Created by Custom Shop Master Builder Jason Smith, the Esquire is a faithful reincarnation of Strummer's guitar of choice during the 'London Calling' and 'Combat Rock' eras.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today introduced the acoustic Joe Strummer Campfire and Joe Strummer Esquire guitars, in celebration of the legendary British singer, guitarist, lyricist and co-founder of The Clash who continues to influence the way musicians worldwide shape their sound today. The signature models come more than 40 years after the release of The Clash's landmark London Calling album and hot on the heels of the all-new, remastered collection of Strummer's solo songs, ASSEMBLY. Created in part as a tribute to the diversity of Joe Strummer's music, the new launches include a Campfire acoustic-electric guitar and a very limited edition run of Master Built Esquire guitars from the Fender Custom Shop. In addition, fans can get their hands on a brand new range of Strummer-inspired playing accessories, including a replica of his favorite guitar strap.
"Joe's Fender guitars were a huge part of his life and, of course, his music," said Lucinda Tait, widow of Joe. "Now feels the right time to collaborate with Fender on these commemorative guitars, as we take a moment to reflect on everything Joe and his music achieved. Joe would be immensely proud of them, and excited to hear what they can do in the hands of music lovers around the world."
"Joe Strummer changed music forever, including for myself personally in my own musical journey" added Justin Norvell, Executive Vice President, Product at Fender. "He is inexorably linked to Fender, so we wanted to honor that with not only one, but two brand new and unique Artist Signature Series guitars. The Joe Strummer Campfire acoustic is the perfect offering for songwriters, Strummer fans and acoustic players at all levels looking for a versatile instrument with unique specs, while the Joe Strummer Esquire serves as the ultimate tribute to a player and a guitar which shaped the sounds of thousands following in his footsteps."
Punk poet, musician, composer, actor and style icon, Joe Strummer spent his life smashing musical and cultural boundaries both as the front man of The Clash and as a solo artist. Songs like 'Know Your Rights', 'London Calling', 'Rock the Casbah', 'Straight to Hell' and 'Coma Girl' engulfed the global masses and sound as urgent and vital today as when they were written. Strummer's politically charged lyrics helped bring punk to the masses. Calling out social injustices and giving a voice to the struggles of the working class, his lyrics struck a chord with legions of fans and the press alike – Rolling Stone called The Clash "the greatest rock & roll band in the world." Strummer once famously said, "People can change anything they want to, and that means everything in the world." And through his art, Strummer played his part in shaping the musical landscape of the world and with it left an unrivaled and timeless legacy.
Joe Strummer Campfire Acoustic | Artist Signature Series | Fenderyoutu.be
The Joe Strummer Campfire acoustic guitar is a tribute to the legendary music-filled campfires that Strummer held at Glastonbury Festival in England over the years – and which are now continued annually in his honor in the Strummerville area at the festival. This small-body acoustic-electric guitar is the perfect companion for gatherings of any size, and another way that Strummer will continue to bring people together through a shared love of his music. Boasting a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, the guitar has a tilt back Fender headstock and a custom sound hole label with a Campfire logo and star inlays. Suitable for beginners or established players looking for a unique spec from their acoustic guitar, the Joe Strummer Campfire is available now.
In addition, Fender brings Strummer fans all around the globe the Joe Strummer Esquire- the ultimate tribute to a music legend. Meticulously created by Custom Shop Master Builder Jason Smith, the guitar is a faithful reincarnation of Strummer's guitar of choice during the London Calling and Combat Rock eras – his tried and trusted Fender Esquire. A perfect match for his stripped-down, no-nonsense delivery, the Esquire was the perfect tool for Strummer to hammer away on show after show. The Fender® Custom Shop and Master Builder Jason Smith have now reproduced this important piece of musical history, complete with a 'The Clash-era' look and feel - including its iconic black racing stripe, "Bourbon Street" sticker and custom relic finish. Key features include a 2-piece offset seam alder body and a Josephina hand-wound '55/'56 bridge pickup wired up to a 3-way switch and '59 Esquire® wiring. The guitar comes with a certificate of authenticity and a custom pink anvil case with a "Strummer" stencil and leopard print lining. Master Builder Jason Smith will build a limited run of just 70 units of the guitar, globally.
"Working on this build has been a true honor," said Jason Smith, Master Builder at the Fender® Custom Shop. "Strummer's Esquire is one of the most recognizable and revered guitars in the world. This model is much more than a collector's item – it is packed full of incredible features, from its Schaller mini-tuning machines and '59 Tele bridge, which can be strung through the body or top loaded through the bridge plate - this bridge which was available exclusively in 1959. I can't wait to see what these guitars can do out there in the world today."
Strummer fans can now also get their hands on a range of all-new accessories from Fender® to celebrate Strummer's unparalleled style and substance. The range includes a guitar strap which is a recreation of Strummer's own favorite, featuring faux leopard print animal fur on high-quality leather with foam padding. See full information below.
Joe Strummer Esquire
Photo courtesy of Fender
Joe Strummer Esquire ($15,000 USD, £14,149, €15,799, $22,999 AUD, ¥1,880,000 JPY) The Legendary Joe Strummer played guitar with an intensity that cut like a knife, with raw energy and passion in every swipe at the strings. His style was direct, honest, and empowering to the listener and would create legions of die-hard fans around the world. Best known for his work with The Clash, Strummer and his bandmates were a major part of the creation of punk rock and has inspired countless other bands to this day. His guitar of choice for the London Calling and Combat Rock era was his tried and true Fender Esquire. A perfect match for his stripped down, no nonsense delivery, the Esquire was the perfect tool for Strummer to hammer away on show after show. Now, the Fender® Custom Shop has recreated this piece of musical history for a very special run by Master Builder Jason Smith. Smith has reincarnated the exacting detail complete with black racing stripe, custom "Bourbon Street" sticker and custom Relic finish. The Joe Strummer Esquire will be Master Built by Jason Smith in a limited run of 70 units globally, available to order now.
Joe Strummer Campfire
Photo Courtesy of Fender
Joe Strummer Campfire ($499.99 USD, £449, €499, $899 AUD, ¥45,000 JPY) More than 40 years after the Clash's iconic album London Calling was released, Joe Strummer - the band's articulate and fiery co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead singer - remains an incredible influence to players all over the world. The Joe Strummer Campfire guitar is inspired by the legendary campfires that he held at Glastonbury Festival and are now continued annually in the Strummerville area at the festival. Everyone was invited to join the party, with Strummer encouraging a loose assembly of people to his "campfire" to bond by the rising flames until dawn. This small-body acoustic-electric guitar is the perfect companion for gatherings of any size and to continue Strummer's legacy of bringing people together through music. Boasting a solid spruce top with mahogany back and sides, the Campfire reflects Strummer's legendary aesthetic with its matte black finish, nickel hardware and star inlays. Available now.
Strummer fans can now also get their hands on a range of all-new accessories from Fender to celebrate Strummer's unparalleled style and substance. The range includes a guitar strap which is a recreation of Strummer's own favorite, featuring faux leopard print animal fur on high-quality leather with foam padding. See full information below.
- Fender Joe Strummer Signature Cable ($34.99 USD / £25.99 GBP / €29.99 EUR / $55.00 AUD / ¥4,400 JPY) – Celebrate Joe Strummer's unparalleled style and substance with his signature "Know Your Rights" cable. This eclectic instrument cable is designed to be unique -- with a lucky 13' length, Drab Green PVC jacket, and his very own signature on the cable's shrink wrap. A high-performance cable is a perfect choice for the aspiring punk rocker, street poet, or roving troubadour.
- Fender Joe Strummer Signature Vintage Strap ($74.99 USD / £59.99 GBP / €69.99 EUR / $110 AUD / ¥8,800 JPY) – A faithful replica of Strummer's famously used saddle strap. Recreated to model Joe's favorite personal strap found on his legendary Telecaster, this strap features faux leopard print animal fur on high-quality leather with foam padding.
- Fender Joe Strummer Signature "Know Your Rights" Strap – ($29.99 USD / £26.99 GBP / €29.99 EUR / $55.00 AUD / ¥4,000 JPY) - The "Know Your Rights" polyester strap pays homage to one of Joe's most poignant and powerful lyrics. Mirroring the artwork from his new album ASSEMBLY, this fully adjustable strap features iconic images of the legend himself that will inspire you to pick up your guitar and play.
- Fender Joe Strummer Signature "Know Your Rights" Pick Tin ($11.99 USD / £10.99 GBP / €11.99 EUR / $19.00 AUD / ¥1,600 JPY) - A "Know Your Rights" collector's pick tin in honor of the legendary music of Strummer.
In true tradition, the Fender Artist Signature Series honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments inspired by the unique specifications of the world's greatest guitarists and bassists. Fender discusses the all-new Joe Strummer Campfire and Joe Strummer Esquire specs and all details in an episode of Fender's serialized social video series: Fender Demos. Fender Demos is an educational video series focused on providing a deep dive into Fender's newest products. The series focuses on showcasing not only the key features and benefits, but also the sonic quality of Fender's instruments, amplifiers and pedals. In addition to product demos, the series also provides valuable beginner, intermediate and advanced tone tips, set-up and maintenance guides and insights to getting the most out of your Fender gear.
For more information, visitfender.com
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
Many listeners and musicians can tell if a bass player is really a guitarist in disguise. Here’s how you can brush up on your bass chops.
Was bass your first instrument, or did you start out on guitar? Some of the world’s best bass players started off as guitar players, sometimes by chance. When Stuart Sutcliffe—originally a guitarist himself—left the Beatles in 1961, bass duties fell to rhythm guitarist Paul McCartney, who fully adopted the role and soon became one of the undeniable bass greats.
Since there are so many more guitarists than bassists—think of it as a supply and demand issue—odds are that if you’re a guitarist, you’ve at least dabbled in bass or have picked up the instrument to fill in or facilitate a home recording.
But there’s a difference between a guitarist who plays bass and one who becomes a bass player. Part of what’s different is how you approach the music, but part of it is attitude.
Many listeners and musicians can tell if a bass player is really a guitarist in disguise. They simply play differently than someone who spends most of their musical time embodying the low end. But if you’re really trying to put down some bass, you don’t want to sound like a bass tourist. Real bassists think differently about the rhythm, the groove, and the harmony happening in each moment.
And who knows … if you, as a guitarist, thoroughly adopt the bassist mindset, you might just find your true calling on the mightiest of instruments. Now, I’m not exactly recruiting, but if you have the interest, the aptitude, and—perhaps most of all—the necessity, here are some ways you can be less like a guitarist who plays bass, and more like a bona fide bass player.
Start by playing fewer notes. Yes, everybody can see that you’ve practiced your scales. But at least until you get locked in rhythmically, use your ears more than your fingers and get a sense of how your bass parts mesh with the other musical elements. You are the glue that holds everything together. Recognize that you’re at the intersection of rhythm and harmony, and you’ll realize foundation beats flash every time.“If Larry Graham, one of the baddest bassists there has ever been, could stick to the same note throughout Sly & the Family Stone’s ‘Everyday People,’ then you too can deliver a repetitive figure when it’s called for.”
Focus on that kick drum. Make sure you’re locked in with the drummer. That doesn’t mean you have to play a note with every kick, but there should be some synchronicity. You and the drummer should be working together to create the rhythmic drive. Laying down a solid bass line is no time for expressive rubato phrasing. Lock it up—and have fun with it.
Don’t sleep on the snare. What does it feel like to leave a perfect hole for the snare drum’s hits on two and four? What if you just leave space for half of them? Try locking the ends of your notes to the snare’s backbeat. This is just one of the ways to create a rhythmic feel together with the drummer, so you produce a pocket that everyone else can groove to.
Relish your newfound harmonic power. Move that major chord root down a third, and now you have a minor 7 chord. Play the fifth under a IV chord and you have a IV/V (“four over five,” which fancy folks sometimes call an 11 chord). The point is to realize that the bottom note defines the harmony. Sting put it like this: “It’s not a C chord until I play a C. You can change harmony very subtly but very effectively as a bass player. That’s one of the great privileges of our role and why I love playing bass. I enjoy the sound of it, I enjoy its harmonic power, and it’s a sort of subtle heroism.”
Embrace the ostinato. If the song calls for playing the same motif over and over, don’t think of it as boring. Think of it as hypnotic, tension-building, relentless, and an exercise in restraint. Countless James Brown songs bear this out, but my current favorite example is the bass line on the Pointer Sisters’ swampy cover of Allen Toussaint “Yes We Can Can,” which was played by Richard Greene of the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils, aka Dexter C. Plates. Think about it: If Larry Graham, one of the baddest bassists there has ever been, could stick to the same note throughout Sly & the Family Stone’s “Everyday People,” then you too can deliver a repetitive figure when it’s called for.
Be supportive. Though you may stretch out from time to time, your main job is to support the song and your fellow musicians. Consider how you can make your bandmates sound better using your phrasing, your dynamics, and note choices. For example, you could gradually raise the energy during guitar solos. Keep that supportive mindset when you’re offstage, too. Some guitarists have an attitude of competitiveness and even scrutiny when checking out other players, but bassists tend to offer mutual support and encouragement. Share those good vibes with enthusiasm.
And finally, give and take criticism with ease. This one’s for all musicians: Humility and a sense of helpfulness can go a long way. Ideally, everyone should be working toward the common goal of what’s good for the song. As the bass player, you might find yourself leading the way.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.
Jackson Guitars announces its first female signature artist model, the Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe guitar.
“I‘m so excited about this new venture with the Jackson family. This is a historic collaboration - as I am the first female in the history of Jackson with a signature guitar and the first female African American signature Jackson artist. I feel so honored to have now joined such an elite group of players that are a part of this club. Many who have inspired me along this journey to get here. It’s truly humbling.” says Diamond.
Diamond Rowe is the co-founder and lead guitarist for the metal/hard rock band Tetrarch. Since co-founding the band in high school, Tetrarch has become one of the most talked about up-and-coming bands in the world - with several press outlets such as Metal Hammer, Kerrang, Revolver, Guitar World and many others boldly naming Diamond Rowe the world’s next guitar hero. Tetrarch has connected with many fans while performing on some of the world's biggest stages garnering spots alongside several of the heavy music world’s biggest names such as Guns N’ Roses, Slipknot, Lamb of God, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold, Sevendust, Rob Zombie, Trivium, and many many others. The Jackson Pro Series Signature Diamond Rowe DR12MG EVTN6 is based on Jackson’s single-cut Monarkh platform and is a premium guitar designed for progressive metal players seeking precision and accuracy.
Crafted in partnership with Diamond, this model boasts a 25.5 “ scale, Monarkh-styled nyatoh body draped with a gorgeous poplar burl top, three-piece nyatoh set-neck with graphite reinforcement, and 12˝ radius bound ebony fingerboard with 24 jumbo frets. The black chrome-covered active EMG® 81/85 humbucking bridge and neck pickups, three-way toggle switch, single volume control, and tone control provide a range of tonal options. The Evertune® bridge ensures excellent tuning stability, while the Dark Rose finish with a new custom 3+3 color-matched Jackson headstock and black hardware looks simply stunning.
To showcase the Pro Plus Signature Diamond Rowe DR12MG EVTN6, Diamond shares her journey as a guitarist, delving into the inspiration behind her unique design specifications and the influential artists who shaped her sound within a captivating demo video. This video prominently features powerful performances of Tetrarch’s latest release, “Live Not Fantasize,” and “I’m Not Right” showcasing the DR12MG EVTN6’s unparalleled tonal versatility and performance capabilities.
MSRP $1699.99
For more information, please visit jacksonguitars.com.