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GALLERY: Born in the Fifties: Electric Guitars

A selection of electric guitars entering their seventh decade.

1955 Fender Stratocaster
This guitar features a one-piece ash body with birdseye maple "D" shaped neck and clocks in at eight pounds. The neck and trem spring cavity are both dated "7-55", and masking tape in the control cavity reads "Mary 7-20-55". The bridge pickup and knobs were missing, and the pickup covers were worn through to the bobbins, so they were replaced (although the originals are still kept handy). The frets are completely original, although small by today's standards, resulting in a very lively guitar. Courtesy of Whirlwind USA, Rochester, NY

This legendary vintage rack unit will inspire you to think about effects with a new perspective.

When guitarists think of effects, we usually jump straight to stompboxes—they’re part of the culture! And besides, footswitches have real benefits when your hands are otherwise occupied. But real-time toggling isn’t always important. In the recording studio, where we’re often crafting sounds for each section of a song individually, there’s little reason to avoid rack gear and its possibilities. Enter the iconic Eventide H3000 (and its massive creative potential).

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The luthier’s stash.

There is more to a guitar than just the details.

A guitar is not simply a collection of wood, wire, and metal—it is an act of faith. Faith that a slab of lumber can be coaxed to sing, and that magnets and copper wire can capture something as expansive as human emotion. While it’s comforting to think that tone can be calculated like a tax return, the truth is far messier. A guitar is a living argument between its components—an uneasy alliance of materials and craftsmanship. When it works, it’s glorious.

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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

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MT 15 and Archon 50 Classic amplifiers offer fresh tones in release alongside a doubled-in-size Archon cabinet

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