Staff Picks
Nearly all of us on staff at The Music Zoo play an instrument, or have a band, or have a guitar collection. Or all three. As a result, we are always talking about the latest gear at the shop. Here's what we're currently obsessed with:
Gibson Custom Shop Limited Run 3-Pickup '59 Les Paul Gloss Electric Guitar Kentucky Bourbon Fade View
Oh Limited Run 3-Pickup '59 reissue, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways; a beautifully wispy thick-flamed top, lightly shaded Kentucky Bourbon Fade finish, and not one or two, but three Underwound Custom Bucker humbuckers.
The Music Zoo is incredibly happy to offer the brand-new and reinvented Gibson Custom Shop 2013 Limited Edition 3-Pickup '59 Les Paul Reissue. Along with all the fantastic changes that the Custom Shop made to create one of the best reissues ever with the 2013 model - we've tweaked it just a bit more to get this Limited Edition '59 exactly the way we wanted it, and not to pat ourselves on the back too much...but we believe that we got it right.
What makes this Limited '60 Les Paul unlike any other 2013 Reissue are mainly two components; these guitars have Underwound Custom Bucker Pickups as well as TonePros long posts and studs. As getting modern humbuckers as close to the original PAF pickups are the bane of any Les Paul aficionados existence (including ours), we really wanted to nail that bell-like (almost single coil-esque) clarity of the original '50s pickups. We found that under-winding the pickup gave us exactly what we were looking for; a lush wave of overtones that really bring out the best of every note in your playing. As guitarists who have played original Les Pauls with real-deal PAF's - we can say for sure that these are up there with some of the best recreations we've ever heard.
Next up, we gave the guitar TonePros long studs and posts; because it seemed to just make sense. The bridge and tailpiece are where all the guitars sustain comes from - why not have the posts and studs really anchoredin there for the tightest connection possible? You hear the difference with one strum.
The 2013 Reissue Changes: The mahogany back and sides of the guitars are stained with aniline dye, which presents the mahogany grain in the best detail possible. The truss rod in the mahogany neck is unsheathed from its tube encasing from previous years, and the neck is fitted to the body with hide glue. These are changes which we feel increases the resonance of the instrument, and the hide-glue also is helpful in removing the neck of the guitar for repair without damaging the surrounding wood of the body. The Kluson Deluxe double-band tuners have been redesigned, with a proper vintage shape and color. Also, the fretboard and body binding has been darkened color-wise for a more vintage-accurate look.
All in all, we thought we couldn't be any bigger fans of the Historic Reissue Les Paul at the Music Zoo than we already are, but these guitars have without a doubt taken it up a notch. They're all resonant, toneful, and best of all - fun to play. Pick one up, and see for yourself.
The Music Zoo is incredibly happy to offer the brand-new and reinvented Gibson Custom Shop 2013 Limited Edition 3-Pickup '59 Les Paul Reissue. Along with all the fantastic changes that the Custom Shop made to create one of the best reissues ever with the 2013 model - we've tweaked it just a bit more to get this Limited Edition '59 exactly the way we wanted it, and not to pat ourselves on the back too much...but we believe that we got it right.
What makes this Limited '60 Les Paul unlike any other 2013 Reissue are mainly two components; these guitars have Underwound Custom Bucker Pickups as well as TonePros long posts and studs. As getting modern humbuckers as close to the original PAF pickups are the bane of any Les Paul aficionados existence (including ours), we really wanted to nail that bell-like (almost single coil-esque) clarity of the original '50s pickups. We found that under-winding the pickup gave us exactly what we were looking for; a lush wave of overtones that really bring out the best of every note in your playing. As guitarists who have played original Les Pauls with real-deal PAF's - we can say for sure that these are up there with some of the best recreations we've ever heard.
Next up, we gave the guitar TonePros long studs and posts; because it seemed to just make sense. The bridge and tailpiece are where all the guitars sustain comes from - why not have the posts and studs really anchoredin there for the tightest connection possible? You hear the difference with one strum.
The 2013 Reissue Changes: The mahogany back and sides of the guitars are stained with aniline dye, which presents the mahogany grain in the best detail possible. The truss rod in the mahogany neck is unsheathed from its tube encasing from previous years, and the neck is fitted to the body with hide glue. These are changes which we feel increases the resonance of the instrument, and the hide-glue also is helpful in removing the neck of the guitar for repair without damaging the surrounding wood of the body. The Kluson Deluxe double-band tuners have been redesigned, with a proper vintage shape and color. Also, the fretboard and body binding has been darkened color-wise for a more vintage-accurate look.
All in all, we thought we couldn't be any bigger fans of the Historic Reissue Les Paul at the Music Zoo than we already are, but these guitars have without a doubt taken it up a notch. They're all resonant, toneful, and best of all - fun to play. Pick one up, and see for yourself.
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Previously only available in Japan! This is the limited edition for 2013 Fender FSR 1975 P/J bass, which is exactly what it sounds like - a bass loaded with both Precision and Jazz bass pickups for the best of both low-end worlds. Add in the Aged Candy Apple Red finish and oval-shaped maple neck and you;ve got a bass that both looks and sounds phenomenal.
Fender®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
Fender®, Precision Bass® and Jazz Bass® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
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We think you just can't ask for anything better out of such a package; the Orange OR15H. 15 (or 7) watts of pure Orange tone. Built with a single-channel, a built-in FX loop, two EL84 power amp tubes and 8/16ohm speaker outputs, this thing is just built to plug in and let loose.
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Fender Custom Shop NAMM One-Off Masterbuilt Doubleneck Esquire and Mandolin NOS Electric Guitar Coral Pink View
Here's an instrument...or should we say instruments that caught our eye at the 2013 NAMM Fender Custom Shop showcase; a super vibey Coral Pink Esquire that's been doubled up with an electric Mandolin. If this isn't the ultimate Country or Folk guitar for anyone that favors utility, flash, and tone all in one instrument, then we don't know what is.
The Esquire/Mandolin was built by Fender Masterbuilder Dennis Galuszka, who didn't leave any stone unturned in making this as cool a guitar as possible, from the custom designed 4-ply pickguard to the beautiful pieces of Indian Rosewood used for the fretboard, down to the ease of use when it comes to how to work the electronics. Dennis even custom-carved the Esquire saddles so that intonation could be acheived way easier than on a traditional Nocaster bridge. Things are kept simple; a master volume and tone for both necks, the first position of the 3-way switch is solely for the Esquire pickup, the middle position features both necks active at the same time, and the 3rd position is solely the Mandolin neck.
We think the possibilities are endless with this Doubleneck. You can either use it as a traditional Tele and switch over to the Mandolin for specific parts of songs, but we have the idea that it would be coolest used in conjunction with a loop pedal to really get some unique multi-instrument vibes going all at once.
Last but not least is the amazing leather-bound photo book that's included with the guitar, featuring behind-the-scenes photographs of the Doubleneck as it was handcrafted in the Custom Shop by Dennis. This instrument is yet another testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that we love to see come out of the Fender Custom Shop and the minds of its Masterbuilders.
Fender®, Telecaster®, and Tele® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
The Esquire/Mandolin was built by Fender Masterbuilder Dennis Galuszka, who didn't leave any stone unturned in making this as cool a guitar as possible, from the custom designed 4-ply pickguard to the beautiful pieces of Indian Rosewood used for the fretboard, down to the ease of use when it comes to how to work the electronics. Dennis even custom-carved the Esquire saddles so that intonation could be acheived way easier than on a traditional Nocaster bridge. Things are kept simple; a master volume and tone for both necks, the first position of the 3-way switch is solely for the Esquire pickup, the middle position features both necks active at the same time, and the 3rd position is solely the Mandolin neck.
We think the possibilities are endless with this Doubleneck. You can either use it as a traditional Tele and switch over to the Mandolin for specific parts of songs, but we have the idea that it would be coolest used in conjunction with a loop pedal to really get some unique multi-instrument vibes going all at once.
Last but not least is the amazing leather-bound photo book that's included with the guitar, featuring behind-the-scenes photographs of the Doubleneck as it was handcrafted in the Custom Shop by Dennis. This instrument is yet another testament to the creativity and craftsmanship that we love to see come out of the Fender Custom Shop and the minds of its Masterbuilders.
Fender®, Telecaster®, and Tele® are registered trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation.
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When it comes to legendary bassists, Jefferson Airplane's Jack Casady is known by leagues of players. The Epiphone Jack Casady Signature bass is the result of years of collaboration between Casady and Epiphone to create a bass with superb tone and impressive acoustic response. Boasting a semi-hollow tone, this bass features the specially designed JCB-1 low impedance pickup for added clarity and solid low-end. Also equipped with the unique "Vari-Tone" tone selector switch, this bass provides plenty of options to really dial in a custom sound for just about any style of bass player after that full-bodied tone.
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This is the Yngwie J. Malmsteen signature Ovation Viper, a guitar that's built to fulfill the need for speed - the color is even named after Yngwies favorite Ferrari. The guitar has a solid cedar top with chambered mahogany body, diamond shape inlays, a 3-Band EQ, Ovation electronics, and finished off with a scalloped fretboard for an even faster playability! This is a fantastic guitar for anyone who wants to get their unplugged shred on - but sorry, gold chains and rings not included!
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The ACS Koa is based on a standard ACS-SA model, which features a chambered Silver Leaf Maple body, and superb individual transducer saddles powered by a customized preamp system from the RMCTM Pickup Company. Ordinary ACS-SA models have a Cedar top which is traditionally a bit darker than Koa sonically, with many overtones. The Koa top will give it a bit more of a bump in the mid-range and a touch more clarity in bass notes. However, the tonal difference is subtle, and the vibe of the ACS guitar is still very much intact.
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Looking for a Les Paul with a killer flame top and a slim neck profile? You can't go wrong with this pre-owned '60 reissue, made by the Gibson Custom Shop in 2006. Features include a Washed Cherry finish on a flame maple top, solid mahogany body, '60s slim profile mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard, 24-3/4" scale length, two Burstbucker pickups, an ABR-1 bridge with retainer wire, stopbar tailpiece, and nickel hardware.
The guitar is in great shape, with only some tarnishing to the pickup covers and light marks around the back as wear from previous play time. The dye from the body and neck has bled into the fretboard binding a bit, however this is a natural process. The guitar has a very eye-catching top with lots of flicker and great book-matching to the flame maple, along with a thin neck that's great for ripping those lead riffs up the board.
The guitar is in great shape, with only some tarnishing to the pickup covers and light marks around the back as wear from previous play time. The dye from the body and neck has bled into the fretboard binding a bit, however this is a natural process. The guitar has a very eye-catching top with lots of flicker and great book-matching to the flame maple, along with a thin neck that's great for ripping those lead riffs up the board.
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You can't mistake the fleet-fingered playing of Iron Maiden's Steve Harris. The man is a Metal bass-playing institution, and supplying his tone has been a killer pickup made by Seymour Duncan. This pickup is the SPB-4, measuring at a powerful 13k output with Alnico 5 magnets to deliver a forceful sound with tight low-end and crisp trebles that will have you running for the hills.
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If you can't get the idea of what this new Seymour Duncan humbucker will sound like from the name, then you better put down your axe and do some research! This is the Whole Lotta Love humbucker, inspired by the days when Seymour would hang around London in the 60's and '70s. The pickup uses rough cast Alnico 5 magnets, plain enamel wire, and a unique wind patter that gives the bridge a 8.78k output and a 8.20k neck output. Throw these bad boys in your guitar, turn the amp up, and let loose!
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If you can't get the idea of what this new Seymour Duncan humbucker will sound like from the name, then you better put down your axe and do some research! This is the Whole Lotta Love humbucker, inspired by the days when Seymour would hang around London in the 60's and '70s. The pickup uses rough cast Alnico 5 magnets, plain enamel wire, and a unique wind patter that gives the bridge a 8.78k output and a 8.20k neck output. Throw these bad boys in your guitar, turn the amp up, and let loose!
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If you can't get the idea of what this new Seymour Duncan humbucker will sound like from the name, then you better put down your axe and do some research! This is the Whole Lotta Love humbucker, inspired by the days when Seymour would hang around London in the 60's and '70s. The pickup uses rough cast Alnico 5 magnets, plain enamel wire, and a unique wind patter that gives the bridge a 8.78k output and a 8.20k neck output. Throw these bad boys in your guitar, turn the amp up, and let loose!
Guaranteed Low Price:
If you can't get the idea of what this new Seymour Duncan humbucker will sound like from the name, then you better put down your axe and do some research! This is the Whole Lotta Love humbucker, inspired by the days when Seymour would hang around London in the 60's and '70s. The pickup uses rough cast Alnico 5 magnets, plain enamel wire, and a unique wind patter that gives the bridge a 8.78k output and a 8.20k neck output. Throw these bad boys in your guitar, turn the amp up, and let loose!
Guaranteed Low Price: