Yamaha artist Miki Santamaria collaborated with the Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop in Calabasas, Los Angeles, to design his dream Yamaha bass, an instrument which reflects his personal sound and artistic vision. We had the pleasure of speaking with Miki about this custom project, as well as his journey and inspirations. First Impressions When Miki… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Miki Santamaria
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Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | David Ryan Harris
Although he had been performing and recording for many years, most listeners first heard the talented guitar stylings of David Ryan Harris on Dionne Farris’ hit single “I Know,” back in 1995. The rootsy slide parts of Farris’ tune might seem disconnected from Harris’ smooth R&B work or his playing with John Mayer, but dig… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | David Ryan Harris
Breakthroughs | Theo & Brenna MacMillan
Kentucky native Theo MacMillan is currently taking Nashville by storm (along with his banjo-playing sister) and he has lots to say about acoustic construction, good tone, and cool custom inlays.
Trading Licks: Episode 10 – Nailing The “Hendrix” Chord
This month we’re going to be jamming over a funky D7(#9) progression. In fact, all three chords in this progression are altered dominant 7th chords with a sharp ninth alteration. These chords are often referred to as the “Hendrix” chord. Think of the song “Purple Haze” and you’ll understand why. The tonal center resolution point… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 10 – Nailing The “Hendrix” Chord
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Chris Buck
The master of tone and touch reveals what makes him feel “connected” to a guitar and why sometimes less input produces better results.
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jake Eddy
If Dobro superhero Rob Ickes says you can play, you can really play. Bluegrass guitarist Jake Eddy not only got that verbal blessing from Ickes, he got a musical one too, as Ickes and other bluegrass luminaries guested on Eddy’s eponymous record in 2021. More recently, Eddy collaborated with his brother Carter and Victor Furtado… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Jake Eddy
Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
This month we’re going to be jamming over a cool B Dorian rock progression. The B Dorian mode is the second mode in the key of A Major. Simply put, B Dorian is the A Major scale played from B to B. The intervals we create by sequencing from the second tone of a major… Continue reading Trading Licks: Episode 9 – Targeting the Six and Nine
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Fred Sablan
Many music fans were introduced to Fred Sablan when he was tapped as the Deftones’ bassist in mid-2022. Originally from Cupertino, CA, Sablan played both guitar and bass in various punk bands and, like many of his contemporaries, was influenced by Joy Division and New Order bassist (and Yamaha signature artist) Peter Hook. Sablan’s career… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Fred Sablan
Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Corey McCormick
Corey McCormick has lent his deep bass grooves to performances and recordings with such diverse stars as Neil Young, Chris Cornell, Willie Nelson, Vertical Horizon, and his current gig with Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. And if you’ve heard his playing or caught a live show, he was probably working his low-end magic… Continue reading Yamaha Guitar Development Custom Shop | Corey McCormick
Record Store Day 2023: Steady Holiday
Record Store Day is a day for the people who make up the world of the record store—the staff, the customers, and the artists—to come together and celebrate the unique culture of a record store and the special role they play in their communities. To mark this year’s Record Store Day, we spoke to Yamaha… Continue reading Record Store Day 2023: Steady Holiday