The Airline Professional Vibrato was Valco's top-of-the line Res-O-Glas model.
Tonewoods can certainly live up to their reputation, but the Airline Professional Vibrato made a strong case for fiberglass.
Over the holidays, our family got together and talked about normal things—like shopping, movies, and guitars! My father-in-law plays acoustic guitar, and since we live so close to the Martin guitar factory, he has quite an impressive collection. We got to talking about tonewoods and how each of his Martins has a different feel and “vibration” of sorts. One can really dig deep into various guitar tonewoods and how they impact sound. (I once visited a factory in Japan that played classical music in the curing room because they believed that the music would have a certain tonal impact.) But whenever I’m presented with someone who is obsessed with wood quality, I think about the pine, Formica, and fiberglass electrics made by Danelectro and Valco as examples of guitar building that totally ignored the traditional process. So, this month I’m going to tell you the story of a guitar model that’s a great example of how certain guitar makers threw tonewood theories right out the window.
In 1961, the Valco Company began to revamp their factory in Chicago and invested in a new fiberglass technology for building guitars. The company highlighted how fiberglass guitars would be more durable and resistant to changes in climate. Additionally, it would be much cheaper compared to using wood. By 1962, a large portion of the factory was dedicated to building 6-strings using fiberglass, and there were about 10 different models dubbed Res-O-Glas guitars.
Sure, those knobs and the pickup selector will get in the way of your strums, but they don’t make this hip-looking Airline any less cool.
Valco made different Res-O-Glas guitar models using the brands National, Supro, and Airline. The Airline-branded guitars were sold through Montgomery Ward department store catalogs, and the most expensive model was the Airline Professional Vibrato. This 3-pickup guitar was an interesting departure from the traditional Airline offerings. It featured an angular, oddly shaped body identical to the red Airline guitar that would later be made popular by Jack White. The Professional only came in white, featured a genuine Bigsby vibrato, and sold for a whopping price tag of $249!
The guitar featured fine Kluson tuners, a bound neck with celluloid inlays, nickel-silver frets, and the always exquisite-sounding single-coil Valco pickups (that look like humbuckers) that were made in-house and have a great, aggressive tone, even with fiberglass. The controls for this model include a row of knobs above each pickup for bass and treble. The idea was that you could have each pickup preset to your tastes. There was also a master volume control and a 3-way blade pickup selector switch.
The guitar featured fine Kluson tuners, a bound neck with celluloid inlays, and nickel-silver frets.
This excellent guitar initially appeared in the 1965 catalog, but was gone by 1967, which makes it an extremely rare and desirable instrument. It’s a shame more people haven’t had the chance to play this model, because it offers such a unique experience. The guitar is super light but still well-balanced. The tonal sin of many Valco guitars is that the electronics were often over-done and blanketed in all sorts of capacitors, and this Airline Professional is no exception. The upper row of knobs is also right in the way of your strumming motion, so that’s a bit of a problem. But even with these quirks, the guitar sounds amazing. And all Res-O-Glas instruments are alive and full of vibration!
Division of Laura Lee’s Viktor Lager on his No. 1 concern when playing live. Plus—his latest Mascis-inspired Jazzmaster mod.
Gibson partners with the Everly Brothers family for a limited-edition acoustic guitar equipped with AA flame maple and capped with dual pickguards.
Equipped with a AA flame maple back and sides paired with a thermally aged Sitka spruce top, the guitar is capped with the dual pickguards that The Everly Brothers made famous. The Everly Brothers SJ-200 features a stunning Ebony finish and also has essential SJ-200 cosmetic appointments including classic mother-of-pearl graduated crown inlays on the rosewood fretboard, as well as a “Moustache” bridge with four bar mother-of-pearl inlays. The bridge saddle, nut and bridge pins are bone, while Gold Grover Rotomatic tuners ensure solid tuning stability; an SJ-200 hardshell acoustic guitar case is included.
Alongside the release of the SJ-200, on Friday, June 17, the 17-track compilation album HEY DOLL BABY, will be released worldwide via Warner Records. On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022, the star-studded virtual concert, “Hey Doll Baby Festival: Celebrating The Lives & Music Of The Everly Brothers” will feature the legendary songs of The Everly Brothers will air in full on Sunday, June 19 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on the official Everly Brothers’ YouTube, Facebook, and Website.
Beginning June 14, Gibson will release the limited-edition Everly Brothers SJ-200 acoustic guitar and the Everly Brothers x Gibson capsule apparel collection, onwww.everlybrothers.com and www.gibson.com. $7,999.00 USD. Only 30 of the Everly Brothers SJ-200 guitars will be available.
Michael Kelly Guitars announces four new electric guitar models for 2022.
The Hybrid 55T is a unique instrument that does it all with the flip of a switch. On the electric side are two custom voiced Rockfield SWC humbucker pickups with coil splitting for a wealth of classic and modern sounds. Additionally, a Fishman Powerbridge pickup system captures rich acoustic tones and is paired with its own volume control. Using the three-way pickup selector switch, players can quickly switch from electric to acoustic tones or a blend of both. The electric and acoustic signals are combined when using a standard guitar cable, or separated via a Y-cable to deliver isolated signals to electric or acoustic amplifiers for maximum sonic impact. The Hybrid 55T makes a bold statement. It features a mahogany body with a black satin finish, black binding, black pick guard, and an ebony fretboard for a distinctive look. The Hybrid 55T is fitted with a rock maple neck with modern “C” shape delivering balance, comfort, and sustain.
The Hybrid 60 Port is a truly versatile guitar that sounds as good as it looks. Delivering big electric sounds and authentic acoustic tones or a combination of the two, this guitar is perfect for any musical style. The semi-hollow mahogany body and spalted maple top make a striking visual impact. The Hybrid 60 Port feels natural and easy-to-play thanks to the double- cutaway design and modern “C” shaped roasted flame maple neck. Two single-coil pickups allow for dynamic leads or tight rhythm playing, while an under-saddle piezo pickup produces a clear acoustic tone. A 5- position switch allows players to select electric or acoustic sounds or a blend of both the acoustic pickup and bridge pickup, accommodating a variety of playing styles with traditional and innovative tones. Models are available in transparent blue and transparent red finishes.
The 1959 Port Thinline combines modern styling with classic lines. These eye-catching instruments boast highly-figured spalted maple tops, striking finishes and cream binding around the body and sound holes. The semi-hollow mahogany body provides a warm, round tone while still offering the rich sustain of a solid body guitar. The signature offset sound hole and side port enhances the resonance and acoustic properties of the instrument. From chunky rhythm chords to blistering leads, the 59 Port Thinline can dial up a wealth of sought-after sounds. Two Rockfield P90 pickups offer warm tones with a bite that screams when pushed into overdrive. Both the fingerboard and neck are constructed of roasted flame maple. The neck’s modern “C” profile allows for both comfortable chording and lightning-fast licks. Models are available in transparent blue and transparent red finishes.
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