I had an episode of G.A.S. recently and needed JUST ONE MORE GUITAR !
In the past, I had spent an enormous amount of time travelling with my job (all over the world!) - and had always 'secretly desired' a TRAVEL GUITAR ! Something small, good quality and FUN !
I found what I was looking for; from PIGNOSE...
So, PIGNOSE has always been a name synonymous with portable amplification; While in early development - the prototype PIGNOSE Amps were rumoured to have been given to Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and artists such as Joe Walsh, Eric Clapton and Frank Zappa.
In the SUMMER NAMM 1973 show - PIGNOSE debuted with their first production amps; making around 50,000 units in the first year !
PIGNOSE has to be mentioned as an legendary American brand........ but they just make Amps, don't they? Well, technically - YES.
The PIGNOSE Travel Guitars are actually made by ARIA GUITARS (..using the PIGNOSE brand) - by all accounts, they make a cracking little axe !
There are a few models - but I opted for the DELUXE MODEL PGG-259. It has 22 frets and a 24.1/4 inch scale....... and a micronised body. More on the specifications below.
PIGNOSE DELUXE - PGG-259
The PGG-259 DELUXE is a mini-electric / travel guitar with built-in "PIGNOSE" amplification.
Pignose describe the DELUXE..... as putting all the funk, grit, and power of a Pignose amplifier right inside a very playable, kickin' little guitar.
I would have to agree ! In some ways, it reminds me of a baby Les Paul.
All you do is pull the famous Pignose knob, crank it up, and the Pignose sound you've known for years comes straight out of the guitar and into your face!
Is it a NOSE or a KNOB?
PGG259 SPECIFICATIONS:
- Maple bolt on neck
- Adjustable truss rod
- 22 frets
- 610mm // 615mm (24¼ inches)
- Ebonised rosewood fretboard with special mother of pearl block markers
- Special white binding to body, neck and headstock
- Gold coloured hardware
- Fully adjustable bridge with six individual saddles
- Single custom Pignose dual rail humbucker
- Pignose master volume control with push/pull power switch
- Jacks: 1/4" guitar jack and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Black pick guard with black metal speaker grill
- Built in amplifier powered by 9V battery.
- Weight 2.3kg (5.1 lbs)
- Length 82cm (32 inches) width 25cm (10 inches)
- Finish: Gloss Black with White Binding and gold coloured hardware
WHERE CAN I GET ONE?
After searching around - and placing an order with another musical store I've spent a lot of money with over the years; they gracefully accepted my order - and then cancelled my order a few hours later (stating - this guitar is discontinued, and we have no stock!)
Makes me wonder why they advertised the guitar as being "In-Stock" then? Hmmmm...
At this stage - I had committed to the cause' - I WANTED ONE !
SEARCH ON............
Bit more searching - and I came across "Play Away Guitars" based in Brighton & Hove. After a quick telephone conversation with a lovely man called Patrick; my order was placed and the guitar was on the schedule for delivery by courier.
I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND "PLAY AWAY GUITARS" IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE A TRAVEL / SILENT GUITAR; THIS IS WHAT MAKES PLAY AWAY GUITARS UNIQUE - THEY SPECIALISE IN PORTABLE HIGH QUALITY GUITARS.
Anyway - Play Away Guitars were selling the guitar PLUS the Gig Bag - PLUS they were shipping the guitar with an improved / modified setup; removing the lighter gauge factory fit strings - and replacing them with MY FAVOURITE BRAND / GAUGE OF STRINGS (Ernie Ball - Regular Slinky's!) HURRAH !
Delivery was prompt by ParcelForce. You now receive a TEXT MESSAGE giving you a 90 minute window when your parcel is due ! This is great - if you need somebody to wait around to sign for the delivery. No more sitting in waiting for parcels all day.
The guitar was very well packaged, and was de-tuned before shipping. After the guitar had acclimatised, we were off - tune up and ROCK OUT !
To show you the size differences - I've 'borrowed' a few pictures from the Play Away Guitars website; I'm sure Patrick won't mind - if it brings him new customers;
Just remember to tell him - Mark from sixstringzuk BLOG sent you !
Picture PRAWN
My little PIGGY with my little GIGGY BAG
FULL SIZE LES PAUL -vs- PIGGY DELUXE (piggy on the right!)
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
£225 GBP not including P+P
Get yours - from :-
OH HEY - WHAT'S WITH THE 'ODD' TITLE FOR THIS BLOG POST?
PIGNOSE... PIGBAG ? Get it?
In case you were wondering.... PigBag are a BRITISH Post-Punk Band ! (According to the WIKIPEDIA)
Their most famous song being "Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag" (Released circa 1981) and is an obvious pun / nod to the James Brown track. It's a very memorable tune ! Likely you know it already !
(Papa's Got A Brand New Pigbag) has become a football stadium anthem (Football as in English football, or Soccer to people reading this outside of Europe); The tune is often heard being chanted loudly !
Of course - don't confuse this track with the James Brown infamous "Papas got a brand new bag!"... that is off the uber-cool scale !
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