Arpeggio Practice, Mark Speer, Fibenare Guitars

Vivid Guitar -

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“It is not daily increase, but daily decrease; hack away the unessential. The closer to the source, the less wastage there is.”
― Bruce Lee

Guitar Practice

Today, let's look at an arpeggio idea where we take different triad shapes and move them up and down the neck of the guitar. Use your 4th finger to move up to another position, and your 1st finger to move down the neck to a lower position.

Guitarist Spotlight

Mark Speer

Best known as the guitarist of the genre-defying band Khruangbin, Mark Speer is one of today’s most creative and original guitar players.

Born in (and still based in) Houston, Texas, Mark developed a deep appreciation for a wide range musical styles early in life, ranging from classic rock to global sounds such as Thai funk, Middle Eastern grooves, and African rhythms.

Speer's guitar style is characterized by his dynamic phrasing and inventive use of reverb and delay, creating lush, atmospheric textures. His playing draws inspiration from global music traditions, especially 1960s and '70s Thai funk, which influenced Khruangbin's unique sound.

Before forming Khruangbin in 2010 with bassist Laura Lee and drummer Donald "DJ" Johnson, Speer worked as a recording engineer and performed in various bands around Houston. His collaborative chemistry with Lee and Johnson led to the creation of a distinct musical identity that seamlessly fuses funk, soul, psychedelia, and world music.

With Khruangbin, Speer has toured internationally and released critically acclaimed albums such as The Universe Smiles Upon You (2015), Con Todo El Mundo (2018), Mordechai (2020), and A LA SALA (2024). Khruangbin’s live shows are outstanding, and they’ve risen from playing mid-size clubs to large amphitheaters around the world over the last few years.

Beyond his work with the band, Speer remains a passionate advocate for exploring and celebrating the richness of global musical traditions. The band regularly posts their own curated playlists on Spotify, featuring music from the around the world that you’ve likely never heard before.

Speer’s playing has been a key part of the Khruangbin’s success, and his unique guitar tone is a dominant part of their sound.

In addition to his phrasing and playing style, Mark’s sound comes from a Fender Stratocaster into a Fender Deluxe Reverb amp, colored by a unique pickup wiring, and some interesting uses of effects pedals.

His guitar is a 2001 Fender USA-made ‘70s reissue Strat. He swapped out the neck and bridge pickups with DiMArzio Pro Track mini-humbucker pickups. When he put the neck pickup in, he wired it into the switch wrong. The result was a “weird tinny gross little sound” he wasn’t used to at all. He thought he should have someone fix it, but then played it on a gig and fell in love with how nasty it sounded. The out-of-phase sound is wired into the middle+neck combo.

Mark keeps his Dunlop Crybaby wah always on. The brightness caused from the wah is evened out by a Boss distortion pedal where he sets the tone at the lowest setting. He also sets the bass at around 9 on his amp, with the treble set to around 3-5. He also has an MXR Dyna-Comp compressor where he sets the Output to full, and the Sensitivity to be off. Reverb and delay are also a big part of his sound, and he recently switched from a Strymon El Capistan to a Strymon Timeline.

Speer has become a standout figure in modern music. He continues to push creative boundaries, contributing to Khruangbin's growth as a globally celebrated act.

Key Gear:

  • 2001 Fender USA-made ‘70s reissue Stratocaster
  • Boss DS-1 Distortion
  • MXR Dyna Comp compressor
  • Fender ’65 Deluxe Reverb
  • Dunlop Cry Baby Was
  • Strymon TimeLine

Check out Mark Speer: Personal Instagram Page | Khruangbin's Instagram Page | Khruangbin Website

Gear Showcase

Fibenare Guitars

Fibenare Guitars is a boutique guitar company founded in 1998 in Kecskemét, Hungary, by three brothers: Árpád, Attila, and Csaba Benedek.

With a shared passion for music, art, and craftsmanship, the Benedek brothers set out to create guitars that combine innovative design with exceptional tonal quality.

Each Fibenare guitar is meticulously handcrafted, blending traditional luthiery techniques with modern innovations. The company is known for its attention to detail, premium materials, and custom options, making their instruments highly sought after by musicians worldwide. Fibenare's designs often showcase unique aesthetics, ergonomic shapes, and proprietary hardware - such as their custom pickups.

Notable guitar lines (each line features multiple distinct models) include the Basic Jazz, Erotic, and Roadmaster, each offering a different sound and feel tailored to different playing styles. Fibenare's commitment to quality and artistry has earned them a reputation as one of the finest boutique guitar makers in the world.

Check out Fibenare Guitars: Website | Instagram | Facebook

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