Category Archives: Music

The Amricaster (v1)

Posted on December 16, 2019 by Dan

One of my goals this year was to learn more about how to set up, repair, and maintain my guitar collection. I had some successes over the summer, and by August I wondered: Could I now build an entire guitar … Continue reading →

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How to Buy a New Guitar Amp

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Dan

Step 1: Accept that your old Marshall AVT50 hybrid amp has a noisy fan. Assume it is irreparable and convince yourself that you should get a new amp.

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2015

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Dan

Facebook is the reason I haven’t been blogging much here. I think I should change that, because even though I look back at some of my angrier screeds and cringe, this is still the one and only space where I … Continue reading →

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The Tangerine Dream: Refinishing the Retronix R-800

Posted on June 23, 2015 by Dan

I got a great deal on one of the first Retronix R-800s — the Korean-made models of J. Backlund‘s designs — thanks to Kickstarter. Fantastic look, very comfortable neck and body contours, trem bridge with coil-tapped humbuckers — extremely well built … Continue reading →

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Jethro Tull, Metallica, and the 1989 Grammys: The Last Word

Posted on August 14, 2014 by Dan

Someone recently brought up Jethro Tull’s win over Metalllica at the 31st Annual Grammy Awards as a way to discredit Grammys. I think there are many more valid reasons to discredit the Grammy Awards. But the reality of the Jethro … Continue reading →

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Farewell Activision & LA, hello Ubisoft & SF

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Dan

I’ve got a new gig! In early April, I will start at Ubisoft as Community Developer for Studio SF, the team behind Rocksmith & Rocksmith 2014. This is awesome for several reasons. First of all, anybody who knows me knows … Continue reading →

Posted in Etc, Guitar | 12 Comments

My trip to Norman’s Rare Guitars

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Dan

I’ve wanted to go to Norman’s Rare Guitars for a long time — mostly because Nigel Tufnel wears their shirt in This Is Spinal Tap. Norman’s is also where they got/rented/borrowed all the guitars for Nigel’s guitar room scenes — … Continue reading →

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So You Want to Buy an Electric Guitar…

Posted on December 15, 2013 by Dan

I’ve been approached by several friends this year who want to buy a guitar, and I know the arrival of Rocksmith 2014 has something to do with it. I am happy and proud to be The Guitar Whisperer for them, … Continue reading →

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YouTube and the path of Zen Guitar, part 2

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Dan

A few months ago I talked about Tina S., the YouTube guitarist who, while technically proficient, never smiled, never seemed to connect with the music she was playing, and how different that was from my own experience, particularly following the … Continue reading →

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YouTube and the path of Zen Guitar

Posted on May 24, 2013 by Dan

I am a mediocre guitarist at best. My technique is downright terrible. The nicest complement I ever received was from a friend who was very technically skilled, who told me that when I played, he could tell just how much … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar | 3 Comments