Hands-On Reviews and Product Spotlights

G&L was founded by Leo Fender and George Fullerton in 1980 and the L-2000 bass has become a classic just like most of the other Leo Fender designs. Leo is no longer with us, of course, but the L-2000 is, in both an American-made version that is true to the L-2000 Leo first created and in an imported Tribute Series model that is an exceptional production rendition of the American-made model.

continue reading »

We all have good days and bad days at our jobs. And sometimes, we have great days. I had one of those recently, when I came in to find seven Electro-Harmonix pedals sitting on my desk! Having just reviewed the outstanding Voice Box Vocal Harmonizer and Vocoder in a recent catalog, I was excited to get the chance to explore more of the Electro-Harmonix line of guitar and bass stompboxes. Standing neatly in two stacks, waiting for me to put them through their paces, were the XO Big Muff Pi with Tone Wicker distortion, the XO Bass Big Muff Pi, the XO Stereo Electric Mistress Flanger/Chorus, the XO Worm Analog Modulator, the XO Stereo Pulsar Tremolo, the XO micro POG (Polyphonic Octave Generator), and the XO Holy Grail Plus Variable Reverb.

continue reading »

There are certain rare products that seem to spring forth from the collective unconscious as whole, complete, and good. Even though we may never have had any contact with them ourselves, somehow we accept them as "really good." Before I had one, if anybody asked me about Tech 21’s SansAmp, I’d invariably say, "Yeah, they’re really good." And once I had one in my studio, I finally understood why there’s an aura around the SansAmp that prompts us to praise without having touched one. That said, my purpose is to get the SansAmp out of the collective unconscious into the forefront of your mind, and from there, into your rack.

continue reading »

Each of the guitars in my modest collection has a role to play. I have a dependable workhorse guitar that goes to gigs, a great-sounding instrument for the recording studio, a compact travel guitar, a lavishly appointed diva that only makes appearances at special occasions, and finally, my guitar for the rest of my playing situations such as parties and informal jams, the backyard patio, or a spur-of-the-moment songwriting session. Epiphone has two excellent candidates for such an all-purpose guitar: the Limited Edition Hummingbird Artist and Limited Edition EJ-200, Artist. Each Artist is a no-frills version of a classic Gibson flattop.

continue reading »

When the Parker Fly was released in the early 1990s, it was a landmark in solidbody electric guitar innovation: a slim, ultralight body design with a distinctively angular silhouette enveloped by a smooth "space age material" skin. With the new DragonFly, Parker combines the best of the original Fly's forward-looking features with elements that appeal to guitar players looking for a more traditional vibe. While sacrificing none of the elements that make the Fly a Fly, the DragonFly successfully broadens its appeal to any guitarist looking for state-of-the-art technology in a lightweight and versatile instrument.

continue reading »

Whatever you do, don't call it a headphone amp. That doesn't come close to describing what the JamHub can do to transform your practice sessions and rehearsals. Although it has elements of both a headphone distribution amp and a multichannel mixer (and a recording device), the JamHub combines the best of both to provide musicians a friendly, no-hassle environment to get together and practice silently—without the high-decibel collateral damage that can make rehearsing a full band a nightmare. The JamHub is a silent rehearsal studio—or you might even say a "stealth studio"—that allows you to bang it out with your bandmates even while someone nearby reads a book, watches TV, or nods off to sleep.

continue reading »