The Hohner B2 bass – You Never Forget Your First!

The Hohner B2

It was 1996. The Goo Goo Dolls were telling us all about some girl named “Iris“. Alanis Morissette was incorrectly schooling us on what “Ironic” means. And Oasis? They were making me sing right out loud and proud whenever their “Champagne Supernova” came on the station. All in all, it was a good year for …

Acoustic Guitar Parts – Swap ‘Em Out To Step It Up!

Measuring for new acoustic guitar parts

For my birthday this past Memorial Day weekend, I got a rockin’, G.A.S.-y gift! I had specifically asked for certain acoustic guitar parts, and my family, being the awesome examples of humans that they are, had some nicely wrapped and ready for my open hands as soon as I got up. The present was deceptively …

Bass Guitar Rigs – The Gigging Player’s Dream Configurations!

Bass Amp Rig cartoon

In 1988, I entered Guitar Center in Los Angeles. I had come looking for some guitar gear that I needed for a gig. As I entered the store, towering massively over me near the entrance was a bass stack. An astonishing stack. A magnificent citadel of sound that I knew I just HAD to play. A virtual …

What Is A Resonator Guitar? – Steel Spider Bite And Delta Dust, Y’all!

National_Tri-cone resonator guitar

In 1985, Dire Straits came out with a killer album, “Brothers In Arms”. It’s hanging on the wall in my studio, an example of one of the best albums I’ve ever heard. I picked it up immediately as soon as I heard the first single, “Money For Nothing”. What a GREAT guitar tone!! The cover …

The Ovation Balladeer Guitar – Pick Me! Strum Me! Stretch Me!!

The Ovation Balladeer S771 Guitar

Every once in a while you see something that just makes you stop. You have to take notice. You cannot NOT see it. It’s just that… striking! Once such moment for me was when I saw for the first time, in utter incredulity, the inimitable Hussein Yoga. No one should be able to do what …

My ’62 Strat – Not Fade Away…!

Teaj's '62 Strat, cartooned

It shouldn’t have happened. It should never happen. But it does. Tho’ it’s not a pleasant topic to discuss for those of us that appreciate, respect and take great care of our music gear, occasionally the unthinkable happens and we are parted from our dear investments. For me, such a separation occurred in my early …

The Jay Turser Serpent Guitar – FEEL the Flames!

Noela Evans wrote: “Challenge is a dragon, with a gift in its mouth – tame the dragon and the gift is yours!” Since 2012, I’ve made a musician’s addendum to that: Tame a dragon and your MUSIC WILL SOAR! That’s because I am the glad owner of a Jay Turser Serpent Electric Guitar, model JT-200! I call …