Australian Guitar's Christmas Gift Guide 2016

EXCLUSIVE TAB THE LUMINEERS "HO HEY"

GIANT

XMAS GIFT GUIDE!

NEVER

PAY FOR

A SET-UP

AGAIN! EXCLUSIVE DIY GUIDE

s e s o ’ s n n u GHard rocakti’lse outfit R MOST vol restrings

PLUS VOLUME 118

$10.99 NZ $11.90 (INC. GST)

OF MICE & MEN JANE’S ADDICTION A DAY TO REMEMBER HARTS MESHUGGAH GUTHRIE GOVAN

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STERLING BY MUSICMAN SILO3 RRP $495

The Sterling by Music Man Silo3 is a versatile workhorse that’s easy to play and sounds like a higher-end guitar. The solid hardwood body is attached to a solid maple neck via a Music Man-designed easy-access 5-bolt neck joint. The double cutaway, contoured, hardwood body is fully sculpted and shaped for comfort, and the asymmetrically-cut maple neck is slimmer on the treble side and thicker on the bass side, for effortless movement as you zip around the neck. It has two high-output single coils and one overwound humbucker, and a vintage-style tremolo bridge with a comfortable area to rest your palm on. | australianguitarmag.com.au

IBANEZ AF55 RRP $699

The bound, all-maple full hollowbody provides tight resonance without feedback, great for everything from jazz to rockabilly and punk, while the mahogany set neck with bound rosewood fretboard (with pearl dot inlays) ensures that the upper register is softly rounded so that high tones retain clarity at high levels without becoming too sharp on the ear. The twin ACH-ST humbuckers are voiced to represent the sound produced by the tonewoods themselves as accurately as possible. Sure Grip III knobs ensure that any changes you make are done swiftly and easily, whilst fitting in with the aesthetic of the tobacco flat finish.

GUITAR UNDER S $10

EPIPHONE LES PAUL STANDARD PELHAM BLUE RRP $999.99

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard has long been a great cost-effective option for those seeking the classic Les Paul look, sound and feel. Pelham blue is a colour that has enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years, thanks to folks like Zakk Wylde and Joe Bonamassa. The Les Paul Standard has a solid mahogany body and maple veneer top with cream binding that deliver the classic Les Paul style, with a mahogany neck that has a 1960s SlimTaper “D” profile with a 24.75” scale length and 22 medium-jumbo frets.

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YAMAHA REVSTAR RS502TBG RRP $999.99

The RS502T represents the purest expression of the Revstar design concept. It has a custom P-90 pickup and custom aluminium floating tailpiece for a unique sound. The hardware is Inspired by the strippeddown custom Café Racer motorbikes popularized on the streets of London in the ‘60s, and there’s a special Dry Switch designed especially for Revstar which gives you the versatility of a coil split without the hum.

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FENDER DUO-SONIC HS

REVEREND BILLY CORGAN

The Duo-Sonic HS is a modernized version of the classic instrument originally released in 1956. It has one Duo-Sonic single-coil neck pickup and one Duo-Sonic humbucking bridge pickup with coil selection for a crisp and pristine voice. The 24” scale length, 9.5”-radius maple fingerboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and the “C”-shaped maple neck are comfortable for all playing styles, but especially ideal for players with smaller hands or those who use extended chord forms. The six-saddle string-through-body hardtail Strat bridge allows for increased sustain while the bent steel saddles add some punch to the player’s tone.

When Billy Corgan decided to design a new signature guitar with Reverend, he wanted something fresh with classic and modern elements brought together in a unique way. The raised center section with thinner wings and strategic chambers under the pickguard add resonance and reduce weight, while a string-thru body bridge provides maximum sustain and percussive attack. Railhammer Billy Corgan Signature Pickups meld P90 snap with humbucker chunk, and no hum. The body is topped with a segmented aluminum pickguard for a modern, yet timeless look.

RRP $1399

RRP $1979

YAMAHA REVSTAR RSP20CR-RR

ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN ST VINCENT

The RSP20CR is the flagship model of Yamaha’s new Revstar range.

Made in Japan with custom parts, and fully embodying the Café Racer concept, it has a copper pickguard designed specifically to wear over time as the guitar is played, naturally creating a unique look for each player.

Craftsmen-selected and -calibrated parts, and Yamaha’s unique Initial Response Acceleration (I.R.A.) technology give it a mature sound and easy playability from the first day. The pickups are a pair of VH7+ vintageoutput humbuckers with antique finished covers, and the controls include a push-pull Dry Switch for hum-free single coil-style tones.

Envisioned and designed by St. Vincent with support from the awardwinning engineering team at Ernie Ball Music Man, this unique electric guitar was crafted to perfectly fit her playing technique and personal style.

Available in black or custom Vincent Blue, it features an African mahogany body, Ernie Ball Music Man tremolo, gunstock oil and hand-rubbed rosewood neck and fingerboard, St. Vincent inlays, Schaller locking tuners, 5-way pick up selector with custom configuration, and 3-mini humbuckers.

RRP $2699

RRP $4295

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BOSS KATANA 100 RRP $599

RRP $349

Arising from the development process behind the acclaimed Waza amplifier, BOSS’s new Katana series combines traditional craftsmanship with breakthrough functions to produce true nextgeneration rock amplifiers. With 100 watts of power and a custom 12-inch speaker, the Katana-100 delivers a commanding range of gig-worthy tones that gracefully slice through any band scenario.

The amp also excels in home playing, with a uniquely efficient design and innovative Power Control that provides inspiring sound and response at low volumes. In addition, the Katana-100 includes integrated access to 55 BOSS effects, which are customizable using the free BOSS Tone Studio editor software. Up to 15 different effects can be configured in the amp at one time, enabling you to bring fully prepared tones to the stage in one amp.

AMPS UNDER

$1500

DV MARK “DV MICRO 50” RRP $650

Thanks to DV Mark’s MPT (Mark Proprietory Technology), the compact DV Micro 50 features two channels – one clean and one lead – each with its own separate, user-friendly, responsive controls, a sweet-sounding reverb, a balanced XLR Line Out and a headphone output. The amp input uses a unique Effects Optimized Interface, built for outboard FX and very pedal friendly. It’s also equipped with a handy ‘Aux In’ mini-jack that lets you connect an MP3 player or smartphone and mix other audio with your guitar tone to practice anywhere, any time. | australianguitarmag.com.au

VYPR VIP 2 COMBO The Peavey VYPYR VIP 2 guitar modeling combo amp uses Variable Instrument Input technology to provide 40 watts of amplification for a variety of instrument types including bass, acoustic and electric guitar. It allows electric guitar players access to instrument models as well and uses a combination of 32-bit, floating point SHARC processors and TransTube analog circuitry to create one of the best sounding modeling amps available. The new USB bi-directional data and audio port provides an easy way to record, connect to VYPYR software, store presets, get lessons and practice to backing tracks. There are ten instrument models including acoustic simulators, 12-string, mandolin, seven string, baritone, resonator, electric violin and bass, plus 16 presets, 12 amp accessible stompbox models, 26 onboard amp models and an onboard looper!

VOX AC10 RRP $799.99

The AC10 was one of the first amplifiers to bear the VOX name, and has long been prized for its ability to achieve rich, articulate tube tone at very manageable volumes. It was discontinued in 1965, but now, it’s back in the form of the AC10C1: a modern take on this classic design. More portable than the AC15 and more powerful than the AC4, the AC10C1 features the classic Top Boost tone circuit that provides an array of classic and modern tones.

Now equipped with reverb and a master volume, the AC10C1 is the perfect companion for the home, studio or stage.

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MUSIC MAN 112 RD 50

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RRP: $1895

Originally launched by Music Man in the ‘70s and discontinued after Ernie Ball purchased the company from Leo Fender in the ‘80s, the Music Man range of amplifiers maintains an enviable reputation for tone, power and tank-like reliability to this day. Now, Sterling Ball - Ernie Ball’s son and entrepreneurial CEO of the Ernie Ball Music Man company - has agreed to reintroduce the Music Man amp range to a new generation of musicians. The 112 RD 50 combo delivers the Music Man amp tone at the perfect level for any gig. It features two independent channels, with an ECC83 tube in channel two drive a loud 50w tube power stage running on 2 6L6s with a spring reverb to round out the tone. The combo is a breeze to lug, thanks to its custom voiced neodymium 12” speaker a benefit of 21st century technology denied to the guitarists of the ‘80s.

AMPS OVER

$1500

YAMAHA THR HALF STACK RRP $1799

Featuring the tone and flexibility of the THR100H Dual in a compact, lightweight single-channel body, the THR100H offers five amp tones (Modern, Lead, Crunch, Clean and Solid) and five virtual tube types (6V6, EL84, KT88, 6L6GC and EL34), boost function, Impulse Response speaker simulation and XLR line outputs. Yamaha’s engineers have captured the component-level interaction between the speakers and the power amp for truly lifelike tones.

MESA BOOGIE JP-2C RRP $5499.00

Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci’s new amp is a MARK IIC+ reissue, with some extra features born from Mesa’s three-decade relationship with JP. It has the highest headroom clean sound possible, a crunch rhythm that has lead channel gain available but is tight, grinding and articulate, and the ultimate Boogie Lead Channel with access to even more saturation. It also has the ability to track any technique and speed, while reaching to the stratosphere for single note solos. It has two graphic EQs, a Cab Clone output and MIDI control. Petrucci fan or not, it’s pretty much the ultimate Boogie.

ORANGE ROCKERVERB MARK III RRP: $3299

The relaunched and improved Rockerverb Mark III features a two channel design, with the clean channel updated to sound more “chimey” and “sparkly” compared to the Mark II, and the MKIIIs have even more headroom in full power mode! This channel alone will give you the flexibility to put all of your favourite pedals through it, let alone utilizing the effects loop. The Gain channel has been revoiced and improved, offering a tighter response from the improved transformers, but retaining the classic Rockerverb tone. It also includes a switchable attenuator control that allows you to crank the master volume, enabling those tube cranked tones. There’s a power switch option ranging from of 100, 70, 50 or 30 watts, a foot switchable, valve-driven spring reverb, and an ultra-transparent valve buffered effects loop.

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JVB AUK-20 UKULELE RRP $99.95

Boasting sapelli plywood top, back and sides, with a nator wood neck, rosewood bridge, cupro nickel frets and chrome-plated machine heads, this tasty ukulele comes packed in a handy vinyl carry bag. It’s a wellbalanced, sweet-sounding instrument with plenty of volume projection. The AUK-20 is designed to be an affordable and high-quality instrument.

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JVB JCT 615 KISS CAPO/TUNER AND JOE BONAMASSA RRP $34.95 PLAYING This multi-function silver CARDS capo suits electric, acoustic, and nylon string guitars, coupled with an autochromatic guitar tuner with a tuning range of BO–B7, powered by a CR2032 cell battery. Plus, it comes with an easy-access pick holder!

| australianguitarmag.com.au

RRP $16.95

This dual deck playing card set includes two casino-quality decks of grey core playing cards featuring officially licensed merchandise, one showing the KISS logo, and the other displaying the “Dynasty” image and Joe Bonamassa’s Different Shades of Blue artwork. The windowed tin gift box also includes five dice as a special bonus.

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THE UKULELE CLUB SONGBOOK

VOX AMPLUG 2 METAL

With a whopping 250 pop, blues, country, rock and downright classic songs, this fabulous collection has been expertly arranged by Robert Weule, the music director and band leader of The Blue Mountains Ukulele Club. Each song is written in full with easy-to-read chord diagrams, chord names and lyrics. The book is also carefully arranged so that page turns mid-song are no longer required.

The popular Vox headphone amp now has a fully-analogue circuit, and has been reworked for a clearer and more present sound. A multistage gain circuit featuring VOX’s proprietary analogue technology reproduces the complex distortion created by a vacuum tube amplifier, and the “Metal” version gives you the extreme high-gain sound of a US-made amp.

The Amplug 2 features a new folding plug mechanism that rotates 180 degrees to fit any guitar, boasts 17 hours worth of battery for jamming along with your smartphone, tablet or MP3 player.

RRP $39.95

RRP $69.95

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ULTIMATE PEDALBOARD SPACE FILLER S!

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TC ELECTRONIC SENTRY NOISE GATE RRP $279

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STRYMON MOBIUS MODULATION PEDAL RRP $749

Sentry Noise Gate’s multiband technology houses an advanced noiseremoval algorithm. This enables you to hone in on very specific frequencies and quickly remove extraneous noise from your signal as you stop playing, without any compromise to your core tone.

The Strymon Mobius gives you twelve legendary, versatile, and inspirational modulation machines, all in one package. Utilizing a powerful SHARC DSP, you get 200 presets, full MIDI implementation and a unique Pre/Post Mode. The Mobius is a Chorus, Flanger, Rotary, Vibe, Phaser, Filter, Formant, Vintage Trem, Pattern Trem, Autoswell, Destroyer, Quadrature, and so much more.

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ELECTRO HARMONIX PITCHFORK RRP $449

The Pitch Fork transposes an instrument’s pitch over a +/- three octave range, and features three modes which allow the pitch to be transposed up, down or both - simultaneously. The pitch shift amount can be set to a fixed interval, or continuously varied by an expression pedal or control voltage. A Blend knob controls the mix of the dry signal and the effected signal, and an EXP jack enables the player to control pitch and glissando with an expression pedal. The Latch button selects Latch or Momentary mode, which affects how the footswitch and EXP input behave.

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DUNLOP JIMI HENDRIX 70TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE SERIES CRY BABY WAH RRP $299

The Jimi Hendrix 70th Anniversary Tribute Series Cry Baby is crafted to deliver the same dynamic tonal sweep of Jimi’s original Italian-made Thomas Organ unit, while also offering a 9-volt power jack, limited edition glossy black finish and a tread bearing iconic Hendrix art from legendary rock artist John Van Hamersveld.

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MOOER JUICER RRP $109.95

A signature model for virtuoso classical guitarist Neil Zaza, the Mooer Juicer is a transparent and singing low gain overdrive pedal, best used to add gain on a crunch sound amp, or for light overdrive on a clean amp. It comes in a full metal shell, and is small and compact with a true bypass switch.