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How Many Years Does It Take To Learn Guitar?
A question that pops up from all beginners, is how many years does it take to learn guitar? Well, that depends on your own aspirations, but there is a general consensus. Today we look at just how much effort it takes to get good at guitar. How Many Years Does It Take To Learn Guitar?…
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Electric Guitar Is OK For Beginners – Here’s Why…
A lot of students ask me all the time, is electric guitar ok for beginners? The answer is a little complicated, but today we look at the advantages and the disadvantages. Is Electric Guitar OK For Beginners? There is a weird myth going around that to play guitar, you should start out on an acoustic…
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Solving Guitar Tuning Issues 101: 5 Reasons Your Guitar Is Going Out Of Tune
I see so many complaints online about guitar tuning issues, and people rarely get a clear answer. Today we go over all of the reasons your guitar might be out of tune! Guitar Tuning Issues: Need A Tune Up? When I take a look at guitar forums, one of the most common beginner questions usually…
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The Effects Of Weather On Your Guitar: Top 3 Environmental Factors Explained!
There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to the effects of weather on your guitar. Today we explain the facts, and break down the best ways to protect your instrument! The Effects Of Weather On Your Guitar: It’s Complicated… The time has come for my favorite time of the year! I absolutely adore…
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Floyd Rose Bridge Setup: 7 EASY Steps To Dive Bombing For Beginners!
Performing your first Floyd Rose Bridge setup by yourself can be daunting. But trust me, this can be a lot easier if you have the right tools, and a little bit of know-how. Today, we show you how to do it the EASY way! Floyd Rose Bridge Setup: Take A Deep breath! If you have…
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The Top 7 Electric Guitar Myths: Fact or Fiction?
Even before the internet, electric guitar myths were passed down through word of mouth. Today, we look at these myths. We study how they began and where they came from, so we can find the truth! The Top Electric Guitar Myths: The Anatomy Of A Myth… If you have played guitar for a while, I…
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How Much Do Electric Guitars Cost? A Complete Guide…
If you’re new to the world of electric guitars and wondering how much they cost, here’s a quick primer on everything you could possibly ever need to know… The price of electric guitars varies MASSIVELY. You have ultra-cheap options from brands like Donner and Squier and Eastman and guitars that cost half a million quid…
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10 Metal Bands That Play In Standard Tuning
Most metal bands tune down their guitars. But is it essential? No. Here are 10 metal bands that play in standard tuning… There’s a common myth that, in order to sound heavy, you must tune down your guitar – either to Drop D, D Standard, or lower. But as you’ll see in this post, PLENTY of…
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Gigging On A Budget: Building A Guitar Rig For $1500 or LESS!
Building a Guitar Rig For $1500 or less? Sound Impossible? Today we show you just how far budget gear has come, as we build a Rock Rig for $1500! Building A Guitar Rig With $1500: Rock/Blues We have officially launched our weekly series about Gigging On A Budget, and we thought we would start with…
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Recording With The BOSS Katana Explained: THE Tone Studio V2 Guide!
Recording With the BOSS Katana has never been easier with the Tone Studio V2 Update. Today we go over the easiest ways to get a great tone recording! Recording With The BOSS Katana: It Was Already Easy! I promise you, this will be the last time I talk about the BOSS Katana for a while.…
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Intervals For Beginners: The #1 Way To Unlock The ENTIRE Fretboard!
Music theory can be a very daunting subject to tackle for guitarists. Intervals are a way of breaking down the fretboard into easy octaves. Today, we show you the easiest way to learn them! Intervals: The Fretboard In Numbers If you have spent any time learning music theory or scales, then you have probably ran…
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Minor Scale & 6th Mode Explained: Guitar Theory For Beginners
We have talked a lot about music theory for guitarists, and so far we have stuck to the Major Keys and Modes. Today we look at the Minor Scale for the first time, and talk about how to use it! Easy Theory For Guitarists: The Minor Scale We have been exploring some basic music theory…
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Major Scale & 1st Mode on Guitar Explained (The Easy Way)
Getting into basic music theory can be confusing, so let’s take a look at where it all starts. The Major Scale and Ionian mode are a great place to begin! Today we show you the easy way to learn. Basic Music Theory: Start Here! We have talked about basic music theory here a few times.…
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The Pedals Jack White Used To Make Elephant
Wanna dial in Jack White’s iconic guitar tone? You’ll need a very specific selection of pedals – here’s everything you need to know Right out the gate, I want to say that in this post we’ll be focussing on Jack White’s guitar sound during his tenure in The White Stripes, specifically looking at the band’s finest…
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Jack White Guitar Tuning – Here’s What He Uses Most…
What guitar tuning does Jack White use? Here’s a look at all the different tunings he used in The White Stripes, The Dead Weather, and The Raconteurs, as well as his solo records… Jack White’s new album Fear of The Dawn has just landed and it is as weird and eclectic as you’d expect. As…
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22 Frets VS 24 Frets: We Explain The Fascinating Differences!
You have probably heard the arguments regarding 22 frets VS 24 frets when it comes to guitars. Today we break down the science of why, and how it all works. 22 Frets VS 24 Frets: Does It Matter? Guitarists can be really persnickety people when it comes to the features and design of their instruments.…
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Getting Started With REAPER DAW: A Beginner’s Guide…
REAPER DAW is often recommended as a great beginner Digital Audio Workstation, but it can be a little confusing for any first timer. Today, we take a look at how to get started recording your own riffs! Getting Started With REAPER DAW: The Basics I get asked about recording guitar for the first time about…
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Adam Jones Pedalboard: What Does TOOL Guitarist Use?
Adam Jones has a killer, near-instantly recognizable guitar tone that is built on very specific amps, cabinets, and, of course, pedals. Here’s a complete breakdown of Adam Jones’ pedalboard… I was lucky enough to catch TOOL last week. I had amazing seats right at the front, so I could literally see everything Adam Jones was…
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Guitar Pickup Positions 101: Which Pickup Should You Use For…
Your guitar pickup positions can be really confusing for beginners, but today we are going to take a look at which pickup positions do what, and how they are usually used. Guitar Pickup Positions: The Beginner’s Mystery I get this question from students so often, that I thought it was time to write an article…
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Your Guitar’s Tone Knob Explained: What It Is, And How To Use It Like A PRO!
The tone knob often gets looked over on guitars, especially when playing metal music. But it may be more beneficial than you think! Today we take a look at how to use it, and the different types. The Tone Knob: Quit Ignoring It! There are so many myths when it comes to guitar playing. These…
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Spark Amp Amp List – All The Amps & What They’re Based On
Positive Grid’s Spark Amp comes with a huge range of simulated amp tones, as well as effects. Here’s a full breakdown of ALL the amps you get access to inside the Spark Amp The Spark Amp is perhaps one of the most divisive products to ever hit the market. I cannot remember anything ever dividing…
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How TOOL’s Adam Jones Practices Guitar
Adam Jones is one of the most influential guitarists of the last 20 years. Not bad considering TOOL’s rather meager back catalog. But how does Adam Jones ensure his chops stay nice and frosty? Like everybody else, he practices – he practices a lot. But it is Jones’ approach to how he practices that he says…
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Is EZdrummer 2 Worth It? My Personal Experience
If you play guitar and regularly write and record songs, but you don’t have access to a drummer, EZdrummer 2 will quickly become your new best friend – here’s why… Back in the day when I started in music production, MIDI drums positively sucked. They just sounded terrible, only being marginally better than a click track.…
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Eddie Van Halen’s Guitars: Exploring The Models, Myths, & Legends…
There has never been someone as innovative as Eddie Van Halen when it comes to guitar gear. Other people have tried and failed. Eddie changed the face of rock and metal with crazy designs. Today we take a look at his biggest accomplishments. Eddie Van Halen: Talent And Innovation We recently talked about Steve Vai,…
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John Frusciante Explains How To Play “Can’t Stop” Properly
John Frusciante explains why 99.9% of guitarists are playing “Can’t Stop” completely wrong… John Frusciante has some of the best muting techniques in the business – both left and right-hand muting. And this, he says, is the reason why nearly everybody that learns “Can’t Stop” gets it completely wrong. But what is the correct way…
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The Guitar Pedals Jimi Hendrix Used To Create His Iconic Sound
Jimi Hendrix had an iconic guitar tone, a deafening, heavy, fuzzed-out sound that redefined an entire genre of music. But what pedals did Jimi Hendrix actually use? Jimi Hendrix is one of the key influences of nearly every guitarist working today, whether they know it or not. Hendrix’s flair for ripping through pentatonic scales, for…
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Jimi Hendrix’s PREFERRED Guitar Tuning – And Why He Used It…
What guitar tuning did Jimi Hendrix use? Here’s an overview of Hendrix’s preferred guitar tuning and why he used it… Hendrix was one of the greats, a legendary pioneer when he was alive and he is now regarded as one of the greatest of all time. During his all-too-short career, Hendrix redefined rock music from…
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Fender Price Tiers Explained: All You Need To Know In 2022!
The Fender price tiers have been confusing for a lot of guitarists since the latest revamp. Today we set the record straight, and explain the different names and quality. Fender Price Tiers: It Can Get Confusing! Fender has been doing really well these days, and it is one of the few American guitar companies that…
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Best Strings For Drop D Tuning: Get Perfect Tension & Tone
If you’re tuning down to Drop D from standard tuning, you might want to think about switching up your strings. But what are the best strings for Drop D tuning? Let’s find out… Drop D tuning is an immensely popular guitar tuning used by loads of players in quite a few different genres of music…
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Best Strings For Drop Tuning: From D Standard To Drop A…
Here’s a handy table that details all the best strings for drop tunings – from D Standard to Drop A…. Chances are, if you’re on this site, reading about drop tunings on guitar, you like metal or doom or sludge and you want to start playing in lower tunings to dial in that HEAVY guitar sound.…
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What Guitars Do Ghost Use? A Ghoulish Guide…
What guitars do Ghost use? In this guide we’ll look at what Tobias Forge uses to record Ghost albums and what his nameless ghouls use when they’re playing live – there’s some excellent gear coming! Ghost’s new album, IMPERA, is now out and the band, as ever, is pushing forward into new territory. In my review…
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What Guitar Tuning Do Ghost Use? A Quick Guide…
From the brain of Tobias Forge, Ghost – previously known as Ghost BC – has produced some of the biggest metal albums of the past few years. But what guitar tuning do Ghost use? Let’s find out… Ghost has a unique, yet almost pastiche sound. You know you’re listening to Ghost usually within just a few bars.…
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How To Sound Like KYUSS: Dialin’ In The Desert Sound
If you play guitar and you’re after a guitar tone similar to KYUSS, you’ll need to know how Josh Homme set up his guitar and what gear he used – here’s everything you need to know… If you want to get that quintessential desert, stoner rock sound that was originally popularised by Josh Homme and his…
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What Pickups Does James Hetfield Use? A Quick Overview…
James Hetfield is arguably one of the most influential guitarists of all time. His right hand is legendary, as are his riffs. But what pickups does James Hetfield use? Let’s find out… James Hetfield – alongside Lars Ulrich – is the brains behind some of the most influential metal songs ever committed to tape. Hetfield’s riffs are…
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What Pickups Does Josh Homme Use? Let’s Find Out…
Josh Homme has many guitars, most of them odd choices, and plenty of chops. But what pickups does Josh Homme use to dial in his iconic guitar tone? Let’s find out… Josh Homme basically invented dessert, stoner rock with his first band KYUSS. KYUSS then split over “creative differences” and Homme formed Queens of The…
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Installing A Speaker Upgrade: The #1 Guide To Enhancing Your Guitar Amp’s Tone!
I hear people ask all the time about making their tone better, and sometimes it can be as easy as a speaker upgrade. Today we go over all of the advantages, and take a step by step look at how to install your new speaker. Is It Time For A Speaker Upgrade? It seems like…
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10 Bands That Play In D Standard
D Standard – AKA DGCFAD tuning – is one whole step down from standard tuning. It sounds lower and heavier. And here are 10 metal bands that play in D Standard When it comes to metal, sounding heavy isn’t just about down-tuning your guitars. It helps, sure, but it won’t make your riffs sound better if they’re…
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Dissecting The 7 Best Guitar Solos Of All Time: What Makes Them Great?
We may not all agree on what the best guitar solos of all time might be, but what makes the timeless solos on this list so amazing? let’s break down what makes these great, from a technical standpoint. Making this list was extremely difficult. I scoured reddit, and all of the major guitar forums to…
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Guitar Fretboard: How To Learn The Notes (The EASY Way) – No Theory, Just One, Simple Actionable Hack…
With this simple trick, you can quickly expand how many notes you can find on the guitar fretboard. If you only know the low string, this will show you how to quickly find notes on the A and D strings too. It’s an awesome guitar fretboard hack! One of the most intimidating aspects of learning…
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Starting A Band Part 2: Essential PRO Steps After You Conquer The Basics!
We have already talked about how involved it is when starting a band, and what you need to do to get ahead and be a professional. Today, we look over the next steps to take and discuss some tough topics. Are you ready? Starting A Band: It Gets MORE Complicated… Last year, I wrote an…
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3 Essential Guitar Muting Techniques That’ll Blow Your Mind
One of the main reasons why your playing doesn’t sound professional is that you’re muting sucks. Use these four amazing guitar muting techniques to improve your playing and sound by 1000%… Ever wondered why your guitar tracks sound messy? Or, when you plug into an amp, everything just sounds like a big hot mess, lacking…
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Drop D vs Drop C – What’s The Difference?
A lot of metal bands use Drop D or Drop C tunings. But what is the difference between Drop D vs Drop C tuning on the guitar? Let’s investigate… The popularity of alternate tunings like Drop D and Drop C has grown massively since the early 2000s. The rise of Nu Metal in the late-1990s…
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Sustainiac Pickup Fixes: The #1 Guide To Troubleshooting This Amazing Pickup!
This is the #1 question I get. Sustainiac pickup fixes may seem complex, but it is easy! People often over complicate the issue, and today we are going to walk you through the whole process. Sustainiac Pickup Fixes: We Get This Question All The Time! The first thing we need to get across here, is…
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Fuzz vs Distortion: Which is Best / What’s The Difference?
When it comes to pedals, things can get messy quickly – and expensive. But what is the difference between fuzz and distortion? And which is best for certain styles of music? Let’s find out… When it comes to pedals, modern bands tend to love them. You have bands like YOB or TOOL that simply wouldn’t be…
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Locking Tuners 101: The BEST Guide To This PRO Upgrade!
What are locking tuners? Are locking tuners worth it? How do they benefit my guitar? Today we will go over all of this and talk about the best brands! Locking Tuners: What Are They? Locking tuners are one of the easiest upgrades you can do to your guitar, and it can provide a huge benefit.…
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What Are P90 Pickups Good For? Let’s Find Out…
When it comes to pickups, you have lots of options. Humbuckers are very popular. Ditto single-coil pickups. But what are P90 pickups good for? Let’s find out… Whatever guitar you use, it will have some form of pickup on it. You can get guitars with a single pickup, two pickups, and even three pickups. And…
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What Is Line 6 Edit? The #1 Guide To Crafting Amazing Tones!
The Line 6 Edit software can be a little intimidating at first. But if you take a look at it, from a different perspective, it really isn’t that difficult to maneuver. Today we take a look at the basic functions. What Is Line 6 Edit? Do Not Fear! I think one of the biggest hurdles…
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Queens of The Stone Age Guitar Tuning: A Guide…
Killer riffs, catchy licks, swagger, and a complete disregard for the rules. These are just a few of the things that make up Josh Homme’s guitar style. But what tuning do Queens of The Stone Age actually use? Josh Homme is one of the most influential guitarists working today. He effectively invented dessert rock and…
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12 Guitar Fretboard Hacks That Every Beginner Should Know
Learning the guitar fretboard is almost like learning another language. Today, we break down some of the best shortcuts to getting the most out of your practice time. Fretboard Hacks: Getting In The Right Positions… If you’re a beginner guitarist, some of the scariest things to think about is notes and scales. There are 22-24…
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The 7 Most Common Guitar Tunings Used In Music
You can tune your guitar however you like but there are certain guitar tunings that are most commonly used by professionals and amateur players alike. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the seven most common… Most guitarists cut their teeth in Standard tuning. If you pick up a guitar in a store, it’ll…
