Hybrid Picking part 2, Matt Warnock, Tone King Gremlin
The newsletter for guitar players.
Guitar Practice
Digging further into Hybrid Picking
In the last issue, we looked at some of the basics of hybrid picking (using a combination of a pick and your fingers on your picking hand). Today, we'll get into a bit more practical uses for it.
One thing hybrid picking is great for is playing notes on 2 different strings at the same time - especially when the notes aren't on adjacent strings.
Below is a short example of a riff based on a Bb major scale. Use your pick for the lower notes and your middle for the higher notes. 'P' means play the note with your pick. 'm' means use your middle finger.
So far, we've focused on using our pick and middle finger. This next example adds your ring finger to the fun. This example is in 3/4 time. The ring finger is labeled 'a' below.
Hybrid picking is a staple in 'chicken pickin' country music.
In this countrified example, we're mostly using alternate picking with a pick on the lower notes, and our middle finger for the high notes. Take it slow at first.
Guitarist/Educator Spotlight
Matt Warnock, Matt Warnock Guitar
Matt Warnock is one of today's most highly respected and prolific jazz guitar educators.
With a background that includes a Doctor of Musical Arts in Jazz Performance degree, collegiate faculty positions, as well as having over 2,500 gigs around the world under his belt, Matt is an outstanding guitar teacher and player.
What started as a set of jazz guitar resources and lessons Matt put together for his guitar students, evolved into Matt Warnock Guitar - one of the premier online destinations for guitarists looking to learn jazz guitar.
Matt's guitar website and products have progressed from a blog, to eBooks, and now into a robust member-based guitar course platform featuring nearly 200 courses, a private forum, live workshops, chord & scale libraries, and much more.
Matt's lessons are very detailed, but he takes complex concepts and makes them simple to understand and apply.
Even if you're not into jazz, Matt's lessons contain countless principles that you can apply to your favorite styles and genres of music. You'll need to put in the work, but Matt's lessons and courses are structured in a way that lets you go at your own pace, and will ensure that you take huge leaps forward in your guitar playing.
Matt also recently launched his debut solo jazz guitar album, 'Homecoming.' The album's tracks tell his story of of reconnecting with his roots, family, and moving back home to the charm of Northern Ontario after 25 years away.
Gear Showcase
Tone King Gremlin Combo Amp
The last few years has seen a trend toward guitarists moving to smaller, lower watt amplifiers. They often make more sense for home and studio use, and can sound great mic'd at gigs.
One of the top options in this category is the Tone King Gremlin.
The Gremlin is a 1×12” 5-watt all-tube combo with a variety of vintage tones. There are 3 features that really set the Gremlin apart from other amps in this field:
- It features 2 channels: One voiced as a Blackface amp, and one voiced as a tweed-style amp.
- It has a built-in power attenuator, allowing you to get cranked tones at low volume.
- The 12" speaker. A lot of 5 watt amps have a 10" or 8" speaker.
The Blackface channel offers more headroom (ideal for rhythm playing), while the Tweed channel has a more driven voice ideal for lead playing. You can either select your input or jump the channels with an optional A/B/Y footswitch.
To be clear, while the channels are modeled after Blackface and Tweed amps, the Gremlin has a bit of its own thing going on in terms of tone. If it's a pure Fender low-watt tube amp sound you're after, you might be better off with something like a Fender Vibro Champ or '57 Custom Champ. That said, the Tone King Gremlin produces a wide range of outstanding tones.
On the technical side, the Gremlin uses 1 x KT66 tube and 2 x 12AX7 tubes, and has an 8-Ohm, Ceramic Magnet 12” Celestion speaker. Tone King amps are built in the USA, using premium worldwide components. Oh..and it's offered in 4 different colors..and looks pretty damn cool.
The Tone King Gremlin might be perceived as pricey for a 5W amp (MSRP is $1,395 new), but it's a boutique-quality amp that is essentially 2 different style tube amps in one. It hits the sweet spot of size, wattage, tones, and functionality.
Key features:
- 5W power
- 1 x KT66 tube and 2 x 12AX7 tubes
- Offered in 4 colors
- 12” Celestion speaker
- Separate rhythm (Blackface) and lead (Tweed) channels
- Volume and tone controls
- Built-In Ironman II Compensated Power Attenuator
- Dimensions: 10″(L) x 19″(W) x 17″(H)
- Weight: 27 lbs
Check out the Tone King Gremlin, or view it on Reverb
🎸 Trending
- Squier released a run of FSR Classic Vibe guitars, including Double-Bound Custom 60s Telecasters (offered in Candy Tangerine and Olive Green), and a Blue Sparkle Jaguar. Offered at select retailers, including Andertons Music.
- R.J. Ronquillo posted a YouTube video showcasing what he thinks is the perfect pedal platform amp.
- The Guitar Nerds podcast did a 'Gear of the Year 2024' rundown. Apple Podcasts | Spotify
- D'Addario CEO Jim D'Addario chatted with Billboard Magazine, looking back at the bold moves that have kept the brand relevant for 50 years.
Currently spinning in the Office
Geordie Greep: The New Sound
This album from the former frontman and lead guitarist of the rock band Black Midi sounds like a wild combination of Zappa, the Talking Heads, Steely Dan, and the Dead Kennedys. It's crazy, but in good way, and features some super creative compositions and guitar playing.
