Tag Archive: Gibson
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Transblack - Limited Edition
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This 2010 model Epiphone Les Paul Standard Limited Edition in Transblack is a striking looking guitar by anybody’s standards. Essentially it’s a mahogany body, maple capped Les Paul in the traditional sense but with the flamed maple top still clearly visible under the transparent black finish.
This is going to appeal to the player who wants that ‘all-black’ vibe and the associated connotations with hard rock and metal. However, they may still want to retain some traditional features for when they haul it out to a blues jam or lend it to their Dad. They dont want to go all they way with skulls and crossbones and associated insignia on their … continue reading ‘Epiphone Les Paul Standard Transblack - Limited Edition’
Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary - Top Score
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary is a one-off, special edition acoustic from Gibson. They are only making 20. Look again, that’s right, only a score of these guitars will be made - for the world. That’s a seriously miniscule number, even for a limited edition.
The Gibson Advanced Jumbo was introduced in 1936 but only 300 instruments were made. It was supposed to be in direct competition to the Martin D28, which had established itself as a big, booming ‘cannon’ of a guitar. The Advanced Jumbo was cheaper than the D28, featured Brazilian rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top just like the Martin. It was the D28’s equal in volume and bass response … continue reading ‘Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary - Top Score’
Gibson Flying V - Due for a Revival?
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This iconic guitar, the Gibson Flying V, has now been around for 50 odd years. However, it hasn’t been in continuous production for all that time like the ES-335 or Stratocaster.
In fact it was discontinued by Gibson in 1960 through general lack of interest, but now the consensus is that it was ahead of its time design wise, along with the other two models in the ‘futuristic’ stable at the time, the Explorer and the Moderne. There were sporadic reissues in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was only with the rise of 1980s metal players that it began to gain popularity. Now it’s in continuous production.
The various design changes, custom jobs and different variations of the … continue reading ‘Gibson Flying V - Due for a Revival?’
The Gibson Strat!
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
Some ideas are so surprising and unexpected, you have to check you’re not dreaming. Imagine if Aston Martin announced they were going to manufacture a vacuum cleaner or Dyson were designing a sportscar. You just tell yourself, that’ll never happen in a month of Tuesdays.
Well, guess what folks, here it is - … continue reading ‘The Gibson Strat!’
Valve Combos: How Small Can They Get?
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Amplifiers, No Comments
When I saw this Laney Cub 8, naturally I thought that it was just another practice amp. You know - 10W or so with built in gain/master volume and distortion, that sort of thing. But when I looked again, I jumped! Whoa, it’s a valve amp! With a 6V6 in it! And a Celestion speaker!
After my other half located the smelling salts and I’d recovered consciousness, I wanted to find out more. After all, a valve amp usually has to have two hefty transformers and a strong chassis, so how is this possible in an amp that costs so little?
Now, I’m very much in favour of smaller amps - I’ve blathered on about it before. Give me a 20 watter that can be turned up without everybody in the vicinity reaching … continue reading ‘Valve Combos: How Small Can They Get?’
Guitar events, prizes and beer - Free!
by Paul Dakeyne, in Guitars, No Comments
You’re a Guitar player. You like Guitars. You like prize giveaways. You like free beer. You’ve got spare time on Saturdays and the odd midweek evening? Well, no excuse then. Get your riff jamming, string shredding, plucking derrieres over to your nearest DV store and enjoy what is literally a bonanza series of great (and FREE) Guitar events upcoming through the Autumn/Winter season.
First up is PRS endorsed virtuoso guitarist , Simon McBride. The industry pedigree of this young Irisman equals that of the guitars he plays. You can spend one or all of three October evenings seeing him perform and get an opportunity to chat with this talented chap about … continue reading ‘Guitar events, prizes and beer - Free!’
Hans Briikx in Camden
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in General Guitars, No Comments
Meet Ed Jack, our returns manager, in his natural state, (he wore a tie for the job interview but threw it away soon afterwards), fronting his rather fine neo-punk realist rock and roll band called Hans Briikx, (sorry, no idea either), at their Sunday gig at the World’s End pub in Camden.
I’m loathe to make comparisons with other bands so I won’t, but the influences are obvious, punk, grunge, metal and a nod to good old fashioned rawk with some twin lead. I loved it!
The double guitar onslaught was brought on by Ed, using a Gibson Les Paul Traditional into an Orange Tiny Terror through two Epiphone cabs, and Mike Fletcher, using a Gibson Les Paul Standard into a Mesa Boogie Single Rectifier 50 through an Orange 4 x 12. Amazingly, the Orange held its own against the Boogie and as we all know, less distortion, more distinction.
Bass duties were held down by Tim Maude using a Fender P Bass Special through a … continue reading ‘Hans Briikx in Camden’
The First Viable Gibson Les Paul
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
Born out of a collaboration between Gibson and Les Paul, and in answer to Fender’s introduction of the first solid electric, the Telecaster, the first Gibson Les Pauls with the distinctive gold finish were shipped in 1952 but were nearly a complete flop.
The ‘Goldtop‘, as it became known, was shipped with a trapeze shaped bridge and tailpiece where the strings were wrapped under the bridge section. This meant the player could not damp the strings with his palm, a huge problem for any guitarist.
The solution was found by fitting a simple ‘wrapover’ combination bridge and tailpiece; so basic that the the only adjustment for intonation was two grub screws at the back. Because this set the strings up higher, the angle of the the neck to the body had to be changed from 1 degree to 3. Problem solved and the … continue reading ‘The First Viable Gibson Les Paul’
Les Paul: A Tribute
There are dates in history that become milestones in music, and some special events that will be remembered for a lifetime; like the deaths of Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon and more recently Michael Jackson. For me, 13th August 2009 will be one of those dates.
Lester William Polfus, ‘Les Paul’, has died aged 94. Up until recently he was playing with his trio every week in a tiny jazz club in New York, still dazzling rapt audiences with his fluid playing and amusing them with his off the wall humour and an endless … continue reading ‘Les Paul: A Tribute’
Legends of the Gibson ES335
The Gibson ES335 is often overlooked as a guitar to be seen with in a ‘look at me, I’m a rock star’ context. It’s far too conservative looking and being a semi, has the inevitable ‘jazz’ connotations.
In fact, it’s less prone to feedback than you’d think, and athough slightly less ballsy than a Les Paul, has a wider variety of tones available and sounds better when played at lower volume than the LP. It’s beautifully balanced too … continue reading ‘Legends of the Gibson ES335’
Marshall launch Class 5 in Class A style!
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
As new product launches go in this industry, yesterday’s bash to introduce the new Marshall Class 5 to the world will go down as one of the best.
Held at Ronnie Scott’s club in Soho, the invited dealers, press and VIPs were not only treated to lunch with free beer and wine, but a stunning demo of the Class 5 with none other than Joe Bonamassa and his own touring band. … continue reading ‘Marshall launch Class 5 in Class A style!’
Status Quo and their Teles
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
What a classic picture! Quo at full tilt on day five of Glastonbury. Can’t you just hear those Telecasters (actually that’s an Esquire Rick Parfitt is playing) chugging away through their custom covered white Marshalls?
Despite their own ambivalance to festival gigs and Francis Rossi’s grumpy comments, (it was Sunday morning fer chrissakes!), they rocked the early risers with a medley of their hit. I get it, except for ‘In the Army Now’, a most peculiar song and despite popular myth … continue reading ‘Status Quo and their Teles’
Graham Coxon’s Tele Deluxe
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
Any guitarist who saw Blur at this year’s Glastonbury would have to be some sort of obdurate old stuck in the seventies diehard not to appreciate first, how great they were and second, what a fine player Graham Coxon is.
Wielding mostly a Fender Tele Deluxe and occasionally a Les Paul Goldtop with P90s, he never put a foot (or finger) wrong, playing understated but commanding parts which never failed to surprise. How refreshing, and how different from a lot of guitarists in some of the other bands that looked as though they’d just graduated from ‘Electric Guitar for Dummys’ week 1 and been pointed at the stage.
I know that guitar playing hasn’t been about flash solos since … continue reading ‘Graham Coxon’s Tele Deluxe’
Epiphone EU Award in the bag
by Paul Dakeyne, in Guitars, No Comments
I’m not a guitar player - there, I’ve said it - [never quite getting passed barre chords for some reason] I must however admit huge muso envy for those who can pick up this fine instrument and make it do what it can do. And at DV, there’s tons of the smug blighters 
But credit where credit’s due, and in a shameless bit of back slapping, I wanted to say congratulations to Paul Hughes and his DV Guitars team for … continue reading ‘Epiphone EU Award in the bag’
Line 6 UX2 - Me, Myself and D.I.
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
I have a problem. It’s an ailment shared by many and cursed by most – I am completely and cripplingly addicted to the sound of a big tubey guitar amp barking at me, preferably transmitting at head destroying volumes the sweet voice of a Les Paul custom or a battered old tele. This particular method of making yourself deaf, as I’m sure anyone fortunate enough to have experienced it will agree, … continue reading ‘Line 6 UX2 - Me, Myself and D.I.’
