Gretsch G9500 Jim Dandy @ $149

If there's one section of the acoustic guitar market that could definitely use a nice dose of bolstering, its most definitely the entry level range. Luckily for all of us out there looking for a solid acoustic that won’t thin out that wallet, Gretsch has now introduced the G9500 Jim Dandy as part of their new Roots Collection. This new line swaps Gretsch’s tried and true sharp, classic ‘50s Americana feel for a more grassroots, home-town country look consisting of acoustics, mandolins, resonators and other folk-minded instruments. And it comes as no surprise that this new line happens to coincide at a time when these roots instruments are enjoying a new resurgence in popular music. Miniature acoustics, like the G9500 Jim Dandy in particular, are attracting players looking for some Delta blues and old-school country tones, but is this $150 guitar worth the scratch?

The G9500 Jim Dandy acoustic specifically pays homage to the long forgotten line of Rex-Brande...

This Fender CD-60 Acoustic features the classic
Dreadnought shape and size. 

Luthiers have been perfecting the art of guitar making for hundreds of years trying to find the best sound for their instruments. Through several decades of trial and error, experimentation and creativity, the acoustic guitar has certainly come a long way. Today, there are a number of notable body types that have evolved in one way or another from the venerable lute – the de facto ancestor of the acoustic guitar, hence the name luthier. In fact, acoustic guitars are very much still evolving as you read this! So, we all should know by now that there are a lot of things that go into creating the tone of an acoustic guitar. The choice of strings – such as nylon versus steel – is an obvious component as are the tonewoods used in a guitar’s construction. And yet another important factor is the size and body shape. If you’re in the search for a guitar with very specific tone qualities, it might be the most important! ...

Yesterday, we talked a bit about the basics of EQing a bass amplifier. If you haven’t read it, it’s worth taking a look at, especially if you’re still new to the world of bass amps and frequencies. Today, we’re going to keep things going with more important factors regarding amps and tone including setup, positioning, bass frequencies versus room acoustics and more. Let’s get to it!

Sound Reflection and Proper Placement

Acoustic dampers such as these are common in
professional studio settings.

So now that you know how to work the EQ on a bass amp along with the particular sound features relegated to each of these frequencies, we can talk about setting up your rig properly for performing. If you’re still in the school of thought that simply plugging in your amp to the wall and your bass to the amp means you’re good to go – I’ve got news for you. Exactly where you setup your amp has an effect on how it sounds. Not only that, where you – or the audience for that matter – are standing in rela...

Axl Rose back in 2006 in New York City

Good morning, music fans! It’s finally Friday but before we all hit the weekend, let’s check out what’s been topping the news charts in the rock world, shall we?

Although it’s no mystery that Axl Rose and famed designer Tommy Hilfiger have had their differences in the past, it looks as though they have both made peace as the infamous Guns N’ Roses frontman led the band to a surprise acoustic concert this week for the fashion icon.

The band played a nine-song set – featuring a nice mix of GN’R classics as well as a couple of covers – this past Wednesday night at the Soho House in West Hollywood during an after-party celebrating the launch of Tommy Hilfiger's new store.

The Guns N' Roses set included "You're Crazy," "Used to Love Her," "Welcome to the Jungle," "Better," "Sweet Child O' Mine," "Patience," Neil Young's "Don't Let It Bring You Down," "Paradise City," and of course, an encore of the hit Bob Dylan classic " Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

Glad to...

Fender CD-100CE L/H Acoustic Electric

You know, every once in a while I find myself at a local music shop just killing some time and for some reason, I always end up going towards the acoustic guitar room. And being the avid tech guy that I am – along with all things music in general of course – I also spend a lot of time at big electronics stores such as Best Buy. Although I’m not sure if this is true for the rest of the country but down here in Southern California, Best Buy has added a music gear section to their store. Yes, a big pain for any impatient friend that goes in there with me indeed. Anyways, as I make my way through the store in the need for a memory card or what have you, I again find myself having to make a trip to the acoustic guitar room but getting more to my point, it seems like no matter what store’s acoustic room I’m at, I almost always hear some random customer asking one of the sales associates – the oddly termed “pros” – the same question; what’s the difference...

Do you know what time it is? Free Radio Friday! Wait… inside joke, never mind, forget that. It’s finally Friday music fans but before you all go out and do whatever it is you do on the weekend I would like to take some time to show you guys a few of the exciting new things that are going on here at ProAudioLand! We work hard to bring our guests the best possible products at the best prices available and we are always expanding our inventory in order to make sure we carry everything you could possibly need for that ultimate killer project or performance all in one place. Not only are we expanding our brands and inventory, we also make sure we stock the latest and greatest gear available – be it this year’s brand new Fender guitars or the newest creations by Korg. There’s actually a ton of new gear that we have coming in this month so today, we’ll be focusing on the guitars and keyboards but don’t forget to check us out next Friday when we will be featuring our brand new line of cymbals ...

Throughout my years in the pro audio business as well as all things music in general, I find that there exists common problems that many players out there might not even realize. There also exists common problems that many musicians do know about; they just don’t know the solution, let alone the cause. One such prevalent problem – especially with newer guitar players – is that of the relationship between the body type of their instrument and the prevalence of feedback. The veterans out there probably can already see where I’m going with this; yes, the very real and very common association between the hollow body/semi hollow body guitars and signal feedback.

Get Back (From That Amp)

I remember going to a local bar by my house one night and decided to take a quick look inside. Being the huge Beatle fan that I am, I couldn’t help but be enticed by ...

There’s nothing quite like a properly balanced mix, but getting to that point is easier said than done. Whether it’s getting that low end just right for the bass track or selecting the right microphone for vocals, every song is a unique project with its own set of challenges. Last week, we here at PAL discussedn how to go about recording low end frequency instruments such as an electric bass or a kick drum as well as tips and tricks such as different recording methods, EQ techniques and even troubleshooting some common problems. Yesterday, we kept things rolling with a brand new feature specifically created to help you attain the best possible acoustic guitar track. We discussed the two normal techniques used in recording an acoustic guitar along with each of their strengths and weaknesses. We found out that although stereo recording offers certain advantages like giving the acoustic guitar much more depth and natural color, it can also create phasing issues along with other specific c...

The FENDER CD-320AS acoustic guitar is stereo worthy

Last week, we focused on tips and techniques regarding recording the electric bass – specifically dealing with that low end frequency. We found out that there are certain inherent problems when dealing with such low bass frequencies and certain techniques to best negate them. When dealing with mixing the bass on a complete track for example, we found out that certain monitors won’t be able to properly reproduce all of the low end frequencies that are present in the mix and although a bass track might sound properly balanced at home, playing it on a different system that can handle a deep bass might play it back completely different. Plenty of other tips and tricks too so check it out in case you missed it. This week, we will be delving in just as deep with another common instrument that any good producer should know how to handle.

Although this might not be the case for some of the more exotic players out there but for the most part,...

FENDER Hot Rod Deluxe III Tube Guitar Combo Amp

If there is any one single piece of equipment that is as important to the overall sound and feel of live music as the electrical instrument itself, it most definitely has to be the amplifier. Although you are only as strong as your weakest link – meaning that everything from the quality of the pickups to the quality of the cable plays a part – a solid guitar amplifier builds the foundation for which the entire sound of your setup will come from.  Sure, this is nothing new as even the greenest of players will undoubtedly know the importance of a quality amplifier, but what many might not realize are all the little differences when it comes to these important pieces of equipment. Depending on your style of music or your instrument of choice, there are several different variations of the amplifier that can not only bolster your sound, but several iterations now come packed with plenty of extra features made to take your tone to the next level...

Telecaster HH Solid Body Guitar

It is probably the most popular instrument of the modern era, and easily the coolest. The guitar has seen unprecedented growth and renovation over the last hundred years not seen since the introduction of the piano in Italy during the early 18th century. What was once seen as a “hand-violin” way back in 17th century Europe and nothing more than a fun diversion of the common man (unlike the prestigious orchestral instruments) is now the go-to instrument for future musicians deciding on their first foray. With the introduction of the electric guitar, the boundaries were pushed even further, introducing amplifiers, effects and studio techniques that were never imaginable decades prior, eclipsing the previous amount of tones and sounds possible on a single instrument.

Most of us know about how effects pedals, amp settings and pickups have a great deal of influence in determining the sound of a guitar, but what several new to the instrument sometimes fail to re...