nickgrooves's Reviews
67 reviews Back to nickgrooves's Equipboard
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2154
On all my guitars. Love it!
Works so well and so easily. Never have strap lock issues ever again! Best on the market, IMO. Better than those red beer bottle washers ... looks nicer too
41013
the beer bottle washers are free if you or someone in your house is drinking Grolsch anyway...
41013
I have a lot of guitars, but even at 2 washers a guitar we are not talking about that many beers...
2154
With strap locks, you can easily and quickly remove your strap with one hand in a split second and put the guitar in its case. Or switch guitars without switching straps (helpful if you don't have a roadie). I could be wrong but I believe with the Grolsch washers it takes a little bit more effort to remove the strap and if your guitar won't fit in the case with strap on, this could get annoying. Maybe. Also after much on/off I would imagine the washers get worn out from being stretched. I have friends who use the washers and are very happy, but it's not for me.
2154
Neck position on my Holland Guitars custom, "Nessie"
Neck position on my Holland Guitars custom, "Nessie"
2154
Worked really well, until it broke. NOT!
My first review gave 3 Stars because after one year on the road, it broke. Until I got a new synth last week and realized it still works perfectly fine. Apparently, it just doesn't like talking to my Hammond. Which sucks. But hey, it works great with my other board so ... 5 Stars! The pedal itself is a tank. Spring still as strong as the day it came out of the box. But the cable does feel cheap (really thin, which is why I thought it had broken). Good thing I don't throw stuff away! LOL
2154
Extremely easy to use. Small footprint. True bypass, no buffer. Just awesome.
Extremely easy to use. Small footprint. True bypass, no buffer. Just awesome.
2154
Exceptional action, sustain, and reliability.
Growing up, I did not want to like Yamaha. For whatever reason I don't know. It was the brand I loved to hate. Possibly because their low-end guitars and band instruments were made really poorly, and growing up, that was my only exposure to the brand. But after teaching private piano lessons for 12 years, and having played and taught on many, many Yamaha pianos (grands and uprights), I can honestly say their pianos are some of the best playing and sounding I've seen. I put them right up there with Steinway, Bosendorfer, and Bechstein.
2154
Works well, free, but limited functionality. Super intuitive.
Downloaded this program years ago when I needed to convert WAV files to MP3. Soon discovered you could do a lot more than just convert file formats. In fact, I have even edited out clips (from a recorded track that was clipping). I don't know how the compression and all that compares to more 'professional' programs, and I'm not really sure of the difference between Normalization and Gain boost, but ... you can make your tracks louder or softer. You can smooth out the volume overall. You can VERY EASILY trim, extend, merge, cut, and all that. Did I mention it's free?
2154
Reusable cable organizer, lasts forever with years of abuse on the road.
When these first hit the market in Home Depot stores, I grabbed a bunch in every size. Many years later, I have seen many imposters of different designs and colors, and I suppose they all work equally well. Bottom line is it caught on big time so I must not be the only one using them. Not the only musician, either because I saw their booth at Summer NAMM a few years ago. Anyway these things last forever. I managed to break one once by stepping on it, on a smooth concrete loading dock, but that was after many other occasions of being smashed or stepped on. It actually still works it's just missing a couple teeth.
2154
Buzz Feiten Tuning System, light weight, good pickup tones.
This bass is in tune no matter what fret you play. Sounds great with both pickups rolled up to 10, playing with your fingers. Light weight makes it easy to play for long gigs. Also, not bad looking. Looks more expensive than it costs.
2154
Best electric 12-string on the market.
This 12-string model can sound like any other electric 12-string and most acoustic-electrics thanks to its Treble and Bass boost knobs (active electronics circuit). Other options include coil splitter switches, a phase switch, tung oil neck rub. 24 frets. Super thin and lightweight. High output pickups but silent as ever. Extremely versatile.
2154
One of the best sounding, most versatile, finest-crafted guitars ever made.
Yeah they look pretty, but that's just a perk. These guitars - especially the "10 top" issues like the one I had - are of the highest craftsmanship. Recommended to any player of any style who is serious about their craft. If you plan to display it as artwork, and never play it, do us all a favor and buy a poster instead. These are instruments which deserve to be used and loved. That is why I ended up selling mine after many gigs and studio sessions... I stopped playing my PRS after I got my endorsement from Holland Guitars, and received one-of-a-kind customs made specifically for me. Otherwise I would have never let my PRS go. It was definitely not inferior by any means.
184
I absolutely love mine. You can literally play anything with it. There are no restrictions. Incredible fret access and the fretwork is some of the best I have ever seen.
2154
Totally agree! I often wonder why they make so many models. Especially the last 4-5 years, when their list of endorsed artists blew up huge (doubled? tripled?) they suddenly had all these new models that are basically Custom 24s or McCartys.
2154
Fast reaction. Bright, large display. Easy to operate.
The app on my phone has more functionality, so I can't say this is the best tuner on the market. I love my Polytune pedal (on my Equipboard) but when my pedalboard isn't around ... Snark provides silent tuning. Mute your instrument, and you can tune whenever you want without anyone knowing. You can also leave it on the entire time, behind your headstock, and glance at it during a song if a note sounds off. Although I have never done that, I know some players like to leave their tuners running.
2154
Great for solitary practice and demo recording!
Great clean and distorted rock tones for direct [demo] recording (plug 1/8" cable into headphone jack, plug other end of cable into laptop mic input). I don't think these are for sale any longer, or at least not this version. I still have mine but it stopped working a couple years ago (road wear). I have not tried the new models. This review is only for the Pro model pictured (dark black rectangle shape).
2154
Great concept, and the best distribution of force of any capo. Just a pain to get on/off.
Four stars because despite all the great features, it's the hardest capo to get on/off your neck. The idea is once it's on it stays on. But I don't play with capo very often. In fact, rarely. So I don't like to leave it on. Plus, leaving it on may prevent the guitar from fitting inside the case (depends on the case, obviously). So only four stars.
2154
Bought for an a capella gig, works great. Well made, quality parts, no issues!
Bought for an a capella gig, works great. Well made, quality parts, no issues!
2154
Clean boost, and great feedback effect. Love having it at my feet.
I know a local player who swears by his Sustaniac pickup with the volume knob that clicks into feedback on the "11" setting. All that is nice, but having the feedback effect at your feet allows your hands to remain free (to play notes). I find the FB-2's feedback effect is perfect for when you need a controlled feedback, for example if you just need it for the last couple beats of a phrase. Instead of running back to the amp and hoping to hit that sweat spot on stage you can rest assured knowing the FB-2 has you covered. Also, if you don't have a wah or heavy distortion going, the FB-2 gets you that feedback regardless. It's definitely useful and sounds good in a band mix. The boost is great, too. Whenever I am playing a small gig, or sitting in with some friends, or going direct into a cheap PA system, I use the boost to get nice lead volumes. Many times in these settings the FB-2 is the only pedal between my guitar and my amp (or DI box, PA head, etc). I am not a huge Boss player, but I love this pedal and recommend you try it before dismissing it. It's one of my best "secret weapons."
41013
I have a pinky on my right hand that I don't use to voice notes.... its great for volume control adjustments while playing and I'll bet it could engage a sustainiac too
2154
Possibly, you have to roll the knob past the detent. But you won't have the boost. There is also the bonus of one less Roland buffer in your signal path, but I don't have it fixed on my board for that reason. I add it when the occasion calls. But I don't hear any coloring of my tone when it's in the chain.
2154
Comes with perforated foam inside, so you can shape however you want to fit your gear.
My first pedal baord was custom built for me by some metal welders here in Atlanta, but they didn't make cases. So I bought this one. Super easy to tear the foam away to fit your gear. Unfortunately all I needed was a rectangle (well, a 3D one... not a cube but you know), and a rather large one, anyway most of the foam got thrown away. But if you have microphones, or other sensitive gear, this is perfect for you. The large one is really big. I would recommend looking at the medium unless you have a LOT of gear - or a pedal board.
2154
Modified, so mine is 5-star worthy, but without my mods only 3 stars.
(note: the image shown is not my board) Cheap hardware. Here are my tales of woe: (1) a handle bracket (attaches the handle to the lid) broke only two weeks into a tour. Granted, I was tossing it around and in/out of the bus quite a bit, but that's what it's supposed to do ... anyway I easily fixed this by slipping a coat hanger through the handle (it's hollow) and twisting it around each bracket on the case. Six years later, my good ole' coat hanger is still holding strong. Seriously Warwick? outdone by a coat hanger? OK next evidence... (2) the corner covers, which are really cheap imitations of what you find on speaker cabinets and some hard-shell instrument cases, ripped off while on tour. Again, they probably got snagged on something in the bus or trailer while being tossed around and loaded in/out but ... that's what a pedal case is supposed to do ... Aside from the coat hanger handle, I heavily modded the inside. The inside is a lame flat piece of plywood. However, it has this really awesome black Velcro carpet. So what I did, was carefully remove the black fabric, and custom-fit pieces of foam insulation board (it's like 1" thick, you can buy it from Home Depot cheap). Anyway I cut and layered the foam board to make different tiers for my pedals, so that I could reach the ones in the back, etc. Like a pedaltrain board, except I did mine before they came to market ... anyway ... lay the black fabric over top of the foam board and voila - you've got a really awesome custom pedal board. I have used it for about six years now, stomping and wah-wah-ing my feet off, and the foam board has compressed slightly in some areas, but mostly it looks brand new on the inside. The outside ... not so much. Three stars.
2154
Built like a tank ... knock on wood :)
Acquired mine from a local recording studio when they closed their doors. I had tracked on it before, and knew it could perform. What I didn't realize was how well it held up over the years. Thousands of sessions later, I have dropped it and tossed it around at home and it still works. Something inside is ratting around, but does not seem to affect the function. Seems well made to me. Four stars only because the range is so tiny. I use my Hammond XK-3c as a MIDI controller when I need more keys.
2154
There's a reason 66+ pros on Equipboard are using this ...
If you don't already know, the Voodoo Labs Pedal Power bricks are famous and - I believe - were the first ever of its kind. Anyway, you can read history elsewhere. Here's why I love it: clean, isolated power for each pedal; two Sag jacks which allow you to dial back the current (to recreate lower battery voltage to get vintage vibes out of certain pedals); and two high current jacks for Line6 modeler pedals or similar types of pedals. Plus, it has an extra outlet (regular 3-prong) in case one of your pedals requires a wall wart. I have used this spare outlet to charge my tablet and/or iPhone, or to power my fans (yes I have fans and if you don't, you should! LOL).
41013
the sag jacks are to simulate the old carbon-zinc 9 volts of the 60s.... you can still find that type of battery at dollar stores around the USA and I prefer them in fuzz pedals as the crappy 7 to 8 volts right out of the box that these awful batteries put out makes vintage pedals sound more like the records you grew up with.... then again I never use pedals.
2154
aha! Right, that makes sense. Nobody was powering their pedals with tubes. I have some tube pedals, but they are powered by something else (a wall wart or my voodoo labs pedal power brick). Thanks for catching that mistype!
2154
Most amazing wah tone. Takes you back to Woodstock.
What else can I say, this thing sounds amazing. Probably because it's the same brand we all grew up listening to. There's a great article here on Equipboard about the Cry Baby wahs, recommended reading. My understanding is there are different components in the versions, like the Halo vs the Fasel ...er, transducer? inductor? I can't remember but some players like the Fasel while others like the Halo. And there are red Fasel and yellow Fasel, and then there's other models with something else entirely. Do your homework and play as many as you can before buying!!!!
41013
lucky lucky lucky.... you may not be correct about which wah all those dudes used as Vox UK had their own version produced by the JEN company in Italy that is its own thing to say nothing of your later model Thomas Organ version and the notorious vox King Wah of the 70s.... they all sound different but good.
2154
oh yeah, I think you are right. I do get confused about these wah pedals. There are SO MANY cry baby models ... it is hard to keep track. I will edit the review, thanks for that note Jim
41013
I'm not sure actually. I am not a huge wah guy, but I do know the basi history of the effect. Just sayin' I dunno either