PRESS RELEASE – 09 December 2012

TITANIC GUITARS LAUNCH WORLDWIDE AT NAMM SHOW

LIMITED EDITION CENTENARY MODELS

TITANIC Southampton Parlour

100 years after the launch of the Titanic, a Belfast company has designed a range of limited edition guitars to celebrate this milestone. Welcome to the launch of Titanic Guitars (1912-2012).

Steeped in history, Belfast represents the home of the Titanic and town where some of the best shipbuilders and craftsmen spent hours of blood, sweat and tears to create a true masterpiece.

Now, a small group of luthiers in Ireland have used the same tradition and skills to develop a unique line of guitars that proudly pay homage to the Titanic. Using some of the best woods in the industry, combined with excellent tonal qualities, these new masterpieces are truly a collector’s item.

Featuring 8 custom models (4 acoustic and 4 electric), each model is limited to 100 pieces. Every guitar features select solid wood, a custom made hard-shell case, a limited edition engraved G7th capo, custom leather strap, D’Addario strings, plus a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. The acoustic models are fitted with the Fishman Matrix VT system.

Each model is named after Titanic history, including the Belfast Goliath, Jack of Hearts, New York Dreadnought, to name a few. Excellence in craftsmanship and design is something we’re proud of in Ireland.

Titanic Guitars represent just that. The very best in guitar design, has been combined with our skills in manufacturing abroad, to bring affordable, yet excellent Titanic collectables, as well as excellent guitars, meant to be inspirational and bring years of enjoyment. Prices start from $800.00 to $2150.00. Visit www.TitanicGuitars.com for more information. (Note: the website does not go active until December 18th!)

Duesenberg Guitars

Duesenberg Guitars get a lot of press here on the TheGuitarBuzz.

Rightfully so, as they have proven to be a guitar manufacturer on the cutting edge.

From my interview with Brian Oaks, to their recent advertisements, it’s a company to watch.

The list of players who endorse Duesenberg is a “Whos-Who” from all genres. Tom Petty, Glen Frey, Joe Walsh, Bob Dylan, Kenny Loggins, Bon Jovi, John Mayer, Pear Jam, Billy Gibbons, ZZ Top, Keb Mo, Ronnie Wood, Vince Gill, Keith Urban and Elvis Costello, just to name a few of the household names.

And you thought Gibson and Fender were the only brands the big-boys played?

The Starplayer TV is equally impressive.

Our semi-hollow deluxe guitar is played by many of the top players in the world. The Starplayer-TV features a greatly improved 60s style tremolo and a floating bridge with steel saddles. Our custom-wound DP90 in the neck position gives an authentic blues tone making a versatile combination with the vintage Humbucker in the bridge position. The distinctive arched spruce top and elegant flamed maple arched back has elevated the DTV to one of the finest guitars in the world. It will remind you of the time when rock & roll was young.
-From the Duesenberg USA Web Site.

Check out this video that is capturing a high trending number of recent views:

Duesenberg Guitars - German Tradition Ad

Some guitar ads are all about the guitar. Duesenberg guitar ads incorporate other memorable images… like this one.

Never heard of Duesenberg guitars? Ever heard of Joe Walsh? Billy Gibbons? Elvis Costello? Vince Gill? Keb’ Mo’? Tom Petty? Bob Dylan? Kenny Loggins? John Mayer? Ronnie Wood? They are all “artists and friends” of the Duesenberg brand.

Duesenberg instruments combine the guitar-design and character of the golden-era of the 50’s and 60’s with modern attributes. They provide superb playability and functionality combined with a sound that is somewhat familiar but distinct enough to stand out of the crowd of copies and mass fabricated products.

The distinct look of Duesenberg guitars manifests itself in the Art Deco design of the headstock, pickguard and hardware while most body designs are based on old Jazz guitar shapes that were produced in Germany and the US in the 1940’s, mainly by German immigrants. You can check out their official web site by clicking HERE.

“Duesenberg Guitars: Where German guitar building tradition meets classic Art Deco styles with a focus on modern, innovative details.“

And yes… their ads are pretty cool too.

In that article I wrote about something called Guitar Acquisition Syndrome (better known as G.A.S.).  If you missed that post, CLICK HERE to read it.

I have since learned that there is an official web site dedicated to the (somewhat desirable) disease… called GuitarAcquisitionSyndrome.com.

Living With Guitar Acquisition Syndrome

There is even a book available that can be purchased on Amazon.com.  Just click the image to the left if you need immediate help with your addiction.

From the review: This is a fun and unusual book. Your “normal” friends won’t understand it, you won’t really learn anything specific about guitars or collecting… What you will walk away with after reading this book is the comfort of knowing that you aren’t alone in your affliction for acquiring guitars (and that many people are worse than you).

G.A.S. is best described as the uncontrollable need to purchase “just one more” guitar.  Then, when the new guitar arrives, the G.A.S. symptoms return. It’s a never-ending cycle that can be… terminal.

G.A.S. is a growing epidemic among guitar players young and old, regardless of how long one has been playing.

G.A.S. is not rational and appears to be a sister disease to “Obsessive Compulsive Disorder”.

Since it is easily stimulated through the visual sense, it highly recommended that those suffering from G.A.S. avoid the local Guitar Center, Sam Ash and MusiciansFriend.com as very serious financial hardship and/or marital difficulties may occur.

Clearly, the key to curing G.A.S. is early detection.

Research has shown that those who suffer from G.A.S. today had symptoms for many years that were most likely ignored.

I invite you to participate in the official GuitarBuzz reader poll designed to expose early warning signs.  Please answer the following question:

My Gigliotti GT-ESQ Esquire Tele Style Guitar

For most guitar players, Gigliotti is not a name that comes to mind when they think of great guitar manufacturers.

But is is for me!

I first learned about Gigliotti Guitars as a result of my passion for following the music of Joe Bonamassa. Joe has a few of these guitars and usually brings one along when he goes out on tour. I have seen Joe live three times (will see a fourth show in December in Phoenix) and he has pulled out “The Gig” in every concert so far.

I have craved and coveted one of these for years and when this GT Custom appeared on eBay a few weeks ago…I had to have it. And now I do!

The Gigliotti GT Custom is a 21st Century Single Cutaway style guitar featuring the new Gigliotti Voicing System. Every guitar is ordered custom and the buyer can choose exactly how their Gigliotti GT Custom Guitar will look and sound from the builders options menu.

Mine has a Mahogany body and neck with a Madagascar fretboard. The details include Kluson tuners, 6150 frets, Gotoh saddle bridge, gold hardware and a single “DiMarzio Tone Zone T” pickup to give it all the twang a Tele could ever ask for.

All Gigliotti electric guitars feature the innovative Gigliotti Voicing System and unique metal plate top insert with a custom patternfinish. This Patent Pending top inset system lets these tops resonate like a fine flattop guitar, giving beautiful tone with or without an amp.

Every Gigliotti electric guitar offers a beautiful acoustic sound, because it is built like an acoustic guitar. The top of a Gigliotti guitar is set into a ledge created by the sides of the guitar and the internal braces. The custom pattern metal top is siliconed in place and locked to the center block by the bridge, so the top rings like a bell. All machine work is done from the front, so that a solid feel is maintained. The result is a well balanced and incredible sounding instrument with incredible sustain throughout its entire register.

As you can see in the picture, the end result is quite stunning. When the light hits the top, it looks like it is ON FIRE.

Check out some of the photos and videos on the official Gigliotti Guitars Web Site.

We are writing today on behalf of the music products industry to express deep frustration over a regulation that is impacting music products manufacturers as well as retailers and owners of musical instruments in the U.S. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is a 110-year-old trade association representing the interests of manufacturers, retailers and distributors of musical instruments. Many of NAMM’s nearly 9,000 member companies are being negatively impacted by the Lacey Act, a well-intentioned law, but one with unintended consequences that we feel are damaging to our industry and the economy.

The Lacey Act was first enacted in 1900 and amended most recently in May of 2008 to include criminal liability for importing, owning, transporting or selling plant material that is illegally harvested, the wide range of interpretation possible in the law and lack of regulatory clarity has resulted in great difficulty in compliance. The confusion is due in large part to the law’s ambitious scope, including enforcement of the laws from all other countries that are the source of these natural materials.

The recent high profile raid (multiple federal agencies with automatic weapons) of Gibson Guitars, a leading NAMM member company in Tennessee, compounded with the slow response on needed guidance for compliance that we have been seeking has created fear and uncertainty for all those involved in the manufacturing, distribution and retailing of instruments and increasingly, artists and owners of musical instruments.

NAMM members care deeply and are committed to the ecologically sustainable use of tone woods for the production of musical instruments. We understand that long-term success depends upon future availability of these materials to build and sell the iconic instruments that have defined America’s popular music traditions. NAMM member products are valued and played around the world and are some of our country’s most recognizable exports. Most NAMM members are small businesses employing local artisans and others who are passionate about music and music education. They produce jobs, pay taxes and support their communities.

We cannot state strongly enough the impact that this confusion, uncertainty and threat of criminality are having on our industry even when intentions of due care and compliance are followed and documented. We have concrete ideas on how to improve the law and are ready to work with Members of Congress and federal agencies to make positive changes that will fulfill the intended vision of the Lacey Act and preserve not only the world’s forests, but the vital work of U.S. manufacturing and commerce in the music products industry.

Sincerely,

Kevin Cranley
Chairman, NAMM
President, Willis Music Company

Joe Lamond
President and CEO, NAMM

Joe Bonamassa and his Guitars

I LOVE THAT PICTURE!

I use it as the desktop background on my computer as well as a constant reminder of how “few” guitars I actually own!

The truth be known, I own 9 guitars. They are:

1. Fender Squier Strat
2. Alvarez Yairi Acoustic
3. Taylor 414-CE Limited Edition
4. Rogue Acoustic Resonator
5. Schecter C-1 E/A Quilt Top
6. Traveler EG-1 Travel Guitar
7. Gibson Les Paul Standard
8. Taylor Solidbody – Deluxe Walnut
9. Gibson CS-356 w/Bigsby Custom Shop

OK…now let’s look closer at this list. The first 2 are really my daughters. They are in her room and she’s the one who plays them (the most). So that really means I have 7 guitars. And since the Traveler guitar is only played a few weeks a year (when I travel) I really can’t count that one either. So I guess I have 6 guitars. The Rogue Resonator was an impulse purchase when MusiciansFriend.com blew them out for $99 bucks on one of their “Stupid Deals of the Day” and it’s really more of a decoration on a stand in our living room (with it’s shiny cones) so to be honest…I really have 5 guitars.

But wait… I almost forgot… I re-tuned the Schecter to “Open E” a few months ago when I thought I wanted to play slide… an idea never really took off so the Schecter is hardly being played at all right now and the Gibson is a Custom Shop that I’d hate to see get damaged so when it comes down to it… I ONLY HAVE THREE GUITARS (that I actually play).

I keep telling myself (and my wife) that I still need all of them because they all sound different. Some of my other favorite excuses are:

• They are all going up in value and we would lose money if we sold them.
• There is a unique guitar for each “genre of blues” that I play.
• Different kinds of wood sound different.
• This is not a “new” guitar, it’s used.
• I am not going to keep this one very long.
• I could not pass this deal up!
• I need a guitar in every color.

My wife says it’s a sickness and she is right.

It’s called GAS. Not the kind of GAS sickness you get after 2 tacos and a bean enchilada…but G.A.S. as an acronym that stands for Guitar Acquisition Syndrome.

Please understand that the acronym G.A.S. is not my creation. “G.A.S.” was coined by Walter Becker in his 1996 Guitar Player article when he wrote that “G.A.S.” was “Guitar Acquisition Syndrome” [CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE].

Guitar Acquisition Syndrome (also known as Gear Acquisition Syndrome, both abbreviated to G.A.S.) is used to describe an uncontrollable urge to acquire and accumulate multiple guitars. G.A.S. should not be confused with collecting and G.A.S. is similar in many ways to very mild obsessive compulsive disorder, hence the sickness my wife believes I have.

Even when financial means are not available, the G.A.S. sufferer will do anything to procure the instrument. Be careful around these folks. G.A.S. has been known to highly contagious and spreads quickly. -Squidoo.com

I must be fair to my readers (and myself) and add that I do not keep every guitar I buy. I have sold dozens of guitars over the past few years that were bought as a result of G.A.S. (and I miss them all).

In the midst of this craziness, I find myself on eBay every day looking for the guitar that I can’t live without.  I know it’s out there and I will find it!

After all, only four strings to master instead of six, right? What can be so hard about that?

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is high on the list of songs least likely to be covered by a solo ukuleleist. Yet when Jake Shimabukuro delicately yet assertively plucks out the opening notes of the quasi-operatic, hard-rocking power ballad, the 34-year-old Hawaiian is clearly out to show that there are no limits in the world of covers, and that even a seeming stunt can sound both musical and emotive. –NPR

Taylor Guitars Double Cutaway SolidBody

Building on the success of its versatile line of SolidBody electric models, Taylor Guitars is adding a new options for 2011 in the form of a double cutaway and a slew of vibrant colors for the SolidBody Standard. The new offerings expand the custom ordering capability, allowing players to easily design the look and sound of their SolidBody to suit their style.

As a completely customizable guitar, players can “build” their SolidBody by choosing from a series of options that include body style (Classic or Standard), cutaway (single or double), color, pickguard color (including a new color, Parchment), bridge (stoptail or tremolo) and a variety of Taylor’s “plug and play” solderless pickups. With nearly a dozen different pickup configurations are available, including high gain (HG) and high definition (HD) humbuckers, Vintage Alnicos (VA), and silent single coils, the “plug and play” pickups were designed to be easily swapped to change the guitar’s sonic personality on the fly.

For a company that has been historically known for making acoustic guitars, Taylor is turning a lot of heads with their electric models. Check out this video to see what I mean – these are some of the most beautiful guitars made today!