If you’ve paid attention to the burgeoning guitar effects pedal modification market over the past few years, you know that Boss modded pedals are some of the most common pedal modifications around. The reason for that is simple. Even without modifications, most Boss effects pedals sound pretty good in their stock form. So, a modded pedal is more likely to accentuate the excellence of a Boss pedal. Common pedals for modification purposes are the BD-2 Blues Driver and the DS-1 Distortion. For all the rage about true bypass, Boss pedals sound great with their included buffer system. Our personal favorites included the Keeley-modded Blues Driver and the DS-1 Distortion.
Best Tuner Pedal – What Should You Buy?
Any guitarist or bassists knows that playing in tune is a crucial part of sounding professional. It’s easy to stay in tune in a studio environment because you can take the time to make sure your instrument is perfectly in tune and intonated as well. However, in a live environment, you can’t exactly stop the show to get in tune. That’s why pedal tuners have become so popular. But which one is the best tuner pedal for the money?
Personally, I think the Boss TU-3 is the finest guitar tuner pedal available today. The Boss TU tuner pedals have been on some of the best players’ pedalboards for a number of years, and while there are pedals now that have a lot more bells and whistles, the Boss TU-3 is a proven workhorse of guitar pedal tuners. The casing is durable, roadworthy, and stands the test of time. The LED lights are incredibly easy to see on a dark stage, and the footprint is very small, making it easy to fit in with the rest of your pedalboard. The TU-3 is also incredibly quiet and has the same quality Boss pedal buffering system that is available on all of their pedals.
Bass Guitar Strap Locks – Which Ones Should You Buy?
Bass guitar strap locks are a necessity if you want to protect your investment in a quality bass guitar. If you’re a bass player, you know how heavy electric bass guitars can be, especially if you’re playing a 5-string bass or 6-string bass. Guitars are already prone to falling off their straps, but bass guitars are even worse due to their weight.
So, you’re probably wondering, then, what are the best strap locks for bass guitar? There are two main choices available.
(1) Dunlop – Dunlop strap locks are a very popular choice, and are made by a company with a reputation for excellence, Jim Dunlop. Dunlop strap locks use a push-pull pin-based system. Dunlop claims that the locks are rated at 800-lbs of pull, so chances are, you won’t have any problems with them.
The downside to the Dunlop strap locks is that, if the pin does fail, there’s no secondary system in place. The guitar will fall and fall hard. However, it’s also worth noting that the strap pin itself is designed to be used with just a regular guitar strap if need be (the so-called Dual Design system). All in all, the Dunlop system is a fine choice.
Either system can be effective, and there are bass players and guitar players who swear by either one. I personally prefer the Schallers for two reasons. (1) The U-shaped cradle provides an excellent backup should the system fail (which none of mine ever have. (2) In my personal opinion, the Schallers just flat out look more hip than the Dunlops, but that’s just my view.
Guitar Straps Good for Your Back – Some Recommendations
Are you concerned about guitar straps that are good for your back? So am I. If you play guitar (like me) and have a bad back (like me), you’re pretty sensitive about the kind of strap you can use. Most inexpensive guitar straps are pretty narrow and are made out of nylon that, while inexpensive, can wreck havoc on your shoulders and lower back.
So, the bad news is that if you’re concerned about your back health, you really can’t afford to buy those cheap guitar straps that you find on the tie racks at music stores. You’re just asking for trouble and even worse back pain.
What’s the good news, then?
Personally, I think padded Levy’s guitar straps are some of the best straps available for guitarists and bassists who want a nice fashionable strap that also will be good for their back (or at least not as bad). The thickness definitely helps, since it’s not cutting into the shoulder as much. Plus, the width will help distribute the weight a bit more evenly, resulting in less back stress.
Guitar Straps for Girls – How Are They Different?
If you have a child, specifically a young girl, who plays guitar, then you by now have realized that girls need special consideration when it comes to guitar straps, given their smaller build. Many guitar straps can actually be quite uncomfortable and can dig quite painfully into someone’s shoulder, especially if they’re smaller.
Young girls also often want a guitar strap that is a bit more festive in its color scheme, and since most guitar straps are black, it can be difficult to find a strap that a young girl might like. Fortunately, one company has considered the demand for something different and made some nice options available for young girls wanting something a bit different.
Of course, the straps aimed at girls can be used by anyone who wants a guitar strap that’s just a bit different.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 5
- Next Page »