General Interest

Every guitar player has been there. No matter how easily we may be able to play them now, learning barre chords in the beginning seems an impossible task, simply by virtue of the fact you don’t yet have the strength to properly fret all six strings with one finger.

If it’s a struggle you resonate with – or have in the past – you’ll be pleased to know Americana and Southern rock guitarist Jason Isbell is also of the same opinion.

• READ MORE: Remember Where’s Wally? This book’s the same, except you have to find Ozzy Osbourne

In a new conversation with Matt Sweeney of Guitar Moves, Isbell recalls his grandfather and uncle being “really serious” about barre chords and insisting he was able to play them the length of the fretboard.

“It’s tough to learn. Barre chords are the biggest pain in the ass of all guitar playing,” he says. “The number one pain in the ass. And if you can get past that hump, congratulations, you can be a guitar player forever now. That’s really the one thing that it takes. Can you play barre chords without stopping and going off and doing something different?

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Guitar Moves (@guitar.moves)

While barre chords are a must-learn, one alternative until you build the finger strength is to alter the E-shape barre, so instead of your index finger acting as the nut – and your ring finger and pinky fretting two frets higher on the A and D strings with your middle finger one fret higher on the G string – you fret the E string with your thumb over the top of the board, leave your middle, ring finger and pinky where they are and fret only the top two strings with your index finger. Give it a go…

Elsewhere, Jason Isbell imparts in the same interview the one piece of advice he would give to any aspiring guitar player looking to purchase their first instrument.

“Get it set up,” he insists. “Spend the 50, or 80, or 100 bucks, and before you leave the music store let them set it up for you… [Let them] set the action right, make sure the frets are level, make sure it’ll stay in tune.

“That is so huge and I wish somebody would have told me that when I was a kid, because of course you’re not gonna be able to afford an incredible instrument when you’re that age. If you spend the extra time, the extra money, you get home and you can play it. It makes all the difference in the world.”

Watch the full conversation below:

And check out more from Guitar Moves via the official YouTube channel.

The post Jason Isbell: “Barre chords are the biggest pain in the ass of all guitar playing” appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

Spector Bass unveils the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Signature Model, meticulously designed in partnership with the legendary bassist himself. Featuring custom-voiced EMG pickups and a slim neck profile for unmatched speed and comfort, this bass is a player's tool and a piece of history. Available worldwide from Spector Dealers.

Spector Bass unveils the Doug Wimbish Euro 4 Signature Model, an inspired evolution of Doug’s iconic 1987 NS-2 bass. Building on the momentum of the 2024 USA Signature Series, this new Euro model brings Wimbish’s unmistakable tone, style, and legacy to an even wider audience. As bassist for the legendary rap label Sugarhill Records backing Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five to the pioneering Living Colour, Wimbish has lent his innovative and creative bass grooves and sounds to a roster of world-renowned musicians.

Meticulously designed in close partnership with Doug Wimbish, the Euro4 DW features a signature slim neck profile and narrow nut width to offer unmatched speed and comfort. As well as custom-voiced EMG pickups, developed alongside Doug himself, delivering that unmistakable tone that’s powered countless records, tours, and sessions. Considered a pioneer in Hip-Hop bass playing and in the use of bass effects, alternate tunings and extended hand techniques, Wimbish’s mastery of the bass is unparalleled.

“My Spector Euro 4 Signature Model is absolutely stunning - visually, sonically and with the feel of my original '87 NS-2 Spector 4-String,” shared Wimbish. “The stars aligned on this new model - everything came together. I knew instantly when I played the first note on this model that we had a winner! I couldn't be happier - what a wonderful instrument.”

Finished in Amber Stain, Black Stain (gloss), and a Limited Aged Nitro finish that authentically replicates the wear and feel of Doug’s original bass, the Euro 4 Signature is both a player’s tool and a piece of history. A figured maple top, classic maple body wings, and a rosewood fingerboard with mother-of-pearl crown inlays complete the look. Gold Spector hardware adds a touch of elegance, while the Spector Legacy Preamp delivers a powerful, 1980s-inspired 2-band EQ—the heartbeat of Doug’s signature sound.

Now available worldwide from Spector Dealers, the Amber Gloss and Black Gloss is $3,499.99, and the Amber aged $3,699.99.

For more information, please visit spectorbass.com.

As Black Sabbath gear up to bow out at their monumental final show, a new Where’s Wally?-style seek-and-find book featuring Ozzy Osbourne is also set for release next month.

Arriving 29 July, the book, produced by Fantoons – the animation studio which brought to life Motörhead: Where Is Lemmy? and Rush: Where’s Geddy, Alex, and Neil?, the latest in the series asks readers to find Ozzy Osbourne in a Where’s Wally? fashion among “Easter eggs for hardcore and casual fans alike”.

• READ MORE: “As far as the media goes, heavy music isn’t popular” Ozzy Osbourne thinks the mainstream press is ignoring the massive popularity of metal
  

Readers can expect “to find Ozzy as he rises from the depths of darkness, transforms and eats some bat-snacks”.

Where Is Ozzy? author and Fantoons Creative Director David Calcano adds: “A book like this only works when it’s built around a legend who rewrote the rules – with thunderous music, iconic style, and wicked humour. Fans will lose themselves in a world packed with Ozzy Easter Eggs and the raw energy our team poured into every page. All abooooooard!”

Calcano has worked extensively “for page and screen” and previously directed animated videos for artists like Rush, Nat King Cole, Frank Zappa, and The Beach Boys. In collaboration with the rest of the Fantoons creative team, Calcano has put together a puzzle book worthy of an official endorsement from the Prince of Darkness himself.

Inspired by Ozzy songs, albums and major solo career milestones, readers can also discover the meticulous metal-inspired illustrations of the Fantoons creative team, who combined have decades’ worth of experience bringing to life illustrated media. They are part of an award-winning LA animation studio and publishing house, having worked with Universal Studios, Nickelodeon and Warner Bros on cartoon animations for music videos and other collaborative projects.

About Fantoons, Calcano enthuses: “This studio started out of the love of animation and music. Every brushstroke is geared to bring stories to life that celebrate diverse walks of life with relatable, and unique points of view. We work directly with artists, ensuring that all our publications are authorised, thus maintaining authenticity and integrity in our storytelling.”

Where is Ozzy? is priced at $22.99. You can pre-order now via Hello Merch.

The post Remember Where’s Wally? This book’s the same, except you have to find Ozzy Osbourne appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

EarthQuaker Devices One to Four Splitter and Four to One Mixer: Create unique sonic adventures with our high-quality, compact devices. The One to Four Splitter features unity gain buffers and the Four to One Mixer offers independent level controls and selectable phase for each channel. Backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

Greetings sonic explorers! We have crafted the One to Four Splitter and Four to One Mixer to help route your next musical adventure and create sounds you never thought possible.

The One to Four Splitter allows the user to take one input and send it through four buffered outputs for unlimited creative potential. Use it to run out to four amps to play in quadraphonic sound and blow people’s minds. Send a clean signal to your DAW and another through your normal signal chain to have a clean back up while recording. Or use it to run 2 parallel stereo signal paths.

The One to Four Splitter features a unity gain buffer on each output for maximum punch and clarity. These buffered outputs have a flat frequency response with a high 1MOhm input impedance and a low 100 Ohm output impedance. This ensures that your signal won’t lose any quality and will sound just like you intended.

The Four to One Mixer is a simple and compact 4-channel mixer with independent level controls and selectable phase for each channel. It can be used just about anywhere you need to mix four different sources into a single output with your unique sound! Phase selector switches for each channel will correct any issues you might have from mixing multiple signals with opposing polarities.

The Four to One Mixer features a high 1 MOhm input impedance and a low 100 Ohm output impedance, ensuring all signals maintain their sonic integrity throughout their journey, even on long cable runs. The high headroom and input impedance of this device allow it to accept a variety of instruments without distortion or clipping. This was built to handle just about anything, including guitars, basses, synthesizers, drum machines, and more…

When used in conjunction, the One to Four Splitter and Four to One Mixer can create wild parallel signal paths at the flip of a switch! Both devices feature high-quality components and are backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

For more information, please visit earthquakerdevices.com.

One to Four Splitter

• Unity gain buffers on each output for maximum punch and clarity
• The buffered outputs have a flat frequency response with a high 1 Mohm input impedance and a low 100 ohm output impedance so that your signal won’t lose any quality
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Current Draw: 15 ma
• Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
• Output Impedance: 100 Ω
• Retail Price: $99.00

EarthQuaker Devices One to Four Splitter Pedal

Four to One Mixer

• A simple and compact 4 channel mixer with independent level controls and selectable phase for each channel
• Features a high 1 MOhm input impedance and a low 100 Ohm output impedance ensuring all signals maintain their sonic integrity throughout their journey, even on long cable runs
• The high headroom and input impedance allows it to accept a variety of instruments without distortion or clipping
• Phase selector switches for each channel will correct any issues from mixing multiple signals with opposing polarities
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Current Draw: 50 ma
• Input Impedance: 1 MΩ
• Output Impedance: 100 Ω
• Retail Price: $159.00

EarthQuaker Devices Four to One Mixer Pedal

Ciari Guitars introduces the Steve Stevens Signature Ascender, a groundbreaking travel guitar merging folding technology with elite performance features. Designed for musicians on the go, this innovative model offers premium materials, custom pickups, and unique design elements.

Ciari Guitars, the pioneering brand behind the world's most innovative travel guitars, proudly announces its first-ever Signature Series model in collaboration with Grammy Award-winning songwriter, guitarist, and rock legend Steve Stevens. Best known for his work with Billy Idol and contributions to music icons like Michael Jackson, as well as culture-defining films such as Top Gun, Stevens brings his unparalleled tone and artistry to Ciari’s revolutionary platform.

The Steve Stevens Signature Ascender™ merges Ciari’s patented folding technology with the high-performance features demanded by elite touring musicians. Designed for tone, portability, and stage-ready aesthetics, the Signature model offers a new benchmark in travel guitar innovation - perfect for stage, studio, and everywhere in between.

“Imagine flying with a truly professional, high-quality guitar and not having to worry about an airline damaging it,” says Stevens. “With my signature Ciari guitar, you just fold it up, stick it in its included backpack, and slide it under your seat. Ciari has changed the game, and I’m proud to put my name on this instrument.”

Crafted with premium materials and custom features handpicked by Stevens himself, the guitar is built for musicians who refuse to choose between convenience and performance. The Signature Ascender features a custom neck profile, premium pickups, and striking visual elements that reflect Steve’s iconic style. The Signature Series includes two models: the Steve Stevens Signature Ascender Platinum, available in Jet Black Glass and Olympic White Gloss, and the Steve Stevens Signature Ascender Premier, available in Jet Black Glass, Olympic White Gloss, and Josie Pink.

The Steve Stevens Signature Ascender boasts the following key features:

• Bare Knuckle Ray Gun pickups for dynamic, precise tone.
• Coil-splitting functionality for versatile sound options.
• LED Selector Switch with Red, Green, and Blue position indicators on the Ray Gun Logo.
• Bezel tuners for effortless, accurate tuning.
• Premium electronics with stacked pots for seamless control.
• Trapezoid inlays and Ray Gun-inspired design elements
• Ciari’s patented foldable neck system allows for “Personal Item” convenience on planes.

“Partnering with Steve Stevens for our first Signature Series is a dream,” said Jonathan Spangler, Founder & CEO of Ciari Guitars. “He embodies everything we value — innovation, excellence, and fearless artistry. This guitar is the culmination of that shared vision.”

The Steve Stevens Signature Ascender is available for pre-order exclusively on the Ciari Guitars website.

For more information, visit ciariguitars.com.

Steve Stevens is currently on a worldwide tour with Billy Idol, supporting the duo’s chart-topping new album Dream Into It.

With switches that add germanium transistors and a bass boost to the classic Klon formula, Keeley delivers a more flexible and often more potent overdrive.

The Keeley Manis uniquely combines both germanium NOS transistors and diodes for more compression and saturation. This evolution is unlike any other mythical Klone! Keeley writes the next chapter in the legend of the mythical Klone pedal with several storied upgrades and features. First up is the germanium diode switch. The essential germanium diodes are at the heart of the myth. By transposing germanium diodes with germanium transistors (Cold War-era devices), we increase the sustain and saturation in the pedal. The Manis can give you a softer attack that sounds more like a tube amp. Less mid-forward, more tube-amp like. This feels incredible under your fingertips. Wouldn’t you like to hear a little more of the natural low end from your guitar? The bass boost switch pushes the lower half of the mid-focused response by one octave and increases the output by +3dB. It’s the perfect low end recovery for single coil guitars. You can choose True Bypass or Buffered Silent Switching on the fly. The Manis is built like a tank and is the first Klone you can power with 18 volts for increased headroom. The Manis is an evolution of the original circuit.

• The Manis isn't just a mod: it’s an evolution of the mythical overdrive mid-boost pedal.
• Ge-Trans Switch offers a welcome difference in feel of the circuit with more of a tube-like saturation and compression.
• The Bass+ Switch – Lowers the frequency response by one octave and then pushes 3dB harder
• True-Bypass or Silent Switching – Whichever works and sounds best in your rig
• Power Protection up to 18 volts for increased headroom - without damaging the charge pump.

Germanium Transistors

Central to the superior tone from the Manis Overdrive is the germanium transistors we select for increased saturation, compression, and sustain. Each transistor is tested for noise and accuracy ensuring you have an incredible tone.

Switchable Low Frequency Cutoff

The Manis Overdrive gives you just the perfect lift in bass response so that your tone is not as mid-focused. Perfect for making single coils fatter, fuller, and more powerful.

Buffered Bypass or True Bypass

The Keeley Manis Overdrive allows you to quickly switch between either mode. Having a great buffer will make your rig sound strong and clear even when the pedal is off. Buffered switching prevents the pops and clicks of true-bypass switching. If you want to turn on true-bypass, simply press and hold the foot switch for two seconds. Holding the switch for two seconds toggle between modes. True Bypass is great if a buffer might affect the tone of a vintage pedal. Enjoy truly silent switching and a better sounding rig with Keeley’s buffered switching mode.

Heart’s Nancy Wilson has condemned Donald Trump’s use of Barracuda during a military parade at the weekend, which marked both the president’s 79th birthday and the US Army’s 250th anniversary.

According to Blabbermouth, instrumental version of Barracuda and Journey’s Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) were played during the procession. In a new post on Instagram, Wilson describes Barracuda as a “powerful piece of music that was never intended for political use”

• READ MORE: Man arrested for stealing two “one-of-a-kind” instruments from Heart – but they still haven’t been found
  

Wilson goes on: “As daughters of a US Marine Corps major, we hold a deep and abiding respect for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. On a day meant to honour that service, it’s important that music used in such settings reflects not only the tone of the event but also the wishes of the artists who created it.”

Wilson’s statement is accompanied by a photo of her wearing a hat which reads “NO KINGS BUT US” – a reference to the anti-authoritarian No Kings protests which took place across the country and coincided with the military parade.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nancy Wilson (@nancywilson)

In an interview with the Millwaukee Journal Sentinel (sourced in Hollywood Reporter), Wilson called Barracuda as “even more relevant in the salacious billionaire culture with the grab-them-by-the-(expletive) mentality”.

While Trump’s military parade in Washington DC was notable – and cost $45 million, according to The Hill – attendance was far surpassed by the millions who showed up for around 2,000 No Kings protests nationwide.

This isn’t the first time Trump has drawn the criticism of musicians for using their songs at his events. Last year, Johnny Marr called out the use of The Smiths’ songs at Trump rallies, saying: “Consider this shit shut down right now.”

In other news, Nancy Wilson recently took to social media to confirm that a man had been arrested after following the theft of two one-of-a-kind Heart instruments, including her custom baritone Telecaster.

The post “Never intended for political use”: Heart’s Nancy Wilson calls out Donald Trump for playing Barracuda without permission during military parade appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.

Keeley Electronics has unveiled the new Manis overdrive, a uniquely versatile take on the iconic “transparent overdrive” pedal that has infatuated guitarists for three decades. Unlike any other “Klone”, the Keeley Manis combines both germanium NOS transistors and diodes, allowing guitarists an option for more compression and saturation in their sound.

In addition to delivering a right-on-the-money version of the classic transparent overdrive – shaped by the familiar 3-knob set of “Tone,” “Drive” and “Level” controls – the Manis provides two great new tone-shaping options – each controlled by dedicated toggle switches – that vastly expand the pedal’s sonic range.

The first of these upgrades is a two-position toggle switch for selecting either germanium diodes (an essential part of the classic transparent overdrive tone) or Keeley’s carefully selected germanium transistors in the pedal’s circuitry. The two settings provide dramatically different sound and feel, adding a wonderful versatility that is missing in other Klones. Select the germanium diodes (labeled GE Diode below the toggle switch) and you’ll get the iconic Klone sound. When you flip the toggle switch up and transpose germanium diodes with germanium transistors (labeled GE Trans), you’ll instantly get increased sustain and saturation in the pedal. In this mode the Manis provides a softer attack that sounds more like a tube amp. It’s less mid-forward, more organic, and feels incredible under your fingertips.

The second major upgrade allows you to tailor your bass response with a two-position toggle switch to select either “stock” voicing or enhanced bass voicing. Wouldn’t you like to hear a little more of the natural low end from your guitar? The Manis’ bass boost switch (labeled Bass+ above the toggle switch) pushes the lower half of pedal’s response by one octave and increases the output by +3dB. It’s perfect for making single coils sound fatter, fuller, and more powerful, and addresses an age-old complaint from some Klone users who feel the original pedal is too light on low-end brawn. If you wish to stick with the traditional voicing, simply use the toggle’s lower position (labeled Stock) for a more mid-focused tone.

Keeley’s Manis allows you to choose True Bypass or Buffered Silent Switching on the fly. Having a great buffer will make your rig sound strong and clear even when the pedal is off. Buffered switching prevents the pops and clicks of true-bypass switching. You can easily access quick, hands-free switching between either mode. To turn on true-bypass, simply press and hold the foot switch for two seconds. Press and hold the switch again for two seconds and you’ll return to buffered mode. True Bypass is great if a buffer might affect the tone of a vintage pedal further down in your signal chain. Enjoy truly silent switching and a better sounding rig with Keeley’s buffered switching mode.

The Manis is made in the USA and built like a tank. And it’s the first Klone you can power with 18 volts for increased headroom.

Manis highlights:

• The Manis isn't just a mod: it’s an evolution of the mythical overdrive mid-boost pedal.
• Ge-Trans Switch offers a welcome difference in feel of the circuit with more of a tube-like saturation and compression.
• The Bass+ Switch – Lowers the frequency response by one octave and then pushes 3dB harder for bigger, fuller low-end tone.
• True-Bypass or Silent Switching – Whichever works and sounds best in your rig
• Power Protection up to 18 volts for increased headroom - without damaging the charge pump.

Manis is made in the USA in Keeley’s state-of-the-art Oklahoma City shop. From the meticulously built circuit boards to the newly fabricated aluminum enclosure, Keeley makes guitar effect pedals like finely crafted musical instruments.

The Keeley Manis Overdrive carries a street price of $199 USD. For more information visit rkfx.com.

There’s no dancing around it. The future of brick-and-mortar musical instrument retail looks bleak. In the past few months, we’ve seen the closure of several revered brands, like GAK and Bax Music, which shut up shop in March and April, respectively.

Hell, last week alone, PMT – the fourth largest UK music retailer by revenue – entered administration, and Hobgoblin, a family-run music retail chain, launched a crowdfunding round to help secure its future on UK high streets.

• READ MORE: “Our American Mozart”: Tributes pour in for Brian Wilson, the Beach Boys visionary who died this week aged 82

So with all these closures – in some cases of decades old musical institutions – what do they mean for the future of the industry?

YouTuber KDH reckons the closure of all these businesses could lead to a “monopoly”, as fewer retailers gain larger market shares. These remaining retailers are often those with larger online businesses and warehouse locations.

“Physical stores will always have more overheads than a warehouse that can buy in in bulk and ship out,” KDH says.

“I said it two months ago back when GAK went under, and I believe it,” he continues. “I remember one comment was laughing at it. But every day it’s getting truer and truer. We are heading towards a monopoly, which is not good for the end consumer.

KDH goes on to note the distribution model of Behringer – a brand whose parent company is valued at over $2 billion – which sells synths, guitar pedals and loads of other musical gear cheaply.

He notes how Behringer has a list of “Super Partners” – retailers which order in larger quantities that it can subsequently offer lower rates to.

KDH says for these Super Partners, “the price is more competitive than for anybody who is buying in smaller quantities, which means people are going to buy from them because it’s less money”. 

This effectively means larger retailers are able to offer lower prices to their customers by virtue of their ability to order in bulk in the first place, compounding the problem.

“And as small retailers close down, and now even the bigger retailers close down because they can’t compete with online prices, well, what’s gonna happen?” he adds. “You’re gonna be left with one or two who might have started out cheap, but then when there’s no competition, raise the prices up.

“That probably will happen. It’s not gonna happen immediately, but it’s gonna happen in, I don’t know, 10 years.

“A store like PMT whose annual turnover is tens of millions is not closing because kids don’t want to play music or people aren’t buying music gear. It’s closing because it can’t compete against online.”

Watch KDH’s full analysis of PMT’s closure below:

The post “We are heading towards a monopoly”: YouTuber predicts the future of UK music retail following PMT closure appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.