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ECC83 vs 12Ax7 Tubes – What is the Difference?

ecc83 vs 12ax7 tubesOne of the more confusing things about tube amps is changing them, especially when there seem to be so many different kinds available.

Changing tubes in an amp can be a particularly challenging experience, especially since there seems to be such an abundance of them. For this article, we’ll concentrate on the question of the ECC83 vs 12Ax7 tubes. The truth is, there is no difference at all between them, and each one is interchangeable with the other.

Continue reading “ECC83 vs 12Ax7 Tubes – What is the Difference?”

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Best Digital Modeling Combo Guitar Amplifiers – Which one is Best?

best digital modeling combo guitar amplifierLet’s take a look at the often frowned upon digital domain to see if it can yet produce a great-sounding amplifier.

Digital Modeling Combo Guitar Amps are finally becoming a much more acceptable way to amplify your guitar sound. Today’s amplifiers use much higher bitrates and frequency rates, along with higher quality analog-to-digital converters. Continue reading “Best Digital Modeling Combo Guitar Amplifiers – Which one is Best?”

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Pinnacle Deluxe v2 Overdrive from Wampler Pedals

pinnacle deluxeThe Pinnacle Deluxe features two foot switches with LED status indicators, a Bypass switch to turn the pedal on and off, and a Boost switch to engage the BOOST effect.

A second generation of the highly regarded overdrive Wampler Pinnacle Standard, the Pinnacle Deluxe v2 features the same sound as the first version but adds a ton of versatility and convenient attributes. Continue reading “Pinnacle Deluxe v2 Overdrive from Wampler Pedals”

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Express 5:50 Guitar Amp Head from Mesa/Boogie

express 5:50Available as a head, or as a combo amp, the Express 5:50 is a 50 watt all tube amplifier with five 12AXY tubes in the preamp section and two 6L6 tubes in the power amp section.

The Express 5:50 Guitar Amp Head is part of a very popular line of amplifiers from the people at Mesa/Boogie. This is a two-channel amplifier that delivers 50 watts of tube driven power. You can buy the Express 5:50 as a head, or as a combo amp. Continue reading “Express 5:50 Guitar Amp Head from Mesa/Boogie”

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Best Guitar Phase Shifter Pedals

best guitar phase shifterLet’s take a look at guitar phase shifter pedals, those often overlooked and under-discussed, but-much valued instrument effects.

Here are some of the best guitar phase shifter pedals around, and a word or two on what they’re all about. For starters, the phaser and the flanger might sound similar, but the phaser is based on frequency while the flanger is based on time. Very simply explained, the phaser splits your guitar signal into at least two signals and leaves one version unaltered. The other version is run through a tone control capacitor very similar to the Tone control on a guitar, but set to different frequencies. Continue reading “Best Guitar Phase Shifter Pedals”

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Yamaha THR10 – 10-watt 2×3″ Modeling Combo

yamaha thr10The Yamaha THR10 can be powered by an AC adapter or eight AA batteries for up to six hours of continuous playing time.

The Yamaha THR10 – 10-Watt 2×3 Modeling Combo is a new type of amplifier from Yamaha that is specialized for non live-performing musicians. The Yamaha THR10 features Volume, Gain, Master, and Tone control knobs. There is also an Amp control knob, which knob toggles between Clean, Crunch, Lead, Brit High, and Modern amp sounds. Continue reading “Yamaha THR10 – 10-watt 2×3″ Modeling Combo”

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What are the Best Guitar Wah Pedals?

blues telecaster pickupsThe wah pedal is one of the most well known and expressive effects available for the guitar. We'll take a look at a few and see if we can find the best one for your sound.

Since its creation, the wah has become a true staple of countless guitar players. Created in 1966 and popularized by Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix in 1967, the Vox V846 was the first commercial pedal to become available. Continue reading “What are the Best Guitar Wah Pedals?”

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What are the Best Budget Guitar Wah Pedals?

budget guitar wahShopping on a budget for a guitar wah pedal? This list features some surprisingly affordable choices.

The wah pedal is one of the best-known effects commonly found on a guitarist’s pedal board. Along with its distortion capabilities, it is one of the few effects that is well known to even non-guitar players. It is expressive, giving the guitar an almost vocal-like quality, and guitarists such as Steve Vai have used the wah very successfully to simulate entire conversations. Continue reading “What are the Best Budget Guitar Wah Pedals?”

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Line 6 DT25 112 1×12 25W Tube Guitar Combo Amp

line 6 dt25The Line 6 DT25 112 1x12 25W Tube Guitar Combo Amp is four boutique tube amps in one, American clean, British crunch, class A chime, and modern high-gain.

Featuring reconfigurable analog components, the Line 6 DT25 also includes HD modeling. This allows you to select your operating class to either Class AB/25 Watts/Fixed Bias or Class A/10 Watts/Cathode Biased. Continue reading “Line 6 DT25 112 1×12 25W Tube Guitar Combo Amp”

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Line 6 AMPLIFi 30 – 30-watt Multi-speaker Modeling Combo Amp

Line 6 AMPLIFi 30The Line 6 AMPLIFi 30 lets you dial in your perfect tone with over 200 amps and effects.

The Line 6 AMPLIFi 30 – 30-Watt Multi-Speaker Modeling Combo is a compact stereo modeling guitar amp. The AMPLIFi 30 features a 4-speaker stereo design capable of full range audio reproduction and is Bluetooth-enabled for wireless audio streaming. Continue reading “Line 6 AMPLIFi 30 – 30-watt Multi-speaker Modeling Combo Amp”