Eastwood Guitars teamed up with UK based graphic artist Vince Ray to create and release the Link Wray Tribute guitar.
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This instrument is a special tribute to Link Wray, described by many as the “Father of the Power Chord”, and hailed by many rock icons as a major influence to their music and playing style. Only 24 Link Wray Tribute guitars are scheduled for pre-production, scheduled for shipping on December 18, 2014 on a first come first served basis. Depending on the success of this pre-production line, more Link Wray Tribute guitars will be produced in April of the next year.
The highlight of this guitar is the special tribute graphic artwork by Vince Ray. The top artwork features Link Wray’s face along with guitars, cards, a knife, a classic car and other ’50s style graphics. Also written between the bridge and tailpiece is the phrase “THE RUMBLE KING”, a tribute to his guitar instrumental called “Rumble”. The back side of the guitar is also used as an art canvass by Vince, along with the guitar case.
Although not as well known as other guitar legends, many of the who’s who of rock guitar know Link Wray all too well. Pete Townshend, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page are just a few of the many players who acknowledge Wray’s legacy to rock guitar music.
If you’re not familiar with Rumble, check out the video snippet below where Jimmy Page talks about Link Wray and the instrumental Rumble.
Underneath the special graphic is a true workhorse instrument that’s built for reliable use. It has a basswood body carved into a retro-style single-cutaway shape, bound maple neck with rosewood fretboard. The guitar comes equipped with two Airline Vintage Voiced single-coil pickups that is designed to mimic the gritty tone heard on Wray’s iconic instrumental. The pickups are wired to a 3-way pickup selector with independent volume and tone knobs for each pickup.
Other features include professional grade tuners, pots, custom tailpiece, black pin stripped headstock and a Vince Ray nameplate logo. Eastwood Guitars concludes by saying, “This is a true gem of an instrument for any rock centric guitarist or collector.
As usual, RJ Ronquillo is tasked to put the guitar to its paces and he does it with the same impressive flare and technique as the other Eastwood Guitar Demos.
Eastwood Guitars Founder and President Mike Robinson said, “When I found out that Vince was a Link Wray fanatic like me, I knew we had to make the perfect playing tribute to the most underrated guitarist of our time and this is the real deal.”
The new Eastwood Link Wray Tribute Guitar is set to sell for $799, and set for an initial release of 24 guitars on December 18. Head over to Eastwood Guitars for more information.
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I have 2 Link Wray tribute guitars/case that I purchased some 8 years ago. These are NEW and unopened in the box. 24 or these were made. If interested email.