Dan Auerbach’s guitars and gear

Guitar tech Dan Johnson gives a fascinating insight into the guitars and rig used by Black Keys’ frontman Dan Auerbach – courtesy of Premier Guitar.

Washburn Rover travel guitar – review

Washburn Rover and Case

I just bought myself a Washburn Rover travel guitar. It was very reasonably priced – only £117 – so I was a little worried that build quality and tone wouldn’t be up to much, but after playing it for a couple of days I am pleasantly surprised. It has surpassed all my expectations.

Vinyl revival – why the turnaround?

Recover EP by Chvrches on transparent tangerine vinyl

According to the Official Chart Company, UK sales of vinyl records in the first quarter of 2013 rose 78%, compared with 2012. In 1993, only 300,000 vinyl records were sold in the United States. In 2012, according to Nielsen SoundScan, 4.6 million vinyl records were sold across the US. What the hell happened? Vinyl was supposed to be dead. Why such a remarkable comeback?

Bias setting for 6L6GC power tubes in a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

Ruby 6L6GCMSTR Power Tubes

I recently fitted the power stage of my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe with a pair of Ruby 6L6GCMSTR tubes. I gave a full review of the Ruby tubes in an earlier blog post. What I want to discuss here is the bias setting for the power stage in a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe.

Stagger Lee by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – a two-chord wonder

Regular readers of this blog will know that I am a fan of simplicity. Less is more, and all that. Stagger Lee by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds exemplifies how, in the hands of master magicians, the simplest musical structure can provide a foundation for incredible texture, emotion and narrative. The song, from the album Murder Ballads, is an astonishing work, packed full of pulp obscenity and brutality, built around only two chords – D minor and A minor.

Record Store Day 2013 at Banquet Records

Interior of Banquet Records on Record Store Day 2013 (click for larger image). Photo by James Perou, courtesy of Banquet Records.

Saturday 20 April 2013 was Record Store Day. If you didn’t visit and support you nearest vinyl emporium, shame on you. My 15-year-old son, Harry, and I had the most glorious time at Banquet Records, Kingston upon Thames, London. We bought some very special vinyl.

How to restring a guitar fitted with vintage style open slot tuners

Vintage tuners on a Fender Mustang

I know a few guitarists who have a tech restring their guitars for them. These people are not stupid or lazy. They are quite happy to restring some of their guitars themselves. But they fear the open slot variety of tuner, worried by the technique required to bind the string to the tuning post. But it’s not difficult.

Great drummers do more than keep time

Andy in full flow at Indig02, London, 2012

It’s a rare thing, but occasionally I come across someone with a lust for life who is so packed full of talent and verve they can’t help but carry all around them on a wave of energy and enthusiasm. They have impact and generate affection. Such people are special. They add value. And so it is with Andy.

How to diagnose and fix tube rattle on a guitar amplifier

Ruby 6L6 valves in my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe

My Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III recently developed a glassy rattle. It was only evident at certain frequencies – prevalent when I strummed low chords or struck low notes. At first the rattle was faint and only occurred occasionally. But over a number of weeks the rattle grew in prominence and occurred almost every time I played a low chord or note.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds: Push The Sky Away – review

Album cover for Push The Sky Away, by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds

It’s been a long time coming, but the 15th album from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds proves to have been well worth the wait. It is, quite simply, extraordinary. Arguably the band’s finest work.