[GuitarsCanada]

I have recently updated the look of the GC Main Site. I am hpoing to kep some fresh content on the home page and would like to change it up every few weeks or so. We could do some band feature articles. Or stories on any upcoming events from the forum. We could do a blurb on the next Calgary amp fest, etc. Anyone have ideas, feel free to forward them along.

www.guitarscanada.com

 

[SinCron]

Odd thing but I've ALWAYS wanted to find a site that had various amp clips. Maybe some users can mic their amps and upload samples saying what kind of stuff they're using. We could become more of a "go to" site when people want to know how something sounds. Especially with speaker cabs.

 

[violation]

Odd thing but I've ALWAYS wanted to find a site that had various amp clips. Maybe some users can mic their amps and upload samples saying what kind of stuff they're using. We could become more of a "go to" site when people want to know how something sounds. Especially with speaker cabs.

Not a bad idea, but I think the mods or admin would have to screen through all them to make sure they're decent quality. That could take up quite a bit of time, depending on how many clips they get. But if they're willing to go with it, that'd be great. Should setup a form that has fields like guitar model, pickup model and position, amp model, settings (make this optional), etc.

I'd be willing to record some for some of the amps / pedals I've got here (like 6 amps and 15 pedals... could even do like an A/B recording of stock pickups then switched to new models... got a bunch of spare Dimarzio's and shit laying around).

Would definetly increase traffic, that's for sure.

Haha, hell I didn't even know there was a main site... I always just went to the forum URL.

 

[SinCron]

Not a bad idea, but I think the mods or admin would have to screen through all them to make sure they're decent quality. That could take up quite a bit of time, depending on how many clips they get. But if they're willing to go with it, that'd be great. Should setup a form that has fields like guitar model, pickup model and position, amp model, settings (make this optional), etc.

I'd be willing to record some for some of the amps / pedals I've got here (like 6 amps and 15 pedals... could even do like an A/B recording of stock pickups then switched to new models... got a bunch of spare Dimarzio's and shit laying around).

Would definetly increase traffic, that's for sure.

Haha, hell I didn't even know there was a main site... I always just went to the forum URL.

Sweet man. Yeah lets get on this. It would definetly get more people and then maybe, we'd have more people submitting their own. I just hope there's no douche bags that submit "Deal Rectifier Treadplate played through a Marshall 1960A cab with a Gibson Les Paul" when it's really some $200 dollar guitar with stock pickups and a multi fx unit with cab sim. Id be willing to screen clips. Id learn a lot more about different tones, that's for sure. Also, a comment section for each clip so people can say how they like it, alternatives to get the same sound and what not.

 

[GuitarsCanada]

Good ideas guys, but remember I was thinking of the GC main site. So it would be difficult to do a comment section. On the forum you can post anytime, on the main site I have to add the content and then upload it to the server. I did have a section on there a few years back where I had an MP3 player and loaded up some tunes from a few bands. That could work for the amp clips as well.

 

[SinCron]

Well all we really have to do is have a "guest book" for every clip.

 

[Hamm Guitars]

You should do gear reviews on the main page. Review new stuff and before you know it you'll be getting reams of free gear.

 

[GuitarsCanada]

Another good idea there. But time consuming... thats why I need some guest writers.. :smile:

I'd be willing to record some for some of the amps / pedals I've got here (like 6 amps and 15 pedals... could even do like an A/B recording of stock pickups then switched to new models... got a bunch of spare Dimarzio's and shit laying around).

I have added a MP3 player to the site. It is under "Audio Clips" button on the menu. So when you have some clips... send them along. MP3 only.

 

[violation]

Nice, will record some next time everyone is out of the house... that way I can crank 'em.

 

[Xanadu]

I dunno about the tones thing. It's a good idea, but unless everybody uses the same recording stuff, It won't be a very accurate comparison. We used an SM57 and some higer-end mic to record the guitar on one of our tracks, and the higher-end mic recording sounds alot better.

 

[violation]

I dunno about the tones thing. It's a good idea, but unless everybody uses the same recording stuff, It won't be a very accurate comparison. We used an SM57 and some higer-end mic to record the guitar on one of our tracks, and the higher-end mic recording sounds alot better.

Good point... well, I've got a SM57, SM58 and a PVM22. Nothing really high end, but I might get a Sennheiser MD421 this month depending on how things work out. I've got a mixer with 8 XLR inputs I could use so I could work with multiple mics as well... just sittin' in the room next to me not being used.

I'll see how things work out... maybe I should wait until I get the MD421.

Here's a clip my bud Stephen (lives in the UK, so we shouldn't upload this clip to the MP3 player, lol) made with the SM57 and MD421 hooked up. Quality (as well as his playing) is great.

 

[GuitarsCanada]

You should do gear reviews on the main page. Review new stuff and before you know it you'll be getting reams of free gear.

I like the sounds of that :banana:

 

[SinCron]

I didn't notice untill now that you said you have spare Dimarzios laying around. Got any Paf Pros or D Sonics?

 

[Hamm Guitars]

I like the sounds of that :banana:

I'll drop you off one of my new production models as soon as they clear US (and then Canadian) Customs. There is the HLS Model one (hard-tail) , the HLS Model two (with trem and locking tuners), the FGS (Carved top dual humbucker Tele style) and the HTS - likely to be renamed the CS as I always wanted a guitar like Stevie Ray Vaughn played in the Cold Shot video - it's not even close to the original but I like the bound strat look.

You write a review that I can link to, be brutally honest (i.e. If you think it's a $300 piece of junk, just say so) and keep the guitar.

I also have my line of Canadian Made guitar bodies that I will be launching soon that I will be looking for reviews on as well as a few uncommisioned 'Custom Shop' (Canadian Made) guitars.

Let me know if you are interested.

Andy

 

[Schluppy]

<aside>There's a "main site"? How about a link to it somewhere here in the forum so it's easier to get to? Maybe the first entry in the breadcrumbs at the top.</aside>

I'd like to see effects reviews. Semi-regular reviews of pedals or rack-gear with a strict methodology; using the same guitar/amp combo, playing the same set of example tunes, and including a few audio clips.

Effects are largely an "impulse" buy IMO. With the advent of e-commerce and the increasing popularity of boutique pedals, purchasing effects has become all too simple. What's missing, however, is a central, well organized collection of unbiased third-party reviews, comparisons and "round-ups" to aid in our purchasing decisions.

Done right, and regularly, such a collection may also be a revenue generating machine for the site. Plaster the reviews with ads or even sell ad space to individual effects manufacturers.

For more exposure integrate the reviews into the forum too. Just a teaser paragraph and a link to the review. Have a link to the forum discussion from the review as well. Review readers get an introduction to the forum and forum members can comment on the review and discuss the effect reviewed.

:shrug:

 

[GuitarsCanada]

<aside>There's a "main site"? How about a link to it somewhere here in the forum so it's easier to get to? Maybe the first entry in the breadcrumbs at the top.</aside>

I'd like to see effects reviews. Semi-regular reviews of pedals or rack-gear with a strict methodology; using the same guitar/amp combo, playing the same set of example tunes, and including a few audio clips.

Effects are largely an "impulse" buy IMO. With the advent of e-commerce and the increasing popularity of boutique pedals, purchasing effects has become all too simple. What's missing, however, is a central, well organized collection of unbiased third-party reviews, comparisons and "round-ups" to aid in our purchasing decisions.

Done right, and regularly, such a collection may also be a revenue generating machine for the site. Plaster the reviews with ads or even sell ad space to individual effects manufacturers.

For more exposure integrate the reviews into the forum too. Just a teaser paragraph and a link to the review. Have a link to the forum discussion from the review as well. Review readers get an introduction to the forum and forum members can comment on the review and discuss the effect reviewed.

:shrug:

All good stuff bro, and I like it. But I will need some help with the reviews. The link is already on the forum, it's down at the bottom. I guess I could move it up top to get some more exposure.

 

[Schluppy]

But I will need some help with the reviews.

This is a problem IMO. With any sort of review, or collection of reviews, part of it's intrinsic value to a reader is consistency. Meaning, you read a few of them and you get to know the perspective of the author thus can somewhat reliably base your decisions off of that perspective.

Similarly, trust is a huge issue with reviews. By and large your average reader is going to trust the opinions of a regular reviewer rather than some one-off piece by a passer-by. Accountability comes into play here as well. By doing it yourself or hiring someone to do it regularly for you you're essentially betting the farm on the quality of your content. This is a good thing, it builds trust within your readership.

To be perfectly blunt you're never going to get quality content for free. Sure there's a distant possibility of bringing someone on-board who understands and shares the same enthusiasm and vision of the site as you and has the drive and time to create quality content. But those people are few and far between.

The only sure-fire way to generate quality content is to pay for it with your own blood, sweat and toil or cold hard cash.

All in my opinion of course, but please, for the love of $diety, don't create another HC where everybody gives their gear a glowing review simply because it's what they spent their money on.

 

[GuitarsCanada]

This is a problem IMO. With any sort of review, or collection of reviews, part of it's intrinsic value to a reader is consistency. Meaning, you read a few of them and you get to know the perspective of the author thus can somewhat reliably base your decisions off of that perspective.

Similarly, trust is a huge issue with reviews. By and large your average reader is going to trust the opinions of a regular reviewer rather than some one-off piece by a passer-by. Accountability comes into play here as well. By doing it yourself or hiring someone to do it regularly for you you're essentially betting the farm on the quality of your content. This is a good thing, it builds trust within your readership.

To be perfectly blunt you're never going to get quality content for free. Sure there's a distant possibility of bringing someone on-board who understands and shares the same enthusiasm and vision of the site as you and has the drive and time to create quality content. But those people are few and far between.

The only sure-fire way to generate quality content is to pay for it with your own blood, sweat and toil or cold hard cash.

All in my opinion of course, but please, for the love of $diety, don't create another HC where everybody gives their gear a glowing review simply because it's what they spent their money on.

You are of course correct. I dont think we would want to open it up for a free for all review thing, especially the type that HC has. To read those you would think every guitar and amp ever purchased was the greatest thing since sliced cheese. However, there are people right here on this forum that have way more gear, experience and knowlege than your's truly. So if we can come up with a few volunteers, than we can do it, if not, I will stick to items I can be sure of the quality.

 

[ClintonHammond]

If you can put a Yamaha SLG100S into my hands, I'll happily road test and review it for the site!

,-)

"you're never going to get quality content for free"
I'm sorry, but that's just so much hogswallop.... There are LOTS of competent people who are happy to volunteer their time and energy and skills, if they're approached in the right way.

If you're able to compensate them somehow, all the better, but it's not necessary, especially at the start-up phase.

 

[Jeff Flowerday]

I've proposed this to Scott already.

A gear review forum. I know we've tried it before but...

We create a special forum group with a select few forum reviewers. Manufacturers could send gear to these trusted individuals or these individuals could head down to their local shop and try things out. Maybe eventually there could be some compensation via samples etc if the thing takes off.

Of course a template for reviews would need to be put into place. Reviews would be screened by Scott before they are posted to the public. Scott could them link them back to the main site.

All members could submit reviews as well, as long as they use the proper review template and their reviews are unbiased in one way or another.


Just an idea...