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Elements of Tone 2: Picks
Introduction
This is the second article in the Elements of Tone series following on from the first article: Elements of Tone 1: Strings.
In this article, I'll discuss the difference that picks can make to your guitar tone. Read more »
Elements of Tone 1: Strings
Introduction
This is the first article in the Elements of Tone series.
Strings are an underrated component in the search for tone.
The right age
Old strings sound dull. The more distinctive the treble of the guitar (e.g. from a telecaster, stratocaster), then the bigger the difference the age of the strings will make. If you want to hear that clang of the strings against the frets that's so familiar from a stratocaster, then you need new strings. Even on rockier guitars, the strings will make a difference. Read more »
TC Electronic Polytune
I know this isn't about tone, but having a well-tuned guitar is incredibly important. I've played with enough guitarists with out-of-tune guitars and it's scary how many of them couldn't tell. I think a lot of it has to do with placing so many effects in the signal chain that they can't identify the original sound. First thing I've always suggested to them is to get a good chromatic tuner, at least a Boss TU-3. Read more »
Deciding to build my own guitar
I know the tone and feel of the guitars I regularly play and I've noticed a gap. I know what tones I'm looking for and I can't find a production or boutique model guitar with those tones. I don't want to alter the guitars I already have, I'm happy with them as they are and I really don't like the idea of devaluing them with a modification. So I'm left with a few options: Read more »
Where's the tone?
You can spend as much money as you want on guitars and amps, but in the end tone can be found as much in the fingers as in the equipment.
A Quick Exercise
Think of all the guitarists that play the same kit.
Do they sound the same?
Some will, but a few will stand out from the crowd. Other guitarists will want the secrets to their tone or the sustain that they're able to achieve.
Read more »
Strings and How To Restring Your Guitar Properly
You should be changing your guitar strings on a regular basis. How frequent depends on a number of conditions, e.g. how often you play, for how long, whether you sweat onto your strings a lot, etc.
Knowing how to restring is an important trick. Knowing how to restring quickly in the near-dark of a stage is even more important if your audience is waiting.
Watch this video from D'addario and notice how the string is handled at the neck-end. Read more »
Presents for Experienced Rock Guitarists - Part 2 - Accessories
Following on from Presents for Experienced Rock Guitarists - Part 1 - Guitars and Amplifiers, this is the second part focussing on accessories.
Strap Locks
Strap Locks are great. Can't go wrong with them, especially if there's a new guitar involved. Read more »
Presents for Experienced Rock Guitarists - Part 1 - Guitars and Amplifiers
Some background
As part of a series on gifts and presents for guitarists. You should find some ideas for what you can buy experienced rock guitarists for birthdays, Christmas or whatever occassion arises.
The experienced rock guitarist has probably changed amplifiers a few times. They've probably even changed guitars a few times, accumulating a few spares along the way unless they're one of the very few lucky guitarists who start off with their ideal guitar. Read more »
What else can you buy guitarists?
Following on from the gifts for rock or blues guitarists, here are some general present and gift ideas for guitarists. With some of the presents, you may have to figure out if they play an acoustic or electric guitar, most of these are best for electric guitars. Read more »
