Fender Blacktop Strat in Sonic Blue

We just got in our first Fender Blacktop Strat and Fender Blacktop Tele – both part of the new Blacktop series that also includes a Jazzmaster HS and a Jaguar HH, and frankly, we’re impressed as hell. These are built well (in Mexico), have great playability, killer pickups and are a steal at $449.  These have some nice details too like the cool reversed control plate on the tele, the vintage bridge and trem bar on the strat, and the skirted knobs. The coolest in my book right now is the strat with its 5 way switching – this thing can really run the gamut from the neck’s outer single coil to the inner single coils of both pups to both humbuckers full on and more.  These are Hot Vintage Alnico Humbuckers and they are fan-freaking-tastic. Would have been nice to see a gig bag included in the price, but those are not hard to come by. Brian’s giving the strat a spin right now too and will post his comments soon. When the Jazzmaster and Jag arrive, we’ll give run them through their paces too and post an update.

Brian’s take:
The fresh new Blackout Series from Fender makes me think of muscle cars from the late 60s/early 70s.  These are based on timeless classics, but have a hot rodded appearance and tone!  This particular Strat is too cool for school.  It has a classic 60s Fender light blue finish and a mint pickguard, but has been blinged out with chrome covered humbuckers!  It reminds me of buying chrome for my old Camaro in high school!  The five way pickup selector allows you to dial in full-on humbucking tones or split them for a classic Strat single coil sound.  Go from Chris Isaak to Eddie Van Halen with a flick of a switch.  The neck is a comfy C-shape and the frets are highly polished.  Gloss finished neck and headstock to boot!  Excellent value, seriously.  I’m getting one of these.

The Fender Blacktop Tele with Hot Vintage Alnico Humbuckers

Tough to choose just one item per person this month as we’ve got a lot of great new and used gear in the store…some new Gretsch solid bodies, some stellar Collings with custom appointments that will appeal to vintage enthusiasts, and some crazy, inexpensive used guitars like this inexpensive Kent. But below you’ll find our picks for August, the cream o’ the crop in our opinion…take a gander:

Talk about a flame Maple top! This Bulldog is killer.

John Flynn – Anderson Bulldog

Amazing! This is an outstanding instrument on all counts.

The best of the best

Jim Baggett – Collings D1ASB Varnish

This is a great guitar!

Brazilian!

Tim Nelson – Collings D2HBaaaA Brazilian

This is a really outstanding guitar. It’s well balanced and good and loud, making it a perfect dreadnought for flatpicking. The Brazilian is about as straight as you will find on modern guitar.

This Martin GPCPA1 is a great player and made for performing!

Matthew Khomsi -Martin GPCPA1

This newly designed Martin guitar will really make Taylor fans second guess themselves.  The neck on it is very user-friendly and a joy to play.  The body is reminiscent of a Taylor Grand Auditorium, but the depth in tone is marvelous and will effortlessly please the traditional Martin enthusiast.

Brian's new favorite amp

Brian Soden – Germino Club 40 Style II 212 Combo

Being a huge fan of The Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule and Allman Brothers, I can’t help but make this amp my employee pick for August.  It’s pure roots rock/classic rock bliss.  This new Style II cab Greg offers just has something special going on with it.  I told Greg that last week and he totally agreed with me.  It’s like the fairy of killer amps came by and sprinkled pixie dust on it!  Absolutely not problem getting that famous Duane Allman howling sustain and Warren Haynes grind.  Plus, cleans up nicely with a surprising amount of sparkle!

Snazzy Wilcox pedal steel

Jason Jones – Wilcox SD10 Pedal Steel

Great player, very cool looking too – a great opportunity to get a solid pedal steel.

Super cool but I'm not seeing the samurai here...

Isaac Flynn – Yamaha Flying Samurai

It’s incredibly cool, and it plays great for a $250 guitar. The neck and head stock would also serve as a great hockey stick if I ever quit playing guitar.

Slick!

Anne Tangeman – Gretsch Corvette

Seriously sleek guitar, killer sound, with a Bigsby, at a nice price.  I LOVE this guitar!

That's Brian's Pez dispenser in the back (and his foot actually)

Chucho – Xotic EP Booster

Chucho says this is THE boost to have – super small and essential. Though he claims to have a pedal board, I have never seen this dog play an electric.

We’re giving away concert tickets almost every week! It’s easy to enter, just fill out a form, online or in the store at 14th & Mass St. For some contests, like the great Alejandro Escovedo, you might have to answer a pertinent question to be entered. These are great tickets – some to bands you’ll know and some you might not, so check ‘em out.  A big thanks to Up to Eleven Productions and Hunt Industries for providing the great tix. You can stay up to date with new contests & giveaways by checking our Contests Page, or become our fan on Facebook where we’ll keep you posted on the store contests, as well as giving away cool gear every Friday with our Facebook Trivia Contest.

Dave Rawlings & Gillian Welch check out Jim's Loar and '32 Martin D-28

We had a really nice surprise today when Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings stopped by to see their friend and our owner, Jim Baggett. These incredibly nice (and exceptionally talented) folks were just passing through after their recent Omaha performace for the Concert for Equality, making their way home to Tennessee. They jawed with Jim, but played some too in his office, including a very sweet rendition of “Hand Me Down My Walkin’ Cane”, which I was able to hear quite nicely at my desk.  They were kind enough to let me snap a few photos while they played, the results of which are here…man, I do love my job. Here’s a nice youtube video of them doing “Sing That Rock n Roll”. Enjoy.

Gillian Welch enjoying the first Martin D-28

Dave Rawlings giving the Loar mandolin a spin

Jim (left) & buddy Cas (right) with Jim's first guitar creation from 1977

In know I’ve said it before, but it’s true – you just never know what’s going to walk in the door here at Mass St. Music and yesterday was a great example. Cas Loth, former Lawrencian now living in Nashville, came by to say hi to his old buddy Jim Baggett (our esteemed boss) and he happened to bring along a guitar. This guitar was the first one Jim Baggett ever made, back in 1977.  It still sounds really great, has some beautiful finish crazing and a very simple label inside with Jim’s signature. This is one of only 5 that Jim constructed.  Thanks Cas for stopping by with the show and tell!

Cas shows off his "Baggett dread" from '77

Signed label complete with water stains from the sweat of Jim's brow. Kidding.