ElectrikJam Podcast

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This Week We Discuss:

• Richard is always late, and his child destroys watermelons in public for no reason.
• Rick Beato Interviews Danny Carey from TOOL: What an eye-opening interview with an absolute legend of a drummer! Danny has played with so many famous guitarists and artists over the years, it is hard not to be jealous.
• How much can two guys talk about the band TOOL? 
• Who is the bass player in Coldplay?
• Bob Ludwig: Famous studio engineer and producer has "Golden Ears". He can hear the rattle from a screw on a drum in the mix! He has worked with some amazing guitarists and solo artists over the years.
• Can you insure your ears?
• Are Gen X easier to adapt to the world and music technology? More conditioned maybe?
• We plug our Mastering Course again, and Christopher goes into detail about our guide. Getting started with mastering is not hard! Learn how to master tracks for free!
• The Eagles use backing tracks live, for everything.

Every Guitar Company is Upgrading?
With Epiphone starting the "Inspired by Gibson" line, and PRS Guitars stepping up their S2 line, where are "affordable" guitar trends heading? Will Epiphone still offer the staples, like the Les Paul Standard? Are the new "intermediate" level guitars going to be forever locked into the $1500 bracket? Getting a good guitar has never been easier, and we go over why these upgrades might be justified. the market for guitars is changing drastically.

#guitar #guitarplayers #guitarnews #guitarpedals #guitarpickups

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This week we discuss:

• Christopher has authored a course on mastering for beginners, which you can find on Electrikjam.com. Learn how to master songs with free plugins! Check it out here: Audio Mastering 101: Learn How To Master Your Music Like A Pro
• Electrikjam was always supposed to be about guitar education, not entertainment, and we are finally getting there!
• Guitar Max Carlisle (Glenn Danzig's Brother) sent us into a frenzy to test our guitars for LEAD! That's right, some of those cheaper guitars have lead in the frets, paint, and even plastics! You need to check your guitars if they are a lesser-known brand.
• Proposition 65: This is about poisoning and you probably have seen it on your guitars, but that refers to sanding metals and inhaling it, or Nitro lacquer...not actual LEAD poisoning.
• Ola Englund & Solar Guitars Release a New Finish: Solar Guitars have a new real "Metal" finish, where the metal oxidizes over time! How cool!
• John Cusack looks just like Bruce Springsteen. The Boss is getting a great Biopic soon.
• Local manufacturing of guitars, and literally everything matters.

Main Topic: Import Guitars in The USA and Patriotism
Import guitars have never been more popular, but they often came with a stigma of not being from "Merica!". Is that stigma finally starting to dissipate with the new generations? Is "Made in The USA" and old concept that no longer matters?
Import guitars are becoming better, but there is still a stigma about it.



#guitars #guitarplayers #guitarnews #guitarsolo #guitarnerds #rockmusic

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* Listener Discretion Advised!* Mentions detailed accounts, including a court case that involved self-harm and drug use. Also mentions history and counter-culture like the band Mayhem and the Black-Metal movement.

Today's special episode talks about the Occult and the effect it has had on Rock and Metal music over the decades. Beginning with Robert Johnson selling his soul in a Faustian deal to become a great musician, all the way to modern-day music.

We dig into the "Satanic Panic" of the 80's and the backlash it caused in the music industry. But still, bands like Slayer and TOOL use "scary" imagery for shock value and they were considered dangerous back then!

But is heavy music "dangerous" anymore? Was heavy music EVER really dangerous? Tipper Gore certainly thought it was dangerous and started the "Parental Advisory" stickers on Albums in the 1980's.

Is it all marketing? Is it all just to cause an uproar? Why does scary stuff go hand-in-hand with Metal music?

Today we use the Occult, New Age, and science, to discuss and break down how these beliefs have affected music over the years, for better or worse.


#guitar #satanicpanic #80smetal #Roberjohnson #thecrossroads #scary #spooky #history #religion #heavymetal #toolband 

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Join our EMAIL LIST! It is free, and the community is growing. No spam, just guitar stuff! Stay in the loop, as we have big plans to announce soon!

This week, the Electrikjam.com staff talks about...

• Sleep Token: The newest masked metal band! Do we like them, or do we think they are possible industry plants, milking the metal scene?
• The Katana GO: After the review, it was very hard for Christopher to give this device back. What a great guitar accessory! Check out our review HERE. This is a practice tool for every guitarist.
• Where did our theme song come from?
• BOSS does not advertise their guitar products much, do they?
• Richard continues to have a hazy memory, unfortunately.
• The internet follows your every move, and maybe you should take that into account. Constant advertising is a REAL problem.  This leads us to our main topic...

*Will You Ever Find The Perfect Guitar?*
We have all been there before...haven't we? You have looked at every guitar on a website or Reverb. You are taking in all the specs, and all of the features of every guitar. But is it just GAS, like we discussed last week?

There is no perfect guitar that will change your playing or your style. A nice guitar may make you want to practice more, but will it change your guitar style? Tools do not make you a better artist.

But if gear doesn't give you "tone" or style, what counts out at the end of the day? How many guitars do you need to run a studio? What do you actually need?

At what point are you no longer a guitarist, but an investor? A consumer?

This wraps up our last few episodes about marketing, and how it has affected the guitar community during the internet age. We address the culture of "showing off" and why you should probably worry more about practicing guitar.

Most famous artists that you look up to, do not worry about chasing the perfect guitar. They find what works, and make music! The guitar that you need might be sitting right next to you. If the guitar stays in tune and makes sound, you have everything you need to make your art.

Next week will be a SPECIAL episode, with only one topic.

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Visit Electrikjam.com for the FREE Guitar Modes Course, which we mention at the end. Just sign up, and you get free mode diagrams for tablets, phones, or desktops!

Today we talk about:

1. The Dave Grohl Epiphone Problem: Shipping issues, broken headstocks, and cracked finishes galore! What has happened with these guitars? Epiphone has NO response.
2. Sweet Water and Glamour Shot Guitar Photos?
3. Cell Phone Issues: We are highly unprofessional...well, Richard is.
4. Shipping Guitars is Difficult.
5. The Line 6 POD Express: This is an awesome piece of gear, and we recently reviewed it. If you want to read our review, Click HERE. This podcast was the week before the review.
6. The Problem With Guitar Plugins: Spoiler: It is the latency. This is a big issue, and the professionals are starting to notice.
7. Tidal Should Sponsor Us: Christopher has been buying CDs again, since streaming sucks. Tidal is better quality, and works with young bands.
8. Richard Only Had 3 CDs In His Car A Decade Ago: What were they?
9. Older Guitar Amp Sims Were BAD.
10. The "Perpetually Online Guitar Player"...when are you actually playing?
11. The Future is A Dystopia...maybe.
12. Baritone Guitars?
13. DUNE was a cool movie, and that brings us to....

Main Topic:

"Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S), also known as Guitar Acquisition Syndrome, is a chronic condition that affects many guitarists who play for long enough. It's the urge to buy and own instruments and equipment, even when the latest gadgets are just a click away. Musicians may believe that this will lead to creative energy and happiness, but GAS can also lead to spending money on gear that is not needed."

Our opinion?  If you spend more time playing your guitar than worrying about your gear then you will be: 

• A lot happier
• A lot richer $$$
• A much better guitar player

But being content does not sell guitars. Consumerism at its finest, right? Learn to love your gear!

#guitar #guitarist #beginnerguitarist #consumerism #philosophy #guitarsolo #guitarplayer #Gibsonguitars #Fender #Strandberg 

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Today we talk about:

• The new Dave Grohl Epiphone Model, and how scarce it is!
• What is the net worth of your favorite Rock stars? TOOL? Metallica? Iron Maiden? Ghost? Who is worth the most in the music industry?
• How do you make money in a band these days?

Does Natural Talent exist?
This is a big topic, and we look at it from different angles. While Christopher thinks that talent is the result of hard work, can Richard sway his opinion? Where do creative ideas come from? Is it genetic?

Today we explore every avenue of talent. There is science behind talent, but there is also an esoteric aspect that cannot be defined. From Jimi Hendrix, Prince, Billie Eilish to Eddie Van Halen... who has "natural" talent?

IS IT MAGIC?! The Subconscious?

#guitar #musicproduction #production #talented #music #beginnerguitarist 

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Today we take a look at how guitar products, and even guitars themselves, have never been more affordable. The same can be said for recording equipment, and all of the DAW plugins on the market. Everything is much easier now, right?

But do you REALLY need it? Join us to explore the future-present, where you can have a million guitar gadgets. But do these tools actually help you? or are they more of a distraction?

Visit Electrikjam.com to see reviews, gear news, and recording tips.


#guitar #beginnerguitarists #recording #music #guitarplayers 

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This week we discuss guitar price hikes across all brands, but especially Epiphone. The new Epiphone lineup includes an Adam Jones model, and even a Dave Grohl signature guitar that has been a long time coming. These new models use Gibson parts, and cost a little more than your usual Epiphone guitar, but have a proper "open book" headstock.

Speaking of Adam Jones...do you like TOOL?

Schecter also has seen a few price hikes, as South Korea steps up as the new leader in production guitars. Sullivan King and Keith Merrow have new Schecter signature guitars, and the price is finally catching up with the quality of these instruments. The quality of a fine wine from Maynard's vineyard... the singer for TOOL.

But that conversation doesn't last long, because our fearless guitar nerd hosts start rambling about the band TOOL for most of the episode. We discuss the lore around the band, and what makes TOOL so enigmatic. 

As always, check out Electrikjam.com for some cool news and reviews (and lots of articles about TOOL)

#tool #toolband #guitar #guitars #guitarist #guitarists #guitarsolo #guitarpedal #guitarpedals #guitarlife #guitarlove #electricguitar #electricguitars #guitargear 

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Today Christopher and Richard take a look at what makes a song great, and memorable. Chris and Rich explore their favorite albums, production techniques, and how songs can make their mark on you for life.

Chris also challenges RICK BEATO to a Pay-Per-View  fight if Rick is feeling feisty over our choice of words. Does Rick own "What Makes This Song Great?"

We tackle the issues with Positive Grid, and the new SPARK LIVE amplifier series, as well as the difference between digital and analog guitar amps.

Check out Electrikjam's article about using plugins, and dialing in your interface. The subject is touched on during the episode, but you can get the full details HERE.
#electrikjam #guitar #guitars #guitarist #guitarists #guitarsolo   #electricguitar #electricguitars #guitargear #rickbeato

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Exploring the mind of a professional guitar tech, builder, and pedal designer!

Today we talk shop with David Ross, designer of the Spellbook Pedal, as well as a master guitar tech and builder. We have done some reviews on David's innovative pedals, and today he shares some valuable guitar knowledge with us!

We also discuss why beginner guitarists need a good guitar tech, as well as our opinions on build-quality and guitar brands.

Check out David on Facebook, and on his Official Site. If you are in the New York area, check out the services David has to offer.

Our demo of the INSANE Spell Book Fuzz Pedal mentioned in the podcast.

#davidrossmusicalinstruments #electrikjam #guitar #guitars #guitarist #guitarists #guitarsolo #guitarpedal #guitarpedals #guitarlife

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Join our Email Club HERE. No Spam, No Advertising. Just weekly guitar videos!