Yesterday, November 28, 2008, marked the official debut of Fender’s Yngwie Malmsteen Tribute Series Stratocaster. Like the other Tribute Series guitars that Fender has done, this is a limited edition guitar that is based on the guitar that the artist is most known for. In Yngwie’s case, this is a scalloped-neck olympic white 1971 Fender Stratocaster. Fender always seems to do a meticulous job with their Tribute Series guitars, so I’m sure the Malmsteen guitar is just as authentic.

Below is Fender’s promotional video for the guitar.

When not playing guitar or working, I can often be found reading, and one of my favorite authors is Jonathan Kellerman. Many of Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series of novels mention the guitar, so it was no surprise to me to find out that Kellerman is an avid guitar collector. And, apparently he has a world-class vintage guitar collection that he has featured in a new book titled With Strings Attached: The Art and Beauty of Vintage Guitars.

From the product description:

Kellerman takes us on a fascinating guided tour through his collection, complete with rich personal histories of his favorite instruments and of the brilliant, often eccentric craftsmen and musicians who brought them to life. It is a record of one man’s lifelong love affair with the guitar . . . and it is much, much more.

I was looking on Eric Johnson’s Web site and noticed that he released a new live DVD, titled Anaheim Live, on November 11. The DVD was recorded at the Grove in Anaheim, CA on May 3, 2006.

The set list includes some of Johnson’s biggest hits as well as songs from his latest album, Bloom. There are also several bonus acoustic performances of Wind Cries Mary, Song For George, and Song for Lynette. The acoustic performances are from Johnson’s 2004 acoustic guitar and piano show at the Galaxie Theater in Santa Ana, CA. In addition to the performances, the DVD also features an interview with Johnson.

The full set list of the Anaheim Live DVD is:

Summer Jam
My Back Pages
Trademark
Manic Depression
On The Way To Love
Rocktopus
S.R.V.
Little Bit Me Little Bit You
Cliffs Of Dover

Bonus Acoustic Performances:

Wind Cries Mary
Song For George
Song For Lynette

Congratulations to John Nobles Ron Hanks Jr., who has been selected as the winner of Jimmy Herring’s Lifeboat CD!

Note: I’ve notified John by e-mail, but have not yet heard back from him. If I haven’t heard back from John in the next 24 hours, I’ll choose another winner.

Update: John never responded to my e-mail, so I’ve selected Ron Hanks Jr. as the winner. Congratulations, Ron!

Just a reminder that the Jimmy Herring Lifeboat CD giveaway ends this Saturday, November 15, 2008. All you have to do the enter is send me an e-mail via the contact form using the subject “Herring.” I’ll randomly select a winner from the entries. Currently, only one person has entered the contest, so you have a very good chance of winning a free CD!

Note: I will not use e-mail addresses for any purpose other than to let the winner know that they have won.