“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 […]
There’s almost nothing like plugging into a big tube amp, cranking the volume, setting the gain just right, and letting that thing rip. It’s that x-factor, the “you know it when you hear it” sound, that keeps you coming back for more. There’s something going on among the combination of tubes, capacitors, resistors, transformers, etc. […]
EarthQuaker Devices always wows us with new pedals and their DIY, musicians-first attitude. This year, they took things up a notch by hosting the first annual EarthQuaker Day event at their world headquarters in the gilded city of Akron, OH. The event definitely embodied the EQD spirit with live music, pedal demos, a riff contest, […]
Randy Rhoads’ short but substantial contribution to the rock and metal scene was undeniably relevant and has continued to withstand the test of time. If you need any proof, just roll the solo from “Crazy Train” and see if your face doesn’t end up in a puddle on the floor. Spoiler alert: it will. Now, with […]
When you’re talking about great guitar tone, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of buzzwords and nostalgia. The word “iconic” gets thrown around a lot, but in the case of Jimi Hendrix, there really isn’t a better term. Hendrix inspired generations of guitarists in his tragically short career, and also expanded the palette […]
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 […]
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 […]
It’s not so much that there aren’t a good amount of bass-specific pedals that get the job done — I’m a big fan of the Boss ODB-3 and Dunlop’s bass wah, for instance. But there are certainly more made-for-guitar effects out there that are more readily available. For that reason I took a handful of guitar pedals we […]
We’ve just come out with an All-Star Gear list at zZounds of our customers’ favorite pedals, and at the top of the heap is the Boss MT-2 Metal Zone, rated at 5 stars with over 750 reviews! Reading some of our customers’ reviews on this definitive distortion pedal brought on a wave of nostalgia, and now, […]