Jeff Skunk Baxter with the Roland/Fender G5 VG Stratocaster
GuitarTV has an awesome video of Jeff “Skunk” Baxter showing off the Roland/Fender G5 VG Stratocaster. Check it out here, and read more info about the G5 here. I particularly like the bit where Baxter demonstrates the Strat’s actual and modelled Strat tones.
One thing that’s super-cool about this video for me is that the first time I ever saw a Roland guitar product demoed, it was Baxter with the old VG8 way back in the day. It was the first modelling system to use a hex pickup, at least that I’m aware of, and it’s great to see Baxter showing the latest evolution of the concept about 15 years later.
Check out Guitar TV’s cool new redesign too!
Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live
EAGLE ROCK ENTERTAINMENT TO RELEASE STYX: THE GRAND ILLUSION/PIECES OF EIGHT LIVE ~SIMULTANEOUS DVD, BLU-RAY AND DVD/2CD OUT JANUARY 31~ Two of the most beloved albums in the Styx catalog are 1977’s The Grand Illusion and 1978’s Pieces Of Eight. Now, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release Styx: The Grand Illusion/Pieces Of Eight Live on DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD/2CD on January 31. This show was recorded November 9, 2010 at the historic Orpheum Theater in Memphis, Tennessee, on the tour that saw them perform both these albums in their entirety for the first time. This 20-song two-hour and 11-minute presentation features stunning high-definition visuals accenting the complex musical arrangements recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM Stereo. The staging of these two multi-platinum albums and the fevered response makes this concert a must for all Styx fans. The Grand Illusion/Pieces of Eight Live also includes the bonus feature “Putting On The Show,” an inside look at the people and equipment needed to stage such a massive spectacle. Continue reading
Buddy Blaze introduces Vivian Campbell Shredder 25th Anniversary edition
Check this out! Vivian will be at Buddy’s booth (2395) at NAMM on Saturday at 2:30pm to introduce the 25th Anniversary commemorative edition of the Shredder that Buddy built for Vivian back in the 80s. The guitar was featured prominently in Vivian’s Whitesnake days. The Shredder evolved into the legendary Kramer Nightswan. Read my interview with Vivian about the Shredder here.
This will be limited to 25 guitars, with some very special appointments including a Titanium Floyd Rose and a Seymour Duncan Full Shred signed by Seymour himself. Let Buddy and Vivian tell you about it:
And here’s Buddy and Vivian from Buddy’s Shred Shed Facebook page.
Preorder the new Van Halen album!
You can pre-order the new Van Halen album, A Different Kind of Truth, from Amazon.com now. There are two versions available: the standard CD
The track listing according to melodicrock.com is:
1. Tattoo 2. She’s The Woman 3. You and Your Blues 4. China Town 5. Blood and Fire 6. Bullethead 7. As Is 8. Honeybabysweetiedoll 9. The Trouble With Never 10. Outta Space 11. Stay Frosty 12. Big River 13. Beats Workin’
Grover Jackson launches new guitar company – GJ2
Legendary luthier Grover Jackson – yes, that Jackson – has formed a new company called GJ2, and the guitars look awesome. Check this out:
That’s the Arete, GJ2′s initial model. It’s available in two levels, 4-Star and 5-Star, with in-house pickups (or other brands on request), original Floyd Rose tremolo, compound radius 10″-14″ fretboard, high-access heel, neck through construction… different versions are available in basswood, mahogany and Korina. More info here.
The guitars will be made exclusively in California, and they’ll be available through an exclusive network of retailers from January.
Kudos to iGuitar for the heads-up!
Latest issue of iGuitar out now!
Hey! Issue 6 of iGuitar is out now. Get to a computer or internet-capable device – oh, you already are – and download it now!
Press Release – 14th December 2011
Latest iGuitar magazine features Yes’ Steve Howe
Another bumper issue of the free digital magazine iGuitar is now live. Each of the three distinct sections, Electric, Acoustic and Bass are crammed full of video interviews, guitar lessons and reviews.
The Electric Section: Lick Library’s Stuart Bull meets the Godfather of shred Michael Angelo Batio (MAB), plus a world exclusive – MAB makes his iGuitar debut as a columnist. Jamie Humphries meets Steve Howe, ‘Yes’ master guitarist and one of the most original players to emerge from the progressive rock scene and offers readers a unique lesson in Howe’s elusive style. Gary Cooper takes a look at the career of acoustic legend, the late Bert Jansch, while in the listening room John Stix listens as top players discuss their influences, and his video gem feature this month is on Jeff Beck. In addition there is a roundup of 2011′s best accessories, best guitar albums and much more.
New Rodrigo y Gabriela album – Area 52
Hey! Just got this press release this morning. Can’t wait to hear this one!
RODRIGO Y GABRIELA ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM ‘AREA 52′ RECORDED IN HAVANA WITH CUBAN ORCHESTRA
Mexican acoustic rock duo Rodrigo y Gabriela will release their new album on 20th January 2012. Entitled Area 52, the album is their first recorded collaboration with another group of musicians; a thirteen piece Cuban orchestra composed of some of Havana’s finest young players, collectively known as the C.U.B.A.
The album has been produced by Peter Asher, known for his work with James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, 10,000 Maniacs and Diana Ross. The album was co-produced by Rodrigo and mixed by Rafa Sardina, 25 times nominated (and 11 times winner) at the Latin Grammys.
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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 and The Brag. I started I Heart Guitar in 2008. I've been playing guitar since I was 8 years old, and I've been writing for magazines since I was 18 (I'm 33 now). I've also worked as a guitar teacher (up to 50 students a week) and a setup tech. I live in Melbourne, Australia. You can check out my guitar playing at Reverbnation or on YouTube.
You can email me at iheartguitarblog@gmail.com