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Category Archives: Guitar Builders
The Kramer Chronicles, Volume II: The Pearly Gates
When last we left off, I’d installed the ’59 set in my resurrected-mutant 80s Kramer Voyager. It sounded great, but the idea was to see how different combinations worked in the guitar, so we’ll be moving on to the next … Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, Pickup Reviews
Tagged Boogie Bodies, Floyd Rose, FU-Tone, Kramer, Kramer Voyager, Pearly Gates
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The Kramer Chronicles, Volume I: The ’59 Set
When I was a kid first starting out on guitar, there was no widespread “DIY” market to speak of. That was just beginning. You basically took what you could get at your local music store, and liked it. Unless you … Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, Pickup Reviews
Tagged Boogie Bodies, Charvel, Floyd Rose, FU-Tone, Kramer, PAF, StewMac, TB 59, The Bomber, trembucker
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More S/H Superstrat Pickup Combo Adventures: The JB/STK-S6 Set
For those that read my last review of the 59/Custom Hybrid and the STK-S7 used as an S/H combo (or as a primer for anyone that didn’t), l love Strats with Floyds and S/H pickup combos. That’s probably my No.1 favorite pickup combo, followed by a S/S/S combo with a vintage Strat bridge, and then any LP-style two humbucker setup (Floyd optional!). Continue reading
It’s ALIVE: Building a Parts Strat
Building your own Strat-style guitar is one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve discovered. I started as a teen, inspired by Eddie Van Halen, and never stopped. I was mesmerized by all the inner workings and details that came together to make a killer sounding, classy-looking guitar that played great too. Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, Setups, The Tone Garage, Tips and Tricks, Uncategorized
Tagged Allparts, Bomber, Boogie Bodies, DIY, Floyd Rose, guitar building, KnE, Musikraft, Parts guitars, StewMac, Tone Wizard, tonewoods, USACG, Warmoth
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Building the perfect S/H beast: 59/Custom Hybrid & STK-S7 review
Choosing a set of pickups for a Super Strat with a single-volume, single coil/humbucker pickup configuration isn’t as easy a task as you’d think; especially if you’re looking for versatility. There are a few things to consider, particularly balancing the neck pickup with the bridge humbucker. Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, Pickup Reviews, The Tone Garage, Tips and Tricks
Tagged '59 Model, 59/Custom Hybrid, Alnico 5, Custom 8, DIY, Duncan Custom, Floyd Rose, Floyd Upgrades, RCA Guitars, sh-2, stk-s7, Superstrat, Titanium, trembucker
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Why Direct Mount?
Some players, myself included, have noticed a subtle but palpable difference between direct-mounted pickups and those mounted more traditionally in pickguards, or in the case of most Super-Strats, mounting rings. Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, Setups, The Tone Garage
Tagged 59/Custom Hybrid, direct-mounting pickups, guitar building
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LAG Imperator and Arkane
For years the French guitar builder LAG has been known to a happy few guitar players. Their high quality French build guitars were always of the finest materials and built to the highest standards. In order to cater to a wider audience LAG now introduces the LAG Arkane and LAG Imperator. Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, New Product, Product News
Tagged Arkane, Imperator, LAG, seymour duncan SH-1n, seymour duncan SH-4
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The Son of a Luthier
For thousands of years luthiers have repaired and created instruments to support musicians in doing what they do. With each generation the skill and art is passed down from one to another. Getting more kids interested in building, repairing and … Continue reading
Jarrell Guitars launches MPS with Seymour Duncan Pickups
Jarrell Guitars has just announced a line of Monte Pittman Signature guitars that are designed for maximum versatility. Monte Pittman is the guitarist for both Madonna and Prong – which speaks volumes to Monte’s need to have a guitar that … Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, New Product, Product News
Tagged custom shop, Jarrell, Monte Pittman, MPS
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DL Lap Steel Guitars Use D-TAR and Seymour Duncan
Dan Larson’s company, DL Lap Steel Guitars, was created out of the need for a lap steel guitar that could be taken backpacking. Dan had hiked all across the Sierra Nevada’s with a small six-string guitar but wanted more. DL … Continue reading
Posted in Guitar Builders, Seymour Duncan Company
Tagged Blackouts, D-TAR, Dan Larson, DL Lap Steel Guitars, DTAR, Jesse Siebenberg, Lap Steel, Sadducer, Seymour Duncan
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