
Free The Tone announces its Overdriveland ODL-1-CS custom shop version overdrive pedal, which is based on the sound of a late-model Dumble Overdrive Special amplifier.
In order to give a pedal-type overdrive the characteristics of a Dumble amplifier, Free the Tone tried various circuit ideas, conducted experiments, and spent a long time developing a dedicated drive circuit module. Overdriveland, like the now hard-to-find Dumble amplifier, is designed to offer a rich and distinctive presence, allowing players to express their individuality.
Key Features of Overdriveland Include:
- Equipped with a dedicated drive circuit module.
- ROCK/JAZZ switch for changing gain and frequency characteristics (Normal channel).
- "GLASS "switch for bypassing the TONE circuit to achieve a glass-like sound (Normal channel).
- Individual output level adjustment for the Normal channel and Drive channel. *Equipped with the HTS (Holistic Tonal Solution) circuit, which, unlike traditional buffer circuits, extracts the sound characteristics of the guitar to the maximum while performing impedance conversion, achieving a balance between "sound" and "low noise." This HTS circuit prevents degradation of sound quality even when the effect is turned off.
Additionally, the output signal is in phase with the input signal, eliminating concerns about phase inversion. In December, we will release the Standard version ODL-1 following the Custom Shop version.
Overdriveland ODL-1-CS carries a suggested retail price of $425.20, and is available now through our North American dealers listed.
For more information, please visit freethetone.com.
Belltone Guitars has partnered Brickhouse Toneworks to create a one-of-a-kind, truly noiseless Strat/Tele-tone pickup in a standard FilterāTron size format: the Single-Bell pickup.
The Single-Bell by Brickhouse Toneworks delivers bonafide single-coil Strat and Tele tones with the power of a P-90 and no 60-cycle hum. Unlike typical stacked hum-cancelling designs, Brickhouse Toneworks uses a proprietary āsidewindā approach that cancels the 60-cycle hum without sacrificing any of the dynamics or top-end sparkle of a Fender-style single coil.
Get the best of both worlds with clear bell-like tones on the neck pickup, signature quack when combining the neck and bridge pickups, and pristine twang in the bridge position backed with the fullness and power of a P-90. Push these into overdrive and experience the hallmark blues tone with plenty of grit and harmonic sustain ā all with completely noiseless performance.
Key Features of the Single-Bell:
- Cast Alnico 5 Magnet, designed to be used with 500k pots
- Voiced to capture that signature Fender-style single coil tone without the 60-cycle hum
- Lightly potted to minimize squeal
- Made in the USA with premium quality materials
The retail price for a Bridge and Neck matching set is $340.00 and theyāre available directly and exclusively through BelltoneĀ® Guitars / Brickhouse Toneworks at belltoneguitars.com.
Though Lou Reed seemed to only use a handful of chords, his shrewd right-hand strumming created limitless rhythmic variations.
Beginner to Intermediate
Beginner to Intermediate
- Focus on syncopation.
- Add muted strums to enhance your rhythm playing.
- Learn how to modify complex rhythmic patterns into smaller, more comprehensible figures.
Though usually more lauded for his lyrics than his guitar playing, Lou Reed had a distinctive style of strumming that can make replication a challenge and seemingly impossible for beginners to comprehend. With a combination of syncopations and muted strums, Reedās rhythm guitarāfrom his time with the Velvet Underground to his solo careerāhas a groove and feel that all guitar players can learn from.
Weāll start with a relatively simple strummed hook that shows Reedās roots. Ex. 1 is a variation on āThere She Goes Againā from The Velvet Underground and Nico, which was recorded in 1966 and released in 1967. This strum was clearly inspired by Marvin Gayeās āHitch Hike,ā as it duplicates Gayeās intro almost exactly, albeit in a different key. (It is worth mentioning that āHitch Hikeā also inspired the Beatles āYou Canāt Do That.ā)
Ex. 1
Ex. 2 is the samething but performed with cowboy chords instead of barres.
Ex. 2
With Ex. 3, a la āSister Rayā from 1967ās White Light/White Heat, we get into Reedās more syncopated strums. Note that after the first beat, the emphasis of each strum is on an upbeat, including the changes from G to F, then from F to C, followed at the end by a typical Lou Reed-ism of strumming while in mid-change (though in all fairness, many guitarists do this). Thus, the last upbeat notes, which imply a G chord, are in fact a byproduct created by the switch, not a specific chord.
Ex. 3
Ex. 4 is the same strum but capoed at the 5th fret, using cowboy chords instead of barres.
Ex. 4
Our final Velvet reference, Ex. 5, comes from āSweet Janeā (Loaded, 1970), which is a song I loathe teaching to students as it is deceptively trickyāit was the inspiration for this lessonāand can make one feel demoralized. True, the song has only four chords, but the syncopated switching and muted strums can cause problems for many players, and not just beginners. Take your time to get the nuances of the switches and mutes.
Ex. 5
Better yet, start with Ex. 6, which is a simplified version of Ex. 5, using cowboy chords instead of barre chords, as well as a more straightforward strum. True, it does not conform completely to the original, but it is a worthwhile starting point. Once this is mastered, try playing Ex. 5 with the open-position chords before moving onto the barres.
Ex. 6
Solo Years
Ex. 7 is a take on āWalk on the Wild Sideā from 1972ās Transformer, arguably the most famous Lou Reed song. Here weāve graduated from eighth-notes to 16th-notes in the right hand. Once again, the muted strums play a vital role.
Ex. 7
Like the previous two examples, you might want to start with the simpler Ex.Ā 8, although the only change is that the mutes have been omitted. This example demonstrates how essential the mutes are, as the feel changes completely when you leave them out.
Ex. 8
Ex. 9 also comes from Transformer and is a variation onāVicious.ā Additional syncopations and muted strums, both different from āā¦Wild Side,ā complicate what should be carefree.
Ex. 9
Ex. 10 is, again, a simplified alternative.
Ex. 10
Examples 11 and 12 demonstrate two options for fretting chords, using Reedās āLeave Me Aloneā from Street Hassle (1978) as a vehicle.
Ex. 11
Ex. 12
Our last example, Ex. 13, is based on Reedās late-ā80s ācomebackā hit, āDirty Boulevardā from New York. Here we not only get syncopations, but a rhythmic variation in the chorusāsame chords, different rhythms. Pay attention to that quick, almost-ghosted B note on the āandā of 1 in measure two. It almost seems like a mistake but it adds so much.
Ex. 13
The Lou Reed Legacy
When most fans think of Lou Reed, the first thing that comes to mind is his pioneering subversive, transgressive, and poetic lyrics. But, clearly, that is not all there is to his work. In truth, Lou Reed is an incomparable musician whose guitar playing should not be underestimated. So, take this lesson as a starting point and search out more of his idiosyncratic strums. You will be well rewarded.
Stringjoy has introduced the Ariel Posen Signature String Set, a heavy-gauge Nickel Wound set designed in close collaboration with acclaimed slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Ariel Posen.
The Ariel Posen Signature String Set from Stringjoy
Ideal for B Standard, Open C, and other lower tunings, this set offers exceptional tone and feel for players who want to explore new sonic territory while maintaining their guitar's unique voice.
Each string in this set is built with Stringjoyās trademark quality: wound at tension with high compression winds for maximum output, durability, and smooth playability. The result? Strings that hold up under pressure while delivering a natural, expressive voiceāperfect for hybrid playing and expressive slide work.
Ariel Posen Signature Set Specs:
⢠.014 ā .018p ā .026w ā .038 ā .050 ā .062
⢠Wound 3rd string
āIf you didnāt know these were 14-62 gauges, youād swear they were just 11s tuned down,ā said Ariel Posen. āThey feel like home and preserve the sound of the guitar, even in lower tunings. Thatās the biggest thingāit still sounds like guitar.ā
āWeāve spent ten years experimenting and testing together to find the right combination,ā said Scott Marquart, Stringjoy Founder & President. āThis release is more than just a new productāitās the culmination of a shared journey between friends and musicians. Arielās set is uniquely him, and I think players will love how it feels and responds.ā
Stringjoyās Ariel Posen signature string set carry a street price of $13.99. Learn more at at stringjoy.com.
Nashville luthier and guitar tech Dave Johnson shows us the baker's dozen of tools he thinks any guitar picker requires to be a guitar fixer.
3. Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set - 3000
4. Nut File Set (for medium guitar strings) - 0882
8. String Spacing Ruler - 0673
9. Nut and Saddle Files - 4556
The Ultimate Guitarist's Tool Chest Giveaway
Whether you're setting up your first guitar or fine-tuning a custom build, these are the 13 tools every guitarist needs. Now you can win them all. We've partnered with our friends at StewMac to give away a complete pro-level toolkit valued at over $750.
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