Tech 21 NYC Trademark 60 + BOSS GT-10

Dr. M's Studio Rig! Tech 21's Trademark 60, Fender Stratocaster played through the BOSS GT-10. Hear the three combined in the video below! Fender is resting on a Stage Player II, guitar cable is a Spectraflex FatsoFlex.

Tech 21 NYC's Trademark 60 (first amp pictured) was the amp of choice for Les Paul during his stint at the Iridium in New York City until his death in 2009.

The Trademark 60, (1x12) offers amazingly warm tones especially for a solid state amp. Fully reliable and roadworthy, this is an open back 2 channel amp with true spring reverb and footpedal included. It is my studio amp and what you hear on the HD music videos produced for Eclectic Sound TV

BOSS GT-10 vs Digitech RP-90 Review

The link above will show you some of the many features of the BOSS GT-10 as compared to DigiTech's RP-90. The video above will show you how easy it is to getting a gig-worthy tone! The BOSS GT-10 remains the flagship unit for the BOSS line of guitar multi effectors. It is a serious powerhouse of effects, cabinets and pedals. The GT-10 can be intimidating but the best way to jump right in is to start with the factory presets. Yes, they can be a little obvious but it is totally within your power to manually adjust many of the parameters to your liking. With something like 400 presets, you will surely find something close to your liking and then take it from there. The GT-10 has a USB port so it can easily interface with your Garageband or Cakewalk studio computer software. The lights are extremely bright and work well in a dark studio or on a dimly lit stage. In the lead photo, I have it in my custom Tarcase Pedalboard Case so it can definitely travel!

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Ernie Ball Super Strap Locks

This Fender Stratocaster gets the full treatment with Ernie Ball's Super Strap Locks. Get your axe locked in and ready to rock! See these locks in action right here and in the banner ad section to your left. Check out Eclectic Sound TV's HOT Guitar Gear Videos

Fender Strat Gets N-Tune!

Fender's Standard Stratocaster in Chrome Red

is North American made with lots of classic tone!

Just in case you wanted to know what we're using to test our pedals and multi-effectors with...here it is, our Fender Standard Stratocaster. Otherwise known as the "Pedal Meister"!
This is a rock solid, all time favorite with a fast maple fretboard, three pickups and tremolo bar. The Chrome Red finish has a semi-metallic look without being flashy. Its just a good, straight-forward axe! To make it even sweeter, we had the NEW N-Tune onboard tuner installed. This is a lighted, battery powered tuner from Zero Crossing, that fits under the volume knob of your Strat. It will even fit the volume knobs of other models, with different colors to match or contrast your pickguard.

N-Tune On Board Tuner

by Zero Crossing

List $99.99 - Street $79.99
http://www.n-tune.com/

We road tested the N-Tune Fender Style Package. The N-Tune onboard tuner installs under your volume knob. Offers a quick and very accurate tuning, (we compared it with the BOSS TU-2). Now you can tune up anytime, anywhere, even on a dark stage, without having to pack an extra tuner. A definite must if you are on tour or playing lots of consecutive concerts. You will need to be able to solder two wires and installation / battery changes require removal of the pickguard and strings. We suggest you use Duracell 9 volt Procell Alkaline batteries, (PC1604) and coordinate changing the tuner's battery with replacement of your strings. I do this with my Martin D-16 which has a battery powered, under the saddle pickup and it's no big deal. To prevent accidental draining of the battery, there is even an auto-power off feature designed into the N-Tune. If the tuner does not detect a note being played for 3 minutes, it automatically powers itself OFF to save battery life. Excellent!

Meet our Pro Guitar Tech Team, Ian West, (left) and Randy Cauvanaugh. They are known as the "Fender Experts" and keep all of our road gear in top, gigging shape. We rely on their expertise and knowledge of electric guitars, pedals and set-ups. They actually did the installation of the N-Tune on board tuner for us. Here's what they had to say:

Ian: "Very cool idea! I especially like the true bypass feature."

Randy: "It works great. The only thing I don't like is that you have to remove the pick plate and strings to replace the battery. Just like a pedal, don't leave your guitar cabled into your amp after playing or it will drain the battery."

Many of the top named guitar companies are installing onboard tuners on their newer models. I've seen a few in action and was not too impressed. They seemed to be hard to see and not very accurate. The N-Tune onboard tuner works as if it were custom made for your guitar as it fits unnoticably under the volume knob. Pull the knob, it lights up and flashes green when you're in tune. Push it back in and its true bypass feature lets your guitar perform business as usual. I really like this feature and the freedom of being able to tune up, even on a dimly lit stage, with ease. It was very close in accuracy to my BOSS Tu-2 which is in my opinion the best tuner on the market. So now I can leave all my tuners in the studio. With my N-Tune onboard tuner installed, I'm good to go!

Fatso Flex "Silent Plug" Guitar Cables

By Spectraflex

Price: $42.95 (10 ft) - $57.95 (25 ft)

http://www.spectraflex.com/

Spectraflex guitar cables are the cables we use for both performing and recording. I've used Spectraflex for years now. In fact, this was the cable I purchased when I brought my first electric guitar, the Aria Pro II. What impressed me then as now was the quietness and beauty of these braided guitar cables. All of them are still going strong after all these years. The Fatso Flex, shown here, was voted among the Winner's Circle of best guitar cables this year by Guitar Player Magazine. Not surprising. Spectraflex makes incredible sounding cables! Ultra quiet and reliable now with "Silent Plug", I have the ability to switch guitars quietly without disconnecting from my stage amp. The best of both worlds. This is hands down, the best guitar cable I've ever used. Made in the USA, Spectraflex does it again!

Spectraflex Pedal Cables

Price: $18.95

www.spectraflex.com/

This is our choice for pedal cables. These link up your individual pedals with the same noiseless quality you get from the Spectraflex line of guitar cables. Shielded, braided, high quality cables made just like their big brothers. Made in the USA. Multiple colors and patterns help you to organize your pedal board...in style! See how we put it all together in our next installment of Guitar Pedals...Get the Effect: Part III

PRO TIP OF THE DAY:

Always disconnect your pedals and instruments with onboard battery powered devices such as preamps, pickups and tuners, after use. Even if they are shut OFF, leaving them cabled will cause the batteries to drain! Simply disconnect all your cables when you're done playing and you'll be fine. Duracell's PC1604's are cheaper than the consumer marketed "Copper Tops" and can be purchased in bulk packs for less. Best choice is to use a single power source for all your individual pedals. We'll tell you which one the pro touring bands use and why, up next!

The Eve of Distortion

Photo: Dr. M. with the Keeley Fuzzhead on the right and DigiTech's Artist Series, Scott Ian pedal on the left. Rolling Stones promotional "Shine a Light" tee courtesy of Fender

Guitar Pedals Part II: Distorted Ideas & Wah-ing for fun & profit...

Distortion is by far one of the most distinguishable sounds of rock and heavy metal. It's what gives us the soaring leads we've come to identify with killer guitar solos and riffs. If you are into these styles, distortion and overdrive are going to be your best friends next to a decent electric guitar and amp. I play a Fender Strat coupled with a Crate GX-20M which is a very tough box, (I'm actually standing on top of it in this photo!), and has built in overdrive, chorus, reverb & eq. Another essential effect you'll want to include is a wah pedal. As the name implies, it gives your guitar a "wah-ing" or crying sound made popular by funk and other styles.

Keeley Electronics Fuzz Head

List: $250.00 / Street: $209.00

This is an amazing distortion pedal which is very unique in its design. In fact, it won Guitar Player's Reader's Choice Award for best effects pedal with good reason. This box sounds incredible! It couples a serious sustain and unbelievable boost for your leads with a rich blend of fuzz and overdrive. It will also drive other modulation pedals such chorus, phasers, flangers and tremolo which follow in your effect chain. Add another distortion pedal and it will sing forever. Keeley's trademark blue light and custom paint job assures it will stand out on your pedal board.

Internal Gain Control offers additional tone customization not found with other pedals. Externally you have a two knobs, "no waiting" approach with the Fuzz controlling the amount of distortion and the Head for volume control. The Si/Ge switch offers even more access to transparent tones and increased sustain. Built in the USA, Robert Keeley stands behind his equipment with excellent customer service and product reliability. Sound and quality wise, this is the best distortion pedal I've used. Prepare to be rocked!

http://www.robertkeeley.com/

DigiTech's Artist Series - Scott Ian Pedal

List: $166.65 / Street: $ 99.99

Do you have a cover band or are you just into a certain artist's tonal vibe? DigiTech's genius with Audio DNA2 & Production Modeling has produced a series of pedals which can offer the same "flava" of effects used by Jimmy Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Dan Donegan and Scott Ian as shown here. These pedals allow you to dial in the lead guitar sounds on these artist's top recordings.

The Scott Ian pedal we tested featured the tones from Scott's Black-13, (Anthrax), recordings. Seven settings on the fourth knob offer the lead guitar sounds for: "I am the Law", "Madhouse", "March of the S.O.D.", "Protest & Survive", "Room for one More", "What Doesn't Die" and "Finale". Metalheads, needn't only apply. I've found these distortion settings to be seriously fired up and off the hook. I especially liked the phaser on Model #7. Very cool!!! A beautiful pedal in shiny metal, (of course!), but built like a brick. Definitely roadworthy and a great addition to those who want to pull off those blistering leads heavy metal is known for thanks to legendary artists like Scott Ian. Thanks Scott!

http://www.digitech.com/

Ibanez WD-7 Wah Pedal

List:$179.95 / Street: $99.90

The WD-7 by Ibanez is a revolution in freeing your feet to control your wah and not the other way around. The WD-7 has a large sideswitch and is built to avoid the usual "clicking in" required of most other wahs. The Auto SW mode allows the wah to automatically turn on when you depress the pedal slightly. A spring tension adjuster controls the return of the pedal. It also sports an Auto Off Delay and a true bypass with no hum added to the signal chain.

Perhaps the best additions to the WD-7 are the most over-looked by manufacturers. That is the depressable control knobs. Dial in your settings, depress the knobs and no worries about your values being altered! Even without using the Wah pedal, the preamp on the WD-7 is fantastic. Suggested settings are included such as Vintage Wah, Funky Rhythm, Fat Lead and Bass Wah. My pick is the Fat Lead which offers just enough spank to the mix of my other pedals. Extremely well built, (I've seen flimsier tanks, really), this pedal is very heavy and would need serious Velcro-ing onto your pedal board. Also you might want to use an adapter as this thing eats 9 volt batteries like popcorn. Still, it offers a great quackin' - funk sound and is truly a gig worthy pedal.

http://www.ibanez.com/

Next Issue: Part III is going to pull it all together for you! We'll show you how to build your own concert-ready pedal board for the road. We'll also show you the latest in floor multi-effectors that prove you CAN take it with you!

Guitar Cables that Rock!

Dr. "M" Unplugged
Photo: Snap-Jack Guitar Cable
Fender Standard Stratocaster

Cables! Unless you plan to go wireless anytime soon, you're going to need them. Still the pops, cracks and squeals that occur when you try to disconnect from a live amp are enough to send you and your audience running. Not only that, repeated noises like that can permanently damage your amp and your guitar. Not good. What's a working musician to do?

Our solution was to find quality guitar cables that can cut the signal at the instrument jack. Both cables we tested were also featured the May issue of Guitar Player magazine among the 49 they reviewed. We took two guitar cables on the road and into the studio for our own test drive. Here's what we found:


Snap-Jack Guitar Cable by ZZYZX (15 ft.) The simplicity in this design underlies the genius. Tough, thick, PVC jacket, braided shield cable with gold plated contacts and 2 oz of solid metal nickel plating in its shell. The beauty of this cable is that the neodymium magnet only disconnects at just the right tension. If you have a busy stage with lots of wires going every which way, (who doesn't), then this cable could be a life-saver. I had it plugged into a live amp and tripped on the cable. Yes! It disconnected and saved me from a pretty nasty fall. Better still, there were no horrible cracklings in my amp as it separated. In guitar class, I simply brought along extra magnetic tips which can be purchased separately as straight or right angles. Everybody was able to disconnect and switch guitars instantly without cutting the power to the amp. Sweet! For fast changes while performing or recording, just leave a tip in each guitar you'll be playing. Break off the Snap-Jack Cable at your guitar jack and you are ready to attach another instrument without running back to your amp to shut it down! Saves a lot of time and energy especially when you're trying to adjust your boxes & equipment on stage.
PROS: The Snap-Jack is a high quality, thick guitar cable. Our tests for sound quality, durability and construction gave the Snap-Jack very high marks. Easy to use, no guessing about whether or not you're "live"! It performed flawlessly as advertised in the studio and out.
CONS: If you use the extra tips, they can be a bit difficult to remove from your guitar jack. We got around that by simply using the cable itself to retrieve them.
Snap-Jack Guitar Cable MSRP $53.49
Visit ZZYZX (Jodavi) Online at: www.zzyzxsnapjack.com



The Circuit Breaker by Planet Waves (10 ft. Right Angle Plug) Planet Waves is well known for their quality guitar accessories. 24K gold-plated plugs, copper braided shielding and 8 compression springs that allow the plug to lock securely in the jack. The Circuit Breaker is a performance capable guitar cable with a signal cutoff switch. This means that you can cut the signal from your guitar without having to cut your amp.
We were able to test the Circuit Breaker during a live performance. My amp was connected to a direct box so "my sound" could be played over the house PA. The soundman, (picky fellows, they are), was very impressed and when the set was over, I disconnected the Circuit Breaker cable without blowing up his system. No pops, squeals or cracks! If you need to change instruments on the fly, simply depress the button, remove and insert into another instrument. Press the button again and you're live! I found the right angle plug to be especially useful in the studio when recording and practicing. I like to switch between my Autoharp and acoustic guitar so I can tweak the same arrangement on different instruments. The Circuit Breaker allows me to do this seemlessly without the need to shut off my monitor or recording equipment.
PROS: This guitar cable offers great sound conductivity. Rugged construction makes this cable roadworthy and reliable. The attached cable tie shows Planet Waves was thinking of us musicians down to the smallest details.
CONS: If you're not careful, you could disconnect yourself by accidentally pressing the "short" button during performance.
Circuit Breaker Guitar Cable MSRP $53.99
Visit Planet Waves Online at: www.planetwaves.com

UPDATE!!!:

The Original Braided Cable! Spectraflex, a top maker of professional quality, low noise guitar cables also makes a cable with a "Silent Plug" that can be shut off to allow for quick guitar changes without disconnecting from your amp. The Fatso Flex Guitar cable was voted among the best cables this year by Guitar Player Magazine. This superior quality cable is also available with a 1/4 inch Silent Plug, straight or angled. Made in the USA. Have it all!

Fatso Flex Silent Plug Guitar Cable (14ft) MSRP $49.95

Visit Spectraflex Online at: http://www.spectraflex.com/

Coming up next! We'll see what Keeley Electronics, BOSS, Marshall Amps, Digitech and Ibanez have going for them in the way of guitar effects pedals and processors. Learn how to daisy chain your pedals for the best effects. Take a quick preview right now by clicking the banner ad photos to your left!