I have seen Philip Sayce perform live on numerous occasions and I’m always amazed that at the end of the show he isn’t reduced to a pile of dust. He leaves everything, and I mean everything up on that stage and albeit I’m sure hes trying to deliver the goods to the crowd.
I get the impression (really more like an intense sense) that he is swept away by the music, the symbiotic relationship with his instrument and the the melding of those energies coupled with an incredibly strong intention of pushing out this energy into the universe. Its really quite astounding and I often watch audiences walking away from his shows just shaking their heads as to what they just saw.
His latest record captures that same energy and we’re gonna talk about that and more. Please welcome to Guitar Radio Show Mr Philip Sayce.
Our next guest is single handily responsible for getting me out of a huge rut I was in regarding my playing. Just from his you tube video lessons this amazing player/teacher inspired me and got me to look at things in a different way and helped me get out of my own way.
He is a guitarist, songwriter, producer, sideman, collaborator, and artist in his own right. Please welcome to GRS Kerry 2Smooth Marshall
When the Telecaster iteration of the Fender Acoustisonic arrived on the scene I immediately began fantasizing about the prospect of a Stratocaster with all the same bells and whistles. I have to be honest, I didn’t expect for Fender to deliver a Jazzmaster version in the series. But, thats what Fender does. They innovate, surprise and always deliver.
It’s three times a charm for this technology and the level of refinement Fender has reached here is pretty astounding an albeit the technology is what everyone usually talks about? Let’s talk about the foundation of the guitar first.
-Looks:
Firstly, it’s really pleasing to the eye, although I don’t love all the colors, there’s enough options to find the one that will catch your attention. The all natural blew me away.
-Wood:
The new Fender Jazzmaster Acoustisonic has a Mahogany Body, Spruce Top, Mahogany Neck, Ebony fretboard and bridge. It is really beautifully crafted with very comfortable body carves for ease of playing.
-Form:
I do think the Jazzmaster Acoustisonic has one unfair advantage over its Tele & Strat cousins. Its got more resonant surface mass. Let’s face it, the body style just has more space & wood. More wood, more resonance.
That additional surface adds a lush resonance that sets the Jazzmaster apart from its smaller more compact predecessors. Unplugged, it resonates more like a standard acoustic guitar and that really satisfying.
-Feel and Playability:
The neck is this interesting cross between an electric guitar as far as scale and playability and the porous nature of an acoustic.
The feel of the instrument has an already broken in friendly and comfortable way about it. Being one of those people that hates breaking in new guitars, this feels like its been mine for years, but don’t get me wrong it’s not a relic feel, it just feels right.
-Electronics:
Ok, so let’s get into the guts of the technology.
The Fender Jazzmaster Acoustisonic has an incredible range of sounds, tones and applications including 4 new voicing’s not found on the Strat and Tele versions.
-A newly designed Fishman under saddle transducer pickup living under the bridge
-A Fishman Acoustisonic Enhancer (this is the one that senses the body for body tapping and for giving it a good old smack for you Andy McKee fans)
-A new Tim Shaw Humbucker in the bridge position which was painstakingly designed and after five versions they landed on what I think is outstanding.
-And of course a blend knob that allows you to dial in an almost infinite number of tones.
By far this is the most versatile guitar Fender has ever designed. Its perfect for the guitarist that plays mostly electric guitar, wants to retain the feel of the electric while creating in an acoustic format. But, it sounds and feels so good, I can see some of the diehard acoustic players, being captured by its incredible range of available tones.
This is really a triumph for guitar building and I can see it inspiring other builders to think outside the box. But, you know now that Fender has done this, could a Acoustisonic Jazz or P bass be far behind? Never say never.
Former Premier Guitar writer and Guitar Radio Show staff member Adam P. Hunt joins me to discuss the mania of the guitar and its immersion in social media.
We had so many guests on this show that had a Leslie West story. From Waddy Watchtel to Rik Emmett anyone who played with, for, jammed with or met had a “Leslie West Story” and they all desperately wanted to tell it. I myself have my own Leslie West Stories. This episode and the story I get to tell Leslie of our first meeting when I had the honor of opening for him.
He was an Icon and a bad motor scooter of a guitarist…The band up there got a whole lot louder and better. Enjoy.
