What’s a “Class A” Amplifier?
“Class A” refers to a specific amplifier output design. Without diving too deep into electrical engineering, suffice it to say that Class A is the simplest, most basic circuit topology for an amplifier, and the easiest to design with less inherent distortion. Theoretically, you might say it’s a “perfect,” linear amplifier circuit: the output is […]
Beat Connection: The Beat Composer’s Cheat Sheet
Welcome to Beat Connection, a series dedicated to promoting modern and vintage dance styles the only way we know how…by providing you a musical starting point to help you create that beat. Today, we go back to the beginning. In plain terms, we’re outlining how what you see in a drum machine translates to what you’ll find in […]
Polish up on Fret Maintenance
A lot of guitarists are vigilant about changing strings and adjusting their guitar’s truss rod, action and intonation with a good setup, but there’s something to be said about keeping your gear clean. Everyone has that friend who asks to try out your guitar, then hands it back with the fretboard feeling like it was left […]
Go With the (Signal) Flow
Setting up your pedalboard involves a little more thought than just trying to fit everything together like a real-life game of Tetris. When using two or more pedals, experimenting with signal flow often results in significant differences in your tone. In this edition of Guitar Workbench, we’re taking a closer listen to how overdrive pedals […]
Legends of Tone: Brian May
If you know much about Brian May, you know that he may just be the most interesting man in the world. Not only is he the legendary guitarist of the world-renowned rock band Queen, he’s also a doctor of astrophysics, and he owns a company that specializes in 3D stereoscopic imaging, a lifelong fascination of […]
Interview with Stuart Spector
When Stuart Spector released the NS-1 bass for the first time in 1977, it was unlike anything the bass world had seen. Up until that point, electric basses were either derivatives of the popular Precision and Jazz styles developed by Fender, or were one of a handful of unique models designed by the likes of […]
PRS Reveals Reclaimed Wood Vela, CE24
When PRS reps visited zZounds HQ a couple of weeks ago, they brought along a new model that had most of the guitarists in the building drooling. The semi-hollow S2 Vela — along with a CE24 model — is part of the “Reclaimed Limited” series just announced by PRS over the weekend. The series of 600 […]
$400 Minimoog Clone? Uli Behringer Shares “D” Synth First Draft
Yesterday, Uli Behringer, founder of the musical instrument manufacturer, hopped on the Gearslutz.com forum and proceeded to drop a bombshell. Behringer analog synthesizers have been fixtures in online rumor mills in the last few years, with the DeepMind recently becoming a reality. Another whisper was that Behringer was developing an analog monosynth “clone” of the Minimoog Model D […]
Gretsch Salute Malcolm Young with Jet Replica
For Malcolm Young, it’s been a long way to the top of the rhythm guitar heap. His timeless riffs form the foundation of AC/DC’s sound and continue to serve as the gold standard of rock guitar riffs for many. Now, Gretsch’s USA Custom Shop is saluting Malcolm with an incredible painstaking recreation of his #1 […]
