You may have heard of Emerald Guitars because of their crazy creations such as the Ultra Guitar that Steve Vai took on tour recently or maybe because of their 9 String Fan Fret Carbon Fiber Acoustic? Well Emerald actually specialise in Carbon Fiber acoustics and very nice they look too, this particular creation called the Synergy HX7 is as the title above suggests a Harp Guitar with one piece carbon Monocoque construction.

“The Carbon fibre construction has allowed us to create a shape that is compact and comfortable to play yet still has a full strong acoustic voice across all the strings. This compact design not only makes it easier to play but also makes it the perfect instrument for a touring musician where space is at a premium and the carbon construction gives you the confidence to travel knowing temperature and humidity changes wont damage your instrument.

The Harp guitar has seen a resurgence in recent years due to players like Andy McKee, Michael Hedges and Muriel Anderson embracing the instrument to give another dimension to their music and it is our hope that with Synergy we can help bring the Harp guitar to a new generation of guitar players who want to bring a new level of creativity and expression to their playing.”

Here are the specs:
Overall weight 2.5kg / 5.5lbs
Overall length 950mm / 37.4”
Overall depth 110mm / 4.3”
Overall width 335mm / 13.2”

Sub bass scale lengths
680mm / 26.7”, 705mm / 27.8”, 730mm / 28.7”,
750mm / 29.5”, 770mm / 30.3”, 785mm / 31”

Guitar scale 615 / 24”
Tuners- gotoh 510 cosmo black
Nut and saddle – Graphtech
Bridge pins – Graphtech
Stainless steel frets
One piece carbon Monocoque construction
Dual action truss rod on guitar neck
Pickup – B-Band A2 endpin preamp with UST under both bridges and stereo output.

http://www.emeraldguitars.com/

Press Release
D’Angelico, one of the most highly respected names in guitars, has kicked off a major development regarding its top-selling line. Earlier this year, D’Angelico reissued a collection of entrancing, iconic, and classic guitar models that preserves John D’Angelico’s legacy. However, the line also explores new horizons such as basses, pedals (by Pigtronix), and soon, amps. The reissue campaign, suitably christened “Reborn”, is being heralded as one of the biggest line launches amongst the major guitar industry.

“We’ve spent the last year working tirelessly to bring these classic guitars back to life, while improving and expanding are product line to include more styles of guitars and basses. D’Angelico is a legacy of excellence and that reflects in every model and product we offer” says Brenden Cohen, CEO of D’Angelico Guitars. “Now music lovers, guitar players and guitar collectors everywhere have the chance to experience owning a product held to the D’Angelico standard of excellence for a surprisingly accessible price.”

The line includes a full range of handcrafted reissues of D’Angelico archtops, semi-hollows and solid bodies. All feature the spruce top, maple back, and stair-step pickguard and tailpiece that are quintessential D’Angelico design.

The “Reborn” line made their exciting debut at the industry-leading NAMM Show (Jan. 24 – Jan. 27, 2013), unveiling three new D’Angelico Standard Excel model reissues, including two single-cut guitars in Natural and Sunburst and a double-cut guitar in Cherry, White, Natural and Sunburst. Retail prices range from $1149 to $1419. A USA Masterbuilt 1942 Excel Reissue, the first in a series of limited edition USA Masterbuilt reissues being built for D’Angelico by acclaimed boutique luthier Gene Baker of Premier Builders Guild (PBG) in Arroyo Grande, California, was also introduced at this year’s NAMM convention. Baker’s reissues are based on extensive research that began with actual MRIs of the original 1942 Excel. The retail price has not yet been set. The result of this unveiling: the title of “#1 Product of NAMM 2013” in Guitar World magazine.

http://dangelicoguitars.com/

Teacher, Rebel, Songwriter, Rep.
Learn Guitar with David Brent.

I have a feeling this is going to be my favourite thing on YouTube ever. Ricky Gervais is bringing back everyone’s favourite Boss from Wernham Hogg for a series of videos called ‘Learn Guitar with David Brent’. Gervais recently tweeted that he was looking for a guitar for Brent and had found a vintage Martin guitar which you can see in the video above. Personally I don’t think Brent would have hit the mark quite as perfectly and maybe would have been talked into an inferior brand that was on sale but guaranteed that the quality was equal to that of a Martin. Just my two cents that noone will ever care about.

The tutorials will go out monthly on Ricky’s YouTube channel, and will feature complete versions of songs featured in The Office – classics such as The Serpent Who Guards The Gates Of Hell and The Spaceman.

http://rickygervais.com/
http://www.youtube.com/rickygervais

Best. Cover. Ever.

One of my favourite guitarists, Kiko Loureiro has just signed on as an endorsee for Ibanez Guitars. After many years working with Brazilian manufacturer Tagima Guitars I imagine Kiko felt that Ibanez could offer more which, as a musician trying to earn a living in the 21st Century, I can totally understand. Kiko is currently working with Ibanez on a signature model which will be released later this year.

Press Release
Ibanez is proud to introduce Kiko Loureiro to our artist roster. As a lead guitarist of the one of the most successful Brazilian progressive metal bands, Angra, Kiko has been highly praised internationally for his versatile and virtuosic guitar playing, gaining a reputation as a “player’s player” in the international guitarist scene. In addition to Angra, Kiko is quickly forging his own solo career, and is turning heads worldwide – specifically in his new home base of the United States. Kiko has released four exceptional solo albums so far (his latest titled Sounds of Innocence), in which he displays his rich ethnic background and skills as a guitarist, ranging from Latin, traditional Brazilian jazz, fusion, as well as metal.

http://kikoloureiro.com.br/

Check out my recent interview with Kiko Loureiro for The Guitar Noize Podcast: http://guitarnoize.com/the-guitar-noize-podcast-episode-13-kiko-loureiro/

Eric Johnson tests the Fender American Vintage ’59 Stratocaster.

http://www.fender.com/series/american-vintage/american-vintage-59-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst/

Left handed players often face a problem, either a reduced choice of instruments to choose from, flip a right handed guitar upside down and restring it upside down or learn to play right handed. A lot of players bite the bullet and learn to play right handed which must be very difficult, just try flipping your guitar and see how hard it is to fret with your right hand. Gaskell Guitars based in Australia was set up by Kevin Gaskell in 2006 in order to tackle this problem head on, none of their guitars are available in a right handed version this is a left handed ONLY guitar company.

Gaskell Guitars have a number of models available including the beautiful Hybrid Deluxe pictured above in a natural flamed Maple finish. It is also available in a flamed Maple charcoal finish or a solid black or red.

Gaskell started production with a few models that were always unavailable as left handed versions, check out their Models page and you will see some familiar shapes based on Explorers, Telecasters, Les Pauls, Firebirds and Rickenbackers and Bass players don’t worry, Kevin has thought of you too with the ThunderBass and X-Bass.

The latest news from Gaskell is that they are going to release a high end left handed Superstrat too:

“[The] Gaskell Superstrat guitar which will be available through Custom Shop to start with and will be ready by about mid 2013. We are calling it the “Eagle.” 24 frets, DiMarzio pickups, Hipshot tremolo bridge, Sperzel locking tuners, CRL electronics, highest quality figured tops, and our own unique Strat-style body and headstock shapes. This is going to be the very best left handed Superstrat guitar in the world.”

So if you are a lefty and frustrated by the choice from major manufacturers head over to http://www.gaskellguitars.com/.

Press Release
Fargen Amplification has introduced the third and final guitar amplifier model to complete its line of amps that pays homage to John Lennon. The Imagine series amplifier is boutique luxury at its best with only 51 pieces to be made.

The Imagine series amp is available in limited edition, and combines the finest woods, materials and components with a three-way Decade Switch to provide the ultimate collection of Lennon tone in one circuit. The Imagine amps are hand made in California, USA, built by Ben Fargen himself. The Decade Switch augments the previously-released 60’s and 70’s settings – with a third setting for 50’s Rock ‘n Roll tone … providing the guitarist with three amps in one. The amp also features a proprietary WGS Alnico JL-15 speaker, custom white components and a master built cabinet constructed from premium eastern soft maple with a Baltic birch baffle, finished in several coats of peaceful white and clear gloss lacquer. The Imagine series is now available through Fargen’s authorized dealers, priced at $5,999 MSRP.

“This amplifier represents the pinnacle of craftsmanship and design, in an exclusive boutique model geared-towards the discerning player,” says Ben Fargen, founder. “I’ve expanded the circuit from the Artist series to round out Lennon’s vintage tones with an additional 50’s setting. I couldn’t be prouder of our result.”

The three amplifier models, the Imagine series, Artist series and JL-15 Signature amps, will be complemented with a line of John Lennon effect pedals, to be announced in the near future.

Fargen has licensed the rights to produce this line, from Bag One Enterprises and Live Nation Merchandise, and is distributing this on its website, and through its network of authorized dealers including music instrument stores and art galleries. Details are available on the website and dealer inquiries are welcome.

For more information, please visit www.fargenamps.com

Joe Satriani discusses the new Premium version of his signature model Ibanez the JS24P.

For more information on the specifications of this guitar head over to Ibanez.com.

Seeing as today sees the release of Joe Satriani’s new album ‘Unstoppable Momentum’ it would seem a good time to check out the latest Ibanez signature models that Joe has been working on. Here Joe discusses the latest JSA20 and JSA5 Acoustic Guitars.

http://www.ibanez.com/