Guitarists as Collectors
I can’t count the number of guitars that I have owned and sold over the years. When it comes to collecting guitars though, I am no Vince Gill, the guitar master who, I believe built a building to house his Martin Guitar collection. But if it was a Gibson or Fender, I have probably owned it at one time or another.
The same is true for amplification; we tell ourselves that each instrument and amp combination has its own unique characteristic and sound — and we are right! My inner child lives in a tent outside the house, while the house remains climate-controlled and filled with musical instruments.
Of course, I am no longer a child. But if I were, guitar virtuoso Joe Bonamassa’s collection might illustrate the point:
Guitar Virtuoso, Joe Bonamassa
At the millennium, I had trimmed the collection down to one Fender Stratocaster, a couple of boutique instruments and a small VOX practice amp. All things being equal, there is never a guarantee that the collecting itch won’t start again. But I would prefer that it did not. And I have been recently in relief, because this time, I think that I have found a salve for that itch that could quite effectively preclude any major impulses towards ‘collection bloat: ‘ Line 6.
The Line 6 ‘POD’
I had a POD by Line 6 when it was first released – a guitar amp and effects modeler – and it was fun. It certainly cut down on the storage space needed for different guitar amplifiers. But as I have mentioned before, I stopped playing guitar years ago after being jumped in a parking lot by four party-goers who were looking for a good time by beating up a band member. So, who knows what happened to the POD? I hope I gave it to a friend.
POD Amp Modeler by Line 6
Little-by-little, I am beginning to play the guitar again. Now that I have processed the beating that I took, I figure it can be a friend for life.
Blown Away by the Line 6 Sonic Port/Mobile POD App
The Line 6 Facebook Page keeps me updated on their latest product offerings. I am not the only one; at the time of this writing they have 159,752 followers. So when they recently introduced the Sonic Port, I was fascinated that a smart phone could suddenly become an amplifier and effects modeler. I couldn’t help myself. I purchased it. I’m only human!
I have not been disappointed. The Sonic Port immediately recognized the smart phone and Mobile POD App and suddenly I was playing guitar through what sounded like Eric Clapton playing through a Marshall Stack.
Guitar ‘God’ Eric Clapton with a Gibson Firebird and Marshall Amplifiers
A click, and suddenly the guitar sounds like it could please Esteban:
Classical guitarist and promoter extraordinaire, Esteban
As Ann Margaret might say, “What a Gas!“
What I would have done for something like this when I was a teenager! Highly recommend.
The Line 6 Sonic Port and Mobile POD App in Action
Bill Leyden 