We’re proud to bring to inSync our Summer NAMM ’03 report! This week you’ll get to read about all the latest and greatest gear developments from this summer’s most exciting show! Some of what you’ll see in inSync this week might be available now, next week or six months from now so be sure to call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer at 1-800-222-4700 for more information regarding anything that peaks your interest. Enjoy!
Gibson 50th Anniversary Corvette LP
Building on the relationship with Chevrolet that led to the development of the 1960 Corvette Les Paul and 1963 Stingray SG, Gibson’s Custom Shop rolled out the 50th Anniversary Corvette guitar. Based loosely on the Custom Shop DC Pro, the Corvette guitar’s design draws heavily on the ‘Vette’s smooth, unbroken lines, and features the 50th Anniversary badge and a top contoured to resemble the engine exhaust vent found on the Corvette. The 50th Anniversary Corvette Les Paul will be available in a Limited Edition of 50.
Gibson Hummer LP
Few things say “power” like a HUMMER, but there’s also versatility and an element of graceful style present in the world’s largest SUV. These elements–power, versatility, and style–are all available in the new Custom Shop HUMMER Les Paul. Unique features like the HUMMER grill on the guitar’s body and strap buttons modeled after the HUMMER’s tow loops combine with traditional Les Paul appointments like ’57 Classic humbuckers, a mahogany body, and an ebony fingerboard to create a guitar that’s ready for any situation, on or off road. As an added bonus, the HUMMER Les Paul will be available in all the finish colors found on the new HUMMER H2 and will be available in a limited edition of only 100.
Gibson Joe Perry LP Signature Series
Every element of the Gibson Joe Perry Signature reflects the personal taste of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitarist, from the “Green Tiger” top finish to the “Boneyard” logo to the custom pickup wiring. In addition to the distinctive top finish, the guitar sports Perry’s “Boneyard” logo on the headstock, which is the name of his home recording studio and the brand of his new hot sauce. Perry’s specifications also include a neck with a thicker profile than the standard Gibson neck and a pickup that is wired in reverse to add a distinctive “edge” to the tone of the guitar.
Line 6 Bass PODxt & Bass PODxt Pro
The all-new Bass PODxt has brand spankin’ new amp and cabinet models! Not only that, it can deliver 6 simultaneous stompbox and studio effects that can be flexibly routed to meet your unique sonic needs. Built from the same award-winning modeling technology found in Line 6’s flagship Vetta guitar amplifier, these effects include more classic models of filter, stompbox and studio effects as well as a dedicated compressor and a dedicated 6 band semi-parametric EQ. Bass PODxt also offers USB support for Digital Audio In & Out (Mac and PC), an intuitive screen display for deep patch editing, and Flash memory that allows for easy upgrades. All told, the Bass PODxt offers 28 classic and modern amp models, 22 cab models, over 50 stompbox, synth and studio effects and a whole lot more! The Bass PODxt Pro delivers all the desktop version offers and adds rackmount capabilities, reamping, stereo effects loop, balanced I/O, and digital I/O.
Line 6 HD147 Amp Modeling Head
The engineers at Line 6 took what they believed to be the best attributes of every great HIGH-GAIN guitar amp to build a super-amp. Their creation? The HD147! This amp head not only looks totally cool, but it offers obscene tone, ranging from chest pounding rhythmic chunk to sparkly cleans, with an insane amount of power that cuts through any band with ease. Ten essential tones, 14 custom tones and 8 vintage amp models round out the sound while 300 watts of power deliver an obese wall of sound that can only be described as LOUD AS HELL! The HD147 is a classic in the making.
Line 6 Vetta II Modeling Amp Combo
We had the opportunity to hear the Vetta II at the Line 6 booth. While it was a tiny little room, the band was thumpin’ and the Vetta II sounded unbelievable, or um, believable! The Vetta II adds Variax connectivity, making the combination one of the most sonically varied offerings available! Over 70 amp models, 60 stompbox and studio effects models and Variax connectivity deliver all the tools you’ll ever need to create any sound you can dream up! Unique features like “Two Amps at Once” and “Double Tracker” also give you a live sound previously found only in studio production. The face of guitar sound will never be the same!
Martin D-18 Andy Griffith Signature Model
Andy Griffith, one of America’s most beloved actors and singers, has been a life-long Martin player. In fact, his own D-18 has appeared in several of his movies, stage appearances and TV performances. To celebrate Mr. Griffith, Martin showed the D-18 Signature Model which is based on his 1956 model. It’s a 14-fret Dreadnought that combines many of the original mid-50s design features with rare tonewoods and modern sounding and playing enhancements. The back and sides are crafted of quilted mahogany and the top is made of heavily-figured bearclaw Sitka spruce. Special features include inlaid in pearl between the 19th and 20th frets and “Lonesome Rhodes” laser-etched on the front block. Personally endorsed by the sheriff of Mayberry himself, this D-18 is a real piece of Americana!
Martin D-50 Koa Deluxe Limited Edition
This flamed Hawiian tonewood beauty is not the kind of guitar that many of us are going to be able to add to our arsenal any time soon. With a price tag of $45,000, it’s a real guitar lover’s dream. Representing the highest level of ornamentation and elegance in the Martin line, the D-50 Koa is constructed with Hawaiian koa back and sides. The soundboard is bookmatched from premium grade Sitka spruce with heavy bearclaw figuring. Internal X-braces are crafted from Adirondack red spruce. The D-50 also features a genuine African ebony fingerboard inlaid with an exquisite Tree of Life pattern. Every leaf, flower and stem of the Tree of Life is cut from highly colorful paua shell, then painstakingly bordered with a thin band of mother of pearl. The D-50 Koa is a sight to behold and stunningly attractive.
Martin LXM Little Martin
We came across the Little Martin over at the C.F. Martin booth and think that guitarists will really appreciate all that it has to offer – including the “little” price! In a nutshell, the Little Martin is comfortable to play (despite it’s slightly smaller size), tonally viable, affordably priced, environmentally responsible and compact – making it THE perfect choice for travel, practice or students! The Little Martin combines a modified 0-14 fret tenor Martin shape with a 23″ scale length. The one panel back and sides are crafted from Mahogany Pattern HPL and the top is cut from Spruce Pattern HPL making the Little Martin amazingly friendly in just about any climate. In fact, the Little Martin has been atop the summit of Denali and several additional challenging environments and all reports are that it performed amazingly well!
Martin OM-28 John Mayer Signature Model
Anyone who has listened to the radio in the past year has heard John Mayer’s voice and rhythmic guitar signal the arrival of one of the hottest musical talents in recent memory. For much of his career, Mayer has depended on one Martin guitar or another to achieve his signature sound. Based on the OM-28, Martin rolled out the John Mayer Signature Model which includes an interior label personally signed by John Mayer and many other appointments that make this OM-28 a collector’s item as well as a player’s guitar.