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Musician's Gear Reviews
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Traynor YCV40 Tube Guitar Amplifier Combo
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by John Gatski, 8.20.2003
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From the early 1960s to mid 1970s Traynor guitar and bass tube amplifiers were good value, work horses that filled many a club and music hall. After years of dormancy, the Traynor name is back with a line of new guitar amps that provide the same value and performance as the old line.
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Lowden F35 Walnut Acoustic Guitar
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by Bob Kovacs, 9.20.2003
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Although hand built guitars are usually quite expensive, that special personal touch in craftsmanship adds a character that is mostly missing in mass-produced acoustics. The Lowden F35 Walnut, priced at $3,925 is one of those special guitars.
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Fender Cybertwin Guitar Amplifier
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by Andrew Roberts, 10.20.2003
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Given the current popularity of digital modeling guitar amps, it seemed logical that Fender would create its own amp with the genuine tones of legendary tube amps, plus the effects and flexibility of digital amp technology.
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Carvin Cobalt Acoustics:C550 and C250S
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by Bob Kovacs, 11.20.2003
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Carvin has been making great value/performance, made-in-U.S.A guitars for many years. With the introduction of its Cobalt line of imports, the company now has applied its value formula to acoustic guitars.
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Martin J-40/D-40 Acoustic Guitars
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by John Gatski, 12.20.2003
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The standard 40 series Martin acoustics offer a combination of vintage and modern premium features in two styles: the jumbo-sized J-40 and the dreadnought, the D-40. Both are priced at $3,350.
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Gibson Emmylou Harris Signature Edition L-200 Mini-Jumbo
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by John Gatski, 1.20.2004
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Signature edition guitars usually cost more than the standard models they are based on, but sometimes the enhanced features make them worth the extra bucks. The Emmylou Harris L-200 signature guitar is one of those that is worth the money - well worth it.
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The New Les Paul Standard
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by Matt Baker, 2.20.2004
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Gibson recently introduced an updated and improved version of the venerable, 50-year-old Les Paul - the new Les Paul Standard.
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Parker NiteFly M
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by John Gatski, 3.20.2004
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When the futuristic looking Parker guitars came out in 1992, players seemed to either love them or hate them. There was no in between. The thin, easy-to-play contours and the light weight was not vintage enough for many vintage purists.
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Guild F50R Jumbo Acoustic Guitar
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by Bob Kovacs, 4.20.2004
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Since the 1950s,Guild has had a reputation as a premium acoustic and archtop guitar manufacturer, ranking up there with Martin and Gibson.
Up until 2000, the Guilds were built in Westerly, Rhode Island. But parent company Fender moved the manufacture of the Guild acoustics and archtops to its Corona, California facility. One of the flagship models from the new production set up is the reintroduced F50R jumbo.
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Yamaha LLX-500C Acoustic/Electric Guitar
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by Bob Kovacs, 5.20.2004
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The Yamaha LLX-500C acoustic/electric cutaway guitar, is a gem of an acoustic/electric guitar and should be looked at seriously by any performer looking at guitars in its $2,399 or higher price range.
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Eastman Strings Uptown AR810 Jazz Guitar
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by John Gatski, 6.20.2004
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Solid-wood, hand-crafted, jazz guitars usually cost a lot of money. Upwards of $10,000 or more for some of them. With the Eastman Strings line of handcrafted archtops, you get solid wood, hand built quality for under $2,500.
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Takamine AN10 Acoustic Guitar
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by Bob Kovacs, 7.20.2004
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The Takamine AN10 is a best buy, all solid wood dreadnought acoustic guitar with a bright sound that excels at finger picking and recording. In fact, the guitar is shockinglygood, considering its $879 list price - with forward-shifted, scalloped bracing, all solid wood construction and hand-fit dovetail neck joint. A made-for-Takamine hardcase is an extra $100.
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Gibson ES-137 Semi-Hollow Archtop Guitar
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by John Gatski, 8.20.2004
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In the early 1990s, Gibson introduced the ES-135 semi-hollow, laminated maple guitar. The guitar was basically a two-pickup version of the 1960s archtop ES-125 with Florentine cutaway and trapeze tail piece.
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Gibson LC-3 Caldera Acoustic Guitar
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by Bob Kovacs, 9.20.2004
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It is amazing to me that a small guitar like the Gibson LC-3 Caldera can sound like a big guitar. The LC-3, a cutaway acoustic-electric guitar, will surprise you with the quality and volume of its sound, which is easily as good as premium dreadnaughts I have played.
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Carvin Cobalt C780 Jumbo Acoustic-Electric
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by Bob Kovacs, 10.20.2004
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The latest Cobalt to get the eye is Carvin Cobalt C780. It is a jumbo acoustic guitar with a cutaway and an electronics package that makes it suitable for all types of performing and recording. At $590 with case, this guitar represents a killer value.
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Taylor 710CE Acoustic/Electric Guitar
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by John Gatski, 11.20.2004
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In the last few years, Taylor Guitars has emerged as a major force in U.S.-made acoustic guitars. Martin, Guild and Gibson continue their traditional line of premium, hand-built acoustics with expected success, but Taylor seems to have the buzz.
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ES-333 Semi-hollow Electric Guitar
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by John Gatski, 12.20.2004
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Gibson's low-frill entry version of the classic dot-neck ES-335 is a steal at $1,699, duplicating the essence of its big brother, but with a signature of its own that is just a delight to hear.
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Talos Basic Guitar Amplifier
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by John Gatski, 1.01.2005
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Like Guitars, guitar amplifiers have their own flavor and sound. With tube amps, the vintage tone is often associated with Fender while more modern tones are connected to Marshall and Mesa Boogie. Likewise, the high-end boutique amps, such as the Talos Basic, also have their own flavor. In this case, the flavor is wonderfully sweet.
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Epiphone Elitist DOT Neck Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar
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by John Gatski, 2.20.2005
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The Gibson ES-335 came out in the late 1950s, and was hailed as a hybrid of the hollowbody and the solid body - the feel and warmth of the former and the sustain of the latter.
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RainSong WS1000 Guitar
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by Bob Kovacs, 2.20.2005
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Did you ever get completely turned around on something? Maybe there was a girl in your high school class who was nice enough but just didn't have what it took to strike that power chord in you. Then you saw her after she graduated from college and... WHOA!
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