Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

LA Amp Show-XITS Sound Piper X30

PG's Joe Coffey is On Location at the LA Amp show where he visits with XITS Sound. Here, we get to check out one of the hidden treasures of the show in the form the Piper X30 amp. This thing has an original design and glassy tone in a total package. Go here, to read our review on the Piper X30 Combo.



PG's Joe Coffey is On Location at the LA Amp show where he visits with XITS Sound. Here, we get to check out one of the hidden treasures of the show in the form the Piper X30 amp. This thing has an original design and glassy tone in a total package. Go here, to read our review on the Piper X30 Combo.

Beauty and sweet sonority elevate a simple-to-use, streamlined acoustic and vocal amplifier.

An EQ curve that trades accuracy for warmth. Easy-to-learn, simple-to-use controls. It’s pretty!

Still exhibits some classic acoustic-amplification problems, like brash, unforgiving midrange if you’re not careful.

$1,199

Taylor Circa 74
taylorguitars.com

4.5
4.5
4.5
4

Save for a few notable (usually expensive) exceptions, acoustic amplifiers are rarely beautiful in a way that matches the intrinsic loveliness of an acoustic flattop. I’ve certainly seen companies try—usually by using brown-colored vinyl to convey … earthiness? Don’t get me wrong, a lot of these amps sound great and even look okay. But the bar for aesthetics, in my admittedly snotty opinion, remains rather low. So, my hat’s off to Taylor for clearing that bar so decisively and with such style. The Circa 74 is, indeed, a pretty piece of work that’s forgiving to work with, ease to use, streamlined, and sharp.

Read MoreShow less

The evolution of Electro-Harmonix’s very first effect yields a powerful boost and equalization machine at a rock-bottom price.

A handy and versatile preamp/booster that goes well beyond the average basic booster’s range. Powerful EQ section.

Can sound a little harsh at more extreme EQ ranges.

$129

Electro-Harmonix LPB-3
ehx.com

4
4
4
4.5

Descended from the first Electro-Harmonix pedal ever released, the LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, the new LPB-3 has come a long way from the simple, one-knob unit in a folded-metal enclosure that plugged straight into your amplifier. Now living in Electro-Harmonix’s compact Nano chassis, the LPB-3 Linear Power Booster and EQ boasts six control knobs, two switches, and more gain than ever before.

Read MoreShow less
Photo by Artem Podrez: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-person-holding-an-electric-guitar-6270138/

Intermediate

Intermediate

• Learn classic turnarounds.

• Add depth and interest to common progressions.

• Stretch out harmonically with hip substitutions.

{'media': '[rebelmouse-file-pdf 67832 original_filename="Turnarounds-Oct24.pdf" site_id=20368559 expand=1]', 'media_html': 'Turnarounds-Oct24.pdf', 'id': 67832, 'type': 'pdf', 'file_original_url': 'https://roar-assets-auto.rbl.ms/files/67832/Turnarounds-Oct24.pdf'}

Get back to center in musical and ear-catching ways.

Read MoreShow less

When the Beatles’ bass duties fell to rhythm guitarist Paul McCartney, he fully adopted the role and soon became one of the undeniable bass greats.

Many listeners and musicians can tell if a bass player is really a guitarist in disguise. Here’s how you can brush up on your bass chops.

Was bass your first instrument, or did you start out on guitar? Some of the world’s best bass players started off as guitar players, sometimes by chance. When Stuart Sutcliffe—originally a guitarist himself—left the Beatles in 1961, bass duties fell to rhythm guitarist Paul McCartney, who fully adopted the role and soon became one of the undeniable bass greats.

Read MoreShow less