Fender have recently introduced upgrades to their flagship American Standard models. Most interesting to me are the upgrades to the Stratocaster. The 2012 model now features Fender Custom Shop Fat '50s pickups. Check out the press release for all the details: Fender’s acclaimed American Standard series guitars and basses have been upgraded for 2012, resulting in the latest … [Read more...]
NAMM 2012: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop Joe Bonamassa Signature Pickup Set
The Seymour Duncan Custom Shop have partnered with Joe Bonamassa to create the Joe Bonamassa Signature Pickup Set, which attempt to replicate the P.A.F. pickups in Joe's 1959 Les Paul: Wound on the historic Leesona machine that created humbuckers for Gibson back in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the set features an Alnico 2 magnet in the neck pickup and Alnico 3 in the bridge. … [Read more...]
NAMM 2012: Taylor GS Mini Mahogany
Taylor have expanded their GS Mini model this year by adding a new mahogany-topped model as an option. Here's what Taylor says about the GS Mini series: A marvel of scaled-down design, the GS Mini is a fun little acoustic cannon that has taken the world by storm. Sporting a rich, full voice that belies its compact size, the Mini is ultra-portable, yet just as comfortable to … [Read more...]
NAMM 2012: Fano Guitars Sphears Line
Fano Guitars are known for creating retro-inspired guitars, and creator Dennis Fano has continued that tradition while adding a retro-futurist feel to his new Sphears line guitars. There are three models in the Sphears line: the Psonicsphear, the Retrosphear, and the Stratosphear. The guitars feature a chambered acrylic core fused to an anodized aluminum skin. I'm curious to … [Read more...]
NAMM 2012: Fender Voyager Concept
Fender CEO Larry Thomas invited The Music Zoo to a special room at NAMM known as Larry's Lab. Larry's Lab features prototypes and experimental guitars developed by Fender's R&D department. One model The Music Zoo saw was the Fender Voyager Concept guitar, which is one of the coolest new guitar shapes I've seen in a while. I'd love to see this guitar put into production. … [Read more...]