Earlier in 2013 I get an email from the USA enquiring about one of my guitars. Nothing Unusual you say, seeing as I get emails from all over the world asking about the Ali Katz, except three months later another email from the same people this time they were ready to order an Ali Kat.This was for the Dynamic frontman that is none other than Josh "The Pitbull of Blues" Rowand.

This High energy Florida Trio has been prowling across the Southern US for many years. The Pitbull of Blues band are regulars on the festival circuit, and very well known throughout the region for their fun-loving mix of traditional and original authentic blues. So When Josh's wife Marie contacted me and told me all this I was pretty excited as were they about having the first hand crafted aluminium Ali Kat Guitar in the USA. Yes an Ali Kat was heading to the states, and to a multi award winning blues guitarist.

There was a twist though, The red hot drummer in the band Ritchie Corricelli, had been given as a gift by Josh and Marie a Gretsch drum kit that was influenced by the 57 Chevrolet Belair, the colour was also based on the old 50s GM colours we love so much about those old cars.

Marie said, I would like to get in his hands by Christmas,a custom made 1957 Chevy Ali Kat to match the Drummers kit. Josh Hits hard with his stunning guitar work, leading crowds through a repertoire of ALL that is blues and more, Marie added.

When I caught up with Josh to talk Techy about his guitar, it was clear he knew exactly what he wanted and how it would sound. He sent me a set of Seymour Duncans with a Tele style Hot Rail middle pickup.He asked for a 5 way switch controlled by just one volume and one tone, and if that wasn't all, two tripple shot pick up surrounds that will switch between the phases on the neck and bridge set up, with of course a Bigsby. I said as this is a custom made signature kind of model, we will add his name to it.

From what Josh had asked for, I knew i was going to fall in love with it when it was done, so I decided to make two. After I made the second body, I changed my mind and decided to make another worlds first, the 57 Chevy Pitbull Bass.This also caught the eye of The Bass player in the band, Deny Rowand, Josh's Fatherr.

As it was getting very close to Christmas, both Chevy guitars were painted by my regular paint and airbrush genius, Troy Craddock owner of ND Refinishers here in Adelaide, but we were having some issues with wiring her up. Finally with only 2 days to Christmas I got the guitar into probably Adelaide's finest guitar tech, Peter Jenkins, aka Dr. Guitar. With in excess of 10,000 guitars under his belt he was obviously the man to get this guitar wired and set up ready to go. When I collected it Peter gladly gave a demonstration of its switches and knobs, and I was totally blown away. This baby had more tonal ranges than a dozen guitars, It had that original warm Gretsch sound, and yet the bite of a Fender, close your eyes it could of been a Gibson or anything you wanted it to be. Peter said he was gratefull to have had the chance to set it up,not as gratefull as I was that's for sure.

As I had missed the deadline, and Marie had said it's ok, better to be a bit late but know it is ready to rock, it gave me a bit of time to get the promo shots of it done.

First though on the way back from Peter's I popped in on our own living iconic American Blues Hall of FAme Inductee "Chris Finnen". Chris was a tad un easy at first as like all guitarists, it is someone elses baby.. I said I just wanted to know it played ok before it goes, so he had a quick play and loved it.

Next was to get the photos done, so for Two matching Pitbull Chevy guitars, I was going to require two matching sassy girlz. Easy ! having caught up recently with local Adelaide band Raunchy Sugar,after they played a couple of Ali Kat guitars,I asked if the two lead vocalists would be kind enough to do a photo shoot...

This Set up was the idea of Josh Rowand, so in his honour this will be our DELUXE model, not necessary the identical pickups, but with a 3 pick up set up and tripple shots. the Pitbull Deluxe, is out top of the range Chev Guitar. and is available to order.