Shred box

Not suppossed to but... Only this one.

Marshall reissue pedals: IN

Pic: Guitar

The much talked about, somewhat highly anticipated Marshall reissue pedals you see above are now available at Swee Lee: $229 ea. That's kinda fast considering its official announcement was rather recent (not even a week ago).

Edit: The Guv'nor is out of stock. 

Not quite 70s

Gibson has officially released a 'new' model yesterday - the Les Paul Deluxe 70s re-issue. This was leaked somewhere in cyberspace towards the close of 2020 so it's no surprise then that it's in regular production now. There's a re-curring theme here if you noticed, Gibson seems to favour the '70s' tag in the mean time. Last year they did the Flying V version & this year, the LP - both missing the 70s details to qualify them as true re-issues. The immediate visual 'wrong' here is the headstock; 70s LP models sport the wider version & this one is as Standard as it gets. They got the headstock of the Flying V version wrong last year so... 🙄 There are also the absence of the thumb bleeder indicators for the control knobs & the sandwiched body construction, among others. Whatever, Gibson.

Gibson priced this 70s model to match the current 50s / 60s LP Standards so rightfully, when it gets here, it should cost as much as the 50s / 60s models listed domestically (TBC). It spells bad news for the 2015 model which is currently listing for more & we know the 2015 specs, yes? It makes selling any 2015 Gibson very difficult, even in the after-market. I'm not advocating for a clearance price for the 2015 to happen because as it is, they are indeed (selected colours) clearing for a good price (Hot deals: $2,561.30 currently out of stock / B-Stock: $3,366.28). 

I see the re-emergence of the LP Deluxe, in any iteration, as a positive move by Gibson. The mini humbucker is a good alternative to the standard humbucker & P90 voicings. If there's any good in this revival, it's the pickups. Ardent fans find this 70s version a little worrying because it's not an accurate take on a bona fide 70s model. Looks like Gibson took the best details of the LP Deluxe in its respective era (namely late 60s - mid-70s) & came up with this mishmash which turned out pleasant to say the least. We are watching you, Gibson. Your deceptive ways are glaring (but forgivable). 

Pics: Gibson

HM is in

Fender's 2020 version of its HM Strat is now available at Swee Lee. Both maple/ rosewood fretboard versions are listing for $1,799 ea. 

For this amount of money, you get the least favourable Floyd Rose bridge (FR Special), do keep that in mind. I'm not deflating your enthusiasm but how much more does a 1000 series FR bridge cost compared to the Special? Not much. It shows how enthusiastic Fender is in re-introducing this iconic model. For this amount of money, it's wiser to give the buyers their money's worth, yes? Also, please be aware that the scale length is 25.1" as opposed to the regular Strat's 25.5" & it has nothing to do with the number of frets or length of the entire instrument. 

Swinging return

This was last week's trending feed; Fender reissued the Swinger. This model here is how the original Swinger looked like, just a single neck pickup & that's how it's reissued.

A more sensible two-pickup option is also available. I'm more attracted to this olympic white finish with a matching pickup cover. 

These are limited runs, if your distributor stocks Fender Japan instruments, chances are, you might see it in store next year. Looks like the world has a fetish for ugly headstocks. This is the second hideous headstock to turn heads (forgive the pun), the first:

Ok, let's not judge the instrument's performance solely by the headstock outlines. Hopefully, these would make it here for nostalgia's sake.

I'm really hoping they do a Bronco re-issue. 😓

Skyhawk revisited

G&L Skyhawks are being re-introduced this late Summer/ Fall & that's a good thing. It was quite the staple of the '80s being a non-Fender alternative featuring a trio of single coils. This time, the manufacturer included a toggle option for more sonic choices. Let's see if these make their way here now that we have an official G&L dealer. 

Eagle

The Black Eagle- something that used to be in the Ibanez catalogs in the '70s- is now on a limited edition re-issue, all in the name of anniversary commemoration. Maybe some of us would get excited over this but it's all about having such models here at the stores- there's no guarantee it would happen. But it's news anyway.

Marshall: Silver Jubilee 2555 reissue

Marshall has reissued its Silver Jubille amp, that stellar tone of 1987, at NAMM this year. I've heard the tone in action before- sounds very much like a polished JCM800/900 which some players would prefer (especially for those of us who crank things up for a living).

Ibanez: RG550 (re-intro/Genesis) Part 3

Of course, in keeping with tradition/history, the RG550 comes with a non-voluted neck. Meaning- there is no hump under the part where the headstock meets the neck. Tuners are the tried & trusted GOTOHs & the neck as a whole is a 5-piece construction- strength assured.

Ibanez... some news (RG content)

Some news from the Ibanez front- the re-issue RG550/ 570 aka the Genesis models will make their way here soon (like very soon- in 2 weeks time) but the above chameleon finish won't be offered in this region- ARGH!

Anyway, the manufacturer had promised us an affordable price tag despite them being Prestige models but the catch is- no case/ bag provided. Let me give you a little foreclosure on the price- it's more affordable than some of the PREMIUM selections... :-o

AT100- reissued...

For the record, Andy Timmons is no longer an Ibanez endorser. This 2009, in the spirit of true benevolence (believably...), the manufacturer is re-issuing the AT100; here's what Mr. Timmons has to say about it (taken from his official home page):

Hi Folks,

I'm very proud to announce that Ibanez and I have agreed to re-issue the original AT100 on a global scale. As opposed to the original AT100 which was a limited production (we think @ 300 were made), the AT100CL will be available worldwide and will be made to the exact specs as the original including the hand shaped neck!!

As you may recall, I announced a while back that I had parted ways with Ibanez and that I just wanted to play whatever I felt like playing. I never had any intention of signing with another guitar company as many had speculated. I did get approached by many companies once word got out (which I was very flattered by) but it was more important to me to remain independent and avoid a reputation as an "endorsement hopper".

What I discovered in this time period is that I do love to play Strats occasionally as well as SG Specials, Teles and Les Pauls but nothing feels like "home" like my original AT100. Tone, feel and expression.

It's truly MY guitar. As I was coming to this realization, Hoshino invited me to play for their 100th Anniversary concert in Japan w/Steve Vai and Paul Gilbert.

I was very honored to be asked to do so and I thought it was cool for them to ask considering I wasn't currently an endorsee. During my visit they approached me with the idea of re-issuing the AT100. It was just perfect timing...it felt "right"!

I know there has been a lot of interest in this guitar in the past, so I'm so happy to say that it will finally be available in 2009!

The guitar will be unveiled at the January NAMM show (and available for pre-order) in Anaheim and should be in stores by Spring.

The Andy Timmons Band will appear opening for Paul Gilbert and Racer X
as part of the NAMM festivities. Good stuff indeed.

I'm off to play...I'm inspired!!!

Andy