Gear
By gear I’m talking about amps, guitars, accessories, and other things that need to be ‘plugged in’. I’ve used many products over the years and have a good sense of what works, what’s worth it, and what’s not.
Here are some lists:
The Good
Marshall Amps - even the inexpensive ones sound great. Simple but pure.
George L brand patch cords. THE ONLY kind to buy. Yes more expensive but will last forever.
Adapters, cords, etc – go for gold plated ends if offered. The buck or two difference is worth it.
Musicians Friend is a great place to buy stuff.
VOX amps – sound great on anything you plug into it – many effects built in.
Rogue brand (really!!) – Musician Friend’s house brand. Decent gear at great prices.
Tascam products
Tapco products
Epiphone – especially a step up or two from their entry level instruments.
Fishman pickups for violin, viola, cello
Bass Max Upright Bass Pickup – simple, durable, and sounds great!
The Bad
Behringer amps – tough but sound bad
Cheap Line 6 amps – their high end stuff is good but expensive
Cheap patch cords – not worth it.
Soundscope – quality gear but clunky to use
“Slammer” guitars made by Hamer. Garbage.
Fishman pickups for bass – sounds like a tin can
Other
If you’re going to buy an electric violin or viola – get a 4 string of each, not the combined 5 string. I bought the 5 string and the string spacing just makes it difficult for everyone.
If a patch cord has a plastic end, it’s garbage. Really.
