Divided by 13 Combo - CJ 11

2011 Hand Built Amp - Pre-owned Auction

Guess what color they call this... just guess, ok.

ProGuitarShop currently lists this Divided by 13 combo at their eBay Store. The 2011 model is "mint" condition/pre-owned. Maybe the orig. owner had second thoughts about the *"pippin" & white color combo. Maybe when they got it home, it didn't exactly match their decor quite like it was meant to. Maybe someone made fun of them... someone important, whose opinion matters to them. Or, who really cares!

Well, somebody has to care. So, *"Pippin" is after an apple variety which looks similar to a Granny Smith, only perhaps not as Beatles albumish. Myself, I'm thinkin' guacamole. And if somebody doesn't like that, I'm just sayin, "No guacamole for you!", like the Guac Nazi.

Oh yeah, about the amp-- Based on 50's Fender tweed configs, the Divided by 13 CJ11 is 11 watts-class A with two 6V6's, a standard GZ34/5AR4 rectifier, 12" Celestian, a master vol and 4/8/16 ohm outputs. It's HAND BUILT, comes with a cover, and PGS is only shipping ground to USA & Canada.

Listing says, "...any situation from the bedroom to the stage." But if you're like me, it's best to keep the guacamole-- and the pea soup out of the bedroom. *PIPPIN huh...

More Amp Finds - if you can take it!

*note: Although the manufacture and seller spell it "PIPPEN", the correct spelling is "PIPPIN" if it's really named after the apple. Good luck finding any reference to this color searching "PIPPEN". Any Chicago Bulls fans out there?

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Fender Vintage 64 Pre-CBS Strat

Oly White - 7.1 Lb.

 Click for close-ups!

Here's a very nice listing! Lots and lots of photos, including fully disassembled and dissected shots-- of the case as well. Plus, the seller is 100% rated with plenty of history and other cool gear inventory listed which doesn't include rebuilt MOPAR parts or Girls Gone Wild DVD's. Not too shabby considering the location-- Jacksonville, FL.

They say it's a refin, and considering the current wear, those frets could be the 3rd set, although the Brazilian RW fretboard appears in very good condition. The pics are numerous, close and clear. And 7.1 lbs! Holy Jesus!

Also, there's a mystery photo of some unnamed rock star type wailing on this guitar on stage. Can't tell who-- but I'm guessing the late great Allen Collins, or maybe Audley Freed. Somebody find out who the hell that is, and let me know at Stratoblogster Facebook ok! 

Oh yeah, so the seller is eBay Store: music-garage-4u

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Johnny Depp Jammin' With Alice Cooper!

Johnny Depp's Guitar Skills

Cooper says Johnny Depp is in the same league as Slash and Brian May. I dunno about that-- especially the Brian May part, but the Deppster definitely has some chops! Another guitarist also solos here, but Depp takes one from 01:13 - 01:33. Killer vibrato too! Wide like Michael Schenker, and kinda draggy like Mick Ralphs, which all comes from Kossoff. So Johnny listens to a serious genetic line of guitar.


Full Article at AolMusic

We still don't know if Kiefer actually plays guitar. You know, Henry's drinkin' buddy.

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Yellow Strat for Summer!

Graffiti Yellow '88 American Standard

It's way lighter under the pickguard!

photo: Bill Bachmann

Now that it's officially Summer, doesn't a yellow Strat just make more sense? According to color psychology data, the perception of yellow stimulates more chemical changes in the brain than any other color. I know my mind keeps goin' thru them changes.

"Graffiti Yellow" is a Fender custom color. The top photo item is currently listed at eBay as an '88 American Standard Graffiti Yellow. It looks to be in great shape too. The lower pic is provided to help relieve you of any doubts or anxieties about the validity of yellow. So just go bananas and play The Lemon Song until it runs down your leg.

Yellow Strats @eBay

Not many but keep checking!

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More Stratoblogster Posts at GW Online

They'll Publish Anyone...

Magneto Sonnet - Racing Orange

Check out my latest post at Guitar World online, where we announce the meeting of a fresh new artist with a fresh new guitar line, and two great tastes come together! Bryan Baker and Magneto Guitars. 

Click Here for my ongoing GW archive... Ongoing at least until they give me the boot that is.

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Private Reserve Guitars - Top Brand Custom Shop Models

Fender, Gibson, PRS, Gretch, Rick...



Musician's Friend Private Reserve is a great source for top models by the big guitar makers. Although Musician's Friend is probably the world's largest online gear supplier, if you're on the market for a hi-end custom shop or limited run guitar-- Private Reserve has a small team of veteran guitar geeks you can actually talk to about your needs.This small team hand picks what they bring in, and they also co-design custom runs with the custom shops.

I also like to promote small boutique builders, but if you feel more comfortable sticking with a top line Fender, Gibson, PRS, etc., Chris and Scott at Private Reserve may have the right instrument for your needs. And your guitar will be QC'd and set up right.

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Fender CS Masterbuilt Gold Sparkle Relic Strat

With the Jason Smith Twist!

 Click images for close-ups! Seriously!

My favorite thing about Jason Smith Relics is the multiple finish wear through areas. He's done Surf Green over Coral Pink stuff that's just skanky slutty sick! And I like that... sometimes. Shhh!

The above feature is gold sparkle over 3-tone burst over fiesta red (BLT! Hold the lettuce!). And if you click on the bottom photo, you'll see an extremely checked gold sparkle! Gives me an impression of the guitar body having a molten core that's buckling an outer crust of precious metals. Heavy alchemy mojo vibe! Either that, or a pedicure gone terribly wrong.

The Music Zoo is currently listing this as a 2008 pre-owned Masterbuilt, from a '59 Wildwood series run. It comes with COA, all candy and OHSC. Large "C" quartersawn 10" radius neck with 6105's and John Cruz pickups.

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Fender Custom Shop Parts & Components

Largest Selection!

FCS '59 Relic Shell Pink Nitro

In case anyone's been seeking a shell pink, Relic Strat body-- here's one! It's an FCS '59, nitro, and includes a COA. 

The STRATosphere has tons and tons of new/pre-owned genuine Fender parts you will not find anywhere else. They part out artist models, CS necks & bodies, across the board, and pass the savings on to you. Well, actually they can be pretty pricey, but they have it in stock. Anyone else would have to special order-slow boat most of this stuff. Because STRATosphere is totally eBay based, they have to really stock anything they list. And their feedback score is proof enough!

So if you woke up last night with a hankerin' for a shell pink Strat body, these folks would be able to kick it out the door to you right away! Go surf  the inventory-- you won't believe what's there!

Also check out: Carlsbad Guitars

Pimp Your Strat - More ideas, links, mods and purveyors!

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ZZ Top Touring - New Album by End 2011

Stay on Track With ZZ Top!

Plenty of buzz out there about new ZZ Top material coming out by end of this year! They're also touring right now, with summer shows in Europe and back to US in late Summer/Fall.

Word has it that Rick Rubin is on board for album production help, who Billy refers to as a "notorious character", in typical Gibbons-speak.. Also, watch for a line of ZZ/Billy G. inspired tequila, BBQ sauce and hot sauce products.

But it's the music! Above is a sample from one of my fave ZZ albums, "Rhythmeen". It's amazing how many "so called" ZZ Top fans don't even know about this album. IMO it's one of their very finest in terms of guitar textures, sound, cool tunes and drum/rhythm tracks.

So watch for the new stuff! There is, and always has been life beyond Eliminator & Afterburner!

www.zztop.com

About Billy's Hat...

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Suhr Modern Zebrawood Honey Burst

Friday Strat #220

 Click for close-ups!!!

This one really caught my attention. I'm not crazy about zebrawood or everything about this particular config, although I dig Suhr guitars. But the depth of this zebrawood honey burst finish against black pickups and gold hardware just demands serious respect.

Under the zw cap is a black limba body. Limba aka korina is also known as African Mahogany because of it's similarities to mahogany. Neck is "roasted" maple with ebony. And the reverse headstock is also zebra capped. Otherwise, all the hdwr and electronics are top notch as we expect from Suhr. Frets are jumbo stainless steel. Aldrich bridge pickup, and ML single. And remember that Suhr's Fletcher-Landau pickups are now called "Michael Landau".

All in all, a pretty sporty guitar! Also, know that zebrawood doesn't come from zebras, and isn't itself an endangered or rare species.

Wild West Guitars- is listing this guitar as new, and just know they ain't givin' it away either. So break out that fat plastic!

Roasted maple?

Friday Strat Archive  

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Kit Carson Guitar Pendant!

Made by Arizona Artist Kit Carson

Crazy! Just yesterday I was thinking about Kit Carson, who I profiled in Sept. 2010. He's done some cool art guitars with Fender Custom Shop. Click the lower photo for more about him, his links and the featured Esquire built for Billy Gibbons, also profiled by Guitar Aficionado.

Carson is primarily a jewelry maker with serious rep and clientele. The pendant featured at the top is currently listed for auction at eBay. CLICK HERE for all current Kit Carson listing results. He lives out in the AZ desert and makes badass stuff! I actually spoke with him on the phone last year. Very laid back, groovy cat. Probably brews his own cactus juice too!

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Cuisine For Guitar Players

Stratoblogster's Coily Rib Technique!



Taking a moment away from guitar blogging to share my latest foodie idea! If you're a vegan, I'm really sorry.

Haha! I'm NOT sorry!  
  
Click Here for my super secret scratch BBQ sauce recipe! Also, FYI regarding rubs- For pork, I just mix up some brown sugar, black pepper, celery seeds, a little salt and a smidge of ground allspice.

Another tip about rub: Don't "rub" it on the meat. Just pat it on. All this rubbing business, especially with salt involved, can cause the meat to expel valuable juices. When slow/low temp smoking, you don't want thin cuts like ribs drying out. So gently pat on your rub. And go find something else to rub instead.

Traeger Pellet Smokers- Stratoblogster Approved!

Stratoblogster Labs

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Stratoblogster's Latest Post at GW Online

Another One for Guitar World!

Click Here for my second Hendrix parallel perspective piece, recently posted on the Guitar World website. A video find at Youtube reveals some interesting current events factoids from Spring of 1970 as Jimi was doing his final US touring gigs.

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Fender Blues Jr. III "Humboldt" Hot Rod Amp

Pro Guitar Shop - Special Limited Edition

Oregon based ProGuitarShop must fancy themselves as some sort of "tone bud dispensary" with their new custom run Fender Blues Jr.

Just click their search button and check the menu.

The "Humboldt" sports green tolex, an Eminence Patriot Cannabis Rex hemp cone speaker, specially selected tubes and "Smooth Smokey Tone". $529 is a great price too, although it's too bad they couldn't have gotten it down to $420 to keep the theme rolling. Oh well. Not mentioned, is whether you need a special prescription card to purchase this amp-- or if it can only ship to certain states... Wink, wink!;) Oh yeah, and a Pizza Hut coupon pack.

OR...

Another cool option is what D-Town Guitars is doing with new '65 Princeton RI's. Click Here for details!

Stratoblogster Amp Directory

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Magneto Sonnet S-type Guitar - Friday Strat #219

Sonnet Custom Studio - TIGER BROWN

 Click lower photo for close-up!

"Tiger Brown" refers to the finish, in case you thought this model was named after some 1940's baseball player.

The Sonnet series is Magneto's S-type, and this Sonnet Custom Studio is their top line offering. It's available in two quilted maple cap finishes with sexy matching tuner buttons-- yes, I said sexy. Specs include American alder body, 11" radius neck with 22 - 6105 frets, all Gotoh hardware-- including steel block/saddles and custom Lollar pickups. 

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

Although their classic body styles look pretty standard, Magneto actually shortens the rear section of the body in order to shift certain resonance zones closer to the bridge area. 

Full specs & details are available at: Magnetoguitars.com   

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

Friday Strat Archive  

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Carvin Auctioning Vai Legacy Half Stack Signed

Experience Hendrix 2011 Tour Gear

Steve Vai's mojo spewed thru and thru!

Bidding is already hot and heavy on this VL-100 half stack used by Steve Vai earlier this year in a leg of the Experience Hendrix Tour. Carvin is auctioning this on eBay.  Both the head and 4-12 cab are signed and dated by Steve. Footswitch and speaker cable are also included.

CARVIN-USA- eBay Store

Fan Not Included

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Luthiers Could have Helped MLB Long ago

Why So Many Bats Breaking? Duh!

I just caught this AP News video about the high rate of bat breakage in the MLB, and how they've solved it.

They hired an "expert" to let 'em know that the grain pattern needs to run straight with the bat. So many broken bats, in recent years, tended to have either sloping grain patterns or are too low density of maple. Basically, automation replaced old school bat makers who knew and cared about this stuff. But it's certainly not rocket science.

Guitar necks require the same wood conditions.

Replacement Neck Resources

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Fender CS '60 Strat - Heavy Relic Green Finishes

SURF OR SEA FOAM?

 Surf Green

Sea Foam Green

It sure can be tough differentiating between these two colors, not to mention Daphne Blue and Sonic Blue. Photo color quality, lighting and contrasts can throw things off too. And people frequently mislabel them.

The above photos from the same source, have similar light and same case lining color. Sea Foam is a deeper, bluer green, and Surf is lighter and creamier. My confusion between these two has always stemmed from thinking the word "foam" should refer to the lighter creamier color. But it's the exact opposite. 

Bizarre Guitar - Reno currently lists both versions as new with COA, case candy and brown tolex case. The neck is 9.5" radius with 21 - 6105 frets. They indicate other specs are "modern", indicating a 5-way switch and possibly a C neck shape (not sure). Bridge is a 6 screw though.

For comparison, right now The Music Zoo is listing a Surf Green FCS '60 NOS. These are the non-Relic version. Specs there indicate an "oval C" neck shape. The NOS is about $300 less, so you would just have to trash the crap out of it yourself like some "career" cat.


Check out the Fender Custom Colors swatches at Guitar ReRanch.

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Rev. Billy Gibbons' 10 Favorite Blues Albums!

MusicRadar Feature

Be sure to check the link above for Joe Bosso's very cool piece with the Reverend Gibbons, talking about his all time top 10 Blues albums. The article includes 10 tunes from those albums you can listen to while reading Billy's perspectives as only the Rev. himself can so colorfully relate.

I was blown away by the Lightnin' Hopkins tune from 1954 -- "Moving Out Boogie". Loud rockin' electric guitar tone & grooves like that in '54 were probably one of most evil things one could listen to. People who did probably kept it to themselves during daytime hours & weekdays...


Ed note: This rare photo of Gibbons with a Strat, by David Munoz, was found at virtuallubbock.com. We don't think the Strat is a PhotoShop job...

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Stratoblogster Article Trashed on GW Facebook Wall!

Hendrix - Robin Williams Parallel Not Well Received!

"This Stratoblogster, he writes good material... FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!" 

First of all, many thanks to Damian at Guitar World for the opportunity to contribute at GW's new site! My debut article, posted a couple days ago, has actually received lots of "Likes" at GW's Facebook, but the comments have been rough! Still, nearly 6 years of blogging has taught me that NO response is real death, so I'm lovin' this! 

Since GW's wall thing will scroll away soon, here are some favorite comment snippets:


"The only good film Robin Williams did was Mrs. Doubtfire. Other than that he's always been annoying. Jimi on the other hand, I could listen to all day."


"Robin Williams irritates the shit out of me. I couldn't care less about any random, meaningless coorilation between he and the the brilliance of Hendrix."


"pffft! No comparison, except for maybe that Jimi might have dug Mork from Ork for a minute! ;)"


"fuck robin williams"


"Love em both but it seems like somebody was up against a deadline while there was a comedy special on and this is the best he could come up with. Nice try, but no...."


BEST COMMENT: 

"This is absolutely dunderheaded. Just because Williams can make jokes and act 'funny' doesn't elevate him to the status of Hendrix any more than the ability to blog transforms the average Joe into Mark Twain. Pieces like this prove just how much the internet has evolved into a fools paradise."

For their astute and precision grasp of context, each commenter should be awarded a spiffy Behringer pedal signed by Oprah. We should look at putting something like this together for future editions!

Note:  Due to a technical issue, commenting is disabled on this site, however, you can always share your love at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Stratoblogster-Guitar-Blog

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Johnny & Edgar Winter 1970

41 Year Old Video!!!

"The two coolest Winters on record!" was one comment seen where I discovered this video.

For perspective, remember that Hendrix was still around till Sept. 1970. Not many Rock performance videos out there this old, that are such high quality. I suspect this was filmed in Sweden or Denmark, as we've seen a couple other similar vintage Winter clips labeled as such. Maybe their film is so well preserved because of the cold winters...

Johnny's solo footage starting at 02:28 is pretty badass for a 41 year old guitar solo. At that time, only a small handful of Rock guitar players could run at that level. And check out that old gold top LP with P90's! We don't feature Gibby's much around here, but this is special-- especially on Mr. Paul's birthday week.

Johnny and Edgar still tour today! And BTW, that gangly lookin' kid on bass is Tommy Shannon. 41 years folks!

Thanks to our good friend Jack Pribek @ Snake Oil blog!

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Fender CS Masterbuilt '57 Strat - Aged Firemist Gold

Friday Strat #218

 AAA Flame/Tiger Maple Neck

Click images for close-ups!

Firemist Gold is an old Cadillac color I think. Oldsmobile also used a similar finish in late 50's.

This Todd Krause Masterbuilt Time Machine Series '57 is done in an aged Firemist Gold, and sports a 7.25" radius neck with plenty of wear on all that tiger flame maple. It's kinda unusual to see all that relic fingerboard wear on this type of maple. Usually we see neck wood like this finished perfectly to showcase the grain.

Custom Metal and Classic Guitars lists this guitar as new with COA and tweed case. It also features FAT 50's pickups, soft "V" neck and 6105 frets.

Friday Strat Archive
 

 

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Todd Rundgren's Johnson Review

Todd Does Album of Robert Johnson Tunes!
Why not?

photo cred: Mark Mawston

Always working on something, and likely to do anything, "Todd Rundgren's Johnson" -- the actual album name, serves up red hot tamales with the fresh conviction & sound of an early 70's British Invasion record. What Eric Clapton's "From the Cradle" brought us in accuracy, Rundgren's Johnson delivers with rawness & power, even though true Todd fans know he also could have attempted a duplicate version of Robert Johnson's original recordings. One never knows.

And that's why this release is getting very mixed reviews out there. Basically, just know that Todd Rundgren's Johnson is a highly spirited, guitar oriented prequel to prog rock, drawing from the deepest Blues well. If you're bored with the middle-aged white Blues bands in their Ray-Bans, this album shows how it's supposed to be done. Vocally, Todd Rundgren & Edgar Winter- both in their 60's- are the last of their generation with enough pipes to still wail out the Blues.



International Guitar just posted a great interview with TR about the Johnson project, and lots of other stuff!

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New Philip Sayce Release - "Ruby Electric"

Canadian Strat-o-Brother Touring UK in July 2011

Philip Sayce fans will be happy to know about the July 11 release of  "Ruby Electric". Philip is one of our favorite Strat-o-Brothers, with his trademark heavy relic'd Olympic White Strat (he didn't buy it that way either)!

Click Here for full scoop and all the latest info. on Philip Sayce.

Don't know Philip Sayce? Watch this video!




Philip Sayce @Amazon.com

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Oops! No Friday Strat This Week...

Have a Slider Today! 

Hey kids, I'm traveling this week and short on time. Grads in the family, etc...

Enjoy a quick McStrat, and be sure to check out our huge Friday Strat Archive!

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Voodoo Amps VPLEX 50 SL Head

Plexi Clone / Single Lead

I found out about this auction from a Voodoo Amps Facebook post. They discovered it at eBay, and mention it's one of the first they produced. So at least we know it's a confirmed legit unit!

Seller: wildjames - Vermont based, good feedback. This is an auction. Maybe they'll toss in some maple syrup.

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