The 30 most important guitar products of the last 30 years

Started by Elantric, May 22, 2014, 03:02:10 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.



Macciza

I wonder how much he got paid by the various manufacturers to promote their various product lines .  . .
Ridiculous list . . .
'70s Strat, Brian Moore iM, VG-8, VG-99, FC-300, VL-70m, StringPort, SoftStep, Sentient6, iMac QC i7 27".


Elantric

#4
Maybe we can create our own list of most important guitar products of the last 30 years?

1984 seem like yesterday to me, so maybe we should extend this to "most important guitar products of the last 40 years?

I would have included the:

1972 Conn Strobe Tuner

1975 Roland JC-120 Jazz chorus amp (Stereo Chorus)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Jazz_Chorus

1976 EMG pickups
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMG_Pickups


1977  Floyd Rose tremolo
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Rose

1980 Roland GR-300 and the G-303 / G-808 (Guitar Synth)

1983 MIDI Guitar

1981 Yamaha G100
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=567058

1983 Fender Concert Amp  / Fender Super Champ (Mark Wentling / Paul Rivera)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Champ#Super_Champ
QuoteIn 1982, in order to combat its decreasing amp sales, which at that time was around 10,000 units per year, Fender hired Paul Rivera (of Rivera Amplifiers) and asked him to help design amplifiers with a modern sound. Even though he did not personally create the new designs his direction of the engineering team, headed by Mark Wentling, resulted in some legendary amps. The result included the Super Champ, featuring a 10" speaker and new circuitry, including spring reverb, master volume, a switchable extra gain stage for a 'lead' effect, and a mid boost switch.[13] In order to increase gain and cut costs, the Super Champ utilized 1x 12AX7 for the first and second stage preamp, a 1x 12AT7 for spring reverb driver tube, while a triple-triode 6C10 compactron is used for three functions; one as a third stage preamp for even more gain, one as the phase inverter (instead of two for most class-AB circuits), and one as recovery for the spring reverb. When the volume knob is pulled, some signal from the 12AT7 reverb driver is re-routed, resulting in higher gain. An optional two-button footswitch allowed for gain switching and reverb on/off. Two 6V6 power tubes provide it with 18 RMS watts. The cabinet was finished in black Tolex, with a black control panel and silver grille cloth. A more expensive version was available, factory-fitted with a Fender-branded EV Force 10 speaker instead of the usual Fender Blue Label. The Super Champ was sold until 1986.

Update :Mark Wentling worked with Tom Walker  & Leo Fender at Music Man in the 1970's, then went to Fender  is now CEO of Ashly Audio   http://www.ashly.com/
http://books.google.com/books?id=MZIYFyXUDhUC&pg=PA348&lpg=PA348&dq=Mark+Wentling+musicman&source=bl&ots=ZLJo8dlf0e&sig=70zZP-hOSVgZeVQkxsAmmbB3D5k&hl=en&sa=X&ei=G_N-U_vpBoy9oQSih4GADA&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Mark%20Wentling%20musicman&f=false

            Paul Rivera is head of Rivera Amplification   http://www.rivera.com/

1988 CAE  / Bob Bradshaw FX Switching systems
http://www.customaudioelectronics.com/


1991 VHT 2150 Power Amplifier
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fryette_Amplification


1995 Roland VG-8 hex COSM DSP Guitar Modeling system
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Corporation

1996 Fadal CNC Robot Wood machines ( and their asian clones) that allow low cost mass reproductions of my favorite 1950 and 1960s guitars at low cost

Add your important guitar products of the last 30 years

utensil

Not sure if we're limiting to hardware only, but for me the first time I got guitar Rig was truly liberating as I had a way of trying all kinds of Hardware I'd never get my hands on otherwise.

Other than that , the first loop pedals also seemed to change the way we perform live all around.

datsunrobbie

My nominations:

1976 - The Schaffer-Vega Diversity System (SVDS) was a wireless guitar system developed in June 1976, engineered and prototyped by Ken Schaffer in New York City, and manufactured by the Vega Corporation, El Monte, California. A handheld microphone version was introduced in 1977. The system was the first cordless system to be adopted by major rock acts because it solved technical problems common to earlier wireless systems. The reliable sound and freedom of movement it provided paved the way for bands to tour with large multi-level stages in arenas. Schaffer-Vegas were used in the late 1970s and early 1980s by many rock bands such as the Rolling Stones, AC/DC and Kiss.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schaffer-Vega_Diversity_System

1979 - Schaller locking tuners

1980 - Guitar World - magazine with tablature of popular songs

1980 - Kay/Sears "Effector" Les Paul - mass-market intro of guitar with built-in effects.

1982 - Scholz Rockman

1983 - Boss TU-12 - first automatic chromatic tuner

1986 - Roland GK-1 - first external synth pickup, predecessor to the GK-2a and GK-3

1986 - Roland DEP-5 Guitar digital multi-effects processor (oldest programmable multi-effects I could find)

1995 - Intellitouch Tuner Model PT1 - first clip-on tuner

Mrchevy

Gibson Les Paul Custom
Epi Les Paul Standard
Gibson SG 50's prototype
Squire classic vibe 60's
Epi LP Modern
Epi SG Custom
Martin acoustic

Princeton chorus 210

GT100
GR-55
Helix LT
Waza Air Headphones
Boomerang III

And, a lot of stuff I DON'T need

whippinpost91850


thebrushwithin

1977 - Arp Avatar and Roland GR500
The Arp allowed attachment of its hex pickup to any guitar, while Roland featured a dedicated guitar. Ironically, after Arp went out of business, Roland used their idea of an attachable hex pickup.

http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/2010/03/arp-avatar-brochure-and-sound-sheet.html





Elantric

#10
Quote1977 - Arp Avatar and Roland GR500
The Arp allowed attachment of its hex pickup to any guitar, while Roland featured a dedicated guitar. Ironically, after Arp went out of business, Roland used their idea of an attachable hex pickup.

Rather like the 360 Systems Slavedriver guitar synthesizer

(advertisement from page 2 of Synapse Magazine May/June 1977.
http://www.cyndustries.com/synapse/synapse.cfm?pc=39&folder=nov1976&pic=13

The Slavedriver was part of the first wave of guitar/synthesizer systems that allowed guitars to control synthesizers. I never really got into them, probably because I didn't have the talent or time required to learn to play a guitar. But I don't want to turn this blog post into a therapy session...
http://retrosynthads.blogspot.com/2010/04/360-sysytems-slavedriver-synapse-197.html



I was at the NAB show in Las Vegas a few years ago and saw a 360 Systems booth, and even spoke to the current CEO and he had no clue his company ever once produced Guitar Synths !
http://www.360systems.com/

The History of Guitar Synthesizers: Four Revolutions, No Clear Winner

By Tom Mulhern
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=11351.msg82642#msg82642

thebrushwithin

I remember the 360 systems as well. Those were some pretty adventurous times, and definitely revolutionary for guitar. Before then, I used one of these,

Mrchevy

OK, I'll give a serious addition to the list. STRAP LOCKS. Not sure when they first came out but I know in the early 80's when I tried to do the ole' sling it around the shoulder thing, and then watch as my guitar went flying across the room, I was at the store the next day buying a set. Every guitar I own now has them, and they don't fall off.
Gibson Les Paul Custom
Epi Les Paul Standard
Gibson SG 50's prototype
Squire classic vibe 60's
Epi LP Modern
Epi SG Custom
Martin acoustic

Princeton chorus 210

GT100
GR-55
Helix LT
Waza Air Headphones
Boomerang III

And, a lot of stuff I DON'T need

Bill Ruppert

Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
.....30

Not much else

mateomasfeo


I don't know about 30/30 thang, but these items come to mind:

Affordable wireless electronic tuners

GR series of products and hex pickups

Strap locks

Locking tuners

Quality trem assemblies

synthetic nuts

You Tube and the internet in general

Modeling - which in many cases does away with the need to lug an amp and 4 different guitars

Dances with Sheep on SoundCLoud

https://soundcloud.com/dances-with-sheep

Neardark72

Quote from: Mrchevy on May 23, 2014, 05:49:41 PM
OK, I'll give a serious addition to the list. STRAP LOCKS. Not sure when they first came out but I know in the early 80's when I tried to do the ole' sling it around the shoulder thing, and then watch as my guitar went flying across the room, I was at the store the next day buying a set. Every guitar I own now has them, and they don't fall off.
Yep... Been There, done that :) it ran over the room banging on the wall during a practice with the band.
F**k Malmsteen for giving me this idea. Lollll
I bought that strap locks few days after and when I Did it for the first Time after I bought them, my singer stepped away from me VERY nervously covering his face. Thinking of that always Bring me a big smile.

whippinpost91850

Quote from: Bill Ruppert on May 23, 2014, 08:58:50 PM
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
Digital Electronics
The Internet
.....30

Not much else

To be honest I have to agree this may just make alot more sense ???

Bill Ruppert

Quote from: whippinpost91850 on May 24, 2014, 11:32:03 AM
To be honest I have to agree this may just make alot more sense ???


I know.
When I think back it is these two things that made a difference in my musician life and in my life in general.

gumtown

Free "GR-55 FloorBoard" editor software from https://sourceforge.net/projects/grfloorboard/

musicman65

For me, the release of the VG99 was the game changing technology that has forever changed the way I play music.

Bill Ruppert

Quote from: gumtown on May 24, 2014, 07:09:14 PM
Now those two are becoming integrated into one.

Yes you are right!
I have had a ham radio license since I was a kid in the late 1960's.
I would wait weeks for propagation to be proper to maybe talk to Australia via radio waves on 15 meters.
Now here you and I, exchange dialog in just a second via the internet.
Its just fantastic.
The last barrier between us all, besides religion and politics in language!
The language issue is almost done with the translation programs now available.
The rest of the crap maybe never..but we are closer to a one world then ever before.


Rhcole

Here are a few really important things that many overlook such as:
1. CNC (computer guided msnufacturing) which creates
2. Cheap but good import guitars which creates
3 Massive knockoffs of name-brand instruments with brazen theft of brands and trademarks which creates
4. A loss of confidence in the music industry as PRS Gretsch Fender and Gibson battle real market forces from sub $1000 guitars that penetrate the market AND their own brands get diluted by forgeries.

Guitar Center, anyone?

gumbo

Read slower!!!   ....I'm typing as fast as I can...

Neardark72

#23
These were the Stuff that helped me a lot since I starter.

Floyd Rose tremolo
Guitar World magazine (guitar for the practicing musician)
The VRC (i was able to have decent guitar tutorials by Paul Gilbert (intense rock 1-2 changed my Life i strongly recommend it and i dont think that There is a better course to start shredding the right Way) Most of those tutorials are all about "look how good I am" Gilbert helps You to do it the right Way. It corrected so much of the Wrong Stuff i was doing by learning by myself.
Fret locks (as mentioned)
The internet this is why the kids are so much better than I was at that age. Lots of information for free. I couldn't work enough to buy all I wanted.


Stuff created that revolutionized guitar (my point of view)

Harmonizer
Whammy
Gibson auto tuning guitars
Variax
Zoom 9002 first affrortable muti-effect I got aware of
VGuitarsof course


aliensporebomb

Many things resulted in me being where I am today - what do I consider revolutionary?

All the Guitar Player soundsheets starting with the old VDF Super Pedal (I believe it's on youtube, I have a VERY noisy copy from my still existing soundsheet) the soundsheet with the Arp Avatar (the late Ned Liben who later was in guitar-synth masters EBN-OZN), other guitar-synth recordings (John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu: Inner Worlds) and Roland's Electronic Guitar stuff (too many records and artists to name) really kickstarted it. 

Hardware?   JC-120.  Scholz Rack Rockman.   Mesa Boogie Studio Preamp (the trick: use the recording outs!).   Roland Guitar Synthesizer System (GR100/300). 
Guitar for the Practicing Musician Magazine, to a lesser extent Guitar World.  Guitar Player too.  Roland Users Group magazine. 

Roland's VG-8 (which I was never able to afford but listened to the demo CD obsessively).  This lead to my actual ownership of the VG-99. 

At first I wasn't quite sure it was an evolution but once I "grokked" it I realized I may never get to the bottom of its capabilities even of a VG-100 or 1000 comes out.  Amazing box.  Revolutionary, but unknown or misunderstood to many.

My music projects online at http://www.aliensporebomb.com/

GK Devices:  Roland VG-99, Boss GP-10, Boss SY-1000.