When I dropped the DiMarzio Super Distortion T into my Tele’s bridge slot, I wasn’t expecting a time machine back to a late‑’70s Les Paul, and I think that is the best expectation to set for yourself. A single‑coil‑sized, twin‑blade humbucker is never going to be a 1:1 clone of a full‑size Super Distortion—but it […]
The Seymour Duncan ’59 Model humbucker (SH-1) is one of those rare pickups that manages to combine vintage tone with practical versatility—all without the boutique price tag. Designed to emulate the character of late 1950s PAF-style pickups, the ’59 brings old-school flavor to modern rigs with just enough flexibility to suit a wide range of […]
I remember first hearing the name Tube Screamer around 1980. Even before I knew what it did, the name itself jumped out at me—there was just something raw and electrifying about it. Decades later, I’m still amazed at how this little green box has become one of the most iconic and enduring overdrive pedals in […]
The wah-wah pedal is known for its expressive, vocal-like wails, squawks, and crying tones—sounds that have become essential to genres like rock, funk, blues, and soul. Originally designed to mimic the muted trumpet’s crying effect, the wah pedal revolutionized guitar music. When it hit the scene, it quickly became synonymous with one name: Cry Baby. […]
When I dropped the DiMarzio Super Distortion T into my Tele’s bridge slot, I wasn’t expecting a time machine back to a late‑’70s Les Paul, and I think that is the best expectation to set for yourself. A single‑coil‑sized, twin‑blade humbucker is never going to be a 1:1 clone of a full‑size Super Distortion—but it […]
READER QUESTION: Is there a way to split a humbucker with a DPDT on/on/on 3-way toggle switch to get north coil-split/series (HB)/south coil-split… in any order? Thanks, Terence
The Seymour Duncan ’59 Model humbucker (SH-1) is one of those rare pickups that manages to combine vintage tone with practical versatility—all without the boutique price tag. Designed to emulate the character of late 1950s PAF-style pickups, the ’59 brings old-school flavor to modern rigs with just enough flexibility to suit a wide range of […]
I remember first hearing the name Tube Screamer around 1980. Even before I knew what it did, the name itself jumped out at me—there was just something raw and electrifying about it. Decades later, I’m still amazed at how this little green box has become one of the most iconic and enduring overdrive pedals in […]
What Does a Potentiometer Do in a Guitar? The main function of potentiometers is to control the tone and volume of the guitar. Pots work as variable resistors. For volume control, turning the volume knob increases or decreases loudness. For tone control, a capacitor combined with a pot filters out higher frequencies, resulting in a […]
While the guitar can do a lot, it’s limited in the sounds it can create when compared to a sampler or synthesizer, which can be a limitation—especially if you’re a bedroom producer trying to make complete recordings with limited instruments. One possible solution to this problem is to add MIDI capability to your guitar, which […]
The wah-wah pedal is known for its expressive, vocal-like wails, squawks, and crying tones—sounds that have become essential to genres like rock, funk, blues, and soul. Originally designed to mimic the muted trumpet’s crying effect, the wah pedal revolutionized guitar music. When it hit the scene, it quickly became synonymous with one name: Cry Baby. […]
Let’s take a look at the Soldano SLO Super Lead Overdrive. To understand this pedal we have to go back for a moment and take a super condensed look at the humble roots of its predecessor, and how this pedal came into being. Its creator Mike Soldano began his career in the amplifier industry in […]
Understanding the differences between overdrive, distortion, and fuzz is essential for guitarists looking to nail the tone that they hear in their head (or one they are trying to mimic). Each effect alters the signal in different ways, affecting everything from dynamics to harmonic content. This article compares the technical aspect of each effect, covering […]