Six scary questions—TonApp As

I was lucky enough to have come across Jon-Morten from TonApp As on Twitter last year and then discover the very cool iOS app he had developed called GuitarCapo+ (which you’ve no doubt seen me write about and make a video for). I’m a big fan of GuitarCapo+ so I was very excited when Jon-Morten agreed to participate in my Six Scary Questions article series. So, if you’re interested in seeing what makes TonApp As tick and potentially see what’s in store, read on.

If you’re a guitar lover, you may love the ending. I do. Ssshhh … … Six scary questions—TonApp As

Guitar Scarebear

2014 … Instagram style

Back in 2011 when I decided to shift the focus of my website to my guitar fascination (prior to 2011 I used this site for my graphic design fascination), I had a small obsession with the wonders of iOS. Today I still do. I’m not currently writing about it as much, but I realised today that last year—2014—I continued to use iOS for my social media usage and monitoring, content discovery, video editing, guitar recording, photography and a whole lot more. So as I look back on the year that was, I thought I’d use iOS to put together a homage to my version of 2014.

It’s a 15 second video. It’s going to take me longer than that to explain how it was created though. … 2014 … Instagram style

Guitar

Six scary questions—Moniker Guitars

Today I am very pleased to say that I have six awesome responses to six scary (they’re not really) questions I put to the talented folks at Moniker Guitars. If you haven’t heard of Moniker Guitars then you’re either on the wrong website right now, have never read anything I’ve written here, never seen my Instagram posts or simply require some edumacation (real word). Never fear dear reader, I’m here for you.

Moniker Guitars simply make the greatest customised guitars this side of anything. Yes, anything. They made my Scarebear Reedsdale in 2013. I’m hoping they’ll one day make me another guitar. I probably need to talk to my wife about that at some stage. Who knows, they could make your next guitar. To help you find out out more about them and their skills, read on as Kevin Tully from Moniker Guitars provides answers.

You may just enjoy yourself.

… Six scary questions—Moniker Guitars

Guitar

52 Amplifiers—the summary

Another year and another 52 series completed. Who knew there’d be 52 different amplifier head manufacturers out there able to produce high quality amplifier heads (all tube) that would match my home playing/recording needs? I sure didn’t. Obviously I was hopeful—imagine how lame a 52 article series would be with ten articles in it—but I sure wasn’t confident initially.

Luckily the Interwebs and the many talented tube head amplifier manufacturers came to save the day. In the end I—no, we—end up with this list of 52 amplifier head options for people like me who are searching for their first low wattage and/or affordable all-tube amplifier head. Or all-valve if that’s the lingo your prefer. I go both ways (talking tubes/valves here).

So, onto the complete list. … 52 Amplifiers—the summary

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Online guitar related shopping experiences—the good and the bad

Last month, Mick from the Guitarist Guild forums posted a thread asking what experiences people had to share regarding online purchases (related to guitar gear). I shared my list of mostly good experiences and thought I’d expand upon that here. Why? Because although the experiences have been mostly good—actually, very good—there is that one bad experience I’d like to get out there and finally move on from. That experience is the Buddemeyer Hangnail Pro guitar that never happened and left me out-of-pocket $625USD. … Online guitar related shopping experiences—the good and the bad

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Five 7-string guitars under $200USD

I wrote earlier this year about the four 7-string guitars I wouldn’t mind owning. I’m yet to get a 7-string guitar and of course want one. With an impending trip to the USA on the cards, I thought I’d look at the most affordable 7-string options I could find that I could then bring back with me. Amazingly, I found five top-name guitars all under $200USD.

I am clearly living in the wrong country. … Five 7-string guitars under $200USD

Guitar

52 Amplifier Heads, week 52—EVH 5150 III 50-watt head

Today marks the end of this weekly series of dream amplifier heads. I’ve mentioned before that I wanted to end on a high and the EVH 5150 III 50-watt head is certainly going to do that. Is it bigger than any other amplifier I’ve written about in this series? Absolutely. Was it recommended to me several times during the year as I researched amplifier heads? Definitely. Does it allow me to make the sequence 52, 51, 50 (week # followed by amplifier name)? Damn straight it does. I’m clever like that. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 52—EVH 5150 III 50-watt head

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52 Amplifier Heads, week 51—Rivera Pubster 25

This week’s amplifier head is a beauty. It’s 25 watts (so not the smallest amplifier I’ve looked at) and it is apparently perfect for practice, recording and gigging. This could be the right size (physically and volume related) and the right budget (coming in around $1000 USD). Maybe my first all tube amplifier head could be the only one I need! With the Rivera Pubster 25 it seems like a possibility.

Good thing my wife never reads this blog. Who’d seriously suggest stopping any kind of gear acquisition no matter how many pieces of gear you already had?! Not I. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 51—Rivera Pubster 25

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GuitarCapo+ video review (of sorts)

I’ve written about GuitarCapo+ before and it sure has advanced since then. Now it’s not only an amazing virtual instrument, but it’s a priceless educational tool for guitarists both young and old. I’m also pleased to say that the developer of this app is welcoming of constructive criticism. As a fan of the app it’s encouraging to see your suggestions are listened to and implemented (if sensible).

I have some crazy ideas from time to time. … GuitarCapo+ video review (of sorts)

Guitar

52 Amplifier Heads, week 50—Bugera Amps G5 Infinium

Week 50 and that means this is the 50th amplifier manufacturer I have written about this year. Who knew there were 50 amplifier manufacturers out there? Initially I didn’t. Then I started this article series and before I knew it my mind was blown. I did wonder if the article series would fade and wane at the end like a cheap and nasty 10 watt solid state amplifier. The further I delved into my research however the more confident I was that this series would end on a high. The Bugera Amps G5 Infinium makes me feel like one cocky bastard. My confidence was justified.

With two amplifiers to go after this week’s article, it’s game on! Bugera Amps has laid down the challenge (they just don’t know they did that). … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 50—Bugera Amps G5 Infinium