Riff Rundown: Howling Giant's "Comet Rider"

Guitarist Tom Polzine uses various BPMs to walk you through the major and minor tendencies that unravel during the lead single off The Space Between Worlds.

And don't forget to check out Tom's Rig Rundown.

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First Look: Boss Space Echo RE-202

Rig Rundown: All That Remains [2022]

First Look: Fender Hammertone Pedals

How to Reamp Your Guitar

Two Necks Are Better Than One: A Brief History of Multi-Neck Guitars

The Unadorned and Adored Wonders of the Acoustic Guitar

The emotional wallop of the acoustic guitar sometimes flies under the radar. Even if you mostly play electric, here are some things to consider about unplugging.

I have a love-hate relationship with acoustic guitars. My infatuation with the 6-string really blasted off with the Ventures. That’s the sound I wanted, and the way to get it was powered by electricity. Before I’d even held a guitar, I knew I wanted a Mosrite, which I was sure was made of fiberglass like the surfboards the Beach Boys, Surfaris, and the Challengers rode in their off time. Bristling with space-age switchgear and chrome-plated hardware, those solidbody hotrod guitars were the fighter jets of my musical dreams. I didn’t even know what those old-timey round-hole guitars were called. As the singing cowboys Roy Rogers and Gene Autrey strummed off into the sunset, the pace of technology pushed the look and sound of the electric guitar (and bass) into the limelight and into my heart. Imagine my disappointment when I had to begin my guitar tutelage on a rented Gibson “student” acoustic. At least it sort of looked like the ones the Beatles occasionally played. Even so, I couldn’t wait to trade it in.

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esoterica electrica

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10 Distortion Pedals Under $100

Need an affordable distortion pedal? Look no further.

We live in the golden age of boutique pedals that are loaded with advanced features—many of which were nearly unthinkable a decade or so ago. But there’s something that will always be valuable about a rock-solid dirt box that won’t break your wallet. Here’s a collection of old classics and newly designed stomps that cost less than an average concert ticket.

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distortion pedals

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