I had an amazing time, and it feels good to finally put this crazy year behind me… but of course, like any good guitarhead, I just had to buy a little six-string souvenir to bring back home with me.

El Requinto! Yes, it looks like a guitarra, but in actuality the Requinto is about 80% the size of a standard guitar, and it’s tuned one fifth higher than standard, making the tuning: A-D-G-C-E-A.

It’s a beautiful little instrument (built in the famous/infamous Paracho,) and it really helped to keep my fingers in good form while I was away from my standard arsenal of instruments.

Anyway, so far I’ve been pretty lazy about getting back to posting here (or at any of my blogs for that matter,) but I figure it’s better to wait until I’m motivated to write something good than to just phone something in for the sake of filling up space… right?

Thank you all for the well wishes, and the unending support and kindness. This great big worldwide community of guitar players and gearheads is a true godsend.

Here’s to a great new year for all of us…

–El Viudo

I can’t remember a more needed vacation, and I’m looking forward to getting some quality time with my camera, the good indigenous people of Oaxaca, some delicious carnitas, a few good books, the local Zapotecan ruins, and of course my trusty travel guitar… the Little Martin.

As the one-year mark looms up on the horizon I think it would be a good time to thank you all once again for supporting me through this most difficult year of my life… this is one anniversary (Oct 27th,) that I’m looking forward to putting behind me.

Adios, and see you in two weeks! Hope you all have a lovely Halloween!

–Cary

This is apparently a PR move to bring some awareness to the upcoming release (November 28th, 2008) of the new Fender Custom Shop limited edition Yngwie Malmsteen Tribute Series “Play Loud” Replica.

However, make no mistake; Fender isn’t giving away the new replica… it’s the older Signature Series Strat that is up for the offering. Still––a free guitar is a free guitar, right? Also, it’s no longer a matter of just giving Fener your e-mail and mailing address: now you have to create a Fender Profile.

Check it out at Fender’s Official Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Stratocaster Giveaway page.

So, I thought it might be high-time I did a reader poll to learn a little more about you… I hope this will help me better target my content to your needs, and maybe make us all feel a bit more connected (okay, maybe that’s a bit too “touchy feely” for you.)

Anyway, you’d be doing me a great service if you’d take a few seconds to fill out theses polls…

It’ll be nice to see just who it is I’m talking to!

Well, the info on their website isn’t complete yet, but Gibson is apparently releasing a 2008 50th Anniversary line, just in time for the Holidays. Say hello to the 50th Anniversary Korina Explorer, ES-335, Les Paul Figured, and Korina Flying V… more information as it becomes available.

P.S. That ES335 is gonna’ kill me… please, stop me before I spend again!

Unfortunately, I’ve tried on a few occasions to get the good folks at PRS to send me an instrument for review, but so far they’ve been a no-show. So, we’ll have to let Modern Guitar have all the fun…

If you’re looking for a PRS with a vintage tone and feel, this might be the one for you––

…Based on the guitar’s size, weight and balance and excellent construction, we consider it a worthy competitor to a Custom Shop grade Telecaster. Paul Reed Smith has managed to build a new model that maintains a vintage vibe, yet still makes its own contemporary statement. The Mira’s hardware was also visually appealing in a highly polished chrome finish, with the tuning peg heads tinted black. Particularly nice is the PRS built chromed bridge that’s got a sleek art deco vibe going. Two black open-faced Humbuckers help complete the retro look, with a small toggle coil tap set alongside the tone control for an easy and intuitive reach….

The instrument ships with a hard shell case (black tolex,) documentation, and is fetching an MSRP of $2,960… I’m guessing we can expect street prices in the mid $2,000s.

Read the full review here.

First off, hey––I love a Bigsby! But bolted onto a singlecut solidbody bearing the standard futuristic lines of a PRS, not to mention that spiky headstock, this thing just looks all wrong to me.

Of course, the newly introduced Starla could turn out to be the bee’s knees, and I’m certainly not going to make any judgment calls when it comes to playability or tone until I can get my freakin’ hands on one, but I thought it would be fun to hear what you all think of this latest model from the good folks at Paul Reed Smith.

I’m not sure what it is about PRS that seems to bring both fanatic proponents and detractors out of the woodwork, but the comments on this blog get predictably strange whenever I mention one of their guitars.

So here goes… whatcha’ think?

According to Gibson, both guitars will feature one-piece mahogany necks, ebony fretboards with 22 frets, a hybrid ’50s rounded contour/’60s slim-taper neck profile, topless 500T/496R humbuckers, and of course the Robot Tuning System.

The guitars will be available in a single Red Metallic finish for the time being, but provided they sell I think it’s a fair bet that more colors will be available in the future. They ship with a charger, power plug, battery pack and a hardshell case. MSRP is set at $2599.

Not officially a “reissue,” the Custom Shop ES-330 Long Neck will apparently be adorned with period-correct extras like black plastic dog-eared pickup covers and a 17° angled headstock, while also sporting a number of new enhancements.

Unique features are expected to include a period-correct 1-11/16” Corian nut (for extra strength, durability, and sustain,) a set of premium tulip button tuners, and of course the instrument’s namesake long neck profile.

Resonant Hollowbody Design & P90 Tone

Unlike its close brethren––the ever popular ES-335––the ES-330 features a full hollowbody design with no center block, making for one seriously resonant instrument (and yeah, highly prone to feedback.) It also breaks the mold with a pair of dog-eared P-90s, wired up with Gibson’s Memphis Tone Circuit, which allows for consistent tone at any volume level.

Strangely, in spite of the fact that it’s basically the exact same instrument, the ES-330 has never gained the popularity and mystique of the Epiphone Casino… an instrument probably best known for its use in the hands of 60s era George Harrison, John Lennon, and even Keith Richards.

ES330 Long Neck Specs

Other features will include a plain maple laminated top, back, and rims (in Beale St. Blue, Vintage Sunburst, or Antique Red,) an ultra-thin nitro finish, single-piece Honduran Mahogay neck (with long neck tenon,) a 30/60 neck profile, Rosewood fretboard with 22 frets, and small block pearloid inlays.

Hardware will include an ABR-1 bridge, Trapeze tailpiece, Kluson-style tulip tuners, dual volume & tone knobs with ’60s-style reflector tops, 3-way pickup switching, and 500K Ohm audio taper pots.

The Guitar is retailing for a street price of $2499. Custom Shop Hardshell case included.

They’ve got full specs on both the Relic and NOS versions of Gilmour’s “Black Strat,” along with the story behind the guitar, a timeline, and info on where to purchase this surefire collector’s item.

You might also check out the exclusive video footage from Gilmour’s upcoming Live In Gadansk CD/DVD.

Comfortably numb, anyone? Check it out.

While Fender’s TC-90 thinline has been kicking around for a few years now, it’s definitely not every day you see a candy apple red Telecaster decked out with dual P-90s… heck, to my eyes it’s still just a little shocking.

In fact, I have to say I’m more than a bit intrigued, having fallen pretty hard for the growl of a P-90 ever since I purchase that ‘67 SG Special—I can’t wait to hear what this thing sounds like.

Apparently built in collaboration with Jimmy Eat World frontman and guitarist Jim Adkins, Fender’s new JA-90 (yep, based on Adkins’ trusty TC-90) packs some unique features, including a pair of custom Seymour Duncan soapbars, a mahogany set neck, dual volume and tone controls, and of course that super fat anchored tailpiece.

Fender JA-90 Specs

Other features are expected to include a semi-hollow Ash body, Rosewood fretboard with 22 Medium Jumbo frets (9.5” radius,) an adjusto-matic bridge, knurled dome knobs, matching painted headstock, black plastic parts, oversized strap buttons, and a graphite nut.

The Jim Adkins JA-90 will be available in either Crimson Transparent or Ebony Transparent Poly finish, but ships sans-case… what’s with that? The guitar can be had for a street price in the mid $700s.

Thanks For Stopping By!

That’s right boys and girls, you could say it’s been a rather trying year for yours truly (wow, is that ever an understatement?) but I’m happy to report that I’m finally, finally getting back to my old self again… and not a moment too soon!

In fact, I think it’s safe to say I’m back for good (back from the dead?) and you can expect to be seeing much more of me around these parts in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

Let’s Have A Party

And to celebrate, I’ve spent the last few weeks pouring my very heart and soul into a brand spankin’ new re-design of Electric Guitar Review, and I’m proud to say I’m ready to show her off to the public.

So, if you’re reading this post via RSS I dare say it’s time to leave the safety of your feed-reader behind and come on over to join this party—hey, you could at least stop by long enough to check out the new digs and maybe take a swig off the beer bong.

Yep, things have changed rather drastically around this old blog, and while there are no doubt some odds and ends still left untied (old formatting, etc,) the basic building blocks are all there… fancy new “magazine-style” layout, front page video section, Featured articles, behind the scenes photos from EGR Labs (via Flickr,) anon site image gallery, and what I would call a much more streamlined blog design in general.

You’ve Been A Godsend

I’d also like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you for standing by me during the most bitterly painful year of my life… the one-year mark of my wife’s passing is quickly approaching, and as that day draws closer I am continually reminded of what a strange, terrible, and yet somehow life-affirming journey it’s been.

I couldn’t have done it without you guys… or at least I wouldn’t have wanted to. So yeah… I’m baaaaa-aaaaaaaccccckkkkkkk!

-Cary

Other features include a strings-through-body V-shaped tailpiece, Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge, black Grover tuners, LP Custom headstock, Custom-grade pearl block inlays, bound ebony fretboard with 22 Jumbo frets, and a solid mahogany body (19“ wide x 24 1/2” long x 1 5/8“ thick.)

No word on pricing for this strictly Limited Edition run, but the guitar will apparently ship with a Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case, and Certificate of Authenticity signed by Zakk Wylde.

Granted, these are decidedly cheap amplifiers, but as has been suggested in numerous reviews around the web, both of these Class-A tube amps offer a fair amount of bang for the buck.

Hehe, and you’ve gotta’ love Bob Dragich’s sense of humor––

Through the years, a number of amplifier manufacturers have tried their hands at producing budget tube amps. The problem with the vast majority of these items was that they were not primarily tube amps, they were primarily low-budget amps. Their main audio function was to give the listener the distinct feeling that a knitting needle was slowly being shoved through their eardrum.

The Epi Valve Junior, with its single 8“ speaker and five watts of power, is currently fetching about $150 out-the-door, while the Valve Special (10” speaker, onboard digital effects, etc,) can be had for about $240.

The guitar will be built in a run of just 48 instruments (24 with Bigsby Vibrato, 24 hardtail,) and is apparently sporting original NOS (new old stock) Valco knobs, a vintage tone switchplate, and a Deluxe Airline hardshell case.

Prices are running $899 for the Standard model, and $999 for the Deluxe model with Bigsby. The guitar will ship beginning August 31st, 2008, and pre-ordering is suggested.

Not convinced? Check out the demo… that’s some solid chicken-pickin’ goodness.