Electric Guitars from Today and Yesteryear.....How far have we come along?

Electric Guitars from Today and Yesteryear.....How far have we come along?

The very first patent for the electric guitar was issued in 1937.  The first electric guitars differed greatly both in appearance and overall engineering from the modern guitars we know of today.  Other than the concept of electrifying the signal and amplifying it, what was first known as an electric guitar and what is now known as an electric were pretty different instruments.  

The trend of electrifying an acoustic guitar with a piezoelectric transducer type of pickup is similar to the way the first electric guitars were amplified.  In essence, the vibrations from the strings would resonate to the wood of the bridge and these sounds were "picked up" by transducers and transferred to an amplifier to deliver the sound.  This techonology was used in some of the first hollow-body electric guitars.

The rise in popularity of the electrified hollow-bodied guitar brought on a desire to engineer an electric guitar that has a solid body.  The advent of the magnet/coil pickup would be introduced.  This would open up a new world of design and innovation in the engineering of the electric guitar.  By the late 1950's, an electric guitar pickup that helped to eliminate "ambient noise" was introduced.  This noise became known as the 60-cycle hum and the fix for that became known as the "humbucker." From these early roots, an industry almost as creative as its artists began to evolve in to the billion-dollar industry it is today.  

As the future has come to follow, luthiers and engineers have been experimenting with different combinations of electric guitar pickups, body styles, woods and more.  Innovative designs are now available to musicians. All of these instruments reach different price ranges and qualities, and most importantly, each have a tonal recipe of their own.  Modern techniques are now employed like using CNC machines to make intricate and precise cuts and carves, along with some basic old world craftsmanship principles, hand-detailed components, custom tone circuitry, and custom wound pickups, the musician today can enjoy a guitar that will look and sound like no other.

Ultratone Guitars Product Spotlight: The Making of Gibson Pickups

How Gibson Pickups Are Made

All Gibson Gear Pickups utilize advanced construction for maximum performance, even under the most punishing playing conditions. Once you discover how well-made Gibson Gear pickups are, you'll appreciate their value and why they bear the Gibson name. Gibson Pickups continue to be the choice of top professionals around the world!

Tight Between The Pole Pieces Stops The Feedback

Gaps between the pole pieces and unit baseplates of a pickup are sources for sound penetration. This can create unwanted feedback that makes pickups "squeal" when used to overdrive amps. The fit between all Gibson Pickup pole pieces and base plates is tight with absolutely no gaps. Gibson threads the pole pieces through the base plate, which eliminates sound penetration in addition to increasing the structural integrity of the unit.

Magnets Designed For Performance

Gibson magnetizes our own magnets to ensure the total reliability of each magnet's performance. Critical magnetic flux is maintained for the perfect combination of output without sacrificing tonal characteristics.

Machined Pole Shoe

The pole shoe on Gibson Pickups is a critical component. It is positioned between the coil forms and the unit base plate in order to provide support and guide the pole pieces through to the threaded slots. This hand machined manufacturing process is identical to the original methods used during the fifties for Gibson Pickup production. Most pole shoes are stamped and can deform during production. Gibson's machined pole shoes fit snugly in the pickup. A better fitting pole shoe will not vibrate and reduces microphonic effects.

Maple Wooden Spacers

Maple spacers adhere and form to the metal unit base plate and to the coil form when they are compressed in pickup final assembly. They provide additional support for the coil forms and reduce unit vibrations that can cause unwanted microphonic feedback.

Made With High Quality Cover Materials

Gibson Gear uses standard German Silver cover with nickel, chrome or 24K gold plating, which provides additional strength and durability.   The result is more sonically transparent than other materials that are used (such as brass). That means less high-end loss. The optional 24K gold plated cover will last longer and not rub off as do other less expensive gold plating options.

Pickup Options Four-Conductor or Vintage Two-Conductor Wiring

The BurstBuckers, BurstBucker Pro, '57 Classic, '57 Classic Plus, P-90 and Mini- Humbuckers feature vintage style two-conductor leads, while all other models feature four-conductor leads for all wiring variations such as series, parallel or split-coil operation.

Full Wax Potting

Every Gibson pickup is potted in a special wax bath to insure that microphonic feedback due to internal vibration is eliminated. All covered models receive a second wax bath to further protect the pickup.

Explore many varieties of Gibson pickups at Ultratone Guitars.

Top 10 Things To Consider When Buying A Guitar Amp

An amplifier can be the difference between a great sounding instrument and a poor sounding instrument. Whether you are amplifying an electric guitar, acoustic guitar , bass guitar, keyboards, or an orchestra or band instrument, the type of amplifier you buy is extremely important.  Before you buy, consider your plan for using the amp. Some amps are more portable than others.  Some come with more bells and whistles (or knobs and controls), and others just straight up make it loud.  As a musician, you need to determine the performance level of your amplifier.  If you are playing for a large hall, you will want something powerful enough to fill the room.  On the other flip side, if you are looking for an in-home practice amplifier, you will probably want a smaller less powerful amplifier.  Below are the top 10 things to consider when purchasing your next amplifier.

                                        

 We hope this helps:

1. Configurations

Combination amps, combo for short, are self-contained units that include the amplifier and speaker together. A stack variation consists of a separate amp, or head, and a speaker cabinet. With a stack you can mix and match heads and cabinets to fine tune your sound.

2. Amplifier Types

Solid-state amps use transistors for their preamp and power sections. They are the most popular choice today for their clean tone, affordability and reliability even though the sound is sometimes considered cold.

Tube amps require more maintenance as tubes wear quickly. They're also heavy but are appreciated for their rich, vintage tone.

Modeling amps, the best selling amp segment or most popular segment of the amp market, use technology to make solid state amps sound and feel like traditional tube amps and provide plenty of gain for almost any applications.

Hybrids are available, which have transistors generating power and a tube-driven preamp producing the basic tone.

3. Digitally Modeled

It's possible to get the vintage sound of a tube amp without going old-school. Digital modeling amps simulate the sound through software, so you can get the sound of variety of amps all in one. They also come with built-in digital effects like tremolo, chorus, etc. and a footswitch lets you change between tones.

http://www.ultratoneguitar.com/servlet/the-Amps-cln-Electric-Guitar-Combo-Amps/Categories

Click Here to View Some Great Modeling Amps

4. Construction

The materials that make the amp can affect the quality of its sound. Since a thinner material can cause a speaker to vibrate itself loose, a thickness of at least 1/2" is recommended.

An amp with a closed back will produce a better bass response from a speaker.

5. Speaker Size

Bigger doesn't always mean better. Much of your decision will be based on what type of sound you prefer. Several small speakers in a bass cabinet produce a tighter, more accurate sound, while a larger speaker is often heavy sounding. Again, it comes down to your personal taste.

6. Watts

The more watts you have the more likely the amp will stay true to tone at higher volumes. Amps come with anywhere from 5 to 400 watts.

7. Equalizer (EQ)

EQ settings let you emphasize or de-emphasize particular frequencies to alter the tone of your guitar. In many instances the EQ frequency settings are pre-set. Other times you have the ability to adjust the frequency, giving you greater control. Most preamps have three knobs, some have five, and others have even more.

8. Controls

Look for tone controls, ones that include low, mid and high EQ, presence, gain and reverb. And make sure the controls carry a useful function and don't exist simply for show.

9. Sound

Different amps have different sounds, so test-driving an amp is crucial to getting the sound you want. It's also important to consider the music genre you are likely to play. Do you have softer musical tastes or do you plan to rock out? Certain brands are often suited to one style and not so much to another.

10. Price

You don't need to spend big to get a decent sound. Combination or combo amps tend to be less expensive when compared to stack configurations where you buy the amp and speaker cabinet components separately. So if you’re just starting out, a combo amp is the cheaper and easier way to go.   Remember that your best deal for an amplifier is not only price, but also reliability and performance! 

http://www.ultratoneguitar.com/servlet/the-Amps/Categories

Click here to see a nice selection of excellent guitar amps in a variety of price ranges:

Jet City Amplification - Ultratone Guitars Product Reviews Without Complaints

Before Jet City Amplification was founded in 2009, the design team asked themselves, "Does the world really need another average-sounding tube amp, propped up with pithy marketing rants using the word 'boutique' fifteen times a paragraph?" At first, the answer was "yes, our hearts are black enough. Let’s face it, we’re not running a charity. However, something inside just wouldn't let us do it."

Perhaps it was a sense of camaraderie with brothers who drop their dwindling cash reserves on guitar amps promising tone, but ending up not delivering the goods? Or maybe it was because for the first time this team was unshackled by the MBAs and bean counters we worked for in the past — guys who wore khakis with pleats and never touched a guitar— let alone heard an amp sing like an angel. Sure, they know how to use Excel, but they don’t let it make design decisions – Jet City Amplification is a labor of love.

Whatever the reason, the designers had no other choice.  Jet City Amplification must deliver the utmost in tone, while being affordable enough for musicians slugging out a living on the small stage.

Of course, actually delivering on this credo was a whole ‘nother ball of wax. Luckily for you, the amp-buying consumer—legendary tube amp designer, Mike Soldano has joined the Jet City gang. The very name Soldano conjures the smell of hot tubes and blistering guitar. In fact, Mike’s creations in the 90's are directly responsible for more shattered eardrums and 13-year old children than any other guitar amp. The other guys can say boutique all they want, but Mike is the real deal.

Jet City Amplifiers are designed in Seattle with a very simple "no bullsh*t" philosophy. No goofy "DSP" or "marketing knobs" to get between you and your sound. So for the guitarist, it's pure all-tube tone — from shimmering clean to thick ‘n raunchy. If you wanna play smooth jazz, buy someone else’s amps.

Jet City's "Keep It Simple, Soldano" approach to tube amp design speaks for itself; with simple controls, cool cosmetics, and sensible pricing, Jet City Amplifiers offer a taste of the good life, at a fraction of the cost. Each amplifier is meticulously hand-built and rigorously tested, ensuring 100% legit tone, and unflinching reliability.

While other brands snap like toothpicks under the pressure, Jet City Amplifiers eat it up and ask for more — right out of the box, no mods necessary.

Welcome to Jet City Amplification. Plug in and see what real tube amp design and quality tone is all about.

Ultratone Guitars Product Spotlight : Vintage V100AFD Paradise Flamed Amber Electric Guitar

Vintage V100AFD Paradise Flamed Amber Electric Guitar

It’s true to say that the best guitars are built from the inside out, and Vintage enjoys a well-earned reputation for building great guitars.  And now, the superb line-up of exciting Vintage electric guitars just got even better. Working with acknowledged guitar industry guru Trevor Wilkinson, Vintage has now introduced a fantastic new line-up of Wilkinson-equipped Vintage electrics and semi-acoustics. Using Trev's excellent range of pickups, tuners and hardware has taken Vintage electrics to the next level.

Vintage guitars – great looking, great sounding, great to play – and all at unbelievably competitive prices.

Today, we look at the Vintage V100AFD Paradise Flamed Amber Electric Guitar.  At first it will recall a very notable guitar played by a certain guitarist who wheres a black top hat!

This instrument is an irrestible package of attitude and power.  This guitar features a solid mahogany single cutaway body with a genuine carved maple cap and flame maple veneer top, the V100AFD Paradise Flamed Amber electric guitar comes with single ply ivory coloured binding and a cherry red back.

With its mahogany set neck and rosewood fingerboard, this is a guitar that looks just as amazing as it sounds. The Paradise comes with a pair of WVHZ Wilkinson Zebra humbucking pickups that provide a seismic punch of chunky rocking tones.

As well as the Wilkinson tuners and bridge (a Vintage standard), the Paradise includes a set of chrome straplocks – ideal for those moments when you want to scale the PA stack without your guitar ending up in bits.

Vintage V100AFD Paradise Flamed Amber Electric Guitar Features:

Mahogany Body with Carved Maple Cap

Set In Mahogany Neck

Rosewood Fretboard

24.75" Scale Length

22 Frets

Pearloid Crown Neck Inlays

Chrome Wilkinson WJ44 Tuners

Tune-O-Matic Bridge

2 Wilkinson WVHZ Humbucker Pickups Zebra Coils

Chrome Hardware

2 Volume, 2 Tone Controls

3 Way Pickup Selector Toggle

  

DBZ Guitars by Dean B. Zelinsky - Ultratone Guitars Manufacturer Spotlight

Dean B. Zelinsky, born February 20, 1957, is an American guitar luthier that founded Dean Guitars in 1976 and more recently, DBZ Guitars in 2008.  Today, Dean has a completely new factory with all the familiar tools used in his first guitar company.  DBZ Guitars headquarters and the Dean USA Custom Shop are located in Houston, TX.  DBZ manufacturers and imports a wide range of electric guitars including the Imperial, Bolero, Barchetta, Cavallo, Venom, Royale, and the Bird of Prey as well as acoustic models named Verona and Tuscan.  The USA Manufacturing plant is capable of producing hand-detailed, and precision laser carved tops.  Some even so detailed to resemble alligator or crocodile skin as seen on the USA Custom Bolero and Peacekeeper models.  DBZ has these different designs that are available in a wide array of configurations, and selected models are available with custom graphics.  Graphite saddles and nuts are standard when applicable.  According to Dean, "There are those who fancy themselves as guitar makers, and there are those willing to do everything it takes to become and remain viable no matter what."

For years, Dean's guitars have been played by various artists: Kansas, Michael Schenker, Leslie West, The Cars, Heart, Pantera, Nils Lofgren, Def Leppard, ZZ Top, The Doobie Brothers, Poison, Bret Michaels, Dave Mason, Jefferson Starship, Triumph, Iron Maiden, Sammy Hagar, Karl Sanders and many more.  A close look at artists on stage will reveal Dean's guitar designs in photos, videos, web snippets, music videos, and concerts.  Dean's guitars have been featured on the Howard Stern radio show, at the Grammy's Awards show, even in James Bond novelist Raymond Benson's recent book.  It was Dean who was calle dupon by ZZ Top to created the spinning fur guitars for the "Legs" video.  Blender.com lists the "Spinning Furs" along with the ML as members of "The 28 Most Recognizable Guitars."

Dean, DBZ, is an influential figure in the development of modern electric instruments, bringing innovations like custom-wound pickups and bold body designs to the music world.  His guitar shapes not only look unique, but each and every appointment is designed to add to the sound of the instruments.  So, every radical tailpiece, angled headstock, foundry metal insert, and every smooth curve you see not only looks cool, but makes the DBZ guitar sound like no other on the market.

Superior Bracing Systems on Acoustic Guitars by Ultratone Guitars

In the search for something new in the design corner of the acoustic guitar world, the makers Ovation, Takamine, Fender, Gibson, Taylor come to mind far too easilly.  While these makers do turn out a high quality product with design patents of their own on models, Morgan Hill Music has turned our eye with their Suspended Bracing System (SBS) featured on their acoustic guitars.  Morgan Hill Music's line of Boulder Creek Guitars are the only guitars on the market to feature this unique bracing system.

Boulder Creek Guitars has restarted the otherwise stalled evolution of the acoustic guitar.  150 years ago or so, the "X" bracing system was patented as a design for the acoustic guitar.  Ever since then, the status quo has regined supreme.  In walks Morgan Hill Music with their unique bracing systems on their acoustic guitars.  The "SBS" is a suspended bracing system and the first of its find within the music industry.  It focuses on freeing the soundboard and allowing more vibration to produce a better tone and more sustain.  The system works by using aluminum tone bars that not only make the construction of the instrument more durable, but also allows the top to be free from the constrictions of the standard "X" bracing system.

Patented in the 1850's, the "X" bracing sustem has been the industry standard since that time.  Many years ago, a designer decided that there must be a better way to brace the soundboard of the guitar to allow more vibration and yet keep the strength and stability of the guitar top.  It seemed that if the bridge could be secured without using traditional X-bracing, the top would vibrate more freely.  This would allow greater sustain, volume, and an overall richer tone.  In retrospect, there are not many other new technologies used since the pre-civil war era.  While other have been happy to remain in this design rut, Boulder Creek Guitars believes that relying on covention has hurt the industry and that it is time for a change.

The "SBS" system utillizes the best of the "X" bracing system with new technology, giving the player the best of all worlds; tone, balance, sustain, and voume.  When the "SBS" bracing system was incorporated witht he new Boulder Creek Sollitaire Series guitars, the sustain and tone quality became even more prealent.  By not cutting a large hole in the front soundboard of the guitar, the soundboard area is increased and the top vibrates more evenly and greater sustain is achieved.  By relocating the soundhole on the top of the guitar's shoulder, the player hears the deep rich tones that come from inside the chamer of the guitar.  Since low frequencies are omni directional, the lows are heard all around the guitar.  Mids and high frequencies that come from the front of the guitar are also increased. Put all of this together and you have a totally new way for a totally new sound to be produced from an acoustic guitar.

The Suspended Bracing System was developed by Mile Shellhammer in conjunction with Morgan Hill Music in the Silicon Valley of California.  By using less points of contact and less bracing around the bridge area, the guitar top vibrates more freely but maintains its strength and stability.  The exclusive aluminum tone bars allow the top to vibrate up and down, but not flex when string tension is applied.  The aluminum bars secure the bridge but are suspended 1/2 inch below the top to avoid dampening the vibration.  The bars are then attached at each end of the soundboard to secure the bridge.

The SBS system is simply a better way to brace a guitar.  The tone, balance, and additional sustain are the results.  Try not to compare the sound of a Boulder Creek Guitar with the sound of other guitars in the same price range.  It's just not fair to the other guitars!

Resources, Reviews and Video Links!

http://www.bouldercreekguitars.com/media/guitar808supp.pdf

http://www.bouldercreekguitars.com/media/gwholiday.pdf

http://vimeo.com/42265709