After Baxter mentioned that he’s never had a Marshall half stack but wanted one someday I could tell he was thinking about it during the rest of the show. 👍🎸
I must admit that using in ears has meant I have not had to strain my voice trying to sing loud enough to hear myself as well as offering some protection against our drummer! It was on the advice of an audiologist, who said my hearing of some frequencies was low for my age and in his professional opinion was down to cymbals.
Baxter & Jonathan, you are the best! When you mentioned the lights and smoke machine, it took me back to 1977. I worked at Lafayette Radio Electronics and had access and an employee discount for electrical & electronic component. I made a light show with towers, floor lights and strobes. I also made a dry ice smoke machine with an old Coleman cooler, a boxer fan and 4" 90 degree drain pipe fittings. The first time I tested it was in our practice room and I filled the room with massive amounts of CO2. Now that I am an engineer, I realize how close I was to ending the posterity of three families. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking of the awesomeness. Next time I travel to the south and If I'm near your town, I would love to take you out for lunch. The service and entertainment you provide with you videos can not go under appreciated.
@@ToddTheJoker NICE Todd!!!! I’ve got the regular vintera 60s in surf green, the pickups the nice thicker 60s profile neck….. welcome to the club brother!! 👍
35 guitars and a full stack is exactly what I need. All of the maintenance on everything keeps me busy and keeps me from practicing and actually getting better.
As a 68 year old, I'm up to 8 amps ( Yes I have a Marshall half stack), 7 guitars & a pile of pedals. Even though I still can't play a lick, for some reason, I honestly feel that I NEED MORE gear!
As a fairly older player who’s new to playing and being in a band. I made the worst mistakes when I first started playing you could make. Bought the quarter stack black star 60. To this day I’ve never played anywhere including out doors where I could actually crank that thing above a three and super heavy. Bought a vibrolux lighter but still heavy same thing. Went to a synergy system. Whole bunches lighter still have the stack sound. Still have the fender sound. 15 pounds with the rack mount case. One trip with two guitars and and my amp in and out. To HELL with carrying all that heavy crap. Wore out before you play and seriously considering selling right there to not have to haul it back to the car.
Got to say that in-ear is really becoming something I can't live without. Just taking them out and sitting close to an acoustic drum kit and my ears start to ring. I think the best part of in-ear, besides being able to hear yourself, is that you cut the volume of practice and gigs down to a decibel level that doesn't leave tinnitus for the next day (or forever for those who have it). I really think the perception is it's overkill, but really to protect your long term hearing, I think it should be the price of entry for playing in a band.
Yep. The venues with good enough acoustics, wedges and a good sound guy and you won't get ear fatigue are the exception. Not worth ringing ears if you can avoid it.
I don't buy more than I can carry from my car to the stage in one trip. It saves time, effort, space on stage and in the car. I'm happy to play what is only essential to every gig.
When I was 14 in ‘82 my guitar teacher had a Metal band (of which a few members went on to different levels of musical fame), and I was sort of their kid mascot who ran their lights. My teacher soundproofed (as best he could) his living room into a practice space. He had 2 Marshall full stacks consisting of 50 watt JCM 800 heads / Lead 1960 A/B cabinets. He played an Ibanez Rocket Roll V and sometimes a sister Destroyer. I’m telling you, there’s NOTHING as magical as two full Marshall stacks at volume in a confined space. That set my mental benchmark for tone. When I’d go home to my secondhand solid state Kustom combo, I’d cry. You can’t get the full, true Marshall type experience out of a single 12” speaker. It’s the difference between watching a film on a TV with a surround sound audio system vs just using the TV’s built in mono speaker alone. It’s all about pushing air. Ironically I’m currently enjoying having a 12watt Chris Stapleton Princeton, but certainly not for Rock. I have a Marshall powered half stack too.
That one scene from spinal tap I think has done more to stunt sales of guitar radio units. You may recall it was mere moments before Nigel smashed a guitar, and stormed off stage
In-ear monitors can save your hearing by blocking out the louder amps and letting you hear everything at a lower level. I know a famous drummer who is nearly deaf in one ear and loves having in ear monitors now.
I don't get the static people give for them sometimes. If you have to stand next to mains or near the crash symbol all night, you appreciate being able to hear after the show. Probably don't need them for the local open mic night jam, but if you are getting paid, you should do what you need to do to sound as best as you can.
My family doesn't understand that different guitars sound and play differently and are used for different things- so they don't understand why I need even 2 guitars- they think 1 should be enough. I try to explain to them I listen to both blues and classic rock and heavier stuff like Metallica, Tool, etc., etc. I can't play Master of Puppets or Schism on the same guitar I use to play Steely Dan or Pink Floyd. But they think that's just excuses, that in reality I just like having multiple guitars. So, I've learned now when I get a new guitar, just put it in the collection and don't say anything- none of them even notice. I've added 3 guitars to the collection over the last year and not one of them has noticed. And I've sat right in front of them playing the new guitars- they just think it's one I've always had. It's awesome. Same for amps or pedals- just don't say anything, they won't notice.
I've used a wireless system since last spring and let me tell you, it's freaking amazing. No cable to stumble on, you can walk around and turn around freely, and during the soundcheck, you can go to the audience and hear what your band sounds like. I never go to the crowd, I don't play huge stages, but just not being on a leash is so nice. And no, it does not lower the sound quality. That is 100% a myth. All the pros have been using wireless since the 80s, and if it did something to the sound quality, they wouldn't use it. That being said, the cheap ones are not good. They're unreliable.
Everything on the list was cool and I think I'd like them Really who wouldn't want a Marshal full stack and giant tiered effects pedal board. But point is you don't really need them.
@@goryburk I mean I get it, you can get by with a cable. But you can also get by without a pick, but pick just makes playing a lot easier. You can get by without any pedals, but pedals sure are useful and make everything nicer and easier. Wireless system makes performing easier. A full stack makes nothing easier - quite the contrary. It makes everything harder, from carrying to setup and mixing. So I don't think a wireless system and full stack are comparable in this regard.
I own a 1974 Marshall JMP 100 watt Super Lead half stack and I can say playing through that amp is a religious experience. Do I need it for bedroom playing? Absolutely not but it sure is fun.
Angus Young considers his wireles unit an essential part of his sound. A good unit actually transfers more signal than a cable, which will have capacitance. Some wireless systems have a setting to mimic the signal loss of using a cable because some people didn't realize they liked a little high end roll-off. Setzer uses and extra long cable because he likes the capacitance.
Wireless is great when you are doing sound and playing in the band. Wireless and a digital Mackie board is a life saver. Also in-ears help a lot if you want to protect your hearing.
As far as a wireless guitar system goes I was constantly tripping over the cables, getting tangled up and as you get older your balance is getting worse so for a little over $100.00 I bought the x-vive wireless system. The sound is perfect, easy to use comes in very handy for sound checks I’ve played double 4 hr gigs in one day and enough charge for both. I don’t have to worry about moving around anymore.
Another wireless user here. As mentioned by others below, I play on small stages and it helps my klutzy self from getting tangled up in cables. It's a Line 6 G90 so sound quality is not an issue. I also run FOH but typically only step out front once at the beginning of the gig. (I've got mixer snapshots saved for all the venues we play, so we very seldom do more than a line check these days.) Back in the early '80s when I was touring I was an early adopter of wireless systems. Had a Samson and it was a hot mess, but I used it because they were novel at the time. You haven't lived until you're running full speed around a huge club and some punter decides to trip you as you run past. I wiped out two tables full of drinks on my way to the floor that night. Good times...good times.
#7: Locking tuners. They secure the string by pinching it and, if you tighten "too tight" the string snaps -- especially the high E. And, if you don't tighten them enough, they slacken and the tone goes **whe ..........oo -------------oww** in the middle of the frickin' song. Any medium-quality machine heads will keep the strings in tune just fine. Like Scotty said: The more intricate the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.
3 out of the 6 have the wireless (got it used cheap from a friend), the full stack Peavey ultra plus 120, and 15 guitars. Only used the wireless a handful of times and it was a good one for the time it was made. Totally agree most guitarist/bassists don't need a wireless. Some of my guitars aren't made anymore like the pre-lawsuit ESP Explorer and a few others that would be impossible or extremely difficult/expensive to replace. So if you have the money space and time to maintain them be a guitar collector. In ears same as a wireless most people will never need them. Stage lights are just a flex nothing more. Stacks as cool as they are you will not turn them up past two if you value your hearing at all.
Things I have that I rarely use: string winder, tone pipes (were with my Dad's guitar), two slides (I'm crap at slide), four electric tuners (I only use one), oh so many songbooks (some of them I use and play!).
1. Wireless - Definitely, definitely not a need, but I do appreciate it. Especially, on cramped stages and spaces. 2. IEMs - Honestly, the main reason I like it as a younger player is for ear protection. Our practice space is small and I want to do my best to prevent tinnitus 3. Two Tiered Pedalboard - I agree, except I built one to hold my Helix LT with auxiliary pedals to fit inside of a pedaltrain case I already had, so it doesn't count :D 4. Full Stack - Agreed. But they do look cool. 2x12 is the biggest I'll go for live gigs 5. Guitars - I hate to say it, but I agree. Which I hate, because they are so many classic guitars that I want to own for the sake of owning, but I have to stop myself if I feel like I'm not going to play it very much. Just vanity at that point BONUS - Agreed, but that's because lights are freaking expensive. I've got other gear to buy ;)
My octogenarian parents came out to LA from Chicago 4 yrs ago to see/stay at the new house they helped me procure and they would hang out in the living room watching CBS “murder porn” reruns - all the CSI iterations and every version of “Chicago (fill in the life threatening service blank)” which isn’t my thing. And at some point I asked my mom why they watch such dark shit. I mean, if I watched that on a nightly basis you’d eventually find me w/ a guitar string wrapped around my neck the next morning. She had no answer for me. Kids these days…
1/2 stacks are super cool, I used to drag 2 around... but my gods the shear fire power lol, the huge pedal boards are insane, like how many different chorus effects do you really need? BTW no one in the audience can tell between the SD-1, TS9 or the Klon, so why do you have all 3?
I can't live without my Boss WL-20L Wireless, it sounds just as good as a cord. I don't even use a cord from the guitar to pedalboard or straight into the amp anymore. Even at home Ill use it because I hate cords! I'll only use cords for recording or as a backup in case my wireless dies on me or I forget to bring them. I have caused more damage to my guitars because me or someone else tripped over my cord and killed my jack or just took the guitar with them. I do jump in the crowd and run around live so I don't even think about where to go, I just do it, and you can get some cool shots when you are playing live to boot. Monitors are useful if your band had meltdowns while playing live and you are on a bigger stage in which case I'll always ask for the kick drum, snare and vocals so if someone misses something, I'll know. Stacks have been unnecessary 95% of the time I see people using them but do they make a statement and plant the flag on what you are, very important in some kinds of music and they look cool.
Here's what I find ironic about Marshall Stacks; back in the hair metal 80's my friend had a JCM 800 with two 4×12 cabs. I had a 64 Fender Bandmaster with a 2×15 cab. I was not thrilled with the Fender because it was super clean even at full volume, but it was rated at 60 watts RMS and with both amps cranked yeah the Marshall was loud but you could still clearly hear the clean tone from that Bandmaster cutting through the signal.
If you move around, you NEED A WIRELESS! If you just stand there and not do much? No! You can't do multiple spins with a cable. You can't jump and run from one side of the stage to another with a cable. You NEED a wireless to do that.
The fact that you can watch the most horrific deaths and murders on TV but sex is what is going to traumatize a kid seems awful stupid to me and always has . I have more guitars than my playing ability warrants but they are so dam nice to look at
Middle pickup? My favorite guitar only has a bridge. Two I kinda understand. I also don’t need a tone control on the guitar, if it has one it stays on 10, there’s one on the amp sooo… and I’ll skip the EQ on the acoustic.
You caught me on two. I live in the country and wireless is fun to play around with. The other is my full stack amp. I’ve had it since high school. I’ll never get rid of it. I play on a Paul Reed Smith Archon 50 now. 🤘
I had a Randall 100Watt solid state half stack which was an OK amp. It was plenty loud, not cool when you have to move it from a show to your house at 2:00 am though. I used a 50Watt Marshall combo that never moved at our drummer's place for rehearsals. That was in 2006 & 2007. The Marshall Combo sounded like I blew the speaker if I switched to the neck humbucker on the clean channel no worries though it was my brother's & he won it in a contest.
Wireless is great for home use as you can walk around get things answer the phone etc. No cord to trip over on the couch, play outside without moving your amp around ;)
As a bassist, I gigged with my GK stack for years. Now I'm an old fart, I can't haul it around anymore. I use a Rumble 500 now direct to the PA. So much better all around. Thanks guys
Around 6:00 you guys talk about full stacks... half stacks... what we need is a built-in full stack in the living room floor with only the head and a quarter stack showing, and you can operate a 'stack elevator' to raise the built-in portion hidden under the floor to go to half stack and full stack spec at the touch of a button :p No tone if you don't have this.
I think those "why aren't you famous" players have discovered their own tone\style and only need the 1-2 guitars. Those (like me) need multiple guitars because we are just copying the various guitarists we admire. How can I try to sound like Jimmy Page, Lindsey Buckingham, EVH, etc all on one Gretch? I have determined that the correct number of guitars to own is the current number of guitars owned + 1.
So… I’m guilty of all of these. Huge pedalboard, 3 wireless packs for 3 guitars on stage, Marshall full stack and in ear monitors all that I use at church. So I need any of of it? Nope, but I love having it.
You got me motivated!! I've still got my full stack I bought in 76!! I'm going to dig it out and rock the friggin house!! I'll send you guys some pics!! I need to talk to you too, I need another guitar maybe you can find it for me? You guys always make my day brighter!! Thanks!!
I saw Huey Lewis and the news opening up for 38 Special in 1983. HL guitarist Johnny Colla was all over the stage. He even played from the top of the the lightning frames. No cable. It almost looked fake because it was the first guitar I had ever seen played wireless.
Marshall half stack, we all want one. Last night I was at a gig where the lead guitar player in my favourite band of the night was paying a H&K deluxe 20 head through a 1 x 12 cab. Sounded great.
Video idea; finish your 'history of Fender Amps" you guys started last year, you covered the 50's and early 60's but lets go black face, to silverface and end in the 80's!
1. Wireless is convenient and tangle free 2. IEM …. You will hear yourself (and your band mates too!!) 3. Agree 4. Agree (but when playing outdoors you do need volume and headroom) 5. Agree
I agree with that part about a certain amount of guitars. I have an Explorer for blues and country (because of the sustain from the massive body), a Soloist for rhythm stuff (the thin neck makes chording easier for me), an SE for lead (and every genre under the sun), and an acoustic (for writing arpeggios) and it's done me really well.
In Ears, Racks, and wireless systems are definitely needed when you get into a successful touring situation. Having consistency in your monitoring gives a band a huge level of confidence and freedom on stage. Stacks and even 212s are no longer needed. A 50w 112 will be more than enough for any shows now.
Good show. I agree with a lot. My band was a warm-up for mega hit songwriter Billy Joe Shaver. I had a $2000 Martin. He said nice guitar. For the road he had 2 Baby Taylors and 1 Baby Martin. None over $300. So... I thought, Hey, if I can ever write a hit song, I'm gonna' get me a Lil' baby Martin too.
Here in Jacksonville, we have a about a 300 cap room we all play a lot where bands like Melvins, Ours and the Toadies play when they come through. But you really don't need a wireless system, in ears or 2 full stacks but I know local guys who do it all! Lol I played with a guy who was amazing and used a Triple rec and a dual rec stack on that stage. Lol
I miss my half stack. I owned a100 watt Super Lead ('74) with a matching 4x12 cab. It sounded wonderful and I imagine the only thing that would sound better would be two 4x12 cabs. But I sold the rig 3 years ago because I never used it. I still miss it, there's nothing like it set on 7-8. I blame my hearing loss on Lemme Kilmeister. I stood too close to his rig at a Motorhead concert.
To the light thing for live performances that's a yes but don't go nuts. One or two D.J. lasers are good. If you can find an old rotating space heater that you take the heater off to get to the base is great for setting one of the lasers on so it's not in a stationary position. Be careful however that you don't zap a bandmates eyes. Place carefully! Check Home Depot right after Christmas for the light projectors that go on sale. Not the ones that project Santa and his reindeer but the colored and multicolored ones. You can wire up simple foot activated switches (the materials for these are also at Home Depot) to turn them on and off. Another thing I did for my band's lighting is mounted 4, three foot pieces of 1 inch PVC pipe going vertical on a wood base and then with clear packing tape, attached rope lights vertically. They usually come with a remote control switch with several different variations in lighting patterns so you can coordinate it with the song. Don't over do it and set up 27 lights. You won't have time in a typical bar gig for set up and tear down. Just two or three per gig. That way you can rotate the order and do something slightly different with each show. Lastly, a good projector with a video is awesome and you can leave it run for the set.
How about isolation cabinets? Years ago when you wanted to record on your own you're choices were blowing your hearing out, run through a load box with some form of "speaker simulator," which is more or less rolling off some highs and maybe a little compression; or an isolation cabinet. IR cabs, being able to run preamps into an interface…etc. They've just gotten so good that I don't think you "need" to run through cabinets for recording. And I'm saying this having been an amp builder and tech for 15+ years. You couldn't have been able to force me to say digital is close enough if you were to flay my skin off then dragged me through molten iron.
I just bought a '65 Super Reverb Reissue, mostly because I have always wanted one. A Marshall half stack would be wonderful 🤔🤗, maybe... Thanks guys and Best Regards.
I think about half of the hobby is all the peripheral stuff we can get. If you have what you need, there's often a compulsion to keep buying... I've had the wireless and oversized bass amp and cabs (SWR Workingman's 200W head, 4×10 and 1×15 cabs), and played mostly bar gigs and small festivals. The wireless helped keep the stage clean, and I could be pretty mobile. I just had to keep a stock of 9v batteries on hand. Happy Friday, y'all 🤘 Be good to you 🤍💛
Wireless keeps me from having my cord constantly getting wrapped around my leg/foot. The whole band uses IEMs (no amps, silent stage). Can I do a gig with an amp and crappy stage wedges? Sure, but it's probably too loud for the rooms we play. Used to play a 6x12 stack (100W 2x12 tube combo on top of a 4x12). That sounded great when opened up. Now I use Helix straight into the PA.
I had a wireless setup in college just so I could go out in the crowd. I made sure to put it to use. So much fun! It got stolen at some point and I haven't gotten another, but I don't play out much currently. No fun at home 😅
First time watching you guys, awesome! BUT some of us just collect them because we like em. I am a so so player, but I love my guitars, pieces of art! Your right, but, collectors.
Albert Collins used to walk around on a cable. Legend has it that he once went to the pizza place next door and ordered a pizza in the middle of a song - playing all the way. Brian May also used to play on a lead on those massive Queen stages. I think it had something to do with the cable needing to go into the treble booster at the time (complicated story).
Re-half stack: I have, and am looking for another, a 4x10 slant Marshall cab I love madly. (I like the 10’s as they’re quicker than 12’s) I park either the Marshall Handwired 20 on it or the Orange TH30 on top. It makes people think I’m 7 feet tall or the stage is WAY deeper! As always, thanks for the yuks. And….35 is almost enough! (Are you counting stuff like ukes and steel guitars? If not, I’m still um…”sane”.)
Small gigs 90% of the time but I’ve gone onto the dance floor to play and interact with the audience. Was fun. Love my Shure wireless. Don’t like in-ears so I always use stage monitors.
I'm going to piggyback off my earlier story. One night late Jazz great Pat Martino was playing at a jazz club that held maybe held 250 people and didn't like the amp provided. Paf, one the nicest guys in the world, wanted a 4 12 cabinet or he wasn't playing that night. It struck me funny, but jazz players like "head room" and Pat liked lots of head room. Great show and I can't disagree with any of it (this show, not Pat's all though he always was good. Next time guys.
So...smoke machine...my band loves it. We even got a laser. The problem is that usually the venue's HVAC sends all that fog directly into the kitchen. The cooks get a great smoke-show, but they're typically trying to make sure the chicken wings ain't burning! Also, one time the remote disconnected while in manual and we had to finish a song with the blasted device chugging out Dracula levels fog. I couldn't see the drummer and was afraid of walking too forward for fear of face-planting off the stage! Would never trade it in, though...
We don't need another guitar or amp but oh do we though. I own a 1983 JCM800 2203 half stack. It's amazing but almost never play it. I still need it lol
😂 well I keep notion of reality because I only have two guitar…. Of each two Les Paul’s two strats , two teles , two juniors two Martins hahaha 😝 10 of each is crazy
After Baxter mentioned that he’s never had a Marshall half stack but wanted one someday I could tell he was thinking about it during the rest of the show. 👍🎸
@Mars I still have that setup and it is great.❤
Im using a SV20h its really good for the money, sounds even better with the 1x12 Mesa EVM12L
I must admit that using in ears has meant I have not had to strain my voice trying to sing loud enough to hear myself as well as offering some protection against our drummer! It was on the advice of an audiologist, who said my hearing of some frequencies was low for my age and in his professional opinion was down to cymbals.
For me it was an E-Bow . Bought it, it's fun, but I absolutely don't need it. But I wanted it. Now I have it. And still don't need it. But it's fun.
Baxter & Jonathan, you are the best! When you mentioned the lights and smoke machine, it took me back to 1977. I worked at Lafayette Radio Electronics and had access and an employee discount for electrical & electronic component. I made a light show with towers, floor lights and strobes. I also made a dry ice smoke machine with an old Coleman cooler, a boxer fan and 4" 90 degree drain pipe fittings. The first time I tested it was in our practice room and I filled the room with massive amounts of CO2. Now that I am an engineer, I realize how close I was to ending the posterity of three families. It still brings tears to my eyes thinking of the awesomeness. Next time I travel to the south and If I'm near your town, I would love to take you out for lunch. The service and entertainment you provide with you videos can not go under appreciated.
I just got a Vintera Roadworn 60s strat yesterday, pretty sure I NEED that!
Definitely.
@@scottbrower9052 Definitely!
@@ToddTheJoker NICE Todd!!!! I’ve got the regular vintera 60s in surf green, the pickups the nice thicker 60s profile neck….. welcome to the club brother!! 👍
@@magesticpenguin2184 Thanks, I have the Nitro Fire Mist Gold strat with the hotter 60's pickups..love the neck!
@@ToddTheJoker yeah fire mist gold is such a sweet finish bro, great choice 👍
35 guitars and a full stack is exactly what I need. All of the maintenance on everything keeps me busy and keeps me from practicing and actually getting better.
I think the best is to keep things as analog and simple as possible. Tube amp of course ☺️ the perfect imperfection is what makes music charming.
As a 68 year old, I'm up to 8 amps ( Yes I have a Marshall half stack), 7 guitars & a pile of pedals. Even though I still can't play a lick, for some reason, I honestly feel that I NEED MORE gear!
I also have less than 35 guitars. I thought I might have a problem, but clearly I do not. Thank You.
As a fairly older player who’s new to playing and being in a band. I made the worst mistakes when I first started playing you could make. Bought the quarter stack black star 60. To this day I’ve never played anywhere including out doors where I could actually crank that thing above a three and super heavy. Bought a vibrolux lighter but still heavy same thing. Went to a synergy system. Whole bunches lighter still have the stack sound. Still have the fender sound. 15 pounds with the rack mount case. One trip with two guitars and and my amp in and out. To HELL with carrying all that heavy crap. Wore out before you play and seriously considering selling right there to not have to haul it back to the car.
Got to say that in-ear is really becoming something I can't live without. Just taking them out and sitting close to an acoustic drum kit and my ears start to ring. I think the best part of in-ear, besides being able to hear yourself, is that you cut the volume of practice and gigs down to a decibel level that doesn't leave tinnitus for the next day (or forever for those who have it). I really think the perception is it's overkill, but really to protect your long term hearing, I think it should be the price of entry for playing in a band.
Yep. The venues with good enough acoustics, wedges and a good sound guy and you won't get ear fatigue are the exception. Not worth ringing ears if you can avoid it.
I don't buy more than I can carry from my car to the stage in one trip. It saves time, effort, space on stage and in the car. I'm happy to play what is only essential to every gig.
When I was 14 in ‘82 my guitar teacher had a Metal band (of which a few members went on to different levels of musical fame), and I was sort of their kid mascot who ran their lights. My teacher soundproofed (as best he could) his living room into a practice space. He had 2 Marshall full stacks consisting of 50 watt JCM 800 heads / Lead 1960 A/B cabinets. He played an Ibanez Rocket Roll V and sometimes a sister Destroyer. I’m telling you, there’s NOTHING as magical as two full Marshall stacks at volume in a confined space. That set my mental benchmark for tone. When I’d go home to my secondhand solid state Kustom combo, I’d cry. You can’t get the full, true Marshall type experience out of a single 12” speaker. It’s the difference between watching a film on a TV with a surround sound audio system vs just using the TV’s built in mono speaker alone. It’s all about pushing air. Ironically I’m currently enjoying having a 12watt Chris Stapleton Princeton, but certainly not for Rock. I have a Marshall powered half stack too.
DAMN you!!!! I have 39 guitars and convinced my wife I needed them
I agree with the tiered pedal board for gigging. If it's your at home board, go as big as you want!
If I don't need the 6 tier effects board then what will I do with my 30 pedals?
Life is short - get what you WANT
Whew, thanks guys I have less than 35 guitars, glad to know I don’t have a problem. LOL!!! Great list!
Same here - think it's less than 35 at present anyway lol
Spinal Tap wireless scene from the Airbase says it all.
Don't stop making top five lists, please. I love watching you guys talk about guitar stuff!
Once I played some legit AC/DC riffs through a full stack, life made so much sense
This is about the only non-acoustic channel I watch. Thank you for reminding me why I rarely play electric guitar.
Make me a deal on a Tele?
That one scene from spinal tap I think has done more to stunt sales of guitar radio units. You may recall it was mere moments before Nigel smashed a guitar, and stormed off stage
In-ear monitors can save your hearing by blocking out the louder amps and letting you hear everything at a lower level. I know a famous drummer who is nearly deaf in one ear and loves having in ear monitors now.
I don't get the static people give for them sometimes. If you have to stand next to mains or near the crash symbol all night, you appreciate being able to hear after the show. Probably don't need them for the local open mic night jam, but if you are getting paid, you should do what you need to do to sound as best as you can.
My family doesn't understand that different guitars sound and play differently and are used for different things- so they don't understand why I need even 2 guitars- they think 1 should be enough. I try to explain to them I listen to both blues and classic rock and heavier stuff like Metallica, Tool, etc., etc. I can't play Master of Puppets or Schism on the same guitar I use to play Steely Dan or Pink Floyd. But they think that's just excuses, that in reality I just like having multiple guitars. So, I've learned now when I get a new guitar, just put it in the collection and don't say anything- none of them even notice. I've added 3 guitars to the collection over the last year and not one of them has noticed. And I've sat right in front of them playing the new guitars- they just think it's one I've always had. It's awesome. Same for amps or pedals- just don't say anything, they won't notice.
After watching too many videos of myself having to adjust or fight a cord, I got myself a wireless. Never looked back. I move too much on stage.
"35 guitars, 34 is fine." You probably don't need them. I'm almost double at that. Guilty, but it feels so good to have all that wood.
I've used a wireless system since last spring and let me tell you, it's freaking amazing. No cable to stumble on, you can walk around and turn around freely, and during the soundcheck, you can go to the audience and hear what your band sounds like.
I never go to the crowd, I don't play huge stages, but just not being on a leash is so nice.
And no, it does not lower the sound quality. That is 100% a myth. All the pros have been using wireless since the 80s, and if it did something to the sound quality, they wouldn't use it.
That being said, the cheap ones are not good. They're unreliable.
Everything on the list was cool and I think I'd like them Really who wouldn't want a Marshal full stack and giant tiered effects pedal board. But point is you don't really need them.
@@goryburk I mean I get it, you can get by with a cable. But you can also get by without a pick, but pick just makes playing a lot easier. You can get by without any pedals, but pedals sure are useful and make everything nicer and easier. Wireless system makes performing easier. A full stack makes nothing easier - quite the contrary. It makes everything harder, from carrying to setup and mixing. So I don't think a wireless system and full stack are comparable in this regard.
I used a cheaper unit and it actually made me sound better because it took some the high end off and made my sound warmer
Totally agree
They are easier on your output jack, too.
I own a 1974 Marshall JMP 100 watt Super Lead half stack and I can say playing through that amp is a religious experience. Do I need it for bedroom playing? Absolutely not but it sure is fun.
Angus Young considers his wireles unit an essential part of his sound. A good unit actually transfers more signal than a cable, which will have capacitance. Some wireless systems have a setting to mimic the signal loss of using a cable because some people didn't realize they liked a little high end roll-off. Setzer uses and extra long cable because he likes the capacitance.
Solo Dallas Schaffer. It’s what gave him his sound and ability to run around!
✌️🤪🎸🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶
Wireless is great when you are doing sound and playing in the band. Wireless and a digital Mackie board is a life saver. Also in-ears help a lot if you want to protect your hearing.
As far as a wireless guitar system goes I was constantly tripping over the cables, getting tangled up and as you get older your balance is getting worse so for a little over $100.00 I bought the x-vive wireless system. The sound is perfect, easy to use comes in very handy for sound checks I’ve played double 4 hr gigs in one day and enough charge for both. I don’t have to worry about moving around anymore.
Another wireless user here. As mentioned by others below, I play on small stages and it helps my klutzy self from getting tangled up in cables. It's a Line 6 G90 so sound quality is not an issue. I also run FOH but typically only step out front once at the beginning of the gig. (I've got mixer snapshots saved for all the venues we play, so we very seldom do more than a line check these days.) Back in the early '80s when I was touring I was an early adopter of wireless systems. Had a Samson and it was a hot mess, but I used it because they were novel at the time. You haven't lived until you're running full speed around a huge club and some punter decides to trip you as you run past. I wiped out two tables full of drinks on my way to the floor that night. Good times...good times.
#7: Locking tuners.
They secure the string by pinching it and, if you tighten "too tight" the string snaps -- especially the high E.
And, if you don't tighten them enough, they slacken and the tone goes
**whe
..........oo
-------------oww**
in the middle of the frickin' song.
Any medium-quality machine heads will keep the strings in tune just fine.
Like Scotty said: The more intricate the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain.
It’s called G.A.S. , gear acquisition syndrome. I’m not sure it’s treatable but it sure is fun.😂
My wife thinks I have too many guitars, but I don’t even have one of each!
You guys are right, 2 electrics and an acoustic. Single coils, humbuckers, and acoustic.
Ya know what's funny is when you have a Half Stack in your Room for Practice...the Neighbors LOVED me...
Thank you for that last part. I totally agree!
3 out of the 6 have the wireless (got it used cheap from a friend), the full stack Peavey ultra plus 120, and 15 guitars. Only used the wireless a handful of times and it was a good one for the time it was made. Totally agree most guitarist/bassists don't need a wireless. Some of my guitars aren't made anymore like the pre-lawsuit ESP Explorer and a few others that would be impossible or extremely difficult/expensive to replace. So if you have the money space and time to maintain them be a guitar collector. In ears same as a wireless most people will never need them. Stage lights are just a flex nothing more. Stacks as cool as they are you will not turn them up past two if you value your hearing at all.
I agree with all except the last one ...I have have to many guitars now but I always see one or want another one...🤘😂😂😂
Things I have that I rarely use: string winder, tone pipes (were with my Dad's guitar), two slides (I'm crap at slide), four electric tuners (I only use one), oh so many songbooks (some of them I use and play!).
String winder number one answer.
i've never heard of tone pipes. i'm guessing i don't need em. haha.
@@savethedandelions Think a set of pan pipes, only there are 6 of them, each pitched for a guitar string in standard tuning
@@savethedandelions They were small plastic or metal pipes with reeds in, six of them, one each for E-A-D-G-B-E. For tuning to.
1. Wireless - Definitely, definitely not a need, but I do appreciate it. Especially, on cramped stages and spaces.
2. IEMs - Honestly, the main reason I like it as a younger player is for ear protection. Our practice space is small and I want to do my best to prevent tinnitus
3. Two Tiered Pedalboard - I agree, except I built one to hold my Helix LT with auxiliary pedals to fit inside of a pedaltrain case I already had, so it doesn't count :D
4. Full Stack - Agreed. But they do look cool. 2x12 is the biggest I'll go for live gigs
5. Guitars - I hate to say it, but I agree. Which I hate, because they are so many classic guitars that I want to own for the sake of owning, but I have to stop myself if I feel like I'm not going to play it very much. Just vanity at that point
BONUS - Agreed, but that's because lights are freaking expensive. I've got other gear to buy ;)
My octogenarian parents came out to LA from Chicago 4 yrs ago to see/stay at the new house they helped me procure and they would hang out in the living room watching CBS “murder porn” reruns - all the CSI iterations and every version of “Chicago (fill in the life threatening service blank)” which isn’t my thing. And at some point I asked my mom why they watch such dark shit. I mean, if I watched that on a nightly basis you’d eventually find me w/ a guitar string wrapped around my neck the next morning. She had no answer for me. Kids these days…
1/2 stacks are super cool, I used to drag 2 around... but my gods the shear fire power lol, the huge pedal boards are insane, like how many different chorus effects do you really need? BTW no one in the audience can tell between the SD-1, TS9 or the Klon, so why do you have all 3?
I can't live without my Boss WL-20L Wireless, it sounds just as good as a cord. I don't even use a cord from the guitar to pedalboard or straight into the amp anymore. Even at home Ill use it because I hate cords! I'll only use cords for recording or as a backup in case my wireless dies on me or I forget to bring them. I have caused more damage to my guitars because me or someone else tripped over my cord and killed my jack or just took the guitar with them. I do jump in the crowd and run around live so I don't even think about where to go, I just do it, and you can get some cool shots when you are playing live to boot. Monitors are useful if your band had meltdowns while playing live and you are on a bigger stage in which case I'll always ask for the kick drum, snare and vocals so if someone misses something, I'll know. Stacks have been unnecessary 95% of the time I see people using them but do they make a statement and plant the flag on what you are, very important in some kinds of music and they look cool.
Here's what I find ironic about Marshall Stacks; back in the hair metal 80's my friend had a JCM 800 with two 4×12 cabs. I had a 64 Fender Bandmaster with a 2×15 cab. I was not thrilled with the Fender because it was super clean even at full volume, but it was rated at 60 watts RMS and with both amps cranked yeah the Marshall was loud but you could still clearly hear the clean tone from that Bandmaster cutting through the signal.
Baxter and Jonathan, you guys are great together. Really enjoy your content. And you do need a Marshall half stack in the living room :)
If you move around, you NEED A WIRELESS! If you just stand there and not do much? No! You can't do multiple spins with a cable. You can't jump and run from one side of the stage to another with a cable. You NEED a wireless to do that.
Personalized guitar picks.
You two are one of the best comedy double acts I’ve seen in a long time 😂
The fact that you can watch the most horrific deaths and murders on TV but sex is what is going to traumatize a kid seems awful stupid to me and always has . I have more guitars than my playing ability warrants but they are so dam nice to look at
Middle pickup? My favorite guitar only has a bridge. Two I kinda understand. I also don’t need a tone control on the guitar, if it has one it stays on 10, there’s one on the amp sooo… and I’ll skip the EQ on the acoustic.
You caught me on two. I live in the country and wireless is fun to play around with. The other is my full stack amp. I’ve had it since high school. I’ll never get rid of it. I play on a Paul Reed Smith Archon 50 now. 🤘
I had a Randall 100Watt solid state half stack which was an OK amp. It was plenty loud, not cool when you have to move it from a show to your house at 2:00 am though. I used a 50Watt Marshall combo that never moved at our drummer's place for rehearsals. That was in 2006 & 2007. The Marshall Combo sounded like I blew the speaker if I switched to the neck humbucker on the clean channel no worries though it was my brother's & he won it in a contest.
Wireless is great for home use as you can walk around get things answer the phone etc. No cord to trip over on the couch, play outside without moving your amp around ;)
As a bassist, I gigged with my GK stack for years. Now I'm an old fart, I can't haul it around anymore. I use a Rumble 500 now direct to the PA. So much better all around. Thanks guys
Around 6:00 you guys talk about full stacks... half stacks... what we need is a built-in full stack in the living room floor with only the head and a quarter stack showing, and you can operate a 'stack elevator' to raise the built-in portion hidden under the floor to go to half stack and full stack spec at the touch of a button :p No tone if you don't have this.
As a proud owner of a Marshall stack, I am unclear on your definition of “need”…
I think those "why aren't you famous" players have discovered their own tone\style and only need the 1-2 guitars. Those (like me) need multiple guitars because we are just copying the various guitarists we admire. How can I try to sound like Jimmy Page, Lindsey Buckingham, EVH, etc all on one Gretch? I have determined that the correct number of guitars to own is the current number of guitars owned + 1.
We needed lights for a show and we had an old string of X-mas lights we tossed on the floor,,,cool effect!
I own 11 4x12" speaker cabs.
I would like you guys to do a list of things you purchased that are collecting dust. For me, it would be two amp stands.
I use amp stands when they are available
I want one for at home
I thought I had everything I needed until I read your post >:P
Lots of pedals, amps and guitars - gathering dust *sigh*.... Lots of happy guitar dealers with my money 😂
So… I’m guilty of all of these. Huge pedalboard, 3 wireless packs for 3 guitars on stage, Marshall full stack and in ear monitors all that I use at church. So I need any of of it? Nope, but I love having it.
You got me motivated!! I've still got my full stack I bought in 76!! I'm going to dig it out and rock the friggin house!! I'll send you guys some pics!! I need to talk to you too, I need another guitar maybe you can find it for me? You guys always make my day brighter!! Thanks!!
I saw Huey Lewis and the news opening up for 38 Special in 1983. HL guitarist Johnny Colla was all over the stage. He even played from the top of the the lightning frames. No cable. It almost looked fake because it was the first guitar I had ever seen played wireless.
Thanks for the birthday laugh! I'm officially "early 60's" and I needed some levity in my day!
Marshall half stack, we all want one. Last night I was at a gig where the lead guitar player in my favourite band of the night was paying a H&K deluxe 20 head through a 1 x 12 cab. Sounded great.
Video idea; finish your 'history of Fender Amps" you guys started last year, you covered the 50's and early 60's but lets go black face, to silverface and end in the 80's!
Why end in the 80s?
What about the cool Custom Shop amps that came out in the 90s like the Vibro King and the Rumble bass amp?
1. Wireless is convenient and tangle free
2. IEM …. You will hear yourself (and your band mates too!!)
3. Agree
4. Agree (but when playing outdoors you do need volume and headroom)
5. Agree
I agree with that part about a certain amount of guitars. I have an Explorer for blues and country (because of the sustain from the massive body), a Soloist for rhythm stuff (the thin neck makes chording easier for me), an SE for lead (and every genre under the sun), and an acoustic (for writing arpeggios) and it's done me really well.
I still gig a Marshall half stack all the time, it sucks to move around but it's amazing to use
All I heard was that up to 34 guitars is OK. 👍
What if you want to pass a guitar down to your grandchildren that you played and you have 12 grandchildren that play?
You guys make the best guitar-centric talk show on UA-cam
In Ears, Racks, and wireless systems are definitely needed when you get into a successful touring situation.
Having consistency in your monitoring gives a band a huge level of confidence and freedom on stage.
Stacks and even 212s are no longer needed. A 50w 112 will be more than enough for any shows now.
Good show. I agree with a lot. My band was a warm-up for mega hit songwriter Billy Joe Shaver. I had a $2000 Martin. He said nice guitar. For the road he had 2 Baby Taylors and 1 Baby Martin. None over $300. So... I thought, Hey, if I can ever write a hit song, I'm gonna' get me a Lil' baby Martin too.
People and Their Problems is one of the greatest songs ever. Billy Joe was awesome.
Here in Jacksonville, we have a about a 300 cap room we all play a lot where bands like Melvins, Ours and the Toadies play when they come through. But you really don't need a wireless system, in ears or 2 full stacks but I know local guys who do it all! Lol I played with a guy who was amazing and used a Triple rec and a dual rec stack on that stage. Lol
I miss my half stack. I owned a100 watt Super Lead ('74) with a matching 4x12 cab. It sounded wonderful and I imagine the only thing that would sound better would be two 4x12 cabs. But I sold the rig 3 years ago because I never used it. I still miss it, there's nothing like it set on 7-8. I blame my hearing loss on Lemme Kilmeister. I stood too close to his rig at a Motorhead concert.
What if I'm tired of my guitar cable getting caught on my pedalboard
I’ve been wanting a Marshall half stack my whole guitar playing life. The only thing stopping me is how the hell I’d transport it.
Don’t forget the road cases
We don't need dozens of pedals...I can quit whenever I want!😂
Would like to know your thoughts on ear plugs for musicians.
To the light thing for live performances that's a yes but don't go nuts. One or two D.J. lasers are good. If you can find an old rotating space heater that you take the heater off to get to the base is great for setting one of the lasers on so it's not in a stationary position. Be careful however that you don't zap a bandmates eyes. Place carefully! Check Home Depot right after Christmas for the light projectors that go on sale. Not the ones that project Santa and his reindeer but the colored and multicolored ones. You can wire up simple foot activated switches (the materials for these are also at Home Depot) to turn them on and off. Another thing I did for my band's lighting is mounted 4, three foot pieces of 1 inch PVC pipe going vertical on a wood base and then with clear packing tape, attached rope lights vertically. They usually come with a remote control switch with several different variations in lighting patterns so you can coordinate it with the song. Don't over do it and set up 27 lights. You won't have time in a typical bar gig for set up and tear down. Just two or three per gig. That way you can rotate the order and do something slightly different with each show. Lastly, a good projector with a video is awesome and you can leave it run for the set.
How about isolation cabinets? Years ago when you wanted to record on your own you're choices were blowing your hearing out, run through a load box with some form of "speaker simulator," which is more or less rolling off some highs and maybe a little compression; or an isolation cabinet. IR cabs, being able to run preamps into an interface…etc. They've just gotten so good that I don't think you "need" to run through cabinets for recording. And I'm saying this having been an amp builder and tech for 15+ years. You couldn't have been able to force me to say digital is close enough if you were to flay my skin off then dragged me through molten iron.
I just bought a '65 Super Reverb Reissue, mostly because I have always wanted one. A Marshall half stack would be wonderful 🤔🤗, maybe... Thanks guys and Best Regards.
I hate having stuff in my ears, but I could go for over ear headphones
I think about half of the hobby is all the peripheral stuff we can get.
If you have what you need, there's often a compulsion to keep buying...
I've had the wireless and oversized bass amp and cabs (SWR Workingman's 200W head, 4×10 and 1×15 cabs), and played mostly bar gigs and small festivals. The wireless helped keep the stage clean, and I could be pretty mobile. I just had to keep a stock of 9v batteries on hand.
Happy Friday, y'all 🤘
Be good to you 🤍💛
Wireless keeps me from having my cord constantly getting wrapped around my leg/foot. The whole band uses IEMs (no amps, silent stage). Can I do a gig with an amp and crappy stage wedges? Sure, but it's probably too loud for the rooms we play. Used to play a 6x12 stack (100W 2x12 tube combo on top of a 4x12). That sounded great when opened up. Now I use Helix straight into the PA.
I had a wireless setup in college just so I could go out in the crowd. I made sure to put it to use. So much fun! It got stolen at some point and I haven't gotten another, but I don't play out much currently. No fun at home 😅
First time watching you guys, awesome! BUT some of us just collect them because we like em. I am a so so player, but I love my guitars, pieces of art! Your right, but, collectors.
Albert Collins used to walk around on a cable. Legend has it that he once went to the pizza place next door and ordered a pizza in the middle of a song - playing all the way.
Brian May also used to play on a lead on those massive Queen stages. I think it had something to do with the cable needing to go into the treble booster at the time (complicated story).
It is getting to where you have to use in-ears at most of the bars down on Broadway here in Nashville.
I don’t need a Sunn model T but I really want one.
Re-half stack: I have, and am looking for another, a 4x10 slant Marshall cab I love madly. (I like the 10’s as they’re quicker than 12’s) I park either the Marshall Handwired 20 on it or the Orange TH30 on top. It makes people think I’m 7 feet tall or the stage is WAY deeper!
As always, thanks for the yuks. And….35 is almost enough! (Are you counting stuff like ukes and steel guitars? If not, I’m still um…”sane”.)
Small gigs 90% of the time but I’ve gone onto the dance floor to play and interact with the audience. Was fun. Love my Shure wireless. Don’t like in-ears so I always use stage monitors.
I'm going to piggyback off my earlier story. One night late Jazz great Pat Martino was playing at a jazz club that held maybe held 250 people and didn't like the amp provided. Paf, one the nicest guys in the world, wanted a 4 12 cabinet or he wasn't playing that night. It struck me funny, but jazz players like "head room" and Pat liked lots of head room. Great show and I can't disagree with any of it (this show, not Pat's all though he always was good. Next time guys.
So...smoke machine...my band loves it. We even got a laser. The problem is that usually the venue's HVAC sends all that fog directly into the kitchen. The cooks get a great smoke-show, but they're typically trying to make sure the chicken wings ain't burning! Also, one time the remote disconnected while in manual and we had to finish a song with the blasted device chugging out Dracula levels fog. I couldn't see the drummer and was afraid of walking too forward for fear of face-planting off the stage! Would never trade it in, though...
We don't need another guitar or amp but oh do we though. I own a 1983 JCM800 2203 half stack. It's amazing but almost never play it. I still need it lol
😂 well I keep notion of reality because I only have two guitar…. Of each two Les Paul’s two strats , two teles , two juniors two Martins hahaha 😝 10 of each is crazy
Baxter=chihuahua-greatest analogy of all time.