Demo: Extended-Range Guitars
Are six strings not enough anymore? For guitarists playing various styles of metal, jazz, ambient and experimental music, the range of a six-string guitar (even when down-tuned) may not provide enough low end. Ever since models like the Ibanez Universe charted the course for 7-string guitars in the early ’90s, manufacturers have continued to refine these extended-range […]
Interview with Victor Wooten
Talking to Victor Wooten, you get the impression he never puts his bass away for too long. From his childhood gig performing in a band with his four brothers on through the highly anticipated Bela Fleck and the Flecktones reunion tour starting this summer, Wooten has earned his place as one of the first names spoken when people discuss the world’s best bassists. But talking to […]
New Gear Report: MXR M300 & Walrus Audio Luminary
MXR M300 Reverb I was pretty surprised to find out that the MXR M300 is the first reverb pedal MXR has ever done, what with their Carbon Copy being a nearly ubiquitous delay on so many guitarists’ boards. Well, not only is this MXR’s first reverb, it may just be the last reverb you’ll ever need! […]
Prince’s Most Notorious Musical Instruments
Prince might be gone but elsewhere the dissection of his cultural influence still reigns supreme. There are thousands of think pieces, listicles, and gifs competing right now for your moment of thought. If all of this feels overwhelming, join us as we shift our focus onto a much lighter topic. Let’s explore some of the unique gear Prince […]
Singer-Songwriter Jamie Kent: On the Road with the Bose® L1® System
Nashville singer-songwriter Jamie Kent has played countless small and mid-sized venues — and he’s no stranger to those rooms’ hit-or-miss sound quality. So this seasoned “road warrior” takes sonic matters into his own hands by bringing a portable PA: the Bose® L1® Model II system. In between stops on the Bose Troubadour Tour, and on his […]
Episode 41 – Eli “Paperboy” Reed
Listen in as Chris and Eli "Paperboy" Reed talk about old school American soul music, juke joints, gospel, songwriting, recording techniques and more!
Iconic Rigs (on a Budget): Tony Iommi
Over the course of Black Sabbath’s long and storied history, there always remained one key component of their sound: guitarist Tony Iommi. Gilded in absolutely legendary status, he remains one of the pivotal guitarists who helped to establish and define what the true sound of metal guitar was and still is today. When delving into […]
Shure Unveils ‘The Great Hall’
Walk through the halls of Shure’s sleek and sophisticated building and you’re likely to hear someone talking about the company’s rich and renowned philosophy. Just as likely is someone crediting that philosophy to “Mr. Shure.” I’m midway through a guided tour of The Great Hall, Shure’s new in-house museum exhibit, when I stop and remark […]
Gibson Acoustic Guitars: Handmade Tradition
Earlier in April, a few of us were fortunate enough to visit the Gibson acoustic guitar factory in breathtaking Bozeman, Montana. An extensive tour of each part of the factory commenced, and we were impressed with the amount of elbow grease that goes into making each one of these fine instruments. Trust us — when […]
