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!

Guitar

My C Giant story

The third guitar I purchased in my current collection of guitars was bought for a reason unlike any other prior (or since for that matter). I was looking for a guitar I could keep at work. An office guitar if you will. I considered purchasing an electric guitar for work, but ended up deciding against that for a couple of reasons.

You don’t play an electric guitar unless you’re plugging it in to something that is capable of applying distortion to your sound*.
If you’re going unplugged, an acoustic guitar is louder and therefore more annoying.

Seems logical right? … My C Giant story

Guitar

My Magnum story

Last year I wrote the first of my Scarebear’s Guitars articles. I did that for a few reasons. Firstly, I thought it would be a good thing to write about something I knew more about than my regular articles (on account of the subject matter being my own gear). Not that I generally don’t know what I’m talking about (just to be clear). Secondly, I figured it would be worthwhile highlighting that the things I write about, I own. I haven’t been lucky enough yet to experience the whole gear on loan for review experience. That would be cool though. Feel free to send me gear. Most importantly though, I started the series because this is my website and technically that makes me Scarebear. Logic! … My Magnum story

Guitars Reviews

Alpha Rhythm Generators (double album release by David Oakes)

Recently I wrote my first ever music semi-review for the Evangelos Koudonas album Into the Blue. A semi-review is when I honestly review music I most likely have a biased opinion on. Most likely biased? Well I have come to know the artist through social media. This time I’m reviewing Alpha Rhythm Generators which is a double release by David Oakes. This isn’t some random music that my editor throws on my desk to review. This is music I already like and need to inform other people about while explaining why. I should mention now that I don’t really have a desk. Or an editor. But I sure did sound important for a second there.

To the second semi-review! … Alpha Rhythm Generators (double album release by David Oakes)

iOS Reviews

Into the Blue (fresh new music by Evangelos Koudonas)

Regular visitors to this website know I have issues with colour. As much as possible I try to strip it from my website. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but Evangelos Koudonas has released the first album that I’ve decided to write about and included a colour in the album name. Obviously Evangelos couldn’t have known that I’d write this article, but still he has made me say Into the Blue is an outstanding album. Even if it does say blue. … Into the Blue (fresh new music by Evangelos Koudonas)

Guitars

The ultimate guitar lesson

Back in 2010 I wrote an article for another website of my own which was dedicated to any subject I chose to write about. I guess realistically the theme of that website was no theme. Recently events have unfolded that have reminded me of that article once again. In fact, these events are now the reason I’ve decided to re-post that article’s content here (read on for more). Hopefully you’ll also see why I believe it’s now relevant on this website (dedicated to my ongoing fascination with all things music/guitar related).

Before I share the article, I’ll quickly let you know the events that have brought me here. … The ultimate guitar lesson

Guitar Gear iOS Reviews

GuitarCapo+ for iOS—a virtual instrument and a whole lot more

Every now and then I am lucky enough to come across something before it’s officially released. Not in the illegal torrent kind of way either. I’m talking about when a developer lets me know that I may be interested in something guitar related they’ve developed. To be fair, if it is guitar related, I’m interested. I’ll often let developers know this by saying “You had me at guitar”.

What I really look forward to though are those awesome moments when I come across something new (before its official release) that I love. The upcoming version of GuitarCapo+ is one of those somethings. Yes, a change is coming for this app. … GuitarCapo+ for iOS—a virtual instrument and a whole lot more

Guitar

Audio interfaces. Who knew there were so many!?

I’ve been playing guitar terribly for many years now. I’ve also been recording my terrible guitar playing using various iOS interfaces and the apps I love for many years. Lately I decided it was time to try and record my material onto the PC using a USB audio interface. Little did I know exactly what I was getting myself into. I assumed I could simply search the Interweb for USB audio interface and pick the obvious recommendation that was suggested. I’d have liked for that to happen, but no. It seems there are multiple options each seemingly as good as each other. Damn you Interweb!

So what could I do? The answer seemed pretty obvious to me. Just ask the Interweb to decide for you. Easy right!? … Audio interfaces. Who knew there were so many!?

Guitar Gear iOS

iRig HD—Crystal clear tones for iOS guitar players

Recently I was lucky enough to win a copy of the iRig HD interface. I’ve been following IK Multimedia around the social networks long enough to know that this interface claimed to be the cleanest connection you’re likely to come across as you connect your guitar to your iOS device. I’m very skeptical normally and this time was no different. I’ve tested a few interfaces (I own several of my own) and for the most part they’re all very similar in the sound quality they provide (which is very good). When I played my guitar through my iPad using the iRig HD though, my skepticism was thrown out the window. Damn … The hype was worth it and it took me a year to realise. … iRig HD—Crystal clear tones for iOS guitar players

Guitar

Six scary questions—Rock Prodigy

I decided recently that it would be a good idea to start a new article series where I interview people from the world of guitars and/or iOS development. One of the first companies I thought of was Rock Prodigy as they cover both fields. Luckily for me, they agreed to be the first company I questioned. I am very grateful for that.

The format of this article series is simple. I ask six scary questions and one not-scary question. None of the questions are really scary questions. They’re just questions that I—Scarebear—really wanted answers to. The last question I imagine everyone wants to know the answer to.

So, without further ado … … Six scary questions—Rock Prodigy