Guitar & bass knowledge. No strings attached.

Are These the 10 Most Popular Guitar Pedals of All Time?

December 21, 2023

From wahs and fuzz to tuners, there are some expected and unexpected entries on our best-guess list of the 10 most popular guitar pedals of all time.

Can Sweep Picking be Tasteful? You Bet.

December 17, 2023

From jazz to country, sweep picking is a more varied and useful technique than you might think at first glance.

Holiday Gifts for Guitarists 2023

December 6, 2023

Diminished Chords for Guitar: The Ultimate Guide

November 19, 2023

We cover what diminished chords are, how to play them, and most importantly—how to use them.

The History of C. F. Martin Guitars

November 12, 2023

The C. F. Martin & Company & its world-famous guitars have a long and storied history, filled with ups and downs.

The Top 10 Weirdest Fender Guitars Ever Made

November 3, 2023

Fender has made tons of offbeat, unique, and surprising guitars over the years. Here are the 10 most surprising Fender guitars ever made.

Tube Amp Wattage: How to Pick the Right Amp for You

October 26, 2023

There's nothing like cranking up a tube amp. But how many watts for a tube amp is enough for you? Find out in our guide to tube amp wattage.

10 Guitarists Who Don't Use Amps

October 23, 2023

Long before modelers came into vogue, there were still guitarists who were eschewing the status quo and forgoing their amps.

American vs. British Tube Amps: What's the Difference?

October 5, 2023

When it comes to tube amps, there are typically two categories: Amercain Amps and British Amps. But what is it that makes them different?

10 Guitarists That Don't Use Pedals

September 28, 2023

Sometimes you get tired of twiddling knobs, setting up pedalboards, and constantly tinkering to get the right sound.

Fender’s Wide Range Humbucker: An Under-Appreciated Classic

September 20, 2023

Wide Range Humbuckers don’t get as much attention as Fender’s single coils or Gibson’s PAFs, they have carved out a place in guitar history.

Neck Relief 101: A Beginner's Guide

September 16, 2023

Neck relief can be intimidating. How do I adjust neck relief? What if I damage the neck? How do I know when it’s right? Let's find out.

Overdrive vs Distortion: What's the Difference?

September 13, 2023

We break down the similarities and differences between overdrive and distortion, what they are, and why you’d want to use one or the other.

Open D Tuning: The Ultimate Guide

August 25, 2023

Everything you need to know about open D tuning, from how to tune and play chords to scales and popular songs.

The Surprising History of 5 String Bass

August 19, 2023

Where exactly did 5 string basses come from? Who invented them? How did we go from 4 string to 5 string basses and why?

Iconic Offsets: Jazzmaster vs. Jaguar

August 18, 2023

Despite their similar looks, Fender Jaguar and Fender Jazzmaster offset guitars are about as far apart as Fenders get.