Hi, I’m Andy Ferris
a YouTuber Guitarist Singer Songwriter Creator

Orangewood Oliver Live Acoustic Guitar

Oliver Mahogany Live Guitar by Orangewood: A Surprisingly Phenomenal Acoustic Experience

Introduction

Orangewood’s Oliver Mahogany Live guitar is turning heads in the music industry, thanks to its exceptional quality and affordability. In this review, we take a closer look at this direct-to-consumer gem, exploring its unboxing experience, build quality, sound performance, and overall value for money. Prepare to be impressed by the surprising features this guitar has to offer.

Unboxing and Build Quality:
The video begins with the unboxing process, showcasing how the Oliver Mahogany Live arrives securely packaged. The guitar comes in a soft padded bag, which not only provides ample protection but also features sturdy straps. Inside the bag, a small pocket reveals some additional goodies—a truss rod adjustment Allen key and a stick-on pickguard. The presenter notes that the pickguard may initially seem cheap, but upon closer inspection, it turns out to be a suitable addition to the guitar’s aesthetic.

As the guitar is unveiled, its stunning deep brown-red finish catches the eye. The build quality is exceptional, with no noticeable flaws or rough edges. The neck is smooth, and the fretwork is impeccable. The Oliver Mahogany Live exudes a vintage charm, giving the impression of a well-aged instrument found in an attic.

Sound Performance:
Tuning the guitar reveals an astonishing fact—it arrived in tune despite traveling from California to Austria. The video proceeds to showcase the guitar’s sound performance using both a microphone setup and the built-in Fishman Sonitone EQ pickup system. The presenter strums and fingerpicks the guitar, highlighting its rich, full-bodied tone. The mahogany construction offers warmth and depth, while the Rosewood fretboard and bridge contribute to the overall sonic experience.

The guitar’s versatility shines through various playing styles and genres. Whether strumming chords or playing delicate fingerstyle melodies, the Oliver Mahogany Live delivers a consistent, pleasing sound. Notably, the guitar passes the Capo test flawlessly, maintaining its tuning integrity and pitch accuracy.

Value for Money:
Considering its price point, the Oliver Mahogany Live offers incredible value for money. Priced at $295 (or $225 for the non-live version), it includes impressive features such as a solid mahogany top, Sapili layered mahogany sides and back, a mahogany neck with a scarf joint, a Fishman pickup system, and bone nut and saddle. The inclusion of quality components like these is typically uncommon in guitars of this price range.

While the guitar does exhibit minor imperfections in its finish, these are negligible compared to the overall exceptional build quality and playability it offers. The non-branded tuners with rubberized machine heads ensure stable tuning, making it suitable for live performances.

Conclusion:
The Oliver Mahogany Live guitar by Orangewood is a remarkable instrument that surpasses expectations. Its impressive sound, reliable build quality, and affordability make it a standout option in the budget guitar market. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, this guitar will surprise you with its rich, warm tones and exceptional playability. With the added convenience of online purchasing and direct-to-consumer pricing, Orangewood has successfully made high-quality guitars accessible to musicians worldwide. The Oliver Mahogany Live is undoubtedly a solid choice for anyone seeking a versatile and affordable acoustic guitar that delivers outstanding performance.

Walrus Audio Fable Granular Soundscape Generator – Granular Delay

Hey there, it’s me, Andy. In this review, I’m going to introduce you to an exciting new pedal, the Walrus Audio Fable Granular Soundscape Generator

As a musician and avid gear enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for unique and innovative tools to add to my setup. And let me tell you, the Fable definitely fits the bill. It’s a granular delay pedal that features five different custom programs, each with its own set of sonic possibilities.

But what really sets the Fable apart is its dual feedback path, developed by DSP engineers at Walrus Audio. With two DSP chips, the signal is run through two separate effects in series (independently controlled by the Feedback and Regen Knobs), then the signals are run back through both DSP chips again before going through the output. This creates an incredible range of sounds, from smooth, flowing ambience to chaotic, glitchy swarms.

The five custom programs include Reverse Delay into Reverse Granular, Forward Delay into Octave Up Granular, Analog Delay into Octave Down Granular, Multi-Tap Granular into Multi-Tap Granular (Grain-Verb), and Forward Delay into Randomized Pitch Granular. And the momentary features for adjusting modulation speed and time warping effect only add to the pedal’s versatility.

Not only is the Fable an impressive piece of gear, but it also looks great. The slate gray enclosure is adorned with white, black, cream, red, and orange ink with art by David Hüttner. And at 3.62” x 4.79” x 2.25” including knobs, it’s the perfect size for any pedalboard.

Overall, I’m blown away by the Fable Granular Soundscape Generator. It’s an incredibly powerful tool for any musician looking to add some unique textures and sounds to their music. And if you don’t believe me, just watch the video and hear it for yourself.

https://youtu.be/tqrZHmvbbWI

The Unparalleled Hidden Costs of a being Guitar Gear Hoarder

As guitar players, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of buying new gear. Whether it’s a new guitar, amplifier, or effects pedal, we all have a wishlist of items we’d love to add to our collection. However, what many of us fail to consider are the hidden costs of being a guitar gear hoarder.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the hidden costs of being a guitar gear hoarder and how to avoid falling into the trap of overspending.

1. Financial Costs

Let’s start with the obvious one: the financial costs of being a gear hoarder. The reality is that buying new gear can quickly add up and become a significant expense. When you add up the cost of guitars, amps, pedals, cables, and other accessories, it’s easy to see how quickly it can all add up.

To avoid overspending, it’s important to set a budget for your gear purchases and stick to it. Consider investing in quality gear that will last you for years, rather than buying cheap equipment that will need to be replaced sooner.

2. Time Costs

Another hidden cost of being a gear hoarder is the amount of time it takes to maintain and organize your gear. You’ll need to spend time cleaning and maintaining your instruments and equipment, as well as organizing them in a way that makes sense for you.

This can be a significant time investment, especially if you have a large collection of gear. To avoid this, consider selling or trading in gear that you no longer use or need, and only keep the essentials.

3. Space Costs

As your gear collection grows, so does the amount of space you’ll need to store it all. This can be a problem if you live in a small apartment or have limited space for your equipment.

To avoid running out of space, consider investing in storage solutions that make the most of the space you have. This could be a wall-mounted guitar rack or a pedalboard that can be easily stored when not in use.

4. Opportunity Costs

When you spend all your time and money on buying new gear, you may be missing out on other opportunities. For example, you may not have the time or money to attend music festivals or take lessons from a professional teacher.

To avoid missing out on these opportunities, it’s important to prioritize your spending and make sure that you’re investing in things that will help you grow as a musician.

5. Emotional Costs

Finally, being a gear hoarder can also have emotional costs. When you’re constantly buying new gear, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the next purchase will be the one that finally makes you a better player.

However, the reality is that no amount of gear can replace practice and hard work. Instead of focusing on buying new gear, focus on improving your playing skills and making the most of the gear you already have.

In conclusion, being a gear hoarder can have hidden costs that many guitar players don’t consider. By setting a budget, prioritizing your spending, and focusing on improving your playing skills, you can avoid falling into the trap of overspending on gear. Remember, it’s not the gear that makes the player, it’s the player that makes the gear.

If, however all this was lost on you – Here’s a great pedal that you may not own…