Yamaha FG700s Review
Average User Rating: 
Welcome to my Yamaha FG700s Review, where I outline the pros and cons of this guitar and whether or not to consider it as your acoustic guitar.
I assume you've reached this page because you're looking to buy a new guitar either as a beginner or even as a more experienced player.
The Yamaha FG700S is an entry-level, six string acoustic guitar. The guitar has a natural wood color with a satin finish to create a beautiful looking instrument. It has a reasonably low price point to allow for first time guitar buyers to purchase an affordable instrument, yet still contains the high quality of construction synonymous with the Yamaha name.
For example you can get this guitar for under $200 with FREE shipping at Amazon here.
Let's look at some of the features of the Yamaha FG700s
The guitar features a spruce top and a rosewood fingerboard, as well as die cast tuners. A large tortoise shell pick guard protects the body from any scratches. While many inexpensive guitars can play poorly due to shoddy manufacturing, people say that the Yamaha FG700S retains a smooth action to allow the beginner to learn guitar with a well made instrument.
Pros
- Professional quality design and materials
- A good smooth action to stop your fingers hurting
- A great beginners instrument
Cons
- No cutaway for reaching very high notes
- A plastic saddle which might effect sound quality
Some may find the cost of the guitar to be a con compared to the price of some other starter guitars, but the lack of quality in many cheaper guitars make spending a small amount more for quality worth it.
This guitar is designed for anyone who needs a well constructed acoustic guitar. While a beginner will appreciate the price point and ease of play, even a seasoned guitar player will be able to enjoy the fantastic sound and action of the instrument. This makes for a great first guitar, and also can serve as a good back-up guitar if one is accustomed to using a pricier model.
Check out this in-depth video review of the Yamaha FG700s
If you are someone in the market for an acoustic guitar, give this model a look. It is a well-made and good sounding instrument that will meet your needs admirably. While it doesn't contain the bells and whistles of pricier models, it will perform admirably in almost any situation that requires a full bodied acoustic guitar.
What are people saying about this guitar?
People who already own the guitar have given fairly glowing praise of the Yamaha FG700S. One man had previously had trouble with other acoustic guitars that had overly high and unresponsive action. This had caused undue pain on his fingers to the point where he considered abandoning guitar playing altogether. When he tried out Yamaha's acoustic guitar, he found the action to be much more comfortable to the point that it rekindled his attraction to guitar playing.
Another customer found that the sound of the guitar was very desirable. There was no buzzing or poor resonance, and the sound was big and clear. The only complaint he had was the quality of the plastic saddle, and recommended replacing it with an ivory one.
The best Zoom H4n price?
Zoom H4n
Many people are looking for the best online Zoom H4n price. Given the number of electronics online retailers these days it's sometimes confusing when you're shopping for a specific item.
After doing some in-depth online resarch I've concluded that you shouldn't pay more than $300 for the Zoom H4n. And you should really make sure you get free shipping with that too. The list price is $609.99.
For example, Amazon are currently offering a 50% discount on this recorder and are throwing in free shipping too.
But before you rush off to get the best Zoom H4n price, let's have a look at the Zoom H4n in more detail. This little recorder is perfectly competent and it can compete with the all the high-end models in the market.
Perfect for guitarists to record multiple tracks, the Zoom H4n is already earning rave reviews because of its amazing performance. The ‘N’ stands for next generation. They say that it provides world class recording features and is thought to be the most sophisticated device of its kind currently on the market.
The Zoom H4n Recorder is not just any run of the mill recording device. It is a jack of all trades because it boasts a multitude of recording formats, stereo headphones, quarter inch mono jacks and professional XLR.
Key Product Features
The Zoom H4n Recorder has had a lot of improvements since its predecessor. The first thing that one notices is its lightweight design but beware because some people are not happy with the size of it and apparantly it won't fit in your shirt pocket. Not a major problem for most people.
It incorporates a four track recording mode which is a welcome from the previous model. This mode records at CD quality. You can record from the device’s condenser mikes or from two input points providing for 24 and 48 phantom power at the bottom of it. There are three recording modes in this device – stereo, multi-channel and four track.
For gutiarists and bass player the in-built studio effects and amp modelling will come as a nice surprise.
Pros
- Recording is extremely smooth and impeccable with no manual required
- The buttons have individual functions, which is a great relief because there are other devices in the market that provide a multitude of functions for a single button
- The two condenser microphones are placed on opposite axes so the sound is always recorded from a sound source that is set at equal distance from both mics
- Easy to use for non-techies
- Sound quality is exceptional
Cons
- It has an awkwardly placed mini-jack microphone input
- The unit is hardly tiny
- The H4n does a memory check during boot-up and the more memory you have the longer it takes
Check out this comprehensive video review
Click here to get it cheap at Amazon today
Who is this product for?
If you're a guitarist or bass player you'll probably love this device. The built in 4 track recorder and effects are perfect for musicians. As is the integration with Cubase for mixing down.
Students, teachers, musicians and event producers will like device because it is pretty affordable, compact and easy to use. A radio journalist may not find the device very handy because its features are more useful for a musician.
People who are entering into the music field and are novices will also find this device extremely useful. Teachers can make use of this device in classes, especially language classes where pronunciations are given a lot of importance. Conferences and seminars can be recorded with the help of H4n and the listeners can easily playback or edit the audio and listen only to the edited version.
Why should you buy this product?
The Zoom H4n Recorder allows for impeccable sound recording with absolutely no loss of sound. The device allows for 24-bit/96kHz linear PCM recording. This is very important when one needs to record events, seminars and conferences.
Since this is light, compact and portable, one can carry this device into the midst of an audience to capture sounds. You can record four channels at one time and no software is required. The less baggage one needs to carry the better, and this device will definitely help reduce baggage.
You also get some nice accessories with it including a wind muffler, mic clip adaptor and protective case.
What Are People Saying About The Zoom H4n?
"It's so easy to use even for me and the resulting sound quality is outstanding. This recorder is highly recommended. I'm a violinist and I often record what I play so this device is perfect for that."
Helen - (paraphrased. Read the full review here)
Conclusion
The overwhelming reports for most people is that this is a top little recorder with excellent sound quality and ease of use. It may be a little bulier than you think but that's not an issue for most people. Don't pay more than $300 for it online
Portable Recorder Report: Zoom H2 Recorder Review
The Zoom H2 Recorder
Average User Rating:
Read the reviews here
The Zoom H2 Handy Recorder is an easy to use, portable recording device with recording quality that is quite unique for both its size and price. Its contains a total of 4 internal microphones, capable of 360 degree recording in high-definition stereo sound.
The unit has a wide range of applications that include; recording business conferences, class-room seminars, music performances, and podcasting. However, it is really up to your imagination what its limits are.
If you hear a sound that pleasingly pounds on your ear drum, the Zoom H2 Recorder can instantly capture that sound in the moment.
Let's have a look at some of the features:
- Contains four internal microphones, making it capable of capturing 360 degrees of sound.
- USB 2.0 port is built-in for quick and easy for data transfer.
- Mac & PC compatible
- Included 512mb SD media card for saving the recorded sounds internally.
- Maximum card size is 16gig SD card, allowing a total of 24hours of recording time in 16-bit mode
- Record directly to the SD card or record on to your computer via the USB connection.
- Records in MP3 format up to 320kbps qualit and WAV format at 96kHz, 48kHz, and 44.1kHz at 16-bit quality or 24-bit quality.
- 1/8" stereo output so you can easily monitor the sound your recording with headphones.
Here's a good in-depth review of the Zoom H2 recorder
You can save 50% on this recorder at Amazon here
Pros vs Cons:
- Great size and portability, fits right in a coat pocket / Not exactly fashionable like a sleek ipod (but who really cares?)
- Runs off of two AA batteries, which being batteries, eventually out but it also takes a power wall adapter.
- The recording quality is fantastic but the viewing screen is a little small.
- Recorded files get stored conveniently on the 512mb SD card. This can fill up if you record a lot but you can also upgrade to a 16gig SD card.
- Easy USB transfer of recorded files to PC and it can even be powered via USB when plugged into your computer.
- Comes with a variety of recording modes for professional quality.
- Sound files can be converted into other formats directly in the device, rather than converting them on the computer.
- The menu screen is not that necessary but does come in handy on occasion.
Who is this product for?
As previously stated, the Zoom H2 Recorder is a great recording solution for all different types of people. Musicians may use it to record their live performances or their practice sessions to evaluate what they need to work on. College students may use it to record long lectures that they might otherwise forget. It is also very practical to have during business meetings or seminars.
Why should you buy this product?
People looking for a quick and easy, yet professional quality recording solution could seriously benefit from the Zoom H2. The majority of users report that it records high quality sound, has a slim form factor that makes it very portable, and it quickly integrates with your computer for recording or data transfer.
Also, If you are a creative person and constantly have ideas at strangest moments, like when your driving or just before you fall asleep, the Zoom Recorder could be a great companion for quickly capturing your ideas for the next great invention or novel.
What Have People Been Saying About The Zoom H2?
"Zoom have produced an awesome recorder here. I really love it but I just wish it had a slow-down function so that I could transcribe stuff."
by Lyndsey (Rewritten for uniqueness. Read the full review here)
"The recording quality and clearness is amazing. I have a computer with a Creative Labs sound card and this recorder is way better than that."
by Stan (Rewritten for uniqueness. Read the full review here)
Line 6 DL4 Delay Pedal Review
A true artist by nature, is constantly looking for ways to expand creatively. For musicians, it's often that creative 'edge' that separates the mundane from the original; the merely functional from the exceptionally unique.
To 'challenge oneself' is the artist's credo. Adding a complement of cutting edge tools can take one's creativity to the next level. The 'Line 6 DL4 Delay Pedal' is precisely such a tool.
(by the way this pedal is available for cheap at Amazon here)
Transforming Kent Into The Big 'S'
The 'Line 6 DL4 Delay Pedal' will allow you to enhance an otherwise clean-sound by adding a limitless array of effects. Bends, riffs, slides, dive-bombs, etc. all suddenly take on new meaning.
Your axe is immediately transformed into a guitar 'hero' (apologies for the pun).
Features include:
- Built in Loop Sampler (with 14 seconds memory) can store up to 3 presets
- 800ms of Pre-delay (further extending delay range... within the initial delay)
- Expression Pedal Input providing real-time control
- Up to 30 hours running time on batteries (quick note: also opt for the optional PX-2G AC Adapter to reduce persistent battery replacement – just a word to the wise)
- Onboard Tap Tempo footswitch adds ability to match delays with tempo of song being played
The Good, The Bad, The Nondescript
The DL4's range of offerings is impressive. Four foot switches and six knobs for loops, delays, reversals, ping pongs, echoes, overdubs and more present endless possibilities. Despite a relative number of complaints about its 'supposed' lack of durability, unless you're the unusually cavalier type, the DL4 is actually quite durable. My own personal complaint is that the unit looks like Lee De Forest built it himself – and the color doesn't exactly help either. Thankfully, its performance more than makes up for its lack of sex appeal.
R U... 'The One'
The DL4 is truly for the bold & brave (at heart). While I certainly would not call myself an ardent fan of Line 6, this product nonetheless is exceptional. In the right (even not so right) hands it's capable of truly amazing feats. Guitarists, vocalists (or both) and everyone in between should appreciate what this pedal has to offer.
Get What You Deserve
The Line 6 DL4 Delay Pedal retails for nearly the same as when it was originally released, although it's quality has since improved. Every sound can be expanded to allow for even greater creative control. As such, regardless of skill level this unit constantly challenges you. It's potential is only limited by your imagination.
User Opinions
“I have 17 years playing guitar, and this is the most amazing delay that I ever used before. I play all kind of music, from pop to black melodic metal”. From: Cesar “Rotten Souls vocals”
“If you are a fan of the delay sound buy this product. 4.5 stars. I've had it for about 2 weeks and its starting to interfere with my personal life. Any free moment I have all I want to do is go play with my new toy.” (amended) From: jef “johnny2boots”
Cheap Electric Guitar Packages
We've looked at the top 4 best selling cheap electric guitar packages. The following product has received more great reviews than any other electric guitar package from a huge number of buyers on Amazon. I recommend that you check it out:
These other electric guitar packages are also VERY good and worth checking out. I've looked at over a dozen guitar packages available online and these are the ones that people have said that they are pleased with:
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Best Package for Accessories & Extras - Silvertone SS10 Citation Guitar & Amp Package
Average User Rating: What I love about this guitar is that most people have reported that it's very well built and made of solid materials. This means not only that it will last but that it will resonate and sound better. You also get a huge bundle of extras including a cable, strap and picks. You can get it cheap on Amazon at the moment. |
| Best For Jazz - Fender Stop Dreaming, Start Playing Set Average User Rating: 
It has a 5 position selector switch which means it's great at everything from sweet jazz tones to twangy surf tones. Users have also reported that it has extremely good construction as you would expect from Fender. You get nice light gauge Fender strings with it making it easy and smooth to play if you're a beginner. No sore fingers! |
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| Best For Complete Beginners - Electric Guitar Pack For DummiesAverage User Rating:
If you're just starting out this could be the perfect electric guitar pack. Users report that it has everything you need to get started including gig bag, picks and chord chart. It might not be as cool as a Fender but if you're used to the Dummies series then you might like this one. |
More Guitar Websites
- Guitar For Beginners - Your Guide to Learn to Play Guitars
A comprehensive beginners guide to mastering the world's most
popular instrument - Justin Guitar - Free guitar lessons from Justin
Boss RC2 Loop Station: A Guitarists Personal Orchestra
Musicians who have a variety of musical tastes will be greatly impressed with the Boss RC2 Loop Station. The stomp box, or the pedal, has created percussion sounds which have the effect of making your basic sound far better.
Right from guitarists to drum players everyone has and continues to use the pedal to enhance their music as well as the listening experience.
I would give this stomp box a nearly perfect rating; these are the reasons behind that particular assessment of this product. This particular product has some outstanding features that are described in the following list. For starters, this is an extremely durable pedal for your money. Regardless of the level of interest that you have in playing, as well as your experience, you will be simply impressed by the quality of sound you receive.
Get this great loop pedal from Amazon cheap here
The second outstanding feature found in the Boss RC2 Loop Station is its tremendous sound quality which is not typical in other devices of this type. Your music will benefit from the clear ringing of the sound this stomp box will give you. Whatever musical instrument you are playing will be adjusted to, and the style of music you play will also be compensated for.
This model very easily blends with the instruments tonal quality giving it a good sound which is very uncommon in products of this category. It also accommodates other pedals and gives the musician what he needs to make his music desirable.
The Boss RC2 Loop Station enables the musician to loop and dub for up to sixteen minutes of recording time. For music listeners as well as for music players, this loop station is definitely worth a try. If you are learning a new genre of music or getting better at your favorite style already, you would do well to invest in this. No matter what you use it for, you could do a lot worse than getting this loop station.
Loop stations like these take a little bit of practice in order to provide the best loops. You can take this loop station wherever you please with the help of the durable red case. You might feel a little daunted by all of the features you have to work with at first, but you can read up on them and get used to it. In the end, you should really get this loop station if you want the best looping possible for a good price.
Loop Pedal Report: Boss Loop Station Review
If you're a solo artist without a band and you're looking to create some variety in your act then I can highly recommend taking a serious look at the The Boss RC20 XL Loop Station. Read on to find out why it's the perfect choice for giving your act a unique sound and delighting your audience.
Boss RC20 XL Loop Station
One of the main criticisms that many solo artists get is that 'all his songs sound the same'. This is somewhat inevitable given you usually have only 1 pair of hands and one voice. But a good quality loop pedal like the Boss RC20 XL can provide a perfect solution to this problem.
(by the way, you can get this pedal cheapest online through Amazon here)
If you're not familiar with how a looping pedal operates, it is important that you understand how this works.
A loop pedal allows you to record a 'track' of sound - often guitar, percussion or vocals and then instantly play back that loop and add another one on top.
With it you can create rich multi-layered performances and all in real time as your audience looks on.
So What's So Special About The Boss RC20 XL?
The Boss RC20 XL Loop Station is a fantastic loop pedal with a super long recording time (16 minutes!) that can be used for quite a few tasks.
The Boss RC20 XL Loop Station allows you about 16 minutes of recording time in total and lets you store up to eleven loops at one time so that you can use it for a later day play back or recording. And you can easily delete a loop in real time too - essential when you make a cock up.
The Boss RC 20 XL Loop Station is available with a bass drum sounding metronome. You can now adjust the speed of the metronome with the foot pedals.
Likewise, you can now synchronize the starting and ending points of the loop to that of the metronome so that you get a perfect length loop for you to carry on the recording process without having the need to hit the pedal at just the right time. This is called Auto-quantize.
Let's take a closer look at the features:
- A massive 16 minutes recording time available - (you'll probably never need even half of that)
- You can layer up to 11 tracks at the same time
- Easy to use 'undo' functionality
- Auto-quantize function
- Optional footswitch available
- Change tempo without changing pitch
There's also a very cool reverse mode. This means that you can now get some wonderful sound effects and at the same time you can also change the loop speed without actually making any changes to the pitch.
This means you can switch from one stored loop to another in a controlled way by adding another pedal to the Boss RC20 XL Loop Station.
Here's a great example of what you can do with the Boss Rc 20 XL
You can buy this pedal cheap online through Amazon here with free shipping and over 20% discount
The Good
- Impressive 16 minutes of recording time
- Easy to use double pedal system
- Perfect for creating layered performances
- Perfect for practicing too
The Bad
- AAA batteries can be expensive!
- You might not get a power supply included
- Can be tricky to get used to working the pedal
- Might be a little pricey for some folks
So What Are People Saying About the Boss RC 20 XL?
"Although the user manual is pretty good, the pedal is quite easy to learn and lasts a while with the AA batteries. The pedal before this, the Boss RC-2, was a bit less intuitive and straight forward. This is basically due to the two pedals and easier user interface. Really, get this thing and you will not regret it."
nowhereman1991 (review re-written for uniqueness. read the original review here)
"This pedal is very easy to learn how to use and exceeded my expectations. I can recommend buying this because of its ease of use."
Carlos (review re-written for uniqueness. read the original review here)
Blue Snowball Microphone (white) Review
USB Mic Report: Blue Snowball Microphone
Average User Rating:
If you're a keen computer music geek and you don't yet have a Blue Snowball microphone then you need to read this. Keep reading because you'll soon discover how this microphone might make your home recordings sound truly professional.
Whether you use a Mac or a PC the most annoying thing about recording on your home computer is noise, distortion and low recording levels. The Blue Snowball USB microphone with it's award-winning circuit design and dual capsule could mean you'll never have to deal with these problems again.
(By the way you can usually get a 33% discount at Amazon here. They won’t show the price until you put it in your cart for contractual reasons but it’s under $70)
This is an easy to use USB microphone that plugs straight into one of your computer USB ports (those rectangular inputs on the side of your laptop or the back of your computer tower)
So What's So Special About The Blue Snowball Microphone?
Though there are quite a few USB microphones in the market, if you are looking for something that is not only stylish but also of top quality in performance, then the Blue Snowball USB Microphone is definitely worth a look.
With an old classic look to it, this USB microphone is a very sleek looking sphere conforming to the modern day electronic requirements as well.
The USB feature is what that makes this microphone a much coveted product.
Blue Snowball Mic
With this microphone you do not require an XLR input device, you can just plug the mic directly in to your PC or your laptop through the regular USB port.
Once the Blue Snowball USB Microphone is plugged in to your computer, just tweak in your preferences so that you can start recording high quality audio output. Your musical buddies will think you spent hundreds of dollars on a real recording session.
What About Podcasting with the Snowball?
If you are a home recording artist, voice actor, an audio book author, a podcast creator then you'll not be alone in using this mic. Since this microphone is portable you can now easily record outdoors, indoors, inside your car or in a movie theater and other places, with just your laptop and this microphone. Cool, isn’t it?
So Let's Look At Some Of The Features
- Condenser mic with USB connectivity
- Unique 3-pattern switch (cardioid, cardioid with -10dB pad, and omni)
- Dual-capsule design
- Choose white, brushed aluminum or gloss black finish
The Price Of This Mic Might Delight You
One of the notable features about the Blue Snowball USB Microphone is that it is pretty inexpensive (you can get the best price at Amazon here). You should be able to get this mic for less than a hundred dollars. At such a price, customers have reported that there are very few microphones that can live up to the Blue Snowball USB Microphone as far as quality is concerned.
Here's a good in-depth review of the Blue Snowball
You can buy this mic cheap online through Amazon here. It’s currently on sale.
And It Looks Fantastic
One great thing about the Blue Snowball is that it's not only reported to generate good sounds but also provides greater versatility with three distinctive patter modes. Namely: Cardioid mode, the Cardioid mode – 10db Pad and the Omnidirectional mode.
The Good
- Brilliant, clear, crisp recording
- Super easy to plug and play
- The Cardioid mode is ideally suited for recording vocals, podcasts and for lower frequency outputs
- The Cardioid 10db pad mode allows you to capture loud sounds like the shattering of glass or metallic vocals
- The Omnidirectional mode which is perfect for capturing a live performance.
The Bad
- Might not work on older versions of Mac or Windows
- It is quite big - bigger than you might think
- Make sure it's compatible with your computer!
System Requirements
Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP (Home and Professional), and Mac OS X (10.4.11 or higher), and requires a minimum of 64 MB of RAM.
What Are People Saying About The Blue Snowball USB Microphone?
"This is the best mic in it's category that money can buy if you're interested in an intelligent, affordable, clean mic for podcasts, easy live recording (with a laptop) or music composing and recording without having to drag out a huge amount of recording equipment from your cupboard..."
Mathew J Rygelski {review re-written for uniqueness. read the original review here}
"I've never recorded with a real microphone or recorded in a real sound-proof studio. So I can't say exactly how it compares to that. However, most normal folks looking to obtain a fab sound from a pretty cheap microphone, this will knock you out. Thanks Blue for giving us this mic!"
T.Higbee {review re-written for uniqueness. read the original review here}
Vox ToneLab ST Guitar Multi Effects Pedal with FREE Shipping
Buy the Vox Valvetronix ToneLab ST with FREE DELIVERY
BUY NOW from Musicians Friend >>
The Vox Valvetronix ToneLab ST is a versatile amp modeller with 33 amplifiers available and a large range of cabinets and effects.
The pedal immitates the Vox wah wah pedals and the whole unit is designed to be highly portable for guitarists on the go and is cased in a tough metal shell.
Vox modeling technology has always been pretty good. Inrecent years they have strived to perfect tube/electronic modeling software as seen in their best selling amps like the Vox AD30VT Valvetronix.
This pedal is no exception.
With an actual 12AX7 tube you get a really authentic tube sound. You can choose to model a large amp stack, a medium sized Vox AC amp or a mini combo amplifier. In addition to this the Vox Valvetronix ToneLab takes things just a bit further with 11 vintage cabinet settings.
These can be mixed up and combined with any of the modeled ampilifiers. So really that gives you 363 combinations of cabinet and amp available.
Straight out the box you get 50 already configured presets to play with encompassing a wide range of styles and sounds. So if you're just a little bit lazy like me then you can emulate the famous guitar sounds of well known songs without having to configure your own settings.
Features of the Vox ToneLab ST Guitar Multi Effects Pedal
- True-tube Valvetronix power
- 12AX7 triode vacuum tube in power amp circuit for undeniable tube tone
- 33 amp models from classic vintage models and high-end boutique amps to modern high-gain designs and beyond
- Mix and match 11 cabinet models with 33 amp models for complete flexibility
- 25 versatile effects
- Independent editing sections for amps and effects for direct visual editing
- Simple ASIO-compatible USB audio connection to your computer
- Download the free Librarian software and manage programs on your computer, share presets with friends or online with the VOX Tone Room
- Twenty "Song" presets provide spot-on recreations of instantly recognized rock guitar classics
- 50 factory/50 user presets
- Amp/Line switch
- Aux. In for jamming along to CDs, MP3s, etc.
- Expression pedal can be assigned to nearly any effect parameter for realtime control
- Stereo output creates depth and ambience, plus a realistic sense of acoustic space
- Built-in chromatic tuner
Added extras include sound management software for your PC, an auto chromatic tuner and convenient USB audio interface operations
If you want to take your guitar playing to the next level then this pedal is a major step in the right direction.
You should be able to get the Vox Valvetronix ToneLab for under $200 on the web.
Note: I always recommend MusiciansFriend because they have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and a 45-Day Lowest Price Guarantee so you can shop with peace of mind. Oh and they have free shipping too 
Order from Musicians Friend for the best price and FREE shipping. Click HERE >>