The High Gain

Latest Episodes:

Episode 330 - Rivolta Combinata Sep 04, 2024

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When guitar builder Dennis Fano was looking to expand the reach of his designs, he partnered up with Eastwood Guitars to create Rivolta. Incorporating design elements from vintage guitars, these overseas guitars are still distinctly Fano, somehow. We got our hands on a Combinata, and found it to be a pleasure to play. Enjoy!

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Episode 329 - Motander SM65 Ardweirdo Aug 28, 2024

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Justin Motander Jones is making some wonderfully inventive guitars down there in San Diego, CA. He’s been experimenting with creating effects by controlling the pickups themselves, as opposed to simply feeding their output through an effect. He calls this idea the Ardweirdo, since the brain behind all of this is the Arduino open-source electronics platform. The guitar we got to play around on was kindly loaded with every kind of tremolo sound you could want. Enjoy!

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Episode 328 - Gibson J-50 Aug 21, 2024

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Gibson introduced both the J-45 and J-50 acoustic guitars in 1942. Wood was scarce, and production in Kalamazoo was severely curtailed in favor of war-related endeavors. A few “banner” J-45s were made, but the J-50 would not be reintroduced until 1947. At that time, the J-50 was little more than a J-45 without the paint job. Our example is from 1968, after many of the design “improvements” had been rolled back. Enjoy!

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Episode 327 - Danocaster Offset Aug 14, 2024

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Fortunately for all of us, impeccable, handmade boutique guitars are easy to find; no one is wanting for choice. We are truly in an instrument-building renaissance. Dan Strain of Danocaster Guitars is one such builder, and his focus is all about having a guitar feel like it’s been yours for years, even if you’ve only just picked it up. We were fortunate enough to pick up an Offset and give it a whirl. Enjoy!

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Episode 326 - Fender Tom DeLonge Starcaster Aug 07, 2024

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We are torn here at High Gain HQ about the Starcaster that Fender released in 1976. All these years later, it has experienced a rehabilitation of sorts in the indie crowd. Now that the Tom DeLonge Starcaster has been introduced, will those on either side of the great Starcaster debate find common ground? If so, we smell a Nobel Peace Prize for Tom Delonge. Enjoy!

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Episode 325 - Silvertone 1438 Bass Jul 31, 2024

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In the immediate aftermath of WWII, the founders of Teisco would get their guitar bodies from a milkman who built instruments on the side. By the 1960s they were responsible for a large chunk of the Japanese import market, coming up with wilder designs as they went along. They mostly built for third parties; case in point this Silvertone bass, made for Sears. Enjoy!

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Episode 324 - Justin Abernethy of Abernethy Guitars Jul 24, 2024

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It’s been 5 years since we met Justin Abernethy of Abernethy Guitars, and he’s been very busy making top-shelf instruments. It seems like more and more we’re seeing Justin’s guitars in the hands of brilliant musicians. And there’s a reason for that. Like the Sonic Baroness baritone we enjoyed while catching up with Justin. Enjoy!

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Episode 323 - Millimetric MGS3 Jul 17, 2024

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It’s been quite a while since we had the pleasure of talking to Florian at Millimetric Instruments. He’s one of the most thoughtful designers out there, and his guitars reflect the care he puts into everything he does. We’ve been fortunate enough to play several Millimetrics, and have loved every one of them. And now, Ed has his own! We took it for a spin, and allowed ourselves to ogle all over it. Enjoy!

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Episode 322 - Gibson Les Paul Lite Jul 10, 2024

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Recently, Gibson added a new Les Paul to its lineup. It’s got hot pickups and slim neck, and sports a simpler, no-frills design. And, it’s very light! Is all this enough to convince Ed? Enjoy!

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Episode 321 - Squier Katana Jul 03, 2024

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In the early 1980s Fender briefly found itself without a factory. The company had been bought from CBS by a consortium, and the factory wasn’t included in the deal. So, they set up shop in Japan. At the same time, the Hair Metal Onslaught™ was in full bloom. What’s an instrument manufacturer to do? Make a guitar shaped like a samurai sword, that’s what. Enjoy!

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