In the backseat of a German cab, pedantics and rock 'n' roll attitude collide in a Twilight Zone-meets-Godfather showdown.
A few years back I found myself in quite a Twilight Zone-ish situation with an influential American figure in the guitar-gear industry. A colleague and I were abroad, covering the Musikmesse convention in Frankfurt, Germany, and one evening we were invited to dinner with this gear figure, as well as some of his employees and a few European distributors and dealers.
We met at our host's hotel, and the Serling-esque-ness of it all started pretty much immediately. Firm, impersonal handshakes were exchanged. Bawdy, seemingly random exclamations about something or other in guitardom were made—perhaps part of an in-progress discussion we'd missed. As quickly as the, er, “pleasantries" had begun, we were ignored for a bit as the group puttered around, waiting for so-and-so to arrive. Meanwhile, the previous conversation, likely begun in the bar, flitted about like a buzzed butterfly.
Eventually our party of about 15 made its way outside and split up to ride in two old-fashioned, fancy black cabs, each with a pair of bench seats facing each other in back. I ended up in the middle, rear-facing seat of our taxi, the leader of the other party directly across from me. Suddenly things felt a bit Godfather-like. And that was before the man across from me launched into a self-assured dialectic on how guitarists the world over are playing their axes all wrong. The plague of supposedly crap music sweeping the Earth (something orthodoxers invariably cite, regardless of time and place) was/is to blame, along with YouTube and the failure to take “proper" lessons.
From the outset, vehement denials coursed through my brain, but I listened until Part 1 of the spiel had concluded, at which point the fact that I hadn't chimed in with hearty agreement seemed to genuinely catch him off guard. Perplexity, followed immediately by exasperation, annoyance, and thinly veiled fury flitted across his face as I stated my opinion that most musicians who've made a mark in history defied convention and blazed their own trail, often doing things “wrong" according to the establishment.
As the cab wound through darkening Frankfurt avenues, my philosophical objection—what I've long taken to be a rather obvious and infallible rock 'n' roll tenet—was unceremoniously dismissed and the dialectic transitioned to an equally passionate proposal that Premier Guitar and the gear-industry figure form an alliance to battle the epidemic.
At this point, the cabs pulled up outside our destination, an upscale but homey Italian restaurant, where our party huddled, elbow to elbow, around two tables pulled together in a private dining area. Which felt even more Godfather-y. And that was before we'd settled in and jaws had become further loosened by alcohol and full bellies. All around me, men who seemed completely disinclined to disagree with the diatribe enthusiastically assented to the sheer genius of the plan to secure venues in large cities across the United States and sell tickets to the legions of 6-string dunces who would apparently pay good money to be condescended to about how to form musical phrases that will be pleasing to the ear, the most logical chord progressions and their attendant scales, the correct way to implement vibrato, and whole lot of other claptrap.
It was like the concept of subjectivity had been nullified, and musical worth had been ascribed to formulas as strict as, say, one luthier's staunch opinion on how to achieve the most lustrous finish. Nothing was framed as, “In my opinion…" or “This is what I prefer…." The conversation was crammed with absolutes. It was as if art had been confused with science—no, religion or politics. For only in fanaticism or extreme egotism does one arrive at such closed-mindedness.
This is guitars we're talking about, for crying out loud. Telling anyone that the way they're playing is wrong—unless they've complained about chronic pain and you can clearly see something in their execution that might be the culprit—is like some pedantic asshole of yore telling Dizzy Gillespie he shouldn't let his cheeks balloon out when he plays, Hendrix he can't flip his guitar over, Billie Holiday that she mustn't let her voice sound gritty, or Thurston Moore that those aren't legitimate tunings—and, hey, get those goddamn drumsticks away from your guitar!
Let's extend this beyond music. Can you imagine if Leonardo da Vinci or Hieronymus Bosch or Paul Cézanne or Franz Kafka or Mary Shelley or Virginia Woolf or Georgia O'Keeffe or Frida Kahlo or countless others who shaped what we know and love today had given a shit about the status quo? And don't get me started on tradition-flouting philosophers and scientists.
So remember, you may not like what a guitarist or musician (or artist, writer, sculptor, filmmaker, actor, etc.) does, but no matter how vehemently you feel about it, the simple fact is, they are not “doing it wrong." They are exploring the infinite bounds of creation—one of life's greatest wonders and most excruciatingly rewarding pursuits. Instead of excoriating them and deigning to correct their ways, why not just take what you can—positive or negative—from what you've observed, and be on your merry way in the manner that suits you?
Orianthi is partnering with Orange Amplification to release a travel-friendly amp designed to be both functional and reliable.
The new Limited Edition Orianthi Crush 20RT has been played by the respected guitarist, singer-songwriter, in the studio and at live gigs.
The white Tolex-clad, solid-state signature Crush 20RT offers some of the most distinctive tones available in its price range. With the gain turned down, the amp delivers a versatile crystal clean tone. The “dirty channel” can be selected to unleash high levels of detailed creamy distortion to full saturation. The Crush 20RT offers a wide range of sonic possibilities courtesy of an 8”, custom-designed ‘Voice of the World” speaker. From modern sonic punch to vintage tones, this incredibly portable amplifier also includes a 3-band EQ, built-in “spring-inspired” reverb and chromatic tuner.
“I wanted a portable amp I could use anywhere. There’s a soaring tone you get from this amp despite its small, compact size”, comments Orianthi. She continues, “Plus this amp is really diverse - from the clean channel to the dirty channel - there’s warmth and there’s grit, it’s really quite incredible. I think everyone is really going to dig it!”
To experience the new Limited Edition Orianthi Crush 20RT visit your favourite authorised Orange retailer, or learn more online at orangeamps.com.
With buffered bypass and top-mounted jacks, this compact pedal is perfect for adding punch to your playing.
Carl Martin has introduced the Tone Tweaker, a 12dBboost pedal designed to unleash the full potential of your favorite gear. This subtle yet powerful booster pedal is built with an internal voltage booster that provides extra headroom and makes your beloved tube amp sound even better. It is perfect for cutting through the mix during solos and adding extra punch to your rhythm playing.
Tone Tweaker features an efficient 3-band equalizer, allowing you to fine-tune your sound with dedicated controls for Mid, Treble, and Bass. Whether you want to add warmth to your midrange, more sharpness to your treble, or extra depth to the low end, Tone Tweaker gives you the tools to shape your sound with exceptional effect – subtle yet powerful.
Key Features
- 12dB Boost: Instantly enhance your signal with a clean, transparent boost that preserves the integrity of your original tone.
- Internal Voltage Booster: Increases the amount of voltage sent into the pedal’s circuitry, providing extra headroom and boost.
- 3-Band Equalizer: Customize your sound with precise adjustments using the Mid, Treble, and Bass controls. It's far more powerful than you think.
- Buffered Bypass: Preserves signal strength and tone quality, ensuring your sound remains consistent even when the pedal is not engaged.
- Top-Mounted In/Out Jacks and Compact Design: Designed to take up minimal space on your pedalboard, with top-mounted jacks saving space and providing a cleaner setup.
You can purchase The Tone Tweaker for $149 directly from Carl Martin and, of course, also at leading music retailers worldwide.
For more information, please visit carlmartin.com.
Carl Martin Tone Tweaker | Simple and Effective - YouTube
The Alabama-born country-rockers bring some custom gear from their home state to the stage of Nashville’s Ryman.
Mobile, Alabama’s Red Clay Strays started out as a local cover band. In 2016, they officially formed as the Strays, adding a couple players to round out the five-person outfit. After a few years gigging around the state and some festival slots, the band hit it big in 2023 when their song “Wondering Why” went viral on TikTok. It climbed up the Billboard charts and landed the band a deal with RCA Records. That led to their Dave Cobb-produced second studio LP, Made by These Moments, which was released on July 26.
In September, the band made their debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on tour behind the record, and guitarists Drew Nix and Zach Rishel brought a beautiful stable of American-made 6-strings for the occasion. They gave PG’s John Bohlinger a tour of the goods.
Brought to you by D’Addario.Faylands from Fairhope
Both Nix and Rishel play Fayland guitars, made by Chris Fayland in Fairhope, Alabama. Nix gives a quick, Ricky Bobby-esque rundown of his Fayland T-style: “It’s good wood, it plays real good. I don’t know what to do with my hands.” He strings it with .010s.
Memphis-Made
For semi-hollow “squishiness,” Nix turns to this Gibson ES-339, made in Memphis. This and Nix’s other guitars, including his Fayland and his 2017 Les Paul Classic with PAF-style Geppetto pickups, carry striking, detailed straps made by Jon Wye.
Drew Nix's Amp
Nix tours with two “run of the mill, Guitar Center” Fender Twin Reverbs, which he switched to after “blowing up” Rishel’s Fender Hot Rod Deville. The Ryman gig was being recorded, so Nix had a second one on hand in case the first ran into any issues.
Nix’s Straightforward Board
Nix runs a Pedaltrain Metro 24 board, which is loaded with an Ernie Ball VP JR, Peterson Strobostomp, JHS Whitey Tighty, Browne Amplification Atom, JHS Morning Glory, Xotic EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan, and Strymon Flint.
Fairhope "Firebird"
Rishel loves his Faylands, too. He tours with a baby blue “Mark II” Fayland Strat, equipped with stainless-steel frets and a Tele-style bridge pickup. His Fayland “Firebird” Tele is even more of a stunner, with its candy-red finish and firebird decal. This one has a trio of Lollar pickups, and a traditional three-way Tele switching system. A button between the volume and tone knobs activates the middle pickup for Strat-style tones and modified switching.
A Fine Vintage Super Reverb
Rishel picked up this 1968 Fender Super Reverb from Carter Vintage Guitars in Nashville, which he calls “the best guitar shop in the world.”
Zach Rishel's Pedalboard
On his board, Rishel runs a TC Electronic Polytune 3, SRossFX Sun King, MXR Custom Badass Modified O.D., Greer Super Hornet, SRossFX Echo Flex, TC Electronic Hall of Fame, SRossFX Dual Roebuck, and Keeley Dark Side. It’s all powered by a Mooer Macro Power S8.
This year marks a watershed for Taylor Guitars as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary of building high-quality instruments and contributing to the global music community. Over the past five decades, Taylor has grown from a small guitar shop in California to one of the world’s most innovative and respected guitar manufacturers. This milestone is being commemorated with several exciting initiatives, including a limited-edition anniversary guitar collection and the launch of American Dreamers, a new podcast miniseries featuring Taylor’s co-founders, Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug.
A Limited-Edition 50th Anniversary Collection
Three standouts in Taylor’s new 50th Anniversary Collection.
To kick off the celebrations, Taylor has introduced the first wave of models from its limited-edition 50th Anniversary guitar collection. These instruments, featuring exclusive appointments and designs, are crafted to honor Taylor’s tradition of innovation and excellence. Throughout the year, additional models will be released, each representing a chapter in Taylor’s journey over the past half-century.
In addition to the guitar collection, Taylor has launched a detailed timeline on its website that chronicles the company’s major milestones, innovations, and breakthroughs. This interactive resource allows fans and guitar enthusiasts to explore the evolution of Taylor Guitars and learn about the advancements that have set the company apart in the industry. From pioneering guitar designs to their commitment to sustainability, Taylor’s history is a testament to the company’s enduring passion for quality and innovation.
American Dreamers: A Podcast Miniseries
One of the most exciting parts of Taylor’s anniversary celebration is the release of American Dreamers, a podcast miniseries that offers listeners a unique glimpse into the history of the company through candid conversations with co-founders Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. The podcast, hosted by Taylor’s Director of Sales, Dave Pelletier, dives deep into the personal and professional lives of Bob and Kurt, tracing their early beginnings and exploring the journey that led to the creation of Taylor Guitars.
The podcast starts with Bob and Kurt’s childhoods in San Diego, where they developed an interest in music and craftsmanship. Bob recalls how, during his teenage years, he became obsessed with making guitars, a passion that would later define his career. In American Dreamers, listeners get to hear the story of how Bob and Kurt first met at the American Dream guitar shop in Lemon Grove, California, when they were just 19 and 21 years old. The shop, with its free-spirited, hippie vibe, was a hub for musicians and guitar enthusiasts in the area. It was here that the seeds of their partnership were planted, leading to a business venture that would last over 50 years.
Bob Taylor (left) and Kurt Listug (right) circa 1973 – on the cusp of launching Taylor Guitars.
The Journey from a Small Shop to a Global Brand
In the inaugural episode of the podcast, titled “Episode 1: The Road to the American Dream,” Bob and Kurt reminisce about those early days, sharing the challenges and triumphs they faced in launching their own guitar company. After meeting at the American Dream shop, the duo eventually decided to buy the business and turn it into something even greater—a company dedicated to creating innovative, high-quality guitars.
Throughout the podcast, Bob and Kurt reflect on the pivotal moments that shaped the company’s growth, including their decision to implement groundbreaking guitar designs and their commitment to sustainability in later years. Taylor Guitars became known for its patented bolt-on neck, a feature that improved playability and ease of maintenance, as well as its forward-thinking use of responsibly sourced tonewoods. These innovations have solidified Taylor’s place as a leader in the guitar industry, setting new standards for craftsmanship and environmental responsibility.
Bob Taylor (left) and Kurt Listug (right) enjoy some of their new instruments in 1985.
American Dreamers isn’t just a historical retelling; it’s a treasure trove of insights for fans of Taylor Guitars and those interested in the art of guitar-making. The conversations between Bob, Kurt, and host Dave Pelletier offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful guitar company from the ground up. For aspiring entrepreneurs, guitar enthusiasts, and anyone curious about Taylor’s success, this podcast provides invaluable lessons in creativity, perseverance, and the spirit of innovation.
A Year of Reflection and Looking Ahead
As Taylor Guitars celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company is using this moment to both reflect on its past achievements and look ahead to the future. The limited-edition anniversary guitar collection and the American Dreamers podcast are just two ways Taylor is commemorating this milestone year. By sharing the personal stories of its founders and showcasing the craftsmanship that has made its guitars world-renowned, Taylor is giving fans and musicians an opportunity to connect with the brand on a deeper level.
New episodes of American Dreamers will be released periodically throughout the year, and listeners can tune in on their favorite podcast platforms or watch video versions of the interviews on Taylor’s website. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Taylor Guitars or someone interested in the art and business of guitar-making, this podcast promises to be an engaging and informative series that highlights the passion and dedication that have driven Taylor’s success over the past 50 years.
Be sure to follow or subscribe to American Dreamers to stay up to date on the latest episodes and visit Taylor’s website to explore the full range of anniversary guitars and learn more about the company’s 50-year journey.