FEATURE
challenging as they once
had been. However, in 2002 Ozzy
Osbourne fell victim to reality television, and
metal was being exposed to an entirely new
generation. The kids who grew up in the
nineties were maturing—just as in the previous decade, they went through dad’s closet
to find out what made him hip. When they
found Judas Priest records, they discovered
some fierce guitar playing. And they found
dad’s Charvels, Jacksons, Kramers, ESP’s and
Ibanez guitars, along with his Marshall amp.
They took up those guitars and started learning Van Halen riffs.
The return of the hot rod guitar has come,
and we’re seeing a much needed shot in the
arm. Newer, technically advanced players are
again being provided with the
appropriate tools, along with the
enhancements of much more sophisticated
technology. Things are more precise, and guitar
makers are introducing products that may
take us beyond what we already knew about
guitar construction. We have computer-driven
machinery that makes things more accurate,
but the old-school minds are still at work.
Things have come full circle, but guitar design
innovations continue evolving to fit the high
performance needs of accomplished guitarists
around the world. Of course, no new revolution
will ever recapture the humble beginnings of
that shop in Azusa.
Photo: A 1981 Kramer Vanguard.
There’s a reason why it’s called classic rock. It
has a unique tone thanks to vintage hand-wired
tube amps. Now, Retro-King gives you that tone
in a new, hand-crafted custom made
amp at an affordable price. Plug into a
Retro-King amp and go back to a time
when classic was king!
ENDLESS OPTIONS INCLUDING:
• Post or pre-PI master volume
• Gain stage mods
• Optional negative feedback control
• Hand-wired, point to point
• Speaker and cabinet options
• Custom tolex
5.0
PREMIER
GUITAR
SEPT 2008
Visit us at
www.retrokingamps.com or call 315.673.3435.
