Michael Sankey’s work spans many areas: traditional electrics, acoustics, headless, 7-string, etc. But it’s in the area of archtops (typically a very conservative area) where he shines with bold ideas …
Jersey Girl Guitars: True Art
I’ve always considered the truly exceptional guitars as modern, functional art. This is clearly evident in Jersey Girl Guitars which was formed in 1991 by two luthiers in Japan, Kaz Goto & …
Yamaha THR10X
I own some high-end modelers, studio monitors and FRFR PA systems, and these are great for getting that live “in-your-face” sound at high volumes. Not to mention laying down some …
Digital Modeling of Amps: Kemper vs Fractal
The digital modeling world has advanced tremendously in the past few years. Two products have emerged at the top: the Kemper profiling amplifier (KPA), and the Fractal Audio Axe-FX. [Note …
Ramos Arise Series
Modern guitars almost invariably have some different body look and features that differ significantly from vintage instruments. One key feature is headless. Though the look is somewhat daunting and polarizing …
.strandberg* headless guitars
I’ve always loved headless guitars, ever since Steinberger came out with their GL series. The scale length of the guitar is the same as a normal guitar, but the length …
Matsuda Archtop “Deconstruction”
Michihiro Matsuda is an amazing luthier with bold ideas. He is well known in the acoustic guitar community, apprenticing with the legendary Ervin Somogyi. His sense of geometry, design lines, …
Claas Guitars
Alexander Claas from Germany is making some very interesting modern guitars. Note the body where the upper horn is normally located. It is connected to the neck all the way …
SKB Guitar Case
I recently attended Vai Academy 2015 and this required you to bring a guitar. I’ve travelled with a guitar before, but that was a long time ago before all the …
Sankey “The Tyger”
An amazing 7-string, multi-scale electric guitar from Michael Sankey. Swamp Ash, chambered body with epoxy/fibre laminate and Cocobolo top Bolt-on East Indian Rosewood neck with African Blackwood stringers African Blackwood …