Originally published on Mon August 6, 2012 5:06 pm
"After years maintaining innocence," as Nashville Public Radio says, Gibson Guitar Corp. has agreed to pay a $300,000 penalty, donate $50,000 to a conservation fund and give up its claims to ebony and rosewood worth nearly $262,000 to avoid being criminally prosecuted for importing exotic woods.
Charlie Hunter hasn't used his famous 8-string bass-guitar hybrid for some three years now. These days, it's seven strings. He's got the low three of a bass and the middle four of a guitar, all tuned a minor third higher than normal. He happily abandoned the highest string in favor of a more condensed and practical version of his one-of-a-kind instrument. He may be practicing more drums than guitar nowadays anyway. His 2nd solo album, Public Domain, is highly percussive. Released on his own label, Public Domain kicks the dust off eleven old standards from his grandfather's era, who turns one hundred this year.