The Hermit’s Cave – Page 10

11th October 20239th October 2023

First Impressions: 2022-spec PRS Silver Sky

I recently picked up a PRS Silver Sky guitar: the full-fat USA version, not the Silver Sky SE version.

What convinced me to buy one? How does it sound? Read on for all of that and more.

4th October 20232nd October 2023

First Impressions: Hudson Broadcast Preamp / Overdrive / Fuzz Pedal

I recently picked up one of my bucket-list pieces of gear: the Hudson Electronics Broadcast.

This … is a bit different to my usual overdrive pedals, to say the least. But, by changing my approach a bit, I got a tone out of it that I really like.

3rd October 202324th October 2023

#TweedTone: Comparing Fractal Audio’s Deluxe Tweed Model With A Physical Tweed Deluxe Amp

I’m lucky enough to own a physical Tweed Deluxe amp. I also think that a Tweed Deluxe amp rig for home use has become so expensive in 2023, it’s difficult to justify. So I’ve started looking at alternatives, to see how they compare to the real thing.

I’ve previously looked at UAD’s Fender 55 Tweed Deluxe plugin (which did well). How will Fractal Audio’s Deluxe Tweed model in my Axe-FX 3 compare?

30th September 20238th September 2023

New Arrivals: September 2023

I’ve managed to tick something else off my gear bucket list this month 🙂 But will I like it, or will I learn that not all sought-after gear is worth it?

12th September 202324th October 2023

#TweedTone: Comparing Universal Audio’s Fender 55 With A Real Fender Tweed Deluxe Amp

First up is the Fender 55 Tweed Deluxe plugin from Universal Audio.

5th September 202324th October 2023

#TweedTone: You’ve Got To Be A Huge Fan Of Tweed Tone To Get A Real Fender Tweed Deluxe Amp In 2023

Regular readers will know that I’m quite the fan of “tweed tone”: the sound of classic amps from the fifties. So much so that, back in 2021, I went out and bought Fender’s modern reissue of the holy grail of tweed amps: the 5e3 Tweed Deluxe.

I’m glad that I got mine when I did, because I’m not sure that I could afford – or justify – buying the same amp in late 2023.

Read on if you’re interested in my thoughts and experiences on this topic.

2nd September 2023

New Arrivals: August 2023

After ticking off a whole heap of bucket-list items in July, August was mostly about something on my bucket list that had nothing to do with guitars and gear. Yes, I do have a life away from browsing eBay listings 😂

I did pick up a couple of items, though …

31st July 202325th July 2023

New Arrivals: July 2023

At the end of 2022, I said that I want to revisit some gear that I used to have. Completely by coincidence, I managed to pick up both pedals (one of them pretty rare) this month – along with another pedal off my bucket list, a pedal that I’ve been asked about … and pretty sweet guitar that I plan to gig with.

Read on to see what’s arrived this month.

18th July 202317th July 2023

First Impressions: Tone City King of Blues Dual Overdrive Pedal

This photo shows the Tone City King of Blues overdrive pedal on my pedalboard, next to my Analogman King of Tone overdrive pedal.

It’s impossible to talk about the King of Blues without comparing it to the Analogman King of Tone – because that’s the question everyone wants to know. Is it a King of Tone clone, or (at the very least) a passible substitute?

No, it isn’t. The King of Blues is its own thing. And I really dig it. Read on for the full details, including audio demos to demonstrate why.

3rd July 2023

New Arrivals: June 2023

With recent problems behind me, my enthusiasm for music has started to return this month. While I haven’t picked up a lot of new (to me) gear, the items I did snag are all very special to me.