
Lockdown isn’t easy, but it’s revealed some lessons, both trivial (Alexa can fart on demand) and divine (guitar is alive and well).
“Do what you can, where you are, with what you have." —Teddy Roosevelt
Neil deGrasse Tyson recently tweeted: “When Isaac Newton stayed at home to avoid the 1665 plague, he discovered the laws of gravity, optics, and he invented calculus." Turns out, Newton and I don't share much in common. Here's what I've discovered during this forced quiet time of reflection and self-improvement.
1. Alexa can fart on demand.
Want a quick and squelchy fart? She's got it. Want a wet fart? Just ask. Alexa has hundreds of variations, including eggy, angry, gassy … pretty much any fart you can imagine. Although tempted, I didn't buy the "Extreme Farts Extension Pack." The purchase felt imprudent given my own financial instability with a gig-less present and perhaps toilet-paper-less future.
2. In spite of a 2017 Washington Post article describing “the slow, secret death of the six-string electric," there have never been more truly great guitar players alive and pickin'.
During mindless hours locked at home, I've discovered countless guitarists on Instagram that are miles beyond anything I could imagine or execute. Shockingly, a good deal of these badasses are kids. If you want to feel like you don't even play guitar, check out Matteo Mancuso (matteo_mancuso96) or Nathaniel Murphy (@zeppelinbarnatra). Guitar is alive and well.
3. It's okay to do nothing.
Lying on the floor listening to a random shuffle of music is a perfectly fine way to spend a few hours. Since I joined the adult world of spouse/kid/job/bills roughly 33 years ago, I've felt like I always need to be accomplishing something. During quarantine, I've spent a lot of time doing just what I did when I was a kid. Totally unproductive and totally worth it. I felt calmer, happier, and more fulfilled. #HumanBeingNotHumanDoing
4. Fats Waller's “Ain't Misbehavin'" is one of greatest recordings ever.
You can't help but smile or even laugh or dance when you crank this amazing live performance that combines top-tier musicianship with wild showmanship, smoking arrangements, and a wacky sense of humor. Dig deeper into Waller's catalogue to hear guitarist Al Casey shine on tracks like "Buck Jumpin'."
5. We are not in control.
"It's okay to do nothing. Lying on the floor listening to a random shuffle of music is a perfectly fine way to spend a few hours."
6. Every sunny day of quarantine has had the perfect Simpsons' sky of the brightest blue with glowing white clouds.
Proof that driving less is good for the planet. Bring on the electric car.
7. Learning to let go can help.
Because I can't gig, I've done all my music'ing alone. A few days in, I began trying to be more aware of everything: tone, feel, timing, groove. I noticed I tighten up my hand, arm, shoulder, and neck when trying to play something difficult. This affects my timing, execution, and the basic feel. I tried to be mindful of any tension and release it. Try feeling more than thinking. When you have to play something difficult, think about breathing slow and deep rather than worrying about making a mistake. If you're clenching your pick, try playing without one.
8. Herbie Handcock said on Insta:
"We are living through a difficult time, but I'm given hope when I see how people around the world are responding with music … people are gathering for concerts online and singing from their balconies. Music brings us together when even when we are apart.…" We're all connected.
9. I made a vow to post a Quarantine Guitar of the Day video every day on Insta, featuring a different instrument I own.
9. I made a vow to post a Quarantine Guitar of the Day video every day on Insta, featuring a different instrument I own. I also filmed a PG series of "Iso Lab" videos featuring a few favorite guitars and amps. Although I'm embarrassed by how much gear I have, I'm not getting rid of any of it. Knowing me, I will probably add more to the heap. That's the thing about obsessions: They don't call reason into question. I'm ashamed but will not change.
10. In 1987, scientists built a miniature planet inside our planet called Biosphere 2, which led to a crap movie (Bio-Dome) and a scientific discovery that helped my personal paradigm shift.
Scientists planted trees in Biosphere 2, under what they thought were perfect conditions (light, water, weather, nutrients). The trees grew fast but reportedly toppled over, unable to support their own weight. Turns out, trees need the stress of wind to grow a strong root system. That's life. Although we try to avoid stress and pressure from the outside, we need outside forces to push us in order to grow. Stress your body a bit every day with some exercise. Embrace challenges and see where they bring you. Be at peace with the fact that there will always be stressors in your life. They are getting you where you need to be.
[Updated 7/26/2021]
- "I'll Probably Literally F#cking Explode!" - Premier Guitar ›
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Lutefish, the real-time music collaboration device and platform, is excited to announce a suite of new features designed to simplify setup, streamline collaboration, and offer more flexible subscription options for Lutefish Stream users. These latest updates, Audio Presets, Automatic Session Recall, Improved Scheduling with Contact Visibility, and a new Yearly Subscription Plan, are all about making it easier than ever for musicians to jam together, no matter where they’re based.
Save Time and Stay in the Flow with Audio Presets & Session Recall
Musicians can now save and reuse their exact audio settings, reducing setup time and ensuring every session sounds exactly as they want.
- Automatic Session Recall: When users leave a session, their current audio levels are automatically saved and restored when they rejoin.
- User-Defined Audio Presets: Each user can create and name up to five custom presets, like “Band Practice,” “Studio Mic Setup,” or “Quick Jam,” making it effortless to jump back in with the perfect sound.
“These tools are all about saving time and hassle,” said Patrick Finn, Business Manager at Lutefish. “Musicians want to make music, not spend time rebalancing levels every session. With presets and recall, we’re giving them time back and helping them sound their best, every time.”
Smarter Scheduling and Contact Visibility
The latest update to Lutefish also made it easier to find collaborators and book sessions. Users can now:- View all their contacts at a glance when scheduling a session.
- Instantly identify which contacts own a Lutefish Stream device—so they will always know who’s ready to jam.
Go Yearly and Save 20%
Lutefish now offers a Yearly Subscription Plan, providing users with the same great access as the monthly plan at a 20% discount.
This option is now available within the Lutefish app and web platform, and current monthly users are eligible for a discount with an upgrade to a yearly subscription.
Lutefish’s mission has always been to empower musicians to connect and collaborate without boundaries. With these new updates, Lutefish Stream continues to break down barriers—whether you’re jamming with a friend across town or collaborating with a bandmate 500 miles away.
For more information and to start jamming today, visitlutefish.com.
The veteran Florida-born metalcore outfit proves that you don’t need humbuckers to pull off high gain.
Last August, metalcore giants Poison the Well gave the world a gift: They announced they were working on their first studio album in 15 years. They unleashed the first taste, single “Trembling Level,” back in January, and set off on a spring North American tour during which they played their debut record, The Opposite of December… A Season of Separation, in full every night.
PG’s Perry Bean caught up with guitarists Ryan Primack and Vadim Taver, and bassist Noah Harmon, ahead of the band’s show at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl for this new Rig Rundown.
Brought to you by D’Addario.Not-So-Quiet As a Mouse
Primack started his playing career on Telecasters, then switched to Les Pauls, but when his prized LPs were stolen, he jumped back to Teles, and now owns nine of them.
His No. 1 is this white one (left). Seymour Duncan made him a JB Model pickup in a single-coil size for the bridge position, while the neck is a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound Staggered. He ripped out all the electronics, added a Gibson-style toggle switch, flipped the control plate orientation thanks to an obsession with Danny Gatton, and included just one steel knob to control tone. Primack also installed string trees with foam to control extra noise.
This one has Ernie Ball Papa Het’s Hardwired strings, .011–.050.
Here, Kitty, Kitty
Primack runs both a PRS Archon and a Bad Cat Lynx at the same time, covering both 6L6 and EL34 territories. The Lynx goes into a Friedman 4x12 cab that’s been rebadged in honor of its nickname, “Donkey,” while the Archon, which is like a “refined 5150,” runs through an Orange 4x12.
Ryan Primack’s Pedalboard
Primack’s board sports a Saturnworks True Bypass Multi Looper, plus two Saturnworks boost pedals. The rest includes a Boss TU-3w, DOD Bifet Boost 410, Caroline Electronics Hawaiian Pizza, Fortin ZUUL +, MXR Phase 100, JHS Series 3 Tremolo, Boss DM-2w, DOD Rubberneck, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Walrus Slo, and SolidGoldFX Surf Rider III.
Taver’s Teles
Vadim Taver’s go-to is this cherryburst Fender Telecaster, which he scored in the early 2000s and has been upgraded to Seymour Duncan pickups on Primack’s recommendation. His white Balaguer T-style has been treated to the same upgrade. The Balaguer is tuned to drop C, and the Fender stays in D standard. Both have D’Addario strings, with a slightly heavier gauge on the Balaguer.
Dual-Channel Chugger
Taver loves his 2-channel Orange Rockerverb 100s, one of which lives in a case made right in Nashville.
Vadim Taver’s Pedalboard
Taver’s board includes an MXR Joshua, MXR Carbon Copy Deluxe, Empress Tremolo, Walrus ARP-87, Old Blood Noise Endeavors Reflector, MXR Phase 90, Boss CE-2w, and Sonic Research Turbo Tuner ST-200, all powered by a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus.
Big Duff
Harmon’s favorite these days is this Fender Duff McKagan Deluxe Precision Bass, which he’s outfitted with a Leo Quan Badass bridge. His backup is a Mexico-made Fender Classic Series ’70s Jazz Bass. This one also sports Primack-picked pickups.
Rental Rockers
Harmon rented this Orange AD200B MK III head, which runs through a 1x15 cab on top and a 4x10 on the bottom.
Noah Harmon’s Pedalboard
Harmon’s board carries a Boss TU-2, Boss ODB-3, MXR Dyna Comp, Darkglass Electronics Vintage Ultra, and a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus. His signal from the Vintage Ultra runs right to the front-of-house, and Harmon estimates that that signal accounts for about half of what people hear on any given night.
Kiesel Guitars has introduced their newest solid body electric guitar: the Kyber.
With its modern performance specs and competitive pricing, the Kyber is Kiesel's most forward-thinking design yet, engineered for comfort, quick playing, and precision with every note.
Introducing the Kiesel Kyber Guitar
- Engineered with a lightweight body to reduce fatigue during long performances without sacrificing tone. Six-string Kybers, configured with the standard woods and a fixed bridge, weigh in at 6 pounds or under on average
- Unique shape made for ergonomic comfort in any playing position and enhanced classical position
- The Kyber features Kiesel's most extreme arm contour and a uniquely shaped body that enhances classical position support while still excelling in standard position.
- The new minimalist yet aggressive headstock pairs perfectly with the body's sleek lines, giving the Kyber a balanced, modern silhouette.
- Hidden strap buttons mounted on rear for excellent balance while giving a clean, ultra-modern look to the front
- Lower horn cutaway design for maximum access to the upper frets
- Sculpted neck heel for seamless playing
- Available in 6 or 7 strings, fixed or tremolo in both standard and multiscale configurations Choose between fixed bridges, tremolos, or multiscale configurations for your perfect setup.
Pricing for the Kyber starts at $1599 and will vary depending on options and features. Learn more about Kiesel’s new Kyber model at kieselguitars.com
The Sunset is a fully analog, zero latency bass amplifier simulator. It features a ¼” input, XLR and ¼” outputs, gain and volume controls and extensive equalization. It’s intended to replace your bass amp both live and in the studio.
If you need a full sounding amp simulator with a lot of EQ, the Sunset is for you. It features a five band equalizer with Treble, Bass, Parametric Midrange (with frequency and level controls), Resonance (for ultra lows), and Presence (for ultra highs). All are carefully tuned for bass guitar. But don’t let that hold you back if you’re a keyboard player. Pianos and synthesizers sound great with the Sunset!
The Sunset includes Gain and master Volume controls which allow you to add compression and classic tube amp growl. It has both ¼” phone and balanced XLR outputs - which lets you use it as a high quality active direct box. Finally, the Sunset features zero latency all analog circuitry – important for the instrument most responsible for the band’s groove.
Introducing the Sunset Bass Amp Simulator
- Zero Latency bass amp simulator.
- Go direct into the PA or DAW.
- Five Band EQ:
- Treble and Bass controls.
- Parametric midrange with level and frequency controls.
- Presence control for extreme highs.
- Resonance control for extreme lows.
- Gain control to add compression and harmonics.
- Master Volume.
- XLR and 1/4" outputs.
- Full bypass.
- 9VDC, 200mA.
Artwork by Aaron Cheney
MAP price: $210 USD ($299 CAD).