Former Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth creates massive problems for guitar amplifiers with his custom Sky Guitar. The instrument features active pickups that produce 80 decibels of gain through a system called Mega-Wing. Roth has destroyed numerous amplifiers during his career because of the extreme output levels. The powerful electronics turn his guitar into what he calls a spaceship or Formula One car. Most standard amplifiers cannot handle the intense signal from his pickup system.
Andreas Demetriou built the first Sky Guitar in England during 1983 for the German musician. Boris Dommenget makes current versions in Germany since 2017 when Roth began selling the instruments commercially. The guitars feature 30 frets and unique design elements like embedded moonstones on some models. Few other electric guitars match the unusual specifications of these custom instruments. Roth spent three years developing the Mega-Wing pickup concept with designer John Oram.
Vox AC30 amplifiers lasted about 30 minutes before failing under the extreme signal levels. Fender Twin amplifiers survived for approximately one hour before breaking down completely. EVH 5150 amplifiers sounded excellent for just 10 seconds before the electronics failed. Marshall Super Lead and Blackstar Artist amplifiers proved capable of handling the massive output without damage. Roth learned to reduce the gain settings when using more fragile amplifier models to prevent expensive repairs.
Andreas Demetriou built the first Sky Guitar in England during 1983 for the German musician. Boris Dommenget makes current versions in Germany since 2017 when Roth began selling the instruments commercially. The guitars feature 30 frets and unique design elements like embedded moonstones on some models. Few other electric guitars match the unusual specifications of these custom instruments. Roth spent three years developing the Mega-Wing pickup concept with designer John Oram.
Vox AC30 amplifiers lasted about 30 minutes before failing under the extreme signal levels. Fender Twin amplifiers survived for approximately one hour before breaking down completely. EVH 5150 amplifiers sounded excellent for just 10 seconds before the electronics failed. Marshall Super Lead and Blackstar Artist amplifiers proved capable of handling the massive output without damage. Roth learned to reduce the gain settings when using more fragile amplifier models to prevent expensive repairs.
