Let’s talk books! I’ve been busy devouring famous musician biographies over the past few months – guitarists in particular. In fact, it has almost become an addiction – my Amazon wishlist of books about musicians has grown way out of control!

Some are hilarious, others are shocking, most are inspirational and/or motivational. Almost always you’ll gain valuable knowledge and insights that will lead to you becoming a better guitarist/musician yourself.

Books About Musicians Every Guitarist Should Read

In light of my recent addiction, I decided to raid my wishlist and put together this list of some of the best famous musician biographies, autobiographies, diaries and memoirs. I’m not going to pretend that I’ve read all sixty of these, but I certainly plan to! How many have you bagged?

This list of musician biographies is arranged alphabetically by first name. Links to each books about musicians have been provided so that you can easily grab your own copy.

I purposely didn’t include any band biographies as I wanted this list to be for individual musician memoirs only. Maybe we’ll do bands next!

1. B.B King – Blues All Around Me

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In B.B. King’s Blues All Around Me, we dive into the soul-stirring world of a blues legend, where every chord tells a story and every riff bears an emotion. B.B. King, with his trusty Lucille by his side, unfolds a journey that’s as deep and rich as the blues itself, taking us from his humble beginnings to towering heights of musical mastery.

It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the man behind the music, showcasing his triumphs, heartaches, and the relentless pursuit of his craft.

2. Bob Dylan – Chronicles

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“Bob Dylan – Chronicles” takes us on a wild ride through the kaleidoscopic journey of a music icon who’s always danced to the beat of his own drum. With Dylan at the wheel, we zigzag through the defining moments of his career, from the gritty streets of New York to the spotlight’s blinding glare, all while keeping it real with anecdotes that feel like you’re kicking back with Bob himself.

It’s part memoir, part stream of consciousness, and all Dylan, packed with insights and reflections that only he could deliver.

3. Brad Paisley – Diary of a Player

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“Brad Paisley – Diary of a Player” strums its way into your heart, charting the journey of a guitar-slinging kid who dreamed big and ended up living those dreams. It’s like sitting down with Brad himself on a cozy porch, guitars in hand, as he shares the licks, laughs, and life lessons that shaped him into the country music titan he is today.

This book is a backstage pass to the highs, lows, and twangy tunes of Paisley’s life, peppered with wisdom from the guitar gods who guided him. It’s an ode to the six-string and a heartfelt thank-you note to the art that gave his life melody and meaning.

4. Brian ‘Head’ Welch – Save Me From Myself

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“Brian ‘Head’ Welch – Save Me From Myself” dives headfirst into the mosh pit of life, recounting the turbulent journey of a rock star who hit the brakes before the cliff edge. Welch takes us on a backstage tour of his rise with Korn, only to reveal the shadows that lurk behind the spotlight—addiction, despair, and a soul-searching quest for peace.

It’s like chilling with Welch in a dimly lit room, as he shares the raw, unvarnished truth of his fight to find redemption and a higher calling beyond the screams and guitar riffs. This book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a lifeline thrown into the stormy seas of fame, proving that even the wildest hearts can find their way home.

5. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

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In “Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run,” the Boss himself takes us for a spin down the backstreets of his life, revving through the early days in Jersey bars to the dizzying heights of global stardom. It’s like Springsteen’s strumming the soundtrack of his own story, with each chapter a new track that gets you tapping your feet or nodding in reflection.

This book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a heart-to-heart with one of rock’s most enduring icons, offering a glimpse into the dreams, battles, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped him.

6. Buddy Guy – When I Left Home

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“Buddy Guy – When I Left Home” strings you along on a blues-infused journey from the cotton fields of Louisiana to the electric buzz of Chicago’s legendary blues scene. It’s like sitting down in a smoky club, listening to Guy himself recount tales of his ascent in the world of blues, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton.

This book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a deep dive into the soul of the blues, seen through the eyes of a man who lived it, loved it, and helped shape it. Every page thrums with the passion, pain, and raw talent of a true guitar hero, inviting you to feel every note of his storied career.

7. Carlos Santana – The Universal Tone

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“Carlos Santana – The Universal Tone” takes you on a kaleidoscopic journey through the life of a guitar legend whose strings resonated with the soul of the world. It’s like Santana is riffing right next to you, sharing the symphony of his life—from the vibrant streets of Tijuana to the psychedelic stages of Woodstock.

This book is a soulful melody of spirituality, music, and the universal search for harmony, all seen through the eyes of a man whose guitar could speak the language of the heart. Each chapter pulsates with the rhythms of jazz, rock, and Latin beats, painting a portrait of an artist whose music transcended boundaries and touched the universal soul.

8. Chuck Berry – Brown Eyed Handsome Man

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“Chuck Berry – Brown Eyed Handsome Man” struts through the life of the rock ‘n’ roll pioneer with the same swagger and rhythm that Berry brought to the stage. It’s like hopping in a Cadillac with Chuck himself, cruising down the highways of his storied career, from the dingy bars of St. Louis to the bright lights of fame.

This book lays down the soundtrack of a musical revolution, with Berry’s guitar licks and lyrical wit front and center, showcasing the man who could make a guitar talk and audiences around the world listen. It’s an intimate jam session, revealing the triumphs and challenges of the man whose tunes shaped the beat of a generation.

9. Danny Gatton – Unfinished Business

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“Danny Gatton – Unfinished Business” strings you along on a journey with the guitar world’s unsung hero, whose fingers flew faster than the eye could follow. It’s like chilling in a dive bar, listening to tales of Gatton’s legendary licks and the notes he left hanging in the air, a testament to a talent that burned too bright and too fast.

This book isn’t just a biography; it’s a tribute to the man known as “The Telemaster,” whose eclectic blend of jazz, blues, rockabilly, and country left an indelible mark on the music world. Every page resonates with the melody of missed opportunities and the haunting beauty of what could have been, painting a portrait of a musician whose business with the guitar was truly unfinished.

10. Dave Grohl – Times Like His

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“Dave Grohl – Times Like His” drums up the beat of a life lived at full volume, charting the journey from a punk kid banging on pots and pans to the rock titan fronting the Foo Fighters. Grohl invites you to a backstage pass into his world, where every chord has a story, and every riff is a memory.

It’s a raw, uncut track of a memoir, full of heart, humor, and the kind of rock ‘n’ roll wisdom that can only come from a life well-lived on and off the stage.

11. Dave Mustaine – A Heavy Metal Memoir

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“Dave Mustaine – A Heavy Metal Memoir” cranks the volume to eleven, taking you on a headbanging journey through the life of Megadeth’s frontman, from his tumultuous departure from Metallica to the pinnacle of thrash metal glory. Mustaine doesn’t just share stories; he rips through the fabric of the heavy metal scene with the same ferocity as his guitar solos.

Reading this book is like being on tour with Mustaine himself, experiencing the chaos, creativity, and catharsis that fueled his rise to stardom. It’s an unapologetically raw and real look at the highs and lows of a rock legend, filled with enough sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll to satisfy even the most hardcore fans.

12. Dimebag Darrell Abbott – Black Tooth Grin

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“Dimebag Darrell Abbott – Black Tooth Grin” rips through the strings of the late, great Pantera guitarist’s life, capturing the raw energy and unbridled passion that defined him. It’s like being in the pit at a Pantera show, feeling the power of Dimebag’s riffs and the warmth of his larger-than-life personality.

This book doesn’t just recount tales from the road; it dives deep into the heart and soul of a man whose life was a symphony of loud, fast, and heavy moments. It’s a tribute that’s as intense and unforgettable as Dimebag’s legacy, inviting fans and newcomers alike to headbang through the pages of his extraordinary life.

13. Don Felder – Heaven and Hell

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“Don Felder – Heaven and Hell” tunes you into the highs and lows of rock ‘n’ roll, straight from the strings of The Eagles’ former lead guitarist. Felder takes you on a rollercoaster ride through the glittering peaks and shadowy valleys of fame, with every chord striking a balance between the euphoria of creating timeless hits and the tumult of band conflicts.

It’s like grabbing a backstage pass to the inner workings of one of rock’s most legendary bands, all told with the candor and insight only Felder could provide. This memoir is a backstage jam session, filled with tales of music, mayhem, and the long road to finding harmony both on stage and off.

14. Duane Allman – Skydog

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“Duane Allman – Skydog” strings together the meteoric journey of the guitar virtuoso whose life was a lightning bolt in the world of rock and blues. With each page, you’re riding shotgun with Allman, cruising through the creation of the Allman Brothers Band, and diving headfirst into the soul-stirring solos that defined a generation.

This book is like a jam session with Duane himself, intimate and electrifying, revealing the man behind the legend—the triumphs, the tragedies, and the tracks that made him immortal. It’s a heartfelt tribute to a musician whose strings sang with the kind of passion and precision that comes once in a blue moon, inviting readers to feel the resonance of his legacy.

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15. Duff McKagan – It’s So Easy. And Other Lies

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“Duff McKagan – It’s So Easy. And Other Lies” is a rollercoaster ride through the life of one of rock’s most recognizable bassists, giving us the lowdown on the highs and lows of rock stardom. Duff spills the beans on the wild days with Guns N’ Roses, hitting rock bottom, and clawing his way back up.

It’s packed with jaw-dropping stories, yet it’s the journey of self-discovery and redemption that really grabs you. Peppered with wit, it’s like hanging out with Duff himself, except you’re diving into the pages of his life, no backstage pass needed.

16. Elvis – Last Train to Memphis

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“Elvis – Last Train to Memphis” takes you on a nostalgic ride back to the era of The King, Elvis Presley, before the glitz and the glam took over. It’s like cracking open a time capsule, uncovering the raw energy and ambition of a young Elvis, chasing dreams with a guitar and a truckload of charisma.

The book peels back the layers of fame to reveal the struggles and triumphs of rock ‘n’ roll’s most iconic figure. With a storytelling vibe that feels like swapping tales on a lazy, sun-soaked afternoon, it brings you face to face with the man behind the legend.

17. Eric Clapton – The Autobiography

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“Eric Clapton – The Autobiography” dives headfirst into the turbulent waters of Slowhand’s life, pulling no punches. It’s a raw, honest look at Clapton’s journey through the highs of rock god status and the lows of personal demons and loss.

The book feels like a heart-to-heart with Clapton himself, as he lays bare his soul, sharing tales of love, music, and redemption. It’s as if you’re sitting across from him, a guitar leaning against the couch, while he recounts the wild ride of his life with a mix of regret, pride, and a dash of wisdom.

18. Fieldy – Got the Life

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“Fieldy – Got the Life” slams you into the pulsating heart of Korn’s bassist, Fieldy, as he recounts the dizzying ascent to fame and the dark descent that followed. It’s like a backstage pass to his soul, where the party never stops until it almost does, permanently.

With brutal honesty, Fieldy dishes on the chaos of addiction, the wake-up call that changed everything, and the path to redemption through faith. Reading it feels like catching up with an old friend who’s seen the edge, danced on it, and lived to tell the tale, all while keeping a rhythm that’s hard to forget.

19. Frank Zappa – The Real Frank Zappa Book

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“Frank Zappa – The Real Frank Zappa Book” is an off-the-rails journey into the mind of one of music’s most eccentric geniuses. It’s like sitting down for a coffee with Zappa himself, except the coffee’s spiked with a dose of pure, unadulterated Zappa philosophy.

The book zigzags through the surreal landscapes of Frank’s life, music, and unfiltered thoughts on everything under the sun (and some things possibly from another galaxy). It’s a wild, no-holds-barred tour of a truly unique spirit, served up with a side of sharp wit and an undercurrent of serious genius that makes you rethink the ordinary.

20. George Benson – The Autobiography

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“George Benson – The Autobiography” strings you along on a melodious journey through the life of the guitar virtuoso himself, George Benson. It’s like sitting in on a private jam session where Benson narrates his rise from the gritty streets of Pittsburgh to the glittering stages of jazz and pop superstardom.

With each page, Benson plucks at the heartstrings, sharing the ups and downs, the hits and misses, and the soulful tunes of his life. It’s an intimate, groove-filled ride that lets you feel the passion and dedication of a man who truly lived to play, making it feel less like reading a book and more like listening to a long, soulful solo that you never want to end.

21. George Harrison – I Me Mine

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“George Harrison – I Me Mine” takes you on a groovy trip into the quiet Beatle’s mind, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain of George Harrison’s life and soul. It’s like sitting down in a dimly lit room, incense burning, as George strums his guitar and shares the stories behind the songs, the spirituality, and the personal journeys that defined him.

Through his own words, you’re invited to explore the depths of Harrison’s thoughts on fame, faith, and the music that flowed through him like a mystical river. This book isn’t just a read; it’s an intimate conversation with a legend, making you feel like you’re part of a very exclusive, very laid-back hangout session.

22. Gregg Allman – My Cross to Bear

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“Gregg Allman – My Cross to Bear” throws you headfirst into the whirlwind life of one of rock’s true survivors. It’s like sitting at a dive bar with Allman himself, nursing a whiskey while he recounts the wild ride of founding The Allman Brothers Band, the music that set the world on fire, and the personal demons that nearly did the same to him.

With raw honesty and a gritty sense of humor, Gregg shares tales of love, loss, and redemption, all set against the backdrop of a changing America. Reading it feels like listening to a bluesy riff that echoes long after the last page is turned, leaving you feeling like you’ve just been part of something real, something raw, and undeniably authentic.

23. Jaco Pastorius – The Extraordinary and Tragic Life

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“Jaco Pastorius – The Extraordinary and Tragic Life” dives deep into the turbulent waters of the legendary bassist’s life, capturing the electric buzz of Jaco’s genius and the dark undercurrents that pulled him under. It’s like jamming backstage with Jaco himself, feeling every high of his groundbreaking musical highs and the crushing lows of his personal battles.

The book lays bare the soul of a man who redefined the possibilities of the bass guitar, yet couldn’t escape his own demons. Reading it, you’re on a rollercoaster ride of emotion, from awe at his talent to heartbreak at his downfall, all wrapped in a narrative that’s as compelling as one of Jaco’s own solos.

24. James Hetfield – So Let It Be Written

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“James Hetfield – So Let It Be Written” cranks up the volume on the life of Metallica’s frontman, giving you a front-row seat to the thrash metal revolution. It’s like cracking open Hetfield’s personal diary, revealing the man behind the growling vocals and riff-heavy guitar work.

The book charts the meteoric rise of Metallica, the battles with addiction, and Hetfield’s journey to find balance amidst the chaos of rock stardom. Reading it feels like hanging out in the studio with the band, absorbing the sweat, tears, and raw energy that fueled one of music’s most iconic acts.

25. Janis Joplin – Love Janis

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“Janis Joplin – Love Janis” serves up an intimate, heart-wrenching look at the wild soul of rock’s most unforgettable voice. It’s like flipping through a scrapbook Janis herself might have kept, filled with personal letters, reflections, and the raw, unvarnished truths of her life.

This book pulls you into Janis’s world, where love, pain, and music intertwine in a psychedelic tapestry of the 60s. Reading it feels like a late-night chat with Janis, under a sky full of stars, sharing dreams and fears in equal measure.

26. Hot Wired Guitar: The Life of Jeff Beck

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“Hot Wired Guitar: The Life of Jeff Beck” strings you along on a riff-filled journey through the life of the guitar maestro himself. It’s like being on a long, winding road trip with Beck’s solos as the soundtrack, exploring every twist and turn of his groundbreaking career.

From the Yardbirds to his solo adventures, the book dives deep into the essence of Beck’s genius, his relentless pursuit of musical perfection, and his influence on rock and blues. Reading it feels like a backstage pass to the mind of a legend, offering a glimpse into the soul of a man who let his guitar do the talking, crafting sounds that still echo through the halls of rock history.

27. Jerry Garcia – An American Life

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“Jerry Garcia – An American Life” invites you on a psychedelic journey through the life of the Grateful Dead’s iconic frontman. It’s like drifting down a river of memories, each turn revealing a new facet of Garcia’s complex, colorful world.

From his early days in the San Francisco music scene to the Dead’s rise as counterculture heroes, the book paints a portrait of a man whose guitar could speak the language of the soul. Reading it feels like a long, strange trip filled with music, mayhem, and moments of transcendence, capturing the spirit of a man who lived his life in the pursuit of the next great jam.

28. Jimi Hendrix – Room Full of Mirrors

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“Jimi Hendrix – Room Full of Mirrors” cranks up the volume on the life of the guitar god, offering a kaleidoscopic view into the world of Jimi Hendrix. It’s like stepping into a Hendrix solo—colorful, explosive, and full of unexpected twists.

From his humble beginnings to becoming the emblem of rock’s psychedelic era, the book delves deep into the mysteries that surrounded his life and the genius that defined his music. Reading it feels like a backstage pass to Jimi’s world, where every page turns with the vibe of a late-night jam session, echoing with the sounds of a guitar legend who left us too soon.

29. Jimmy Page – Jimmy Page

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Next up in our list of books about music is ‘Jimmy‘. Diving into this book is like strapping in for a wild ride with the mastermind behind Led Zeppelin’s thunderous riffs. It’s an intimate backstage tour of Page’s life, from his session musician days to Zeppelin’s stratospheric rise, and beyond.

The book lays down a track of stories filled with rock ‘n’ roll excess, groundbreaking music, and the mystical aura that seems to surround Page. Reading it feels like flipping through a vinyl collection of classic hits, each chapter a new record that drops the needle on the life of a rock legend, with all the backstage anecdotes and forbidden riffs you’d hope to find.

30. Joe Perry – Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith

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“Joe Perry – Rocks: My Life In and Out of Aerosmith” slingshots you into the heart of the rock ‘n’ roll storm that is Aerosmith, all from the perspective of its lead guitarist. It’s like sitting down with Perry himself, guitars leaning against the wall, as he dishes on the dizzying highs and gritty lows of rock stardom.

With a mix of raw honesty and cool detachment, Perry recounts the battles with bandmates, the love affair with music, and the personal demons he faced. Flipping through the pages feels like riffling through a jukebox of Aerosmith’s greatest hits, each story a track that plays back the soundtrack of a life lived at the edge of the stage lights.

31. Joe Satriani – Strange Beautiful Music

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“Joe Satriani – Strange Beautiful Music” takes you on a sonic journey through the strings of Satriani’s guitar, revealing the shred guitarist’s process, inspiration, and the evolution of his sound. It’s like floating through a galaxy of notes and melodies, where each chapter unveils a new planet of soundscapes crafted by the guitar guru himself.

Joe shares the stories behind his iconic tracks, the experimentation with gear, and the philosophical musings on music and life. Reading it feels like jamming with Satriani in his studio, where every riff and solo transports you to a world where music transcends the ordinary, painting the air with strange, beautiful sounds.

32. John Fogerty – Fortunate Son

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Next up in this list of books about music is “John Fogerty – Fortunate Son“. This book rocks you through the tumultuous journey of the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman, from the swamps of the Bayou to the pinnacle of rock fame. It’s like sitting on a porch swing, guitar in hand, as Fogerty recounts the battles with bandmates, the industry sharks, and the personal demons that accompanied his rise.

With a voice as clear and piercing as his signature riffs, John shares the inspirations behind his timeless hits and the cost of being a voice of a generation. Reading it feels like listening to a classic CCR album; every page resonates with the spirit of a man who rode the river of rock ‘n’ roll, weathering its storms to emerge, perhaps battered, but unbowed.

33. John Lennon – The Life

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“John Lennon – The Life” pulls you into the whirlwind world of the Beatle who dared to imagine, exploring the depths of his genius, his flaws, and the contradictions that made him a legend. It’s like wandering through a gallery of Lennon’s mind, where each chapter is a different exhibit, revealing the layers behind the icon—his music, activism, and the personal battles that fueled his art.

With intimate anecdotes and insights, the book feels less like a biography and more like a long, revealing conversation with Lennon himself, set against the backdrop of a changing world. Reading it is a trip through the life of a man whose vision and voice continue to echo, challenging us to dream and think deeper.

34. Johnny Cash – Cash

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“Johnny Cash – Cash” is a deep dive into the Man in Black’s life, told with the raw honesty and gritty charm that defined his music. It’s like sitting across from Cash himself, in a dimly lit room, as he recounts the epic tales of his journey through fame, heartbreak, redemption, and the undying love for June.

With each page, you’re taken on a ride through the highs and lows, from the wild tours to the quiet moments of reflection, all underscored by his deep, resonant voice. Reading it feels like listening to one of his classic albums—each story a track that weaves the complex tapestry of a legend’s life, leaving you feeling like you’ve truly walked the line with Johnny Cash.

35. John Oates – Change of Seasons

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Let’s continue our list of books about musicians with “John Oates – Change of Seasons“. This is a rhythmic journey through the life of one half of the iconic Hall & Oates duo, blending the soulful beats of music with the personal ebbs and flows of his life. It’s like sitting down with Oates in a cozy, dimly lit music room, as he shares the stories behind the hits, the tours, and the partnership that defined an era.

With each turn of the page, you’re treated to an intimate backstage pass to his triumphs, challenges, and the moments of clarity that shaped him. Reading it feels like strumming through a heartfelt melody of life, love, and the constant evolution of an artist who’s seen it all, yet remains open to the ever-changing seasons of life.

36. Keith Richards – Life

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“Keith Richards – Life” takes you on a wild ride with the legendary Rolling Stones guitarist, through the smoke-filled rooms of rock ‘n’ roll history. It’s like being on the ultimate backstage tour, where Richards, with his trademark candor and wit, shares the stories of the Stones’ meteoric rise, the mayhem, and the music that defined a generation.

The book is a no-holds-barred account of life in one of the world’s greatest bands, complete with battles, brotherhood, and a lot of guitar strings. Reading it feels like jamming with Richards late into the night, every chord and confession revealing the heart and soul of rock’s most infamous survivor.

37. Kurt Cobain – Heavier than Heaven

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“Kurt Cobain – Heavier Than Heaven” plunges into the turbulent waters of the Nirvana frontman’s life, capturing the raw intensity and haunting beauty of Cobain’s world. It’s like a backstage pass to the soul of the 90s grunge movement, offering a glimpse into Kurt’s creative genius and the demons that danced in the shadows.

Through a mix of personal anecdotes and vivid storytelling, the book paints a portrait of a man whose music echoed the angst and hopes of a generation. Reading it feels like flipping through a deeply personal album, each chapter a song that reveals more of the complex, passionate spirit of Kurt Cobain, leaving you feeling closer to the legend who burned too bright.

38. Lemmy Kilminster – White Line Fever

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“Lemmy Kilminster – White Line Fever” is an electrifying charge down the fast lane of the Motörhead frontman’s life, packed with the raw energy and unapologetic truth that defined Lemmy. It’s like sitting at the bar with the man himself, whisky in hand, as he recounts the wild ride of rock ‘n’ roll excess, groundbreaking music, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.

With a voice that’s as gritty and relentless as his bass lines, Lemmy shares tales of life on the edge, the creation of anthems that would define a genre, and the unyielding spirit of a true rock legend. Reading this musician book feels like catching lightning in a bottle, a rare glimpse into the eye of the storm that was Lemmy’s life, leaving you with a buzz that’s hard to shake.

39. Les Paul – In His Own Words

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“Les Paul – In His Own Words” strings you along on a melodious journey through the life of the legendary inventor and musician who changed the sound of music forever. It’s like sitting down in Les Paul’s workshop, surrounded by wires and wood, as he narrates the story of his innovations and the music that inspired them.

With each page, you’re treated to intimate tales of the birth of the electric guitar, the evolution of recording technology, and the jam sessions that sparked a revolution in sound. Reading it feels like listening to a living history of music, told by the man whose passion and genius plugged the guitar into the future, making it sing in ways it never had before. In terms of music biographies, this is a must read.

40. Lita Ford – Living Like a Runaway

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“Lita Ford – Living Like a Runaway” is a high-octane trip through the life of the queen of metal, packed with the same fiery spirit and razor-sharp riffs that catapulted her to stardom. It’s like sitting shotgun in a muscle car with Lita at the wheel, tearing down the highway of rock ‘n’ roll history.

She spills the tea on her groundbreaking journey in a male-dominated scene, the wild tours, the battles, and the music that blazed a trail for female rockers. Reading it feels like an all-access pass to the backstage dramas and triumphs, all delivered with Lita’s signature blend of toughness and heart, proving she’s not just any runaway, but rock royalty.

41. Marilyn Manson – The Long Hard Road Out of Hell

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“Marilyn Manson – The Long Hard Road Out of Hell” drags you through the twisted, dark corridors of the shock rock icon’s rise to infamy, wrapped in a cloak of controversy and rebellion. It’s like delving into a macabre circus, where each chapter unveils another layer of Manson’s meticulously crafted persona and the chaotic world that fueled his art.

Through tales of excess, transformation, and defiance, Manson bares his soul, revealing the man behind the makeup. Reading it feels like a fever dream, a provocative journey through the highs and lows of a life lived defiantly outside the lines, challenging norms and sparking fires of discussion wherever it goes.

42. Max Cavalera – My Bloody Roots

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“Max Cavalera – My Bloody Roots” thunders through the life of the metal titan, from the raw streets of Brazil to the global stages of Sepultura and Soulfly fame. It’s like a mosh pit of memories, where each chapter slams into you with the intensity of a thrash riff, sharing the struggles, the fights, and the unbreakable spirit of a man who refused to let anything silence his music.

Max opens up about the fusion of sounds that define his style, the personal losses that have shaped him, and the rebellious energy that fuels his songs. Reading it feels like hanging out backstage with Cavalera himself, sharing stories that are as brutally honest as they are inspiring, all delivered with the passion of someone who lives and breathes metal.

43. Muddy Waters – Can’t Be Satisfied

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Next up in our list of books about musicians is “Muddy Waters – Can’t Be Satisfied“. This book dives deep into the muddy waters of the blues legend’s life, charting his journey from the cotton fields of Mississippi to the electric buzz of Chicago’s blues scene. It’s like sitting on a porch in the deep south, guitar in hand, as Waters’s story unfolds with the gritty realism of a life lived in the pursuit of musical truth.

Through tales of hardship, innovation, and the birth of electric blues, this book paints a portrait of a man whose guitar strings pulled the heartstrings of a generation. Reading it feels like listening to a blues riff that’s as raw and real as the life from which it sprang, echoing the soulful, unyielding spirit of Muddy Waters himself.

44. Neil Young – Waging Heavy Peace

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“Neil Young – Waging Heavy Peace” is an introspective journey through the life of the rock icon, offering a unique glimpse into the mind of a man known for his enigmatic music and relentless creativity. It’s like sitting by a crackling fire with Young as he recounts tales from his sprawling career, from the dizzying heights of fame to the quiet moments that fuel his artistry.

With a mix of reflection, humor, and sincerity, Neil shares his passions, from music to model trains to his ventures into high-fidelity audio. Reading it feels like flipping through a personal scrapbook, each page a snapshot of a life lived with intensity, integrity, and a deep love for the muse that drives him.

45. Nikki Sixx – Heroin Diaries

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“Nikki Sixx – Heroin Diaries” plunges into the dark heart of the Mötley Crüe bassist’s battle with addiction, set against the backdrop of rock ‘n’ roll excess. It’s like walking through a haunted house, where each room reveals more of the harrowing, yet strangely captivating, depths of Sixx’s year-long descent into drug-fueled madness.

With brutal honesty and startling clarity, Sixx shares diary entries that paint a vivid picture of a life on the edge, teetering between destruction and creativity. Reading it feels like listening to a confession, raw and unfiltered, that’s as much a cautionary tale as it is a testament to the power of survival and redemption.

46. Ozzy Osbourne – I Am Ozzy

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What list of the best musician biographies would be complete without”I Am Ozzy“? This is the uproarious, no-holds-barred autobiography of Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness himself, chronicling his journey from humble beginnings to the summit of heavy metal royalty. It’s like sitting down with Ozzy at a pub, as he regales you with tales of legendary excess, on-stage antics, and the tumultuous life of a rock icon.

With his unmistakable wit and candor, Osbourne recounts the dizzying highs and devastating lows of his career, all while maintaining a sense of humor about the madness that has been his life. The book feels like riding a roller coaster in the dark, thrilling and unpredictable, echoing the wild, unforgettable ride that is Ozzy’s life.

47. Paul McCartney – Many Years From Now

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“Paul McCartney – Many Years From Now” offers a vivid, melody-filled stroll down memory lane, guided by Sir Paul McCartney himself, spotlighting his Beatles years and beyond. Throughout the book, McCartney shares personal stories behind the songs, the brotherhood, the laughter, and the tears of the Fab Four’s journey.

With intimate insights and charming anecdotes, McCartney paints a portrait of a time that reshaped music forever, all told with the warmth and wit only he could provide. Reading it feels like uncovering a treasure trove of musical history, making you a confidant in the legacy of a legend whose tunes have echoed through many years and still captivate hearts worldwide.

48. Prince – Dig If You Will the Picture

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Let’s continue our list of books on musicians with “Prince – Dig You Will the Picture“. This book immerses you in the enigmatic world of Prince, exploring the depth and breadth of his musical genius and the impact he left on the world. It’s like wandering through a vibrant, sonic landscape painted with the hues of funk, rock, R&B, and soul, all blending together under the guiding hand of the Purple One.

Through a mosaic of interviews, analyses, and reflections, the book offers a glimpse into Prince’s creative process, his innovations, and the iconic moments that defined his career. Reading it feels like being invited into the exclusive, eclectic universe of Prince, where every page pulses with the rhythm of his life and the echoes of his legacy.

49. Randy Rhoads – Crazy Train

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What list of the best music biographies would be complete without “Randy Rhoads – Crazy Train“? This book takes you on a high-speed journey through the life of the guitar prodigy who redefined heavy metal riffing. It’s like being plugged directly into Rhoads’s amp, feeling the energy and passion that fueled his legendary performances with Ozzy Osbourne.

Through intimate recollections and detailed accounts, the book explores Randy’s meteoric rise, his devotion to music, and the tragic crash that ended his life too soon. Reading it feels like a backstage pass to the 80s rock scene, offering a heartfelt tribute to a musician whose legacy continues to electrify guitar enthusiasts around the world.

50. Robbie Robertson – Testimony

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“Robbie Robertson – Testimony” weaves a rich tapestry of the music scene from the golden age of rock, through the eyes and guitar of The Band’s legendary guitarist. It’s like sitting down in a dimly lit room with Robertson as he recounts the journey from backing Bob Dylan to becoming rock royalty themselves.

With vivid storytelling, he shares the camaraderie, the tours, and the behind-the-scenes moments that shaped some of the most iconic music of the era. Reading it feels like flipping through a photo album of rock history, each chapter a snapshot that captures the spirit, the struggles, and the magic of a time when music was a powerful force for change.

51. Robert Johnson – Escaping the Delta

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We’ll continue our list of books on musicians with the incrediblee “Robert Johnson – Escaping the Delta“. This book unveils the mystique of the blues legend whose guitar prowess sparked rumors of a deal with the devil. It’s like stepping into a crossroads at midnight, where each turn of the page sheds light on Johnson’s life, the myths that shrouded his legacy, and the profound impact he had on music history.

The book delves deep into the heart of the Delta blues, revealing how Johnson’s innovative style and haunting lyrics echoed far beyond the cotton fields, influencing generations of musicians. Reading it feels like uncovering a secret chapter of music history, offering a closer look at the man behind the myth, whose chords and cries continue to resonate through the annals of American music.

52. Sammy Hagar – Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock

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“Sammy Hagar – Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock” blasts through the life of the Red Rocker with the speed and power of a muscle car, capturing the essence of a rock ‘n’ roll journey like no other. It’s like kicking back with Hagar himself, tequila in hand, as he shares the wild stories of his rise from humble beginnings to his days with Van Halen and beyond.

With unflinching honesty and a sense of humor, Sammy recounts the highs, the lows, and everything in-between, including the epic parties and personal battles. Reading it feels like being on tour with a rock legend, offering an all-access pass to the backstage, on-stage, and off-stage antics that define the life of a man who’s lived every moment at full throttle. One of the best musician autobiographies in this list!

53. Scott Ian – I’m The Man: The Story of That Guy From Anthrax

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“I’m The Man: The Story of That Guy From Anthrax” cranks up the volume on Scott Ian’s life, offering a no-holds-barred look at the rhythm guitarist’s journey through the thrash metal scene. It’s like grabbing a beer with Ian as he recounts the wild ride of Anthrax, from its foundation to becoming one of the “Big Four” of thrash metal, peppered with anecdotes of mayhem, music, and mosh pits.

With a candid voice and a sharp sense of humor, Ian shares the ups and downs, the backstage stories, and the passion for music that kept him thrashing on the guitar strings. Reading it feels like a whirlwind trip through the metal scene of the ’80s and ’90s, full of headbanging moments, laughter, and a deep, unabashed love for heavy metal.

54. Slash – The Autobiography

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“Slash” slices through the life of the iconic Guns N’ Roses guitarist, delivering raw, unfiltered stories from the man beneath the top hat. It’s like being invited to an after-hours jam session, where Slash lays down the riff of his life, from the dizzying highs of rock stardom to the shadowy lows of addiction and recovery.

With every page, Slash’s voice cuts through like a solo, sharing the tumult and triumphs of a life lived on the edge of a guitar pick. Reading it feels like a backstage pass into the heart of rock ‘n’ roll, gritty, real, and louder than life, offering a glimpse of the man who became a legend, one chord at a time.

55. Stevie Ray Vaughan – Caught in the Crossfire

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Another of the best music biographies is “Stevie Ray Vaughan – Caught in the Crossfire“. This book dives into the whirlwind life of the guitar legend, Stevie Ray Vaughan, with a narrative as electrifying as one of his solos. The book paints a vivid picture of Vaughan’s rise from a kid with big dreams in Dallas to becoming a rock and blues icon, admired by millions.

It doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters of his journey, including his battles with addiction and his tragic, untimely death. Through interviews and personal anecdotes, it’s a heartfelt tribute to Vaughan’s genius, capturing the spirit of a man who lived at full throttle, both on stage and off.

56. Tom Petty – The Biography

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Diving into “Tom Petty – The Biography,” you’re hitching a ride on the wild journey of one of rock’s most beloved figures. This book cracks open the vault on Petty’s life, from his roots in Gainesville, Florida, to the zenith of rock stardom, revealing the heartbreaks and triumphs along the way.

It’s a no-holds-barred exploration of his musical genius, personal struggles, and the unbreakable spirit that defined his career. Through intimate stories and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, it feels like you’re on the road with Petty himself, sharing in the laughter, the tears, and the unforgettable music.

57. Tony Iommi – Iron Man

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“Tony Iommi – Iron Man” rips through the life of Black Sabbath’s legendary guitarist, Tony Iommi, with the same intensity as his iconic riffs. This book takes you on a headbanging journey from Iommi’s early days in Birmingham, England, through the highs and lows of rock stardom, to becoming a metal god.

It doesn’t just stick to the music; this musician biography dives deep into Iommi’s personal battles, including his fight to play guitar after a factory accident almost ended his career. Packed with wild stories, profound insights, and a dash of humor, get the inside scoop on what made Sabbath’s sound immortal.

58. Willie Nelson – It’s a Long Story

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“Willie Nelson – It’s a Long Story” takes you on a leisurely stroll down the winding roads of Willie Nelson’s life, with the man himself as your guide. From his early days in Texas through the wild twists of country music fame, Nelson’s tale is a rich tapestry of songs, smoke, and soul-searching.

The book is peppered with tales of Nelson’s encounters with music legends, his battles against the establishment, and his unwavering commitment to his craft and causes. Reading this musician biography feels like sitting on a porch with Willie, strumming a guitar under the stars, as he shares the wisdom and wild stories collected over decades of making music and making waves.

59. Yngwie Malmsteen – Relentless

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Next in our list of musician memoirs is “Yngwie Malmsteen – Relentless“. This book shreds through the life story of the shred guitar virtuoso with the same ferocity he applies to his six-string. This musician autobiography gives you front-row seats to the rollercoaster ride of Malmsteen’s journey, from a rebellious kid in Sweden dreaming of rock glory to becoming a maestro of the neoclassical metal genre.

The book is packed with tales of rockstar excess, intense dedication to his art, and the relentless pursuit of musical perfection that’s as mind-blowing as his solos. Read through his triumphs, trials, and the relentless drive that propelled him to the pantheon of guitar gods.

60. Zakk Wylde – Bringing Metal to the Children

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The final entry in our list of books about musicians is “Zakk Wylde – Bringing Metal to the Children“. This is a wild ride through the rock n’ roll circus as seen through the eyes of guitar legend Zakk Wylde. This book isn’t just a memoir; it’s a backstage pass to the mayhem, madness, and sheer metal insanity that comes with life on the road in the world of heavy music.

Wylde dishes out hilarious tales, hard-earned wisdom, and a few lessons on what it really takes to bring the metal to the masses. Join Zakk as he recounts the epic journey of a life lived loud and proud in the service of heavy metal.

Musician Biographies Missing?

Hopefully you’ve managed to find several awesome musician biographies in this article that you fancy reading yourself.

However, if you feel that I’ve missed out any essential books about musicians, please drop me an email. You’ll find a link to my contact form in the footer below.

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• 50 Movies About Musicians You NEED To See!

The post 60 Best Books About Musicians – Guitarist Biographies appeared first on LeftyFretz.

Is the Vangoa VGE-1 the best beginner acoustic-electric guitar? Throughout this review, we’ll tear apart this cheap acoustic-electric guitar to see if it makes the grade!

A beginner electro-acoustic guitar needs to check a couple of boxes. Firstly, it must be affordable. Secondly, it should offer a good balance of sound and playability. At around $150, the Vango VGE-1 certainly satisfies the budget requirement. But what does it sound like, and how easy is it to play?

Let’s find out if it could be the best acoustic-electric guitar!

Disclosure: Vangoa was kind enough to send me this guitar to try out. I have tried my best to provide a fair and unbiased review. If the guitar sounds like a good match for you, I will earn a small commission if you purchase one through the links within this article. Thank you!

I have included links for both the left-handed and right-handed versions of this electro-acoustic. It is available through Amazon, or directly from Vangoa themselves depending on stock levels. Note that the right-handed model is called the Vangoa VCE-1, whereas the lefty is known as the VGE-1.

Vangoa VGE-1 Review

Who Is This Guitar For?

The Vangoa VGE-1 is a cheap acoustic electric guitar bundle that is absolutely perfect for new players with a small budget, or potentially for more advanced players who need a solid backup instrument. This bundle would be an excellent beginner acoustic-electric guitar, particularly for the following reasons.

• One of the most affordable electro-acoustic guitars available
• For the money, the construction, sound, and playability are excellent
• It is bundled with everything you need to get started

As a beginner instrument, the only real downside is that the guitar is dreadnought-sized. For most, this is actually the right choice, however, smaller players may find the dreadnought size a little bulky.

If you think a dreadnought acoustic might be a little large for you, check out my guide to the best left-handed beginner acoustic guitars. Here, you will find a few alternate choices that feature smaller-sized bodies.

Vangoa VGE-1 Unboxing

So, will the Vangoa electric acoustic guitar actually get to you without damage? The guitar ships in a standard triangular cardboard box, and is safely encased within a generously padded gig bag.

In addition, it came to me double-boxed, in a comedically oversized outer box. Seriously. It was so large that I had no idea what I was signing for when it arrived at my door.

With that amount of protection, it will be almost certain to survive all but the most heavy-handed of couriers! Although I did have a hell of a lot of cardboard to recycle when everything was unpacked.

Within the box, you’ll discover the guitar itself and the aforementioned sturdy gig bag. You’ll also find a bright red Vangoa branded canvas zip bag that neatly contains all of the bundled accessories.

With its black and white color scheme, the Vangoa is a very classy-looking guitar indeed, and certainly at least looks like it should be worth far more than its beginner-friendly price tag.

There are definitely some Les Paul Custom, tuxedo-type vibes about this electro-acoustic. It’s a great-looking axe.

Bundled Accessories

The Vangoa-branded gig bag is definitely a cut above the flimsy nylon bags that came with beginner kits when I was a new guitarist! The carry handle, adjustable straps, and inners are all generously padded. There is even a removable padded neck cradle inside with a velcro strap to hold the guitar in position.

I watched a few review videos to check if other people were also blown away by the quality of the Vangoa. They were. But most notably, every single review raved about how good the gig bag is.

Although I haven’t tested it, the bag does look like it would protect the guitar from a light rain shower if you were caught out by surprise.

As far as storage is concerned, there is one large zippered pocket located on the front. It measures roughly 15.5″ x 12″ (40cm x 30cm). So, plenty of space for an A4 music book and a few other accessories.

In addition to this rather quality gig bag, the Vangoa also comes bundled with the following handy accessories.

• Zippered Carry Pouch
• Vangoa VT-01 Clip-On Tuner (Battery Included)
• Vangoa Capo
• Vangoa Strings (011-052 Gauge)
• Instrument Cable
• Cleaning Cloth
• Nylon Guitar Strap
• 4 Picks (Various Thicknesses)
• Allen Key (To Adjust Truss Rod)
• Scratchplate (Peel & Stick)
• Owners Manual

So, aside from guitar lessons, you’ve got everything you could possibly need to get started with the instrument.

The clip-on headstock tuner is your classic $10 generic model. It’s nothing fancy, but does the job, getting your guitar to pitch quickly. You don’t even need to source a battery as Vangoa has included the required CR2032 that the unit requires.

The adhesive scratchplate is a nice touch, although I wonder if a white color would have been the better choice considering you won’t be able to really see the black guard against the black guitar body. With a budget guitar like this, I doubt many will actually want to use it to protect the guitar’s body, instead choosing to use it for a bit of visual flair.

If you do decide to use it, know that you’ll only get one shot to place it in the correct position. So, make sure to practice placing it before you remove the adhesive backing.

Specifications

Before we look into how the guitar actually plays, let’s dive into a few of the key specifications.

I did have a little trouble unearthing a few of the basic specs. Even Vangoa themselves only seemed to have a very vague list. However, as a new player, I would doubt very much that you care too much about what exact wood the bridge is made from.

As long as it plays and sounds good, right?

• Body Size: Dreadnought (Full-Sized)
• Body Woods: Sapele w/ Spruce Top
• Saddle: Bone

The Vangoa VGE-1 is a full-sized dreadnought electro-acoustic guitar, which for most new players is the best shape to opt for. A dreadnought gives a loud, and well-balanced sound that is suitable for a wide variety of genres and playstyles.

However, smaller people may find the larger size a little uncomfortable to handle. Read my beginner acoustic guitar guide to find a few smaller-bodied options if you think this might apply to you.

The sapele and spruce pairing is a classic, tried and tested body tonewood combination. It offers a well-balanced tone that should be able to handle any genre of music.

The body (and neck) are finished in a really slick black satin coating for a classy aesthetic. This gives an effortless, smooth feeling whilst playing as opposed to that stickiness that thick gloss finishes can often give.

The only downside to the finish is that it easily picks up fingerprints and skin oils. This means it can end up looking a little dirty under a certain light. Still, that’s what the cleaning cloth is for, right?

In addition, the satin finish is more prone to picking up scratches compared to a gloss option. On the plus side, the finish is so thin (0.15mm according to Vangoa) that the guitar should be able to resonate freely, resulting in an improved quality of sound.

From a distance, the body has the appearance of being fully bound, however, this is not the case. These are simply areas that have been masked off during spraying to reveal the body wood underneath.

Finally, the addition of two strap pegs means we can easily attach the supplied strap if needed. A small point, but cheaper acoustics often don’t feature that front strap peg, so this was a nice bonus.

• Neck: Okoume
• Frets: 20
• Scale Length: 25.5″
• Nut: Bone
• Nut Width: 43mm (1.7″)

The fretboard on this guitar looks absolutely superb. Firstly, the fingerboard ends in a pointed shape rather than the usual straight edge. Furthermore, we have the same ‘scrape binding’ as the body with the addition of a lighter-colored purfling inside.

It really does give off a very premium vibe.

The Vangoa website lists the fretboard as being ‘scientific wood‘, whatever that means. When I asked for clarification I was told it was actually walnut, a softer alternative to ebony.

As is standard on most acoustics, the scale length is 25.5″. Unsure why this is important? Make sure to read my guide to guitar scale length.

The tuners are Vangoa’s own and are nickel-plated with an 18:1 ratio. Personally, I would have liked to see a black option to continue the classy aesthetic of the guitar. In my opinion, the nickel looks a little out of place on the package as a whole. A minor grievance!

• EQ: EQ-7545R 4-Band (Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence Sliders)
• Pickup: Under-Saddle Piezo

The guitar comes equipped with a 4-band equalizer with sliders to control bass, middle, treble, and presence. There is also a volume knob and battery check button and LED. Unfortunately, there’s no built-in tuner on this model, but we do have the clip-on tuner bundled instead.

Vangoa has included a battery for this unit which is already inside. The battery is encased in a protective wrapper, so you’ll need to pop it out and remove this before using the electronics on the guitar.

On the left-handed version of this guitar, the EQ will be upside-down in the playing position due to the design of the unit. Not a massive deal, but something to be aware of.

• Length: 41″ (104.5cm)
• Width: 16″ (40.5cm)
• Depth: 4.5″ (11.6cm)
• Weight: 4.4lbs (2kg)

At 41″ long and 16″ wide at its widest point, the Vangoa is your standard dreadnought acoustic size. Weight-wise, mine comes in at around 4.4 lbs which is also pretty average for an electro-acoustic.

Is The Vangoa VGE-1 A Good Guitar?

I’ll be the first to admit that for an instrument costing around 10% of most of my other guitars, I didn’t really expect too much from the Vangoa. However, this fun little dreadnought really impressed me both in terms of playability and sound.

Playability

Out of the box, all this guitar needed was a quick tune-up and it was ready to go. The string height is nice and low without any unwanted buzzing, there are no sharp fret ends, and the intonation is spot-on across the entire fretboard.

I often find that on cheaper guitars like this one the frets can feel somewhat scratchy when performing bends or vibrato. So, it was nice to find that the Vangoa doesn’t suffer from that issue – vibrato feels great on this axe.

The frets on this guitar are the smallest I have ever seen – seriously, they are tiny. The advantage here is that the lower frets do allow you to have a nice and low action without any buzz, making strings easier to fret. An excellent plus for a new player and their callus-free fingertips!

The disadvantages are that their lifespan will be less, and bending will be slightly harder. Are these major disadvantages on a beginner acoustic electric guitar? I’d argue that they aren’t. You’ll most likely upgrade to your next guitar well before the frets are worn away.

The slim profile Okoume neck feels great in the hand and is super-easy to slide up and down thanks to the smooth satin finish. Similarly, due to the finish, you never get the old forearm stuck to the soundboard issue that often occurs during sweaty sessions on a gloss-finished instrument.

Thanks to the cutaway, access to the upper frets is very good. Playing in the higher frets still offers a rich and perfectly intonated tone, something I often find lacking in cheaper guitars.

The tuners are just fine. They’ll get the guitar up to pitch with no problem, but they’re not the smoothest to use. I found that quite a lot of turning was required to get much of a change in pitch, so tuning up generally takes longer than I’m used to. A minor quibble.

I also found that the guitar was very stable, holding near-perfect tuning for the month or so that I’ve had it. And that’s saying a lot as it has been sat in direct sunlight for almost the entire time!

For the money, there’s nothing to complain about as far as playability is concerned. It’s certainly one of the best acoustic-electric guitars I’ve come across for players on a tight buget.

Sound

As you’d expect from a dreadnought-sized acoustic, the sound produced by the guitar is nicely balanced with a strong bass tone and crisp trebles. It has a bright and energetic quality, especially when digging into the strings closer to the bridge.

It wouldn’t be my first choice as a fingerstyle guitar, as the boomy dreadnought body tends to lose a little clarity when using fingers alone. However, it excels at strumming chords and would also be ideal for jamming with friends in a band where its sound will easily cut through the mix.

Plugged in, the budget 4-band EQ and piezo pickup do a good job of putting out some solid tones. Personally, I found that the sounds tended towards the treble side of things. So, it would perhaps have been a little more useful if the EQ could add a little more bass to the mix.

As a beginner player are you likely to be playing with the guitar plugged in often? I highly doubt it. The guitar sounds a lot better unplugged in my opinion. A mix of both acoustic and plugged-in tones is also a pleasing way to practice.

However, this cheap and cheerful unit will allow you to easily record yourself, mess around with effects, or play live without the need for a microphone. So, it’s definitely a bonus to have the facility available should you ever need it.

I did find at first that certain frequencies would cause some slight internal rattling sounds when playing. This is an issue I’ve experienced previously on a Breedlove electro-acoustic where the battery would sometimes vibrate inside its casing.

However, I found that once the protective wrapping was removed from the battery the issue disappeared. Something to keep in mind if you find that yours experiences the same problem.

If you’d like to hear a few sound samples from the Vangoa, check out the excellent demonstration video below.

The Best Beginner Acoustic Electric Guitar?

Is the Vangoa VGE-1 the best beginner acoustic-electric guitar?

For new players on a tight budget, it certainly could be the best acoustic-electric guitar! In terms of sheer value for money, you really are going to struggle to find many other instruments that can go toe to toe with this beginner bundle.

The majority of beginners will be looking for a guitar at an accessible price point, with good build quality, and a pleasant sound. It’s definitely a ‘check‘ for all three points for the Vangoa.

Will it sound and play as well as an all-solid Taylor or Martin acoustic? Of course not! But you wouldn’t expect it to at this sort of price. This is a guitar that is designed to give you a solid introduction to the hobby that you can upgrade from a year or two down the line.

Alternatively, it would also make a great option for a cheap guitar for more advanced players to leave around the house without worry of it being damaged. I’ve been playing for over 20 years and would be perfectly happy sitting on the couch with the Vangoa.

At such a low price point, many of the alternatives could essentially be considered toys. Vangoa has somehow managed to keep costs low without sacrificing sound and playability.

And when you consider that the instrument comes bundled with literally everything you need to get started with guitar, the value on offer here is absolutely stellar.

For us southpaw players especially, there really isn’t a whole lot else to consider at this sort of price range. In terms of electro-acoustics, the next step up the ladder would be the Fender CD-60SCE. That guitar costs over twice as much and has no bundled accessories whatsoever.

I certainly wish that a package like this was available when I was but a fledgling guitarist. It really is phenomenal how much better the quality of choices available to new guitarists has become.

TLDR. If you are on a tight budget and require a beginner acoustic electric guitar then I can highly recommend the Vangoa VGE-1. For the money, it looks stunning, plays well, and sounds great.

What I Like/Dislike About The Vangoa VGE-1 Acoustic

Like:

• Includes everything you’ll need to get started with guitar.
• Low price without sacrificing quality and features.
• 1-year warranty.
• Classic sapele and Sitka spruce dreadnought body will give a versatile tone suited to any genre of music.
• Has the look of a guitar which is much more expensive than it is.
• Also a good option for intermediate players after something less pricey that they don’t have to baby.

Dislike:

• Dreadnought body size may be a little large for smaller players
• Brand snobs may not approve.
• Tuners aren’t the smoothest to use.
• Satin finish is a fingerprint magnet.
• EQ is slightly lacking in bass.

Check out the links above to find current pricing on the Vangoa VGE-1.

Other Models To Consider

If you can afford to spend a little more then you may want to also check out my guide to the best beginner left handed acoustic guitars for some additional choices.

Here you will find guitars with solid wood tops, rolled fretboard edges, electronics, and other desirable ‘upgrades’. We’ll also compare the Vangoa with Fender alternatives plus many others to see how the budget acoustic stacks up against the competition.

I also have a guide to the best left handed electric guitars for beginners if you would prefer to go down that route.

The post Vangoa VGE-1 Review – Best Beginner Acoustic Electric Guitar? appeared first on LeftyFretz.

Is the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT the ultimate no-frills, budget electric guitar? In this review article, we’ll tear apart this affordable electric guitar to see if it lives up to the hype!

Harley Benton is one of those brands that I am regularly asked about by readers. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the few guitar brands that I’ve never managed to try out.

So, recently, when I started looking for a new axe that I could use as a dedicated slide guitar I felt it was a great opportunity to finally try out one of Harley Benton’s many, many lefty instruments.

The Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT is a great-looking, simple single pickup guitar, with a low price point, that is perfect for modding. For those reasons, and as a complete newbie to the world of slide guitar, I felt it would make the ideal instrument for me to explore the genre with.

Let’s see how it got on!

I should probably preface this review by saying that although I intend to use this guitar exclusively for slide playing, I did spend a week with it in its stock configuration before making any modifications.

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you decide to purchase one of these guitars for yourself I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

I have included links for both the left and right-handed versions of the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT where you will be able to find current pricing information.

Harley Benton DC Junior FAT Review

What Is Harley Benton?

Harley Benton is a guitar brand owned by Musikhaus Thomann, a large musical instrument retailer based in Germany. Literally, hundreds of different styles of guitars and basses are available to suit all musical tastes.

The majority of Harley Benton instruments sit at the more affordable end of the guitar market, with prices starting from around €75 (roughly $80 USD) at the time of writing.

Find out more about the brand and the full range of instruments on offer by checking out my guide to the left handed Harley Benton guitars and basses currently available.

The Guitar In A Nutshell

Clearly, the DC Junior FAT is modeled after the iconic Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut. At present, a bona fide Gibson will set you back thousands of dollars, so this more affordable tribute is potentially a great alternative for those without deep pockets (like me!).

You can see in the image below that the ‘TV Yellow’ finish on the Harley Benton is much warmer when compared to the Gibson. Aside from that, plus the scratchplate material and bridge design, the two are virtually identical as far as looks are concerned.

Main features include a solid mahogany body and neck, a 22-fret ebony fingerboard, a single Roswell P90 stacked pickup, a wrap-around bridge, and a single volume and tone.

A great feature is the ability to pull up on the tone knob to switch between single coil and humbucker tones.

And why is it called a DC Junior FAT? Well, the neck on this bad boy is a rather chunky FAT ’59 profile. If you love that classic baseball bat-style neck feel you’ll most likely feel right at home with this model.

And that’s all she wrote! The Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT is a simple guitar with a ton of retro charm, but it also manages to inject a little modern tech through the push/pull ability. The best of both worlds!

DC-Junior vs. DC-Junior FAT

It is probably also worth mentioning that this guitar is available as an even cheaper version if you don’t mind losing the coil-tapping ability. I have linked to both models in the links you’ll find peppered throughout this article.

In addition, the lower-priced model also features a slimmer 60s C neck profile.

So, you’ll have to weigh up whether or not the ability to switch between P90 and humbucker sounds is important to you. Alternatively, it could come down to whether or not you prefer a chunky neck.

Main Specifications Of The Guitar

• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: Mahogany (Fat ’59 Profile)
• Fretboard: Ebony (22 Medium Jumbo Frets)
• Fretboard Radius: 12″
• Bridge: WSC Wrap Around
• Pickups: Roswell P90D Stack STK4P Alnico-5 Dog Ear

• Controls: Volume, Tone (Push/Pull)
• Tuners: Wilkinson Deluxe Vintage 15:1
• Case/Gig Bag: Optional
• Scale Length: 24.75″
• Weight: 3.0kg (6.6lbs)

As well as TV Yellow, the Harley Benton DC Junior FAT is also available in Faded Cherry and Pelham Blue at the time of writing. Unfortunately, we lefties only get the TV Yellow for the moment. I think it’s the best color though…

Shipping Times From Germany

For those who have never ordered from Thomann before, here is a breakdown of the shipping times I experienced (from Germany to the UK).

• Placed Order: Thursday April 27th
• Order Shipped: Friday April 28th
• Cleared UK Customs: Tuesday May 2nd
• Delivered: Wednesday May 3rd

I ordered late on the 27th, so it was essentially same-day dispatch. The 28th was a Friday, plus the following Monday was a Bank Holiday here in the UK (no mail). So, shipping was overall very fast with the only hold-up being a few days spent clearing UK Customs.

There was also no import duty or additional courier forwarding charges to pay, so that was a plus!

Unboxing The Guitar – First Impressions

The DC Junior FAT is shipped in your standard cardboard shipping box, as you’d expect from a budget guitar brand. Mine arrived in the UK from Germany in pristine condition, so there are no complaints from me about the packaging.

As an affordable, no-frills guitar, this model doesn’t include a gig bag or any other accessories. So, inside the box you’ll simply find the guitar, plus the obligatory truss-rod adjustment Allen key that goes straight into the bin.

Thomann does offer bundles that include a gig bag if you would prefer a little extra protection during shipping.

Going over the guitar with a fine-toothed comb, I definitely seem to have gotten a great example.

There is literally nothing wrong with it in terms of fit and finish, and aesthetics-wise, it looks exactly the same as the photo on the Harley Benton website. We’re off to a good start!

Is The Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT A Good Guitar?

Initial Adjustments

Amazingly, the DC-Junior FAT didn’t require any type of major guitar setup adjustments out of the box. Thomann claims to quality-check all guitars before shipping, but there’s no mention of whether or not this inspection includes any type of basic setup.

So, either I got lucky, or some basic adjustments had already been made.

Unlike the Gibson Les Paul Junior Double Cut it is modeled after, the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT ships with an adjustable wraparound bridge. So, if the intonation was off (it wasn’t!), it would have been very easy to set things straight.

Unlike the bridge, the P90 pickup isn’t adjustable, however. This could be a potential issue for me after I raise the string height on my new slide guitar. I may have to add some shims to raise the pickup later on depending on how the sound is affected.

The only area where I felt the guitar was let down was the nut, which looks a little cheap. The edges are quite sharp, and the slots are very grabby. The tight slots make it a little more difficult to tune as the strings don’t pass through the nut smoothly.

It does the job, but replacing the nut will be the first upgrade that I intend to make going forward.

The nut also isn’t quite the advertised 43mm width, instead measuring 42.5mm. A small but noticeable difference.

Playability and Feel

After a quick tune-up, the Harley Benton DC Junior FAT played great straight out of the box. It has a nice low action (string height), no fret buzz whatsoever, and is relatively well-balanced with no neck dive at all.

The flatter 12″ radius fingerboard makes bending and vibrato super-easy, and also allows for a nice and low action if that is your preference. The frets are also nicely polished and the edges are flawless.

Having tried many guitars during my tenure in the guitar retail industry I would definitely say that the neck isn’t quite what you would refer to as a ‘baseball bat‘ profile. It’s certainly meaty, but not massively so.

At 3kg (6.6lbs) it is also at the lighter end of the spectrum when it comes to electric guitars, so playing with this beauty around your neck should also be a little kinder on the old back.

As far as niggles are concerned, the only place I would mark down playability would be the push/pull tone knob. Although it does feel premium, this particular ‘top-hat’ knob design makes it very hard to physically grab and pull up.

As a result, it’s a little difficult to use the switch on the fly unless you have some longer nails to dig in underneath. Again, this is a very minor issue that is easily solved with a more appropriate knob if it bothers you.

I’m also not a massive fan of gloss-finish necks, instead preferring the smooth feel of a satin finish. Again, easily fixed with some steel wool later on.

Sound Quality

The Roswell P90D is from Harley Benton’s own brand of pickups and can actually clean up really nicely considering how much growl it has. It is a powerful and bright-sounding pickup that is capable of a ton of varied tones from hard rock to shimmering cleans.

Although there is no neck pickup, you can still dial in a fairly decent impression of one if needed. Simply crank your amp, roll off the gain using the guitar’s volume knob, and then tweak your sound with the tone knob.

Unfortunately, precisely controlling tones via the knobs isn’t quite as easy for us lefties. This is because (as is often the case) this guitar, in its left-handed guise, features regular pots wired backward in order to maintain the correct rotational direction.

When pots are wired this way they lose their smooth audio taper, making it much harder to dial in fine adjustments.

On other guitars, this may not be a huge issue, but with its single pickup, the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT is designed to have its sound manipulated via the volume and tone pots. You’re definitely missing out with the stock wiring configuration.

The solution here is to either rewire them correctly and operate the knobs in the opposite direction to usual, or replace them with left-handed pots. Check out my guide to soldering irons for guitar if you’d like to attempt this simple mod yourself.

The ability to switch between the regular P90 sound and humbucker tones is also super handy. Firstly, because of the additional sounds we have available in each configuration. Secondly, the ability to cut out the pickup hum is a lifesaver when playing using high-gain settings.

Unfortunately, I can’t comment on how these sound compared to the Gibsons they are modeled after. Being a lefty I have yet to come across one!

Check out Harley Benton’s video below for a few sound samples from this classic rock machine.

What I Like/Dislike About The DC-Junior FAT

Like:

• Low price without sacrificing quality.
• Excellent sound and playability for the money.
• 3-year warranty.
• Has the look of a guitar that is much more expensive than it is.
• An ideal base for modding.
• Also a good option for more advanced players after something less pricey that they don’t have to baby.

Dislike:

• Brand snobs may not approve.
• Cheap nut.
• Non-adjustable pickup height.
• Push/pull tone knob is difficult to pull up.
• Gloss neck finish is a little sticky.
• The fat neck profile may not be for everyone.

Conclusions & Summary

For a budget guitar, I really didn’t expect a whole lot from the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT. However, this affordable beauty has really won me over.

It looks fantastic, plays great (for the money), and is cheap enough that you can really go to town modding it without worrying about ruining an expensive instrument. With its simple build and quality parts it must be one of the best-value electric guitars currently available.

I do have a few small niggles such as the nut and the reverse wired pots, but these are minor and easily solvable. If you’re not a fan of chunky necks consider the non-FAT version, and save yourself some money.

All in, this no-nonsense rock machine is one fantastic guitar, especially at such a low price point. It’s genuinely a guitar that would be ideal for beginners, but can also have a well-earned place in a more experienced player’s rig at the same time.

I have no doubt that once I’ve corrected a few of these small issues the Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT will become a rock-solid slide machine for me to hone my skills on.

I also feel that my first dive into the wide-ranging world of Harley Benton definitely won’t be my last! My only issue is that the range is so wide-ranging – where do I start?!

Hit up the link below to see all of the different Harley Benton DC-Junior models currently available.

Make sure to also check out my Harley Benton guide to see what other interesting guitars and basses the brand offers.

The post Harley Benton DC-Junior FAT Review – A Budget Rock Machine! appeared first on LeftyFretz.

Is the Donner DAG-1C the best starter acoustic guitar? In this review article, we’ll tear apart this affordable acoustic guitar to see if it lives up to the hype!

A beginner acoustic guitar has to have an accessible price point whilst still offering a good balance of sound and playability. As one of the cheapest acoustic guitar packages currently available, the Donner DAG-1C certainly ticks the affordability box, but how does it sound, and is it easy to play?

Let’s find out!

Disclosure: Donner Guitars was kind enough to send me this guitar to test out. I have tried my best to provide a fair and unbiased review. If you decide to purchase the DAG-1C using the links in this article I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

I have included links for both the left handed and right handed versions of the guitar. It is available both at Amazon or direct from Donner themselves depending on current stock levels.

Donner DAG-1C Review

Who Is This Guitar For?

The Donner DAG-1C is a cheap beginner acoustic guitar that is ideal for new players who are on a tight budget, or for intermediate guitarists looking for a good backup instrument. It is an excellent choice for beginner guitar players, particularly for the following reasons.

• Incredibly affordable musical instruments
• Excellent quality and sound for the money
• Bundled with all accessories you’ll need to get started

For beginner guitarists, the only real downside to this guitar is that the larger dreadnought-sized body may be a little bulky for smaller people. Check out my guide to the best left handed beginner acoustic guitars if you’d like to explore smaller options.

Donner DAG-1C Unboxing

Will the Donner DAG-1CL actually get to you in one piece? The guitar is shipped in a sturdy triangular cardboard box, nestled safely inside the padded gig bag, and wrapped in a standard protective guitar bag.

So I would suggest that the guitar will most likely arrive at your doorstep intact. The only way Donner could improve the packaging would be to double-box the instrument for extra protection.

Inside the box you’ll find the guitar itself, a Donner guitar branded gig bag, and if you unzip the bag’s front pocket you’ll find a zip lock bag containing all of the bundled accessories.

My first impressions were that the DAG-1C is a very handsome guitar indeed, appearing like it should cost far more than its meager price tag. It’s difficult to put my finger on it, but I think it’s the all-black body-binding, bridge pins, and tuners that really add an air of class to this instrument.

Included Accessories

The gig bag is a smart, Donner-branded design that is fairly basic but perfectly adequate. The padding isn’t super thick, but should be sufficient to protect the guitar from small knocks and bumps.

Don’t quote me on this (as I haven’t tested it!), but the material appears to be water-repellant. It will probably protect the guitar from a light rain shower if you get caught outside.

There is a single, 14.5″ x 11″ (36.5cm x 28cm) zipped pocket on the front for accessories. On the side is a thick padded carry handle that won’t cut into your hand, plus two adjustable shoulder straps on the rear if you’d rather carry it on your back.

In addition to the gigbag, this cheap acoustic guitar bundle also includes the following accessories.

• Donner DT-04 Digital Clip On Tuner (Battery Included)
• Donner DC-1 Capo
• 4 Picks (0.46mm and 0.71mm)
• Donner Guitar Strap
• Cleaning Cloth
• Spare Strings (.011-.050 Gauge Phosphor Bronze)
• Scratchplate (Peel And Stick)
• Allen Key (To Adjust Truss Rod)

So, everything you could need to get started then! There isn’t really much I can say about these – everything works as intended.

The headstock tuner is your typical $10 budget model and quickly got the guitar up to perfect pitch. It was nice to see that Donner had included the required CR2032 battery inside the packaging.

The optional adhesive scratchplate is also a nice touch, giving you the option of how you’d prefer the guitar to look. Personally, I much prefer the appearance of the guitar with the pickguard attached (compare the images above).

Just be careful if you decide to attach it, as you’re only going to get one shot at placing it in the perfect position. Make sure you know where the scratchplate is going before you remove the adhesive backing.

Specifications

Before I give you my thoughts on the guitar, let’s jump through a few of the key specifications.

There were a few specs that I wasn’t able to discern (I did ask Donner, but they only seem to have a very basic list), however, as a beginner, you likely aren’t going to be too bothered about exactly what wood the fingerboard is made from, right?

• Body Shape: Dreadnought (Full-Sized)
• Body Woods: African Mahogany w/ Sitka Spruce Top

The Donner guitar is a full-sized dreadnought acoustic, which for most beginner players is the style to go for. It is the most versatile body shape and is perfect for strumming chords, although smaller players may find it a little bulky to handle.

The classic mahogany and spruce tonewood combination provides a well-balanced sound that easily cuts through the mix and is suitable for pretty much any style of music. A smooth satin finish means your arm won’t stick to the soundboard during sweaty practice sessions.

The cutaway ensures that you have good access to the higher frets for when you advance a little beyond basic chords. I also just think that acoustics with cutaways just look way cooler, am I right?

The body is fully bound in black binding, affording the instrument a slightly non-traditional and more contemporary appearance compared to most other acoustic guitars. Donner does this on a lot of their instruments, including their left handed ukuleles, and it really helps them to stand out in a crowded market.

Finally, front and rear strap pegs mean that you can easily attach the supplied strap to the Donner DAG 1CL. It’s quite common that inexpensive acoustics don’t include a front strap peg, forcing you to awkwardly attach the strap to the headstock – so this was nice to see!

• Neck: Mahogany (C-Shape)
• Frets: 20 Brass Frets
• Scale Length: 25.5″
• Nut: Synthetic
• Nut Width: 1.7″ (43mm)

The beginner-friendly slim mahogany neck perfectly matches the guitar’s back and sides and has a nice satin finish that makes for a really smooth playing experience.

I wasn’t able to ascertain what material the fingerboard is made from, however, lookswise it appears to be somewhere between your typical rosewood and ebony. Whatever it is, it feels smooth and has a good solid heft to it.

Scale length is 25.5″ which is standard on most acoustics. Not sure why this is important? Check out my guitar scale length guide to find out everything you need to know about scale length.

Like the body binding, the tuners are black which really helps to give the guitar more of an upmarket premium vibe. They complement the mahogany headstock nicely.

• Length: 41″ (104.5cm)
• Width 16″ (40.5cm)
• Depth: 4.5″ (11.6cm)
• Weight: 3.75lbs (1.7kg)

The guitar is a fairly standard dreadnought size at 41″ long and 16″ wide at its widest point. It is also very light in weight at just 3.75lbs, making it a great guitar for beginners.

Is The Donner DAG-1C Acoustic A Good Guitar?

I have to admit that, for this sort of money, I wasn’t expecting too much from the inexpensive Donner acoustic guitar kit. But the truth is that (for the money) this budget guitar really impressed me, both with its sound and playability.

Playability

After a quick tune-up, this guitar played great straight out of the box. The action (string height) wasn’t too high, intonation was perfect across the entire fretboard, and there were no sharp fret ends whatsoever.

The slim mahogany neck is super-easy to play, and the satin finish makes sliding around the fretboard buttery smooth.

If I had to be super picky I would say that the frets are fairly scratchy when performing vibrato. Not a big issue for beginner players that will mainly be strumming chords and picking simple lines, however.

I would also say that while the tuners do look fairly premium with their sleek black finish, they aren’t the smoothest to use in practice. I found that I had to turn the pegs quite a distance for the pitch to actually change, and when it did, it jumped in fairly large increments. This made it fairly fiddly to get the guitar in perfect pitch.

Again, beginners probably won’t even notice, and once tuned up the guitar does hold its pitch very well.

Sound

The sound is bright and lively, especially when using the thin picks supplied with the guitar. As you’d expect from a dreadnought acoustic, the tone is very well balanced, with a bold low-end and crisp highs.

This guitar is ideal for strumming chords and will sound great in a band situation where the dreadnought excels. It’s not the best choice for fingerpickers however, as its boomy nature tends to lack a little clarity.

In moving higher up the fretboard the sound loses a little of its richness, but as a beginner guitar player, you will be spending the majority of your time in the lower 12 frets anyway.

You could improve the sound by upgrading to premium strings, swapping in a bone nut and saddle, or perhaps using higher quality bridge pins – but why would you? As a complete beginner guitar set, it plays and sounds just fine as is.

Although, it would be a good idea to replace the guitar strings right away, as who knows how long the instrument may have been in storage before reaching you. Find out more about why you should do this by reading how often to replace guitar strings.

Check out the demonstration video below from our friend Shane to hear the Donner acoustic guitar kit in action. Note that the video is a few years old now, so the price has increased a little since as you’d expect!

The Best Beginner Acoustic Guitar?

Is the Donner DAG-1C the best beginner acoustic guitar?

For those that are on a tight budget, you are really going to struggle to find anything that offers better value for money than what is on offer here. Beginners need a guitar at an accessible price point that sounds and plays good, is solidly made, and holds its tuning well.

The Donner guitar happily ticks all of these boxes.

It’s not going to compete with the entry-level models from the big brand names such as Fender and Ibanez, but at a fraction of the cost of most of those, you honestly wouldn’t expect it to!

As a new player, the Donner DAG-1CL is absolutely ideal for testing out your new hobby without breaking the bank. Most other guitars around this price point would most likely be considered toys, but Donner has somehow managed to keep the cost low without sacrificing quality.

If I had to award the Donner DAG-1C acoustic a title, I would call it the best cheap beginner acoustic guitar, or perhaps the best beginner acoustic guitar package.

I certainly wish that an inexpensive guitar bundle like this was available back when I first started learning to play guitar. When you consider that this guitar also comes complete with all of the accessories you’ll need to get started, there really isn’t a lot to complain about here.

For us southpaw players especially there really is no other choice for this sort of money. The next step up in the ladder would be the Fender CD-60S which is almost twice the price and comes with no bundled accessories whatsoever.

What I Like/Dislike About The Donner DAG-1C Acoustic

Like:

• Includes everything you’ll need to get started with guitar.
• Low price without sacrificing quality and features.
• 2-year warranty
• Classic mahogany and Sitka spruce dreadnought body will give a balanced tone suitable for any style of music.
• Has the look of a guitar which is much more expensive than it is.
• Also a good option for intermediate players after something less pricey that they don’t have to baby.

Dislike:

• Dreadnought body size may be a little large for smaller players
• No ability to connect to an amp or computer.
• Brand snobs may not approve.
• Scratchy frets.
• Tuners aren’t the smoothest to use.

Check out the guitar at the links above for current pricing.

Look out for more Donner guitar review articles soon! The brand also offers an excellent beginner electric guitar package that I am hoping to test out later this year.

Other Models To Consider

If you can afford to spend a little more then you may want to also check out my guide to the best beginner left handed acoustic guitars for some additional choices.

Here you will find guitars with solid wood tops, rolled fretboard edges, electronics, and other desirable ‘upgrades’. We’ll also compare this Donner DAG 1CL vs Fender alternatives plus many others to see how the budget acoustic stacks up against the competition.

I also have a guide to the best left handed electric guitars for beginners if you would prefer to go down that route.

You Might Also Like:

• Over 150 Easy Songs For Guitar

The post Donner DAG-1C Review – The Best Starter Acoustic Guitar? appeared first on LeftyFretz.

The Roadie 3 tuner is the latest generation automatic guitar tuner from Band Industries. It’s definitely an interesting proposition for those of you with a large collection of guitars, or for players who love to experiment with alternate tunings.

In this article, I’ll look at all of the features of the Roadie tuner in detail, explain who this device is aimed at, and give my verdict on the unit.

In 2018 I reviewed the excellent Roadie 2 guitar tuner, which already worked really well. So let’s see if things have progressed and improved in the latest release!

Disclosure: Roadie was kind enough to send me this product to test out. I have tried my best to provide a fair and unbiased review.

Roadie 3 Tuner Review

What Is The Roadie 3 Automatic Tuner?

The Roadie 3 is a small, handheld tuner for guitar and other stringed instruments. The device is placed over your guitar’s tuning pegs and automatically tightens or loosens each string until the desired pitch is reached.

Essentially, it takes almost all of the work out of tuning your guitars.

In addition to being an accurate tuner, this innovative little box of tricks also functions as a string winder, as well as a vibrating metronome.

Main Features

• Automatic Tuning Via 110RPM Motor
• Improved Accuracy Over Previous Models
• 150+ Tunings Built-In & Space For Custom Tunings
• Vibrating/Beeping Metronome Function
• String Winder/Unwinder Function
• Works With Most Stringed Instruments
• Full Color LCD Display
• USB-C Rechargeable (150 Strings Tuned On A Single Charge)
• Compact, Pocket-Friendly Design
• Capo Support
• iOS & Android Companion Apps Available
• Dimensions: 3.54 x 2.1 x 1.08″ (90 x 54 x 27.5 mm)
• Weight: 4.7oz (133g)

What’s In The Box?

Inside the box, you’ll find the following.

• The Roadie 3 Tuner
• USC-C Charging Cable
• Quick Start Guide

Setting Up Your Guitars

Before you start using the Roadie you will first need to add your instruments to the device. You will be asked to store at least one instrument before you can use the tuning features of the Roadie 3.

This can either be done on the device itself using the navigation buttons, or via the iOS or Android app.

It’s a little easier and quicker to use the app, but shouldn’t take too much longer if you’d rather skip it. A nice bonus of using the app is that you can snap a quick photo of each of your guitars for easy identification. With the app, you can also add custom instruments if you have an exotic model that isn’t pre-installed.

To add a new instrument we first select the type of instrument from the in-built list. We can then choose the number of strings and give it a name to save it to the Roadie’s memory. If using the app we can additionally create a custom number of strings or even select the brand of the instrument.

If you keep each of your guitars in their own individual tunings all of the time, then you might want to name each instrument by its model or brand. Or if you often flip between different tunings on the same guitar then it might be a better idea to name each instrument as the tuning – e.g. ‘Standard Tuning‘, ‘Drop D‘ etc.

Now that your instruments are stored, we can start to actually tune them!

How To Tune Using Roadie 3

If we now navigate to ‘Tuner Mode‘, we’ll be presented with a list of the guitars we have just saved. If we select a guitar we’ll be taken to the tuner, which will default to the standard tuning for whatever instrument you have input.

So if you just added a 6-string electric guitar it will default to EADGBE. Psst, ever wondered why standard tuning is EADGBE? Click here to find out!

Starting at the lowest string, place the Roadie 3 on the tuning peg, give the string a quick pick and the unit will get to work.

The motor will rotate the peg until the correct pitch is reached, at which point the readout will turn green, and the device will beep to let you know it has done its job. Now move to the next peg, and rinse and repeat until all strings are perfectly in tune.

It’s so simple to use, and immensely satisfying to watch it do its thing. A great benefit of tuning via vibration is that the Roadie 3 should work flawlessly in almost any environment, regardless of ambient noise.

If you’re just quickly checking that you’re still in tune, one pick of each string should be enough to do the job. However, when moving from one tuning to another it might require an extra pluck to get the string perfectly in tune.

Changing Tuning

To switch to a different tuning, simply press the right arrow once to enter a further sub-menu. From here you can select from the many tunings which are built-in to the unit. If you need more tunings you can add your own custom ones in the app.

I believe Band Industries is adding more tunings (plus other improvements) in firmware updates (so it is definitely worth grabbing the app and updating your unit). I spotted some older reviews of the Roadie 3 saying that the device only came with 10 different tunings for 6-string guitars. But my freshly updated unit actually has almost 4 times as many as that!

Inside this menu, there is also the option to add a capo, change the tuning pitch to anything between 420 and 460Hz, or rename the instrument.

Whichever options you select here will be the default choices loaded the next time you choose this instrument.

What Instruments Can The Roadie 3 Tune?

The Roadie 3 can tune most stringed instruments. As standard it has support for 13 instruments including guitar, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, pedal steel, lap steel, and dobro. If the instrument you need is not on the list, you can simply add it as a custom instrument.

The Roadie 3 cannot tune a bass guitar, presumably because the motor is not quite powerful enough for heavy bass strings. However, there is a special bass version of the Roadie automatic tuner available.

Roadie 3 Vibrating Metronome

A further handy feature of the Roadie 3 is its in-built metronome, which is a new function that the Roadie 2 didn’t have. The metronome works either via an audible beep, vibration, or both. You can also mute it and rely solely on the visual cues on the screen.

So you can use it with the click like a standard metronome, or place it in your lap or pocket and use the vibration setting (which is fairly powerful!). I thought the vibration mode was particularly cool and can see a ton of scenarios where being able to feel the beat would come in handy. On stage for example, where the audible beep wouldn’t be loud enough.

The tempo can be set anywhere between 1 beat per minute and 400 beats per minute. In addition, you can also change the number of beats to between 2 and 16, with the first click being emphasized.

A slight downside when using the vibration function is that it causes the power button to rattle fairly loudly. Not a deal-breaker by any stretch, it just slightly detracts from the otherwise premium vibe of the unit.

The speed at which you can change tempo can also be a little on the slow side, as there is no way to quickly input an exact tempo. We simply have to scroll to the number we need. Worst case scenario, it took me 34 seconds to go from 1bpm to 400bpm.

Roadie 3 String Winder

The final trick up the Roadie 3’a sleeve is the ability to use it as a powered string winder.

Simply pop the device on your tuning peg and select if you want to wind or unwind. Choose between 3 different speed settings for both.

Something I didn’t realize for a while is that you can actually access a less versatile string winder whilst in tuning mode. Simply hold the left arrow to unwind or the right arrow to wind – very handy! I say less, versatile because there is only one speed setting in this scenario. But to be honest, I actually prefer this simpler method of winding strings.

Either way, this is very useful as you can restring and tune without having to flip between tuning mode and winding mode.

Roadie App

Although you don’t need the app to use Roadie 3, it is required to upgrade the unit’s firmware to ensure you have the latest features and improvements. As I’ve already mentioned above, the app is also the only way to add custom instruments and tunings to the device.

In addition, the app makes some operations much easier to carry out on your mobile device due to its larger user interface.

A nice feature of the app is the ability to add a photo of each guitar to make managing your instruments a little easier.

It connects to and syncs with your Roadie 3 via Bluetooth and is available for both iOS and Android. Creating a Roadie account will let you save your settings to the cloud to make sure you never lose them.

Roadie 3 Verdict

There’s no doubt about it, the Roadie 3 is an excellent tuner – but who is it for?

If you have a small number of guitars that are pretty much always kept in standard tuning, then you are probably better off opting for a different tuning solution. The Roadie’s features will be a little wasted on you, and a $20 headstock tuner will be just as fast and equally as accurate.

Where the Roadie 3 really comes into its own is in its ability to streamline the tuning of a large collection of guitars and other stringed instruments. It’s also going to be an invaluable tool for someone who loves to experiment with alternate tunings. You’ll never again have to remember what guitar is in what tuning, or even what notes each tuning actually consists of!

If this is you, then the Roadie 3 is an excellent tuning option. Plus you get the added bonus of the vibrating metronome and string-winder. In addition, you’ll be the center of attention every time you whip it out.

I also think that the Roadie 3 would make an excellent gift idea for guitar players. I’d certainly be happy to find one under my tree this Christmas! You know, if I didn’t already have one…

Roadie 3 Automatic Tuner Pros

• Easy management of a large collection of guitars
• Fast and accurate tuning
• Makes experimenting with alternate tunings straightforward
• Compact size and easy operation
• Rechargeable and long battery life

Roadie 3 Automatic Tuners Cons

• Fairly expensive
• App required for custom instruments and tunings
• Too much string slack can sometimes confuse the unit

Roadie 2 vs Roadie 3

A few years ago I reviewed the Roadie 2 and was mightily impressed, but what has changed with this third-generation model?

Check out the table below to see how the Roadie 3 has improved in almost every area when compared to the previous generation device.

I would also say that the Roadie 3 is a definite step up in terms of build quality. It feels much more solidly built and robust when compared to the Roadie 2. It has a good weight to it and feels like it will last.

In addition, the soft rubber coating around the body of the unit gives it a much more premium feel in the hand.

Roadie Automatic Tuner Alternatives

If you’ve decided that you need a Roadie 3 in your life, then please check it out at the link above.

If you’d like to learn a little more about the different types of tuners that are available, and how to select the best one for you, then please check out my huge guitar tuner buyer guide!

The post Roadie 3 Automatic Guitar Tuner Review appeared first on LeftyFretz.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of having the opportunity to read through what is undeniably THE definitive study of the world of the left handed guitarist. Uncommon Sound : The Left Handed Guitar Players who Changed the World, written by John Engel should be on every serious guitar fanatic’s bookshelf.

First Impressions

When these books first arrived at the office I was initially taken aback by the weight of the package. Had I accidentally been sent two or three copies? Nope! Uncommon Sound is a substantial product that weighs in at a whopping 7.7kg (17 pounds in old money) according to my bathroom scales. This isn’t an item you’d want to carry home on foot (like I did!).

The first thing you’ll notice before opening the books is the effort that has gone into their presentation. They are contained within a beautifully printed and incredibly robust display folder which in itself will look great in your bookcase. That is, if you have a bookshelf large enough to accommodate them (unlike me!).

The books are colour coded to help differentiate between the two. The red book focuses on players from the worlds of rock, pop, punk, reggae and metal, whilst the blue book details R&B, jazz, folk, blues, country and world music guitarists. Each book very thoughtfully contains a built in bookmark – which you will need, because there’s no way you’re reading one of these behemoths in a single sitting!

From the sheer size of the books you would think that they probably contain mostly image based content, but you’d be wrong. Whilst they do contain plenty of high quality images, the content is mainly text based. Each book is about 400 pages long and over a foot tall – a substantial amount of work has gone into the making of Uncommon Sound.

Also included inside the package is a CD which contains music from a select number of artists contained within the books – a nice touch.

Inside the Books

Each book follows the same format. The introductory chapters talk about left handed guitarists and left handed people in general. I particularly enjoyed the first chapter in the blue book which quizzed well respected guitar teachers about their stances on left handed players. Here is a great quote from Bruce Dickinson, head of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music:

I’ve seen many lefties who play right handed and have difficulties later on because their picking/strumming hand is the less sensitive and controlled of the two. Typically, if they are fully left handed, their sense of rhythm in the right hand will be less developed or just unmanageable. This problem, which does not build up until later along the learning curve, can be an insurmountable obstacle. This is why I don’t recommend that left handers learn to play right handed unless they feel very comfortable with it.

I like this guy!

After the brief introductory chapters the main bulk of the book begins – the artist biographies. This section makes up almost the entire book and generally consists of between 4-6 pages which detail the lives and achievements of each guitarist. Each of the two books contain a dizzying number of artists, complete with high quality imagery of press shots, gigging photos and album artwork. Even after running a website about left handed guitarists for several years I can safely say that I had previously heard of very few of the musicians that Engel chose to write about. Going through these biographies was a real eye opener for me!

The final 50 or so pages of each book is dedicated to showcasing some of the most incredible left handed guitars from years gone by. If you are anything like me you will have some serious G.A.S after ploughing through these sections!

Uncommon Sound by John Engel

THE definitive study of the world of the left handed guitarist. These books are just an absolute must have for any guitar fanatic’s bookshelf – left handed or otherwise.

At almost $200 Uncommon Sound is by no means a cheap product, but when you have the books in your hands it plainly becomes obvious that your money was well spent. A serious piece of literature for serious guitar enthusiasts.

Update : I believe that the books are now out of print, so make sure to grab your copy before they’re gone for good. At the time of writing the books have been massively discounted, so there’s never been a better time to pick a set of these up. Check out the links below.

Uncommon Sound : The Left Handed Guitar Players who Changed the World is available to purchase online:
Amazon USA : Uncommon Sound
Amazon UK : Uncommon Sound
Amazon Canada : Uncommon Sound

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The Woodies guitar hanger is manufactured by Wia Music and is a simple, inexpensive guitar wall mount system which allows you to mount your guitar to a wall (or ceiling!) at any angle.  The product is also designed to be virtually invisible when in use, so the guitar appears to be magically floating on the wall.

On paper this guitar wall mount system appeared to be the answer to my problems as it would allow me to mount the guitar at an angle, permitting me to utilise an otherwise useless area of wall-space.  Read on to find out my thoughts on this simple, but innovative little product.

Woodies Invisible Guitar Wall Mount System – Review

Which Model?

Before you go ahead and buy one of these products you will need to ensure that you pick the correct model for your specific guitar.  There are models for guitars with straight headstocks (e.g. a Strat/Tele), angled headstocks (e.g. Les Paul/PRS), acoustics, and also guitars with the strap-pegs located on the rear of the body (such as an SG). I picked the Strat model.

For a mere $20 the system will allow you to display your guitar vertically, horizontally, or at any other angle, or even upside down – talk about versatile. I was sold when I saw what this guy had done.

What’s In the Box?

Included in the box are the transparent top and bottom brackets, 3 wall plugs, 3 screws, some foam padding, a washer and the installation instructions.

The self-adhesive foam padding is supplied for those who want to hang their guitar in a vertical position.  At this position the guitar will tend to swing in toward the wall, so the padding will help correct this.

The manual is very basic but with something as simple to install as this, it’s really all that’s needed.  If you do get stuck there is also an installation video on the Wia Music website.

Installation

To install the guitar wall mount system all you really need is a drill, a screwdriver and a pencil to mark the bracket positions.  Although not necessarily a two person job, it certainly helps to have one person holding the guitar so that the other can mark the positions.  The process is literally as simple as screwing in the bottom bracket, positioning the guitar and screwing in the top bracket.

I found that I didn’t need to use the wall plugs as I was lucky enough to drill straight into some wood.

Operation

The Woodies guitar hanger uses your guitar’s strap pegs to hold the guitar in place.  To mount the guitar in place we insert the rear strap peg into the bottom bracket hole and then slide the front strap peg into the upper bracket – simple!   The top bracket is slightly flexible to allow for a snug and easy insertion.  There is a rather satisfying ‘click’ when the guitar pops into place.  Once in place, the hanger design prevents the guitar from touching the brackets or the wall – excellent!

To remove the guitar we simply reverse the process.  Flex the top bracket to free the front strap peg and then lift the guitar out of the bottom bracket.

Woodies Invisible Guitar Hanger – My Thoughts

I decided to hang my guitar on an awkwardly shaped wall which would have been otherwise unused, and I think this is the big advantage to the Woodies guitar wall mount.  You can really make use of your available wall space in the most efficient (and aesthetically pleasing) fashion.  Although the wall is high up and difficult to reach it is absolutely no problem to insert and remove the guitar.

Once installed, your guitar will look like a piece of art mounted to the wall, as you barely notice the clear brackets at all.  No ugly foam covered metal here!  The brackets themselves are very sturdy and should easily hold your guitar in place for decades to come.

I also think that as far as guitar safety is concerned, the Woodies guitar hanger has the rest licked.  The safest place to store your guitar when not in use is in a hard-case – but obviously this is impractical and tedious.  Other options are floor stands which are easily knocked over, or traditional wall hangers which although safer, are still easy to trip over onto.  The Woodies guitar hanger allows you to safely store your guitar out of harm’s way in an attractive format.

I did also try the system with a guitar strap installed and it still worked perfectly, the fit was just a little tighter.

At roughly the same price as a traditional guitar hanger ($20 ish) I think that these are definitely a great purchase, especially if like me you have limited or awkwardly shaped wall-space available.

UPDATE Feb 2016: I’ve now been using this guitar wall mount system for 5 solid years and it is still going strong. The plastic holders haven’t discolored at all and there is absolutely no signs of any cracking. I’m confident these will keep my guitars safely displayed for a long time to come. Highly recommended!

Get Your Own!
USA Link
UK/Euro Link

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Timber Tones, those purveyors of all things exotic when it comes to guitar picks have just released a line of left handed plectrums – Lefty Tones! I reviewed several of their exotic wood picks a few years ago, but it would seem that the company has been incredibly busy since then!

With Lefty Tones, the company has selected some of their more popular plectrum materials and carved grooves designed to snugly fit into the hand of southpaw guitar players. On one side there is a simple dimple for your thumb, and the flip-side features a groove which follows the natural curve of your index finger.  As you can imagine, this makes for a very snug and secure feeling pick.  See the image below for a close up view of each side.

At the time of writing, Lefty Tones are available in the following materials – Black Horn, Buffalo Bone, Clear Horn and African Ebony. Each has a different tonal characteristic – hit up the Timber Tones website for details.

Timber Tones sent me over a few examples to test out.  Naturally, I was a bit sceptical – as I’m sure you are right now. As many of you know, I work in a guitar store here in sunny (yeah right!) Scotland. It was hugely entertaining watching my workmates’ faces move from a look of confusion to “Actually…that really works!”. In fact, I had a steady stream of people coming into the office to see if the rumors were true or if they were just being made fun of.

They feel really comfortable in the hand, and thanks to the special grooves they are incredibly griptacular. Yes, I just made up a word. You can use it if you want. And as is true of anything made by Timber Tones, they look fantastic.

Of course, if you hold your pick in an unorthodox fashion then these are going to be of no use to you.  Luckily Timber Tones have a million other exotic plectrums for you to try out. Hurray!

Why not give them a go.  At the very least, they’re a great conversation starter!

For more information:
TimberTones Website

In the USA? Grab some here.

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Gaskell Thunderbass Review

The Thunderbass is Gaskell’s version of the Gibson Thunderbird, which Gibson only grudgingly offered up left-handed last year for the first time since this model was introduced in 1963. Currently, the Thunderbass would seem to be the only commercially available T-bass for left-handers (Yes, I know left-handed Tokai T-basses exist, but they’re either out of production or were only assembled under dubious circumstances; the Epiphone version is also no longer being made left-handed). While Gibson has changed the specs on the righty version many times over the past half-century, Gaskell has recreated it in probably its most popular form.

As far as the basic specs, it’s a 34″ scale with a rosewood 20-fret set neck, made out of Toona Mahogany. It has two Belcat BJ-73 pickups with separate volume pots, and an overall tone control.

My very first impression of this bass, when picking up the shipping carton, was how light it was for its size, due no doubt to being constructed of Toona Mahogany, which is lighter than “Traditional” Mahogany (fast becoming scarce because of over-harvesting world-wide). Because of CITES regulations, guitar manufacturers are turning to other types of Mahogany. Since I had ordered the bass without a case or gig bag, it was shipped in Styrofoam, which seemed to have worked very well. Although I was surprised that there was not much in the way of anything to secure the instrument within the packing. I don’t know how loose it may have been in the container, but it certainly sustained no damage, which is the important thing, considering it came from Australia to the United Kingdom in a week’s time.

Once I had unpacked the bass, inspected it thoroughly and cleaned off the loose foam, I strapped it on and plugged it in. T-basses are well-known to have neck dive issues, mainly because the top strap pin is set too far back for the instrument’s center of gravity. The bottom body bout extends so far forward underneath the neck that it offsets the pivot point created by the strap location. When I ordered this bass, I requested that the pin be relocated to the neck heel instead (like an SG). This moves the anchor point far enough forward that neck dive does not appear to be a problem with this bass.

I don’t know what brand of tuners are used, but they feel very smooth, and hold well, even with new strings. Likewise the bridge uses a three-point system to attach to the body and seems to be very solid. The Volume and Tone pots feel clean, with no crackle (although surprisingly, the three knobs used do not match each other). The jack plug connection is snug and seems to pass a signal with no issues. The sunburst is vibrant and I haven’t found any areas where the finish appears less than perfect. The pictures really don’t do it justice (other color options are available from the Gaskell website).

The back of the neck and headstock are solid black, which I find a bit boring compared to seeing a nice woodgrain, but it has no effect on playability. Neck width is more like a P-bass than a J (1 5/8″ at the nut, two inches at the 20th fret); and its not a slim profile, but not a baseball bat either (2 3/4″ around the back at the 1st fret). It has a comfortable feel when I grab it. As mentioned earlier, it has a set neck, but certainly looks like a through neck, since I could see no obvious join. The fretboard is not bound. One thing I discovered was that if you run your fingertips along the edges of the neck, you can feel the ends of a few of the frets sticking out like burrs. It’s an odd contrast with the overall polished look and feel of the rest of the bass. So far it’s hasn’t had an effect on my playing. Also the truss rod cover (standard Gibson bell shape) looks scuffed up, like it was used. Unusual for a new bass, especially since the TRC is protected to a large degree by the strings themselves. Like the knobs, easy to replace, but another small detail that seems to have been overlooked (I have since replaced the knobs).

Strings are light gauge rounds, and the bass was fully set up at the factory. The action is quite low, and maybe a bit too low for my heavy-ish playing style. I can easily get some rattle and buzz if I play too hard. There is a bit of relief in the neck, but it’s still pretty straight overall.

The bass plays very well. It’s comfortable, and I don’t feel like I have to fight it to accomplish anything. Because I have a middle-age spread (being a middle-aged guy), I found I needed to raise it up slightly on my body by adjusting the strap. Otherwise it would tend to lay on me at more of a downward angle than I would like. Moving it up just a tiny amount allowed it to settle back to a more vertical position. Access to the last three frets is very difficult because the cutaway isn’t deep enough. However, this is known to be an inherent design fault with T-bass styles in general. So I would tend to blame Gibson more for this than Gaskell.

Electronics seem quiet, no problems with hum or buzz; Because it has brand-new strings, they have a tinny sound that I personally don’t care for. Once I’ve broken them in over a period of weeks (or more), I’ll get a better idea of how the bass actually sounds. With two pups, you can probably get a varied tonal range similar to a Jazz bass. I don’t have a set of SVTs to run it through, but with my small practice amp, the volume and tone seems comparable to my other basses.

Overall, I like the bass. I think the Thunderbass is a competent instrument for its price point, and the minor finishing issues noted (frets, knobs, TRC) do not seriously detract from the playability of the instrument. Will it replace my Fenders? In a word, no. Would a “real” Gibson or Epiphone replace them? Probably no again. But as a left-hander, I’m limited if I want to have the experience of playing a T-bass. The Thunderbass gives me that option, and I think it succeeds at doing so. It also allows me to thumb my nose at Gibson by supporting a company that caters exclusively to the left-hand market.

In the final analysis, I believe that Gaskell has faithfully recreated an iconic instrument that has always eluded left-handers. This includes the desirable features (such as the utter coolness of the design), and the less than desirable ones (you can’t just prop it up against an amp or a chair, for example). Except for a few tiny details, it would be difficult to find anything to dislike about the Thunderbass, unless you’re just not into T-basses in general. But if they appeal to you, Gaskell is the way to go.

For more information:
Website .gaskellguitars.com

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For the past year I’ve been using the hairy side of a strip of velcro slid under the strings for dampening duty – and to be fair that solution did work very well, apart from the fact that it was a pain to get on and off and move around.  So it has been a bit of a luxury to finally replace my homemade remedy with a slick and simple purpose-made product.

Gruv Gear Fret Wraps

Each pack comes with three wraps in three different colors – black, orange and brown. Edit: Other color combinations are now available!  As you can see in the image above, the design is a simple black velcro strap with a soft fabric pad in the middle.  The fabric section has some stiffening in the middle, allowing the pad to perfectly follow the curvature of your fingerboard and therefore dampen all strings with equal pressure.

The adjustable velcro strap allows you to fine-tune the pressure exerted to enable the wrap to work flawlessly with your specific guitar.  The straps are well made and should potentially last a lifetime given the right care.  Three different sizes are available to accomodate most neck widths:

Small – Fits 4- to 5-string basses, 6-string electric and acoustic guitars
Medium – Fits 5- to 6-string basses & 6-string classical guitars
Large – Fits 6- to 7-string basses & 7- to 8-string guitars

In Use

The simple design means that a strap can be on your guitar in seconds.  Once you have one on a guitar there really is no reason to take it off again, as it will easily slide over the nut allowing you to resume normal playing.  When slid past the nut it is very unobtrusive.

Very little pressure is needed to adequately mute the strings – this isn’t a capo, so don’t overtighten!  The degree of dampening can be varied depending on where you place the fret wrap.  Position it just past the nut inside the first fret and you can still play open strings with minimal muting, but slide it up the neck and dampening becomes increasingly more noticeable.  It’s very easy to reposition on the fly whilst playing for the ultimate in control.

As expected they work fantastically well when playing – especially when doing tapped licks, as literally no muting is required at all.  This eliminates not only sympathetic string vibration, but also the scratchy noises your palm can unintentionally create when trying to mute.  It really is a perfect solution for super clean playing.

Advantages Over DIY Solutions

Most guitarists who need a string dampening solution will opt for the DIY hair tie option.  The problem with this is that hair ties were not designed to be used as guitar accessories.  Hair ties do not produce even pressure on strings, they stretch out over time, they’re fiddly to get on and off (especially if your guitar has a large headstock!) and they’re not exactly durable either.

The Skinny

If your playstyle involves a lot of tapping, or you need a little help taming your guitar during live performances, or you just want to ensure that you get that perfect take whilst recording then you absolutely need some GruvGear FretWraps in your life!  These haven’t come off my guitars since I got them and have quickly become an indispensable part of my toolbox. (They also look pretty snazzy on my guitars!). Of course you shouldn’t use these as a substitute for poor muting technique, but for the times when a little extra help is required these really are a definite must have.

My only gripe is that I have more guitars than FretWraps, so I will need to buy more!  Oh, and I wish they were all orange…

FretWraps come in three different sizes and at the time of writing are $30 for a pack of three. Click here to buy.

Buy GruvGear String Muters:
Amazon USA – click here
Amazon UK – click here

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