Music Toyz explores the Ring Thing Single Sideband Modulator, a pedal that Guitar Player magazine reviewer, Michael Ross, said, ôjams over a grandÆs worth of gear into one stellar sounding effect.ö

The guys over at Heavy Core did an in-depth preview of James Hetfield’s new Black Fang picks. They have this to say:

“The sharpened tip of the Black Fangs is a crucial part of what makes these little bastards so badass. Whether you play bass or guitar, the beveled edge and tip get rid of string drag almost completely, allowing for ultimate control and fierce speed.”

Check out the whole post over at HeavyCoreGear.com. Be sure to sign up to their facebook and twitter pages too for regular updates on the most badass stuff on the internet.

ôHilarious, brilliant and unpredictableö are three words that have been used to describe comedian, vocalist, performance artist, Reggie Watts. Reggie recently visited Mike Matthews and the Electro-Harmonix crew in NYC. The performer relies on his EH 2880 Stereo Multi-Track LooperùitÆs the core of his rigùand put on an impromptu show in the EH Lab.

From ass-kicking Metallica epics like “Master of Puppetsö to new monsters like “Cyanideö, riff master James HetfieldÆs venomous style has inspired many. Preferring picks with a bright tone and biting attack, Hetfield looked to Dunlop for the perfect tool for his fierce downward picking style. Based on a vintage tortoise-shell pick, the Black Fang is made of tough, sturdy Ultex material with a defined tone and sharp attack. Its pointed and contoured tip gives you ultimate speed and controlùperfect for players looking to unleash their tone clearer, faster, and with unrivaled precision. “It’s fast, bright, and strong because of its hard point and material,ö says the man himself. ôIt gives you everything you needùjust add venom.”

Available in .73, .94, and 1.14mm gauges

The Rockstar Uproar tour is winding down to an end after an awesome summer. The great lineup included multi-platinum headliners Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold, along with Stone Sour and Halestorm featured on the main stage. We’ve got some pics from the road as well as a full list of all the Dunlop gear that these bands use below. Congratulations to the four bands for their respective albums debuting in the top 10 as well! Stay tuned for new Dunlop TV interviews with these bands and their techs later this week.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

ZACKY VENGEANCE
Tortex .73mm picks
MXR Custom Comp
MXR Black Label Chorus
Dunlop Custom D Series Straps
MXR Carbon Copy Delay
Dunlop D38-19 Black Grommet straps

SYNYSTER GATES
Gator Grip 2.0mm picks
Crybaby DCR-2SR Rack Wah
MXR Carbon Copy Delay
CAE Boost
MXR Custom Comp

JOHNNY CHRIST
Tortex .73mm picks
Dunlop D-38-19 Black and Green Grommet straps

STONE SOUR

JIM ROOT
Dunlop DEN1150 and DEN1356 Strings
Tortex Wedge 1.0mm picks
Dunlop Jazz IIIXL’s picks
Crybaby DCR-2SR Rack Wah
MXR Custom Comp
MXR Carbon Copy Delay (x’s 2)
MXR M-120 Auto Q

SHAWN ECONOMAKI
DBS50110 Dunlop Bass Strings
Tortex 1.0mm picks
MXR M-80 Bass DI
MXR M-82 Bass Envelope Filter
MXR M-288 Bass Octave Deluxe

JOSH RAND
MXR M-148
MXR M-152
EVH-90 Phase 90
EVH Flanger
MXR Custom Comp
MXR M-169 Carbon Copy (x’s 2)

HALESTORM

LZZY HALE
Dunlop Strings DEN1150
Tortex 1.14mm picks
Crybaby 105Q
MXR ZW-44
MXR M-169 Carbon Copy
MC-401 Boost
DCB-10
BMF-05BK Leather Strap (Turned inside out)
BMF-07BK Leather Strap (Turned inside out)

JOE HOTTINGER
Dunlop Strings DEN1150
DVP1 Volume pedal
MC 401 Boost
MXR M-169 Carbon Copy (x’s 2)
EVH-90
DCB-10
BMF-07BK
BMF-06BK
BMF-04BK

JOSH SMITH
Dunlop Bass Strings DBN45105
MXR M-80
Tortex 1.0mm picks

DISTURBED

DAN DONEGAN
Cry Baby DCR-2SR
Tortex 1.14mm picks

The Blackdiamondskye Tour giveaway is over, thanks to everyone who entered! There were five people who won tickets to the showù congratulations to Christopher C. who also won the gear! Make sure to subscribe to our Facebook and Twitter feeds to keep updated on more contests like these.

Every musician battles hum in their signal chain. The Hum Debugger turns it into dead silence, courtesy of a little EHX magic. Not a noise gate, and not a noise suppressor—but a real hum extractor. Silence is golden.

Studio session ace, Bill Ruppert, takes us into his studio as he shares his secret to stomping out hum, the Electro-Harmonix Hum Debugger!

Dunlop is proud to welcome up and coming bluegrass group The Farewell Drifters to our family of Dunlop string users. áIf you are a fan of acoustic music layered with shimmering vocal harmonies then The Farewell Drifters are a must hear. áCheck out what the band had to say about Dunlop acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin strings:

“As an acoustic band, our strings are one of the key ingredients we use to create our sound, so we take the matter very seriously. áAfter our first show using Dunlop strings, we couldn’t deny the superior tone, playability, and life in the strings. áThey’ve got a clarity that we haven’t found anywhere else, and we are happy to use and endorse Dunlop strings.” Zach Bevill – The Farewell Drifters

http://thefarewelldrifters.com

DAY 5 of our Alice in Chains, Deftones, and Mastodon Tour giveaway. ItÆs now the final day! Two of our previous winners wanted to go to the excluded dates listed below, so we actually have three pairs of tickets to hand out. ThatÆs right, folks, today there will be three pairs of tickets for three winners. One of those winners will also receive the awesome gear listed in the giveaway description below. DonÆt miss out! To win todayÆs tickets all you have to do is, you guessed it, comment on this post with your favorite Alice in Chains/Deftones/Mastodon song. Check back on the blog everyday because weÆre giving tickets away all week. For details read below.

Alice in Chains, the Deftones and Mastodon are teaming up for the heavy hitting Blackdiamondskye Tour, a short fuse burning from September 16 to October 16. Each day this week we’re giving away one pair of general admission tickets to the show of your choice*, and the last day includes a bunch of Dunlop gear. In addition to a pair of tickets, on the last day we’ll include one Jerry Cantrell Signature Wah, used by Jerry Cantrell himself; a yearÆs supply of Dunlop Strings, used by all of the tour artists; some kickass apparel from Heavy Core Gear; and an MXR Fullbore Metal pedal.

*Excludes dates in the following states: LA, NY, CH, DL, and OK. Participate by leaving a comment below the posting for each day. Only one entry per person per day. You must be over 18 to enter. Contest winners are picked randomly (no purchase necessary). For full contest rules please visit our contest rules page.

Zanotti demos the Nano LPB-1 Linear Power Booster, an exact recreation of the original LPB-1, circuit that ushered in the age of overdrive in 1968. Put the LPB-1, in line with any effect to provide boost and definition. Improve the gain and saturation of your amp. Now with true bypass in a pedal-board ready, rugged die-cast package.