Category: Newswire

Ampeg has announced a new line of all-tube guitar amps . The GVT series ranges from a compact 5-watt head to a 50-watt 2×12 combo. They use 6V6 and 6L6 power tubes and Ampeg’s Baxandall EQ circuitry, which allows for a wide range of tones. Both GVT extension cabinets use Celestion Vintage 30 speakers, while GVT combos use Celestion Original Series designs. The line will launch this summer with eight models: the GVT5H and GVT15H heads, GVT112E and GVT112EW cabinets, plus the GVT5-110, GVT15-112, GVT52-112 and GVT52-212 combos. For more, visit www.ampeg.com/GVT.

Maroon 5 and Train have announced plans for a North American summer tour. Kicking off on July 22, the outing will encompass more than 40 dates before wrapping in September. This tour will be an evening of music that will include over 20 charted hit songs from the two bands who have sold over 22 million records worldwide.  The tour will notably make a California stop at the Hollywood Bowl, which will mark the first time both have headlined a show at that venue. Gavin DeGraw is confirmed as the opening act on the tour’s first leg, with Matt Nathanson set to join as opener on the second leg, starting August 28. For more go to maroon5.com/ and trainline.com.

Guitar Head Pillow is a molded polyurethane support for the neck and body of a guitar for use during everyday maintenance. It’s suitable for all types of guitars – electric, acoustic, jazz, bass. The pillow is molded without sharp edges and can stabilize specific parts of an instrument. It also fits in any guitar case, and multiple pillows will give support to an instrument in upright or recombent positions. Visit merkline.si.

Reverend Guitars will host a clinic with jazz guitarist Gil Parris at 6 p.m. May 2 at Rudy’s Amp Room in Times Square. Parris, who has a four-CD artist course, and will offer insight to his technique and demonstrate his signature Reverend guitar. The Grammy-nominated artist has shared the stage with Blood, Sweat, and Tears and toured both as a solo act and with artists such as Dr. John and Toni Braxton. For more, visit reverendguitars.com.

Daisy Rock Girl Guitars supports MusiCares by donating a Rock Candy Special in Purple Velvet for the Musicians’ Assistance Program (MAP) Fund’s benefit concert May 6. The event will honor Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and Kevin Lyman (founder of Vans Warped Tour).

MusiCares developed the MusiCares MAP Fund as a resources pool offering support to those plagued with drug addiction and assisting in their recovery process. The fund represents the joint goal of MAP and MusiCares to provide members of the music community access to addiction recovery treatment regardless of their financial condition. All proceeds from the event will benefit the MusiCares MAP Fund.

Gahan will be honored with the “Stevie Ray Vaughan Award” for his dedication and support of the MusiCares MAP Fund, and for his commitment to helping other addicts with the addiction and recovery process. Lyman will be the recipient of MusiCares’ “From the Heart Award” for his unconditional friendship and dedication to the mission and goals of the organization.  As longtime Depeche Mode fans and friends of Kevin Lyman, Daisy Rock Girl Guitars is honored to support MusiCares’ upcoming event.

Hosted by comedian Greg Behrendt, the evening will feature performances by alternative rock band Jane’s Addiction, two-time Grammy winners Ozomatli, and a special acoustic performance by Paramore. There will also be a special performance by Gahan, producer/musician Vincent Jones, and bassist Martyn LeNoble. Adam Bravin and Justin Warfield from She Wants Revenge will DJ live during dinner.

For more, visit www.grammy.org/musicares and daisyrock.com.

Mod Kits’ ThunderDrive is a do-it-yourself overdrive pedal with a current draw of 1.3 milliamps, allowing for long battery life. Mod Kits are designed to let novice and experienced musicians build their own amps and effects pedals. All have a pre-drilled enclosure, and all parts are included. The pedals operate on a 9-volt battery or a 9-volt adapter. Learn more at modkitsdiy.com.

The 18th Annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, September 16-18 in Telluride, Colorado, will be headlined by Willie Nelson, with performances by Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Dweezil Zappa, moe., Marcia Ball, Mavis Staples, Eric Bibb String Band, and many other acts. For more, visit tellurideblues.com.

The Brunetti Vanilla pedal is designed to produce blues-rhythm and defined rock tones. It uses German-made WIMA capacitors, metal-film or carbon-film resistors, SH multiwiper potentiometers with aluminium wipers. Read more at brunetti.it.

Sunset Guitars’ have introduced three new guitars, all made in the U.S. with multi-piece maple necks, double-cut bodies, and a heel starting at the 17th fret. The Performer has a chambered alder body

They use proprietary Multi-Voice Magnetics and Coil Notch Electronics, which the company says control the resonant peak and frequency response from inside each pickup using passive controls. For more, visit sunsetguitars.com.

Yes and Styx will embark on a 22-city summer tour starting July 4 and concluding August 3.

Yes will feature a lineup of guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire, drummer Alan White, and lead singer Benoit David, and keyboard player Geoff Downes. Styx includes Tommy Shaw (vocals, guitars), James “JY” Young (vocals, guitars), Lawrence Gowan (vocals, keyboards), Todd Sucherman (drums) and Ricky Phillips (bass), along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo.

“We are excited to have Styx on tour with us. I consider them to be in the vein of Yes and the cutting edge of prog-rock in America,” said Squire.

“When I first heard Yes, I knew that the music world was forever changed,” said Shaw.  “They took progressive rock to a place that had never been expressed in such an impressive yet accessible way.  Who among you didn’t make it a point to learn the acoustic guitar intro to ‘Roundabout?’  We’re very excited to tour with them for the very first time.”

Learn more at yesworld.com and styxworld.com.