GEAR REVIEW
EQUIPPING THE SAINTS | Eric Dahl
THE ROCK SLIDE RELEASES NEW SLIDES Originally known for their high-quality finger contoured brass guitar slides , Rockslides has been expanding their line this year with glass and ceramic models .
The Ceramic line still has the features of the original Rock Slide models with a knuckle cutaway at the base and tapered interior . These slides are injection molded and look and feel like your favorite coffee cup . Available in Riptide , Tucson , Glacier and Pacific colors and Medium and Small sizes at $ 44.95 . For lap steel and pedal steel players the new Amber Drop Glass Tone Bars are the way to go each one is made from a 7 / 8 ” rod with a round tip so it is easier to handle on the strings and also priced at $ 44.95 . The new Amber & Green Glass Rock Slides feature the side finger rest and knuckle relief but in a glass package for a silky tone at $ 29.95- $ 35.95 . Some fun new slide innovations from an established leader in brass guitar slides ! www . therockslide . com
FENDER 75 YEARS NEW BOOK Fender is celebrating their 75 th in a variety of ways including guitars , basses , amps and now a book Fender 75 Years authored by Dave Hunter . Hunter has penned other popular Fender reference books , an amp book , pedal book and has been a contributor to a variety of different guitar magazines . This is not your average paperback Fender reference book . It is hardbound with lots of glossy instrument and artist images and it comes in its own tweed wrapped case with the Fender logo on the top . This official Fender licensed book takes us from the very beginning with Leo Fender in his Fender Radio Service shop on to repairing local musicians ’ amps and instruments . This evolved into the partnership that Leo formed with Doc Kauffman as they delved deeper into amplifier and instrument building and the turning points that history acknowledges as the formation of the Fender Electric Instrument Co . that altered the trajectory of amps , guitars and basses forever . Hunter and his team did an incredible job of gathering historic pictures that most of us have never seen before of Leo and his staff . The section on the women at Fender featuring the “ Queen of Tone ” Abby Ybarra ( the pickup winder for 57 years at Fender ) is one of my favorites reflecting the contribution that these key women made to Fender instruments . The inclusion of vintage Fender advertisements and the behind the scenes workers at Fender helps make this book different and special . If you ’ re a Fender or guitar enthusiast Fender 75 Years is a must have book for your collection and it is available now for $ 49.40 . www . fender . com