Bye Snark, Hello Son of Snark

My Snark guitar tuner broke. While Snark made affordable clip-on tuners with excellent color displays, its neck design makes it so fragile that some guitarists put them in special containers for protection. In my case, the claw holding the ball joint snapped while I was adjusting the angle. I was able to glue it back, but I doubt it will hold. I can imagine it breaking again and I can no longer locate the missing part. It is time to find a replacement.

Snark SN-1

My Search for My Son’s Acoustic Guitar

Kids cannot be forced to learn musical instruments. That is why I waited years for my son to ask that he be given lessons in guitars. That day finally arrived. Watching me jam with his cousins encouraged him to study guitars, finally. I made him try my dreadnought, but it was too big for him. My telecaster is thinner and has a small neck width, but he complains that it is heavy. He knows what he wants – a small-body acoustic guitar of his own. Thus, my search for an acoustic guitar appropriate for a small, ten year old kid began.

The Internet and the Guitarist

March 29, 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of Internet in the Philippines. We have come a long way from dial-up lines to DSL and mobile Internet. To the guitarist, the Internet is a mixture of good and evil. Used properly, it can help you choose the best gears available, but be wary of being infected with a communicable disease called G.A.S.

Why I Bought a Powered Speaker as my Acoustic Amp

My first acoustic amp was a 4-channel Peavey KB2. I sold it to get funds for a tube amp, and then bought a Samson Auro D210 powered speaker when I needed an acoustic amp again.

Drum Thrones Are For Guitarists Too

A few years back, my former boss and office band drummer sold me a drum throne. He offered it very cheap so I bought it even though I have no immediate use for it. Several years later, it remains as my favourite all-around seat.