As reported on this Fender News post, the David Gilmour Signature Stratocaster is being released September 22, 2008.

It will be a Custom Shop production available in NOS (new old stock) and Relic styles.

David Gilmour

Gilmour Signature Stratocaster

Have you ever jumped on a guitar cable and totally ruined a guitar input jack or amplifier input jack?  This looks like a perfect product for those of you that have or think you might have that problem.

From Belkin’s press release:

Belkin International, Inc., announces new BreakFree Connectors, which detach under extreme tension, protecting your amplifier or guitar from unexpected damage. BreakFree will provide noise-free dynamic sound without any degradation in audio quality.

Belkin’s BreakFree Connectors are designed to eliminate the popping that occurs when cables are accidentally unplugged from a live amplifier. Additionally, for musicians with multiple guitars, the product makes guitar swapping seamless without the hassle of shutting down or putting your amplifier on standby.

Belkin BreakFree cable connector

AVAILABILITY

• September 2008 in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.

BreakFree (F8Z294) – US: $19.99

• Supports ¼” TRS plug
• Strong magnet with quick detachment
• Consistent audio quality
• Reduces cable clutter

BreakFree Tips (F8Z293-2) – US: $9.99

• Use with BreakFree Connector
• Two in a pack
• Supports ¼” TRS plug

Belkin BreakFree cable connector

[via Belkin Breakfree Guitar Magnetic Connectors | gadgettastic.com]

[Belkin BreakFree Press Release]

Summer NAMM 2008 has just wrapped up in Nashville, Tennessee and here are some of our favorite from the show.  There were no real scoops from the show as a lot of the news trickled out leading up to the show.

Fender announcements

• Classic Player Jaguar Special and Classic Player Jaguar Special HH
• Classic Player Jazzmaster Special
• Billy Corgan Stratocaster
• Jaguar Bass
• 65 Princeton Reverb Guitar Amp

Gibson announcements

• Robot Les Paul Studio, Robot SG

If you are a Jaguar or Jazzmaster fan this is great news for you.  Affordable Mexican models probably right down at your local guitar shops soon. You no longer have any excuses as to why you can’t find a Mustang, Jaguar, or Jazzmaster any more.  But don’t even ask about jag-stangs… lol

The Billy Corgan Fender Stratocaster that we started talking about back in January is now on Fender.com as part of their Artist Series. [url]  We’re assuming this guitar will get the grand unveiling at the upcoming Summer NAMM that is coming up June 20-22 in Nashville.

Not a whole lot of surprises up to this point.  The most interesting specs are as follows:

• colors: (805) Olympic White and (806) Flat Black (satin nitro)
• jumbo frets on Modern “C” Shape neck with large ’70s style headstock (satin poly)
• 1 Special Design Dimarzio® Billy Corgan Single-Spaced Humbucking Pickup (Neck)
• 1 Dimarzio® Chopper™ Pickup (Middle)
• 1 Special Design Dimarzio® Billy Corgan Single-Spaced Humbucking Pickup (Bridge)
• original body shape (?? not sure how it differs from standard stratocaster)

The pickup switching has some non-standard settings that benefit from the single-spaced Dimarzio humbuckers.

• Position 1. Full Humbucking Bridge Pickup
• Position 2. Inside Coil of Bridge Pickup and Full Humbucking Middle Pickup
• Position 3. Full Humbucking Middle Pickup
• Position 4. Full Humbucking Middle Pickup and Outside Coil of Neck Pickup
• Position 5. Full Humbucking Neck Pickup

Update: Interstate music is showing a list price of 1999.99 for this new strat.  Which would mean a retail price around 1449.99.  What are your opinions on this price point?

Update 2: Sam Ash is showing a list price of 1599.99 with a retail of 1199.99.

Fender has introduced new Jaguar and Jazzmaster guitars in the Classic Player line. The Classic Player Jaguar and Jazzmaster are Mexican made with some very nice updates and improvements.

Notable updates/improvements are:

• Adjusto-Matic Bridge (somewhat like a tune-o-matic)
• 9.5″ fretboard radius (compared to the 7.25″ radius previously)
• sustain/stability improvements - increased back angle, tremolo plate moved closer to bridge
• dual humbucker option on the jaguar
• “hotter” pickups

These new Classic Player models should nicely fill the gap left when the Japan made models became no longer available. Just the bridge and fretboard radius improvements alone will make this guitar look very attractive compared to the much higher priced American Vintage Jaguars and Jazzmasters.

The dual humbucker sunburst jaguar will also undoubtedly be a favorite of the Cobain fans. Who will no longer need to go through the hassles and expense of getting one of the “Kurtified” Fender Japan Jaguars.

(Click pics for larger images)

We plan to have a hands on review posted in the future.

It’s been a very slow few months for interesting alternative guitar stuff on the web. So here are a few random, but somewhat interesting, guitar articles I’ve come across the last few weeks.

Fender finally reveals the Costello Jazzmaster.
We posted about the Costello Jazzmaster last November. And now Fender has made it official. Check out the official Costello Fender link here.

Jimi Hendrix meets The Sims 2
[Recently posted by theaxevictim blog]

Why don’t girls play guitar?
Interesting article posted by BBC News Magazine.

Steve Jones Les Paul Custom
Initially introduced at 2008 Winter NAMM the Steve Jones LPC can now be seen here on the gibson site.

It’s hard to believe the Fender Jazzmaster was first introduced 50 years ago, back in 1958. While it’s not one of the guitars that has it’s own section here at jag-stang.com we do have a strong affinity for the Jazzy.

It’s very likely that if there was no Fender Jazzmaster there would be no Fender Jaguar and thus no Fender Jag-Stang ! And oh how sad that would make us!

Are you a current or former Jazzmaster owner? We would love to hear your thoughts on the jazzy and how it influenced your playing over the years in the comments to this post.

If you’re interested in more of the inner details of a 1958 Jazzmaster you should visit this fantastic web page. [link] That page has a lot of detailed photos and descriptions of one.

And here’s a few vintage Fender Jazzmaster ads to enjoy while reminiscing. (Click the images for larger versions.)

A bit more info is trickling out above the upcoming Billy Corgan signature stratocaster.

Fender blogs about some custom DiMarzio BC pickups HERE. Being called BC80 and BC89 they also have a photo on the blog post. If anyone has a guess as to what DiMarzio model these might be based on let’s hear it.

[photo via Fender Blog]