Whether you're looking to shop for the guitarist in your life or are searching for a wishlist to send your spouse, Premier Guitar's Holiday Gift Guide is for you!
Aguilar Special Edition Amps and Cabinets
Step into the spotlight and make a statement with Aguilar's all-new Custom Color SL Cabinets and Tone Hammer / AG 700 amps. These special limited-edition masterpieces are meticulously crafted to offer both an unparalleled sonic experience and a visually striking aesthetic. Available in a palette of standout colors, including Racing Green, Blue Bronco, Tuxedo Black, or Winter White. With Aguilar's Custom Colors, customers can express their unique style and steal the show, whether on stage or in the studio.
Blackstar Dept. 10 AMPED 3
AMPED 3 is a 100 Watt high gain pedal amplifier featuring 6 voicing options and 3 programmable channels with Reverb. Perfect for players seeking the ultra high gain tones found in multi-channel valve amps like Series One. You can use it to power a cabinet up to 100 Watts, go direct or to use in the front end of a traditional amp ensuring you can take your sound with you anywhere. Power reduction down to 1W and USB-C connectivity means it’s equally at home in the studio or the stage.
D'Addario XS Guitar Strings
XS strings are the longest lasting guitar strings D’Addario has ever made (which means they’re also likely the longest lasting strings in the known universe). Using a special film coating on the wound strings and dispersion coating on the plain steels, XS guitar strings are made to be played, not changed.
Thanks to their incredible lifespan and smooth feel, XS strings have become been played and praised by pros across the spectrum, from Mike Dawes to Alex Skolnick. But perhaps most impressively, they’ve become the “preferred” string of Taylor Guitars, which means they’re now strung on every Taylor that leaves the factory.
The XS price tag is slightly elevated, but it makes a lot of sense when you realize how many string changes you’re about to avoid. It also helps that D’Addario runs some great deals throughout the year. In fact, select XS guitar strings are now on sale for up to 25% off. Find this deal wherever you buy strings.
Kyser Capo For 6 String Acoustic Guitar
The perfect gift for every guitarist!
Kyser is the world's most trusted capo. Found on the largest stages around the world, more recording artists trust Kyser than any other brand.
-The original one-handed quick-change guitar capo
-Aircraft-grade aluminum with steel spring
-Parks on the guitar's headstock when not in use
-Made in USA
-Guaranteed for life
EMG Jmaster Set
The JMaster® set is a standalone addition to the EMG Retro Active lineup. The pickups feature a preamp design that provides the player a vintage feel and response, along with the added benefit of a noise-cancelling active preamp.
This set is hand-built with Alnico V rods and wide stacked coils, delivering a rich and balanced single-coil tone. The pickup set is available in three colors: black, ivory or white, allowing you to choose the aesthetic that best suits you.
Like all EMG Pickups, this set includes EMG’s solderless wiring kit, complete with a master volume and master tone controls. It enables the player to install the pickups into their existing instrument without any modifications.
For Jazzmaster® players who have upper horn controls, EMG also offers a preloaded pickguard. For more information, please visit the EMG Pickups website.
Donner HUSH-I Headless Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The HUSH-I features a headphone output, graduated asymmetrical C-shape neck with a headless design that offers beginning players the ability to easily access frets. The detachable body lets players take their guitar with them anywhere.
Fralin 'Tron
It's finally here – our brand-new Fralin'Tron! Experience exceptional clarity and articulation in a Filter'Tron® format with Lindy's unique Fralin'Tron design. Featuring a focused single-coil vibe with a rich, warm midrange and crisp attack, you'll wonder where this pickup has been all your life.
When Lindy started designing the Fralin'Tron, he did so with a particular goal: to get as much clarity and articulation as possible out of this design.
We're thrilled with the result! Our Fralin'Tron features a scooped midrange and defined bass and highs. In addition, you can expect more nuance out of the wound strings, unlike the original design. Furthermore, the treble strings have a round, warm quality, making this pickup perfect for all styles of music – from clean to dirty.
The Fralin'Tron looks impressive, too: it's available in Gold, Chrome, and Polished Nickel. Give the Fralin'Tron a listen on our website today.
ESP LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT Fire Blast
The LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT Fire Blast is a guitar that offers tone and playability that’s as intense as its looks. Its textured, sandblasted Fire Blast finish over a swamp ash body is incredible, and its bolt-on roasted maple neck offers smooth, fast playability. Its Macassar ebony fingerboard has has a compound radius for maximum speed and comfort, and includes 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, mother-of-pearl dot inlays, and is scalloped from frets 17-22. Components on the SN-1000HT Fire Blast include a black bone nut, a brushed black pickguard, dome control knobs, LTD locking tuners, and a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body. It features a set of Fishman Fluence Modern Humbuckers (alnico in the neck position, ceramic in the bridge), with a push-pull control to activate each pickup’s second voicing.
Darkglass Electronics Microtubes X 900
Designed after the revered X series pedals, the Microtubes X 900 sets a new standard for accuracy and control. We packed an all-analog preamp, a 900 watt Class D amplifier, and an ultra-quiet 6-band graphic equalizer inside to sculpt tones from crystal clear to aggressive and overdriven.
108 Rock Star Guitars - 10th Anniversary Limited Edition
108 Rock Star Guitars - 10th Anniversary Limited Edition
By Lisa S. Johnson, first published in 2013, was awarded Best Book by American Photo. We now celebrate the 10th Anniversary Limited Edition featuring some of the most famous guitars ever played. Lisa guides the reader with stories of her adventures capturing the guitars, their provenance, and insights from the artists. This special edition features a signed hardcover, limited edition silk scarf, 10-page booklet, guitar pick, metallic ink book bag, and one giclee guitar print signed by one of 7 artists: Dave Mason, Zakk Wylde, Steve Lukather, Peter Frampton, Brian Setzer and Randy Bachman. Limited to 252 reserve copies. Available at: LSJRockPhotos.com
Takamine G Series GN77KCE
This beautiful Hawaiian Koa Takamine sounds as great as it looks. The Takamine GN77KCE is equally at home with fingerstyle or bold strumming. A luxurious clear gloss finish compliments the mini-jumbo NEX cutaway body. The GN77KCE employs all-Koa construction on top, back, and sides, with a comfortable mahogany neck and laurel fingerboard. Like all Takamine guitars, the transition to the stage is made effortless with the addition of Takamine’s own TP-4TD electronics, complete with a three-band equalizer and chromatic tuner built-in.
StewMac Ghost Drive Pedal Kit
Don’t want to pay thousands for an original Klon Centaur? Tired of Klones that don’t really capture the sound? That’s why StewMac made the Ghost Drive Pedal Kit—it's the closest we've ever heard to the real thing! The Klon is shrouded in mystery, epoxy, and hype—but amazingly, it delivers. It's a dream come true: overdriven tube tone at any volume. It doesn't change the character of your amp, you get just the right amount of transparent overdrive without losing your unique tone. StewMac dug deep to find the identical pair of 1N34A germanium diodes just like the original. With this kit you’ll hand wire all the components for the truly authentic tone—the black epoxy is optional. And don’t worry if you’ve never built a pedal: you'll see every solder joint and resistor value to make sure your build is perfect from start to finish. If you get stuck, StewMac’s techs are ready to help! In just a weekend you’ll have this incredible pedal on your board ready to chase new tones.
George L's Cables Effects Kit
The effects kit comes with 10ft of .155 cable, 10 right angle plugs, and 10 stress relief jackets. Colors include black. vintage red, blue and purple.
Custom fit your pedalboard needs with exact precision.
Strymon Cloudburst
Sometimes a piece of gear can change your perception of what is possible – what sounds you can achieve, what parts you can cover, or what emotions you can convey. Strymon’s Cloudburst is just that sort of device, featuring a single reverb algorithm that can go from shorter chambers and halls all the way up to the actual Cloud machine from BigSky. Not just a killer reverb, Cloudburst also features our brand-new Ensemble engine, which creates orchestral-inspired pads and soundscapes that organically follow your playing. Add in TRS MIDI and 300 presets, stereo IO on TRS jacks, Infinite/Freeze capability and USB-C, and you have one powerful transformation machine.
Spector Bass NS Dimension HP
The NS Dimension HP basses combine the iconic NS contours with cutting-edge multi-scale construction. This powerful pairing delivers optimal performance and an all-business aesthetic that is always ready to work. HP basses are engineered with a 3-piece, multi-scale maple neck capped with a dark ebony fingerboard and illuminating side dot markers. The neck spans the entire length of the instrument, ensuring enhanced tonal transfer, impeccable intonation with lowered tunings, and unwavering stability. Each bass is also loaded with a unique combination of EMG pickups and a Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp, keeping your tone detailed and powerful. Available in White Sparkle, Solid Black, Plum Crazy, and Gunmetal gloss finishes, the NS Dimension HP basses are high-performance basses for today’s high-performance players.
Strymon Brig dBucket Delay
It used to be that if you wanted to play a delay like an instrument, Bucket Brigade chips ruled the roost. Brig offers emulations of three separate BBD circuits that are sonically indistinguishable from the real thing, giving you access to all of the historic warmth, grit and playability of classic BBD pedals without the headaches and limitations inherent to the vintage designs. With a Time knob that unlocks Radiohead-like chaos, artifact-free Tap Tempo, up to 2 seconds of delay, TRS MIDI and 300 presets, stereo inputs and outputs on single TRS jacks and USB-C for MIDI control and firmware updates, Brig is in a class by itself.
Taylor Guitars 222ce-K DLX
This stunning all-Hawaiian-koa Grand Concert from Taylor’s 200 Deluxe Series combines dazzling visual character with a bold, sparkling sound that’s sure to entice players of all styles. Back and sides of layered figured koa paired with a solid koa top yield a woody, focused voice, with a rich midrange, articulate treble notes and a low-end response that will grow warmer and more pronounced with time and play. Players will find the compact dimensions of cutaway Grand Concert body — newly added to this series — comfortable and inviting, and together with a slim-profile neck, the playability is a dream. It all adds up to a versatile musical tool for everything from fingerpicking to lively strumming, with the hardwood koa top leveling out the response across the tonal spectrum. The beautiful koa body is tastefully accented with a shaded edgeburst around the top, back and sides, black binding, black and white top purfling, a shimmering single-ring rosette, a black pickguard and a rich gloss finish. The neck features a solid ebony fretboard, Small Diamond fretboard inlays, gold Taylor tuning machines. It also includes Taylor’s onboard ES2 electronics and a deluxe brown hardshell case.
VOX Amplification MiniGo3
The VOX MINI GO 3 guitar amp can be taken with you anywhere you go for practice and performance. This amp is lightweight, compact and can be powered by a mobile battery. It also offers powerful and realistic amp models, as well as a newly developed vocoder for talking modulation effects, onboard effects that let you create a diverse range of sounds, a mic input, AUX input, a headphone jack and a rhythm machine that can play back patterns from many genres.
Strymon Power Supplies
Noisy pedalboard? Effects not sounding quite right? Strymon’s expandable power supply system shields your gear from noise TWICE, first with a dedicated 24V bus and again by using individual transformers and multistage filtering on each channel. Each discrete output can achieve 500mA of current, and if you add in variable output voltages and native worldwide power compatibility, you get the most technologically advanced power supply system on the market. By starting with a Zuma or low profile Zuma R300 and then adding expansion Ojai units as your needs grow, you’ll never worry about power again.
Taylor Guitars Builder’s Edition 814ce Blacktop
Taylor’s ultra-premium Builder’s Edition collection showcases the highest levels of Taylor design and craftsmanship, with the goal of creating the ultimate playing experience in both feel and sound. This blacktop variant of the Builder’s Edition 814ce reveals a luxurious, eye-catching aesthetic presentation. It starts with Taylor’s best-selling Grand Auditorium body (including a Venetian cutaway), crafted with solid Indian rosewood back and sides and paired with a four-piece Adirondack spruce top. Taylor’s patented V-Class bracing architecture supercharges the response with greater dynamic range, longer sustain and ear-pleasing pitch precision, complementing the natural power of the Adirondack top. This model is appointed with a striking black color treatment for the top, a beautiful rosewood pickguard, a Kona edgeburst around the back and sides, all enhanced with a gloss-finish body. Other aesthetic details include a single-ring green abalone rosette and rosewood-bound soundhole, maple and rosewood top purfling, maple fretboard and peghead purfling, precise Gotoh 510 tuners in antique gold, and Element inlays in mother-of-pearl.
Strymon Iridium
Come see why some stadium rockers have ditched their onstage amps! Iridium delivers the authentic tone, feel and girth of three iconic tube amplifiers in a single pedal-sized enclosure. The simple user interface lets you dial in the right sound in moments with zero menu-diving, and three speaker cabinets per amp mean you’re always ready with more sonic options. Iridium’s IR-based speaker cabinets and hybrid reverbs deliver unbeatable realism by using high-resolution 500ms impulses (usually reserved for DAW plugins), and adding in TRS MIDI control, 300 presets and stereo IO means you’re ready for anything the stage or studio can throw at you.
Warm Audio ODD Box v1
The Warm Audio ODD (Over Drive Disorder) is inspired by an iconic (now discontinued) pedalboard staple with a “cranked amp” tone. Perfect for boosting, adding breakup, or adding high gain to cleans, the ODD has all the tonal versatility of its inspiration. The hard-clipping, op-amp-based circuit delivers all of the sounds of a cranked, saturated tube amp and features classic-inspired controls, including a UK/US Switch, to flip the personality of ODD from “British” to “American” tube amp. True to its inspiration, the ODD delivers the sound of massive, live electric guitar that attracted players like Billy Gibbons, Mark Hoppus, Eric Johnson, J Mascis, Paul Gilbert, and many more to that open tube amp sound.
Pigtronix 2NR
The Pigtronix 2NR is a no-nonsense, high-precision chromatic tuner pedal for guitar and bass. It features a large, high-contrast LED screen and ultra-fast pitch detection software that makes tuning quick and easy for musicians of every skill level.
2NR intentionally contains no extraneous features. There are no alternate modes or opportunities for accidental frustration. The pedal exists solely to help musicians tune their instrument to 440 Hz standard concert pitch as quickly and accurately as possible.
When 2NR is activated, the output is muted. When the pedal is not in use, relay-based, true bypass switching ensures that 100% of your tone passes through the pedal without any loss of fidelity. Housed in a robust aluminum chassis, 2NR is built for a lifetime of onstage performance. Pigtronix 2NR runs on standard 9VDC power.
Warm Audio Centavo
King of the Klon(es)! The Centavo is a true-to-original overdrive pedal that authentically recreates the legendary experience and adored tones of the most sought-after overdrive pedal of the 90’s and beyond. Whether you’re after the fabled clean boost tones, transparent overdrive, or you want to push your dirty channels to true grit - the Centavo has all of the adored tones of the vintage box. In addition, the Warm Audio Centavo has the infamous “MOD” selectable switch on the back. When in the “up” position, the switch engages the mod made famous by Jeff Beck, extending the low end response on the lower guitar strings. With a true-to-original, custom-cast golden enclosure & all the signature sounds of the original, Centavo delivers an authentically legendary pedal experience.
AxLabs Habanero by Grover Jackson Loaded Pickguard
The AxLabs Habanero-loaded pickguard system features boutique-quality components including USA-made Habanero Serrano Pickups from the legendary Grover Jackson, a Pure Tone multi-contact output Jack, custom AxLabs switches and potentiometers, Orange Drop capacitor, and Gavitt Cloth Jacketed Wire (Red+ / Black-).
The Habanero Serrano Single Coils are Grover Jackson's own Texas-style, high output take on the classic designs from the 50's and 60's. Using Alnico III magnets, the fuller and warmer tones offer the right amount of fatness for the modern player while still retaining the chimey high end of the classics. The neck has warmer bubbliness, the middle pup harnesses a fatter midrange, and the bridge cuts through the tastebuds with stinging clarity unlike any other.
Unlike any other potentiometers on the market, all AxLabs pots were specifically designed for electric guitars. Custom-taper volume and tone controls give you the smoothest (and most musical) turn of the knobs without any lag.
The patented Pure Tone jack contains dual tension grounds and dual positive tips for optimal signal and lowest possible noise. 100% greater surface area at all contact points!
Spürr Audio Time Traveler Delay
The Spurr Audio Time Traveler Delay is a remarkable pedal that transcends the boundaries of your typical delay pedal. This meticulously crafted stompbox seamlessly marries the vintage warmth of analog circuitry with the modern versatility that today's musicians crave.
At the heart of the Time Traveler Delay lies a sonic realm where guitarists can immerse themselves in the cozy embrace of analog warmth. With a delay time that extends up to a generous 500 milliseconds, it caters to a wide spectrum of musical needs, from subtle echoes that add depth to your sound to expansive repeats that transport you to a world of sonic wonders. Regardless of your playing style or genre, the Time Traveler Delay is your trusty companion in adding depth and dimension to your musical expressions.
What truly sets the Time Traveler Delay apart is its ability to satisfy the cravings of sonic adventurers. It empowers you to embark on mesmerizing journeys through oscillating delays that surge and evolve, pushing the limits of your creativity to unprecedented heights. Activating the infinite repeats function on this pedal is like opening a portal to a boundless sonic landscape. Here, you become the architect of expansive soundscapes and captivating textures, all of which will hold your audience spellbound.
However, the Time Traveler Delay doesn't stop at its aural prowess. It features an analog VU meter that not only adds a dash of vintage charm but also serves as a dynamic companion to your musical odyssey. This meter responds in real-time to your playing, effectively measuring the "plutonium" in your tone journey. It's not just a functional addition; it's a visual spectacle that adds an extra layer of dimension to your musical performance.
Solar Guitars Type X
After endless drawings and sleepless nights, the extremely focused and motivated Solar Guitar product team succeeded to give birth to this violent but elegant and unique looking Type X guitar that Chug-Master and Heavy-Metal Youtube sensation Ola Englund makes his own.
Ola adds, “With prices @ 949-1499 including standard case, this is a dream come true to have an extreme X shape of our own that is available to everyone.”
The extensive series offers models in 6 and 7 string with different pickup selections along with a multitude of finishes and hardware configurations including Evertune, Floyd Rose and Fixed Bridges. Hardshell Case included.
NoiseBoyz Guitar Pedal Subscription
NoiseBoyz is the most cost effective way to try every combination of tone you can possibly imagine. With plans starting at $9.99 per month, NoiseBoyz gives you access to over 150 pedals from the very best boutique pedal brands like Beetronics, MojoHandFX, Pigtronix, Supro, Fuzzrocious, and AnalogAlien, with new brands and pedals added every month. With no waitlists, no deposits collected for rental, no required return dates, and customer-exclusive discounts, it's a truly hassle-free way to find and save on the pedals that are just right for your play style. It's the perfect holiday gift for the guitarist in your life and we have no doubt that Clark Griswold wouldn't have kidnapped his boss if he'd just gotten a subscription to NoiseBoyz instead of the jelly-of-the-month club.
SmallStage Cable Cup Amp-Top Pick Tray & Cable Rest
The Cable Cup is a convenient pick tray and cable rest that uses microsuction technology to adhere securely to an amp or tabletop, allowing for simple removal without leaving any residue behind.
Providing ample room for your picks, slide, capo, and other small playing accessories, the Cable Cup ensures that the essentials stay organized and within easy reach. Notched cable rests guarantee hassle-free cable management, eliminating the need to fumble around for cable ends during practices, studio sessions, or performances. The Cable Cup Pick Shape also fits your favorite frosty beverage, complete with a “sweat” collector to prevent water rings from staining your amp! Composed of lightweight, flexible silicone, Cable Cup products are washable and reusable, ensuring a lifetime of usage.
The Cable Cup line features a variety of shapes and sizes, including officially licensed Fender® Stratocaster® and Telecaster® headstock shapes, Stratocaster® and Telecaster® body shapes, and a classic pick shape.
Doubleday Guitars Buteo Demo
Doubleday Guitars are entirely handmade one at a time in Austin, Texas. Our new Buteo model takes on a T style foundation, while adding increased comfort, playability, and versatility with the standard pickup options. The Buteo is a pleasure to play in any position, and the unhindered upper register access allows effortless lead playing. Each Doubleday Guitar is meticulously crafted from one-piece body lumber, and quarter-sawn hard maple neck lumber. From all Nitrocellulose finishes, to the hand-wound Doubleday pickups, no detail is missed in the design and execution of these fine instruments. Options are plentiful for each one of our four base models, from binding to color and even wood types and pickup configurations. Let's build your dream guitar today!
Guitar Slip No More
Guitar Slip No More, GSNM the new electric and bass guitar accessory designed
for seated guitarists.
Winner Best Modern Band Product, Tools for Schools "At first glance, this
unassuming product would seem to be no big deal, but the guitar teachers on our
panel assured us that it is a great idea. It's hard to play a Stratocaster-style guitar
while sitting as it's always sliding down, and as students like to share guitars, straps
just get in the way. Snap Guitar Slip No More on the bottom edge of the guitar, take
a seat, and the guitar holds tight and is nicely balanced to boot. It's available for
most solid body guitar styles and costs less than a decent strap. Problem solved."
Artist Review, Rod Welles “The guitar is just so stable and anchored when you’re
sitting down playing...It’s brilliant, simple and very well made. It comes on and off in
a second and is more comfortable for your leg as well”.
Owner Commitment “Whether practicing, recording, writing or transcribing, anytime
a guitar is in your lap is the right time for a GSNM. If for any reason you are not
satisfied with our product, promptly return item for a full refund”.
Stompboxtober is finally here! Enter below for your chance to WIN today's featured pedal from Diamond Pedals! Come back each day during the month of October for more chances to win!
Diamond Pedals Dark Cloud
True to the Diamond design ethos of our dBBD’s hybrid analog architecture, Dark Cloud unlocks a new frontier in delay technology which was once deemed unobtainable by standard BBD circuit.
Powered by an embedded system, the Dark Cloud seamlessly blends input and output signals, crafting Tape, Harmonic, and Reverse delays with the organic warmth of analog companding and the meticulous precision of digital control.
Where analog warmth meets digital precision, the Dark Cloud redefines delay effects to create a pedal like no other
Fuchs Audio introduces the ODH Hybrid amp, featuring a True High Voltage all-tube preamp and Ice Power module for high-powered tones in a compact size. With D-Style overdrive, Spin reverb, and versatile controls, the ODH offers exceptional tone shaping and flexibility at an affordable price point.
Fuchs Audio has introduced their latest amp the ODH © Hybrid. Assembled in USA.
Featuring an ODS-style all-tube preamp, operating at True High Voltage into a fan-cooled Ice power module, the ODH brings high-powered clean and overdrive tones to an extremely compact size and a truly affordable price point.
Like the Fuchs ODS amps, the ODH clean preamp features 3-position brite switch, amid-boost switch, an EQ switch, high, mid and low controls. The clean preamp drives theoverdrive section in D-Style fashion. The OD channel has an input gain and outputmaster with an overdrive tone control. This ensures perfect tuning of both the clean andoverdrive channels. A unique tube limiter circuit controls the Ice Power module input.Any signal clipping is (intentionally) non-linear so it responds just like a real tube amp.
The ODH includes a two-way footswitch for channels and gain boost. A 30-second mute timer ensures the tubes are warmed up before the power amp goes live. The ODH features our lush and warm Spin reverb. A subsonic filter eliminates out-of-band low frequencies which would normally waste amplifier power, which assures tons of clean headroom. The amp also features Accent and Depth controls, allowing contouring of the high and low response of the power amp section, to match speakers, cabinets andenvironments. The ODH features a front panel fully buffered series effects loop and aline out jack, allowing for home recording or feeding a slave amp. A three-position muteswitch mutes the amp, the line out or mute neither.
Built on the same solid steel chassis platform as the Fuchs FB series bass amps, the amps feature a steel chassis and aluminum front and rear panels, Alpha potentiometers, ceramic tube sockets, high-grade circuit boards and Neutrik jacks. The ICE power amp is 150 watts into 8 ohms and 300 watts into 4 ohms, and nearly 500 watts into 2.65 ohms (4 and8 ohms in parallel) and operates on universal AC voltage, so it’s fully globallycompatible. The chassis is fan-cooled to ensure hours of cool operation under any circumstances. The all-tube preamp uses dual-selected 12AX7 tubes and a 6AL5 limiter tube.
MAP: $ 1,299
For more information, please visit fuchsaudiotechnology.com.
Cort Guitars introduces the GB-Fusion Bass Series, featuring innovative design and affordable pricing.
Cort Guitars have long been synonymous with creating instruments that are innovative yet affordably priced. Cort has done it again with the GB-Fusion Bass series. The GB-Fusion builds upon Cort’s illustrious GB-Modern series and infuses it with its own distinctive style and sound.
It starts with the J-style bass design. The GB-Fusion features a solid alder body – the most balanced of all the tonewoods – providing a fantastic balance of low, mid, and high frequencies. The visually stunning Spalted maple top extends the dynamic range of the bass. A see-through pickguard allows for its spalted beauty to show through. The four-string version of the GB-Fusion is lacquered in a supreme Blue Burst stained finish to show off its natural wood grain. The five-string version features a classic Antique Brown Burst stained finish. A bolt-on Hard maple neck allows for a punchier mid-range. An Indian rosewood fretboard with white dot inlays adorns the 4-string Blue Burst version of the GB-Fusion with an overall width of 1 ½” (38mm) at the nut, while the GB-Fusion 5 Antique Brown Burst features a Birdseye Maple fretboard with black dot inlays and an overall width of 1 7/8” (47.6mm) at the nut. Both come with glow in the dark side dot position markers to help musicians see their fretboard in the dark. The headstock features Hipshot® Ultralite Tuners in classic 20:1 ratio. They are cast of zinc with aluminum string posts making them 30% lighter than regular tuners providing better balance and tuning accuracy.
Cort’s brand-new Voiced Tone VTB-ST pickups are the perfect J-style single coil with clear and robust bass sounds and classic warmth. The GB-Fusion comes with a 9-volt battery-powered active preamp to dial in the sound. With push/pull volume, blend knob, and 3-band active electronics, players can access a wide array of tones. The MetalCraft M Bridge is a solid, high-mass bridge. It provides better tone transfer and makes string changes easy. Strings can be loaded through the body or from the top giving players their choice of best string tension. The MetalCraft M4 for 4-string has a string spacing of 19mm (0.748”) while the MetalCraft M5 is 18mm (0.708”). Speaking of strings, D’Addario® EXL 165 strings complete the GB-Fusion 4. D’Addario EXL 170-5SL strings complete the GB-Fusion 5.
Cort Guitars prides itself on creating inventive instruments musicians love to play. The GB-Fusion Bass Series is the latest and greatest for musicians looking for a stellar bass guitar that is not only economical, but has the reliable robust sound needed to hold up the back end in any playing situation.
GB-Fusion 4 Street Price: $699.99
GB-Fusion 5 Street Price: $849.99
For more information, please visit cortguitars.com.
Here’s a look under the hood of the funky rhythm-guitar master’s signature 6-string.
Hello and welcome back to Mod Garage. Since we’re still celebrating the 70th birthday of the Stratocaster, this month we will have a look under the hood of the Fender Cory Wong model to see just what’s so special about it. (I can tell you—it’s special!)
Guitarist, songwriter, and producer Cory Wong is renowned for his solo work, his band Fearless Flyers (with Mark Lettieri, Joe Dart, and Nate Smith), and collaborations with artists such as Vulfpeck, Jon Batiste, and Dave Koz. His playing style is deeply rooted in funk rhythm guitar, with a heavy dose of rock and jazz. Well-known for playing a Stratocaster, his signature model was released in 2021, and it’s a unique offering. If you want to build your personal Cory Wong Strat, here is your shopping list, starting with the primary structure:
• Alder body, scaled down to slightly smaller than a regular Stratocaster, with Fender American Ultra body contours
• Maple neck with a rosewood fretboard with rolled edges, modern Fender American Ultra D neck profile, slightly larger headstock, 25.5" scale, 10" to 14" compound radius, 22 medium jumbo frets
• Locking tuners with all short posts, a bone nut, and two roller string trees
• Vintage-style 6-screw synchronized tremolo
• Hair tie around the tremolo springs (which mutes them to enhance the rhythm tone)
• .010–.046 strings (nickel-plated steel)
“While these are all interesting features, resulting in a very comfortable guitar, you don’t need to copy every detail to transform one of your Stratocasters into a Cory Wong-style Strat.”
For the physical build, as you can see, Wong and Fender created a real signature instrument to his specs and wishes. While these are all interesting features, resulting in a very comfortable guitar, you don’t need to copy every detail to transform one of your Stratocasters into a Cory Wong-style Strat. My personal favorite of these is the hair tie for muting the tremolo springs. A lot of my funk-playing customers are doing similar things on their Strats to get a dry sound, and they’re using all kinds of funny things in there, like foam, rubber bands, and pieces of cotton, as well as hair ties.
Now, let’s have a look at the electronics:
• Seymour Duncan Cory Wong Clean Machine SSS pickup set
• Standard 5-way pickup-selector switch with classic Strat switching matrix
• 250k master volume pot with a 90/10 audio taper and Fender treble-bleed circuit PCB
• 250k tone pot with a 90/10 audio taper and Fender Greasebucket tone control PCB for only the neck pickup
• 250k audio push-push tone pot with Fender Greasebucket tone control PCB for only the bridge pickup; the push-push switch overrides the 5-way switch and defaults to middle + neck pickup (in parallel) as a preset
• Middle pickup is without tone control
Let’s break this down piece-by-piece to decode it:
Pickups
The pickup set is a custom SSS set from the Seymour Duncan company with the following specs:
• Overwound hum-canceling stacked bridge pickup with a 3-conductor wire and shield in permanent hum-canceling mode (red wire taped off), bevelled alnico 5 magnets, approximately 14.5k-ohm DCR
• Overwound middle single-coil, RWRP, beveled alnico 4 magnets, approximately 7.1k-ohm DCR
• Overwound neck single-coil, bevelled alnico 4 magnets, approx. 7.0k-ohm DCR
The pickups are voiced for clear highs, which perfectly suits Wong’s funky playing style and tone. While a lot of pickup companies will have pickups in that ballpark, it will be difficult to put together a full set that really works as intended. The Duncans in the Cory Wong Strat are available as a balanced set, so if you want to get as close as possible, I think this is your best bet.
5-Way Pickup Selector Switch
Nothing special here, just the standard 5-way switch with two switching stages that is wired like a classic Stratocaster:
bridge
bridge + middle in parallel
middle
middle + neck in parallel
neck
The upper tone pot is assigned to the neck pickup, while the lower tone pot is connected to the bridge pickup, leaving the middle pickup without tone control.
Master volume pot and treble-bleed circuit.
The 250k master volume pot is a standard CTS pot with a 90/10 audio taper found in all U.S.-made Fender guitars. The volume pot has the treble-bleed circuit from the Fender American Pro series, but uses a ready-to-solder PCB from Fender instead of individual electronic parts. The PCB is available from Fender individually (part #7711092000), but I have some thoughts about it. While using a PCB makes a lot of sense for mass production, it has some downsides for us mortal human beings:
• Soldering on PCBs requires some training and also special soldering tools.
• The PCB is quite expensive, while the individual electronic parts are only a few cents.
• The PCB uses ultra-tiny surface-mount parts, so it’s very difficult to repair or mod it to your personal taste.
I don’t think we need a PCB for adding a treble-bleed circuit, so let’s do this project using conventional electronic parts. The treble-bleed PCB contains a 1200 pF capacitor with a 150k-ohm resistor in parallel, plus another 20k-ohm resistor in series. Using individual parts, it looks like this:
Courtesy of single-coil.com
In general, a treble-bleed circuit will help you to combat the “volume vs. tone problem” when using passive single-coil pickups. When you turn down the volume (even just a bit), the high end or treble loss is not proportionate. In other words, a small cut in volume creates a far greater loss in your guitar’s treble response. Using a treble-bleed circuit is an easy way to get rid of this problem, as long as it is calculated carefully.
ONLINE ONLY: If you want to find out more about treble bleed circuits please have a look here: https://www.premierguitar.com/diy/mod-garage/treble-bleed-mod
Next month, we will continue with part two of the Cory Wong Stratocaster wiring, bringing it all together, so stay tuned!
Until then ... keep on modding!