Utilizing alternate tunings can add a whole new dimension to your guitar playing. For the characteristically growly and heavy tones, D-standard is simply “Standard tuning,” aka “E Standard,” but dropping each string one full step to D-G-C-F-A-D. Although widely used in metal, D-standard has also found a place in several iconic grunge, pop, and folk …
Les Claypool is known as a modern bass-playing powerhouse and a punk-rock virtuoso. His mastery of the bass has made him genre-defying. He is as well-versed in jazz fusion as he is in heavy metal or progressive rock. His band Primus mixed funk, metal, and other genres to create something unique. Known for his crazy …
Steve Vai, innovator of “stunt guitar” and mercurial, enigmatic solo artist. His unique playing style is rooted firmly in precision and infinite expression, and over five decades remains at the forefront of potent shred guitar. Appropriately, his first job as a guitarist came with Frank Zappa, who often referred to Vai, then aged eighteen, as …
Choosing the right guitar might seem like a simple task until you actually start looking at all the different specs. Of course, your choice will depend on what kind of sound you are looking for and what genre of music you are playing. Some guitar will lend themselves better to rock, blues, or jazz. One …
The three most impactful aspects of a guitarist’s rig are their chosen guitar model, amplifier, and which effects pedals are present on their pedalboard. In the following article, we’ll discuss overdrive pedals and explain what makes them a worthy addition to your setup. Each model varies in capabilities, controls, and the tones they produce. Purchasing …
Powering your pedals correctly is essential to achieving the best possible performance out of your equipment. The most efficient way to provide your pedals with a good clean power source is by using a dedicated power supply. These devices come in a variety of sizes and shapes and have differing qualities. Identifying the ideal power …
When it comes to shaping your guitar’s tone, there are few tools more valuable to have in your arsenal than an EQ pedal. Graphic equalizers are commonly used in the mixing process in a recording studio, but recent advances in technology have now made it possible to have EQ on your pedalboard. It can be …
Tuner pedals are the unsung heroes of a guitarist’s pedalboard. They perform the critical function of helping you keep your guitar pitch-perfect during a gig, or in between recording takes. Learning to tune by ear is a skill that all guitarists would benefit from developing, but it’s not practical in environments where you need to …
Albums are great and all, but it’s impossible to beat the energy and passion at a live concert. Throughout time, people have loved sitting around listening to others play music. Of course, things have changed with the invention of amps, speakers, and microphones. Now, music superstars can perform for bigger crowds than ever before, with …
Having a choice of top-quality effects pedals provides you with more options when it comes to creating unique tones with your guitar. Whether you require a subtle boost to emphasize a melody or you need spacey ambient effects to build tension, the single most effective way to achieve this is with pedals. Effects pedals can …