Knobs on the pedal, on the amp, even on the guitar. How do you set them to get great tone? Does the same settings work the same for every player on every rig? Brian and Blake explore the subject. The guys also discuss some of the secrets to great dirt pedal design, and explain the differences between amp eq and pedal eq. Brian has some goats and my put them to work, french dressing on pizza(?), and Robert Keeley has got some mad skills in the kitchen. All in this weeks Chasing Tone. http://www.w...
Mar 06, 2017•30 min
You see it all the time. Talented guitar player, got his riffs down, nails the solos, but no stage presence. Brian and Blake discuss this phenomenon and what it means to “get up” for a show. Can falling short of our personal life expectations mean the end, or finding a new direction? Brian reflects on the loss of a friend and the implications of that very question. Can there be too many coffee shops? A McDonald’s coffee review, and Blake’s Empire, all on this weeks Chasing Tone http://www.wample...
Mar 01, 2017•30 min
Brian and Blake discuss how they interpret music different from those who are not musicians. Take a step back as Brian takes a hard look at his past, and how high school led him to building pedals. And how George Lynch and Skid Row played a huge part in that development as well. The guys reinvent education and Brian contemplates his future in another exciting episode of Chasing Tone. Support the show
Feb 22, 2017•35 min
Normally, Brian doesn't do reviews of other company's guitar pedals. Even more odd is for him to review another company's pedal. However, recently he broke that streak and had some fun with the Mimiq Doubler effect pedal from TC Electronics. It's a very cool effect if you are running stereo. If you're in a praise and worship band and going direct in, you'd be crazy NOT to have this in your arsenal. It's also highly effective if you run two different amps as well. It's true potential shines when ...
Feb 13, 2017•8 min
Join Brian and Blake on another Podcast adventure as they discuss what is appropriate on your next gear shop visit. Is it okay to bring your own guitar? How long should you stay before you start to wear out your welcome? Should you feel obligated to buy something ? How to deal with jerk employees. And maybe more important, how not to be a jerk customer. Blake talks about his recent live video experience. The guys reveal they were skaters back in the day. A loss in the gear world. And Brian talks...
Feb 07, 2017•37 min
Brian's longtime guitar-mentor joins him & talks toneBrian is joined by his long time high school friend Steve Townsend. You may have seen Steve in some of our videos showing you how to play Van Halen and Steve Vai riffs. Many have commented that his "How to Play Van Halen" videos are among the best on youtube. Steve shares his thoughts on various aspects of playing in the styles of famous guitar players, how to get their tone, and Steve demonstrates some techniques that he uses. We discuss ...
Feb 01, 2017•46 min
Brian and Blake take a look back at the 2017 Winter NAMM show. They talk about the new Wampler Pedal, Dracarys, and other cool things they have seen at this years show. Being Pete Thorn, Brian wants to patent volume, and that new Boss company all the kids are talking about. All in this week's episode of Chasing Tone! Support the show
Jan 23, 2017•29 min
The Bravado will be officially launched at NAMM and Brian has finally settled on his speaker choice for the cabinet. Blake and Brian talk about the process and the final choice. We all appreciate the tone palette of Brian’s ears. Brian talks about how he protects his hearing and some new devices that can help you protect your hearing while playing in a band. Pedals with rockets in them. Beer infused pork roast. NAMM Preps and the best way to get a 100 pound pedal board to LA. And “djenting”, doe...
Jan 13, 2017•44 min
I hear ya. You're saying "wha wha wha wha whaaaat? B-Dub is going to modify a guitar noooowwwww?" Nope. BUT... he did record this special "Tone Tips" podcast since he keeps getting this question over and over. So.... enjoy! Support the show
Jan 09, 2017•13 min
The gigantic musical instrument convention, NAMM, is just two weeks away. Almost every gear company will be there exhibiting along with several hundred thousand GAS chasing guitar gear fans. If you are going or thinking of going, you've got to listen to Brian and Blake discuss several helpful tips such as how to survive NAMM, not be a jerk at NAMM, and not get NAMMthrax, among many others. You will thank us later. 4:20 - NAMM Overview 4:56 - NAMM is not your personal concert venue 8:55 - People ...
Jan 04, 2017•30 min
Welcome to another "Tone Tips" episode of the Chasing Tone Podcast. In this episode Brian looks at what makes some amps take pedals better than others. And while he is at it, he lets you hear some of the features of the Wampler's new 40 watt Bravado Amplifier. Support the show
Dec 19, 2016•19 min
When you are cloning a pedal circuit, but start to vary component values, when does it become a whole new circuit? If schematically it looks the same, but totally sounds and acts different from the original, is it really a clone? Brian and Blake have some thoughts. Naming Pedals is hard. Blake has a secret project he can’t wait NOT to tell you about, and Brian leaks some info on a possible deluxe version of a certain Wampler mini pedal. Men at Work, MC Hammer and much more on this week’s Chasing...
Dec 14, 2016•35 min
Ever toyed with the idea of building your own pedal? Ever wondered if the cost of parts and your time is really worth it in the end? Brian and Blake talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly of building your own effect pedal. Amp in a box pedals. Have you wondered how pedal builders are able to put all abilities of an amp into a small solid state box? Brian shares some insight into the design process. Should the Leviathan Fuzz be resurrected? Brian slips a bit of info on the next cool thing com...
Dec 08, 2016•41 min
There are plenty of Youtubers demoing guitar gear, but what seperates the ok from the great? Brian and Blake speculate on what the formula is and where the genre is headed. And Stroll down memory lane as Brian recalls his life altering decision to build pedals, and the early days of the Wampler production team. It's here! The Bravado from Wampler. An excellent clean platform amp that was designed and built to be very pedal friendly. Brian talks about our latest offering and how you should "talk"...
Nov 28, 2016•43 min
Welcome to another "Tone Tips" episode of the Chasing Tone Podcast. In this episode Brian discusses a common misuse of the Euphoria overdrive, and goes through some suggested settings for how to get the great crunchy tone with it, as well as creamy fuzz tones. He also takes you into the breadboarding lair and plays through a prototype pedal, while discussing what happens at that stage of the pedal building process. Support the show...
Nov 23, 2016•17 min
Music is Art. Music is life. Music is a business and if you want to make a living at it, it is time you started treating it that way. Brian and Blake talk about seeing your music as a product and ways to market that product and get your stuff out there. From understanding the economics to effectively using social media to reach people, the guys cover some great tips and common misconceptions on what it takes to “make it”. Support the show...
Nov 14, 2016•35 min
They say change is inevitable. They also say as much as things change, they stay the same. So that said, Brian and Blake take a look at where music is heading and if guitar has any place in it’s future. Some artists are experiencing great success without the benefit of radio air play. As the landscape of the industry shifts, and outlets diversify will we still see any more Taylor Swift type mega stars? And in today's fast paced technological world, are the up and coming musicians straying away f...
Nov 08, 2016•41 min
Friday was a big day for Wampler Pedals with three new pedals hitting the streets. Brian talks about the exciting changes and talks about the features on the new Mini Ego. Blake introduces Brian to "Stranger Things" and the tie in to a new fuzz pedal he was involved in developing. There's a little controversy in the gear podcast world, seeing with our eyes and Coffee Talk with Brian and Blake. Support the show
Oct 31, 2016•39 min
What was that artists' sound that you were chasing, or new piece of gear that thrust you into pursuing tone? That is a question that Brian and Blake dive into this week. We have all heard about "The Thing". Well Blake is finally able to reveal "The Thing" and it could make a guitar player very happy. Brian gives up his password. (grab a pen) Confesses to crimes against the return policies at the local gear shops, and what touring acts make may shock and depress you. Support the show...
Oct 17, 2016•33 min
In this episode Brian grabs a couple of pedals and runs them through several amps. Listen to the difference in response from amp to amp and how different they sound. Leave a comment. Which amp sounded best to your ears? Pedals - Rat Distortion and Maxon OD808 Amps - Fender Deluxe Reverb, Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, Vox AC15, and Fender Twin Reverb Reissue Support the show
Oct 10, 2016•24 min
There are many "types" of guitar pedals and effects out there and it is definitely not "one size fits all". Brian and Blake discuss the effects that really have no place on their pedal board and why. Heading to the studio? The guys discuss what pedals would be essential on their pedal board for a recording gig. How many buffers do you really need? Same say one, some say two, some say none. Brian explains why you usually only need one, and what circumstance may require a second one. Questions/com...
Oct 03, 2016•34 min
Brian and Blake are back and talking about some of the "inexpensive" pedals they own that impress them. You may be surprised at some of the cheap stomp boxes the guys talk about. Having space for your gear can be a precious commodity. Brian is running out of it. He and Blake talk about some of the remedies they have found for this dilemma. Ever notice some of the older pedal circuits are not as "clean" in bypass mode? Brian explains how technology advances have improved this issue. Support the s...
Sep 28, 2016•29 min
In this special episode of Chasing tone, Brian does a special “tone tips” segment, demonstrating 4 Wampler Pedals, and how using them “wrong” can actually be a good thing. He’ll explain different settings on getting unconventional tones from the pinnacle, the catapult, the triple wreck, and the clarksdale. He’s using a whitfill stratocaster, through a mesa boogie lonestar. Support the show
Sep 19, 2016•16 min
In this podcast I'm discussing wah pedal placement. I'll show you some sound examples and you make the decision for yourself. Me personally? I like it before distortion. I'm using a Vox Wah and a Boss DS-1 distortion. Why the DS-1 and not a Wampler? Because I don't want these podcasts to be a commercial for Wampler stuff. My goal is to bring YOU value, and provide content that helps you regardless of whether you buy our pedals or not. Enjoy the podcast, and leave a comment below if you'd like. A...
Sep 19, 2016•5 min
Over the next few podcasts I'll be doing a series on "pedal placement", where I address where to place certain guitar pedals within a chain of pedals. I'll demonstrate putting them in various places and offer my opinion. In this podcast, I'm discussing phaser, distortion, and their relationship with each other in an intimate setting. Ok, not really that kind of intimacy. But still, this is important stuff! I'm letting you hear the sound when you run the phaser before vs. after distortion. Enjoy!...
Sep 16, 2016•9 min
Brian recently got his hands on a Tweed Fender Blues Jr. Not a big fan of the stock speaker. Sounds too "boxy" to his ears. So he took the opportunity to demonstrate how changing speakers can make a difference in the sound of the amp. Another quick way to get better tone out of an amp is with an EQ pedal. Brian shows what difference that can make as well. Support the show
Sep 09, 2016•18 min
You see something shiny on the interwebs and have to have it. So, you get it.. but then there is something new/better/shinier/warmer/cooler available that's guaranteed to make you sound better because hey, that Pete Thorn (or insert your favorite youtube demo-er here) video sounded A-MAZING, and you have to have that , so the old piece of gear that you loved last week takes a back seat. Sound familiar? Brian and Blake talk about it. You would be surprised just how many prototypes Brian makes to ...
Sep 06, 2016•33 min
We're doing a new special segment, called "Tone Tips". These segments are a bit shorter in nature, and feature tips about getting better done, and demonstrating them. For years I had always wanted the ability to be able to show up to a gig with my Blackface amp (which I preferred with overdrive pedals), but I wanted a Vox-y chimey type of clean tone when necessary. I worked on different variations of circuits over the years, trying to achieve this. Finally, I hit upon it. That circuit became the...
Sep 01, 2016•11 min
We come up with a new idea: Team Chasing Tone Mob! Arm wrestling etiquette. The Crate G40. What does the shape knob do? We also discuss how higher gain tones can make you disappear in the context of a band. Blake's guitar heroes? Social Distortion and his chase for their tone Brian gushes over Brent Mason and Brad Paisley while discussing their tone That time Brian played Brent Mason's rig and realized that the hands play a huge part of great guitar tone. Support the show...
Aug 29, 2016•32 min
Meet our new host? Mac McGovern??? Breaking! Cease and desist orders in the pedalboard world. How cease and desist works and how many are dealt with. In the gear world, there are many people who build pedalboards. This week we learn about an interesting development between two established pedalboard companies, talk a bit about how and why one would patent a pedalboard, and what this may mean for the pedal world. We also talk about why this could be a good or bad thing Also, Mac talks about his b...
Aug 23, 2016•30 min
