932 Sanford Road Wells, Maine 04090  (207) 641-8863

       http://www.tunetownmusicgear.com                               

 Store Hours

Monday-Thursday 10:00am - 8:00pm Friday 10:00am - 7:00pm 

Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm  Closed Sundays

Next Student Showcase Thursday February 23rd, 2012 6:00pm

Next Open Mic, Thursday February 16th, 2012 7:00pm

Be sure to scroll all the way down to see all of the amazing stories and specials we are having this month!!!  

Hot Guitar in Strange Places

 John Edwards

Neil LeVang Original Guitar Hero

Just when you thought you'd seen just about everything in the information age, something astounding pops up. While feeding my You Tube addiction, I stumbled upon "Neil LeVang, Original Guitar Hero". I couldn't resist. Imagine my shock and awe when I go there and discover Lawrence Welk in black and white introducing "our new guitar man Neil LeVang is making lots of friends with his rhythmic style and pleasant personality-ah." With the Dodge logo, chandeliers and LW polka band in the background, there's a pickin' and grinnin' fellow with a new '58 Fender Jazzmaster playing San Antonio Rose. Now back when I was cool, I wouldn't be caught dead watching The Lawrence Welk Show.It aired from 1951 to 1982 and was very popular, (albeit with grey haired folks, like me now.) I would expect to see accordion solos, folks with perfect hair singing mushy love songs or "hip" renditions of the prevailing hits of the day. I did NOT expect to see a guy playing electric guitar Chet Atkins style complete with tremolo picking, simultaneous bass lines and harmonic moving guitar chords. With countrified hoots egging him on, Neil powers through the piece with spot on accuracy looks like he's just having a ball! No distortion, no effects, (maybe reverb); just pure skill.

Now this discovery by itself would have been sufficient, however L.W. had yet another phenomenal electric guitar player in his stable.His name was Buddy Merrill. Now Buddy looks like he's 16, and plays in a similar style to Neil. He is equally proficient on Steel Guitar, and the two of the jam together on several videos. It is amazing to hear such great guitar playing on live TV with no do-overs or pantomimed "air" guitar fakery. Even though the arrangements are dated, their tone and technique is a joy to behold.

Here's three of my favorites. Enjoy!

 "Neil LeVang Original Guitar Hero"

 "The Lawrence Welk Show: Green Hornet Theme"

 "Buddy Merrill & Neil LeVang "Deep In The Heart of Texas"

                                               Tales from the Vault Part 1

Gibson lost MY $90,000 Guitar

 John Edwards

"Sold on Pawn Stars for 90k" 

This week on the History channel program "Pawn Stars" $90,000 was paid for a 1961 Gibson Les Paul Custom guitar. It came complete with documentation showing it belonged to Mary Ford, wife and co-star with the famous guitarist Les Paul. 1961 was the first year of production for the "SG" body shape, and Les did not care for this design. He requested the removal of his name from the new model so there were very few of these ever made. He remained under contract to Gibson, however, and he and Mary were photographed with the new model several times. Apparently details of these negotiations were included in the documents with Les Paul's autograph. The fellow selling the guitar was apparently Mary Ford's nephew. Very cool for guitar geeks (like me).

Les PAUL & Mary FORD " Song In Blue " !!!

        When I saw this guitar episode on TV (at 1:30 AM) I was aroused out of my sleepiness. In the early '80's, I owned and played of these on tour. It was an amazing guitar, known as the "fretless wonder" for it's fast smooth action. It had 3 humbucking pick-ups, very light weight and sported Gibson's highest level of ornamentation with the "Custom" designation. This included an ebony fingerboard set with mother of pearl block inlays and slashed diamond logo on the headstock. Plugged into a 100 watt Marshall stack, I could create a formidable wall of sound.

"My Precious '61"                        "The Custom Build"

         When I got off the road, I decided it was a good idea to send "precious" to Gibson for refurbishing. After waiting 5 months for the return of my guitar, I called the company and leaned on them for a return date. A month later, a guitar arrives at my local dealer. Unfortunately, it was not mine. It was a brand new guitar made to look like my1961 Les Paul Custom. It was sent back in my case, but it was clearly a 1980's SG Custom. Sensing a bait and switch scam, I called Gibson where they insisted it was my instrument. After some foot dragging, I contacted the law firm of Dewey Screwem and How and had them write a little letter. Suddenly the tone of the matter changed. Gibson's corporate CEO now calls me and says "Mr. Edwards, how can we resolve this unfortunate matter." After saying "I just want MY guitar back", he revealed they could not locate my instrument. He then suggested that Gibson would build me anything I wanted! How could I resist! I felt like Charlie Bucket getting the winning ticket to the Willy Wonka's chocolate factory!

        Gibson flew me out to Kalamazoo Michigan, put me up at the Hilton, and had me picked up by limo. By 10 AM I was seated at the corporate boardroom table with the CEO and the chief luthier who was responsible for building BB King, Steve Howe of Yes, etcetera, etcetera's guitars. We drew out the specification and design criteria for the new guitar. It was to be splendid in every way. Three months later my new custom made '61 Les Paul look alike. Thirty years later, I still want my "precious" '61 back.