Halo guitars

I just saw this post on GuitarMX about Business Week's article on the affect of the revived Heavy Metal popularity on the guitar industry. I found this interesting in particular because the guitar makers that are benefitting well are those who offer something a little unique. This explains why my Crazy Guitar Designs page gets so many visits!

I had never heard of Halo Guitars before but they have an impressive array of guitars for the discerning metal shredmonster. The guitar pictured left is from their custom shop but they also have a standard product range and don't worry they haven't just created a cheap range of black strats, check out the GVK series!

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:40 Permalink

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You've hear of Bon-Jovi, check out Banjo-vee!

Not technically a guitar I know but I had to post this today as this incredible Banjo Flying V was made by Moon guitars! Yes I've shamelessly trawled the web for lunar references today and I'm not too proud to admit it, and I'm not ashamed of my crap puns either so there!

This custom Banjo was built for Babydaddy from the Scissor Sisters and has the band's logo set into the headstock! There are a couple more photos here, just scroll down a bit.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 10:00 Permalink

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Eclipsed by Luna guitars!

Oh come on! Surely I'm allowed to make a cheesy pun the day after a total lunar eclipse?!

Now I know that Luna Guitars has recently had a lot of praise from the very talented Lori Linstruth but I thought seeing as there was a tenuous link with the lunar eclipse it was worth showcasing these amazing Henna painted acoustic guitars.

The artwork was created by UK artist Alex Morgan and the model pictured left has Solid spruce top, quilted maple back & sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and state-of-the-art laser etched henna design on front, back and headstock! Oh and seeing as I'm trying to tie this in with the Lunar eclipse, Inlaid mother-of-pearl crescent moon logo on the headstock and moon phase fretboard markers inlaid in mother-of-pearl.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:49 Permalink

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Schenk Guitars - Tru Fire

This custom acoustic from Schenk Guitars ss Serial Number 001 of the new Killer Paint Series there appear to be 3 at the moment one of which you would have to be a very patriotic US Citizen to buy!

"This guitar is constructed of Mastergrade East Indian Rosewood back and sides and a Western Red Cedar soundboard."

I think this particular design would appeal to people who ride bikes like this or maybe Harry Potter fans?. Whoever it is better have a bit of money put aside because this guitar will set you back over US$9000!

Full gallery of this instrument here

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs, Really expensive guitars

posted by Jon at 11:04 Permalink

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Threadless - Rock the frog!

I'm not going to pretend I understand this T-Shirt because I don't, is that supposed to be tadpoles coming out of the smashed strat? Who knows but if you like t-shirts of girls smashing frog impregnated strats this is the one for you!

Labels: Tees

posted by Jon at 09:23 Permalink

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New Parkwood Hybrid microsite

I'm not sure how long this site has been up but Parkwood Guitars now have a seperate microsite for the Parkwood Hybrid guitar. Apart from the Greg Howe video clip demonstrating the guitar they also have the tech specs and a model I've never seen, the PWH2 (pictured left) which looks fantastic in gloss black. The difference between the PWH2 and PWH4 is that the PWH2 has a solid maple top whereas the PWH4 has Australian Blackwood. Also the PWH4 has Seymour Duncan pickups fitted.

Labels: hybrids

posted by Jon at 14:09 Permalink

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Guitar Battle! Gilbert Vs Friedman

You've got to love Japanese TV! Admittedly this video is not as entertaining as Human Tetris but that has nothing to do with guitars! I'm not sure whether this was a one off or a regular show but the idea seems to be that you get 3 guitarists, in this case Paul Gilbert, Marty Friedman and Rolly? (Sorry I don't know who he is) then you name a band, the next person has to name the guitarist/s in the band and the other person has to play one of their songs. Paul Gilbert seems to be playing through a $10 amp and has the nastiest guitar sound ever but it is pretty funny. Warning, shred alert! Don't even attempt to watch this unless you are prepared for a lot of pointless widdling!

Oh and Paul and Marty seem to be pretty handy speaking Japanese too!

Labels: Guitar Hero

posted by Jon at 09:41 Permalink

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Paul Gilbert arpeggio madness!

I don't care what anyone says this is very cool! Paul Gilbert showing off his amazing technical skills with a helping hand from an unkown person providing a dynamic capo! Check out his changing fashion section on his website, it's pretty entertaining!

Labels: Guitar Hero

posted by Jon at 09:08 Permalink

3 Comments

Godwin Organ...erm guitar

This looks like the most confusing guitar I've ever seen but apparently if you put the output through a Leslie Cabinet it's hard pick the organ sounds from a real tonewheel Hammond! There's a plethora of rotary knobs and switches of which I have no idea what they do but I read somewhere that you can add and subtract percussion and tremolo but I'm not sure if this refers to the guitar sounds, the organ sound or both? I did find this little tidbit though:

"...frets were wired to tone generators and string contact completed the 'circuit', creating the organ sound."

There are some great photos of this unique guitar here.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:06 Permalink

1 Comments

Abstract's 3DV

Finally one for the left handed shredders I hear you mumble! Or did I just flip the image in photoshop I hear the cynics mutter! Well I didn't but I can't guarantee that the person who originally posted this picture didn't but let's just pretend its a leftie shall we?

This US built shred-machine was built by very talented builders who were formerly with Jackson & BC Rich. Abstract's guitars are all custom made so you can order any headstock shape, any Inlay, any type of bridge, or fingerboard. You can even order custom shapes! hmm.. custom shapes eh?....

Current the Endorsers list page is empty but if you would like to add me to that list I'd be more than happy to take one of your custom jobs off your hands ;)

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:07 Permalink

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RKS Guitars

"Our unique design catches the eye, of course, but its core-to-body connection creates uncommon resonance and detail. The neck-through-body-construction provides clarity and sustain, and then transfers its vibration to the lively body creating a very satisfying musical palette." - quote from RKS Guitar's site

I chose this particular guitar so you can see the actual construction but you really have to check out the Nirvana with it's amazingly intricate finish. There is no suggest retail price on the guitars that I could find but I'm assuming these guitars don't come cheap. Check out the full range at rksguitars.com.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:59 Permalink

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Jerry Reed - Breakdown with four hands!

This is a great video, Antoine Dufour and Tommy Gauthier demonstrate that 4 hands are better than 2 as Tommy accompanies Antoine's rendition of Breakdown by Jerry Reed by playing the bass line on the low E, fantastic, and they look like they were having fun too!

And if you liked that also check out this video of Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan both playing the same doubleneck guitar.

posted by Jon at 10:34 Permalink

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John Butler guitar lesson

After seeing the John Butler Trio on Saturday night at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney I thought it was about time to do a feature on John Butler, he is an incredible guitarist and throughout the gig showed his talent for Banjo, lapsteel and distorted Ukele with a bit of Wah Wah thrown in... I think thats the first time I've seen that!

The video I have embedded is a lesson from John on warm up techniques that he recorded for Guitar World Magazine and although it is all using open tunings most of the techniques can be reapplied to standard tuning.

The amount of energy that the John Butler Trio put into a performance is amazing, it certainly sounds much more like a 5 or 6 piece band. For those who have never heard of him I strongly recommend you check him out. Here is a video performance of Ocean to get you in the mood.

Labels: Guitar Hero

posted by Jon at 09:28 Permalink

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Air Guitar For Dummies - T-shirt

I just got sent this link to Bang Bang T-shirts and seeing as William Ocean has just been named US Air Guitar Champion 2007 I thought this T-Shirt was perfect timing! As the winner, Ocean received an "air" trophy, $1000 (actual paper, we believe), and a trip to Oulu, Finland to represent the United States in the Air Guitar World Championships.

So why not check out the Guitar Hero II inspired Air Guitar For Dummies!

Labels: Guitar Hero, Tees

posted by Jon at 21:55 Permalink

2 Comments

Hamer's "Uncle Pepper"

Hamer's Uncle Pepper is a one-of-a-kind piece of art created by legendary guitar designer Jol Dantzig, founder of Hamer Guitars.

The artists, together with Hamer Guitars, Rick Nielsen, Cheap Trick, and Liverpool's Hard Day's Night Hotel, will offer the guitar for auction to benefit underprivileged children around the world through Yoko Ono's Alder Hey, Imagine Appeal charity.

Rick and his Cheap Trick band-mates, backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, will perform the album (Sgt. Peppers) in its entirety, and will welcome special guest stars onstage to perform vocal duties. A second set of select Beatles material will also be presented. Each guest star will autograph the new guitar.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 11:57 Permalink

1 Comments

Auerswald Model C

Although my first guess was that this instrument was built in the mid 80's when guitars like the SynthAxe were vying for competition in the new digital age and EMU's Emulator II was the synth of choice among such people as Paul "n-n-n-n-nineteen" Hardcastle! But I'm wrong, this guitar by Auerswald was built, according the date on the photo (what a giveaway!) in 1997... ok. The site is crap quite frankly with hideous repeating backgrounds that put me in an epileptic fit just trying to look at the gallery but there are some pretty crazy guitars there if you start digging. There is absolutely no information on each guitar however but an overall summary of his practices in the story section, which has been vomitted onto the page in comic sans just to be extra annoying.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:19 Permalink

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Nigel Tufnel - Musicman

I remember seeing an interview with Nigel Tufnel years ago when they released "Break Like the Wind" back in 1992 and he ran through the features on this custom Ernie Ball Musicman. Unfortunately I can't seem to find the interview on YouTube and onlly remember a couple of things. First instead of dot inlays you have letters indicating the notes on the low E string, then there is a rev counter to see how fast you are playing, an 8 ball on the end of the whammy bar, hot rod exhausts and I'm not sure whether that is 4 humbuckers in a row... of course it is why would Nigel Tufnel use single coils!?

Whilst searching for the interview, in which I think he also talks about his amp capo idea which is raises the pitch of the guitar by squeezing the sound out of the amp, I found this interview where he talks about jamming with Joe Satriani.

"...my new amplifiers now go to infinity and I think that idea was very scary to him because most amplifiers go to 10".

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:10 Permalink

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The Wangcaster

I really don't have much to say about this guitar other than it is so wrong! Bizarre.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:00 Permalink

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Zack Kim - Prelude No.2 in C Minor

I've seen and heard plenty of people playing Bach preludes on guitar but I think you'll agree this is an interesting twist, 1 person, 2 Ibanez PGM's and a whole lot of finger dexterity! Check out more of Zack's 2 guitar madness!

posted by Jon at 12:46 Permalink

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Masaki Kyomoto Special!

If you saw my last post on the Masaki Kyomoto Custom you may have already seen this erm, interesting creation which was one of the other four guitars created by ESP for Japanese Actor/Musician Masaki Kyomoto. The Samurai Kyomoto Special actually houses a fully functioning Samurai Sword (the purple bit is the handle!) which can be unsheathed during a performance in case a madman rushes on stage and you need to defend yourself a la Keith Richards!

The guitar features a short scale neck, Alder and cast material body, a carbon nut, a Seymour Duncan SH-1b and the bridge is listed as a "Badass Type". This was a one of instrument and is not for sale.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:27 Permalink

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Masaki Kyomoto Custom

ESP Guitars always create great custom builds and I recently stumbled upon a guitar that was made for Japanese guitarist/actor Masaki Kyomoto. Kyomoto is a well known actor in Japan having made his name acting in "chambara" (samurai) films there. The guitar pictured left is one of four custom guitars ESP have built for him and the most detailed and attractive. Go to this page and click on number 4, it is all in Japanese but just click on the characters to view the guitar from different angles, it costs around $5000 USD if my calculations are correct.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 09:20 Permalink

0 Comments

Musicvox Space Cadet

I think this guitar is rather aptly named because whoever designed it must be a bit of a space cadet themselves! The guitar is made by Musicvox who have one of the ugliest websites of any manufacturer that I've seen in a long time but I'll save that for another blog... The guitar was actually used in Austin Powers Goldmember when Austin sings "Daddy Wasn't There" (Ming Tea) and in that context it looks pretty normal I have to say. It kind of looks like somebody has taken the guitar into photoshop and liquified the cutaway and headstock. I have no idea what they sound like but I'm not rushing out to buy one.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 07:46 Permalink

1 Comments

UVA Baphomet

"The guitar was designed based on the so-called Sigil of Baphomet, which has quite peculiar history. Back in 14th century, the order of Knights Templar was accused by the Inquisition for worshipping the Idol of Baphomet. And while the masons still deny the fact up to date, I bet they are guilty as hell. The Church of Satan made this sign it's official symbol."

This beast has a mahogany, ebony and purpleheart body, EMG Pickups and will set you back $10,000 plus shipping! Not cheap. If you browse your way over to this product page you can see more pictures including photos taken during the construction and also a few mp3's showcasing the different pickup sounds.

Also available from UVA Instruments is the Scorpio a much more affordable guitar with the option of a 7 or 8 string version - $1990 - $2790. Personally though I think the 8 string makes the body look a bit small and out of proportion but the 6 would look pretty evil. Shredders take note!

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs, Really expensive guitars

posted by Jon at 09:06 Permalink

3 Comments

A guitar for horse lovers

I'm sure there are a lot of horse loving guitarists out there, especially in the US but this is maybe taking it a little far...

Rheinhart guitars specialise in hand carved and hand painted custom guitars in a folk art style. Each guitar uses a different combination of woods probably based on how complicated the carving is? I don't know but for example the Boots and saddles guitar pictured left uses catlapa and poplar whereas the Taurus is a mahogany body with a maple and mahogany neck and the Stratoconstrictor uses a sassafras top on a walnut body. Each guitar has a hand carved matching headstock and will set you back around $3-4000 should you suddenly have the urge to own an Octo-Fish guitar!

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 11:45 Permalink

1 Comments

Guitar costumes

Out of ideas for your next costume party? Why not go as a guitar head! I saw this on WFT Costumes and had to post it here. I don't really understand the concept... maybe I never will. While I was there I also saw this bizarre guitar costume well its more of a bizarre costume with a guitar in it, I thought the guitar was a Daisy Rock Debutante at first but the bridge looks a little different. Either way there is no excusing this costume!

Labels: guitar costumes

posted by Jon at 10:39 Permalink

2 Comments

Teuffel Birdish - Futuristic resonator!

"The body, as a source of tone, is reduced to two cylindrical resonators, which are available in different materials. They are interchangeable by means of a screw-connection. The pickups are arranged adjustably on a rail and therefore pickup the overtones variably."

"The resonators define the fundamental sound. They are easily exchangeable. Two blue resonators made of swamp-ash are supplied, which are very percussive with clear lows and highs. Two red resonators are also included in the set. They sound more powerful and forceful."

The pickups are shift-able and twist-able. In addition, they can be easily exchanged by means of a screw connection. That way the strings can remain in their tuning. Two singlecoils and three humbuckers are included. They can be adjusted into any position. Naturally, all the pickups are hand-wound with great care.

"The standart birdfish can be upgraded into a midi birdfish at any time. You only have to interchange the Tunamatic bridge by the RMC bridge and the standart control box by the midi box. Then plug the RMC bridge into the new midi box. Done."

This is probably the most forward thinking guitar design I have ever seen. The combination of interchangeable resonators and movable pickups mean there are infinite tonal possibilities. The guitar also comes with an incredibly unique looking hand sewn padded gig bag!

If you want something with a slightly more traditional body design check out the Tesla (yet another 7 string but also available in a 6 string). The front side of the guitar is finished in a glow-in-the-dark luminescent finish, erm nice.

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 19:10 Permalink

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Fan fret phenomenon

I seem to have missed out on this 8 string fan fret phenomenon it seems they're all at it! Ok so not everyone is but Ralph Novak of Novax Guitars certainly is, in fact you can actually purchase Novax Fan Fret necks to retrofit your own guitar with should you have the urge, or even the Charlie Hunter 8 String neck if you fancy making your own body to accommodate it!

The guitar pictured to the left is the Charlie Hunter Semi-Hollow Body 8 String with a Maple top sunburst ($4300), check out the bass string tuners! The Expression semi-hollow 7 String model has an interesting twist, and I'm not talking about the fan frets! You can choose either a low A model or a high A model! ($3450) I don't think I've ever seen a high A option before?

If these guitars have too many strings for you but you can't resist the temptation of the fan fretted beauty how about the Expression Semi-hollow 6-string another archtop instrument with a choice of woods depending on your taste (3150 inc. hardshell case).

Right I'm off to track down Charlie Hunter on iTunes!

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 20:47 Permalink

1 Comments

Conklin Guitars 6,7,8,9 strings?!

I just came across this company that apparently have been around for a long time, his Nena guitar (tribute to Nena the 99 luftballoons woman) is from 1985 and this crazy Whitesnake 7 string was custom built for Steve Vai when he was touring with Whitesnake in 1991. But just looking through the 8 string gallery is amazing, the way he uses 2 or 3 woods together like quilted maple and walnut and blends them into what he calls the "melt" effect. Most of the instruments also have custom pickups (well they would have to be I suppose for 9 strings!) and some have fan frets which look impossibly cool! For instance check out fan fretted 8 string! I think it has 36 frets?!?!

Conklin also makes some incredible Hollow body electrics and hybrids. I love the look of this figured maple hollowbody 8 string.

Price lists are available on the site too, as you would expect for custom guitars of this calibre they don't come cheap but you can pick up a basic 6 string for $2800 but that is a stock instrument, add another grand on for a custom build and $5000 for a 9 string (base prices) but they look worth every penny!

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 16:34 Permalink

1 Comments

Beck Guitarworks Metatron!

What guitar do you play? I play the METATRON! Ok I don't and in fact I think I would be slightly afraid to own this guitar due to being a clumsy bugger, it would be quite easy to be impaled or maybe accidently impale somebody with this thing (maybe thats the idea!?) The guitar is made from mirror 304 stainless steel with hand ground pattern finish and the neck is carbon fibre reinforced hard maple with ebony fretboard and jumbo frets (of course!) optional side fret markers can be illuminated with optical fibers lit by an ultra-bright blue led! ooh yeah!

If you like that check out the equally lethal Dragon's Kiss (not safe for kids or people with slightly homicidal tendicies).

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 08:44 Permalink

3 Comments

Monster guitar pick!

I found this gigantic tortoise shell guitar pick over at Maurysmusic.com and I'm very tempted to buy it just for fun, it's only $2.99!!

While I was doing a search for a crisper picture I also came across V-Picks who have a pick called the V-Pick Colossal which is 8.66mm thick!!! Damn you'd need some pretty heavy gauge strings for that beast!

Labels: Accessories

posted by Jon at 14:36 Permalink

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Tregan Guitars

I saw this post over at guitarsite.com and had to add Tregan Guitars' Firewick and Syren to my ever growing list of Crazy guitar designs. Now they won't be to everybody's taste but the standard of work that has gone into the construction of these instruments looks very high for what Tony Guarriello (President T.G., Inc) describes as "guitars for the beginner and intermediate player". How many beginners get mahogany neck and body, humbucker pickups Grover tuners and custom inlays? Mind you I haven't seen the price list yet but there are 2 versions of each guitar the standard and signature series. The signature series gets the fancy extras like the quilted and flame maple tops, ebony fretboards and mother of pearl inlays.

Check out the Syren description too!
The shredder gods looked down upon us, smiled and said, “Give them an axe worthy of the heavens. For they shred and that is good.”

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 22:17 Permalink

1 Comments

Hendrix Guitar Hero T Shirt

I just got delivery of my Nerdy Shirts "The Guitar Hero" T-Shirt pictured left, such an awesome idea. Take the legendary "guitar hero" and whack a Guitar Hero Controller in his hands, note it is the limited edition right handed version played upside with buttons reversed ;)

Labels: Guitar Hero, Tees

posted by Jon at 21:22 Permalink

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Lunch Box Guitar

I love it when I find a stupendously crazy guitar but I love it even more when I find 3 in 1 place. I was sent (by my mate Brett) this amazing Flickr set showing the fabrication of a Cigar Box Guitar, a Biscuit Tin Banjo and the amazingly unique Lunch Box Guitar. I wonder what this sounds like? If anyone has a video of these instruments in action please let me know, in the meantime I'll hassle the builder!

Labels: Crazy Guitar Designs

posted by Jon at 16:16 Permalink

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