This is a personal one for me..
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of my all time bass heroes, T-Bone Wolk last week. Hall and Oates were one of my favourite bands for at least 20 years, and I saw them live on numerous occasions, always with T-Bone laying down the [...]
Posts under ‘General’
RIP T-Bone Wolk
Johnny Marr’s Stolen Gibson SG is Returned
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Former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr is “ecstatic” after one of his favourite guitars was returned to him – 10 years after it was stolen.
Marr’s treasured vintage 1964 Gibson SG vanished after a show with his band Johnny Marr and the Healers in London in 2000.
The musician was so upset by the theft, he offered [...]
But is it art?
I don’t know…I have very mixed feelings about birds playing guitars!
Trained as a musician and composer, French artist Céleste Boursier-Mougenot creates works by drawing on the rhythms of daily life to produce sound in unexpected ways. His installation for The Curve will take the form of a walk-though aviary for a flock of zebra finches, [...]
Conan O’Brien Talks About Guitar Collecting
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I came across this interesting clip today..I had no idea he was into guitars. Then again, being English, I don’t get to see his show very often anyway and I guess I won’t be seeing it in the future either!
Being a big rockabilly fan he has his focus on Gretsch guitars…enjoy!
Guitar Collecting iphone app now available!
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We have developed a free iphone app for all our readers who want to read this site whilst on the move, or are sitting on the couch in front of the TV.
Just go to the Apple app store (direct from your phone or from Apple’s website) and search for “guitar collecting”.
Download the free app [...]
Lowell Kiesel, Founder of Carvin, 1915 – 2009
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Just a little snippet of sad news;
It is with great sadness that Carvin announces the passing of it’s founder, Lowell C. Kiesel.
Mr. Kiesel was born in Nebraska in 1915, and as a young man, spent time in Wichita, Kansas, where he developed an interest in musical instruments; specifically, Hawaiian steel guitars, resonators and the [...]
Picasso’s “Little Guitar” recovered in Italy
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Here is a weird but interesting little story…
A small guitar which Pablo Picasso had sculptured as a gift for his daughter Paloma has been recovered by the Italian Police.
The Police state that Picasso had given the toy to his friend Vittorio Parisi.
Two years ago, Parisi, at the age of 92, handed over the little [...]
It turns out father does know best
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Here is a great story I unearthed the other day. It just goes to show that there are still some fantastic guitars out there, still waiting to be found!
This is the story of my father, who was a pack rat, his 50-year-old guitar, which sat neglected in our basement for years, and the extraordinary [...]
BB King’s Lucille Comes Home
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I found this great story by Eric Dahl on the Guitar Center blog, so I thought I’d pass it on;
I’m one of those people that is always in search of the next cool guitar so I frequent all of the Las Vegas pawn shops, music stores, Craig’s List and of course Ebay. I’m also [...]
Guitar Hero Games Foster Interest In The Real Thing
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Once frowned upon by just about everyone, video games are breeding a new generation of musicians. Most guitar teachers and competent players will tell you two things about the video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band.
One; they stink at them. Big time.
Two; they’re bad for music. Playing fake music on fake instruments is [...]
The New Guitar Collecting Amazon Store
Time for a little shameless self-promotion.
We have set up our own store within Amazon, for all the guitar related stuff we can think of.
The thinking behind it is that we hope to create a starting point for anybody searching for books about guitar collecting, tab books and sheet music, CDs and DVDs by relevent and [...]
Gibson Guitars may face prosecution under revised Lacey Act
Gibson Guitars, long lauded by environmental groups as a pioneer in the use of sustainable wood products, is the first U.S. company to face prosecution under a new federal law banning trade in illegal wood.
“This is the first enforcement action that we are aware of, and we are extremely encouraged that the government is taking [...]
Iowa music store will restring guitars for food
This is a great story, why don’t other string manufacturers follow D’addarios lead?
Clinton, Iowa — Local music store, Tegeler Music, in cooperation with the D’Addario String Company and the Independent Music Store Owners coalition will take part in the national Restring for Food event collecting non-perishable food items in exchange for restringing guitars. All food [...]
Relic your guitar parts
I found this interesting video yesterday. I’d never considered doing this myself. but it’s given me a few ideas..
Guitar Collecting for the Financially Challenged
As guitarists, most of us would love to have the financial means to acquire a dream collection of our favourite instruments.
Real world pressures usually get in the way though, and most of us restrict ourselves to having one or two guitars at most.
Our collecting urges can now be satisfied though, as well as solving the [...]
1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard is up for Auction
California Auctioneers will be auctioning one of the rarest rock guitars in the world; The 1958 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
An amazing collection of over 70 Autographed guitars of the who’s who in rock n roll, contemporary art, and a rare collection of Marilyn Monroe and Michael Jackson Memorabilia.
On Sunday Oct 11th, 10 am California Auctioneers [...]
Hendrix 1967 Stratocaster For Sale
A 1967 Fender Stratocaster guitar owned by Jimi Henrix with a controversial past is now for sale after its owners settled with the late rock star’s estate.
The sunburst Strat is a right-handed one that was converted to left-handed use to accommodate Hendrix.
The owners, Rockstarsguitars.com, are asking $500,000.
The instrument, currently on display at the Musicians Hall [...]
Bill Wyman criticises ‘Guitar Hero’ style video games
Bill Wyman, the former bassist of the Rolling Stones, has claimed that Guitar Hero, Rock Band and other music games discourage children from learning real instruments.
His criticism comes on the eve of the release of ‘The Beatles Rock Band’ computer game, which allows players to play along with to band’s back catalogue.
“It encourages kids not [...]
Steve Lukather sells his surplus gear on Ebay
Ex Toto guitarist and all round session superstar Steve Lukather has listed a whole bunch of instruments and gear on Ebay through L.A. Vintage Gear.
Included are a very cool looking Rickenbacker 6/12 string double neck and a unique 26 year old Ibanez prototype of a potential Lukather signature model that never made it into production. [...]
Free Guitar Collecting Ebook!
We have put together a free ebook for all our visitors as a thankyou for your support over the last few months.
“25 Cool Signature Guitars” is almost 50 pages long and is available for free download by filling in your name and email address on the right.
We are also giving you permission to copy, give [...]
United Breaks Guitars pt 2
Dave Carroll has released the second of three videos in this now world famous saga. This one is about the now legendary “Ms Irlwig”…enjoy
RIP Les Paul
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Les Paul, whose pioneering electric guitars were used by a legion of rock stars, has died at the age of 94.
Mr Paul died from complications of pneumonia in New York, according to Gibson, the firm that sold his guitars.
He is credited with inventing the solid-body electric guitar, which went on sale [...]
Warning of guitar ‘identification’ sites
A number of websites have cropped up that claim to be able to provide visitors with information about their guitar via its serial number.
This has misled some guitar owners into believing that their counterfeit guitar is an authentic one. In fact, some counterfeiters or sellers of these fakes now even refer potential buyers [...]
It Might Get Loud
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This new film (great title!) looks like it will be worth a look..
Featuring interviews with Jimmy Page (Led Zep), The Edge (U2) and Jack White (White Stripes, Raconteurs, etc)
Oh No!!! Van crashes into guitar repair shop
Doc Pittillo described the Saturday morning crash that has left him physically unharmed but financially devastated as something akin to a psychedelic experience.
“I turned around and actually saw the van come through the window of the store,” Pittillo said. “It was slow motion.”
Pittillo, owner of The Guitar Doctor, 18171 Euclid St., said he was plucking [...]
How Guitar Strings Are Made
Interesting video this, for anyone who was ever curious about how the process of string making took place.
This video shows D’addario string manufacture.
Enjoy!
Start ‘em Young!
Not a guitar collecting item, but this deserves some further promotion;
“Folsom Prison Blues” performed by Wesley, 5 years old, at the 2009 Spring Coffee Shop Jam, at The Columbia City Theater in Seattle, WA.
Amazing what 5 year old kids spend their time doing these days, eh?
Bay Area Guitar Show Sees Fewer Buyers
Rob Szupak is a semi-retired contractor itching to become a fully retired contractor. For the past three years, the 62-year-old Fairfax resident has been restoring vintage lap steel guitars and tube amplifiers and reselling them, hoping to earn enough of a living to make that his primary source of income.
Szupak’s entry into the guitar market [...]
Canadian Guitarist Gets Revenge For Airline Damaged Guitar
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You have probably seen this story by now, but I thought I’d report on it anyway;
A broken guitar is turning out to be a major break for Canadian musician Dave Carroll.
Carroll has become an Internet sensation after posting a revenge song on YouTube about United Airlines’ baggage handlers breaking his guitar during a flight [...]
John Lennon’s Hofner Senator sells for £205,250!
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A 1958 Hofner Senator guitar owned by John Lennon sold for £205,250 at Christies London auction yesterday.
Guitars owned by John Lennon very rarely appear on the market and George Harrison’s verification of this guitars’ provenance in his letter to Lily Evans is invaluable.
Harrison’s own keen interest in guitars meant that he had a clear [...]
The Michael Jackson Tribute Post
Michael Jackson isn’t the name that usually springs to mind when thinking about guitars, although Eddie Van Halen and Steve Lukather played on the “Thriller” album, Slash played on “Black and White”, and I think Steve Stevens played on “Dirty Diana”.
As the world and his wife are still going on about his death, I thought [...]
London Guitar Show 2009
We made a trip to the London Guitar show last weekend, or to give it its proper title, the London International Music Fair 09, held at the Excel Centre in East London.
I have to say it was a disappointment.
There were noticably fewer guitar manufacturers on display; no Fender, Gibson, or Dean and very few bass [...]
Vintage Guitar Parts
I found an interesting new website today, which may be useful for all of us at some point.
The Parts Drawer is a vintage guitar parts service, dealing primarily with Gibson and Fender (about 80% of their stock) but also catering for other makes too.
In their own words;
With over 20 years of experience in the business [...]
Ronnie Monrose sues Gary Moore over theft of ‘59 Les Paul
In a downer moment that must have left countless concert-goers blinking, shaking their heads, and bellowing, “drag, man!” Guitarist Ronnie Montrose actually stopped a show in mid-song, had the house lights turned on, and scoured the theater when his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard was stolen right off the stage.
Montrose, a San Franciscan, hasn’t seen his [...]
Legendary Guitars Going on Tour
Guitar Center will take its iconic “Legends Collection” on the road beginning May 23 for a 4-city tour that will make weekend stops in Fountain Valley, La Mesa, San Francisco and Hollywood.
New Guitar Collecting Facebook Group!
I’ve just set up a group on facebook which will relate to this website, and will hopefully grow the content more quickly with posts from other readers. Please feel free to join the group, it is open membership, and add your comments, suggestions, photos or anything else you know about old and collectable guitars.
Guitar Collecting [...]
Michelle Obama gives Carla Bruni a Gibson Guitar
Much has been said about the Obama’s gift giving recently. An Ipod for the Queen, the DVDs given to Gordon Brown after his visit to the White House.
But Michelle Obama may have struck the right chord with her gift to her newest friend, Carla Bruni -Sarkozy.
After meeting the wife of French President Sarkozy, Mrs. Obama [...]
Vintage Guitars stolen in Florida
Tens of thousands of dollars worth of vintage, rare and top-of-the-line electric guitars, a $4,200 banjo, ukulele and other musical instruments, CDs and equipment were stolen Saturday or Sunday night from Grampa’s Music, 804-A Anastasia Blvd.
Store owners “Grampa Reece” Smith and his wife, C.J., from St. Augustine Beach, re-organized their remaining inventory Tuesday and worked [...]
Ovation Breadwinners for sale
After my post about the Ovation Breadwinner guitar, I found a couple for sale in London last week.
Both were in the Music Ground shop, and both priced at £899.
Here is a photo of one of them; it seems to be in pretty good condition and original, but I can’t vouch for that.
The shop also had [...]
Alan Rogan Interview
Alan Rogan, legendary guitar technician with The Who and the Rolling Stones, talks about his work and guitars. Guitar tech to rock royalty for decades, Alan talks about his long stint with Who guitar legend Pete Townshend, and explains why Pete’s custom-modded Fender Stratocaster® guitar and Vibro-King® amp are “the real thing” …
Vintage Fender Colours
Just a quickie..I found Curtis Novak’s great site with a wonderful pictorial view of vintage Fender colours.
Even if you aren’t interested in the colours, it’s worth having a look for the lovely photography.
In Curtis’ own words…
These are pictures of my sample blocks of Fender 60’s colors. I attempted to create as accurate as possible a [...]
Paul Brett – Paul Brett – Collecting Vintage Acoustic Guitars
I found this video sampler of Paul Brett’s “Paul Brett – Collecting Vintage Acoustic Guitars” DVD…
You can buy the full length DVD from Pauls website, at Fretdancer.com
Vintage Guitar Forum
I found this great forum whilst researching a future post about Dwight guitars. I haven’t had the time to delve too deeply into all the sub forums, but I strongly recommend that anyone with an interest in vintage guitars should spend some time snooping around here…
http://www.vintaxe.com/boards/index.php
The State of the Vintage Guitar Market
Interviews with guitar dealers at the 2008 Arlington guitar show…
Vintage Guitar Collecting Trivia
I found this interesting video, I’ll let the author explain in his own words;
See how years of exposure to light has faded the finish of a Les Paul Junior. The same thing has happened to older Les Paul Standards – where the red fades away and “cherry” sunburst becomes “ice tea” sunburst.
Guitar [...]
Interesting article about guitar collecting
I found this old, but still relevent article on bnet.com
Anyone who’s ever heard a Jimi Hendrix solo knows that guitars can produce fantastic sounds, and anyone who’s ever ogled the curves of a Fender Stratocaster will tell you they’re mighty stylish as well. But the instrument’s appeal goes well beyond its visual or sonic charm, [...]
Joe Satriani vs Coldplay
A bit off topic, but I thought I would add my thoughts to Joe Satriani’s accusations of plagiarism over his track “If I Could Fly” and the Coldplay track “Viva La Vida”.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Rock guitarist Joe Satriani has sued Coldplay, accusing the Grammy-nominated stars of plagiarizing one of his songs.
Satriani’s copyright infringement [...]
What makes a Guitar Collection?
I guess 2 guitars doesn’t add up to a collection, but maybe 5 does, even if it a small one!
Everyone who plays guitar has their own reasons for doing so..not all players are into their gear, whereas others (like me) take great pleasure from tinkering with instruments, modifying, refurbishing and rooting out new (old) guitars.
Eventually [...]
Guess what this is all about!
We’ll be talking about guitar collecting, different guitar models, beginners guitars, expensive guitars, where to find collectable guitars, advising on maintenance, pointing you towards some interesting guitars, online lessons, collating guitar information, guitar news, events, guitarists and interesting albums and gigs and just about anything else we can think of.
Bear with us while we get [...]
