-
Riley Wilson
G&L Legacy
One Heckuva Guitar
I enjoy covering sleeper gear in this column. During the past 11 years, we’ve looked at bargains like the Gibson L-6S, Seagull S-6+, Martin D-1 and the Peavey Bandit, to mention a few. This month’s entree, the G&L Legacy, may be one of the finest instruments we’ve profiled in a while. If you act quickly,…
-
Riley Wilson
Fender California Stratocaster
Have you priced ’57 or ’62 reissue Strats recently? The pride of the Fender line ran about $750 when it was introduced in 1982, but today you’d be hard-pressed to find a used one for that price. However, you can find an assembled-in-America Strat that feels just like a ’62 reissue for less than $475.…
-
-
Riley Wilson
Hamer Blitz
The Hamer Blitz
One of the unspoken assumptions in the vintage guitar market is American instruments are superior to those made outside the U.S. Regular “Gigmeister” readers know I don’t necessarily subscribe to that theory. In fact, many of the best-made instruments have come from Japan and occasionally, England. The decline in quality from Fender and Gibson in…
-
Riley Wilson
Melancon Custom Artist and P-90 Artist
Hailing from Louisiana, Gerard Melancon is a former professional gigging and studio player who parlayed experience on the road and as a guitar repairman into a devout attitude toward building instruments. He is meticulous about every facet of the instrument, and it shows. Not content to submit one guitar for review, Gerard sent two beauties…
-
Riley Wilson
Marshall MXL V57M
Big-buck mic sounds – small bucks required
If you do any serious recording, analog or digital, you a need a great mic. Condenser mics have been the de facto standard for recording music and voice since World War II, and that hasn’t changed. However, the price of a good large-diaphragm condenser mic has been out of reach for most recording aficionados –…
-
Riley Wilson
Fender Telecaster Custom
Classic tones for little coin
Many players search for that one guitar that can “do it all.” You know what I’m talking about – the axe that covers both single-coil and humbucking tones, and sounds great doing so. In past columns, we’ve examined the Gibson L-6S and the PRS CE. Both are excellent guitars that emphasize the Gibson/humbucker side of…
-
Riley Wilson
Digitech RP-200
Budget-conscious way to go ampless
Last month, I disclosed that I’ve gone ampless in 2002. Now let’s discuss how, and with what gear. My criteria is the same as with any gear I use – it must sound great, be flexible, tough, and not cost a lot of money. After lots of gear comparisons with units from Line 6, Korg,…
-
Riley Wilson
G&L SC-2
When is a Tele not a Tele?
When is a Tele not a Tele? Well, when it’s a Leo Fender-made SC-2, among other things. This is a neat guitar my favorite repairman, Doug Lawrance, found here in Texas. This guitar is similar to an ASAT, but has a different body shape and feel. Best of all, these guitars don’t cost what an…
-
Riley Wilson
G&L SC-2
When is a Tele not a Tele?
When is a Tele not a Tele? Well, when it’s a Leo Fender-made SC-2, among other things. This is a neat guitar my favorite repairman, Doug Lawrance, found here in Texas. This guitar is similar to an ASAT, but has a different body shape and feel. Best of all, these guitars don’t cost what an…
