Fender

Small Wonders: Five Essential 15-Watt Guitar Amps

Damian Fanelli — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:18:11 +0000

Let's face it, bringing a 100-watt guitar amp to your average weekend bar gig is a lot like taking a Lamborghini to Shop Rite for Sunday-afternoon grocery shopping.

You simply don't need all that power (Unless Shop Rite also happens to be hosting a Sunday-afternoon drag race).

Which is why several amp manufacturers have spent a lot of time, effort and money developing less-powerful and more-portable (not to mention affordable) amps, namely those of the 15-watt variety. Unlike larger amps, including 50-watters, you can really open up a 15-watt amp at a gig and take advantage of all its features, including that beautiful, natural gain that magically appears at high volumes.

Here's a list of our five essential 15-watt guitar amps. As always, this list was compiled by a group of Guitar World editorial staffers including Technical Editor Paul Riario, the guy who tries out every piece of gear that arrives at Guitar World. He also appears in one of the five demo videos in this story.

As always, the amps are presented in no particular order.

Marshall Haze MHZ15

There's nothing hazy about this choice, Marshall's Haze15.

The amp runs on three ECC83 preamp and two 6V6 power amp tubes, providing this two-channel head with a pure-tube pedigree. The amp's traditional EQ section of Bass, Middle and Treble allows massive amounts of control; the Normal and Overdrive channels create beautiful clean and distorted tones — and everything in between.

Turning up the Normal channel volume takes the clear tone and adds tube drive, compression and bite, which can be adjusted through your guitar’s volume control. Engaging the Bright function adds sonic sparkle and an extra cutting edge. Switching to the Overdrive channel sees the amp really start to roar with Volume and Gain controls allowing direct access to your sound.

At low volumes, the Haze15 offers smooth, rich overdriven tones. When it's cranked up, you can look forward to classic, fat, Marshall distortion.

What does it sound like?

Here's our own Paul Riario trying out the Haze15 in a GW video from 2010:

MSRP: $840 | Visit marshallamps.com for more about Marshall's Haze series.

From its humble origins in the back of a small music store in London, Marshall Amplification has defined the sound of rock for generations of guitarists around the world. The History of Marshall Amps: The First Fifty Years by Michael Doyle and Nick Bowcott tells the story of Jim Marshall's remarkable life and documents the many innovations of Marshall amplifiers, from the famous “stack” to the most current offerings. It's available at the Guitar World Online Store.

Orange Amplifiers Tiny Terror Series TT15

Lunch, anyone?

Orange Amplification's Tiny Terror Head — known by fans as the original lunchbox amp — is a best seller for a reason. When driven, this tiny amp has almost as much gain as most four-stage lead channels.

The Tiny Terror puts a host of boutique amps to shame with its clean crunch and full-on overdrive sounds. At mid-gain settings, this tube-driven head has plenty of vintage British character. The Tiny Terror was designed to the same specs as larger Orange amps, and its portability makes it perfect for gigging around town or rehearsing. As an added bonus, the Tiny Terror can go from 15 to 7 watts for studio use, recording and practice.

What does it sound like?

Here's an official demo video from Orange:

MSRP: $769 | Visit orangeamps.com for more info about this amp.

Fender 65 Princeton Reverb 15W

I own one of these babies, so I can vouch for it from years of personal experience. This is simply a great amp for the majority of gigs I play — bars and clubs. There are four guitarists in our band, and this amp never gets lost in the mix.

The 65 Princeton Reverb is versatile enough to go from the living room to the recording studio to the small gig. It's got plenty of vintage vibe, plus dynamic clean and overdriven tones, spring reverb and tube vibrato.

The amp delivers 15 watts through a 10-inch Jensen Special Design speaker. It has two inputs (one channel), plus a footswitch, and control knobs for Treble, Bass, Reverb, Speed and Intensity. The tube complement consists of a trio of 12AX7s, a 12AT7, dual Groove Tubes 6V6s and a single 5AR4 rectifier tube.

What does it sound like?

This video wasn't created by Fender or Guitar World, but it does a fine job of demonstrating the sounds and features. You'll notice the model being tested is the recently introduced Surf Green version of the amp:

MSRP: $1,299.99 | Visit fender.com for more info about this amp.

Vox Night Train NT15H/V112NT

Simply put, this is one cool-looking, mirror-finish 15-watt amp.

The industrial-looking amp, part of Vox's Night Train series, is a solid, all-tube, portable head. It runs on two 12AX7 preamp tubes and two EL84 power tubes; this is the same tube complement as the company's classic AC15 amp.

The Vox Night Train's single switch lets you select between Pentode or Triode tube operation. In Pentode mode, the amp delivers 15 watts of power. In the Triode mode, the power is cut to 7.5 watts. The Triode mode also relaxes the tube power stage, letting the mellow tube character shine through.

Night Train greets you with a clear, simple panel design, offering the familiar Gain and Volume controls. The Tone controls include Treble, Middle and Bass, allowing you to dial up just the right character for your individual, signature tone. In addition, the preamp section features a mode switch, offering both Bright and Thick options. The Bright mode accentuates the high-frequency components for a clear, ringing tone; the Thick setting bypasses the tone circuit to boost the gain and create a chunkier, heavier sound.

What does it sound like?

Here's an official video Night Train demo video from Vox:

MSRP: $700 | Visit voxamps.com for more info about this amp.

Mesa Boogie Transatlantic TA-15

The guys at Mesa Boogie noticed everyone else was bringing lunchboxes to the amp party, so they decided to make their own. They did a fine job; the TA-15 is a tasty, portable amp that packs in a lot of features.

The TA-15 packs all the performance found in high-end, full-size models and offers classic British and American sounds in a 12-pound package. Two channels feature five modes; choose a preamp style in each channel, then select the perfect power for it from three output choices: 5 Watts (Single-Ended Class A), 15 Watts (Class A) or 25 Watts (Dyna-Watt).

From Mesa Boogie: "The Channel Modes start off with lower gain NORMAL and higher gain classic versions of the iconic TOP BOOST sound in Channel 1, which includes an ingenious Pull MASTER on the CUT control that can be Hard Bypassed for purists. Channel 2 houses three Modes; a gorgeous TWEED clean, a British high gain in HI 1 and a classic Boogie Lead in HI 2."

What does it sound like?

Check out these seven audio TA-15 samples available on mesaboogie.com. Here's Mesa Boogie's official demo TA-15 video:

MSRP: $899 | Visit mesaboogie.com for more info about this amp.

40 Years After "Smoke On the Water," Fender Custom Shop Introduces Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Strat

Guitar World Staff — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:34:20 +0000

The Fender Custom Shop is paying tribute to the "anvil" used to forge one of the greatest guitar riffs in rock history, the one from Deep Purple's "Smoke On the Water," with its limited-edition Fender Custom Shop Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Stratocaster.

Limited to 2013 production only, the guitar is a meticulously crafted replica of the black Fender Stratocaster Blackmore played with Deep Purple in the early ’70s, including the recording of Machine Head and "Smoke on the Water."

“Smoke On the Water” was released on Machine Head in 1972 and as a single in May 1973 — 40 years ago. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the US and propelled Machine Head into the top 10 worldwide.

The Fender Custom Shop Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Stratocaster has a two-piece alder body with a lightly worn Black urethane finish, a ’69 “U”-shaped maple neck, 7.25”-radius maple fingerboard with medium jumbo frets, and custom ’69 Stratocaster pickups hand-wound by Fender legend Abigail Ybarra.

Other features include three-way pickup switching, Schaller tuners, Micarta nut, four-bolt neck plate stamped with the serial number and the stylized Fender “F,” and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo equipped with Blackmore’s distinctive custom ¼” arm. Each instrument also includes an exclusive rear-headstock tribute decal, certificate of authenticity and orange-line black textured vinyl case with a “Fender Amp” logo.

Visit fender.com for more information on this guitar.

Additional Content

Review: Fender Select Telecaster

Paul Riario — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:43:49 +0000

The following content is related to the May 2013 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now, or in our online store.

Fender’s Select Series guitars are designed for players who want instruments with more upscale materials and features than Fender’s standard instruments but still retain that distinctive Fender vibe. Select Series appointments include figured tonewood bodies and necks, specially voiced pickups, resonant lacquer finishes, and lighter body weight to enhance dynamics and response.

As a result, Fender Select guitars sound as beautiful as they look, offering the appeal of a custom instrument at a considerably more affordable price. I looked at the Fender Select Carved Koa Top Telecaster and Select Carved Maple Top Telecaster, which offer similar features but different body materials.

Review: Fender Select Stratocaster HSS

Paul Riario — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:54:15 +0000

Fender’s new Select Series guitars and basses are designed for the dedicated Fender player who loves the classic appeal and functionality of a Strat, Tele, Precision Bass or Jazz Bass but also enjoys the refined elegance of exotic woods, high-end features and modern enhancements. With its humbucker/single/single pickup configuration, the Select Stratocaster HSS delivers the goods for guitarists who prefer the fat tones and higher output of a bridge humbucking pickup but also need a Strat’s sweet single-coil sounds. Attention to detail and an abundance of upscale upgrades make the Select Stratocaster HSS competitive with much more expensive custom instruments, providing outstanding value for players who demand the best and are unwilling to compromise.

FEATURES

The Select Stratocaster HSS immediately stands out from the pack thanks to its flame maple top, premium alder body and the warm amber glow of its Antique Burst gloss lacquer finish. The C-shaped bird’s-eye maple neck features a smooth-feeling satin lacquer finish and a buffed rosewood fretboard with a compound radius and 22 medium-jumbo frets. The neck attaches to the body with a four-bolt neck plate with Micro-Tilt, and the contoured heel provides comfortable access to the upper frets. The pickups are all specially wound Fender Select models that produce moderately hot output. A special No-Load tone control circuit bypasses the tone circuit altogether to provide the pure, unadulatered tone of the bridge humbucker when the tone control furthest from the bridge is turned all the way up.

PERFORMANCE

The Select Stratocaster HSS may be a very classy-looking ax, but its sound can be as gutsy and raunchy or mellow and sweet as you want it to be. The Select humbucker bridge pickup has just the right balance of fatness, warmth, definition and sparkle. With a moderate amount of gain, artificial harmonic squeals pop from the strings with ease, and glorious grit and bark emerge when you bear down on the strings. The neck, middle and “in between” (neck/middle single-coils, bridge humbucker/middle single-coil) settings all have the distinctive Strat personality, with the neck pickup sounding especially round and robust.

The neck’s modern C-shaped profile and compound radius provide a comfortable balance between vintage heft and the playing ease of a shred-style slim neck. Locking tuners keep the strings perfectly in tune even after abusing the vintage-style tremolo, which delivers sparkling, full, rich overtones as only a vintage-style trem can.

Poll: What Was George Harrison's Coolest Beatles-Era Guitar?

Damian Fanelli — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:02:23 +0000

Forty-nine Februarys ago, after the Beatles made their debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, thousands of kids across the US suddenly "needed" electric guitars, basses and drums.

Kids who were able to pick out their dream gear took their cues from their new long-haired heroes and tracked down Gretsch and Rickenbacker guitars, Hofner basses, Vox amps and Ludwig drums.

[[ Dark Horse: George Harrison's Top 10 Best Solo Albums ]]

Since then, the gear used by the Beatles from 1963 to 1970 has been a never-ending source of fascination for fans, musicians, musicologists and gear heads. And while Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and John Lennon stuck with a handful of brands, lead guitarist George Harrison kept things interesting for gear-obsessed fans, going from Gretsch to Gretsch to Gretsch to Gibson to Rickenbacker to Rickenbacker to Fender to Epiphone to Gibson to Fender again. And we're even leaving out some stuff.

In honor of Harrison, who was born 70 Februarys ago, we want your opinion on which Beatles-era Harrison guitar is the most important, the most iconic or simply the coolest of the bunch.

Check out the choices below and vote!

P.S.: If you're gear-obsessed and still don't own Andy Bubiuk's book, Beatles Gear: All the Fab Four's Instruments from Stage to Studio, it's available now at the Guitar World Online Store.

Additional Content

Review: Fender American Vintage Series Stratocaster and Telecaster

Paul Riario — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 10:22:02 +0000

The following content is related to the March 2013 issue of Guitar World. For the full range of interviews, features, tabs and more, pick up the new issue on newsstands now, or in our online store.

If I had a nickel for every time I heard a guitar collector say he wished he had a time machine and a wad of cash so he could go back to the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies to stockpile a hoard of classic guitars, I’d be able to afford my own collection of vintage axes that would make Billy Gibbons green with envy.

With the introduction of its new American Vintage Series guitars, Fender has eliminated the need for a time machine, as these guitars offer accurate reproductions of Fender classics that look, feel, sound and play just like the original models did back when they were brand spankin’ new. Even cooler is the fact that the prices are well within the budgets of most players.

NAMM 2013: Fender Acoustics Announces Winter 2013 Collection

Guitar World Staff — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 12:56:04 +0000

Fender has announced an array of new instruments in its 2013 winter collection. The diverse lineup includes artist signature models, hot-rodded acoustics, an acoustic bass, and more.

ARTIST SIGNATURE MODELS

Longtime T.S.O.L. guitarist Ron Emory joined forces with Fender to infuse a lovely foursome of Fender acoustic guitars with his years of SoCal-punk cred and expertise: the new Ron Emory “Loyalty” Parlor and Ron Emory “Loyalty” Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought models.

One with a classic parlor body and the other with a slope-shoulder dreadnought body, the Ron Emory “Loyalty” Parlor and Ron Emory “Loyalty” Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought guitars are available in two versions — one with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck and a vintage-style sunburst finish reminiscent of the 1930s; the other with an all-ash body, maple neck and butterscotch-stain finish resembling Emory’s ’52 Telecaster.

Both versions feature quartersawn scalloped “X”-bracing, elegant herringbone body binding and rosette, soft “V” neck profile and aged neck binding, rosewood fingerboard with diamond inlays and 12th-fret “Loyalty” logo, 19 large vintage-style frets (20 in slope-shoulder dreadnought model), 1970s-style Fender headstock, three-ply pickguard, vintage-style rosewood “Viking” bridge with Graphtech Nubone compensated saddle, and open-gear tuners. The Slope-Shoulder Dreadnought models also offer open-gear tuners, Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner, on/off switch, three-band EQ and volume control.

FOLK MUSIC INSTRUMENTS

Making an exciting comeback is Fender’s classic electric mandolin, the Mando-Strat. This distinctive and diminutive instrument evokes the Fender electric four-string mandolins of the 1950s and ‘60s, with an updated and improved design for modern players. Main features include a solid alder body, “C”-shaped maple neck with 24-fret rosewood fingerboard, and specially designed pickup with volume and tone controls.

The all-new Reso-Tele is exactly what the name suggests, a resonator version of a Telecaster. This unusual design, combined with the Telecaster neck pickup, under-saddle pickup and electronics, makes for a one-of-a-kind playing experience with an appealingly traditional vibe. Distinctive features include a maple Telecaster body with a 3-Color Sunburst finish, stylized Fender “F” sound hole and hand-spun cone crafted in Eastern Europe for rich resonator tone.

HOT ROD DESIGN SERIES

The Hot Rod Design Series brings supercharged and upgraded features to the popular T-Bucket 100CE, T-Bucket 200CE, T-Bucket 300CE, T-Bucket 400CE, T-Bucket Bass E and Vince-Ray Voodoo-Bucket 300CE models.

The most distinctive features of each individual model are listed below:

T-Bucket 100CE

• Three-Color Sunburst spruce top with mahogany back and sides
• Cutaway dreadnought body
• T-Bucket pinstriped rosette and new 12th-fret “F” logo inlay
• Quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Bound mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and Graphtech Nubone compensated saddle
• Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner

T-Bucket 200CE

• Trans Black flame maple top with mahogany back and sides
• Cutaway folk body
• Remarkable new holographic rosette inlay and new 12th-fret “F” logo inlay design
• Quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and bridge
• Graphtech Nubone compensated bridge saddle
• Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner

T-Bucket 300CE

• Flame and quilt maple tops in several finishes with quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Dreadnought cutaway body
• Remarkable new holographic rosette inlay and new 12th-fret “F” logo inlay design
• Quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and bridge
• Graphtech Nubone compensated bridge saddle
• Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner
• Available in Three-Color Sunburst with flame maple top, Transparent Black with flame maple top, Transparent Blue with quilt maple top, Amber with flame maple top, Transparent Violet with quilt ash top, and Transparent Dark Brown with quilt ash top

T-Bucket 400CE

• Natural-finish flame maple top, back and sides with quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Dreadnought cutaway body
• Remarkable new holographic rosette inlay and new 12th-fret “F” logo inlay design
• Gold hardware
• Elegant neck and body binding
• Mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and bridge
• Graphtech Nubone compensated bridge saddle
• Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner

T-Bucket Bass E

• Three-Color Sunburst flame maple top with quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Mahogany back and sides
• Remarkable new holographic rosette inlay and new 12th-fret “F” logo inlay design
• Elegant neck and body binding
• Mahogany neck with 22-fret rosewood fingerboard
• Rosewood bridge with compensated saddle
• Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner

Vince Ray Voodoo-Bucket 300CE

• Elaborately outlandish design by noted hot-rod artist Vince Ray featuring skulls, skeletons, motorcycles, black cats, serpents, demons, witches, disembodied hands, beating bongos, flames, headstones, and more.
• Spruce top with quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Mahogany back and sides
• Remarkable new holographic rosette inlay
• Quartersawn scalloped “X” bracing
• Bound mahogany neck with Graphtech Nubone nut
• Rosewood fingerboard with new 12th-fret “F” logo inlay design
• Fishman Isys III pickup/active preamp system with built-in chromatic tuner

ACOUSTIC PACKS

Fender has made its top-selling DG8S Acoustic Pack even better by upgrading its full-sounding, easy-playing dreadnought guitar with even finer features. These include a slightly re-shaped pickguard and rosewood bridge that give a nod to the Fender acoustics of the 1970s, new 3mm dot markers that lend an elegant touch to the fretboard, and a simple-but-striking white pearloid rosette.

Other features include a solid spruce top with scalloped and quartersawn “X” bracing for balanced tone, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck with 20-fret rosewood fretboard, neck and body binding, and Graphtone Nubone nut and compensated bridge saddle. Pack includes everything needed to start playing, with gig bag, chromatic electronic tuner, strings, picks and strap, and instructional material.

For more information and to find a dealer near you, visit fender.com.

Fender Custom Shop Introduces Eric Clapton "Brownie" Tribute Stratocaster

Guitar World Staff — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 18:16:11 +0000

Fender pays tribute to Eric Clapton’s “Brownie” Fender Stratocaster with the release of its Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster.

It will be available exclusively through Guitar Center on March 21 as part of the Guitar Center Eric Clapton Crossroads Collection. The original Brownie is most famous for its use on seminal 1970 Derek and the Dominos recording Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.

[[ Learn about Guitar Center's entire Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection featuring five limited-edition, signature and replica models from Gibson, Fender and Martin. ]]

Limited to 100 pieces worldwide, each “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster is hand-built by Clapton’s personal Master Builder, Todd Krause. The guitar is a meticulously crafted replica of the sunburst Stratocaster seen on the back cover of 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, and on the cover of Clapton’s eponymous 1970 debut solo album.

After meticulously researching the original guitar at the EMP Museum in Seattle in 2012, Fender Custom Shop experts replicated it in exacting detail — mirroring years of wear and tear down to every nick, scratch and cigarette burn.

While a member of original U.K. “supergroup” Cream, Clapton bought the Stratocaster he affectionately nicknamed “Brownie” secondhand at Sound City in London on May 7, 1967, a few days before the band flew to New York to record second album Disraeli Gears. It was the first Strat he had ever owned; a 1956 model with a two-color sunburst finish and a well-worn maple neck and fingerboard. More than that, “Brownie” marked a move toward a new musical identity for Clapton that would culminate in a highly successful and acclaimed solo career that continues today.

“Layla” appeared on 1970 Derek and the Dominos album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Written by Clapton and Dominos drummer Jim Gordon, it is considered one of rock’s greatest love songs and is still included in countless best-of lists. The song’s popularity endures today as a classic rock radio staple.

The Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster has a three-piece alder body with an off-center seam and a worn nitrocellulose lacquer finish in two-color sunburst, a one-piece plain-grain maple neck with a custom large “soft V” neck shape, and a 7.25”-radius fingerboard with vintage-style frets. Additionally, it features custom-shielded ’56 Stratocaster pickups with five-way switching, a vintage-style synchronized tremolo, nickel hardware and a single-ply parchment pickguard.

Each instrument also includes a numbered certificate of authenticity hand-signed by Clapton, the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition box set of Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, a black textured-vinyl Derek and the Dominos “Fragile” guitar case, a Fender Custom Shop story and photo album booklet, and a Crossroads Antigua brochure.

Proceeds from the sale of every “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster will benefit Crossroads Centre Antigua, the Caribbean drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility Clapton founded in 1997, as well as the EMP Museum. The release of the “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster also coincides with Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Guitar Festival 2013, which also benefits Crossroads Centre Antigua.

For more information on the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection, visit guitarcenter.com/Clapton.

NYC Guitar Center photos by Guitar World

Additional Content

NAMM 2013: Fender Releases ’57 Bandmaster, Mustang V.2 and Acoustasonic 15 Amps

Guitar World Staff — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 13:14:27 +0000

Fender has introduced seven new amplifier models, each designed with a different player in mind, yet all providing the legendary tones that have solidified Fender as the world’s leading amplifier company for more than 60 years.

The late-'50s tweed-covered Fender Bandmaster guitar amplifier combined great looks with sweet tone and powerful performance. Hailed as one of the true holy-grail amps among guitarists and collectors, vintage examples are rare and highly sought after. The new '57 Bandmaster amp now joins our prestigious Custom series, with all-tube hand-wired circuitry and premium components.

We've faithfully reproduced the classic 5E7 circuit, which pumps about 26 watts through three 10" alnico-magnet speakers, and we enlisted Jensen to help create the P10R-F driver (a Fender exclusive), which is voiced for warm, sensitive response. The Bandmaster amp's harmonically rich clean tones are perfect for vintage rock, blues and country styles, and its naturally touch-sensitive overdrive tone sounds electrifying—especially when cranked up.

The Mustang series, the world's best-selling amplifiers are back with new features, a new look and all the flexibility you've come to expect from a Fender Mustang. The new Fender Mustang V.2 amplifier series raises the standard for modern guitar versatility and muscle, including five new amp models, five new effects and intelligent pitch shifting.

The new Mustang Series features USB connectivity and Fender FUSE software, letting your musical creativity and imagination run wild. Mustang amps feature 18 amp models including five new ones, such as ’57 Twin®, and ’60s Thrift; 24 onboard presets (unlimited storage with computer); additional new effects including big fuzz, green screamer and intelligent pitch shifting (with even more available through Fender FUSE); new low-noise power amp platform; chromatic tuner; USB connectivity for user programming and audio recording output; auxiliary input for media player; Fender FUSE application for deep editing, preset storage, patch swapping and free artist content; Ableton Live Lite 8 Fender Edition studio-quality recording software compatible with Mustang USB recording output.

The Mustang I (V.2) is a 20 watt amp featuring one 8” Fender Special Design speaker; the Mustang II (V.2) is a 40 watt amp with one 12” Fender Special Design speaker; the Mustang III (V.2) pumps out 100 watts through one Celestion G12T-100 12" Speaker; the Mustang IV (V.2) is 150 watts and features two 12" Celestion G12P-80 speakers; the Mustang V Head (V.2) is 150 Watts (2 x 75) in stereo; the Mustang V 412 Cabinet (V.2) is 200 watts with four Celestion Rocket 50 12" Speakers.

The Acoustasonic 15 amplifier offers exemplary portable amplification for acoustic-electric guitar and a vocal microphone, with enough simplicity and flexibility for a variety of musical performance and basic public address uses. The 15-watt amp features one 6” Special Design full-range speaker with whizzer cone for enhanced high-frequency response, two channels (XLR microphone and 1/4” instrument) with individual volume controls, Chorus effect (for instrument channel) with level control and on/off switch, Bass, Middle and Treble tone controls, 1/4" headphone output, classic Fender cosmetic treatment with brown textured vinyl covering and chrome hardware for durability and great looks.

For more information, visit fender.com.

Guitar Center Introduces Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection Featuring Five Limited, Signature and Replica Models

Damian Fanelli — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 21:14:31 +0000

Guitar Center has done the unlikely. The world’s largest musical-instrument retailer rounded up three heavyweights — Fender, Gibson and Martin — to honor another heavyweight, Eric Clapton, and his iconic guitars.

Guitar Center introduced the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection Tuesday morning at its 14th Street location in New York City. The limited-edition collection features five Clapton tribute, replica and signature guitars, all of which will be available in North America at Guitar Center stores and at GuitarCenter.com starting March 21.

The collection includes a replica Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster, a Gibson George Harrison-Eric Clapton “Lucy” Les Paul and Eric Clapton Signature Martin 000-28 and 000-45 models, plus Eric Clapton “Crossroads” guitar straps by Ernie Ball.

Proceeds from the sale of each guitar will benefit Clapton’s Crossroads Centre in Antigua, which was created to provide treatment and education to chemically dependent people. "The motive behind the making of the guitar is 100 percent right," Clapton said. "They are beautiful guitars; from the inlays to the rosewood they are unique from one another. One would be inclined to take care of and be in awe of them.”

Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster

Best known as the “Layla Stratocaster” and featured on the back cover of that pivotal album, “Brownie” was the first Strat ever owned by Clapton, purchased in May 1967. The 2-Color Sunburst guitar has a heavily worn maple neck, dated from 6-56, and was first seen in Clapton’s hands bolted to a Telecaster body during Blind Faith.

For more information about the Fender Custom Shop Eric Clapton “Brownie” Tribute Stratocaster, including MSRP, a video and a photo gallery, head here.

Gibson George Harrison-Eric Clapton “Lucy” Les Paul

Owned by Clapton and then given to George Harrison, who nicknamed it “Lucy," the George Harrison-Eric Clapton “Lucy” Les Paul has an awesome pedigree. At the invitation of Harrison, Clapton played the cherry red LP on “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” Played by Harrison on the White Album and Let It Be, the guitar can be seen in the Let It Be film and the promo clip for "Revolution."

For more information about the Gibson George Harrison-Eric Clapton “Lucy” Les Paul, including MSRP, a video and a photo gallery, head here.

Martin Eric Clapton “Crossroads” Signature Guitars

• Martin 000-28EC “Crossroads” Madagascar Rosewood
• Martin 000-45EC “Crossroads” Madagascar Rosewood
• Martin 000-45EC “Crossroads” Brazilian Rosewood

Based on the 14-fret 000 body style first introduced in 1934, these guitars are uniquely appointed with “Crossroads” pearl inlays and bear the personal, hand-written signatures of Clapton and Chris Martin on the Certificate Of Authenticity and sound hole label.

For more information about the Martin Eric Clapton “Crossroads” Signature Guitars, including MSRP, a video and a photo gallery, head here.

Ernie Ball Crossroads Collection Straps

Ernie Ball's Crossroads Collection Straps feature premium Italian leather and hand-stitched threading for maximum appeal. Putting a primary on performance and comfort, these straps also feature a thin layer of padding and and an ultra-rich suede back. These limited edition straps are a must have for any Clapton aficionado, or any guitar player seeking a high-quality strap that's built to last.

For more information on the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Collection, visit guitarcenter.com/Clapton.

Additional Content

Name Recognition: 10 Essential Signature Model Guitars

Damian Fanelli, Josh Hart — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:19:39 +0000

Ah, how young and innocent we all were when Fender introduced its first signature model — the Eric Clapton Stratocaster — in 1988.

Of course, Chet Atkins' name appeared on several Gretsch models (the Tennessean, for example) long before then, and let's not forget that Les Paul — the name that appears on millions of guitar headstocks across the world — was actually a person.

Today, new signature models seem to be popping up daily, each one "designed according to the artist's specifications." Almost every major manufacturer makes them for a host of artists from every genre of guitar-based music. This, of course, leaves players with a wealth of choices.

Below, however, is a list of 10 high-quality signature-model electric guitars that the respective artists can proudly sign their name to — 10 models that get it right.

As always, this list was compiled by a group of Guitar World editorial staffers including Technical Editor Paul Riario, the guy who tries out every piece of gear that arrives at Guitar World. The gear in this story is presented in no particular order.

EVH Wolfgang USA Stealth

Short of committing an act of grand theft Frankenstrat, the Wolfgang USA Stealth from EVH is the be-all, end-all Van Halen guitar for that moment you decide to try your hand at "Eruption."

Of the guitars on this list, the Wolfgang USA Stealth features, by far, the most responsive Floyd Rose system. (It should be noted that the EVH-branded Floyd Rose isn't a floating setup, so it can only be used for diving.)

As Guitar World reviewer Chris Gill wrote in our April 2012 issue, "Whether you're a metal shredder who wants super-sonic speed and nothing-but-black aesthetics or an EVH aficionado who craves the ultimate Van Halen playing experience, the EVH Stealth delivers like no other Wolfgang.

What does it sound like?

Eddie used the EVH Wolfgang USA Stealth throughout Van Halen's North American tour this year, but in case you missed them, here's our own Paul Riario to give you a demo:

MSRP: $3,999.99 | Visit EVHGear.com to learn more about this guitar.

Ibanez Paul Gilbert FRM100

Ibanez's Paul Gilbert model, the FRM100 (the TR often seen in the name refers to Translucent Red) takes the "signature" theme to a new level. After all, Gilbert pretty much designed this guitar himself.

"I designed the Fireman on my computer by taking a photo of an Ibanez Iceman and turning it upside-down in Adobe Photoshop," Gilbert told GuitarWorld.com in May. "Then I just worked out the extra details like adding the lower cutaway, angling the pickups, designing the pickguard shape and asking for a big, beefy neck joint. Ibanez brought the idea to life in their custom shop, and I fell in love with the guitar. The production model is killer. I used a factory sample for the whole Mr. Big tour last year."

The neck on Fireman is different than the previous RG shapes in the Gilbert signature series. It's thicker and fatter -- 22mm at the first fret and 24mm at the 12th fret. The three-piece mahogany/maple/mahogany neck offers a fat, tight sound and a solid grip. The pickups are DiMarzio Injectors in the bridge and neck and a DiMarzio Area '67 in the middle; they are designed with hum-cancelling construction to eliminate the noise but retain single-coil tone.

Other features include a mahogany body, medium frets and a Tight Tune bridge.

What does it sound like?

Here's an official Ibanez video starring Gilbert and the Fireman in action:

MSRP: $1,199.99 | Visit Ibanez.com for more info about this guitar.

ESP KH-2 Kirk Hammett Signature Model

Kirk Hammett adopted a Strat-style ESP between the recording of ...And Justice For All and the band's mega-selling self-titled album, ditching the '74 Gibson Flying V he had relied so heavily on in the band's early years. "I used that V on every album prior to this one," Hammett told Guitar World in 1991, "but the ESP just sounded a bit rounder."

At Winter NAMM 2012, ESP introduced several new models to commemorate 25 years of partnership with Metallica's lead guitarist. In those 25 years, the essential Hammett signature model has to be the KH-2, which comes in a sleek black finish or the "vintage" look, which comes complete with "Caution: Hot" and "Kirk's Guitar" stickers.

The KH-2 also features a set of EMG pickups, a Floyd Rose Original bridge and a specially contoured neck that's perfect for nimble players.

What does it sound like?

There isn't an official video demo for the KH-2, but the nice thing about signature guitars is you can point to the artists themselves as examples. In this case, pop in a copy of the Black Album and you'll hear why Kirk fell in love with these guitars.

MSRP: $3,285.00 | Visit ESPGuitars.com for more on this guitar.

PRS Guitars Santana Signature

This model might be at the higher end of the price spectrum as far as this list is concerned, but it truly is a work of art. The guitar, the product of a longstanding creative partnership between Paul Reed Smith and Carlos Santana, comes standard with a maple top, mahogany back, rosewood fretboard, 24-fret mahogany neck, 24 1/2-inch-scale length and PRS tremolo.

The guitar also features PRS' relatively new V12 finish, a thin, hard and clear finish that doesn't crack or react with thinners. "PRS models with this new finish feel like old instruments," said Paul Reed Smith of the finish, which is halfway between acrylic and nitro.

Other features include a carved, figured maple top; inlaid purfling strips; custom bird inlays; a bound rosewood fretboard, nickel hardware; and a rosewood headstock veneer with an inlaid eagle. The pickups are specially designed Santana Treble and Bass models.

What does it sound like?

If you have some time, check out this Musician's Friend video featuring Santana and Paul Reed Smith discussing guitar playing in general, Santana's thoughts about PRS, his signature model and other topics.

In terms of a helpful demo video, there are no videos available from PRS or Guitar World, and YouTube is particularly skimpy on the subject. Note that most of the available PRS Santana demo videos refer to the lower-priced SE model, and you can check out Paul Riario's review of the SE right here. Here's hoping PRS produces a video that explores the features of the higher-end signature model.

MSRP: $5,000 | Visit prsguitars.com for more info about this guitar.

Epiphone Limited Edition Slash Appetite Les Paul Standard

Limited to just 3,000 copies, the limited-edition Slash "Appetite" Les Paul Standard is a more-affordable alternative to the Gibson model of the same name.

Modeled after the Kris Derrig-made Les Paul copy used by Slash on Guns N' Roses' classic Appetite for the Destruction album, the Slash Appetite Les Paul comes with two Seymour Duncan Slash Alnico II Pro humbuckers, a LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and a neck profile created especially for the mad hatter himself.

“All things considered, with the original one, it just happened to have a certain sort of unique tone unto itself,” Slash said in a video from Gibson. “The new Appetite for Destruction guitar is about as close as anybody could get to the original.”

What does it sound like?

For a look at just how this guitar performs, check out this video from Rainbow Music in Carlisle, England.

MSRP: $1,525 | Visit Epiphone.com to learn more about this guitar

Dimebag Dean From Hell CFH

Like Eddie Van Halen, Dimebag Darrell has no shortage of worthy signature models to choose from. And while you can't go wrong with any axe from Dean's ML series, we had to pick just one, and the Dean From Hell CFH model gets the nod.

Featuring a set mahogany V-neck and all-black hardware (because bad guys wear black), the Dean From Hell's lightning-bolt graphic is pure, vintage Dime, a fitting reproduction of the guitar that graces the cover of Pantera's breakout album, Cowboys From Hell.

The Dean From Hell is equipped with a Floyd Rose Special bridge and Bill Lawrence XL500 pickups, making it a high-output monster perfect for shredders of all stripes. Getcha pull!

What does it sound like?

Paired with your preferred high-gain amp, the Dean from Hell chugs, wails and squeals just like a Dime signature guitar should.

MSRP: $1,135.88 | Visit DeanGuitars.com to learn more about this guitar.

Fender Johnny Marr Jaguar

The ultra-cool Fender Jaguar never really got the widespread, mainstream appreciation it deserves; perhaps that's because of the model's supposedly confusing control layout. Get ready to throw that excuse out the window and give the Jag another shot. This new model developed by Fender for Johnny Marr (The Smiths, The Cribs, Modest Mouse) features some terrific updates.

For starters, it features a four-position blade-style pickup switch (bridge; bridge and neck in parallel; neck, bridge, and neck in series), plus two upper-horn slide switches that control pickup brightness. The pickups are custom-wound, Bare Knuckle Johnny Marr single-coil neck and bridge models. The maple neck is custom-shaped maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard that's based on Marr’s '65 Jag.

Other features include nylon bridge post inserts for improved stability, a “taller” tremolo arm with arm-sleeve nylon insert to prevent arm swing, 22 vintage-style frets; a 24-inch-scale neck, chrome hardware and a vintage-style truss rod.

Guitar World gear reviewer Chris Gill calls it "the best Jaguar that the company has ever produced" — and there's no denying this guitar looks killer in Olympic White.

What does it sound like?

Here are two videos that'll fill in the blanks about this guitar. The first one is an official Fender video featuring Marr; the second one features GW's Paul Riario.

MSRP: $4,100 | Visit fender.com for more info about this guitar.

Ernie Ball Music Man John Petrucci JP12

The latest guitar to spring from Music Man's longstanding partnership with Dream Theater's John Petrucci, the JP12 is a road-ready guitar featuring a veritable shredder's toolbox of features.

The JP-12 (which we should also mention comes in a 7-string model) comes stock with a custom John Petrucci Music Man Piezo floating tremolo. A DiMarzio Crunch Lab pickup sits in the bridge position with a DiMarzio Liquifire pickup in the neck position, giving you loads of clarity and output.

The guitar's ebony fretboard plays fast for ultra-fluid legato work and clean sweeps, making the only limitation on the JP12 how fast your hands can move while playing Chopin's Piano Concerto in A minor, Opus No. 2.

What does it sound like?

In the below video, Petrucci shows off the capabilities of his newest signature model:

MSRP: $3,500 | Visit Music-Man.com to learn more about this guitar

Gretsch G6120TV Brian Setzer Hot Rod

Gretsch makes a slew of beautiful Brian Setzer signature models, most of which are variations of a traditional 6120 Nashville. And then there's the Brian Setzer Hot Rod model, which is basically the Nashville's evil, mean twin, a guitar with a one-track mind. This is a Gretsch that's ready for rockin' right out of the box.

As Gretsch puts it, the Hot Rod is stripped down and built for speed. You get one three-position pickup switch, a single master-volume control and two TV Jones-designed Hot Rod Filter’Tron pickups that crank out some fiery tones.

Other features include a full 16-inch single-cutaway, bound, hollow body; a 1959-style trestle bracing and F holes; a two-piece rock maple neck with a bound ebony fingerboard; Sperzel locking tuners; pinned Adjusto-Matic bridge; chrome hardware and a Bigsby B6C vibrato tailpiece.

What does it sound like?

Once again, here's our own Paul Riario in a GW video from 2007:

MSRP: $3,600 | Visit gretschguitars.com for more info about this guitar.

Schecter Synyster Gates Custom

The Synyster Gates Custom is a mean-looking guitar with an original body shape, an eye-catching headstock and a cool "deathbat" inlay.

But what really makes the guitar stand out are the Seymour Duncan Custom Syn Invaders pickups, which produce the heaviest tones a passive pickup can produce. They feature three ceramic magnets, over-wound coils and 12 chrome cap screws. Sustainiac Driver/Pickup produces solid humbucker tones when the Sustain switch is off and works as the Sustainiac Driver when switched on.The Sustainiac Driver creates an infinite feedback sustain of string vibrations by electromagnetic feedback.

And then there's the ebony fretboard. According to Schecter Guitar Research, "Ebony has a snappy, crisp attack with the density of maple, but with more brittle grains, oilier pores and a stronger fundamental tone than maple. It has a tremendous amount of percussive overtones in the pick attack, that mute out shortly thereafter to foster great, long, sustain."

Other features include a mahogany body, a 25.5-inch-scale three-piece mahogany neck, 24 extra-jumbo frets, a Floyd Rose 100 Series bridge and Grover tuners. It's an axe worthy of the Avenged Sevenfold guitarist.

What does it sound like?

Although this video wasn't created by Schecter Guitar Research or Guitar World, it does an OK job of demonstrating the guitar's many features — especially if you skip to around 2:06.

MSRP: $1,649 | Visit schecterguitars.com for more info about this guitar.

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NAMM 2013: Fender Releases New American Vintage Series Basses

Guitar World Staff — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:47:53 +0000

Fender has announced four bass additions to its acclaimed American Vintage series, all re-imagined to evoke the feel and sound of the original basses released between the late 1950s and early 1970s.

Available in 3-Color Sunburst, White Blonde, and Black, the American Vintage ’58 Precision Bass commemorates the first year in which the bass that started it all appeared in a 3-Color Sunburst finish.

[[ Keep up with Guitar World's NAMM 2013 coverage right here! ]]

That classic combination is now a longtime Fender tradition, and the ’58 American Vintage Precision Bass brings you other authentic features, including a lightweight alder body (Ash on White Blonde model), thick “C”-shaped maple neck with 20 vintage-style frets and black dot inlays, gold anodized aluminum pickguard with lacquer finish, and new American Vintage ’58 split single-coil pickup.

Also includes lower-mounted finger rest, vintage-style bridge with threaded steel “barrel” saddles, flat-top knurled chrome control knobs, reverse tuners, mounted chrome pickup and bridge covers, and more.

The year 1963 marks an important moment in Precision Bass history because that’s when a comfortable new round-laminated rosewood fingerboard first appeared on the bass that revolutionized the world of music.

That’s here on the new American Vintage ’63 Precision Bass, which evokes that year’s model with other authentic features, including a slightly wider “C”-shaped maple neck, clay-colored dot position inlays, three-ply mint green pickguard (four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard on 3-Color Sunburst model), new American Vintage ’63 split single-coil pickup, lower-mounted finger rest, vintage-style bridge with threaded steel “barrel” saddles, flat-top knurled chrome control knobs, reverse tuners, chrome pickup and bridge covers, auxiliary strap button on the back of the headstock, and more. Available in 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Faded Sonic Blue, and Frost Red.

The Jazz Bass acquired an even slimmer “C”-shaped maple neck in 1964. That’s what you’ll find on the American vintage ’64 Jazz Bass, which has other authentic features including a round-laminated rosewood fingerboard with 20 vintage-style frets and clay-colored dot inlays, three-ply white pickguard (four-ply tortoiseshell pickguard on 3-Color Sunburst and Olympic White models), new American Vintage ’64 Jazz Bass single-coil pickups, lower-mounted finger rest, vintage-style bridge with threaded steel “barrel” saddles, black plastic control knobs, reverse tuners, chrome pickup and “F”-stamped bridge covers with vintage-accurate positioning, auxiliary strap button on the back of the headstock, and more.

Available in 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Lake Placid Blue (with matching headstock), and Black.

Significant changes were afoot in 1974 for the Jazz Bass. The bridge pickup had been moved about half an inch closer to the bridge only the year before, and 1974 saw the last of the four-bolt necks for quite a while. Further, the slim “C”-shaped maple neck was re-sculpted with a meatier U-shaped profile (and acquired a walnut “skunk” stripe, white fingerboard binding and pearl block inlays made their first appearance, and black pickguards replaced their longstanding tortoiseshell predecessors.

The American Vintage ’74 Jazz Bass encompasses all of the above and is the sole member of the new American Vintage bass lineup to offer a choice of maple and round-laminated rosewood fingerboards, each with white binding, pearl block inlays and 20 vintage-style frets. Other authentic features include a urethane-finished alder body (ash on Natural-finish model), three-ply black/white/black pickguard (three-play white/black/white on Black model).

New American Vintage ’74 Jazz Bass single-coil pickups, upper-mounted thumb rest, vintage-style bridge with single-groove steel “barrel” saddles, ‘70s-style “Fender”-stamped open-gear tuners, four-bolt “F”-stamped neck plate, chrome pickup and “F”-stamped bridge covers with vintage-accurate positioning, and more. Available in 3-Color Sunburst, Olympic White, Black, and Natural.

For more information, visit fender.com.

NAMM 2013: Fender Introduces Its Acoustic Custom Shop

Guitar World Staff — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:10:11 +0000

Fender has announced its all-new Fender Acoustic Custom Shop, which is in New Hartford, Connecticut. Operated by Fender’s most experienced guitar luthiers, the Fender Acoustic Custom Shop is committed to delivering the highest levels of acoustic guitar craftsmanship.

New from the Acoustic Custom Shop are the Pro Custom Series and Master designed models, which include the TPD-1 Dreadnought, TPDCE-1 Dreadnought, Traditional Triple-“O” Custom Shop Designed, and Newporter Custom Shop Designed.

[[ Keep up with Guitar World's NAMM 2013 coverage right here! ]]

The Pro Custom Series includes the TPD-1 Dreadnought and TPDCE-1 Dreadnought, which feature a solid Engelmann spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, a convenient cutaway on the TPDCE-1, scalloped “X” bracing shifted forward for more traditional tone, a mahogany neck with soft “V”-shaped profile and dual-action truss rod, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with bone nut and mother-of-pearl inlays, bone bridge saddle and pins, a nitrocellulose lacquer finish, and Fishman electronics on the TPDCE-1.

Part of the Master Designed Series, the Traditional Triple-“O” Custom Shop Designed and Newporter Custom Shop Designed feature a striking solid Carpathian spruce top, forward-shifted scalloped “X” bracing and solid figured walnut matched back and sides. The models’ two-piece neck in figured curly maple has a soft “V” profile with comfortably rolled edges, 10” radius ebony fretboard, bone nut and a traditional three-on-a-side headstock (Stratocaster headstock on the Newporter Custom Shop Designed).

Look for photos of these models as they are released (or as we take them)!

For more about Fender, visit fender.com.

NAMM 2013: Passport By Fender Introduces Passport Mini

Guitar World Staff — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:49:51 +0000

Passport by Fender is proud to release the latest addition to its line of popular public address systems, the Passport Mini.

Passport Mini offers convenient amplification for any instrument or microphone. It’s perfect for performances by street musicians and students, as well as a basic public address system for events and presentations. It goes anywhere thanks to its dual AC- or Battery-powered capabilities. It can even be used as a music media playback system or computer recording interface.

[[ Keep up with Guitar World's NAMM 2013 coverage right here! ]]

The Passport Mini pushes 7 watts through its 6.5” Full-Range Speaker and features a universal AC power supply (or six “C” batteries), instrument channel with 24 presets (built from 8 amp models) optimized for acoustic and electric guitars and other instruments, 12 effects (additional effects available with free Fender FUSE software), Tap Tempo button for adjusting delay time and modulation rate, separate Vocal channel with XLR and ¼” inputs and dedicated Volume, Tone and Reverb controls, AUX input for media player, digital chromatic tuner, metal handle doubles as a tilt-back stand, stereo headphone output for silent practice or line out, USB connection for FUSE application and digital recording output (USB cable included).

For more information, visit fender.com.

NAMM 2013: Fender Custom Shop Introduces Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Stratocaster

Guitar World Staff — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 21:37:34 +0000

The Fender Custom Shop is paying tribute to the "anvil" used to forge one of the greatest guitar riffs in rock history, the one from Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," by releasing the limited-edition Fender Custom Shop Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Stratocaster.

[[ Keep up with Guitar World's NAMM 2013 coverage right here! ]]

“Smoke on the Water” was released on album in 1972 and as a single in May 1973. A major hit, it reached Number 4 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the US and propelled Machine Head into the top 10 worldwide.

Visit fender.com for more information.

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