Category Archives: Guitar

Book of Orange Signings with Cliff Cooper

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amps launched a full colour coffee-table book, ‘The Book of Orange’, in 2011 celebrating over forty years of their history with a massive detailed archive of press cuttings, photographs and promotional material.

Cliff Cooper, the man behind the legendary brand of Orange Amplification will be on the Orange Amps stand to sign your copies on Saturday 21st Jan at 11am.

The flipbook is a two-hundred page insight into the Orange Brand as well as Orange Amplification. Start the book from one side and you will find everything you ever wanted to know about the innovations and technology that form an intrinsic part of the Orange Amps story so far. The Orange sound didn’t just happen – it took years of studying, experimentation and testing to perfect. The book provides an illustrated history of this quest, showing how Orange Amps truly did become the ‘Voice of the World’.

Turn the book over and ‘Building the Brand’ takes you from the 1960s when Cliff Cooper established the Orange Recording Studios, Orange Shop, and Orange Amplification, through to the present day and the proud launch of the Orange Personal Computer (OPC) designed and developed in-house by Orange.

Cliff Cooper, awarded the Music Industries Association Living Legend Award in November 2011 in the UK, is an engineer, businessman, serial entrepreneur and musician who has always been at the cutting edge of music amplification and technology. When Cliff started the Orange brand back in the 1960s he quickly became a prominent figure on the London music scene. The Orange brand driven by Cliff became synonymous with a distinctive sound and constant product development that continually pushed the boundaries. After over 50 years Cliff is as innovative as ever and has no desire to rest on his (considerable) Laurels.

‘The Book of Orange’ is a commemoration of the history of Orange Amplification and Cliff’s very hands-on involvement.

Come to the Orange Amps Orange Music Booth 4890 Hall C to get your copy of ‘The Book of Orange’, meet the man, the legend, and get your book signed while you are there.

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show, News

Orange Amplification Launch Micro Terror and PPC108 cab

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amplification launches at Winter NAMM the Micro Terror – their smallest Terror ever! Building on the winning recipe of the rest of the popular Terror series, the Micro Terror retains the beautiful unpretentious design, delivering a classic Orange sound way bigger than it looks, with a size and weight making it the most portable Terror yet!

The Micro Terror has a single 12AX7 pre-amp tube with 20 watts RMS of solid-state output. It is powered via a 15 volt DC supplier (international PSU included), features auxiliary input for MP3 player or CD, and can be plugged into to any cabinet with 4Ohm or greater handing (even a 4 x 12) and you will be ready to rock.

With a high tensile steel case is it built to the same rugged specifications as the other members of the Terror family and is incredibly compact and highly portable. This is a true Orange Amp classic, with masses of vintage British character, clean crunch and full-on overdrive sounds.

Matching the new Micro Terror is the launch of the new PPC108 cab, ideal for building your own mini-terror stack and a perfect partner for the Micro Terror. The scaled down cab, is available to purchase separately and its 8”speaker delivers a punchy tone and sound that has to heard to be believed. Like all Orange speaker cabs it is built to last using extremely rugged construction and manufacturing techniques and uses our legendary basketweave tolex grill cloth, Orange crest and badge.

Orange will be showing the new Micro Terror, PPC 108 and all the other Orange Amps on their Booth #4890 Hall C at NAMM.

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show

Rotosound announce Duff McKagen, Billy Sheehan and RATT NAMM 2012 Artist Appearances

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Planet-Musician

Rotosound are at the Winter NAMM 2012 with a select group of endorsees making an appearance on their booth on Saturday 21st January.

Joining them fresh from his European tour with Loaded is the legendary metal bass player Duff McKagan at 1pm. Famed for his roles in Guns ‘n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, Duff has had a busy year what with the tour, new album and a book.

Next is the virtuoso veteran bass player, Billy Sheehan will be signing at 3pm. He is responsible for shaping a whole new generation of bassists with his fret board pyrotechnics. Again he has had a busy year with a USA tour and new album with Mr. Big.

Then back at the Rotosound booth for another year will be guitar legend Warren DeMartini at 4pm.

For further information and to see the latest new products visit Rotosound Booth ♯5596, Hall B see www.rotosound.com.

Posted in Effects, Guitar, NAMM Show, Strings

Orange Amplification Reissues OR50H and launches OR15H Pics Only Models

Posted on January 9, 2012 by Planet-Musician

Orange Amplification celebrated their 40th anniversary in 2008 with the issue of an extremely limited amp: the OR50H. Due to overwhelming public demand, Orange Amplification has decided to re-introduce it.

In 1972 Orange launched an amp that defined their sound. It was dubbed the ‘Pics Only’ due to the absence of any text, instead using pictures only on the face plate of the amp. The OR50H owes more than a nod to this vintage legend; from the method of its construction, the blues and rock tone, even the cosmetics.

Featuring a traditional single channel with a three stage gain section, the real weapon in the OR50′s arsenal is the HF Drive control. This is two controls in one! As you turn the control clockwise you will hear the power amp presence increase while adding an extra dimension of power amp gain. Along with a foot-switchable master volume, this is truly one of the most versatile single channel amps ever created. The new OR15H offers an alternative specification for those looking for a 15 watt Class A guitar amp, still delivering the vintage Orange tone and for the first time offering the Pics only styling in a smaller package.

Specifications OR50H

  • Single Channel
  • Foot Switchable Master Volume/Attenuator
  • Three Band EQ
  • HF Drive Control with Boost
  • 3 Stage Gain section
  • Classic 2 x EL34 valve configuration
  • 2 x 12AX7
  • 50 Watts RMS
  • Chassis mounted hand wired power valve sockets

Specifications OR15H

  • Single Channel
  • Three Band EQ
  • HF Drive Control with Boost
  • 3 Stage Gain section
  • Classic 2 x EL84  class A valve configuration
  • 3 x 12AX7, 1 x 12AT7
  • 15 Watts RMS

With incredible vintage tone and unmatched versatility, once heard you will be hooked on the OR series amplifiers for life!

To take a look at these and all the other Orange Amps go to Orange Music Booth 4890 Hall C. Scan the “Powered by Doppler” QR codes featured on every Orange product this year to enhance your experience with audio clips and video!

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, News

Ampeg GVT Tube Guitar Amps Back from “Straight Up Tone” Tour

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Planet-Musician

Making its first appearance at Winter NAMM, Ampeg’s GVT Series tube guitar amplifiers have earned rave reviews from players and dealers alike on a recent worldwide Ampeg tour. The classic ‘70s look and sleek design certainly elicited some positive comments, but it was the tone that really got everybody’s attention.

Fresh off Robert Plant’s recent tour, legendary Nashville guitarist Buddy Miller said, “I’m really excited that Ampeg is back in the guitar amp business. I’m looking forward to taking my GVT combo on the road …especially for use with my baritone guitar….this little amp sounds huge!”

The worldwide GVT “Straight Up Tone” tour included tons of demos at Ampeg dealers across the United States, Canada and Europe along with key visits to Australia, Singapore and Japan.

“It’s so great to have that ‘proud parent’ feeling when demoing a piece of gear to such a wide group of players,” remarked Ampeg Product Specialist, Rikk Beatty. “It didn’t matter what country we were in or what language was spoken. GVT guitar amps do not need translation.”

The comprehensive line of Ampeg GVT Guitar Amps range from an ultra-compact 5-watt head, all the way up to a gig-friendly 50-watt, 2×12 combo. GVT heads and combos are all-tube by design, including 6V6 and 6L6 power tubes for unmistakable American feel and tone. Featuring Ampeg’s legendary Baxandall EQ circuitry, which provides unmatched flexibility, the guitarist has a much wider range of tones than competitive amps. Both GVT extension cabinets feature Celestion® Vintage 30 speakers, perfect for translating the feel of the all-tube GVT amplifiers. Plus, rugged build quality ensure years of use out on the road.

Ampeg’s GVT line of all-tube guitar heads, combos and cabinets are ready for demo at Winter NAMM 2012. Visit Ampeg at their massive showroom upstairs in Demo Room 209A/B from January 19-22, 2012 in Anaheim, CA. Visit www.ampeg.com to learn more about the GVT Series of tube guitar amplifiers.

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show, News

Orange Amps Launches Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head and Cab

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Planet-Musician

Slipknot’s Jim Root to launch his signature gear on the Orange Booth at NAMM

Orange Amplification is proud to announce the Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head and cab, developed in association with the famed guitarist.

Jim Root has the incredible honour of showcasing his skilful playing with two of today’s best in American hard rock– the multi-Grammy nominated Stone Sour and the Grammy winning Slipknot. He has a wide range of playing styles, which come together to create a unique, uncompromising sound and tone.

The Signature #4 Jim Root Terror Head is modelled after the dirty channel on the same amp that Jim Root plays in the studio and on the road: the Orange Rockerverb 100. This all-tube, 15-watt amp is capable of far more than high gain rock and metal though. With a full 3-band EQ players will find it easy to dial in everything from vintage rock, blues and beyond. The addition of a tube-driven FX loop allows the user to take the tone in any direction they want.

His new Signature #4 Jim Root PPC212 cab has been developed alongside the head to bring you Jim’s full tone! The new cab is finished in black vinyl with a specially developed black version of the Orange basket grill cloth and proudly features the signature #4 plate on the front. With a closed back design, the cab has a tight bottom end and delivers Jim’s signature Orange tone.

Said Jim of the name on the signature head, “With this amp, simply giving it the number I use in Slipknot seemed logical. I’ve not been to apt to splash either band logo or artwork all over things, but this will be the beginning of the end of that…maybe”

To complement Jim’s own style and image, the Signature #4 Terror Head is formidable and attention grabbing, featuring the vintage ‘Pics Only’ logo in white on a black chassis. The rear of the amp has both the Slipknot and Stone Sour logos.

Specifications

  • Volume, Gain, Bass, Mid and Treble Controls
  • 12AT7-Driven FX Loop
  • 1 x 16 Ohm and 2 x 8 Ohm Outputs
  • Switchable Between 15/7 Watts

This is a simply essential tool for any guitarist from any playing background. Quality built for the huge sound, lush tones and high gain necessary for rock and metal music, but versatile enough to be useful in any situation!

Jim Root will be personally launching his signature #4 products on the Orange Booth #4890 Hall C at NAMM at 2pm on Saturday 21st January.

Posted in Amplification, Guitar, NAMM Show

Orange Amps Launch New Upgrades for the OPC plus a big Price Drop By Selling Direct

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Orange Personal Computers have upgraded the Orange OPC and features an unlocked 2nd gen Core Intel i7 CPU with 8 virtual cores, the RAM has been doubled to 8GB DDR3. Greatly increased demand coupled with selling direct from their website www.OrangeOPC.com makes this all-in-one recording studio, complete with inbuilt instrument/mic amplifier and stereo JBL speakers, an excellent and unbeatable value.

The new prices for the variants are as follows:

  • Dual Core  i3 2100 – 4GB RAM £795 VAT included ($1125)
  • Quad Core i5 2400 – 6GB RAM £985 VAT included ($1395)
  • Quad Core i7 2600k (8 threads) – 8GB RAM £1115 VAT included ($1579)

The great advantage with the OPC is it comes complete with premium software (over £500 in value) already installed and configured; it’s easy to use and is very user friendly. It’s ideal for making Demos or Master digital recordings. Just plug- in, play/record, multi-track/mix, and then upload straight onto the Web for the world to access. As a Windows audio workstation, the OPC can be easily expanded with any additional hardware or software as needed.

The OPC is light, portable and can also be used as a powerful computer; it measures only (h) 32cm x (w) 35cm x (d) 24cm. There’s so much more in an OPC. Go to www.OrangeOPC.com.

Posted in Amplification, Computer, Guitar, Software

Lick Library Release Learn To Play Black Country Communion

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Lick Library are delighted to bring you Learn To Play Black Country Communion with over two hours of guitars lessons from this rock super group featuring Joe Bonamassa, one of the leading lights in the modern blues scene.

Named after the English industrial area where bassist Glenn Hughes and drummer Jason Bonham grew up, Black Country Communion is a devastating collision between American and British rock influences. They are a true supergroup that delivers huge 70’s flavoured hard rock that successfully marries Midland muscle with stateside subtlety. Award winning guitarist Bonamassa delivers guitar riffs so solid they could almost have been forged in the heat of a Black Country iron foundry. His guitar fires out ferocious licks that sound like pistons on a production line.

Taking you through this unashamedly old school rock is the former Joe Satriani pupil, Danny Gill. Danny walks you through each track and solo, note by note describing each in great detail. He discusses how you can take what you learn and use it to improve your improvisation. Danny takes a look at the pentatonic, blues, natural minor and harmonic minor solos in the course of these guitar lessons. When you have mastered a track you can check it out against the performances and see how it all fits together. You can watch these guitar lessons over and over again, always being able to see what both of Danny’s hands are doing with the split screen presentation.

Included on Learn To Play Black Country Communion (RRP £24.99) are five driving rock tracks with tinges of blues thrown in for good measure. Four taken from the self titled debut 2010 album are the heavy blues refrain Black Country, the instant classic Song Of Yesterday including the full two and half minute solo, a cover or the Trapeze song Medusa and the rock pop anthem One Last Soul. The fifth track is from the 2011 second album, The Outsider which rushes at you like a freight train. These are all powerful rock songs full of cool up-tempo riff and with the recognizable influence of Led Zeppelin.

To find out more about this DVD and others guitar tuition aids visit www.licklibrary.com.

Posted in DVD, Education, Guitar

Latest iGuitar magazine features Yes’ Steve Howe

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Another bumper issue of the free digital magazine iGuitar is now live.  Each of the three distinct sections, Electric, Acoustic and Bass are crammed full of video interviews, guitar lessons and reviews.

The Electric Section: Lick Library’s Stuart Bull meets the Godfather of shred Michael Angelo Batio (MAB), plus a world exclusive – MAB makes his iGuitar debut as a columnist. Jamie Humphries meets Steve Howe, ‘Yes’ master guitarist and one of the most original players to emerge from the progressive rock scene and offers readers a unique lesson in Howe’s elusive style. Gary Cooper takes a look at the career of acoustic legend, the late Bert Jansch, while in the listening room John Stix listens as top players discuss their influences, and his video gem feature this month is on Jeff Beck. In addition there is a roundup of 2011′s best accessories, best guitar albums and much more.

Don’t miss Jamie Humphries analyzing the influence of Shrapnel records on the world of shred guitar and continuing his exploration of the Rhythm Method, Stuart Bull continuing his look at hybrid picking, Mike Casswell on how to be a pro-guitarist, Rick Graham on triad improvisation, Andy James on Metal guitar and Tom Quayle looking at the Modes.

Reviews include the Taylor T3, EMG’s James Hetfield Pickups, Marshall’s Yngwie Malmsteen head, Yamaha THR10 amp, the Line 6 combo and at least four more guitars.

The Quiet Room shows readers how to choose a mid-price acoustic guitar, reviews the Simon & Patrick Showcase 6T Rosewood, the Tangelwood T6 acoustic amp, the LAG Tramontane electro-acoustic and the Alvarez RD12CE and RF12GB guitars. Plus Giorgio Serci continues his master classes on finger style guitar.

Down in The Bassment, Anthrax’s Frank Bello talk to Dan Veal. There is a special feature on Bass Strings and reviews of the Music Man Stingray bass, the TC RH750 Head, the Washburn AB5 electro-acoustic bass and the Fishman Fission Bass Powerchord FX.

Competitions: This issue also has a free to enter exciting competition for a year’s supply of D’Addario stings and Planet Waves accessories, Plus find out who won the prizes from the last issue of iGuitar.

Issue 6 contains all the TAB for the features and lessons it includes and is available for free at http://www.iguitarmag.com/issue6 no strings attached!

Posted in Bass, Education, Guitar, News

Lick Library Unleash Quick Licks: John Petrucci

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Planet-Musician

Lick Library and Andy James have focused on the stunning techniques of virtuoso guitarist John Petrucci to bring you Quick Licks John Petrucci Progressive Shredding in Em (RRP £19.99).

John Petrucci, a founding member of the progressive metal band Dream Theater, is widely respected for his prodigious technique and a gift of engaging melodies. His stock in trade is his astounding ability to weave high-speed alternate picking around complex chord changes. Along with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai, John has helped elevate instrumental rock and heavy metal guitar to a whole new level.

Andy James is the UK’s own shredder extraordinaire, lead guitarist with the band Sacred Mother Tongue and respected Lick Library teacher. He has created more than 40 killer licks in the style of John Petrucci’s guitar playing, which can be put together to make a solo that can be played over the backing tracks included on the guitar tuition DVD. The solo incorporates all the ferocious melodies associated with John Petrucci’s style of playing, in a well though out, structured piece of music. Techniques covered in the guitar lessons are alternate picking, sweeping and string skipping. Andy breaks down each lick, showing you each note and explaining what he is doing as he plays. You can clearly see what each of his hands is doing at the same time, with the Lick Library spilt screen presentation.

Once you have learnt these incredible licks you can take them, use them in your own music and as well as developing your soloing to a new level.

To find out more visit www.licklibrary.com where you can uncover a treasure trove of guitar tuition DVDs, CDs and books.

Posted in DVD, Education, Guitar