Epiphone

Epiphone announces a new Tak Matsumoto DC Custom Guitar

Epiphone announces the release of the new 'Epiphone Tak Matsumoto Signature DC Custom' available exclusively in Japan on December 25th 2009. Tak Matsumoto is one of the Japan's leading guitarists and a member of the popular rock band B'z.

This guitar features a beautiful Double Cutaway Mahogany body with a glued-in Mahogany neck using a Long-Neck-Tenon (Deep Set) ultimately resulting in sweeter tone and longer sustain. Traditional Les Paul Custom "Split Diamond" Inlay on the multi-bound headstock and a gold metal trussrod cover featuring an engraved "Tak Matsumoto" name on it combined with a bound Rosewood fingerboard and multi-bound body makes it’s beautiful ebony finish even more attractive.

At the heart of this new guitar are "Gibson USA Burstbucker 2" (Neck) and "Gibson USA Burstbucker 3" (Bridge) humbucking pickups. Made in the USA by Gibson, these pickups give guitarists a replica of the sound and tone from Gibson's original "Patent Applied For" pickups - the same pickups that give the '59 Les Paul Standard its legendary sound. BurstBuckers feature unpolished magnets and non-potted coils. Just like the originals, these reproduce the variations found among vintage Gibson humbuckers.

Other premium features including gold hardware, vintage style tuners with "tulip" buttons, Epiphone PAF LockTone tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece and Epiphone's own StrapLocks. Additionally, each new "Tak Matsumoto Signature DC Custom" comes with a custom hard case featuring the "Tak Matsumoto" signature on it and a certificate of authenticity.

Gaskell

Gaskell Guitars now offering a Mahogany Firestarter

The Gaskell Firestarter, a left handed "Firebird" inspired guitar produced by Australian left handed guitar manufacturer Gaskell Guitars, is being constructed from Japanese ash as opposed to mahogany. The change is in response to the modern trend of guitarists in moving away from "heavy guitars" which eventually weigh the player down by the end of the gig causing discomfort and for some, possibly necessitating a trip to the chiropractor!

The Gaskell Firestarter retains its through-body design with the neck/body piece being replaced with North American maple. The result is a very lightweight guitar with no drop in excellence of sound or playability, but definitely an improvement on endurance for the player. Already left-handed guitarists who have bought the new version are relaying positive feedback, as to it's easy of playing and sound.

The lightweight Gaskell Firestarter is now available worldwide. Because of the difference of wood the guitar has also been reduced in price, so is now even more affordable than before.

For more information, please visit www.gaskellguitars.com

Reverend

Reverend to display the Unknown Hinson at NAMM

Reverend has cooked up a new signature guitar with Unknown Hinson, the self-proclaimed King of Country Western Troubadours, Billy Bob Thornton sideman, and underground guitar legend. The guitar fulfills Hinson's need for a lightweight semi-hollow guitar that can cover everything from authentic Country twang to classic rock Hippy Mess.

Based on the Club King model, this guitar has a smaller, lighter body, and full-length center block for increased clarity when using overdrive. The two Reverend P-90 pickups in combination with the Bass Contour control deliver a wide pallete of tone options. The black color scheme, bat inlays, engraved pickguard, and included Coffin Case complete the vampire-meets-hillbilly vibe. Other key features include a korina body with solid spruce top, 24.75" bolt-on maple neck, and Pin-Lock tuners. Available in Black only. List: $1329, Street $1099.

The Unknown Hinson Signature will be on display at NAMM booth #1372.

For more information, please visit www.reverendguitars.com

DBZ

DBZ Guitars unveils the Bolero Banneret

DBZ Guitars has unveiled the Bolero Banneret, the first in the new Regalia Series of guitars debuting at the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show January 14 in Anaheim, California. The new Regalia Series takes guitar building, features and appointments to a new level by incorporating ornate metal embellishments. Utilizing new CNC technology, combined with Old World hand casting, the ornate metal castings are of jeweler quality, detail, and finish.

Legendary guitar builder, Dean Zelinsky has always had the reputation of taking the art of guitar building to the next level. With his new company established in 2008, he has created a new platform to push even further and continues to expand on his 30-plus years of innovation. The Regalia Series will broaden the existing models by incorporating a finely crafted, metal, set-in on the bodies of the instruments. The ornate metal casting is designed in high detail and finished in 24k gold and nickel. To compliment the body's metal casting, each guitar will have a matching truss rod cover at the headstock.

For more information, please visit www.dbzguitars.com

Peavey

Peavey introduces HP Single Cut Series

Peavey has introduced the new HP Single Cut Series, a trio of finely crafted single-cut guitars that combine classic tones and style with modern Peavey playability. The HP Single Cut Series includes three models with humbucking pickups, ceramic loaded for warmth, punch and presence, and harmonically positioned and frequency calibrated for each guitar.

The HP SC-1 and HP SC-2 are elegant two-pickup guitars, while the HP SC-3 is a three-pickup monster with an array of possible tones. In addition to the three-way toggle switch included on all HP Single Cut models, the HP SC-3 has a pull pot that switches the middle pickup on and off. All HP Single Cut guitars feature treble-compensated volume controls that enhance pickup clarity at low volume levels.

HP Single Cut guitars are crafted from basswood with an integral center body section, carved top and a deep lower cutaway with scoop for extended access to the upper register. The HP SC-3 and HP SC-2 feature a set hard rock maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, while the HP SC-1 has the same D-shaped neck but with a four-bolt attachment that includes a steel plate for maximum body-to-neck contact.

The HP SC-3 is available in gloss black and gloss white with gold hardware and block pearloid fret inlays. The HP SC-2 and HP SC-1 boast gloss black, cherry burst and vintage tobacco burst finishes, with chrome hardware and standard dot inlays. All three models use die-cast tuners with a 15:1 gear ratio.

The Peavey HP SC-1, HP SC-2, and HP SC-3 guitars will be available in Q1 2010 from authorized Peavey retailers.

HP SC-3

- 24.75" scale length
- Set neck
- Three Peavey custom designed humbucking pickups, harmonically positioned & frequency calibrated
- Two volume and two tone controls
- Three-way pickup toggle switch
- Pull-pot controls middle pickup on/off for many tonal options
- Deep lower cutaway with scoop for extended access to upper register
- Hard rock maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets
- Adjustable bridge with heavy-duty tailpiece and mounting hardware
- Solid basswood body with integral center body section and deep carved top
- Die-cast tuners with 15:1 gear ratio
- Block inlays
- Gold hardware
- Available in gloss black or gloss white
- U.S. MSRP $499.99

HP SC-2

- 24.75" scale length
- Two custom-designed Peavey humbucking pickups, harmonically positioned and frequency calibrated
- Two volume and two tone controls
- Three-way pickup toggle switch
- Deep lower cutaway with scoop for extended access to upper register
- Hard rock maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets
- Adjustable bridge with heavy-duty tailpiece and mounting hardware
- Solid basswood body with integral center body section and deep carved top
- Die-cast tuners with 15:1 gear ratio
- Chrome hardware
- Set neck design
- Available in gloss black, cherry burst and vintage tobacco burst
- U.S. MSRP $299.99

HP SC-1

- 24.75" scale length
- Two custom-designed Peavey humbucking pickups, harmonically positioned and frequency calibrated
- Two volume and two tone controls
- Three-way pickup toggle switch
- Deep lower cutaway with scoop for extended access to upper register
- Hard rock maple neck with rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium jumbo frets
- Adjustable bridge with heavy-duty tailpiece and mounting hardware
- Solid basswood body with integral center body section and deep carved top
- Die-cast tuners with 15:1 gear ratio
- Chrome hardware
- Four-bolt neck attachment with steel plate for maximum body-to-neck contact
- Available in gloss black, cherry burst and vintage tobacco burst
- U.S. MSRP $249.99

For more information, please visit www.peavey.com

Vox

Vox announces expansion of its Electric Guitar line

VOX Amplification has announced a major expansion of its range of electric guitars. In addition to its acclaimed Virage models, VOX now debuts a selection of new solid-body and semi-hollow body guitars. With this introduction, VOX now offers a complete line of electric guitars featuring a diverse range of colors, finishes and price points.

The expanded VOX guitar lineup encompasses the following:

SSC-33 Standard, Solid-Body, Single Cutaway
SDC-33 Standard, Solid-Body, Double Cutaway
SSC-55 Deluxe, Solid-Body, Single Cutaway
SDC-55 Deluxe, Solid-Body, Double Cutaway
HDC-77 Deluxe, Semi-Hollow, Double Cutaway
Virage SSC, Premium, Semi-Hollow, Single Cutaway
Virage SDC, Premium, Semi-Hollow, Double Cutaway

As with the original Virage guitars, all models feature the signature VOX 3-D contoured body, ensuring a comfortable fit and fatigue-free playing—whether seated or standing. In addition, each guitar features the same inverse heel joint as the original Virage guitars, deeply cut for free access to the upper frets. VOX guitars also feature the MaxConnect aluminum bridge, providing extended saddle travel for flawless intonation with any gauge of string. Strings load in from under the back edge of the bridge to make changing strings a snap. The full contact shape and lightweight combine to deliver thick, rich tone with clear, singing harmonics.

While the Virage relies on the proprietary VOX Three-90 pickups, the new models are equipped with VOX CoAxe pickups, providing whisper quiet operation. Each guitar offers passive, analog volume, tone, and pickup mode switching controls that are logically laid out and easy to use, allowing fast changes during performance. The pickups in the SSC-33 and SDC-33 feature two modes, offering selectable clean and lead modes. The new HDC-77, SSC-55, and SDC-55 feature three selectable modes for clean, crunch, and lead tones.

The new VOX electric guitar lineup brings innovative comfort contouring, unlimited playability, purpose-built hardware, and a broad tonal pallet to a wide range of price points.

All new models (SSC-33, SDC-33 , SSC-55, SDC-55, and HDC-77) will be available April 2010 with pricing TBA. Virage models are currently available.

For more information, please visit www.voxamps.co.uk

Carter/Poulsen

Carter/Poulsen debuts its new generation of Acoustic Guitars

Carter/Poulsen Guitars has announced the debut of their new generation models of acoustic guitars. By combining the best of traditional building techniques/designs and using modern technology to enhance the overall performance/quality of their instruments, the company’s founders Willie Carter and Eric Poulsen, have been able to take their shared passion for steel string acoustic guitars to create and build next-generation professional instruments with a human connection.

“Our tag line, Modern/Classic speaks to our approach. The use of cutting edge technology is typically reserved for the large production shops, and classic techniques are often reserved for very small production shops.” said Carter, “One of our goals was to mate the two, and create an instrument that has the advantages of modern manufacturing, with the characteristics that attract players to vintage instruments. It’s truly the best of both worlds.”

The G-Model

The Carter/Poulsen G-Model was inspired by the great vintage 00 14-fret guitars. The g-model is not a copy but a creation of the Carter/Poulsen Guitars’ collaboration. We designed the g-model from the ground up to be a modern musical instrument with a nod to the classic steel string guitars of the past.

The T-Model

The Carter/Poulsen T-Model has the benefit of close to ten years of refinement. We designed the t-Model to combine the comfort and balance associated with small bodied guitars with the richness and volume expected of larger instruments. This modern/classic instrument is influenced by guitars of the past and executed with an eye towards the future.

The J-Model

The Carter/Poulsen J-Model is the largest bodied instrument in our line and a contemporary synthesis of several proven traditional designs. It occupies a unique position with a distinct voice and character, combined with balance and comfort. The j-model is an expression of the future of modern steel string guitars planted in classic tradition.

For more information, please visit www.carterpoulsenguitars.com