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Review : Benson Germanium Fuzz
Want a fuzz that tolerates different placements? Want a fuzz where you can control it depending on the impedance of your pickups? Want a germanium transistor based fuzz that uses thermal management to keep it in the sweet spot? Then you want to learn about the Benson Germanium Fuzz.
Let’s Talk About Reverb
Reverb is possibly the most popular audio effect for guitarists. There are so many different ways to get it, so let’s explore reverb!
Review : A Used Find - Gretsch Electromatic Silver Jet
In this article I review a recent find, a used Gretsch Electromatic Silver Jet
Review : Fender Brad Paisley Esquire
I’ve wanted an Esquire for some time, so tried this model out. Join me to read what I learned
Recommendations for Fretboard Treatment
The right fretboard treatment can both protect and lengthen the life of your instrument. The wrong one can dry the board out and leave it vulnerable. Why not do things the right way?
The Joy of 5 Watt Tube Amps
In this article, I write about my quest for a small, reliable tube amp of only around 5 watts output.
Review : Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb Blonde
This article is my review of the Fender Tonemaster Deluxe Reverb in Blonde. It’s the very first digital amplifier that I liked enough to buy. It sounds amazing and if you can find one is a superb value. Read on to learn more…
Review : Strymon Zelzah Phase Shifter
I recently wrote about a resurgence of a favourite type of pedal from the Seventies known as the phase shifter. This was inspired to some extent by the release from Strymon of their phase shifter called the Zelzah. While I have no idea where the name comes from, I was sufficiently intrigued to listen to the samples on the Strymon website and hearing something I liked, I bought one.
Review : Taylor 512ce and Taylor 514ce
Taylor recently reintroduced their 510 series guitars now using what they call Urban Ironbark for the solid sides and backs instead of the formerly used Mahogany. I wanted to see and more importantly hear what this new tonewood would bring to the party
Holiday Recommendations 2022
It’s here, the simple to use 2022 Holiday Buyer’s Guide. No spam, no ads, no BS, just my opinion on what constitutes excellent value for the emerging musician
Review : Ibanez Q Series Headless Guitars
The Ibanez Q series are the latest releases in what I have called the resurgence of headless guitars. The idea here is that there is no traditional headstock, and the tuners are mounted to the body behind the bridge.
Review : MXR Custom Shop Duke of Tone
As I write this, the wait time for an AnalogMan King of Tone pedal is five years! A Prince of Tone is also a very long time and you have to check daily in case one has been built and not already sold. Consequently we see King of Tone pedals selling on Reverb for nearly $1000, quite a lot more than Mike Pereira (AnalogMan himself) will sell you one for when your name comes up. For those of us who would like the sound today, there is now, from the MXR Custom Shop built in cooperation with AnalogMan a pedal called the Duke of Tone. I preordered two of them and picked them up the last weekend in October. So that’s what we are going to talk about this time.
Review : Origin Effects Halycon Green Overdrive
I wrote about Tube Screamers a little while back and in that article I mentioned being curious about the Halcyon Green Overdrive from Origin Effects. It’s safe to say that there are zillions of Tube Screamer type pedals out there, so why bother with another variant. Well, I bought one based on my 100% happiness rating with other Origin Effects products and now is the time to share my findings and opinions.
Review : PRS Mary Cries Compressor
Recently, Paul Reed Smith announced their first guitar pedals. This time, I am looking at my recently purchased PRS Mary Cries Compressor. I bought it sight unseen and unplayed, partly because I have never been really let down by a PRS product and partly following seeing Paul on The Pedal Show.
Let’s Talk Tube Screamers
This time we are going to chat about Tube Screamers and dive into the different models, deal with some of the hype and consider our options.
Music Notation Software - Notion Mobile
Writing out music notation should be easier, especially for those of us who aren’t well trained but still compose our own stuff. Now it is with Notion Mobile. Have a look, it’s very cool.