Gibson celebrates itself again
Gibson, Gibson, Gibson... where do I begin? All you seem to do these days is make guitars that people either do not want, or re-make guitars people want but can't afford. Wait a second! This new 50th Anniversary tops out at just over $6000. That is almost affordable. Almost.
I do have a soft spot for the 335. It has beautiful lines, great sound and versatility. Not exactly value for money though.
Gibson recreates the 1960 Gibson ES-335TD
Gibson Guitar has announced the highly anticipated arrival of the 50th Anniversary 1960 Gibson ES-335TD. Back in the late 1950s, Gibson was boldly pushing the envelope on electric guitar design. The effort resulted in several models that were just too far ahead of their time to sink in with players of the day—the Flying V and Explorer being cases in point — and were gone from the catalogue by 1960. The ES-335 however was an instant classic, embraced by blues, rock, country and jazz players the world over. By 1960, this model was hitting its stride though it was certainly a year of transition for the iconic model.
In the beginning of 1960, the ES-335TDs were built to the same specs as the 1959 versions and were offered in only Natural and Sunburst finishes. By about midyear, neck specs began to change to a thinner and more elliptical feel and ultimately, production of the Natural ES-335TD would cease and the Cherry finish would take its place in the latter part of the year. It is this later version that many argue the 1960 ES-335TD’s features had settled into their optimum form. With a fast new neck profile, striking new “insert” or “reflector” tone and volume knobs, the ES-335TD still retained early-spec details such as the dot fingerboard inlays, a double cutaway profile, full-length maple centerblock, and nickel-plated hardware that players have long seen as indicative of the model’s zenith.
All these and more are brought back to life in the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD, a reincarnation of one of the most legendary semi-hollow electric guitar of all time, handcrafted by Gibson Custom’s Memphis division to celebrate the model’s “golden anniversary”. For this celebration, Gibson Custom is offering the later 1960 “fast neck profile” version, the most unique of the year, and is available in three finishes Antique Vintage Sunburst, Antique Faded Cherry or Antique Natural, all aged in Gibson’s acclaimed VOS (Vintage Original Specs) process, and loaded with period-correct hardware including “insert” volume and tone knobs, double band tuners and a pair of accurate PAF-style 57 Classic humbucking pickups. The Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD is equipped with pickups and electronics that accurately reflect the original units of the most desirable ES-335TDs ever made. A pair of ’57 Classic pickups capture that highly sought-after “PAF” style tone, noted for its unparalleled blend of warmth, richness and clarity, while quality CTS potentiometers with “bumblebee” tone caps and a Switchcraft selector and output jack translate the signal in pure vintage style
Additionally the neck features a holly head veneer, tortoise shell side dot material and has been completely re-tooled with accurate truss rod channel depth and profile based on scans by the Gibson Custom Shop Engineering Team. The Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD is the closest today’s player can come to obtaining the look, feel and tone of an original dot-neck 1960 ES-335TD.
The original ES-335TD (“TD” for “thinline, double-pickup”) was a huge hit simply because it addressed so many different guitarists’ needs in one new design. The arched top and f-holes appealed to jazz and dance-band players who were still attached to the look of traditional Gibson “jazz boxes”, but who appreciated advancements such as a thinline, double-cutaway body. The maple center block that ran from neck tenon to end pin reduced feedback and provided the sharper, snappier tone that rock and roll and country players demanded, and also enabled the use of Gibson’s solid new Tune-o-matic bridge and stop-bar tailpiece pairing, which further aided tone and sustain. In one form or another the ES-335TD (and its siblings, the ES-345 and ES-355) would land in the hands of Eric Clapton, Alvin Lee, Chuck Berry, B.B. King, Larry Carlton, and countless other groundbreaking guitarists.
With its historically accurate tone woods, electronics, and hardware, the Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TD packs all the tonal versatility of the original, and proves once again why the design has remained a favorite of guitarists from every genre of music since its introduction half a century ago. All Custom Shop 50th Anniversary 1960 ES-335TDs come with a silkscreened Gibson Custom Shop hard-shell case, a Certificate of Authenticity and a full complement of “how to” literature.
For more information, please visit www.gibson.com
Eastwood Airline Folkstar Resonator
I like Eastwood guitars. They are like the neighbour's quirky daughter, you'll never admit to it, but despite all her weirdness and awkwardness, you'd rerally love to play with it! I've been looking for a resonator, and this could possibly be the one.
Eastwood Guitars has started shipping the new Airline Folkstar Resonator guitar. This beautiful electric guitar was all the buzz at the Eastwood/Airline booth last month at NAMM in Anaheim California. The new Airline Folkstar Resonator is based off the early 60s model and in true Eastwood fashion it features many upgrades and improvements.
This chambered mahogany 24 3/4“ scale guitar features a biscuit resonator cone with a Piezo bridge pickup and a NY mini-humbucker neck pickup, which are controlled by a blend potentiometer. This smooth blending feature, combined with the volume and tone controls allows for unlimited sounds, which was unachievable on the non-electrified originals. The eye-catching Airline Folkstar is available in red or black and features the retro rubber body binding just like the Eastwood Airline Custom ’59 series. The bolt-on maple neck with rosewood fingerboard is set up with #12-52 bronze resonator strings, making this a “must have” guitar for both pro-touring and home recording players.
The Airline Folkstar is now shipping.
For more information, please visit www.eastwoodguitars.com
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Orange Rockerverb II
February 5, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Amplifiers, Featured, Gear
I love Orange amps. Not only do they sound great, look cool, and are extremely versatile, they single-handedly reinvigorated the lunchbox amp market. I doubt there would be the boutique amps we see today without Orange.
And here is their latest creation. The RockerVerb II. An update to the ever popular RockerVerb, featuring an improved reverb, all new FX loop circuitry, and front mounted controls. But perhaps the biggest news is the announcement of a new 50 watt combo.
And they look awesome.
Press Release – February 2010
Orange Launch Rockerverb II
The Rockerverb series has long been regarded as a masterpiece of guitar amplification and Orange amps are proud to announce the launch of the new Rockerverb II, which builds on the classic proven Rockerverb formula and improves the specification and range available.
Over the years Orange has listened carefully to feedback from their endorsers and players around the world and they are now ready to launch the next generation of world class guitar amps.
The New Rockerverb II series includes the following new specifications and changes:
- Enhanced valve F/X loop offering a totally transparent sound
- Improved reverb tone which delivers an unforgettable sound across all levels
- New middle control on the clean channel
- Re-designed combo’s with new front mounted controls
- Range now includes new Rockerverb 50 watt 1x12 model with new spec 2xEL34 valvesAll models and built using tried and tested top quality components and deliver the legendary orange sound. From Chiming tube driven reverbs to sparkling tube driven effects loops and ultra high gain distortions these are rightly regarded as the most versatile guitar amps on the market delivering some of the purest guitar tones in the business.
The Rockerverb 50 head, Rockerverb 100 head and Rockerverb 50 (2x12 and 1x12) combo’s will be launched in March 2010 with the new upgrades.
For further details and to see these great new amps Contact: USA info@orangeusa.com or outside USA info@omec.com
http://www.orangeamps.com/
Tel ; +44 208 905 2828
Fax ; +44 208 905 2868-Ends-
Led Zeppelin & Jimmy Page Guitar Tuition DVDs
February 5, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Featured, Gear, Instructional
I'm looking forward to this. Lick Library have released some new DVD's, this time featuring the style of none other than Jimmy Page. Again, the highlight for me is the Quick Lick style videos. This time there are two, with Up Tempo Rock and Minor Blues. These are complimented with a Learn To Play series, and the Solos.
Don't forget, if you want a wide range of these DVD's at great prices, check out GuitarDVDReview [shameless plug - buy through there! Help me make money! lol!]!
Press Release- February 2010
Lick Library release Led Zeppelin & Jimmy Page Guitar Tuition DVDs
Lick Library continue to grow their considerable array of guitar tuition DVDs with the release of Learn to Play Led Zeppelin Volume 1 & 2, Learn to Play Jimmy Page the Solos and Quick Licks Up Tempo Rock and Minor Blues both in the style of Jimmy Page. Acclaimed author and guitar tutor Jamie Humphries presents the Learn to Play and Jam with Led Zeppelin DVD’s and former Joe Satriani pupil Danny Gill presents the others.
Led Zeppelin are unquestionably one of the most enduring bands in rock history, and Jimmy Page is continues to be one of the all time most influential, important and versatile guitarists. He is the man whose riffs and bluesy soloing served as blueprint for the foundations of heavy rock.
Learn to Play Led Zeppelin Volume 1 (RRP £24.99) – This world class guitar workshop gives you the inside take on the great songs, sounds and riffs played by the legendary Jimmy Page. Jamie Humphries breaks down note by note five all time classic tracks including Black Dog, Rock & Roll, Stairway to Heaven, Immigrant Song, and Heartbreaker helping you nail that signature Jimmy Page sound and style well enough to play in any guitar shop!
Learn to Play Led Zeppelin Volume 2 (RRP £24.99) – In Jamie’s second guitar workshop he take you thorough more of the greatest and most well known riffs in rock history. This DVD looks at five more timeless tracks including Whole Lotta Love, Kashmir, Communication Breakdown, Since I’ve Been Loving You and Babe I’m Gonna Leave You. Each of these double DVD sets contain over 3 hours of lessons and further support can be found at www.licklibrary.com
Learn to Play Jimmy Page the Solos (RRP £23.99) -This guitar DVD tutorial is presented by Danny Gill and features five unforgettable solos from Stairway to Heaven, Rock and Roll, Good Times Bad Times, Black Dog and Whole Lotta Love. Learn to play these inspired solos a lick at a time and practice along to the jam tracks on the CD. Each track is featured at slow, medium and full tempo so you can learn at your own pace and steadily build up to full speed.
Quick Licks Up Tempo Rock in the Style of Jimmy Page (RRP £19.99) – Seven solos taking in over forty licks in the style of Jimmy Page are featured in this guitar class DVD. In the process Danny looks at pentatonic, diatonic and blues scales, string bending, hybrid picking and shows you how all these can all come together. A further thirty solo blues licks reminiscent of Since I’ve Been Loving You and Tea For One can be explored with the Quick Licks Minor Blues in the Style of Jimmy Page (RRP £19.99) DVD guitar workshop. Both the Quick Licks DVDs include backing tracks for you to practice soloing over.
Lick Library offers you a wide choice of types of guitar tutoring formats – Learn to Play.., Quick Licks… and Jam with… along with over 20,000 other guitar tuition products. For the ultimate range of tuition products, www.licklibrary.com has the comprehensive and definitive professional guides to learning to playing the guitar.
New Ibanez 2010 Range
Ibanez are showcasing a new series of guitars on their website, and unfortunately there is little to go one that I can find on some of the models.
There is the new XPT1400TW GP (catchy name!) that is a double neck six string / seven string combo, and new six sting base, and a new Darkstone Model, the DN! PRM that I have just fallen in love with. To have a look at all the pics head over to the Ibanez website.
