Latest news with #CustomShop
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Gene Winfield, Hotrod Pioneer, Designer Of Movie And TV Cars, Dies At 97
Read the full story on Backfire News Gene Winfield, a movie and TV car designer many revere for pioneering hotrod and lowrider methods used by many builders today, died recently at the age of 97. Among the productions Winfield worked on are notable entries like Blade Runner, RoboCop, and even the original Star Trek television was also a celebrated hotrod builder, something which is common among the old school movie/TV car builder crowd. In fact, he's recognized as one of the pioneers of hotrod and lowrider culture. That's why some have referred to him as 'the King of Customs.' At least until right before the very end, Winfield was still building cars and going to events, socializing with other gearheads. The man loved speed and performance, he himself barely slowly down even in his elderly years. Born in Springfield, Missouri, Winfield grew up during the Great Depression as the youngest of six children. Seeking greater economic prosperity, his family moved to Modesto, California An enterprising youth, he opened his first automotive shop at the ripe age of 15. Shortly after, he bought a 1928 Ford Model A coupe. After joining the Navy at the end of World War II, Gene returned home and got into the hotrod scene, chopping his brother's '41 Plymouth convertible. It didn't take the man long to build a huge reputation. With that came Hollywood studios wanting him to use his creativity and fabrication skills to build custom vehicles for television shows and movies. That was how his work reached a more mainstream audience and will continue living on in those beloved productions. Back on February 27, Winfield's Custom Shop posted on Instagram about his declining health, revealing his wishes that his museum remain intact instead of the different cars being sold off for big money. He passed away on March 4. Image via winfieldscustomshop/Instagram,IMDB
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Brian May's first Gibson signature is here – and it's got nothing to do with the Red Special
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. After announcing their unexpected partnership early last year, Gibson and Brian May have unveiled their first collaborative signature guitar creation – and it's not a Murphy Lab Red Special. Instead, the legendary Queen guitarist has been honored with a 12-string SJ-200 acoustic guitar. When May and Gibson first confirmed they would be working together, many speculated that the partnership would lead to Custom Shop (and maybe even Epiphone) recreations of the iconic Red Special. Hype was further fanned when May himself revealed to Guitar World that reissues of the DIY guitar he made with his father were indeed on the cards, but it seems we'll have to wait a little longer for a Gibson Red Special. For their first drop, the pair have instead prioritized a 12-string SJ-200, which was designed specifically for May after he required one for tour. However, it's quite unlike your standard 12-string – not only are 12-string SJ-200s exceptionally uncommon, this particular example has also been altered to suit May's personal strumming style. As May explains in a press release, his signature SJ-200 flips the 12-string script on its head by reversing the order of the octave and regular acoustic guitar strings. 'The idea for this guitar came when I needed a 12-String on tour, and the one I was accustomed to wasn't performing right on stage,' May explains. 'The guys at Gibson very kindly said, 'We'll make you something special that you can use on the tours.' 'One of the things I asked for was for the octaves to be placed around the other way from where it is normally done, because I like to pick upwards and hear the top notes when I'm playing. I like to hear the high octave coming through as then I can play tunes on it.' A bevy of top-notch tonewoods form the foundation of May's first Gibson, with AAA rosewood back and sides lining up alongside an AAA Sitka spruce top that boasts an elegant Vintage Sunburst finish. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Elsewhere, there's a rosewood fingerboard with agoya shell eight-point star inlays, a planetary themed pickguard designed by May, and gold Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners, as well as a solid rosewood moustache bridge, walnut stringer and Fishman Matrix electronics. All in all, it's a very pretty SJ-200 indeed, but as May is quick to point out, it's also a display of refined acoustic guitar engineering. The decision to reverse-mount the strings – so the thicker-gauge strings are on top of the thinner octaves – is a small but influential decision that will have a huge impact on its tone and playability. As Gibson puts it, it lends itself to 'a distinctive sound that's unlike other Gibson 12-String acoustic models'. May, unsurprisingly, is impressed: 'If you look at this guitar, the beauty of it, and the beauty of the sound, and look at the science in this guitar, look how much technology and craftsmanship has gone into this guitar. 'Gibson was able to put the universe on it in a figurative way and the planet Mercury is here, and that is a little nod to a friend of mine that is always with me.' Image 1 of 4 Image 2 of 4 Image 3 of 4 Image 4 of 4 'As a trailblazing sound pioneer, trendsetter, and one of the most influential musicians of all time, it's an absolute privilege to be collaborating with Sir Brian May,' says Cesar Gueikian, CEO of Gibson, of the new release. 'Brian's impact on music and culture is second to none and was a transformational influence on my personal music journey. We are deeply honored that Brian has trusted Gibson with this SJ-200 12-string guitar, and we are excited to finally bring it to music lovers around the world.' Only 100 of these 12-string SJ-200s will be made, and they'll be available for $7,999 via the Gibson Garages in Nashville and London, and on the Gibson website. Head over to Gibson to find out more. Image 1 of 3 Image 2 of 3 Image 3 of 3
