series of amplifiers last fall. First released in
2009, the first generation of the series made
an impact with its "metally" exterior design,
but the new update combines a Beatles-era
classic AC30 design (and tone) a with an artdeco era compact case. The new "Train"
includes the 15 Watt NT15H-G2 amp head, a
50 Watt NT50H-2G head, and the new entry
level 15 Watt NT15C1-G2 combo amp.
Optional matching cabinets are also available
for the amp heads. After 4 years Vox says it
has upgraded the Night Train sound with a
"full, robust tube tone in a class AB design."
Prices start at $249.00. Details? www.voxamps.com
By David Gedge
BEST OF 2013
APRIL 2013
FENDER GUITARS
Eric Clapton Brownie
Best Of 2013: Chris Cornell's Gibson ES-335
JANUARY 2013
FARGEN AMPLIFICATION
John Lennon Series Guitar Amps
OCTOBER 2013
VOX AMPILFICATION
Night Train G2 Amplifiers
Vox Amplification, the British born (but
Asian-made) company unveiled its new second generation, all-tube Night Train G2
MAY 2013
YAMAHA
PR7 Pocketrak Recorder
New pocket recorder releases were abundent in 2013, and Yamaha's Pocketrak PR7
was the company's newest PCM recorder last
year, geared towards capturing live recordings, song sketches, or just plain ol' speech.
Equipped with a newly developed crossed
XY stereo microphone that Yamaha says will
achieve "consistent quality and natural
sound," manufacturers continue to battle it
out to put a little recording studio in musicians' pockets.
Like its competition from Roland/Boss,
the PR7 offers essential features like an
onboard tuner and metronome, as well as
critical recording functions like overdubbing
and marker editing, accessed via Yamaha's
interface. It also features five recording presets tailored to multiple applications, including rehearsing, songwriting, or making a live
recording. The recorder includes built-in 2GB
memory, an extra microSD card slot, and can
record PCM in 24-Bit/96kHz frequency. It
also records MP3s. Street price is $149.00; info
is available at Yamaha.com.
JUNE 2013
GIBSON GUITARS
Chris Cornell Signature ES-335
One of Gibson's 2013 guitar mash-ups
was a collaboration with Soundgarden and
Audioslave guitarist/vocalist Chris Cornell.
continued on page 42
ACUTRAK SOLUTIONS
1980 CARBOY ROAD
MT. PROSPECT, IL 60056
PHONE 847-437-6200
FAX 847-437-6623
1980 CARBOY ROAD • MT. PROSPECT, ILLINOIS • 60056
WWW.ACUTRAKSOLUTIONS.COM
VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.ACUTRAKSOLUTIONS.COM
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Yoko Ono honored John Lennon‘s memory by choosing boutique amp manufacturer
Fargen Amplification (used by Joe Satriani
and Steve Vai) to produce a limited-edition
line of John Lennon Guitar Amplifiers and
effect pedals in late 2012. According to
Fargen, "the line pays tribute to one of the
greatest artists of our time, and combines
John Lennon's signature tone with his world-
renowned artwork – providing a unique
experience for musicians and fans alike."
Released as a series with prices hovering at
$5,000.00, some models are still available.
Check out www.fargenamps.com for details.
In conjunction with Clapton's 2013
Crossroads Music Festival, the legendary
guitarist teamed up with Fender (as well as
Gibson and Martin on two other collector
guitars) last spring to produce limited-edition
guitars with proceeds going to his substance
abuse rehab facility in Antigua. In this case,
the guitar is a 1956 Stratocaster reproduction
with a two-colored sunburst finish and a
well-worn maple neck and fingerboard.
Called the limited edition Fender Custom
Shop Eric Clapton "Brownie" Stratocaster,
the guitar also has a 7.25-inch radius fingerboard with 21 vintage-style frets, customshielded '56 Stratocaster pickups with fiveway switching, a single-ply parchment pickguard, a vintage-style synchronized tremolo
bridge, and nickel hardware. The recreated
finish and hardware are worn to mirror the
original guitar exactly, down to the smallest
nicks, scratches, dings, cigarette burns, and
more. The guitar comes in a special black textured vinyl Derek And The Dominos
"Fragile" case that also contains several spe-
cial extras, including a numbered certificate
of authenticity hand-signed by Clapton, the
40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition box set of
Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs, a
Fender Custom Shop story and photo album
booklet, and a Crossroads Antigua brochure.
The guitar originally retailed for $15,000. At
press time we saw one on Ebay for $24,000.