Welcome back, gear enthusiasts! It’s that time again where we dive into the latest and greatest in new guitar gear. Whether you’re a seasoned player or just starting out, there’s something for everyone in this week’s lineup. We’ll be exploring everything from fuzz pedals that’ll make your heart race to acoustic guitars perfect for the stage. Let’s jump right in!
IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK!
Prepare to get gas because it’s time for the week in gear! I have missed doing this show, and I am very glad to be back. We have lots of sparkly new gear to discover from vintage-inspired fuzzes to modern rock machines. This week is sponsored by Henry’s Music. More about that in a little bit. Let’s kick off this week’s most exciting guitar gear releases!
5: EARTHQUAKER DEVICES CHELSEA
First up, we’ve got the Earthquaker Devices Chelsea, a low-end fuzz driver born out of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy’s favorite heavily modded fuzz circuit, which I believe is a color sound bass fuzz. Please correct me in the comments if you know any different!
The Chelsea takes that iconic gritty bass-heavy fuzz and distills it into a small, powerful package. It offers a straightforward interface with three primary knobs: tone, level, and sustain—pretty basic for a fuzz. However, it also has a toggle for bypassing the tone circuit, giving you a more mid-focused sound. Judging by the official video, this works equally well on bass and guitar, but I am very curious about putting it on a baritone, of course.
Whether you’re looking for a little bit of subtle grit or full-on sonic destruction, the Chelsea does seem to deliver in a kind of Big Muff way. The only thing missing, in my opinion, is a blend knob to give you some of that clean if you’re using it on a bass. I always appreciate a clean blend when using fuzz and lower ranged instruments. It’s priced at around two hundred notes, and it’s available now.
4: GIBSON ACOUSTIC SPECIALS
Next up, Gibson has unveiled one, two, three new acoustic specials: the J-45 Special, the Hummingbird Special, and the L-00 Special. These USA-made guitars all feature solid Sitka spruce tops, solid mahogany backs and sides, and a satin nitro finish for a more vintage feel. Plus, they all come loaded with LR Baggs element bronze pickups, so they are ready for the stage right out of the case. And yes, they do come with a case!
So, what makes the special special, you ask? Well, Gibson has introduced these at a lower price point. Compared to the standard series, these are significantly more affordable, but not budget. There are a few trade-offs, however:
- 1. The special series is less ornate than the standards, with simpler artwork on the Hummingbird pickguard and single-ply binding instead of multi-ply binding found on the standard models.
- 2. The necks of the special series are made of Yutile, a cheaper, more sustainable alternative to mahogany.
- 3. The J-45 Special and Hummingbird Special are concert depth, meaning they are not quite as deep as the standards, which may reduce some bass response compared to the standard versions.
This special acoustic series is definitely aimed at the gigging musician who wants the Gibson name on the headstock but at a more accessible price. Pricing starts at just under two thousand notes for the J-45 and the L-00, while the Hummingbird comes in at just over two thousand notes compared to just under three thousand for their standard counterparts. So yes, it is a lot of money, but it is cheaper than alternatives if you still want Gibson on the headstock.
SPONSORED BY HENRY’S!
Now, let’s talk about butt tone! Henry’s Music offers a wide range of instruments and accessories, including their butt tone guitar picks. These picks are meticulously handcrafted to create a rich and full tone. Available in various shapes and sizes, including the Crusher, inspired by the jazz three pick, and the Baser for bass players, these picks are designed to enhance your playing experience.
If you need butt tone now, check out the link in the video description to Henry’s Music, where you’ll find nothing but tone. By the way, if you enjoy this show, why not tell a friend? Or even better, tell a stranger and gain a friend or a restraining order. It’s a win-win!
3: WAMPLER CRYPTID FUZZ
If you thought there was just one fuzz this week, you’d be wrong! Let’s talk about the beastly Wampler Cryptid. Pedal genius Brian Wampler set out to create a pedal that captures elements of the fuzz face, the tone bender, and Big Muff while still allowing players to sculpt their own signature sonic sound.
The Cryptid features controls for volume, fuzz, and tone, as well as a character control that can take you from predictable, nice fuzz to glitchy, crazy, out-there rippey Velcro fuzz. There’s also a chime switch, adding extra harmonic content to the high end for more clarity and presence without sounding harsh, and a tight switch for controlling the low-end response.
Brian emphasized that you can really clean up your fuzz sound using the guitar volume and the settings of the pedal. So if you’ve never found a fuzz that you like, this could change that. The Cryptid is coming in at a very respectable two hundred notes, which for a Wampler pedal is a pretty good deal, assuming that you like the sounds, of course.
2: HARLEY BENTON ST-MODERN HH
Finally, we have the Harley Benton ST-Modern HH, a budget-friendly high-output Strat-style guitar. Harley Benton has stripped some frills in this model but left enough to make it an exciting guitar. The ST Modern HH features a poplar body, roasted maple neck, two high-output HBZ humbuckers, locking tuners, and a compound 12 to 16-inch Laurel fretboard.
This model is priced around one hundred and eighty euros, making it a fantastic option for those looking for quality without breaking the bank. It’s available in seafoam green, daphne blue, and black. Interestingly, the seafoam green is also available as a lefty, which is weirdly cheaper than the right-handed version!
If you’re into punk rock or rock of any kind, Harley Benton might just be delivering the best bang-for-buck high output fixed bridge Strat-style guitar under two hundred bucks that looks a bit like Tom DeLonge’s guitar.
ANDY’S PICK OF THE WEEK: ACLAM GUITARS GO ROCKY GO
Have you ever wanted the tones of The Beatles’ magical mystery tour era? Well, my pick of the week is the Aclam Go Rocky Go pedal, which recreates the sounds of the Vox Conqueror amp used by George Harrison and John Lennon during that period.
This pedal offers controls for volume, treble, and bass, along with a distortion level and attack sustain knob for that fuzziness. It features a three-mode mid-range boost for the nasally tone and two foot switches for toggling distortion on and off. Plus, it has stunning artwork inspired by Harrison’s legendary Rocky Stratocaster.
At around three hundred notes, it’s not a budget pedal, but it’s compact and beautifully designed. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside, and I can’t wait to try it out!
THANK YOU AND GOODBYEEEE
Thank you to all the wonderful people who support the show on Patreon. If you’d like your name up in digital lights, click the join button or visit my Patreon link in the description. I’m genuinely happy to be back in the studio, and I have some great videos coming up in the next seven days. Let’s hope for more exciting new guitar gear!
If I don’t see you in those seven days, I’ll see you next week for another gear roundup. Until then, keep playing and let me know your thoughts on these new releases!