Humbucker Soup

If you are not familiar with Carl Verheyen by name, you are definitely familiar with his work, you just don’t realize it. Carl’s playing appears on over 200 different television shows dating as far back as the mid 1970s. Not many guitarists can make this claim. Instructional videos, soundtracks, clinics, international touring, A-list collaborations and session work, you could literally say that Carl has done it all.

Just about every guitarist has had, has or will at some point have a Stratocaster. It is one of the most popular electric guitars of all time. Since Edward Van Halen chopped up his Stratocaster around 1977, Stratocaster customization has been an increasingly popular hobby. Compared to 1977, it is much easier to find Stratocaster parts. Even better, it is very easy to find Stratocaster parts online.

Power tubes can have a dramatic effect on your amplifier’s sound. At low volumes, the difference between one tube and another can be difficult to decipher; it’s almost not worth talking about. Once you start to push a little air, your amp will show off what it can do and the power tubes will display their individual characteristics more. Keep in mind, by using pedals, you can make pretty much any amp sound like any other amp, so this discussion is focused on how a few of the most popular power tubes differ from each other when using the amp to get your sound and not pedals.

There are wah pedals, and then there are great wah pedals. Sure, you can save up and buy one of the vintage classics, but you will need to save a lot and when you drop it (or spill bong water on it, or your pup poops on it, etc…) you will cry. Or… you could save yourself the drama and run out to by the Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah.

As digital modeling amplifiers go, the Line 6 Vetta II is at the head of the class. This amplifier is extremely well designed, well made and sounds fantastic. At 150 Watts, there is more than enough volume and headroom. Whether you plan to use the Vetta II for live performance or recording, the feature set provides plenty of tools that allow you to sculpt your sound as you wish.

The Fender Telecaster is probably viewed by most as being a somewhat specialized guitar, but it is also surprisingly versatile. Best known for it’s “Twang”, this guitar has been used most often for country as it lends itself well to chicken pickin’ and other similar sounds. Some players have a stratocaster pickup installed in the middle position for more tonal options. This is called the “Nashville” setup. Although most associated with Country, the Telecaster also does a bunch of other things quite well.