Guitar Journal: Gibson Marc Jacobs Les Pauls
Plus, Glowing Guitars and Tascam 424 preamp plugins
This week, we take a peek at the latest Gibson collaboration with Marc Jacobs, a selection of fashion-inspired Les Pauls. Then we check out the Audio Hertz Mk.pre plugin, which does that Tascam 424 preamp thing. Finally, Vola Guitars has announced the return of its popular OZ ROA electric guitar, now available with an eye-catching new feature: a “Luminous” finish that glows in the dark.
Guitar Journal
Gibson Marc Jacobs
The worlds of music and fashion have collided in a vibrant new collaboration, as US fashion giant Marc Jacobs partners with Gibson for the designer’s “Joy” campaign. The collaboration features a limited-edition series of custom-decorated Gibson Les Paul Studio guitars, along with custom straps and pick tins.
These four limited-edition guitars are very brightly coloured and very different from the standard Les Paul finishes we are accustomed to.
New York Fashion Week
The collection, which debuted at New York Fashion Week, is a rare collaborative effort for Gibson, which more typically works with renowned musicians rather than fashion icons.
Four Les Paul guitars are the centerpiece of the collection: a Les Paul Standard featuring Jacobs’ own Daisy Joy design, and three Les Paul Studios adorned with artwork from acclaimed artist Hattie Stewart. All four guitars showcase Jacobs’ signature love for bold and eye-catching colours and feature his name and autograph on the bodies.
The four ultra-limited Les Paul models are available for purchase at the Nordstrom flagship store in New York City and select Marc Jacobs boutiques. The custom straps and pick tins are also available now through Nordstrom.
(Fashion) Boutique Prices?
Not the usual Rock machine or Blues guitar aesthetic we would expect from a Gibson Les Paul, and I’m guessing they will not be cheap either. Possibly, a guitar for the Glitterazzi fashion-conscious player?
Audio Hertz
Musicians and producers looking to recreate the unique lo-fi guitar tones of artist Mk.gee can now do so with the new Mk.pre plugin from Audio Hertz.
The plugin promises to authentically emulate the sound of Mk.gee’s unconventional rig, which is centered around the preamp of a vintage Tascam Portastudio 424 four-track tape recorder. Just like the recent JHS Pedals 424 Gain Stage pedal, but as software and a lot more affordable.
Portastudio Tones for your DAW
Instead of using the Portastudio for its tape functions, Mk.gee, whose real name is Michael Todd Gordon, runs his guitar directly into the unit. By pushing the preamp hard, he achieves a distinctive sound that can range from a clean, mid-focused drive to a thick, blown-out fuzz. This method effectively turns the Tascam’s preamp into a unique overdrive pedal.
Audio Hertz’s Mk.pre plugin is designed to bring this exact sound into any digital audio workstation (DAW). The plugin features a simple but effective interface with controls for Gain and Output, as well as an Auto-Gain function for easy balancing. It also includes Input and Mix controls for fine-tuning the effect.
Price & Formats
Mk.pre is available now for both macOS and Windows in VST3, AU, and AAX formats. For a limited time, the plugin is on sale for an introductory price of just $19, before increasing to its regular price of $39 after Friday, September 19th.
A free trial is also available for those who want to test it out.
Vola Guitars Reintroduces OZ ROA
Vola Guitars has announced the return of its popular OZ ROA electric guitar, now with a stunning new “Luminous” finish. This special phosphorescent treatment allows the guitar to glow in the dark, giving musicians a unique and captivating look on stage.
The new finish offers two distinct looks: a subtle sandblasted black during the day that transforms into a radiant, glowing spectacle under low light. This innovative design is sure to make a statement, whether you’re in a dimly lit club or on a concert stage.
Three Finish Options
In addition to the glow-in-the-dark option, the re-released OZ ROA is also available in two other new finishes. The Sandblasted White model provides a clean, arctic aesthetic that highlights the intricate wood grain, while the vibrant DSE finish features a colorful, psychedelic gradient.
The guitar itself is built with a chambered mahogany body and an ash top, offering a great balance of resonance and light weight. The neck is a one-piece roasted maple with a comfortable Modern C profile, designed for smooth and fast playing. The 12-inch radius fretboard is then fitted with 22 medium jumbo frets.
They come equipped with a versatile HSS pickup configuration. This setup includes Vola VS-I single coils in the neck and middle positions, paired with a powerful Vola VHC humbucker at the bridge. This allows players to achieve a wide range of tones, from sparkling clean sounds to aggressive leads, all controlled by a 5-way lever switch and a convenient mini coil-tap switch.
Rounding out the guitar’s high-end features are Gotoh 510T-FE1 tremolo hardware, nickel appointments, and a 42mm bone nut, ensuring excellent tuning stability and sustain.
Pricing
Each Vola OZ ROA is handmade in Japan and ships with a Vola Custom Series gig bag. Priced at $1,239 / £1199, they are actually not as expensive as I had thought they might be.
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