Fender Duo Sonic with sparkle finish

You don't see many of these Fender Duo Sonic guitars with this distinctive red on gold sparkle finish. This particular example is from 1963 and the finish is original. Why don't we see more like this? Was it a very limited edition, or were examples refinished over the years?

Raspberry Ripple Guitar

This guitar with the "raspberry ripple" finish is actually a pre-Ibanez JEM Despagni and is apparently just like the one that Steve Vai has from 1987.

The seller also believes that this may be possibly the very first multi-swirl JEM guitar ever! (I'm not quite sure how I'm expected to react to a statement like that? Should I be impressed or just simply stunned into silence with the awe-inspiringness of it?)

Sorry guys, it may well sound awesome, but looks-wise I'd give it a miss. I'd rather hear it than look at it.

ESP Doreamon Guitar

From Japan (naturally) comes this ESP Doreamon guitar based on a cartoon character that I'm not really aware of but have seen on guitars before! I like the fact that it seems to have a built-in amp but the sheer size and shape of it means that it would be totally impractical as a travel guitar. It's extremely cheesy and I have to confess to secretly liking this one mainly because of its ridiculousness. It's a very odd shape, it's funny, and it's another example of what the imaginations of those wacky Japanese can come up with.

Guitar George is cycling on ice

Here is a bizarre news story about 18-year old George Britcher who has been alarming patrons of his local ice rink in Norfolk with his party piece which consists of riding his unicycle on the ice and playing guitar at the same time.

I'm assuming he uses a wireless connection to his amp as a guitar lead trailing behind him would surely make this feat even more hazardous!

Joe Satriani sues Coldplay

The BBC News reports that "Grammy nominees Coldplay have been sued by rock guitarist Joe Satriani, who claims the band's song Viva La Vida uses one of his riffs."

Apparently the song uses substantial original portions of Satriani's 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly".

Whilst I'm not the biggest fan of Satriani's music, I can only applaud his decision to take the arrogant Chris Martin and Co down a peg or two.

It's not the first time Coldplay have plundered someone else's songs and presented them as their own. As a big Kraftwerk fan I still shudder everytime Coldplay's "Talk" comes on the radio, which uses the entire melody line and main riff from Kraftwerk's "Computer Love". At least in that instance Chris Martin asked persmission and having heard a thing or two about Kraftwerk's Ralf Hutter, you can bet they get royalties. (It still irritates me though.)

It makes me wonder why Coldplay's Chris Martin asked permission from one artist but not from another. Did he think the Satriani piece was so obscure that no one would recognise it? And can't Chris Martin write his own music at all?

Burns Scorpion Bass

I remember when Burns Guitars launched their Scorpion guitar back in 1980. It was at the same time when they also launched the Western-looking Steer guitar.

I hadn't previosuly realised they made a Scorpion Bass too. Looks neat. Is that a short-scale, I wonder?

Breaking News: Image of Jesus seen on guitar

I'm not saying anything about this story. Make up your own minds!

"Employees at Instrumental Music and Sound in Ludington, Michigan say the wood grain of one of the store's guitars has an image that looks like the face of Jesus. Others believe it looks like an angel.

The guitar would normally sell for $500. But officials at the store have decided to take the instrument off the market."

See the story here where there's also a video clip.

AxeGlove - THE Ultimate Guitar Protection System

It's that time of year where many guitar sites and blogs like to bring to your attention various guitar-related gifts.

Well, how about the AxeGlove, designed to protect your pride and joy from knocks and dents.

There are tales of this product being demonstrated at guitar shows with the salesman bashing a Les Paul custom protected by the AxeGlove against a hard surface, only to remove the cover and show that the guitar was unmarked.

Apparently you can keep it on the guitar as you play too! Possibly you could wear a woolly hat and scarf to match.

Obviously, it's not a product that's going to appeal to the lover of relic-look guitars.

And is it just me, or does anyone else remember a similar product called the "Guitar Sock" a couple of years ago?

Let's face it. It's pyjamas for your guitar.

Gene Simmons autographed Westone Warlock bass

This Gene Simmons autographed Westone Warlock bass is quite neat, as apparently he won't sign guitars any more. Being a Westone it ought to be a nice quality instrument too. I had a Westone Thunder I-A fretless bass years back and it was a fantastic bass. I always regret getting rid of that one.

Pictured below is another bass that looks like it should (or could) be played by the Kiss bassmeister himself. Apparently it's a Toshiya bass (never heard of them) and to my eyes it looks as if the design has been based on a left-handed Rickenbacker.

Those of a nervous disposition may want to look away

I am absolutely astounded and just a little bit disturbed that someone could have thought that this mutilation of a 1974 Fender Stratocaster was a good idea. Yes, I know some of those early 70s Strats were very heavy but taking a saw to one and carving it up does seem a bit extreme.