This week’s article was a difficult choice for me to make. I had a couple of options to choose from at Reeves Amplification. There is the Custom 10 or the Custom 12. I decided to go for the latter. If Spinal Tap can go to 11, I figure I had better go to 12. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 9—Reeves Custom 12
52 Amplifier Heads, week 8—Hiwatt T10HD
With all this learning I’ve been doing lately I figured it was time to take it back to the basics. I’m not an overly skilled guitarist. In fact, I’m barely a skilled guitarist. I need an amplifier that can provide me with some good tone. That’s all. If I need to add anything else, I can do that using any one of my current guitar pedals. If I start with a good tone though, surely the rest is icing on the cake. The Hiwatt T10HD could give me that sponge cake base I’m looking for!
That’s a terrible intro. Hopefully the rest of this article isn’t as half-baked. … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 8—Hiwatt T10HD
52 Amplifier Heads, week 7—Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head
I’ll be honest. As I continue with this weekly article series, I increase my knowledge of tube amplifiers. Some amplifier heads have tube preamps. Some have tube poweramps. Some have both. Amplifier heads like the Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Head have tubes for the poweramp, preamp and the FX loop. That alone makes me want this head! … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 7—Orange Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head
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
Six scary questions—Codella Guitars
Last year I wrote an article each week about the guitars I would love to own (if budget wasn’t a real-world concern). One of the guitars I wrote about was by Codella Guitars. I don’t remember how I came across the company, but I was glad I did. Obviously I could only write about what I saw as I’m on the side of the planet that California isn’t. So how do I find out more about a guitar company I still want to know more about? Easy! I continue with my Six scary questions series! Let the questions and answers begin. … Six scary questions—Codella Guitars
52 Amplifier Heads, week 6—Marshall DSL15H
This week I thought I’d focus on a brand I’m already familiar with. Perhaps you are too. Some guitarists have actually heard of Marshall Amps (just like some people have heard of Fender and Gibson). I’m familiar with the brand because I have a couple of their solid state models. One is small (15 watt) and the other is insanely tiny (1 watt). The all valve amplifier head I’ve decided to focus on today is the DSL15H and I’ve little doubt it would blow my solid state amplifiers away (as awesome as they happen to be). … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 6—Marshall DSL15H
Six scary questions—BeatBuddy
This whole interview people from within the guitar and music industry thing is still new to me. Luckily the people I’ve approached so far have been very welcoming and accommodating of my six (plus one) questions. As this series is a first for me, I thought it would be wise to interview someone familiar with firsts. So today’s interview is with BeatBuddy—the world’s first guitar pedal drum machine. I’m glad I managed to snare these great responses.
I appreciate any opportunity for a musical pun. Stick around, the questions begin … now! … Six scary questions—BeatBuddy
52 Amplifier Heads, week 5—Ibanez TSA15H
The first real guitar I owned was an Ibanez. I still have that guitar actually. I love it. I’ve loved the Ibanez brand since the guy that taught me how to play power chords let me use his. Knowing how awesome Ibanez guitars are, I can only imagine how awesome their amps could be. This week I’m imagining the Ibanez TSA15H. In my mind, it’s awesome! … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 5—Ibanez TSA15H
52 Amplifier Heads, week 4—Two-Rock Exo-15
Last week I wrote about a 15 watt amplifier head. I can’t just come straight back down from those lofty heights. I am now used to the power. I’m power mad! In my search for an amp head that spoke to my metal urges, I discovered the Two-Rock Exo-15. Two-Rock is a cool name. The Exo-15 is an awesome looking head (it appears to be an all metal construction) and the videos I’ve seen make me think the amp could deliver (distorted or not). … 52 Amplifier Heads, week 4—Two-Rock Exo-15
Six scary questions—Sonoma Wireworks
The Six scary questions series of articles wouldn’t be a series without at least two articles in it. Thanks to Sonoma Wireworks, we have a series! Sonoma Wireworks has been creating software and hardware for the musical community for quite some time now. I’ve used their software and hardware, but I hadn’t asked them six scary questions yet. Because my questions aren’t actually scary, I still haven’t. I did get answers to these questions though. … Six scary questions—Sonoma Wireworks