Gear Tips | GC Riffs

{ "siteName" : "/gc", "mobileAppSrcCode" : "GCDIRECTSOURCECODE1", "GCNav" : "newGCNav1", "segmentCookie" : "", "mobileAppItunesBanner" : "true", "enableClarip": true, "claripConsentJSUrl": "https://cdn.clarip.com/gci/clarip_consent.js", "claripDomain": "https://gci.clarip.com/", "sourceCodeId" : "7700001", "sourceName" : "GCDIRECTSOURCECODE1", "sourceSegment" : "Direct", "profileZipcode" : "", "jsonLdEnabled" : "true", "profileStoreId" : "", "onlineOnlyLessons" : "false", "defaultLessonsStoreId" : "101", "profileStoreName" : "", "contextPath" : "", "imageResizeEnabled" : "true", "unicaEnv" : "site-prod", "staticContentUrl" : "https://static.guitarcenter.com", "styleStaticContentUrl" : "https://static.guitarcenter.com", "catalogAssetStaticContentUrl" : "https://static.guitarcenter.com", "scene7StaticContentUrl" : "https://media.guitarcenter.com/is/image/", "scene7BasePath" : "MMGS7/", "staticVersion" : "2026.02.26.ECMD-GC-7.7.40.1.a&cb=18", "versionParam" : "?vId=2026.02.26.ECMD-GC-7.7.40.1.a&cb=18", "customerService" : "866-498-7882", "profileID" : "8883587108", "contentKey": "", "isInternational": "false", "isWarrantyShippable": "true", "isInternationalCommerceEnabled": "false", "currencySymbol": "$", "profileCountryCode": "US", "profileCurrencyCode": "USD", "audioEyeEnabled" : "true", "applePayEnabled":"false", "oLOnExitNumber": "0", "liveChat" : "false", "cookieLoggedIn" : false, "richRelevanceMode":"render", "richRelevanceApiKey":"9ed4604c5beebd43", "richRelevanceUserId":"", "richRelevanceSessionId":"140df66149d3e23901fc3580ead5493", "rrBaseUrl":"//recs.richrelevance.com/rrserver/", "rrChannelId":"-", "hashedUserIdForCriteo":"", "rrTimeout":"10000", "isEducatorAccount": "false", "sessionIsDC": "false", "fullyLoggedIn" : false, "welcomeMat" : "false", "powerReviewsUrl" : "//static.guitarcenter.com/", "prodEnvEnabled" : true, "isMobile":"false", "madMobileEnabled" : false, "rrLoadAtgRecs":"false", "janrainAppDomain":"https://login.guitarcenter.com", "janrainAppId":"fpfceefgnphmdjjkhnio", "janrainAppName":"login.guitarcenter.com", "endecaCookieSortEnabled":"true", "enableInstoreOnlyAddToCart":"false", "JSESSIONID":"f_IkswTo2h2xcUi2cpudn7F8ONgxaYvj-3sf0H_q.atgbotc01", "isHum" : "true", "showEloyalty": "true" , "fortivaCardName":"Essentials Card" , "enableSiteForCurbside":true, "storePickUpMode":"both" , "gcProExperience":"false", "enableSingleLessonsPurchase":"false", "gcProApproved":"false", "gcProCheckout" : "false", "gcProStatus" : "NeverApplied", "gcProSplitCart" : "true" ,"rioBaseUrl":"https://rqw9jvf3hj.execute-api.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/prod/v1/search", "riokey":"" }

Latest Post in product-demos:

Latest Post in news:

Latest Post in gear-tips:

Latest Post in buying-guides:

Latest Post in interviews:

Gear Tips

The History of the Fuzz Pedal

Learn about the incredible story and evolution of the fuzz pedal.

Gear Tips
26 Feb 2025
The Definitive EQ Cheat Sheet for Mixing

We’ve put together the following EQ tips and charts to help you get on the way to fixing, enhancing and even redefining the sound of your tracks and shows.

Gear Tips
25 Feb 2025
Fender Jazzmaster vs. Fender Jaguar: Which One Suits You Best?

Are you Team Jazzmaster or Team Jaguar? We go through the key differences and similarities of Fender's iconic offsets to help you decide.

Gear Tips
19 Feb 2025
Decoding Fender Serial Numbers

In this article, we’ll help you navigate the maze of Fender’s serialization practices, equipping you with the knowledge to understand how to date your Fender guitar or bass, so you can trace your instrument’s history with confidence and accuracy.

Gear Tips
13 Feb 2025
How to Master for Streaming

In the following article, we’re going to break down the best practices for mastering your music for streaming and give you the inside scoop on what you can do to make sure your music sounds the best it can, no matter where it’s being listened to.

Gear Tips
12 Feb 2025
Comparing Guitar Pickups: Humbucker vs. Single Coil vs. P90

Many pickup designs have come and gone, but the vast majority of pickups today fall into one of three types: individual pole-piece single coil, humbucker and P90-style. These three types form the backbone of electric guitar tones, and we'll be diving into each one in detail.

Gear Tips
03 Jan 2025
The Famous Sounds and Songs of the KORG M1

Learn the story of the KORG M1 music workstation with exclusive insights from voicing manager Jack Hotop.

Gear Tips
31 Dec 2024
A Deeper Dive Into the Superstrat

Explore the history of the Superstrat, from its inception to its lasting legacy, and dive into the features and brands that have defined this groundbreaking approach to guitar design and manufacturing.

Gear Tips
27 Dec 2024
A Closer Look at the LEWITT Audio RAY | In-Focus Audio

Founded by Roman Perschon in 2009, and driven by an international team headquartered in Vienna, LEWITT Audio has been at the forefront of microphone innovation in the modern era. The groundbreaking LEWITT Audio RAY is yet another feature-rich entry in the brand’s lineup, redefining what a contemporary condenser microphone can be.

Gear Tips
23 Dec 2024
The Story of the Höfner Violin Bass

Learn about the distinctive design and rich history of this iconic instrument.

Gear Tips
23 Dec 2024
What Is the Difference Between Mixing and Mastering?

In this article, we’re going to break down the differences between mixing and mastering so that you can make the best decisions possible when it comes to the techniques and gear you need to take your productions from fledgling recordings to finely polished masterpieces.

Gear Tips
18 Dec 2024
What Is the Difference Between Active and Passive Pickups?

In this article, we’ll break down the basics of active and passive pickups, explore their pros and cons, and share some of our favorite examples of each type.

Gear Tips
17 Dec 2024
What is a Guitar Setup?

Learn the ins and outs of getting your guitar in tip-top shape.

Gear Tips
16 Dec 2024
How to Adjust a Truss Rod in Your Guitar

Learn the basic steps and gain the knowledge to make minor truss rod adjustments.

Gear Tips
16 Dec 2024
The History of the KORG microKORG

In this article, we're going to look at a little of the history of the groundbreaking microKORG and examine its sounds, its features and how the current version—the microKORG 2—compares to the company's other VA (Virtual Analog) synthesizers.

Gear Tips
13 Dec 2024
The Neumann U 87 and Its Revolutionary Ingenuity

In this article, we’ll uncover the history of the U 87, discover famous artists who’ve recorded with it, learn how it’s constructed, find out how it’s often used and see how it compares to other microphones in the current Neumann catalog.

Gear Tips
18 Nov 2024
Spotlight on the Sennheiser MD 421 Dynamic Microphone

With a storied history and a vibrant future, the Sennheiser MD 421 is a microphone that should be in every musician's mic locker.

Gear Tips
15 Nov 2024
How to Buy a Vintage Fender Telecaster

In this article, we’ll break down how to shop for, evaluate and buy a vintage Telecaster, with expert insights from Jack Hetherington, director of Guitar Center Used and Vintage.

Gear Tips
24 Oct 2024
1985—Present | The Resurgence of the Fender Stratocaster

The Fender Stratocaster experienced a redoubtable resurgence beginning in 1985, and today, the iconic rock ’n’ roll guitar is as relevant as ever.

Gear Tips
02 Oct 2024
Five Ways to Care for Your Electric Guitar

While not quite the living, breathing entity that is an acoustic guitar, the electric still benefits from a little routine maintenance to keep it in top form. We’ll suggest five easy ways to care for your electric guitar, which are considered good habits that can keep your favorite instrument playing for years to come.

Gear Tips
19 Sep 2024
What Is Sidechain Compression?

We’ll equip you with a few essential tips for sidechaining in your own productions, as well as cover the basics. Our aim is to inspire you to discover new and novel ways of deploying this technique to tighten up your mixes and give them a dynamic, punchy edge.

Gear Tips
18 Sep 2024

You are changing the Ship-To country.

Our product catalog varies by country due to manufacturer restrictions. If you change the Ship-To country, some or all of the items in your cart may not ship to the new destination.

Cancel