Every week brings a new round of exciting products to explore at Swee Lee. And this week is no exception! Let’s start with the big boys—a couple of incredible guitars from Gibson…
Gibson Standard Historic 1959 Reissue Les Paul, Sunrise Teaburst Gloss
First up is this beautiful Historic 1959 Les Paul Standard, which delivers the look, the feel and (most importantly) the tone of an original 1959 instrument. This is down to Gibson’s extraordinary attention to detail. They haven’t just equipped it with Custom Bucker PAF reproductions, they’ve even used a hide glue neck construction process to truly replicate the sound of the original. Combine that with its famous long neck tenon and the stunning sunburst finish (this one is in “Sunrise Teaburst Gloss”) and you have a guitar that you just have to see (and play!).
Gibson True Historic 1958 Les Paul, Aged Vintage Cherry Sunburst
OK, here’s the second of the remarkable Gibson Les Paul guitars to have arrived this week. And if anything, this goes one step further in terms of replicating the look, feel and sound of 1958. Not only has it been made using the same hide glue for the neck joint, Gibson has even done molecular-level analysis of the plastics used in 1958—then recreated them! This remarkable instrument also boasts a double-carved top, double-carved neck and rolled fingerboard binding to improve overall feel and playability. This is as close to 1958 as you’re going to get without the benefit of a time machine!
Strymon Riverside Multistage Drive
Tone matters. That’s why Strymon spent so much time analysing both analogue and vacuum tube circuits before launching their first-ever drive pedal: The Riverside multistage drive. The result of all their hard work is a pedal with what they describe as an “infinite sweet spot”. So no matter where your gain is, the pedal adapts and makes adjustments, preserving your overall tone whether you’re putting out sparkling clean tones or cranking out the equivalent of a swarm of angry hornets in a bottle! Check it out next time you’re in a Swee Lee showroom.
M-Audio Vocal Studi0 16-bit Recording USB Microphone
Now you can lay down professional-sounding vocals at home without breaking the bank. The M-Audio Vocal Studio may have all the sophistication of professional studio mics, but it certainly doesn’t have the same price point! Connect the mic to your computer with the USB cable, load the included drivers and you’ll be recording in no time (without any of the delay issues that can sometimes cause issues with USB mics). And if you record on BandLab, you’ll be able to take advantage of a web-based DAW and immediately collaborate with a community of music lovers all over the world!
