Our Latest Articles

12/19/2018

Joe DeNisco

Heritage 18” Johnny Smith

Specs: Carved Lower Bout: 18” Scale: 25” Nut Width: 1.75” Body Depth: 3.375” Weight: 6.8lbs This famous Guitar was owned by Don Dean. Don was an incredible player. His friends were some of the true legends in the guitar world, including Scotty Moore, Thom Bresh and Chet Atkins. Don had a collection of over 200 high end guitars. Many Super 400’s, Merle Travis guitars, Chet Atkins Guitars.. But when Don passed away, this was the last guitar he had. Under his bed, in the case. In near mint

09/10/2018

Joe DeNisco

Gibson Johnny Smith

Specs: Carved Lower Bout: 17” Scale: 25” Nut Width: 1.75” Body Depth: 3” Weight: 7.2lbs Edit 9/10/2018. 2 new videos have been posted that were performed on this guitar. My desire to own a Gibson Johnny Smith doesn’t really go back too far. Yeah, I’ve dreamed about it, but I forced myself to be realistic. There was no way I could ever swing it so I protected myself by blocking out any desire to have one. Then I got a little older. Things changed a little bit. I bought this guitar from a

08/03/2018

Joe DeNisco

My Signal Chain for Practice and Recording

Recently, I have started to play exclusively through a processor and headphones. When I practice, it’s sometimes for hours. During that time, I play the same lines over and over until they burnish into my head. The problem is, I have a wife and son. They live in the same house and they don't want those lines burnished into their heads, so… I use a Zoom G5N Effects processor. This is Zoom’s flagship model and for just cause. It is a really excellent device for making music. It is feature

07/23/2018

Joe DeNisco

Kent Armstrong PAF05 Pickup

I Love these Heritage Johnny Smith Guitars. I’ve owned three of them. It’s the perfect recipe for me, 17”/3”, 25” scale with a slim profile (but not too slim) 1-3/4” nutted neck. Under the fretboard, a Sound block extending almost to the edge of the neck. These guitars play sweetly, sustain longer and have a sound all their own. Perfection. Well, almost.. To many people, the sore spot with most of these guitars, is the pickup. The Heritage Jazz Pickup is much maligned and in some cases,

04/26/2018

Joe DeNisco

Gibson ES165 Herb Ellis w Floater

Specs: Laminate Lower Bout: 16’ Scale: 24.75 Nut Width: 1.6875” Body Depth: 3.5" Weight: 6.8lbs After seeing pictures of this guitar, I had to have it. I am pleasantly surprised by the design of this guitar. The 165 has been in production since 1991, with a set in humbucker and a volume and tone control placed on the top of the guitar. In 2004, Gibson eliminated the set in pickup and replaced it with the floating BJB pickup. They also moved volume knob to the pickguard and eliminated the

04/25/2018

Joe DeNisco

Gibson ES175 Figured

Specs: Laminate Lower Bout: 16” Scale: 24.75” Nut Width: 1.6875” Body Depth: 3.5” Weight: 7.9lbs If you play jazz guitar, at some point in your life, an ES175 is on your wish list.  I was lucky enough to grow up on one. No matter how many fine guitars that had come and gone in my life, it’s just not right if a 175 isn’t in my possession. Even with my BELOVED 165, Its just not right without a 175.   As you can see, my devilish little siren polished up to a spectacular example of quite