Good instrument cables play a crucial role in the overall sound of a guitar. They are the link between the guitar and the amplifier or other effects pedals, and even a small amount of signal loss can greatly impact the sound. One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an instrument cable is…
The basics of guitar speakers
The sound of an electric guitar is largely determined by the type of speakers that are used with the amplifier. The type of speaker used can make a big difference in the tone of the guitar, whether you are playing in a small bar or in a large stadium. Choosing the right speakers for your…
Jazz guitar “shell voicing” explained
Jazz guitar shell voicings are an important part of the jazz guitarist’s vocabulary. They are a type of chord voicing that uses only the root, third, seventh and sixth (or fifth) of the chord. This can be thought of as the “shell” of the chord and is often used as a substitute for more complex…
The very basics of buying an electric guitar
If you’re looking to buy an electric guitar, there are plenty of factors to consider. This blog post will explain what you need to know about buying an electric guitar, from the different types of guitar to the different components that make it up. Electric guitars are a great way to get started with learning…
Another digital update
Back in November I bought myself the Hotone Ampero which is a digital amp modeling and effects unit. I posted about my initial experiences with it back then, and now, almost two months later, decided to update what I have experienced since then. Let me just start by saying that it is a solid piece…
How I feel about jam sessions
I have played at a lot of jam sessions over the years. After a while I sort of stopped going, mostly because my bands were gigging and I didn’t feel the need or want to go. Lately I have been frequenting jam sessions again, even though I am in multiple bands. I decided to stop…
Long distant band rehearsals – Can it be done?
The world has really become a lot smaller in the past 20 plus years. 20 plus years ago, If you wanted to start a band, it had to be local. And local being very relative term depending on the temperament of the members. Trying to put together a group even with members who live in…
My Endless Quest for Tone
Any guitarist serious about their craft that tells you their search for the Holy Grail, that is tone, has been completed is full of soup. It really is an endless quest that has so many layers it is hard to quantify. The wide variety of guitars, their pickups, their strings, cabling, amplification, speakers, microphones, pick…
IR Loaders – A brief overview of how I understand them
This is new to me. I know it’s been around for a little while, but honestly, I never heard of it until like 6 months ago. I had no reference for it. Now I do. I own a Hotone Ampero amp modeler & effects processor and as such, during my learning of uses and features…
Quilter Labs Superblock US Review
Flashback to almost 4 years ago when I was seriously unhappy with my tone and my search for sounding better always seemed to come up short. Over the years I played through tube amps, solid state amps, different guitars, I just could not get a tone that I was happy with. This all changed four…