Here are the Top Ten Selling Epiphone Electric Guitars, Week 48, 2009. Changes from Week 40 in brackets.

1. Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Studio Deluxe (+0)
2. Epiphone Les Paul ‘56 Goldtop (+0)
3. Epiphone Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul Standard (+2)
4. Epiphone Les Paul Tribute (new)
5. Epiphone Les Paul Special II (+5)
6. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain Top (+3)
7. Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 G-400 (-1)
8. Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom (-5)
9. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top (-2)
10. Epiphone Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 (+0)

The Les Paul Special II is a very successful Epiphone model at a great price.

Source: MusiciansFriend.com

Fender began production of electric guitar amplifiers in 1948. Many early Fender electric guitar amplifiers such as the Bandmaster, Bassman, Champ, Deluxe, Princeton, and Pro are still in production today and the vintage examples continue to increase in value.

Here are current values for some vintage Fender amplifiers. These prices are for amplifiers in excellent condition.

The Bandmaster has gone through various incarnations since its inception.
1968 - 1972 $575 - $700
1973 - 1980 $450 - $550

Fender Bassman

1959 - 1960 $9,000 - $11,000
1961                $2,600 - $  3,000
1962 -1964  $2,400 -  $  3,000
1965 - 1966 $1,550 - $   1,750
1967 - 1969 $   800 -  $     925
1970 - 1971 $  700 -  $     800

1953 - 1954 $1,000 - $1,250
1955 - 1956 $1,150 - $1,400
1957 - 1964 $1,000 - $1,600
1965 - 1967 $    400 - $   500
1968 - 1972 $    375 - $   450
1973 - 1982 $    325 - $   375

1948 - 1952 $2,300 - $2,800
1953 - 1954 $2,600 - $3,000
1955 - 1956 $3,300 - $3,600
1957 - 1960 $3,800 - $4,000
1961 - 1963 $1,900 - $2,400
1964 - 1966 $1,850 - $2,300

1948 - 1954 $1,000 - $1,200
1955 - 1961 $1,400 - $1,600
1962 - 1964 $1,050 - $1,250
1965 - 1967 $1,000 - $1,250
1968 - 1969 $    600 - $   700
1970 Silverface $525 - $ 700
1971 - 1979        $ 500 - $ 775

1947 - 1954          $3,500 - $3,900
1955 old chassis $3,800 - $4,000
1955 - 1959           $4,100 - $4,500
1960 pink cover $3,200 - $3,800
1961 - 1965           $2,300 - $2,800

Source: Vintage Guitar Price Guide 2009

YouTube has gone from nowhere to everywhere in just a few years. The YouTube concept of sharing videos allows people to upload and share videos at no cost to the end user. The result is a vast collection of videos on just about any topic.

Here are 7 ways that YouTube has changed your guitar life:

•  Gear demos

You can see and hear videos that feature practically any guitar you are thinking of buying.


“>

• Share song ideas

Choosing new songs is a part of bandlife. Trading YouTube links in emails with your bandmates can help you agree on new material.

• Alternate versions of the same song

You can easily see different versions of a song on YouTube. I play in a 5-piece band, and I often think about how the two guitarists are going to work together on a particular song. Seeing and hearing different arrangements can be helpful this way.

Standing on Shaky Ground - The Groove Council

Standing on Shaky Ground - Delbert McClinton

• Watching the pros

On YouTube you can see your favorite artist playing the song you are trying to learn. It often helps to watch the guitarist play the song, so you can see what voicing is being used.

“>

• Band reviews

You can share your band’s videos by emailing the YouTube links to the rest of the band. This gives everyone a chance to critique their performances.

“>

• Self promotion

YouTube has become the best part of promoting your band to the world. You never know who might like it!

• The audition

Emailing links to your band’s YouTube videos is a great way to audition your band for a prospective gig.

Ibanez has been a leading off shore guitar manufacturer for over 40 years and they offer electric guitars in all price ranges.  Here are the Top 10 selling Ibanez electric guitars, for Week 43, 2009.

1. Ibanez RG2EX1 Electric Guitar Jewel Blue



2. Ibanez RG5EX1 Electric Guitar Grey Pewter



3. Ibanez RG350MYE Electric Guitar Yellow



4. Ibanez GRX20 Electric Guitar Black Night



5. Ibanez RG3EXFM1 Electric Guitar Transparent Grey Burst



6. Ibanez ART100 Artist Electric Guitar White



7. Ibanez S7320 7-String Electric Guitar White



8. Ibanez RG120 Electric Guitar Candy Apple Red



9. Ibanez RG350DX Electric Guitar White



10. Ibanez Paul Gilbert 20th Anniversary PGM100RE Signature Reissue Electric Guitar Jewel Blue
    

Larrivee Guitars is a Canadian manufacturing success story.  Jean Larrivee started making acoustic guitars in 1968, and today Larrivee Guitars has production facilities in North Vancouver, British Columbia and Oxnard, California.

In the 1980’s, the demand for acoustic guitars was so weak that Larrivee, along with other acoustic guitar manufacturers, began making electric guitars. From 1983 to 1990, Larrivee manufactured electric guitars under brand names such as Larrivee, Schon, Scorpion, Signature and Kramer.

The ‘unplugged’ craze of the late 80’s created an increased demand for acoustic guitars. Companies like Larrivee went back to making acoustic guitars on a full time basis

Today, acoustic guitar sales are sagging once again, and Larrivee is one of several career acoustic guitar companies that has started manufacturing electric guitars.

Larrivee’s new electric guitar is the RS-4. It is similar to a Les Paul design and features Larrivee Custom Pickups, Schaller M6 Tuners & Schaller Strap Locks, LUXE Bumblebee paper-in-oil Capacitors, Switchcraft Switch & Jack, CTS Pots, and vintage Shielded push-back cloth wire.

In general, a good pedal should “cut through” when used in a live setting, and many of the best pedals have a transparent sound quality that does not sound overprocessed.

Here is a list of a few vintage guitar pedals and their current values. Prices are based upon pedals in *excellent* condition.

E-H Big Muff PI

The Big Muff PI was the first pedal designed and manufactured by Electro-Harmonix.  Introduced in the early 1970’s, this popular fuzz pedal has been through several incarnations and is still in production today.

1970’s - $350-$425  Black case graphics, with triangle knob pattern

1970’s - $225-$425  Red/black graphics, 1/2″ letters

1980’s - $150-$250  Logo in 1″ letters

Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808

The 1979 Ibanez TS808 Tube Screamer is a little smoother and less harsh than the later models. However, there are some differences between early models. Some have the Japanese JRC4558D op-amp chip (black serial number sticker) while some have a Malaysian manufactured Texas Instruments (4558) chip

1980-82 - $500-$750  - Uses 2 AA batteries

Maestro Fuzz Tone FZ-1

While the Maestro FZ-1 Fuzz Tone made its American debut in 1962, sales through 1964 were very slow. That all changed in 1965 with the release of the Rolling Stones hit “Satisfaction”.

1962-62 - $250-$325

Marshall Supa Fuzz

Sola Sound built MK II Tone Benders for Marshall (Supa Fuzz) and Vox (Tone Bender) among others.

1967 - $300-$400   Made by Sola Sound (aka Colorsound)

 MXR Phase 90

The Phase 90 was perhaps made most famous by Eddie Van Halen, who has used it throughout hs recording career.  Easy to use with long battery life, the Phase 90 cuts through the mix in live situations.

1970’s - $325-$400  Script logo.

1970’s - $175-$275  Block logo.

1980’s - $150-$200  Block logo.

ProCo Rat

This classic distortion pedal produces a fuzzy overdrive.  The later production Rat 2 has been in production for several years and ProCo has recently resissued the big box Rat pedal.

1979-84 - $200-$250 Large case

1984-1987 - $100-$150  Compact case, like the Rat 2 case.

Many vintage pedals were manufactured in a very sturdy fashion, and will last a very long time.  Most were made with discreet transistors and other components that allows them to be repaired if necessary.

 The trend here is for the desireable vintage pedals to continue to increase in value.  If you want to start a fun collection that won’t break the bank, vintage pedals may be worth a look.

pricing source: 2009 Vintage Guitar Guide

Here are the Top Ten Selling Epiphone Electric Guitars, Week 40, 2009. Changes from Week 37 in brackets.

1. Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Studio Deluxe Electric Guitar Wine Red (+o)



2. Epiphone Les Paul 1956 Goldtop Electric Guitar Gold Top (+2)



3. Epiphone Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Silverburst (-1)



4. Epiphone Limited Edition Wilshire Electric Guitar Alpine White (-1)



5. Epiphone Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul Standard Electric Guitar Faded Cherryburst (+5)



6. Epiphone Limited Edition 1966 G-400 Electric Guitar Silverburst (-1)



7. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Electric Guitar Transparent Amber (+0)



8. Epiphone Limited Edition Riviera Custom P93 Electric Guitar Wine Red (-2)



9. Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plain Top Electric Guitar Heritage Cherry Burst (-1)



10. Epiphone Les Paul Special II Electric Guitar Vintage Sunburst (-1)

The Epiphone Limited Edition 1959 Les Paul is turning out to be a real winner for Epiphone.

If you have ever played a vintage electric guitar, you know that electric guitar necks have evolved over the years.

1950’s

Fender electric guitars have narrow, #6230 “banjo frets”, a curvy 7 1/4″ radius, and a narrow 1 5/8″ nut width.

1950-1955: Neck shapes have a large and chunky “D” profile.

1956: Necks changed to a large and chunky “soft V” profile. This allows the neck to be slightly smaller and retain vertical stiffness.

1957: The famous strong “V” shape is introduced.

1958: Back to a conventional “D” neck profile. This is the profile used on Fender reissue electric guitars.

By 1950, Gibson had standardized on 1 11/16″ as their standard neck width measured across the nut

Around 1959 Gibson changed to wider, #6130 .106″ wide frets, except for the Les Paul Custom, which retained the .070″ frets. Fretboard radius is typically 10″. Gibson electric guitars have a 17 degree peghead angle at this time.

The Gibson 1950’s necks are round, large and comfortable without being huge.

1960’s

Lighter gauge guitar strings became more common in the 1960’s, resulting in less string tension on electric guitar necks. This allowed Fender and Gibson necks to become smaller and flatter in the 1960’s.

The cutting of Rosewood trees in the Brazilian rainforest ended in 1968. Like most guitar manufacturers, Fender and Gibson used Brazilian Rosewood fretboards until around 1966, and then switched to the slightly harder Indian Rosewood fretboards. In order to import Brazilian Rosewood today, it must be harvested prior to 1968, or the tree has to have fallen down.

Fender dropped maple fretboards in the 1960’s, because on the 1950’s models lacquer wear showed rather easily.

Gibson electric guitars:

1960-1962: Very thin neck back shape.

1963-1964: Thin neck back shape.

1965-1967: Narrower neck widths, 1 9/16″ or 1 5/8″.

Gibson changed the pedhead angle on their electric guitars in 1966, to a shallower 14 degrees. Many collectors prefer pre-1966 Gibson electric guitar models and vintage guitar prices reflect this.

1968-present: Nut width increased back to 1 11/16″ and back shape changed to 1963-1964 dimensions.

1970’s

In 1970, Fender released updated models, and along with this came wider, #6150 frets on Fender electric guitars. Fender also re-introduced ther maple fretboard, as lacquers had improved since the 1950’s. The neck radius is now a flatter 9 1/2″ radius, more like Gibson electric guitars.

In 1973 Gibson changes the peghead angle back to 17 degrees, like in the 1950’s.

The 1970’s sees improved quality in Japanese made electric guitars. Ibanez electric guitars typically have a 12″ fretboard radius.

1980’s

Fender reissue electric guitars and their related curved fretboards became more common. At the same time, new designs appear with a 12″ radius, such as the Stevie Ray Vaughan Signature Stratocaster.

From 1980 - 1982, Fender produced The Strat, which was available with three neck shapes: U shape, D shape and C shape.

Korean manufactured electric guitars become more common. These guitars usually have a very flat 16″ fretboard radius.

In the 1980’s, asymmetrical necks from Fender (SRV Stratocaster) Ibanez (Wizard neck) and Peavey (Wolfgang) are introduced. Some manufacturers experiment with aluminum (Kramer) and graphite (eg. Moses Graphite) necks. Today, a 2009 Gibson Les Paul Standard also has an asymmetrical neck.

Warmoth, an aftermarket manufacturer, introduces the compound radius fretboard in the late 1980’s. The compound radius flattens out towards the 12th fret. This is probably the best compromise between chording and soloing. The Gibson Tony Iommi SG had this feature and the radius varied from 10 inches to 16 inches.

Today

What is the trend here? Electric guitar players have more choices now than ever, with both vintage neck designs and modern neck designs readily available.

Many guitar players spend time online shopping for guitar bargains. While Ebay is a popular place to browse electric guitars, dealing with sellers can be risky and pricing can be out of line with in store pricing.

Here are a few websites run by real bricks ‘n mortar guitar stores. They offer decent street prices and have good selections of used guitars:

12th Fret

Located in Toronto, this site’s Vintage/Used listing is updated each weekday morning. Prices are displayed in both CAD and USD dollars.

Avenue Guitars

Avenue Guitars is one of the coolest guitar stores in my hometown of Edmonton.  Be sure to drool over the Viewings page, in addition to the Used & Vintage pages.

Bill’s Music

Located in ‘Music City’, Catonsville, MD., Bill’s Music is a big store with a large inventory of electric guitars.

Capsule Music

Capsule Music is located in Toronto has has a good selection of reasonably priced used electric guitars, amps and accessories.

Chicago Music Exchange

Chicago Music Exchange specializes in vintage electric guitars, and also has a good selection of affordable used electric guitars.

Chris’ Guitars

Chris’ Guitars is one of the most interesting sites when you are shopping for a used electric guitar.  If you haven’t visited this site yet, check it out!

Elderly Instruments

One of the most reputable dealers in the USA, Elderly carries affordable used guitars, as well as pricey high end vintage instruments.

If you do see a used electric guitar online that appeals to you, take the time to phone the store. You can request an in-hand inspection, request a lower price, and you might learn about available upgrades, promotional posters, and other related items that are available to sweeten your purchase.

In the past 2 years, there have been large swings in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Canadian dollar. It creates a problem for guitar manufacturers trying to maintain sales on both sides of the border.

In addition, electric guitars do not always sell quickly. In Canada, this means last year’s electric guitar could be priced lower (or higher) than this year’s model.

Here are some Canada/US electric guitar price comparisons. Currently, a Canadian dollar is worth about $0.927 USD:

Gibson Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker

Canada: CAD: $729.99 -> USD $677.87

USA: $749.00

The Gibson Joan Jett Signature Melody Maker is about $70.00 cheaper in Canada.

Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior

Canada: CAD: $1,239.00 -> USD $1,150.56

USA: $1,399.00

In Canada, you can save a cool $248 on a Gibson Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Junior.

Gibson SG Standard

Canada: $1,385.99 -> USD $1,287.03

USA: $1,199.00

A Gibson SG Standard is priced about a $100.00 higher in Canada.

Gibson Custom Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar - Silverburst

Canada: CAD: $3,939.99 -> USD $3,658.68

USA: $3,899.00

So, you can save approximately $240.00 buying the Gibson Custom Limited Edition Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar in Canada.

Fender American Standard Stratocaster

Canada: CAD: $1,295.83 -> USD $1,203.31

USA: $1,199.00

No significant price difference here.

Fender American Vintage Hot Rod Series Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Dimarzio Tone Zone Bridge Pickup (Candy Apple Red)

Canada: CAD: $2,185.13 -> USD $2,029.11

USA: $2,159.99

Canadians can save a cool $130.00 on the Fender American Vintage Hot Rod ‘57 Stratocaster

What is the trend here? In general, the pricier US electric guitars are less expensive in Canada, where the average salary is lower than in the US. However, Gibson electric guitars show some price differences that suggest Gibson is either trying to encourage sales of certain models in Canada, or Gibson just isn’t keeping its eye on pricing in the Canadian market.

The Canadian dollar is predicted to reach par with the US dollar by the end of 2009. If that happens, there will be some real bargains available to Canadian buyers of electric guitars.

Sources:

Musiciansfriend

LA Music

Axe Music
Musicians Friend ships to Canada.