Chord Progression, Fender Thinlines, Jay Leonard J, PRS CE-24 Limited Edition
Guitar Practice
Let's learn a progression.
The goal here is to learn some jazzy chord voicings you might not be familiar with (or that your fingers might not naturally gravitate towards). The audio example is played at 85bpm, but start by playing it as slowly as you need to. These voicings are most easily played finger style (or a combination of pick and fingers).
Gear Showcase
Fender Limited Edition American Professional II Thinline Telecaster® and Stratocaster®
Fender's American Professional II line has been very popular since it's release in 2020, but their recently-released limited edition Thinlines seem to have largely flown under people's radar.
While thinline Strats might not be everyone's thing from a visual standpoint, thinline Tele's have been staple since the late 1960's. In addition to lighter weight, thinlines have a bit of a more airy sound than solid bodies.
While the specs are otherwise the same as the regular American Pro II line, these limited editions also stand out with some great transparent colors: Shell Pink, Surf Green, White Blonde, & Daphne Blue. The Teles have a maple fretboard, while the Strats have rosewood.
The MSRP for these are $1,949.99, or check for used options on Reverb.
Key Features:
- Semi-hollow ash body for reduced weight and different tones
- Rolled fretboard edges
- Deep C neck
- Gloss finish
- 9.5" radius
- Narrow Tall frets
- Fender V-Mod single coil pickups
- Push-Push Tone for Series Mode (which gives fatter, almost humbucker-ish tones) on the Teles and adds the neck pickup on the Strats.
Check out Fender's YouTube promo vid or view on Reverb.
Guitarist Spotlight
Jay Leonard J
As a popular YouTube personality, producer, songwriter, and an outstanding award-winning guitar player, Vancouver, BC-based Jay Leonard Jay has been creating a buzz on stages and computer screens around the world.
Jay Leonard J earned a from the Berklee College of Music, has performed at some of the world’s biggest venues (from the MGM Grand Arena to the Hong Kong Coliseum), has composed for films, and contributed to projects of many artists.
In addition to being a super talented musician, Jay Leonard J has built a big following with his great product demos for some of the best brands in the musical instrument space.
If you’ve ever browsed YouTube in search of a guitar-related gear review, you’ve likely stumbled across Jay Leonard J’s YouTube vids - and you likely stuck around for the full video and found yourself doing a deep dive into his vast YouTube catalog. His understanding of gear and tone is unmatched, and his energy and passion for guitar shines through on every video.
Key Gear:
- Lake Placid Blue Fender Custom Shop Telecaster with Bigsby (check out his YouTube video about it). Seriously one of the coolest teles you'll ever see.
- 1968 Blonde Fender Telecaster with Bigsby
- Yamaha Revstar
Check him out on Youtube and Instagram
Trending
- PRS released CE 24-08 Limited Edition Models, available in either Black Limba or Swamp Ash. They retail at $1,999 USD.
- Fender and Gibson will be returning to the 2025 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California in January
- Yamaha introduced a concept of building guitars out of upcycled defective and scrap wood produced during the regular manufacturing process. They're testing various types of wood, including some not traditionally used in guitar manufacturing
- Guitar.com sat down with Taylor Guitars founder Bob Taylor to discuss how Taylor Guitars became one of the world’s biggest acoustic guitar companies.
- Gretsch released a Limited Edition Jack Antonoff Signature CVT and a Martin Gore Anniversary Center Block guitar.
Currently spinning in the office
Khruangbin: Live at Sydney Opera House
