D’Addarrio Cradle Capo

The D’Addario version of a cradle type capo, much like the Elliot’s, except a price that I could stomach($50/60). It was delivered and I used it on my next gig. Worked well and I feel that the intonation was better than my Kyser. But the tradeoff is that the cradle capo takes more time to get on the guitar and adjusted.

There was a problem….

After about a month of use, I started to see that the screw I used to tighten the cradle wasn’t rotating well. I could still use it but it didn’t feel right. After a few weeks, the screw was pretty much stuck in place. I figure that the threads were crossed and eventually seized after a while. I had a capo that was useless to me.

D’Addarrio Stands by Their Product

I got on D’Addarrio’s web sight and contacted support explaining my issue. Within a few days, they had a replacement sent to me and all I had to do was send the broken one back to them. I was pleasantly surprised because I haven’t had the best of luck with companies and their warranties. Their support person recommended that I register my D’Addarrio gear through the players circle. Reason being, is that it’s easier to get warranty claims resolved.

The new capo has been working great for me so far. I swear that it felt like there was a bit of resistance when tightening the cradle. I was afraid that I was going to go through the freeze up all over again. So I took a drop of WD-40 and put it on the threads and me concerns dissolved instantly.

Final Thoughts on the D’Addarrio Cradle Capo

This is a solid capo that works great and the price is easier to handle than some of the more expensive “boutique” capos. D’Addarrio’s standing by their product and getting me a replacement so fast gives the guitar player some added assurance that they won’t be stuck with broken piece of sh#@.

What capo is your goto?!

Guitar Ergonomics

There is not enough guitar to comfortably rest my forearm when fingerpicking. My wrist bends at an awkward angle, I feel the strain creeping up into my shoulder and wrist when playing for a long period. I’ve went as far as placing a throw pillow on the guitar to get more support but it’s awkward and not a sustainable solution.

Enter the Abel Armrest

I found the Able Armrest from stringsbymail.com and it’s the only one of its kind, as far as I can tell. Imported from Germany, this device comes at a hefty price ($89.99). The concept is simple: it extends the edge of the guitar outward and slightly upward, giving your forearm a more natural, level surface to rest on. Instead of your arm digging into the sharp edge of the guitar’s side, it floats comfortably on a contoured platform. You can then relax and your shoulder and wrist are happier.

Pros and Cons for the Abel Armerst

• Pro: Durable – made out of fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
• Pro: Easy Installation
  • It attaches using a single adjustment screw, and the contact points are padded with cork or felt so there’s no risk of scratching your finish. The whole thing takes about 30 seconds to put on or take off.
• Pro: Fits easily in my LIttle Jane backpack
• Con: Price and there aren’t any alternatives
• Con: Would like to have a bigger size to have
• Con: Appearence
  • It’s a bit plain/utilitarian looking. So if aesthetics are what you are looking for, this will mostly likely disappoint on that front.
• Con: I wish I would have discovered this when I was still with my band
  • I guess that’s a pro as well.

Overall Impression

If you are having issues with your shoulder or wrist when playing a parlor size guitar or similar, I recommend giving this a try. I find that I’m not contorting my back, shoulders and hand to play properly. I like it so much, I use it on my Larrivee as well. Will most likely get one for it and my Martin but will have to slow play that.

At eighty years old (soon to be 81 in may), Bruce Cockburn is still touring and entertaining fans at the ready when he comes to town. Picking from his catalogue spanning over sixty years with 35+ albums to his name, he shows no signs of stopping. Age has caught up with Bruce a bit – back and hands not cooperating due to wear and tear and arthritis. Cdhanging fingerings and tunings Bruce is able to play songs that were once thought to be never played again. His guitar chops have diminished but the lyrics and his voice is as strong as ever.

It’s been over twenty years and countless shows that I’ve seen Bruce play. This one was special; I’ve learned to not take shows like this for granted because you never know. This could be the last Bruce Cockburn show, you never know. Sounds like a dire prediction but one can’t help but think that. WIth that said, I sat in the front row soaking it in and appreciating the music and inspiration that Bruce has provided me over the years.

“Time takes its toll but in my soul I’m on a roll”

Bruce drew heavily from his most recent release, “O Sun, O Moon”. Songs like “Push Comes to Shove”, “Us All” and what I feel is his motto of today, “On a Roll”. There were some deep cuts like “Red Brother, Red Sister” and “Stolen Land”. The fan favorites “Wondering Where the Lions are”, “Call it Democracy and “Pacing the Cage” made there presence known as well.

Two plus hours of time well spent. My cup is full and feel revitalized. Seeing Bruce and live music in general always does that for me. Is it my last Bruce Cockburn concert? Maybe but I wouldn’t bet on it because he’sl is still on a roll.

Bruce Cockburn Concert Setlist: March14, 2026

1st Set:

• Cafe Society 
• Trouble with Normal
• When you give it away
• King of the Bolero
• Push Comes To Shove
• Red Brother Red Sister
• On a Roll
• Waiting For a Miracle

2nd Set:

• Last Night of the World
• 3 Al Purdy’s
• Understanding Nothing
• Call it Democracy
• Stolen Land
• Lovers in a Dangerous Time
• Wondering Where the Lions Are
• When You Arrive
• Tie Me At the Crossroads

Encore

• Pacing The Cage
• Us All

Over the course of many months, I’ve been documenting my experience with the Furch Little Jane LJ11-SR travel guitar—from the initial purchase to taking it on countless international and domestic flights. I’m thrilled with the 2k+ investment, and it’s convinced me that a full-sized Furch is next on my list.

Along the way, I’ve created a lot of content about this guitar. So if you’re thinking about buying a Little Jane but need more information before committing, I’ve gathered all my posts and videos in one spot. Check out the links below—they cover everything from sound quality and build to how it handles airport security and cramped airplane cabins.

What are your thoughts on the Little Jane? Let me know in the comments.

*Note: I haven’t any affiliation with Furch in any way. I just really like this guitar.

Little Jane Guitar Blog Posts

• Furch Little Jane Travel Guitar; Should I buy?
• Finally, An Armrest for better guitar ergonomics – Review of an armrest for my Little Jane…
• Furch Little Jane Travel Guitar: Ordered!
• My Little Jane LJ11-SR is Home!!
• Furch Little Jane Guitar Modifications
• Furch Little Jane Goes to Scotland

Demo Videos (shorts)

Check out my YouTube Channel to hear and see the Furch Little Jane in action; new videos being posted all the time.

• Furch Little Jane YouTube demos

Getting around the airport

You can either use the backpack option or use the handle and carry it like a briefcase. I already had a backpack so I did the briefcase option. There was place where you could put the Little Jane on your baggage handle and roll it around but for my suitcase, it wouldn’t fit. The handle was too wide. This may work better with a carry on suitcase but I didn’t use one for this trip. Something to keep in mind.

Airport Security

I’ve been on total of 6 flights with my Little Jane and it’s only been set to the side for further inspection once and that was on this trip. As soon as the TSA worker saw it, he let me go without any further inspection.

On the airplane

Easy peasy, fits overhead pretty nicely. You could technically put it at your fit in a pinch but I’m 6’5″ and that really isn’t an option for me.

My only issue (and it’s a small one)

When I got my Furch Little Jane, I took advantage of a promotion that got me a nice leather strap. Unfortunately, there really isn’t place to put a strap. Inside, the guitar could fit a nylon or a very thin strap but mine was too bulky and can’t be folded well. The pockets on the outside wouldn’t fit it as well. If you’re OK with a nylon or thing/string type strap, you’ll be fine. I just make sure there is room in my luggage or my backpack. Not the biggest deal but worth noting. *UPDATE: I figured out how to fit my strap in the backpack. Turns out the pockets are bigger than I thought!

Than you Furch!

Love this guitar, It plays and sounds like a dream and now I can travel with a real guitar and not have to worry about it getting lost or being forced to buy a ticket for it to sit next to me.

Humidifying my Little Jane

I live in Colorado and it’s dry here (currently 24 percent in the room where I keep my Little Jane) so keeping the guitar in the case is a must. I’ve found that I need to retune the guitar after a few hours of playing in dry air; unfortunately, leaving it out for extended periods in those conditions isn’t an option. According to Furch customer support, recommended humidity should be between 40 and 60 percent. To achieve this, I use the MusicNomad sound hole humidifier and put in in the case next to the waist of the guitar. So far is doing the trick and I find that I need to refresh the moisture in the sponge about every other day or two.

To monitor the humidity in the case, I put a Govee Bluetooth Hygrometer Thermometer inside. I can monitor through the app or widget on my phone and have alarms set if the humidity gets to high or too low. As you can see by the picture, the humidity is lower than the 40/60 percent. I’m still working on the placement of the hydrometer and the humidifier to maximize effectiveness.

Playing Form:

This guitar is much smaller than my others, and adjusting to the size has been quite a challenge. I’ve noticed that my right arm and hand tend to contort because there isn’t enough body to rest my arm on. If I’m not careful, it can lead to wrist pain — especially important to avoid as a fingerstyle guitarist, where right-hand form matters a lot. Using a pick would probably make this less of an issue, but it’s really not an option for me.

Update: I was able to find an armrest for the Little Jane that has helped quite a bit.

I’ve found that wearing a guitar strap helps keep the guitar at a consistent height, which reduces strain. I’m considering adding strap locks, like I did for my Larrivee, for the convenience of quickly taking the strap on and off.

Action:

The action was a bit high as noted in my last post and I reached out to Furch for guidance. their response was the following:

“Regarding your question about adjusting the action on your Little Jane, the setup works just like on any standard acoustic guitar. You can lower the action by:

• Adjusting the truss rod using an Allen key.
• Sanding down the saddle if truss rod adjustment isn’t enough.”
• The only difference compared to a regular acoustic guitar is the nut—since the strings go through it, the slots cannot be filed down as they can on a traditional nut. Other than that, the adjustment process is the same.”

I have yet to work on the neck and I don’t think it needs it but I did sand down the saddle and that has helped quite a bit. The guitar ships with D’Addario XSAPB1253’s so I’m going to try a lighter gauge which should help (Elixir Nanoweb 10/47). I am concerned that it might impact the tone but we’ll see and I can always go back to 12’s.

So far, I’m loving my Little Jane travel guitar and am really pleased with it after a little over a week. With a few tweaks, modifications, and plenty of playing, I’m confident this guitar will feel like it was made just for me.

My Little Jane 11-SR with the LR-Baggs East-VTC.

Initial Thoughts

• Well that was fast! Seriously, I was expecting it to be at least a ten day wait but ended up being half that.
• Relief: Everything was intact and no visible dings, dents, cracks etc…
• This looks like a solid guitar and I hope that it plays and sounds as good as it looks
• Intuitive, easy to assemble and I did not once worry it was going to break in my hands.

How does the Little Jane Play and Sound?

• Didn’t take too much to tune which was surprising considering it was in the European Union just a couple of days ago.
• Feels good in my hands and is pretty much like playing a parlor guitar. The only difference is that the neck on the Little Jane is a bit heavy but not too bad.
• Nice warm sound and easy to play. Felt like it was meant for me from the get go, *Note: the action is a bit high but not unplayable, just makes it hard for fingerstyle. I emailed support to see if there is a way to lower it but worst case, I can put on a lighter string gauge and all should be good.
• The hole on the upper bout where you put the neck when disassembled is a nice sound port. It works like a stage monitor so I can hear myself better.
• Furch sent a guitar strap with me purchase and I’m glad they did. Definitely need a strap with this small form factor; keeps the guitar in the right position.
• LR-Baggs system sounds great as they always do.

Final Thoughts

• Great customer service: always quick to answer an email and addressing each question thoroughly.
• Quality craftsmanship; a solid guitar that plays and sounds great!
• The Little Jane is nice enough to record and perform with. It’s not just for travel.
• Worth the $$$? Absolutely!!

There you have it! But the proof will be when I take it on my trips. Have a trip to Las Vegas during spring break to watch Dead and Company and the Little Jane will be there. June, we are off to Scotland with the LJ in towe! You will hear back from me with reports on how the trips went! Now time to get some accessories!

Furch Little Jane Demo Playlist:

Be sure to check out my follow-up post for my Little Jane!

If you follow Guitar Musings on Twitter, (now on YouTube) you know that I recently purchased a Larrivee OM-03RE guitar. I have been in wanting for a Larivee for quite a while, since I tried one out at a local guitar shop. The wait was finally over and I wasn’t disappointed.

Specifications – From Larrivee’s website

Lower Bout: 15.375″
Upper Bout: 11.75″
Waist: 9.625″Depth: 4.25″
Depth: 4.25″
Scale Length: 25.5
Nut Width: 1 & 3/4
Fretboard Radius: 17″ to 21″ Compound
Setup for Light Gauge Strings
Frets: Nickel/Silver
Frets Width: 2.5mm (0.0985″)
Frets Heigth: 1.0mm (0.00394″)
Satin finsh neck and body
Tusq Nut and Saddle by Graphtec   

Larrivee’s Look and Feel:

This is not a fancy looking guitar with elaborate inlays and exotic wood grains but it’s a simple and elegant design that perfectly suited my needs. What caught my eye immediately was the rosewood back and sides and the African ebony fingerboard. What can I say, I’m a sucker for dark wood and the satin finish really compliments the beauty of the wood.

A bit smaller than my other guitars, the OM-03RE felt natural either using a guitar strap or playing it sitting on my lap. This was important for me because I have problems with tendentious and the smaller form factor feels more comfortable/ergonomic. I’m a big fan of 1 and 7/8″ necks but the width of 1 and 3/4″ meets my minimum requirements for a fingerstyle guitar. The action was a bit high, making it harder to play when moving up the fretboard but that is easily remedied by a few adjustments to the bridge. That will be in a future post.

Sound:

If I had to choose one word to describe the tone of the 03RE, it would have to be warm. I immediately noticed the the mid and bass coming out clearer on this instrument, which is something that I wasn’t expecting because I’ve read other reviews/opinions that stated it favored the high end. Compared to my other guitars the bass response was much better. Maybe some larger body guitars have a more low end response but I was pleased with the Larrivee’s performance.

Final Thoughts:

What can I say, I am happy with my purchase of the Larrivee OM-03RE. It’s smaller form factor feels great in my hands without compromising tone and range. A nice upgrade to an all wood guitar without breaking the bank.

See the Larrivee in Action on my Youtube Channel

Links:
Larrivee Guitars
Tejon Street Music – This is where I bought both of my guitars. They were awesome to deal with and always have the guitars setup properly.  *Tejon Street Music has since closed. 

*Final Note: Since this post, I have toured with the Larrivee OM-03RE many times with my band and it was a solid, dependable instrument. Have any questions, leave them in the comments.

First Impression:

Opening the kit, I found 20 DVDs, five audio CDs and an instruction booklet; a bit intimidating seeing so much information and potential.  I could see someone thinking to himself or herself that this is way too much to learn and being overwhelmed.
As I examined the contents, I began to see the system.

Sessions:

Each DVD contains two of what are called “Sessions.”  A session goes over an aspect of learning the guitar.  IE, scales, chords, styles, etc… and is about twenty to thirty minutes long.    Steve Krenz, the course creator and instructor, walks you through each session with examples and explanations.  At the end, a review and assignments from the book are given and then you are expected to practice.  If you need help practicing, that’s where the “Bonus Workshops” come in.

Bonus Workshops:  (Expanded Edition)

The bonus workshops are meant to as a companion to your session discs.  They are an in depth review of what you have learned.  Krenz will go over the exercises that were assigned and give tips and pointers on how to move forward.  An aspect I liked in the bonus workshop was the “And your ready to move on when” section.  This is where the instructor gives you a checklist of measurable goals that you need to accomplish before you can move onto the next session or disc.  Goals like, memorize the string names and/or know a certain scale in any position.  Anyway this is a good way to keep an impatient learner on track.

Jam Along CDs:

These are audio CDs that contain the audio of the assignments and accompaniment tracks.  I like the instrumental tracks because I would jam and solo over them.  I guess that’s where the name “Jam Along” comes from.  These CDs are a valuable tool in ensuring that the assignments are played properly.

What will you learn:

If you follow the course exactly how Krenz designed it you should have a solid foundation in guitar that will help you move forward into more intermediate/advanced playing.   Throughout the course, the sessions and assignments will address cores skills that I believe are important in learning the guitar:

• Knowledge of the many different types of guitar playing (fingerstyle, blues, jazz, flatpicking, Rock, etc…)
• Reading music (Theory, Scales, Chord Types)
• Musicianship  (Interpreting the music and making it your own)
• Improvisation (Jam Along CD’s)

This all depends on your patience and discipline to not skip around the course and follow the course to the T.

Would I Recommend Learn and Master the Guitar?

I have to admit that I was skeptical about these courses but after reviewing them, I would recommend them to my friends and to you.  But only if I feel that they were right for you.

Who is LMG right for:

1. If you are someone that really wants to learn guitar but can’t afford lessons or doesn’t have access to them.
2. Road warriors:  If you are on the road a lot and need to kill time in the hotel room.
3. Someone that works well alone
4. Self motivated (It will be you and only you to get you to practice)
5. Someone who is well disciplined:  You must follow the course to get the maximum benefit

Who LMG might not be right for:

1. Someone that is not self-motivated
2. If you like to ask questions.  It’s kind of hard to ask the DVD a question.  However, there is a forum on the LMG website that might fit that need.
3. Young children (ages 6- 10 or so).  There is a quite a bit of information and a child might get overwhelmed.  Although, a parent/adult learning along with a child might be a good application.
4. Already know how to play guitar and looking for advanced lessons.  The last couple of DVD’s might fit that need but probably not worth the cost for just a few DVD’s

The cost, $249 for the expanded and $219 for the original, might seem a bit high but compared to taking lessons; it’s the equivalent of one to four months tuition depending on what the instructor charges per lesson.  *At the time of this writing, there is a sale of $100 off any of the lessons.

Conclusion:

If you follow the sessions and practice the assignments as laid out, you will be rewarded with a solid foundation in your quest to learn the guitar.  Mastering it?  Probably not.  That comes with many years of practice and study.  Even then, I don’t think there is enough time in ones life to truly “master” the guitar.

Update, 9.29.25: It has been 17 years since I first posted this blog article. I can say that I stand by what I said then except for one thing…. When I first wrote this review, YouTube was still very young and didn’t have as many resources as it does now. I would check those out as well and I believe nothing will help you learn better than getting a good teacher and playing with other musicians. keep playing!

Links:

Learn and Master Guitar’s Home Page

The Concert:

Dougie’s performance was a pleasure to witness.  He performed songs like “Singing Land,” “She Will Find Me” and “Caledonia, to name a few.  He also performed a new piece that he recently finished, new enough to have the lyrics taped to the side of his guitar.  Inspired by the loss of some friends the past year, this song (he didn’t give the name), was touching and made me fondly think of loved ones I have lost.  I hope he includes this on his next release,  so I can find out what the name is.

As Dougie said, this wasn’t a concert where you sit, cross your arms and just listen.  He wanted us to be a part of the evening as well.  Dougie engaged the audience; sometimes making us laugh and many times, having us sing along with the chorus.  He wasn’t shy about letting us know when we were off beat or out of tune.  It was all in good fun though.  It was fun, we became part of the concert and this was the beauty of his performance.

After the show, Dougie stuck around, signed my CD I just bought and chatted with us for a quite a few minutes.  I have to admit, I was in awe being in the presence of one of my songwriting heroes so I didn’t say much but just took it in.  It was a please to listen to him sing an then chat for a few minutes and If you ever get a chance to see him in concert, buy a ticket and go.  You will not be sorry.

PS – Gear:

Dougie only played one guitar; his signature model made by Moon Guitars.  Simple and beautiful.  I didn’t see any effects. It was just him and the music; perfect!

Links:

Dougie’s Home Page

Moon Guitars

Dougie’s signature guitar

Get Dougie’s Music

Bruce’s Set

• Slow Down Fast
• Pacing The Cage
• Interview with host Nick Forster
• (Joan Osborne Played Her Set)
• If a Tree Falls
• Beautiful Creatures
• Jerusalem Poker
• The City is Hungry

Bruce walks out on stage with a new hairstyle; grown long and pulled  back to a pony tail, samurai style.  He made a joke that he needed to put a bone in his hair to complete the look.  Bruce played two small sets with an interview placed in the middle.   Nick Forster (etown host) asked Bruce questions about his accomplishments, influences and intentions regarding songwriting.  A common theme in Bruce’s answers was that he didn’t want to look back but just live in the moment.  He said, at one point, his greatest achievement was being on “this stage at this time.”

His performance of Jerusalem Poker was incredible.  It never ceases to amaze me how he can keep that thumb going while he plays the ridiculously hard solo for that song.  His last selection was a new piece called “The City is Hungry.”  He mentioned that it was inspired by New York City where has spent quite a bit of time visiting his girlfriend.

Even though this was a shorter performance that I’m used to, Bruce was in great form and I can’t wait to see him for the “Slice of Life Tour.”

P.S.  I went to this concert only to see Bruce but I have to say that Joan Osborne blew my mind.  Her voice is so strong and her tone is spine tingling.  She put on a great show and I look forward seeing her live again.  Loved her performance so much I bought Relish and Little Wild One the next day.

Links:

• http://cockburnproject.net
• http://etown.org
• http://www.kingkoncert.com/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabid=2245

Highlights include:

• Studio footage of Bruce working with Andy Milne and Dapp Theory in his pursuit of overcoming writers block.
• Concert footage from when her got his first break to the Breakfast at New Orleans, Dinner at Timbuktu tour.
• Witnessing the birth of  “Postcards from Cambodia”  from “You’ve Never Seen Everything.”  He was working through the lyrics and music for this song and tried out the chorus for the first time on camera.  Truly moving to watch.

If you are an aspiring song writer or just someone who loves the music of Bruce Cockburn, this documentary is highly recommended.  From interviews with friends and family and words from Bruce himself, you will learn just a bit more about this modern day troubadour.

Nail Polish and Strengthener for Guitarists

In a past post about guitarist nail care, I threatened that I might try Nail Envy to strengthen my nails, avoid chips and breakages.  I finally followed through with my Twitter threats and bought both Nail Envy original and matte.

How does it perform?

After the first application, I immediately noticed the difference in strength of my nails.  It not only protects my nails from cracking and breaking, I have noticed the tone in my playing has improved with a fuller sound similar to using an extra thick guitar pick.  I’m able to attack the strings with authority and without worry.  Nail Envy leaves a shiny finish, once applied so if that is something that concerns you, buy the matte.  That’s what I did because I got tired of all the “girly” nail jokes and seriously, my nails were reflecting light like mirror. The matte finish is just as effective as the original, in strength, but applying it requires more patience.  It takes a bit longer to dry and until then it has a rubbery like consistency for about an hour or so and was easy to scuff or damage during that time.   After it completely dries, no problems at all.

Are you a picker or a strummer?

I have used Nail Envy through tours and countless gigs and have come to these two reveleations:

• If you primarily fingerpick, then Nail Envy will stay on your nails for quite some time and is very durable with minimal need to reapply frequently.
• If you strum with your nails. By that I mean flamenco like where you use the the top of your nails, Nail Envy will only last through one gig and you’ll need to reapply; especially on the thumb

I’m both so I go through a lot of the stuff.

What’s the final word on Nail Envy?

Definitely give Nail Envy some consideration if you need to strengthen your nails.  Keep in mind the kind of player you are to assess the amount you will need. This product doesn’t replace the need for shaping, trimming, cuticles, keeping hydrated, etc. but is a wonderful addition to the tool kit.

Update:  After a few weeks of using this product I thought I would give a follow up.  There will be a build up on your nails and you will have to occasionally use fingernail polish remover to clean your nails and re-apply. Also, the matte finish tends to yellow over time so if keep that in mind as well.

Links:

Nail Envy Original Finish  *note.  I cannot find the original finish anymore.  Anyone have any luck finding this?
Nail Envy

First Impression?

While removing it from the box, I was surprised how compact it all was, about 15’’.   I don’t know what I was expecting but I still envision those huge consoles in the studios that you see in the magazines and TV.  I ended getting the black unit which, aesthetically, is more pleasing to my eyes.

Knobs and Buttons

The overall unit is pretty impressive with man buttons and knobs but not too much to make it intimidating.  Keeping consistent to the Fostex claim of keeping it simple to let you get inspiration down.  The sliders for the main volume and each track feels a bit cheap to me.  I’m not saying that they are cheap, it’s just that I’m more used to the “weighted” feel of other consoles that I’ve worked on.  The screen seems a bit small to me but is probably enough to do the job. I’m just the type of person that prefers more real estate.

Powered on

Powered it on and heard the 40 gig hard drive spin up.  At first I was afraid that the noise of the hard drive would interfere with the quality of the recording.  After the unit completing booted up, I could barely hear the hard drive, thus taking my worries about noise away.  The unit comes with a sample song called “ Fostex Fever.”  It’s your basic 80’s style keyboard, multi-vocal groove song to show you what the unit can do.  Pretty cheesy song but it gave me the capability to mess around with the levels, EQ and effects for each track;  a good tutorial to get me started.

Now it’s time for me to record something. More thoughts on the functionality of the unit in future posts so stay tuned.

Links:

Official MR-16D information from Fostex

Features and Thoughts:

• Tuner:  Has many different tuning modes from standard tuning to modal or open tuning.  Initially, I tried the tuner on the 1st Gen iPhone and it didn’t work so well. The response was terrible and wouldn’t register the low E string and was rendered useless.  I now own the 3G iPhone and the tuner is working much better.  I’m thinking that the 3G has a better microphone.  Any thoughts on this?  As a test, I set my Korg tuner next to the iPhone to see how close they responded and the tool kit did very well.  The tuner does not work on the iTouch because of the lack of a microphone.  But you can use the “Tones” option which is a graphic representation of the six strings and you can run your finger over each string to act as a reference.
• Metronome:  My first impression of the metronome was annoyance.  The tones for the beats sounded like a trash can and there was no way to change those tones to something more pleasant.   After I  installed the update, the option to to change the tone was there so now the  metronome is usable and quite nice to have.  The current version of the tool kit only offers 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and “no time signature” as options for time signatures.  I would like to see a way to customize the time signatures and even an option on where you want the accents within the measures.
• Chord Chart:  Very handy little program with lots and lots of chords for you to reference.  What is nice is that you can move up and  down the fretboard to get your desired chords in different positions.  I would like to see is an option to illustrate where the root of the chord is located on the chart.  Even better, the 3rd, 5th, 7th etc… location as well.

So would I recommend this program? Definitely!  It’s not going to replace your current equipment but at only $9.99, it’s nice to have when you’re on the go and need something in a pinch.

Links:

Guitar Toolkit Homepage