Gear ~
I’m nowhere near being a gear expert so I don’t expect anyone to care what guitars I play or amps I use. But, I love my gear so much I simply had to share the tools that make my music possible and my bank account empty..
Guitars ~
Ovation Balladeer - Model 1861 (ultra-thin cutaway/tobacco sunburst)
I won my precious, wonderfully reliable, would buy it again if I had to, live show guitar through ebay.
Fender Squier II Stratocaster
I received this guitar on my fourteenth Christmas. I always appreciated my Fender and as I have become more gear savvy I have not felt the need to upgrade it.
Schecter S-1 Elite
Just plain gorgeous. Pairs perfectly with my Fender Blues Jr. tube amp.
Epiphone PR150VS
This dreadnought cost me $125. It was the first guitar I bought for myself. I had some fantastic K&K’s installed which sound glorious through my Genz Benz amplifier. I take this guitar camping and it’s great for writing songs on.
The action is real easy and the shallow neck makes playing guitar easier for those with smaller hands. Also this guitar handles pretty well in cold climates. I used it during my first handful of shows which took place outdoors (in a bone-chilling 31 degrees fahrenheit) at night during an LED display event named Zoolights held annually at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington from late November to January 1st.
Crafter D6
Another sweet ebay discovery. A solid spruce top makes it a keeper. I use this guitar for much of my recording. It is the guitar in my “Riverside (Ode to Blip Blip)” YouTube video.
Line 6 Variax 300
The first and only significant item I’ve ever won this lifetime. I by chance stopped with a friend to check out a guitar expo in Seattle. I payed an $8 entry, received free guitar strings and they entered me into a drawing with several prizes. By some strange stroke of luck I won the grand prize, a Line 6.
Alvarez RD8M
I play this simple mahogany treasure in my local parks. It’s just my way of winding down in the warmer seasons. But, now the guitar has developed a light rattle from the truss rod. I still play it at home and might use it for a future YouTube video on a day where it chooses not to rattle.
Ventura V12
Blessings to ebay once again for this $120 12 string. Though the neck is as wide as a whale for my small hands, I enjoy creating acoustic rock songs on this guitar.
Baby Taylor
My first guitar. A simple decent quality 3/4 scale guitar with very easy action. Still great for camping and a good starter.
Schecter Diamond Series Elite 4 (Bass)
Too gorgeous to pass up! Beautiful warm round tone. Sounds exactly like a good bass should.
Amps ~
Gallien-Krueger 250ML
Compact, excellent and screamin’! Circa mid 1980’s, this lunch-box size amp has a cult following.
Genz Benz Shenandoah 100
This amp is perfect for a singer/songwriter. Along with my Ovation, the Genz Benz forms the core of my live solo performances. Plug in your guitar & mic and you'll be able to fill a small venue with a pristine live sound. The two channels include both TRS & XLR inputs, phantom power, 4-band EQ and onboard effects. I’ve never had an issue with quality. It’s simple and elegant and I’d go on a ramen noodle diet to own another one if it were stolen or broken.
Fender Blues Jr.(Limited Edition/Tweed)
Love this amp! Great if you live in an apartment OR a big house. The ability to overdrive the amp and control a master volume knob simply rules. I’d recommend this amp to any musician who wants a great tube amp providing fantastic crunchy or a “dirty clean” sound.
Effects ~
Vox Tonelab
I’m a basic songwriter and not by any means “the tone master”. In other words I haven’t learned the full potential of this product yet. I can say it is fairly easy to operate. Probably a great choice for the gal or guy looking to add flavor to some flavorful blue licks.
Digitech RP100
Super easy to use. Great for days when you’re sitting at home and just jammin’ electric through your headphones.
Recording ~
Pro Tools LE 7.1
You know the drill (says my sound engineer). And if you don't know the drill, like me, I will mention a few words. I am clueless in terms of using pro tools for more than a simple way to archive new songs or execute serious recordings.
In terms of equalizing sound, mixing, tastefully applying effects, mastering and bouncing a successful track I couldn’t tell you how to accomplish any of those tasks from memory. But taking a song from brain to mp3 can be done using a manual (much like playing a difficult video game).
A Christmas gift from my sound engineer was a book on how to operate pro tools titled: “Pro Tools for Musicians and Songwriters” by Gina Fant-Saez.
I have found this book extremely resourceful. Also it is stuffed with loads of images not just endless lists of text instructions. If you are going to invest in this costly application be sure to invest in a nice manual while you’re spending your hard earned money :o)
Digidesign MBox
Back in the day the MBox was the place to start for a quality budget DAW. It includes nice Focusrite preamps.
Microphones ~
Shure SM86
I love my live small condenser mic. It has wonderful presence and pairs perfectly with my voice. Indispensable!
Rode NT2-A
Before investing in a new microphone I read countless gear reviews online and tested the mic at my local Guitar Center alongside other high quality microphones. After many back and forth tests I purchased the Rode. So-far I’ve used it to record my voice, acoustic guitar and guitar cabinets. I must say I’m very satisfied with the quality. Five Stars.
AKG Perception 100
This was the first large condenser mic I ever owned. Very early recordings of mine include my cats’ bells jingling lightly in the background or a neighbor’s dog’s distant bark. For my specific voice the mic misses a few nuances and adds a harshness to my voice. But this mic is fabulous for it’s price.
Headphones ~
AKG K240
These headphones are comfortable as ever! Great for mixing but not for overdubs because of bleed-through(the model I own is not from AKG's sound-isolated headphones category).
Sennheiser HD 280 pro
I bought these especially for overdubs but they aren’t comfy to wear for more than a twenty minutes.
Capos ~
G7th
I am a heavy capo user and the G7th has become my little buddy. It’s very user friendly. I love how it doesn’t throw your guitar severely out of tune after switching frets song after song. And though it’s not recommended to leave a capo on your guitar for three days, if you leave a G7th on your guitar it would still be in tune. I recommend it to everyone.
Kyser
I can preach and preach all day on the wonders of the G7th capo but I still have use for a plain and simple Kyser capo.
I enjoy playing in open tunings and incorporate sliding a capo up and down the neck in the same song like a make-shift slide which has more flexibility. One day whilst songwriting in an open tuning, I wished to bar an entire fret and execute finger noodlings all at once. While you can use finger one to bar an entire fret, your other fingers can only noodle around three frets away from the fret finger one is barring.
I attempted quick releasing and snapping on my G7th capo which didn't work very well. Next I tried using a Kyser Capo which brought me fifteen percent closer to my goal. Then I realized if I wrapped a small piece of paper (I used half a post it note and some scotch tape) around the non-slip part of the Kyser Capo I would have my make shift slide with more flexibilty. Now I enjoy being able to wander over a larger expanse of the guitar neck and switch keys easily.
Tuners ~
Korg Chromatic Tuner CA-30
Although there are more expensive tuners in my home, this plain and simple chromatic tuner is perfect for quick tune ups and practice sessions.
Peterson Strobe Stomp 2
If you must be in perfect tune then this is the tuner for you! At first I could not stand this tuner as I was practically raised (being a former clarinetist) to watch for a green light which signalled I was in tune. Having to watch confusing black and white squares and rectangles line up was horrifying (to me personally). And I will admit I am still reluctant to use this the tuner over a simple chromatic tuner but when it comes time for serious recording the Peterson is the tuner to use.
Cables ~
Mogami
These cables are relatively light but don’t let that fool you into thinking they are not of quality. My mogami fifteen foot XLR cable is my favorite mic cable to use in practice sessions.
Monster
I love the thick heavy feel of these cables. Their thickness helps prevent them from tangling and developing harmful kinks.
Guitar Picks ~
Dunlop .71mm
Not too thick not too thin. I would say .71 millimeter dunlop picks are “Goldilock's Choice” in regards to songwriting.
Stands/Tripods ~
Atlas
The Atlas MS-12CE Microphone Floor-Stand is the best mic stand I ever owned! The ebony finish is classy and the heavy 9.00lbs. round base is perfect when you perform in smaller crowded venues without stages. It’s wonderful for using at home too. I pair it with my “Ultimate Support MCT94T 4-Degree Telescoping Microphone Boom”.
Ultimate
I own an Ultimate Support MCT94T 4-Degree Telescoping Microphone Boom which I pair with my “Atlas MS-12CE Microphone Floor-Stand”. Together they are the greatest, simplest, classiest mic stand and mic boom combo I've ever experienced. There’s no going back to tripod mic stands after you’ve experienced my suggested combo.
ProLine
I use the ProLine Desk Boom Microphone Stand to cut quick demos of new songs or melodies in pair with a large condenser mic. I also use this mic stand frequently to mic my amplifiers. It’s very handy to have around.
Slik
I own a Slik Pro 700DX AMT-Titanium Alloy Tripod which I take anywhere I take any of my cameras. The pan head has nice controls and there are two bubble levels built in. It’s easy to mount and dismount your camera. This tripod is a must buy whether you would be using it for business or family purposes. I use it for both purposes and I’m very satisfied with it’s pro quality and feel.
On Stage
I own a music stand and a large studio mic stand built to support large condeser mics. And both products help in making my weekly tasks as an actively recording musician easier.
Impact
I own an umbrella light for photo-shoots and filming. It really comes in handy!
That’s all for now folks ~