Here is a video demo of the brand new Fender VG Stratocaster, from live at NAMM 2007.

If ever there was a really good reason for GAS, I think this is it. No funky MIDI plug-ins, and just enough tonal variety to make it actually useful while gigging. Yes, the telecaster (and XII string Telecaster) tones sound, well just like a telecaster sound, with the benefit of a five way switch. Modeled Baritone tuning with that hot, screaming humbucker fatness, all with the quick twist of two standard stratocaster knobs. It really makes you wonder if maybe this same setup will be available in a Telecaster model (or something with a hard tail bridge!). Nudge, nudge, wink, wink Fender!. The audio on the video clip is a bit noisy (from all the people in attendance at NAMM), but from what I could hear, this is this may become the "axe of the future". I've played the Line6 guitars, and what those do provide with more tone options, they lack in actual tone. To me, the Line6 modeling sounds were "really, really" close, but just not exactly there or more precisely, lacking "character". I do enjoy using the POD amps for recording, as you don't lose the "character" of whichever guitar you are using.

Fender has a long record (no pun intended!) of hitting the mark when it comes providing functional, yet advanced features on their guitars. According to the specs, the specialized electronics provide "Five Guitar Tone Banks Deliver 16 Sounds from Humbucking to Acoustic, Five Tuning Banks Allow You to Change Tunings Without Physically Retuning". Hmm... what else would you really need? I won't be completely convinced until I hear and play one, but you know I'll be pestering the folks down at American Music! 

Today, Microsoft has released it's new ASP.NET AJAX 1.0 code for the Web 2.0 world to use. It's a free download and allows web developers everywhere to utilize ASP.NET 2.0 for very sexy web ui creations. I'd suggest also downloading the companion bits, named ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit, as it provides some great, easy to use controls that you can get started with right away. There is a huge collection of samples and documentation on the ASP.NET site, as well as, training videos, blogs, and forums. It's quite the robust site.

ASP.NET AJAX direct download: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ca9d90fa-e8c9-42e3-aa19-08e2c027f5d6&DisplayLang=en

ASP.NET AJAX Control Toolkit direct download: http://www.codeplex.com/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ProjectName=AtlasControlToolkit

"How Do I..." Learning Page: http://www.asp.net/learn/videos/default.aspx?tabid=63#ajax

http://frontlinelive.fender.com/ has some really up to the minute digital content ( dare I say:WEB 2.0 ) happening right now, live from NAMM 2007. I'd actually post links to all the "utube" they are showing, but hey: we all know where it is at. I did spy a couple of enticing new toys, starting with the The new G.E. Smith Telecaster. I mentioned the Vintage Hot Rod Series Guitars a couple days back. While The Retro-Styled Champion™ 600 Guitar Amp does look like a bit of fun, it's really the ’57 Deluxe™ combo amp that seems a bit more "tweed" to me. But seriously folks, it's really all about the brand new Fender VG Stratocaster! I can't wait to get my 'dos manos grasientas' on one of these! Not to be outdone, the man himself, Edward Van Halen, is working with the Fender Custom Shop to make what appears to be the red-black-and-white striped “Frankenstein™” guitar. Reflectors included!

"Now Eddie Van Halen’s “baby” can be yours.

I found this article from reason.com to be quite "on the mark" with regards to some of the more common physical fears that we read about and are always bombarded with. It seems like this maybe the United States Surgeon General's New Warning: Living Causes Cancer.

I'm about as addicted to YouTube.com, as anybody, and I'm always pleasently sursprised what old clips I can find. So today, because I'm feeling a bit sour, I want to share the love that is comedian Bill Hicks. Just an example of the clarity and wit you'll see in the videos: "Today a young man on acid realized that all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, that we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves. Here’s Tom with the weather.”

<sarcasm/>

According to this web author, here are some of the "Things My Boyfreind Says" : "Why are people always stealing my ideas? Like penis in vagina sex. MY IDEA."

The world's coolest toaster, (oops, sorry "toasta").

The evolution of the modern web site developer or "Professional CSS Front-End Architect".

Which superhero are You? Are you a Spiderman or a Wonder Woman? Click here to take the Superhero Quiz. Maybe you should brush up on the physics of Superheroes, you know, just to get a grasp of your powers...

and lastly, this conclusive report from The Onion, states that "Death, a metabolic affliction causing total shutdown of all life functions, has long been considered humanity's number one health concern. Responsible for 100 percent of all recorded fatalities worldwide, the condition has no cure.". The current World Death Rate is holding steady at 100%.

You can never have enough programming links, how about 3000 of them? Or maybe you just need a good place to start, and http://www.programmertutorials.com/ looks like a site ripe with help.

What is a web service factory? "The Web Service Software Factory (also known as the Service Factory) is an integrated collection of tools, patterns, source code and prescriptive guidance. It is designed to help you quickly and consistently construct Web services that adhere to well known architecture and design patterns."

Coding Horror discusses the "Problem with C++", and links to a recent MIT interview with Bjarne Stroustrup (part one and part two).

Of course, we all know that there is a heirarchy in the programming world, albiet all based on personal programming language preference.

And for all of you that use Microsoft Visual Studio 2005, you can now download "service pack 1". Appearently, there will be a "refresh" specifically for Windows Vista, due out as soon as Windows Vista is commmercially available later this month.

Direct Download Links:
Visual Studio 2005 SP1 (includes SP1 updates for Standard, Professional, and Team Editions of Visual Studio 2005)
Visual Studio 2005 Team Foundation Server SP1
Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions SP1
Visual Studio 2005 SP1 Update for Windows Vista Beta

Here is a interesting XML Serialization tutorial, entitled Developing an object oriented database in less than 140 lines of C#.

The C Book, great for people attempting to learn the basics of programming.

Just a quick link to a promotional video from NAM (National Association of Manufacturers), in which Fender Custom Shop Luthier Jason Smith talks about his work in the Fender Custom Shop. It appears to be from back in January of 2005, and there is no other context given. Jason specializes in making bass guitars, as opposed to the 6 string electric variety. He does show off a one of kind mint green Bronco/Jaguar style guitar with p90 pickups about 1:30 into it, and displays some amazing slap funk playing as well. Enjoy!

Everybody loves "guitar porn" (or should), including myself. I just came across a web site for the documentary film and book entitled "Curves, Contours and Body Horns", which was appearently made to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Fender Stratocaster. The well designed site features a very unique autographed Fender Custom Shop 40th Anniversary Stratocaster, in what I'd call "Dakota Red" with gold hard ware.

The kicker is the list of famous guitar players who have signed this instrument (according to the splash page image):

George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler, Brian Adams, Chris Rea, Hank Marvin , Frank Zappa, Rory Gallagher, Sherman Robertson, Nile Rodgers, John Page, Jeff Lynne, Tony Joe White, Jimmy Vaughan, Roy Rogers, Dweezil Zappa, Steve Miller, Paul Rodgers, Dick Dale, Nils Lofgren, Richie Sambora, Sony Curtis, Bonnie Raitt, Stephen Stills, Alan Rogan, Debbie Davies, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ray Minhinnett (Producer), Bob Young (Producer), Lee Dixon, Forrest White, Don Randall, Buddy Guy, Robin Trower, Fender Legend Bill Carson and Fender CEO Bill Schultz!

Speaking of Fender, the new Vintage Hot Rod '57 Stratocaster® looks like pretty sexy, especially in "Candy Apple Red"!

And since you can never have enough laughter in your life, check out 20 Metalocalypse Episodes.

If by chance, you are the proud and lucky owner of a Fender Custom Shop 50th Anniversary Masterbuilt Limited Edition 1954 Stratocaster and maybe enjoyed viewing our up to date image gallery. Also, if you would like to provide (via email ) an image, along with the guitar's serial number, the masterbuild's name weight, we'd be happy to upload and host the picture as part of our gallery. I'll also mention that if you'd like the pictures of your guitar remove, please use the aforementioned link.

Update: I've set up a forum for guitar players to discuss guitar related topics. Though it just has the basic categories right now, feel free to participate. "Beginner" and "vintage" players welcome. You can find it by clicking this link. For all you bookmarking favoriteers out there, the URL is http://s8.invisionfree.com/VintageGuitarPlayers .

I just found this awesome collection of Fender Custom Shop guitars, man oh man..