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MAP and Embargos
Understanding what MAP is and how it impacts you and your preferred shop is useful. So is understanding the reality of the embargo process, so that’s what we are going to talk about this time.
Epiphone vs Gibson - The Les Paul Special
A reader asked me why he would pay $2400 CAD for a Gibson Les Paul Special instead of $700 for an Epiphone Les Paul Special. Instead of a smart ass answer, I determined to find out.
Building a Pedalboard
Reader, listener and friend David challenges me again, this time to write an article on building your first pedalboard. He wanted to know what to consider in terms of function, what pedals were general recommendations in terms of function, what order to put them in and what other considerations go into building a pedal board. He also wanted to know if one pedal board was all that was needed for all electric and acoustic guitars with pickups.
The Best Way to Purchase Pedals!
Picking your next effects pedal, be it for electric guitar, electric bass, acoustic guitar, or any other instrument with a line out should be simple. Too often it isn’t. But not anymore.
End of a Summertime Dream
It’s the day after the passing of one of Canada’s greatest musical poets, the wonderful Gordon Lightfoot and I was surprised by how hard his passing has hit me.
Review : Walker and Williams Guitar Straps
Are these the best leather guitar straps in the market? I think so and you probably will as well
The Winding Road to an Acoustic Bass Guitar
In this post, I share my path to finding an acoustic bass guitar that was not super expensive and that didn’t sound like cat yak.
Thoughts on NAMM 2023
In this article I share my thoughts on what happened, and didn’t happen at what could be the last spring NAMM
Review : Graph Tech Ratio Tuners
I’m recommending consideration of Graph Tech Ratio Locking tuners to all my readers. Join me to learn why.
Review : VegaTrem VT2 Vibrato and More…
While this is predominantly the review for the wonderful VegaTrem VT-2, I take readers through all the steps I did in this upgrade to enhance the overall guitar and thereby reap the benefits of this incredible vibrato system
Update : More on the Guitar Quandary
There was good feedback and requests for updates on my review of the Taylor T5z. Folks wanted to know if the gloss finish model was different. I received for a short time a Taylor T5z DLX, so I wanted to provide a quick update on my findings using the new model.
Did Waves Just Shoot Themselves in the Head?
Waves went full subscription without any notice and existing customers are furious.
UPDATE MARCH 29, 2023
Waves has agreed to restore the perpetual license model in addition to the new subscription model, providing customers a choice.
Review : Soldano SLO Mini
The Soldano SLO Mini is the most amazing amplifier that you can find for $250 USD. In fact it’s quite a bit more amazing than amplifiers costing a LOT more. You NEED one. Read more to find out why!
Review : Fender Jazzmaster Gold Foil
I’ve been wondering about gold foil pickups for a while and as I love the Jazzmaster, thought that trying this model out would make sense. It’s certainly beautiful…
A Guitar Quandary
As far as I am concerned the Taylor T5z is the best sounding and best playing of all the electric acoustic instruments in the market. Read on to learn why I think so.
Review : Vega*Trem VT1
In this article, I take readers through the thought process and steps to replace and American Standard Fender Stratocaster bridge with a Vega Tree VT-1
My Esquire Project
In this article I talk about achieving my goal of creating a Fender Esquire, using an MIJ Telecaster as the starting point
Review : Laney LA-Studio Amplifier
The Laney LA-Studio amplifier may be your perfect home recording and practice amplifier. Read on to learn why
Review : Bare Knuckle Pickups
There are many options when it comes to replacement pickups. In this article I will explain why my go to is Bare Knuckle Pickups in the UK, even though I live in Canada and have access to great guitar shops.