Guitar Facebook Pages

I no longer update the articles on this page, except for the Guide to Luthiers and Guitar Techs in the Philippines page. I decided to write smaller articles on Facebook, which you can easily share to your friends with a simple click of the Like or Share button. It is also easier to interact with readers on FB. Check out the Guitar Buying,Owning, and Selling Guide on Facebook.  

I also wrote an ebook entitled GuitarImprovisation Class for Beginners. For inquiries you may drop a message at Guitar Lessons In Lucena City. You may also check the FAQ here.

Some of you may not be aware that I also manage Tom's Guitars Manila on Facebook. Tom is a guitar collector who also sells some of his guitars. Those who need emergency cash may also pawn their guitars to Tom. He will not charge interest if you redeem your guitar within two months. It is his way of helping other guitarists. You may check the FAQ here.

Thank you for your support!

RoyC

* Images are from Tom's guitar collection (baboocat@gmail.com)

RIP Jim Ayson of Philmusic

I just learned that Jim Ayson, the founder of Philmusic, died last night. He is a great loss not only to the local music scene, but to Philippine Internet as well. He was one of the pioneers of local Internet and was very active until his death. 

RIP Jim Ayson. Thank you for your contributions to Philippine musicians.

Review: Forte Notation Software

I received an invitation to review the Forte Notation Software a few weeks ago. My initial reaction was to decline. I play the piano by ear. I cannot sight-read music nor can I write one. I can get the notes of my guitar licks, but finding the notes will not be fast. If I can write the music in my head using Forte then it must be good. I agreed to do the review after watching a short demo.

Guitar Improvisation Class for Beginners eBook

Frequently Asked Questions

1.   What is the Guitar Improvisation Class for beginners?

This system guides you on what to practice to develop your guitar improvisation skills.

Tom's Guitars Manila

From Tom's Guitars Manila's FB page:

432)   GIBSON USA orig.1947  "LG-2"

into collecting crazy Guitars since1969!!
official FENDER dealer since 1977!! vintage Guitar specialist since 1971!!

we collect mainly USA guitars from 50's 60's 70's...GIBSON GRETSCH FENDER
GUILD MARTIN RICKENBACKER but also NEWER stuffs like TAYLOR LARRIVEE GODIN TACOMA OVATION
pls TRY to Offer me 3544122 anyDay past 1pm..WE PAY TOP$$ if nice piece!!
but also sell some or trade for other items ,if some things nice come along...

Pls CALL past 3pm OR early Evenings 3544122 or 0917-4949777, TXT 0919-2202205 or 0922-4854489, or email

baboocat@gmail.com for inquiries.

https://www.facebook.com/tomsguitarsmanila/

What to Look For When Buying a Practice Amp

Are you a guitarist looking for a practice amp that you can use in your bedroom or apartment? Here are features that you may want to look for when shopping for that guitar amp.

Are You Selling Guitars? Beware of Paypal Fraud

I  posted the warning on my lifestyle blog, but I realized that there are guitarists posting gears for sale in Facebook and in classified ads. Read these articles if you have a buyer offering to pay using Paypal.

The Rare Gibson Moderne

The Gibson Moderne was designed in the late 1950s along with the Flying V and Explorer. However, only the latter guitars made it to production. It is considered the holy grail of guitar collectors simple because there is no authenticated 50s Moderne in existence. Gibson produced a limited run of the Moderne Heritage in 1982, only 143 units allegedly. I would not call them reissues since it is the first production models though. You think there is little chance that you know someone who has a 1982 Moderne? I have a friend has two Modernes in his guitar collection: a white and a natural!

 

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.

Guide to Acoustic Guitar Transducers

Acoustic guitars require transducers to amplify the sound. This article discusses the different options commonly available.

How to Sell a Used Electric Guitar

With so many guitars in the classified ads, it is getting more difficult to sell guitars in the used market. Here are a few tips to get you started should you decide to sell your guitar.

How to Buy a Used Electric Guitar

The choice between buying a used electric guitar against buying new is a personal taste. Here is a simple guide for those who prefer the former. This article assumes that you already know the guitar model that you want to buy.

Gears for Jamming

You do not need to be in a band to jam. Sometimes, a simple weekend jam with friends and neighbors can be fun without the hassle of forming a band. Let them bring their own gear.  If your company’s management will allow it, you can even jam after office hours! This is a good alternative to those missing their college bands.

Bayabas Nights

Bayabas is the Filipino word for guava, but this is not a fruit-eating spree. If you want to see Filipino musicians having fun while having a gear shootout and review, then this video series is for you.

Neo Modular Active Polyphonic Pickups

After a long wait, I was finally allowed to blog about Joel’s latest toy, the Cycfi Neo Modular Active Polyphonic Pickups. Yes, Neo pickups are from the creator of the Cycfi carbon fibre guitar.

The Guitar Speaker

Changing the stock speaker can result in a significant change in tone. However, you need to understand the specs before attempting to buy a replacement speaker for your guitar amp. Similarly, you cannot connect a head amp to an external cabinet without knowing the rating first.