When I first got into guitars and guitar amplifiers, I just assumed that bigger amps were better. Whenever I could afford a larger amp or make the space for it, I felt that having more wattage and more speakers was the key to a pro sound.
One of the most daunting aspects of playing the guitar is the routine maintenance procedure known as the “setup.” Many new guitarists don’t even know what is involved with a setup, let alone whether it is possible to do one yourself.
Depending on your living situation, playing guitar at home can prove quite tricky. This is especially true if you live with roommates or family or in an apartment with cranky neighbors or an uptight landlord. Chances are you don’t have a massive studio in your home, complete with an amp room or ISO booth either. […]
‘Impulse Response’ – A term that seems to confuse and baffle even the most experienced guitarists. While impulse responses may seem like some sort of technical wizardry to most, they are slowly finding their way into the gear mainstream. The big question is: “What are they, and why would I want to use them?” Understanding […]
If you are one of the lucky ones, who can record a 100-watt tube head at home, then this article might not be for you. However, for the rest of us, an amp simulator is a beautiful tool that can take guitar recordings to the next level. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “If the […]
There is quite a bit of confusion out there when it comes to measuring the “loudness” of amplifiers. When most guitarists think of volume, they think about the amplifier’s wattage specs. However, just because one amp has more watts than the next, it does not mean that it’s “louder,” by any means.
So you’ve finally worn your strings down to the metaphorical bone? It’s time to cut ‘em loose and wind up a new pair. The question is… What set of string gauges should you use? When you know what you’re after, picking out the right set of guitar strings is relatively easy. However, if you don’t […]
So you finally have a boatload of effects pedals to play around with and a beautiful pedalboard to mount them on… Now comes the difficult part — figuring out what order to put your pedals in. After hundreds of gigs and studio sessions over the years, not to mention many hours of arduous experimentation, I […]
One of the ultimate pleasures of being a guitarist is setting up your pedalboard. Whether you’re new to the guitar realm or a veteran shredder, curating a solid set of stompboxes can pave the way for tons of creativity.
When it comes to recording guitar, there is no right or wrong way to go about it.
As guitarists, we often spend time obsessing over guitar modifications to enhance our sound. Sure, you can spend a ton of money on cutting-edge guitar pedals, screaming pickups, and bridges that provide sustain for days, but when upgrading your guitar, why not start with one of the simplest and most inexpensive upgrades out there? I’m […]