Tag Archives: electric guitar

Paul Chase

Written by Jamorama on February 6, 2012 — Leave a Comment

When it comes to hooking up your jam or practice room with inspiration art is a great way to go. We`ve already had a look at Michael Babyak and today its the turn of Paul Chase.

Paul Chase is an internationally known artist, author, innovator, visionary and guitarist. He is the founder and CEO of  Graphicguitars Inc., fine art guitar paintings, prints and posters. He received a Bachelors degree in Art and a Masters in Communications. He has taught art in high schools, vocational/technical school, and at the college level for over 30 years. Paul is a distant relative of the “other” famous American artist Georgia O’Keeffe (and they are both developed their art “roots” in hometown Sun Prairie, WI) and his large close up guitar images reflect her large close up flower series. Pauls art is available for purchase online here at Rock N Roll Vintage.

Check it out!

Cheers,

Jake Edwards

Posted in art, Artists, music | Tagged , , , , , ,

Which Guitar To Learn On?

Written by admin on October 17, 2011 — Leave a Comment

Because there are many types of guitars; being Classical, Acoustic and Electric the three main ones, I wanted to have a look at what guitar is the best one for you to learn on.

Chances are that if you have asked someone if you can use their guitar for a while, it would probably be an old classical acoustic guitar or maybe a steel string acoustic. These guitars are excellent to learn on because electric guitars require things like cables, amps, speakers and power. With acoustic guitars you only need a pick.

which guitar to learn on 300x133 Which Guitar To Learn On?The other great thing about acoustic guitars is that you can’t turn them up loud. When you are learning it is probably better to play on a guitar that isn’t going to be loud – only loud enough so your ears can hear your errors and your good performances.

If you don’t know which type of guitar you want to play on, ask yourself, ‘what kind of music do I want to play?’

Pick a song that you like for its guitar sound. Listen to the guitar sounds and only the guitar sounds. Are they clean, soft sounds? Or are they harsh, heavy or distorted? Generally, acoustic guitars are softer and cleaner. Distorted, heavy sounds come from electric guitars that are plugged into amplifiers and effects units. Can you hear individual notes being picked or are the strings being strummed hard? The harder you play, the thicker your strings need to be. You need to know what style you want to play.

OK you have found a style of music that you like. Try and find the video for that song and watch it. There will probably be a section in there where the band is playing. Look at the guitarist. Is he/she playing on an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar? What brand is it? What style? If you know the exact guitar from the video, you can ask to play it at your local guitar shop to see if it suits you.

People play guitar for many different reasons. You need to understand what it is that you want to get out of the guitar. To discover your tastes in guitar music, listening to different styles and genres. Ask musicians at music shops about what kind of guitars different bands use, or ask them what kind of amps/effects those artists use to get that sound. The answers don’t have to be exact because they will get you thinking about what you need to buy to achieve the sound you are after.

So, a lot of think to do and a lot of music to hear… That two things will help you finding out the best guitar for you! Hope this helps!

Posted by Moses Robins

Posted in acoustic guitars, buying guitars, Electric Guitars, gear, learning | Tagged , ,

PRS Hollowbody – 25th Anniversary

Written by admin on September 28, 2011 — Leave a Comment

Paul Reed Smith has been making guitars since his High School days. His vast, largely experimental history is what lies behind the essence of PRS guitars.

Since forming the company’s inception in 1975, they continue to push beyond “the curve” as Paul himself says, of perfection. The Company is totally committed to the ongoing development of excellence in every guitar they build.

newsletter 12 gear review prs 300x257 PRS Hollowbody 25th AnniversarySince the company’s inception in 1975, they continue to push beyond “the curve” as Paul himself says, of perfection. The Company is totally committed to the ongoing development of excellence in every guitar they build.

Now I’ve been known to occasionally covet the sleek, curvaceous lines of PRS guitars and while I’ve never actually owned one, they remain, in my mind one of the most elegant of electric guitars.

The Paul Reed Smith 25th Anniversary Electric Guitar is no exception. It combines classic electric sounds with very acoustic sounding tones and is a truly unique instrument which will appeal to a wide variety of players across many styles.

Check out this video review from Bananas At Large and hear  just how good it sounds. It might just be your next guitar!

ab4e2097d32a3cfb2d407817c82c42dd PRS Hollowbody 25th Anniversary

Posted by Dan Orr

Posted in buying guitars, Electric Guitars, gear | Tagged

Tech Tip: Which is best on an electric guitar, a set neck, a bolt-on or a neck through body?

Written by Cam Findlay on July 8, 2010 — Leave a Comment

Question: “Which is best on an electric guitar, a set neck, a bolt-on or a neck through body?”

Rickenbacker 008 Tech Tip: Which is best on an electric guitar, a set neck, a bolt on or a neck through body?

Set Neck Guitar

Answer: It’s not so much an issue of “best” as it is “which sound do you prefer?”
The way a neck attaches to the body colors a guitar’s voice. String vibration transfers to the body through the neck/body joint (as well as through the bridge).

With a set neck guitar such as a Les Paul, the fit of the neck to the body is crucial – there must be no gaps or high spots to compromise the glue joint.
This way the neck and the body are “bonded” without adding pressure to the overall construction. Some builders feel a set-in joint gives the guitar a “singing” quality – notes seem to swell after the pick attack until they reach their final amplitude.
Smooth, warm sustain with moderate attack are characteristics often attributed to set-in guitars.

Bolt on neck Tech Tip: Which is best on an electric guitar, a set neck, a bolt on or a neck through body?

Bolt-On Neck Guitar

A bolt-on neck is practical – it’s easy to remove for repair or replacement – and versatile. A number of cottage industries have arisen that provide replacement or modified bolt-on necks for Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters and basses.
A good fit is still critical, as one builder/repair expert explains: “For a bolt-on to have the best possible tone, the neck must fit tightly in the pocket and make good contact on all sides of the joint. Any gap will result in lost sound”.
A bolt-on produces an identifiable timbre that emphasizes certain frequencies over others. It’s often defined as a “twang,” and is the result of the pressure exerted when you pull the neck into the pocket with screws.

Ibanez Studio ST 100 electric guitar back Tech Tip: Which is best on an electric guitar, a set neck, a bolt on or a neck through body?

Neck Through Body Guitar


Neck through body construction usually employs maple for the neck paired with softer woods for the “wings” that form the body. Since the majority of the instrument is maple, the tone is often bright, with quick attack and tight bottom end.
The small body wings of a neck-through don’t develop the lower frequencies that a separate body produces, and the result is often a bright, thin-sounding guitar.
Neck-through instruments work well in high-volume playing situations that call for definition and clear low end. Some neck-through guitars – Gibson’s Firebird, for example – use a mahogany neck section. This softer wood provides a warmer, rounder tone more characteristic of a set neck guitar.

Posted in buying guitars, Electric Guitars, gear | Tagged , ,