Upgrading the bridge on your Telecaster is a more involved process than changing out your strings or pickups, but it is still a relatively common way to customize your tone. The bridge has more impact on the sustain of your notes than other commonly-upgraded aspects like the nut and frets; changing the material used in […]
Continue reading →The recent resurgence of vinyl in the music market has led more companies than ever before to develop affordable turntables that give your music the sweetness and warmth you can only get listening to a record. If you’re a newcomer to the vinyl world—or you just don’t want to have to worry about the extra […]
Continue reading →The Les Paul—named for its creator and originally released by Gibson in the early 1950s—is one of the most iconic instruments in the history of popular music. It was designed to eliminate the feedback that plagued hollowbody electric guitars when their players pushed the volume and gain. The switch to a solid wood body design […]
Continue reading →Long ago, in a place far away, a genius recognized the need for a smaller guitar. He noticed that there were exceptional players that struggled with guitars of regular size, but their love of music kept them trying . . . All jokes aside, there is certainly a well-developed market for smaller guitars, mostly oriented […]
Continue reading →If you’re browsing the web typing “best 7 string pickups” into search boxes, we can only conclude you’re the proud owner of a 7-string guitar or looking to buy one. For the uninitiated, here are some advantages of 7-string guitars over 6-strings. Obviously, you get an extra low-pitch string, allowing you to play more notes […]
Continue reading →The violin generates enough volume to play acoustically in most classical settings, but for the gigging musician, amplification is often necessary, whether you’re playing solo at a function like a wedding or part of a larger bluegrass or jazz ensemble. The basic concept of violin amplification is the same as that for other acoustic string […]
Continue reading →The Marshall Amps of the late 1960s defined the classic rock tone, thanks in large part to the 100 Watt Super Lead head installed on them—called Plexi heads for short because of their distinctive Plexiglas front panel. These vintage amp heads are still prized and cherished, not only by rock guitarist, but across the genres, […]
Continue reading →Mandolin pickups are often overlooked, but they shouldn’t be. Even in an all-string ensemble like those typical to bluegrass, a little amplification can go a long way toward making sure the mandolin can be heard in the mix. Once you start playing with electric instruments and drums, amplification becomes a necessity. Because they’re traditional an […]
Continue reading →Beginner mandolins have become popular due to the recent influx of bluegrass and folk-influenced bands in the popular music scene. The mandolin is a unique instrument that can be fun to learn, whether you’re a guitarist who wants to expand his sound arsenal or a newcomer to playing music. The quality of the materials used […]
Continue reading →The Telecaster has become known for the ability to yield a bright tone, with more than enough edge, as well as warm and mellow tones perfect for blues and jazz. Depending on the pickup mount you choose, you can stress either of the two. If you want to get that bluesy jazzy tone, then you […]
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