Due to the vast range of effects pedals for musicians to choose from, determining the best way to assemble them in the signal chain can be a difficult task. Each different guitar pedal order produces a varying result which impacts the way the effects interact with one another, and how they impact your tone. Tone …
With advancements in guitar pedal technology in recent years, devices that simulate the results of amplifiers and cabs have grown in popularity. Preamp pedals are part of this category, offering guitarists the possibility to shape their tone whilst remaining practical in size. Over the years our team at Guitar Lobby has tested dozens of these …
The world of heavy metal has its share of guitar virtuosos, but very few have the ability to stand out like Mick Thomson. Not only does he play with skill and precision, but his unorthodox style has helped influence the sound of modern metal in a rather innovative way. Recognized on stage by his iconic …
The blues is much more than just a genre of music. It’s a tool of expression that taps mankind’s very most powerful emotions. The powerful, authentic, and honest quality of the blues comes largely from its humble roots as “work songs” and “hollers” by African American men and women in the United States of America’s …
I am often asked by those interested in learning to play guitar if it’s possible to teach themselves. And the answer is a resounding yes! With the right resources, effort, and dedication, you can teach yourself how to play the guitar. But even when you plan to be self-taught, it’s still important to have rock-solid …
Eddie Van Halen took the ergonomic playability and lightweight body of the Fender Stratocaster and introduced the aggressive, broad tone of the Gibson Humbucker pickup. He re-routed the guitar’s cavities, placed a quarter under the tailpiece to assist in his whammy bar abuse, and bypassed every control on the instrument except a single volume knob. …
Fingerstyle guitarists leave the pick in the case and make incredible multi-part musical compositions by picking individual strings with their fingers. Since it’s a bit more difficult to pick with your fingers than a real guitar pick, some guitars are better suited for fingerstyle than others. If you’re ready to ditch the plastic pick and …
Whether you’re shaping the tone of your guitar onstage, mixing drum tracks in your recording software, or processing live vocals, delay and reverb are two invaluable effects to have at your disposal. Although delay and reverb are often grouped when discussing audio effects, there are many significant differences between them. Indeed, they both affect the …
If you’re looking to skip the hassle of selling your old guitar gear yourself, one option is heading over to Guitar Center and taking advantage of their Trade In Trade Up program to sell or trade in your gear. Of course, Guitar Center will only accept gear that’s in a fully functional condition. Some of …
Large stompboxes with an array of controls and features are undeniably useful, but sometimes mini guitar pedals make the best additions to a pedalboard. Many of the most popular full-sized effects pedals have been redesigned into more compact devices by manufacturers so that guitarists can access more options when shaping their tone. In this guide, …