Articles: Featured

/ May 17, 2012 1:01 am

Little Smasher Amp by Diago Product Review

Amps just aren’t made like they used to be…wait am I really starting off a new amp review with that line? Yes I am! That’s because the Little Smasher or sometimes called the Lil’ Smasher amp by Diago is great life or gig-saving option to carry around with you for that just in case moment. No bigger than a standard [...]

/ March 11, 2012 4:27 am

Pigtronix Class A Boost Product Review

A wedding reception doesn’t truly become a party until that one guy maybe hit the open bar a bit too hard, loosens the rental tuxedo up a bit and starts getting loud on the dance floor. That’s exactly what the Class A Boost by Pigtronix is. Its sole purpose is to make your signal louder and more exciting without coloring [...]

/ August 26, 2011 7:49 am

Hohner Essential Plus Acoustic Guitar

When I’m looking for an acoustic guitar there are a few things I have on my checklist. 1. Does it play/stay in tune? 2. How does it feel? 3. Does is sound like an acoustic guitar should? Really that’s all you need, but still if I were to walk into a guitar shop right now more than less of the [...]

/ April 19, 2011 9:37 pm

Interview with Megadeth’s David Ellefson

I first saw David Ellefson at the Hartke clinic inside Daddy’s Junky Music in Dedham, MA. What struck me most about him initially, is that he exudes a certain confidence, not born of cockiness but more a sense of purpose. In fact he speaks a few times during our interview about that sort of purposefulness a person can feel in [...]

/ April 10, 2011 3:06 am

Interview With Anthrax Bassist Frank Bello

A direct quote from my notebook, written while observing Frank Bello playing the Hartke clinic inside Daddy’s Junky Music in Dedham, Massachusetts. “This guy F—ing loves music!!” This was my first impression of Frank Bello. He’s a ball of metal bass energy that, when the music is turned on, goes from 0-60 in 2 seconds. His passion for playing and [...]

/ February 20, 2011 6:57 pm

Interview with Legendary Bassist Stu Hamm Part 2

Welcome back to part 2 of my interview with Stu Hamm. This week we get more in depth on his thoughts as a player and composer. Stu talks about some of his writing techniques, who his inspirations are and a few of his road stories. JS - Are you currently studying any players, composers or new techniques? Stu - I’m always working on new stuff. I’ve got a [...]

/ February 14, 2011 6:39 pm

Interview with Legendary Bassist Stu Hamm

In order to be a master you need to think like one and in order to think like one, you need to know how they think! Stu Hamm’s musical career has spanned decades. His first musical ventures were with Steve Vai, who he met at the Berklee College of Music, and Joe Satriani. Later he went on to play with Billy Sheehan [...]