Reviews

Amaryllis release Revolt (in the most positive way)

Social media can be awesome. For example, there’s this cool website called Strumm (it’s all about guitars) that I initially came across on Twitter. I discovered this epic winning guy called Dan there. He plays guitar in a band called Amaryllis. As you can see, before I knew it I had gone from Twitter, to Strumm, back to Twitter and eventually on to the BandCamp site for Amaryllis. It was there that I discovered some truly amazing music.

Social media for the win! … Amaryllis release Revolt (in the most positive way)

Amplifiers

52 Amplifier Heads, week 22—Dr.Z M12

I’ve mentioned in a few articles this year that I currently derive a lot of my tone through my pedals. It’s the method I’m used to. I also love experimenting with pedals to experience different sounds and styles. Therefore as I continue to research the amplifier that will become my first all-tube amplifier, it’s encouraging to find an amplifier that claims to be for players who love their pedals as much as their guitars. That’s me! Bring it on Dr.Z. I think I’m a fan of the philosophy behind the M12. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 22—Dr.Z M12

Amplifiers

52 Amplifier Heads, week 21—Blackheart BH5H Little Giant

I was once asked how dark I wanted to make a design that I was working on. My response was “As black as your heart”. That didn’t go down very well. The design I ended up creating was awesome though. I class that as a win. So when I come across an amplifier called the Little Giant by Blackheart I naturally assume it will also be a winner. How could it not be?! … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 21—Blackheart BH5H Little Giant

Reviews

Lo-Fi Lullabies—Steve Case’s best release to date

I’ve been lucky enough to provide some graphic design assistance to Steve Case on some of his previous CD releases. Before that and since, I’ve been a fan of his dedication to what I consider honest and real music. He’s an artist and I’m glad I’ve managed to work with him. So, as I’ve done before with my previous semi-reviews of music I’ve had a bias towards, I continue with my music review series. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to experience this new EP by Steve and either be taken back to the times where people wrote songs that were long lasting or experience that sensation for the very first time. Either way, lucky you. … Lo-Fi Lullabies—Steve Case’s best release to date

Amplifiers

52 Amplifier Heads, week 20—Divided by 13 CCC 9/15

Yesterday was the 13th of May. 13 is an unlucky number for some people. Me? Not so much. I’m not superstitious (although I am pretty sure the world will end if the 8-ball keyring I’ve had since my wife gave it to me back in 1992 ever breaks). What if your amplifier was divided by 13? Well I’m pretty sure you’d be one lucky individual—especially if that amplifier was the CCC 9/15. That’s one sexy black and white all-tube amplifier. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 20—Divided by 13 CCC 9/15

Guitar

Guitar Sauce wiring kits—they rock!

People who follow me on any social network have probably seen me refer to my Notcaster from time to time. My Notcaster is a guitar I assembled using only components purchased on eBay. I will no doubt write more about the guitar here one day in my Scarebear’s guitars article series. Essentially, the Notcaster is a guitar that looks like a Telecaster, but isn’t. The initial guitar was purchased on eBay as a brand new guitar for $27. So you can imagine the quality of the guitar. Over time I’ve changed many components but one thing remained from the original guitar. The wiring. Thanks to Guitar Sauce (sadly, no longer around), that has finally changed. Luckily, it changed for the better. … Guitar Sauce wiring kits—they rock!

Amplifiers

52 Amplifier Heads, week 19—Dr.J Pedal Lover

I’ve written recently in a few articles how I like to get a lot of my tone from the pedals on my pedalboard. It’s not the perfect way to get the perfect tone, but I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I do like to experiment a lot with gear though. So I remind myself of that fact this week as I investigate another potential tube amplifier to begin my tube amplifier journey with.

I need an amplifier that has been created for someone like me—a guitar pedal lover. I don’t want to have to think too hard about it either. If only someone could create an amplifier with a name that let me know it was the right amplifier for me. Oh wait, Dr. J may have done that with their Pedal Lover amplifier head.

Awesome. Job done. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 19—Dr.J Pedal Lover

Guitar Gear Reviews

Pedal Check—YouTube guitar pedal videos ranked by users

Have you ever gone to YouTube with the intention of watching a video about a guitar pedal you’re considering buying only to be distracted by non-guitar related videos and/or videos not related to the actual pedal you went to YouTube for in the first place? I know I have. It can be annoying. If only there was a way to view YouTube videos that were guaranteed to only be about guitar pedals. Oh wait … with Pedal Check there is.

Well that’s handy. … Pedal Check—YouTube guitar pedal videos ranked by users

Guitar Gear Reviews

New B&W plectrums from PlecPicker

Earlier this year I wrote about the glow-in-the-dark plectrums from PlecPicker.com. Now the folks at PlecPicker have released a new range of plectrums that once again include free shipping (global). That’s awesome. The new range appeals to me greatly and there are a few reasons for that. Firstly, the new range is slightly thinner at .71mm. Secondly, the new plectrums have a different texture with increased grip. Thirdly and most importantly, the new plectrums are black and white. Perfect plectrums for this little website. … New B&W plectrums from PlecPicker