Guitar

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What strings do you use?

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Okay, so the only question I am ever asked at gigs (and I have done a lot over the years) is 'what strings do you use', so I thought I would pose the question to the youTube world, firstly, is it just me who gets asked this question? and what strings do you use? :)I made this little video, please feel free to video respond, lets answer this question once and for all and move on :)EnjoyPeaceNeil

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New guitar music : why isn't it evolving?

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So this is just a thought....and it does relate particularly to guitar music....where are we going?? There was an epic evolution of styles of guitar music from the 50's through to the 90's, but since then? Not that much (note I am not saying none at all) just not as much. So I had this though, is this because we are now trying to emulate our heros, rather than innovate?There is so much to practice, so many songs to learn (quickly)...but what are we outputting? Are we all becoming the X factor generation of guitarists? Where we can perfectly replicate a Hendrix tune or knock of a John Pretucci run, but what about our voice?Is it time to stop (for a while) practicing playing 16th notes at tempos exceeding 200 bpm, stop learning every song on the guitar because there is easy access to tuition and develop our own voice and our own innovation?Just a though?PeaceNeilLight%20B4%20Sound

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Suhr Riot Pedal with Fender Blues Junior III Tweed in context

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Thought I would do a post of the Suhr Riot pedal being used with a Fender Blues Junior III Tweed in a music context. The thing about demos and reviews is that you don't often get to hear the sound of the pedal live. So I thought I would readjust the balance an make a quick recording. Personally the sound works for me. I would be interested to hear your feedback! This was recorded using a Zoom H4N.EnjoyPeaceNeil

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Guitar Tech GTE005 Active Volume Pedal Review

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How do you review a volume pedal? Well it is quite simple really, how well does it work, how robust it is and what features (other than being a volume pedal does it have?). The Guitar Tech GTE-005 isn't as well known as say the Jim Dunlop or Ernie Ball products, nor is it in the same price league, but nevertheless it is a really good pedal. Plus it has setting for your min and max volumes which is quite nice. Here is a video review I did of the pedal.EnjoyPeaceNeil

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Boss GE-7 Graphic Equaliser Review and tips and tricks!

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Probably one of the most useful pedals that there is, but also probably (as I know the way guitarists think) one of the least ‘exciting’ when you are thinking of buying a new pedal! I have produced a video review of the Boss GE-7 Graphic Equaliser pedal. I am using in conjunction with a Suhr Riot to show some of the tone shaping function of the pedal. Other uses of the pedal are explored, as the pedal have many different uses such as :-A simple clean boostA filter to shape your sound, for example using it to give you a scooped rhythm tone and then turning it off to give you a lead sound, or as Paul Gilbert tends to do where he runs it into a dirty amp (not the boss pedal but his custom Detox Eq) and by turning it all the levels down it gives him a clean sound by switching the pedal on. (that is a really neat trick!)I use it as a mid boost for solos, so that the mid frequencies cut across the mix above my rhythm tone. If you are a fan of a mid-scooped tone (e/g typical metal rhythm sound) and you find that your solo gets lost in the mix, the simple act of adding in some mid’s back into the equation can make the world of difference to your lead tone. Also the case with some more mid-scooped amps (e.g. Fenders) and a clean tone.The other great usage I think is to use in the loop of a tube amp, as this will give you an actual level boost, rather than overloading the preamp tunes, and will make the amp louder, it will also push the Power tubes into lovely distortion!!It is basically a Swiss army knife of a pedal, and as such very useful in a variety of situations!Here is the video review!I am using a Blackstar HT-20 Studio with an Ibanez RG550 Guitar fitted with Bare Knuckle Miracle Man PickupsPeaceNeil