Marc
I'm Marc. My background is jazz — conservatory training, years of session work, and a long-standing love affair with hollowbody archtops and a clean, articulate tone. I think about gear the way I think about voicings: every component shifts the colour of the whole. I'm drawn to instruments that reward a light touch and reveal what your hands are actually doing. You won't find hyperbole in my reviews; you'll find careful listening, and an honest account of how a guitar or amp behaves when you ask something musical of it.
15 published articles · most recent July 19, 2026
I'm Marc. My background is jazz — conservatory training, years of session work, and a long-standing love affair with hollowbody archtops and a clean, articulate tone.
I think about gear the way I think about voicings: every component shifts the colour of the whole. I'm drawn to instruments that reward a light touch and reveal what your hands are actually doing.
You won't find hyperbole in my reviews — you'll find careful listening, and an honest account of how an instrument behaves when you ask something musical of it.
Articles by Marc
Fuzz on an archtop: why it works better than you'd thinkA jazz player's take on using fuzz with archtops and hollowbodies — where it sits beautifully and where it turns to mud.
Why a jazz box needs a different amp than a Strat doesAn archtop and a Strat don't want the same amp. Marc explains headroom, EQ voicing and why wattage matters differently for clean jazz tone.- Guitar pickup height: how it affects tone, output and dynamicsPickup height is one of the most overlooked adjustments on any electric guitar. Marc explains what it does to your tone, output and feel — and how to set it right.
- Speaker impedance and ohm matching: what it means for your ampMismatching your amp's impedance output to your speaker cab is one of the quieter ways to damage a valve amp. Here's what the numbers actually mean.
- How nut slot depth affects your guitar's tone, tuning and playabilityNut slot depth is one of the least discussed setup variables — and one of the most consequential. Here's what it actually does to your tone, intonation and feel.
- Delay feedback and decay: what those two knobs actually do to your toneFeedback and decay are the most misunderstood controls on any delay pedal. Marc breaks down what they actually do — and how to use them musically.
- Amp wattage explained: what it actually means for your tone and volumeWattage isn't just a volume number — it shapes how an amp breaks up, breathes, and responds. Marc explains what the specs actually mean.
- How overdrive pedals interact with your guitar's volume knobYour guitar's volume knob isn't just an on/off switch. Marc explains how it reshapes overdrive response, cleans up dirt, and gives you a dynamic range most players leave on the table.
- How fuzz pedals behave with humbuckers vs single-coilsHumbuckers and single-coils don't just sound different through a fuzz — they change how the circuit behaves entirely. Here's what's actually happening.
- How to set delay and reverb so they work together, not against each otherRunning delay and reverb on the same signal can blur into mush fast. Here's how to set each so they complement each other and keep your tone clear.
- How right-hand tone production shapes your gear choicesYour picking hand does more than keep time. Here's how subtle changes in right-hand technique directly inform which guitars, amps and pedals will actually work for you.
- How to place a fuzz pedal in your signal chain (and why position changes everything)Where you put a fuzz in your signal chain changes how it sounds and responds. Here's how to think through the options clearly.
- How to get a good guitar tone recording direct: DI, amp sims and signal chain basicsRecording guitar direct doesn't mean compromising on tone. Here's how to think through your DI and amp-sim signal chain and get results that hold up.
When Should You Upgrade Your Guitar? Signs You're ReadyHow to know when your first guitar is holding you back — and what a step-up instrument actually gets you for the money.
Single Coils vs Humbuckers: Which Pickups Are Right for You?The two great pickup families, and how they shape everything about your tone. A clear, practical guide to choosing the right voice for your playing.