There is no denying the ease of use of a modeler when recording. Sure there is an argument of simplicity when you put a mic in front of a speaker, hit record and let it be what it is… but there are downfalls of the analog situation too. Amps are bigger, have less options, more noise artifacts, and of course the elephant in the room… sheer loudness in order to get the tubes cooked and the speakers moving. Pedals have their issues too. Cables fail, powering issues, number of pedals, size of the enclosure, and of course buffering and impedance issues.

But why is a modeler such a good option? Can you record more than one track? What is re-amping? Does phase matter? Is phase really a math equation? How do you use modelers with an interface? Do you even need an interface? Can you fly with it? And… IR’s are they a tone game changer?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Beth, on the Tweed Couch.

If you are listening to this then you have probably been there. You sit down to watch a movie and somewhere in there you see guitar gear. From Tom Hanks’, That Thing You Do to Rob Reiner’s Spinal Tap… nothing is more engaging, entertaining, and aggravating to a guitarist than a movie with guitar gear.

But what does Steve Vai, Ralph Macchio & Brittany Spears have in common? Did Back to the Future make critical Gibson, Fender & PRS errors? Is Huey Lewis’ hearing okay after Marty’s band audition? How great was LaBamba? How bad was the Buddy Holly Story?  Is Stairway really denied? Is it really possible to turn to 11? And what is this thing called… suspend disbelief?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Paul, on the Tweed Couch.

Ah the age old debate.. Is tone really in the fingers? From the grip of the neck to the pluck of a string. This debate has been heard time and time again. Of course the gear has to play a part too, right? I have been told that a 51 Nocaster is magical and a 59 burst is godly and if the right Marshall Plexi gets cranked to 11 then “ultimate tone” is achieved.

But where does most guitar tone come from? Does the gear really make all the difference? Can you get heavy metal tones out of an acoustic? Why is this subject even a debate? Should you focus more on gear or technique? Where does this stem from? And if tone is in the fingers then how does a robot play a guitar?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Chris, on the Tweed Couch.

It is hard to believe that nearly 3 years ago I started a podcast because all of my bookings had been canceled and I missed my music friends. Now that the gigs have started to return I thought about stopping this podcast and moving on with life.

But when I returned to gigging, what I didn’t expect was a stronger connection with the people I talk and play with a handful of times a year. Of course there have been frustrations, time constraints, thoughts of quitting, and naturally exhaustion but overall I love my music community that has now spread throughout the world into your music community. I have gained great support and new friendships with people I would never have met. Like Ohm’s in Hawaii, Ramsaphoto, and Steve from Kentucky. You guys rock and I thank you for the encouragement.

But… What is my co-host’s favorite thing about the podcast? Has anything been learned? Who is their favorite of the co-hosts? Do they have any more final thoughts? And… What possessed me to ask these people to do group guitar therapy?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this 100th Episode group therapy session with Barber, John, Lloyd,  Beth, Jeromy, Paul, Chris, Nick, Owen, and Jason… on the Tweed Couch.

Live music is amazing. I remember listening to Van Halen on the radio and thinking they were good but wasn’t sure what the fuss was about. Then I saw them live. At that moment I knew I was missing out on an important element of a band… the performance. But big rock concerts are more expensive and difficult to get to nowadays. This is why a quality cover band is a special breed. They focus on musicianship, stage presence, and quantity of music to make sure that people are having a great time without much hassle and expense.

But what makes a cover band good? Are they pretty much a living spotify or jukebox? How do you pick songs? Do the songs have to be exactly like the original? What gear do you need? Should you take requests? How important is stage presence? And… tribute bands, are they different?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with John, on the Tweed Couch.

The term best is always subjective. Best for the price, best for the size, best for this sound… what we really mean is best for myself in this situation. With that said. This is why it is important to have a conversation with someone who speaks your language and can help you organize your thoughts. Today we do this with a Worship Leader who wants to buy a great all in one amp & pedal modeler for his church musicians to use.

But… What features are important? Is there a benefit to size? Can 2 players use 1 unit? Does the venue matter? Is the user interface important? Should I or can I go stereo? Does the type of guitar matter? And… Why not just use amps and pedals?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Barber, on the Tweed Couch.

It has been another year of Podcasting, Gigs, Gear, and Videos. Of course, with this being the the end of a new year comes time to reflect on the past and look to the future.

But did we accomplish all of our goals? Do we have new gear on the horizon? How well did the podcast do last year? Are we really in the top 15% of most followed podcasts? How did the 2022 resolutions go? How did I rescue a high end guitar from becoming trash? And New Year, New Tone… what do we have to look forward to in 2023?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.

I love having a place I can call my own. Not just because it gives me a place to house my gear but because it gives me a place to take pride in. From the guitars on the wall to the knick knacks and memories. This Guitar Sanctuary is mine. I recently visited Lloyd at his converted Corn Crib, His Music Making Shred Shed, and today we talk about the place and the gear that is stored in it.

But what makes a good guitar man cave? Can you find it by accident? How personal should it get? Do you need to have a lot of gear to make it worth it? Why does Lloyd have a screen door hung up on his wall? How loud can you play? Will a pickup change rescue a Vintage Les Paul? And… cats??? Why are they everywhere and what did they do to Lloyds pedalboard?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Lloyd, on the Tweed Couch.

Today on the Tweed Couch we are counseling on “Mystery Stocking 2022… Strikes Back”

Way back in 2020, episode 22, Jason and I did the Premier Guitar Mystery Stocking. We got some cables, shirts, straps, coupons, and a GloKnob. It was a lot of fun and we vowed to do it again the next year. Unfortunately we missed out the next year… but not in 2022! Today we will unbox and discuss this mystery stocking that was shipped to our door.

But why does The Gear Page call it the Box of Sad? Did we get our money’s worth? What were the big ticket items? Was it worth doing again? Do we still have the Mystery Stocking stuff from 2 years ago? Did anyone get a GloKnob? And… after this year’s Stocking… will we do it again?

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group therapy session with Jason, on the Tweed Couch.

There is no question that Bob Dylan has inspired many musicians over decades of playing. From his musical style to his lyrics he has a sound and flavor all his own. Of course other bands have covered his songs. Within the unique identity of the Byrds, Hendrix, and even Rage Against the Machine there is the soul and stink of Bob Dylan. Now he’s not just a Musician. He is also an artist and a whiskey aficionado. In the spirit of this, I would like to talk about the parallels between a song being covered and whiskey being rebarreled.

But what makes a cover band any good? Do you have to do the song exactly the same? What makes a double barrel whisky different? Are there any rules? What does Dolly Parton and Adelle have to do with any of this? And who did it better… Dylan or the band that covered it.

Well we will discuss this, and more on this group tasting session with Nick, on the Tweed Couch.