While New England has become a destination for many reasons, luthiers and pedal builders are wrongfully excluded from the long list of regional highlights. Since 2019 I have spent quite a bit of my free time writing, recording video, and thinking about guitar gear. Many of the highlights have included working with the big brandsContinue reading “Exploring New England’s Underappreciated Guitar Gear Builders, Artisans, and Brands: The New England Guitar Gear Database Project”
Category Archives: News
Buckle Up: There’s A Definite Decline Coming For The Guitar Gear Industry
Here’s a long essay on the tough year 2025 has been for guitar gear and why 2026 doesn’t look great either. 2025 has been nothing short of deflating for me as someone who covers guitar gear. More specifically, as someone who covers boutique gear and independent builders. They’re feeling the combined pinch of inflation (lessContinue reading “Buckle Up: There’s A Definite Decline Coming For The Guitar Gear Industry”
Fender Studio Is A Brilliant Example of Both Community Building and Corporate Acumen
Fender’s managed to walk a narrow line between being “cool” and being a successful corporate entity. I’ll be honest, I’m not usually a big fan of big corporations creeping into the creative process. However, there’s really no easy way for a musical instrument company to grow to the size of a corporation without also beingContinue reading “Fender Studio Is A Brilliant Example of Both Community Building and Corporate Acumen”
An Updated Look At PFAS In Coated Guitar Strings
Over the last several months I’ve been working to better understand the use of PFAS in the guitar industry, specifically as it relates to coated guitar strings. This research was inspired by the number of questions I received from concerned guitar players after publishing this article. Here’s what I have turned up in my initialContinue reading “An Updated Look At PFAS In Coated Guitar Strings”
Gear Pass Provides You A Curated List Of Independent Builders And Big Discounts
Gear Pass provides discounts on purchases from independent builders.
PFAS & Guitar Pedals: What Do I Do When Not Demoing Gear?
Why you should know about PFAS and how they threaten our planet’s health.
Punk Business Profile: Melody Maker Serves You Gear From Independent Dealers And A Breakfast Sandwich
Crazy good energy, high quality coffee, and a ton of guitar gear under one roof. What’s not to like?
Are Used Gear Prices Going To Skyrocket Again In The Coming Years?
Tariffs could lead to increased prices for new gear and suppress smaller builders from competing with industry giants. Remember back in 2021 when used guitar gear would cost you almost as much as new guitar gear? You could name your price on Reverb, Ebay, or other online marketplaces, as lived in this alternate pandemic reality.Continue reading “Are Used Gear Prices Going To Skyrocket Again In The Coming Years?”
Punk Business Profile: Rejects Beer Co. Brings A Punk Venue To The Brewery Craze
If you’re in Southern New England and a fan of punk rock, here’s the perfect waterfront venue for you. Image of We Own Land (band) performing at Rejects Beer Co., all credit to Rejects Beer Co. This is the first in a new series I’m debuting where our website will highlight amazing businesses that areContinue reading “Punk Business Profile: Rejects Beer Co. Brings A Punk Venue To The Brewery Craze”
Here Are Some Of My Demo Friends’ Favorite Pedals From 2024
Longtime friends Matt Foy, The Pedal Couple, Summer School Electronics and more wrap up our 2024 gear coverage with their favorite picks! As you folks know we’re putting a bow on 2024 and getting ready to start the 2025 gear season in full swing. But here’s one list end of year article before we doContinue reading “Here Are Some Of My Demo Friends’ Favorite Pedals From 2024”
