Top5 | Oct 18, 2016
Gear Tube turned one this October, having started as a passion project about a year ago. To celebrate I'm listing the Top 5 demos that inspired me to create Gear Tube, which brings all the best gear videos into one website and app. We're also re-featuring KNOBS demo of the Chase Bliss Gravitas which was on our homepage banner when we very first launched.
1) Rob & Lee: Mesa/Boogie Rect-o-verb 25
Many of you will relate to settling down and having kids, and some of the inevitable down sizing that occurs during that season. But the longing for great gear and great tones remains, and so looking at demos for the Rect-o-verb 25 was what first started to get me back into gear personally. It was also when I first discovered Chappers and The Captain, and soon became a fan. The demo was also one of the first to feature Danish Pete, who is now a regular on the Anderton's channel.
2) KNOBS: Chase Bliss Gravitas
I must have watched this video almost 50 times, not just to hear the amazing Gravitas tremolo, but as a piece of visual art and music, this KNOBS demo is just stunning.
3) John Bell: Neunaber Wet
Another repeated viewing which lead to a purchase, John Bell's demo of the Neunaber Wet is as hauntingly beautiful as the pedal itself.
4) Shawn Shiraz: Two Rock Crystal
Sometimes it's not the more planned and produced demo that can be most inspiring. That's the case with this demo of the Two Rock Crystal. Guitar straight into the amp, and camera audio, but still one of the best clean tones I've ever heard.
5) Wampler Pedals: Chasing Tone Podcast
Last, but certainly not least is the Wampler's Chasing Tone podcast. It's evolved into a different format recently, but like many of you I must have learned more about gear through it's 100 episodes than in all my years of playing and purchasing before that.
I'd also like to say thank you to all the artists, retailers, magazines and manufactures that inspire us to make music (and spend money!) through their products and demos.
- James Low
Gear Tube Editor-in-chief