NEWS: Jason Becker interview on Metal Sludge
Who else reads Metal Sludge? Although it’s not updated as often as it used to be, when its notorious 20 Questions were a weekly occurrence, it’s still hilarious, still poking 80s rock in the ribs, and still a site I check pretty much every day just in case.
They’ve just posted their second interview with Jason Becker. Here’s a small excerpt. CLICK HERE to read the full interview.
Tell us about your latest CD Jason Becker “Collection”. How did you go about choos-ing what tracks to include. What kind of time, etc.. goes into something like this for you?
I had wanted to do a “best of” album for a while. I wanted one “perfect” CD for new people who are interested in hearing me, but who want to get my whole scene without having to buy all of my albums. As you know, my music can be diverse, so if you buy one album, you don’t get the whole picture. I also wanted my old fans to have new stuff. Mike Varney and I talked about waiting for me to write and record new songs. I was nervous about that because I hadn’t written music ever since I couldn’t move my hands or head. It would be a completely new process which might not work. I had to try it though because I owed it to myself and my fans. The California Department of Rehabilitation had just gotten me a new computer, music software and some great studio tools. My girlfriend and I had just broken up, so sex wasn’t a distraction anymore. It was time to see if I was still good or did I lose it all and suck? It was an incredible feeling to be creating again.
I picked my older songs that move me the most, which coincidentally are the pieces my fans write me the most about. These songs apparently speak to “normal” people as well as guitarists. Even when I shred, I am trying to make music. I am happy that people hear my emotion and feelings in my music and playing.
I also added some bonus material that is available when you stick the CD in your computer. I have eleven minutes of me noodling on the guitar back in ’89 for a couple of my students. Also, there are my guitar demos for my guitar concerto “End of the Beginning.” Michael Lee Firkins played on the final version. I thought it would be fun for people to see how the piece started out, with me playing.
It took quite a while, only because of the new songs. I also had to work around my co-producer, Dan Alvarez’s schedule. He did so much work; he is such a genius.
too.
NAMM 2009: ProTone Rusty Cooley overdrive
Rusty recently helped the company out during the prototype phase of their Jason Becker Perpetual Burn distortion pedal. I haven’t played one yet but I hear from those who have that it’s freaking amazing.
Here’s the press release:
World renowned guitarist & instructor Rusty Cooley and cutting edge guitar effects manufacturer Pro Tone Pedals join forces to create an overdrive pedal designed to operate under the highest of gain situations.
Rusty is a frequent columnist in all of the major guitar magazines and is consistently named one of the top shredders of all time. Rusty continues to build a rabid following of tomorrow’s shredders with his wildly successful instructional DVDs, his progressive metal band Outworld, and instrumental solo CD. The all analog design offers a smooth overdrive and huge volume boost along with treble and bass controls to add brawn and flexibility to your tone shaping possibilities.
Rusty will be demoing his signature pedal at the Pro Tone Pedals booth at this years NAMM show. For a schedule of appearance times visit ProTone Pedals online or http://www.rustycooley.com/.
Release date: January 15, 2009
List Price: $249
For more information, visit their web site at http://www.protonepedals.com/
CLICK HERE to see Dean guitars on eBay.
NEWS: Shoutout to Strat-o-blogster
I recently stumbled upon the excellent Strat-o-blogster blog which features lots of great Stratty goodness. Site owner JP has a very easy-to-read style, is very knowledgable and has a great sense of humour – some of these posts have me spraying coffee out my nose. I’m slowly working my way through backposts, in between practicing my Jason Becker arpeggios and trying to nail the marimba solo from St Alphonzo’s Pancake Breakfast
on guitar.
NEWS: Stuff you may have missed on I Heart Guitar
Review of Paul Gilbert and Freddie Nelson’s ‘United States’ CD
Review of Extreme’s ‘Saudades De Rock’ CD
Review of Def Leppard and Cheap Trick’s November 3 concert in Melbourne, Australia
Review of Lloyd Spiegel’s Live In Japan DVD
Digital editing for guitarists
NEWS: New Jason Becker interview on TV
ABC affiliate KGO-TV in San Francisco visited Jason Becker recently for a news story. You can watch the video here. It’s so cool to see Jason still composing (and giving cheeky answers to the interviewer).
During the story they show a few shots of the Paradise Guitars USA Jason Becker signature model.
When I was about 14 I bought the second Cacophony album on cassette, but there was something wrong with the tape and on side 2 the left side of the mix was completely silent. It took years before I found a copy on CD so I could hear what i was missing on that other side of the stereo spectrum! I took my tape to a guitar lesson and played ‘Go Off’ for my teacher and said “I wanna play like that!” He was a great teacher but Jason’s style was a million times removed from his, so I never did learn that song. Maybe it’s time I did.
Discussion time! What are your favourite Jason Becker songs or solos?
CLICK HERE to buy Jason Becker – Collection from Amazon.com
NEWS – New Releases 04/11/2008
Not a huge amount of new stuff released this week, but the Jason Becker and George Lynch album are definitely keepers. Click on any title to buy the album.
Jason Becker – Collection
George Lynch’s Souls of We – Let the Truth Be Known
Billy Sheehan – Holy Cow! Victor Entertainment
Tenacious D – The Complete Master Works 2
Symphony X – Paradise Lost 5.1 (CD/DVD)
NEWS: Paradise Guitars USA Jason Becker complete specs
Full specs, pricing and pre-order package deals for the Paradise Guitars USA Jason Becker signature guitar have now been released. The Deluxe Package sells for $US2,699 and includes various goodies. The Standard Package is $US2,499, and still includes a lot of goodies.
The following is from Paradise Guitars:
The Jason Becker signature guitar from ParadiseGuitarsUSA.com is offering two special Pre-Order “PACKAGE DEALS” for the serial numbers 10-70. There will be the “Deluxe Package” and the “Standard Package”. Also, we want everyone to know that the headstock was mainly designed by Jason Becker himself and he had a huge amount of input into the entire design of the guitar. This was definitely a complete collaborative effort of talents from Jason Becker and the entire Paradise Guitars USA team.
Just email us at info@ParadiseGuitarsUSA.com and we will send you all the Pre-Order Package information immediately.
The two different Pre-Order “Package Deals” are as follows:
“DELUXE PACKAGE” includes a Jason Becker Signature Guitar with a SERIAL NUMBER from 10-40. The numbers will be given out in a first come, first served, basis.
The DELUXE PACKAGE includes the following:
1) A Jason Becker signature guitar from ParadiseGuitarsUSA with a serial number starting at 10. (Numbers will be given out on a first come, first served, basis)
2) A GuitarWheel from GuitarWheel.com
3) Jason’s upcoming NEW CD-The Jason Becker Collection – CD
4) An 8” x 10” Photo of Jason with his NEW Signature Guitar
5) A laser engraved, Guitar Pic shaped “Jason Becker” wall clock in mirror
6) A letter from Jason, written personally to you, thanking you for your order and loyalty
7) A Jason Becker pic
A “Letter of Authenticity” from Paradise Guitars USA confirming your serial number and authenticity of your guitar
This DELUXE PACKAGE sells for $2699. The guitar includes a custom form-fitted hardshell case. Add $35, for Standard Shipping via UPS Ground to anywhere in the 48 contiguous states and this includes insurance at no additional cost to you.
If outside the U.S., please email or call with your exact address and we will calculate shipping for you. Orders will start shipping in approximately 6-7 weeks from order date.
“STANDARD PACKAGE” includes a Jason Becker Signature Guitar with a SERIAL NUMBER from 41-70. The numbers will be given out in a first come, first served, basis.
The STANDARD PACKAGE includes the following:
1) A Jason Becker signature guitar from ParadiseGuitarsUSA with a serial number starting at 41. (Numbers will be given out on a first come, first served, basis)
2) A GuitarWheel from GuitarWheel.com
3) A letter from Jason, written personally to you, thanking you for your order and loyalty
4) A “Letter of Authenticity” from Paradise Guitars USA confirming your serial number and authenticity of your guitar
This STANDARD PACKAGE sells for $2499. The guitar includes a custom form-fitted hardshell case. Add $35, for Standard Shipping via UPS Ground to anywhere in the 48 contiguous states and this includes insurance at no additional cost to you.
If outside the U.S., please email or call with your exact address and we will calculate shipping for you. Orders will start shipping in approximately 6-8 weeks from order date.
The specs are as follows:
BODY: Genuine Alder
NECK: Maple neck with steel 2-way truss rod
FINGERBOARD: Maple-16”radius
FRET: 24, 6100 Jumbo thin fret
INLAY: Colored numbered fret markers
BRIDGE: Authentic Floyd Rose® Pro Style Tremolo floating (Black) with Floyd Rose® Tremolo stop
TUNERS: Sperzel® Red Satin Tuners
PICKUPS: Neck: DiMarzio® P.A.F. Pro-Custom Colored: Yellow/Red
Middle: DiMarzio® DP116 HS-2 : Green Bridge: DiMarzio® Tone Zone-Custom Colored: Blue/Pink
FINISH: Tung oil
HEADSTOCK & BACKPLATES: 14 degree tilt-back headstock with Inlaid “Black” Paradise logo and matching tremolo and electronics plates
ELECTRONICS:
500K volume pot with Purple 1-11 volume knob and 5-way blade switch
Photo by Paradise Guitars USA.
NEWS: Paradise Guitars Jason Becker specs
ParadiseGuitarsUSA.com is offering a special pre-order package deal for the serial numbers 10-50. The pre-order package will include several unique items, many personalized by Jason himself. The package will be announced later this week.
The specs are:
NECK: Maple neck with steel 2-way truss rod
FINGERBOARD: Maple-16”radius
FRET: 24, 6100 Jumbo thin fret
INLAY: Colored numbered fret markers
BRIDGE: Authentic Floyd Rose® Pro Style Tremolo floating (Black) with Floyd Rose® Tremolo stop
TUNERS: Sperzel® Red Satin Tuners
PICKUPS: Neck: DiMarzio® P.A.F. Pro-Custom Colored: Yellow/Red
Middle: DiMarzio® HS-2 Green
Bridge: DiMarzio® Tone Zone-Custom Colored: Blue/Pink
FINISH: Tung oil
HEADSTOCK & BACKPLATES: 14 degree tilt-back headstock with Inlaid “Black” Paradise logo and matching tremolo and electronics plates
ELECTRONICS: 500K volume pot with Purple 1-11 volume knob and 5-way blade switch
NEWS: Paradise unveils Jason Becker signature
Paradise Guitars USA has unveiled its new Jason Becker signature guitar. This guitar was designed with Jason’s blessing, based on his famous custom Peavey guitar, and with a headstock of Jason’s own design.
There are also photos on the Myspace page of Paradise endorser Davin Kline Jr.
On the Jemsite.com forum, Paradise’s Tom G said, “There will only be a limited edition of this guitar. Paradise Guitars have been taking pre orders, quite a few are sold to some untold names. You can email Paradise Guitars if your interested in a preorder to make sure you get one. I made sure i got one! Jason is flipping, and very excited! The guitar will come with a few suprises from Jason,for the first forty buyers.”
In addition to being a solo artist, Jason was guitarist in Cacophony with Marty Friedman, and replaced Steve Vai in David Lee Roth’s band. His performing career was cut short when he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, but Jason still composes music. Shrapnel Records will release The Best Of Jason Becker on November 4, including three new songs written by Jason which feature Marty Friedman, Greg Howe, Joe Satriani, Michael Lee Firkins, Steve Vai and Steve Hunter.
NEWS: ProTone Jason Becker distortion pedal
ProTone Pedals is now shipping the Jason Becker Perpetual Burn distortion pedal, which is based on Jason’s favourite Marshall JCM 800 amp, with a little inspiration from the JCM900 he used later in his career for good measure. It also features an additional clean boost channel at Jason’s request, after he said he enjoyed using a higher gain sound later in his career.
CLICK HERE to buy the pedal right now.
At the Shred Academy forum, ProTone’s Dennis Mollan says the design was originally going to include an overdrive channel and an amp emulation channel, but prototype testing sessions with Rusty Cooley led to the decision to use a clean boost channel instead, to be driven by the emulation channel: “The way the boost interacts with the circuit is extremely cool. It adds more bite and tone to the distortion, and obviously adds more volume. The distortion from the emulator really drives the boost into more distortion… this configuration really sounds great. The overdrive going into the distortion is great in the amp world, but here in the pedal realm it really sucked! Was way too noisy. So we scrapped that plan.”
The pedal features original artwork by Jason’s dad, Gary Becker, and is handbuilt in Texas.
Stay tuned for news of the Paradise Guitars USA Jason Becker limited edition guitar.
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), Blunt, 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 Bandcamp or on YouTube, and feel free to email me at iheartguitarblog@gmail.com