Brand-specific pedalboards—the Boss guitar pedals build

I started a new series last week for brand-specific pedalboards. It’s a series because today I’m adding the second entry that I’m cleverly calling Brand-specific pedalboards—the Boss guitar pedals build. I’m a marketing genius! I could have started the series with Boss pedals for several reasons. Obvious reasons for me would have included the fact that my first two guitar pedals were Boss pedals—I still have them both—or that Boss is a brand most guitarists would have heard of. I don’t like being too obvious or predictable though. So here we are with the second entry in the series. Let the continued dreaming of perfectly designed pedalboards continue. … Brand-specific pedalboards—the Boss guitar pedals build

Guitar

Brand-specific pedalboards—the Strymon guitar pedals build

I was chatting with a couple of friends on Twitter recently—let’s call these friends Peter and Brad*—about the concept of building a guitar pedalboard with pedals exclusive to one particular brand. It’s not something I’d considered before. I normally go looking for a specific pedal type I like and then see what is the best option for my style and budget. Mostly budget—I have an understanding wife who understands only to a point. But, if the single goal was to just have only one brand on the pedalboard, Peter and Brad both said one place they would start was with Strymon guitar pedals.

I trust Peter and Brad. So I did some research on the Strymon guitar pedal range and easily decided on the following pedals to build a very sexy and most-likely impressive sounding pedalboard. … Brand-specific pedalboards—the Strymon guitar pedals build

Guitar

Sonoma Wire Works updates Guitartone and you benefit from it

Sonoma Wire Works has updated their iOS app of guitar tone goodness—cleverly named GuitarTone—to version 3. There are all-new tube models to choose from in their amp offerings that take advantage of improvements available in tone through iOS 10 devices. To celebrate the update, they’re also giving away some free amp and effect add-ons to early adopters. You may also win $300 worth of Sonoma Wire Works goodies. It’s a good day to be a Sonoma Wire Works and GuitarTone 3 fan/user. … Sonoma Wire Works updates Guitartone and you benefit from it

Music

Streamed music—how valet parking made me see its true value

I recently had a need to park my car at the local airport. It happens a few times each year for work and for pleasure. Most of the time I use the airport’s valet parking service. It’s easier than remembering where I left my car. Yes, I’m that lazy. But after the parking situation I experienced last week, I won’t be back. Ever.

What’s that got to do with streamed music and its superiority over physical media like CDs? Good question. Here’s my better answer.

… Streamed music—how valet parking made me see its true value

Music

Songs that say “Go!” (at least seven of them if we’re counting)

Well look at that. March is getting closer to ending and I’ve not written anything on this site since the year started. Slack! Lazy! Unmotivated! Well all that changes now because I’ve found a theme in certain rock songs that motivates me. These are the songs where the vocalist chooses the most opportune time to yell something motivational. These are songs that say Go!

It’s not always delivered at the same moment in a song, but the result for me is always the same. It’s the sign to get the fist-pump of awesomeness ready. The scream of approval for the epicness that is about to come. The customary heavy banging of the head. The attempt to thrust your foot through the floor. All of these uncontrollable moments. The band knows it, you know it. The vocalist authenticates it.

These are some of my favourite “Go!” moments. These will surely get me pumped enough to finally get back into the swing of things.

Things being guitar playing, blogging and music-creating on a regular basis. … Songs that say “Go!” (at least seven of them if we’re counting)

Guitar Scarebear

Megatober … the guitar challenge did finish successfully

I’m not* saying that I’m a little bit behind in my blogging, but Megatober was actually a successful challenge for me. I did manage to attempt 31 new Megadeth riffs during Megatober. I just didn’t manage to write about them or the things I learned—other than the riffs themselves—in a timely manner. So I thought as 2016 comes to an end I would wrap up the challenge that was Megatober—two months after the fact.

* I’m saying I am incredibly behind! … Megatober … the guitar challenge did finish successfully

Guitar Scarebear

Megatober hits week three … I’m still going!

As far as Megatober attendance goes, I’ve managed a 75% success rate so far. That’s from the grand total. Not from the 21 days so far. From the 21 days so far, I’ve managed 100%. So I’m totally winning. But Megatober isn’t about attendance. It’s about learning 31 different Megadeth riffs in the month of October. I’m almost certain I’ll nail it. I won’t perfect 31 riffs—I’m not that good a guitar player—but I sure will continue to have fun trying.

Last week’s entry ended with a mention of day 15. So let’s start with day 16’s learning. It is not where the third week began, but it was a bit of a Disconnect. … Megatober hits week three … I’m still going!

Guitar Scarebear

Megatober continues into week two

My monthly challenge to learn a new Megadeth riff a day—which I have cleverly called Megatober—continues. Did I bite off more than my guitar playing skillset can handle? Absolutely. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? Not according to the saying. But I’m very stubborn. I’m very quickly discovering what my limits are, but damned if I’m not enjoying trying these daily challenges.

If you watch the following examples of the second week’s progress, you may not share that enjoyment. Kudos to you for continuing anyway. … Megatober continues into week two