Throughout his career, Frank Gambale’s influence on the guitar world has been profound. He is a visionary whose influence transcends genres and generations. When discussing guitar virtuosity, few names resonate as powerfully as Frank Gambale. A pioneer and trailblazer, the GRAMMY® winning Gambale has redefined what is possible on the guitar with his groundbreaking techniques and genre-defying compositions. He is synonymous with innovation. As a prolific guitarist, he is an architect of sound, an alchemist who consistently pushes the harmonic and technical limits of the guitar. Originator of the Gambale Sweep Picking Technique, now an internationally recognized part of the guitar lexicon of techniques, his original melodic lines and approach to the guitar, have etched his place in guitar history. His discography boasts an expansive body of work highlighting his mastery across jazz, fusion, rock, and beyond.

Beyond his performances and recording career, Frank Gambale‘s dedication to guitar education stands as a testament to his generosity and commitment to the global guitar community. For decades, he has been a tireless advocate for musical growth, sharing his concepts and techniques through a multitude of resources. His instructional videos Monster Licks and Speed Picking, Modes: No More Mystery, Chopbuilder and his books Technique Books 1 & 2, Improvisation Made Easier have become indispensable for guitarists looking to master the complexities of modern playing. Even more so, his book Speed Picking (1983), the first book ever published on the Sweep Picking Technique and followed soon after by the first-ever video on Sweep Picking called Monster Licks and Speed Picking (1988), launched players into an entirely new stratosphere. Furthermore, Gambale’s extensive catalog of instructional videos, DVDs, and masterclasses have provided insights into his unique approach to improvisation, composition, and harmony. His online presence, culminating in the establishment of the Frank Gambale Guitar School (2015) (FrankGambaleGuitarSchool.com), has democratized access to his unparalleled expertise, offering structured courses that guide students through techniques and musical philosophies. His new Gambale Tuning Course is the latest, and perhaps most transformative, addition to this already monumental educational library.

The Gambale Tuning Course: Unlocking a New Fretboard Universe

The Gambale Tuning Course is a meticulously crafted curriculum designed to introduce players into his unique tuning system. While standard guitar tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) has served as the foundation for centuries, Gambale Tuning offers an all-new alternative architecture for the fretboard, based on a re-thinking of the standard tuning, specifically designed to optimize and inspire guitar-based composition by opening up entirely new close-voiced chords, previously only the domain of keyboard. This isn't just about re-tuning your guitar; it is about fundamentally reshaping what’s possible on the guitar. Intervals, and close voiced chords that used to require impossible stretches can now be easily accessible to inspire new musical frontiers. Also, and this is very important, all the standard chord shapes are untouched. This means that any guitar player can begin to play immediately with Gambale Tuning and discover countless new chords and inspired compositions.

What will students learn in this revolutionary course?

The Gambale Tuning Course is a comprehensive exploration, beginning with the foundational principles of the tuning itself. Students will systematically learn how to re-conceptualize chord shapes that seamlessly conform to this new layout, making complex close-voicings physically accessible. The curriculum also demonstrates how Gambale Tuning facilitates richer, more expansive chord voicings and opens new pathways for voice leading and chord melody.

The course provides exercises, musical examples, and backing tracks for students to immediately integrate this futuristic and innovative Gambale Tuning into their own playing styles. Gambale guides students through several of his recorded compositions that offer insights into his signature sound and how it directly benefits from this revolutionary system. The outcome for everyone is transformative. Gambale Sweep Picking was Gambale’s first gift to the world’s guitar community, and in Gambale’s own words “Gambale Tuning is just as important a discovery as was Gambale Sweep Picking. It only took me 40 years to discover!”.

A Harmonious Collaboration: Cort Guitars and Frank Gambale

The enduring partnership between Frank Gambale and Cort Guitars is a testament to shared values: a relentless pursuit of innovation, uncompromising quality, and a deep understanding of the needs of the discerning musician. Cort's commitment to craftsmanship and their willingness to collaborate with artists to create instruments that truly serve their unique demands has made them a natural fit for a visionary like Gambale. This constructive collaboration has culminated in a pair of signature acoustic guitars that embody Gambale's nuanced playing style and sophisticated musicality. These instruments are not merely branded guitars; they are purpose-built tools designed to inspire and empower, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail that both, he and Cort Guitars bring to their respective crafts. It is this shared dedication to excellence that ensures every note played on a Cort Gambale signature model resonates with clarity, warmth, and expressive power. We think this is clear in this instructional course.

The Cort Frank Gambale Luxe II:

While the Gambale Tuning Course was filmed using the original Cort Frank Gambale Luxe model, we are excited to introduce the upgraded Luxe II, now available for players seeking even greater performance and versatility. The Luxe, used throughout the course, features the L.R. Baggs EAS-VTC EQ system, known for its natural acoustic tone and dynamic response. The Luxe II, however, takes things a step further. It features the Fishman® Flex Blend System, a sophisticated and modern design that includes a built-in tuner, and separate volume, tone, phase, and blend controls—ideal for adapting to any playing environment or style. This upgrade reflects the same spirit that defines Gambale’s approach.

Both models share the same premium tonewoods: a solid Adirondack spruce top for exceptional stiffness, resonance, and dynamic headroom, paired with solid Australian blackwood back and sides, offering a balanced, articulate response with a visual elegance. The Concert body shape, reminiscent of classical guitars, provides a comfortable yet resonant platform for both fingerstyle and strumming. The Luxe II also keeps the walnut-reinforced mahogany neck, custom Luxe profile, and ebony fingerboard, ensuring superb playability for intricate voicings and rapid melodic passages. The Florentine cutaway allows easy access to the highest frets, while the custom wooden rosette and fretboard inlay reflect Gambale’s artistic identity. Whether you are exploring the concepts in the Gambale Tuning Course or pushing your own musical boundaries, the Luxe II offers a refined and powerful tool for sonic exploration—building on the legacy of the Luxe with enhanced electronics and uncompromising craftsmanship.

The Cort Frank Gambale Luxe: The Workhorse of Innovation

Perhaps even more central to the announcement of the new course is the Cort Frank Gambale Luxe, his primary acoustic signature model, and notably, the very instrument he uses throughout the new Gambale Tuning Course. This guitar is a true powerhouse, meticulously crafted to meet the demanding requirements of a player of Gambale’s caliber. Its design directly supports the innovative concepts taught in his new curriculum. The Luxe features a premium solid Adirondack spruce top for its exceptional stiffness, resonance, and dynamic headroom. This is coupled with a solid Australian blackwood back and sides, a tonewood coveted for its balanced, articulate response, offering a character somewhere between mahogany and rosewood with a beautiful visual grain. The instrument's Concert body shape is reminiscent of a classical guitar body, providing a perfect balance of comfort and volume, accommodating both fingerstyle and strumming.

The Luxe comes in two versions—Luxe and Luxe II—each offering distinct pickup systems tailored to different playing needs. Luxe is equipped with the LR Baggs Element system, while Luxe II features the upgraded Fishman® Flex Blend System. Like Gambale, this is a sophisticated modern design with innovative engineering. The Fishman system offers a built-in tuner, with separate volume, tone, phase, and blend controls to best suit any playing environment or style. The walnut reinforced mahogany neck has a custom Luxe shape with an ebony fingerboard offering superb playability for the intricate voicings and rapid melodic passages that are hallmarks of Gambale’s style. The Florentine cutaway provides easy access to the highest frets, a necessity for any guitarist to push the limits of what they and an instrument can do. The custom wooden rosette and custom fretboard inlay are a further testament to all things, Frank. The guitar’s clarity, sustain, and comfortable playability make it an ideal partner for exploring new harmonic and melodic territories, proving its merit as an instrument designed for true advancement.

Embarking on Your Transformative Musical Journey

The opportunity to learn directly from an expert like Frank Gambale, and to explore a concept as profound and transformative as Gambale Tuning, is truly a rare gift.

The new Gambale Tuning Course is more than just an instructional series; it has opened a portal into a new era of sonic possibilities on the guitar, offering all guitar players an unprecedented opportunity to redefine their relationship with the instrument. Backed by his unparalleled legacy as a visionary guitarist and educator, this course is a landmark release. Marvel at new sonic horizons, innovative new chordal pathways, and embark on a transformative journey that will inspire new harmonic compositions you never thought possible. The future of guitar innovation starts now, with Frank Gambale and Cort Guitars.

Start your new musical transformation today by visiting www.FrankGambaleGuitarSchool.com today.

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