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While staying home during the coronavirus pandemic, many Australians are revisiting instruments they haven't played since they were kids, and rediscovering the trials and tribulations of learning music along the way. Key points: Finding the time in modern life to practice playing musical instruments can be difficult Being housebound during coronavirus restrictions has given people the time to practise once again Subsequently they have rediscovered the benefits of patience, mindfulness and creativity as well as the joy of making music Ben hated playing the guitar as a child. "I hated it so much I used to cry in the car...

Custom vs. Production The question is often asked “Why should I buy custom guitars when a good mass produced guitar would be as good?” My response is usually “Are you the kind of person who wants complete control over what you play and how you are perceived?” If the answer is Yes, then it’s time for a DREAM FACTORY custom built electric guitar. There are a lot of terms floating around when it comes to the types of guitar build processes. Let me try to list the three main types and clear up the definitions: Production guitars Custom shop guitars...

The thick and thin of it With around 80 different types of electric guitar strings to choose from, with various brands, gauges, materials, coatings etc, it can be a bit daunting choosing the right strings for your electric guitar. So, let’s break it down for you and try to keep it simple. When you look at a packet of guitar strings, one of the first things you will see is some numbers, usually something like 9-42, 10-46, 11-49 etc. These are the gauges (or thickness) of the strings from the thin, high E, string to the thick, low E (presuming you’re using...

Should I Upgrade? Assuming you’re one of those who is confident in your tinkering abilities and isn’t afraid of getting a little solder on the workbench, yes. Or perhaps you trust VCG to do the work once you decide on which parts you want to upgrade and what the cost will be. Luckily, there is a host of resources for those looking to upgrade their instrument’s parts, hardware or electronics. Pickups, generally considered a driving force in the guitar’s overall sonic character, are an easy foray into the world of tweaking without disrupting much else within the instrument—it’s a tangible first...