Expert Reviews

These often overlooked pedals can solve problems and give added tonal versatility to your other pedals

By Phil O'Keefe

Recently on the Harmony Central Effects forum, someone asked why EQ pedals aren't more popular with guitarists. One person speculated that it is due to the presence of decent tone and EQ controls on many modern pedals; and while in some cases the quality of EQ controls on "dirt" pedals has increased in recent years, there are still many pedals that lack EQ entirely, or that could

Let there be light – for DJs, pedalboard fans, laptop jockeys, and band & orchestra

www.mightybright.com

by Craig Anderton

Sure, it’s great fun to review some hot new guitar, amp, synthesizer, software program, or other tantalizing piece of gear. But sometimes, it’s important to scope out the kind of modest accessories that are anything from surprisingly useful to gig-savers. At the recent Frankfurt Musikmesse, I stopped by the Mighty Bright booth to get the scoop on how they outmaneuvered some cou

Danelectro Dan Electrode: Variable Power Supply for 9V Distortion Pedals ($19 list, $16.95 street)

Sanyo Pedal Juice: Rechargeable Portable 9V Power Source ($199.99 list, $149.99 street)

Two new devices take a decidedly different approaches in feeding your effects, mp3 players, and other gadgets

By Jon Chappell

Eric Johnson is on record as having a preference for the type of 9V battery he puts in his distortion pedals (he prefers Eveready to Duracell). Some people swear that germanium-based compone

A complete set of studies for various flatpicking techniques and styles ($19.95)

http://www.cherrylaneprint.com

By Jon Chappell

Guitar players of all styles can benefit from the technique known as flatpicking—the rapid execution of steady eighth- and 16-notes through alternate picking using a plectrum, the technical term for an actual flatpick that you hold between your thumb and forefinger. In flatpicking, the basic rule is that you pick every note, with downbeats (notes on the top of the beat, or

Exceptional, reference quality fidelity at a real world price

$150.00 MSRP

http://www.gradolabs.com/

By Phil O'Keefe

Grado headphones have a stellar reputation for exceptional audio quality; indeed, the finest sounding headphones I have ever had the pleasure to listen to were the company's then-flagship RS-1 model, but unfortunately their $695 price tag puts them out of reach of many home and project studio owners. Fortunately, Grado makes some more affordable alternatives, such as the SR