Guitarist James Burton attempts to break a world record
Breaking the world record for largest guitar ensemble is not a bad way to spend your 70th birthday party. That's exactly what guitarist James Burton is going to tomorrow at 2:00 pm at the James Burton International Guitar Festival in Shreveport, Louisiana. The previous Guiness world record for largest guitar ensemble goes to the 1,802 participants that did some simultaneous shredding 3 years ago in Germany. That ensemble was led by Andreas Vockrodt and played none other than Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple. This year's attempt will be made by guitarists playing two Elvis hits: "That's All Right Mama," and "Hound Dog."
Two weeks ago an ensemble of guitarists gathered in front of the Welcome to Las Vegas sign in Las Vegas, NV to attempt to break the world record for the most guitar players to play the "Viva Las Vegas" song. Even the mayor showed up for this event, which was put together to celebrate Vegas Rocks! magazine's 5th anniversary.
UMD Professor creates guitar that allows for easy tone customization
Have you ever experienced the frustration of hearing a certain tone in your mind, but being unable to re-create that same sound when you sit down to play? Like so many guitarists, Bruce Jacob was tired of relying on pedals and amp effects to achieve the ideal tones he heard inside his head. But unlike many guitarists, Bruce Jacob happens to be an electrical engineering professor at the University of Maryland - the type of guy who teaches classes with names like "Electrical Guitar Design." The type of guy who looks at guitars from a unique engineering and mathematical perspective.
Inspired by obstacles in his personal musical quest, Jacob set out with two graduate students to develop a guitar that could be easily adjusted to create a range of sounds by flipping a simple switch on the guitar - the equivalent of automatic transmission for your axe. After a year of study, they finally achieved what they set out to accomplish. Seeing he had discovered something that a lot of guitarists would be willing to spend money on (why buy multiple guitars or pedals when you can just buy one?), Jacob created Coil Guitars LLC. He now sells 4 models of his versatile instrument, each one of them impressive in their own right. Check out some videos at the company web site - pretty cool stuff!
R.I.P. Les Paul
We've just learned that guitar legend Les Paul passed away last night at the age of 94 in White Plains, New York.
Put simply - we wouldn't be here, none of us would, without the great contributions that Les made to the art of guitar.
During his long life Les Paul achieved fame and credit both as an inventor and as a guitarist. He is credited with developing the electric body guitar, and also pioneered widely used recording techniques and effects such as multi-track recording and delay phasing. Many considered him to be "the father of modern music," whose contributions had an enormous influence on rock and roll sound.
Les Paul's unique playing style will live on in the sounds and styles of today's contemporary guitarists. Today we honor his legendary career and send our best wishes to his friends and family.
R.I.P. Less Paul
1915-2009