Playing a tube amp is sort of like listening to your favorite album on vinyl, or driving a 1966 Mustang to work. It’s not the simple way or the cheap way. It’s probably not the most efficient or even effective way. But it is the classy way. Certain things are timeless- even if they are …
It’s a very good time to be a nonconformist. Sure, we as a society are pretty deep in the mass manufacturing and cheap imports phase of modern industrialization. Yet this soulless consumption has bred a wonderful counter-culture. Over the last couple of decades, an amazing small artisan scene has bloomed across many disciplines. Anyone sick …
Okay, I’m a bassist so I’m biased as can be, but I am going to make a bold statement anyway: the bass is the most universally important instrument. From old-school jazz bands, to rock, funk and disco. From pop to hip hop to punk. Across all these genres, you may or may not have singers, …
How to Make Electric Bass Sound Like an Upright Bass Read More »
If you didn’t sleep through the 00s, you can probably sing the riff to Seven Nation Army from memory. And with good reason. This song’s impact speaks for itself. I actually think it’s the greatest rock and roll riff anyone has written since the 80s, and nothing has bested it since. In a time of …
The most amazing thing about music, to me, is the endless possibilities it represents. Particularly in the modern era- inexpensive electronic technology has made us musical superhumans compared to just a generation or two ago. The power of music studios that used to fill rooms, cost a year’s salary, and require years of experience to …
In 1982, The Ramones had already Bopped to the Blitzkreig and fully expressed their desire to be sedated. Hell, they had already moved on to working with Phil Spector and making a movie. Loud guitars and driving drums were nothing new, and you might be forgiven to think punk rock had come and gone. And …
What’s more gorgeous than the lush tone of an acoustic guitar? How about an acoustic guitar that’s two acoustic guitars! Well, it’s slightly more complicated than that, but that’s the basic idea of the 12-string guitar. As subtle and complex as music can be, sometimes it’s really as simple as “the same, but more!” Or …
Welcome to the 21st century. A phone that’s smaller than a bar of soap is a more powerful computer than we relied on to get to the moon. A magnetically-levitated train in China whisks travelers away at speeds north of 250 mph. Electric cars drive themselves. Decent battery-powered and portable bass amps exist. This last …
5 Best Lightweight, Battery-Powered Portable Bass Amps Read More »
When it comes to music, what exactly does it mean to be “soulful”? It’s not an easy question. It’s much easier to argue over the best mic for this or amp for that. But we don’t listen to music because gear moves us. We listen to music for that elusive feeling, that thing that stirs …
6 Best Guitar Strings for Bending (Updated 2023) Read More »
In this cold world, we seek warmth in the refuge of music. Perhaps that’s why Vinyl is experiencing what can only be described as a Renaissance, even cassettes are getting more love these days than they had in decades. Even though in music studios, a computer can theoretically, accomplish any task and run circles around …
