Archive for the ‘Howto’ Category.

Electric Guitar Technology

ibanez_gax30.jpgIt is a curious paradox of the music industry: guitars, especially rock guitarists, are often regarded as trends when it comes to fashion and culture, but when it comes to their instruments, they are very conservative. Innovations such as electronic active, guitar and synthesizers Steinberger of the fearless steps in the field of head instruments in the 80 have not been able to make much on the market. Gibson and Fender continue to dominate the market for electric guitar much as they did in 1950 and 60. Even with the entry of new competitors into the market over the years, as Ibanez, Paul Reed Smith and Charvel / Jackson, the electric guitar has remained basically unchanged with one to three magnetic pickups and a mess of wires that connects controls. But things may be about to change!

Over the past couple of years some have arrived over the innovations that have transformed completely common sense - or at least the conventional electronic guitar to the head. The first is the string nylon solid body electric guitar. The first time I saw one of these in the hands of metal as Yngwie Malmsteen and was blown away by the sound. For any artist who is trying to incorporate elements of the classical guitar in his repertoire, this instrument provides the classic soft tone of a nylon string guitar with the traditional feel comfortable and the action of a solid axe.

This has been made possible thanks to the enormous progress made in recent years in the field of technology piezo pickup. Without going into too many technical details, piezoelectric differs from the traditional magnetic collection in which the piezoelectric element vibrates with the chain, sending an electrical signal that the vibrations to a preamplifier within the guitar for processing, rather than capture a representation of the electromagnetic vibrations that can then be sent directly to an amplifier, preamplifier or aboard ships in the event of further configuration of the desired signal.

The piezoelectric eliminates the need for steel chains, which otherwise interact with the magnetic collection, and also produces more satisfactory results for players with a lighter fingerstyle technique. So you think this is just another step in fantasy, Parker has produced a nylon rope version of his famous “Fly” and the other model-and even arrived, Sadowski Guitars, is producing a style Telecaster model employing the same technology.

Another intriguing is the development in the area of guitar-computer interface. This has been a long time coming, and if we take into account the explosion in the popularity of digital recording with Pro Tools and similar software, it is surprising it took as long as it did.

By far the leader in this field is the line 6 Variax model. Now, I will be the first to admit that I know enough about computer technology to be dangerous, but I tell you what I know from what I have read and from my friends and acquaintances who have played the Variax. I should also point out that I am in no way affiliated with the Line 6 or any of its subsidiaries or partners.

The Variax is, in accordance with the line 6 brochure a “digital modeling” that allows the guitar player to switch between a wide variety of possible sounds into an instrument. The sounds of an acoustic 12-string, Fender Stratocaster style single coils, Les Paul humbuckers, banjo, chimes and dozens of others are all available at the flick of a switch. The best part is that all these tonal variations are available for free hum. For the musician of work, this means not having to lug around five to seven guitars, providing him with all the sounds you need.

The real test, however, the hearing is one of these fine instruments in action, so if you want to check one out, a list of authorized distributors is available on the website of Line 6. At a MSRP of about $ 1000 for mid-line Variax 600 - is also available in the 300 and 700 - which is not cheap, but for professionals or amateurs with money to burn, can be a good investment .

There is much more to be developed in the near future with the improvement of computer technology and miniaturization. Whole racks of effects can now be had in a box the size of a pack of cigarettes. This is certainly a blessing for the musician in terms of price and effort necessary to move the team.

I am sure that one day that an entire guitarist rig, with the exception that the instrument itself will be within the body of the guitar itself. And while that may not be a relief for the guitarist who is in his home among its racks of effects processors, the time is not expected, and he finds himself ultimately at a crossroads in the development of musical instruments , both men made in the 1930’s and 40’s when the acoustic guitar was forced to make way for the first electric guitar.


Kenny is a webmaster @ http://www.getmeaband.com - Musicians, looking for a band? Find musicians, start a band, and play music.

How To Tune Electric Guitar

gibson_robot_guitar.jpgThere are many ways to refine an electric guitar. The easiest way is with a guitar tuner, if it is set proper intonation. Tuning a guitar trains your ear to the different sounds of each note.

Find a tuner that works with an electric guitar. Learning how to tune the guitar with a single note out of a source or ear. This will help to train the ear to the pitch of every note with the finger and placement help and the pressure to be applied to the chain.

One way to sharpen is as follows: - Begin with an open (this is the second largest chain or 5 th). — Use a stationary source, such as the piano, harmonica, the fingerboard, even another guitar - Now that the Chain match the tone or pitch of the note A source collected by the chain and leaving the ring - the Loosen chain below the tone And then, while increasing the tuning voltage - The detente and the squeeze of the best works and keeps the guitar and tune

Once the string is tuned to pass the string D. — The chain D is directly beneath the Chain, is the 4 th chain - Sound D placing his finger half in the 5 th fret on the A - This will sound - Keep your finger down and let while adjusting ring D

I now turn to the G string, which is directly in the chain D, and is the 3 rd string. — The sound G placing his finger half in the 5 th fret in the chain - The sound rings out by holding your finger down - Adjustment for G compared to the sound

Then comes the B chain, or the 2 nd string. This is directly under the G string. — Put your finger environment in the 4 th fret on the string G - Keep your finger down to keep out ring - Adjust the B chain to match the sound

Then, the top E string, rope thinner and B below in the chain. — Put your finger half in the 5 th fret of the B chain, which gives the upper note - To ring out by holding your finger down - Adjust the E string to match the sound

Finally, the decline in E, the largest chain and also the first: - Put your finger half in the 5 th fret minor - This is an open A sound - live sound produced by the Chain fret 5 nd note - Adjust lower Accordingly E

Remember to adjust to tighten a chain is placed under a lot of strain. Normally, this is not a problem. However, if your guitar has approximately parties can hook a chain. If properly tuned and tighten the rope over, will be broken. Since the chain is under so much stress, it can cause a lot of damage. Do not over tighten strings. If in doubt, the melody.

What we have to do a chain at the same time. Strings are pulling tension and an effect on the neck of the guitar. The force exerted every chain in the neck causes bend slightly.

Once you have fine-tuned his guitar, you probably will find that some chains have gone outside pitch. You need to repeat the above procedure until all the strings are in tune.

Good guitar tuning is because his stay in tune as you play different notes along the neck. The network can be perfectly in tune, but in the 10 th fret, could ½ semitone. This is a bad intonation.

Poor intonation can be caused by a mismatch between the length of the string and spacing of the dishes. It can be caused by a range of non-uniform (ie, changes in thickness along the length). If you can not fix the intonation, try to change their strings.

Intonation is easy to adjust to the electric guitar as the bridge consists of many parts adjustable. A median plane of the note is too long chain, while a strong note means the string is too short. Adjust the chain slightly moving the bridge piece properly. You may have to repeat this several times at each chain. It is time for the first time that it does, but well worth your time.


Gen Mason is a guitar player from Florida. Discover free how to improve your guitar skills at Jamorama

How To Choose An Electric Guitar

For a fan of music, the electric guitar is the instrument that provides the greatest excitement. Many kinds of courses offered in guitar have emerged. Therefore, the right to purchase electric guitar will help you to enjoy their learning experience. Here are some tips easy to understand that lets you make a right decision on the purchase of his electric guitar.

The guitars are all the same?

No. There are many types of electric guitars available on the market. The law depends on the guitar sound that you are interested in. While some guitarists can easily switch between jazz, blues and rock, without any difference, others are adapted to one type of sound.

Choosing the sound you want is going to simplify their purchase decision. In addition, the sound is also necessary to take into account the location of the neck of the guitar. The two most common types of positions are the “set-neck” and the “bolt-on” necks. The set neck lets you continue playing longer than bolt. The meeting point of the guitar and neck is more stringent to allow the sound to the free movement between the two.

The only disadvantage of set-neck is that it is difficult to repair or replace once damaged. The bolt-on style is available with cheaper versions of guitars. The design is simple, blocking the slot neck in a body of the guitar. Musical experts believe that this type of collar style does not give good sound quality and can not be played more, but this is more due to the type of materials used. If you do not mind spending money for a higher quality sound, but not a lasting electric guitar, go to a set neck.

What are the dishes?

You can choose electric guitar based on the width and length is the neck. 21, 22 and 24 are the number of dishes that can be obtained with the usual guitars. The guitars Stratocasters have 21 frets. This gives a shorter neck, but who opt for large frets lets you play with greater ease. Jackson guitars have a higher frets. The number of dishes must choose depend on the amount of notes you want to play. An increased number lets you play sounds.


Click for great electric guitars advice or recommended used guitars advice. For great general interest information go to www.fopple.info.