World 12-string guitar authority Paul Brett gets a pair of Vintage Signature electro-acoustics

Feb. 15, 2012 - PRLog -- Paul Brett, one of the world's leading experts on 12-string acoustic guitars, has worked together with Vintage® guitars to create a pair of Vintage Paul Brett Signature electro-acoustics.

Featuring a six-string (VE8000PB, UK RRP £449) and a 12-string (VE8000PB-12, UK RRP £499) model, the pair are influenced by the beautiful parlour guitars of the 1930s, many of which make up part of Paul's impressive personal collection.

Both guitars feature solid spruce tops with rosewood backs and sides, along with unobtrusive Fishman pickups and preamps. In fitting with classic stylings, the 12-string guitar's neck joins the body at the 12th fret, while the 6-string's joins at the 14th fret. Being parlour in size, they are easy to transport and are manageable to handle.

Paul originally started playing as a 6-string electric lead player before switching to acoustic 6-string in the early 70s, but it wasn't until the mid 70s that he found a greater love for acoustic 12-string. He has developed his own distinctive fingerpicking style, and over his 40-year career has played with or shared the stage with the likes of The Strawbs, Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Flower Pot Men, Status Quo, Barclay James Harvest, Manfred Mann, Free, Motörhead, The Who, and many, many more.

Paul said: “I am absolutely amazed at how well my new Vintage Signature Guitars have turned out. They have surpassed all expectations, especially the 12-string, which is unique to the market and the initial reaction from everyone who has played one is fantastic. It is small-bodied with a loud voice and will play just about any style, from traditional blues and folk through the genres to rock classics like Meatloaf's Bat Out Of Hell. The matching 6-string is equally as versatile, and with a simple change of stings from light to medium on both guitars, you can have an amazing spectrum of sounds at your fingertips.

“They're so versatile and... the sound is like a cannon! All I suggest you do is try them out at your local dealer and judge for yourself. I very much doubt you will be disappointed – and your pocket certainly won't!”

The guitars have already won the respect of several legendary players. Stefan Grossman says: “What a big sound for a little twelve string guitar. The PB 12-string has the rich tonal qualities of a 1920s Stella that set the standard for old country blues recordings. And the price can't be beat!”

And guitarist and songwriter John Renbourn says: "Paul Brett knows all about 12-strings and the new Vintage guitar is a breakthrough, a real winner!”

Vintage guitars are distributed worldwide by John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd. For more information, visit the JHS website.

Vintage Paul Brett signature models – specs
Top: Solid Spruce
Back and Sides: Rosewood
Binding: Maple/Wood purfling
Neck: Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Bridge: Rosewood
Top Nut: Graphtec TUSQ
Saddle: Graphtec TUSQ
Scale: 649mm
Tuners: Gold
Preamp and pickup: Fishman Matrix Infinity with Volume and Tone controls
Pickup: Acoustic Matrix undersaddle pickup
Case: Supplied with zero-gravity case

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Useful links:

Paul Brett Vintage acoustics at JHS:
http://www.jhs.co.uk/paulbrett.html

Paul Brett:
http://www.paulbrettguitarist.co.uk