Let’s talk about guitars, basses, amplifiers, pedals, recording, software and plugins
Get Notified!
Sign up if you would like to be notified when a new post or podcast is made available
There are lots of articles and reviews here. To find a specific subject or topic, please use the Search box provided
If you have a question on any guitar (or bass) related subject, please click this link to send in your question
The Joy of 5 Watt Tube Amps
In this article, I write about my quest for a small, reliable tube amp of only around 5 watts output.
Review : Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb Blonde
This article is my review of the Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb in Blonde. It’s the very first digital amplifier that I liked enough to buy. It sounds amazing and if you can find one is a superb value. Read on to learn more…
Review : Taylor 512ce and Taylor 514ce
Taylor recently reintroduced their 510 series guitars now using what they call Urban Ironbark for the solid sides and backs instead of the formerly used Mahogany. I wanted to see and more importantly hear what this new tonewood would bring to the party
Holiday Recommendations 2022
It’s here, the simple to use 2022 Holiday Buyer’s Guide. No spam, no ads, no BS, just my opinion on what constitutes excellent value for the emerging musician
Review : Ibanez Q Series Headless Guitars
The Ibanez Q series are the latest releases in what I have called the resurgence of headless guitars. The idea here is that there is no traditional headstock, and the tuners are mounted to the body behind the bridge.
Review : MXR Custom Shop Duke of Tone
As I write this, the wait time for an AnalogMan King of Tone pedal is five years! A Prince of Tone is also a very long time and you have to check daily in case one has been built and not already sold. Consequently we see King of Tone pedals selling on Reverb for nearly $1000, quite a lot more than Mike Pereira (AnalogMan himself) will sell you one for when your name comes up. For those of us who would like the sound today, there is now, from the MXR Custom Shop built in cooperation with AnalogMan a pedal called the Duke of Tone. I preordered two of them and picked them up the last weekend in October. So that’s what we are going to talk about this time.
Review : Origin Effects Halycon Green Overdrive
I wrote about Tube Screamers a little while back and in that article I mentioned being curious about the Halcyon Green Overdrive from Origin Effects. It’s safe to say that there are zillions of Tube Screamer type pedals out there, so why bother with another variant. Well, I bought one based on my 100% happiness rating with other Origin Effects products and now is the time to share my findings and opinions.
Review : PRS Mary Cries Compressor
Recently, Paul Reed Smith announced their first guitar pedals. This time, I am looking at my recently purchased PRS Mary Cries Compressor. I bought it sight unseen and unplayed, partly because I have never been really let down by a PRS product and partly following seeing Paul on The Pedal Show.
Let’s Talk Tube Screamers
This time we are going to chat about Tube Screamers and dive into the different models, deal with some of the hype and consider our options.
Music Notation Software - Notion Mobile
Writing out music notation should be easier, especially for those of us who aren’t well trained but still compose our own stuff. Now it is with Notion Mobile. Have a look, it’s very cool.
Fretboards and Lemon Oil - Dispelling Myths
I’ve recognized for some time that there are as many myths about fretboards and the function of lemon oil as there are truths, may be more so this time I want to talk about fretboard maintenance and where lemon oil or lemon oil based products fit it.
Boucher Jumbo 12 String - The SG12-23-E
I recently wrote encouraging readers to think about the potential of an electric 12 string guitar. This time, I want to give you my impressions of a brand-new guitar, ordered last year, that I have just picked up. It is an acoustic 12 string from the amazing people at Boucher Guitars.
The Wampler Metaverse
One could ask why the world needs another multi-delay type pedal. There are certainly lots of good options already out there, and delay is delay. Whether we are talking about drum delays, tape delays, bucket brigade style analog delays or true digital delays, there are a number of excellent pedals that bring all these delay types into a single multifunction delay pedal. Meet a new offering in the space, the Metaverse from Wampler
A Bass for a Guitar Player
While most of what I write here is more guitar oriented, it is never my intention to leave out the bass player and certainly not to ignore the reality that many guitar players at some or another decide that they need a bass. So let’s talk about picking your first bass when you are a guitar player.
Review : Blackstar Club 40 Mark II
The Blackstar Club 40 Mark II is an ideal amplifier for small to medium gigs as well as playing at home. It also serves very well as a recording amplifier offering DI out.
Review : Blackstar St. James EL34
Join me for a deep dive review of the new Blackstar St. James amplifier. My evaluation unit is the 50 watt EL34 with a single 1x12 Celestion Zephyr speaker. I am quite impressed so read on to learn more
Epiphone vs Sire! The 335 Comparison!
This time I do a side by side comparison of the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 335 Figured with the Sire Larry Carlton H7
Acoustic Jumbos - Some Thoughts
Acoustics come in many shapes and sizes. I find that jumbos are often unappreciated so I ask that you read along to be sure that you are not missing something wonderful