Category: 2. Live Band Equipment

What equipment do I need to play live concerts? What equipment should I use in my home studio? Find out here.

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…)
Musician’s Friend Earth Day Celebration Green Manufactured Music Equipment

   In celebration of Earth Day 2009, (yes I know it was April 22nd) Musician’s Friend is featuring manufacturers who exemplify eco-friendly manufacturing practices. They’re also highlighting manufacturers that show and extraordinary commitment to humanitarian issues. What does this mean to those of us who play in a live band? The chance to score some very unique music equipment and do our part to help save the planet.

Martin SWDGT Drednought Acoustic Guitar

    Some of the top music equipment manufacturers feature very creative ways to help keep their manufacturing footprint to a minimum. Martin Guitar company uses wood from well-managed forests as well as using earth-friendly woods such as birch and cherry wood. I’ve seen some truly beautiful instruments made from Cherry wood such as the Martin SWDGT Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar which has solid cherry wood back and sides.

   Make sure you check out the full list of enviromentally conscious products from top manufacturers such as DW Drums, JBL, Laguna and QSC. Just click on the green banners in this post to see the excellent products presented by Musician’s Friend.
About The Product Links From Amazon, eBay and Musician’s Friend

Hi everybody, I’ve had a few people ask me if Live Musician Central is all about selling products. The answer is no, Live Musician Central is all about playing in a live band. That’s why I link the words Live Band to the homepage of Live Musician Central. So why do I have so many links to products on Live Musician Central? (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…)
Download Free Fender Cyber-Twin SE Preset Patch “LMC Matt’s Noise”

Fender Cyber-Twin SE Amplifier

Today on Live Musician Central I’m posting another of my custom programmed preset sound patches for the Fender Cyber-Twin SE amplifier. This patch is called “LMC Matt’s Noise” and is one of my ‘special effect’ sound patches. This preset is based on a British Tone Stack and the Backwards Delay effect. I personally feel that the Backwards Delay effect has to be one of the least musical effects in the Cyber-Twin SE effect bank. But, it still has it’s place in the sonic soundscape. (more…)