Unveiling the Mysteries of Pickups: Seymour Duncan vs. DiMarzio

With the holidays approaching, you might be on the hunt for the perfect gift for a guitar-loving friend or family member. But choosing the right guitar can be tricky, especially when you delve into the world of pickups. Pickups are those mysterious little magnets that transform string vibrations into sound. Two of the most popular brands of electric guitar pickups are Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio. They both offer a ton of options, each with distinct sonic personalities. Let’s navigate their sonic landscapes and see what makes them tick.

Seymour Duncan

Imagine stepping into a cozy vintage guitar shop, the air thick with the aroma of aged wood and leather. That’s the essence of Seymour Duncan pickups. They’re known for their classic, warm, and slightly scooped midrange tones, reminiscent of legendary guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, Slash, and Jimmy Page. Many of their popular models, like the SH-55 “Seth Lover” and the JB SH4, are designed to enhance the natural resonance of your guitar, making them a popular choice for blues, rock, and classic metal. Think of them as the “all-rounder” pickups, offering a timeless tone that fits a wide range of styles.

DiMarzio

Now, picture yourself stepping into a futuristic music studio, neon lights pulsing in time with the music. That’s the DiMarzio vibe. Their pickups are known for their modern, bright, and aggressive sound, perfect for players who crave high output and cutting-edge tone. If you like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and John Petrucci, these are your pickups. Their signature models, like the Super Distortion and the Air Norton, are built for shredding and high-gain playing, delivering a powerful and precise sound that cuts through the mix. They are very much a “performance” pickup, ideal for heavy rock, metal, and progressive styles.

Output

While both brands offer a wide range of output levels, Seymour Duncan generally leans towards a more moderate output compared to DiMarzio. This means that Seymour Duncans tend to be cleaner and clearer at high volumes. DiMarzios, on the other hand, can be slightly more distorted, offering a thicker and more saturated sound.

Guitars and Artists

Seymour Duncan

Seymour Duncans are commonly found in Gibson, Fender, PRS, and Epiphone guitars. Popular artists who use Seymour Duncans include Jimi Hendrix, Slash, Neal Shon, Angus Young, and Kirk Hammett.

DiMarzio

Dimarzios are often seen in Ibanez, Jackson, and Charvel guitars. Popular artists who use DiMarzios include Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Joe Satriani, Kurt Cobain, Eric Johnson, Tom Morello, and Phil Collin.

Picking the Right Guitar Pickups

Choosing between Seymour Duncan and DiMarzio ultimately comes down to your personal taste and playing style. If you’re looking for a classic, warm tone and versatility, Seymour Duncans might be a great choice. However, if you crave a modern, high-output sound perfect for aggressive playing, DiMarzios might be a better fit.

Remember, these are just general trends, and there’s always room for experimentation! Many guitarists mix and match different pickups to create their own unique sound.

And hey, if you’re still unsure about what pickups to choose for that special Christmas gift, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m always happy to help.

Capos: A Musician’s Best Friend

A guitar capo is a small, versatile devices that can be used to transpose the key of a song without having to learn new chord shapes. They are essential tools for any guitarist, whether you are a beginner or a seasoned professional. There are many different types of capos on the market, each with its own unique features and benefits. Here is a quick overview of some of the most popular types.

Adjustable Screw Capos

My personal favorite is the Shubb Capo-The Shubb capo is known for its exceptional quality and durability. They feature an over-center locking mechanism that provides secure clamping and prevents string buzz, ensuring your playing remains in perfect tune. Shubb capos are also known for their comfortable grip, making them a joy to use even during extended playing sessions.

Trigger Capos

Trigger capos-These capos are the most common type, and they are easy to use and affordable. They work by clamping onto the neck of the guitar at a specific fret, and they can be quickly and easily adjusted with the squeeze of a trigger.

Spring-loaded Guitar Capo

These capos use a spring-loaded mechanism to clamp onto the neck of the guitar. This makes them very easy to use, and they are also very secure. However, they can be more expensive than trigger capos.

 

Guitar Capo Costs

The cost of a capo can vary depending on the brand, quality, and features. A basic capo will typically cost around $10-$20, while a more high-end capo can cost upwards of $50 or even $100.

Here are some factors that can affect the price of a capo:

• Brand: Some brands, such as Kyser, Shubb, and Dunlop, are more popular and well-respected than others. This can drive up the price of their capos.
• Quality: Capos made from higher-quality materials, such as steel or aluminum, will typically cost more than capos made from cheaper materials, such as plastic.
• Features: Some capos have additional features, such as built-in tuners or quick-release mechanisms. These features can add to the cost of the capo.

If you are a beginner guitarist, you may not need to spend a lot of money on a capo. A basic capo will do just fine for most purposes. However, if you are a more serious guitarist, you may want to invest in a more expensive capo that is made from higher-quality materials and has additional features.

Pros and Cons of Guitar Capos

• Trigger capos are an excellent choice for beginners and casual players who value ease of use and affordability. However, they may not be the best option for guitars with curved necks, as they can sometimes struggle to provide a consistent clamping force.
• Spring-loaded capos are very easy to use and secure. However, they can be more expensive than trigger capos.
• Shubb capos, on the other hand, excel in their precision and reliability. They are particularly well-suited for guitars with curved necks, providing even clamping and consistent tuning. However, their higher price point may deter some budget-conscious musicians.

Overall, the best type of capo for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are a beginner, I would recommend a trigger capo. If you are a more experienced guitarist, you may want to consider a Shubb capo.

No matter which type of capo you choose, make sure that it is made from high-quality materials and that it fits your guitar properly. A good capo will last for many years and will help you to make great music.

In addition to the types of capos mentioned above, there are also a number of specialized capos available. These capos can be used to achieve specific effects, such as capoing individual strings or creating a bottleneck sound.

I hope this blog has helped you to learn more about the different types of capos available. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment.

Thanks for reading!

30 Minutes or 60 Minutes? Choosing the Right Lesson Length

As a budding musician, you’ve probably pondered the age-old question: should I opt for 30-minute or 60-minute lessons? While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, understanding the pros and cons of each duration can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your learning style and goals.

30-Minute Lessons: The Focused Approach

If you’re a beginner or have a busy schedule, 30-minute lessons can be a great way to fit music into your life without feeling overwhelmed. These shorter sessions allow you to focus on specific skills or techniques without getting bogged down in too much information. Additionally, 30 minutes may be more manageable for younger students who have shorter attention spans.

Benefits of 30-Minute Lessons:

• Concise and focused: Ideal for beginners or those with limited time
• Bite-Sized Learning: The shorter duration prevents information overload, allowing you to grasp concepts more effectively
• Structured and efficient: Allows you to cover specific topics without feeling overwhelmed

60-Minute Lessons: Deep Dive into Musicality

For more experienced students or those seeking a more comprehensive learning experience, 60-minute lessons offer a deeper dive into the musical world. With more time, you can explore various aspects of your instrument, practice new techniques, and receive more personalized feedback from your instructor.

Benefits of 60-Minute Lessons:

• Comprehensive learning: Allows you to cover more material and delve deeper into techniques
• More personalized feedback: Instructor can provide more in-depth guidance and address specific challenges
• Opportunity to explore different musical concepts: Time for improvisation, theory, or repertoire exploration
• Room for Practice: Longer lessons provide more time for in-lesson practice, allowing you to apply new techniques and solidify your understanding

Considerations for Choosing the Right Lesson Length:

• Learning style: Do you prefer shorter, focused sessions or longer, more comprehensive lessons?
• Skill level: Beginners may benefit from shorter sessions, while experienced students may prefer longer ones.
• Schedule and availability: Consider your time commitments and the availability of your instructor.

 

Ultimately, the best lesson length for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Communicate with your instructor to find the duration that suits your learning style and helps you achieve your musical goals.

If you have any questions or comments about lessons, please contact me.

Where do I see my music studio in 10 years?

I read an article that inspired me to think about where my music studio may be in 10 years. I’m pretty excited about it.

I’ve been teaching music for over 20 years, and absolutely love it. The studio will always be a work in progress since there are new technologies and gadgets hitting the market all the time. But trying things out is a lot of fun! My goal has always been to put together a state-of-the-art facility where students of all ages and skill levels can come to learn and grow musically.

The Big Projects

First and foremost, it would be so nice to completely finish and soundproof the studio. Having a lower floor bathroom, drum riser, and a control room would really complete it nicely. I also want to make sure that the soundproofing is top-notch so the neighbors can finally get some sleep.  It would be a lot of fun to eventually include workshops for songwriting and music theory.

Exploring new ways to use technology during the lessons is always inspiring. It would be incredible to try virtual reality to give students the experience of playing in different venues. That technology is still in the infant stages, so it may be a little while before that will happen. Most importantly, creating an environment where the students are inspired to learn and grow musically in.

The Studio Layout Today

This is the current layout today. It is so much easier to create a balanced and full sound for jam sessions with most everything going through the sound board. The computer screens were the most recent addition and made a big difference when reading tablature and music charts. This is so nice for anyone who has a tough time seeing the smaller musical notation. These lights are usually only on during the one on one lessons, but this is what it looks like at the jam sessions. Some students do request different lighting during their lessons so they can really get into the music.

A Year Ago…

Adding rubber mats to the floor really helped both with comfort and sound. This was taken shortly after getting the new drum set and completely covering the floor in mats. Still needed some amplifier stands, stage monitors, and a fogger. This was probably the biggest improvement to the sound so far. The next step was video monitors for the students to use as a guide when at the jam sessions. Video monitors made things really easy when we did the blues jams. It allowed a ton of spontaneity if students wanted to try different keys or rhythms.

A Few Years Ago…

The acoustic drums were always hard to keep at a low level and still create energy. Having added the acoustic panels helped tremendously. The next step after this was adding the electric drum set which made a huge difference. The sound can now be easily mixed, this really helped the beginner drummers out.

Several Years Ago…

I am almost embarrassed to say this, but initially I used beach towels in order to make it dark enough to get the lighting to work. We played on the concrete flooring surrounded by concrete walls. This was a nightmare since the sound bounced everywhere and was definitely hard to control. The students were awesome and did really well at the jam. But, it was a lot of sound in a small cement room.

The Future

I doubt I’ll ever truly retire, so it will be interesting to see what technology does to the studio. I don’t plan to ever abandon the traditional one on one lessons set up. But trying out new things that inspire students to make music their passion is what makes teaching so much fun. If you are interested in trying out a lesson or have some ideas you’d like to share, feel free to contact me.