– Press Release

Marshall Amplification and Sweetwater are honoring neoclassical guitar god Yngwie Malmsteen with the auction of a Marshall amplifier autographed by Yngwie himself. Proceeds from the sale of the amp will go to MusiCares, a non-profit foundation that is assisting musicians victimized by last year’s hurricanes.

The auction for the Marshall MG15DFX amplifier will be held on Sweetwater’s website, http://www.sweetwater.com, and runs from May 1 to 2:00 p.m. (EDT) June 1, 2006. Malmsteen autographed the amp in gold and added his trademark phrase, “Play Loud!”

Yngwie Malmsteen is currently touring the United States and Canada in support of his two recent projects, the Unleash the Fury CD and the Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra DVD. Unleash the Fury has been receiving rave reviews from critics and fans alike and has even been hailed as one of his best works to date. Also released last year was Yngwie’s long-awaited Concerto Suite for Electric Guitar and Orchestra DVD, which was filmed in 2001 with the New Japan Philharmonic, conducted by Taizo Takemoto. Malmsteen has performed his concerto suite live with an orchestra just seven times. An interview with Malmsteen is included as a special bonus feature.

MusiCares was established by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 1989. Its mission is to ensure that music people have a place to turn in times of need. The MusiCares Hurricane Relief Fund was set up so those impacted by Hurricane Katrina can get help. Assistance includes basic living expenses such as shelter, food, utilities, transportation, medical expenses, clothing, relocation costs, school supplies for students, insurance payments, and more. MusiCares is also a proud partner with the Edge, Gibson Guitars, and others in Music Rising, a program designed specifically to provide replacement musical instruments and accessories for those affected by the hurricanes.

Sweetwater President Chuck Surack said, “We’re honored to host this charity auction. Yngwie’s exceptional talent and musical genius have profoundly influenced guitarists and non-guitarists all over the world. This Marshall amp deserves to be in the hands of a true Yngwie Malmsteen fan.”

For further information visit http://www.sweetwater.com