Ritchie Blackmore-style fretboard scalloping!!

NAMM '11 - Marshall YJM100 Yngwie Malmsteen Signature Head

DunlopTV - Dweezil Zappa, The Gear

**mind explodes**

the Roland GR-55 guitar synth

Okay, some people may feel I am being abit too hard on Roland/BOSS for not coming out with the successor to the GT-10 at winter NAMM in January 2011, but I make no apologies for my honest opinion... and like assholes and elbows, everybody has one. hehehe I say what I mean and I mean what I say - the world would be a much smoother running place if more people would just do that.

Now, I bring you the GR-55 guitar synth:

for more details, go here: http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.php?ProductId=1148

http://www.zzounds.com/item--ROLGR55

Yngwie Malmsteen - "Black Star" (live)

there are lots of 'shredders' out there today... but only ONE that actually matters.




Except maybe Joe Satriani...

Steve Vai?  meh.

Type O Negative - Love You To Death - piano cover

The Devil's Blood - "The Heavens Cry Out for the Devil's Blood"

Tonight the pact is sealed
And all mysteries are revealed
if you know your master's voice
will you know your master's voice

Nightshade & devil root
Wolfsbane & eye of newt
round and round and round and round we go

If the moon is high and deathly
If the hare hunts with the dogs
When the trees turn out to strangle
We shall write your name with blood

His eyes are gleaming
His eyes are gleaming
His face maybe stone
but his eyes are gleaming

Nightshade & devil root
Wolfsbane & eye of newt
round and round and round and round we go

When the sun turns black at noonday
and terror flies at night
When the winds cut like razors
We shall write your name with blood


http://www.facebook.com/thedevilsblood

boo-teek schmoo-teek! BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver

Since BOSS pretty much shit the bed at Winter NAMM 2011, let's get that bad taste out of our mouths by re-visiting one of their BEST pedals, and in my opinion, one of the best pedals on the market(and it costs less than a hundred bucks!) - the CLASSIC BD-2 Blues Driver:

more details from BOSS here!
http://www.zzounds.com/item--BOSBD2

NAMM 2011: Marshall Announce Class 5 Mark II Amplifier and Class 5 Head

Man, the Class 5 combo amplifier from Marshall really hit the mark BIG-TIME last year... a 1x10" non-master volume TONE MACHINE that sounds waaaaay bigger than it's physical dimensions, was a HUGE hit.  Well, they have upped the ante in a very cool way!


source:  http://www.andertons.co.uk/News/aid588/namm-2011-marshall-announce-class-5-mark-ii-amplifier-and-class-5-head.asp


14/01/2011
Marshall have updated their flagship small tube amplifier - the Marshall Class 5 - and are now releasing a Class 5 MK2 with improved internal components, and a more home-friendly design.

The Class 5 MKII now features a "low volume" output switch - as even 5w is very loud for home use. That means, you can now  (now what? where's the rest of the sentence?)

Additional internal improvements to the Class 5 have been made. Marshall have assured customers that the price rise that accompanies the transition between the Class 5 MkI and Class5 MkII is worth it as you have a more versatile amp that is built for home use, rehearsals and gigging.

Also new from Marshall in the Class 5 range - a Class 5 Head & Cab. The Marshall C5H Class 5 Head has the same features as the combo and can be paired up with a Marshall C212 2x12 cabinet or a number of other Marshall cabs

The Class 5 MKII combo, head and cabs will be available from Andertons very soon and you can preorder by clicking the links below

Marshall Class 5 MKII Valve 1x12" Combo Amplifier (coming soon) (YES!!!! The 10" speaker was the only thing that stopped me from buying the Class 5 last year. ~Tony)
Marshall Class 5 Head C5H (coming soon)
Marshall Class 5 2x12 Cabinet C212 (coming soon)







 There's nothing about it on the Marshall website yet though...

Attn BOSS & Digitech: WTF?!

Okay, Winter NAMM 2011 is over... and two things that were REALLY looked forward to hopefully being announced by BOSS & Digitech were the successors to both the BOSS GT-10 and the Digitech GSP1101.

And what did these two heavyweights in the amp modeling industry(the other big name being Line 6, in my opinion - these 3 are THE Big Dogs) do?



BOSS released a guitar synth** and two looper pedals...

...and Digitech released amps.  Yes, amplifiers.  (they also came out with a few more items in their Hardwire line of true-bypass stompboxes, which are excellent)



*blink-blink*  (rubs eyes in disbelief)



The GT-10 and the GSP1101 are both 3 years old and Line 6 just released in October 2010 the POD HD series... and, according to past history(which is usually the best predictor of the future), both companies rolled out their direct competition at the following winter NAMM show in January.

3 years ago - Line 6 POD X3 vs BOSS GT-10 vs Digitech GSP1101 (guitarists jump for joy and more importantly in YOUR eyes, I am talking to YOU BOSS & Digitech - they spend money)


Now - Line 6 POD HD vs...........................  nothing.




WTF?!



Epic... EPIC... fucking... FAIL.


**clarification: I am NOT saying the Roland(BOSS' parent company) GR-55 guitar synth is crap - it's not, in fact, it's pretty amazing - but I AM saying that the GT-X community had high hopes for a new model, and they genuinely feel that BOSS dropped the ball... even wondering if they are conceding defeat in the 'amp modeling wars'? The GT-10 was soooooooooooooo killer - except for that 'cocked wah' tone in the high gain tones. That was literally it's ONLY flaw - if they could/would fix that(do away with COSM and introduce NEW{not repackaged} modeling technology?), Line 6 would be in serious catch-up mode... Line 6's road-worthiness is in serious debate, with quite a few of the POD HD series floorboards coming straight from the factory with defective rocker pedal bolts and non-functioning switches, even seemingly worn out USB ports(!),and NOTHING compares to a BOSS product when it comes to reliability - 100% completely freakin' bullet-proof. The now clichéd term 'built like a tank' was invented just for BOSS pedals! hahaha

new at NAMM 2011: Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster

this looks wicked!  I love the vintage-style tinted neck/fretboard/headstock.

(click to view larger size pic)

Squier Vintage Modified Jazzmaster Solidbody Electric Guitar Features at a Glance:

• Color: Butterscotch Blonde
• Body: Alder
• Finish: Polyester
• Body Shape: Jazzmaster
• Series: Vintage Modified Series
• Neck: Maple, "C" shape
• Finger board: Maple with 9.5" radius
• Frets: 21, Medium Jumbo
• Scale length: 25.5"
• Nut width: 1.650"
• Hardware: Chrome
• Tuning keys: Chrome Vintage Style tuning machines
• Bridge: "Top Loader" fixed bridge
• Pickguard: Black
• Bridge pickup: Duncan Designed JM-101B Single-Coil Jazzmaster Pickup with AlNiCo 5 Magnets
• Neck Pickup: Duncan Designed JM-101N Single-Coil Jazzmaster Pickup with AlNiCo 5 Magnets
• Controls: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. bridge pickup, Position 2. bridge and neck pickups, Position 3. neck pickup
• Strings: NPS, .010-.046 Gauges

With its offset waist and contoured body, the new Vintage Modified Jazzmaster® gives a nod to its iconic forbearer, but it has much more going for it that makes it truly “modified.”

The top-loading hard tail bridge features string saddles that are adjustable for intonation and designed to have a 9.5” radius when sitting flat on the bridge plate. The bridge is anchored at the rear of the plate while the front sits atop height adjustment screws that can be raised or lowered to achieve desired string height/action, while subtle adjustment at the rear (anchor) achieves the correct bridge angle. Custom Duncan Designed™ pickups offer tones from glassy smooth to jangly rockin’ rhythm crunch, with a vintage-tone neck pickup and higher-output bridge pickup. Other features include '62 Jazz Bass® stacked concentric volume/tone controls, vintage-style tuners and a comfortable one-piece maple neck.


http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0302800550

street price = $299

NEW Bugera Infinium 1960 now with Randy Rhodes gain & Master Volume mods!

BIG kudos to my buddy the Tone King for this SUPER 2011 NAMM scoop from Bugera!






The Bugera 1960 - a killer Marshall Plexi clone that streets at only $450 bucks**** (holy shit!!) - is now available with the super-popular Randy Rhodes cascading gain mod AND a post-phase inverter master volume control STOCK. Yes, you read that right. No more modding your 1960 to get some crunch without blowing your cat's brains out or getting the cops called on you...

The new modded/Infinium model of the 1960 also got a cosmetic facelift... but truth be told(which I always do), I actually prefer the old look better.

Features

• Hand-built all-valve amplifier driven by 4 x EL34 valves with a monstrous output transformer
• Two preamp channels with 4 input jacks perform in separate, parallel or cascaded operation, bridging the tonal eras of the '60s, '70s and '80s
• Vintage hot-rodded preamp mod from the early '80s featuring 3 x ECC83 valves for terrifying tone and classic hi-gain
• Revolutionary INFINIUM Valve Life Multiplier technology: – Extends the life of your amplifier’s expensive power valves up to 20 times – Provides incredible reliability and consistent tone over the complete lifespan of your valves – No need for expensive matched valve sets – Allows you to mix and match any combination of compatible valve types and brands – Monitors performance of each power tube continuously and displays defective valves to allow for easy and individual replacement
• Post-phase splitter Master control with true bypass for authentic performance
• Original '60s tone control section with Bass, Mid, Treble and Presence
• FX Loop with dedicated Level switch and true Bypass function
• Impedance switch (4, 8 and 16 Ohms) to match virtually any speaker cabinet
• High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life

****that is the current price of the standard non-modded 1960 - I have no information as to whether that price will change for the new 1960 version. Stay tuned...

Line 6 DT50 112 Combo

*the audio commentary is in German, but just listen to the amp, dammit!

LIBERATOR™ The Solderless Pickup Change System from Seymour Duncan

The volume potentiometer is the tone junction for your guitar's wiring. Swap it out for Liberator and you'll be able to quickly and easily change pickups for new tone, feel, responsiveness, and output.

Liberator is an integrated quality volume pot and screw-clamp connector that accepts bare or tinned pickup leads for torqued-tight tone better than flimsy spring terminals or less-than-perfect solder connections.

For effortless pickup changes, get Liberator Solderless Pickup Change System wherever Seymour Duncan pickups are sold.

| TECH DETAILS | MORE VIDEOS |

See How Fast You Can Change A Pickup with Liberator

MORE VIDEOS 

 

for more details: http://www.seymourduncan.com/liberator/ 

Adjusting Your Pickups: Fine-Tune Your Sound

Tips & Tricks – Adjusting Your Pickups: Fine-Tune Your Sound

Adjusting Your Pickups: Fine-Tune Your Sound
By Frank Falbo, Seymour Duncan VP of Products

Most guitars have screws around the pickups for adjusting pickup height. Most guitar factories adjust the pickups to a median height, but why not find the best height for your tone? While you can’t change the character of a pickup, you can make small adjustments that will fine-tune your sound.

A good place to start is about 1/8″ (about two pennies) away from the strings.

If you want more output, raise the pickup closer to the strings. But be careful; get too close and the pickup’s magnetic field can pull too hard on the strings causing an unpleasant sound and interfering with string vibration. If you need more output than that, you’ll need a higher output pickup.

If you want a softer sound, with less output, lower the pickup. Go too far away and the vibrating strings will barely disturb the magnetic field, and the quality of the sound will begin to suffer. If you want a cleaner, sweeter sound, it might be time for a new pickup.

If you want a little more bass, you can raise the bass side up and lower the treble side. More treble? You guessed it, vice versa.

There are other times to consider adjusting your pickup height: If something else has changed, what used to be a perfect pickup height may not be perfect anymore. Are you using different strings, or is your guitar set up with different action? Have your style, pedals, or amp changed? These are all times to consider tweaking your pickup height.


–
Try this tip out and let us know what you think!

source: http://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/tips-and-tricks/tips-tricks-adjusting-your-pickups-fine-tune-your-sound/

Myth: "Amp modelers are good for recording, but can't cut it for live playing."

****Myth busted****



The (electric)guitar player in the video is named Jason and he's using the Digitech GSP1101 rack preamp/processor. Here's the details on his rig from the Digitech forums:


Cheap ESP strat style with EMG SA pickups > X2 Wireless > GSP1101

On stage my 1/4" outs feed my tube power amp/cab (no sims)
All recorded tone on the clips is 100% GSP1101 direct to the PA from the XLRs. I use ALT412 as my master cab sim on the XLR outs and like it the best overall and using one master cab sim gives me much more consistency between patches. All my patches are custom from ground up. I just create a very basic dry patch, copy that one 10 times or so and then tweak each one to come up with my tones.

I never have my GSP near a PC to upload patches, but the main lead tones are something like this:

Medium Gain Lead Tone (like beginning of Can't You See)

CS Comp (30/50/50)
.22 Caliber Amp Model (everything between 11-2 o'clock)
EQ and Gate to taste
Ping Pong Delay around 700 ms/repeats around 30/ wet to taste)
Hall Verb (Decay around 75, Liveliness around 80)

Higher Gain Lead (like Alabama)

OR120 Amp Model
EQ and Gate to taste
Modulated Delay around 550 ms/repeats around 20/ wet to taste)
Stage Verb (Decay around 75, Liveliness around 80)

I use the JCM 900 for most crunch rhythm tones.
AC15 or HC30 for edgy cleans or punchy med grit.
Twin for lush cleans (like clean Can't You See)...


...On large/outdoor stages, I take the output of my X2 wireless to a Radial BigShot ABY and split the signal, A to wet GSP1101 and B to Flextone III set on a dry Plexi semi-crunch tone for a WDW rig.

I basically just hit a chord on the GSP and bring the FTIII's level up to just fill in and fatten the tone. Anyone who says an affordable digital rig can't sound pretty freakin' huge live hasn't tried this. It sounds amazing and very easy to get consistently awesome tones night after night with typical non-boutique gear you can get at any retailer.

I have even MIDI'd the two together and switched the FTIII via the Control2, but I usually just set it and forget it.

PS: The Flextone III in only to fatten my on-stage tone and is not recorded or sent to the PA. The sounds on the videos are 100% GSP DI to the mixer.

...Hope that helps a little.
Cheers,
Jason

Electric Wizard - "Black Mass"

http://www.metalblade.com/electricwizard/

25th Anniversary “Reign in Blood” Guitar!

SLAYER-2011: 25th Anniversary “Reign in Blood” Guitar!
Back in 1986, Slayer released their landmark album Reign in Blood that helped shape the sound of metal for decades to come. 25 years later, it’s high time to give that album the credit it’s due, and ESP is doing just that with the limited-edition Slayer-2011 guitar.

(click to enlarge)


Limited to just 250 guitars worldwide, the LTD Slayer-2011 is highlighted with a custom graphic finish that employs elements of the cover artwork from the Reign in Blood album. Details include a special LTD headstock logo in Slayer’s distinctive typeface, pentagram-shaped neck inlays, and the Slayer logo inlaid near the 12th fret. The guitar uses bolt-on construction, an alder body, a maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 24 XJ frets, a TOM bridge with string-thru-body design, and EMG 81 (bridge) and EMG 85 (neck) active pickups.

 http://espguitarsusa.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-esp-and-ltd-models-for-2011.html

Electric Wizard - "Witchcult Today" (live, 6 Sep 2009)

come fanatics, come to the sabbath
thirteen dressed in black are here
screaming, naked our altar
kissed by the whip now satans daughter

our witchcult grows...

black goat forms from dopesmoke
Baphomet we bow to thee
higher, higher devils disciples
nameless chants breed sorcery

our witchcult grows...

father, mother, our brethren, your children
black masses, black magic, with drugs
our witchcult grows...

************************************

When it comes to straight up doom fucking metal, Electric Wizard are the KINGS!!!

Ernie Ball-Music Man guitar factory tour

http://www.music-man.com/