RICK TOONE ’67 Review

VIDEO: Dr. Andre Fludd has a curiosity and passion for electric guitar technology. His YouTube channel explores recent innovations in context with historical benchmarks, providing critical analysis from an informed perspective. In this video Andre explains the features and performance of the RICK TOONE ’67 guitar, with special focus on the tremolo.
VIDEO: Dr. Andre Fludd makes it look easy. Graceful tremolo expression throughout this lovely Jeff Beck interpretation. RICK TOONE ‘67 guitar into AxeFX III.

Goshawk | Bare Knuckle SSB

PHOTOS: Advantage Neck Profile™ natural flame maple neck is striking against shou sugi ban Swamp ash body. Machined stainless steel neck mount plate. Patented Intonation Cantilever™ bridges precision machined from stainless steel. Carbon fiber pickguard.
PHOTO: Bare Knuckle™ pickups elevate the organic woodiness of Goshawk™ 6-string, bringing this guitar into modern rock, progressive, metal territory. Stunning dynamics and articulation.

This lovely (killer) Goshawk™ 6-string is flying south today to spend a month with Bob Bakert and the crew at Jazz Guitar Today magazine. They will be doing an in-depth review for a future article.

Had a great conversation with Bob on the phone yesterday. He’s got an honesty I always find refreshing, not unlike Hunter S. Thompson. Some Gonzo going on there.

Amazing how sometimes one discussion can clarify our thinking. I’m inspired…and inspired to get this guitar into his hands.

PHOTOS: Ebony fretboard and headstock facing. Traditional bone nut. Stainless steel frets. Hipshot locking tuners made in USA.

Ekaterina Gorbacheva

Spearfish Headstock
Spearfish Guitar
Rick Toone
PHOTOS: Spearfish™ 6-string guitar headstock machined from single billet aircraft grade aluminum. Patents pending. Hipshot locking tuners. (all images Ekaterina Gorbacheva)

I met Kate (Ekaterina) via Instagram and the excellent work she did filming Misha Mansoor playing his Reptile Spearfish™ 6-string guitar. I love the moods she is able to capture with her photography…levels beyond documentary.

“This is a very interesting path you’ve had, but I see all of it as being highly intellectual and more introverted and I absolutely relate to and admire your choices. On a side note your creations are beautiful and do have a touch of an intellectual to them.” (Ekaterina Gorbacheva)

Ekaterina Gorbacheva
IMAGE: www.ekaterinagorbacheva.com

Guitar Moderne | Magnets & Wire

Michael Ross of Guitar Moderne published a piece on Magnets & Wire album. He does a nice write-up plus excellent compilation of videos featuring some of my builds in the hands of these exceptional artists.

Guitar Modern is:

Guitar Moderne offers extensive coverage of the world-wide explosion of avant, experimental, and unusual players, as they discuss their approach to this classic combination of metal and wood. Here too, you will find articles and reviews covering combining computer with guitar and the world of plugins that this opens up, as well as news about the more extreme pedals available. Guitar Moderne is not genre specific; it covers forward-thinking players of any musical style: jazz, experimental, classical, blues, rock, metal, etc. Guitarists and fans from every continent can converge here to learn about the many directions this versatile instrument is taking and the gear being used for the journey.

guitar moderne

Goshawk | Jazz Guitar Today Magazine

Screen on my phone illuminated. Incoming call: Bob Bakert. Bob is editor of Jazz Guitar Today based in Atlanta, GA. The magazine features jazz scene and instruments more traditional than avant-garde, so it was a pleasant surprise when they decided to do a feature on Goshawk™ 6-string guitar. Ede Wright and Bob Bakert had connected locally, and Bob fell in love with Goshawk’s design.

Bob was calling to tell me the article had just been published.

He’s an interesting person, athletic, fit, intelligent, actively playing (and pursuing) all things guitar since the late 1960’s. Our conversation drifted — as it quickly does — into music tangents. He was still aglow from a recent compliment where a well-respected industry insider told Bob he is an excellent musician. What was especially interesting was the follow-up comment: “Musician, not guitar player. Those are two different things.”

Many of us who play tend to bring a set of patterns (musical or thought) to the guitar, then attempt to fit those into the current context, possibly contextually appropriate. Approaching guitar as a musician, instead of as a player, happens when we lead with our ear instead of our skill set.

This is something I have noticed as well, and mentioned recently in the video interview with Mike Dawes. The difference seems based on the ability to listen. Really listen.

Mind still, and present in the moment, as Buddha would say.

jazz guitar today rick toone
IMAGE: Goshawk™ 6-string electric is featured in May 2019 issue of Jazz Guitar Today Magazine.