06 www.guitarbuyermag.com

contents

8 NEWSThe latest guitar gear from around the world

16 FIRST LOOK: LARSON BROS

We take a sneak peek at what’s in store for the newly-resurrected acoustic brand

18 ROUND-UP:MULTI-EFFECTS

We check out eight of the very best all-in-one floor-based multi-effects solutions available on the market today

74 MINI TESTSFour more handy accessories are put through their paces including the T-Rex ToneBug Distortion

85 TECH TALK: YELLOW JACKETSThese wattage-lowering devices come under the microscope of our resident amp tech

100 LETTERSYour comments and questions, with the best letter each month winning a Boss pedal

103 PAWN STARSThe Kingsley Juggler valve-powered preamp takes the spotlight

tHe ESSENTIALS

PEERLESS RENAISSANCE 40

36

contents IssUe 111NOVEMBER 2010

ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN ALBERT LEE HH

ESP LTDEC-1000 DELUXE

28

32

GB111.006-007.contents_2dg.indd 6 08/10/2010 12:38

www.guitarbuyermag.com 07

tHIs MONTH’S GEAR LINE-UPtHIs MONTH’S FEATURES

22 MARK TREMONTIWe talk to the Creed and Alter Bridge guitarist about his many projects, his approach to solos and songwriting and his newest signature PRS guitar

48 DAMON JOHNSONThe Alice Cooper Band guitarist discusses his career, his gear and his passion for a wide range of musical styles

62 ON THE RECORD: MICHAEL JACKSON ‘BEAT IT’Legendary session guitarist Steve Lukather tells us all about his experiences as a top session player and, in particular, the recording of this riff -tastic pop/rock crossover hit

79 BACKSTAGE PASS: JOHN PAUL JONESWe get the lowdown on the legendary Led Zeppelin and Them Crooked Vultures bassist from Hugh Manson, master luthier and Jones’ personal guitar tech

88 UNSUNG HEROES: GEORGE BEAUCHAMPWe delve into the fascinating story of George Beauchamp, a true unsung hero who was instrumental in developing both the resonator and electric guitar

94 VINTAGE & COLLECTABLE: 1955 GRETSCH ROUND-UPGretsch took cowboy kitsch to a whole new level with their Round-Up model, a left-fi eld off shoot of the Duo-Jet

GEAR REVIEWS

INTERVIEWMARK TREMONTI22

GUITARS28 ERNIE BALL MUSIC MAN ALBERT LEE HH 32 ESP LTD EC-1000 DELUXE36 PEERLESS RENAISSANCE 4040 G&L TRIBUTE ASAT SPECIAL DELUXE CARVED TOP44 VINTAGE GORDON GILTRAP SIGNATURE 12

AMPLIFIERS54 ORANGE THUNDER 30 HEAD & PPC410 CAB58 RANDALL RT103 HEAD & RT50C COMBO

EFFECTS & ACCESSORIES68 SOLID GOLD FX FORMULA 76 & AGENT 1373 VOX ICE 9 OVERDRIVE

sUBscRIPtIon OFFERGet YoUR FRee set oF GHs BooMeRs eLectRIc GUItAR stRInGs P20

contents IssUe 111NOVEMBER 2010

GB111.006-007.contents_2dg.indd 7 08/10/2010 12:38