I'm probably a little older than many of you reading this, and in my early days when you (I) wanted to learn a solo to a song, it was a matter of getting the LP (remember those ?), setting the turntable on (161/2) rpm

(half speed) and spending many long hours trying to pick out a few notes, lifting the needle, setting it back to where you where able to copy to, then repeating, over and over again.

Obviously, with the state of current technology there are both hardware and software remedies to overcome the old 'record copying' burden. I know most that are available and have used many. Most of the hardware solutions are expensive and some of the software options are okay, but not as complete as what sells sheet music and they're a great resource. However, when I first saw the Guitar Guru software and what it does, I was blown away. For a reasonable fee, you purchase the song you want, print the sheet music so you always have a hard copy of the complete song, but you also get the Guitar Guru file to play via the free player. Obviously it has to be a piece of music that has an associated Guitar Guru file. If you purchase a Chopin classical piece there would be no Guiatr Guru file for it.

As far as music goes, they have an extensive selection and are constantly adding more. I grew up on what is now known as 'classic rock', (God I'm Old) and have a special fondness for bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eagles, The Beatles and Led Zepplin, just to name a few. I've bought many of the songs that I spent untold hours on trying to learn the solos to. There's also many different genres and artists to choose from. Now it's a matter of loading up the Guitar Guru file and watching it being played at whatever speed I want. It doesn't get any better than that.

Well, it's a little late to make this a short post, and although I can't say enough good things about Musicnotes.com and their Guitar Guru software, I'll close by saying, please do yourself a favor and go check it out, I guarantee you won't be sorry.

Oh, I almost forgot, they also have TAB, music for the bass, voice, drums and piano, plus lots of other great resources available.

Sometimes you see or hear about a product that is so cool that you wanna spread the word. I've got one for you. First off, I've owned a VOX ToneLab for a long time. If you've never heard one, it's awesome. It's

hands down, the best amp/cabinet modeler out there...bar none. There's nothing that comes even close, andmany of the would be competitors even cost more!! It's actually got a tube (12AX7) in the amp circuitry that helps it achieve it's unique sound. That's a sound that's nearly impossible to truly duplicate.

Recently I had a chance to see and hear the VOX ToneLabLE Valvetronix Guitar Amp Modeling Processor. This thing is AWESOME. VOX has managed to put all of the effects and amp/cabinet modeling power into this baby that you could ever want. It can be used as a floor processor of course, but it's just as useful in your home desktop, computer-based studio. It's got a (5) mode amp/line out to enable going through different amp types, to direct recording, to going through a PA. It's got a (3) band master EQ section, and the gurus at VOX added a S/P DIF connection. Plus they've added some cool new effects like a slap reverb, metal distortion, and a multi-tap chorus to name a few.

The acoustic section has a choice of (3) different acoustic guitar types, plus a resonator. I can't even begin to tell you all the features of this magical machine, but I can tell you that it's the last device that you'll ever want for your modeling and effects needs. It has (120) memories, and comes with (40) preset programs for some classic setups. It also has an expression pedal for Wah, Volume and other effects controls. That's one of the very few things I'd like to have on my older ToneLab. It's got a great backlit screen for easy viewing. It probably goes without sating, but there's a built-in tuner included. With the (16) different amp styles, and (10) different cabinet modeling settings that accurately reproduces the sound characteristics of (10) different cabinet shapes and speaker types, with all of the awesome effects, there's nothing else you could want.

Of course it's great for the home head-banger, and has a headphone jack for those late night sessions, as well as MIDI IN & OUT. Although I have mentioned it, it, of course, has the 12AX7 tube that helps it achieve those beautiful warm, rounded tones that the other totally solid-state units can only try to copy. I copied the specs., and have included them at the end of this post. I won't try and tell you every feature of this great device, but if you're looking for a modeler/effects box, please don't buy until you've checked this thing out. I can promise you that this is the unit you'll get. It's even very reasonably priced.

If, I mean when, you decide this is the device you want, check with zZounds before you look anywhere else. These guys have been around a long time, know their stuff inside and out, and offer prices that most dealers can't touch.

Technical Info

Amp types: 16

Cabinet types: 11

Pedal type effects: 16

Modulation type effects: 11

Delay types: 11

Reverb types: 11

Noise reduction: 1

Number of programs: 120 (30 banks x 4 pro-grams)

Input x 1

Insert return x 1

Output x 2

Insert send x 1

Headphones x 1

Level knob (adjusts output and headphones)

Digital audio output

S/P DIF(optical) x 1

Valve: 12AX7 (ECC83) x 1

Signal Processing A/D, D/A: 24-Bit

Tuner Range: A0-C7 (27.5Hz-2093Hz)

Tuner Calibration: A=438Hz-445Hz

MIDI: IN, OUT

Dimensions (W x D x H): 500 x 249 x 80mm, 19.69 x 9.80 x 3.15 in.