Wheely Guitars

02/03/2023

Happy Birthday Dave Davies!!!!

Singer, songwriter, guitarist, founding member of The Kinks! Prince of the Power Chord, Father of Heavy Metal, Godfather of Punk and many other monikers indicating his immense influence on ROCK AND ROLL GUITAR PLAYING!

Beautiful Harmony Singer, Bon Vivant, Sharp Dresser, Old Soul, Seeker, Friend of Mankind, Teacher, Aquarian and Jolly Good Fellow

My favorite guitarist and most influential to me personally. I have had the privilege to see Dave perform many times and to meet him a few times and let me tell you - you can meet your heroes and it can be better than you ever dreamed of - what a guy.

Dave’s driving chords and rhythm on those earlier Kinks singles are just LEGEND. It’s the attack and the SOUND - the sound just roars, it just punches you, it’s absolutely savage. And then there’s the solos - the abandon, the frenzy - the spirit of freedom and pushing the edges - killer.

Then there’s the riffs and the accompaniment parts. Good Lord, there’s too many highlights to list - at random, take “House in the Country” - COME ON!!!!! Or how about the unhinged absolutely filthy tone and demented bends on “Wicked Annabella?”

Of course maybe the greatest example of his playing the PERFECT PART for the song is “Waterloo Sunset.” SUBLIME

I love all his songs, again too many to list but of course “Strangers” is up there - the equal to anything his esteemed brother composed - and a personal favorite is the rifftastic “Love Me ’Til the Sun Shines”

His harmony singing. Please. His harmony singing MAKES THE KINKS. Give the man his due. Listen to “Anytime” and try not to cry at the beauty of his high harmony.

There is no greater moment in popular music than when Dave starts yelling in “Victoria” - GO CRANK IT!!!! And that song has every facet of Dave’s incredible playing - riffs, solo, slashing chords, beautiful diddly bits!!!

Happy Birthday you beautiful Aquarian Soul! Keep making music Dave, we need you!

A Gibson man!

01/13/2023

Joe Pass Born This Day

One of the greatest jazz guitarists ever

After picking up the guitar and playing professionally at a young age, he hit rock bottom but faced his demons and went on to become a legend known not only for his great talent and ability, but his dedication to teaching other players

"I have never made anything without a glitch or a mistake in it. That is my trademark.”

“(music)… is like a language. You have a whole collection of musical ideas and thoughts that you have accumulated through your musical history plus all the musical history of the whole world and it’s all in your subconscious, and you draw upon it when you play.”

How many players were instructed to purchase this book?

"He weaves his own fast-moving chords and filigree work so nimbly that it is hard to believe fingers can physically shift so quickly. Slight moustached, fairly balding, he frowns over his fretwork like a worried head waiter with more guests than tables but the sound that comes out could only be the confident product of years of devotion to the instrument... But it is when he plays completely solo, which he does for half of each set, that he comes into his own, because without hindrance of the rhythm section he can completely orchestrate each number. Sometimes it is by contrasting out of tempo sections with fast-moving interludes, sometimes by switching mood from wistful to lightly swinging, sometimes by alternating single-note lines with chords or simultaneous bass line and melody – the possibilities seem endless."
— Miles Kington on Pass in an October 1974 article in The Times.

01/09/2023

Happy Birthday Jimmy Page! The very definition of a guitar hero and living legend.
Guitarist, songwriter, producer, founding member Led Zeppelin, inspiration to thousands.

Second to none when it comes to riffs. Such a wide palette of guitar sounds and styles. He innovated as much as he paid homage. An incredible force on the electric guitar. The iconic Gibson Les Paul player but also famed for the the double-necks and playing the right guitar for the song, be it Gibson, Fender, Danelectro, Vox, Harmony or Martin.

What’s your favorite riff/part/song?

05/02/2020

Thanks so much for the awesome Every Wheel Carry for highlighting the Wheely Guitar! Check out their page and site!

Feel Good Friday: “If sports can be adapted, why not musical instruments?” (featuring Wheely Guitars & Abby Dunkin)

Read our latest blog post at everywheelcarry.com

06/10/2019

Congratulations Ali Stroker on your Tony Award!

“This award is for every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability, who has a limitation or a challenge,” said Ms. Stroker, who won for her role as Ado Annie in “Oklahoma!.”

08/15/2018

Had a chance to meet guitarist Eric Howk of the band Portugal. The Man last Friday at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.. He autographed a Wheely Guitar to be auctioned off at UCP Wheels For Humanity annual fundraising gala.They are a fantastic organization that places chairs to folks in need around the world.
If you are not familiar with Portugal.The Man, you should be.Their songs are insidiously ear wormy. Eric is a great guy, and was generous enough to spend time with us. He also arranged for singer John Gourley to draw some custom artwork. Twas a great night. And thanks to Viv Minton and Jessi Rodriguez of Wheels for Humanity for making it all happen!