merchandise. Expect a lot of Fender and Squier models rto be on display at the new store.
Inside Fender Tokyo Flagship Store · Source: Fender
Guitar Heaven
I can certainly see this new Fender store becoming a must-visit destination for any guitarist in Tokyo. The recent MIJ Fender releases prove that Fender Japan is a huge market for the brand.
In my opinion, they also make some of the coolest Fender designs in the current lineup.
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Gibson Leo Scala
These Gibson Leo Scala Master Collection models include a Les Paul, Flying V, SG and Theodore. Leo has made guitars for players like Richard Fortus of Guns N’ Roses, Phil X of Bon Jovi, Doug Aldrich of Whitesnake and Warren Cuccurullo.
Leo Scala · Source: Gibson
Road Warriors
Each of the guitars is a cross between a piece of art and a ‘what if Gibson made this’ instrument. Essentially making each one a collectable instrument and aimed squarely at that collector marketplace.
These guitars are all aged and made to look well-used, so perfect for anyone that likes that road warrior/worn-in aesthetic.
Leo Scala guitars · Source: Gibson
Master Collection
The previous run of Leo Scala instruments were all Flying V models and this time there is at least a selection of models to choose from. Not something I would ever buy myself, but I would guess that many guitarists will like these a lot.
Though, I suspect that none of them will be exactly cheap/affordable, so expect large price tags with these ones, as you have to ring Gibson and ask for the price on each one.
J ROCKETT HRM
The J. ROCKETT HRM (Hot Rubber Monkey) is the successor of the HRM V1, which was based on the JRAD Dude V2. According to the manufacturer, in contrast to the V1, it is now based on an ultra-rare, real Dumble amp with an HRM mod.
Hot Rubber Monkey · Source: J Rockett
A Better Hot Rubber Monkey?
There are improvements above all in terms of authenticity to the real Dumble amplifier. Over a period of two years the have improved the circuit and made in even more realistic.
I’ve never been a fan of the Dumble tone, so it isn’t something I would be able to tell whethere it was better or not. Though, if you are a Dumble afficionado then thos could be one for you,
MSRP – EUR 269
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