Guitar aid has given over 1700 Guitars to more than 70 countries. Gear catches up with the mission to bring music back to wartorn lives - Now with a little help from pop idols Darius.

Recently, Gear was delighted to report on a music initiative which had become known as "Guitar Aid". The brainchild of Dave Summer, an engineer from the south west of England, Guitar Aid basically involved Dave repairing as many damaged guitars as he could lay his hands on, before personally travelling many thousands of miles to some of the most war-ravaged countries in Eastern Europe and Africa to present the guitars to people caught up in these conflicts.

"Guitar aid has now given over 1,700 guitars to more than 70 countries," Dave informs Gear. "Most of these guitars are sponsered by individuals wishing to help others less fortunate than themselves."

Then, a chance meeting with pop idol participant, Darius on a return flight from Las Angeles provided the chance of an increased profile.

"We had been looking for someone willing to help us raise the profile of guitar aid," continues Dave "And we met Darius, who was instantly attracted to the concept of supplying guitars to those unable to obtain or afford them. He instantly offered to help us in any way he could. After a few meetings at his London Flat, we came up with the idea of the "Darius" Vintage Guitar, where each instrument is signed by Darius."

So how was the Darius guitar chosen?

"Darius was particulary impressed with the quality of the top end Vintage Acoustic guitars," Dave points out. "so we sent a Darius-specified vintage electro/acoustic to luthier Andy Manson, down in the west country. There, Andy inlaid Darius's unique D logo, beautifully made from abalone and mother of pearl, into the guitars headstock with the skill and precision associated with Manson Guitars. The day we gave Darius the first completed instrument he decided he would play it that night at a concert he was doing in Scotland!"

The Darius Vintage Guitar (VEC500 signed model) will be sold to raise funds for Guitar Aid. Each instrument sold, will enable Guitar Aid to give one away free, to someone desperate for the opportunity to make music.

The gorgeous girlfriend of Darius Danesh says the Scots pop idol has tamed her wild streak.

Species star Natasha Henstridge used to strip in table-dancing clubs on champagne-fuelled nights out.

But the 31-year-old now says she prefers staying in with singer-turned-actor Darius, 26, in their mansion in the Hollywood hills.

She admits to wild partying before settling down, adding: "My friends and I ended up at a strip club and I thought it would be more interesting if we were doing the stripping ourselves. I had a glass or two of champagne but we didn't show anything we shouldn't have and we did earn money that night.

"I always hoped to spend at least one night in jail. There were a few incidents in bars during my misspent youth."

Natasha, who bared all for the three Species movies, reckons she knows what men want from a woman.

She said: "Big breasts and firm bums - it's pretty universal."