Mike Keneally On ZAPPA - Try This Dweez!

FZ band alum Mike Keneally pulls off an amazing rendition of "The Jazz Discharge Party Hats". This tune, originally from Frank's "The Man From Utopia" album involved pairing a live acapella of Frank's with a guitar track written & played by Steve Vai, as transcribed by Vai from every syllable of Frank's vocal. The result being the studio version on the album.

In the above video, Mike Keneally is performing both parts. Anyone familiar with the album cut will appreciate Keneally right away. That album also featured "The Dangerous Kitchen", another lyric-vocal-guitar pairing written & produced in the same manner.

CLICK HERE for full lyrics. It's a true story from the road. I sure miss Frank!

"...(Some of you might think this is weird. . .
No wonder.
It's not exactly normal, but
What the f*uc*k?)
So, they're snorting it ...
(Hey! It's the twentieth century . . .
Whatever you can do to have a good time, let's get on with it,
So long as it doesn't cause a murder . . .)..." Frank Zappa

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Steampunk Strat Guitar - Next Step Forward From Relic?

(photo: Mark Dalzell)

Of course! Makes sense to me! Imagine 19th Century sci-fi Strats, like Jim West would play in the old Wild Wild West television series. Notice the red faucet pickup adjustment! Other features like a little TV screen and onboard phaser also make it sort of retro-Roddenberry. Oh I dunno, but if this sparks someone at Fender Custom Shop, the Relic era could very well do a Jules Verne number!

Just imagine back to a future NAMM where Christopher Lloyd in a lab coat is working the Custom Shop booth. Then how 'bout a James Watt line of steam powered modeling amps... Stop me now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CLICK HERE for more photos of this steampunk axe by Mark Dalzell named "Organum Insolitus".

Dalzell's description:

Designed using elements of steampunk, Organum Insolitus incorporates clockwork gears, hand hammered brass, cloth wire and wood to show an alternate historical glimpse of a 19th century electric guitar. The guitar features a television with Fresnel lens magnifier, onboard phaser and amplifier. Rather than use multiple pickups, the one humbucker can be repositioned with the red faucet handle. The television, guitar, effects and amplifier can all be patched through to each other in any configuration using the patch bay on the front of the guitar. The pickup or television can also be output through a standard 1/4" cable to an external amplifier.

Link Backtrack:
Neatorama
Brass Goggles
Gizmo Watch

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Texas Mesquite Strat Project Build Profile

Stratocaster body wood alternative

Waaay back in a 2007 post, I asked the guitar blogosphere for a mesquite Strat, and yesterday Frank from Texas (of course!) contacts me about his mesquite build-- currently in progress. I've actually seen more photos, but I'm holding out on y'all til Frank's totally finished. Watch for it in future Friday Strat features.

The top photo is the original slab from which the body blank was cut. Yeah, I know mesquite is supposed to be some scrawny little brush type thing, but they got some big ass mesquite down there in Texas too!

Here's the scoop from Frank himself:

"I live in the sticks just outside of Boerne, Texas in the Texas Hill Country...

A good friend of mine knew I was searching for the wood and referred me to Nave’s Sawmill & Woodworks in Kingsville, Texas. Their website is (http://www.mesquitetree.net/).

Wendy at Nave’s explained to me that mesquite is one of the most stable woods in the world. All wood moves while drying and presents a problem that most wood movement is uneven. What little that mesquite does move, it does evenly (radially & tangentally) thus making it stable. The general rule of thumb to use for air dried wood was 1 year for every inch of thickness (any species). Kiln drying would have presented the advantage of speeding up this process, but I didn't have access to one.

The mesquite plank that I used was taken from a rather large mesquite one month prior to the beginning of this project. The mesquite wood was green and though it was very hard wood to cut, it was downright brutal doing it when the wood was completely dry. I averaged cutting one or two Stratocaster bodies from mesquite before the blade would snap on the band saw.

The plank was thirty days old when I started the project so it was quite green. I've had the body shelved for a year to dry and am just now beginning to get it ready to apply lacquer. Unfortunately, I still do not know what the tone sounds like. From a tone perspective, it didn't seem productive playing it through a green body full of moisture. So I put it up to dry and am just getting around to begin the remaining finish work. I'm thinking of putting clear nitrocellulose lacquer on the body and should have everything complete in February of this year.

Loving both Rock and Blues, I chose to use the Lonestar Stratocaster wiring diagram. Texas specials single coils in the neck and middle position and a Seymour Duncan Antiquity in the bridge position (I changed the cover to gold). The bridge is a Fender Stratocaster Deluxe Gold tremolo. A Fender LSR nut is installed on the Warmoth birdseye maple neck. The tuners are gold planet waves locking tuners and are self trimming.

The look of the body has changed from the pictures and now the belly cut and forearm cut are beveled in. The body is much smoother today than it appears in the older attached photo. I'll send more pictures and some sound files when it is complete if you like.

Thanks for the interest!"

Thank YOU Frank! And Stay tuned folks!

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A Strat for Friday #111 - Godin Passion RG-3 Series

It must be Friday cuz I've already heard 2 versions of "Shake Yo' Money Maker" on Dish's Lucille Blues channel-- before noon. Yeah, it's Friday alright!

Godin is getting into the boutique super-Strat arena with this chambered Spanish Cedar body, mahogany top guitar that is just packed with cool value added & innovative features. Warpdrive Music is currently listing this RG-3 at their eBay Store. CLICK HERE for lots of photos, specs & details on the guitar.

In addition to it's special resonance tuned chambers, the RG-3 has a special pickup system which is both passive and active-- and you can switch between those modes. The Godin link above has a couple must see demo vids. Godin is known for creating a lot of bang for your guitar buck, and this guitar, although not a budget model has a lot going on as you'll see in the specs and the first video at the Godin site. These guys are into details!

more Friday Strats!

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Who Really Reads Stratoblogster? Dr. House!

Why I read Stratoblogster:

"Right and wrong do exist. Just because you don't know what the right answer is — maybe there's even no way you could know what the right answer is — doesn't make your answer right or even okay. It's much simpler than that. It's just plain wrong."

"Idiopathic, from the Latin meaning we're idiots cause we can't figure out what's causing it."

Dr. Gregory House

more Who Really Reads Stratoblogster?

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Demian Dominguez Joins Strat-o-Brothers Directory

Special thanks to the anonymous comment tipster for this one! Good call!

Demian Dominguez was born in Argentina and is currently based in Spain. He gigs around Europe where he's shared the stage with the likes of Jimmy Vaughan, Los Lobos & Bernard Allison.

The above vid begins with some extremely sweet Strat tones you just don't hear everyday. And although we do hear more than plenty of SRV influenced players, Dominguez is exceptionally clean and articulate.

Another thing we don't hear very often is guitar players who can cop Johnny Winter's vibrato style. Demian doesn't do it frequently, but it shows up when he is really rippin' it. The Winter vibrato is wide, slightly sharp like Stevie Wonder's vocal vibrato, but crazy shakey too!

Check out Johnny Winter's Rock Me Baby vibes from the Still Alive & Well album.

Now listen to Track #4 at: www.myspace.com/demianband Pay attention!

Dominguez plays some killer bottleneck as well, both on acoustic and electric which you can also hear at his myspace.

CLICK HERE for a bottleneck vid on a smokin' Tele.

www.demianband.net

more Strat-o-Brothers



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Jeff Beck Shedding No Oxblood On Stage

Sorry Les Paul freaks, JB is STRAT all the way in his current live tour gigs! That new Gibby seems to have stage fright. Could be afraid of FMIC legal dept... there's always that. Oh well, only so much Jeff can do with an LP before the headstock snaps off or some other short scale meltdown occurs.

We've seen rave reviews this week from Jeff's Australia gigs, including from Peter, our Down Under correspondent from i heart guitar blog who caught the Melbourne show.

Peter says:

"...He played one of his signature Fender Stratocasters for the whole show, and only needed to retune once, about an hour into the gig, despite his frequent and mind-destroying whammy bar use..."

Jeff Beck Strats!

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Eating, Drinking, Breathing & Doing GUITAR TONE

What's in that bottle?!

I discovered the contents this week while running Bang Bang in our site opening tuneage.

If you open it in 3 browser windows- the more out-sync the better - the room starts smelling like BBQ with hints of coffee, chocolate & Touch of Pink by Lacoste.

Try it!

ZZ Top Rhythmeen

"So pay attention!" Billy Gibbons

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Strat Trem Covers With Pin-up Girl Bling

classic bomber girl waterslide decals

More ways to accessorize your Strat. Add a classic pin up decal to your trem cover!

Don't want yer springs to show? Just hide 'em under a ho!

Vintage Pin-up Decals - Directory for classic waterslide decals, including How-To links for applying decals, graphics and refinishing your guitar.

Pimp Your Strat Directory -Mods, wiring diagrams, tips, tutorials and hardware upgrades suppliers.

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Anyone Can Write a Pop Song- Magic Chord Progression

Neatorama has a great post & vid clip about the 4 chord progression that dominates pop music.

Axis of the Awesome, an Aussie Comedy outfit, has cracked the code of the pop song writing cult! Yes, it appears even a caveman can do it!

Wonder if Satch knows about this one...

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Yuri Shishkov Masterbuilt Ash Strat for Sale

Closet Classic Relic Masterbuilt.

Strat Collector ALERT! Here's a sweet piece of ash currently for sale as a Buy It Now!
Better photos & details at above BIN link.

Here's the listing data followed by seller's details:

Seller: Bluehugh2 (100% rated)
End time: Feb-02-09 20:06:10 PST (6 days 3 hours)
Shipping: US $99.00
UPS 2nd Day Air®
Service to United States
(more services)
Ships to: Worldwide
Item location: Barrie, ON, Canada

"...For the 20th Anniversary of the Fender Custom Shop in 2007, Yuri Shishkov Masterbuilt this beautiful ash Stratocaster Closet Classic Relic model. This guitar is a "best of the old and best of the new" design. It has a definite vintage vibe with its natural/lacquer checked body, the mint green guard, worn pickup covers and lightly aged hardware, tinted big headstock with a "transition" logo gold decal, deep contours, and the super cool Cream Tolex case with "Limited Edition" embroidery, red poodle lining, and blck leather ends... PLUS it has modern functionality with its modern tremolo with push in arm, locking tuners, 6105 narrow/high frets (for big bends), and it's combination of 2 stellar Custom Shop '69 pickups and a texas Special pickup in the bridge. Shishkov smartly wired the middle pickup tone control to also be functional on the bridge pickup. This guitar has all the attributes of a Masterbuilt instrument. The rosewood neck is positively rich looking and feels amazing. The frets are precision dressed and polished. The neck pocket is tight, tight, tight! The tone of this guitar is spanky and punchy... rings like a bell!..."

I think you get the idea.

Hi-End Strat Directories at www.GuitarGearStores.com

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Vigier Excalibur Ultra Blues- Super Strat or Not???

review

(photo cred: Premier Guitar)

Anyone read the Feb. 09 Premier Guitar review on this guitar? Please indulge me and stop here if you haven't read it. Don't read the rest of this post until you have (just click the above link).

A decently informative review until the last third where writer Jordan Wagner goes into some weird back pedaling and leaves... me at least, scratching my head about the guitar. Just read the full article yourself and see if you don't feel strangely uncertain about the guitar.

Early on, Wagner marvels about the $3K plus, Excalibur's unplugged natural sustain and loudness, also referring to the carbon composite in the maple neck. He also refers to the guitar's versatility and its multitude of tones due to its "unconventional" wiring for pickup switching. The set-up and tuning are "perfect", and the sound from the bridge pickup is "massive".

The "problem" Wagner seems to have is that the guitar lacks "raw" & "edgy" characteristics in it's sound (not it's cosmetics), which is where he loses me. He continues to go on about how flaws in guitars create opportunities for players to develop a unique voice-- blah, blah, blah...

While it's true that I haven't played the instrument myself, it seems to me that high natural sustain, good intonation, unconventional pickup switching and massive sound oughta create plenty of opportunities to produce unique sounds-- raw & edgy ones too! As I interpret the review, the guitar has more than sufficient resonance and output signal with which to slam into an amp's front end, not to mention one of the many million overdrive pedal choices available. Seekers of the raw & edgy must be at least somewhat familiar with gain effects & multiple gain stage amplifiers.

So who is Wagner trying to protect? Or is he just trying to show us he has some sort of esoteric, eclectic eccentricities? Personally, I'm dying for a well set up, well intonated, loud & articulate guitar from a raw and edgy perspective!

In contrast, check this exerpt from a recent visitor comment about an EVH Wolfgang experience gone wrong:

"...I bought the Wolfgang on 1/15/2009 The Cost $3280.00. There were the following problems.The bridge pickup was out of alignment by 3/16. The same pickup was missing one mounting screw. The Guitar fretted out on the second and third fret. Not real bad, but for a guitar at this price, it should have been PERFECT. I returned the guitar to Guitar Center, New Orleans. The Tech said that This is Normal, and that the guitar was within specs.

I said just refund my purchase, which is somthing that I do not Normally do... Inspectorbuilder@yahoo.com ..."

Just for contrast folks, but I was thinking maybe these flaws were intended to help the player be raw and edgy. I woulda felt that way.

So my question is: Should a $3K+ solidbody be able to transmit a player's rawness or alter his clarity into an edginess which he'll relate to?

The answer must be "Yes, both."











"Two extremes for your examination, from the Twilight Zone."

As for the review, maybe Wagner personally prefers edgier looking guitars-- and oughta consider wearing a blindfold when demoing instruments. Perhaps somewhere in that darkness, he'll get in touch with his own raw & edgy center of Zen-ness. I'm just sayin'...

CLICK HERE for a full video demo, whilst Premier Guitar promises a "Sound clips coming soon".

And excuse the French...

Vigier Excalibur @eBay

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Guitars, Horns & MILES To Go!

Another guitar blogger was recently talking about listening to horn players (I can't recall who, but if they let me know I'll edit in a link back here ok).

Here's a killer Miles tribute clip featuring Mark Isham-Trumpet, Dave Liebman- Soprano sax, Peter Manau-Strat & Nels Cline-Jazzmaster. Sorry no rhythm section credit-- couldn't track 'em down.

Nice to see a Jazzmaster in serious service, besides those FreeCreditReport.com commercials!

Mark Isham is fantastic horn player & composer music stores find difficult to categorize in the CD bins. He's a great Jazz musician, but since he does lots of film scores they usually stick him in "New Age" or "Soundtracks".

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Scott Henderson Talks About Strings & More

Originally this post featured a video clip of Scott plugging D'Addario's at NAMM or something like that. The clip has since been removed. However, please enjoy the replacement vid of Scott above which demonstrates how demanding he is on his strings. According to a quote from the gear section at Scott Henderson's website:

"...Scott's strings are D'Addario 11's tuned to Eb and he uses Fender Heavy picks..."


D'Addario EXL115 Nickel Blues/Jazz Electric Guitar Strings Single

Eric Johnson is using a similar gauge in a 10-50 GHS set he's endorsing:

GHS Eric Johnson Signature Medium Electric Guitar Strings

What are your string preferences & experiences?

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A Strat for Friday #110- Fender Custom Shop '56 'Flame Neck'

I seem to run into nice birdseye necks more often than flame maple ones-- especially as vivid as this one! This neck just wants to pour itself all over your short stack. Gimme a side of bacon with that please!!!

This used, 2000 Custom Shop '56, with super thin oly white nitro finish, has an ash body and a total weight of 6 lbs 9 oz.!!!

Listed as- BUY IT NOW! . Make 'em an offer! Click either photo to visit the listing and see more photos.

Here's the scoop on the seller, plus the listing content & specs:

Feedback: 100 % Positive
Member: since May-02-05 in United States
End time: Jan-27-09 12:28:56 PST (3 days 21 hours)
Item location: Boulder, CO, United States

"8/18/00 FENDER CUSTOM SHOP '56 NOS STRAT WITH RADICALLY FLAMED NECK. SERIAL NUMBER R6964 ON COA AND NECK PLATE.

SWAMP ASH BODY TOTAL WEIGHT ON DIGITAL SCALE IS 6 lbs - 9 oz. THIS FEATHER WEIGHT MAKES FOR INCREDIBLE RESONANCE. THE BEST I CAN TELL IS THE BODY IS ONE PIECE. THIS IS KILLER SOUNDING AND RESPONSIVE GUITAR.

COA SIGNED BY MIKE ELDRED WHOSE NAME APPEARS IN THE NECK POCKET AS WELL. INSPECTION CARD STAMPED BY JOHN CRUZ.

NECK IS 9.5" RADIUS WITH 6105 FRETS, VERY SLIGHT FRET WEAR. NUT HAS BEEN CHANGED PROFESSIONALLY BY PREVIOUS OWNER TO BUZZ FEITEN LAYOUT ALTHOUGH IT'S NOT A BUZZ FEITEN AFTER MARKET NUT. PLAYS IN TUNE.

NO RELIC'ING ON NECK BUT BODY HAS MINOR LACQUER SPIDER WEBS. A COUPLE OF MINOR DINGS AND PAINT CHIP AT TREBLE SIDE OF NECK POCKET. i TRIED TO GET IT TO SHOW IN PICS. THERE ARE MINOR DISCOLORATIONS TYPICAL OF STRAP BLEEDING BUT DON'T SHOW UP IN THE PICS.

PICKGUARD IS WHITE/BLACK/WHITE (UNLIKE TYPICAL SOLID WHITE), I DON'T KNOW WHY. GROUNDING SHIELD BEHIND THE PICKGUARD IS FULL SIZE LIKE A TRUE VINTAGE 1962 MODEL.

PICKUPS ARE WONDERFUL VINTAGE SOUNDING, WARMTH WRAPPED AROUND ARTICULATE CORE. WIRING IS TYPICAL OF 1956 EXCEPT FOR THE 5-WAY SWITCH.

PLEASE ASK ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE BUYING. ALL THINGS CONSIDERED THIS IS A STELLAR STRAT.

FENDER TWEED CASE WITH A MINOR BLEMISH THAT PROBABLY COULD BE CLEANED. GREAT SHAPE OTHERWISE..."

NOTE: When shopping guitars and any music gear on Ebay, following a few simple guidelines can help ensure that things go right.

The following Ebay pages were written by experts at buying & selling gear online-- the "vintage" guides are referenced as they are the most thorough and detailed:

EBAY VINTAGE ELECTRIC GUITAR GUIDE

EBAY VINTAGE GUITAR AMPLIFIER GUIDE

More Strat listings & dealer directory

Friday Strats Archive

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Mary Kaye Stratocaster Auction

Strat Collector Alert! eBay 100% rated Power Seller backstageguitargallery is currently listing this Mary Kaye Strat for auction.

End date: Jan 24, 2009 02:38:15 PM PST

Click the photo to view listing and details. Mary Kaye was the original Strat-o-Sister, for whom Leo Fender created the very first Signature Model Strat-- and not to be confused with the Mary Kay pink Cadillac cosmetics babe.


NOTE: When shopping guitars and any music gear on Ebay, following a few simple guidelines can help ensure that things go right.

The following Ebay pages were written by experts at buying & selling gear online-- the "vintage" guides are referenced as they are the most thorough and detailed:

EBAY VINTAGE ELECTRIC GUITAR GUIDE

EBAY VINTAGE GUITAR AMPLIFIER GUIDE

More Strat listings & dealer directory

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Jeff Beck - Artist Model Guitars for Fender AND Gibson?!

(photo:www.jacquihicks.com)

Jeff Beck now courting both Fender Strats & Gibson Les Pauls? Apparently so.

Why stop at 2 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductions?

Electric-Guitar-Review has the buzz on Gibson's forthcoming Jeff Beck 1954 Les Paul Oxblood model, complete with link to Gibson's official webpage.

Now you can choose between a Fender Jeff Beck Artist Series Strat or a Gibson Jeff Beck LP-- or simply get BOTH.

How did JB pull that one off?

"...Now I don't mind when you send money
and bring your girlfriends with you,
But how could one be so thoughtless to try
and handle less than two?
But that's alright..."
Billy Gibbons - A Fool For Your Stockings

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Strat Pickup Replacement Demo With Seymour Duncan

Here's a helpful video tutorial on pickup replacement, by a guy who knows a bit about this sort of thing. It's those little details that make a big difference. So PAY ATTENTION!

Seymour Duncan Pickups
(shop & compare!)


Pimp Your Strat!

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The Chickenfoot Band Name Sticks! (to the plate?)

Click Here for a quick appetizer.


i heart guitar has more scoop on Chickenfoot.

Stay tuned for more helpings.

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BBC Documentary: The Story Of The Guitar

Currently on Youtube in seven 10 minute parts you can view the first episode of Alan Yentob's "The Story Of The Guitar", originally featured as a 3 part BBC documentary. Probably the best guitar documentary I've ever seen, this series is packed with guitar history, lots of player spots and serious Blues background. The early electric guitar development info is the best. I can't recommend this highly enough!

Above is part #1. CLICK HERE to access the rest at youtube (see the "playlist" at right).

More info. on The Story Of The Guitar:

Documentary's Homepage at BBC

Random blog review

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NAMM Oddities 2009 Coming Soon!

(photo from Winter '08 NAMM Oddities)

No Winter NAMM wrap-up is ever complete without a tour through Barry Wood's NAMM Oddities website.

We're still waiting for the 2009 Anaheim Oddities, but Barry sez:

"Check back soon for the 2009 edition of Oddities."

We'll be doing just that. So in case you forget, just stay tuned to Stratoblogster!

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Fender Eric Johnson RW Strat Specs- Compare to Maple Original

Review Rosewood EJ Strats for sale


UPDATED FOR 2010 Models!
(all prices/specs subject to change)

SHOP & Compare New & Used EJ Strats at page bottom.

Besides the bound rosewood fretboard, the newest Eric Johnson RW was supposed to have a hotter bridge pickup (according to the EJ interview vids at Harmony Central). NAMM '09 Fender booth video at bottom indicates maple & rosewood ended up utilizing the same pickups.

JAN 28, 09 NOTE: ALL PICKUPS ARE IDENTICAL BETWEEN RW & MAPLE MODELS. The pickup specs, specifically the BRIDGE pickups, have NOT changed. An original 2005 EJ Maple has the same pups as a new EJ RW. Special thanks to Steve at Wildwood Guitars for confirming bridge pickup clarification with factory, who also indicated that the EJ RW development involved several pickup configurations, but in the end the original config. was utilized.

Below are 2 specs charts which differentiate specs between the original maple Fender EJ Artist model and the latest rosewood version:


ORIGINAL MAPLE: (all prices/specs subject to change)

2010 Pricing
msrp: $2599.99 (Fender.com)
street: $1899.99 (musician's friend*)


# Colors - (801)White Blonde, (803)2-Color Sunburst, (806)Black, (809)Candy Apple Red (Thin Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
# Body - 2-Piece Alder, Deep Contoured, '57 Style Lightweight
# Neck - 1-Piece Quartersawn Maple, Soft V Shape, Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
# Fingerboard - Maple, 12" Radius
# Number of Frets - 21 Highly Polished Medium Jumbo Frets
# Pickups - 3 Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single Coil Pickups With Countersunk Mounting Screws


PRE-2010:
# Controls - Master Volume, Tone 1(Neck PU), Tone 2 (Middle & Bridge PU)

# 2010 Controls CHANGE:

Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup

# Pickup Switching - 5-Position Blade
# Bridge - American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
# Machine Heads - Fender/Gotoh® Staggered Vintage Style Tuning Machines
# Hardware - Nickel/Chrome
# Pickguard - 1-Ply Parchment (8-Hole)
# Scale Length - 25.5"
# Width at Nut - 1.650"
# Unique Features - Quartersawn Maple Neck, 12" Radius Maple Fingerboard, Extra Smooth Neck To Headstock Volute, Special Neckplate With Engraved EJ and Kokopelli, 2-Piece Deep Contoured '57 Style Lightweight Alder Body, 1957 Style Body Cavities, 12" Radius Fingerboard, Pearloid Dot Inlay Position Markers, 5 Tremolo Springs And No Back Tremolo Cover Plate
# Strings - Fender Super 250R Nickel Plated Steel 10-46
# Accessories - Strap, Cable, "Ash Tray Bridge Cover"
# Case - Deluxe Blonde Hard Case

NEW RW (ROSEWOOD) MODEL: (all prices/specs subject to change)
msrp: $2699.99 (FMIC Frontline 2009 cat.)
street: $1999.99 (Musician's Friend)
EJ RW Performance Video (Fender NAMM '09 Anaheim)

# Colors - (854)Dakota Red, (897)Tropical Turquoise, (898)Medium Palomino Metallic, (899) Lucerne Aqua Firemist (Thin-Skin Nitrocellulose Lacquer)
# Body - 2-Piece Alder, Deep Contoured, '57 Style Lightweight
# Neck - Quartersawn Maple, Soft V Shape, Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish
# Fingerboard - Bound Round Laminated Rosewood, 12" Radius
# Number of Frets - 21 Highly Polished Medium Jumbo Frets
# Pickups - 3 Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single Coil Pickups With Countersunk Mounting Screws

PRE-2010:
# Controls - Master Volume, Tone 1(Neck PU), Tone 2 (Middle & Bridge PU)

# 2010 Controls CHANGE:

Tone 1. (Neck Pickup),
Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup
Position 3. Middle Pickup
Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup
Position 5. Neck Pickup

# Pickup Switching - 5-Position Blade
# Bridge - American Vintage Synchronized Tremolo
# Machine Heads - Fender/Gotoh® Staggered Vintage Style Tuning Machines
# Hardware - Nickel/Chrome
# Pickguard - 3-Ply Parchment (8-Hole)
# Scale Length - 25.5"
# Width at Nut - 1.650"
# Unique Features - Quartersawn Maple Neck, Bound Round Laminated Rosewood Fingerboard, Extra Smooth Neck To Headstock Volute, Special Neckplate With Engraved EJ and Kokopelli, 2-Piece Deep Contoured '57 Style Lightweight Alder Body, 1957 Style Body Cavities, 12" Radius Fingerboard, Pearloid Dot Inlay Position Markers, 5 Tremolo Springs And No Back Tremolo Cover Plate
# Strings - Fender Super 250R Nickel Plated Steel 10-46
# Accessories - Strap, Cable, "Ash Tray Bridge Cover"
# Case - Deluxe Blonde Hard Case

Differences are in RED. Stay tuned for clarifications as available.

Ultimately, they only differ in: 1) Color options, 2) Pickguard ply & 3) Fretboard option. Please feel free to comment below with any additional spec references.

*Pricing info. from Musician's Friend
Specs & photo by: Guitar HotLine
General Specs at Fender.com

Shop NEW & PRE-OWNED EJ STRATS:

• MUSICIAN'S FRIEND
• GUITAR TRADER
• GUITAR CENTER
• ZZOUNDS
  
• American Musical Supply
• InstrumentPro.com

Find an EJ at eBay!







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Eric Johnson Stratocaster RW- Medium Palomino Metallic?!

Click Here to compare specs between RW & orig. maple neck model.

How many licks does it take to get to the center of Fender's new Eric Johnson Rosewood Strat? The world may never know. But I've been tryin'!

While recent NAMM coverage focused on Road Worn & Yngwie, the EJ RW's quietly became available. I know they were at NAMM, but no buzz on 'em. Plus, I'm currently unable to find ANYTHING about them at Fender.com (not the most navigation friendly website on earth). But there's plenty of forum chatter out there.

CLICK HERE for CURRENT EJ Strat eBay listings !


Shop NEW EJ STRATS:

• MUSICIAN'S FRIEND
• GUITAR TRADER
• GUITAR CENTER
• MUSIC123
  
ZZOUNDS

• American Musical Supply
• InstrumentPro.com
  

The Eric Johnson directory page at GuitarGearStores.com lists other places where they're starting to pop up.

Besides the bound rosewood neck, this model differs from the orig. maple model in other areas, although I can't really name them yet. In an EJ interview he mentions that the new bridge pickup is supposed to be hotter-- (ed note: They ended up going with the same pickup, so both maple and RW EJ models have the same pickup config for 2009).

Oh yeah, the street price is $2500+, compared to the maple's pre-2009, $1700 sticker, making the EJ RW Fender's spendiest production Strat before entering the Custom Shop zone.

Click Here for complete specs & '09 pricing comparison data.

Our feature model, currently for sale at Guitar HotLine bears the "Medium Palomino Metallic" finish. Myself, I woulda called it "Root Beer", cuz that's what it looks like-- and I like root beer. If it looked like a real palomino (below), I woulda called it "Root Beer FLOAT" instead, since it would look more like that also, AND because I like root beer floats a lot.













Other color options are: Dakota Red, Tropical Turquoise and Lucerne Aqua Firemist. I don't find a standard burst finish with the rosewood model (WTF?).

Oh, one more thing, at this very moment the product listings at Guitar Gear Stores show two EJ Maple Strats at Buy It Now for under $1300, so it can still be a buyer's market.

"Lucerne Aqua Firemist" sounds like an after-shower moisturizing body spritzer from Safeway.

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The Painted Player- Famous Guitar Graphics Themes

(image:www.thepaintedplayer.co.uk)

The Painted Player is a UK based shop that replicates legendary guitar custom paint jobs on new guitars they sell. The graphic pictured is based on George Harrision's "Rocky" Strat. TPP also does variations on the Hendrix Monterey Strat as well as Clapton's Cream era "FOOL" SG.

The Strat models are available in three pricing points. TPP offers their custom graphic on a Squier, an MIM Strat or a USA model.

Whether or not this is your cup of tea, The Painted Player is just another twist out there to check out.

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Sinister Footwear to Accessorize With Your Relic Guitar !

Fine wine, cheese, jeans, guitars and and shoes too!!!

Italian shoemaker Silvano Lattanzi has a line of handmade loafers that are buried in an aging pit for 4 years. "Scarpe de Fossa", Italian for "entombed shoes" is as sexy sounding as anything else in Italian.

And is $12,000 a pair sexy enough for ya?! Only if this little piggy runs a hedge fund-- Wee Wee Wee!

Would we consider these Relic or NOS (new old SEXY)?

source: Luxist.com


Relic DIY Guitar Resources

Relic Guitar Dealer Directory

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David Gilmour Strat Auction - NOS Version

Gilmour Stratocasters at eBay

 
Strat collector Alert!! eBay fine guitar seller strummer1960 is currently listing this (We've featured his stuff here before).

End time:

Jan-22-09 16:51:43 PST  (FRESH LISTINGS AT BOTTOM)

A Fender Custom Shop instrument, the Gilmour Black Strat was built in either Relic or NOS (new old stock) versions. The Relic would sell for $5K & the NOS for $4K. This NOS model comes complete with case, cert and all the Gilmour promo bling extras.

From the listing:

"...What we have here is a gorgeous 2008 Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster. This is the NOS model. It is brand new with no issues. Comes with all the case candy, Custom Shop Certificate, Phil Taylor's 2007 book about the guitar's history, The Black Strat, Evidence Audio cord, hang tag's, papers, whammy bar, and Gilmour's three-disc Live in Gdansk CD/DVD set . The Fender custom shop case is a Special center pocket black tolex case with crushed green lining, "David Gilmour" embroidered on interior. This will be a nice one to add to anyone's collection...Or as a great player, your choice. Neck is a one-piece maple, reissue C-shaped, .790" to .870" taper, neck pickup is a Custom Hand-Wound Fat '50s, middle Custom Wound Strat, bridge Seymour Duncan SSL-5. The rest of the cool features are listed below.

Weighs in at 7lb 15oz..."

NOTE: When shopping guitars and any music gear on eBay, following a few simple guidelines can help ensure that things go right.

The following Ebay pages were written by experts at buying & selling gear online-- the "vintage" guides are referenced as they are the most thorough and detailed:

EBAY VINTAGE ELECTRIC GUITAR GUIDE

EBAY VINTAGE GUITAR AMPLIFIER GUIDE

More Strat listings & dealer directory

MORE David Gilmour Strats!

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Tricked Out Guitar For Aged Guitar Parts & Accessories

Gene at Tricked Out Guitar has become a mad scientist at aging guitar hardware. I don't know- nor do I want to know- the bizarre processes he's using, but if you're into that sort of thing and wanna choose your own custom road wear without road worn prices, then check out TOG.

Pictured is a Wilkinson WV6SB, fresh out of the lab & lookin'... well, experienced. Yeah, not necessarily stoned but relicful.

Tricked Out Guitar also has lots of NEW goodies too, in product lines i.e. Stellartone- Tonestyler, Trem King, Allparts, Mightymite, Lindy Fralin, Groove Tubes, LR Baggs & more.


Relic Resource Directory
Pimp Your Strat- Links

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Best NAMM Reviews Guitar Gear Blog - i heart guitar

But seriously folks.

Thus far Peter at i heart guitar blog is featuring the most extensive NAMM new product release write-ups.

Anyone is welcome to chime in about NAMM coverage-- many guitar blogs are on the NAMM bandwagon in general.

Peter was also on top of the startling news about Keeley Electronics being destroyed in a fire on Thursday, Jan. 15th (press story). Fortunately, nobody was hurt, the Keeley folks are optimistic and plan to be back up to speed in 2 months. How's that for a resilient spirit!

i heart guitar is becoming a premier killer gear review blog. Get it in your favorites & feeds folks!

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Lego Stratocaster? oh yeah...

Here's a deep independent art film. Does this make you sad? I feel sad.

Is it the "Failed Project" note?

Is it the soundtrack?

Is it the hospital sheets?

Is it the real one which lies close by?

Is it really how one wishes to spend a vacation?

It's all of those things. I love films.

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Appealing Guitar Gear Ad?

Ah, those kooky French Canadians!

Most of us probably see this ad when we're doing exactly what this guy is doing.

Well, not exactly. We're not playing a guitar, we're looking at the ad in our magazine.

Now that's a clever twist on Positioning.

Pick one:

A) I'm inspired to purchase my gear from him.

B) Wow, another way to maximize my practice time!

C) Tone is important.

D) Did ya hear about the new NAMM booths with plumbing?!

"We ship worldwide" ?

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NAMM 2009 Update: No ShamWow Booth!

Contrary to earlier speculation of a ShamWow booth at 2009 NAMM in Anaheim, reliable sources have let me know ShamWow is not in the building.

It's still possible that Vince is working the parking garage selling ShamWows from the trunk of his car.

Would someone still get back to me if anyone sees a green '66 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88. Tell him I'm still waiting for my towels since November!

I'm anxious to get started on those amp jacket beer cozys!

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A Strat for Friday #109 - Hamiltone SRV Strat (for sale!)

(photo: Guitarville by Vegas)

Guitarville by Vegas eBay Store is listing this mint condition Hamiltone bound SRV model as a Buy It Now! -- not an auction. Vegas is a long time hi-cred collectible Strat dealer with a 100% customer Platinum Power Seller rating. If you're serious about this one, you can also cross-check via the contact info. at www.hamiltone.com

This is an exact spec replica of the model originally built for SRV, including the Stevie Ray Vaughan fretboard inlay work. It's a neck-thru and has a 26 1/8 scale length. Find out more by clicking on the photo, and visiting the Hamiltone site.

CLICK HERE for our directory on collectible Strats, including guidelines for shopping wisely.

More Friday Strats!

SRV Strat Listings

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NAMM 2009 Hi lite - Doug Rappoport at Engl Booth

My homeboy Doug Rappoport is working at the Engl Amps booth every day at NAMM Anaheim- 2009.

Stop by and let him know Stratoblogster sent ya -- just for laughs. Ask him about Cameltoe Rodeo.

Doug will also be pimpin' copies of his latest solo CD - BIONIC. When you hear him, you'll want a copy. Yeah, I know, there are a zillion cool guitar players at NAMM, but Doug Rappoport is exceptional-- you have my Stratoblogster guarantee on that too!

BOOTH 3297 - Hall D

Last January Clip (skip to 00:25)

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Jeff Beck Inducted to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame!!!

(photo: wikipedia)

Hot off the presses! Jeff Beck will be formally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4th, 2009 as a SOLO ARTIST! Jeff was inducted previously as a member of The Yardbirds, a mixed feelings event for Jeff, but this newest induction is ALL JEFF BABY! I'm sure his acceptance speech will be nonchalant & concise. Remember his Yardbirds speech.

CONGRATS TO JEFF BECK!!! Big Kahuna Strat-o-Brother done good!

Press links:

Press Association
College News
NY Times
Rolling Stone
LA Times

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Guitar Styles Ornamentation Lesson From Guthrie Govan

This video is a very cool demonstration of style & ornamentation! Guthrie Govan plays all the audio tracks sounding off the readers poll results for UK magazine- Guitar Techniques.

I'm guessing the video slide show was created by the person who uploaded the vid to youtube.

A great, handy & concise quick reference on the techniques of some very key guitar players-- which you could even use as a jam track for a concentrated cram lesson drill on feel!

Here's the little vid description blurb which includes the technique categories & artists in same order as slide show and audio-- Enjoy!:

"...Best chord voicings - Eric Johnson
Best use of capo - James Taylor
Best strumming - Pete Townsend
Best use of E-Bow or sustaining device - The Edge
Best vibrato - BB King
Best string bending - David Gilmour
Best finger picking - Mark Knopfler
Best hybrid picking - Albert Lee
Best tapping - Eddie Van Halen
Best palm muting - Al Di Meola
Best sweep picking - Yngwie
Best speed, Best alternate picking, Best string skipping - Pablo Giblerto
Best pinched harmonics - Zakk Wylde
Best use of an effect - Tom Morello
Best legato - Satch
Best fretting hand reach, Best use of harmonics - Steve Vai
Best use of slide - Sonny Landreth
Best feel - Jeff Beck
Best timing - John Schofield
Most creative/experimental player, Best use of whammy bar, Overall winner - Jimi..."

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