Guitar

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Suhr Riot Pedal with Fender Blues Junior III Tweed in context

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Thought I would do a post of the Suhr Riot pedal being used with a Fender Blues Junior III Tweed in a music context. The thing about demos and reviews is that you don't often get to hear the sound of the pedal live. So I thought I would readjust the balance an make a quick recording. Personally the sound works for me. I would be interested to hear your feedback! This was recorded using a Zoom H4N.EnjoyPeaceNeil

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Guitar Tech GTE005 Active Volume Pedal Review

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How do you review a volume pedal? Well it is quite simple really, how well does it work, how robust it is and what features (other than being a volume pedal does it have?). The Guitar Tech GTE-005 isn't as well known as say the Jim Dunlop or Ernie Ball products, nor is it in the same price league, but nevertheless it is a really good pedal. Plus it has setting for your min and max volumes which is quite nice. Here is a video review I did of the pedal.EnjoyPeaceNeil

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Boss GE-7 Graphic Equaliser Review and tips and tricks!

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Probably one of the most useful pedals that there is, but also probably (as I know the way guitarists think) one of the least ‘exciting’ when you are thinking of buying a new pedal! I have produced a video review of the Boss GE-7 Graphic Equaliser pedal. I am using in conjunction with a Suhr Riot to show some of the tone shaping function of the pedal. Other uses of the pedal are explored, as the pedal have many different uses such as :-A simple clean boostA filter to shape your sound, for example using it to give you a scooped rhythm tone and then turning it off to give you a lead sound, or as Paul Gilbert tends to do where he runs it into a dirty amp (not the boss pedal but his custom Detox Eq) and by turning it all the levels down it gives him a clean sound by switching the pedal on. (that is a really neat trick!)I use it as a mid boost for solos, so that the mid frequencies cut across the mix above my rhythm tone. If you are a fan of a mid-scooped tone (e/g typical metal rhythm sound) and you find that your solo gets lost in the mix, the simple act of adding in some mid’s back into the equation can make the world of difference to your lead tone. Also the case with some more mid-scooped amps (e.g. Fenders) and a clean tone.The other great usage I think is to use in the loop of a tube amp, as this will give you an actual level boost, rather than overloading the preamp tunes, and will make the amp louder, it will also push the Power tubes into lovely distortion!!It is basically a Swiss army knife of a pedal, and as such very useful in a variety of situations!Here is the video review!I am using a Blackstar HT-20 Studio with an Ibanez RG550 Guitar fitted with Bare Knuckle Miracle Man PickupsPeaceNeil

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TC Nova System Review - Follow up

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So finally I have got around to doing a video review for this amazing unit after my initial review. And you can watch it hereI have been exclusively gigging this unit for well over a year, and I am still finding out things I love about it. I have mentioned in the video some of the common complains about the unit which forums tend to post about and I try and answer them. In particular, I talk about the problems with patch switching and the delay in patch switch, and give the solution to this, I also talk about the 4 Channel Method (4CM) that many users wonder about. (you can read more in this post)So here it is...enjoyPeaceNeil

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Bare Knuckles Miracle Man review and comparison to stock pickups

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A short video of the fantastic Miracle Man pickups in an basswood Ibanez RG-350. I have also run along side this a comparison between the Miracle Man pickups and those in an Ibanez RG7321 which is also an basswood body. Hopefully this helps demonstrate audibly the differences between the two. I have done this because purchasing pickups can be a complete nightmare, primarily as they aren't something you can try out in the shop. You generally have to base your choice on internet demos (okay I realise the irony!), which are in some instances well produced and mastered, or feature the guitar in buried in tracks. I decided to try and do a direct comparison by cutting between the guitar with the Miracle Man and another similar (in this case with basswood body...but different neck not maple, but same construction apart from fingerboard) guitar.The miracle man really is a great pick up, it is obviously based on Zakk Wylde style sound. Zakk uses active EMG pickups, and personally I really don't like active pickups or the way they sound. The Bareknuckles is totally in a world of it's own. It has tremendous output, but retains a passive humbucker sound, full of air and depth rather than bland like an active pick up. The think I love most about this pick up is the sound. It have very pronounced mids (in my opinion) and this really helps with cut through and not end up in mush. When split it has a really funky fender strat type sound, which is fantastic and makes the guitar infinitely versatile. I think I am going get the neck pickup coil tapped for ultimate in versatility and that lovely single coil sound in the neck...which I love. I would certainly recommend taking a look (listen!) to these pickups, I spend a long time considering which ones to go for, my choices were between the VH II (For that Van Halen PAF sound) and the Rebel Yell's. I spend a fair amount of time thinking about (and listening to demos!) about which would meet my needs, as well as conversations with Steve at The Guitar Repair workshop in Manchester about what to go for and we ended up with the Miracle Man. I certainly do like what I hear about the Rebel Yell though, which seem to also have a wide range of tonal options.Here's the video..You can also listen to an audio only version here. The audio version has all the clips with the BareKnuckles Miracle Man pickup first and then that is followed by the stock Ibanez pickups in the RG-7321.Hope that is of use to you guys out there.EnjoyPeaceNeil

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How to play “Price Tag” by Jessie J - Quick and Easy Guitar

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Been asked by a few people to perhaps post some easy guitar lessons for contemporary songs, so I thought what the hell and decided I would give it a go. I thought I would label them “quick and easy” guitar lessons, so here we go…..a quick and easy guitar lesson to teach you the basics of playing the guitar parts from Price Tag by Jessie J.Any questions please drop us a line in the comment box below.EnjoyPeaceNeil