Hello everybody, KISS is gearing up to rock Canada and within a few months they will hit the road again with a new album under their belt, yes you have read it right a new KISS album, and a new world wide tour!!! So be ready to have your socks knocked off by the roar of their guitars!!!
So to bring us up to date on Paul Stanley's guitars, who better then a man who works directly with Paul in the creation of Paul's Washburn guitars,  Ladies and gentleman…Mr. Eric McKenna of Boogie Street Worldwide Guitars!!!
Hi Eric!!
Hi Fabio!!
You are the man behind the weapon of choice of Mr. Love Gun aka Paul Stanley.
WOW!  Well - I would not go that far.  Paul truly designed his KISS stage guitars as well as the amazing Preacher guitar  - the great folks at Washburn expertly craft them and I try to add my thoughts and input here and there by working with Paul and Washburn directly.  I also work diligently on truly unique projects and I  commission my BSG Custom Runs of Paul Stanley models through Washburn. So... yes, I'm involved but Paul and Washburn deserve the lion's share of the credit.  Mainly Paul.
Before start talking about that, would you discuss a bit about the history in the guitar business and when you started the Boogie Street Guitars magic adventure?
Well, Fabio - it's been quite a ride, my friend.   We are celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year. I recorded a 30 minute promotional video called 'BSG: The Decennial' which Paul so graciously permitted me to use his 'Live to Win' album as the major part of the soundtrack. Our good friend Bruce Kulick also permitted BSG to use his solo material as well.This video pretty much sums the BSG Experience.  The Decennial can be viewed here... http://boogiestreet.com?page_id=141 . Now, for a bit more in depth information on the start of BSG and how we grew, there is a very cool video presentation we did in 2006 called 'BSG: The Deuce' (thought you might like that name!) and it can be viewed here... http://boogiestreet.com/?page_id=202 .
But the really, really short story of BSG was that in 1999 I began marketing used guitars on the internet.  Then, much to the dismay of just about everyone in my life, in Jan of 2000 I walked away from my rather lucrative and somewhat steady corporate sales job and took BSG full time.  In late 2003 we moved into the 2000 square foot BSG office here in Pittsburgh. At that time we also started our exclusive relationship with Washburn and that relationship has grown into something amazing.  Quite amazing.  It also afforded me an opportunity to meet and work with some amazing artists including the late Dimebag Darrell, Scott Ian, Jon Donais, Nuno Bettencourt, Dan Donegan, Nick 'Evil Twin' Catanese and of course, my childhood hero and rock's FINEST frontman, Paul Stanley!  In 2007 we entered into a fantastic relationship with Bernie Rico Jr.  Bernie of course is the son of Bernie Rico, the legendary builder and founder of B.C. Rich guitars.  So, with our large Washburn relationship, our relationship with Paul and our new, totally custom, relationship with Bernie Rico Jr, BSG is primed and ready for the next 10 years!

You started building custom versions of Washburn guitars first for Dimebag Darrell, then Nick Catanese Signature Idol guitars, Scott Ian guitars, Nuno Bettencourt guitars, custom hollowbody guitars. And now…… Paul Stanley guitars!!
So, what about your custom work with Washburn and how did Paul's return to Washburn come about?
Well...where to begin! My company, Boogie Street Guitars ( www.BoogieStreet.com ) was founded in 1999. And as I stated above,  in 2003, I began my business relationship with Rudy Schlacher, owner and president of Washburn Guitars.  From that first meeting all the way through today, I've worked closely with the wonderful people at Washburn to help create 'unique' versions of their guitars.  So, as you can see, we were really off to a great start. It was no secret to Washburn's top management and Rudy himself that I wanted Paul Stanley back at Washburn.   I used to chide Rudy and his team everytime I would go to Washburn's factory in Chicago to work on BSG projects.  I was always saying, "Ya know, Rudy...Ya know, Larry... we are doing awesome stuff here.  Stuff that Washburn has never done before.  Customs both on the USA custom shop side...and on the custom import side!  Ya know guys... how amazing would it be to do this kind of  custom work with Paul Stanley."  Of course, I said this all very jokingly...but there was no doubt about my very sincere desire to work with my childhood hero and a man who penned the songs which I've always called the 'soundtrack of my life'. 
Fast forward to the summer of 2006.  I'm sitting in the BSG offices and I get this call from Washburn's Larry English who informs me that Paul Stanley was coming back to Washburn. Needless to say - I was thrilled!  Now, let me be clear - Paul did not return to Washburn because of Boogie Street Guitars.  Paul has stated he wanted to 'return home' to Washburn and resume making some amazing instruments.  Let's just say that during this round of Paul's Washburn experience...BSG is now in the picture and it  has been and is going to be even MORE amazing than the his Late 90's work with Washburn.  And I'd like to think BSG is small part of the reason these new Paul Stanley Washburn guitars are 'off the hook'! I know we are trying hard - daily!

So how is like working with Paul and is he the 'perfectionist' that all the storiestell us?

Man, let me tell you this. Everyday I feel like one of the most blessed people in the guitar
business.  You know - when I started BSG about 10 years ago, it was just amazing enough to be making a living working in a field I truly loved and had a passion for.  Guitars and music! And now,  I sit in the Boogie Street office here in Pittsburgh, working and interacting with my childhood hero, Paul Stanley.  What a blast!  And what a fantastic guy he is! But, don't get me wrong, there is work to do - always.  And while Paul is extremely creative, he is also extremely thorough.  I like to think that Paul's a 'vision' guy.  I too am a 'vision' guy. And being a 'vision guy' is great because this kind of thinking can yeild tremendous long term results.  You see,  it's important to look at today or tomorrow but it is equally important to also look 6 months, 1 year or 5 years ahead.  In my opinion, this concept is so very lost in many industries but especially the guitar business. Have you seen some of the most ridiculous new guitar designs out there?  I happens over and over and over. I think the goal should be to take a group of good ideas, craft them together and develop those ideas into something amazing- a guitar.  And make that amazing guitar with immediate appeal for today's player and also make that guitar in a fashion that over time it can be shaped and molded and trimmed into something which remain 'current' yet truly have lasting appeal to the guitar player's of the future.   And I believe Paul has done that both with the PS2000 series and the Preacher series guitars.  I love both guitar designs and I'm just honoured that he seems to enjoy working with me in conjunction with the wonderful people at Washburn.  As for Paul being a perfectionist -
I would think only he could answer that.  What I would just say is that from my perspective he is a stickler for details and I think that attitude has obviously served him well.  Look at what he has helped create!  KISS is 'THE' American rock and roll band. Period.  End of Story. Consider these three elements.  Marketing - Exposure - Impact.  When you put those three elements together, KISS has no peers.  And did I mention, they have recorded some of the most kick-ass rock and roll, EVER? Ever.   Plus - look at Paul's other creative outlets. Songwriting, painting, sculpture...just to name a few.   Again, from my perspective, he develops his 'vision'...then 'creates from his vision'... then, if he chooses, he takes that 'created vision'  to market with professionalism and a level of quality that he is proud to put his name on.  He's brilliant!

Lots of DeuceNews readers are musicians themselves and I know they would like to know how Paul enjoys his guitars to be 'set-up'. So could you give our readers some tips on how Paul wants his guitars set up or any special options he requires on his personal guitars?

Well, let me start by saying that I'm very fortunate to have two of the finest guitar techs in the business as friends of mine.  First, at BSG, Sir Freddy Kowalo, is my right hand man.  As many of you may know, Fred has traveled the world working as the guitar tech for Zakk Wylde, Nick Catanese, James Lomenzo, Mike Inez, Jasin Todd and many, many others.  When Fred is not on the road, Fred is here at the BSG offices. He sets up all of the guitars Boogie Street Guitars markets.  As well as keeping me laughing most of the time with his road stories. Through my relationship with Paul, I've developed a great friendship with Paul's tech and right hand man, Fran Steuber.  Like Sir Fred, Fran is an industry veteran and has worked for KISS and Paul for many years.  Fran is an outstanding and I mean - outstanding - guitar tech. And Fran also is an accomplished player and performer in his own right.  And most importantly he is a great guy, great family man and without question, I think Paul is very fortunate to have Fran working with him. In regards to how Paul like's his guitars set up- great question!  Fran would be able to answer that much, much better than me.    Now, based on my conversations with Paul and Fran, it's my conclusion is that Paul's primarily a 'traditionalist' when it comes to guitars. Maple caps, mahogany bodies, mahogany necks..etc.  Also,  he seems to enjoy 22 fret, 24.75 scale instruments that have stop tails.  I also believe he prefers ebony fretboards and medium-jumbo to jumbo frets.  And I'll go out on a limb here stay Paul plays 9-42 strings. And while over the entire span of his career, Paul's been photographed with many different guitars and pickups, I believe Paul's first choice of pickup is a good 'classic' sounding passive Seymour Duncan that has 'bite'.   A 'JB' or '59 or 'Custom Custom' would fit the bill.  Now, I must put this disclaimer in here... these are my assumptions based on my guitar discussions with Paul and Fran.  I could be wrong!  Or... I could be right!!

You stated that you strongly believe Washburn USA Custom Shop is on par and at times superior to Gibson or Fender.

Absolutely.  Ya know, guitars are like cars here in the USA in this regard.  As you may know, NASCAR is big here in the states.  So is Indy League Racing.  Hell, Gene is involved with the marketing of the Indy series I believe.   Anyway -  what you have with car enthusiasts are ...you have your 'Chevy' fans, you have your 'Ford' fans, you have your 'Mopar' fans, you have 'Honda' fans, etc.  With guitars you have your Gibson fans, Fender fans, PRS fans, Washburn fans, ESP fans, etc.   And ya know - the passions right HIGH!  Sometimes so high it's just quite silly to me.  All of these companies are capable of making great guitars.  Personally, I've always enjoyed Gibsons.  I was a 'Gibson guy' most of my life.  It was not until I began working with Washburn that all that changed. After I spent considerable time with Rudy Schlacher and so many of the great people at Washburn in Chicago I realized that the Washburn Custom Shop was the industry's best kept secret.  And the more projects I commissioned from Washburn - the happier I became.   So, yes - absolutely.  The Washburn USA Custom Shop can hold their own against the best of Gibson, Fender or PRS.  And people reading this need to understand that from 1999 to 2004 or so, I sold all these lines. I marketed these guitars both used and quite a few new, straight out the box examples. I'm very familar with some of the best guitars from these MFGs and I'm here to tell you the Washburn USA Custom Shop guitars can hold their own quite nicely in Fit, Finish, Feel and Tone.  Today I'd take a Washburn Preacher or Idol anyday over a Gibson Les Paul.  The Gibson is a fine instrument. It's just that the Washburn's are better made, play easier and look 'cooler' in my opinion. So, there you have it!

I know that we have another common friend, Bruce Kulick. Bruce is endorsed by ESP guitars, but if I’m not wrong you worked for him for a while in the past.

No, you are not wrong at all!  Bruce is awesome!  And I'm proud to call him a friend. Actually, I marketed some of BK's guitars for him over the years and I've spent some real
quality time with him at various shows and industry events.  I've done some promos with him on his Audiodog CD release and I hope to work with him again on his new release.  He is a quality guy and one helluva guitar player.  Indeed - he is an longtime ESP guy.   And it's my understanding the ESP family treats him very well and I'm quite happy for Bruce. Over the years, BSG has presented him with a few guitars - some custom Washburn/BSG Guitars. These were simply gifts and just a way to say 'Thank You' to BK for his help and association with BSG. Bruce has always been there for BSG since 2001 or so and I appreciate his support very much.

Back to Paul, should we expect a new guitar for the upcoming KISS fall tour?  And what about the cool Paul Stanley Preacher guitar?

Well - that is a good question.  If you put me on the spot - I would say that I 'think' so.
Paul ultimately determines which guitars he plays on stage. Totally up to him of course.
The first batch of work I've been doing with Paul has been on his Preacher single-cut guitar. This is not a KISS guitar. It's a guitar I think Paul has wanted to do for many, many years and I'm quite certain will be featured on Paul's solo work in the future as it was during the 'Live to Win' tour.  The Preacher is one helluva guitar and one helluva project. During one of our first serious guitar discussions Paul said to me that he wanted to create a guitar with an 'old soul' - but with a more progressive shape and a slightly different flavor. Well, with the Preacher - he nailed it.  Literally, he did it.   And at first, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical.  I had worked so much with Washburn's Idol guitar and I competed in the marketplace with that guitar so very, very well.  And I love the Idol guitar.  However, while the Idol guitar competes in the single-cut arena, it truly is a completely different guitar than the Gibson LP.  It's shorter, it hangs off the neck different, has a different body thickness and a different maple carved top.  Just a totally different 'feel' than the LP. The Idol is a different 'animal' so to speak. With Paul's Preacher design - this guitar truly is a guitar that harkens back to tradition.  It 'feels' very familiar. It 'plays' very familiar. It 'sounds' familiar.  But - it has a more progressive shape. If single-cut guitars can be called 'sexy' - the Preacher is definitely sexy.  Once I started working with the Preacher, working on the neck profiles, body thicknesses, tone woods, hardware....I've grown to really love this guitar!!   I 'get it' now.  I understand what Paul's aim was in his vision of making a single-cut guitar with an 'old soul'.
Now, with KISS gearing up for another big world tour the PS2000 is now commanding more of my attention and efforts.  There are couple of upcoming guitars that I can tell you about at this time - and a couple projects that are not fully approved so, I have to hold on to some of this information. I can tell you that there will be a version of the PS2000 called the 'Starchild'. This guitar will be exclusive to BSG.  It will have different inlay and other appointments than the stock PS2000.  It's a really cool guitar and I'm anxious to get them into BSG and to get one in Paul's hands.  There will be a top-end PS KISS guitar called the PS2500.  All I can tell you at this time is think - purple.  Think- cool.  Think - 'DRAMATIC'!  There will be two exclusive runs of PS1900 Import Cracked Mirror guitars.  Washburn has brilliantly worked with the Indonesian factory to recreate the USA Custom Shop process of making Paul's Cracked Mirror guitars.  Washburn I believe will release a PS1800 Cracked Mirror guitar in a limited form.  BSG on the other hand will do this guitar as a PS1900 with upgraded hardware, different inlay, different colors and USA Seymour Duncan pickups.  Add in certificates and custom cases and you get some really amazing guitars - Cracked Mirror Paul Stanley guitars - at a price point which is attainable by more people when compared to the USA Custom Shop cracked mirror PS2000 guitars.  Our two prototype PS1900CM guitars are due soon and then runs will follow thereafter.  Each run will be 25 pieces and each run will be very similar with one run having gold hardware and one run having chrome hardware. Also, I'm also working with Washburn USA's Custom Shop Director, Terry Atkins, in creating some white PS800 guitars. As you may know, Paul and Washburn are introducing the 10th anniversary PS2000...but, the PS800 is not entirely going away.  Paul still plays the PS800 live and while it's no longer in the Washburn catalouge - you will see more of these guitars at BSG!  And finally I want to add BSG will stock the 'standard' PS2000 guitars and some possibly in different colors and hardware options which are not 'standard'. Custom is what BSG is about - and 'Custom' is what we will deliver. On the Preacher front - we have done 2 runs of high-end PS9500 USA Custom Shop Preachers with Padauk Tops.  The 1st run were done in an 'oil' finish.  The 2nd run was done in a high-gloss finish.  Simply STUNNING guitars.  We have more PS9500 Padauk Preachers commissioned. We have done two runs - 50 guitars each - of PS8500BSG Preachers.  There were top end Korean built custom Preachers.  How good were these guitars?  Well, when I received the first prototype in from Washburn in March of 2007, I sent the guitar to Paul for evaluation.  Paul at the time was in rehersals for his Aussie leg of the 'Live to Win' tour.  Anyway - Paul liked that Protoype Black PS8500BSG1 guitar so much, he called told me he did not want to give it back!  How cool was that?  So that black preacher - a Korean import Prototype was Paul's main stage axe for all the OZ shows!  Amazing!  However, I think the version of the Preacher I'm most proud of is the PS5.  I worked with Paul and Terry Atkins at Washburn to create a USA Custom Shop Preacher guitar that has a street price of under 2 Thousand USD.  And the painted version is just slightly higher.   The PS5 is a true USA Custom Shop guitar.  100 percent USA Made.  It features a mahogany body, mahogany carved top, maple neck, ebony fretboard with PS92000 Mother of Pearl block inlay and the PS9200 headstock inlay.The guitar is oil
finished.  A hand-rubbed oil finish which makes the guitar truly 'organic' in look, feel and tone.  The response has been amazing!  We have a significant amount of PS5 guitars commissioned.  Most in the oil finish and some in Bright White, Racing Red and a few other colors.  Very exciting guitar!!!    And finally, I want to mention that I'm also working with Paul and Washburn to put together a really cool 'promo' so to speak with the PS7000 and PS7200 Preacher guitars.   These are the very, very well made, entry level Preachers.  However - it's almost unfair to call them 'entry level' guitars because the fit, finish, feel, and tone of these guitars is, well... pretty damn amazing!    I'm working to put together a package that will include the PS7000 or PS7200, a USA hardshell Preacher case (same case used on the USA Preachers), a Paul Stanley signed certificate, Washburn/BSG Paul Stanley Preacher vinyl dealer banner, BSG T-Shirt and Cap and other 'goodies' to the package.  This PS7000/7200 guitar package will launch around the first week of July and will - as always - market these guitars worldwide!  Look for it!

And what you think are the “secrets” behind BSG huge success?

Well - 'Huge' is not a word I think I ever associated with BSG in any capacity.  But - thanks a million for the wonderful comment!BSG is still pretty much a 'one man' operation.  And I like it that way.  I like to say BSG has had steady, 'controlled growth'.   We are not a retail store - not a 'walk-in' experience. Strictly internet.  So, in that fashion, we are unique. I think it's easy to say 'Customer Service' is key to BSG's success.  But, I honestly feel it goes beyond that.  I've always wanted my customers to be beyond 100 percent satisfied.  And I've always been a big believer of giving the customer more than they expected.  Years ago a customer called me and was over the top happy with his purchase, so happy with the BSG shirts/Caps, the way we packaged the guitar... he made a comment about how amazing the 'BSG Experience' was.   That phrase really took me by surprise.  And I've been using it as a goal of mine ever since.   It's my goal for each customer to truly enjoy their unique 'Boogie Street Experience'.    I'm of the belief that Customer Service is great.  Customer Loyalty is AMAZING! The other factor of our success I believe is about the BSG 'Family'.  While I'm not sure exactly how it happened, at our website www.BoogieStreet.com we have a 'forum'.  It's called 'The BoogieBoard'.   And on this forum, a group of wonderful people have come and set up camp!  From all over the world!  We have about 800 or so members and about 100 to 125 really active member.  And I mean ACTIVE.  Just about all these people post everyday.  These people are amazing!  Some are guitars players some are not.  Some are Boogie Street Clothing customers.  Some are not customers at all - and that is perfectly fine!  And THAT fact is the key to this forum.  The BoogieBoard forum and the BSG family is open to anyone!   Anyone who wants to interact with a great bunch of people!  Discussions are not restricted to BSG events, guitar or music.  Not at all!  These people share their lives with one another.   And I can say that even with all the exciting things I've been able to do with BSG and through BSG, the single most rewarding aspect of this business for me is the development and growth of the Boogie Street Worldwide Family.    These people continually amaze me with their kindness and care of each other.   It's a wonderful 'mini-world' we have created here and the beautiful thing is that anyone and everyone is welcome!

Well Eric I thank you so much for your kind attention to Deucenews and keep on the great work!!!
Thank you for doing such an amazing job at DeuceNews!  KISS is lucky to have people like yourself who work hard to get KISS information and KISS related information out to the fans!! And THANK YOU for providing me an opportunity to reach out and meet more KISS fans from all over the world! I love that!!  Remember - I'm a HUGE KISS fan myself!  For more than 33 years!! And I'd just like to leave you with an open invitation for everyone to visit Boogie Street Guitars at www.BoogieStreet.com and consider becoming a member of the BSG Family!

Our BoogieBoard Forum is at www.BoogieStreet.com/boogieboard. All are welcome!!