| Feature Article A Brief History Of Gibson Guitars
Author: Michael Casamento
Gibson guitars have been around forever. It's funny, but although Gibson has produced some of the most amazing guitars in history, perhaps the company's largest contribution to music has been through their advancements in pickup technology. Gibson's first electric guitar the ES-150 was produced in 1936, and is still considered one of the best sounding electric jazz guitars in the world. In 1946 Gibson introduced the P-90 single coil pickup, which was eventually used on the first Les Paul model in 1952. The Les Paul was Gibson's first solid body electric guitar. In 1957 Gibson introduced the legendary Humbucker pickup on the Les Paul model, and an instant classic was born. The P-90 and the Humbucker quickly became the pickups of choice for Gibson's expanding line of solid body electric guitars. 1961 marked the introduction of one of Gibson's most successful models ever, the double cutaway SG. This was followed by the Firebird, and Flying V models, each a classic in its own right. In addition to electrics, Gibson produces some of the finest acoustic guitars available. Throughout the years, Gibson has continually sought to provide musicians with a wide range of choices concerning quality and price. Although this has proved to be one of the company's strongest assets, buying a Gibson can be a somewhat complex process. Buyers must arm themselves with a thorough knowledge of their desired model, as quality and construction techniques can vary wildly over the course of a model's production history. Much like fine wines, Gibson guitars also have their preferred vintages. Today, Gibson's commitment to excellence, and support of top musicians is demonstrated most deeply through its well known Custom Shop. The Custom Shop produces specialty instruments for artists, and discerning musicians. In addition, many well known historic classics have been faithfully reproduced by the Gibson Custom Shop, allowing a whole new generation of guitarists to experience Gibson's hallmark guitars.
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| Feature Article 10 Beginner Acoustic Guitars
Author: Jeff Tomlin
Buying a guitar can be an intimidating process, especially if you've never purchased one before. There are so many factors to consider, and so many guitars available, novices will surely feel overwhelmed. Fear not - help is available. The following five lower priced acoustic guitars all offer great value for their respective price tags. 1. Seagull S6 These Canadian-made instruments are terrific guitars - very highly regarded, both for their beautiful sound, and their excellent value. The S6 features a solid cedar top, and mahogany back and sides. Although the price may be slightly above what some might be willing to pay for a first guitar, it should be considered an investment. 2. Yamaha F310 Perhaps not in the same league as the Seagull, the F310 is still a solid beginner instrument, and for the price (significantly cheaper than the S6), it's a good value. Guitar features a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. 3. Takamine G-240 This beginner model Takamine guitar features a laminated spruce top, with nato back and sides. Although it clearly isn't on par with some of the higher end Takamine guitars, the general consensus is the G-240 offers a pretty good bang for the buck. 4. Fender DG-7 This lower cost Fender acoustic features a spruce top, meranti back and sides, and a nato neck. Cheaper Fender products tend to be occasionally guilty of lackluster workmanship, but for the price, this guitar could be attractive to newbies. 5. Epiphone DR-100 The DR-100 features a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. This guitar can usually be found at a rather cheap price, which makes it attractive to beginners. Most consider this a strictly beginner instrument, however, so it may not be long before you'll want to trade up. 6. Washburn D10S This low-priced acoustic guitar is one of the best selling guitars in the world. Acoustic Guitar magazine even went so far as to name this their top guitar under $500. I can't fully agree, but the D10S certainly is a bargain! 7. Blueridge BR-40 This is a low-priced acoustic guitar with a focus on fine craftsmanship. The top of the guitar is solid spruce, with mahogany back and sides. The BR-40 even includes mother-of-pearl inlay. A particularly impressively constructed guitar for an instrument in this price range. 8. Ibanez AC100NT The Ibanez AC100NT is another well-constructed instrument with solid spruce top, and walnut back and sides. This combination creates a warm, bottom-end tone with bright highs. 9. Taylor Baby Taylor This is a 3/4 size dreadnought guitar, making it a good choice for younger guitarists with smaller hands. Taylor has a reputation for being one of America's greatest guitar makers, and although they've cut a few corners here to meet a low-price point, this is still a solid instrument. 10. Martin LXI One of the most highly esteemed guitar makers has provided this 3/4 size guitar, designed for guitarists with small hands and small pocketbooks. The LXI features a solid maple top, back and sides.
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| Feature Article A Brief History of Fender Guitars
Author: Michael Casamento
Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of so many players and collectors as Fender. By producing excellent guitars at reasonable prices, Fender has been the instrument of choice for many guitarists throughout the world. Both the famous and not so famous have relied on Fender guitars to define their signature sounds. The Fender company was founded by Leo Fender, and produced its first solid body electric guitar in 1951. This guitar was called the Telecaster, and was soon followed by the Precision Bass, and the legendary Stratocaster in 1954. Over the years many changes would take place at Fender which had a great impact on the types and quality of instruments they produced. The first "mile-stone" year for Fender came in 1965. During this year, Fender was bought by corporate giant CBS. Quality began to decline during CBS's reign, and although Fender still remained popular among players, CBS lacked the commitment and understanding necessary to satisfy the needs of serious musicians. As a result, the guitars produced during the "Pre-CBS" era would become prized collectors items demanding large sums of money in the vintage guitar market. In 1985 Fender enjoyed another "mile-stone" year as a group of employees purchased the company back from CBS. For the first time in 20 years Fender was in the hands of musicians and artisans committed to producing world class guitars. A new manufacturing facility was built in Corona California to handle the production of USA made guitars. In 1987 the Fender Custom Shop was established, reaffirming the company's dedication to producing top quality guitars, and catering to the needs of top musicians. From 1985 to the present day, Fender has been steadily expanding its operations within the United States and abroad. The company now produces a vast array of musical products from strings to mixing boards. In spight of such massive growth, Fender's commitment to the production of quality guitars remains very high. Fender remains one of the few companies that can successfully provide quality products to both the "budget conscious" and "price no object" musicians.
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| Feature Article A Brief History of Fender Guitars
Author: Michael Casamento
Perhaps no other guitar maker has touched the hearts of so many players and collectors as Fender. By producing excellent guitars at reasonable prices, Fender has been the instrument of choice for many guitarists throughout the world. Both the famous and not so famous have relied on Fender guitars to define their signature sounds. The Fender company was founded by Leo Fender, and produced its first solid body electric guitar in 1951. This guitar was called the Telecaster, and was soon followed by the Precision Bass, and the legendary Stratocaster in 1954. Over the years many changes would take place at Fender which had a great impact on the types and quality of instruments they produced. The first "mile-stone" year for Fender came in 1965. During this year, Fender was bought by corporate giant CBS. Quality began to decline during CBS's reign, and although Fender still remained popular among players, CBS lacked the commitment and understanding necessary to satisfy the needs of serious musicians. As a result, the guitars produced during the "Pre-CBS" era would become prized collectors items demanding large sums of money in the vintage guitar market. In 1985 Fender enjoyed another "mile-stone" year as a group of employees purchased the company back from CBS. For the first time in 20 years Fender was in the hands of musicians and artisans committed to producing world class guitars. A new manufacturing facility was built in Corona California to handle the production of USA made guitars. In 1987 the Fender Custom Shop was established, reaffirming the company's dedication to producing top quality guitars, and catering to the needs of top musicians. From 1985 to the present day, Fender has been steadily expanding its operations within the United States and abroad. The company now produces a vast array of musical products from strings to mixing boards. In spight of such massive growth, Fender's commitment to the production of quality guitars remains very high. Fender remains one of the few companies that can successfully provide quality products to both the "budget conscious" and "price no object" musicians.
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| Feature Article Gibson Guitar Makes Music Industry History With Announcement of ...
Author: Not Available
Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Gibson Guitar , the world's premier musical instrument manufacturer and leader in music technology announced today the limited ... ...
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| Feature Article Gibson Guitar Amps
Author: Not Available
These pages will cover areas of interest related to Gibson guitar amps, especially the older ones, that don't seem to be covered elsewhere. ... ...
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| Feature Article Gibson Guitar Amps
Author: Not Available
These pages will cover areas of interest related to Gibson guitar amps, especially the older ones, that don't seem to be covered elsewhere. ... ...
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| Feature Article Gibson's robo- guitar tunes itself | Crave : The gadget blog
Author: Not Available
The " Gibson Robot Guitar ," to be exact, available in its debut next month in "an exclusive Blue Silverburst Les Paul model" before the regular version comes ... ...
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| Feature Article Gibson's robo- guitar tunes itself | Crave : The gadget blog
Author: Not Available
The " Gibson Robot Guitar ," to be exact, available in its debut next month in "an exclusive Blue Silverburst Les Paul model" before the regular version comes ... ...
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| Feature Article Gibson
Author: Not Available
This is the Gibson Guitar Schematic page. Here you will find wire diagrams and instruction sheet for many Gibson guitars . Ckick on the guitar for schematic. ... ...
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| Feature Article Get 5 Guitar Playing Tips to Help You Play Better Guitar.
Author: jake1
In this helpful article, you will get guitar playing tips designed to help you improve your playing skills. So let's get started...
1) The first guitar playing tip is to use good posture while playing the guitar
You should sit up straight in an armless chair. If the chair has arms, you will not be able to hold the guitar properly for playing. Sit up straight to protect your back.
If you get a backache after a bit of playing, you will realize how having good posture while playing the guitar is so important.
2) The next guitar playing tip is to hold the pick firmly but not too firmly.
If you do not grip the pick firmly enough, you may lose it during a vigorous bout of strumming! But if you grip it too tightly, you may find your whole arm getting tired. Middle of the road is the best guitar playing tip I can give you where pick grip is concerned.
3) Choosing the right pick is another guitar tip that is important.
Picks come in finger and flat styles. Most guitarists use a flat one. They also come in three different levels of flexibility.
Several professional guitarists have given me the advice of getting the softest, flabbiest pick I can find for learning to keep up with fast strumming. It's easier on the arm. Flabby picks are harder to use, however, if you are trying to pick out individual strings, as in adding a bass line, or flat-picking.
After some practice with a soft pick, you will probably want to move on to a firmer one. A final guitar playing tip about picks is that the firmest picks make the richest sounds.
4) Here is a guitar playing tip - learn to play arpeggios.
It's fun, great for old folk songs, and sounds beautiful! You won't be able to use a pick, though. Finger the chord. Now, pick the bass note of the chord with your thumb. You can use a thumb pick for this, however, it works just fine to use your thumb. You will grow a little callus there which will make it easier.
Now use your index finger to pluck the third string. Next, pluck the second string with your middle finger. And then pluck the top string with your ring finger. You've picked four notes.
If you repeat the sequence, giving each note the timing of an eighth note, you will fill a measure of a song written in four/four time. This guitar playing tip will make people sit up and take notice, but it does require practice, and calluses, to play this way. Try playing the strings in different order, and alternate bass strings.
5) A final guitar playing tip involves the chord D.
While playing the D chord, try adding your pinkie finger to the chord at the third fret. This new chord is often called "D-suspended" or "D-sus." Then play D again. Now try lifting your middle finger so that the top string of the chord is open. And back to D again.
You can do the same thing with the A-chord, but have to do the change on the second string. Up one fret to the third makes A-sus, and you can also lift that finger to go down a step on that second string. C-suspended requires you to go up a half step on the fourth string. G-suspended requires you to do it on the fifth string. Learning suspended chords is a guitar playing tip you'll find yourself using when you play contemporary songs.
I hope you've found these guitar playing tips helpful. It's important to remember that the best way to improve your guitar playing skills is to practice, practice, practice. Good luck! Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com Article by Jake Hanson. Please visit his guitar lesson site to get an online free guitar lesson course that details how to play guitar with amazing free chord and tab lessons. ...
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| Feature Article First a Trickle then a Flood.The Birth of the Blues in Britain
Author: Robin Piggott
Chris Barber's Jazz Band with the beautiful Otillie Patterson on vocals brought the sound of New Orleans to British traditional Jazz buffs in the late fifties and early sixties. This was just the beginning of a wave of new sounds that culminated in what came to be known as the British Blues Boom! On Banjo was the great Lonnie Donegan who became the Godfather of Skiffle a year or two later. All of the early musical melting pots were springboards for the next generation of musicians and within a couple of years the Music scene was to change forever.
My first exposure to the blues was on Barber's wonderful L.P. New Orleans Joys. I forget all the titles now but the haunting sounds stirred up strange sensations and led me a few years later to a life long passion for the Blues as I am sure it did with many young kids at the time.
The year 1962 saw the birth of several Blues gigs in London Clubs, notably the Famous Marquee which made its home in Wardour Street, Soho. The great Alexis Korner was to prove to be a nursery slope for what was to come. Cyril Davies on Harp, Dick Heckstall- Smith on the most wailing of saxophones, Mick Jagger (yes that one!) on vocals to name but a few. I guess that first Album recorded live at the Marquee…Alexis Korner's Blues Incorporated, started the trickle which very rapidly gathered momentum and soon the Blues was the talking point of all young music heads.
Playing at the Marquee shortly after, in 1963 was the man destined to become the Godfather of British Blues… John Mayall…. John's famous band, The BluesBreakers went onto fame and fortune as many musicians joined and left in quite a procession over the next couple of years. John celebrated his 70th Birthday a couple of years ago and is playing as well as ever. This gives lie to the notion that life is over at forty and its all downhill from there on. The list of John's protégées is a who's who of the music business; a good proportion of whom are still playing today. John McVie, co-founder of Fleetwood Mac, Mick Fleetwood, Jack Bruce of Cream, Eric "Slowhand" Clapton, Peter Green, Aynsley Dunbar, Mick Taylor and many more.
The band that I believe was the turning point at this time was undoubtedly The Yardbirds, whose incredible energy and enthusiasm were absolutely unparalleled on stage. My first exposure to this Juggernaut was on a Monday morning at school one time when some friends told me about this amazing band that they had seen at the Marquee who had a Guitarist that was simply unbelievable. The Year was 1963, the man in question (well he was only 18 years old!) was Eric Clapton.
The Legend was already underway at this stage and I believe Eric was responsible for the huge interest brewing in the Blues in Britain as the Yardbirds became household names on the R n' B circuit. Many Guitars were sold at this time as young bloods attempted to emulate Clapton, some with success and many without. Probably one reason for the upsurge in Guitar bands as opposed to wishy washy pop sounds of the time was the discovery of the almost forgotten Gibson Les Paul which produced the sound closest to the Chicago Blues of a decade earlier. Eric's use of this instrument took the Blues to a new height and no-one could escape the flood that was on the way. With the Yardbirds there was a mix of Gibson and Fender guitars in use. Eric initially played a Fender Telecaster with Rhythm Guitarist Chris Dreja using the Gibson 335, but the favourite in years to come particularly in '65 and '66 was the Les Paul.
In 1963 one of the first Bluesmen to arrive on this side of the Atlantic for a Tour was the legendary Harp player Sonny Boy Williamson who recorded a wonderful live album with the Yardbirds that was not released for several years. The restrained backing that the band provided to Sonny Boy showed them to be tight and controlled but Keith Relf the Lead singer and Harpist was a little put out at having to take a back seat to the Master during the gig. Many more Blues legends toured Britain and Europe in the following years which not only revitalised their own flagging careers but gave the budding white Blues players a chance to learn from the Maestros. These include Howling Wolf and the legendary Son House who had been a contemporary of Robert Johnson in the nineteen thirties. The author was privileged to see Son House play in London in 1970 shortly before he died. He was very frail but he certainly could make that National Steel Guitar sing sweetly!
The Album that preceded the Flood was of course the 1966 rendition by John Mayall entitled simply "John Mayall's Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton" recorded on the Decca label .This album marked the first vocal airing by Slowhand and he chose Robert Johnson's "Rambling on my Mind" as his debut. The interrelating of Mayall's gutsy Barrelhouse Piano together with Eric's Les Paul and his tentative vocals, wrote a piece of Blues History that day in the studio. That Album sums up for me not only the musicianship involved and the passion of the music but the very essence of the British interpretation of the Blues. I have listened to this song so many times now since the first momentous day that it came through the speakers and every time it's hard to keep the emotions steady.
The Robert Johnson Legacy forms an integral and vital part of the Birth of the Blues in Britain and is responsible for the undoubted vitality of today's thriving Blues scene on both sides of the Atlantic. There are no Blues Bands past or present who do not owe a debt to Robert Leroy and his magic. His genius and virtuosity with the bottleneck will live forever! Article Source : http://www.articledashboard.com Robin Piggott is a Professional Driving Instructor based in Limerick .Ireland.He was one of the kids referred to in the above article and has been a lifelong disciple of the Blues. If you are thinking of traveling in Ireland please have a look at his web site and blogs. www.astralmotoring.ie astralmotoring.blogspot.com ...
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| Feature Article Fender Guitars : Tradition that Never Gets Old
Author: Peter Lenkefi
Without a doubt, Fender guitars are the top-of-the-line in guitars. Success in business is often measured according to the amount of money and sales a company is able to secure. The success of the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation proves there are two other elements to consider: dedication and perseverance. From the beginning, it was company owner Leo Fender's main goal to fender guitars the best as possible. The first fruits of his labor would prove positive his dedication He would reach his goal by designing the Telecaster, a solid-body electric guitar with a Spanish design. This guitar, like many Fender guitars that would follow, was the first of its kind. Only a few years after gaining fame with the Telecaster, Fender followed with the Precision Bass and Stratocaster. These Fender guitars are now collector's items. Shortly after the success of their pioneering guitars, the company switched management gears and was sold to CBS due to Leo Fender failing ill. For the decade that followed, the company would reach the pinnacle of success by riding on the coattails of their successful Fender guitars. Luckily, CBS returned to its broadcasting ventures and sold the company to employees who basically rebuilt the company from the ground up. Slowly and with assurance the company rebuilt its reputation in the amplifier and guitar industry. They also continued the company's dedication to customize guitars. The Fender guitars that put the manufacturer on the map were the Telecaster and the Stratocaster. These two electric guitars proved that the company knew how to make great sound. Anytime a musician looks for a guitar, the quality they most often search for is sound. When Leo Fender first considered joining the guitar industry, he was actually a designer of amplifiers. When people think of Fender guitars they often think of electric guitars. The Fender Musical Instruments Corporation also produces a good stock of reputable acoustic guitars. To show their versatility, the company also created a selection of acoustic-electric and bass guitars. Reviewing Fender Guitars The old saying that, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" probably applies to how Eric Clapton became associated with the Fender company. For many years the guitar legend Eric Clapton was a die hard Gibson guitar fan. That was until the company discontinued his favorite Gibson guitar. Clapton finally discovered love in the land of Fender guitars. Out of his collaborations with the company arose the introduction of the Clapton Signature Strat guitars. Clapton has not turned back since. The following are the unique features of this line of guitars: * Noiseless Pickups that are trademarked
* Tremolo bridge
* Neck shaped in the form of a "V" Nowadays, there are very few things that last 50 years. However, the American Telecaster has done just that. It was 50 years ago that Fender introduced the American Telecaster into its line of electric guitars. The Telecaster has managed to stand time because it has adapted with it as opposed to standing still. The following features exist on the most recent edition of the American Telecaster: * Signature S-1 switching system
* Complementing pickups
* Traditional body radius
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| Feature Article Fender Strat - A Piece of Magic
Author: Jakob Culver
One of the most popular guitars today and one of the best is the Fender Stratocaster. It has been around for years and has established a well known reputation for having an original sound and been great to play. Many top guitarists of the past and present played Strats - Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, the list goes on and on. All of these artists have that beautiful tonal sound of a Strat but when you hear each one, you can tell the difference between them, and that's the beautiful thing. The Fender Strat gives you such originality while having that beautiful tonal sound no other guitar has. The secret to that great sound that the Strats have is in the single coil pickups, the wood of the guitar and the way the body of the guitar is put together (2 sections). The combination of these 3 things put together is one of a kind, that guitarist have come to love right from the beginning of the Strats birth. Although Strats are centered around a standard setup. There are lots of additional models that slightly differ and in-turn slightly change the sound of the guitar. This is great because it offers guitarists the chance to find that desirable sound that they have always wanted. To go one step further a lot of big name guitarist that play Strats get fender to make them a custom model just for them on specifications that they want so they can come up with the ultimate and perfect sound for them. These guitars are also available to the public to buy and are deemed signature models. If you desire a sound from one of these top quality guitarist than you can have it by buying a signature model which emulates the exact sound that artist has. If you are thinking of buying a Strat I highly recommend to you that you go and try out as many different models that you can. Most people buy the standard USA Strat but this may not be for you, you may want something slightly different with a few different changes to the standard. Another thing I wish to point out is that when you try out a Strat, it is important play it through a quality amp, i.e. a fender twin amp. This is because if you try out guitars (great ones and poor ones) though a cheap and poor amp than the guitar will sound bad and disgusting. The rule when buying a guitar or any musical instrument is to try out many different types of that instrument as possible, this is the only way to properly find out what guitar suits you best.
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| Feature Article Fender Standard Series Of Guitars
Author: Blair Stephens
The Fender American Standard series of guitars features both Telecaster and Stratocasters, the legends of the Fender name. The most affordable guitars in the Fender line-up, the classic style has some new updates to please musicians everywhere. Refinements include changes to some, but not all models of the guitars allowing musicians to select the guitar that best suits their playing style. The American Series guitars typically have twenty-two frets rather than the previous twenty-one, some feature humbuckers, synchonized tremolo arm, a steel bridge plate for added sustain and the three-sadle bridge has been replaced by a six-sadle bridge. The new six-sadle bridge means that you can adjust the height and length of each string independently. Available in a wide variety of colors and finishes, these guitars live up to the Fender legacy. The Beginning
The first major electric guitar designed and produced by Leo Fender, the Fender Telecaster was introduced in the 1940's. With solid body construction and electronic amplification this was the first guitar to allow musicians to use the instrument with a band or as a solo instrument in a larger forum. Instantly popular with musicians across the genres, the Telecaster was embraced by Blues, Country and later Rock n' Roll musicians. Fender is known for its treble tone and the Telecaster is particularly known for its bright and clear tones. The bridge pickup of the Telecaster is wound more than the pickup for the neck with emphasizes the treble tone and the slanted neck also gives a more treble sound while the lower tones are dampened. A versatile instrument musicians can use the controls for volume and tone to craft their own sound. For more than fifty years the Telecaster has been a favorite of both professional and amateur musicians. The Next Step
The second big innovation from the workshop of Leo Fender was the Stratocaster. Designed in the early 1950's, the Stratocaster was the result of all that had been learned from making the Telecaster combined with feedback from musicians about what worked and what didn't and what they wanted. Overall, the Stratocaster is a more complicated instrument with three single coil pickups which increases the tone and overall sound of the guitar. The addition of the Fender vibrato bridge allowed musicians to bend the strings to achieve a sound similar to the popular pedal-steel instruments. The already wide variety of tones that were created by the Stratocaster were expanded with the creation of the synchronized tremoloarm. A tremolo arm allows a guitar player to quickly vary the tension of the strings which temporarily changes the pitch to create vibrato, portamento and pitch effect expanding the options available for the musician. There were changes made to the overall design of the guitar body as well. Beveled areas for where the strumming arm rests and for the player's chest were added for a fitted feel that is comfortable for long session. Creating the Fender Sound
The electric guitar was brought to life with the invention of the single coil pickup. A single coil pickup is created by wrapping a permanent magnet with fine enameled copper and then mounting the coil on the body of the guitar. When the player then plucks the strings, they vibrate and effect the magnetic flux which changes the voltage that passes through the coild of wire. The signal is modified by these changes in voltage and travels through the wire to the amplifier or recording device. The sound can then be amplified to be heard at any volume, from your garage to a stadium concert. In its traditional form, the Telecaster guitar features just two single coil pickups but the three-way selector switch provides flexibility in choosing which pickup to use and further controls for tone and volume shape the sound. In the Stratocaster there are three standard single coil pickups mounted in series for the bridge middle and neck. With a switch of a lever the player can select which pickup they want to be active. Theey can use two pickups in combination, a single or all three to produce the sound that they want. Further Innovation
First introduced in the 1950's, a humbucker is popular among many musicians for its ability to clarify sound. Electronic guitars rely on single coil magnetic pickups to 'pick up' and convey the alternated voltage created by the vibrating strings to create music. But these magnets can act as antennae and are vulnerable to picking up other signals not intended by the musician. The single coil magnetic pickups are sensitive to electromagnetic interference that can be generated by electrical appliances, computer screens, motors and other signals as well, all of which create a 'hum' or 'buzz' in the sound produced by the guitar. A humbucker uses two additional coils (although there are several versions of the humbucker) to cancel the interference, which literally bucks the hum and leaves only the pure musical sound to be amplified. In the American Series there are several Stratocasters that have humbuckers in their designs. The Little Things
The sound of each guitar is unique and can be personized and shaped by several factors. Where the pickups are positioned, the number of coils wound around each magnet, what type of wire is used, the shape of the guitar, the kind of wood used in the neck and body and the position of the strings all have an impact on the sound. Using the tone controls to determine which pickups are featured gives musicians control over their sound. Pickups in the bridge position bring a bright, harmonic-rich and sharp tone compared to those pickups in the neck position which are louder, more warm and mellow in nature. The name Fender brings a wealth of history and achievement to mind- from Muddy Waters to Eric Clapton to Ritchie Blackmore the artists that have embraced the Fender electric guitars have set the standard for all who play. The latest generation of guitars to be embraced by musicians, the American Standard series features both Stratocaster and Telecaster guitars from legendary Fender. True to their historic past these guitars are beautifully crafted with small updates to their design. The most affordable line of Fender guitars, The American Standard Series brings everything you expect from the Fender name without compromise. Blair Stephens is an experienced writer and proud member of the Music Power team. We offer the best selection of electric and acoustic guitars in all the best brands. Learn more about guitars in our Musician Articles at http://www.musicpower.com/musician-articles.asp
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| Feature Article Fender , Gibson, DC Montana, Musicman - Which Bass is right for you?
Author: Author West
Remember, your honest assessment of your ability and goals should be the deciding factor when choosing an instrument. In other words, what do you want to do? If you are a working musician, a serious hobbyist or on the verge of your first paying gig, an entry level beginners guitar will probably not be appropriate. Now, how much to spend? Your personal financial situation will dictate the amount you spend, however, if the guitar you want costs $500 and you currently have $350... Don't Settle! It's a mistake you will regret for years to come. You should expect to pay between $400-$600 for a good quality "step-up" guitar. One that will offer most of the features you desire and also hold up well under the rigors of everyday practice, rehearsing and gigging. If you are a serious player/gigger then you should look at investing in a professional instrument like a DC Montana or a Musicman. One of these can cost up to $2000 but it will be a worthwhile investment as you`ll have an instrument you can rely on and reliability is very important. Acoustic? Electric? Now that you have assessed your talent and have a ball park figure of what to spend, what's it going to be? An Electric? An Acoustic? Or maybe an Acoustic/Electric! Don't worry, eventually you will end up owning a small arsenal of instruments. But for now, stick with the one that caters to your current musical taste and performance needs and get a few gigs under your belt. This will justify your "need" for another quality instrument, (and probably keep you out of the doghouse too). Which Brand? There are many brands out there. The most common brands are Fender, Gibson and Musicman. If you want a guitar that will perform well but are not too concerned with looking that great then you`ll be very happy with a Fender. Fender produce some nice guitars and you can pick them up at low cost. Musicman and DC Montana make top quality instruments but they do have high price tickets. I always recommend a high end used instrument over a brand new low end. High end guitars are built to last so even if it has a few scratches on it you are still going to get a better sound than buying a shiney new one thats a few leagues below. Look around, there are some bargains out there and dont be afraid to barter on price.
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| Feature Article Fender Electric Guitars - As Played By Stevie Ray Vaughan
Author: Charlie Cory
Stevie Ray Vaughan hailed from Dallas Texas, and his name is synonymous with fender electric guitars. Stevie predominantly played a late fifties or early sixties version of the Strat (opinion is divided on its exact date), but there is no doubting that it was a Fender Stratocaster (Strat) guitar. Stevie seemed to favour this guitar over most others, and the sound is distinctly Fender, and Strat in particular, in quality. The sound produced by Stevie Ray is almost classic Fender. The Strat is very distinctive, and adds a beautiful tone, especially to Stevie Ray's blues playing. There is a lot of recorded music by Stevie Ray, and all of it is great to hear. I certainly recommend that you seek some out and enjoy the Texas blues at its very best. Stevie's background was steeped in the blues, so it is no surprise that his recordings feature many blues cuts. The video of Stevies' performance of Texas Flood is a great example of his feel for the blues. Stevie didn't stop with the blues though, and he used his Fender Guitar to great effect on many of his own compositions, as well as blues classics. He played a kind of shuffle exquisitely, as demonstrated on brilliant tunes such as 'Pride and Joy' and 'Cold Shot'. SRV also covered many rock classics, and could do anything song he turned his attention to justice. I had the great privilege of seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble at the Hammersmith Odeon (it's now called something else I think) in London, in the late 1980's. Apart from the pleasure of seeing SRV play, the event was doubly memorable for me because Eric Clapton came in, accompanied by Ringo Starr and other halves, and sat down in front of me! How cool was that. Stevie wrapped his Fender around all his classic cuts, including some specialty rocks songs that he covered, in honour of his peers. I am thinking here of Jimi Hendrix, for whom SRV covered Little Wing and Voodoo Chile. And Stevie's renditions of these songs were spectacular. However, remembering Eric Clapton, reminded me of another SRV cover, which I recall EC getting very animated about, And that was a version of Stevie Wonder's classic song 'Superstition', played with all the panache you would expect from a super showman like Stevie Ray Vaughan. And if Eric Clapton loved it, who am I to argue? I am very grateful to the likes of Google's You Tube that allows us to see late great artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan plying their trade. Seeing these great performers, many on stage where they were in their element. is a chance to see great workmen use their tools of trade, which in Stevie Ray's case, was a Fender Electric Guitar! Fender electric guitars rock! Stevie Ray Vaughan played them, so could you! Great music, great guitars, great time!
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