 | Baseball Player/Guitaristfrom MLB.comMajor League baseball pitcher and guitarist Brandon Medders (Arizona Diamondbacks) compares playing a field and playing a stage. The 28-year-old relief pitcher for last year''s National League West champions said his electric guitar and amplifier travel to games with him. We could very easily make a joke about pitch, but won''t go there. |
 | Guitar Center vs Best Buyfrom Finance and CommerceBest Buy is opening more gear-centered stores to compete with area Guitar Centers. One Twin Cities Guitar Center manager had this to say about the stores, “You know, whatever. It’s a Best Buy carrying (musical) gear. All we sell is gear.” SLAM! PG question: Would you ever buy a guitar from Best Buy? |
 | 2008 Cape Town International Jazz FestivalWith guitarists like Lee Ritenour and Lionel Loueke playing, this year''s 2008 Cape Town International Jazz Festival is being called "Festival of the Guitars." The big event is happening on March 28 and 29. |
Hotone Wong Press
Cory Wong Signature Volume/Wah/Expression Pedal
Renowned international funk guitar maestro and 63rd Grammy nominee Cory Wong is celebrated for his unique playing style and unmistakable crisp tone. Known for his expressive technique, he’s been acclaimed across the globe by all audiences for his unique blend of energy and soul. In 2022, Cory discovered the multi-functional Soul Press II pedal from Hotone and instantly fell in love. Since then, it has become his go-to pedal for live performances.
Now, two years later, the Hotone team has meticulously crafted the Wong Press, a pedal tailored specifically for Cory Wong. Building on the multi-functional design philosophy of the Soul Press series, this new pedal includes Cory’s custom requests: a signature blue and white color scheme, a customized volume pedal curve, an adjustable wah Q value range, and travel lights that indicate both pedal position and working mode.
Cory’s near-perfect pursuit of tone and pedal feel presented a significant challenge for our development team. After countless adjustments to the Q value range, Hotone engineers achieved the precise WAH tone Cory desired while minimizing the risk of accidental Q value changes affecting the sound. Additionally, based on Cory’s feedback, the volume control was fine-tuned for a smoother, more musical transition, enhancing the overall feel of volume swells. The team also upgraded the iconic travel lights of the Soul Press II to dual-color travel lights—blue for Wah mode and green for Volume mode—making live performances more intuitive and visually striking!
In line with the Hotone Design Inspiration philosophy, the Wong Press represents the perfect blend of design and inspiration. Now, musicians can channel their inner Cory Wong and enjoy the freedom and joy of playing with the Wong Press!
Designed to meet the tonal needs of heavy players, the Vagabond is equipped with a set of Woodrite Barbarian humbuckers. Utilizing Alnico V magnets and inspired by the classic PAF design, these pickups offer a rich midrange response that thrives in both clean and overdriven settings. Coupled with a GraphTech TUSQ XL nut and "straight string pull" headstock for enhanced tuning stability, the 'Dirty B' is built to perform under the most demanding conditions, making it a reliable choice for musicians seeking versatility and sonic power.
Specs
- Body Shape: Vagabond
- Body Orientation: Right-Handed or Left-Handed
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Finish: Silverburst
- Clearcoat: Gloss Polyurethane
- Neck Pickup: Woodrite Barbarian (7.8k, A5, 42AWG)
- Bridge Pickup: Woodrite Barbarian (13.0k, A5, 43AWG)
- Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 3-Way Toggle Switch
- Finish: Chrome
- Bridge: TonePros Tune-O-Matic
- Tailpiece: TonePros Stop Bar
- Pickguard: Black
- Control Knobs: Black Top Hats w/ Reflectors
- Switch Tip: Black
- Jack Plate Cover: Chrome
- Material: Mahogany
- Binding: Yes
- Nut: GraphTech TUSQ XL
- Nut Width: 1.69″
- Profile: 0.800″ at 1st Fret, 0.875″ at 12th Fret, Medium “C” profile
- Scale Length: 24.75″
- Fingerboard Material: Ebony
- Fretwire: Jumbo Stainless Steel
- Inlays: ‘Dirty B’ Custom “Mastoglyph”
- Fingerboard Radius: 12″
- Number Of Frets: 22
- Tuning Machines: Grover Mini Rotomatic
- Tuning: D-Standard (D, G, C, F, A, D)
- Strings: D’Addario EXL116 (.011, .014, .018p, .030, .042, .052)
- Weight: Approximately 7 pounds
- Case: Includes Custom Form-Fitted Woodrite Guitars Hardshell Case
- Country of Origin: Built in Indonesia by PT Wildwood (PRS, ESP)
- Price: $1,599
Building on its brand legacy of innovation and creating many of the world’s finest guitars, the TAG3C TransAcoustic guitar from Yamaha offers an unmatched experience in sound, versatility, and playability to spark creative expression – making it the ideal instrument for the modern guitarist. The guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides, available in natural(TAG3 C NT) or sand burst finish (TAG3 C SDB), and includes a convenient magnetic charging port to enhance its functionality and ease of use.
“TAG3 C is the ultimate tool for players looking to push themselves artistically. The ability to dial in custom reverb, delay, and chorus settings without needing any extra equipment is a game changer for creative workflows, and the intuitive looper and Bluetooth audio functions make it easier than ever to write, practice, and perform,” says Brandon Soriano, marketing manager, Yamaha Guitars.“Even with TransAcoustic technology turned off, TAG3 C is a fantastic acoustic instrument built with all solid wood and high-quality craftsmanship. TAG3 C is a no-brainer for the modern guitarist!”
TAG3 C is equipped with powerful built-in tech and effects including but not limited to loop capability with touch sensitivity, a rechargeable battery, Bluetooth capability, new and improved user interface, controls, and indicators. Guitarists can also access the TAG Remote mobile designed for enhanced control and optimization.
TAG3 C Highlights At-a-Glance
- Built-in effects: chorus, delay and reverb
- Built-in looper• Bluetooth connectivity
- On-board tuner
- Solid Sitka spruce top
- Solid mahogany back and sides
- Dreadnought-style cutaway with ebony fingerboard
- Available in natural or sand burst finish
- Superior acoustic sound quality
