NAMM 2023: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly with Danish Pete Honoré
"There's no money in non-diatonic notes!"—a validating cheeky word to the minor-pentatonic shredder guests at NAMM. In this ep, Rhett and Zach sit down with "Danish Pete" Honoré to talk NAMM highlights, geek out on Pete's new Chapman T-style signature guitar—it has a neck profile based on a 3D scan of his favorite—and discuss maintaining integrity in gear review videos.
NAMM 2023 Recap with Danish Pete Honoré
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One of the best parts of NAMM is the industry community it assembles, and in the absence of the full-fledged convention the past few years, that sure has been missed. Danish Pete's puckish personality adds to the fun as the three guys get into other topics like Zounds Industries' acquirement of Marshall, various amp favorites, and the sea of purple guitars found at the convention. That's all after Pete shares that he no longer cries in the shower over the demands of his 25-year touring career (sometimes, he wishes he played more non-diatonic notes). Stay positive, Pete!
Discover advanced capo techniques that will refine your playing and enhance your mastery of any key. Perfect for guitarists ready to take their skills to the next level!
John Bohlinger & Tim Aven Play Guitar and Talk About Being a Pro Musician in Nashville
The LANCO lead guitarist sits down with John Bohlinger and covers his journey from software engineer to touring pro, surviving the deep waters of Nashville’s music scene, and how he uses social media and YouTube as a resume. Plus, he and John jam it out!
Martin D-11E Rock the Vote acoustic-electric guitar is a limited edition collaboration between Martin Guitar, Rock the Vote, and artist Robert Goetzl, honoring David Crosby's passion for voting. Crafted with premium materials and featuring unique LR Baggs M80 soundhole pickup and Luxe by Martin Kovar strings, this guitar inspires civic participation through music.
The Martin D-11E Rock the Vote acoustic-electric guitar is a special edition instrument crafted to inspire people to participate in our democracy. This collaboration between Martin Guitar, David Crosby’s estate, Rock the Vote, and artist Robert Goetzl tells a powerful story. “David was a patriot,” says Executive Chairman Chris Martin IV. “He believed deeply in this great experiment of ours, and his passion for voting is something we wanted to honor and continue.”
The vision for the original D-16E Rock the Vote guitar launched back in 2020 was born from a conversation between Chris and David Crosby, partnering with Rock the Vote to encourage people to register and participate in federal, state, and local elections. That conversation led to blending Robert’s compelling artwork with Martin's renowned craftsmanship. Robert shares, “David threw out this quote, that ‘democracy works if you work it,’ and that became a guiding theme for the artwork.”
A reissue of that original guitar, the all-new D-11E Rock the Vote model includes new features like an LR Baggs M80 soundhole pickup paired exclusively with Luxe by Martin® Kovar™ strings. Kovar is a unique alloy of two ferromagnetic metals, nickel, and cobalt, not found in conventional phosphor bronze strings. When paired with the adjustable M80 humbucking coil, these strings are guaranteed to deliver an exceptional acoustic-electric experience. It’s the ideal pairing for players seeking warm, authentic, amplified tones in any performance setting.
The D-11E Rock the Vote acoustic-electric is crafted with premium materials, including American sycamore satin back and sides and a spruce gloss top showcasing Robert’s custom artwork. Its Dreadnought size and unique 000 depth offer players a powerful, projective sound with strong bass and a comfortable feel. It also features a satin select hardwood neck, ebony bridge and fingerboard, silver binding, and includes a softshell case made of hemp.
This guitar not only commemorates David Crosby’s legacy, but through this collaboration, Martin Guitar is proud to support Rock the Vote with a $5,000 donation. Rock the Vote is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to building the political power of young people, and over the past 30 years it has helped register over 14 million voters. According to the organization, “In 2024, Millennials and Generation Z will comprise 44% of American voters. Young voters are new voters and as new voters they face unique obstacles to voting... Our efforts focus on research-driven programs and innovative solutions to right the system and ensure each youth generation is represented in our democracy.”
"We are thrilled to partner with Martin Guitar to harness the power of music in inspiring young musicians and their fans to engage in our democracy," said Carolyn DeWitt, President and Executive Director of Rock the Vote. "Music has always been a catalyst for change, uplifting critical issues and driving people to action. As we face the defining challenges of 2024, it's essential that young voices are heard and their passion is transformed into meaningful participation at the polls," adds Carolyn DeWitt, President & Executive Director of Rock The Vote.
With only 47 of these guitars made, honoring the election of the 47th U.S. president, each one represents a commitment to encouraging civic participation through the universal language of music. “I believe it’s our responsibility as citizens to participate in our democracy,” says Chris.
For more information, please visit martinguitar.com.
Introducing Spark MINI Vai, a portable smart guitar practice amp custom-designed by guitar icon Steve Vai. Featuring exclusive presets, a hand-signed model giveaway, and a matching lightweight cable, this amp captures Vai's iconic sound and style. Pre-order now for a chance to win a signed model.
In collaboration with guitar icon and 3-time GRAMMY® Award winner Steve Vai, Positive Grid proudly presents Spark MINI Vai, a portable smart guitar practice amp with an exclusive lightweight cable. Custom-designed by Vai himself, Spark MINI Vai captures his iconic sound and personal design touch. This unique, battery-powered amp delivers multi-dimensional sound and Vai-crafted presets, making it the ultimate rig for playing, practicing, and recording. Plus, during Positive Grid’s pre-order period, customers have a chance to receive a hand-signed model.
Steve Vai is one of the world’s most groundbreaking and influential guitarists, and Spark MINI Vai reflects his unique tone and style. The amp features a custom burgundy Tolex, custom gold piping, and a gold-lined strap, hand-picked by Vai himself. The mandala on the front grille – made famous on his Hydra guitar – pays tribute to Vai’s distinct energy and focus. Spark MINI Vai also comes equipped with a matching lightweight 10-foot guitar cable featuring 24K gold-plated connectors and a durable burgundy weave nylon jacket.
Four exclusive on-board presets created by Vai deliver the raw power of his tone. They include:
- FRESH - Crystal clear clean tone
- MILD - More bluesy clean tone with some grit
- HOT - Well-distorted rock rhythm tone
- FIRE - Full-on lead tone
In addition, Steve Vai has personally autographed 100 of these amps, which will be awarded to random recipients who purchase during the pre-order period starting 9/3/2024. Anyone who purchases during that time will be automatically entered for a chance that their order will be one of these exclusive hand-signed models.*
Commenting on his Spark MINI, Vai shares, “For me, this Spark MINI is an excellent portable practice amp. The 4 tones allow for inspirational playing and I built these presets around my interests. The app allows for instant tweakage of any of the presets. I never travel without this little friend."
Portable and battery-powered, the 10-watt Spark MINI smart guitar practice amplifier delivers surprisingly loud, multi-directional sound and features easy-to-use onboard controls. Spark MINI can also be used as a Bluetooth audio speaker for streaming music or as an audio interface for recording musical ideas.
The free accompanying app unlocks a wide selection of amps and effects plus access to 100,000+ tones and a suite of smart features for practicing and playing. Spark AI offers unlimited tone exploration. Describe any desired tone using the app and Spark AI will suggest tones to audition or download.
For more information, please visit positivegrid.com.