Latest news with #Jazzmaster
Winnipeg Free Press
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg singer-guitarist gets his own signature Fender Stratocaster
For nearly 20 years as a professional musician, Ariel Posen has been honing his unmistakable signature sound. Now, the Winnipeg-raised guitar hero has his own signature guitar, too. Earlier this month, Posen and the manufacturing giant Fender released the Limited Edition Ariel Posen Stratocaster, an instrument customized to the specifications of the prolific singer-guitarist, who has released two albums — Mile End III and a self-titled duo album with session drummer Ash Soan — so far in 2025. 'It was kind of like the sky's the limit; whatever you want, we can do,' says Posen of the collaboration with Fender and the company's pickup designer Tim Shaw, who worked with Posen for nearly three years to get the finished product — which combines his favourite features of Jazzmaster and Strat models — just right. SUPPLIED Ariel Posen plays the custom Fender Limited Edition Stratocaster designed for him. 'It's a fairly simple instrument, but every little detail I wanted was never an issue. Everyone has their tool of choice in whatever field they're in, and for me specifically, this is the style of guitar I gravitate to.' Posen, whose career kickstarted with local projects such as the New Lightweights, Sierra Noble and the Bros. Landreth, has lived in Montreal for five years while touring at a consistent clip. Much of the work with Fender was done remotely, but the guitarist had the chance to visit the company's Corona, Calif., headquarters to prepare video content for the instrument's release. Prior to last week's limited launch of 100 signature models, finished with a faded Lake Placid blue lacquer and featuring custom soapbar pickups, Posen had a prototype model for about a year, which he says gave him the chance to get comfortable with the instrument that puts him in rarefied company. Other guitarists to receive a limited-edition Fender model include country star Brad Paisley, the Clash's Joe Strummer, Beatle George Harrison, guitar virtuoso Eric Johnson, '60s icon Jimi Hendrix, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam and John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. 'It's hard for me to register that this is actually a real thing. It's so funny to find my name there. I'm just incredibly beyond grateful for the opportunity, whether my name belongs on that list or not,' says Posen, 37, whose parents Kinsey Posen and Shayla Fink are members of legendary klezmer band Finjan. 'The first guitar I ever got was a $30 acoustic that my parents bought for me, maybe from a garage sale.' Earlier this summer, Posen also partnered with Stringjoy to introduce a signature, nickel-wound string set, which, according to Premier Guitar, is ideal for B standard, open C and other lower tunings. On Dec. 12, Posen will bring his signature sound, strings and guitar to Winnipeg's Park Theatre for the closing show of his 24-date Future Present Tense tour. Tickets for the all-ages show go on sale today at Ben WaldmanReporter Ben Waldman is a National Newspaper Award-nominated reporter on the Arts & Life desk at the Free Press. Born and raised in Winnipeg, Ben completed three internships with the Free Press while earning his degree at Ryerson University's (now Toronto Metropolitan University's) School of Journalism before joining the newsroom full-time in 2019. Read more about Ben. Every piece of reporting Ben produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fender Japan unveils the Starmaster – a Jazzmaster/Starcaster hybrid that could be the most divisive Fender offset of them all
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Though we're used to seeing Fender produce wild hybrid builds through its oddball Squier Paranormal range, Fender Japan has bucked the trend by unveiling a Big F-branded Frankenstein'd creation that mashes two of the firm's offset shapes. The newly minted Starmaster is (no prizes for getting this right) a mish-mash electric guitar model that takes inspiration from both the Jazzmaster and the Starcaster – the latter of which has experienced something of a resurgence over the past few years. However, while on paper the Starmaster is a term that seems absolutely loaded with glorious potential – a Thinline Jazzmaster body with Starcaster trimmings, for example, would have been a winner – Fender Japan has opted instead to go down an alternative route. It's a choice that might deter some punters, though, because FJ has decided to slap its all-too-divisive oversized Starcaster headstock onto the body of a Jazzmaster. The result is, it has to be said, a very odd-looking Jazzmaster that from the pictures looks eerily out of proportion to itself. Image 1 of 4 Image 2 of 4 Image 3 of 4 Image 4 of 4 Nevertheless, it could be another one of Fender Japan's classic 'growers', and while it's not exactly what we'd have gone for with a Jazzmaster/Starcaster hybrid, there's no denying there's a certain ugly-duckling sort of charm to it that might win us over eventually. But the color-matched headstock aside, we're also intrigued by what Fender Japan has actually done to the Jazzmaster body itself. For the Starmaster, the offset has been given a strange, stepped upper bout bevel, which offers a contrasting finish to the rest of the guitar. It's certainly not something you'd find on a regular Jazzmaster. Heck, the sports car-style vibe we get from this reminds us of comments Fender made when describing the American Ultra II range – which, of course, dropped the Jazzmaster in favor of the Meteora. However, this is not a discarded Ultra II Jazzmaster body. Instead, as Fender Japan explains, it is a continuation of the Starcaster's headstock design, which also features the same two-step bevel motif. Image 1 of 2 Image 2 of 2 Bevels aside, it's a standard Jazzmaster body, available in Jupiter Blue, Candy Apple Red and Black (which has a sleek silver highlight). Oh, and to make it even more divisive, it's available in Antigua. The guitar is built from an alder body, while the U-shape maple neck offers a rosewood fingerboard with a 9.5' radius and 22 medium jumbo frets. The electronics department accommodates Hybrid II Custom Voiced single-coils. These are wired to a traditional Jazzmaster control layout for a guitar that, if you only pay attention to the fretboard and body, looks just like an oddball Jazzmaster proper. As another cool addition, the divisive new offset also boasts a brand-new headstock decal that flaunts the new Starmaster model name. Could this be the start of a fully fledged Starmaster line? It's only a limited launch, so probably not, but if this divisive offset takes flight, who knows… The Fender Made in Japan Limited Starmaster is available for 192,500 Japanese Yen, approximately $1,290. Head over to Fender Japan to find out more.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This new Hamilton Jazzmaster is my favourite so far
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. QUICK SUMMARY Hamilton's new Jazzmaster Performer Auto Chrono features a black stainless steel case with a motorsport-style tackymetre and an automatic movement. Priced at £2,265, the watch will be available imminently. Hamilton has revealed yet another new addition to its Jazzmaster watch collection – and its combination of motorsport design with a stealthy black case makes it a winner. Called the Jazzmaster Performer Auto Chrono, this is the sort of watch that goes well with just about any outfit, in any situation. The 42 mm stainless steel case is framed by a tackymeter of the bezel – a tool used to measure the average speed of an object traveling a known distance, such as a car sprinting a mile or lapping a race track. Also striking is how the date wheel is almost on full display through cut-outs in the dial, and how a blue 12-hour timer at the six o'clock position subtly matches the stitching of the perforated black leather strap. The watch is driven by the H-31 calibre automatic mechanical movement, which is visible through an exhibition case back, features a Nivachron balance spring and has an impressive 60 hours of power reserve. That means, when fully wound, the watch can be taken off and not worn for 2.5 days without losing any time. It also has a chronograph movement, controlled by push buttons either side of the crown, and displayed using the central seconds hand, along with sub-dials for hours, minutes and running seconds. As with other models of Hamilton Jazzmaster, the dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, and the leather strap is secured with a black PVD folding buckle that matches the case and includes the watchmaker's EasyClick system. Priced at £2,265, the watch will be available soon, according to Hamilton.
