February 28, 2013
Because I could listen to Guthrie Govan talk and play all day. Nice looking prototype from Charvel. “Pretty, but not annoyingly pretty,” as Guthrie puts it.
January 19, 2013
Prong mastermind Tommy Victor has joined with Schecter Guitar Research to create a custom model which will be revealed at the 2013 Winter NAMM show. Says Victor, via Blabbermouth:
We put our minds together to design an intense model that we know guitar players and collectors of all sorts are going to appreciate. I’m personally impressed with the outcome.
Read more and take a look at the Tommy Victor Schecter at Blabbermouth.
December 16, 2012
Aerosmith are enjoying a heightened profile at the moment owing to their new album and tour. The Boston rock institution has been seen on national TV, in packed arenas, and in the media on a basis not seen for years. And Guitar Aficionado has posted a conversation with Brad Whitford. Not surprisingly, the veteran guitarist favors a meat and potatoes rig:
I know what I like, and that’s a Les Paul or a Stratocaster plugged into a 100-watt Marshall or into a newer amp inspired by a Marshall. That kind of setup has been my preference ever since I saw Jimmy Page with Led Zeppelin in 1968.
Read more and see Brad with some vintage guitars at GA.
December 11, 2012
The influence of John Lennon’s artistry continues to manifest itself in new ways decades after his death. Witness Fargen Amplification’s new line of Lennon signature amps and effects pedals. The gear features Lennon’s iconic artwork in addition to being inspired by his playing. From The Sacramento Bee:
(The amps) utilize Fargen’s ‘Decade Switch’, allowing the player to instantly switch between distinctive John Lennon tones across the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s.
Limited quantities of numbered editions are currently available … for $4,999.
Read more at The Sac Bee.
December 3, 2012
Valve or solid state, pre-gain or post-gain, distortion or fuzz … these questions must be answered. But if you’d prefer to just plug in and rock rather than research the technical details of amplification, fear not: Ugly Chord Giraffe has posted a robust primer on these and other subjects. For example, what is up with buffer pedals?
Buffer pedals are used to maintain the input impedance of the signal through the effects chain and lengths of cable running from the guitar to the pedal board and from the pedal board to the amps. Without a buffer pedal, the signal loss through the effects chain will start to degrade your tone by losing the high-end. The magic number is 18.5’ of cable before the high-end of your tone is noticeably decreased.
Eighteen feet, six inches. Who knew?
Read much more at UCG.
November 28, 2012
Visionary guitarist Bill Frisell played in Vancouver over the weekend with his 858 Quartet improvising group. Frisell revealed the effects pedals used via his Facebook page:
* Jam Pedal Wah wah plus
* TC electronics Polytune mini
* Ibanez Tube Screamer
* Electro Harmonix Pocket Metal Muff
* Electro Harmonix Super Ego
* Line 6 DL4
* TC electronics Hall of Fame reverb
Keep up with Bill Frisell’s music on Facebook.
November 13, 2012
You can approximate vintage guitar sounds without dropping ten grand at Gruhn Guitars. Gibson.com has posted 10 easy tips for getting classic sounds, including specifics of reverb and tremolo, low gain amps, and tone pots:
They may be the most underutilized element in the electric guitar’s construction. Roll back the pots and roll back the years to get into the Chuck Berry or T-Bone Walker zone and keep things bright to approximate the snappy sound of Lightnin’ Hopkins or Freddie King. Listen to the variety of guitar sounds on Jimi Hendrix’s records. He was an expert at getting everything tone pots offer.
Read it all at Gibson.com
November 1, 2012
Two ultra rare Les Pauls recently brought in a combined $329,000 at auction. The guitars, both lefty models, were a pair of Les Paul Standard Sunbursts from 1959 and 1960. According to Heritage Auctions Consignment Director Mike Gutierrez, the former is a legendary instrument. From artdaily.org:
The 1959 left-handed ‘burst is about as rare, and famous, as any guitar in the world. Collectors came after it in a very serious way, resulting in the almost $200,000 price realized. That enthusiasm translated to the rest of the offerings in the auction, as well.
October 25, 2012
Don Felder has become visible again and recently released only his second solo album, Road to Forever. The Eagles guitarist also spoke with Guitar World about the necessity for a double-neck guitar, the process of launching a signature guitar, and exactly how an instrument gets the “relic” treatment:
I had a meeting with the head of (Gibson’s) custom shop, (and) I asked them, “How do you put the scratches in? ” He opened the drawer and took out an Elvis rhinestone belt buckle and said, “This is what we use.”
Read it all at GW.
