Music Notes – An Xperience Column – by Peak Music Studios.
Hello music fans!
This month, we’re diving into sacred, controversial, and possibly dangerous territory—the eternal debate about the best guitar gear ever made. Please don’t kill the messenger. It’s the kind of topic that makes the faint of heart faint and the bold scream in discomfort. But instead of offering personal opinions or brand loyalty, we’re bringing in research, real-world testing, and a little dose of truth that just might save you a lot of money.
Let’s talk about the common scenario: You buy a guitar for $1,500. Then you spring for a $3,000 tube amp, because of course, “all serious guitarists” need one of those. Add a pedalboard—$1,500—and some boutique Mogami cables for another $300. Altogether, you’ve dropped about $6,800 on what you believe will be the ultimate tone machine. And yet … something’s off. The sound doesn’t feel quite right. Maybe it’s the overdrive pedal? Maybe the amp needs swapping? Or you just need a new guitar? The cycle begins. And while this chase is great for music retailers, it’s not grounded in musical reality.
According to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, finger placement, picking dynamics, and subtle micro-movements significantly alter sound—even when gear remains unchanged. It’s not the gear that’s broken; it’s the illusion that gear creates tone. Guitar legend Eddie Van Halen, who famously tweaked and modified his equipment, once said: “Tone is in the fingers.” In fact, the YouTube channel for Andertons Music conducted a blind test in which guitarists played expensive and budget gear. Listeners couldn’t consistently tell which was which—but they could always identify the player. That says everything.
So what really matters when it comes to tone? Technique. Your picking, phrasing, dynamics, and vibrato are the foundation. After that, things like strings, pick type, and instrument setup play a supporting role. The specific model of amp, guitar, or pedal—while not irrelevant—are the least important part of the equation. Of course, no one’s suggesting you can shred on a classical guitar and make it sound like a Mesa-fueled thrash machine. But what this research and experience confirm is that if you don’t like your tone, the first thing to improve is your technique, not your gear. Or as Jeff Beck once put it, “Most of your tone is between your fingers and your soul.”
This Month in Music History
- July 1, 1983 – James Brown delivers a legendary live performance at the Beverly Theater, widely considered one of the greatest funk concerts ever recorded.
- July 6, 1957 – John Lennon meets Paul McCartney at a church fair in Liverpool, forming the foundation of the most iconic songwriting duo in history.
- July 9, 1995 – The Grateful Dead perform their final concert with Jerry Garcia at Soldier Field, Chicago. Garcia would pass away one month later.
- July 16, 1951 – Gospel bass singer J.D. Sumner hits the lowest note ever recorded by a human voice. He would later perform with Elvis.
- July 16, 1981 – Def Leppard releases ”High ‘n’ Dry,” produced by Mutt Lange. The album paves the way for their arena-rock dominance.
- July 25, 1983 – Metallica releases ”Kill ’Em All,” officially launching thrash metal for all of us metal heads.
Weird but True: Music Science
- Your Brain Finishes Songs That Get Cut Off
That tune looping in your head? It’s called an Your brain is wired to resolve incomplete musical patterns. If you hear just part of a melody—especially if it’s catchy—your brain will loop it over and over, trying to finish it. - Heavy Metal Fans Are Surprisingly Peaceful
A 2015 study from the University of Queensland found that metal fans often use the genre to process anger and feel calm. They were shown to be more empathetic and open-minded than fans of other intense music genres.
Until next month, keep practicing, stay curious, and remember: You don’t have to be born great—you just have to get started.
See you in the practice room.