The model pays homage to the Danelectro Dano Pro and the Fender Jaguar.
Montreal, Canada (October 16, 2019) -- With the release of the Galo, Island Instruments’ Nic Delisle dives into the world of offset guitars. The model pays homage to the Danelectro Dano Pro and the Fender Jaguar, while mashing both together with plenty of Island style. The Galo showcases Nic’s favourite wood combo: a Sitka spruce body, perfectly quartersawn poplar neck and perfectly quartersawn torrefied maple fretboard. The guitar has a 24” scale length and 1-5/8” nut width, with a chunky C-profile offered standard (thickness and shape are customizable). The Galo comes loaded with Mojo UK pickups and can be had with 3 singlecoil sized pickups, 2 humbucker sized pickups or 2 Jazzmaster pickups. Given Marc’s extensive pickup catalog, this means it can be loaded with just about anything including goldfoils (humbucker or singlecoil sized), p90s, lipstick tubes (pictured) and more – something for every tonal arsenal. It sports a Hipshot TOM-style bridge and will come with the new Descendant vibrato as standard but offer the Mastery as an option as well. The Galo manages to capture the feel and vibe of a vintage catalog guitar while maintaining buttery playability and being made from the highest quality components and materials.
Specs:
- Sitka spruce body with Milk Paint, natural or metallic finish
- Quartersawn Poplar neck, w/ 2-way truss rod
- Roasted maple fretboard, 24” scale length, 12” radius, w/Jescar nickel or EVO fretwire
- Mojo Pickups: 3 singlecoil-sized, 2 humbucker-sized or 2 Jazzmaster pickups
- Hipshot bridge and Descendant vibrato (Mastery available)
- Gotoh open-back tuners
- Includes Gator Transit gigbag
Price: 3 single-coils $3100.
2 Humbuckers or Jazzmaster pickups: $2950
For more information:
Island Instruments
The goal was to design a lightweight, compact bass that blends modern features and ergonomics with vintage feel and tone.
Montreal, Canada (November 13, 2018) -- Following the success of his Traveller guitar model, Island Instruments’ Nic Delisle brings us the Traveller Bass. The goals were to design a lightweight, compact bass that blends modern features and ergonomics with vintage feel and tone. The extended single cut/deep cutaway design (innovated by Fodera, now ubiquitous in the electric bass world) allows easy access to all 24 frets while allowing the bass to sit such that the first fret is much closer to the player, eliminating fatigue and strain. The bass is made from the lightweight, resonant reclaimed timbers that Island is known for and has a carbon fiber reinforced neck that is stiff and stable. The 31” scale is comfortable without feeling “floppy”. The bass measures 35” total length and is 12” wide in the lower bout making it easy to travel with. Delano pickups w/ passive operation are offered standard and headless hardware by Hipshot (ETS pictured on the prototype) rounds out the package. Like almost all of Nic’s models, the Traveller Bass is highly customizable with options such as unique finishes, exotic wood tops, pickup choices, nut widths and neck dimensions, fretboard radius and number of strings (4, 5, 6).
Specs:
- Reclaimed Spruce body with Milk Paint, transparent or natural finish
- Carbon Fiber reinforced Maple or Doug Fir neck, w/ 2-way truss rod
- Maple, Black Locust or Composite fretboard, 31” scale length, 16” radius, w/Jescar nickel or EVO fretwire
- Delano Pickups and passive electronics
- Hipshot bridge and headpiece
- Custom options available (woods, anodized hardware, pickups/electronics, fretboard radius etc.)
- Includes gigbag
Base price: $2500.
Watch the company's video demo:
For more information:
Island Instruments
Another year, another dazzling parade of pedals, guitars, amps, modelers, and accessories that made our noggins spin.
Fractal Audio Systems AX8
Fractal Audio System’s rackmount Axe-Fx units awakened many players to the possibilities of digitally modeled amps, cabinets, and effects. The AX8 puts Fractal’s realistic modeling technology into the pedalboard format and provides plenty of juice for most applications. The ruggedly built unit sounds stellar, and if you invest the effort to get acquainted with this open-ended device, you’re likely to be inspired.
$1,299 street
fractalaudio.com
This year’s Premier Gear Award winners are, as usual, an eclectic set—full of old-school vintage homage, leading-edge digital developments, and imaginative meetings of those worlds. Dig in and dig it as we revisit the gear that fired the enthusiasm and wonder of our editors and contributors in 2017.
