Articles in the Featured Category
Accessories, Featured, Reviews »
It’s occurred to me that many (I’d go so far as to say most) guitarists don’t change their strings very often. Let me clarify that a little; I mean their string brands. I suspect that, like me, many people find a brand, and usually a gauge, they like and stick with it.
It’s entirely possible this might be fine. However, there’s nothing wrong with giving things a shake now and then.
Case in point:
A while ago, I received a couple of sets of Rotosound strings to review. These were the R10 …
Accessories, Featured »
Take a look at that string. Notice anything?
This is from Rotosound’s Super Bronze Acoustic String set and it’s a bit different. At least from anything we’ve seen in a while. Click on the image to embiggenate.
You see, in 1974, James How, the founder of Rotosound released an acoustic string set with a difference. Those strings, called ‘Country Golds’ at the time, had the windings start a little away from the ball-end and tie – the core of the string was exposed for a short distance. The idea was that the …
Acoustic, Featured »
I AM NAVARRO. TREMBLE, MORTALS, FOR I BRING YOU ROCK – ALBEIT NOW IN A MORE ACOUSTICY, THINKING MAN’S STYLE – AND LEATHER PANTS, AND… ERM… KITTENS. YES, I BRING KITTEN PILLOWS.
FEAR NAVARRO, MORTALS. FEAR HIM GOOD.
So it seems that Dave Navarro has worked with Epiphone to come up with a signature acoustic guitar.
And here it is. Decked out in scary black with a scary, ‘dead branches with crows’ pickguard and some scary hexagram inlays, this guitar will terrify any kitten you wish (except perhaps an evil kitten). …
Bass, Featured »
Well that’s quite snazzy, isn’t it?
That’s the Fender Roger Waters Precision Bass and it’s now shipping. As you can see, it features a none-more-black body, pickguard, bridge and control hardware which I think looks great teamed with the maple neck and fingerboard. Very smart, indeed.
At first glance, the inclusion of chrome tuners is a little odd when all of the other hardware is black. It gives the bass sort of a ‘bitser’ look which may well be the point. Whatever the case, and possibly perversely, I quite like it. …
Featured, How To, Workshop »
I’ve written a little about specific headstock repairs and it occurred to me that might be a good idea to give you an overview with some tips and considerations on how to prevent broken necks and what to do if the worst happens. It’s a little long but could well prove useful to know…
The worst thing in the world?
You’re finished the gig and you’re enjoying a well-earned beer at the bar. You’re careful to keep an eye on your pride and joy, propped up against your amp on stage, to …
Featured, Workshop »
In the last article, Heads Up 1 – Headstock Cracks (Easy-Peasy), we looked at a pretty basic repair of a cracked peghead. This time, we’ll take a look at one where the repair needs a little bit more thought.
A More Challenging Headstock Crack Repair
With string tension slackened, this crack is pretty hard to see. Even under string tension, it only opens a little. This makes things a little more difficult as it’s important to work the glue all the way into the crack to get the best repair. With a …
Featured, Music »
I have a confession to make. I’m a bit embarrassed about this and, as you can see, Robert Plant is looking at me with a look of smug annoyance.
You see, yesterday, I posted about a quote from Robert Plant that seemed to suggest something slightly positive about his participating in a Led Zeppelin reunion. I took this information from a secondary source and, although I looked for the original, I didn’t look hard enough and simply found a number of other secondary sources.
The problem is, the quote was taken a …
Featured, Music »
Here’s the coolest thing. Joe Bonamassa is playing in Dublin’s Vicar Street venue next week (Thursday 7th, if you’re interested in popping along – and why wouldn’t you). I’ll be there, front and centre (or more likely somewhere closer to the bar) and I’m looking forward to it immensely.
Let’s face it, Bonamassa knows his way around a fretboard. He’s rightly hailed as one of the best blues guitarists of recent years, even being bigged up by The Clapton – praise from Ceasar indeed. I’m eagerly awaiting the day when …
Featured, Music »
Late last year, Jimmy Page announced he would tour in 2010. There was speculation aplenty over whether John Paul Jones and Robert Plant might join him. After the one-off, Led Zeppelin reunion gig (with Jason Bonham on drums), for Atlantic in 2007, many fans were hoping the band would get something sorted and hit the road.
Nothing though. Well, not much anyway. Pagey continued to talk about touring, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for that, but nothing concrete has emerged. The spanner in the works seemed to be Robert Plant …
Featured, Workshop »
Right. I’m going to take a bit of a look at headstock damage. That bit up the end of your guitar neck can sometime be a bit vulnerable and I thought we’d outline the repairs to some of the issues that can occur.
Before we get going, the majority of (but not all) problems and damage to a guitar or bass’s headstock is caused by the instrument falling. If everybody put their guitars in their cases when they weren’t being used instead of leaning them against their amps, guitar repair-guys all …
Read the full story »
