Back in the late 60`s things were so psychedelic even the guitars freaked out on Dr. Ugs.
Here`s Bakersfield California based company Mosrite proving that they too have been drinking the Electric Cool Aid. These guitars were made for the psychedelic Los Angeles band Strawberry Alarm Clock.
The DeVillain Centrefold is a folding electric guitar – the strings roll into the body when it’s folded, and when it is straightened out it’s ready to play. We’ll see about that – guitars tend to lose tuning if the temperature changes.
It was invented by SAS airline pilot Fredrik Johansson sick of damaging normal guitars whilst travelling. The bracket mechanism is made from aircraft grade aluminum, a great idea, although the DeVillain website is currently out of action – whot down somewhere over Korea.
Finally Gibson have made an exact replica of the hand painted Flying V that Hendrix used on tour in Europe in 1967 and 1968, and features exact reproductions of Hendrix’s own hand-painted designs from the original.
If anyone would like a copy of the 1988 Guitar World issue featuring Hendrix and the V on the cover signed by none other than guitar legend RobinTrower write in, with your price in EUROS.
If you spent thirty years listening to rock riffs, live concerts at Wembley, Hammersmith, Shea Stadium; saving for a `66 Shelby Mustang Fastback Coupe, an Indian motorcycle, drinking Cider from a skull and buying amps that go up to ELEVEN then what the hell good is a silent guitar to you? Nigel Tufnel – look away now.
…about as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike? Unless of course all that “heavy nitrogen” music has your ears bleeding at the sound of a pin dropping.
SO what`s the deal?
Well; my friend Dimas plays Jazz and when we met up for a jam in Wellington he brought with him a Yamaha Silent Guitar that was light, easy to assemble and once plugged in to an amp made an absolutely fantastic sound.
His was a nylon string model but a steel string is available for those seeking the blues twang thang! If you want a light, portable travel guitar that`s an absolute breeze to play check these machines out.
The L.R. Baggs pickups, onboard reverbs, AUX in for rehearsal coupled with the fact that these babies assemble and dissemble like a 3 year old’s jigsaw into a small convenient traveling bag ensure that these machines are ideal for the mobile or traveling musician.
In a way they almost fulfill a steampunk ethic in their simplicity of approach but attention to sonic detail – so I`ve included a picture we came across on the internet of the ultimate Steampunk Flying V guitar.
We`ve started a group about music and travel on facebook for those of you who like to combine the two. You can join it here.
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