∞ Permalink

Mustang Floor features include nine footswitches and a solid aluminum treadle-style control pedal, intuitive Mustang III control panel and LCD window, 12 amp models, 37 effects, 100 onboard factory and user presets, “individual stompbox” mode in which amp models can be bypassed, headphone output and auxiliary input, dual XLR and dual 1/4-inch line outputs with level control (outputs can be programmed for optimal response with PA system, power amp or guitar amp), chromatic tuner, and easy USB connectivity for high-quality low-latency audio output and interface with free Fender FUSE application.

∞ Permalink

For guitar players, keeping the guitar in tune during a performance was nearly impossible, until now. I stopped by the EverTune booth today at the NAMM show and really couldn’t believe what I was seeing. [...]

THR is designed to fit where, when, and how you play when you’re not on stage. With big amp response, incredible effects, and hi-fi stereo sound in a package that’s built to meet all of your off-stage needs, you’re about to begin a new chapter in your playing.

They demoed this for me this morning and it had a great sound. I want one of these.

∞ Permalink

The “real” Guitar Apprentice takes hit guitar songs and breaks them down into 15 different levels of playing. From the very start, the user is playing great guitar songs with a full band, supplying only a chord or two at first. The user can then work on songs at any desired speed and when it is completed will be playing 100% of the song – including solos. At every level, Guitar Apprentice shows the user visually, exactly what and when to play at the pace he or she desires. Guitar Apprentice includes such iconic songs as “Hey Jude,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Get Back,” “Sharp Dressed Man,” “You Really Got Me,” “Shine,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and many others.

I suck at games like Guitar Hero because I’m always trying to play the real chords. I’m looking forward to trying this out at NAMM next week.

∞ Permalink

Charvel is proud to announce the return of two classic body shapes, both in sleekly modern Desolation series form. New Desolation DST and DX guitars offer a variety of features and finishes prized by discerning players everywhere, and both deadly models deliver the devastating tone, killer looks and high-performance playability that separate the Desolation series from all others.

I have 16 guitars, but sadly not one of them are a Charvel. I’ve always wanted one of these.

∞ Permalink

After playing guitar for 20 years, you come to appreciate having a great guitar strap. I’d played long enough with bad straps that cut into my shoulder or have uncomfortable adjustment fittings cutting into my back that I thought I’d share this.

A few years ago I contacted Torry at Red Monkey Designs to make me a strap. What I got was amazing.

A 3-inch wide leather strap, custom measured for my height and where I hold

∞ Permalink

As part of the contest, one lucky contestant will win a Fender American Vintage series ’72 Telecaster Thinline guitar swathed in a vivid Mylo Xyloto-themed custom graphic finish by noted graffiti artist Paris. Fender ’72 Tele Thinline guitars have long been one of the favorites of Coldplay guitarist Jonny Buckland.

Looks pretty

∞ Permalink

My friend Anthony Stauffer takes a break from Stevie Ray Vaughan to teach us a Blues lick from one of my favorite guitarists, Jimmy Page.

∞ Permalink

People have asked for my iPad guitar setup, so I thought I’d post a few pictures of what I use.

Many of the people that email me ask how I write songs on the iPad. The fact is, I don’t. The iPad for me is a scratchpad for ideas. I often sit and just jam — if something strikes me, I’ll press record, capture the riff and send it to myself.

Just like all of my other guitar gear, the iPad is a tool that I take advantage of. It allows me to play whenever I have a few minutes of downtime, without

Toby Pitman for macProVideo.com:

I’m a good example of a guitarist who is really into synths but finds triggering these sounds from the piano interface very frustrating as technically I’m just not good enough on the piano. As soon as I got a MIDI system put into one of my guitars it was like a revelation. I could now play all these great sounds from an instrument I understood and had the technical ability to play.

I’m the same as Toby — I can’t play the piano

∞ Permalink

My friend Anthony Stauffer is celebrating his fourth anniversary of running his blues-based guitar Web site, StevieSnacks.com.

Stauffer is one of the best blues guitar teachers I’ve come across on the Internet. He delves into the legends like B.B. King, Albert King and of course, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and teaches you everything from the basics to more advanced playing.

Stauffer has lessons available online and DVD, including a new offering called

∞ Permalink

I have very wide ranging musical tastes — from classical to heavy metal. Over the years, there have been many guitarists that have influenced my playing, some to the point that I wanted to know their secrets and be able to play their greatest songs. I spend countless hours in my studio playing just because I love the instrument.

Everybody’s list is different, but here’s mine:

Zakk Wylde
Randy Rhodes
Eric Clapton
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Dave Mustaine
Andres Segovia
Robert Johnson
Angus Young
Jimmy

A friend of mine turned me on to this today. From what I’ve read and watched in the movie on the site, I’m really impressed. I have to get my hands on one of

∞ Permalink

Loaded with pure EVH sound and power, the EVH 5150 III 50-watt head is a smaller-sized version of its big brother, the mighty 5150 III head, with many of the same great features. Its smaller size and portability make it a perfect amp for players who want arena volume, tone and performance in a compact package.

I have one of the original 5150 heads and it’s incredibly powerful with great tone.

[gallery link=”file”

∞ Permalink

The feds raided Gibson’s factory in late August confiscating several pallets of wood, electronic files and guitars. The feds executed search warrants for ebony and rosewood that were imported from India — the government says Gibson violated the Lacey Act, which stipulates that a company cannot import wood in a manner that’s against the laws of the country the wood is coming from. However, Gibson says it complied with Indian law and no concerns have been raised by the Indian government.

A

∞ Permalink

Amazing the sounds you can get out of an iPad with