Over my many years of writing about and criticising guitars, occasionally I’ve also been involved in designing a guitar from the ground up. It’s all very well swapping some hardware or coming up with your own wiring system but designing the whole thing – where you’re in the driving seat – is a different matter. Some of you may have been lucky enough to spec out your own custom-shop guitar, or take your idea to a guitar maker. But that’s a very personal choice. What if you had to design a guitar that would be for sale and the whole world would be your judge?
I’m sure many of you will remember the furore surrounding PRS’s Silver Sky design. It seemed like the whole world had an opinion, initially based on just a photograph and a spec list. Today, your design may well be judged on that alone. I recently saw a thread about a new design by a well-established boutique maker. A simple picture caused a raft of negatives: “That’s ugly”; “Anyone could do better.” As I write I’m looking at that very guitar. Having spent a lot of hours with it and recorded a near album’s worth of song demos with it, I think it’s one of the most creative-sounding, beautifully made instruments I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing. What do I know?
China Calling
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Esta historia es de la edición November 2020 de Guitarist.
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QUICK CHANGE
As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar
Return Of The Rack
A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.
Pure Filth
This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.
Reptile Royalty
From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion
Tradition Revisited
Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more
Ramble On
Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?
Redrawing The 'Bird
A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.
Boss Cube Street II
Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.
STILL CRAZY
One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more