Old Smoothie: Built By Leo For Sterling Ball

 

Article on Old Smoothie

Pink Champagne Sparkle

Apparently this will end up with the Eagles for their next Aussie Tour.

Guitar Center Exclusives November 2010: SR5

Shown at the Philidelphia Guitar Show, November of 2010.

Guitar Center Exclusives November 2010

Ronnie James Dio Sterling

"Wendy Dio, his wife of over 20 years, announced his death just a few hours after he passed on May 16, 2010.

Wendy launched the “Stand Up and Shout for Cancer” fund in memory of Dio and requested that fans donate to the cause in lieu of memorials. Glam Guitars is one of many organizations that are ready to help.

A bejeweled guitar—with a Swarovski-studded rock ’n’ roll hand symbol—will be auctioned off at Christys, with net proceeds benefiting Stand Up and Shout for Cancer. "

Craig Young's Reflex: The Monster Truck

Nashville bassist and all-around good guy Craig Young's new Reflex, delivered at Summer NAMM.

Autumn Redrise Stingray

Discontinued after a fairly short run, "autumn redrise" is still popular amongst the fanbois.

Pre-Ernie Ball Catalog Scan

Custom Sterling 5: Escape the Fate

Sterling 5 built for Max Green from "Escape the Fate". 

Ebony fretboard and all black hardware combined 

with unfinished maple neck.

Big Al 5 SSS bass

Big Al 5 with SSS electronics package (owned by yours truly).

Spalted Stingray

Built for export, a limited number of these spalted top
Stingrays were sent to Japan.

Historical Photo

That dashing young man on the far left is Ernie Ball on pedal steel guitar.

Playing with Tommy Duncan.

Feeling Randy?

Custom built "Reflex" in Lamborghini Orange for as-yet-unnamed American Idol judge.

The Reflex is the production model of the 25th Anniversary model.

So You Want To Smoke?

 

This guy also wants you to buy a smoker:

http://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/

Check it out.

Classic Series Sterling

How about a "classic" (aka never before built) Sterling? 2band preamp, flame or birdseye neck, no switch and 7.50 radius fingerboard?  Oh, and check the colors!

Sterling By Music Man: New Finish for 2010

I do not need another four string bass, I do not need another four string bass.....etc.

This was first seen at Bass Player Live in late 2009 and the good folks at Sterling by Music Man were "considering" it as a finish option. At NAMM in January 2010, it was confirmed that it would be an option on the Ray34. Stop me before I do something crazy.  My buddy Pat at SBMM says this finish will be "a Guitar Center exclusive in the USA" and should be in stores around late May/early June.

Classic Series: New for 2010

Here are the colors available on the new Classic Series basses.

Patriot Act

Another one-off Stingray, this one in Stars and Stripes motif.

Bongo Concept Drawings

 

The beginnings of the Bongo design.
Thankfully, Sterling went after it with his Sharpies.

Flashback: 1954

The Ernie Ball Music Shop circa 1954.

Earthwood Electric Bass

Many of us have seen or played Earthwood acoustics, even though now that Brian guy from Violent Femmes seems to be buying them all up, but not many have ever seen the Earthwood electric bass.

The County Fair Sterling

This was for an artist, though the name escapes me now. Whoever it was had a friend who did the artwork on an unfinished body which was then sent back to SLO for final clear finish. One of my favorite oddities!

Sunburst Bongo 4 HH

,

This sunburst one-of-a-kind Bongo was built in 2006 and auctioned on
eBay to benefit the Casey Lee Ball Foundation.

How To Make a Pink Albert Lee