Streit Stringed Instrument Repair http://www.streitfix.com Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:26:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Gibson SG Standard http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/gibson-sg-standard/ http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/gibson-sg-standard/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:26:08 +0000 stretifixco http://www.streitfix.com/?p=156 A favorite of mine, the Gibson SG Standard, was introduced in 1961. Originally, due to low sales of the Gibson Les Paul, the company issued this new model of Les Paul with a new body style: thinner, with two sharp, cutaway horns, easier access to the upper frets, and the neck joint moved up about three frets. Les Paul really didn’t care for the SG himself, and so his name was removed from the model, leaving it to the simplest and stripped-down of names, the SG (solid guitar).

With a mahogany body and set neck, the SG has a deep, rich tone powered by two humbucking pickups. The control setup is very straightfoward: a three-way switch that lets you select neck only, neck and bridge combined, or bridge only activation with a one-volume and one-tone control for each respective pickup.

The guitar itself feels wonderful to play, with its shallow body and slender neck, it just feels like it molds to you and plays like a dream. With its sinister pointed horns and powerful drive, this guitar is a screamer and a rock-and-roller’s favorite (which is precisely why I love it so much). Players of note include Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, and Pete Townshend.

]]> http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/gibson-sg-standard/feed/ 0 Gibson Hummingbird http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/gibson-hummingbird/ http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/gibson-hummingbird/#comments Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:42:57 +0000 stretifixco http://www.streitfix.com/?p=95 Introduced in 1960, the Hummingbird was the first dreadnaught acoustic produced by Gibson. With its rich tone, easy playability and eye-catching hummingbird engraved pickguard, these acoustics were an instant success.

The body, measuring in at 16.25″ in width, has a sitka spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The mahogany provides a deep bass tone that mixes well with the the mellow, slow response of the sitka spruce top. The top is light but extremely strong with a radius to add tension and strength, resulting in a “speaker cone” effect adding a boost to the mid range for a well-balanced tone. Hand-scalloped bracing focuses the natural acoustic sound toward the center of the body, enhancing sound projection.

The dovetail neck joint provides a tight, locking connection — allowing the body and neck to become one solid piece of resonating wood. The Madagascar rosewood fingerboard has a rolled edge that is slightly beveled for a smooth feel.

These guitars are well balanced and have a smooth and easy feel to them. They sound, look and feel great, what more can I say ….

]]> http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/gibson-hummingbird/feed/ 0 Pedulla Buzz Bass http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/pedulla-buzz-bass/ http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/pedulla-buzz-bass/#comments Sun, 24 Jan 2010 02:58:06 +0000 stretifixco http://www.streitfix.com/?p=54 One of my personal favorites, the Pedulla Buzz Bass, is handmade in Massachusetts by Michael Pedulla, not mass produced. Pedulla’s philosophy is that the instrument is a tool to express an artist’s soul, character, and art. It’s certainly one of the most beautiful basses I’ve ever played.

With a three-piece maple neck-through-body construction on a flame-maple body, the Pedulla delivers a great tone and sustain. The polyester-finished ebony fingerboard has a smooth-as-glass feel to it; this rare finish gives the bass its distinctive voice as well as a hardness that resists wear.  Its unique body style is ergonomically sculpted for access to the highest notes on the treble side and an extended bass side horn for perfect balance when strapped on.

Hopefully I’ll have one of these for my very own someday (if my wife is looking for a unique gift for me and comes across this, I’d like it in the blue-green sunburst as shown, but with chrome hardware and four strings only, please).  In the meantime, I’ll keep saving my pennies.

]]> http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/my-favorite-strings/pedulla-buzz-bass/feed/ 0 Works in Progress http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/on-the-bench/works-in-progress/ http://www.streitfix.com/http:/www.streitfix.com/blog/on-the-bench/works-in-progress/#comments Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:53:04 +0000 stretifixco http://www.streitfix.com/?p=1 Well, I’ve really done it this time. I’ve agreed to get all 21st century and 1) update my 2005 website and 2) start social networking. I’m still getting the hang of how all of this might work. Fortunately for now all the information you need to get your guitar fixed is already on my “web in progress.” Just click Contact. And don’t let all of this high-tech stuff fool you; I still prefer things to be high touch. So drop by my shop or give me a call. Looking forward to it all.

Steve

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