Gearbuds

Can anyone tell us what’s going on at Digitech?

In this extra sing-songy episode Dave and the DODfather ask some questions and trace the recent history of one of our favorite (former?) American pedal brands.

Also discussed: Orange’s new USA made amp, Gibson making Gene Simmons a signature Thunderbird for some reason, Sergio Vallin’s signature Gold top, Teenage Engineering’s new TX-6 mixer, the bridge on Hank’s ES-330, Reverb’s Turning Up for Ukraine, Animals as Leaders going analog, weird Fender rings for dudes, rage posting about new instruments, and Cypress Hill.

Puff puff? PASS.

This one very easily could have been named What Dreams Are Made Of, because today we’re talking about a dream guitar.

Spoiler alert: your buds were all over the place this episode, giddy with excitement over Hank’s new vintage ES-330. Huge and massive thank you to our friends at Chicago Music Exchange for making this happen.

Also discussed: how slinky is too slinky? (featuring Ernie Ball), Soundwide collecting Native Instruments, Isotope, Brainworx and more, Boston pipe organs with Stephen Shirk, Isolates and harmonic percolators, cranky Craigslister is back!, Guitar Center’s new logo, Mike Campbell’s Collection, and Presidents of the United States of America.

*Delighted squeal*

Hi buddies - hope your spring has sprung.

This week we examine the idea of intent via Hank’s recent gear epiphany and (more importantly) Dave’s bass board. By mixing up some pedals he already had and experimenting with placement and setting, Dave was able to take his bass recording to a whole new level of inspiration; how can you do the same?

Also discussed: Gibson Master Artisan Collection with Leo Scala 58 Vs, Nile Rodgers’ Hitmaker from Fender, Acorn Amps Solid State pedal aka the Peavey Decade in a box, 12-strings, hypothetical baritones, Reverb tube and shipping updates, and Grand Funk Railroad.

Where is the line?

Happy Monday friends - your buddy Hank tossed some balls and wound up with his first electric 12-string, an Eastwood Classic 12.

This week the buds dig into that (natch) while also catching up on all of the new gear announced this week.

Also discussed: Universal Audio’s new Spark native plugin platform, Chase Bliss Habit, the Roli Seaboard 2, April Fools is dumb, RIP Taylor Hawkins, Billie Eilish winning some Oscars, 1951 Payola Tele/Esquire, Well Strung Guitars, Mesa expanding their distribution channels, and Boston.

It’s hard to take a picture of a guitar.

Hi friends. Hank and Dave recorded this week’s episode before Taylor Hawkins’ passing; however, we did review Dream Widow’s new record (it slams) so we got to honor him in that way. RIP Taylor Hawkins.

Otherwise, this was a big gear week as Taylor Guitars was named one of the top ten innovative manufacturers in the world, so obviously we needed to talk about why.

Also discussed: Strum Perfect, Mattoverse Electronics’ Solar Sound sun-powered pedal, Line 6 updating the DL4, the new Boss RE-202 Space Echo, Gibson partnering with Triumph motorcycles, UA Ukraine updates and Spark tease, Western Electric making guitar tubes, Trini Lopez deals, Alex Lifeson’s upcoming auction, NAMM updates, and Gibson’s 1967 Factory Tour.

The Craftory.

Are you worried about the global vacuum tube shortage? Should you be?

This week the buds dive into the world of tubes during this current panic/buying rush. What can you do to ensure the longest and best life possible for the tubes you already have? Your buddy Hank also got another new pedal, a real fuzzy fuzz from Warm Audio, the Foxy Tone Box, their clone of the Foxx Tone Machine, so expect plenty there.

Also discussed: the internet’s ablaze around the Gibson Theodore, Jurassic Park guitar strings, dumping on NFTs and guitar stocks, the new boss Boss Bass Katana, Neural DSP’s plugin take on the Tone King Imperial MK II, Fender’s new Parallel Universe Meteora bass, and Kanye West’s Jean-Yuhs.

Dave’s signature fuzz will be called The Loyalist.

Happy (Big Muff) Pi Day, for those who observe.

This week the buds dive into some history around signature artist models, specifically the historic lack of female signature artist instruments. The tides are finally turning folks.

Also discussed: new pedal day for Hank from Hologram Electronics, Fender’s Prestige and Hot Wheels collections, support for Ukraine from AnalogMan, Universal Audio, Soundtoys, Heardle, Warm Audio’s studio in Austin, Session Wire, Limewire selling NFTs, Red Rocks saying bye bye to weird Amazon tech, Reverb UI updates, and Ronnie Wood’s official doc.

One Lung would be a sick nickname.

We did it! Your buds officially made it to episode 150, and how did we celebrate?

We went and saw Studio 666, the new Foo Fighters rock and roll horror/comedy, and then made this episode featuring a spoiler-filled review. Shocker!

Also discussed: Music for Peace in support of Ukraine, the new Boss GX-100, 50th anniversary Ludwig Vistalite kits, Eventide’s new Anthology bundle, the new JHS DOD 250 tribute, celebrating a birthday at Fitzgerald’s with an all-star lineup, crankers and truss talk, Brady Watt, Bandcamp getting acquired by Epic Games, Musikmesse cancellation, Russian tubes, and Bandslam with David Bowie.

This isn’t Gear Foes.

Happy new week friends, time marches on.

The buds rock out a nice tight shorty for you today with both an unofficial celebration of Bass Day while also discussing some regional buying intricacies. Do you consider which parts of the globe from which you buy your gear?

Also discussed: Origin Effects’ new bass pedals, Darkglass Electronics’ new bass head, John Paul Jones re-recording When the Levee Breaks for Playing for Change, Reverb’s average rig values, Dave Grohl can’t hear, RIP Mark Lanegan, and Being Frank: The Chris Sieve Story.

Start a family band.

Ever find yourself in a gear rut? Experiencing  gear stagnation? You’re not alone, friend.

This week we talk through the ebbs and flows of collecting via Hank’s Oberheim synth and a controller from Alpes Machines. We also shine a light on the untold dirty little secret of broadcast microphones.

Also discussed: the new Fender Rosewood George Harrison Telecaster, Line 6 and the new Catalyst amps, Guitar Solo the book, the new Boss Space Echo, Universal Audio diving deeper into the microphone game, Super Bowl with a chromed Silver Sky, Zakk Wylde being a good guy, Jonny Greenwood joining Radiohead, and Billy Idol getting kicked out of Thailand.

Something big is just over the horizon.