Autoblog

Fender guitars rock. Even the cheapies are easy to play and sound good in the right hands. Panasonic and Fender are teaming up to create an audio system that will be offered to auto manufacturers. Nigel and Slash have already been snagged by Volkswagen with their First Act package deal (buy a VW, they throw in the guitar that plugs into the car's audio system). We're guessing that the pitch for the Fender/Panasonic system will be along the same lines, though; and aimed at the younger demographic. The working partnership of Fender and Panasonic even trotted out Dick Dale at the NAIAS to promote their idea. Hey, in the right car, this could be magic. You could turn all that traffic-jam time into productive practice! Campers would no longer have to settle for singing "Blowin' In The Wind." With a guitar-enabled audio system, you could, as Bob Dylan told his band at Newport, "play f***ing loud."

[Source: Edmunds]

Buy a Volkswagen, get a guitar. It's the automaker from Wolfsburg's new promotion in which the lease or purchase of select Volkswagens will score you a custom V-dubified axe from First Act guitars that can be plugged into your car's stereo. Here we have the first commercial for the promotion that features a modern god of guitar rock, Slash from Guns N' Roses fame. The commercial is done with the usual simple Volkswagen production values, white backdrop, Slash center stage with guitar in hand, and two towers that contain three VW Rabbits stocked atop one another. Slash's guitar is plugged directly into the top Rabbit on one of the towers, which has its doors open to project the solo being played the great one. Unfortunately the solo is just a random riff, not the solo from Welcome to the Jungle or anything. Axle would probably have a fit if his work were being used to sell cars. More commercials are also in the pipeline that feature John Mayer and Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnell from Spinal Tap).

[Source: YouTube]

While many automakers are scrambling to increase the music quotient in their cars via the addition of auxiliary inputs, a.k.a. iPod jacks, Volkswagen has announced the V-dubs Rock promotion today that turns up the wick on in-car entertainment. Beginning today and lasting through December 31st, anyone who purchases or leases any 2007 Volkswagen model or select 2006 models will get a custom First Act GarageMaster electric guitar that can be plugged into their Volkswagen and played through its sound system. The guitar displays the corresponding vehicle's VIN number and features pick guards colored to match the vehicle. Of course, the guitar is plastered with VW logos galore on the knobs, neck and other places, and comes with VW-branded picks and a guitar strap made out of seat belts. Even the blue indicator light on the guitar is the same shade as VW's trademark IP lighting.

The guitar's real trick, however, is its ability to play through the sound system of any VW via the auxiliary input thanks to an on-board preamp. We have to admit, we've never heard of FirstAct before so we can't comment on the quality of the instrument, but neither of us actually play guitar, which begs the question, who exactly is Volkswagen targeting with this promotion? It's a nifty give-away, but seems like an expensive one considering how few customers can even play Stairway to Heaven.

(Check out additional pics of VW's free music gear and the official press release after the jump.)

[Source: Volkswagen]

UPDATE: To clear things up, the First Act guitar is available with all cars except the Touareg, Passat, and Eos. So for 2007 models, it's the Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible; and for 2006 models it's Jetta, Jetta GLI, GTI, Rabbit, New Beetle and New Beetle Convertible.

Now that we have your attention...

Corvette-loving guitarists can shred it up on guitarmaker Paul Reed Smith's Z06-inspired Corvette Standard 22 guitar. As far as cars go, the Corvette is as rock-and-roll as it gets, making this a match made in heaven. Special edition markings include the 'Vette logo as well as either "Z06" or "427" inlayed into the wood of the fretboard, and the axe comes in the same colors as the car, including Victory Red, LeMans Blue and Daytona Sunset Orange.

The price point of over $4,700 would normally make us balk, but the fact that Paul Reed Smith is responsible for the design of the carved mohagany instrument means it's likely worth it.

Thanks to Noah for the tip.

[Source: Into Gear]