
The artistically executed Deimel Firestar is an amazing rock ’n’ roll guitar that was also built with the limitless possibilities of noise rock in mind.
A lot of stateside guitar spotters got their first peek at Frank Deimel’s craftsmanship via Sonic Youth’s 2004 DVD Corporate Ghost. Like much of the visual art created and used by Sonic Youth, the DVD cover is a mysterious twist of reality—it features an x-ray of what looks like one of the band’s many mangled Jazzmasters. Closer inspection, though, revealed something else—12 strings, an unusual pickup array, and a name on the headstock showing that the Youth were looking beyond depleted vintage reserves for their fix of Fender offset-style axes.
Eight years later, Frank Deimel certainly isn’t a household name among American guitarists, but thanks to high-profile custom work—including Ranaldo’s 12-string, a fancy 6-string built for the late-great Nikki Sudden (sort of a cross between a Zemaitis and a Ted Newman Jones), and a Mustang-style guitar for Simon Taylor-Davis of the Klaxons—the Berlin-based luthier is becoming an ever-looming presence on the radar. This is especially true amongst fans of Fender’s offset creations and other offbeat instruments. Guitars like the versatile and beautiful Firestar reviewed here may yet find Deimel becoming a fixture on the stateside custom and boutique landscape.
Space Programmed
Cadillac-gorgeous in its thin nitrocellulose,
saturn lavender metallic finish and gold
anodized pickguard, the Firestar looks and
feels like it was built from blueprints sent
aloft in a Gemini capsule and lost to orbital
exile since 1966. The prevailing design
inspirations are Jaguar, Jazzmaster, and non-reverse
Firebird, but there’s also more than
a touch of ’60s Japanese styling—and, in
the reverse Fender-style headstock, a nod
to Jimi’s upside down Stratocaster and ’80s
“super strat”-type motifs. Together, the elements
add up to a very balanced and distinctive
pastiche of psychedelic-era styling
idioms—an inspired and not-at-all easy feat
in these overly retro-minded times.
The Firestar’s balance is more than visual, though. It feels great hanging over your shoulder, with a compact American red alder body that feels more like a Mustang in terms of dimensions and weight than a Jazzmaster or Firebird, all without looking too diminutive or feeling insubstantial. The body contours, meanwhile, both enhance comfort and soften the blockier aspects of the guitar’s silhouette.
With its chunky-but-fast profile, the Firestar’s Canadian rock maple neck evokes the feel of a ’70s-vintage Telecaster Custom and, to some extent, some of the more substantial necks on non-reverse Firebirds of the mid ’60s. If you’re used to slimmer ’60s Fender C shapes, this neck will undoubtedly seem like a handful your first few times around. Ultimately, though, it’s a neck that makes chording a breeze, and when mated with the medium jumbo frets, can compel you to get a little more athletic and aggressive with bends. The Makassar ebony fretboard imparts a sense of luxury and custom-shop care. So do little touches like the bone nut, the ’60s-style TonePros Kluson tuners (still the easiest string change in the business), and the high-quality capacitors and cotton-wrapped wire concealed behind the pickguard.
While you can order just about any pickup configuration for the Firestar, our version came with a Novak P-90 in the bridge and a Novak humbucker in the neck position—both of which, in a general sense, give you a cool hybrid of Telecaster Custom and Firebird tone palettes. But you can significantly expand the range of tones with Deimel’s inspired take on a Jaguar-like switching system, which gives you the option to run the pickups in series or parallel, activate a bass-cut filter for a more biting and thin surf tone, or engage a piezo—which, depending on your amp and pedal settings, puts some very unique and harmonic-rich tone flavors at your fingertips.
Aft of the pickups, the strings cross a Mastery bridge—an ingenious and beautifully designed piece of hardware that’s increasingly embraced by frustrated Jaguar and Jazzmaster players because it typically improves intonation, sustain, and stability. Deimel also opted for the very cool Duesenberg Tremola vibrato system—a killer-looking mutant cross of Bigsby and Kauffman elements, with clever design touches like an adjustable vibrato arm that can be extended to near-Jag/Jazz lengths and/or pivoted on the opposite axis so you can position the handle closer or further away from your picking hand.
Boss Starship
While the Firestar clearly plays off of offset
Fender styling cues, our particular model,
with its Novak P-90 and humbucker,
tended to sound more Kalamazoo bred
than Fullerton born. Heard via the relatively
blank slate of a Fender Twin Reverb,
it exhibits a tendency for rowdy and round
to barking voices, depending on the pickup
selection. The Novak P-90 walks a cool line
between husky and crystalline, depending
on how you set the guitar’s volume, with
excellent string-to-string definition and the
ability to send a fuzz or overdrive into a harmonically
charged state that’s great for stinging
leads or crunchy-but-detailed chords.
The bass-cut switch tames the aggressive
tendencies of the P-90 significantly, but it
renders the tone quite thin in a manner that
perhaps only surf-music fiends and a certain
brand of garage-rock lovers will love in live
settings. It’s a great flavor to have in a studio
setting, but probably one you’ll be more
inclined to leave alone onstage unless you’re
trying to tame the woof of a 15" speaker.
Novak’s humbucker adds a woolly and round—but still very detailed—tone to the mix. The combination of a 25 1/2" scale and a good humbucker is always formidable— especially for first-position chords or detuned open tunings built around doubles and drones—and on the Firestar, tunings like DADGAD and open G and D become positively massive, especially when you lend a little extra treble to your amplifier. Running the pickups in series enhances the effect, adding dimension and girth. That’s definitely a feature that can come in handy onstage when you need a bump in output to get over a loud band, or even in a mellow, jazzier setting where you want to add a more full-spectrum enhancement to a solo section.
Ratings
Pros:
Exceptional craftsmanship. Thoughtful design. Tons
of tones.
Cons:
Begs for Fender-style single-coil tones. Somewhat
pricey.
Tones:
Playability/Ease of Use:
Build:
Value:
Street:
$2,435
Company
deimelguitarworks.de
Predictably, the Deusenberg Tremola extends the expressive potential of the Firestar considerably. In terms of feel, it’s more Bigsby then anything else—no surprise, given the big spring that gives it its elasticity. It feels spongier than most Bigsbys (newer ones, anyway), but while that’s ideal for light coloration and feathering of chords, it’s a little less ideal for fast vibrato. That said, the extendable arm is great for tailoring the system for a springier Jazzmaster feel or a more immediate, Stratocaster-type leverage. Given the inherent Bigsby-ness of the unit, you can craft some very unique feeling hybrids of all three systems.
The Verdict
One of the most beautiful things about
the Deimel Firestar is that it represents the
convergence of Frank Deimel’s considerable
experience as a top-flight builder and his very
open mind about electric guitar design—and
music in general. It’s an amazing rock ’n’
roll guitar, but it was built with the limitless
possibilities of noise rock in mind. The end
result is an artistically executed instrument
and an impressive combination of control,
stability, and boundlessness that will reward
rock dogmatists and boundary-smashing
experimentalists in equal measure.
Inevitably, it inherits some of the minor problems that, at times, make its inspirational forebears less-than-perfect guitars. The Bisgby-like Tremola is less than completely stable in terms of tuning, and the switch array can seem like a handful if you tend to do little more than switch back and forth between the bridge and neck pickup on your Telecaster. The very Fender-y feel of the guitar can also sometimes leave you longing for the more defined and concise sound of Fender-style single-coils (which are an available option). But make no mistake, this is a guitar that can see you through myriad musical situations—especially if you’re looking to cover tone and techniques that you can’t get from a more bare-bones instrument.
A live editor and browser for customizing Tone Models and presets.
IK Multimedia is pleased to release the TONEX Editor, a free update for TONEX Pedal and TONEX ONE users, available today through the IK Product Manager. This standalone application organizes the hardware library and enables real-time edits to Tone Models and presets with a connected TONEX pedal.
You can access your complete TONEX library, including Tone Models, presets and ToneNET, quickly load favorites to audition, and save to a designated hardware slot on IK hardware pedals. This easy-to-use application simplifies workflow, providing a streamlined experience for preparing TONEX pedals for the stage.
Fine-tune and organize your pedal presets in real time for playing live. Fully compatible with all your previous TONEX library settings and presets. Complete control over all pedal preset parameters, including Global setups. Access all Tone Models/IRs in the hardware memory, computer library, and ToneNET Export/Import entire libraries at once to back up and prepare for gigs Redesigned GUI with adaptive resize saves time and screen space Instantly audition any computer Tone Model or preset through the pedal.
Studio to Stage
Edit any onboard Tone Model or preset while hearing changes instantly through the pedal. Save new settings directly to the pedal, including global setup and performance modes (TONEX ONE), making it easy to fine-tune and customize your sound. The updated editor features a new floating window design for better screen organization and seamless browsing of Tone Models, amps, cabs, custom IRs and VIR. You can directly access Tone Models and IRs stored in the hardware memory and computer library, streamlining workflow.
A straightforward drop-down menu provides quick access to hardware-stored Tone Models conveniently sorted by type and character. Additionally, the editor offers complete control over all key parameters, including FX, Tone Model Amps, Tone Model Cabs/IR/VIR, and tempo and global setup options, delivering comprehensive, real-time control over all settings.
A Seamless Ecosystem of Tones
TONEX Editor automatically syncs with the entire TONEX user library within the Librarian tab. It provides quick access to all Tone Models, presets and ToneNET, with advanced filtering and folder organization for easy navigation. At the same time, a dedicated auto-load button lets you preview any Tone Model or preset in a designated hardware slot before committing changes.This streamlined workflow ensures quick edits, precise adjustments and the ultimate flexibility in sculpting your tone.
Get Started Today
TONEX Editor is included with TONEX 1.9.0, which was released today. Download or update the TONEX Mac/PC software from the IK Product Manager to install it. Then, launch TONEX Editor from your applications folder or Explorer.
For more information and videos about TONEX Editor, TONEX Pedal, TONEX ONE, and TONEX Cab, visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/tonexeditor
Two Iconic Titans of Rock & Metal Join Forces for a Can’t-Miss North American Trek
Tickets Available Starting Wednesday, April 16 with Artist Presales
General On Sale Begins Friday, April 18 at 10AM Local on LiveNation.com
This fall, shock rock legend Alice Cooper and heavy metal trailblazers Judas Priest will share the stage for an epic co-headlining tour across North America. Produced by Live Nation, the 22-city run kicks off September 16 at Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, MS, and stops in Toronto, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and more before wrapping October 26 at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, TX.
Coming off the second leg of their Invincible Shield Tour and the release of their celebrated 19th studio album, Judas Priest remains a dominant force in metal. Meanwhile, Alice Cooper, the godfather of theatrical rock, wraps up his "Too Close For Comfort" tour this summer, promoting his most recent "Road" album, and will have an as-yet-unnamed all-new show for this tour. Corrosion of Conformity will join as support on select dates.
Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, April 16 at 10AM local time with Artist Presales. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, April 18 at 10AM local time at LiveNation.comTOUR DATES:
Tue Sep 16 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
Thu Sep 18 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre*
Sat Sep 20 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
Sun Sep 21 – Franklin, TN – FirstBank Amphitheater
Wed Sep 24 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater
Fri Sep 26 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
Sat Sep 27 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
Mon Sep 29 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Wed Oct 01 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake
Thu Oct 02 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
Sat Oct 04 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
Sun Oct 05 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre
Fri Oct 10 – Colorado Springs, CO – Broadmoor World Arena
Sun Oct 12 – Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
Tue Oct 14 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre
Wed Oct 15 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre
Sat Oct 18 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
Sun Oct 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
Wed Oct 22 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
Thu Oct 23 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Sat Oct 25 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sun Oct 26 – Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
*Without support from Corrosion of Conformity
MT 15 and Archon 50 Classic amplifiers offer fresh tones in release alongside a doubled-in-size Archon cabinet
PRS Guitars today released the updated MT 15 and the new Archon Classic amplifiers, along with a larger Archon speaker cabinet. The 15-watt, two-channel Mark Tremonti signature amp MT 15 now features a lead channel overdrive control. An addition to the Archon series, not a replacement, the 50-watt Classic offers a fresh voice by producing retro rock “classic” tones reminiscent of sound permeating the radio four and five decades ago. Now twice the size of the first Archon cabinet, the Archon 4x12 boasts four Celestion V-Type speakers.
MT 15 Amplifier Head
Balancing aggression and articulation, this 15-watt amp supplies both heavy rhythms and clear lead tones. The MT 15 revision builds off the design of the MT 100, bringing the voice of the 100’s overdrive channel into its smaller-format sibling. Updating the model, the lead channel also features a push/pull overdrive control that removes two gain stages to produce vintage, crunchier “mid gain” tones. The clean channel still features a push/pull boost control that adds a touch of overdrive crunch. A half-power switch takes the MT to 7 watts.
“Seven years ago, we released my signature MT 15 amplifier, a compact powerhouse that quickly became a go-to for players seeking both pristine cleans and crushing high-gain tones. In 2023, we took things even further with the MT 100, delivering a full-scale amplifier that carried my signature sound to the next level. That inspired us to find a way to fit the 100's third channel into the 15's lunchbox size,” said Mark Tremonti.
“Today, I’m beyond excited to introduce the next evolution of the MT15, now featuring a push/pull overdrive control on the Lead channel and a half-power switch, giving players even more tonal flexibility to shape their sound with a compact amp. Can’t wait for you all to plug in and experience it!”
Archon Classic Amplifier Head
With a refined gain structure from the original Archon, the Archon Classic’s lead channel offers a wider range of tones colored with gain, especially in the midrange. The clean channel goes from pristine all the way to the edge of breakup. This additional Archon version was developed to be a go-to tool for playing classic rock or pushing the envelope into modern territory. The Archon Classic still features the original’s bright switch, presence and depth controls. PRS continues to stock the Archon in retailers worldwide.
“The Archon Classic is not a re-issue of the original Archon, but a newly voiced circuit with the lead channel excelling in '70s and '80s rock tones and a hotter clean channel able to go into breakup. This is the answer for those wanting an Archon with a hotrod vintage lead channel gain structure without changing preamp tube types, and a juiced- up clean channel without having to use a boost pedal, all wrapped up in a retro-inspired cabinet design,” said PRS Amp Designer Doug Sewell.
Archon 4x12 Cabinet
As in the Archon 1x12 and 2x12, the mega-sized PRS Archon 4x12 speaker cabinet features Celestion V-Type speakers and a closed-back design, delivering power, punch, and tight low end. Also like its smaller brethren, the 4x12 is wrapped in durable black vinyl and adorned with a British-style black knitted-weave grill cloth. The Archon 4x12 is only the second four-speaker cabinet in the PRS lineup, next to the HDRX 4x12.
PRS Guitars continues its schedule of launching new products each month in 2025. Stay tuned to see new gear and 40 th Anniversary limited-edition guitars throughout the year. For all of the latest news, click www.prsguitars.com/40 and follow @prsguitars on Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook, X, and YouTube.
For two decades, Clapton's Choice Signature Strings have delivered the legendary tone Eric Clapton relies on every time he picks up an acoustic guitar. To celebrate this milestone, Martin Guitar is introducing limited-edition 20th anniversary packaging for these fan-favorite strings--available now through March 2026.
Every limited-edition pack also gives players a chance to win a Martin 000-EC 30th Anniversary guitar--a beautifully crafted instrument with a retail value of $4,999, inspired by the Martin guitars Eric played during his legendary MTV Unplugged performance. The guitar will be awarded to one lucky winner who finds a special ticket inside a pack of strings.
Fans can also enter a second-chance giveaway online for more opportunities to win exclusive prizes, including a Martin guitar strap, poster, collectible lanyard with three custom patches, or even a year's supply of strings.This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ends March 31, 2026. No purchase necessary.
Enter now and learn more at martinguitar.com/eric-clapton-giveaway.
The anniversary release also coincides with the upcoming arrival of Unplugged: Enhanced Edition on vinyl and CD, available May 9. The iconic installment of the MTV Unplugged series--and the greatest-selling live album of all time--returns over 30 years later in an all-new extended, remixed, and remastered version. Featuring never-before-heard commentary from Eric recorded just before the original 1992 performance, the release offers fresh insight into the inspiration behind the songs and includes tracks not featured in the original MTV airing.
Crafted from 92/8 phosphor bronze, Clapton’s Choice Signature Strings are known for their warm, rich tone, smooth feel, and long-lasting performance. They're the same strings Eric uses in the studio and on stage--including during his current eight-night residency at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo--and he calls them "the sound that I demand."
Whether you're chasing Eric's iconic tone or simply looking for strings that deliver great sound and playability, now is the perfect time to pick up a pack--available in a music store near you or online at
martinguitar.com--and celebrate two decades of signature sound.