Category Archives: News

Guitarists have long wanted to affect the sound of the electric and acoustic guitar with outboard gear. Whether it is compression from analog tape and the tube-powered mixing console itself back in the day, to the staggering array of pedals and devices available today, guitarists can at least agree that there are no lack of choices. While the outside world (I mean, non-guitarists) don’t understand our obsession of arguing what sort of transistors are in our fuzz boxes, or how many effects we can have on at once, we get it. Almost to a fault. While this article is certainly not for the guitar-cord-amp type, it splits up the effect argument into 2 well-matched camps, the individual pedals and the multieffects. Remember though, words can only go so far- in the end, you have to plug in for yourself.

For a while I’ve been looking for the perfect allround set to go in either a Les Paul or Super strat and I believe I stumbled on the set that ticks all the boxes for me. I wanted a bridge pickup that was hot but not overly so. Great harmonics, singing leads with enough edge to cut through the mix without sounding too thin or thick. I want my rhythm parts to be chunky and crunchy but when I roll back the volume I want clarity.

You no longer need a 7 or 8 string guitar to get the punch you in the chest ruthlessness of the Nazgûl or the enhanced dynamics and string separation of the Pegasus. As of today these pickups are now shipping to stores in 6-string versions. The Nazgûl was developed for extreme metal players who required…

Let’s face it: guitars are fashion accessories, and guitar makers know this. It isn’t good enough that we’re on stage rockin’ the place, we gotta look good doing it. Guitarists choose their instrument for many reasons but we all know the player that puts looks above all else. Instead of focusing on, say a Flying V vs Les Paul debate, this one will take a turn towards the flash.

If you were a fan of shred guitar, particularly Racer X in the 80s, you’re aware of Bruce Bouillet. He’s the only other guy in the world who could keep up with Paul Gilbert! The man not only has astounding, world-beating chops, but exceptional melodic sense as well.

For many years, players have been asking us to make double-cream humbuckers: pickups with two cream-colored bobbins. We make single coils in cream of course, but for certain reasons we’re not allowed to make double-cream Seymour Duncan humbuckers. So we’ve decided to go one better by introducing the Seymour Duncan Triple Cream Trademarkbucker. Featuring three whole coils of rich creamy goodness, this pickup is available exclusively from the Seymour Duncan Custom Shop.

Jerry Donahue has had quite the career. Playing with folk rock bands such as Fotheringay and Fairport Convention, and working with artists like Robert Plant, Joan Armatrading, The Proclaimers, Elton John, George Harrison, Hank Marvin, Cliff Richard, and Roy Orbison just to name a few. Add The Hellecasters to the mix and you’ve got one very impressive catalog of work. His preference of the Telecaster shape, and his mastery of string bends has helped give him the title “Bendmaster of the Telecaster.”

What? Of course we are playing in the present. I am playing right now! Is that present enough for you? Playing in the present isn’t nearly as hard as it sounds, but it does require some focus and effort. Well, this article will help our playing stay in the present, as well as some tips to play in the past and for the future too. Hold on, as it is going to get bumpy.

Chris Shiflett has had quite the music career. From California punkers No Use For A Name to punk rock super-group Me First and the Gimme Gimmes to hitting the big time as a member of the Foo Fighters and now experimenting with country music as Chris Shiflett and the Dead Peasants, Chris has not been afraid to branch out in different musical directions.

As guitar players we’re familiar with the volume and tone controls on our guitars. Potentiometers (pots) – or variable resistors – have been used for decades on guitars, effects and amplifiers. There are two distinct types of potentiometers that we typically use for these applications: linear (often abbreviated as “lin”) and logarithmic (log or audio). Each of these types of potentiometers are used for specific applications, but first let’s break down what a potentiometer is, and how it works.