NAMM 2019: In amongst its 40 new electrics, fresh signature models and 19 new basses, you’d be forgiven for overlooking Ibanez’s acoustics for 2019, but there’s one that certainly catches the eye this year - meet the Altstar.Like a number of Ibanez acoustic guitars, the Alstar ALT30 is designed for electric players transitioning to acoustics - and it certainly makes that clear with its visuals. RG headstock? Check. Sharkfin inlays? Check, albeit modified. Colourful finishes? You betcha.That continues to the playability, with a flat 15.7” radius on the laurel fretboard, 22 frets, and a neck join at the 16th fret, which should ensure greater upper-fret access than your common-or-garden 12-fretter.Image 1 of 4Image 2 of 4Image 3 of 4Image 4 of 4The guitar’s compact dreadnought body is constructed with a…

Ahead of this year's NAMM show, Ibanez has unveiled five new signature models based on the company's popular AZ series.Polyphia’s Timothy Henson and Scott LePage, Chon’s Mario Camarena and Erick Hansel have all been given Ibanez signatures, while Andy Timmons’ model has also received an AZ-inspired redesign.Though the specs of these new models largely mirror those of their AZ series contemporaries, new finishes and pickup configurations abound. You can examine the individual models, and their exact specifications, in the gallery below. Prices for the new guitars have not yet been made available.For more on the new models, head on over to ibanez.com.Image 1 of 5Ibanez ATZ100 Andy TimmonsThe ATZ100 Andy Timmons features an ATZ S-TECH WOOD 1pc Roasted Maple neck, Alder body, S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard, 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets,…

NAMM 2019: Epiphone has announced its first new guitar for 2019, the DC Pro, whose roots lie in the company’s ’70s Del Rey Double Cut design.The DC Pro modernises the format with the addition of coil-tappable ProBucker humbuckers, a treble-bleed circuit and Grover 18:1 ratio tuners.Elsewhere, there’s a 24-fret pau ferro fingerboard, mahogany all-access neck and mahogany body with AAA flame maple veneer top.Image 1 of 5Image 2 of 5Image 3 of 5Image 4 of 5Image 5 of 5That comes in five tasty finishes, too: Black Cherry, Faded Cherry Burst, Midnight Ebony, Mojave Fade and Wild Ivy.We’re really digging this one, especially if the TBC price point isn’t too dear. That shape also serves as a reminder that it wasn’t just PRS’s history Gibson was digging into when it launched…

NAMM 2019: Canadian guitar co Godin has started 2019 with a bang, announcing plans to release its first-ever acoustic guitars this year.We don’t know much about the specs yet, but the first model to be unveiled is the Rialto, which features a striking matte green finish, complete with body-mounted volume and tone knobs.Judging by the promo video below, more traditional looks will also be available.Godin plays host to respected brands Art & Lutherie, Simon & Patrick and Seagull, so the company already has considerable experience in the acoustic field, but with a few Godin electronic flourishes could really separate these from the crowd.There’s no word on a launch date yet, but we’d wager we’ll be finding out more at the Godin stand very shortly... via MusicRadar http://bit.ly/2RaV0w9

Ahead of this year's NAMM show, Ibanez has unveiled five new signature models based on the company's popular AZ series.Polyphia’s Timothy Henson and Scott LePage, Chon’s Mario Camarena and Erick Hansel have all been given Ibanez signatures, while Andy Timmons’ model has also received an AZ-inspired redesign.Though the specs of these new models largely mirror those of their AZ series contemporaries, new finishes and pickup configurations abound. You can examine the individual models, and their exact specifications, in the gallery below. Prices for the new guitars have not yet been made available.For more on the new models, head on over to ibanez.com.Image 1 of 5Ibanez ATZ100 Andy TimmonsThe ATZ100 Andy Timmons features an ATZ S-TECH WOOD 1pc Roasted Maple neck, Alder body, S-TECH WOOD Roasted Maple fretboard, 22 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets,…

 Recorded through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe IV and miked with a Royer R-121 feeding an Apogee Duet into Garageband. Clip 2 uses a Komet K.O.D.A overdrive   Ratings Pros: Wonderful construction. Excellent price. Cons: Humbuckers aren’t that remarkable. Street: $950 Asher Electro Hawaiian Junior Lap Steel asherguitars.com Tones: Playability: Build/Design: Value:   For decades, luthier Bill Asher’s name has been synonymous with high-end lap steels and guitars made for pro-level players such as Ben Harper, Jackson Browne, and Marc Ford. Recently, Asher has developed a line of entry-level lap steels that come in at well under a grand. These Electro Hawaiian Junior models are impeccably built out of African mahogany and feature a newly designed aluminum wrap-around bridge. As soon as I pulled the guitar out of its gig…

Godin Guitars has announced the release of the Summit Classic A/E Havana Burst, which will be unveiled in January at Winter NAMM in Anaheim, California. According to the company, the new model will kick off Godin’s “latest evolution of modern playability and style for what is to be expected from their 2019 electrics.”Features on the Summit A/E include a chambered mahogany body, swamp ash top, mahogany neck, Richlite fingerboard and a 25.5” scale length. There’s also a pair of Seymour Duncan humbuckers and an L.R. Baggs T-Bridge, which enables the chambered Summit A/E to provide acoustic tones at the switch of a button.Other features on the Summit A/E include a single f-hole on the body and Godin’s new Havana Burst High-Gloss finish.The Summit Classic A/E Havana Burst will be offered…

Image 1 of 3Image 2 of 3Image 3 of 3Lowden has announced its Winter Limited Edition acoustic guitar for 2018, which employs Tiger Myrtle back and sides.Combined with a Sitka spruce top, Lowden is promising a “bright, clear tone” with “a subtle warmth to the low-end”.Apparently, the company spent 10 years searching for the rarefied wood, which features tiger striking in contrast to the pink and orange myrtle.The wood also appears on the model’s headstock, which is bound and inlayed with maple and ebony.Just 25 Tiger Myrtle acoustics will be produced, across a range of models from Lowden’s 35 and 50 Series. Head over to Lowden Guitars for more info. via MusicRadar https://ift.tt/2R9HdVI

Grover has announced its new Roto-Grip 505F series tuners.The 505F series design allows users to upgrade vintage Fender tuners to a more modern style locking tuner without making any modifications to their guitar. The overlapping ear design allows users to utilize the existing screw holes and the use of push-in bushings, rather than screw-in, meaning no modifications have to be made to the post holes. The 505F series is available now in Gold, Chrome and Nickel finishes.For more info, head on over to groto.com. via guitarworld https://ift.tt/2GqYo0X

the new zealand based designer, maxwell custom, has carefully hand constructed the ‘infinitum’ archtop guitar. the project embodies a fresh approach to guitar design and is built exclusively from native new zealand timbers (kahikatea and black maire). this re-imagining of the instrument utilizes digital technology and composite materials to create a fresh take on a traditional craft.all images courtesy of maxwell custom  the aim of the design focused on creating a harmonically rich and responsive sound that is rewarding for players and audiences alike. the designer began the project by questioning the nature of internal bracing in traditional instruments. the development explored different concepts but finally the bracing was removed from the soundboard leaving a single point of contact where the strings attach. by doing this, it allows the guitar to resonate more like a loud speaker, revealing…