I absolutely adore the 1990s. I’m a shamelessly huge fan of the silliest kinds of Nineties music that existed. Apparently Four Year Strong is as well. The pop punk band recently released a covers album entitled, appropriately, Explains it All. Instead of rushing into the studio to record a follow-up to 2007’s Rise or Die Trying, FYS decided to record a disc of their favorite 1990s songs. The album cover is even a picture of the band members as little kids collected from way back when in the 90s.

To me, no matter how “cheese sandwich” it may sound, 1990s music instantly makes me feel nostalgic for my middle school years (which were remarkably unremarkable, in reality, yet I like the nostalgic feeling anyway).

I don’t really have many complaints about the songs the band covered. The songs they covered are among the heavy hitters (and some obscure radio stars) of the decade: Everclear, Nine Days, Alanis Morissette, Smashing Pumpkins, Third Eye Blind, No Doubt, Del Amitri, Sugar Ray, Nirvana, Reach the Sky, and Tal Bachman.

Starting off the disc in spectacular fashion is FYS’s take on Everclear’s So Much for the Afterglow. FYS turns in an awesome version of the song, filled with the same sense of energy that Everclear exhibited on the original. The song rocks.

Nine of the other ten songs on the disc are great (more on that later). I’m not familiar with She Really Loved You, by a band called Reach the Sky. It makes sense, though, for FYS to pay homage to a punk band that undoubtedly helped shape them musically. The song is pretty good in its own right, I just didn’t know it beforehand.

As for the hits, FYS made great decisions on which songs to cover. Nine Days’ Absolutely (Story of a Girl) is pretty straightforward, but retains a bit of FYS’ own flavor.

Ironic is one of the album’s highlights, as the band takes on Alanis Morissette’s mega-smash while also poking a bit of fun at the song, laughing out loud at the lyric about “finding the man of your dreams and then meeting his beautiful wife”. Four Year Strong clearly had a ton of fun making this album, and it shows in moments like that.

Spiderwebs is also one of the album’s key moments, and it even turns into a funny Pantera homage at the end…totally unexpected and completely badass.

The only real ‘bad’ things about Explains it All that I can think of regard Sugar Ray’s Fly and Third Eye Blind’s Semi-Charmed Life. Travis McCoy of Gym Class Heroes shows up to fill role that Supercat held in the original, but this time McCoy is nothing but irritating. Instead of attempting anything resembling the reggae dancehall contributions on the original track, he just says things like “man, I wish I had a Jamaican accent, I’d be sayin’ some real sexy shit right now” and basically being a dork. It kind of ruined the song for me. FYS sounds great on the song, but McCoy doesn’t.

FYS’ take on Semi-Charmed Life is MOSTLY great, except for one nagging superfan complaint. I have an undying love for that song and Third Eye Blind. That song in particular is one of my all-time favorites, and instantly takes me back to the summer of 1997. FYS did a great job covering it, but they chose to record the damn radio edit version, omitting a GREAT bridge and vocal hook that was one of the song’s highlights. I really wish FYS would have recorded the album version of the song instead of the radio edit, but they chose to ignore my demands. Bastards.

Besides that glaring slight against my wishes, Explains it All is great. I love pop punk cover albums (such as New Found Glory’s From the Screen to the Stereo discs), and Explains it All is a mostly perfect selection of tunes. As a child of the 90s, there are of course some covers I wish would have been on this album, but it’s pretty solid as it is. I’m especially glad they covered Tal Bachman’s She’s so High and Del Amitri’s Roll to Me, as they are both vintage random 1990’s pop gems that I heard all the damn time growing up.

Explains it All is a great cover album by a fun band. Check it out if you like pop punk, the silly 1990s radio hits, nostalgia, middle school, and having fun. If you don’t like any of that stuff, than I (and probably FYS) don’t like you.

Yngwie Malmsteen’s latest masterpiece High Impact sees its international release on Dec. 7, hitting the United States a day later.

Described as “a mind-boggling, high-paced instrumental compilation record,” the album includes Malmsteen’s never-before-released take on Michael Jackson’s classic “Beat It,” which highlights Malmsteen’s expert touch and Tim Ripper Owens on vocals.

Fall Out Boy, Every Time I Die and Anthrax Form New Band

Fall Out Boy’s Joe Trohman and Andy Hurley are teaming with Every Time I Die’s Keith Buckley and Anthrax’s Scott Ian and Rob Caggiano for a metal side project that has been described by Ian as “Kyuss meeting Thin Lizzy.”

Speaking exclusively to Rock Sound, Ian had this to say about their new band, The Damned Things.

“We just started working on songs together and I really dug it,” said Ian. “It just felt really good. From there we decided that obviously both of us are pretty busy in our day jobs but let’s see what we can do with this. Even if it takes us five years to make a record, why not?

“People think of Fall Out Boy and they think of Pete Wentz and Patrick. These two guys, man, they’re fu**ing hardcore dudes. Joe writes some amazing riffs. We have this song called ‘A Great Reckoning’ that I swear to God, this song could be on any Thin Lizzy record. He fu**ing blew my mind with this song and I just can’t wait for people to hear it.”

During an August visit to Fender Headquarters, Trohman––sporting a large silver skull ring that was a gift from Ian––also spoke extensively about the Anthrax thrasher.

“He’s been one of my idols forever,” said Trohman. “It’s insane to get to hang out and play with him.”

Steve Miller talks about Music Education

During a recent show at the Hard Rock Café in Hollywood, Fla., Steve Miller spent three-and-a-half minutes discussing the importance of music education.

“I’m a little concerned about the fact that we’re not teaching our children music anymore,” he said to the audience. “In fact, I’m more than a little concerned; I’m very concerned.”

“I think that we’ve let something really important go in our culture in America – and that’s music and arts in elementary school,” he continued. “When there’s a little trouble with money, the first thing they cut is music in the schools. We know that we have to have music in our lives.”

Miller also mentioned the Fender Center and its Kids Rock Free program, which offers FREE music lessons to kids, noting that over the last 10 years the program has taught more than 10,000 kids how to learn music. He then invited one of those students to join him onstage to play with his band.

Check out this video shot from someone in the crowd that night. Warning, it’s a bit bumpy and not a great visual, but it’s important to spread his message.

Mayer Tops Charts

John Mayer’s new album Battle Studies took top honors on the Billboard Top 200, his first #1 charting album since 2003’s Heavier Things.

According to Nielsen SoundScan, Battle Studies sold 286,000 copies in its first week.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart!! What a way to spend Thanksgiving,” tweeted Mayer.

Robin Trower Stratocaster Winner

Fender would like to congratulate Phil Brown for winning the Robin Trower Stratocaster® Guitar Giveaway contest. Brown was super eager to add his grand prize to his Fender guitar collection, and who can blame him? As you can see, the custom-built Trower Strat is quite the little beauty.

Dean Razorback DB Electric Guitar



Designed by the late, great Dimebag.

The Razorback DB electric guitar features a killer, jagged design with a sweet gloss finish. The mahogany neck has a rosewood fretboard with a pearl razor inlay at the twelfth fret that evokes Dime's famous necklace. A DiMarzio rhythm pickup and Dimebucker treble pickup unleash vicious tone that's sure to put a smile on any metalhead's face. The Razorback DB guitar is finished off with black hardware, Grover tuners, Tune-o-matic-style bridge, string-thru V-shaped tailpiece, and Dimebag traction knobs.
With our Guaranteed Lowest Price, you can be assured of complete satisfaction and the lowest available price, or your money back!
Dean Razorback DB Electric Guitar Features:

* Dimebag designed
* Mahogany body
* Mahogany neck
* Rosewood fretboard with Pearl razor inlay
* Dean-designed humbuckers
* Tune-o-matic-style bridge
* V-shaped string-thru tailpiece
* Dimebag traction knobs
* Grover tuners
* Black hardware

Squier FSR Standard Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar


A guitar with a vintage feel, high-output pickups, and a cool finish.

The Squier FRS Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar'a agathis body has a cool silver sparkle flake finish. It boasts the heavy tone of a high-output humbucking pickup in the bridge position, with classic single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions. The Squier Stratocaster HSS is equipped with the big '70s headstock; a slim, fast-action, C-shaped neck profile; and 22 frets for enhanced playability.
With our Guaranteed Lowest Price, you can be assured of complete satisfaction and the lowest available price, or your money back!
Squier FSR Standard Stratocaster HSS Electric Guitar Features:

* Standard Stratocaster HSS
* Model Number: 032-1700-(Color#)
* Series: Standard Series
* Body: Agathis
* Neck: Maple, C-Shape, (Polyurethane Finish)
* Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5" Radius (241 mm)
* No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
* Pickups: 2 Alnico Magnet Single-Coil Pickups (Neck/Mid), 1 Humbucking Pickup (Bridge)
* Controls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Middle Pickup),
* Pickup Selector: 5-Position Blade;
* Position 1. Bridge Pickup
* Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
* Position 3. Middle Pickup
* Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
* Position 5. Neck Pickup
* Bridge: Synchronous Twin-Pivot Tremolo
* Machine Heads: Standard Die-Cast Tuners
* Hardware: Chrome
* Pickguard: Black
* Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
* Width at Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)
* Unique Features: Large '60s Style Headstock, Parchment Plastic Parts, Gold and Black Squier Logo, Engraved Neckplate, Dot Position Inlays
* Strings: Fender Super 250L, (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel, P/N 073-0250-003

GUITARCENTER

Squier FSR Standard Telecaster HS Electric Guitar



Vintage feel, high-output pickups, and a cool finish.

The Squier FSR Telecaster HS Guitar has a striking red sparkle flake finish. This Tele boasts the heavy tone of a high-output Duncan Designed HB-102B humbucking pickup with Alnico V magnets in the bridge position and an alnico magnet single-coil pickup in the neck position. The Squier FSR Tele has a fast-action C-shaped neck profile modeled on a late '60s Telecaster and is equipped with 22 frets for enhanced playability.
With our Guaranteed Lowest Price, you can be assured of complete satisfaction and the lowest available price, or your money back!
Squier FSR Standard Telecaster HS Electric Guitar Features:

* Style: Standard Telecaster HS with red sparkle finish
* Series: Standard Series
* Body: Agathis
* Neck: Maple, C-Shape, (Polyurethane Finish)
* Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5" Radius (241 mm)
* No. of Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
* Pickups: 1 Duncan Designed HB102B Humbucking Pickup with Alnico V Magnets (Bridge), 1 Alnico Magnet Single-Coil Pickup (Neck)
* Controls: Master Volume and Tone
* Pickup Selector: 3-Position Blade;
* Position 1. Bridge Pickup
* Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickup
* Position 3. Neck Pickup
* Bridge: 6-Saddle Strings-Thru-Body Bridge
* Machine Heads: Standard Die-Cast Tuners
* Hardware: Chrome
* Pickguard: 2-Ply Black/Parchment
* Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
* Width at Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)
* Unique Features: Gold and Black Squier Logo, Engraved Neckplate, Dot Position Inlays
* Strings: Fender Super 250L, (.009 to .042) Nickel Plated Steel, P/N 073-0250-003



ONLY $249.99 at GuitarCenter

Gibson SG Standard with Coil Taps Electric Guitar



A new classic for rocking the 21st century.

The SG Standard with Coil Taps has a slim, lightweight mahogany body with the unmistakable twin cutaways, pointed horns, and beveled edges; the fastest neck in the business;and a pair of Gibson's screamin' BurstBucker pickups. This beauty also features trapezoid inlays along its elegantly bound 22-fret rosewood fingerboard while a fine mother-of-pearl Gibson logo and holly inlay decorate its headstock.

Solid Mahogany Body

Probably the most central of all SG features is its solid mahogany body. The mahogany goes through the same rigorous selection process as all of Gibson's woods, and is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enters the factories. Inside the Gibson factories, humidity is maintained at 45 percent, and the temperature at 70 degrees. This ensures all woods are dried to a level of "equilibrium," where the moisture content does not change during the manufacturing process. This guarantees tight-fitting joints and no expansion, and controls the shrinkage and warping of the woods, in addition to reducing the weight. It also improves the woods' machinability and finishing properties. Consistent moisture content means that the SG will respond evenly to temperature and humidity changes long after it leaves the factory.

'50s Rounded Neck Profile

No guitar neck profiles are more distinguishable than the neck profiles employed on the Gibson models of today. The more traditional '50s neck profile — found on the SG Standard — is the thicker, rounder, more time-honored profile, emulating the neck shapes of the iconic late '50s Gibson models. The neck is machined in Gibson's rough mill using wood shapers to make the initial cuts. But once the fingerboard gets glued on, the rest — including the final sanding — is done by hand. That means there are no two necks with the exact same dimensions. So while it still has the basic characteristics of its respective profile, each neck will be slightly different, with a distinct but traditional feel.

Set-Neck Construction

Like all classic Gibson guitars, the necks on SGs are distinguished by one of the more traditional features that have always set them apart — a glued neck joint. Gluing the neck to the body of the guitar ensures a "wood-to-wood" contact, no air space in the neck cavity, and maximum contact between the neck and body, allowing the neck and body to function as a single unit. The result? Better tone, better sustain, and no loose or misaligned necks.

22-Fret Rosewood Fingerboard

Rosewood has always graced the fingerboards of the world's finest stringed instruments, including many of today's Gibsons. The fingerboards on Gibson SGs are constructed from the highest grade rosewood on the planet. The rosewood is personally inspected and qualified by Gibson's team of skilled wood experts before it enters the factories to be fitted onto the neck of the SG Standard. The resilience of this dense and durable wood makes these fingerboards extremely balanced and stable, and gives each chord and note unparalleled clarity and bite. The 12-inch radius of the fingerboard provides smooth note bending capabilities and eliminates "dead" or "choked out" notes, common occurrences on fingerboards with lesser radiuses.

BurstBucker Pickups

The BurstBuckerline of pickups represents Gibson's drive to recapture the magic of the original "Patent Applied For" humbuckers. First introduced in the early 1990s, the Gibson BurstBucker — Types 1, 2, and 3 — successfully captured the subtle variations of true, classic humbucker tone with historically "unmatched" bobbin windings and Alnico II magnets. They produce an airy, full tone, and when overdriven they achieve a magical distortion with the slightly enhanced highs that made the originals famous. This SG model is loaded with a BurstBuckerType 1 pickup, which features a lower output, and is excellent for the neck position, and a BurstBuckerType 3 pickup that is overwound and hot, and is typically ideal for the bridge position. None of the BurstBuckers are wax potted, and all feature vintage braided two-conductor wiring. Push/pull tone pots activate pickup coil-splitting making this one of the most sonically versatile SG models ever!

Tune-O-Matic Bridge

The Tune-o-matic bridge was the brainchild of legendary Gibson president Ted McCarty in 1954. At the time, it was a true revelation in intonation, and set a standard for simplicity and functionality that has never been bettered. This pioneering piece of hardware provides a firm seating for the strings, allowing the player to adjust and fine-tune the intonation and string height in a matter of minutes. It also yields a great union between the strings and body, which results in excellent tone and sustain. It is combined with a separate "stopbar" tailpiece, essentially a modified version of the earlier wraparound bridge. To this day, the Tune-o-matic remains the industry standard. It is the epitome of form and function in electric guitar bridge design, and is one of the most revered and copied pieces of guitar hardware ever developed.

Nitrocellulose Finish

Applying a nitrocellulose finish to any Gibson guitar — including the Gibson SG — is one of the most labor-intensive elements of the guitar-making process. A properly applied nitro finish requires extensive man hours, several evenly applied coats, and an exorbitant amount of drying time. But this fact has never swayed Gibson into changing this time-tested method, employed ever since the first guitar was swathed with lacquer back in 1894. Why? For starters, a nitro finish dries to a much thinner coat than a polyurethane finish, which means there is less interference with the natural vibration of the instrument, allowing for a purer tone. A nitro finish is also a softer finish, which makes it easily repairable. You can touch up a scratch or ding on a nitro finish, but you can't do the same on a poly finish. In addition, a nitro finish is very porous in nature, and actually gets thinner over time. It does not "seal" wood in an airtight shell — as a poly finish does — and allows the wood to breathe and age properly.

Instantly recognizable. The backbone of rock and roll. Gibson's best-selling SG Standard shatters all perceptions of what an electric guitar can — and should — be. Various SG models have been played on-stage by the likes of Pete Townshend, Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Robby Krieger, Chris Robinson, Alex Lifeson, Derek Trucks, Elliot Easton, Jim James, Jeff Tweedy, Moby, Keith Urban, Nick Jonas, Rocco DeLuca. The list is unbelievable. When will you add your name to the list?

With our Guaranteed Lowest Price, you can be assured of complete satisfaction and the lowest available price, or your money back!
Gibson SG Standard with Coil Taps Electric Guitar Features:

* Body
* Body style: SG
* Body species: mahogany
* Scale length: 24 - 3/4"
* Finish: lacquer – satin ebony
* Neck
* Neck Joint: set
* Species: mahogany
* Profile: '50s
* Nut: Corian
* Nut width: standard Gibson: 1.695" ± .050"
* Silkscreen: Gibson logo
* Truss rod: Gibson adjustable truss rod
* Truss rod cover: bell-shaped cover, stamped "SG"
* Fingerboard
* Fingerboard species: rosewood
* Fretwire Nickel and silver alloy
* Fingerboard radius: 12"
* Inlays: acrylic dot
* Number of frets: 22
* Hardware
* Plating finish: chrome
* Tailpiece: Gibson stop bar
* Bridge: Gibson Tune-o-matic
* Tuners: Keystone
* Electronics
* Neck pickup: Burstbucker 1
* Bridge pickup: Burstbucker 3
* Controls: volume, volume, tone, tone coil tap, and 3-way toggle
* Control knobs: black top hats with silver inserts
* Control pocket cover: black molded
* Case
* Type: Gibson Hardshell
* Case exterior: black
* Silkscreen: Gibson USA logo

Martin 1 Series DC-1E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar













Solid wood construction and legendary Martin tone at an affordable price.

The Martin DC-1E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar from the 1-Series is an affordable, solid wood-bodied guitar, backed by Martin's heritage of over 175 years in skilled building excellence and a limited lifetime warranty. Constructed from solid tonewoods including a Sitka spruce top, bookmatched Sapele back and sides, as well as an East Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, the 1-Series DC-1E creates that legendary rich and commanding Martin sound guitarists everywhere have come to know and love. This Martin guitar comes equipped with a Fishman sound reinforcement system featuring volume and tone controls and an onboard digital chromatic tuner. It also comes with Martin SP strings for great long-lasting tone and sustain, as well as a hardshell case to provide protection and security.

Martin has created the 1-Series to deliver legendary Martin quality and tone at a more accessible price.


Martin 1 Series DC-1E Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar Features:

* Solid Sitka spruce top
* Bookmatched Sapele back and sides
* East Indian Rosewood fingerboard and bridge
* Fishman sound reinforcement system
* Martin SP strings

Gibson Launches New Angus Young Signature SG Line
gibson-angus-young-sgs.jpg
The Gibson Custom Shop Angus Young SG Standard (L) and Gibson USA Angus Young SG
LIST PRICE: SG Standard: $9,409 (Angus Cherry Aged/Signed), $6,115 (Angus Cherry VOS); SG USA: $3,617

The Gibson Custom Shop is now offering its reproduction of one of the world’s most renowned SGs in the form of the Angus Young SG, a Limited Edition that captures the tone, look, and feel of this rare specimen among a classic breed, but which updates this legendary guitar with custom modifications requested by Angus himself.

Angus Young acquired his 1968 SG Standard in 1970, and has used it on all major AC/DC recordings and many tours since the band’s inception in 1973. Young’s ’68 SG is known to be a superb example of this model, with an unusually slim neck, pickups that blend just the right proportions of power and sweetness, and a resonant, vocal tone that represents the best of the SG formula. Listen closely to any classic AC/DC tune, and the tone is huge, but not filthy or fizzy.

Angus’s ’68 SG achieves a stunning clarity and definition right within its bone-crushing thump and grind. With utmost attention to detail, the Angus Young SG seeks to achieve that tone, aided by a pair of custom-spec Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates humbucking pickups. And with 50 guitars out of the total run of 250 aged in-house by Gibson and signed by Angus himself, this outstanding Custom Shop reproduction also nails the look of this legendary guitar, with upgraded modifications at Angus’s request, including an ebony fingerboard with “lightning bolt” inlays (a further 200 guitars will receive the VOS treatment). The Custom Shop Angus Young SG will also be sold with a custom Certificate of Authenticity, a Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case, and a full range of owner’s manuals and instruction sheets.

Along with the Gibson Custom Shop model, the company is issuing the Gibson USA
Angus Young SG model.

Alice in Chains Announce North American Tour


Alice in Chains have announced dates for a North American tour set to kick off at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver on February 2, 2010. Tickets go on sale December 4th and 5th -– fans can get more info at aliceinchains.com. The band is touring in support of its critically acclaimed new album Black Gives Way to Blue (Virgin/EMI), which entered Billboard’s Top 200 Albums Chart at No. 5, with first-week sales exceeding 126,000 copies.

The band’s set list will spotlight classic hits and new favorites, including new single “Your Decision,” which impacts radio on December 7th. The band recently shot a video for the song with director Stephen Schuster, who they previously worked with on the video for “A Looking in View.”
Feb. 2 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theatre
Feb. 4 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
Feb. 6 Salem, OR Salem Armory
Feb. 11 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre
Feb. 17 Phoenix, AZ Dodge Theatre
Feb. 19 Denver, CO Fillmore
Feb. 21 Kansas City, MO Midland
Feb. 22 St. Louis, MO Pageant
Feb. 23 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace
Feb. 25 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
Feb. 27 Myrtle Beach, SC House of Blues

Mar 1 Nashville, TN Municipal Auditorium
Mar 2 Charlotte, NC Fillmore
Mar 3 Washington, DC DAR Constitution Hall
Mar 5 Richmond, VA The National
Mar 6 Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods
Mar 8 New York, NY Terminal 5
Mar 12 Atlantic, City, NJ Borgata
Mar 13 Philadelphia, PA Tower Theatre
Mar 14 Boston, MA Orpheum
Mar 16 Montreal, QC Metropolis
Mar 17 Toronto, ONT Sound Academy
Mar 19 Detroit, MI Fillmore State Theatre
Mar 20 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
Mar 21 St. Paul, MN Roy Wilkens Auditorium

Egypt Karnak Luxor from 1986

This guitar does have a very 80s vibe to it - perhaps it's the metallic lilac finish. It wouldn't have looked out of place in any of the hair metal bands of that era. Oddly, it doesn't have a locking trem - just a regular one, but if you're like me that will be something in the guitar's favour.

Egypt Guitars were built in Glasgow, Scotland, and the business is still going although these days mainly functions as a guitar repair shop. If you check theie website you'll see an Egypt Pharoah Isis from 1985 that shares the same body shape as the guitar pictured above, only in mirror image. (Hey, Gibson don't hold the monopoly on "reverse" body styles).

Anyway, the auction for the Karnak Luxor is finishing in a little over 4 hours as I type this, so why not bid? You could snap up what looks like a very nice guitar (although possibly playing in a 80s cover band might be a pre-requisite!).

Epiphone Announces Limited Edition Roy Orbison Signature Guitar

The Epiphone Guitar Company of Nashville, Tennessee announces the release of the new limited edition "Oh, Pretty Woman" 12-string acoustic guitar. Produced in cooperation with the legendary singer/songwriter Roy Orbison's estate, this signature guitar is based upon Roy's own 1962 Epiphone "Bard" 12-string acoustic guitar. Orbison used his original Epiphone acoustic guitar to write and perform many of his most well-known songs including perhaps his biggest hit "Oh, Pretty Woman."

"As a young brilliant guitar player growing up in West Texas, Roy would have never dreamt that he would one day have his own Epiphone signature guitar named after him. Roy wrote 'Oh Pretty Woman' on his Epiphone 12-string acoustic guitar which features one of the most instantly recognizable rock n' roll guitar riffs and has remained iconic and fresh to this day. I hope the next generation of artists will feel inspired to write another great rock n' roll song thanks to the Epiphone signature Roy Orbison 12 string acoustic guitar," said Barbara Orbison, Roy's widow.

The new Epiphone "Oh, Pretty Woman" is a faithful reproduction of the 1962 original and features a solid spruce top, a solid mahogany back, a rosewood 12-string bridge and vintage tuners. For this limited edition release, the back of the guitar's headstock includes a replica of Roy Orbison's signature and the notation for the first measure of the world famous "Oh, Pretty Woman" introduction riff. Also included in this limited edition offer is a hard case with Roy's signature and "sunglass" icon on it, a certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Roy's widow, Barbara Orbison and Roy's son, Roy Orbison, Jr., a black & white photo of Roy with his original Epiphone Bard 12-string, a "sunglass" lapel pin and a copy of the "Oh, Pretty Woman" sheet music. The certificate and photo come in a leatherette presentation binder.

The Epiphone limited edition "Oh, Pretty Woman" 12-string Bard outfit will be officially unveiled on Roy's birthday, April 23rd, at the Gibson Guitar Studio in London, England. The Roy Orbison limited edition 12-string package has a U.S. MSRP of $1,332 and will be available at authorized Epiphone retailers in September 2009.

Full-Scale Stratocaster® Guitar Rock Band™ Controller Fender co-develops limited edition wooden videogame replica Two views of the Rock Band™ Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller. In a case of videogame art imitating musical life to near perfection, you can now get a Rock Band™ videogame controller that has what is in effect a real Stratocaster® guitar body. Available as of September 2009, the Rock Band Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller is an actual wooden replica of a Stratocaster guitar and is compatible with all three versions of the hugely popular top-selling game—Rock Band™, Rock Band™ 2 and the Beatles: Rock Band™ (and other rhythm and music video games). The controller was co-developed by Fender and San Diego-based Mad Catz® Inc., which is the official third-party developer of Rock Band™ peripherals and accessories. The device is a full-scale replica of the real instrument, with a body, neck and headstock made from real Stratocaster wooden “blanks” and bridge and tuners built using genuine metal parts and fittings. The controller is assembled at a Fender facility comes in hand-painted gloss Three-color Sunburst—perhaps the most classic Stratocaster finish—buffed and applied to each model in the same manner as a real Stratocaster. The “fingerboard” boasts a high-resolution “rosewood finish” decal, concealing two sets of premium fret buttons. On the front of the controller, the tremolo arm (or “whammy bar”) sits near the “start” and “back” buttons, which are disguised as volume and tone controls. The premium fret buttons and strum bar deliver quiet operation and reliable game play, and the traditional Stratocaster ¼” output jack can connect to an optional Rock Band™ overdrive pedal. The back of the controller has a headset jack for online play and communicating with friends. The Rock Band™ Wireless Wooden Fender Stratocaster guitar controller (the only wooden replica controller compatible with Xbox® gaming systems) uses the same secure wireless technology found in the official wireless Microsoft Xbox® 360 controller. It connects directly to the system and doesn’t require an external dongle or adaptor. Finally, the controller comes with three AA batteries and an official Fender guitar strap. source

Four New Fender Acoustics! Fender Acoustics is deee-lighted to introduce four new acoustic guitars for spring 2009; a California™ series model and three Classic Design series models. Let the full, resonant sound of destiny ring beneath your fingers as you strum the: Kingman™ 10. With a solid cedar top and rosewood back and sides, the Kingman 10 sounds punchy and smooth. It boasts beautiful "white tropical sunset" fingerboard inlays and a Polynesian surf glyph rosette. Like the other three new models, it has scalloped “X” bracing; other features include an all-solid rosewood bridge plate, gold hardware and a Fishman® Aero™ pickup system with built-in tuner. CD280SCE. The first of our three new Classic Design series models gives the best of both worlds—a solid spruce top for that nice mellow sound, with rosewood back and sides for a bright, classic tone. It’s a dreadnought cutaway model with scalloped “X” bracing, all-solid rosewood bridge plate, chrome die-cast machine heads for easy and accurate tuning, coated D’Addario® strings for long-lasting tone and the Fender FTE3-TN onboard preamp with built-in tuner. CD290SCE. Big sound, gorgeous looks and affordable price. The CD290SCE jumbo cutaway model lets you hit the stage with tone as big as the Texas sky, with a solid spruce top, stylish flame maple back and sides, maple neck, and Fishman® Aero™ pickup system with built-in tuner. CD360SCE. Don’t let the small body of the CD360SCE auditorium-style cutaway acoustic fool you—strum it and find yourself awash in maximum tone and output. Features include a solid spruce top, scalloped “X” bracing, all-solid rosewood bridge plate, chrome die-cast machine heads and Fishman® Aero™ pickup system with built-in tuner.

The Kingman 10 model.

The CD280SCE model.

The CD290SCE model.

The CD360SCE model.

source

Hot New Models Coming This Fall!

You ask, we listen. You’ve been asking us for new ESP models. Well, ESP fans, today is your day. Get out your pens and paper, because it’s time to make your wish list.

The Total Eclipse
We’ve added a couple of new Eclipses to the ESP line. First, check out the Eclipse-II Vibrato. This is an instant classic. It’s everything you want in a classic rock guitar. The vintage black finish, the Bigsby B7 vibrato, Seymour Duncan JB and 59 pickups, Gotoh tuners and bridge, all gold hardware, and awesome body/headstock binding give this guitar the look and feel of a collector’s model from the day you take it home.

Need a little more modern Eclipse? Jump into the new Eclipse-II FR! Yes, FR stands for Floyd Rose. This is your classic single cutaway guitar with a black finish, black nickel hardware, EMG pickups and, of course, loaded with a Floyd Rose locking trem.

Seven, Seven
ESP has also expanded our seven string line with two sweet new guitars. The Horizon NT-7 and Viper-7 are both great additions for ESP. The new Horizon NT-7 features an alder body, maple neck thru body design, ebony fretboard, 24 XJ frets and EMG 707 active pickups. The Viper-7 offers a time honored design in a seven string format and features a mahogany body, mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, EMG pickups and a beautiful black satin finish.

Rising From the Ashes
Here’s something you don’t get everyday: a new ESP shape. Introducing the Phoenix-II, which is available in both bass and guitar forms. This instrument screams coolness, and is available in two finishes for both the guitar and the bass. You can get the Phoenix-II guitar in black w/white pickguard or white with black pickguard. Despite its classic styling, this is a high performance ESP, with a neck-through-body design, maple neck with ebony fingerboard, 22 XJ frets and Seymour Duncan JB and 59 pickups.

The Phoenix-II bass has a very cool vibe and also uses a neck thru design. EMG active pickups complete this sweet bass, which comes in a black or two tone sunburst finish.

EXcellent
The ESP EX/EXP models have been the source of some great music in the past. Down through its development, this model has been the favorite of many great players including James Hetfield of Metallica. Well it’s time to bring the EX back into the ESP family! The new ESP EX comes in the classic 24.75” scale and features a mahogany body, maple neck and rosewood fretboard and EMG 81 and 60 pickups. Black nickel Gotoh tuners and bridge look sweet on the black finish.

Now, take that same guitar, beef it up with an anodized aluminum diamondplate body shield and you have the EX Diamond Plate! This guitar is so metal, it’s actually made from metal…at least the top, anyway.

If you’re into the EX shape and a natural finish, check out the ESP FX. It’s a natural mahogany-finished guitar in the EX body style, with the headstock shape from our F series. It features Sperzel locking tuners, a Gotoh bridge, and those amazing EMG 81/60 active pickups.

Attack of the Killer V’s
Saving the best for last? We hope you’ve been paying attention so far, because here’s some big news. Let’s start out with the ESP SV-II. This guitar has acquired legendary status over the years, and it’s now available in the USA. The SV-II has a lightweight alder body, a maple neck with ebony finger board, Gotoh tuners and an original Floyd Rose bridge. Powered by EMG 81 (bridge and neck) pickups and with a killer urban camo finish, this is a guitar for serious rock.

Next up is the NV. A straight cut symmetrical V, the NV looks great in both Snow White and Black Satin finishes, along with its iron cross-shaped fretboard inlays. This guitar also features a USA Kahler 2315 trem, a smooth maple neck-thru-body design, ebony fretboard, Gotoh tuners, 24 XJ frets and EMG 81 pickups.

Finally, rounding out hot new releases, we are happy to announce the release of the V-II. Available in black, the V-II gives a menacing feel with its neck-thru design. The mahogany body along with the maple neck and ebony fingerboard, gives you the perfect combination of lows and mids with just enough highs to cut through the mix. The Gotoh TOM bridge and Magnum Lock tuners work well with the string-thru-body setup and the EMG 81 pickups to make this the hardtail V you have always wanted.

You ask and we listen. Go check them out at your authorized ESP dealer this fall..

WOOD BODY

Radix’ bodies made of 2 or 3 solid pieces of mahogany , kiln dried and glued together. This construction minimizes warping without sacrificing the tone. Curly maples are applied as the top with special treatment to pop up the beauty of the wood. Some series are custom hand painted. Polyurethane is used as the standard finishing material.

Body thickness is 55 mm, with balanced design, feel good on your shoulder. Overall weight is 5 to 5.5 kgs.

NECK

All Radix’ necks are made of 3 pieces of mahogany or maple glued together to make a strong and stable neck. Wood grains are aligned each other to ensure the stability. These three pieces neck blanks stored for at least 1 month. The three pieces construction and 1 month storage is the key of Radix’ necks stability.

Necks are joint direct to the body with glue (set neck) . This construction improve sustain and better access to the high frets.
Fretboards are made of sonokeling (Indian rosewood). 14’ radius for all models. Neck width is 1 10/16 “ on the nut and 2 3/16 “ on the 22nd fret. Neck thickness is 20.5 mm on the 1st fret and 22.5 mm on the 12th fret. Perfect round C shape neck for all models except GES with D shape profile with some add on the shoulder.

All the models using Medium jumbo fret wires, 22 or 24 frets each neck. 24.75 and 25.5 inch scale length. Headstock angled at 12 degrees except GES at 14 degrees angle.

Double action truss rod is used on the current production.

HARDWARES

Radix use Wilkinson floating tremolo with 2 pivot point for Deluxe and stop tail with TO matic bridge as a standard option. Some series use Licensed Floyd Rose tremolos.

PLASMA III pickup from TESLA specially designed for Radix with bar type ALNICO 5 magnets and Polyurethane coil are used as the standard pickups. Raven and Stallion use PLASMA III Special with Chrome cover, and GES use VR Nitro Special with Chrome Cover.

ELECTRONICS

All the models equipped with 1 volume, 1 tone and 1 three way toggle switch. Push pull pots added for coil splitting on the tone pots.

QUALITY CONTROL

Quality control starts from the arrival of the wood blanks & continues throughout the production process. Workmanship, finishing, intonation and playability are the major aspects to be inspected. Every details are carefully inspected.

Hand Made Guitar




The auction for this homemade electric guitar is finishing on eBay very soon. I love stuff like this; it's a case of a guy wants an electric guitar so badly but the only way he's going to get one is to build it himself. Luckily he gets some sound advice from a legend!

I'm going to unshamedly copy from the text of the auction itself, as it's quite a long story:
My grandfather served in the Korean war and was entertained by Les Paul’s band during his service, upon returning home from the Korean war he was very excited to learn to play electric guitar.

Being from an area of little means (a poor coal mining region) he decided to manufacture his own, there was a walnut tree that was struck by lighting a couple years earlier and died.

He cut down that tree and from the trunk section he salvaged a decent solid piece of wood,this was the summer of 1958, at this time he was working as a coal miner an his schedule be came demanding so he had to stop working on his guitar project,he spent many evenings studying guitar design and planed to make a conventional two piece guitar being neck and body separate pieces.

Sundays were his only day off from work and he spent afternoons at his church practicing his playing with the church orchestra, that spring at the Tula county fair, grand father learned that Les Paul was going to play three evenings he went each night bringing the walnut hopeing to show Les this wood and get advise about his guitars construction.

On the third performance grand father saw Les and his band loading their equipment on to a bus, he approched Les upon introduction grand father say's Les remebered him from the servicemans used to help for his shows in Korea;

Because of his excitement and many question about the guitar, the two of them; grand father and Les examined the walnut and Les said his guitars were two piece because the neck is made from expensive maple and to keep costs down he used adler for the body,but he suggested since the walnut was large enough why not try to build a solid one piece guitar and he gave grand father an address to write him and send a photo when it was completed.

By june 1959 grand father completed the shape of the body, sort of stratocaster style with a thick neck, he felt a thick neck for strength and his large hands would be best.

At that same time a neighbour’s home caught fire and burned, this neighbour played guitar an as it happened his Silvertone acoustic guitar’s body was destroyed, my grand father asked for it's remains and he salvaged the finger board nut and tuning keys.

Grand father wanted to customize the fingerboard so he cut chrome pieces from the bumper of an old car shaped them and inlayed the chrome into the finger board, also from the burned home he took from a dining table a piece of formica, a faux pearl table’s top surface and applied it to the headstock surface.

At this point he bought a used tail piece, a bridge and strings and he was playing his new guitar he recalls his total cash investment was under four dollars, he was very happy and after a few adjustments everyone agreeded that the guitar played very well.

Grandfrather Oven had some pictures taken and he mailed the pictures to the address Les paul had given him, along with the pictures he sent a letter asking for help with how he was going to install some pickups, to grandfathers amazement Les paul sent him two single coil pickups that he had wound by hand while developing a design in 1952 along with a diagram and two pots for volume and tone, Les asked for him to route two pockets to set the pickups into, grandfather was afraid the pockets may weaken the body causeing it to crack, so he screwed the pick ups to the top of the body as well as the pots with wires external as well.grandpa Oren played his guitar at church for fifteen year he studied jazz and played at the same fair where he recieved help from Les Paul many years earlier.

My grand father retired in 1965 and moved to New Orleans Louisana so he could play jazz and learn more about the music he loved, this was the only guitar he ever owned,he joined a band called the Bluzers and played at many night clubs in the french quarter, a down town section filled with blues and jazz clubs.

In 1979 grand father passed away, his grand son my twin brother Gene Du Buque wanted to learn to play and so he inherited the guitar, my brother learned to play on this instrument,he liked the sound but felt the guitar was ugly.

He removed the pick ups and disguarded the guitar. Gene put the pick ups in a fender telecaster and later sold the telecaster,I kept the guitar, over the year i often thought it would be wonderful if some one might appreciate it as my grand father did, so Denis may it bring you happyness.

This guitar sustains longer than any guitar i've ever seen I attribute this to it's one piece construction;

Cheers


source