What is it about “Spoonman” that makes it not right for this tour? According to Cornell, the hard rock vignette just doesn’t work acoustic. “Some songs just lend themselves to [playing acoustic],” Cornell said. “Some songs were written on an acoustic guitar that nobody would even know, like ‘Spoonman,’ for example. The original demo is just acoustic guitar, but when I do it acoustically as a performance live, I don’t think it really works. It’s not nearly as good as it is when it’s Soundgarden playing. And it doesn’t become a different thing that’s also good in its own right. I’m sure there’s a way to do it that might work, but I haven’t really found that way.”

On the subject of how Chris Cornell — a man known for his gruff, hypnotic voice hammering against a background of electric guitar — grew so fond of performing acoustic, he says it all started during his days in Audioslave. “When I was in Audioslave, I started out doing one or two acoustic songs in the middle of the set, and it ended up being five or six,” he said. “I like that feeling, in the middle of a rock show, to be able to strip it down to one guy and a guitar. And I started doing that on my solo tours even when I had a band out with me. I would do a long acoustic set in the middle…”

Then, a few years back, he did an acoustic stint in Stockholm that, to his surprise, got picked up by a load of U.S. radio stations. “… at that point, I just felt like, OK, people obviously want to hear me do this,” he said. “So, I did a few shows in Los Angeles over the last couple years, and they were great. But it was still not me taking it out on the road and discovering what it could be. So at some point, I thought, ‘I’m just gonna book a 25-date tour and see what this becomes.’ And that’s what ‘Songbook’ was.”

Leon Harriman and his son Vincent recently spent two weeks putting together a chainsaw guitar.

The duo was inspired to build the unique instrument after a conversation about Gene Simmons’ famous axe-shaped instrument.

“Gene Simmons was our inspiration to make this guitar,” said Vincent.

After a lot of thinking and planning, the two started working on the unusual piece.

“Originally, we were just going  to make a guitar shaped like a chainsaw, that got me thinking, why don’t we use the case from my chainsaw instead,” said Leon.

The parts to make the guitar were simple and affordable.

“We used an old chainsaw casing and bought a cheap electric guitar to put on the inside,” said Leon.

Through all their work, the hardest part about the whole build was making sure the guitar would play once it was framed in by the chainsaw.

“Soldering was the hardest part of the whole project,” said Leon. “The wiring for an electric guitar is very thin and delicate, you have to be careful.”

Since finishing the project, Vincent Harriman has spent a lot of time playing the chainsaw.

“I use it during guitar practice and I perform live with it,” said Vincent. “People are always interested in it when we go places.”

The East McDowell Junior High student hopes that he and his father can build similar hybrids.

“Working on this has inspired us to make more instruments,” said Vincent. “We’re thinking of new ideas.”

For now, the two are taking a break and enjoying reactions from those who see it.

“Many of my friends that know about it think that it’s cool,” stated Vincent.

From The McDowell News

What would you like to make a guitar out of?

What do you think?  Would you do this to your guitar?

The pool took roughly six to eight weeks to plan and another six to eight weeks to build.

The stunning result is a pool that looks exactly like a 62-foot-long Les Paul Custom guitar, down to the last detail.  McBurney is ecstatic about his rock ‘n roll oasis.

“There’s no way it could have turned out any better than it did,” he said.  ”Every detail is perfect.”

Would you like a guitar shaped pool in your backyard?

Leo Fender is in the second shot.  No CNC machines back then, everything was done by hand.  It is amazing to realize that every guitar made that year is now worth a small fortune.

What did you find most interesting?

The Les Paul in Mahwah Museum Exhibit opened on September 25 and is open every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. till the end of June 2012.  This exhibit will allow visitors to learn about the essential facts of Les Paul’s life and career.

It has sections on invention and innovation, displays of one of a kind precious guitars made especially for Les, enthusiastic support from many famous current-day artists, a recreation of the studio in which Les did his work, a performance space where, at special times, patrons can play one of Les’s guitars, and many hands-on video and audio displays.

Learn how this creative genius transformed rock, country and jazz music.

What is your favorite guitar?

Aerosmith 

At the Macy’s shopping launch of the event, Tyler told WWD he was thrilled fans could now buy into the “freak style” he wears onstage and that he’s “honored” to be a new member of the extended Hilfiger family.

As for as the marriage between Tyler’s personal style and his day job as a musician, he said, “I’ve just got more female energy. I like that flowing and nurturing and I’m a songwriter, so I’m into form and fashion and how it all goes together. Always have been, so it’s just perfect.”