Sometimes when you go searching for unique guitars to add to your wish list you come across that little something that blows your mind. When guitars have been doing the same thing and have been built using the same technologies for so long, those little differences can really make you think. The Tour Bus guitar by Sébastien Gavet is one of those guitars that blows your mind and makes you think. … 52 Guitars, week 9—The Tour Bus Guitar
Month: February 2013
52 Guitars, week 6—Eastwood Airline 3P DLX
Airline Guitars were originally made in the USA from 1958-1968 and sold via mail-order. Today you can get re-issued Airline Guitars through Eastwood Guitars and you can purchase them online (or through selected bricks and mortar guitar stores). Times may change, but cool looking guitars need not. That’s how I feel about the Airline 3P DLX (in black). This guitar has a funky appeal that just makes me want to play guitar for hours while I experiment with the tones and sounds that only a three pickup guitar can. … 52 Guitars, week 6—Eastwood Airline 3P DLX
Take your pick (plectrum comparisons)
Recently I received a gift pack of TUSQ guitar plectrums from the kind people at Graph Tech. The TUSQ plectrums are made using the same technology/material that Graph Tech has been applying to its saddles and bridges for almost 30 years. This man-made ivory improves the harmonics, vibration control and tone when used in the nut and/or bridge. So I was curious what that would mean when the same material was applied to the guitar plectrum. … Take your pick (plectrum comparisons)
52 Guitars, week 8—Dingwall Guitars Custom II
Some guitars look amazing because the colours they’re supplied in simply blow your mind. Some guitars look amazing because they’re the perfect blend of black and white. This week’s wish list guitar achieves awesomeness by letting the natural wood finish shine though. The Dingwall Guitars Custom II is a magnificent looking guitar that is clearly all wood. It’s all wood and all beauty. … 52 Guitars, week 8—Dingwall Guitars Custom II
Chops PrePlay hand conditioner for musicians
Late last month I received a small sample pack of Chops PrePlay hand conditioner from the lovely folks at GraphTech. Although I still don’t know how I ended up with it—I did enter a lot of online competitions during the December-January holiday season—I am glad I received the sample pack. It made hours of guitar playing and practice this afternoon go a whole lot smoother. Pun intended.
I was intrigued by the claims on the card that came with my sample pack. If this hand conditioner could extend string life and reduce hardware corrosion, I was all for it. As for reducing your skin’s pH while leaving you with a smooth, silky finish … I just assumed that was a good thing. I’m not a chemist though. I trusted the marketing on the package. Here’s what I discovered. … Chops PrePlay hand conditioner for musicians
52 Guitars, week 7—Ormsby Guitars DC Artist
Let’s be honest … My chances of getting the 52 guitars I hope to write about this year are low. Very, very low. In fact, my chances of getting any of them are low (this year). Many of the guitars in this series are simply fantasy guitars. Some could be categorised as desirable while others are somewhat achievable. Today’s guitar however is one that I believe is all three. If my long term plan runs smoothly, this would also become the most expensive guitar I one day own. What makes it so expensive and wish-worthy?
I’d build it while participating in a week long guitar building course. … 52 Guitars, week 7—Ormsby Guitars DC Artist
Ultimate Guitar Effects (for UltimateGuitar.com)
Just this month I wrote about the new GuitarTone 2 that Sonoma Wire Works released recently. Just as I am enjoying those tones I discover Ultimate Guitar Effects (powered by Sonoma Wire Works) by Ultimate-Guitar.com. Awesome! … Ultimate Guitar Effects (for UltimateGuitar.com)
GuitarTone 2—Now with twin amplifiers!
Back in late 2011 I wrote about GuitarTone and my impression of it when using an iPhone 3S. A few things have changed since that article. Firstly, I’m now using an iPhone 4S and an iPad. Secondly, the GuitarJack (version 1) I had purchased isn’t compatible with my new devices. Thirdly, GuitarTone has been upgraded to version 2. Some aspects of GuitarTone have remained the same but some aspects have been changed … for the better. Let’s look at some of the changes as they apply to the iPad. … GuitarTone 2—Now with twin amplifiers!