Guitar Workbench 100
MXR Dyna Comp: Get the Most From Your Compressor Pedal
Before buying the MXR Dyna Comp compressor pedal, I did what any musician would do: I scoured the Internet for reviews of all kinds. I came across a few demo videos on YouTube and noticed something interesting: This pedal was only being shown in one light. The people demoing the Dyna Comp were using it […]
Analog vs Digital – Is It Time To Make the Jump?
The prevalence of digital guitar amp and effects processors has exploded over the last few years. Although the technology is not brand new, it’s clear that manufacturers have really locked in on the quality and sound that professional musicians require in both live and studio settings. Like many guitarists, I recently found myself at the […]
How to Install PRS SE Locking Tuners
Paul Reed Smith SE Series guitars are a great value for the price, and many owners choose to upgrade their hardware and electronics to bring them even closer to the quality level of American-made PRS models. I recently picked up a set of PRS SE locking tuners which are a direct drop-in replacement on PRS […]
Victory Countess + Gibson Les Paul: A New Take on Classic British Tone
If you’re a guitarist, you know how important it is to pair the right amp with the right guitar, and the time it takes to find the right combination. While there are many guitar/amp pairings that are legendary in many ways, for rock guitarists, there’s one iconic pairing that has stood above many, if not all […]
A Bass DI Might Save Your Mix: Here’s How
In today’s world of recording, there are a million-and-one options for tracking your bass guitar. From “direct-in,” (DI) to amp simulation software, or even traditional miking of a bass cabinet, you’ve got options. Each option has its own pros and cons, so why not limit the cons list and combine two of these techniques into […]
Line 6 HX Stomp: The Ultimate Idea Machine
Today it’s easier than ever to get a musical idea from your head bounced out to a great-sounding recording in a hurry. And as the quality of gear climbs higher and higher each year, that means good news for all. This is where the Line 6 HX Stomp comes in. An all-in-one stompbox, interface and […]
Five Go-To Universal Audio Guitar Amp Models
With a marketplace full of great audio interfaces, it can be difficult to choose the right one. Most of us recording demos or full projects at home probably only need an interface with a few inputs at a time, and there are dozens of options to choose from. For me, the decision was a no-brainer: […]
The Case for the Acoustic Guitar Amplifier
Congratulations, you just bought a brand-spanking new acoustic-electric guitar! You’ve got a gig lined up and can’t wait to show off the amazing tone of this new axe. So you plug in your acoustic to your amplifier and…bleh. Awful, thin, nasally tone emanates from the speaker of your electric amp. A common misconception is that […]
Gibson Southern Jumbo Review
The Gibson Southern Jumbo was introduced in 1942 as a more “deluxe” version of the J-45. Of course, the Southern Jumbo has gone through some changes since its introduction in the early 1940s. I got the chance to try Gibson’s 2020 iteration of this classic model for myself. Read below for my thoughts, and listen […]
