Guitarsite News

Ibanez introduces first-ever JEM and JS Left-Handed Models

Ibanez has debuted the new, much-anticipated left-handed JEM7VLWH and JS1200CAL. The White finish JEM7VWHL has all the great details of its right-handed counterpart: 5pc Maple/Walnut JEM Prestige neck, Edge Pro bridge, Pearl/Abalone vine inlay, DiMarzio Evolution pickups, and trademark monkey grip! The Candy Apple finish JS1200CAL features a Maple JS Prestige neck, Edge Pro bridge, and DiMarzio PAF-JOE and FRED pickups. The JEM7VLWH List: $3,999.99 Available finish: WH-White Body material: Alder Neck material: 5pc Maple/Walnut Neck Scale/Type: 25.5/JEM Prestige No. Frets/Type: 24/6105 Fingerboard: Rosewood Inlay: Pearl/Abalone Vine Inlay Bridge: Edge Pro Bridge H/W Color: Gold Neck Pickup: DiMarzio Evolution DP158 Middle Pickup: DiMarzio Evolution DPS1 Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio Evolution DP159 Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case List: Included The JS1200CAL List: $2,799.99 Available Finish: CA-Candy Apple Body Material: Basswood Neck Material: Maple Neck Scale/Type: 25.5/JS Prestige No. Frets/Type: 22/6105 Fingerboard: Rosewood Inlay: Abalone dot inlay Bridge: Edge Pro Bridge H/W Color: Gold Neck Pickup: DiMarzio PAF-JOE Bridge Pickup: DiMarzio FRED Case: Deluxe Hardshell Case List: Included For more information, please visit www.ibanez.com This is a Press Release Related Article: Ibanez Steve Vai Signature Jem 77WDP CNL iGuitar9.13 Left Handed Gretsch G5420LH Electromatic Left Handed Cheap Left Handed Guitars

Read More »

Duane Eddy Signature Gretsch – Now Available

In the late 1950s and early 1960s Duane Eddy had a string of hit records noted for their characteristically “twangy” sound, including “Rebel Rouser”, “Peter Gunn”, and “Because They’re Young”. In 2012 Gretsch were named “Best Hollow-Body Guitar“. Duane would be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Duane Eddy was actually the first ever rock and roll guitarist to have a signature model guitar. Guild Guitars introduced the Duane Eddy Models DE-400 and the deluxe DE-500. A limited edition of the DE-500 model was reissued briefly in 1983 to mark Eddy’s 25th anniversary in the recording industry. Gretsch Guitars originally started production of the Duane Eddy Signature Model, the Gretsch 6120-DE, which is based upon the “Chet Atkins 6120”. And Gretsch are re-releasing his signature guitar based on his original G6120. It features Twin Dyna’Sonic pickups, TRU-ARC “Rocking” bar bridge, Lacquer finish and special neck & headstock profile replicated from Duane’s original G6120. The body is made from 3 Ply Maple with parallel tone bars and trestle bracing. It has a medium sized 22 frets, on a 2 piece maple neck with rosewood on the fretboard. No corners have been cut, the tuning machines are

Read More »

Gibson Les Paul Standard 2012

Gibson decided to make big changes on the popular Gibson Les Paul Standard, now comes with new split coil pickups and a modern weight relieved mahogany body. Finishes: Trans Black, Fireball, Tea Burst, Trans Amber Les Paul fans will be in for a surprise with the wide palette of electronics and tones now built in to the Les Paul 2012 Standard guitar. The last update for the Les Paul Standard happened in 2008, and this time around they decided to make big changes on the electronics and the body. The most prominent change on the Les Paul Standard is the addition of Dual Burstbuucker Pro Split Coil pickups. You can now split each humbucker to get great single coil tone with the pull of a knob. The new electronic configuration also gives lets you control the phase via the neck pickup’s tone control knob. Another unique feature is a sort of bridge pickup “boost” which lets the audio signal bypass the circuit and let it go directly to the output jack. The 2012 Les Paul Standard features a modern weight relieved mahogany body – it employs a new method of body chambering that results in a slightly heavier guitar with

Read More »

Fender American Standard Series 2012

Fender’s 2012 American Standard Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass and Jazz Bass now feature Fender Custom Shop Pickups. Aside from the new pickup upgrades, these popular U.S.A. made go-to instruments also showcase subtle design improvements. The American Standard Stratocaster is one of the few guitar models that made it to almost a household name status. The plastic parts now come with an aged look, which many found appalling but forgivable. The main change however is the installation of full-sounding Fender Custom Shop Fat ’50s pickups. The superstrat version American Standard Stratocaster HSS will also receive the same face-lift with aged plastic parts and Fender Custom Shop Fat ’50s single coils for the middle and neck position, the only difference is that it will have a Diamondback humbucking bridge pickup for added power and output. Thankfully the lefties are not left behind because these upgrades are also available in a left handed version. American Standard Stratocaster The American Standard Telecaster had better upgrades in my opinion, it is now more sexier and comfortable with its improved body contour. Fender also introduced new “crispy” pickups – the classic sounding Fender Custom Shop Twisted Tele for the neck and Broadcaster for the bridge. Left-handed

Read More »

Boss GT-001 Desktop Guitar Processor

Boss introduces the GT-001, a tabletop guitar processor and USB audio interface designed for home studios. Related Feature:Boss RC-300 Loop Station It is a compact USB audio interface version of the flagship GT-100 v2.0 multi-effects floor pedal, with support for 1/4″ and XLR inputs to meet the needs of modern desktop and mobile DAW recording. Boss GT-001 houses the same COSM technology Sound Engine as Boss’ most powerful guitar processor. The two units are so alike they can share user patches. You get the same wide collection of modeled amps, from vintage to modern sounding ones, and it includes the new BGNR UB Metal and ORNG Rock Reverb amps, which were added in the Version 2.0 update. Aside from modeled amps, the unit also features a multitude of effects, including overdrives, distortions, mod effects, delays, reverbs, pitch shifters and many more. Even the brand’s Multi-Dimensional Processing or MDP technology effects are included, namely the Tera Echo, Overtone and A-Dist. To accommodate modern home recording needs, Boss added in a rotary effect and acoustic guitar simulators. To better personalize your tone, the GT-001 features dual effects chains with flexible serial or parallel routing options. The official description says, “You can blend

Read More »

Boss GP-10 Guitar Processor

Boss GP-10 is a compact multi-effects and instrument modeling pedal, featuring Roland GK pickup compatibility. Related Feature:Boss DA-2 Adaptive Distortion This compact guitar processor packs a wide variety of sounds, including traditional COSM amp and effects modeling, and real-time sound synthesis thanks to Roland’s GK pickup technology that can process each string separately. First and foremost, the GP-10 is a multi-effects unit. The standard 1/4-inch input allows guitars with magnetic/piezo pickups to access the COSM amp modeling and multi-effects section. To ensure sonic quality, this section features modeled amp and effects that are based on the brand’s flagship model GT-100. There are 30 different amp models at your disposal, including classic combos, vintage stacks, and modern high-gain amps. It also comes with modeled bass and acoustic guitar amps for added versatility. According to the official description, “the amps in the GP-10 deliver organic, responsive tone, with adjustable settings to vary the natural compression and playing feel”. All the GP-10’s amps can be used with either normal guitars or those equipped with a GK pickup. The GP-10 can also double as an effects processor for any guitar gig, thanks to its wide selection of guitar effects. This includes overdrives, distortions, modulation

Read More »

Boss SY-300 Guitar Synthesizer – Musikmesse 2015

Roland introduces the new Boss SY-300 Guitar Synthesizer, an analog style synthesizer effect pedal for guitar. Related Feature:MIDI Guitar Pickup Guide Unlike their previous synthesizer effect which required special MIDI pickups, the SY-300 works fine with regular guitar signals that are captured by conventional pickups – . This convenient method of getting synth effects is made possible by the latest technology of BOSS, allowing the SY-300 to reproduce latency-free polyphonic synth sounds with any guitar, removing the need to carry an extra MIDI equipped guitar just to add synth effects into your sound. This convenience gives owners of traditional guitars and effects the chance to expand their sonic palette to include synth like tones without having to make any modifications to their instrument or rig. All you have to do is plug-in the standard 1/4″ cable from your guitar straight into the pedal, and you can get a wide variety of synth effects. It also comes equipped with other I/O options to make it easier to integrate into any guitar rig. According to Boss, “Powered by ultra-fast DSP and newly developed innovations from the BOSS engineering team, the SY-300 performs its amazing synth magic in real time, with no lag

Read More »

Boss VE-8 Acoustic Singer – Preamp & Effects for Acoustic Guitar

Boss unveils the VE-8 Acoustic Singer, a preamp and effects solution for acoustic guitar wielding singer-songwriters. Related Feature:Acoustic Guitar Multi-Effects! This pedal combines essential guitar and vocal effects along with looping functionality, all in a portable floor unit. This simplifies what otherwise would be a complicated rig, while still giving you in depth control over your the resulting sound of both your voice and instrument. The VE-8 showcases the company’s years of experience in guitar, vocal and looper effect building, carrying over the same technology they used on their other pedals and combined them all into a convenient bundle that meets the need of singers who play acoustic guitars. Interestingly, Boss was able to fit complex audio processing technology into this compact pedal, while maintaining a straightforward set of controls that continues to be the trademark of the company. The guitar channel of the new Boss VE-8 comes with multiple sound shaping effects, most notable of which is the Acoustic Resonance feature which you can use to reduce the piezo quack of undersaddle pickup equipped acoustic-electric guitars. This results in a fuller more natural sounding acoustic tone. Essential effects like chorus and reverb are available, just remember to apply them

Read More »

Boss Waza Craft TU-3W Tuner

Boss expands their Waza Craft series pedal with the TU-3W Chromatic Tuner, with switchable buffered or true-bypass operation. Related Feature:Best Guitar Tuner Apps This new tuner pedal is launched alongside three other tuners, including a more compact pedal, a clip-on tuner, and a tuner with metronome unit, all of which feature the latest tuning technology that the company can offer.. What made Boss a literal boss in the pedal market is their reliability and long line of products, and this time around, the company is upping the ante yet again with the TU-3W tuner. This tuner is part of their premium Waza Craft line, which are essentially hot-rodded versions of their popular stompboxes, competing against the many boutique pedal builders that have been essentially cloning and modding Boss pedals and releasing them as their own. The Waza Craft TU-3W Chromatic Tuner is described as a special-edition tuner pedal, with refined features to make it easier to use and implement into complex rigs. It carries over the core functions of the original TU-3, which is to provide quick and accurate chromatic tuning. The update that this pedal brings has more to do with improved signal transfer, allowing for pure uncolored signal

Read More »

Boss GT-1 Guitar Multi-Effects Processor

The new Boss GT-1 compact multi-effects processor is now available, with a retail price of $199. Related Feature:Boss Katana Amplifiers This is the latest guitar processor to come out from Boss production line, and as such it carries over their latest amp modeling technology and interface improvements, but packed in a portable floor unit. Boss describes this pedal as being powered by their flagship GT-series engine, which means that it provides the same sound-shaping qualities as its bigger and more expensive siblings. For its size, the GT-1 comes with 108 effects, more than enough to cover virtually any musical styles. Included in its modeled effects lineup are classic Boss stompboxes like the OD-1, along with other popular pedals from other manufacturers. Various effect types are well represented, including Delay, Reverb, Modulation, Wah, Fuzz, Distortion and more. In addition to effects, this pedal has a plethora of amp models that were taken from their COSM library, while the amps were not listed specifically, you can expect it to cover most of the popular American and British tube amps, along with some high-gain models. If effects and amp modeling is not enough, the GT-1 also comes with a 32-second phrase looper to

Read More »

Boss Katana Amplifiers

Boss has a new line of combo and head amplifiers called Katana, multi-channel solid-state amplifiers with built-in effects. Related Feature:Best Guitar Amps for Under $500 This new amp line is a follow up to the Waza amplifier, and it is the company’s attempt to provide guitarists with a versatile amplifier that does not compromise quality and response, while keeping the price tag reasonable. It’s interesting that Boss is now coming up with their own amps, especially when considering that these will be going head to head with the amplifiers that their mother company, Roland, also builds. Thankfully, rock tones are mentioned a number of times in the press release, somewhat emphasizing that this amp is a different tool meant for overdriven tones, compared to Roland’s reputation for clean tones. The name Katana is derived from the traditional sword that was carried by the historic Samurai of Japan. It symbolizes precision, artistry and honor in Japanese culture, a fitting description to what Boss wanted to achieve out of the newly developed circuits that they implemented in each Katana amplifier. Boss expounds, “Adopting the majestic sword’s name with pride, the Katana amps deliver smooth, cutting rock tones honed by generations of BOSS

Read More »

Vox StompLab Series – Compact Multi-Effects

Vox introduces the StompLab Series, four compact multi-effect pedals packed with modeled amps and effects. StompLab 2G The StompLab 1G is meant for guitars with the StompLab 2G having an onboard expression pedal. Bassists can go for StompLab 1B or the expression pedal equipped StompLab 2B. Vox designed the StompLab series to be as small and compact as possible without sacrificing sound and features. Their sizes make them easy to carry around as they conveniently fit into a regular gig bag. They can also be easily integrated into pedalboards. Although they are small, these multi-effects units pack quite a punch with over 100 amp modeling and effects for the StompLab 1G and 60 total effects for the StompLab 1B. The StompLab series feature a sound engine that is based on Vox VT+ series of modeling amps, and their ToneLab series multi-effects. It comes with 100 presets and will let you save 20 of your own effect patches. Out of the many effects included in each new multieffect pedal, you can use up to 8 effect models simultaneously. StompLab 1G and 1B Tweaking multi-effect units can be a bit confusing to some so to make it easier to use, Vox implemented

Read More »

Line 6 Helix Guitar Processor

Line 6 unveils new flagship guitar processor Helix, featuring expanded dual-DSP processing and improved controls. Related Feature:Line 6 POD HD v2.6 Update This new multi-effects and amp modeling guitar processor will be taking over the lead position in Line 6’s product line up, offering the latest technology that the company has to offer. Considered as a giant leap forward in guitar processing, Line 6 says that Helix will provide a big improvement over the their previous HD modeling technology. Both the hardware and software was improved to better recreate the dynamic feel of tube amplifiers and the sonic textures of classic effects pedals. The most notable improvement introduced in Helix is the new HX modeling engine, which utilizes dual-DSP processing. This allows for a level of realism that was not possible from their older HD modeling technology. The improved modeling technology is matched by the improved control interface which work together to provide a new playing experience when compared to their older multi-effects floor pedals. Line 6 President Marcus Ryle said, “Helix is the start of a new chapter in the way guitarists relate to technology. Line 6 has spent over twenty years refining and evolving modeling technology. With Helix,

Read More »

Keeley Dark Side Multi-Effects Pedal

Keeley celebrate their 15th anniversary this month with a new multi-effects unit called the Dark Side pedal. Related Feature:Best Multi-Effects Pedals This pedal is part of the company’s Workstation Series, all of which offer multiple effects in a compact form factor, while maintaining the same boutique hand-made quality that Keeley Electronics is known for. The new Dark Side pedal is a multi-effect unit that combines fuzz, modulation and delay in a single stompbox. The name of the pedal and the effects included are easy hints to this pedal’s inspiration, the renowned Pink Floyd album Dark Side of the Moon. While the company doesn’t explicitly say it is, many will see this one as a single pedal solution for those who want to utilize the complex sonic textures that David Gilmour employed on the seminal album that helped defined the classic psychedelic guitar sound. The fuzz section of the pedal is described as a transparent sounding big fuzz effect based on a 1977 op-amp unit. To get the sound that they wanted, Keeley and his team made quite a lot of changes to the circuit to replicate the sound of earlier transistor based fuzz effects. The company expounds, “This one lets

Read More »

Zoom MS-100BT MultiStomp Pedal with Bluetooth

Zoom introduces their latest regular-sized multi-effect pedal, the MS-100BT MultiStomp, featuring amp modeling, effects and Bluetooth iOS connectivity. This pedal aims to combine the power of digital sound processing, versatility of patch loading via bluetooth and the convenience of stompbox design for easy integration into your existing pedalboard. This new pedal is expected to compete against existing compact multi-effects pedals like the iStomp and iRig Stomp – but with its own unique interface and approach towards patch and preset downloading. At the core of the MS-100BT is Zoom’s amp and effects modeling technology. Although it looks small and unassuming, this pedal lets you pick between the 92 Stombox and 8 amp models come with the pedal. You can also mix and match up to six effects simultaneously to create your signature sound or cover popular guitar tones. You can also create and store up to 50 original patches for quick tone reference. If the factory-installed effects and amp models are not enough, the Zoom MS-100BT MultiStomp has the ability to download patches and effects wirelessly via Bluetooth. It has a matching iOS app called StompShare, available on the Apple Appstore which you can download onto your iPad, iPhone or iPod

Read More »

Zoom G3Xn and Zoom G3n Multi-Effects Pedals

Zoom expands their multi-effects lineup with the new G3Xn and G3n, with upgraded features and intuitive controls.     Related Feature:Best Multi-Effects Pedals   This two new multi-effects processors are fitted with Zoom’s latest DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology without complicating the controls, thanks to its easy to use stombox like layout. Zoom built their reputation on their affordable multi-effects, and both the G3Xn and G3n follow after their tried and tested formula – which is to make practical, versatile and affordable multi-effects pedals. These two next generation G3 units are designed to provide virtually all the essential effects needed for making conventional music, and it does so while keeping the price and the bulk low, a convenient alternative to the usual bulky multi-effects processors or the even heavier old school pedalboard setup.   As expected, both units are packed to the brim with features, focusing mostly on effects (70 DSP effects), which distinguishes them from the usual amp modeling packed floor processors that manufacturers have been releasing. To be exact, there are 68 effects that include digital recreations of various dirt pedals (overdrive, distortion, fuzz), compression and EQ units, modulation effects (flanging, phasing, vibrato, and chorusing), delay, reverb and

Read More »

Seymour Duncan Mark Holcomb Alpha & Omega Pickups

Seymour Duncan unveils the Mark Holcomb Alpha & Omega pickups, a pair of humbuckers ideal for progressive metal. Related Feature:Seymour Duncan Dimebag Set These new pickups are especially designed to meet the guitar virtuoso’s tone requirements, having just the right amount of articulation and output to give Mark his ideal tone as he plays for the band Periphery. Periphery is not your straightforward “chug chug” metal band, employing a mixture of technically complex rhythms and quick switching between low frequency riffs and high note melodies. Their unique style requires pickups that have the right amount of flexibility without compromising tone, and so Mark and the Seymour Duncan team worked closely to achieve the artist’s demand for precision, quality and versatility. This resulted in two humbucker pickups that are specifically designed to handle Mark’s neck position and bridge position tone needs. Instead of simply having two identical pickups for the bridge and neck position, they specifically designed the two pickups for their respective positions, and each one ended up being truly distinct from each other, while still being able to blend well together when in middle position. According to Mark, the two pickups are really unique, satisfying the goals that he

Read More »

3D Guitar Pickups

Natural Stereo & Natural Mono – A new 12 coil pickup technology Regular mono pickup coil positions only reads the Y axis of the string movement. 3Dxy technology uses 12 coils to read 6 strings, and read both axis (X and Y), that means vertical and horizontal string movement. In 3Dxy system each string has two coils. Both coils make a 90º angle, and read the string position in the space. Each coil reads a different signal but complementary. When we hear both signals in a stereo sound system it produces a natural surround sensation 3D. This is what we call “natural stereo”. The 3Dxy natural mono is produced by adding both L and R channels resulting from a 3Dxy natural stereo pickup. The resulting natural mono signal has all the details of the 3Dxy natural stereo, but we loose the surround 3D feature. We can say that natural mono is more rich than traditional mono, because now we have complete string vibration information (X and Y axis). The 3Dxy pickups output level and sensibility is grater than old mono pickups. This is because 3Dxy pickups have more spins in a grater number of coils (two in one string). 3Dxy

Read More »

Fishman Fluence Carpenter and Townsend Signature Pickups

Fishman releases two new Fluence signature pickups, co-designed by Stephen Carpenter and Devin Townsend. Fishman Fluence Stephen Carpenter Related Feature:Affordable Guitar Pickups These electric guitar pickup sets showcase how Fishman’s unique Fluence can be customized to accommodate the needs of modern players, specifically for those who play high-gain metal like Stephen and Devin. The Fishman Fluence is described as a total re-imagining of the electric guitar pickup design, a departure from good old wound pickups that were first introduced in 1934. These pickups utilize an innovative design that allows for a second voicing option, which lets you switch between two different tones. The technology behind this pickup is a quite straightforward, instead of having wires wound over a magnet, Fishman printed the coils on to a circuit board. This means that each production pickup is consistent, and at the same time, it conveniently deals with the hum, noise and tone loss that’s usually associated with older pickups. Capacitance issues are also dealt with via its active electronics. Since the coils are printed on a circuit board, Fishman can then copy great sounding pickups by simply analyzing its component and wounding. This compact design also allows for multiple voices, but for

Read More »

Seymour Duncan High Voltage Humbucker

Seymour Duncan reveals more information on the Custom Shop High Voltage humbucker used in Angus Young’s SG. Related Feature:Seymour Duncan Saturday Night Special Pickups With AC/DC’s reputation for outstanding straight-to-amp rock and roll tones, many guitar players are curious as to what pickups they were using. The secret is now out thanks to a recent interview with the band’s guitar techs, who revealed intimate details about Angus Young’s main touring guitars, including the artist’s use of custom made Seymour Duncan pickups. Without specifically name dropping, the company describes this pickup as being developed for one of rock’s most iconic guitar players. But we do know him to be Angus Young, and the story goes that he was looking of a dirty and mean sounding pickup with vintage style tonalities. So Seymour Duncan custom made a set for him, with some similarities to their Pearly Gates pickup but substantially different. The press release describes the pickup as being very clean and bluesy, with some of the low end trimmed, ideal for driving cranked Marshall amplifiers – much like how Angus would. Seymour Duncan expounds: “One of the keys to the High Voltage sound is the selection of specifically calibrated Alnico II

Read More »