Guitar related articles and features including interviews with guitarists, producers, manufacturers and influential people connected with playing the guitar. Check out the Mystery Shopper and 15 Questions features.
I had no idea what to expect before listening to “Aquarius” by Haken. I have to be honest, looking at the album cover, I was expecting some pretty dark metal. I was wrong – instead I was greeted by a progressive mashup of a mix of influences and that was only after two minutes air time! Don’t judge a book by its cover and all that.
Recently, I’ve had some interesting conversations with friends with regards to breaking into the mainstream music scene. For many guitarists, it’s likely you’re in a band, gigging regularly at venues on the local “gigging circuit” and your band may have a few 100 fans on Facebook.
Even if you can solo like Slash or improvise like Hendrix – is that really enough to help your band go to the next stage in their musical career?
Continue reading “Style Over Substance: Is image more important than talent?” »
The latest Guitar Jar Mystery Shopper review finds us at Guitar Classics, situated in Webb Road, Battersea, London.
Continue reading “Mystery Shopper: Guitar Classics in Battersea, London” »
The latest “15 questions” feature is with guitarist Jon Rabbets. For the majority of Guitar Jar readers who live in the Bournemouth/Poole area, you’ll recognise him from managing Guitar Mania in Parkstone and he’s well known to be one of the finest guitarists in the South of England. Guitar Jar caught up with Jon to quiz him on his guitar equipment, technique and any projects he’s currently involved with…
Continue reading “15 Questions with guitarist: Jon Rabbets” »
Recently I had the opportunity to record some electric guitar at Basement Studios, Wimborne. It was an interesting process as it gave me the opportunity to look at recording procedures (for all instruments) in more detail, especially with regards to the hardware and techniques used.
Continue reading “Bass Guitar Recording Techniques and Interview with Bassist Mark Pitfield” »
To start this post, I’d like to express how gutted I was not to have attended the entire Sonisphere 2010 Festival (mainly due to lack of time and money). However, I arrived with my good friend Jamie early on Sunday morning, raring to go after a brief 2.5 hour drive from sunny Bournemouth, fuelled on RedBull and a Maccy D’s Double Sausage McMuffin breakfast…
Continue reading “Sonisphere Festival 2010 (Sunday) Review” »
The latest “15 questions” feature is with guitarist Tony MacAlpine. Tony is a highly successful and gifted guitarist, whose career spans more than 20 years having had the opportunities to play alongside leading musicians such as Steve Vai and Vinnie Moore. On the eve of the release of a debut album with new band, Seven the Hardway, Guitar Jar caught up with Tony to quiz him on his guitar equipment, technique and the projects he’s currently involved with…
Continue reading “15 Questions with guitarist: Tony MacAlpine” »
This week I find myself working in sunny Bristol again which ultimately means I can conduct another Guitar Jar Mystery Shopper review. This report features Rikaxxe Music, based on Bond Street, Bristol.
Continue reading “Mystery Shopper: Rikaxxe Music in Bristol” »
Morglbl is fronted by French guitarist, Christophe Godin. Christophe is known for blending a variety of styles, including heavy metal, jazz fusion, funk and blues into his music and “Jazz for the Deaf” is no exception.
Continue reading “Album Review: Jazz for the Deaf by Morglbl” »
Moollon is a company producing a range of effects pedals that will guarantee to catch your eye and stop you in your tracks. With a number of leading guitarists using their products, Guitar Jar catches up with Moollon manager Andreas Roselund to find out more about the company, its products and their fascinating artwork.
Continue reading “Interview with Moollon Musical Instruments” »
For those of you who are into chasing the ultimate tone, a good starting point is to change the guitar pickups. Bare Knuckle Pickups have been at the forefront of creating hand-wound pickups for a number of years and their products are being enjoyed by thousands of guitarists at all stages of their playing development. Guitar Jar catches up with Bare Knuckle Pickups Managing Director Tim Mills, to find out more about the BKP company and product range.
Seven the Hardway is a 5-piece rock/metal band formed in 2009 by guitar virtuoso Tony MacAlpine. This self titled debut album is due for release in the summer of 2010 in time for the European tour planned in September 2010.
Tony MacAlpine’s credentials include playing with Steve Vai & Planet X and on this album he’s joined by drummer Virgil Donati (Planet X) and vocalist Mark Boals (Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen). Since recording this album, the trio have since recruited two additional members, bass player Doug Shreeve and 21 year old Stefanía Daniel on guitar.
The latest “15 questions” feature is with guitarist Glenn Johansson. Glenn rose to stardom during the mid 90’s with Britpop band “Echobelly” and is still creating music today. Guitar Jar caught up with Glenn to quiz him on his guitar equipment, technique and any projects he’s currently involved with…
Continue reading “15 Questions with guitarist: Glenn Johansson” »
The latest “15 questions” feature is with guitarist Dan Hammond-Smith. Dan fronts the indie/rock band “The Otherhalf” who’ve been making waves in the UK live music scene throughout 2010. Guitar Jar caught up with Dan to quiz him on his guitar equipment, projects he’s involved with and playing live…
Continue reading “15 Questions with guitarist: Dan Hammond-Smith” »
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