Category Archives: Guitar Gear News

The John Davis guitar gear and news blog offers current guitar information on Charvel, Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, DiMarzio, Seymour Duncan, Boss and Marshall brand music instruments and amplification.

Ozzy “I Don’t Know” Metal Guitar Video Cover

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Ozzy Osbourne I Don't Know with Fender Stratocaster
Ozzy Osbourne “I Don’t Know” with Fender MIM Stratocaster

Ozzy “I Don’t Know” serves as the opening track and lead single from Ozzy Osbourne’s inaugural solo studio album, Blizzard of Ozz, which was released in September 1980. Co-authored by Osbourne, bassist Bob Daisley, and guitarist Randy Rhoads, the song encapsulates the turmoil Ozzy experienced after his dismissal from Black Sabbath.

This Ozzy “I Don’t Know” metal guitar video cover uses a Fender MIM Ash Fender Stratocaster and a DiMarzio Super 3 pickup. A Fender MIM Strat refers to a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar that is manufactured in Mexico. These models enjoy significant popularity as they provide the classic appearance, tactile experience, and tonal quality associated with high-end American-made Fenders, yet are available at a more budget-friendly, mid-range price.

Ozzy Osbourne Mr. Crowley
Ozzy Osbourne: “Mr. Crowley” Video Cover.

Ozzy “I Don’t Know” and the historical musical context

Key Details and Theme: The Ozzy “I Don’t know” lyrics focus on themes of self-exploration, uncertainty regarding the future, and the decision to not rely solely on others for answers. Musical Style: The track is renowned for Randy Rhoads’ soaring, iconic guitar riffs and features a vigorous, uptempo heavy metal rhythm. Success: It has become a live staple in Osbourne’s career and is included in several of his live albums, such as Tribute (1987).

Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Five Song Video Cover Set
Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath Five Song Video Cover Set. A metal guitar and rock compilation featuring songs from Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath.

Blizzard of Ozz is the critically acclaimed debut solo studio album by English heavy metal vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, released in 1980 in the UK and in 1981 in the US. This album marked his triumphant return to the music scene after being let go from Black Sabbath in 1979. The record is widely regarded as a heavy metal classic and is celebrated for launching Osbourne’s solo career while highlighting the exceptional guitar talents of the late Randy Rhoads.

Iconic Tracks: The album features two of Osbourne’s most famous and enduring hits: “Crazy Train”, “I Don’t Know” and “Mr. Crowley”.
Musical Style: It combined traditional heavy metal with Rhoads’ groundbreaking classical guitar influences.
Commercial Success: Certified 5x Platinum in the US, it remains Osbourne’s highest-selling solo release.

Randy Rhoads Guitars
American guitarist Randy Rhoads was a co-founder of Quiet Riot and played guitar and co-wrote songs for Ozzy Osbourne’s first two solo albums.

Randy Rhoads (1956–1982) was an iconic American heavy metal guitarist renowned for his role in establishing the neoclassical metal genre. He is most recognized for co-founding the band Quiet Riot and for his exceptional contributions in co-writing and performing lead guitar on Ozzy Osbourne’s initial two solo albums, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), featuring “I Don’t Know” and Diary of a Madman (1981).

Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar Neck

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Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar Neck
The Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar Neck features an innovative 12″-16″ compound radius design.

The Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 guitar neck offers high performance playing combined with standout style and full-spectrum tone. The Pro-Mod DK22 SSS 2PT CM is a sleek new instrument designed especially for a new breed of player whose musical versatility knows no boundaries.

Likewise, the Charvel innovative 12″-16″ compound radius neck has a caramelized maple fingerboard. The fretboard flattens toward the heel from its more rounded profile at the nut. This makes for comfortable and natural-feeling chording and riffing near the nut, with optimal shred articulation and bending nearer the heel.

Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar Neck

Charvel is raising the bar for modern high performance. By blending exceptional style and a full range of tones, the Pro-Mod DK22 has playability. This guitar is crafted specifically for a new generation of players whose musical creativity and adaptability know no limits.

Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar Neck shapes are designed to be slimmer and narrower than traditional guitar necks. Furthermore, featuring comfortably rolled fingerboard edges that enhance high performance. The bolt-on neck includes two graphite-reinforcement rods to prevent bending and warping due to environmental factors. A deep, scalloped lower back bout provides easy and unrestricted access to the upper frets.

The Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar tone control features a “no-load” design that functions like a standard tone control from positions one through nine, but completely bypasses the tone circuit when set to 10, delivering the brightest guitar tone possible.

Charvel Pro-Mod DK22 Guitar features a Gotoh® 510 tremolo

A Gotoh Custom 510 tremolo bridge is a premium and comfortable two-point tremolo that can flutter like a standard floating locking bridge. The body is recessed in the body, creating lower string-height action on the fingerboard for comfortable fretting.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos and covers guitar equipment, concert and music news. Visit the website for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance videos.

Charvel Pro-Mod Series Sunburst Ash

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Charvel Pro-Mod Series Ash
Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Ash

The Charvel Pro-Mod Series San Dimas sandblasted ash body is coupled with a bolt-on maple neck featuring a pair of graphite-reinforcement rods to resist bending and warping under environmental stresses. The Charvel Pro-Mod Series speed neck profile is designed for lightning fast playing and completely unhindered position shifts, while the comfortably rolled fingerboard edges provide the broken-in feel of an instrument with plenty of playing miles on it, and plenty more to go. Perfect for faster tempos, the 12″-16″ compound radius ebony fingerboard hosts 22 jumbo frets and white dot inlays. For regularly touring musicians, a heel-mount truss rod adjust thumbwheel is a must, allowing for quick and convenient neck relief tweaks.

This axe features an HH pickup configuration and comes loaded with DiMarzio® Super Distortion® DP100 bridge and DiMarzio PAF Pro® DP151 neck pickups. Explore this instrument’s versatile voice with a three-way pickup blade switch, tone control and a volume control that conceals a push/pull coil split for even more tonal variations on tap. With the Floyd Rose® 1000 Series double-locking tremolo bridge system, you can also dive to rumbling depths or add a well-placed rising harmonic without sacrificing your tuning.Destined for center stage­­, the Pro San Dimas Style 1 HH FR E Ash comes in a grain-filled shocking Neon Pink Ash finish with pink pickup bobbins, black hardware and a licensed Fender® Strat® headstock.

Engineered for exceptional performance, adaptable sound, and stunning aesthetics, Pro-Mod Series guitars are infused with the timeless playability and cutting-edge design features that have established Charvel as an iconic brand in high-performance guitars. Click the link below to discover more about the distinctive attributes of each of our Pro-Mod models.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos. Visit TexasRockGuitarist.com for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance.

Lynch Launches Mr. Scary Guitars

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George Lynch Mr. Scary Guitars
George Lynch launches Mr. Scary Guitars. Visit www.georgelynch.com for sales information.

Mr. Scary Guitars are unique, highly modified and one of a kind customized hand-crafted instruments, specifically designed, carved and crafted by the “hands” of George Lynch. Mr. Scary Guitars are made in very limited quantities, come with certificates of authenticity, and are individually named and numbered.

George Lynch works closely with customers to build to their exact specs as much as possible. Options include wood types, neck dimensions, pickup windings, hardware options and finishes.  Hardware is heavily distressed and engraved, and pickups are all custom-wound to match each guitar. Average build time can be anywhere from one to six months depending on Lynch’s touring and recording commitments.

Mr. Scary Guitars

For more sales information visit www.mrscaryguitars.com.

Mr. Scary Guitars is a custom guitar manufacturing company where each guitar is designed and crafted by Mr. Scary himself, George Lynch. George Lynch has always been known for his remarkable and distinctive style, both in sound and appearance. The guitars he has played throughout his iconic career have helped shape his identity and are easily recognizable. Now, he is offering those exquisite designs and craftsmanship to you. Lynch offers: “In my early years, I would make primitive modifications to my instruments in my father’s garage. Eventually, I began assembling one-off builds for some of my guitar students. Eight years ago, I started experimenting with carving and painting my ESP guitars, which ultimately led to the creation of Mr. Scary Guitars.”

Born on September 28, 1954 in Spokane, WA, George Lynch began learning to play guitar at the age of 10. A naturally gifted musician, his guitar playing quickly progressed and became a creative outlet for him during his teenage years performing with several bands, most notably Sergeant Rocks.

John E. Davis is a Texas Rock Guitarist offering FREE guitar lessons videos. Visit TexasRockGuitarist.com for information on Guitar Lessons, Guitar Repair and Live Music Performance.