Boss

INTERVIEW: Funeral For A Friend’s Gavin Burrough

ConduitFuneral For A Friend’s sixth and latest album is Conduit. It’s one of the heaviest records the band has ever done, yet as always the brutality is tempered by some rather complex, almost jazz-like chords. Okay, maybe ‘jazz’ is stretching it a bit but they’re certainly more intricate than the voicings employed by most heavy bands. “It’s funny how other people interpret it,” guitarist Gav Burrough says. “When you’re writing it, it’s organic and it just comes out. So what we try to do is to not think about it. Continue reading

INTERVIEW: Steve Stevens

Photo: Hristo Shindow

Steve Stevens is about to hit Australia for a clinic tour (an earlier scheduled tour was cancelled when Allans Billy Hyde went under – don’t worry, they’ve been bought by new owners now, but that’s another story). Stevens will be showcasing the latest and greatest gear from Roland and BOSS, including the Roland G-5 VG Stratocaster and Roland GR-55 Guitar Synthesizer, as well as offering insights into guitar playing and generally sharing his decades of knowledge and experience. I Heart Guitar caught up with Stevens to talk clinics, gear and his new project with Sebastian Bach.

I Heart Guitar has two tickets to give away in Melbourne and two in Brisbane. Enter by emailing iheartguitarblog AT gmail dot com with STEVENS in the subject line and answer this question: which 80s rocker did Stevens work with in 1993?

Every clinic is different: what can we expect from yours?

Well Roland are bringing me to Australia, and I’ll be demoing the new GR-55 as well as their new G-5  which is made by Fender, and also their Virtual Guitar, the VG Guitar. Regardless of the whole electronics side of it, the guitars themselves are really great. You’re going to get a great Fender Stratocaster, to begin with, and all the other stuff is like an added bonus. I’ve found that touring with it I end up carrying a lot less guitars with me because one guitar can replicate a 12-string, a Dobro and all these other things. So it’s been really handy for me.

g-5-3st_front_gal

That technology has really come of age recently. I remember trying some stuff about 20 years ago that was cool for the time, but you look back on it and it’s like “…Oh.”

Yeah. I was actually the first person to bring the GR-700 into the States. I was in Japan to do press for Rebel Yell and they brought me up to this very secretive room at Roland and they had the GR-700 there. I convinced them to let me bring it with me because we were getting ready to do the Flesh For Fantasy video. That was like the first guitar synthesiser I had from them. Continue reading

COOL GEAR ALERT: Boss BC-2 Combo Drive

PRESS RELEASE
BOSS SHIPPING BC-2 COMBO DRIVE COMPACT PEDAL
Classic British Combo Amp Tone in a Stompbox


Los Angeles, CA, December 21, 2011 — The new BOSS BC-2 Combo Drive, the latest addition to the overdrive/distortion category of its legendary lineup of compact pedals, is now shipping. Just as the ST-2 Power Stack brought the sound of a raging stack amp to pedalboards everywhere, the BC-2 now gives players classic British combo amp tone in a convenient stompbox.

The dual-speaker “top boost” combo amp drove the sound of the British Invasion in the 1960s, and remained a favorite of many prominent rock guitarists throughout the 1970s. Rediscovered by a new generation in the ‘80s, the amp’s sweet, wide-ranging tones—which fall squarely between vintage American combos and high-gain British stacks—continue to be an essential part of music styles from indie rock to country.

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COOL GEAR ALERT: Boss FB-2 Feedbacker/Booster

Oh cool! Here’s a new take on an idea that Boss explored with their old DF-2 Feedbacker & Distortion (which Fuzz Box Girl reviewed a while ago). This seems like a really great idea and I can’t wait to check it out.
PRESS RELEASE
BOSS SHIPS FB-2 FEEDBACKER/BOOSTER
Unique, Expressive Guitar Pedal Offers Variable Booster Types,
Natural Feedback Function

Los Angeles, CA, December 21, 2011 — The powerful new BOSSFB-2 Feedbacker/Booster, the latest addition to its famous lineup of compact pedals, is now shipping. Combining an adjustable tone/gain boost with the ability to kick in a natural cranked-amp feedback sound at will, the FB-2 is a unique stompbox that gives guitarists a world of new expressive possibilities.

Booster pedals have become extremely popular with guitar players in recent years. Many different types are available, ranging from straight-up gain boosters to tone enhancers that boost treble or midrange frequencies. Using the latest BOSS technology, the FB-2 incorporates the most sought-after booster types—as well as their unique sound characteristics and sensitivity to playing dynamics—all in one convenient and affordable pedal.

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David Byrne’s ‘Guitar Pedals’ installation

Check out David Byrne’s Guitar Pedals art installation:

“An interactive art piece consisting of a grid of 96 guitar effects pedals that are wired together, as well as a guitar and an amplifier. As people step on the different pedals they activate various effects, which multiply over one another, creating a dynamic sonic experience.”

Interactive Guitar Pedal Art Installation — by David Byrne from Todo Mundo on Vimeo.

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BOSS Loop Station Finals on GuitarTV

BOSS, Musicians Institute and GuitarTV.com will be showcasing the US Finalists of the “BOSS Loop Station World Championship 2″ this Saturday, October 22 @ 6 PM PDT on GuitarTV.com!

Six truly talented (and coordinated) guitar players (and other musicians- like a Mountain Dulcimer-ist) will be showcasing their live looping songs & skills at the event. Among the judges are Steve Lukather (Toto, Michael Jackson, solo), Robert “BUBBY” Lewis (Bassist for Snoop Dogg), Michael Lloyd (Record Producer), Jude Gold (GIT Director, L.A. Editor Guitar Player Magazine) & Paul Youngblood (Vice President, BOSS U.S.)

Plus, GuitarTV will be giving away the new BOSS RC-3 to a lucky viewer who is present in the GuitarTV live chat when their name is called. They simply need to RSVP to the event here: http://on.fb.me/BOSSLSWC

SUMMER NAMM 2011: Boss Micro BR BR-80 Digital Recorder

PRESS RELEASE

BOSS SHIPS MICRO BR BR-80 DIGITAL RECORDER
A Jam-Along Device and Pro Eight-Track Studio That Fits in Your Pocket

Los Angeles, CA, July 21, 2011 — BOSS is now shipping the MICRO BR BR-80 Digital Recorder, an updated and improved version of its popular MICRO BR multitrack recorder. The first MICRO BR, launched in 2006, was a big hit among musicians, offering pro-quality multitracking in a handheld device only slightly larger than an iPod™. With an eight-track upgrade, the latest BOSS guitar and vocal effects, built-in rhythms, onboard stereo mics, fun jamming and practice features directly inherited from BOSS’ eBand® JS-8, and a Live Record mode that instantly turns the BR-80 into a stereo handheld field recorder, the BR-80 is sure to become an indispensable companion for guitarists, songwriters, and musicians everywhere.

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NEWS: Boss pedal giveaway – Guess The Riff, Get The Gear

Check out this awesome contest by Boss. Hey can I move to the US so I can participate?

THE BIG BOSS GIVEAWAY—GUESS THE RIFF, GET THE GEAR

Grand Prize Wins Four Autographed Pedals and $1,000 in BOSS Gear

Los Angeles, CA, November 2, 2009 — BOSS is giving the tone freaks everywhere the chance to win autographed BOSS pedals by top guitar heroes and $1,000 in BOSS gear with The Big BOSS Giveaway.

To enter, contestants should visit www.BossUS.com/BigBossGiveaway, listen to the featured riff, and pick out the BOSS Distortion or Overdrive pedal that is used to make that particular tone.

The riff will change every two weeks, and a different signed BOSS pedal from a famous guitar hero will be given away, as well as $1,000 in BOSS gear. In addition, a grand prize of $1,000 in BOSS gear and one signed pedal from each of the four guitar heroes will be given to any contestant who enters the contest between November 1 and December 31, 2009. Contestants can enter once every two-week period, giving them up to five chances to win.

The Big BOSS Giveaway Prize Lineup:

Grand Prize
11/1/09–12/31/09

One signed pedal for each guitar hero (four in all) and $1,000 in BOSS gear

Biweekly Prizes
11/1/09–11/14/09 Dave Navarro signed DS-1 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
11/15/09–11/30/09 Frank Gambale signed TU-2 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
12/1/09–12/15/09 Yngwie Malmsteen signed NS-2 and $1,000 in BOSS gear
12/16/09–12/31/09 Lincoln Brewster signed DN-2 and $1,000 in BOSS gear

Contest eligible in the U.S. only. For more information, visit www.BossUS.com/BigBossGiveaway.

Holiday Gift Packs at MusiciansFriend.com

NEWS: My pedalboard on Tonefreq.info

Aljon over at Tonefreq.info is running a week of pedalboardy goodness, and today he’s posted an entry from me about my (continually evolving) pedalboard. Here’s the photo, but CLICK HERE for the post where I explain my pedalboard in greater detail.

NEWS: Boss eBand audio player for guitarists, VE-20 Vocal Performer

Got a couple of very interesting press releases from Boss the other day. Of particular interest to we guitar geeks is the eBand JS-8 Audio Player with Guitar Effects. I could see this showing up in teaching studios, bedrooms and tour busses all over the place quite rapidly indeed!

BOSS UNVEILS eBAND AUDIO PLAYER FOR GUITARISTS
The Ultimate Jam-Along Companion for Guitarists

Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2009— BOSS is pleased to reveal the eBand JS-8 Audio Player with Guitar Effects, the portable audio player designed for guitarists who play and practice at home.

eBand is the audio player that combines playback of full songs, backing tracks, or rhythm loops with high quality BOSS guitar effects and a built-in stereo speaker system. This all-in-one solution is ideal for guitarists who want to learn songs, solos and riffs, practice new songs outside of band practice, play along with any of their own collection of music, or create new songs while jamming with audio tracks.

Loading music onto eBand couldn’t be easier, with direct playback from any standard USB memory stick or SDHC memory card up to 32GB. eBand also has the ability to import songs from any audio CD using the included utility software.

Unlike traditional audio players, eBand lets guitarists interact with their music by changing the pitch and tempo independently, or using the advanced Center Cancel function to remove guitar or vocal parts. eBand comes with 300 backing tracks and rhythm loops which also include pre-programmed guitar effects.

eBand is loaded with powerful COSM® preamp technology, authentic BOSS-quality guitar effects derived from the BOSS GT-10, and over 100 preset guitar sounds from every musical genre. To help navigate the possibilities, eBand includes the EZ TONE function, providing an intuitive, easy-to-use approach to sound creation based on graphic icons. In addition, tuner and metronome functions are built in, keeping guitarists on time and in key.

Not only can players jam along with eBand, they can record their musical ideas as well using the included USB audio interface. Pressing the Record button during a jam-along session will create and save a new audio file with the entire performance.

The eBand JS-8 will be available in November 2009.

BOSS ANNOUNCES VE-20 VOCAL PERFORMER
Quality BOSS Effects Designed Specifically For The Vocalist

Los Angeles, CA, September 1, 2009— BOSS is pleased to bring quality effects processing to the performing vocalist, all in the compact design and simplicity of a twin-pedal stompbox with the VE-20 Vocal Performer.

The new, easy-to-use VE-20 has been designed from the ground up for singers and features some of the finest vocal-effects technology on the market. The VE-20 is ideal for all types of vocal expression, including traditional singing, narration, and beat boxing.

The VE-20 comes with all the effects you need to add unique flair to your vocal performance. With the click of a footswitch, lush vocal doubling and harmonies, real-time pitch correction, delay, reverb, limiting, and special effects — such as Distortion, Robot, Chromatic, Radio, and Strobe — can be added. Layers and loops can also be created in real time with the onboard Phrase Looper.

The tough BOSS construction of the VE-20, as well as its ability to run for hours on six AA batteries, makes the VE-20 the ultimate portable pedal for vocalists. With stereo XLR outputs, ¼” and XLR inputs, and a simple user interface, the VE-20 is perfect for serious live-performance or recording.

“More and more bands are incorporating vocal effects into their live and studio performances,” says Paul Youngblood, President of BOSS. “We’re pleased to bring high quality BOSS effects to vocal performers everywhere.”

The VE-20 will be available in November 2009.

Ibanez Guitar Centre

A95QpJWCEAA6AUk-2.jpg-large Hi! I'm Peter Hodgson. I write for Gibson.com, Australian Guitar, Australian Musician, Mixdown Magazine (including my instructional column, 'Unleash Your Inner Rock God,' which has been running since 2007), BluntBeat (including their weekly hard rock/metal column Crunch) and The Brag. And I'm Assistant Social Coordinator with Seymour Duncan. I've been playing guitar since I was 8 years old, and I've been writing for magazines since I was 18. I've also worked as a guitar teacher (up to 50 students a week), a setup tech, a newspaper editor, and I've also dabbled in radio a little bit. I live in Melbourne, Australia, and my hobbies include drinking way too much coffee, and eating way too much Mexican food. You can check out my guitar playing at Bandcamp or on YouTube, and feel free to email me at iheartguitarblog@gmail.com