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 […]
The Seymour Duncan Slash APH-2 is an electric guitar pickup designed in direct collaboration with Slash himself. It’s a set of Alnico II humbuckers meant to replicate the exact tone of his legendary ’86 Derrig Les Paul — the one that drove Appetite for Destruction into the rock pantheon. What’s immediately worth noting is the […]
The MXR Phase 90 was introduced in 1974, by MXR co-founders Keith Barr and Terry Sherwood in Rochester, NY. While the MXR brand is commonly attributed to these two founders, Michael Laiacona—though involved in the early distribution—was not an official co-founder of MXR. The Phase 90 quickly became a go-to phaser effects pedal for electric […]
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. […]
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 […]
Paul Cochrane’s Tim and subsequent Timmy pedals from MXR have become legends in the guitar community for being the industry standard for transparent and dynamic overdrive in pedal form. We here at Humbucker Soup are fans of the Timmy and have generally glowing reviews with demos showcasing their strengths. The simple explanation is that when […]
In the ever-evolving world of guitar amplification, few amps carry the curious mystique and sheer sonic muscle of the Peavey Mace. Built in the 1970s, this 160-watt hybrid amplifier made waves with a tone that could peel paint, a feature set that raised eyebrows, and a footprint as massive as its sound. At a time […]
The world of electric guitar pickups is crowded with variations on familiar themes, but every so often, a product comes along that truly surprises. The Fralin Big Single Mini is one of those rare pickups. It brings something unexpected to the table — a clear, chimey single-coil voice packed into a compact, Firebird-sized housing. After […]
Question Hi Humbucker Soup, Can you please write up the wiring schematic or direct me to someone who can for my guitar? It’s a Charvel with 1 humbucker and 2 single-coils with 3 mini switches. The mini switches are single pole single throw. They have only 3 solder points on each one. I have been […]
Fender introduced the Fender Bassman in 1952, originally as a bass amplifier for the Precision Bass. Little did they know that this amplifier would go on to become legendary, not only for bassists, but also for guitarists across genres. What started as a bass amp evolved into a staple for electric guitars, pedal steel guitars, […]
Many believe that the Holy Grail of guitar tone only comes from a tube guitar amplifier. There is something special about how tubes react to a player’s style and choice of guitar. They can go from a sparkling clean to all-out metal mayhem. In this article we will take a look at the components of […]
Question Message I read your article about 500K and 250K. Great read! I have a question that I hope you can help me with. I currently have a Jackson USA HT6FM (Misha model) with bare knuckle juggernaut humbuckers. It is my understanding it has 500K pots. I find them a little bit harsh and I […]
Recording layered guitar parts can add depth, energy, and movement to your music—but it’s also a technique that requires intention and nuance. In this article, I’ll walk through my go-to approaches for layering rhythm and lead guitars, shaping your stereo field, and enhancing dynamics using plugins and automation. Whether you’re tracking a silky blues lead […]
If you’ve ever wished for authentic single-coil clarity in a humbucker-sized housing—without the usual trade-offs—the Fralin Big Single might be the pickup you’ve been waiting for. Designed by Lindy Fralin as a modern evolution of the Mini-Humbucker, the Big Single manages to be bold, clear, and articulate while side-stepping the familiar buzz and hum that […]
What is the JHS Moonshine? The JHS Moonshine V2 is a versatile new take on JHS’s classic Tube Screamer. This model offers a couple new parameters that can help make amp break up and your leads scream with or without the familiar mid hump that the OG’s are known for. In a sturdy, simple die-cast […]