Strat-O-Blogster Guitar Gear Blog Site

ESP Navigator Seymour Duncan Professional S-Type

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:54:00 +0000

Prize MIJ Guitar Finds...

DS-200 Professional Series

2 piece ash body

Ever seen one of these? Here's some background according to the ESP info page at guitarsjapan.com :

"ESP luthiers also made a lesser-known brand under the name of “Seymour Duncan," from the mid-1990s until 2004. You won’t find them in any ESP catalog or anywhere on-line, except maybe in Japanese guitar shops that specialize in used guitars. Seymour Duncan is written as the actual logo on the headstock of these guitars. There are two different series of Seymour Duncans; the "professional series," which sold between $2,000 - $3,000, and the "traditional series," which was marketed in the $900 - $1,500 price range. The traditional series featured SD SSL-1 pickups while the more expensive professional series came with SD Alnico II single coil pickups. If a guitar is from the traditional series, it will say so on the headstock. If it just says “Seymour Duncan,” then it is the more expensive model. ESP only made Fender replicas under the Seymour Duncan brand. The most common model numbers were DS-100, DS-180, DS-200 and DS-280 Pro for Stratocasters, DT-100, DT-200 and DT-280Pro for Telecasters."

The Koiz Guitar - Japan based eBay Store (Ships to US) currently lists this guitar along with many other MIJ lines, i.e. Bacchus, Tokai, Edwards (ESP), etc.

Search MIJ Guitars

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

New Van Halen Rocks Like 1984 in '79!

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:19:00 +0000

"When was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?"

If Robert Downey Jr. can come back strong, so can Van Halen with Diamond Dave!

So Sammy Hagar can stand down anytime now. Van Halen's "A Different Kind of Truth" is serious business! Yes, the boys are back. Although I was skeptical with the initial pre-release videos featuring Dave's Tattoo dancin' business, along with a couple cheezy choruses here and there-- OVERALL, this album rocks hard and fast!

And you don't wanna re-hash any issues or swallow too many reviews, positive or negative, before YOU listen to the whole thing. Anyone who recalls how tired VH 3 with Gary Cherone was, need not worry here. The boys really rolled up their sleeves and worked hard not to embarrass Wolfie. The lad can be very proud of Papa, Unca Al and their crazy war buddy, Dave.

We won't review the tracks here so you can decide for yourself. Just listen to the album! Play it back to back with Chickenfoot and see which one pales.

Van Halen 2012 TICKETS!

Now all Van Halen needs to do is debut their own line of "Fair Warning Tequila"! You saw that here first kids...

Replacement Necks Strat & Tele

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:55:00 +0000

MusiKraft, AllParts, Fender, Moses Graphite, MityMite, Vintage

Image: Jamerson-Guitars aka Musikraft

Thinking about a neck upgrade? Lots of cool options are available! CLICK HERE for a few resources we've discovered.

Suhr Modern Carve Top - Denim & Roast

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:51:00 +0000

Trans Blue Denim Slate Flametop

Roasted Maple Neck

"She had a West Coast strut, that was sweet as molasses..."

That top really does look like worn jeans! And Suhr's famous roasted maple neck compliments things perfectly here.

Humbucking, Part 2 by ZZ TOP on Grooveshark

Weighing in at 7 - 7.3 lbs, she comes with stainless jumbo frets on a 10-14" radius modern elliptical neck. Gotoh 510 trem and Sperzels for hdwr and Suhr JST zebra humbuckers with a push pull split for the bridge. The backside is finished in black, and the front binding is scraped to the maple.

Guitar Emporium of Louisville, KY is listing this guitar as new. They're a 100% seller with 3K+ feedback and other hi-end gear listings you might also wanna check out.

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Fender's Machete Amp - Ok With Danny Trejo?

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Coulda Been a Badass Pair...

The ultimate relic face!

Obviously, it would have been exciting to see Danny Trejo promoting Fender's new Machete amp. Maybe something like this was considered, but just didn't work out. I mean, everybody loves Danny Trejo, right? Hopefully there's no bad blood between Trejo and FMIC, and we won't be hearin' about Danny ridin' into Scottsdale, thru the front doors on that chopper with the gun turret. Damn!

www.fender.com/en-GB/products/machete

Fender Combos @ Musician's Friend

AMP SEARCHES - New, Vintage, Hi-end & Boutique

Fender Strat Masterbuilt Champagne Sparkle - Friday Strat #246

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:15:00 +0000

Greg Fessler Masterbuilt - New!

Relic neck finish & stretch mark checking

Masterbuilt insignia

Click images for close-ups!

Just signed off on Dec. 13, 2011, this lucky Champagne Sparkle Strat comes with 2 COA's for covering all the major components. Pickups include a 69 neck, Fat 50's middle and Texas Special bridge. Neck is 9.5" radius modern "flat oval" with 6105's in rosewood on quartersawn maple. Body is 2 piece light alder.

It's a Relic Masterbuilt by Greg Fessler. These distressed nitro sparkle finishes really show the "stretch marks" effect as you can see by clicking the top pic. Headstock face is also Champagne Sparkle-- and caviar dreams.

Wild West Guitars of Riverside, CA lists this one. They gotta lotta nice guitars right now, including a Suhr Trans Blue Denim S-type you should also check out!

Friday Strat Archive

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Vintage Fender 1961 Strat - Vibrolux Pair

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Together Forever...

Obviously, I'm in a vintage mood this week. And this really completes the mood for sure!

Kev's Guitarville of Seattle currently lists this lovely old couple who have been together from the very start. Yeah, you can tell Valentines Day is comin' up. Ain't this sweet? Purchased together in 1961, the pair include OHSC, paperwork, manual and even the original cord. I wish the seller would give us more background story, but they are 100% feedback with 1500 score and lots of hi-end, vintage gear listings.

Probably one of those only played in church scenarios. Whatever the case, serious collectors will wanna check into this one!

Oh yeah, so what's the deal with Seattle gear dealers and the name "Guitarville"? It's startin' to get like "Ray's Pizza" in NYC!

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Fender Pawn Shop Excelsior Amp Demo

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:17:00 +0000

Great Demo Vid!

Demo videos keep getting better and better-- except for mine that is. This one is funny, and very well done!

Fender's new Excelsior, just introduced at Winter NAMM 2012, is part of their Pawn Shop amp line. This very retro lookin' little thing surprisingly sports a 15" speaker, and runs at about 13W using two 6V6's and a couple 12AX7's in the preamp stage. AND it even has Tremolo! No reverb though-- BUT, for $300 you can't beat it!

So take it into the bathroom if you need some verb!

Excelsior @ Musician's Friend

AMP RESOURCES

Duncan Antiquity Loaded Strat Pickguards!

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:24:00 +0000

Texas Hots - Aged, Numbered and Signed by Seymour

Any day now the folks at Seymour Duncan will be releasing Antiquity loaded pickguards. They will be aged, numbered and signed by Seymour. Antiquity Texas Hot coils are Duncan's classic Strat pickups. Eric Johnson had them in one of his touring Strats as he mentioned in a fairly recent backstage video interview by Premier Guitar. These feature the RWRP middle.

The STRATosphere stocks lots of cool loaded pickguard configs, including Duncan, Fralin and Fender Custom Shop. They'll be getting Antiquity Texas Hot pickguards soon!

Magneto Guitars - Eric Gales Endorsed!

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:08:00 +0000

USA Guitar Market Taking Notice

In 2011 Magneto Guitars made good inroads with the American guitar market; taking on endorsements with Eric Gales and fusion phenom Bryan Baker.

Fresh from Winter NAMM 2012, the above video features great jam footage of Gales with Tomo Fujita, along with flashes of Baker tossed in. Narrated by Magneto founder, Christian Hatstatt, the clip also provides a view of their small, luxury boutique line of fine crafted guitars based on the S-type, T-type and LP platforms.

Magneto Guitars is a partnership between France based designer Christian Hatstatt and veteran luthier Kei Yatsuzuka in Japan. They produce their guitar line in Japan, using top hardware, electronics and woods. Some woods and components are USA produced, along with Sen Ash grown in Japan.

Full specs & details are available at: Magnetoguitars.com

Contact Kelcey @ Custom Guitar Boutique for USA/Canada availability & quotes.

Andy Timmons - Sgt. Peppers Videos

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:53:00 +0000

Serious Beatles Covers!

Although Andy Timmons' Sgt Peppers cover album has been out since October 2011, there is some fresh buzz about it with yesterday's video upload (01/31/12). In fact, I must admit not even knowing about this release until yesterday-- now I'm getting beat up by a fellow guitar blogger.

You'd expect Vai, Satch or even Eric Johnson to do something like this. Or maybe someone with the initials "G. H." to stink up the Peppers bad with some kinda wacky Looney Tunes spin...

Timmons offers up a fine, fat, earthy and toneful execution! All tunes are single guitar track-- no overdubs. He spent 2 years arranging it this way.

I mean seriously folks, who could imagine an instrumental power trio rendition of Strawberry Fields Forever this spot-on melodically and dynamically? Consider that the Sgt. Peppers album was a major landmark in studio indulgence. Major kudos to Timmons for working out the essentials into this arrangement. Then there's the rest of the album! Timmons is one badass mofo of a musician folks! Given some decent marketing and networking, this project could be a major boost for Andy, who can otherwise seem lost in a today's sea of instrumental shredders.

AndyTimmonsOfficial - Youtube Channel

Harmony Central Channel - More Timmons/ Sgt Peppers video content here.

www.andytimmons.com

Note: I know, I used the word "major" like 3 times.

LSL CV Special - Vintage White

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:24:00 +0000

"Llana"

Memphis based LSL dealer Martin Music currently lists this Carl Verheyen signature model in vintage white. And "Llana" is her name.

Lana sports the Verheyen floating trem set up on a tension adjustable Wilkinson unit, as well as the rounded fingerboard edges they call "Lowered Apex" with a 7.25" radius. The medium "C" is hand shaped after Carl's '61 Strat. The body is alder, finish is nitro and body is alder weighing in at just over 7 lbs. Frets are 6105's, and pickups are Carl's design, wound by LSL.

Basically, this is a Strat-o-gasm! Seriously folks, there's nothing but rave buzz out there on LSL guitars. And if FCS was making this, the price would be triple. There's no better time to acquire an LSL!

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Old School Blues With Gary Clark Jr.

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:33:00 +0000

"Don't Owe You a Thang"

I first saw Gary Clark Jr. in vids from the most recent Crossroads Fest, where he shared the stage with Doyle Bramhall II. Although it seems like the new Blues generation is mostly white people, and that young black musicians are more interested in other genres, Clark can make it seem like we haven't really heard any Blues in awhile.

No disrespect intended to all the contemporary Blues artists who dedicate their lives to the music. It's just that Gary Clark Jr. has that old strong ammonia piss vibe that just hit the city and plugged into an amp for the first time so many decades ago. And he shows up from some trans-dimensional time rift; like the guy walkin' his dog in a Kurt Vonnegut book. But mostly, this just hits me like hot jet blast on a carrier deck!

Discover more:

www.garyclarkjr.com
www.youtube.com/user/garyclarkjr

62 Vintage Strat, Eric Johnson Owned - For Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 06:00:00 +0000

62 EJ Stratocaster Available-- AGAIN!

Lot's of official documents included too!

1/30/12 Note: This guitar was originally sold in Sept, 2010 by the same seller. We inquired about this, and confirmed the guitar is available once again.

Minnesota based vintage Strat maven merchant extreme Ed Matthews aka "Eddie Vegas" just listed yet another vintage Strat of Eric Johnson lineage. I think this is the 4th one I've seen in as many years...

But if there's any doubt, just know that Ed's eBay feedback is 100%, with a 3K plus score. And he always has plenty of serious vintage Fender inventory.

This '62, formerly owned by Eric Johnson (due diligence!) has been featured frequently throughout EJ's career, and dissected by Fender seeking secrets from the old mystics of the non-filter ciggy era. Anyway, Ed's price is $90K, and he doesn't care if he has to sit on it past the Mayan calendar expiration. He also doesn't want any calls from "tire kickers". I spoke to Ed one time-- ya gotta get those questions asked QUICK, before he starts rollin'!

But if you got that kinda ephedra laced guitar collector cash reserve, this one could be a real trophy wife. The last one you'll ever need. You could ride around town with her in your Batmobile!

Guitarville By Vegas -eBay Store - Important note: DO NOT click on this link unless you intend to make a purchase! If you're NOT really gonna buy the $99,000.00 Stratocaster, then at least pick up some strings, picks, a Jack LaLanne juicer machine or a nice chrome piggy bank with marital aids stuck all over its body. eBay pays me a pay-per-click rate based upon visitor quality. So like Ed said, "No Tire Kickers!"

More Hi-end Strat Listings & Dealers

4 Pre-CBS Strats - Custom Color Set!

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Strat Collector Alert!

Collect All Four!

"YES, THE DOOR'S LOCKED!"

And yes, who else but Ed at Guitarville By Vegas would be listing these right now? He'll sell 'em separate, but it's implied they may have been acquired together from one source-- just my assumption. An attractive and happy family nonetheless, that should be kept together.

So anyone with the wherewithal $$$ should jump on these, otherwise someone like Mitt Romney is liable to pick 'em up for his man cave display.

All rosewood boards, you're looking at:

'65 candy apple red
'63 Dakota red - mahogany body
'62 fiesta red
'62 Lake Placid blue

In spite of the photo, I'm sure ya get more than one case with this set!;)) Ed's also currently listing a vintage '62, formerly owed by Eric Johnson. He's moved a few of EJ's personal arsenal over the years. Check the link above for all the details, and plenty more serious vintage guitar porn!

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Coyote Your Stratocaster!

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 04:39:00 +0000

Strat Parts Suppliers!

"Beep, Beep!"

Not that you need an another anvil or rocket powered skates. "ACME" is also about hi-end guitar upgrade items. Acme Guitar Works eBay Store is currently listing plenty of Suhr Michael Landau Strat pickups, Duncan loaded pickguards and other premium goodies. Check 'em out and compare for good deals!

STRATOCASTER MODS & PARTS - Our full resource directory. Pimp your Strat!

jp

Friday Strat BEST OF - Fender Japan Zebrawood

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 08:57:00 +0000

Originally Featured Nov. '08 - Friday Strat #103

From the archives of www.guitarsjapan.com, you're looking at a Fender Japan 2002 RI of 1968's very limited Zebrawood Strat run. Love the bound body, front and back! And is that a Jazzmaster neck?

You'd have to accessorize your wardrobe to play this one. I'd recommend a tan suede jacket with the long fringes, Saigon mirror shades, straw cowboy hat and Neil Young sideburns. Include a cream tolex Dual Showman with a bottle of Wild Turkey sitting on top, and you're there.

Friday Strat Directory

MIJ/CIJ Strats eBay listings

Nash S-57 Louisiana Roadhouse Boat Neck

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:12:00 +0000

NEW... Well, You Know

So how many re-frets would a vintage have at this point?

Whatchu gonna did wit dat neck Boudreaux? I GUARANTEE!

This is one of the nastiest Nash ~~relic~~ guitars I've seen, since those nitro fire survivors Bill did a few years back. The S-57 Louisiana Roadhouse looks like a flood recovery that survived cuz it was dipped in the fry-o-lator just before the levee, it bust open. Yeah, the case candy should include an order of fried okra!

The ash body, 3-tone nitro finish is loaded with custom Lollars. Neck is a boat, soft "V", meaning it's super fat. And what will this guitar look like in 50 years? Maybe gator tail jerky. But imagine how it will sound!

Seller: Nick's Guitar Emporium aka Bend Guitar Den, Oregon based dealer with good feedback & lots of hi-end listings.

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

LSL Saticoy Strat-type - "KENDRA"

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:39:00 +0000

Serious Guitar!

Meet Kendra, a 6.8 lb swamp ash dream in vintage cream. That's what they call this finish which resembles Fender's trans-blonde Mary Kaye and EJ models. It's nitro as well. SoCal based LSL Instruments gives each guitar build a female name, hence "Kendra".

Bodies, necks and even pickguards are handmade and shaped by LSL, who also wind their own pickups. The S-type model name is "Saticoy", Tele profile is the "T-bone" and they make a Carl Verheyen signature S-type called the "CV Special". Top players are raving about LSL guitars which price point very reasonably at the low side of Fender CS pricing, and a fraction of a DeTemple or D'Pergo. Verheyen's endorsement says it all.

Kendra comes with a 7.25" radius, 21 fret "C", sportin' 6105 frets. The hardware is aged. A G&G case is included.

Seller: ANDY'S GUITARS ETC - Based in Tallahassee, FL. Top-rated with high feedback & tons of hi-end gear listings.

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Dunlop's Eric Johnson Fuzz Face - Dijon?

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:56:00 +0000

Could This Be the Best One???

Eric Johnson - Dijon finish

Who knows? But since we dig Eric Johnson, I'm sure this Fuzz Face will be the master of all models. Just introduced at Winter NAMM 2012, the EJ FF is dialed in to sound like Eric's favorite vintage ones. This is the 4th FF model from the folks at Dunlop. Here's the current selection:

RED - Regular, standard, basic, etc. "Pass the ketchup!"
BLUE - Hendrix model. Sounds just exactly like Jimi... Purple would be smarter.
COPPER - Joe Bonamassa. Bling! Brasso polish not included.
DIJON - Eric Johnson. Mustard for your tone!

Does anyone think this will keep going like all the Crybaby pedals? How many different Crybaby models does Dunlop have now? I'm still waiting for the Yoko Ono Wah.

PLEASE! NO CAMO FUZZ FACE!!!

I think a great little boutique niche could be painting celeb caricatures on Fuzz Face pedals. Imagine the face of Steve Buscemi, Chef Gordon Ramsey, Joe Pesci or Samuel L. Jackson adapted to a FF pedal! The tough part is finding the artist to do it. But then again, there's one at every carnival, fair and trade show. Just remember that you read it here first!

UMA by Rancez

Shop Fuzz Face Deals!

NAMM 2012 Gear & PEOPLE TOO!

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:45:00 +0000

ENGL Retro Tube 100 - Guitarist: Doug Rappoport

You'd think that Guitar World, who uploaded this video, might be just a slight bit interested in the musician. But apparently not-- as there are no credits, captions or tags including the identity of the guitarist.

Check this clip's first 40 seconds, then skip ahead to 03:20 - 05:40. It will become very clear that Doug Rappoport isn't an ENGL shipping & receiving drone brought to NAMM simply because his playing sucks less than the rest of the staff. And just maybe, someone at GW could perceive this enough to plug the musician here. I dunno-- is it just me or WTF?!!

But enough rant already. Know that Rappoport is a busy LA session player, 10 year veteran with Edgar Winter's band and an instructor at Musician's Institute. He also has a cool solo release titled, BIONIC. But mostly, Doug is a badass guitar player worth knowing about! So check the links!

Tom Anderson Classic Orange Sparkle

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0000

2009 - "Like New"

Here's another clean bolt-on interface design currently listed by Hear For Music, a Top-rated eBay seller based in Pompano Beach, Florida. This Anderson Classic S-type features SC1 pickups at neck & middle-- with an SC3 at bridge, vintage style trem and big frets. Body is alder, and neck is tinted flame maple. Includes all orig. candy, paperwork and OHSC. Even the hang tag is on it, so doesn't seem to have much playing time.

Seller looks good, and has other cool inventory.

Hi-end Strats

Current Listings - Top Sellers

Winter NAMM 2012 Wrap Up...

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:08:00 +0000

Arrivederci Anaheim!

Dedicated to all the proud men and women of the music gear industry who put their lives on the line in Anaheim each and every January. And really, what better way to express the emotion and shear wonder of it all than with a sensitive and dynamic, carefully chosen selection from the age honored lexicon we cherish first and foremost, known as THE BLUES.

But I struggle for the right words...

Soul Guitar Behind Al Green Classic

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 08:54:00 +0000

I'm Still In Love With You

We've featured Tony Mowatt's videos before-- see link below. He's the Youtube go-to guy for classic soul guitar style as well as Keith Richards progressions. Above, Tony takes on an Al Green favorite originally featuring guitarist Teenie Hodges who co-wrote lots of cool tunes with Green.

I recommend first going to 04:50 for the play along, then checking out the full breakdown at the beginning of the clip. If you're in a Rock, Blues or even Funk rut, this may be the sort of thing to open you up to a sophisticated, yet understated approach that just grooves!

www.youtube.com/user/mnaicck

11 Year Old Ray Goren at NAMM

noreply@blogger.com (Stratoblogster) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:29:00 +0000

Jammin' With Eric Gales!

Yes, NAMM is about people, not just gear. Meet young Ray Goren workin' some serious Blues with Eric Gales at the Premier Builders Guild booth.

One Youtube comment: "sweet jesus....he sounds like a 4000 year old black man"

Haha! 4000 years seems like a lot. But who this kid really reminds me of is Chris Cain. He does some great Blues faces too!

Ray joins our YOUNG GUITAR WONDERS directory for sure! Follow him at his Facebook Page!

jp