Category: Guitar Gear

Guitars, Effects, Accessories, Amps and more

Affordable Practice Amp – Marshall MS-2 Micro Amp Review

Marshall MS-2 Micro Amplifier

A few years ago I was looking for a cheap battery powered amplifier to take with me on the road so I could practice my electric guitar while travelling. I really just wanted a convenient way to stay in practice for when I gigged with my live band. I came across the Marshall MS-2 Micro Amplifier during my search and I decided to give it a try. I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised at how well this tiny amplifier filled my needs for a portable practice amp.

The Marshall MS-2 stands a mere 5-3/4″ high and looks like a classic Marshall half-stack. The amplifier is powered by a single 9-volt battery that fits into a slot on the back of the amp and is very easy to change. The MS-2 has the Marshall logo on the front of the amplifier with a gold colored control panel. The amp has a guitar input jack, volume, tone and power/overdrive switch on the front panel. On the side it has a headphone output and a power adapter input plug if you want to use an external power adapter. You can also use the headphone out to run to a larger amplifier if you want to use the MS-2 as a pre-amp distortion box. (more…)
Video Demonstration Of The Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbucker Pickup

Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbucker Pickup

   The other day I talked about my experience using the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbucker in my custom made Stratocaster. I truly have been happy with the SH-4 JB and I highly recommend it for your guitar as well.

   Today I’m posting a couple videos from YouTube that were posted by user “walkintheseshoes”. He is demonstrating the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB pickup in the bridge position and the Seymour Duncan SH-2 in the neck position. It’s a very well done demo video because he plays the same riff with the pickups set in their various configurations so you can really guage how the pickup sounds.

   In the video he demonstrates each pickup alone, then combined and finally with the coil tap engaged. This is really an excellent example of how the Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB pickup sounds. It’s also a great demonstration of how versatile this pickup is.   (more…)
Upgrade Your Guitar’s Pickup With The Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbucker

Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB Humbucker Pickup

One of the best (if not THE best) humbucker pickups I have ever owned is my Seymour Duncan SH-4 JB pickup. I have been playing in my live band using the SH-4 in my custom built Stratocaster for quite a few years now. I have had this pickup in my guitar since 1986 and I have always loved the way it sounds. (more…)
Jellifish Chorus Guitar Pick Review

Jellifish Chorus Guitar Pick

I’m always looking for interesting and innovative products to try and and possibly use when playing in my live band. So I took a great interest in the the Jellifish Chorus Guitar Pick. The sales material says that you can get 3 trademark sounds from this guitar pick. Chorus, which generates a 12-string like effect. Pluck, which is like a hammered dulcimer. Bow, which sounds like a cello. So naturally I had to order one and give it a try.

I’ve got a great story about my experience with ordering the Jellifish from Music123. I ordered several different picks from Music123 that I had been wanting to try out including the Jellifish Chorus Guitar Pick. When my order arrived, the Jellifish pick had been damaged in shipping and the metal tines had become bent which put a serious damper on the picks intended uses. So I called Music123 to request a return authorization and the simply said, keep the damaged one and we’ll send you a new Jellifish pick free of charge. That, in my opinion, was excellent customer service. I didn’t have to go through the hassle of returning the damaged pick and I got 2 picks for the price of one. I was able to bend the damaged pick straight enough that it would work even though it didn’t work as well as the undamaged one. (more…)
Eddie Van Halen Interview About The EVH Wolfgang Guitar

If there’s one live band that changed the whole world of Rock-N-Roll it was Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen is one of the most legendary live guitarists of all time and he is also a guitar building guru. From his earliest day’s as a guitarist he was experimenting with his guitars and changing up their designs. Just the replica of his legendary Van Halen Frankenstein guitar is sought after by collectors and lusted after by fans.

The new EVH Wolfgang Guitar by Fender is the latest and greatest culmination of Eddie’s relentless quest for guitar design perfection. In this video, Eddie himself talks about the the design process and unique qualites that went into creating the new EVH Wolfgang guitar. (more…)
Steve Vai Demo Video For The Jemini Distortion Pedal

Jemini Distortion Pedal by Steve Vai and Ibanez

If you’re a guitarist playing in a live band, then no doubt you’ve searched high and low for killer distortion pedals. Today I’m posting up a video of Mr. Steve Vai himself doing a demonstration of his Signature Jemini Distortion Pedal which he designed with Ibanez. Get ready, because killer playing ensues on the video!

This video had me laughing out loud several times as Steve cracks jokes with himself. I’m not kidding you, there are two Steve Vai’s in this video and they even play an amazing guitar duet. I thought the “Jack Butler” reference from the movie “Crossroads” was pretty hilarious. Whoever did the video editing is a genius and Steve does a fantastic job interacting with himself in the video. So grab a snack, settle in and get ready to laugh and be blown away by Steve Vai’s incredible guitar (and acting?) skills! (more…)
Gibson Les Paul Studio Versus Gibson Les Paul Custom Guitar Review

Gibson Les Paul Studio – Faded Cherry Only $999

As you all know, I play primarily Fender Stratocasters in my live band. But I have to admit that I do own a Gibson Les Paul Custom but it’s current pricing is just outrageous and I can’t recommend it if you’re on a budget. I had the opportunity to play a Gibson Les Paul Studio just the other day and I was very impressed with the guitar. This is how I feel it compares to my Gibson Les Paul Custom. (more…)
Fender Cyber-Twin SE Amplifier Demo Video

For all you guitarists currently playing in a live band, Fender Musical just posted up this excellent demo video of the Fender Cyber-Twin SE Amplifier. I use and love the Fender Cyber-Twin SE and I highly recommend this amplifier for any gigging musician out there. Greg Koch is absolutely right about the Cyber-Twin SE saving you from having to haul tons of equipment to your gigs. That’s the main reason I began using the Cyber-Twin SE, so I wouldn’t have to haul so many different pieces of equipment to the gig.

The video features guitarists Greg Koch and Gary Hoey along with Fender amplifier marketing manager Shane Nicholas. Needless to say, you’re in for some excellent guitar playing in this video! This is by far the best demo video I’ve seen of the Fender Cyber-Twin SE amplifier and it’s worth watching simply for the incredible guitar playing by Gary Hoey in part 3 of the video. (more…)
Fender Frontman 212R 2×12 Guitar Combo Amp Review

Fender Frontman 212R Guitar Amplifier

I get asked all the time for guitar amplifier recommendations from guitarists that want to have a good amp to use in their live band. The amp I use and love is the Fender Cyber-Twin SE and I highly recommend that guitar amplifier. The Cyber-Twin SE is a professional quality amp which is also fairly expensive but I believe it’s worth every penny. That being said, many guitarists who are just starting out in their first live band are looking for quality guitar amplification and they don’t have a lot of cash to spend on an amplifier. That’s why today I’m going to talk about the extremely affordable Fender Frontman 212R guitar amplifier. (more…)
How A Handy Pocket Metronome Can Increase Your Playing Speed And Accuracy

Seiko DM70 Pocket Metronome

Playing in a live band can be very challenging rhythmically because the thing that really makes a live band sound great is keeping the rhythm and groove happening. It’s so important to practice to some sort of rhythm when you work on your instrument whether it be keyboards, guitar, bass or drums. I’ve written about practicing to a beat and not a metronome and I still feel that practicing to a beat is the best way to get good at playing rhythmically. Practicing to different types of beats will teach you to play in a musical groove. With that being said, there are times when you want to practice with a plain old metronome.

(more…)