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Summer NAMM '12 - Eastman Guitars AR371CE Archtop Demo, AR403CE & T386

PG's Rebecca Dirks is on location in Nashville, TN, for the 2012 Summer NAMM Show where she visits the Eastman Guitars booth. In this segment, we get to see and hear a demo of Eastman's AR371CE Archtop.



PG's Rebecca Dirks is on location in Nashville, TN, for the 2012 Summer NAMM Show where she visits the Eastman Guitars booth. In this segment, we get to see and hear a demo of Eastman's AR371CE Archtop.

Kemper and Zilla announce the immediate availability of Zilla 2x12“ guitar cabs loaded with the acclaimed Kemper Kone speaker.

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The author in the spray booth.

Does the type of finish on an electric guitar—whether nitro, poly, or oil and wax—really affect its tone?

There’s an allure to the sound and feel of a great electric guitar. Many of us believe those instruments have something special that speaks not just to the ear but to the soul, where every note, every nuance feels personal. As much as we obsess over the pickups, wood, and hardware, there’s a subtler, more controversial character at play: the role of the finish. It’s the shimmering outer skin of the guitar, which some think exists solely for protection and aesthetics, and others insist has a role influencing the voice of the instrument. Builders pontificate about how their choice of finishing material may enhance tone by allowing the guitar to “breathe,” or resonate unfettered. They throw around terms like plasticizers, solids percentages, and “thin skin” to lend support to their claims. Are these people tripping? Say what you will, but I believe there is another truth behind the smoke.

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Featuring a preamp and Dynamic Expansion circuit for punch and attack, plus switchable amp simulations.

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Photo by Chuck Brueckmann

Creed extend their sold-out Summer of ’99 Tour with 23 additional dates.

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