Mason has played guitar since age 14 and has remained a charmingly amateurish musician ever since. Mason joined zZounds in 2014 and serves as editor of the zZounds Blog, as well as Accessories Merchandiser. Prior to zZounds, he earned a degree in journalism and worked as a newspaper editor and freelance writer. When not writing or editing for zZounds, you can find him playing his Strat, hosting bar trivia, and chasing his toddler around the house.
Top Tones: EHX Oceans 11 Reverb
Packed with eleven reverb modes, an internal tails switch and powerful hidden parameters, the Electro-Harmonix Oceans 11 is a “Swiss army knife” of reverb. We’re putting this pedal through its paces by showcasing its spaciest, shimmering sounds in this Top Tones video. Peep the Fender Player Jaguar we’re using as well — its unique pickup […]
Beat Connection Collection: Beat Foundations
In Beat Connection, we explore modern and vintage dance styles the only way we know how…by providing you a musical starting point to help you create that beat. In this collection, we’re highlighting Beat Connection posts that detail the fundamental foundations of beatmaking, elemental topics like rhythm, pitch and structure. Check them out below and […]
Talking Shop: Dream Gear
If money were no object, what is one piece of gear you’d buy? This is the question we asked for the first installment of Talking Shop, the series in which we ask zZounds staffers questions about gear and all things music. Check out our team’s answers below, and feel free to comment on what your […]
Studio Solutions Collection: Mic Techniques
Effective placement and use of microphones is essential for an audio engineer, whether they work in a professional studio or at home. Keeping an open mind about using different mic types and being willing to experiment with different techniques during a session can yield inspiring results. Here are our top posts detailing different mic types, […]
Gibson Announces 2018 Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr.
Gibson just announced the 2018 Billie Joe Armstrong Signature Les Paul Junior, a new take on the classic single-coil model often associated with the Green Day frontman. With a single ’57 Classic humbucker, master volume and tone controls, and wraparound tailpiece all atop a slab body, this is a stripped-down rocker meant to be a […]
Top Tones: JHS Sweet Tea V3
What’s more American than sippin’ on sweet tea on a summer day? If you answered grabbing a Player Series HH Telecaster, plugging into a versatile OD/Distortion combo pedal and wailing from sea to shining sea with tones as majestic as purple mountains and as tasty as freedom fries, you’ve got us there. Thankfully, we experienced […]
Top Tones – Walrus Audio Emissary Parallel Boost
For just having two knobs, the Walrus Audio Emissary Parallel Boost is a damn versatile pedal. From girthy midrange to sizzling top end, hear all the tones we were able to make with this pedal and a Fender Vibro Champ in this Top Tones video!
Dunlop at Summer NAMM
There was so much to see at the Dunlop booth, we had to split it across three videos! Thankfully, the one-and-only Bryan Kehoe was there to guide us through the lineup of new pedals from Dunlop brands, including the MXR Dyna Comp Deluxe, EVH 5150 Chorus, and Way Huge Overrated Special Smalls. We apologize for […]
Guitar Workbench Collection: Modding Your Guitar
Sometimes, you find a guitar that’s 100% perfect for you right off the bat, and no changes are necessary beyond a minor setup. When that happens, it’s a truly beautiful thing, but that isn’t always the case. Sometimes you may find yourself wishing your guitar had this or that feature, or had a tonality you […]
