For a while now I have been relying on a single power supply that then has a daisy chain cable to power all of my pedals, unfortunately mains power isn’t predictable and while you may have an ok supply at home your band rehearsal space or various venues you play might have dirty power which introduces noise into your signal chain. By daisy chaining you amplify the noise generated therefore making the problem even worse, plus you can only power 9v pedals, what if you have pedals that run on 12v or 18v?
The Fuel Tank Chameleon is an isolated power supply which has mini switches that allow you to change each output. There are 4 outputs switchable from 9v to 12v DC (300mA each), 1 that is switchable from 9v to 18v DC (300mA) and a pair of outputs that you can’t use simultaneously but the first is 9v or 12v DC and the second is 12v AC again 300mA each so you choose whichever is applicable from the two.
Advantages
Noise-cancelling galvanic isolated outputs
Several different voltage types served
Current doubler = the possibility of as much as 600 mA
All the cables you need
Switchable 115V or 230V
Compact, rugged, road-ready design
Legendary T-Rex quality
You have the option of powering each pedal from a single output or using a daisy chain cable, the advantage over the method I previously mentioned is that you can choose to only power a few pedals in a chain which limits potential noise. In the demo below I have the Suhr Shiba Drive, Koko Boost and TC Electronic PolyTune Mini daisy chained from a single 9v output, I have the Strymon El Capistan in the effects loop powered from a separate output and although not used in this demo the TC Electronic Corona Chorus and Mad Professor Tiny Orange Phaser are also being powered from separate outputs too.
Practice jamming, learning the pentatonic scale and soloing to 5 great sounding jam tracks in keys A, B, C, D, E, F and G right from your iPhone or iPad! Our easy-to-read scale charts show you exactly where to put your fingers to start sounding like a pro. See for yourself why thousands of guitarists love our jam track apps!
Jam along to the following styles in either a Major or Minor key:
- Acoustic Blues
- Humbucker Blues
- Jazz
- Rock
- Reggae
In response to Jason’s legions of worldwide fans, we are proud to introduce the JB200C Jason Becker Tribute Guitar. The Custom Shop worked closely with Jason to replicate as closely as possible the Carvin DC200 that was one of his main instruments in the 80s and 90s. This new model is loaded with standard features, including a 4A flamed maple top and matching pointed inline headstock, original Floyd Rose tremolo with locking nut, flamed maple fingerboard with abalone dot inlays, tung-oiled hardrock maple neck, black hardware, M22SD & M22V pickups and active electronics. Jason’s original guitar was finished in Sapphire Blue, but you can choose from any of Carvin’s translucent flamed maple finishes, or upgrade your top wood to 4A quilted maple. You can also upgrade to Carvin’s Deep Triple Step finish, which adds an almost 3-dimensional depth to the figure of the wood. A signature Jason Becker truss rod cover adorns the headstock.
Question by j t: How reliable are guitar pickups and parts from guitar fetish.com (GFS)?
I stumbled upon this place at guitarfetish.com and saw some rediculously low priced guitar parts and pickups. I’ve checked around and the pickups seem to get good reviews but I’m not sure whether or not to trust the reliability of the parts. If anyone has experience could they please help? Thanks in advance
Best answer:
Answer by mirageguitarworks guitarfetish.com purchases parts from some of the largest manufacturers on the face of the planet, so I wouldn’t worry too much about their reliability.
However, it is VERY important that you know exactly what you are looking for because their descriptions are either beyond what the typical player understands, or they are a bit too optimistic… all common in todays marketplace.
Bogner Amplification unveiled their new Ecstasy and Uberschall Pedals at MusikMesse 2012, until now I hadn’t seen a demo of the pedals in action until now, they sound really nice.
Everyone loves Marshall Amps right? And the Marshall Class 5 is a very cool 5 watter but there may be some of you out there that wish that it looked more METAL… or Goth or Vampire Zombified Undead? Well Marshall have created a contest so that you can win a Pitch Black Class 5 amp as well as a matching pair of pitch black Marshall headphones and all you have to do is send in a photo of you in corpse paint and upload it to their facebook page. In my case I’ll just take a quick photo of myself when I get woken up by my kids at 5am.
Press Release
In a chart dominated by voices from NBC’s smash television show The Voice, a new voice has found his way in to the Top 10 on the iTunes Rock Singles Chart. Mark Tremonti, best known for his guitar playing and songwriting with Alter Bridge and Creed, takes the microphone for the first time and unleashes another hit with “You Waste Your Time.” The song is the debut single from Mark’s first ever solo project, being released under the name Tremonti, and hits #10 on the chart just one day after being released to iTunes. The song has already gotten early plays at radio just days after being serviced and further demonstrates Tremonti is a force to be reckoned with. A performance video for the single will be available in the coming weeks.
“I am overwhelmed by the positive response the song has received already. I never imagined it would hit the Top 10 so quickly and that is a testament to the amazing fans I have. I couldn’t have gotten anywhere in my career without them and want to thank each and every one of them for their support. I can’t wait until they hear the rest of it,” states Tremonti.
All I Was is scheduled for release this July via FRET12 Records, a company Mark started with Daniel Tremonti and Tom Stanley. Tremonti features Eric Friedman on rhythm guitar and Garrett Whitlock on drums. Mark’s Alter Bridge/Creed bandmate, Brian Marshall, will be stepping in for the bass duties when Tremonti takes to the road later this year. Long time friend and collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette, known for his work with Alter Bridge, Chevelle and Trivium, produced the album. From the first riffs of album opener “Leave It Alone” to the final notes of the closer “Decay,” it is apparent that Mark’s playing and songwriting are at a new level. The metal music influences he grew up on ring throughout the album on songs like “So You’re Afraid,” “Wish You Well” and “Giving Up.” Mark finds his voice; literally, stepping up to the microphone for the first time in his career as a lead vocalist. The depth of his voice carries the melodies on songs like “New Way Out” and “Proof.”
Mark Tremonti is the Grammy Award-winning guitarist and songwriter known for his work in multi-platinum rock juggernaut Creed and with the critically acclaimed, fan favorite Alter Bridge. Having sold over 40 million records worldwide, this is the man behind massive hits like “My Own Prison”, “Higher”, and “Isolation”—just to name a few. His sound is recognizable and has garnered him a loyal fan base worldwide. Guitar World dubbed him “Guitarist of the Year” three consecutive years in a row and he ranked as the “fourth greatest heavy metal guitarist ever” in Total Guitar.
Press Release
Flying Colors, the hot new virtuoso prog rock supergroup featuring drummer Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater), guitarist Steve Morse (Deep Purple), and Neal Morse (Spock’s Beard), follow the release of their eponymous debut album with a rare European tour taking in London’s prestigious Shepherd’s Bush Empire on September 21st.
Tickets for all the European tour can be ordered online via the official European press page here.
Flying Colors: September 2012 European Tour
* Hamburg / Markthalle / Sept 9
* Berlin / C-Club / Sept 10
* Munich / Theaterfabrik / Sept 11
* Milan / Alcatraz / Sept 13
* Zurich / Volkshaus / Sept 14
* Stuttgart / Longhorn / Sept 15
* Aschaffenburg / Colos-Saal / Sept 16
* Cologne / Gloria / Sept 17
* Paris / Le Trianon / Sept 19
* Tilburg / 013 / Sept 20
* London / Shepherd’s Bush Empire / Sept 21
Flying Colors showcases Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals), Dave LaRue (bass), Neal Morse (keyboards, vocals), Casey McPherson (lead vocals, guitar), and Steve Morse (lead guitar). “The album has bits and pieces of what you’d expect from each of us,” says Portnoy. “The sum of all its parts led to brand new, unchartered territory for everyone involved.”
Flying Colors began with a simple idea: virtuoso musicians and a pop singer joining together to make new-fashioned music the old fashioned way. Refreshing, classic, old and new, the songs are saturated with the many styles, tones and hues of the players who in becoming a band have delivered a unique fusion of vintage craftsmanship and contemporary music.
“It was quite an experience making the album,” recalls Dave LaRue. “It’s been an inspiring challenge melding folk, prog, pop and metal into one big recording.”
Question by doritocheese: What kind of pickups should I get for my guitar?
I have a Laguna LE322TWB and I want pickups that will improve the sound of my guitar. I want pickups that will give me a really heavy tone (John Petrucci) and will also allow me to play blues. Any suggestions? Here are the specs on the guitar… http://www.playlaguna.com/models/index.cfm?model=le322twb
Best answer:
Answer by smokingmonkey98 The sounds you want to achieve are basically polar opposites but there is a way around that.
It all depends on your budegt and how far you’re prepared to stretch it.
I would suggest looking at the Seymour Duncan webite for a start as they are probably the biggest, quality dealer of after market pick-ups.
You will want to change your neck pick-up to an Alnico II magnet (blues) and any over wound bridge pick-up should meet your Petrucci style needs.
If you want his sound I would also suggest looking at swapping out the bridge for anything by EMG but those do require batteries
String Tinkers is a new business selling repurposed cigar box guitars, ukuleles, and other instruments. Anthony Foronda contacted me about the new venture saying “We like to think we brought a bit of Americana to the guitar market. Our guitars are hand crafted in the “Quiet Corner” of Northeast Connecticut which is a rural farming community with many fine artisans and craftsmen. We get inspiration from our rural landscape and farming community. It gets us motivated to create wonderful things for musicians in our area and beyond.”
String Tinkers is the result of a collaboration between three musicians and designers whose aim is to create unique meticulously crafted instruments from repurposed parts and make them sound warm and rich. The Dutch Cookie Tin Canjo is my favourite although I do love the look of the 6 string Primus Mags Cigar Box guitar pictured above too. All of their instruments are affordable ranging from $ 200 – $ 315.
