We love vintage guitars, of course. But for those who’ve never shopped for a vintage instrument before, it can be a minefield. This guest blog Joseph Nicholls will help those who are thinking about getting their first ever vintage guitar. With the wide range of musical instruments, a guitar is one of the most common instruments that you will find among many musicians.  There are different types of guitars that you can choose, depending on your preference and taste. With the latest technology in the modern world, there have been so many variations when it comes to guitars. However, some people ..read more

It’s every musician’s worst nightmare – to have the gear they love so much and invested in, to be stolen. So when one of our readers, mr. Lance Fogg, got in touch with the bad news about his own gear, we decided to share it – also, as an alert and reminder to the rest of us. Four guitars, 3 basses and one acoustic were stolen from his home in Blackpool, UK, last week. “The bass guitars are all unique in their own right and are very dear to me. As well as being personal possessions which I have had customised, I have used them over the years in various bands with fond memories.” Here’s what he ..read more

Airline guitars have come a long way since their late-Fifties early days. But, how do the new ones, made by Eastwood Guitars, compare to the originals? Res-O-Glass vs. Mahogany, Old vs. New. Who wins? The original Airline guitars were cheap, plastic (or rather, “Res-O-Glass”) models made between 1958-1968 and sold by Montgomery Ward via shops and catalogues. They were never intended to be great-quality instruments – but cheap alternatives for beginners who couldn’t afford bigger brands such as Fender, Gibson or Gretsch. Most Airlines were made of Res-O-Glass simply because it made them cheaper ..read more

Back pain is a problem that affects thousands of guitarists around the world – notwithstanding their age. If this applies to you, here’s a few pointers to help you cope with this problem. Before we start – back pain is a condition that should be taken very seriously, so if you suffer from this, you should seek professional medical advice at once. Though people from any age can suffer from back pain, it’s true that the older we get the more prone to such problem we are, due to the inevitable fragility of our bodies as we age. It can happen to any of us, as we age, and even experienced guitarist ..read more

Home recording is the way to go for many – perhaps even most – musicians out there. Not just as way to record demos, but even to do the “finished product”. Guest blogger Ben Jacklin helps to answer the question: can your guitar actually sound as good at home as when recorded at a professional recording studio? “Home Recording” used to be a term that petrified musicians. Not least because it required huge amounts of equipment to even consider. Before computers, it was virtually impossible, but as technology has changed, dabbling in recording is a realistic option for most guitarists, songwriter ..read more

It might sounds ridiculous to some, but it’s true: some beginner guitarists often don’t know how to replace strings. This quick guest blog will help them out. Guitar’s strings are usually durable enough to withstand months after they need to be changed, but don’t think that a popped string is the only reason why you should do that. Re-stringing your guitar should be done more often, as you won’t be able to clean the neck, and so on. Anyhow, “why” you should restring your guitar is another topic, let’s stick with “how”. We’ll discuss several easy steps which will help you learn this crucial gui ..read more

As the general wisdom goes, some musicians choose to play bass – the traditional, 4-string bass – because it’s easier than playing guitar. “If Sid Vicious could do it, then I can, too!” So… why do some players prefer 6-string basses? John Lennon and Fender VI The list of 6-string players include The Beatles (both John and George were pictured playing one), Peter Hook, Robert Smith of The Cure and Jack Bruce in Cream. Do you see a pattern, there? They were either guitarists, or very melodic bass players who played bass more like a lead instrument than “just” part of the rhythm section. Peter ..read more

Guest blogger Rob Roberge remembers his search for the perfect vintage, cheap amps – back at a time when they were actually pretty damn cheap. Those were the days… I have a buddy who used to write about cheap vintage gear—this is going back to the late 90’s and early 21st century (maybe up till about a decade ago) when there were still steals available left and right on the vintage market. He’s asked me to not name him, as he still writes about gear and tone, but mostly for newer boutique amps and obscure, cool, and great guitars. But he was the friend who taught me a lot about finding, buying ..read more

Ok, then: you got a guitar. Wrote a few songs. Formed a band and, wow, you’re great! So far, so good, right? But the next step is the hardest you: no matter how good you are, how do you get your band noticed? Guest blogger Cassandra Richard has a few good tips for you. 1) Go Guerilla in Band Promotion You’ve found your awesome guitar, grabbed a drummer, a bassist, and a killer vocalist, now you need some hard core exposure! Some of the best exposure has been won through creative, outside-the-box methods. While it’s great, and smart, to jump on social media (Instagram is a must right now) don’t ..read more

Gibson is one of the most beloved and popular guitar brands ever – and also, today, one of the most troubled. It’s  even hated by many of those who should adore it – the guitarists. The latest news about their financial woes makes us ask – is this the end for Gibson? 2018: The Year Gibson Goes Down? Could 2018 mark the end for Gibson guitars? According to a recent Nashville Post article, Gibson’s financial troubles are so serious that time is running out fast. In short, the company is on brink of bankruptcy, and no one – really, no one – knows what the future holds. One thing you can count o ..read more