We promise eclectic rants, uninformed reviews and all around foolishness revolving around that awe inspiring instrument, the guitar. We won't fill your screen with meaningless schematics of obscure amplifiers or trite reviews of "the latest gear", you can get that everywhere else. What we do promise is tongue in cheek humor, cool shit that you'll love to get your paws on, as well as artist and gear reviews, industry drool and our own thoughts on any and everything guitar and if you have something to say or want to get off your chest email Me Enjoy.

holiday

Today we would be celebrating Stevie Ray Vaughns 57th birthday, however a freak helicopter accident following a performance in Wisconsin ended his life in 1990 at the age of 36. Stevie was arguably the most influential white blues guitarist since Eric Clapton, and thus he has a league of fans remembering him today.
SRV fans are in your town, they look like the average middle-class dude in your high school English class, and they have an uncanny obsession with SRV. John Mayer would be the most famous example of the SRV super-fan, having the following to say about the man:

A Wisconsin cemetery worker allegedly removed a valuable Fender guitar from the casket of a 67-year-old Army veteran who died last week and had told family members that he wanted to be buried with the instrument, which was his “pride and joy,” according to court records.

Steven Conard, a 39-year-old grounds worker at the Allouez Catholic Cemetery, was arrested Saturday and charged with felony “theft from person or corpse.” Conard, who plays in a

band, reportedly confessed to stealing the Fender Telecaster when confronted at his Green Bay home by Brown County Sheriff’s Department deputies.

“This isn’t something I normally do,” Conard said, according to a Circuit Court criminal complaint. “I just have a respect for fine musical instruments.” The cream-colored guitar was recovered from Conard’s living room, where the instrument was on the floor “in plain view.” Conard is pictured in the above mug shot.

The $2000 Telecaster had been placed in the casket of Randall Jourdan, who died last Monday. Jourdan, a father of nine and grandfather of 29, “liked to play guitar and watch baseball,” according to an obituary.

William Jourdan, one of the decedent’s sons, told investigators that his father had played guitar for more than 40 years “and that this guitar was his father’s pride and joy.” Cops added that, “William stated Randall told everyone that he wanted to be buried with the guitar.”

Man arrested for bashing another guy over the head with a guitar brought to you by the Keys. El Kabong surrenders !

KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) - A fight between two men over a woman has ended after authorities say one bashed the other over the head with a guitar in the Florida Keys.

Monroe County Sheriff's officials said Saturday that 42-year-old Eric Tappert still carrying the damaged guitar when he was arrested for aggravated battery.

Authorities said Tappert admitted hitting 23-year-old Michael Gray over the head with it. The two were fighting over Tappert's girlfriend.

Gray said Tappert attacked him from behind with the guitar. He was treated for a head laceration.

If there is a Rainbow Bridge to a nirvana beyond, Jimi Hendrix walked it on September 18, 1970, the day he slipped off the planet 41 years ago. The amazing innovations he achieved and the catalog he created in just four years as a bandleader remains an unequaled feat in rock, and possibly every other genre of music. Even Mozart

had more time than Jimi. And it’s safe to assume that if Hendrix had lived, his influence would be even more pervasive.

Although Hendrix’s exploratory studio recordings like his multi-layered “Star Spangled Banner” and even his audio-joke “EXP” are proof of his conceptual genius, perhaps the best testament to his enduring brilliance are the recordings of his live performances. On stage Hendrix displayed a sonic and improvisatory genius that is still absolutely stunning more than four decades after he played his final note.

Here’s a countdown of the 10 greatest authorized live performances of Hendrix on CD:

METAL GOD ZAKK WYLDE SAYS...
My Stalker Left Me a 'Sacrifice'

0916_zakk_wild_getty_EX Heavy metal legend Zakk Wylde -- one of the greatest thrasher guitarists EVER -- claims he's "terrified" of an obsessed fan who recently left a "sacrifice" at his home ... this according to court docs obtained by TMZ.

Wylde -- founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society -- filed a request for a restraining order against his 20-year-old neighbor ... claiming the guy has been stalking and harassing him a while.

According to the docs, Wylde recently called police to respond to an incident at his home involving the neighbor -- which resulted in cops placing the neighbor in a 72 hour hold for mental evaluation.

Wylde claims the neighbor was "deemed mentally ill" -- and diagnosed with bipolar 1 disorder.

0916_zakk_shrine_sacrifice_sub
An L.A. County Superior Court judge approved a temporary restraining order against the neighbor -- requiring him to stay at least 100 yards away from the rocker and his family.

Both sides are scheduled to appear in court on the matter on Friday. I wish someone would leave me a Zakk Wylde Guitar.

John Mayer is canceling two concerts and postponing his album until next year because he's having problems with his vocal cords.

Mayer revealed the problem on his blog, saying he had developed a granuloma in his throat. Granulomas are nodules, and they vary from harmless to very serious. John didn't elaborate.

He was scheduled to perform at the iheartradio Music Festival in Las Vegas next week and a show with Tony Bennett in Los Angeles.

Mayer also said his next album, which was due later this year, will now be pushed back to 2012.

He says he'll devote his time to "writing and composing more music and kicking an empty soup can around the West Village."

Hope all is well.

The Fender Custom Shop offers its own sincere tribute to those who fell on Sept. 11, 2001, with a trio of custom Stratocaster guitars commemorating the events and the heroes at the World

Trade Center complex.

The trio of Stratocaster models honors each of the three major organizations that paid such a terrible price that day—the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Each guitar has a custom graphic finish depicting imagery related to each agency and to the events of that day.

DOJ Advises Gibson Guitar to Export Labor to Madagascar

Is this how we now create jobs? By shipping them overseas? Come on Obama!

The Gibson Guitar saga has taken a sinister turn.

It seems that the Department of Justice wasn’t satisfied with merely raiding the law abiding factories of Gibson Guitar with armed agents, shutting down their operation costing them millions, and leaving the American company in the dark as to how to proceed without going out of business.

Now, according to CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, agents of the United States government are bluntly informing them that they’d be better off shipping their manufacturing labor overseas.

In an interview with KMJ AM’s “The Chris Daniel Show,” Juszkiewicz revealed some startling information.

CHRIS DANIEL: Mr. Juszkiewicz, did an agent of the US government suggest to you that your problems would go away if you used Madagascar labor instead of American labor?

HENRY JUSZKIEWICZ: They actually wrote that in a pleading.

CHRIS DANIEL: Excuse me?

HENRY JUSKIEWICZ: They actually wrote that it a pleading.

CHRIS DANIEL: That your problems would go away if you used Madagascar labor instead of our labor?

HENRY JUSKIEWICZ: Yes

So the government attacked them in the first place by citing obscure regulations that probably weren’t violated about importation of wood. Now they are suggesting that all these problems would go away if they simply exported their labor.

Had it simply been said in passing by an agent, one could write it off as a lone sarcastic agent, trying to push buttons. But the fact that they actually wrote it in the pleading is a level of hubris that goes well beyond over zealous law enforcement officials and passes straight into what can easily be translated as an out of control and corrupt targeting of an American corporation.

When President Obama gives his jobs speech next week, let’s hope he has an answer for why our government would want to force and coerce corporations to send jobs overseas.

The Commercial Appeal/Zuma Press

Agents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service pore through the workshop at the Gibson Guitar factory on Wednesday morning.

Federal agents swooped in on Gibson Guitar Wednesday, raiding factories and offices in Memphis and Nashville, seizing several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars. The Feds are keeping mum, but in a statement yesterday Gibson's chairman and CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz, defended his company's manufacturing policies, accusing the Justice Department of bullying the company. "The wood the government seized Wednesday is from a Forest Stewardship Council certified supplier," he said, suggesting the Feds are using the aggressive enforcement of overly broad laws to make the company cry uncle.

It isn't the first time that agents of the Fish and Wildlife Service have come knocking at the storied maker of such iconic instruments as the Les Paul electric guitar, the J-160E acoustic-electric John Lennon played, and essential jazz-boxes such as Charlie Christian's ES-150. In 2009 the Feds seized several guitars and pallets of wood from a Gibson factory, and both sides have been wrangling over the goods in a case with the delightful name "United States of America v. Ebony Wood in Various Forms."

The question in the first raid seemed to be whether Gibson had been buying illegally harvested hardwoods from protected forests, such as the Madagascar ebony that makes for such lovely fretboards. And if Gibson did knowingly import illegally harvested ebony from Madagascar, that wouldn't be a negligible offense. Peter Lowry, ebony and rosewood expert at the Missouri Botanical Garden, calls the Madagascar wood trade the "equivalent of Africa's blood diamonds." But with the new raid, the government seems to be questioning whether some wood sourced from India met every regulatory jot and tittle.

It isn't just Gibson that is sweating. Musicians who play vintage guitars and other instruments made of environmentally protected materials are worried the authorities may be coming for them next.

If you are the lucky owner of a 1920s Martin guitar, it may well be made, in part, of Brazilian rosewood. Cross an international border with an instrument made of that now-restricted wood, and you better have correct and complete documentation proving the age of the instrument. Otherwise, you could lose it to a zealous customs agent—not to mention face fines and prosecution.

John Thomas, a law professor at Quinnipiac University and a blues and ragtime guitarist, says "there's a lot of anxiety, and it's well justified." Once upon a time, he would have taken one of his vintage guitars on his travels. Now, "I don't go out of the country with a wooden guitar."

Richard Gere is parting ways with his American vintage guitars collection
Christie's auction house in New York will be selling 100 of the actor's guitars on Oct. 11.

Gere, who studied trumpet and is a self-taught pianist and guitarist, says he's donating the instruments to support humanitarian causes around the world.
He said in a statement announcing the sale that he never planned to put together a guitar collection, and only bought ones he like and that sounded good to him.
Included in the sale are brands C.F. Martin, Gibson, Fender, Gretsch and Epiphone, and guitars once owned by blues guitarist Albert King and reggae musician Peter Tosh.
A selection of amplifiers also is being sold.
The sale is expected to bring $1 million.

BOYNTON BEACH "Daddy's Home." Well, at least his stolen Takamine acoustic guitar is back home, courtesy of Boynton Beach police.
It belonged to Joseph Belloise, who died a year ago at the age of 67, but it holds cherished memories for his widow, Francesca.
"He used to serenade me every day," she said. "My favorite song was 'Daddy's Home.' "
Video: Surveillance video captures shootout in Parkland.
The treasured guitar was among several items taken from her home and car during break-ins about eight months ago, she said.
"I never thought I was going to see it again," Belloise said.
Detective Ace Brown and Sgt. Paul Sheridan were touched by the case.
Brown tracked down the Takamine at Pawn World in Lake Worth, but the shop wanted $250 to part with the guitar. Sheridan took up a collection to buy back the stolen instrument.
Police officers and civilian employees pooled the $250 and the guitar was purchased and returned to a surprised Belloise on Thursday.
"I just felt overwhelmed with their generosity and their kindness and thoughtfulness," she said. "I didn't expect it."
Police also traced a stolen Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, an amplifier, some jewelry, silver coins, a Tag Heuer watch and a green beret to Pawn Unlimited in Lake Worth. All those items were given back to Belloise, she said.

OROVILLE — A Chico marijuana advocate was sentenced to state

prison after he rejected an offer of probation Wednesday.

The sentencing of Joel Kelly Castle on two pot charges in Butte County Superior Court had to be briefly postponed after Castle began yelling about the prosecution's statements about his out-of-court conduct.

Bailiffs escorted the 63-year-old man from the courtroom after Judge Robert Glusman ordered him to return later.

When the hearing resumed, Glusman admonished the defendant to refrain from interrupting if he wanted to participate. The judge confirmed that Castle was rejecting a proposal for three years of probation if it included prohibitions against the use of medicinal marijuana.

Glusman ultimately sentenced Castle to the lower term for the charges of possessing pot and selling the drug. The total term was two years, eight months in state prison although Castle has credit for serving 706 days, or about 70 percent of the sentence.

Castle's outburst came during the initial arguments about the prison term.

HERE'S a new JIMI HENDRIX Experience - a mosaic of the guitar hero that's Stone Free because it's made from 5,000
picks.

It was expected to fetch up to £16,000 last night at a cancer research auction at North London's Abbey Road Studios.

Artist Ed Chapman said: "I think this is a fitting tribute to a guitar maestro." 2/24/11

Guitar legend Slash prepares new solo album

After releasing his first solo album “Slash” in Korea in May, the current guitarist of Velvet Revolver is to hold a solo concert on March 20 at Ax-Hall in Seoul.

“I am working on material for the next record that I am gonna do outside Velvet Revolver and working on that material right now,” Slash said in an e-mail interview with The Korea Herald.

However, he did not mention in detail which artists he will work with or what kind of music styles he will pursue.

Slash, U.S. guitarist, song writer and producer. (Universal Music Korea)

His last album featured musicians from a variety of styles, including Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Fergie, Kid Rock, Cypress Hill and Ozzy Osbourne.

“It was really satisfying to work with all these different singers and song writers because I’d written pieces of music and introduced them to the singers, and they came up with their own voice for those songs,” he said.

Slash is known for using Gibson Les Paul guitars. For amplifiers, he uses only Marshall.

For the upcoming concert in Seoul, he said he will not use so many guitars.

“On this tour, I’m not using many guitars. Four main guitars and four back ups. I have the AFD amps coming out, it’s flash Marshall. Great amp,” Slash said.

He was last in Seoul in 1999 when he was performing with Michael Jackson.

Unfortunately, however, Seoul fans this time will not able to see a cigarette dangling between his lips on stage, the trademark of Slash’s sexy performance, since he has quit smoking.

“It will be two years by April,” he noted. WTF?

Born in 1965 and debuting in 1983, Slash was named the No. 2 guitarist on Time Magazine’s list of 10 best electric guitar players of all time in 2009, trailing his hero Jimmy Hendrix.

Slash said people would not have chosen him as the No. 2 if they had known the guitarists that inspired him in his childhood, although it was a great honor to him. Actually, the 46-year-old said Jimmy Hendrix is the one he most respects as a guitarist, saying Hendrix created a new world in guitar playing.

By Kim Yoon-mi (yoonmi@heraldm.com)

ROCK ROYALTY 1/1 Launches One of a Kind Guitar Collection

Based out of Music City, Rock Royalty is a luxury design house that manufactures one-of-a-kind, custom guitars designed for the most discriminating musicians, guitar collectors, and jewelry aficionados that can be played on-stage or displayed as fine art.

Combining optimal musical performance with fine aesthetic beauty, Rock Royalty introduces nine prototype custom guitars for their launch collection. The custom electric solid body guitars focus on jewel-encrusted hardware and accessories that use only the finest gemstones, precious metals, and exotic materials. All hardware and accessories are manufactured in 18kt gold and/or sterling silver, and then set with natural fancy color diamonds, colorless gem diamonds, and vibrant color gemstones. The most coveted creation is the custom Gibson Les Paul that features almost 50 carats of black and white diamonds in 22kt yellow gold and sterling silver with a retail of $125,000 USD.

For more information regarding Rock Royalty's one-of-a-kind custom guitars and their KAGED Collection, please visit www.RockRoyalty.com, 2/18/11

Eddie Van Halen's 'Frank 2' Guitar Acquired By Smithsonian Institute -

While it would be a mistake to say that Van Halen are history, the band has certainly secured their spot in American history. Thus, one of their most-recognizable artifacts has landed in the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of American History -- Eddie Van Halen's guitar.

For virtually his entire career, Eddie Van Halen has usually appeared with a homemade Fender-style guitar, customized to his specs and finished with black and white stripes across its red body. The original was named Frankenstrat and it spawned various replicas over the years, including Frank 2 -- the guitar that he played during Van Halen's 2007-2008 tour where they reunited with original frontman David Lee Roth.

The Associated Press reports that Frank 2 will be placed in the National Museum of American History's instrument collection although, sadly, a Smithsonian spokesperson said that it will not be on display to the public. Of course, when Van Halen's alleged next album finally drops, there's always a chance they'll reconsider.
2/13/11

Blues icon Gary Moore dead at 58 - We still have the Blues for You!

Bandmates say rock guitarist Gary Moore, a former member of influential Irish band Thin Lizzy, has died. He was 58.

Manager Adam Parsons told the BBC that Moore was found dead Sunday at a hotel on Spain's Costa del Sol, where he was on holiday. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Thin Lizzy drummer Brian Downey said Moore's death was a "total shock," and guitarist Scott Gorham said he was "a great player and a great guy."

Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1952, Moore was a member of Dublin band Skid Row before joining Thin Lizzy in 1973, playing on tracks for the "Nightlife" album. He left after four months, but rejoined four years later and played on the band's "Black Rose" album before going solo once again.

He had a successful solo career, and his accomplished, bluesy playing won plaudits from other musicians.

Thin Lizzy had global hits in the 1970s with songs like "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Whiskey in the Jar." Frontman Phil Lynott died in 1986, but with a different lineup the band continues to tour today. 2/7/11

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<Previous Shit

These blogs are set to rule the world. So visit often and believe every word of bullshit they preach.

Strat-O-Blogster I GUITARZ I Rock House Blog I MusicGadgets I Gear-Vault I Guitar Holiday I The Guitar Channel I Modern Guitars Magazine I The Guitar Resource I Building the Ergonomic Guitar I Electric-Guitar-Review I HOMETRACKED I Sans Direction I Guitar Flame I Guitar Gear I My Guitar Buddies I Little Rock Jams I Guitar Lifestyle I Guitar Noize I The Soul of Rock 'n' Roll I Guitar Guru I Mr. Blues Guy I Guitar Player Zen I Truth In Shredding I ABC Learn Guitar Blog I GuitArticles I Here Comes the Flood I The Practice Room I Six String Soul I Squeeze My Lemon

Stop by soon for new updates.

satisfried guitar slingers ..:.. complaint department click here

METAL GOD ZAKK WYLDE SAYS... My Stalker Left Me a 'Sacrifice'

DOJ Advises Gibson Guitar to Export Labor to Madagascar

HERE'S a new JIMI HENDRIX Experience - a mosaic of the guitar hero that's Stone Free because it's made from 5,000 picks.

Guitar legend Slash prepares new solo album

METAL GOD ZAKK WYLDE SAYS...
My Stalker Left Me a 'Sacrifice'

HERE'S a new JIMI HENDRIX Experience - a mosaic of the guitar hero that's Stone Free because it's made from 5,000
picks.