Rock Stuff Reviews

Review: Vanarin

2012-11-21T06:17:00.000-08:00

Vanarin is an indie grunge-rock band based in Swindon, England who've been in action since 2011. Bassist Mikki Vyrus sent me five of their newest songs for review, all of which can be demo'd on his YouTube page. Here's a list of the tracks:

(1) Because of You
(2) Been So Long
(3) Mistake
(4) 4U
(5) Getting Old

Kicking off with "Because of You," lead singer Mike goes from sounding like Billie Joe Armstrong in the leading chorus to a raucous Aaron Lewis halfway through the first verse and back again. Its definitely a tune that sticks in your head, but the lyrics are a little repetitive. "Been So Long" has cool guitar riffage that really seems to carry the song. The one flaw is that the verses tend to sound kinda forced. You have to pay attention to pick up on that though, because you're probably focusing more on enjoying the cool instrumentals. "Mistake" is the one song out of the entire compilation that I can't really get into. It's not the song itself...I've never really been a fan of slower rainy-day type music. The guitar work reminds me of Nickleback, who's music always gets me depressed (I don't know why, so don't ask). "4U" is one of my favorite Vanarin tunes (tied with "Getting Old"). This is one of their grungier songs and the instrumentals really remind of Nirvana (my favorite band!!) "Getting Old" follows that same feel, it's intro riff reminding me a lot of Cobain's "Lithium."

Hm...maybe not tied anymore. Yeah, pretty sure this track beats all the others. The instrumentals are by far the best and its incredible how similar the back-up vocals are to Dave Grohl when he used to back-up Kurt. I think Vanarin should do it more often. Its awesome to hear a new band with that same spirit and sound. I will say that the band should try to use the word "you" in their music less. In one song (can't remember which) it felt like every other word was "you," which made it seem less creative (its a very easy word to rhyme with). As far as I know, this is the first compilation Vanarin have ever written together, and while I feel the lyrics could be better, they did a damn good job on the instrumentals. I look forward to hearing what else they have to offer. In the meantime, I'll have to settle for their awesome covers...

Check out Vanarin's cover of Remedy by Seether!

...and Mikki's cool bass cover of Best of You by Foo Fighters :D

Holiday Giveaway: Spider Capo + NEON Guitar Strings

2012-11-18T07:27:00.002-08:00

With Thanksgiving this week, it feels as though the Holidays are officially beginning. We all have a lot to look forward to, and I'm in a very celebratory mood.

What better way to celebrate than to give?

I'm giving away a brand new set of orange NEON guitar strings by DR. If you've never heard of or used these strings before, check out my review. They are awesome for gigging! I'm also giving away a spider capo, which is a very handy, unique little tool I will be reviewing very soon.

Entering is extremely easy and, of course, free. All you have to do is like RSR on Facebook, follow me on Twitter or Google Plus (or all three!) using the Rafflecopter widget below and you are automatically entered into the contest. If you've already done one or more of these things, hey - it's even easier! There are more options to give you the best chance at winning. This contest ends on December 12th at 12:01 A.M. EST. Good luck!

*Important Update (11/19/12): Some people are collecting entries without completing the tasks. Starting tonight, every night, new entries will be moderated and those that are falsely acquired will be deleted. Remember that you only have to enter once (i.e. complete one task) for a chance at winning, but the more you do the better your chances. If you are confused about any of the tasks, please leave a comment below and I will respond shortly. Thanks!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: T-Rex Room-Mate Junior

2012-11-17T16:09:00.000-08:00

Our next T-Rex review concerns the Room-Mate Junior. This reverb pedal is basically a stripped-down version of the original Room-Mate II, garnering all of its best features, at a more affordable price. It was designed using a combination of the most up-to-date digital technology and detailed analogue craftsmanship to deliver an incredible vintage reverb sound. I've never personally used the Room-Mate II, but based off of what I've heard from demos, it seems more suited for surf rock reverb whereas the Room-Mate Junior creates a warm, buttery tone that sounds amazing accompanying either my electric or (but especially!) acoustic guitar.

This pedal features five controls: MIX (controls the clean and reverberated signal blend), LEVEL (sets the overall volume of the pedal), DECAY (the higher it is turned, the longer the length of your reverb trail, and the bigger the sound), MODE (determines the overall feel of the pedal with Spring, Room, Hall and LFO options) and input gain (prevents an overload of the pedal’s input stage when used in an effects loop). It runs on a 9V/DC battery or power supply and comes with an input as well as right and left output jacks. To switch it on, you simply tap the footswitch and a bright blue LED flashes to indicate that the pedal is in use.

The first MODE is Spring which probably needs no introduction as it is a setting featured on many amps. I will say you probably won't get as sweet a sound on most amps that do provide it as you will with the Room-Mate Junior (this IS T-Rex, after all!) Room is a little more exciting than Spring, giving you that same classic sound, though with a hint of live vibe; great for using at coffee shops or small gigs. Next is Hall, my personal favorite. This setting creates a livening concert hall reverb that can be adjusted to suit your personal tastes, and upon doing so awakens your inner performer. The fourth and final mode is LFO, a chorus-embellished reverb that sounds amazing paired with acoustic guitar. Each setting far surpasses most any reverb I've used before, whether from an amp or pedal.

The final verdict? Let's just say, it was very painful giving back the Room-Mate Junior. Probably more so than any other pedal my friend let me try out. Unfortunately, it's pretty high up in price ($399 list! you can get 25% off at Guitar Center, but still...kinda steep). So, yeah...I won't have one of my own any time soon. However, it will probably be my next effects purchase. Besides the fact that it produces just about the best reverb you could probably get for it's discounted price, it has a very sturdy, attractive build and I really dig the color. Check out the demo below and let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Get it for $299 at Guitar Center!

Review: Mean Machine Double Distortion

2012-10-19T08:07:00.000-07:00

A buddy of mine recently gained access to a boatload of new effects from T-Rex and was kind enough to let me try them out. I'll be reviewing each one based off of some notes I took. First up is one of my favorites: the Mean Machine Double Distortion.

The Mean Machine is a very robust stomper with two channels and a no-nonsense control array consisting of LEVEL, DRIVE and TONE. It's name isn't its only badass characteristic: each TONE knob doubles as a bright green LED to indicate which channel is in use, making this distortion pedal look a little bit cooler than the next one. It runs on a 9V DC power supply (though it also has a 9V battery compartment) and features the standard input and output jacks.

Being that I'm not a huge effects user, one of the things that I like most about this pedal (because it is very hard deciding what it is I like the most about it!) is it's simplicity. T-Rex are known best for the incredible tone they are able to capture with their effects, and the Mean Machine definitely delivers. You have just three knobs per channel (and really, what more does a distortion pedal need?); three knobs, and just about the sweetest-sounding lead distortion you could ask for. The DRIVE is what controls how distorted each channel is. I don't play much metal, but I love the sound I get when I roll this knob to full. DRIVE and TONE govern the over-all sound of this meany, but nulling both knobs will still result in a really amazing-sounding distortion pedal, nice for rhythm-playing yet to me, still capable of making a decent lead sound.

With just the right settings, the Mean Machine would do anyone a decent option for blues, but at the center of it's being, I really believe that this pedal is meant to assist... well... MEAN players: Hard rockers. Metal heads. This pedal is not for the weak of heart; the distortion is powerful going from a low roar at low gain to a snarling metal-based tone at higher gains.

Basically, the Mean Machine Double Distortion is exactly that: a mean green machine. It sells for $369 list price, which I know will seem pretty darn steep to a lot of players out there, but I truly believe it would be worth saving for. I can't think of a distortion pedal I've heard that I like more than the Mean Machine, and the hard metal casing certainly makes it feel sturdy enough; this pedal was clearly built for a life on the road. But like I said, I'm not a huge effects user. I would really like to hear your opinion. Listen to the video demo below and tell me your thoughts in the comments.

Get it for $279 at GuitarCenter!

Review: Snark SN-1 Tuner

2012-10-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

The Snark SN-1 is a reasonably-priced chromatic tuner built to tune virtually any stringed instrument. This little all-in-wonder was created using a simple clip-on design and features pitch calibration from 415-466 Hz, the ability to to tune your guitar even while using a capo, as well as a built-in metronome that ranges from 40 to 250 BPM. The SN-1 is compact (perfect for bringing along wherever your instrument takes you), pivots in any direction for optimal ease of use and has a bright LED screen that allows you to tune in the dark. Being that it is a battery-powered clip-on, there are a few advantages here! For example, there is no need for cables. All you have to do is turn it on and start tuning. The really cool thing about this tuner, however, is that it has a built-in piezo pickup that tracks vibrations that resonate through your instrument when you pluck a string. This means that the SN-1 tunes your instrument by vibration instead of sound, so you no longer have to worry about other noises interfering with your tuning sessions (think about how handy this feature will be during a gig!)

After purchasing my own SN-1 to try on my guitar, I found it much easier and faster to tune than it was by ear, and it's also totally accurate. I then decided to try this tuner with my up-right bass. The shocker was that, not only did it work, but it actually tuned my low E string which most tuners are not able to do. This is the first clip-on tuner I've ever used that has actually worked with my low E string on my up-right bass!

I do have one bone to pick with the SN-1: the metronome feature does not emit sound. Instead, it is a blinking light, so you would have to keep your eye on the tuner instead of your instrument, IMO rendering the metronome useless. Hopefully Snark have advanced this feature by now, but until then, the SN-1 will make any string player a really great tuner.

Get it on Amazon for $9.59!

Review: Peavey Grind 4-String Bass

2012-10-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

The Peavey Grind four-string is a gnarly-looking bass that features a neck-thru-body design laminated from mahogany and maple with Imbuya side wings topped with a rosewood fingerboard. It feels light and comfortable on the shoulders with two passive humbucking pickups, 24 frets and a 35" scale.

The Peavey Grind has a beautiful natural finish that is colored nicely by the mahogany and maple parts, though it is also available in a wicked shiny black. In this case, because the finish is raw, you don't need to ever use pricey guitar cleaner; just wipe on some line seed oil and it looks good as new.

If you're looking for bright, poppy tone, then look elsewhere or plan on a pickup change; the tone of this bass is deep and heavy with a jazzy growl and loads of sustain (even with factory strings). It plays nice and loud, even unplugged, the sustain making hammer-ons and pull-offs practically effortless. Thanks to the thin, sleek neck and small spacing between frets, it feels possible to play at lightning speed. In the lower wing you will find a scalloped bottom horn that increases the distance between the strings and body, making slap-style playing and high-fret access much easier. This is a very sturdy bass - from the construction and electronics to the bridge, nut and tuners - but if it is handled too roughly it will scratch up.

If you're looking for a Fender-quality bass for a fraction of the price, then the Peavey Grind is a great option that should not be overlooked. I bought mine for $350, and it is easily the finest bass I've ever owned. In my experience, it's about the best you can get for this price, whether it's going to be your first bass or an addition to your existing collection. Whatever your level of experience, it is well worth the purchase!

Get it for $379 at Guitar Center!

Review: LOXX USA Strap Locks

2012-10-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

LOXX USA is a guitar and bass strap lock company based in the U.S. who claim on their Facebook page that they manufacture the "World's best strap lock system."

A bold statement. Let's take a look...

I bought my set of LOXX after seeing a review of them at Guitar Noize. While I really wanted the skull-themed locks, money was tight and I went for the standard nickel design. Basically, what sets LOXX apart from any other strap lock manufacturer currently on the market, is the simple, intuitive design. Installation takes literally less than five minutes. All it really takes is unscrewing and replacing your existing strap locks with the LOXX buttons by using a spanner tool that the company so thoughtfully provides with each purchase. There are two less pieces required than there are with Schaller and there are many more teeth on the underside of each head to grip your strap for optimal security. Based off of a simple pinch-and-pull release system, you can fasten and release LOXX with your eyes closed in a matter of seconds (see video below!)

LOXX strap locks date back to the late 1920s when they were used in the automotive industry to fasten and lock convertible tops to cabriolets using a similar system. That means these little guys are incredibly strong; LOXX claims that they can withstand pull-out force upwards of 220 lbs. The idea to use them on basses came when the current owner’s son was playing a gig and dropped his bass due to the poor lock system he had been using. The owner whipped out an extra Tenax he'd had in his pocket and installed it on his son's bass. Thus, LOXX USA was born! These locks will look attractive on any guitar or bass as the lock heads sit very close to the wood, so it doesn't appear bulky. They are about ~1/2 the distance from your guitar as they would be with Schallers or Dunlops, and because LOXX sit so close to the body of the guitar, the force exerted on the screws in your guitar body is lowered about one half as well, greatly reducing the chance of a screw pulling loose.

LOXX are sold in a wide range of designs and finishes (in fact, they are giving away killer hand-painted Halloween-themed locks this month only!) These locks surpass any other system I have ever used, including Schaller. If you still aren't sold, you'll definitely want to check out their product comparison page which shows in vivid detail how they beat out Schaller in every possible way!

WIN a set of Alien-themed nickel strap locks for Halloween!

Review: DR NEON Guitar Strings

2012-10-09T13:07:00.001-07:00

I bought my first set of NEONs around the time they came out. The viral pictures and videos floating around the Internet certainly made them look cool enough, and DR strings have a good reputation for making decent guitar strings (though at the time, that didn't have anything to do with my purchase; I mean, what axe-slinger passes up the opportunity to buy glowing guitar strings?) I decided to try them out on one electric guitar I was recently given that hadn't been used in an extremely long time. It had actually been so long that each string was covered in a thick layer of grime and dirt. After removing the old strings and giving the neck a nice rub-down, it almost looked good as new. Now it was time to start stringing.

I'll be honest with you: coated strings are not my area of expertise. In fact, this was the first time I'd ever actually owned my own set of coated strings. I figured the "normal" ones I'd been using for years worked and sounded perfectly fine. Why pay extra money for something I didn't need? While my opinion on coated strings has since changed, it was no thanks to DR NEONs.

Despite their cool appearance on the DR website, these strings (to be frank) kinda suck. They feel like plastic and are very weak; after attempting to tune my guitar into drop C and re-tuning it to standard, both the first and third strings snapped. Don't get me wrong, these strings are really cool-looking from the moment you pull them out of their package. However, it really doesn't take much force for the coating to rip off. You must be extremely careful pulling each string through the bridge of your guitar to avoid damage, but then, playing for even a few hours will create noticeable cracks in the coating. Another thing: the glow is really only noticeable if you have the guitar under direct UV lighting, and even then strings 1-3 are kinda hard to see due to their size (that said, bass NEONs will probably look much nicer).

All of this in mind, I think NEONs are really meant (and might actually work great) for onstage performance, rather than practice. They may not feel nice or work perfectly, but the visual appeal makes up for it. Play these bad boys in front of friends or fans and you'll definitely get people talking!

Get your own set of NEONs for $11.05 at Amazon.com!

Review: Roland CUBE 15XL Amplifier

2012-10-08T07:45:00.002-07:00

After a failed attempt at fixing a years-old broken down practice amp I bought for $15 online, I found this little beauty on eBay selling brand-new for quite a bit less than retail price. The Roland CUBE series is one I'd had multiple conversations about with various guitarists around the time that I bought it. I even had the pleasure of trying out the 20XL at my local music store. While the 15XL isn't quite as exciting as the 20XL, this little all-in-wonder has many great features, perhaps one of the most notable being the power squeezer which allows you to play with high-gain and sustain at low volumes (a nice feature for us bedroom guitarists). The amp has two channels - clean and drive. The clean channel has one knob (volume) while the drive channel features volume, gain and four different modes: overdrive, distortion, metal and extreme. There are no other effects, a disappointment in comparison to it's big brothers that boast chorus, flanger, phaser and tremolo. The Cube 15XL has an 8" speaker, one input and one output jack, a treble, middle and bass EQ, and finally a mini-jack aux so you can play along with an MP3 or CD player.

I play an Ernie Ball Axis with factory pickups. I'm more of a blues guitarist, though I do play quite a bit of rock, reggae and a little bit of metal. The 15XL is built with BOSS pedal circuits which is easily discernible when plugged into the distortion setting. It sounds a lot like a Boss DS-1; ideal for rock soloing or heavy chord work. I love the overdrive setting, perfect for blues and classic rock, with more than enough gain available if you're going for more vintage lead sounds. The metal stack/extreme setting is very crunchy and would do anyone a nice option for lead, while the basic metal setting is well suited for rhythm-playing. The 15XL's clean channel is very bassy...there's not much high-end shimmer to brag about. It's certainly passable for practice, and jazz players might dig the warm roundness.

All-in-all I think this would do any guitarist a nice practice amp, especially if you're not big on effects. If you are into effects, then I would definitely save up a little bit extra cash to put down on a 20XL. Keep in mind, this is a practice amp. If you're wanting something to gig with, the 40XL or 80XL are both great options to consider. Roland is a company that makes very tough, reliable effects and the Roland CUBE 15XL is no exception.

Save $60 on a brand new Roland CUBE 15XL at Amazon.com!

Review: Finger Ease Guitar String Lubricant

2012-10-07T05:42:00.001-07:00

Are you tired of sore fingers and strings that die prematurely or lose their tone quality too quickly? The build-up of rust, wax, grease, dirt, acid from the perspiration of your hands and other hindrances like this totally change the diameter of the string, meaning it won't vibrate at the correct frequency. 'Finger Ease Spray' is a guitar string lubricant that can lengthen the life of your strings by giving them the proper care they need. Finger Ease is a non-staining liquid in a tin spray container that's easy to slip in your case and take with you on the road, should you need to. Not only will it clean and lubricate your guitar's strings and fretboard for fast, accelerated, effortless playing; Finger Ease claims to reduce finger soreness, so you can practice and jam with your band longer than you usually would, helping you to become the player you've always wanted to be.

I have been using Finger Ease Spray since I was a teenager and I haven't had any negative experiences with my fretboard or fret work. This spray does for me exactly what it boasts and I'm proud to use it. Finger Ease has always maintained it's astonishing quality and has stayed consistent with very reasonable pricing over the years. Most guitar shops sell Finger Ease for $4 - $6 per can, though you can get it on Amazon for just $4.70.

Review: Bono Signature Series 25 T-Shirt

2012-10-06T13:13:00.000-07:00

In 2011, Irish rocker Bono teamed up with EDUN and Hard Rock International to launch a cool signature series t-shirt line with a percentage of all proceeds benefiting African cotton farmers and build trade in Africa. The Signature Series 25 T-Shirt features a fish soaring through space with the words "Fish can fly...", along with Bono's signature. EDUN is a company started by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson with the aim of providing fashionable clothing while implementing sustainable employment in developing areas across the world. Made of 100% immaculate African cotton, this shirt will make you look good and feel amazing.

The "Fish Can Fly..." signature series t-shirt is available in a charcoal black for the boys (pictured to right) and white with a soft-blue fish design for women. I picked up my small men's shirt at Hard Rock in Niagra Falls, Canada. The cool design is what caught my eye, and the price is what sealed the deal. For around just $20, this cotton T makes a rad addition to my shirt collection. It looks good, and in the end I feel great knowing that I have contributed to a wonderful cause.