Top 10 Guitar Gift Ideas | 2009

Christmas season is right around the corner, and you're looking for great gift ideas. We're here to help!

We only recommend quality equipment. Sometimes a mass-produced piece of guitar equipment is a great value, and sometimes boutique or vintage is the route to go for that top-of-the-line tone. Either way, the result will be a quality guitar gift for your friend or family member. Without further adieu...

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Hammond Guitar Leslies Now Shipping!

DATELINE ADDISON ILLINIOIS•24 MARCH 2009

Hammond-Suzuki USA today shipped the first production units of their eagerly-awaited G37 and G27 Leslie Speakers designed especially for the guitar.

Hammond Executive VP Dennis Capiga said “Today marks the fulfillment of a dream, and several years of hard work. I can’t wait to hear the music guitarists will make with our baby”.

The G37/G27 is roughly one third the size and weight of a traditional keyboard Leslie Speaker, but has many of the same components. Unlike the last Leslie designed for guitar in the late 60’s; the G37 and G27 have a“real” horn spinning on the top (the same rotor as used on the legendary Leslie 122), and the traditional Leslie rotor on the bottom.

A 100 watt, channel-switching guitar amp with “tube pre” powers the G37 while the G27 is powered by the user’s own amp. The horn driver is specially voiced for guitar, and the 12" full range speaker is "vintage" style.

There are two revolutionary features on the G37/G27 that have never appeared on a keyboard Leslie. One is the (optional) “gas pedal” that gives the player infinite control of rotor speed; the other is a motor control that stops the rotors in the same place (out the front) each time. This allows the guitarist to use the amp without the animation.

The G37/G27 is also indicated for use with electro-acoustic guitars, electric violins, harmonicas, melodions, and even vocals. Oddly enough, the only instrument that the Leslie G37/G27 is not recommended for is organ.

"We've got that application covered" joked Capiga. Capiga also related that no other Leslie product has been tested as thoroughly as the G37. As the engineers put it through the paces, a few lucky musicians had the chance to be early adapters.

Blues Phenom Anthony Gomes has had a G37 prototype for 9 months, and it now occupies a regular spot onstage. Hit Producer Howard Benson (Daughtry, Hoobastank, Kelly Clarkson) has used his G27 prototype on many of his new productions, and the G27 will be part of Jimmy Vivino’s rig on the bandstand of the new “Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien”.

MAP pricing for the G37 is $1495.00, and the G27 is $1325.00.  Free Demonstration DVD’s are available upon request.

Further details are available at www.hammondorganco.com

Leslie for Guitar (Coming Feb 09)

Hammond is releasing their Leslie for Guitar amp in February 2009. Here are some spotlight comments about it:

This is a GENUINE LESLIE SPEAKER with the patented spinning horn on the top and rotor on the bottom. The G-37 is considerably smaller and much lighter in weight than our traditional keyboard Leslies, but packs a mighty sound due to the 100-watt guitar amp onboard. This footswitchable 2-channel amp features a real tube preamp, which gives the “clean” channel a warm and velvety tone, and the “overdrive” channel its crunch and power. A “contour” control lets you further tailor your overdrive tone to match your playing style. A 3-band master EQ rounds out the spec. The amp is connected to a specially voiced driver that feeds the top spinning horn, and a V30 vintage 12” speaker that fires in the lower rotor drum. You won’t need to bother with the cumbersome “floor preamp” and thick multi-connector cable of the old-school Leslies. You simply plug in your guitar with a regular 1/4” guitar cable, just like a regular amp. The channel switch and “Fast/Slow” switch are normal-style guitar amp footswitches.

...and get a load of the gas pedal...

There are three more innovations in the G-37 that are new to the LESLIE line. Most important is the optional “Gas Pedal”. For the first time, you are able to have continuous linear control of the Leslie spinning speed. The further you press down on the pedal, the faster the Leslie spins, and vice versa. This is great for special effects, or for finding a “sweet spot” between slow and fast that is the right for whatever it is you are playing.

...the "front stop" feature lets you use the leslie as a guitar amp when you don't want the effect...

Next is the “Front Stop” feature. There will be times that you might want to play your guitar without the Leslie spinning effect. In the past, when the Leslie horn and rotor stopped, they just stopped. In the G-37 the horn and rotor always stop in a position to sent your sound directly out the front of the cabinet, allowing the G-37 to perform like a regular guitar amp. This is very useful when “miking up” the G-37 in a sound reinforcement system.

Click here for more info.

The People’s Amp

Is the Marshall 18 watt circuit your kind of tonal bliss? Does the economy have you in a pinch? Well, The People's Amp is a handwired monster head in a handmade birch cabinet, providing boutique sound without the ridiculous price! For more information, visit www.peoplesamp.com.

Front & Rear Photos...

Vox AC15CC mod | Guitar Pug.com

Great vox amp mod from GuitarPug.com...

Not satisfied with the stock standard VOX AC15CC guitar amplifier,
GuitarPug has written an article on various modifications performed to
improve its tone and playability.  This article aims to be a convenient
reference resource for those wanting to perform their own mods on this
guitar amp.

Mojoverb | Post-Amplifier, Pre-Speaker Placement

Mojoverb Reverb Unit

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Fractal Audio | AxeFx

Introducing the Fractal Audio Axe-FX. This unit has grown to become all the talk amongst gear heads since the early part of 2007. The Axe-Fx models guitar amplifier tones more accurately than anything currently on the market, offers effects in the same tier as brands like Eventide, and offers perhaps the best direct recording option for guitar. A true tweaker's delight. Here's the top resources to get you started learning about the possibilities of this thing:

Fractal Audio:
An interview with Cliff Chase, founder of Fractal Audio & the Axe-Fx
Axe-Fx User Forum
Scott Peterson's monster thread at TheGearPage.net.
The Axe-Fx Wiki, at GuitarLogic.com
The Axe-Fx Patch Exchange website.

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