Tag: Guitar

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5 Best Alvarez Acoustic Guitars

A man playing an acoustic guitar.

When you’re in the market for an acoustic guitar, you want to buy it from a reputable brand. One renowned and credible brand is Alvarez Guitars, which has been producing guitars since 1965. 

There are several factors to consider when purchasing, including your skill level, budget, and what you want to get out of your guitar. Fortunately, Alvarez offers a wide range of guitars, so you will find a suitable instrument for you no matter your needs. 

To help you narrow down the choices, we’ve compiled a list of the best guitars from Alvarez. Take a look and see if any of our picks are right for you.

Alvarez AD60 Artist Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

Alvarez AD60 Artist Series Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

The Alvarez AD60 is an affordable, high-quality dreadnought guitar for newer players. As a mid-priced instrument, the AD60 delivers an exceptional playing experience. This guitar is made out of hand-selected Sitka spruce and other natural materials, so it not only looks great but plays great, too. For a guitar that you can’t help but be impressed with, pick up the Alvarez AD60 acoustic guitar.

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Alvarez AJ80CE Artist Series Jumbo Dreadnought Acoustic-Electric Guitar

AJ80CE

Another addition to the Artist Series is the Alvarez AJ80CE acoustic-electric guitar. Also constructed with Sitka Spruce and other natural materials, you can feel the build’s quality as soon as you pick it up. Not only does it look and feel sophisticated, but it also delivers a rich and warm tone. With robust construction, you can depend on this instrument for years to come. However, since it is jumbo-sized, this instrument may be better suited for those with some experience playing the guitar. If you are comfortable playing larger guitars and want an elegant and durable device, consider the Alvarez AJ80CE acoustic-electric guitar. 

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Alvarez AC65 Artist Series Classical Acoustic Guitar

Alvarez AC65 Artist Series Classical Acoustic Guitar

The Alvarez AC65 is a beautiful and high-quality classical acoustic guitar. Optimized for warm and open sound, you’ll love strumming this instrument. The combination of the solid red cedar top and mahogany body and neck produces a lively tone. Also, since it is a classical guitar, it uses nylon strings and has a smaller body than its steel-string counterparts. For one of the finest classical acoustic guitars in the price range, order the Alvarez AC65 classical acoustic guitar today.

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Alvarez AC65HCE Classical Hybrid Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Alvarez AC65HCE Classical Hybrid Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a new guitarist, you will enjoy the Alvarez AC65HCE classical acoustic-electric guitar. With thoughtful construction, this guitar sounds great and will last you for years. The sound it produces is warm, open, and powerful, and both the treble and bass registers are balanced. The solid cedar tops are stiff and strong to create tons of vibrations, and the nylon strings are comfortable to play on. For a stunning classical acoustic-electric guitar, get your hands on the Alvarez AC65HCE today.

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Alvarez MGA70WCEARSHB Masterworks Grand Auditorium Acoustic-Electric Guitar

For a truly stunning instrument that will make your jaw drop, take a look at the Alvarez MGA70WCEARSHB acoustic-electric guitar. This guitar sounds as good as it looks with its shadow burst finish. This instrument is sculpted from premium, hand-selected all-solid woods to create the best sound possible. As a remarkable grand auditorium, the MGA70WCEARSHB has an open, powerful projection and excellent balance between the bass and treble frequencies. If you crave a luxurious guitar that will please your eyes and ears, choose the Alvarez MGA70WCEARSHB acoustic-electric guitar. 

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Choosing an acoustic guitar is an exciting, albeit overwhelming, task. Whichever instrument you choose, be sure to buy from a reputable brand for quality assurance. Want to do more browsing? Take a look at our extensive range of acoustic guitars.

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5 Best Guitar Amps To Find Your Tone

Person standing near Orange guitar amp

Buying a guitar amp is one of the most significant purchases a guitarist will make aside from the guitar itself. An amp provides the overall tone to your guitar and expresses your playing style. So, it’s crucial to equip yourself with a proper amp that suits your needs. 

However, there’s an astonishing amount of guitar amps on the market, and sifting through your options is a grueling task. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best options to give you direction on where to start (or end!) your buying process.

1. Orange Micro Terror Amp Head

Orange Micro Terror MT20 20W Guitar Amp Head

The Orange Micro Terror is a bite-sized head amp head that packs a punch. With a tube preamp and solid-state power amp, it’s deceptively loud while delivering 20 watts of output. If you’re after classic British tones, the Orange Micro Terror has them covered. With clean, crunch, and overdrive sounds, you’ll love the versatility of this tiny terror. For a big Orange tone in a small package, plug into the Orange Micro Terror today!

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2. Marshall DSL40CR Tube Combo Amp

Marshall DSL40CR Combo Amp

The Marshall DSL40CR offers burly Marshall tone in a tube combo amp. With a built-in 12″ G-12 V-type speaker for exceptional tone and flexibility, this amp channels your personality through sound. With per-channel Gain and Volume controls, a highly-effective Resonance control, digital reverb, and an effects loop, the Marshall DSL40CR combo amp is ready when you are.

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3. Vox AC15C2 Tube Combo Amp

Vox AC15C2 15W 2x12 Guitar Amp Combo

Loaded with a pair of 12″ Celestion Greenbacks, the Vox AC15C2 combo amp delivers a powerful British tone. You get two channels to play with: Normal and Top Boost. Each comes with its own Volume control, and the Top Boost channel offers Treble and Bass tone controls. For even more versatility, this beast comes equipped with tremolo and reverb effects. If you want a strong workhorse with an abundance of tone-crafting power, the Vox AC15c2 is your steed. 

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4. Orange Rocker 32 Combo Amp

Orange Rocker 32 30W Twin Channel Guitar Combo Amp

Don’t be fooled by the Orange Rocker 32’s simple design. Designed to be a pedal platform, the Rocker 32 is equipped with stereo capabilities thanks to its dual output stages and a valve buffered effects loop. This amp comes with two channels: Natural and Dirty. The Natural channel lets you hear your guitar and pedals as they sound and comes with volume control.  Meanwhile, the Dirty channel features Gain, Master Volume, and a three-band EQ. Whether you want classic Brit rock, blues, or modern metal sounds, the Orange Rocker 32 has you covered. 

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5. Marshall DSL1CR Tube Combo Amp

 

Marshall DSL1CRThe Marshall DSL1CR combo amp is everything you want in a portable amp. This 1-watt little beast packs burly Marshall tone into its compact package. With two channels, reverb, and an effects loop, you can produce killer tones no matter where you go. And thanks to its high and low power modes, it’s perfect for bedroom rockers. Need a little monster that doesn’t sacrifice tone-shaping capabilities? You need the Marshall DSL1CR. 

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Of course, like all things music, the “best” choice boils down to your preferences and what tone you want to achieve. However, if you pick up any amp on this list, you will be sure to plug into a great, tone-shaping device. Want to browse more options? Check out our entire line of guitar amps.

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5 Legendary Guitar Pedals Every Guitarist Needs

Guitar pedals are the foundation of your sound. So, it’s important to grace your pedalboard with effects that will help you achieve your desired tone. Want to equip yourself with some classic pedals trusted by legendary guitarists? Look no further. This guide will take you through some of the most famous guitar effects pedals trusted by iconic musicians. 

Ibanez TS9 – Overdrive

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer Guitar Effects Pedal

The Ibanez TS9 is a legendary pedal used on countless records. This pedal is a reissue of the original TS9 that remains faithful with the same components, same housing, same famous seasick-green paint, and the same sounds. For classic stompbox distortion and drive, pick up the Ibanez TS9.

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Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi – Fuzz

Electro-Harmonix Classic Big Muff PI Distortion / Sustainer Guitar Effects Pedal

The Electro Harmonix Big Muff Pi is a big name in the fuzz world. Legends including Jimi Hendrix, David Gilmour, and Jack White have all used this pedal. Its widespread adoption is due to its rich and creamy sustain. For an iconic sound that has shaped rock guitar history, add the Big Muff Pi to your collection.

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 TC Electronic Flashback – Delay

TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal

The TC Electronic Flashback has impressive delay and looping capabilities. With 11 solid delay types, including the 40-second looper and audio tapping, this pedal provides every delay type you could wish for. For a feature-loaded delay pedal, add the TC Electronic Flashback to your arsenal. 

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Dunlop Fuzz Face – Distortion

Dunlop JDF2 Original Fuzz Face Guitar Effects Pedal

Another pedal that has toured on the boards of legends is the Dunlop Fuzz Face. Used by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and David Gilmour, this classic fuzz box is famous for its thick, warm tones. To achieve great guitar tones from the ’60s and ’70s, plug into the Dunlop Fuzz Face. 

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Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q – Wah

Dunlop Cry Baby 535Q Multi-Wah Guitar Effects Pedal

The Cry Baby is an industry-standard wah pedal. Easily customize the shape and sound of your wah with a turn of the Q dial. And with six guitar wah ranges with a variable boost from 0 to +16dB, this pedal is like having your own custom Cry Baby wah. 

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Each of these guitar effects pedals have been trusted by legendary guitarists for years. You’ll know that you’re making good use out of your precious pedalboard space when you install one of these effects. Want to look for more sounds to shape your ideal tone? Shop our extensive range of guitar effect pedals. 

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7 Best Microphones For Home And Live Recordings

Set-up of microphone and headset.

When recording your vocals or instruments, your microphone can make or break your production. There are many microphones on the market, and sorting through them is difficult and time-consuming. Worry not, we’ve got you covered with our list of some of the best microphones for home and live recordings. 

Best Home Office Microphones

Shure MV5 Digital Condenser Mic

Shure MV5-DIG MOTIV MV5 Digital Condenser Microphone (Grey/Silver)

Connection: USB, Lightning
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid 

If you want a stylish retro microphone that delivers excellent sound quality, look no further than the Shure MV5. It is Apple MFi certified, meaning you can plug it into any iOS device with a Lightning port, and comes with both a USB cable and a Lightning cable. The microphone is also equipped with a headphone jack for real-time monitoring and three preset DSP modes. If you need a budget-friendly microphone for your home office, consider the Shure MV5.

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Audio-Technica AT2020USB+

Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+ Cardioid Condenser USB Microphone

Connection: USB
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

Audio-Technica is highly-regarded in the professional audio industry, and for good reason. They’ve produced many iconic microphones for users of all levels. The AT2020USB+ is the USB version of their popular AT2020 microphone. This microphone features a headphone jack for live monitoring and mix control to blend your microphone signal with pre-recorded audio. Compatible with most computers, this microphone is an excellent choice for audio recordings and Zoom meetings.

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 Best Microphones For Recording Vocals

Shure SM58

Shure SM58-LC Cardioid Vocal Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

The Shure SM58 cardioid vocal microphone is one of the most popular microphones worldwide. In fact, famous singers use them worldwide in their performances every day. So, why are pro studios with massive budgets using this microphone? Well, it’s excellent at eliminating feedback, and its rugged construction makes it perfect for live performances. If you want a legendary vocal recording microphone that pros around the world trust, the Shure SM58 is the obvious choice.

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Shure SM7B

Shure SM7B Large Diaphragm Cardioid Dynamic MicrophoneConnection: XLR

Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

The Shure SM7B microphone has been used by music legends such as Michael Jackson over the years. It provides a rich, balanced tone and virtually eliminates feedback. Not only that, but its rugged construction and excellent cartridge protection mean you can rely on this legendary microphone for years to come. 

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 Best Microphones For Recording Guitar

Shure SM57

Shure SM57-LC Instrument Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

Many regard the Shure SM57 as the industry standard for recording guitar amps. This microphone handles high sound pressure levels easily and picks up on high and low frequencies. It also has high feedback before gain functionality, making it perfect for stage use. The Shure SM57 is practical, cheap, and packs a punch, making it the standard microphone for many, including the President of the United States’ official podium. 

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Sennheiser e 609

Sennheiser E 609 Silver Dynamic Supercardioid Guitar Amplifier Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Supercardioid

Explicitly designed for miking guitar cabs close to the source, the Sennheiser e 609 has the features you need to record your electric guitar. First, the flat design of this microphone allows it to kiss your amp. Second, the supercardioid polar pattern isolates the instrument from other sounds, which is especially useful for on-stage performances. So, if you’re looking for one of the best microphones for recording your guitar, look no further than the Sennheiser e 609. 

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Shure SM81-LC

Shure SM81-LC Instrument Microphone

Connection: XLR
Pickup Pattern: Cardioid

For isolating your acoustic guitar, the Shure SM81-LC microphone is a fantastic choice. The frequency response is flat; however, the selectable low-frequency response is an option if you wish. Since it is a condenser microphone, it does requires a phantom power source with a decent pre-amp to get an optimal sound level out of the mic. However, if you want a great microphone for recording live acoustic guitar, consider the Shure SM81-LC. 

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Pick up one of these great microphones to sound your best in your next recording session. Hopefully, our list helps you find the best microphone for home and live recording needs. Want to browse more microphones? Check out our wide range of recording devices!

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The Best Ibanez Guitars For Beginners

Man playing Ibanez guitar.

The world of guitars is vast, and navigating it isn’t easy, especially if you are a novice. However, if you’ve done any guitar browsing, you’ve likely come across the Ibanez brand. With so many different varieties of Ibanez guitars, which are the best for beginners? Let’s dive into the best Ibanez guitars for beginners.

Why Ibanez?

Ibanez is a world-renown Japanese guitar brand. Their guitars are perfect for beginners because they are affordable, comfortable to play, and have excellent build quality. Ibanez guitars are best known for their “Superstrat” shape, making them very popular for heavier music styles such as metal and hard rock. So, if you want to learn the electric guitar and are interested in metal, rock, blues, and similar genres, an Ibanez guitar might be right for you.

The Best Ibanez Series For Beginners

1. Ibanez GIO

Ibanez GRX40-MGN GIO Series 6-String Electric Guitar (Metallic Light Green)
Ibanez GRX40-MGN GIO Series

Ibanez developed the GIO series for beginners wanting Ibanez quality at an affordable price. This versatile range of guitars will likely have something suited to your look, sound, and budget. As expected, you don’t get the premium materials and quality of the higher-end Ibanez series, but these guitars are great for those looking to pick up their first or second guitar. For an excellent budget guitar, consider the Ibanez GIO series.

2. Ibanez SA

The Ibanez SA series includes beautiful guitars that can play a wide range of music genres, including rock, blues, jazz, shred, or fusion. With stylish finishes and fantastic sounds, the SA series is ideal for an entry-level beginner with a moderate budget.

Ibanez SA260FM-TGB SA Series 6-String Electric Guitar (Transparent Gray Burst)
Ibanez SA260FM-TGB SA Series

3. Ibanez RG

The RG series is the most recognizable and distinctive line ever produced by Ibanez. Due to its high-performance, playability, and tone, the RG series is popular amongst guitarists worldwide. Although these guitars are generally more expensive than the GIO and SA series, they are great options for the beginner with a higher budget.

Ibanez RG421-MOL Electric Guitar
Ibanez RG421-MOL RG Series

Ibanez: The Right Choice For The Beginner Guitarist

With a vast range of guitars for every skill level and budget, there is sure to be an Ibanez guitar for you. As you improve your playing skills, you may want to upgrade to higher-end Ibanez models, such as the JEM series. Check out our full selection of guitars and find your next playing machine.

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Best Guitar Effects For Jazz

Fender Jazz Bass guitar with pedals

Jazzy tones are renowned for their clean, simple, and transparent tones. However, many jazz players turn to guitar pedals for character and flavour to enhance a mellow tone. We’ll go over some of the best guitar effects for jazz that you can get right now.

Best Guitar Effects For Jazz

There are many guitar effects out there. Some are used more often by jazz players than others. The most popular guitar effects for jazz are as follow:

  • Chorus
  • Compression
  • Delay
  • Octave
  • Reverb

Chorus

TC Electronic Corona Chorus TonePrint Series Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Corona Chorus

Chorus gives your playing the illusion of two guitar signals, providing texture to an otherwise clean tone. It also provides ambience and lush sounds that are essential when it comes to jazz. To add a different dimension to your clean jazzy tones, consider picking up a chorus pedal.

Best Chorus Pedals

Delay

TC Electronic Flashback Delay TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Flashback

Delay is an incredibly versatile effect suitable for any jazz player. From lengthy, echoing nuances to slapback tones, this effect allows you to create larger-than-life sounds, especially when combined with other effects. Every jazzist should have a delay pedal in their arsenal to unlock thicker, more emotional tones.

Best Delay Pedals

Octave

Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog Polyphonic Octave Generator Guitar Effects Pedal
Electro-Harmonix EHX Nano Pog

An octave pedal unlocks massive creative potential for jazz players. The most useful feature of the octave effect is the ability to mimic the sound of bass using a regular guitar. You can also create the illusion of a full band with different rhythmic cords.

Best Octave Pedals

Reverb

 

TC Electronic Hall Of Fame Reverb TonePrint Series Guitar Effects Pedal
TC Electronic Hall Of Fame

Reverb provides the illusion of space and gives your playing texture and ambience. This effect is considered an essential effect in the jazz scene because it adds depth and texture to clean tones. For instance, many players traditionally rely on a lush spring reverb for pristine texture and ambience.

Best Reverb Pedals

Add Some Texture

Now, you should have a better idea of what guitar effects are best for jazz music. However, you can experiment with other effects if you would like more creative liberty. If you would like to see more options, browse our entire line of guitar effects pedals.

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