God Save the Queen

Beautiful 2008 Red Special from Brian May Guitars (very similar to the original Burns) as used by Steve Pritchard of Rogers, MN in the great Queen tribute "Crown Jewels". Steve picked up this axe specifically for this cool show which I attended at the Fine Line Music Cafe in Minneapolis on June 14th 2011. The band is now on temporary hiatus while searching for a new keyboardist for this project. Steve is also currently working with the Audio Marauders this fall. Click HERE to check their twin cities schedule. Maybe you'll get lucky, as Stevie just might be be swinging this axe for a few tunes.

Update: Just caught Mark from the Whatnots playing this same fine axe in the event center at St. Croix casino on 11/11/2011.

Diver Down - B2A

Here's the pic that I've been promising of the first Steinberger licensed bass that I purchased back in '84 from Crazy Jim's Anoka Music Center, (now Mr. Mark's Music) which I first referenced in the Wednesday, July 13, 2011 post "Small Package, Big Sound". The diving flag paint scheme is pretty unique, but in line with the styles of the day. Distributed by Hohner & tagged as B2A (Bass, 2 pick-up, Active electronics) this was really bargain priced for the day ($399). If anyone remembers Rod House from the band PANIC, tell him I'd like to buy this one back to use in my current touring bass line-up. This axe photographs very nicely & would work well in our current setting.
My next in town show is this Saturday, November 5th at Main street in Hopkins. Swing in for a cocktail if you're in the neighborhood. Next up after that is Saturday November 12th at McCracken's in Burnsville where I'll be playing the white Steinberger pictured up at the top of this page.

1966 Ibanez Dega

Guitar of the Week
Japanese export from 1966, Ibanez Dega, catalog #452. You'll rarely see one of these in Minneapolis, but there have been sitings reported. It's the mystery of the outcome of the hunt that makes us continually seek out gems like this. Now you tell me, who wouldn't pick this up at a local garage sale if you saw one. I don't care who you are; certain guitars are so alluring that we become helpless as if there were a beautiful naked woman standing in front of us. We open our wallets & walk away smiling with our prize.