Articles

Displaying 21 - 30 of 30 Articles

From time to time we publish articles on a range of topics that we hope fellow musicians will find useful. If you're specifically looking for music gear buying guides go to our Gear Guides section.

The Difference Between Overdrive and Distortion Explained

Submitted by Raphael Pulgar on Apr. 30, 2023.

Though they’re often lumped together, overdrive and distortion are two very different effects. They both work towards different purposes, and they both have a different impact on your tone. If you’ve ever asked yourself: “What is the difference between overdrive and distortion?" - you’ve come to the right place!

What Are Volume Pedals And How Do You Use Them?

Submitted by Matt Dunn on Apr. 30, 2023.

Learn how to control your rig’s master volume and create sweeping soundscapes via the use of volume pedals.

Musical Instrument Amplifier Overview

Submitted by Alexander Briones on Apr. 30, 2023.

Because different instruments have different timbres, each type requires specialized amplifiers. This has given birth to the many amp types that are available today, including guitar amps (which also branch out to acoustic and electric guitars), bass amplifiers, acoustic instrument amplifiers, keyboard amplifiers, drum amplifiers and multi-purpose amps

What Makes Affordable Guitars So Cheap?

Submitted by Matt Dunn on Apr. 29, 2023.

Matt Dunn explains the differences between cheaper and more expensive guitars and highlights how some cheap guitars can out-compete big brand names and domestic built options...

The Different Types of Guitar Pickups Explained - May 2023

Submitted by Mason Hoberg on Apr. 28, 2023.

The pickup(s) in your guitar are what allows your instrument to be heard. They’re just as important as the wood your guitar is made from, your strings, and your amp; and they deserve an equal amount of consideration.

Tremolo vs Vibrato: The Difference Between These Two Effects Explained

Submitted by Mason Hoberg on Feb. 5, 2023.

Tremolo and vibrato are two terms that are constantly confused, and because these effects are no longer widely used, a lot of guitarists don’t have a ton of experience with them. If you’ve ever wondered what the difference between tremolo and vibrato is, you’ve come to the right place!

Thinking About Upgrading Your Pickups? Read This First!

Submitted by Matt Dunn on Jan. 19, 2021.

While journalists and YouTubers like to wax about how impactful different tone woods or stainless steel frets can be, the pickups are really supplying most of your guitar’s tone.

The Highest Rated Headphone Brands - The Musician Perspective

Submitted by Jason Horton on Aug. 15, 2018.

If you're new to using headphones for music production, or if you'd like to know which brands of headphones musicians use even if you're not a musician, then this is for you.

The Highest Rated Ukulele Brands For Beginners

Submitted by Mason Hoberg on Dec. 19, 2017.

Here are the highest rated ukulele brands.

We calculated this list by taking into account more than 18,500 reviews, ratings and opinions of musicians from around the world.

How Gearank Works

Submitted by Daniel Barnett on Oct. 31, 2015.

What is Gearank?

Gearank is a rating out of 100 for music gear that incorporates a large number ratings and reviews from around the web in one simple number for you to compare.