All the good-looking shapes are already invented, increasing the number of strings works only for shredding enthusiasts, but there are still some brave people who try to do something new. As long as it's not coming to digitalised weirdos like these:
... the development is highly encouraged.
In the last few years there were not much news from the major companies like Gibson and Fender. It's not so bad - we all love them for Les Pauls and Strats/Teles, but the quality of those had significantly decreased. Gibson had been forced to deal with some major limitations in wood supply, so guitars from 2012 will be slightly different due to use of new, previously less popular types of wood. Apart from this, not much is gonna be changed in the shapes catalouge.
Fender released some info about the new prototype: Fender Voyager. Yep, looks like good old Mustangs and Jaguars, but the aesthetics are amazing - have you ever seen a guitar that reminds a sport car?
You can find pretty much good ideas, if you leave the legendary brands and look for the smaller ones. One of them is DiPinto, a brand which was once favoured by Jack White. Let's take a look on their Galaxie 4:
Reminds a regular Fender Jazzmaster, huh?
Maybe, but let's look a bit closer:
Yep, four pickups with four independent switches.
That's the kind of very classy, yet innovative style. Taking classic shapes, experimenting with colours and the most important factor - sound. Four pickups create many possibilites - many more than included in any other model in the past.
Guitars are very fascinating subject. They are in symbiosis with popular music since 20th century, and we are still not bored of them. It's my first guitar-related post, but be sure that more is to come!
Today's guitars don't have the soul of the old guitars, even if they play better.
ReplyDeleteDespite that, good post :)
I agree. Digitalized weirdos are not desirable.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it looks 'Cool' I agree with Stormtrooper, they don't have the soul of old guitars. Guitars are good the way they are; there's no need to change them?
ReplyDeleteThey look somewhat of a weird spacecraft. The first seems to be a cousin on the iPad.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind them making guitars in a new direction.
ReplyDeleteUnless of course, guitar players will accept these "things" first.
DeleteWhile I like guitars, I don't see the point of messing with the tried and true. Following
ReplyDeleteI just wish I knew how to play a guitar :P
ReplyDeleteStep 1: Buy a guitar
DeleteStep 2: Learn D, A, Bm, G chords
Step 3: Acquire fine ladies with your playing
Srsly, it's that easy :)
Doesn't the guitarist from Muse already use a guitar just like the one in the first picture? It's pretty high tech, my friend just tole me that he uses it to stretch some notes while he plays new ones off of the touch pad. So kind of like... piano peddles? Anyways good post!
ReplyDeleteYep, but his guitar still has got the strings - it's classical electric with the touchpad added, just like guitarist in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs
DeleteI guess it's the only thing I would accept in terms of digitalizing a real instrument. A 'guitar' in the first picture has the strings removed, the fretboard is all tiny buttons, it's like advanced controller from Guitar Hero!
They look cool, but I'm not sure they will sound any different. I suppose it depends on the guitar player.
ReplyDeleteI might finally get a guitar!
ReplyDeleteI like the yellow one
Deletei like on the 1st guitar
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand the whole " new music instruments are lame" thought. Things are changing, it is not bad, it is not good, that's just the way life is. I'm sure that there will be geniuses who will play these guitars and become famous for they quality of playing.. Stop looking at the past and thinking that it was the most awesome time ever.
ReplyDeletethey've been saying things like this since the 80's
ReplyDeleteI prefer the vintage...
ReplyDelete