|
You probably won’t find a new Richwood Artist Series RD-26-E Electro-Acoustic guitar for sale anywhere else…….
This was one of a few guitars kept by the owner of a guitar shop which closed recently on the owner’s retirement.
I was fortunate enough to meet him and buy some of his old “new” stock recently including this beautiful eletro-acoustic guitar.
He said it was nice and he knew just how nice as soon as I walked into the room where it was stood ~ it really looks top class and sounds just as good ~ in a word “Exquisite”.
Specifications include : * Solid Spruce Top * Mahogany back sides and neck * Abalone inlays inset within maple binding to top, headstock and back feature
* Maple binding to body and neck * Natural Gloss Finish * Grover Machine Heads
* Bone Nut * Shadow Performer electrics with dual pickup
I just know that this guitar is going to make someone very happy and will become a companion for life…………I might just keep it for myself??!!
|
Well, having bought and sold quite a few guitars over the last few years I have got used to inspecting them for faults and cosmetic issues.
The first impression of the new Brian May Special guitar which I received last week was simply FLAWLESS.
Korean built, legendary design with top quality components ~ sounds like a formula for success to me??
Obviously an iconic design borrrowed from that young lad who designed and built an electric guitar from an old mahogany fireplace with the help of his dad back in the mists of time – then went on to use it throughout his career in one of the biggest selling bands of all time.
It was inevitable that a production model had to emerge at some point – and indeed it did first as a signature model of Guild USA then Burns of London guitars, but now as a new brand ~ ”Brian May Guitars”.
In an attempt to take a more active involvement in quality, specifications and production of the new range of guitars and to make them as affordable as possible, Brian May has taken a lead role with his own technical team to bring his design to a mass market.
Just take a few minutes to compare these specifications to any boutique brand of exotic guitar of your choice ~
Mahogany body (acoustic chambered) and Mahogany Set Neck, Ebony Fretboard with 24 frets plus “zero” fret, Graphite nut, Dual Truss Rod, Burns Trisonic Pickups with individual on / off and phase in / out switches, Brian May designed Wilkinson bridge and 2 point blade Tremelo system, Grover locking Machine Heads, all Gold Hardware, Metallic Gold finish with Cream / Black multi binding to body.
MMmmmmm…………….Now compare the price!!!
It plays on a par with the best and has a range of tones available from the multiple pickup combinations which you will just not find on any other guitar.
All in all this guitar is top quality and at £575 it has to be regarded as great value for money.
Don’t think this will be in my hands for too long, but while it is I intend to enjoy it!!!!
Well music is definitely a family thing. A big factor in whether or not my students start and then continue with lessons is whether or not they have the support of their family. Charlotte Draper is a good example of a young lady with a talent for singing, acting and playing the guitar who is also very lucky to have the total support of her parents Jeff and Karen.
The only problem is Jeff sat in on a few lessons last year and caught the guitar bug ~ then went and bought a perfectly good Squire Strat off a neighbour a few months ago. I have been keen to hear how Jeff was getting on and whether or not Charlotte was helping him out, so I asked him a couple of weeks ago how he was doing.
“Well not very well” said Jeff ”….You see it’s Black and White…..but I’m a Sunderland supporter… so I can’t bear to look at it!!!!”
“Oh dear!!!” I thought ~ A big Slash fan who was mistaken for a “musician” whilst waiting with Charlotte at the last round of RGT exams, Jeff really fancied a Vintage V100 Icon Series without a scratchplate and with a relic finish to look like it had been on tour with Slash for the last 30 years. Well he had a nice surprise waiting for him when he came in with Charlotte for her lesson this morning. It took him a while to spot it but when he did – that was definitely the one!!!!
Jeff standing proud with his new Vintage “Slash” Les Paul, his last Slash concert ticket and a Gibson strap in the mandatory Sunderland colours – a happy man!!!
I just hope you manage to get some time on it when you get home Jeff as I think that “Sweet Child o’ ” yours has taken a shine to it!!!!
Especially through her / your new Marshall MG30DFX amp….
I’m sure you’re both going to have a great time with your new guitar / amp set up Jeff!!!!! Enjoy!!!!
Well…. I’ve been waiting eagerly to see Peter’s new acquisition. We’ve discussed it for weeks at his lessons and it has finally arrived – a Fender Custom Deluxe Stratocaster……
Well as a long time owner of a USA Deluxe Stratocaster I was keen to see how the Custom Shop Master Luthiers have improved on the “standard” Deluxe USA Strat.
It just so happens that my main guitar of choice is also the same colour scheme as Peter’s new baby – don’t they make a pretty picture??!!
First impressions – the grain of the wood to the body is more distinctive and the birds eye maple neck on the Custom Shop (CS) is a bit special – they have obviously saved their choicest woods for these guitars which will only improve with age.
The hardware is the same except for non locking staggered machine heads on the CS ~ the Deluxe has locking machine heads. Surprisingly the Deluxe felt quite a bit heavier than the CS explained in the manual by the “lightweight Ash” body on the CS. The main obvious difference is in the pickup dept – Noiseless on the Deluxe and “Abby Handwound” (the legendary Abigail Ybarra) on the CS. A little bit more bite and more of a raw tone from the CS.
Both played very well with the “large C” neck profile and action being similar.
A nice touch on the Deluxe which I have always liked are the abalone dot inlays, the CS being standard black inlays.
Two great guitars with the CS definitely having the edge. Does it justify the price difference?? Well Peter looks happy….
Spot the difference……
Now then Peter…mine was the one with the Birds Eye Maple neck wasn’t it???!!!!……
Footnote : Peter Westwood…..Peter has been coming for lessons now for 2 years following in the footsteps of his son Josh. A successful Hotelier at the Family business at Stone House Hotel, Hawes, a veteran Footballer ( I went to see him playing in the cup final playing for Leyburn at Northallerton last year at the age of 48!!!), a keen Ducati rider (along with his wife Tracey who also rides a Ducati!!!) and I understand he also owns a tasty sports car!!! As you can probably gather, Peter isn’t a man who does things by half!!! Peter has always enjoyed music and saw all the classic Rock Bands of the 1970s/ 80s (Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac etc.) . He sings a bit and always fancied playing the guitar – but of course life got in the way – as it does!!! Now he has started lessons he is determined to catch up for lost time and he is now certainly starting to play a bit – as well as putting together a very nice collection of guitars.
Always a pleasure to see Peter on a Thursday afternoon, and if you fancy a break in the country get in touch with Peter at Stone House Hotel and he will certainly take good care of you….. If you ask him nicely he might even let you see his Fender Custom Deluxe Stratocaster!!!
Received some nice stock yesterday from a very helpful recently retired guitar shop owner including some very nice guitars, top quality Stagg Pro gig bags (the best I have seen), cables, capods, cases etc.
Anyway I thought you might like a glimpse of the guitars (all brand new) before I get them listed for sale. I’ll do a more detailed producr review shortly (if they haven’t sold!!!)
(More on the Stagg Gig Bags later….)
First up probably one the most beautiful looking and sounding electro-acoustic guitar I have ever played. A Richwood Artist Series RD 26 E……
Then is it a Strat?? Les Paul?? No it’s a Brian May Special in Gold with more pickup combinations switchable than any other guitar I have come across and an absolutely superb build quality……
Then a couple of very nice guitars from Vintage. First a V100 Icon for those that prefer the relic look – plays and sounds very nice too….
and finally a lovely V2 Telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde (I am a recent convert!!!!)
More details to follow….enjoy!!!!
Been having a bit of a tidy up in the studio this week thanks to the help of my able assistant Sam Lupton…..
As a consequence I have a few stands, multi-stands and wall hangers to clear out starting at a fiver.
If you want one hurry up – when they are gone they are gone!!!!!
The first EKO Ranger I saw was the one my Dad bought for me for £35 second hand in 1973 – quite a lot of pocket money then!! Fortunately this wasn’t one of the guitars sold when I was an impoverished student and I still have it. Like me, it’s been around a bit and has a few scars to prove it including a missing machine head which has resulted in being strung as a 6 string for the last 30 years or so!!! Well, I have just managed to get hold of a new set of 6 + 6 machine heads which will be fitted when I get time to return it to it’s former glory – more later….
In the meantime for those not familiar with the brand have a look at this….
Well if it was good enough for Jimmy Page and Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven it’ll do for me……..
The Italian brand EKO has been revitalised recently with products (like almost everything) being produced in China. When I was presented with the opportunity of stocking these guitars a few months ago I couldn’t really resist.
Just been checking our latest delivery of a batch of EKO Ranger Vintage series guitars including :
EKO Ranger Vintage Series 6 string in Natural Gloss
EKO Ranger Vintage Series 12 string in Natural Gloss
EKO Ranger Vintage Series 6 string in Black Gloss with Fishman EQ + Tuner
EKO Ranger Vintage Series 12 string in Natural Gloss with Fishman EQ + Tuner
In addition to the top of the range EKO Ranger Custom 12 string received a few weeks ago…
A nice range of guitars which won’t break the bank. Here’s what someone else thinks of them…..
http://www.acousticmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=651
and here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYrvPEb0TZU&feature=related
and here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ErA91KfeDk
All models in stock and available from Sundance Guitars
Congratulations to Ben and his band White Rose for making it through to the Battle of the Bands final after winning last nights heat at Scene in Darlington!
Not surprised at all – this band are great and you can see them in the final at Scene on Friday 27th January.
They’ll be up against some stiff competition, but if they are on form I think they’ll take some beating.
Well done lads and all the best on the 27th!!!!
Getting earache from your better half about your latest guitar acquisition??? Just show them this…..
Or maybe Mr Bonamassa is single????
Well this Exotic Custom Telecaster has certainly caused a stir, and I am pleased to say that the the lucky new owner is Nathan McLaughlin.
Over the last few months during his lessons I have noted one or two features Nathan was looking for in his “dream” guitar.
Without telling him this Custom Telecaster was put together with all of the elements Nathan was dreaming about – and a few he hadn’t thought of!!!
Now Nathan is one of the nicest, well mannered and happiest 14 year olds I have ever met – a credit to his Mam Hilary and the rest of the McLaughlin family. He bounces into his lesson every week with a beaming smile and his latest funny story.
However, this week he was stunned to silence as he walked into my teaching studio at the sight of his dream guitar ~ with the only sound being that of his jaw hitting the ground!!!
I think you will agree that the grin on Nathan’s face (which is just a bit wider than normal) is that of a satisfied customer!!!!
Nice one Nathan – just remember that this is a unique guitar designed and built for you – so I know you will look after it. But be warned – I will be inspecting it for damage every week at your lesson!!!!!
Enjoy!!!!
