My involvement in the creation of the Dialtone Pickups logo was minimal to be honest (the core components were already in place). Having said that, I did work with the Dialtone Pickups team to tweak their existing logo to get the placement of elements just as they wanted them. The font was changed as well to one that better suited the brand.
From a pure graphic design perspective, the brand now has a logo file that can be used on any platform and in any colour.
… Dialtone Pickups logo
Over the last few days I’ve been posting pictures and asking questions on my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr accounts. Of course they’ve all been guitar related questions, but they’ve been questions with reason. By posting these photos and asking these questions I’ve compiled quite the list of reasons people need multiple guitars. I now have justification for my current collection as well as future purchases. Yes! That’s how I’ve justified it in my mind at least. If you agree, you also have the benefit of this list of reasons to refer to when justifying your next intended guitar purchase.
You’re welcome. … 12 reasons you need multiple guitars
After 24 weeks of researching what will be the first tube amplifier head I am destined to purchase, I thought it was time to revisit my needs. What am I after exactly? A tube head obviously. But what are the specifics? Basically, they are this:
As you can see, my needs are simple. But what I’m really after is something that provides more metal tones than anything else. I want a built-in metal tone that I can expand upon with my pedal farm. I want an amplifier head that looks metal because it is metal. Hello Randall Diavlo RD5H. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 24—Randall Diavlo RD5H
Plenty of guitar gear seems to come out of the United Kingdom (UK). A lot of it seems to be seriously good too. Must be all the hours they have to spend inside on account of the terrible weather. Whatever the reason, I’m glad. It makes my ongoing search for a tube amplifier head easier. I just search for something like guitar amplifier manufacturer UK and discover companies like Laney. Then I peruse their website and before you know it, Bam! Laney Cub head. Perfect. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 23—Laney Cub Head
I can’t even remember how I stumbled upon Dialtone Pickups. But I know when I did, I thought “WANT!” The more I see and hear as the company continues on what surely has to be an amazing journey the more I begin to think “Shut up and take my money!”
Now to convince my wife that another guitar related purchase is justified. … Dialtone Pickups—complete tone control at the fingertips
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)
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
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
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
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
