Tap Fail
The picture and
sound samples
[in the June
2011 Epiphone
Nighthawk Custom
review] refer to
the coil-tap on the
bridge pickup—but
there’s no mention in the text of that,
or the coil-tap on the neck pickup (as
described in the full-page Epiphone ad
elsewhere in the June issue). Did it get
left out or was it missed?
—David Eastwood
via premierguitar.com
Thanks for bringing this up, David.
Indeed, we did fall short in adequately
describing the functionality and tones
that are attainable with the Nighthawk
Custom (the total possible pickup permutations
comes to nine—pretty impressive!).
It’s rare for us to miss such significant features
in a review, and for that we sincerely
apologize to all our readers and viewers.
You Go, Gilbert!
I want to take the time to thank Premier
Guitar for allowing Paul Gilbert to write
this column [“How to Practice Pole-
Vaulting,” Shred Your Enthusiasm, June
2011]. Then I’d like to thank Paul for writing
an endlessly entertaining and useful lesson
column that makes sense to me. Most
of the time, these lessons are over my head.
Pablo brings them down to a level even I
can understand and makes it fun instead
of feeling like I’m doing drills. More? Yes,
please! And keep him for as long as you can.
—Coopster
via premierguitar.com
We couldn’t agree more, Coopster. Paul is a
pleasure to work with on these lessons each
month—he’s punctual, thorough, enlightening,
and reliably hilarious both in person and in
writing. Viva Pablo!
Hailing Haynes
The article on Warren Haynes [“Working-
Class Hero,” June 2011] was amazing! Your
articles are head and shoulders above other
guitar magazines, which just circulate the
same guitar-hero stories year in, year out.
Maybe we’ll get an article soon on Gary
Louris, now that the Jayhawks are touring
and recording again?
—Mikko Niemelä
via Facebook
Thank you, Mikko. The kudos belong to associate
editor Jason Shadrick for the multifaceted
piece—as well as for the stellar collection of lessons
we have here in the magazine every month.
And for more upcoming coolness on Haynes,
be sure to stay tuned to Facebook to find out
when we post Jason’s backstage video shoot with
Haynes before a recent gig in Chicago.
Not a Fan of the 9-String
I’ve owned a pair of [Alvarez] 5058 models
[“Alvarez 9-String Guitar,” Trash or
Treasure, April 2011]. Let me dissuade
folks who think it might sound good; it
doesn’t. I’ve not played the Yairi DY58,
but those are pricier and I’d hope nobody
would drop that cash on such an instrument
sight unseen, unplayed, or unheard.
A guitarist’s dollar is more efficiently spent
on a good-sounding 12-string. Then, if you
want to explore the 9-string mystique, pull
three off.
—TraJo
via premierguitar.com
6-String Therapy
Thanks so much for my two subscriptions
and the chance to win a
very cool guitar!
Along with the regular online info, features,
contests, etc., I have the best time
looking through my online
Premier. I’m
a disabled Desert Storm vet. My wife has
cancer and is going through chemotherapy.
I play for my
own therapy, and my wife
enjoys listening to me play—especially on
her bad days. You are by far the best guitar
resource—online or off. Thanks for a
great learning tool, as well as an enjoyable
resource for everything guitar!
—Bob Malin
East Hanover, New Jersey
We’re so happy you enjoy our work and get such
practical use out of it, Bob. It’s an honor to
bring it to you, and we wish you and your wife
the best in your struggles. Stay positive—and
keep cranking out those tunes!
All-Around Accolades
I want to thank
you for the excellent
tech articles
that your magazine
puts out each
month. I was at my
local guitar store
checking out the
Ibanez AFS80T—
great guitar, and
your review [April
2011] is spot on! As I was putting this 6-string
through its paces, Jol Dantzig’s article about
the tone knob [“Controlling Your Tone:
Underrated Tools of the Trade,” Esoterica
Electrica, April 2011] went through my head.
I started to roll back on those knobs that are
always stuck on 11, and—
wow!—the tone
cleaned up so well. Doing this simple move
really made the
guitar (not just those hot
pickups) come through. It was interesting how
some other guitars I tested didn’t respond to
this change. I guess you do get what you pay
for, as far as hardware goes.
Thank you, from a future life subscriber!
Keep up the great work.
—Carl Robl
West Allis, Wisconsin
P.S. The picture of Kim Simmonds on his
[Gibson Flying] V was awesome. I visit
with him every time he is at Shank Hall in
Milwaukee, WI. We always trade picks!
Sounds like the April 2011 PG
was a keeper
for you, Carl! Thanks for your kind words! Take
care—oh, and say hi to Kim for us next time
you see him!