Year of the Supercharged Guitar: Gibson High Performance Series
We’re always looking for trends at the NAMM show and this year there were quite a few. One big trend we noticed: 2016 is shaping up to be a great year for progressive guitars. Recent and upcoming releases from major players like Fender, Gibson, D’Angelico, and Ernie Ball Music Man are adding hot-rodded parts and upgrades — some […]
Update: Axl Rose Set to Replace Brian Johnson for AC/DC’s Remaining U.S. Tour Dates?
Update (March 23): When last we heard, AC/DC singer Brian Johnson was having a rough time continuing to front the Australian hard rock band. At first, his largest setback was his hearing – or impending lack thereof – as doctors warned him against “total hearing loss.” The plot thickened as comedian Jim Breuer, a close […]
Episode 38 – Steve Caballero
One of the true pioneers of pro skateboarding, Steve Caballero gets deep from the comfort of his living room on such topics as classic cars, painting, family, re-learning old skate tricks, and of course, the gnar factor.
Year of the Supercharged Guitar: Fender American Elite Series
We’re always looking for trends at the NAMM show and this year there were quite a few. The rebirth of analog synthesizers may just have reached its peak this year with Korg’s Minilogue and Arturia’s MatrixBrute making big sawtooth waves at the show. Another thing we noticed: 2016 is shaping up to be a great […]
303 State: A History of the Roland TB-303
The Roland TB-303 houses one of music’s most singular sounds. Scroll down a bit and hit play on Phuture’s “Acid Tracks.” What do you hear? That knocking beat of the TR-707 gives way to what sounds like a bass line contorting itself from within. Slippery, percolating, and squelchy, it’s the sound of an unique instrument being pushed to […]
Setting Your Pickup Height
Guitar forums are rife with posts about topics like how different woods resonate, what bridge setup gives you the most sustain and what nut material you should go with. Sure, all those factors can affect your tone, but if you break an electric guitar down to its simplest parts, what is really creating the sound […]
Jimmy Page and Les Paul “Black Beauty” Reunited?
It looks as though Jimmy Page will get to join Peter Frampton, B.B. King, George Harrison, Bob Seger, Zakk Wylde and other guitarists who have lost and later recovered iconic axes. Page’s guitar, a 1960 Les Paul Custom “Black Beauty”, was stolen in 1970 while Led Zeppelin were on tour in the months leading up to Led Zeppelin […]
Perfect Pairings: Fret-King Esprit I and Walrus Audio Iron Horse Distortion
This month, we’re plugging in the stripped-down Fret-King Esprit I and the gain-heavy Walrus Audio Iron Horse Distortion for a relentless riff session. This month, we’re finally pairing up two pieces of gear we’ve had our eyes on for a while now. Ever since the Fret-King Esprit I showed up at zZounds HQ a few months […]
Billy Corgan – Top 5 Tones
To celebrate the introduction of Billy Corgan’s new signature Reverend BC-1 guitar, we wanted to take a few moments to highlight some of his and the Smashing Pumpkins’ best tones. Take a look at our top 5 and join the discussion below by letting us know what songs feature your favorite Billy Corgan tones! 1. “Drown” […]
