NEWS: Evil IKON Customs guitar means death for us all
This savage beast crept meanacingly through my email inbox this evening and laid its eggs of doom deep within my festering brain. I’m not sure if I should play this guitar or unload three cans of Raid on it before whomping it with a shoe for five straight minutes then clumsily scooping up the remains in wads of absorbant kitchen paper and running the whole mess out to the trash just to make double sure that parts of it – only parts of it and that’s what’s so disturbing about it – aren’t still alive and waiting to creep into my bedroom and sink its putrid fangs into my neck while I sleep.
Guitar Strikes Fear in Community
Custom guitar builder, Ikon Customs takes guitar building to a new level with unique custom body shapes and materials…all without sacrificing the tones and performance of the instrument.
Houston TX February 10, 2010 – Ikon Custom Guitars is introducing its first production models to the guitar market. The Arachnoid 1is 100% hand built in the USA using traditional and innovative techniques. After years of effort to challenge conventional appearances and styles of guitars, Ikon Customs feels it has finally reached a new pinnacle in guitar design, appearance and manufacturing.
The body of the Arachnoid 1is constructed of a poplar wood core for strength and tone and a proprietary resin compound that allows the builders to sculpt and shape finished bodies into new and innovative designs. The resin compound took many prototypes and years to finalize before committing to final production. In addition to the proprietary compounds, Ikon Customs also builds bodies using other materials such as fiberglass, carbon fiber and Kevlar. Founder and President, Marc Anthony H. Bertone feels that with these new materials, his design concepts will be limitless.
The Arachnoid 1 is available in three models:
Arachnoid1 Weaver: Red Oak Neck and Fretboard
Dyed fretboard, printed graphic “tatooed” on
Poplar headstock with a walnut veneer
Death Dealer high output passive pickup
Top loading fixed IKON USA Bridge
IKON Grip USA locking tuners
Proprietary resin formula over Poplar body
Adjustable aluminum nut
Custom airbrushed paintjob
Available in Flat, Satin or High Gloss finish
chrome, black or gold hardware
25.5″ scale, 24 jumbo frets, available in flat or 20″ radius
MSRP: $999
Arachnoid1 Recluse:
Maple, Walnut, Bloodwood or Purpleheart neck and fretboard
Inlaid Aliencult Skull logo
Poplar headstock with Carbon Fiber or exotic burl veneer
Death Dealer high output pickup or Stealth active pickup
Top loading fixed IKON USA Bridge
IKON Grip USA locking tuners
Proprietary resin formula with hand-laid fiberglass over Walnut body
Adjustable aluminum nut
Custom airbrushed paintjob
Available in Flat, Satin or High Gloss finish
chrome, black or gold hardware
25.5″ scale, 24 jumbo frets, available in flat or 20″ radius
MSRP: $1999
Arachnoid1 Widow: Cocobolo or Bocote (or any other exotic wood; subject to availability and may affect final pricing) neck and fretboard
Inlaid Aliencult Skull logo, LED glowing fret markers
Poplar headstock with Carbon Fiber or exotic burl veneer
Death Dealer high output pickup or Stealth active pickup
Top loading fixed IKON USA Bridge
IKON Grip USA locking tuners
Proprietary resin formula with hand-laid fiberglass and carbon-fiber over Walnut body
Adjustable aluminum nut
Custom airbrushed paintjob; ours or your choice of colors
Available in Flat, Satin or High Gloss finish
chrome, black, gold or any painted color hardware
25.5″ scale, 24 jumbo frets, available in flat or 20″ radius
MSRP: $2999
Ikon Customs is now actively seeking to establish domestic retailers and international distributors. For more information, visit www.ikoncustoms.com or www.myspace.com/ikoncustoms.
About Ikon Customs
Established in 2006 with the intent of changing the world of guitars and musical instruments, Founder and President Marc Anthony H. Bertone set out to find new and unique approaches to designing musical instruments that defied tradition and style. What started as a hobby in the garage has now turned into a lifetime pursuit and career. www.ikoncustoms.com
NAMM 2010: Orange Rockerverb II
I’ve been a fan of the Orange Rockerverb series for a while (one particularly happy Rockerverb memory was cranking up a Tony Iommi SG through one and blasting out some Iron Man). Now Orange has beefed up the Rockerverb line with the Rockerverb II. Check it out.
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 1×12 model with new spec 2xEL34 valves
All 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 (2×12 and 1×12) combo’s will be launched in March 2010 with the new upgrades.
LINK: http://www.orangeamps.com/
NEWS: Got any questions for me? I’m on FormspringHe
Hey, so I figured it’d be fun to start a Formspring account to answer any guitar-related questions anyone might have. Don’t be shy, ask away!
Here’s the link:
http://www.formspring.me/iheartguitar
NEWS: Jim Dunlop’s Heavy Core/Ultex Sharp giveaway
Jim Dunlop is running another kickass giveaway over on their website, this time for a year’s spply of Heavy Core strings and Ultex Sharp picks. The contest is for US residents only.
(By the way, here’s my review of the Ultex Sharp picks).
Here’s some info from the Jim Dunlop website:
What do Dethklok and Machine Head have in common besides mind numbingly blazing riffs that will rip your face off? Heavy Core guitars strings and Ultex Sharp picks – the ultimate in heavy tones and precision performance. This month we’re giving away a year’s supply of both to one lucky winner. 15 runner-ups will receive a pack of Heavy Core strings and a Heavy Core shirt, as well as a player’s pack of Ultex Sharp picks. Enter to win – prepare to destroy!
CLICK HERE to enter
Click here for more info on Ultex Sharp Guitar Picks Click here for more info on Heavy Core Guitar Strings
Contest ends March 15th. US entries only.
NEWS: Guitar Hanger gets Aussie distribution
Wow, brings new meaning to the term ‘closet classic,’ no?
The Guitar Hanger Breaks in Down Under
Next Entertainment Technology adds The Guitar Hanger to its distribution line for 2010.
Albany, CA – February 09, 2010 – Guitar accessory manufacturer, The Guitar Hanger has just signed a distribution deal for Australia with Next Entertainment Technology.
Next Entertainment Technology formed in 2001 and has become a premier Pro/MI wholesale supplier to all of Australia. With 25 plus years in the business, NET’s management is eager to get their hands on The Guitar Hanger.
“The Guitar Hanger is the most innovative and practical guitar accessory since the fold-up guitar stand” stated Billy Mawer, MD of Next Entertainment Technology. He also added “The Guitar Hanger is an exciting “must have” addition to their specialist hardware and cable products.” Personally, he concluded “The Guitar Hanger is a killer design. My guitar collection would be in much better condition if I had 20 years ago.”
Whether for the beginning student or for the professional musician, The Guitar Hanger gives you quick and easy access to your instrument while also protecting it from potential harm and theft. The Guitar Hanger allows you to store your instrument anywhere with a closet rod or hook, and by utilizing our non-mechanical locking yoke, The Guitar Hanger securely holds your guitar in place. It is the next step in easily storing and accessing your guitar.
The Guitar Hanger is still actively seeking more dealers in the United States and is eager to expand its international distribution network. The Guitar Hanger is made of durable stainless steel and nylon/fiber accommodating international requirements and is ready to ship immediately.
To place orders in Australia, please visit Next Entertainment Technology online at www.nextet.com.au
MSRP $30.99 USD
Hi! I'm Peter Hodgson. I write for Gibson.com, Australian Guitar, Australian Musician, Mixdown Magazine (including my instructional column, 'Unleash Your Inner Rock God,' which has been running since 2007), guitarworld.com, Tone Deaf, Beat (including their weekly hard rock/metal column Crunch) and The Brag. And I'm Assistant Social Coordinator with Seymour Duncan.
I've been playing guitar since I was 8 years old, and I've been writing for magazines since I was 18. I've also worked as a guitar teacher (up to 50 students a week), a setup tech, a newspaper editor, and I've also dabbled in radio a little bit. I live in Melbourne, Australia, and my hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, and eating way too much Mexican food.
You can check out my guitar playing at Reverbnation or on YouTube, and feel free to email me at iheartguitarblog@gmail.com