Gear: April 2010
Fernandes
Ravelle & Monterey Elite Guitars
Just in time for Guitar Month, Fernandes Guitars has introduced the Ravelle Elite and Monterey Elite models with a new locking tremolo. Elite Tremolo models will feature same specs as regular Elites, only with a full locking-tremolo system instead of the Tune-O-Matic bridge and a trem nut. These Stratocaster-influenced models feature a 5-A Canadian quilted-maple top coupled with solid mahogany body and neck with a 22-fret rosewood ebony fingerboard, abalone inlays and binding, and pimpin’ gold hardware. Also included is a Seymour Duncan JB in bridge position, Fernandes Sustainer in neck to bring new possibilities to your tone, especially those addicted to their trem bar. Available colors include See-Thru Black and Cherry Sunburst. Pricing begins in the $1,500 range. Visit www.fernandesguitars.com for more information.
Gibson
iPhone/iTouch App
Gibson Guitar’s new free Gibson Guitar App comes with a lot of hype and a bunch of special features, such as a traditional chromatic tuner, which allows guitar novices to tune to standard tuning (open G, D, etc.) by touching the key. For iPhone users, the Gibson headstock inlay will automatically change color indicating if the string is sharp, flat, or in tune. iPod Touch us-ers can enable the “Play Notes” option to they can hear the appropriate tuning since they do not have a microphone facility.
The Gibson app also features a standard metronome that allows users to choose a specific BPM or tap the screen three times to automatically set the tempo. Other key features include more than 30 chord charts with finger markings to help the user with mastering the chord. For those looking to learn new guitar riffs or chord sequences via video, new clips will be updated frequently so novices to experts can improve their chops while hanging in their hotel rooms or dressing rooms.
The Gibson Guitar propaganda machine will also offer lots of news, including product news, artist activity reports, interesting and factual features, exclusive contests, and special events. Download now via the “Free” link at www.gibson.com.
Hardwired Effects
VRR-1 Vintage Tremelo Pedal
U.K.-based Handwired Effects is proud to announce its VTR-1 Vintage Tremolo Pedal so you can sound just like Bo Diddley by recreating the buttery smooth swing of the tremolo-equipped tube amps from the ’50s and ’60s. The VTR-1 features a Depth knob for setting the intensity of the effect, and two Speed knobs that work independently to offer different speed settings. The foot-switch lets you switch back and forth between settings, which gives the user two different trem-olo tones at any time. Thanks to its completely handwired analog signal path, the VTR-1 works great with both clean and dirty channels, and the tone is smooth and responsive. Like all the other Handwired Effects pedals, the VTR-1 features mechanical true bypass switching for direct and unchanged signal in bypass mode and can be run on a 9V battery or optional power supply. Handwire Effects goal was to create clearest, warmest, and most natural-sounding classic tremolo/vibrato effect without compromising your guitar tone – looks like those Brit-dudes hit their mark. Shelf price is rumored to be in the $300 range, though no concrete figure came available at presstime. Visit www.hardwired-effects.com for details.
— David Gedge
