"Fender and Dave Murray have collaborated on yet another ferocious signature model for the longtime Iron Maiden guitarist. The Dave Murray California Series Stratocaster is inspired by Murray’s longtime onstage go-to guitar, combining time-honored Strat tradition with the modern roar of three Seymour Duncan humbucking pickups, the fast feel of a compound-radius fingerboard, and the high performance reliability of a Floyd Rose bridge and nut. Available February 17, 2015."
Fender Dave Murray California Series Stratocaster
First impression is just WOWW! This axe right here is exactly what Dave Murray would play in every live videos I saw him in.
The triple single sized humbuckers, the Floyd Rose (Eventhough I hate them but I don't mind to have this model), the burst finish, the pearloid pickguard and the fact that it's a Fender Strat really had me sold. I have been a Fender guy since the first I held an electric guitar. I had others but still come back for these. To date, I have about 5 strats, 2 teles and an Ibanez RG.
Previous Fender Dave Murray Signature Stratocaster
This new model right here really adds on to the 70's metal vibe with the pickup configuration, the Floyd and the finishing. Don't get me wrong. I still like the earlier model but this right here is the real thing. Has this classic look but for sure built to blow your face off! So, which do you prefer?
On a side note:
I remembered this photo of him with an ESP - Should have went for this scheme IMO. Combination of both models.
So, after posting about the new GAS I was having yesterday. It reminded me of an avid PRS guitar player, Emil Werstler. He is the guitarist for Dååth and I started to know this band when they released "The Hinderers" back in 2007. I heard the song "Subterfuge" on an online metal radio back then and it was effin brutal and genius! So I researched about the band and started following them.
Then, in 2009 they released "The Concealers" with their new frontman Sean Zatorsky. It was by then I realized that the frontman looks familiar and he was indeed the keybordist for Chimaira and Werstler was their bassist (Now guitarist).
Seen here is Werstler with a PRS Bass
So, back to why Emil Werstler is the Guitar God of the Month is thanks to the album "The Concealers". This is when I really appreciate the riffs and multiple tones used in songs. His playing (and also not forgetting Eyal Levi's) really shined and made me just sit there with jaw dropped in awe. Really awesome and genius compositions. They (Werstler & Levi) had so much ideas that they came up with an album of their (Maybe excessive) riffs "Levi/Werstler – Avalanche Of Worms" in 2010.
Emil Werstler with his PRS & Eyal Levi with his Ibanez Iceman
Emil Werstler is also a part time teacher and also an instructor. You can find a lot of his tutorials on Youtube and all over the web. If you happen to see his interviews he is a humble guy with vast knowledge in music. His knowledge allows him to create music at another level where he combines metal and jazz. You can really hear this from the scales he used and the kick ass riffs he comes up with. Also the fact that he uses a semi hollow instrument just blows your mind out.
Seen here with a hollow body PRS
So, to wrap it all up. Emil Werstler is not your average metal guitarist who shred his way to every songs. He can just play and interval and turn it into a metal riff. He is the true evidence that it is not all about the wall of mesa, the pointy guitars, the hot pickups and all that is high gain. It is all in the PLAYER!
Features unique to the Mark Holcomb Custom 24 include a 25.5" scale
length rock maple neck with ebony fretboard and 20" radius, satin
finish, a newly designed PRS plate–style bridge, green abalone "J"
birds, black Hipshot O–ring controls, and the guitarist’s signature
Seymour Duncan "Alpha" and "Omega" pickups. Holcomb designed these
pickups to be captivatingly clear and punchy – perfect for driving the
Periphery sound. As with all Custom 24 models, the Holcomb Custom 24
also comes standard with a carved, figured maple "10" Top, mahogany
back, 24 fret Pattern Thin neck, PRS Phase III locking tuners, and
volume, tone, 5–way blade switch control layout.
What I have to say about the band, the man and the axe:
I started listen to Periphery around 2 years ago and they are a bunch of guys who knows what they want and knows exactly what to do. I consider these guys as those who grew up and listens to bands like I did because we fall in the same category in terms of generation. They have this distinct and unique riffs and compositions to their sound. This may be because they have three guitarist in the band. Although they are well-known of a certain "Djent" genre still whatever genre that managed to make my head nod in agreement (and also because of the groove) is going into my playlist.
Holcomb only joined the band in October, 2011 and basically the first time I listened to the band was when Holcomb already joined the band. I don't know much about the guy but I only knew him when he introduced his signature Pro Tone Pedals Signature Delay Pedal - The Haunted Delay. I saw he demoed the pedal and played this crazy ambient riffs which left me drooling on such creativity (See youtube video below).
Ok. As usual I just can't stop my awful rants. So, let's go to the main reason for the post and stop the bullcrap shall we? I'm gonna go straight to the pictures since the specs are mentioned earlier.
Figured Maple with Satin Mahogany Black Finish creating an Eerie Vibe to the AXE
Equipped with Seymour Duncan "Alpha" & "Omega" Pickups
25.5" Scale Length with the traditional PRS "J Birds" Inlay
Hipshot O-Ring Knobs
PRS Fixed Bridge in Nickel Finish
Holcomb is man who knows what to expect from an axe. I love how it came together and the fusion of traditional and modern instrument made this an all round awesome guitar (at least it is to me). I may have a huge GAS because of the cosmetic value but I truly believe that this axe would probably kill any high end fit for metal axes in its category.
It has been 3 years since my last post and it feels like I need to start writing again and here goes the BLOG RESURRECTION!! It has been a long time and I have many NGDs to share and news and also updates. So, let the awful rants begin!!
