"One of Gibson's WWII-era guitars, this Jumbo features a gold banner on the headstock that reads, ""Only a Gibson is Good Enough."" This feature was on Gibson's guitars from 1942 to 1945. Estimate $3,000 - $5,000."
The speed and accuracy with which you react to what’s happening around you musically is definitely not a competition, but I believe it’s the single most important element of any musical performance, and your ears play a pivotal role.
Through some brutally honest self-inventory of my own abilities over the past month, I’ve discovered a few things about my playing that are far from flattering.
Here are a few key takeaways.
I want to get better: I’ll be the first to admit that my abilities—although well-developed after 35 years of practice—can still be improved significantly. Whether it’s recognizing the exact notes in a chord someone is using over my bass line, or hearing a song once and playing it back immediately, there’s plenty of room to grow. As bass players, we get to hang out in the low end and “listen up” the harmony vertically. It’s a great place to be, and the nature of our fundamental role in the band to hold things down often gives us a little more space and time to use our ears. It’s good to be aware of that and make the most of that extra time to absorb more information.
Repetition of listening has never been more important: Depending on the time frame I have from an artist—or my own personal goals—I want to spend as much time as possible listening away from my instrument. I’m making drastic changes to how I allocate my practice time, and the results have been huge. My playing is already sounding more natural because I’m focusing more on my ear than on my chops.
Recording shows religiously: I’ve always had some kind of recording device running during live gigs and practice sessions. Lately, I’ve been leaning much more heavily on this process. The more honest I am with myself about a performance or a practice session, the better I can plan future practice time to fix weaknesses and accelerate growth—even after 35 years!
“No matter where you’re at, creating a positive feedback loop—recording everything we do, listening back, and being self-critical when needed—has enormous potential to make us better musicians right away.”
I think it’s essential to remember that we’re all at different stages of the journey and want different things from our playing and our music. But no matter where you’re at, creating a positive feedback loop—recording everything we do, listening back, and being self-critical when needed—has enormous potential to make us better musicians right away.
I’ve been comparing learning to hear “faster” and more accurately to how a successful athlete approaches their sport. In tennis, for instance, you need multiple specialized skills to become a top player: speed, agility, hand-eye coordination, physical endurance for long matches, and mental toughness to outthink your opponent under pressure.
Similarly, a musician needs great time, great tone, a fantastic ear, solid memory, social skills for working with others, and technical command to execute ideas. It’s no small list of requirements.
But I think the most striking similarity is the mental toughness and focus required to handle the pressure of being onstage or in the studio. The best musicians feel no pressure at all. As a result, their ideas flow freely, they absorb everything happening around them, and their ears catch every detail. That’s where I’m looking to improve: Feel no pressure, and take in as much as I can.
Listening faster has become somewhat of an obsession, and I suspect it will stay at the top of my priority list for life. In just a few weeks, I’ve become more relaxed onstage, uncovered dozens of new things to practice by reviewing old recordings, and started to feel what a great athlete must feel when they step onto the court knowing they’re in complete control.
Distractions are fading, focus and intent are way up, and I feel like I’m playing better than I have in years. I thought I would never get back to the feeling I had when I first picked up a bass in my early teens, but the past month or so has surprised me greatly.
It has actually been quite emotional at times because the past decade has had its fair share of self-doubt, including hitting several plateaus where progress felt nonexistent. But now I can confidently say there’s no end in sight when it comes to new challenges to tackle. The improvements may not come in leaps and bounds, but they’re coming—and that’s what matters.
Gibson, the iconic instrument brand, has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brands worldwide. As a true pioneer of the electric guitar and pickup design, Gibson’s nearly 90 years of research and manufacturing have defined the sound of countless musicians and music lovers. Since 1935, Gibson has been the source of the world’s finest pickups—standard-setting components wound in its own factories, though not widely known to the public. Gibson’s original “Patent Applied For” humbuckers™ from the 1950s are considered the holy grail of humbucking tone, highly influential and often imitated, and every modern Gibson pickup continues that tradition of superior construction, crafted in Nashville, Tennessee, from premium materials using time-tested methods.
Today, the Gibson Pickup Shop proudly introduces the 1959 Humbucker Collector’s Edition Series 3, limited to only 1,000 sets and available at authorized Gibson dealers, Gibson Garage locations in Nashville and London, and online at Gibson.com.
“With the 1959 Humbucker Collector’s Edition Series 3, we’ve pushed the boundaries of historical accuracy and tonal integrity even further,” says Jared Brandon, Pickup Product Manager. “Every detail—from the Double Vintage White butyrate bobbins to the Alnico 3 roughcast magnets—was chosen to honor the spirit and sonic magic of the original ‘Patent Applied For’ pickups. This set is not just a tribute; it’s a time capsule for tone purists and collectors alike.”
Explore your sound with the 1959 Humbucker Collector’s Edition Series 3 HERE, and view the full Gibson Pickup Shop Collection, HERE.
Revered by players and collectors alike, Gibson’s legendary “Patent Applied For” humbucking pickups have inspired countless replicas over the decades. The originals featured a range of Alnico magnet types—including Alnico 2, Alnico 3, and Alnico 4—and remain among the most sought-after vintage components in existence, especially when the rare opportunity arises to acquire a set.
Through a meticulous process involving 3D scanning, scientific analysis, reverse engineering of late-1950s examples, and reference to archival Gibson specifications, the Gibson Pickup Shop has crafted its most precise reproductions to date. This Collector’s Edition Series 3 set comes housed in a premium Lifton™ case and showcases Double Vintage White butyrate bobbins, Alnico 3 roughcast long magnets, historically accurate nickel covers, and aged Cream M69 mounting rings. Every metal component—from the silver-nickel covers and baseplates to the screws and springs—has been expertly aged by the Murphy Lab team. Only 1,000 sets will be produced, each serialized with 1959-style numbering.
Dipping their toe into the digital bath of glitch synthesis pedals, Electro-Harmonix introduces the Pico-sized Atomic Cluster Spectral Decomposer. Unlike any other EHX pedal before, the Atomic Cluster uses a unique algorithm to reduce the frequency resolution of your instrument and create a wide range of effects from rhythmic lo-fi glitch and auto-arpeggio tones to ambient synth pads and more.
Housed in EHX’s Pico-sized chassis, the Atomic Cluster main controls for sound manipulation are ATOMS and SPEED. ATOMS controls the number of simultaneous resonant oscillations produced at a time, creating more pixelated, glitchier sound as oscillations are reduced. SPEED adjusts the oscillation refresh rate, ranging from more rhythmic effects to complete random chaos. This rate can also be set by tap tempo. Additional VOL and BLEND controls adjust overall output level and wet/dry mix respectively. A MODE button selects between oscillation transition envelope shapes. SHARP creates instant, choppy effects, while SMOOTH can be used to build more lush, ambient sounds.
This compact sound twister ships with standard EHX 9 Volt power supply, is available now and has a U.S. Street Price of $129.00.
Phish’s Trey Anastasio is back again on this week’s extra-special episode of Wong Notes. The expansive conversation goes from the mundane to the massive: Trey shares the meaningful gift he bought himself for his 60th birthday, reflects on his most meaningful song, dissects boredom and nostalgia in the streaming era, and names the young bands impressing him most these days.
Then, Trey and Cory dig deep into the songwriting process, and Trey reflects on how his songwriting has (and hasn’t) changed over his length career: “Maybe it’s some kind of human nature, that you’re kind of fighting against who you actually, really are,” he offers. He then opens up the files and plays a few unreleased (and vintage) demos! At this stage in his career, what is Trey Anastasio hoping to accomplish, and has his approach to making music changed? Tune in to find out.
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
Taylor Guitars, the leading global builder of premium acoustic guitars, today announces two new special edition acoustic guitars developed in partnership with Guitars 4 Vets (G4V), a nonprofit organization that helps U.S. veterans affected by PTSD and other service-related trauma to heal through the power of music. The Guitars 4 Vets 814ce Special Edition Blacktop and Guitars 4 Vets GS Mini Camo Special Edition celebrate the nation's veterans and pay tribute to their service with distinctive patriotic design elements. For every guitar purchased through authorized Taylor dealers, Taylor will donate to G4V's nationwide program. The new models follow the September release of the Guitars 4 Vets GS Mini Americana Special Edition, continuing Taylor's commitment to supporting veterans through music.
"At Taylor, we believe in the power of music to uplift, heal and connect," says Andy Powers, President and Chief Guitar Designer at Taylor Guitars. "We make easy-to-play guitars that help people bring more music into the world because we've seen how transformative guitars and music can be in people's lives. When we learned about the work Guitars for Vets is doing—using music to help veterans heal—it was a natural fit. We're honored to support their mission with these special edition models."
HOW G4V'S GUITAR INSTRUCTION PROGRAM WORKS
Guitars for Vets provides qualifying veterans with a free 10-week, one-on-one guitar instruction program taught by volunteer instructors. After completing the sessions, graduates are given their own guitar and accessory kit to keep, empowering them to continue their musical journey. By combining instruction with the healing power of music, G4V helps veterans build confidence, find connection with others, and experience the proven mental health benefits of learning to play guitar. The program operates through 300 locations nationwide and via video conference in areas that do not yet have a physical location.
"Support like this great partnership with Taylor helps fund our program and raises awareness about the positive impact we can have on veterans' lives," says Nigel Fischer, Director of Advancement for Guitars for Vets. "Customers who buy these guitars aren't just getting beautiful instruments; they're helping put guitars in the hands of veterans in need, where music can truly make a difference."
GUITARS 4 VETS 814CE SPECIAL EDITION BLACKTOP
Boasting premium tonewoods, appointments and visual details, this special edition cutaway Grand Auditorium delivers incredible playing comfort and all-purpose musical versatility. Figured AA-grade Indian rosewood back and sides paired with Sitka spruce top yield dynamic tonal character with warm lows, pristine trebles and a slightly scooped midrange. Internal V-Class bracing produces louder volume, longer sustain and improved harmonic agreement between notes.
A bold blacktop soundboard commands attention, its dramatic finish beautifully framed by green abalone edge trim and Hawaiian koa binding around the body, soundhole, fretboard and peghead. Five-Star fretboard inlays and a Faceted Star peghead inlay—inspired by the stars of the U.S. flag—are rendered in mother-of-pearl. The appointment package also includes a figured koa backstrip and heel cap, a green abalone peghead logo, an ebony backstrap, dark-stained bone bridge pins with Australian opal green dots and Gotoh 510 antique chrome tuners with black buttons. A special interior label indicates this model's special-edition status.
Key Specifications:
Back/Side Wood: Figured AA-Grade Indian Rosewood
Top Wood: Sitka Spruce
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: West African Ebony
Nut Width: 1-3/4"
Scale Length: 25-1/2"
Bracing: V-Class
Electronics: Claria
GUITARS 4 VETS GS MINI CAMO SPECIAL EDITION
This special edition GS Mini features custom camouflage artwork with a shaded edgeburst on its soundboard. Designed to be the ultimate musical companion, the easy-playing GS Mini is a great choice for on-the-go musicians and players who enjoy the comfort of a smaller guitar. A torrefied spruce top and layered sapele back and sides deliver rich, bold acoustic tone with played-in sonic character. Appointments include a matte-finish body and neck, Italian acrylic 4mm dot fretboard inlays and chrome tuners.
Key Specifications:
Back/Side Wood: Layered Sapele
Top Wood: Torrefied Spruce
Neck: Mahogany
Fretboard: West African Ebony
Nut Width: 1-11/16"
Scale Length: 23-½"
Bracing: X-Brace
Electronics: None
AVAILABILITY
The Guitars 4 Vets 814ce Special Edition Blacktop and Guitars 4 Vets GS Mini Camo Special Edition are available now at authorized Taylor Guitars dealers. Limited availability in Q4 2025, with additional quantities arriving in Q1 2026.
For more information about the new Guitars 4 Vets models, please visit taylorguitars.com.
ABOUT GUITARS FOR VETS
Guitars for Vets is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping U.S. veterans affected by PTSD and other service-related trauma to heal through the power of music. Through free guitar lessons and support, G4V provides veterans with a positive outlet for expression and connection.
