More New Stuff From NAMM for Guitar Players and Collectors
Hi gang, it's Cliff again. I'm back home and the pain in my feet from walking around the NAMM show is just a vague memory. I've been reviewing my notes and ran into some more stuff that you guitar players are sure to like. Just little odds and ends, most of which didn't make the news releases. These tidbits aren't going to change the world, but maybe they'll change your mind about your next guitar related purchase.
From Gibson comes two highlights of interest. The first is the brand new Les Paul Light. It isn't half the calories, but it is half the weight. The picture to the right is a side view of the new Les Paul Light. Rather thin for a Les Paul, wouldn't you say? This new Les Paul also has hollowed out sound chambers that make it even lighter. All in all, the LP Light is less than half the weight of the original. This would make it the perfect instrument for LP players that are starting to get back problems from the weight of their instruments. Gibson didn't have any amps available for me to try out this new guitar, so I can't tell you too much about the way it sounds. One of the things I have always loved about the LP is the sustain and heavy tone. Hopefully the boys at Gibson have figured out a way to maintain that great performance in this instrument.
The second piece of news from Gibson is the release of the SG Supreme Normally, I don't get that excited about a new color or slightly different pickup scheme, but this new SG is very nice. Of course, I am a sucker for flamed maple. The AA flamed maple top on this axe is really highlighted by the three tone sunburst finish. Beside the new looks, it's a SG. You can visit the Gibson web site at www.gibson.com.
SimS Custom LED has developed a way to retrofit lights into the fretboard of any guitar or bass. The glowing dots are really very attractive and unique. According to the manufacturer, this process can be performed without removing the fretboard and therefore will not damage or disturb the playability of the instrument. One of the Warwick bass necks they had on display even had a glowing "W" on the head stock. The glowing fret markers could also have benefits beyond appearance. The lights could also be useful in situations where you have to play in the dark a lot. The fiber optic lights come in red, gold, green, and electric blue. Now for the down side. In order to get this done to your guitar you have to send the guitar to the manufacturer in England. For many, this would raise the cost of the product quite a bit. Still though, pretty interesting. The SimS web site at www.simsled.co.uk.
A fretboard fitted with the SimS Custom LED system.
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| The Lindert Conductor |
Lindert Guitars has announced a real price drop in their instruments. If you haven't seen a Lindert Guitar, they have a very unique design and headstock shape. The thumbs up headstock shape and thirties style radio looking body gives this instrument a very different look. Now, you might say, "Cliff these aren't new, they have been making them for years." This statement is true enough, but the interesting thing here is that the price drop is expected to put some of their instruments in the under $400 range (prices weren't firmly set as of the NAMM show.) Compared to some of these guitars' competition, this is one guitar to be dealt with. If you want some more details, visit the Lindert web site at www.lindertguitars.com.
This cute, little, inexpensive item keeps track of your picks for you. The Pick Pocket is a small, round, key chain looking thing, that hangs on the back of your guitar on the strap button so you always have a pick available. They were handing these out free at the NAMM show and at first I thought they were kind of silly. Then I got home and tried it. I like it. It holds several picks, is made of leather so it looks good, and now I don't have to go looking around for a pick all the time (one my big problems - just ask my band). The manufacturer will reportedly have a web site located at www.pick-pockets.com, but it doesn't appear to be active yet. Until it is, you can email them at pickpockts@aol.com.
Lastly - I know this isn't truly a guitar thing - but I found this stringed instrument so interesting that I just had to write about it somewhere. This article seemed like as good as place as any. This unique instrument comes from Wood Violins and is a six string FRETTED electric violin. The six string design (violins normally have four strings) fits the strings very comfortably around the fretboard without being hard to play. And yes, it can be tuned with a standard guitar tuning so you can play your favorite guitar licks. Four, five, and even seven string models are also available, as well as fretless versions for those with more patience.
The frets are wonderful for playing quickly or for people like me that rarely get a chance to play violin (I normally play guitar, keyboards, or bass, but did play violin previously) and have lost their articulation skills. The frets are low enough however that you can still slide up the neck without the fret clicking that you would get from a guitar or bass. The V shaped body is the most beautiful thing about this instrument. It sits very nicely on your shoulder without having to put it under your chin at all. Stable, firm, and well built, this instrument is a joy to play. For you violin players, give this instrument a chance. I know it's different, but it's worth trying. For you guitar players that ever thought about playing electric violin, you might want to check this out. Otherwise, thanks for your patience. Need more info on available models and pricing? Visit the Wood Music web site at www.markwoodmusic.com.
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| Mark Wood performing at the entrance of the convention center. |
Well, there you have it. Also, check out the first guitar stuff article for more of these kinds of news clips.
Keep Jamming,
Cliff
Cliff Suttle (cliffnotes@harmony-central.com) has been studying music for over twenty years including studies at the University of Michigan. Fluent on keyboards, guitar, and bass, Cliff is currently playing in an all original rock band Middle Earth. Cliff's motto: Understand the theory and you can play anything.
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