Articles in ‘Guitars’
Re-amping - a beginner’s guide, part two
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
In part one, we looked at the concept and the process of re-amping. Now, let’s look at the gear. First up is the Radial Re-amping Kit comprising the Radial X Amp and Radial J48. The X-Amp is an active re-amping device that allows you to take a pre-recorded track and drive two separate amps or pedals simultaneously. It features an essential ground lift and output level as well as an 180 degree polarity reverse to ensure both amps are in phase. The kit also includes a J48 active DI box. The two boxes are presented in a handy Zebra Case.
If you don’t need the J48 or are on a limited budget, the Radial ProRMP passive re-amper will … continue reading ‘Re-amping - a beginner’s guide, part two’
Digidesign Eleven Rack review – part one
by Rob Sandall, in Guitars Music Computers & Hardware, No Comments
The Digidesign Eleven Rack has been introduced to guitarists as the meeting point between sleek home production and finding the kind of no-compromise, perfect tone that all players yearn for. Well, as a guitarist first and home-production enthusiast second, I like to think that I have something of a relaxed attitude … continue reading ‘Digidesign Eleven Rack review – part one’
Re-amping - a beginner’s guide, part one
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars Studio Technique, No Comments
Re-amping is a relatively new term in the vocabulary of the pro-audio and studio engineer. For guitarists, this may be the first time you’ve come across it. If you don’t have a recording set up at home or are not involved in the audio recording process in any way, this article will probably be of no interest to you. But if you do record your own songs, or produce others, and you do loads of guitar tracks and are always frustrated at having to ‘print’ guitar sounds and being stuck with them at mix down, this is a process is well worth investigating.
The definition of re-amping is this - it’s when a recorded signal is routed back out of its … continue reading ‘Re-amping - a beginner’s guide, part one’
Gibson Angus Young SG - For Those About to Rock
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
The Gibson Angus Young SG Standard is a completely new version of the SG, and unlike any other of the previous reissues which were based on Angus’s 1968 SG Standard, features the guitarist’s own personal appointments.
The Gibson SG has provided the signature tone on which AC/DC have based their monumental rock onslaught ever since the band emerged from Australia in the mid-1970s. Angus has never used anything else, and for him to switch to a different guitar now would be unthinkable. The SG is the perfect rock rhythm guitar, it doesn’t have as much sustain or power as the Les Paul, which makes for cleaner ‘chording’, and because the neck joint isn’t as solid, you get a lovely natural vibrato when you shake the neck … continue reading ‘Gibson Angus Young SG - For Those About to Rock’
Epiphone Les Paul Standard Transblack - Limited Edition
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This 2010 model Epiphone Les Paul Standard Limited Edition in Transblack is a striking looking guitar by anybody’s standards. Essentially it’s a mahogany body, maple capped Les Paul in the traditional sense but with the flamed maple top still clearly visible under the transparent black finish.
This is going to appeal to the player who wants that ‘all-black’ vibe and the associated connotations with hard rock and metal. However, they may still want to retain some traditional features for when they haul it out to a blues jam or lend it to their Dad. They dont want to go all they way with skulls and crossbones and associated insignia on their … continue reading ‘Epiphone Les Paul Standard Transblack - Limited Edition’
Michael Sanden and True Temperament
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
It was a real pleasure to meet Michael Sanden, the Swedish luthier, pictured here at his visit to DV in Romford accompanied by his long time friend and demonstrator, Homesick Mac. Michael has been building guitars, mandolas and lap steels for getting on for 28 years from his workshop in Garsnas in Sweden and with his wife Kari, turns out on average three guitars a week, completely hand built and … continue reading ‘Michael Sanden and True Temperament’
Tanglewood Master Designer - Michael Sanden
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
The Tanglewood TSR 3 MasterDesign electro acoustic guitar which is pictured opposite is a great example of what can be achieved when a respected guitar brand joins with a master luthier. How so? DV was recently lucky to play host to Michael Sanden, the world renowned Swedish luthier who was kind enough to take time out from his guitar building schedule to visit these shores and our stores to promote not only the Tanglewood Master Design acoustics but his own hand built models. There was a surprise in store for everybody concerning the hand built models, but more of that later.
Tanglewood approached Michael Sanden two … continue reading ‘Tanglewood Master Designer - Michael Sanden’
PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 2
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
Continuing our preview of the Paul Reed Smith 25th Anniversary models, I’ve picked out three of the more unusual guitars. The first is the 25th Anniversary Swamp Ash Special Narrowfield. This is a pretty versatile instrument featuring a solid swamp ash body, bolt-on maple neck with an optional maple fingerboard and three Narrow Field pickups. The five way blade switch … continue reading ‘PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 2’
PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 1
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
When Paul Reed Smith started out in the 1970’s building a few guitars at college, I wonder if he ever dreamed that one day he would be up there sharing elbow room with the biggest and most established guitar manufacturers in the world. His refinements and innovations such as scale length, construction methods, vibrato sytem, pickup design and aesthetics have made … continue reading ‘PRS Guitars 25th Anniversary Models - Part 1’
Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary - Top Score
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary is a one-off, special edition acoustic from Gibson. They are only making 20. Look again, that’s right, only a score of these guitars will be made - for the world. That’s a seriously miniscule number, even for a limited edition.
The Gibson Advanced Jumbo was introduced in 1936 but only 300 instruments were made. It was supposed to be in direct competition to the Martin D28, which had established itself as a big, booming ‘cannon’ of a guitar. The Advanced Jumbo was cheaper than the D28, featured Brazilian rosewood back and sides and an Adirondack spruce top just like the Martin. It was the D28’s equal in volume and bass response … continue reading ‘Gibson AJ Custom 20th Anniversary - Top Score’
Guitar Wireless Systems - Have You Gone Wireless Yet? Part 2
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
The freedom a wireless system offers is often underestimated. How many times would you love to hear how your guitar sounds from the back of the room? Now you can, and you may be in for a surprise. Another reason to go wireless is safety - you simply cannot get an electric shock using one. Having been on the receiving end of a few belts caused by some faulty wiring, I cannot emphasise how unpleasant it is.
The most common problems encountered by wireless users are always to do with interference and drop-outs. Even drum racks and lighting trusses can cause problems and if there are several instruments in the band employing wireless, they must always be set to … continue reading ‘Guitar Wireless Systems - Have You Gone Wireless Yet? Part 2’
Guitar Wireless Systems - Have You Gone Wireless Yet? Part 1
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
If you, as a guitarist, have been putting off going ‘wireless’, there could be several reasons. Worries over cost may be among them, alongside the fact that you typically play in a pub standing no more than six feet from your amp. Additionally you might be concerned about reliability, or that the technology could somehow change your sound. If any of these worries sound familiar – and for many guitarists they probably will – then please read on.
For a long time, guitar wireless systems were no more than a variation of a wireless microphone set up. They shared the same receiver but instead of the microphone, had a little transmitter which attached to the … continue reading ‘Guitar Wireless Systems - Have You Gone Wireless Yet? Part 1’
Ear Training - A Guitarist’s Note
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
There’s lots of software like this EarMaster 5 Pro which will help musicians develop ear training, attain perfect pitch, and recognize harmony. They are all in their own way excellent tools, more than fit for purpose, and no doubt will do the job adequately.
However, if you’re just learning an instrument, especially the guitar, you may not have the facilities or even the desire to get to grips with software and all that it involves. In fact, most people who learn guitar do so because it doesn’t necessitate learning music in the traditional way. There are millions of guitarists around … continue reading ‘Ear Training - A Guitarist’s Note’
Gibson Flying V - Due for a Revival?
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
This iconic guitar, the Gibson Flying V, has now been around for 50 odd years. However, it hasn’t been in continuous production for all that time like the ES-335 or Stratocaster.
In fact it was discontinued by Gibson in 1960 through general lack of interest, but now the consensus is that it was ahead of its time design wise, along with the other two models in the ‘futuristic’ stable at the time, the Explorer and the Moderne. There were sporadic reissues in the 1960s and 1970s, but it was only with the rise of 1980s metal players that it began to gain popularity. Now it’s in continuous production.
The various design changes, custom jobs and different variations of the … continue reading ‘Gibson Flying V - Due for a Revival?’
A Guide to Buying Guitars – part two
by Marc Noel-Johnson, in Guitars, No Comments
When you visit a guitar store, take some time to browse around and look at the stock. Does it look clean, or is everything covered in a layer of dust? Have a close look at the guitars, especially the acoustics; are the strings tarnished or rusty? Take note of the type of guitars on sale - are they all in the cheaper price bracket? Are there only one or two expensive guitars that they keep behind the counter? If so, you’re probably in a place where they don’t really have access to the major brands and … continue reading ‘A Guide to Buying Guitars – part two’
