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Modern Guitars Magazine

http://modernguitars.com/

News and information about modern electric and acoustic guitars.

Posts per week: 6

Recent Articles

Freedy Johnston to Release Album of New Original Songs, First in Eight Years

 

Published 30 days ago by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Rain On The CityRain on the City is Freedy Johnston’s first album of new originals in eight years. Recorded in Nashville with producer Richard McLaurin, it’s one of the best song collections of...

Fender Co-Develops Limited Edition Full-scale Stratocaster Replica Videogame Controller

 

Published 9/3/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Fender Musical Instruments Corp. Body of the wooden full-scale Fender Stratocaster replica video controller.Fender Musical Instruments Corp. and Mad Catz®, the official third-party developer of Rock Band™ peripherals and ...

Gibson Guitar Announces Les Paul Commemorative Events

 

Published 9/2/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Gibson Guitar will celebrate the life and contributions of guitar and audio recording innovator Les Paul during the month of September, 2009, with events connected to the anniversary of Paul's 1953 #1 Billboard Pop Single, "Vaya Con Dios," and ...

Taylor Guitars Celebrates 35th Anniversary

 

Published 9/1/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Taylor Guitars of El Cajon, California, has announced the introduction of limited edition models in celebration of its 35th anniversary. Founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor (who at the time had not yet turned 20), Kurt Listug and Steve Schemmer and ...

Saiichi Sugiyama Talks about the Gibson SG in "The SG Sound"

 

Published 8/27/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Four instruments sit at the head table in the pantheon of solidbody electric guitars that defined and continue to define the sound of rock 'n' roll and related genres: the Fender Stratocaster; the Fender Telecaster; the Gibson Les Paul; and the ...

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Guitar Luthier John Page and the Story of 016, Part Two

 

Published 8/20/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Modern Guitars columnist John Page continues his photo chronicle of the creation of a new piece of electric guitar functional art in The Story of 016, Part Two. Page, who co-founded the Fender Custom Shop and who has been a leading proponent of ...

Mambo Sons Release "Heavy Days" CD

 

Published 8/17/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Casa Del Soul Productions Heavy Days by Mambo SonsIndie rock 'n' roll trio Mambo Sons have released their fourth album on Portland, Oregon’s Omnicide Records, a double-album set entitled Heavy Days. Mambo Sons are Tom Guerra ...

Premier Screening of Steve Vai's New Concert Film Announced

 

Published 8/17/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: VQPR Where The Wild Things AreGrammy-award winning guitarist Steve Vai announces a premier screening of his concert film Steve Vai Live In Minneapolis: Where The Wild Things Are at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, California, ...

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CD Review: "Heavy Days" by Mambo Sons

 

Published 8/17/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Heavy Days , the newest CD from Mambo Sons, is a two-disc collection of songs steeped in the classic blues-rock tradition, but with the Sons’ own flair. They wield a veritable Mambo stew of influences, including early '70s Stones, Mott the Hoople, ...

Robert Mugge's Film, "Deep Sea Blues," a Portrait of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise, Due October 6

 

Published 8/14/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Deep Sea Blues posterSince the 1960s, generations of fans have adopted outdoor festivals as the ideal place to experience live musical performances. But in recent years, the best American roots music ...

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George Benson Interview

 

Published 8/14/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

by Dr. Matthew Warnock. Forty-five years after releasing his debut album The New Boss Guitar , jazz guitarist George Benson is still going strong. With the upcoming August 25, 2009, release date set for his latest studio album Songs And Stories ...

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Guitarist and Inventor Les Paul Passes Away at 94

 

Published 8/13/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Electric guitar icon Les Paul passed away today, the result of complications of severe pneumonia, at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. He was 94. Born June 9, 1915, as Lester William Polsfuss in Waukesha, Wisconsin, he later adopted ...

Ace Frehley Interview

 

Published 8/12/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

by Dr. Matthew Warnock. Ace Frehley is a patient man. After releasing his fourth solo studio album, Trouble Walkin' , Frehley became musically sidetracked with other projects including the KISS "Unplugged" concert and several highly successful ...

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Guitar Center Session Presents an Evening of Discussion and Insight with Paul Gilbert

 

Published 8/11/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: VQPR Paul GilbertIn the next installment of the "GC Sessions" series, Guitar Center welcomes guitar virtuoso Paul Gilbert for an exclusive in-store event at the Hollywood Guitar Center on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 7 p.m.. ...

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James McMurtry "Live In Europe" with Bonus DVD Due October 13

 

Published 8/10/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker James McMurtry: Live In EuropeJames McMurtry’s recent studio albums, 2005’s Childish Things and 2008’s Just Us Kids, earned him formidable accolades. The Village Voice called him “a poet of the people.” ...

Sonny Landreth Interview

 

Published 8/10/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

by Dr. Matthew Warnock. Born in Mississippi and raised in the cultural Mecca of Southern Louisiana, slide guitarist Sonny Landreth seemed destined to be a musical talent from a very early age. Growing up surrounded by the jazz, second line and ...

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Steve Vai on Composition and "Where The Wild Things Are"

 

Published 8/10/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

September 29, 2009, brings the release of Where The Wild Things Are , live concert material recorded before a sold-out audience at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 2007 during Steve Vai's Sound Theories World Tour. The performance ...

Gibson Guitar Introduces the Zoot Suit SG Electric Guitar

 

Published 8/7/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Though at first glance the look of the Gibson Zoot Suit SG electric guitar might be more reminiscent of '60s era psychedelia than the zoot suits of the '30s and '40s, behind the name are some interesting construction twists certain to garner ...

18th Annual Kerrville Wine & Music Festival on Labor Day Weekend Celebrates Songwriters, Texas Port and Texas Reds

 

Published 8/6/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Cash Edwards, Music Services The 2009 Kerrville Wine & Music Festival is coming up Labor Day weekend, September 4 - 6. This annual celebration of performing songwriters and Texas wines will be held at Quiet Valley Ranch,...

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Optek's Fretlight Guitar Now Available to Dealers with a Customized Point-of-Purchase Display

 

Published 8/6/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: RKPR, Inc. Fretlight FG-451In response to requests from music and guitar dealers to carry Optek Music Systems’ revolutionary Fretlight® guitar, the company is now offering point-of-purchase displays for dealer stores designed to ...

"The Genius Hits The Road" by Ray Charles Reissued with Bonus Tracks

 

Published 8/6/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker The Genius Hits The RoadWhen Ray Charles left Atlantic Records for ABC-Paramount, his first move was to gather up a dozen vintage songs about U.S. destinations. The resulting album, The Genius Hits the...

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John Wunsch and the Interlochen Guitar Festival and Workshop

 

Published 8/4/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

The name Interlochen has long been synonymous with excellence in the arts and arts education, and the annual Interlochen Guitar Festival and Workshop is no exception. The Workshop is held every summer in August, this year from the 20th to the 22nd, ...

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Peter Wolf on the Guitar Manufacturing Industry

 

Published 8/3/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

In July of 2009, Modern Guitars columnist Peter Wolf announced the launch of his new business, Brandwolf Consulting, LLC, aimed at helping music instrument makers with sales, marketing and related strategic concerns such as branding and ...

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Vinnie Moore Interview

 

Published 8/3/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

by Dr. Matthew Warnock. Vinnie Moore has long since established himself as one of the leading rock guitarists of his generation. After impressing Mike Varney of Shrapnel records at the age of twelve, Moore was chosen to showcase his guitar talent ...

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Guitar Maverick Wayne Krantz to Release New Studio Album on August 18

 

Published 7/31/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Big Hassle Media Krantz Carlock LefebvreThe boldly inventive improvisations of guitarist Wayne Krantz have long held a fascination for fans of dynamic, uncompromised music. Ex-Sideman with Steely Dan, Donald Fagen,Michael Brecker ...

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Matin Guitar Featured on Sundance Channel Series "Big Ideas for a Small Planet"

 

Published 7/31/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: The Lippin Group Martin Guitar will be featured on the season three premiere of the Sundance Channel award-winning original eco-series Big Ideas for a Small Planet. Following the company’s decade-plus long pioneering efforts in ...

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New Album from Guitar Instrumentalist Oz Noy

 

Published 7/31/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Magna Carta SchizophrenicOz Noy, one of the most proficient, fluid, and inventive contemporary instrumental guitarists in the U.S., unleashes the sonic equivalent of a turbo-charged luxury high-performance sports vehicle that ...

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The Band of Heathens to Appear on "Austin City Limits" and Release New Album

 

Published 7/31/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker The Band of HeathensThe Band of Heathens’ self-titled studio debut album brought the band from relative obscurity to playing 250-plus shows a year for their rabid fan base, as well as a coveted...

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Albums from First Generation L.A. Punkers, The Gears and The D.I.s, Reissued

 

Published 7/31/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Reiussed albums from The Gears and The D.I.sThe Gears were formed in 1978, the heyday of Los Angeles punk, when two childhood buddies from the Glassell Park neighborhood of L.A. — singer Axxel...

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Joseph S. Knaggs Guitars Announces Launch

 

Published 7/27/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Brandwolf Consulting Joseph S. Knaggs, formerly PRS Guitars' Director of R&D; and Private Stock, has announced the launch of Joseph S. Knaggs Guitars (www. jskguitars.com). For the past 25 years, Joe has been successfully ...

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Final Recordings of Cass Elliot, aka, Mama Cass, Reissued

 

Published 7/27/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Cass Elliot/The Road Is No Place for a LadyWhile Mama Cass Elliot is mostly remembered for her vocal harmonies with the quintessential California folk-rock quartet the Mamas & the Papas, her story did...

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Dr. Brad DeRoche Talks about the Interlochen Arts Camp and More

 

Published 7/20/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Dr. Brad DeRoche is one of the hardest working guitarists you will ever meet. He is regarded as a world-class classical guitarist who maintains a busy performance schedule of concerts and clinics every year. DeRoche is also one of the most sought ...

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Steve Vai to Release Live Concert Film from Sound Theories Tour

 

Published 7/17/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Guitarist Steve Vai has announced the release of a live concert film (DVD, Blu-ray) and live CD on September 29, 2009. Titled Where The Wild Things Are , the material was recorded before a sold-out audience at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, ...

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Gibson Custom and ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons Create L.E. 'Pearly Gates' Les Paul Standard

 

Published 7/13/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Gibson Guitar Gibson Custom Billy Gibbons Limited Edition 'Pearly Gates' Les Paul StandardGibson Custom announced a guitar fit for every sharp dressed man, the Billy Gibbons Pearly Gates Limited Edition Les Paul Standard. And now ...

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Artist Creates Custom Guitar Sculptures from Recycled License Plates

 

Published 7/13/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Cary, North Carolina, resident Peter Geiger has found a way to unite two of his passions, cars and music, by creating actual-sized guitar sculptures that incorporate old automobile license plates. A long time guitar aficionado and car enthusiast, ...

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Taylor Guitars Responds to 'United Breaks Guitars'

 

Published 7/11/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

United Airlines may have reason to sing the blues, but if they are, it's unlikely they're playing Taylor guitars. Singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Carroll's viral YouTube video "United Breaks Guitars" (close to two million views as of this ...

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moe. Hosts 10th Annual moe.down September 4-6

 

Published 7/10/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Big Hassle moe. L-R: Vinnie Amico, Rob Derhak, Jim Loughlin, Chuck Garvey, and Al Schnier. Photo credit: Danny Clinch. Photo courtesy of moe.org.The Tenth Annual moe.down will be held September 4, 5 and 6 at the Snow...

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Godin Passion RG-3 at the Montreal Guitar Show

 

Published 7/10/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Godin Guitars Godin Passion RG-3 MNThe 3rd Edition of the Montreal Guitar Show took place this past weekend from July 3rd to July 5th at the Palais des Congrès in downtown Montreal. Launched in 2007 by SIMM...

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Sugiyama Asks: Why Do People Buy Expensive Guitars?

 

Published 7/10/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

The less than upbeat state of the world's economies doesn't seem to have dampened the widespread interest in vintage guitars; the buying and selling, maybe, the interest, no. For those with the fever who find their guitar budget tightening, Modern ...

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Hopewell Releases New Album, 'Good Good Desperation'

 

Published 7/9/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Goldest Egg HopewellNY's Hopewell has been blending vintage fuzz pedal jams with their early space rock and shoegaze roots for over a decade, their 2001 full-length, The Curved Glass, being the perfect, noisy bridge between the ...

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Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival Announces 2009 Lineup

 

Published 7/9/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: solid gold The Juan Maclean. Photo credit: Sebastian Mylnarski.Building on the inaugural success of 2008, Famous Friends, a New York-based promotion company, in conjunction with Noise Problem, a leading multi-faceted music ...

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Marshall Crenshaw Returns with 'Jaggedland' on 429 Records

 

Published 7/9/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Marshall CrenshawMarshall Crenshaw, recently signed to 429 Records, released his long-awaited album of new recordings, Jaggedland, on June 2. Crenshaw penned and played on all 12 tracks that shimmer with ...

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Many Mourn the Passing of George Fullerton

 

Published 7/9/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

George William Fullerton passed way on July 4, 2009, at the age of 86 in, coincidentally, Fullerton, California, where he had been a long time resident. His association with the Fender company, its founder, Leo Fender, and the birth and development ...

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Paul Reed Smith Guitars Announces Steps Aimed at Minimizing the Impact of the Challenging Economy

 

Published 7/8/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: PRS Guitars As the musical instruments retail industry faces a significant global downturn, Paul Reed Smith Guitars announced today steps aimed at minimizing the impact of a difficult economy. After the successful launch of two ...

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Schecter C-1E/A Guitar Equipped with Graph Tech’s ghost Equipped ResoMax Bridge

 

Published 7/8/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Graph Tech Graph Tech ghost® ResoMax™ bridge Graph Tech Guitar Labs, the world’s largest guitar nut and saddle manufacturer is now supplying Schecter guitars with the innovative ghost® ResoMax™ bridge for the C-1E/A guitar. The ...

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'Remembrance' by the John Patitucci Trio Arrives August 4

 

Published 7/8/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

John Patitucci's latest recording, Remembrance , is set for release on August 4, 2009, and represents Patitucci's thirteenth as a leader and his seventh for the Concord label. Accompanying the virtuoso electric and acoustic bassist are saxophonist ...

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Debut Album from Dennis Diken with Bell Sound, 'Late Music,' Brings Classic Pop Echoes

 

Published 7/8/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker Late Music“I guess I’ve been writing songs since I was a kid,” says Dennis Diken. “There are melodies and lyric ideas that I just can’t get out of my head and some of...

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Fender to Induct James Jamerson and Masamitsu "Mike" Yamano into Fender Hall of Fame

 

Published 7/7/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: FMIC Fender Hall of FameFender Musical Instruments Corp. (FMIC) is proud to announce the Fender Hall of Fame class of 2009, which includes legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson and Japanese entrepreneur Masamitsu “Mike” Yamano. ...

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Cleveland Rocks! Announces Official Call for Visual Artists

 

Published 7/7/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: Gibson Guitar Cleveland Rocks!Cleveland Rocks!, the public art project presented by Epiphone Guitar officially announced its call for visual artists. The project which officially kicked off this month will benefit local charities ...

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Laughing Dogs, Fabulous Poodles and The Truth Albums to be Reissued

 

Published 7/7/2009 by Staff at Modern Guitars Magazine

Press release Source: conqueroo / Cary Baker In a triumvirate of classic power-pop reissues, American Beat Records through Collectors’ Choice Music will re-release the Laughing Dogs’ 1979 The Laughing Dogs and 1980 The Laughing Dogs Meet Their Makers ...

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