Latest news with #Stratocaster
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Khruangbin's Laura Lee and Mark Speer on Recreating Their Signature Strat and Bass With Fender — But in Extremely Limited Quantities: ‘It Would be Weird for Everyone to Have Our Guitars'
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. When Fender reached out to Khruangbin's Laura Lee and Mark Speer — the wig-donning guitarists of the Texas-based, genre-blurring band — with the opportunity to create brand new, custom versions of their Stratocaster and Bass, it didn't even cross their mind that they would design instruments that were different than the ones they've played on stage for more than a decade. More from Variety Fender's Iconic Stratocaster and Telecaster Guitars Get Rare Discount in Surprise Online Sale Fender Teams With Jack White, Finneas and Blu DeTiger on Signature Guitars, Bass and Amplifier Khruangbin Brings It Back to Basics With the Low-Key Majesty of 'A La Sala': Album Review 'I think we literally handed them our instruments and just said 'Make it look like this,'' Speer tells Variety over Zoom. 'It's just what I've been used to. Picking up other guitars I'm like, 'This feels a little different.' There's a distinct clunkiness to the guitar I play and [Fender] was able to accommodate that for me, thank goodness.' 'For us, the most epic guitar that we could put out in the world is the one that we play,' Lee adds. 'And so the reason that we like it is because it's ours.' The storied guitar manufacturer, who has created custom instruments for everyone from Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton to George Harrison, is still going strong in partnering with contemporary musicians. Most recently, they've partnered with who released a custom Player II Telecaster and Brad Paisley on a restored version of a 1967 Telecaster. In the 1940s, Fender revolutionized the industry with the release of the Telecaster (the first mass-produced solid-body electric guitar), the Stratocaster and the Precision Bass. So, for Lee and Speer, widely respected in the industry for their distinctive playing style on electric guitar and bass, respectively, the collaboration made perfect sense. While Speer thought the process of recreating his Strat — 'verbatim,' as he says — would be relatively easy, he realized during the process that one of his favorite aspects of his guitar was the outcome of a manufacturing mistake when it was first made in the early 2000s. ''Well, I like it like that,' he recalls telling the Fender design team. 'So it needs to be that.'' The result is the Mark Speer Stratocaster, featuring an Aged Natural ash body, custom-wired DiMarzio Pro Track pickups and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo. Packed with a Custom 'C' neck, jumbo frets and minimalist aesthetic, it's tailored for Speer's expressive tone and fluid, psychedelic playing style. The Strat, which Speer has fondly compared to a DJ console in its ability to change EQ, is at the core of Khruangbin's genre-bending style. 'That's what the guitar is able to do for me,' he says, noting its influence on the very deep jazz-like qualities to the brighter, pluckier tones you hear in Khruangbin's music. 'I'm used to it. I don't really like playing on other guitars. I'm sorry to say, but I just like this one and I know how this paintbrush works.' Lee, meanwhile, found her musical sensibility through her bass, which she's had since 2009. When she began the recreation process with Fender, she wanted it to feel as approachable to new players as she felt when she first began playing. 'It's a really easy, it's not too complicated,' she says of the Fender release. 'It's comfy and I hope that it's warm to people.' The Laura Lee Jazz Bass arrives in a Vintage White finish with matching headstock and gold pickguard. Built with DiMarzio Ultra Jazz pickups, concentric volume/tone controls, and a Custom 'U' neck, it's a playful, precision-crafted instrument that reflects her minimalist, dub-inspired approach. Aside from essentially creating near replicas of their worn-in instruments, another non-negotiable for the pair was making sure their custom six-strings would only be released in limited quantities. 'I don't want to just have a bazillion guitars that look just like mine flooding the marketplace,' Speer says. 'I know some people make heavy changes to their signature model but that is my guitar. It would be weird to have everyone have my guitar.' Of course, if you're fast enough, you can get your hands on Lee and Speer's exact Fender Strat and Bass. Shop the limited-edition guitars below: Buy Now $1,499.99 $1,499.99 Buy Now $1,499.99 $1,499.99 Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mark Speer's celebrated playing style is due to playing him only one guitar for over two decades
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Genre-blenders Khruangbin may have transitioned from psych-tinged instrumental upstarts to an arena-ready trio with a bulging repertoire and a Grammy nomination to boot – but guitarist Mark Speer still leans on the trusty Stratocaster that has accompanied him from day one (i.e. the past two decades or so): an early 2000s reissue. 'If someone handed me their guitar I'd be like, 'Wow, what a nice instrument,' but I won't sound very good on it,' he tells 'I'm used to mine. I'm not a guitar player – I play that guitar. I've been using that one thing for the whole time. I know exactly where certain notes are going to sing more than others. 'Or if I play here versus here, I can really control the timbre of where things are happening and why – the volume knob, things that I do against the gain structure, it's all part of the voice. Really, it's my voice, right?' Therefore, it comes as no surprise that Speer's recently-announced signature model with Fender is a near-replica of what he plays on the daily – with a '70s Strat pickup sandwiched between DiMarzio Pro TrackTMs, jumbo frets, Graph Tech saddles and string trees, and a Custom 'C'-shape neck with a 7.25' radius – packaged in an Aged Natural finish. 'The guitar is very similar to my main one and that was the whole point,' he adds. 'It also feels the same way. The bit that routes the body out – it was a discontinued way they used to do it. They were very kind to bring that back. I think they just went and found the bit and put it back on the router to make it.' Speaking of signature models, his bandmate Laura Lee has also released her own – marking the first time Fender has simultaneously released a signature electric guitar and bass for two members of the same band.
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘I have very fond memories' – Micheál Martin reflects on meeting Rory Gallagher ahead of 30th anniversary in Cork
The star - widely considered to be one of the greatest guitarists in history - died on June 14 1995 in London after contracting MRSA while being treated for a serious liver illness. He had been over 13 weeks in intensive care in a London hospital after falling ill while playing at a gig in the Netherlands. The musician was only 47-years-old. Taoiseach Micheál Martin was a fan and will formally open a new roadway at Cork Airport on Saturday named after the guitarist who once turned down an offer of joining The Rolling Stones. Cork City Council has organised a 'Rock for Rory' festival to promote his legacy while special exhibitions will take place at Cork Library. The highlight of the celebrations of the star's life will be a trio of concerts at the Live At The Marquee festival next month where US guitarist Joe Bonamassa will replicate Rory's famous 1974 tour setlist. Mr Martin previously said one of his fondest memories was being able to host a small civic reception for Rory Gallagher during his time as Lord Mayor of Cork. "I have very fond memories of it," he said. "He played in the Everyman Theatre and (Rory's brother) Donal was there on the night. I said to Donal: 'Would Rory mind being honoured tomorrow'?" "Donal said that he is extremely shy - that he shies away from all these kinds of public things." But, when it was indicated that only a small crowd of mostly close family and friends would be present, Rory agreed to the event. "He did come in. We had a small group of about 40 people. I remember Joe Philpott of Ballincollig fame - Joe was a musician at the time and I rang him and I said Joe would you like to come to meet Rory Gallagher? He couldn't believe it. I have very fond memories of that." Mr Martin had backed Irish attempts to keep the star's famous Stratocaster guitar in Ireland after it was offered for auction in London. Last year it was purchased by Live Nation Gaiety Ltd and, minutes after the sale, was donated to the National Museum of Ireland. Keeping the guitar in Ireland was also backed by US guitarist Joe Bonamassa who will next month play a series of gigs dedicated to Rory as part of The Live At The Marquee series. The New York-born musician, who opened for B.B. King when he was just 12 years old, has been a lifelong fan of Rory and is one of just two musicians given permission by the Gallagher family to play Rory's iconic 1961 Fender Stratocaster. He first heard Rory Gallagher's music aged just six years but admitted one of the great regrets of his life was that he never saw the Irish guitarist live. The tribute shows will take place from July 1 and will see Joe Bonamassa lead a band including Jeremy Stacey, Lachlan Doley and Aongus Ralston. It features a 14 track show which will exactly replicate the setlist of Rory's 1974 tour and include such hits as 'Tattoo'd Lady', 'Bad Penny', 'Out on the Western Plains' and 'Bullfrog Blues'. Promoter Peter Aiken admitted the tribute shows were very much a labour of love for everyone involved. "In 1972 Rory Gallagher agreed to play in Belfast," he said. "It was one of the worst years of The Troubles and no international acts were willing to travel to Belfast. My father, Jim, was involved in music promotions and things were so challenging he was thinking about going back teaching. "But after Rory played Belfast, suddenly other acts agreed to play there including Led Zeppelin, Nazareth and Pink Floyd. If it wasn't for Rory, we might not be here today." The influential music magazine 'Melody Maker' hailed Gallagher as "a genuine working class hero" for agreeing to play Belfast in 1972 and use music as a unifying factor. Rory has been hailed as an inspiration by some of the most famous guitarists in rock and blues including Eric Clapton, Brian May and Alex Lifeson. While born in Donegal, Rory was raised in Cork. He bought his 1961 Stratocaster guitar in Cork in 1963 for IR£100. His mother had already agreed a payment plan at Crowley's Music Store in Cork for a cheaper guitar but, when Gallagher saw the Strat, he had to have it. He re-negotiated a new payment plan on the basis he had paid work as part of a local showband and kept the Strat under a bed in his family home. Bonham's auction house cultural department director, Clair Tole-Moir, said the guitar was absolutely iconic within the rock sphere. "There is also a legend that says that this is the first Fender Stratocaster that came into Ireland. So it's also an important Fender guitar as well as an important Rory Gallagher guitar." "It has been considered the most recognisable Fender Stratocaster in the world because of... its unusually worn appearance but it's got a really distinct look, and everybody associates it with Rory."
Forbes
20-04-2025
- Business
- Forbes
PreSonus Eris Pro 6 Studio Monitors Are An Affordable Home Recording Upgrade
A successful mix starts with a high-quality studio monitor. PreSonus is an audio brand that's been bubbling around in the home recording market for 30 years and has its roots in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Founded in a garage by Jim Odom, a musician and recording engineer, and Brian Smith, an electrical engineer, the company initially concentrated on making affordable and high-quality audio equipment for musicians and audio professionals. Since 2021, PreSonus has been part of the mighty Fender Group, an American company that's imbued with the magic of the music industry and founded by Leo Fender back in 1946 from Fullerton, California. Fender is inextricably linked with guitar models like Stratocaster and Telecaster. It now owns brands like Gretsch, Bigsby and Squier. PreSonus Audio Electronics now produces a range of professional studio equipment, recording software, the kind of smaller equipment used in home studios as well as professional recording studios for mixing and balancing music. With the boom in home recording that was spurred on by the pandemic, coupled with the affordability of home recording technology, the market for studio monitors has boomed in the past few years. PreSonus has joined in with the studio monitor market in a big way producing budget speakers as well as more professional equipment aimed at high-end home studios. The new Eris Pro 6 studio monitors sit in the middle of PreSonus's three Pro Series of monitors featuring varying woofer diameters. The Eris Pro 6 Pro monitors have a compact and boxy design despite their considerable power. Thanks to a 6.5-inch woofer, these squat speakers can move serious amounts of air. The PreSonus Eris Pro 6 studio monitors are sold as single units but you'll want two for that stereo ... More mix. Designed as an upgrade from the kind of starter studio monitors made by brands like PreSonus, Yamaha and M-Audio, the new PreSonus Eris Pro 6 features a symmetric design that provides a consistent acoustic center for better phase alignment with a wider sweet spot and precise stereo imaging thanks to a symmetrical dispersion pattern. This makes the Eris Pro 6 particularly suited for Dolby Atmos and stereo-mixing environments. The wider sweet spot is also useful when there are many people crowded around the mixing desk all trying to listen to the playback. The wide dispersion of the speakers is partly due to the Eris Pro 6's horn-loaded coaxial design. This puts the tweeter at the heart of the woofer so that both drivers project their sound from a single acoustic point source that creates a more natural listening experience capable of revealing subtleties that a conventional design might not. The coaxial arrangement also helps produce a three-dimensional soundstage with a detailed transient response. The Eris Pro 6 monitors have a punchy low end with enough amplification for any home recording setup or a professional mixing room in a commercial studio. The higher frequencies are produced by a 1.25-inch silk-dome tweeter while the woofer surrounding it is a 6.5-inch, woven-composite cone that PreSonus says has a 'tight, clear bass, with plenty of punch.' The Eris Pro 6 cabinets are front ported and bi-amped with 140W of power that enables the monitors to delve down to an impressive 35Hz, while still offering a detailed transient response and the sort of dynamics that can produce a more natural-sounding and less fatiguing listening experience. The PreSonus Eris Pro 6 has a front reflex port and a horn-loaded coaxial arrangement of a 6.5-inch ... More woofer with a 1.25 silk dome tweeter at its centre. To get the most out of the Eris Pro 6, PreSonus has incorporated acoustic tuning controls as well as three-way Acoustic Space Tuning lets the user tweak the sound from the speakers to suit any room or placement. The Acoustic Space Tuning has three settings for placement adjustments such as corners, walls and open room. There is also a separate control for high frequencies with options for ±6 dB, center 10 kHz and continuously variable. A Mid Frequency control provides ±6 dB, center 1kHz and continuously variable settings. Meanwhile, a Low-Cut filter provides Flat, 80Hz, 100Hz @ -12dB / octave. PreSonus has also added something called a soft start circuit that stops the speakers from making the hideous thumping sound that some speakers can produce when they are turned on or off. Finally, there is a subsonic filter for eliminating any unwanted ultra‑low frequencies. The amplifier in each of the Eris Studio 6 is Class AB and bi-amped with a crossover set at 3.2kHz. The lower frequency response starts at 35Hz and the upper frequencies top out at 20kHz, which is wider than some floor-standing speakers. The woofer is fed with 75W of power while the balance of 65W goes to the tweeter. The maximum SPL is 106dB at 1 meter. At the rear of the PreSonus Eris Pro 6 are the inputs and acoustic tuning controls for tweaking the ... More sound of the monitors. Each of the PreSonus Eris Pro 6 cabinets is made from vinyl-laminated, medium-density fiberboard with rounded corners that give the cabinets the appearance of being made from high-quality polycarbonate. The cabinets are internally braced to reduce resonance while the bass frequencies can vent through a front‑facing reflex port. At the rear of the speakers, there is a solid metal plate where the controls and inputs are located. As usual with these kinds of monitors, each unit has a selection of unbalanced RCA phono, TRS balanced quarter‑inch jack or balanced XLR and there is a master rotary control to adjust the master input gain, The PreSonus Eris 6 Pro are designed to punch above their weight considering the relatively affordable price. While they are not intended to compete with the kind of ultra-high-end studio monitors from Focal, Neumann and others used in some of the world's best recording studios, the PreSonus Eris Pro 6 are designed to offer a significant step up from starter models made by the likes of Yamaha and Edifier. Aimed squarely at home studios looking for a premium mixing monitor, the upgrade to the Eris Pro 6 could reveal more detail than most budget studio monitors. The new PreSonus Eris Pro 6 studio monitors are shipping now priced at $279.99 / £349 per monitor.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How Much Will Kurt Cobain's Smashed Nirvana Guitar Be Auctioned For?
Kurt Cobain's iconic smashed Fender Stratocaster, a piece of Nirvana history, is about to hit the auction block, and it's expected to fetch a hefty price. Starting on Wednesday, April 8 at 9 AM, the white guitar, which Cobain famously used and destroyed during Nirvana's 1992 European tour, will be available to the highest bidder starting at a cool $30,000. More from Spin: Kurt Cobain's Hair Returns to Auction After Previously Being Sold for $14K Charles R. Cross, Kurt Cobain And Jimi Hendrix Biographer, Dies At 67 RADIO FREE SEATTLE The Stratocaster had been heavily modified and repaired during the band's meteoric rise following the success of their 1991 album Nevermind. The particular guitar was owned and played by Cobain himself and was acquired by a former crew member who worked with Nirvana during their prime years from 1991 to 1993. It has since been authenticated and inspected by renowned Nirvana guitar tech Big John Duncan and is confirmed to be the real deal. While the starting price is $30K, a similar smashed Stratocaster of Cobain's sold for over $500,000 in 2023, and his blue 1969 Fender Mustang, featured in the 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' video, went for a jaw-dropping $4.5 million. The auction will be hosted online at GottaHaveRockAndRoll and comes just days after the 31st anniversary of Cobain's tragic death in 1994. Read More:How Hailie Jade Mathers Honored Dad Eminem With Her Newborn's NameVal Kilmer's Cause of Death Revealed by Family After Actor Dies at 65How Cher Paid Tribute to Ex-Boyfriend Val Kilmer After His Death To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
