Author: Stuart

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Fractal Audio X-Load LB-2 Load Box Demo

Burgs has posted a short demo of Fractal Audio’s new? reactive load box, the X-Load LB-2.

This looks a little different to the other reactive load boxes on the market. There’s a voicing switch on the front, to switch between UK and American speakers. Presumably that changes the impedance behaviour?

I’d be interested in putting one of these up against the Captor, to hear how much difference there is in practice. I think that’d be the only way to understand what problem the LB-2 is trying to solve.

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Burgs’ video.

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Hagstrom Super Viking Demo

Shane’s got his hands on a Hagstrom Super Viking. Does he like it? Let’s find out.

I loved the tone he got for the opening track, and indeed throughout the demo. I thought it’s one of the best sounds he’s had on the channel to date.

And I’m not surprised. Hagstrom did a demo evening at my local guitar shop AStrings, and every single guitar that night sounded fantastic. They were really nice people to talk to afterwards too. If you’re looking for guitars that’ll go head-to-head on sound with the top-dollar gear, Hagstrom should be on your list.

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Shane’s video.

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Looking Glass Pedal Demo

Shawn Tubbs has posted a short demo of Digitech’s Looking Glass overdrive pedal.

In this demo, Shawn does something that I wish more demos did: he plays a Strat, a Tele and a dual-humbucker guitar too. It really gives you a flavour of what this pedal might do for you.

I do own a Looking Glass myself. Right now, it’s in the pedal cupboard, waiting for me to have the time to spend on it properly. Easter weekend can’t come soon enough!

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Shawn’s video.

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Positive Grid Bias Amp 2 Demo

Fluff has just posted a demo of Positive Grid’s new Bias Amp 2.

Bias Amp is guitar amp emulation software that you run on your computer.  You plug your guitar straight into your audio interface – no real guitar amp required. If you don’t want a real amp, it’s definitely an option to consider.

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Fluff’s video.

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Crimson Guitars and Tonewood

Ben’s just posted a video where he gets into the thorny topic of tonewood and fretboards.

Watch the video, digest what he thinks and why … and share your opinion over on YouTube if you feel you must either way.

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Fast Car (Mary Spender Cover)

Mary Spender has recently been over in Norway visiting Frog Leap Studios, and while she was there, she recorded a cover of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car.

Love it!

There’s been quite a few videos now where Mary’s singing into the Shure SM7B microphone. Each time, I’m impressed with the end results. If you’re looking for a vocal mic for your home studio, it’s worth adding to your list.

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Mary’s cover.

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Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl HiFI – In A Track

Ever wondered what the Chase Bliss Warped Vinyl HiFI pedal sounds like in a professionally-produced track? Henning has you covered:

I love these kind of demos. It’s very useful to hear someone try a pedal out by itself – that mimics us Home Tone Chasers noodling at home. It’s also great to hear what a pedal can sound like in a recording, for those of us who like to try our hand at creating our own tracks.

The pedal itself? I’m looking forward to the full demo, to see just what it can do.

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Henning’s video.

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250 Dollar Rig vs 7000 Dollar Rig

Paul Davids (and … er … Paul Davids) is back with a video comparing his first rig to his current rig.

We don’t learn how old his Squier is, so please don’t refer to this when trying to decide whether or not to buy a brand new Squier today!  These kinds of videos are meant to be a bit of fun 🙂

Hopefully Paul will post a follow up where we hear both guitars into the Tone King.

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Paul’s video.

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John Mayer Talks PRS Silver Sky

I promise that I’ll stop posting about the PRS Silver Sky soon. Before I do, I have to share with you John Mayer’s own thoughts on his new guitar.

He’s not pulling any punches here. He tackles the guitar’s Fender heritage, why he went to PRS for this guitar, what makes it different from a Fender Strat, and where the time went on designing the Silver Sky. If you want to understand how he sees this guitar, it’s compulsory viewing.

The key thing I took away from this is that this all started with tone.  He wanted something that looked like a Strat, and played like a Strat, but that addressed some of the things he didn’t like about the Fender Strat sound. Paul Reed Smith is all about tone in a way that few other guitar builders are. And things evolved from there to become the Silver Sky that we’ve all been talking about.

Whether you like John Mayer or not, he deserves credit for putting out a video like this. It’s not some slick PR video. It’s just John talking into his phone on a livestream. How many other mega-artists would do this?

Sadly, he doesn’t post directly to YouTube, and I don’t know where the original video was posted. I couldn’t find it on Instagram or on Facebook.

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JHS Modded Boss DS-1 Synth Drive

Yes, you read that right. JHS has taken the ubiquitous Boss DS-1 and made some crazy mods to it. And then they asked Mike Hermans – one of the top  demo guys – to show what this thing can do.

It starts out with an upgraded drive circuit, complete with a three-way toggle switch for different clipping types. That alone would be a great mod in its own right.

Then, they added 3 different synth circuits that you can switch in and out independently … just in case you’re bored with overdrive sounds. Or you just want something that’s batshit 🙂

Please head over to YouTube to leave a like and a supportive comment if you enjoyed Mike’s video.