Most valve amps need to be run loud to get a good tone out of them, which often makes it difficult when performing in intimate settings, playing late at night or if you have picky neighbours. An attenuator is an electronics device that reduces the amplitude of a signal without appreciably distorting its waveform – perfect for getting that cranked amp sound, at a lower, more manageable volume level. This simple attenuator box will allow lower wattage (less than 30…

Would you pay $150 or more for these custom designed and crafted Shark Inlay control and trim plates, made of materials such as White/Black/Gold Mother of Pearl, Paua, Red Abalone, semiprecious stones?  Created by Master Inlay Artist Cliff Suttle to fit PRS guitars,each pieces cut and milled to tolerances in the 1000’s of an inch. Personally, I have better things to spend my money on, but if you’re keen, head over to www.sharkinlay.com.

This post over at Guitar Lifestyle intrigued me – ToneRite claims to have produced a product which automatically “breaks-in” a guitar by attaching to the bridge and emitting vibrations.  According to them, the ToneRite Signature accomplishes in 24 hours, what would normally take 6 months of normal playing, after which the full, mature tone of the instrument can be heard. According to their research, audible improvements can be heard after an hour: One of the prevalent theories is that playing-in(de-damping)…

Handy for practice sessions, the VOX Amplug AC30 is a little battery powered device that plugs into your guitar output jack, and allows you to emulate a VOX AC30 amp through plugged-in headphones.  The unit has 3 control wheels on the underside of the unit to control the Volume, Gain and Tone, and also an Auxiliary input so you can play along to songs from your iPod. GuitarNoize took the VOX Amplug AC30 for a test drive, and here were their remarks: So…

VOX has come up JamVOX, with a brilliant integrated monitor and software system that extracts the guitar parts from any MP3, and allows you to jam along to your favourite tunes!  Now guitarists can enjoy what karaoke systems have been doing for wanna-be singers for years. The JamVOX system consists of two parts:   Software which lets you cancel or extract the guitar part of an existing song, an also has a effects processor with 19 famous guitar amps and 54…

If you haven’t heard about the ASUS Eee PC already, it is basically a paperback sized, ultra-portable laptop, scaled down on features but offered at a price point that is almost irresistible.  It comes in Linux and Windows versions, an on my digital photography website, Shuttertalk.com, I spent quite a bit of time looking at it to see if would be suitable as a photographer’s companion out and about. I was excited then, to see people over at CDM doing the same thing…

Bringing your guitar amp off the ground and pointed in an optimal direction has a few benefits.  For a start, the controls will probably be more accessible to you.  Also, because an amp’s output is quite directional, it often helps you hear your playing better by angling it towards you.  Finally, when performing on stage, giving it a bit of tilt may help project the sound towards your audience better. I often lean my amp back against a wall for…