Recent Posts

Here’s the New VH Single/Vid: 50w?

Here’s the New VH Single/Vid: 50w?

Update from a reader (thanks!): Tattoo is is based on an old song, “Down in Flames” – check it below. “Tattoo.” Is it me or have we never heard a Van Halen tune like this before? If Ed used his “grail” Marshall Super Lead on this album, don’t think we’re hearing it on this tune! […]

January 10, 2012 | By | 3 Replies More
Breaking Down the VH NYC Debut

Breaking Down the VH NYC Debut

She’s the Woman! Cafe Wha – yeah man! Couldn’t wrangle my son and I an invite, so instead awaited the sure-to-follow YouTube vids. Fingers were crossed that the band would play some new tunes, though had to admit that didn’t make much sense since they hadn’t even released a tune yet. Anyhow, here’s what we […]

January 9, 2012 | By | Reply More
Bonamassa Hears Clapton in EVH: You?

Bonamassa Hears Clapton in EVH: You?

Lots of well-known axe-slingers are quoted in Neil Zlozower’s new (and awesome) Eddie Van Halen book. One is the current white bluesman extraordinaire, Joe “gingers o’ fire” Bonamassa. What he says is interesting, and not sure I can hear what he’s hearing. Bear in mind a couple things: 1. EVH has said many times that […]

December 22, 2011 | By | 14 Replies More
Have You Gone Extra Slinky Yet?

Have You Gone Extra Slinky Yet?

When I recently got an email from a WoodyTone reader – let’s call him Mike because…that’s his real name – I was stoked because I like light strings. I played 10s for years, then went to 9s after getting back into the whole EVH tone quest. With 9s I noticed that the notes “opened up,” […]

December 14, 2011 | By | 14 Replies More
2 Minutes To Powerslave Tone

2 Minutes To Powerslave Tone

Okay, not really two minutes, but I’m diggin’ “2 Minutes To Midnight” these days, so…. What gear did Iron Maiden’s Dave Murray and Adrian Smith use on Powerslave? Hold on – I guess the first question is, Is their tone woody? IMO no, but it’s the distinctive what I’d call “saturated” metal tone these guys […]

December 8, 2011 | By | 3 Replies More
EVH Fans, Get This Book Now!

EVH Fans, Get This Book Now!

If I ever had a doubt I’m a huge Edward Van Halen fan (never had any doubt, but…), any such insane thought was erased when I finished reading Neil Zlozower’s new Eddie Van Halen book. Yep, reading. Actually got a little emotional at the end of it (*sniff*), reading Nuno Bettencourt’s story about a recent […]

November 30, 2011 | By | 5 Replies More
Remember the ADA? Nuno, Vito, Skid Row

Remember the ADA? Nuno, Vito, Skid Row

Been perusing a loooong thread on gearslutz.com about the recording of various Extreme albums – because I was going to do a post on the most recent Extreme album and Nuno’s gear. But retrenching a bit because of this quote in that thread from producer Michael Wagener: Funny enough, the setup we used on Vito […]

November 23, 2011 | By | 11 Replies More
What the Fuzz Did BFG Use?

What the Fuzz Did BFG Use?

I’ve been obsessin’ over the 1980 Rockpalast footage of that little ol’ band from Texas. The boys were a lot more fiery back then, and the Rev. Willy G sounds AWESOME. yeah, some of it’s the style, the hands, all that, but some of it fo sho is that Lester paul through…what? First give this […]

November 16, 2011 | By | 20 Replies More
Gilmour’s The Wall Gear!

Gilmour’s The Wall Gear!

There’s this issue of the old, defunct but often awesome Guitar Shop mag I have that runs down Dave Gilmour’s live gear from every period of Pink Floyd. Crazy! Actually too much stuff to put in here, but I had to get something in so here we are. The thing that kick-started this post is […]

November 8, 2011 | By | 2 Replies More
The Youngs, Marshall Clank, ‘Sin City’

The Youngs, Marshall Clank, ‘Sin City’

And More on Angus’ Gear, Settings What’s the best AC/DC song? If you ask Joe Perry, he’ll apparently say “Sin City.” Bold, Joe, bold – because I’m completely unable to pick a favorite AC/DC tune – because so many are THAT freakin’ good. But “Sin City” is awesome, no doubt. It sounds great. Once again, […]

November 1, 2011 | By | 7 Replies More
Rory Gallagher’s Gear (Some) And…

Rory Gallagher’s Gear (Some) And…

…The Brian May and Joe Bonamassa Connections Rory Gallagher was Irish. ‘Nuff said. Seriously, Rory was a bad motherFer on the geetar, no doubt. I wish I was more familiar with him and his stuff, but here’s a cursory overview of his gear and tunes for others like me. Rory fans chime in with any […]

October 25, 2011 | By | 4 Replies More
Page’s The Firm Gear: Zep II?

Page’s The Firm Gear: Zep II?

At this point it seems like Jimmy Page is the keeper of the Led Zep flame – doesn’t it? Plant isn’t interested, JPJ is awesome but ain’t the point man, so we have Jimmy. And how much of the Zep sound is Jimmy? He obviously wrote the riffs and a bunch of the tunes, but […]

October 11, 2011 | By | 3 Replies More
Bert Jansch and Jimmy Page: Listen

Bert Jansch and Jimmy Page: Listen

Heard on the radio the other day that UK folk-ish/acoustic guitarist Bert Jansch died. Hope it doesn’t sound callous but..had no idea who the guy was and wasn’t compelled to find out until the radio person said he was a big influence on Jimmy Page. Then they played part of an acoustic tune, and my […]

October 7, 2011 | By | 2 Replies More
Mike Campbell’s Mojo Gear = Wood

Mike Campbell’s Mojo Gear = Wood

Been meaning to scribble about this for a while. If you haven’t heard Tom petty’s most recent studio album – Mojo, birthed in 2010 – you need to. It’s not going to rock you out of your undies, but parts of it actually do rock in a vintage way. When I heard the tune “I […]

October 4, 2011 | By | Reply More
Celestion Lynchback: The Ultimate Modern/Classic Speaker?

Celestion Lynchback: The Ultimate Modern/Classic Speaker?

Did you hear about the new Celestion Lynchback speaker? By now maybe you have, but I hadn’t until I stopped in at the Celestion room at last summer’s NY/NJ Amp Show (btw, the Los Angeles Amp Show is this weekend – go!). Right away I was intrigued. Why: > George Lynch is one of my […]

September 27, 2011 | By | Reply More