King Lear | Goshawk

King Lear
Goshawk Guitar

The crown was too heavy for the old man’s head. Lear resented the weight, the headache, exhaustion of it all, blue eyes bloodshot, his frail neck strained, wisps of white hair trembling.

He wanted to be done, yet the lust for power dominates long after physical appetites erode. Once experienced, desire to command and be obeyed is not easily relinquished.

Lear felt a certain responsibility, as well. He believed, as all fools do, his will should dictate distribution of wealth amongst men. So thus cleverly, he devised to bestow a kingdom’s treasures between his children — decided in proportion by the earnestness of their public professions of love for his magnanimity.

From each, according to their avarice, to each according to their guile.

Rick Toone Guitar

I wanted to reflect emotions of Shakespeare’s King Lear at this moment of descent into madness. His armor and clothing cast off in a tremendous storm, freezing, covered in mud, raving to the heavens how he had been betrayed…when all along the destruction was of his own making.

Swamp ash, roasted flame maple, bone, carbon fiber. Layers of finish depth, patina of antiquity, raw metal of medieval armor. Driven by gleaming precision machined patented Intonation Cantilever™ stainless steel bridges, polished stainless steel frets, and the most versatile but subtle electronics I’ve yet installed.

Measured in terms of tonal sophistication, my builds will be judged as separated into pre-Lear vs. post-Lear epochs.

Rick Toone

Daniela Villareal | David Bendeth

Daniela Villarreal Rick Toone
PHOTO: Daniela Villarreal and Rick Toone in the rehearsal space, September 19, 2020.

Rudy Joffroy met me in the hallway of the rehearsal studio and together we walked into the practice space. Long hair, flashing eyes, even a mask couldn’t hide Daniela’s excitement. She is pure energy, ready to ROCK.

I’m not sure if the guitar case even touched the floor before she had her new Spearfish™ 22-fret plugged into the Marshall.

A few months ago, when Luis Villerreal texted to say The Warning had been signed to Lava Records and would be recording in New Jersey, we made plans to meet. I suggested to him it would be good for Daniela to have one of the new Spearfish™ 22-fret guitars for recording, as well as touring once that is possible again.

The Spearfish™ now weighs in at a very comfortable 7 lbs. Perfectly balanced, entirely new neck ergonomic geometry. Killer machine.

I chose Bare Knuckle Nailbomb™ pickups for this guitar…a radically different tone from her DiMarzio-equipped bleached bone Spearfish™ 24-fret. The Nailbombs have a really raw, organic, dynamic bite that is tremendously responsive in the hands of a skilled player.

Together in the studio the two guitars will track massively, with complementary voicings.

The Warning chose British producer David Bendeth for this third studio album. David is a guitar player himself, and brings a wealth of experience recording guitar. This should be a powerful artistic pairing. Expect trend-setting rock guitar sounds.

IMAGE: Daniela Villarreal with her Spearfish™ 22-fret into the Marshall.

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

Misha Mansoor | Reptile Spearfish

Misha Mansoor
IMAGE: Periphery Reptile text message that started it all…
VIDEO: Chris Buono takes Reptile Spearfish™ for a test flight.
VIDEO: Misha Mansoor shows a different side of his guitar playing with Reptile Spearfish™ 6-string guitar. (video by Ekaterina Gorbacheva)
PHOTO: Patent pending Element™ single billet machined aircraft aluminum neck. Misha Mansoor Bare Knuckle Juggernaut™ signature pickups.
PHOTO: Reptile Spearfish™ 22-fret guitar built for Misha Mansoor of Periphery.

Chris Buono | Ambient Tone Poem

VIDEO: Chris Buono plays a two minute tone poem musical improvisation. Spearfish 24-fret guitar built in 2017 and refurbished in July 2020. Chris is using a few pedals direct into his ’64 Fender Deluxe amp. Subtle details emerge throughout his expressive playing…watch his right hand hybrid picking and left hand pedal point techniques.