I’m a guitar and amp addict who loves Wilco, guitar history, and loud, cranked up small-box amplifiers. I go to a lot of local rock shows, record stores, and anywhere with fried food.
Mesa/Boogie: Live at the Fillmore
Named after some of the most revered music venues on the East and West coasts, Mesa/Boogie Fillmore guitar amplifiers pump out vintage tone with modern versatility. The Mesa/Boogie Fillmore series offers 25-, 50-, and 100-watt configurations. All of these amps have the same controls, and come in either a combo or a head. With two […]
Rob Scallon: From Novelty to Signature Guitars
In this special edition of zZounds Live, Rob Scallon joined the zZounds crew! Justin and Rob Scallon talked all things content creation and how Rob got started in making videos. During their talk, they also showed how 7 and 8-string guitars aren’t just a one trick pony made for djenting. Rob tells us about his […]
Stop Trading Gear So Soon
As tone chasers and curious musicians, it’s pretty easy to keep trading gear. While new gear won’t make you play any better, new tools can expand what we as musicians can do. Most of the gear that I get usually stays in my possession for a long time. Whether I’ve used these pieces of gear […]
Bad, But in a Good Way: Mesa/Boogie Badlander 50
In this edition of zZounds Live, Justin shows that the Mesa/Boogie Badlander 50 is no one-trick pony. With three gain modes, two identical channels, and the ability to run in 50 or 20 watts, the Mesa/Boogie Badlander 50 is one versatile beast. Is that not enough? Well, this amp also has a headphone output and […]
This Breedlove Abides: Jeff Bridges Organic Concert is Sustainable and Resonant
When I first caught wind that there was going to be a collaboration between Breedlove and Jeff Bridges, it just made complete sense. With Bridges’ advocacy for sustainability and Breedlove’s push toward becoming one of the greenest guitar companies on the planet, it was a marriage made in heaven. Adorning a solid torrefied European spruce […]
Live With the Line 6 Catalyst 60: The Swiss Army Knife of Amps?
In this edition of zZounds Live, Justin takes the Line 6 Catalyst 60 through its paces. This amp features six original amp designs, on-board boost circuits for each amp, six different reverbs, 18 effects, and an effects loop. If that’s not enough, there’s even an XLR line output along with a 4-channel USB recording interface! […]
Rabea Massaad Shows Off the Victory V4 Kraken
Catch up with our livestream with some very special visitors from Victory Amps featuring Rabea Massaad. In this livestream, Rabea takes us through what the Victory V4 Kraken is capable of. This compact two-channel monster from Victory delivers bone-crushing high-gain tones, but it’s no one-trick pony — it also offers lovely edge-of-breakup sounds with the […]
Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard: All the Iconic Features at a Sliver of the Price
The Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard is an exciting addition to the Epiphone line since “bursts” are known as the holy grail of electric guitars. Where the Gibson Custom Shop ’59 Les Pauls can cost up to $8,000, the Epiphone 1959 Les Paul Standard comes in at $849. At a sliver of the price, you […]
Fender ’68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb: A Studio Weapon, Practice Amp, or Both?
When I first heard that Fender was going to release a ‘68 Custom Vibro Champ Reverb, I knew I had to try one out. As a self-proclaimed Fender fanboy who loves cranking up small amps to the point where they sound like they might collapse, it was destiny. Don’t let its small size make you […]
