Gear 5
Inside Lauten Audio Series Black V2 Microphones
Boutique microphone maker Lauten Audio had a hit on their hands with their original “Series Black” family of mics. Embraced by artists seeking versatile workhorse condensers at more modest prices than Lauten’s flagship Atlantis and Eden models, the LA-120 small-diaphragm condenser, LA-220 large-diaphragm FET condenser, and LA-320 large-diaphragm tube condenser have all earned excellent reviews […]
Get Precise with iLoud Precision Monitors
Known for their popular iLoud MTM monitors, IK Multimedia is stepping into the high-end monitor market with their iLoud Precision line. At this price point, high-quality materials and cutting-edge design are to be expected, but the iLoud Precision monitors also boast a very modern set of features, including in-speaker ARC room correction, customizable EQ settings, […]
Conquering the Magic of the EBow
The EBow… one of the many wonders of the world, and of music! This unique tool allows guitar players to turn their picking hand into a “bow,” creating a feedback loop that can sustain your note for as long as you hold the EBow in place. As cool as this sounds though, it can be […]
What Does Rupert Neve Designs’ “Silk Mode” Do?
“Silk” is one of the standout features on many Rupert Neve Designs preamps, including their flagship Shelford Channel mic preamp, and on RND’s limited-edition 5025 Dual Shelford 2-channel model. While the Shelford on its face is a very transparent mic preamp, the Silk & Texture circuit on the output transformer lets you add “color” by […]
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 […]
V-Moda Rolling Stones Edition Crossfade 2 Wireless Headphones Review
V-Moda is a high-end headphones brand known for their exceptional high-fidelity sound and fashionable Italian design. Now fully part of Roland Corporation, V-Moda has grown their catalog in recent years from strictly over-ear headphones to wireless earbuds and omnidirectional microphones. From time, to time, V-Moda shakes things up with limited-edition headphones. The headphones I’m reviewing […]
Part 4: Predictions for What’s Next
Well, here we are. After interpreting the history of the electric guitar, questioning what happened to rock music, and examining the state of the guitar industry, there's just one thing left to do.
Part 3: State of the Guitar Industry
As we attempt to predict the electric guitar's future, let's place a stethoscope on the heart of the industry behind it. By parsing statistical sales data and trends, as well as the observations and opinions of experts and stakeholders, we will get a sales-driven view of how successful the electric guitar is today.
Part 2: Guitar is Off the Charts
When the electric guitar was pronounced dead a few years back, would-be coroners were quick to identify one of the main causes: the languid state of American rock music. This was a bitter blow: the electric guitar and American rock music grew up together, each helping to influence and refine the other over time, as we saw in Part 1.
