Other Guitar

In an attempt to get that impressive guitar sound, active pickups have been sought by guitarists. However, the hassle of additional weight and the constant need for batteries have long been an annoyance. Could the Lace Alumitone Deathbucker be the end of active pickup tyranny?  

Since the release of the Minimoog and other similar synths, guitarists have been going on a run for their money, often exclaiming, "@$%#! He's got a Minimoog. Now where's that 11 on my gain dial?" Given the advent of the MIDI-capable guitar, guitarists are still looking for the 11 on their amp dials given the spaceship-type command center keyboardists have. It's no longer necessary to have that Spinal Tap move with Even Harmonic HMT1, a free plugin that works with the ingenious Gtak hardware-less MIDI guitar system.  

Luke Winslow-King wants his music to resonate. Literally. He uses a National Delphi Resonator (2001 reissue), which Winslow-King says is royalty among the new crop of resonators.  

A muddy stage mix, cluttered stage, burnt out equipment, and poor monitoring are the guitarist's nightmare. Wouldn't it be nice if you could feel the blast of your amp in your face instead of your feet? On-Stage Stands RS7500 could be that solution you are looking for.  

One of the distinguishing characteristics Kylesa's unorthodox approach to metal is their extremely low tuning. Though it sounds good, it's a major pain to keep everybody to keep everybody on the same musical page. At least in the studio, the Korg DTR-1000 Rackmount Digital Tuner is one thing that helps keep a metal musician from, well, banging their head against a wall.  

Petros Guitars, a boutique guitar maker in Wisconsin, recently started to work on a Jumbo noticing that interest in dreadnoughts has been waning of late. While they were at it they said, "what the heck lets do a baritone," which is actually a pretty salty thing for them to say. Uttering the word "heck" on the streets of Appleton can net you a $50 fine.  

Self-touted as "the next logical step in storing your guitar," The Guitar Hanger lets you hang your guitar from just about any rod. . . except for Blago! You can't hang anything on that guy (you'll see)!  

You think you can fill out a form in a more winning way than I can? Bring it on, pally boy!

I'm going to win the Gibson Raw Power SG Contest so hard that it'll make egg boiling methods jealous.

 

One big Musikmesse 2009 hit among guitarists who want to play faster was the Shadow Electronics SH 1000 Reinaldo Rivero Virtuoso Finger-Trainer. But will it train your fingers if you're not Reinaldo Rivero?  

Just when you thought the Peavey Vypyr Guitar Combos had enough features already, Owen has to go and whip out the pedals. The Peavey Sanpera Pedals I and II not only let you get faster access to features you normally have to dial in, and get you into that sweet looper -- they also predict the future and open garage doors from a distance. Not really.  

I never thought I'd live to see the day when the warlike Gators and the scheming Fishmen would sit at a table and break bread together. And who'd have predicted they'd conspire to make durable cover and carry cases for the Fishman Loudbox acoustic amplifiers? Such dexterous claws and fins they have!  

Back in our favorite basement (Schubas), Tony Lucca whips out his fine, black and orange signature pick from Dunlop, and wows our socks right off. You can play acoustic, you can play electric, you can even use your thumb. This flamin' wonder won't hold you back.  

Tony Lucca has been around -- having toured with the likes of N*SYNC no less -- and he has determined that the Monster Cable Guarantee is actually true. Just make sure you honor the guarantee before the end of soundcheck, or those pretty boy roadies will be all over you.  

Back in the basement at Schuba's, Tony Lucca must not think anyone is listening, because now he's talking about capos. He waxes nostalgic with Pat Ogle about how the things used to look like something from SAW V, but now you can use like five of them at once without any major malfunctions.  

Singer-songwriter Jesse Harris made a name for himself a few years ago when his song "Don't Know Why" helped make a name for Norah Jones. An able performer in his own right, Harris used to use a standard acoustic guitar live and on record, but it just didn't get the sound he was looking for. Turns out that sound was hiding in Boston. . . in a Deering Boston Model 6 string banjo, that is.  

Gearwire has spoken to Ian Schneller about his various creations on several occassions. His latest is an aluminum electric mandola. And with the decimation of suitable tonewood the future may be aluminum.  

Purveyors of strobe-assisted tuning implements Peterson turn their attentions to the world of MIDI guitar with this clever little box. The Peterson Sonuus G2M grants guitarists access to the world of MIDI without need of special pickup or any other additional gear. Plus, there's no risk of strobe-induced seizure!  

I bet you didn't think you could be a patriot AND protect your precious guitar combo for gigging. Well pardon my French Freedom, but you're an idiot, because the new Gator Roto-Molded Amp Cases are sized to fit most popular combo amps and are made in the good ole USofA!  

We share a picture of a guitar shop in Southampton, England called The Guitar Store. Though it's name isn't the most creative, The Guitar Store makes up for it by turning into a giant Fender Super Champ when it locks down.  

Not to be confused with the makers of fine cognac (or hammocks), Hennessey Guitar Parts releases the NSL7200 and NSL7300 strap locks. These will keep your guitar strapped on even if you're drunk on Hennessy, dangerously trying to balance yourself on a Hennessy Hammock while rocking out.  

Kinda like the main character in Carnivale, the Drapster will keep your guitar, bass or banjo looking beautiful, but at the aesthetic-expense of everything surrounding it. Unless you dig prints of guitars, jungle foliage or sea-life, in which case, dude, are you in luck!  

V-Picks has done it again, topping four millimeters with the all new V-Picks Snake. This thick pick also lets you hybridize round and pointed edges for a versatile playing experience.  

If I had a guitar that looked as nice as the Martin D-50 Koa, I probably wouldn't let anything touch it either. Literally nothing.  

Though necessary, a guitar tuner isn't usually the most interesting piece of equipment in a guitarist's rig. BOSS tries to change that a little bit with the TU-88, which boasts dual functionality as a headphone amp and practice tool as well.  

We asked Boss "how big a tuner is TOO big a tuner?" to which Boss replied "shut up!" Then they showed us the new Boss TU-1000 guitar and bass tuner, and truly, we were silenced. As will your output be when you activate this massive tuner!  

The popular TU series of tuners from Boss gets a little brush-up for Winter NAMM 2009. We see the TU-12EX, the successor to the TU-12 and hear about its updates.  

Makers of the highly popular Nano-Web Coated electric and acoustic guitar strings, Elixir, have applied their alchemical know-how to another all-important guitar accessory: the instrument cable. Elixir cables promise to treat your tone with the utmost transparency.  

Let's face it. You're awesome at music and your playlist is the best. Wouldn't you and your iPod make a better band than the constantly clashing, can't agree on a direction, ragtag group of scruffy twentysomethings you're currently hanging out with? Enter the Alesis JamDock at Winter NAMM 2009.  

Guitarists opting for speaker cabinets that house 10" speakers have been getting the long, gold (or blue) shaft if they've wanted to replace their speakers with Celestion alnico series speakers. That is, until now!  

The new Auralex GRAMMA Isolation Riser is ready to prove its worth at Winter NAMM 2009 where it will be tested in a side by side comparison against unleavened competition. The only way this could get any better is if Paul Reiser was announced as the celebrity judge.