Pigtronix Infinity Looper - Ultratone Guitars Product Reviews without Complaints

Pigtronix Infinity Looper

The Stereo Performance Looper!

Today we look closer at the Pigtronix Infinity Looper.  The Infinity Looper is the world’s most musical looping pedal. Simple to operate, yet tremendously powerful and flexible, the Infinity Looper from Pigtronix sets a new world standard for latency-free looping. Our state-of-the-art looping platform provides instantaneous record, playback, dub, undo and redo, on two stereo loop pairs that can be configured in several ways. On top of superior speed and a unique, performance friendly feature set, Infinity Looper sounds downright incredible thanks to its discreet analog limiter stages, transparent analog pass-through and 24bit / 48kHz HD recording engine.

Infinity’s innovative “SYNC MULTI” mode provides a multiplier function allowing the length of Loop 2 to be 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6 times the length of Loop 1. The two loops can also be run out of sync or even in SERIES, for verse / chorus song structures. Ninja style input split mode assigns Input 1 to Loop 1 and Input 2 to Loop 2, effectively allowing performers to record and overdub separate instruments on separate loops, into isolated amps simultaneously.

The Pigtronix Infinity also provides a long awaited AUX Loop output intended to send looped audio to stage monitors. This is especially helpful for drummers to hear and stay in time. An expression pedal jack for Loop Volume allows hands free control of the overall audio output. We thought of everything and kept only the F.A.T.

Midi input for beat clock sync causes loop start and stop points to obey Pro Tools or any other DAW / Sequencer that outputs Midi. The Infinity’s USB access allows you to and transfer your music to a computer at full 24bit, 48kHz resolution for further mixing, mastering or immediate publication. We have also implemented audio upload with automatic format conversion, allowing you to upload virtually any digital audio file onto the Infinity Looper.

THE MUST HAVE PIGTRONIX for any musician. The Infinity Looper will inspire compositional depth and engaging performances; it is the ultimate practice and performance tool for every style of music.

Ultrasound Dean Markley AG30 30W Acoustic Combo Amp - Ultratone Guitars Product Reviews Without Complaints!

Ultrasound Dean Markley AG30 30W Acoustic Combo Amp

The Ultrasound by Dean Markley AG-30 has been the best selling compact acoustic amp on the market for the  last 5 years. It has the pro quality tone and workmanship that all Ultrasound amps are famous for. Don't let it's compact size fool you, the AG-30 has plenty of power for small venues and with it's Line/Direct outs, it can easily be patched into a sound system for larger venues.

The AG-30 delivers unmatched acoustic tone in a lightweight combo package. It is a 30 watt, 1 x 8" acoustic guitar combo amp. This little amp is not a toy. It has the same pre-amp and speaker as its big brother the DSX. We kept the design simple so it would be affordable to anyone interested in pure acoustic tone. It still has plenty of useable features like Line Out, Direct Out (XLR), Effects Loop, and Headphone Out. The active tone controls and midrange "Shape" allow you to dial in a great tone with any acoustic instrument from mandolin to dreadnought, and the 18dB cut NOTCH FILTER can control any resonant feedback you may experience.

Once you hear how good your acoustic-electric instrument can sound, you will be hooked. If you want a pro quality amp, with pro quality tone and an amp you will be able to enjoy for years...

Specifications:

HEADPHONES: This jack provides a stereo signal to drive headphones. The use of this jack will disengage the amplifiers internal speaker. 

INPUT: Input designed for Instrument level (1/4") signals. 

EFX SEND: Output for supplying signals to external low-level effects or signal processing equipment. 

EFX RETURN: Input for returning signals from external low-level effects or signal processing equipment

VOLUME: Controls the overall volume of the amp. 

BASS: Adjusts the amount of cut or boost in the low frequency range. 

TREBLE: Adjusts the amount of cut or boost in the high frequency range. 

NOTCH FILTER HZ: Provides selectable frequency shift of the 18db cut NOTCH FILTER from 100Hz - 350Hz to eliminate resonant feedback. 

NOTCH FILTER ON/OFF: -This toggle switch enables or disables the notch filter control.

SHAPE ON/OFF: This toggle switch enables or disables the SHAPE control. The shape control is a mid dip control. In the on position the mid frequencies will be cut and the high and low frequencies will be boosted. . 

POWER: This rocker switch turns the AC power On and Off. When on the pilot light is illuminated to indicate the unit is ready for play.

AG-30 Back Panel Controls:

AC INPUT: Connect the female end of the AC line cord here. Connect the male plug to a suitable source of line voltage. Refer to the voltage information on the back of the amplifier for its voltage and current requirements. This connector also acts as the main fuse holder and includes a compartment for a spare fuse. 

LINE OUT: This jack provides an unbalanced out put from the preamp that is post eq and post efx. This send can be used to feed a signal to a recording or sound reinforcement mixer. Additionally this output can be used to drive a slave amp such as the ULTRASOUND AG-50E. DIRECT OUT: This XLR jack provides a balanced output signal that is post eq, used to feed recording or sound reinforcement equipment.

What Players are saying about the Ultrasound AG-30 Amp:

Really Shines at Reproducing the Sound of The Guitar.

I'm using a Takamine CP132SC classical/electric with the stock Accuracoustic pickup/preamp system. The amp really shines at reproducing the sound of the guitar and now I can compete with the rest of the string section. I haven't turned it up high enough to test for distortion, but it's clean up to 7.

Bill

As Good as Many $300 to $400 Amps

This is a good amp for practicing and small venues. Not "The closest approach to the original sound", but close enough to be classified as very good. In fact, as good as many $300 to $400 amps I have tried with my Garrison G20E acoustic electric guitar and sometimes even better. It becomes awsome when I use a finger picking style.

Upnorth

Sounds Just Like the Guitar.

Purchased for use with a summer 2003 limited edition Taylor 410 RCE (with the new Expression System). I play mostly folk, blugrass, and country, and this amp sounds unbelievable with this guitar (although I suspect it would sound great with just about any guitar). It is extremely quiet (no hum or buzz) and reproduces the sound of the guitar amazingly accurately. As many others have indicated, it sounds just like the guitar, only louder. It does not impart any characteristics of the amp itself to the sound. If this is what you want, look no further—you can't beat the price.

by Anonymous

Great little amp!

I'm using this as an onstage monitor and pre-amp going through our PA. Great dynamics and sound quality.

nineznuff from Holland, MI

The amp is absolutely quiet and surprisingly loud.

I wanted a light acoustic guitar amp for situations where I did not need the volume of my Fishman Loudbox that weighs 60 lbs. This looked like a good choice. When I plugged in my Taylor GS5 with an Expression system I found unacceptable line noise levels, even though I had a fresh battery in the guitar. I will try a balanced cable to see if that solves the problem. I plugged in my Godin ACS nylon string guitar and found the amp is absolutely quiet and surprisingly loud. I plugged in an Alesis nanoverb into the effects loop and found this works quite well without any added noise or volume loss. I guess the Taylor pickup system is just an impedence mismatch with the AG-30 amp's input, and should be an easy fix with the TRS cable.

BG from San Diego, CA

The best of the affordable amps

I couldn't believe what I heard when I plugged in my Seagull to this amp. The sound quality is incredible. I've tried lots of acoustic amps, but this is simply the best sound I've ever heard. It is a really light amp, which is useful for gigs, and it has a ton of power considering that it is only 30 watts. This is the best out there... Definitely buy it.

ksaajas from Normal, IL 

An amp that would not provide any coloration to the acoustic sound

I have a Foster Prodigy, an amazing hand built guitar from master guitar builders Jimmy Foster and Leroy Fauntleroy. I wanted an amp that would not provide any coloration to the acoustic sound and I found it. This little amp is wonderful and I am extremely pleased. If you have a great acoustic sound to start with, this is the amp. I highly recommend this amp - I love it.

Mike Prestwood from New Orleans

WOW!! What Can I Say

I ran across this amp and searched google for the price. I was surprised at the price and after reading the reviews I bought it. Took it home and WOW! The sound is really amazing, I was really suprised at it's size too. It is so cool. I got a really good deal but after playing on it, I would have given much more. I would recommend it, go listen to one if you can.

David from Missouri

Duncan USM Pickups - Ultratone Guitars Gear Reviews

Duncan USM pickups represent the latest collaboration between U.S. Music Corp. and Seymour Duncan. For decades, Seymour Duncan pickups have been recognized as the leader in after-market upgrade pickups as well as the OEM standard on the world's finest guitars. Duncan and USM have worked together for many years and have shared many artists along the way, including Nuno Bettencourt, Dimebag Darrell, Paul Stanley, George Lynch, Scott Ian, Warren Haynes, and many more.

Duncan USM Pickups are designed by Seymour Duncan's Santa Barbara-based engineers to USM's requirements and are only available on select Washburn and Parker guitars. Currently, Duncan USM pickups are available in two voices, the HB-103 and HB-102.

The HB-103 is a high output humbucker aimed at heavy rock, metal, thrash and punk players. It's an extremely aggressive pickup with powerful coil winding ceramic magnets, but it will maintain string-to-string clarity even under the punishing picking assault heavy music players subject their guitars to gig after gig.

The HB-102 is a classic hot rod humbucker set that handles a wide range of styles from blues and classic rock to metal. The HB-102 bridge pickup has high-output coil winding and the neck pickup is backed off a bit. Both pickups use Alnico 5 magnets and are very musical with great high end detail.

The quality and musicality of Duncan USM pickups means a superb sounding instrument right out of the box, adding quality and value to your guitar and eliminating the need for upgrade electronics.

Parker PDF Reviews by Ultratone Guitars: Maxx Fly PDF100 Quilt Cognac Electric Guitar

Parker Maxx Fly PDF100 Quilt Cognac Electric Guitar

Parker Guitars are fine electric guitars played by many top professional players including Dave Martone, Vernon Reid, Adrian Belew, and Joe Walsh, just to name a few. The models include the Fly, the MaxxFly, and a number of artist signature series models. Parker's innovative designs and advanced technology help make these guitars a truly boutique experience for any musician.

Carved Mahogany Body! Elegantly Smooth Shape! Quilt Top Finish! Duncan Powered!

This Parker Maxx Fly PDF100 electric guitar is loaded with hot Seymour Duncan pickups. The maple neck is smooth as silk with its ebony fingerboard. This PDF100QCG model features the super stable Parker tremolo system so you can make huge bends without losing tune. The body is carved mahogany with a quilt maple veneer top. The exclusive radial neck joint provides stability through advanced technology. No need for a locking nut so a Graph Tech nut is placed and Sperzel Trim-Lok locking tuners are employed. This guitar is a perfect 25.5" scale length. Comfortable with great tone, the Parker PDF100 is built to impress.

The Maxx Fly PDF Radial Neck Models are equipped with most of the great features Parker is known for in an elegantly carved new shape, showcasing a new, more traditional and ergonomically shaped upper horn while retaining the look and feel that is unmistakably Parker. The flared headstock provides more strength and allows for a thinner profile and a faster, more comfortable neck. The PDF Radial Neck Models also feature a 22 fret fingerboard enabling precise placement of the neck pickup for that classic neck-position tone. Pickup mounting has been improved to allow players to swap out the included Duncans with the pickup of their choice. Our new exclusive radial neck joint ensures better transfer of tone from neck to body and a precise fit with no slippage due to lateral sliding.

Parker Maxx Fly PDF100QCG Quilt Cognac Electric Guitar Features:

Carved Mahogany body

Quilt maple veneer

Exclusive radial neck joint

Maple neck

Ebony fingerboard

Seymour Duncan SH1 neck TB11 bridge pickups

3-way pickup selector

Parker vibrato system

Sperzel Trim-Lok tuners

25.5" Scale

Gloss finish

Parker Gig Bag Included

$699.00

Ultratone Guitars Overviews Jay Turser Hollow Body Electric Guitars

Jay Turser HOLLOWBODY GUITARS

Hollowbody guitars can be found on countless recordings and stages worldwide adding a distinctive tone that cannot be replicated by any other electric instrument. These models aim to reproduce that sound and style (plugged in – or not!) while exceeding your expectations of how a great hollow body guitar feels in your hands. Using these attributes as their inspiration, these amazingly affordable models offer great styles and finishes that allow you to continue building your guitar tone-seeking collection without building your guitar obsession debt.

The Jay Turser JT-133 Semi-Hollow Body Jazz Guitar is a double cutaway electric with serious jazz tones and style. This Guitar features a maple top body. The maple neck is set in with 22 Frets on a rosewood fingerboard. Classic Dot inlays with the special 3 dot 12th Fret. 2 open coil humbucker pickups deliver great tone from any position and 2 volume and 2 tone controls combine with a 3-way switch to give excellent tonal range. The bridge is a Tune-O-Matic style with a stop tailpiece. A clear pickguard is included and chrome hardware adds to this Guitar's professional features. A pearl and abalone inlaid headstock design adds style and flare to this nice ES Style Jazz Guitar. 

Jay Turser JT-133 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar Features:

Maple top
Double cutaway
Rosewood fingerboard
Maple set neck
Adjustable truss rod
Dot inlays
Dual humbucking pickups
Tune-o-matic bridge with stop tailpiece
2 Volume, 2 tone controls
3-way pickup selector
Chrome diecast tuners
Gloss finish

Ultratone Guitars Presents - Richtone Guitar Effects Reviews Without Complaints

Ultratone Guitars has a great selection and low prices on Richtone effects pedals. Richtone Amplification boutique effects pedals are durable and easy to use. Most of all, Richtone Effects sound excellent. These effects pedals are housed in a solid steel case with a powder coat paint finish. All Richtone pedals are designed to not cut volume and provide seamless operation. Each effect has unique commissioned artwork by the artist Johnny Crap. With Richtone pedals, you get creamy yet clear overdrives, shimmering tremolo effects, studio quality reverb, smooth delay with tons of character, rich fuzz and screaming metal distortions. Enjoy these high quality guitar effects pedal by Richtone.

Richtone Fuzz Guitar Effects Pedal

This Richtone Fuzz guitar effects pedal delivers smooth crunch to nasty fuzz, this stompbox effect has it all. It delivers a range of warm fuzz that's both bright and punchy in distinct "Muff", "Bright" or "Warm" tones. Hot fuzz in a cool package.

Richtone Delay Guitar Effects Pedal

This Richtone Delay guitar effects pedal delivers delays from simple slapback to the almost psychedelic, this effect offers a huge variety of delay sounds with a wide range of adjustment options. Analog circuit design produces a very high fidelity delay and time effect. With dual millisecond toggle settings to change the length of the delay, the possibilities are endless!

Richtone Metal Distortion Guitar Effects Pedal

This Richtone Metal distortion guitar effects pedal is Richtone’s most sought after effect due to its impressive range of quality sounds and robust design. Metal! is a sonic breakthrough that provides players with many sounds for different types of music. It has to be played to be believed. Unleash the Metal!

Richtone Overdrive Guitar Effects Pedal

This Richtone Overdrive guitar effects pedal delivers a creamy yet clear overdrive sound reminiscent of vintage 70’s tube amps. Highly recommended for blues and country music.

Richtone Reverb Guitar Effects Pedal

This Richtone RTRV1 Reverb pedal has studio quality reverb sounds with tons of character and smooth tapering tails. This versatile effect can create six distinct reverb sounds when the three different player control options are combined with the A/B toggle switch. Compact and powerful with a stereo out.

Richtone Tremolo Guitar Effects Pedal

This Richtone Tremolo guitar effects pedal has tons of range from a sweet shimmer to a wicked helicopter type attack, this effect is designed to give players that classic analog tremolo sound. "Depth" controls effect strength, "Rate" controls speed and "Wave" controls waveform.

Ultratone Guitars Spotlight - Hagstrom Guitars - The Legend Returns

Hagstrom's first guitars were covered in sparkle pearloid celluloid, an ingenious use of materials previously used in their accordion production. Over the years Hagstrom expanded their line-up to include hollow body guitars like the Viking and Jimmy, electric basses including the legendary 8 string, and the Hagstrom flagship models Swede and Super Swede. Hagstrom also produced a series of acoustic and classical guitars in the early 70‘s. When Hagstrom ceased production in 1983, the guitars became instant collectors items, and the love and respect for these fine instruments by musicians around the world has never waned.

All Hagstrom models rely on a unique sourcing and manufacturing concept. Both the raw materials and parts for this new series come from first rate suppliers and are assembled to create genuine Hagstrom guitars, with tone and quality being top priority.

All designs are approved by Karl Erik Hagstrom, the wood comes from North America, and the hardware is purchased from top US and Korean suppliers, while pickups are developed in Korea according to K. E. Hagstrom‘s exact specifications.

The result is a range of stunning instruments that look and sound almost identical to the originals. This may come as no surprise knowing that they are built using the original machines or exact replicas of the machines used to build the legends of yore. Only thanks to this approach was it possible to keep using those time-tested bridges, tailpieces and even the original Hagstrom logo. Even the machine heads, albeit with slightly smaller and thus handier buttons, are back, as is the legendary H-Expander truss rod. But there are also new features, like the Resinator™-Wood fingerboard whose resonance and sustain qualities are far superior to anything ebony or rosewood can offer. Quality and expertise are fused into exceptional instruments whose price tags are nevertheless bound to come as a pleasant surprise to musicians.

The Basics of A Classic Electric Guitar

All Hagstrom electric guitars and basses include the patented H-Expander™ truss rod. Providing tension at both ends and running the entire length of the neck, the rigid yet light-weight alloy truss rod allows for a very low action and thin neck, two factors that were instrumental in earning Hagstrom its reputation as the world’s fastest playing guitar. The H-Expander™ truss rod does not only provide ultimate stability of the neck, but also plays a hand in providing you with the unique “Hagstrom tone”. Longer sustain and a sharper attack, are a couple of the sonic characteristics that the H-Expander™ adds to the tonal essence of Hagstrom.

There are a number of other specialty parts designed exclusively by Hagstrom, which greatly enhances the playability, stability and tone of our instruments.

We are convinced that such unique specialized parts and construction make every difference to contribute to building a superior instrument.

Such parts as the unique Hagstrom tailpiece units, Tremar system, Full Contact Tremolo system, Customized Hagstrom pickups, are only a few of the benefits found on Hagstrom guitars.

Hagstrom uses only the finest select tone woods and figured wood stocks to enhance the sound and beauty of each instrument. North American Hard Rock Maple, arguably the finest neck wood  and used by the best Luthiers world wide, further enhances the playability, durability and bright articulate tone. 

Resinator™ Wood is a wood composite material that is homogeneous in nature and is more stable than any standard wood product. It is the perfect fingerboard material in that it eliminates wolf tones or hot spots. It has an articulate sound similar to high quality Ebony, but without any of the problems associated with Ebony. It provides an stable and clear tone, and also adds higher overtones and harmonics which uniquely details each note played. Like the H-Expander™ truss rod, the Resinator™ wood also plays a major part in producing the special “Hagstrom tone”.

Ensuring accurate tuning, Hagstrom’s own 18:1 and 15:1 gear ratio machine heads are each used throughout Hagstrom guitar models.

Beluga, Viking and HB series basses feature a 17:1 gear ratio where the FXB series basses feature a 22:1 gear ratio in an open gear format for accurate tuning.

Hagstrom guitars are legendary among guitarists because of their playability, beauty and durability. This new family of Hagstrom guitars builds on that reputation with the use of several unique innovations in materials and manufacturing techniques that bring Hagstrom boldly into the 21st century.

All Hagstrom guitars and basses exclusively use Graph Tech nuts and saddles for acoustic guitars.

Graph Tech Black Tusq for electric guitars and basses are composite nuts which ensure increased sustain, tone, and energy vibration throughout the entire neck. This is a very important feature that also provides smoother and more accurate tuning of your Hagstrom instrument.

Something else that is completely unique for Hagstrom is that all Graph Tech nuts used are actually custom made specifically for Hagstrom. Each nut has been specially molded and measured so that each string has a perfect distance between each other. Most manufacturers use nuts that are measured from the middle (center) of each string. Naturally, the nuts on Hagstrom guitars makes a difference, as strings are of different thicknesses where such compensation should be made when producing a quality instrument.

This small difference makes a Hagstrom neck feel more even and comfortable to play, especially for players with bigger hands.

The Tones

When creating pickups for their instruments, each pickup offered is specifically designed and built to deliver a specific tone and character that is to compliment the tone of each instrument. Within this general thought, there is a connection between the tone woods used in the instrument, the hardware, and how each pickup shall electrically reproduce the sound and tone of the instrument.

There is a lot more which contributes to the overall tone then the magnet and wire type used in the construction of the pickup. This is something that we at Hagstrom know and understand very well.

Each part of the pickup plays a part in the tone that it will deliver. Such details as the materials used on the base plate, pickup covers, spacers, etc.etc, also play a specific part in the tone of each pickup. Each different material also plays a major part in how the magnetic field of the pickup “flows” where the magnetic field can be shaped and changed depending on which materials are used. This ultimately changes the tone and dynamic of the pickup. Not many of Hagstrom's competitors understand such parameters.

Each material used in the building of each of our pickups is scrutinized. Countless hours are spent testing, listening, discussing, then again, testing, listening and discussing again.

Most could consider their careful consideration as a “waste of time”, however Hagstrom takes extremely special care in building and designing instruments and each component and are continually discovering new tones to suit a musician's passions and tonal ideals.

It is with such detail and consideration that they are able to stand behind the tone and construction of each of their pickups. When owning a Hagstrom guitar equipped with Hagstrom pickups, the musician always knows that the instrument was created as a musical tool, just like an artist would consider a canvas and brush.

Ultratone Guitars Reviews - Jay Turser LT Vintage Series Electric Guitars

 This classic Style single cutaway electric guitar by Jay Turser features a lightweight solid body with a maple neck. The JT-LT series Tele style electric Guitar delivers classic tones with 1 lipstick single coil in the neck position and 1 single coil in the bridge position. String through construction with a full intonatable bridge gives classic style and feel. 1 volume and 1 tone control combine with a 3-way pickup selector switch to allow for a full range of tones available. The Jay Turser JT-LT series electric Guitars feature a rosewood fingerboard, 21 Frets, and medium jumbo Frets. Chrome hardware including die cast tuners round out this guitar's professional features.

The Rosewood body model, JT-LT-RW is a deluxe style tele with a natural bound rosewood body.  This tone wood resonates a sweet sound and promises better tone as time goes on.  The JT-LT-RW was Guitar Player Magazine's "Editors' Pick" in December of 2011. They cited the guitar as, "Excellent workmanship, playability, and happening tones make this guitar an impressive choice. Price makes it an unbeatable deal."  Classic single coil pickups give this guitar an excellent vintage tones.

                                            

The world of single cutaway, "Tele" style guitars is vast.  When exploring an alternative electric guitar, take a long look at the Jay Turser JT-LT series guitars. You may just find your next go to guitar. 

Portable Rock! - Ultratone Guitars Presents the Marshall Micro Amps

 

There is plenty of freedom in knowing that you can take your music in the road. The Marshall series of "not so mini" micro amps offers a range of portable guitar amplifiers that give you classic tones.  Products range from a Gigbag offered by Ernie Ball with a Marshall amp to the 4 raging Marshall mini amps. These little amps give you, as the traveling musician, an opportunity to share your music with the world.

The MS-2 is the ultimate in portable battery operated micro amps, packing full Marshall tone into a tiny case measuring just 14cm x 11ccm x 6cm. Now those are dimensions for portable rock.  This mighty micro Marshall has switchable clean and overdrive modes. A single tone controls provides full focus of bass to treble.

      

For the travelling player whose preference is a full stack, Marshall has introduced the MS-4 micro stack.  This raging full stack in miniature form stands at 25cm X 11cm X 6cm. Like its smaller cousin, the MS-2, the MS-4 is equipped with a headphone output so silent practice is always possible.  The MS-4 has a separate Gain control and its output can be used to drive an external power amp when your rambling is complete.

The MS-4 is finished in traditional Marshall black, with a the classic white logo and a gold face.  The MS-2 is available in 3 different versions.  There is the standard black MS-2, then the red covered MS-2R and ffinally the classic amp look of the MS-2C. The MS-2C and the classic MS-2 feature full vintage styling including chequered fret cloth and a gold Marshall logo on the MS-2C. All of the MS-2 models offer a combination of classic Marshall tone with vintage Marshall elegance.

Finally, the Marshall MS-4ZW Zakk Wylde Micro Stack Amp features controls for Gain, Volume, and Tone. This stack has all the excellent sound quality as its baby brother, the MS-2 Micro Amp. The MS-4ZW stands 9 3/4" tall, 4 1/2" wide, and 2 1/2" deep. The amp has two speaker cabinets and a classic style head for all of the gorgous looks of its bigger uncles and cousins!

Any of these little Marshall's are designed to rock your world while you're rocking the road.  Pick one that fits your style, and let your music be portable.