![Custom Heritage](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/5213/488989/5f2409be6437b/Custom-Heritage.jpg)
Yamaha might be one of the biggest names in the musical instrument world, but it is a company that tends to plough its own path – almost, it seems, avoiding the fickle world of musical fad and fashion by design. As we report, for example, Yamaha’s only current artist signature electric guitar model is the 1611MS Mike Stern, a guitar that was conceived back in the mid-90s and that, aside from a relatively recent refresh, has stayed exactly the same.
It’s not that Yamaha doesn’t do the artist thing. There have been a great many over the years – Ty Tabor, Frank Gambale, Sammy Hagar, Wes Borland and Troy Van Leeuwen to name a few – but as Ken Dapron, the founder of Yamaha’s LA’s custom shop, or Yamaha Guitar Development (YGD) as it was originally known, comments, “A lot of signature models – and this applies to many companies – don’t actually last very long. That might be due to genre changes, but guitar players do seem to shift around more than bass players.”
Unless you’re Mike Stern, of course, a signature guitar player who’s been happy with his Yamaha for over 20 years. Based on the very early Pacifica models (specifically the USA1) that were originally conceived by the small YGD team of Ken, ex-Ibanez designer Rich Lasner and luthier Leo Knapp, the Telecaster-inspired style of Mike’s signature also remains a rarity – it’s the only single-cut Pacifica in the range and has been for a long time.
Famously, the design of the Pacifica was more of an exercise: Yamaha wanted to see what YGD could do, remembers Ken.
Esta historia es de la edición Summer 2020 de Guitarist.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición Summer 2020 de Guitarist.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
![BASIC INSTINCTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/MPMlY46Ko1716554046732/BASIC-INSTINCTS.jpg)
BASIC INSTINCTS
The sophisticated range of Swedish-designed guitars made by .strandberg* has lured thousands of players over to the headless side. But the company's new stripped-back Boden Essential model is its strongest play yet for the hearts and minds of mainstream players
![Second String](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/sBvIB9aL_1716553429966/SECOND-STRING.jpg)
Second String
As PRS's more affordable USA-made S2 line moves into its second decade, the series gets a revamp with - at last - USA-made pickups and electronics. What took so long?
![PABLO VAN DE POEL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/pliVW8Gi81716553146589/PABLO-VAN-DE-POEL.jpg)
PABLO VAN DE POEL
When a band from The Netherlands describes themselves as 'raw, psychedelic Southern rock', it may take a little cognitive processing to work out what that might mean. One listen to DeWolff, however, and you will be duly transported to the 60s for some fuzzed-out rock 'n' roll
![THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/fTGNQAUsa1716552615812/THE-BERNIE-MARSDEN-COLLECTION.jpg)
THE BERNIE MARSDEN COLLECTION
With a fabulous collection of the late Bernie Marsden's guitars, amps and other highly collectable music gear going under the auctioneer's hammer on 11 June, we were thrilled to have the chance of a sneak preview
![LENNY KRAVITZ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/ne2PrIV6l1716552113747/LENNY-KRAVITZ.jpg)
LENNY KRAVITZ
Some 35 years since the release of his debut LP, for his 12th record, Blue Electric Light, Lenny Kravitz is back again with equal doses of vigour and vibes, using vintage guitars and the purest valve amps
![GEORGE VJESTICA](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/PizpXRgr21716551673569/GEORGE-VJESTICA.jpg)
GEORGE VJESTICA
You may not know him at first glance, but the work of Stoke-on-Trent native George Vjestica has probably impacted some of your favourite albums and movies
![DICKEY BETTS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/S1yn6-n1d1716550402126/DICKEY-BETTS.jpg)
DICKEY BETTS
Emerging from the shadow of Duane to write signature hit Ramblin' Man, the Allman Brothers guitarist was a hard-living pioneer of Southern rock
![NICK GUPPY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/oT2xY-izl1716550275271/NICK-GUPPY.jpg)
NICK GUPPY
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our highly valued amplifier guru, who died suddenly in April
![Lucky Break](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/yNx8pJTlM1716550134770/LUCKY-BREAK.jpg)
Lucky Break
Alex Bishop blends old wood with new in an attempt to fix a severely damaged guitar headstock
![Tones Behind The Tracks](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5213/1708933/vBB5zBmVh1716549877912/TONES-BEHIND-THE-TRACKS.jpg)
Tones Behind The Tracks
Cedric Burnside learnt at the knee of his fabled grandfather, but his latest album is a hill country blues masterclass on his own terms