Our Recommendations

Just a few of our favorite things.

If you do find something you’d like to purchase, we would love it if you’d use our links to get there. A few of the vendors buy us a cup of coffee when you do and our wives would really like us to lower the Starbucks budget. It also helps to keep the cost of Worship Artistry where it is. Thanks for your support!

Acoustic Guitar

When it comes to acoustic guitar, pick up the nicest guitar you can afford and add everything else later. I've included a number of good beginner options that won't break the bank but play well enough to not chase you away from guitar forever.

Amps

Loudbox Mini

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If you have a good PA system, an acoustic amp is redundant, but if you need something small and simple that sounds good this is a great little amp. It's got plenty of kick and also can handle a microphone so it's great for small worship environments and can also double as a monitor on a larger stage.

Loudbox Artist

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The Artist acoustic is Fishman's next step up from the mini. It features twice the juice as the mini and includes additional effects like delay, chorus and flanger. I think the main reason for the step up is the additional volume you get for bigger venues but for most church musicians the mini is plenty.

Metronomes

Pro Metronome for iPhone

App Store

If you've already got an iPhone this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Pro Metronome For Android

Google Play

If you've already got a phone, this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat

Reverb

You see this full-featured metronome in all our bass and guitar videos. Where do we begin? Tap tempo, customizable subdivisions with easy to use slider interface, multiple voices including human voice counting, midi and quarter inch cable input so you can practice with headphones in and still hear you guitar. Includes a handy drum hardware connection. It's top of the line but you'll never need another metronome.

Tama Rhythm Watch

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The RW200 is a programmable metronome with plenty of volume and easy to use dials and plenty of volume. Built specifically for drummers but a nice substitute for the DB-90 if you want to save some coin.

My Rig

Martin 000-28ec

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This is my baby. I've never played a guitar I like better. The tone across the strings is nice and even and 10 years in I still hear the tone improving. I'm not really a "Martin guy" but I love this guitar. Even my wife noticed the difference in room full of Martins and Collings'.

Fishman Matrix Pickup

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This is the updated version of my pickup. It's a little more versatile with the solid Fishman reliability.

Power Adapter

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Nine volt batteries are expensive and if you are going to be playing live you will need at least a stomp box tuner. Spend a little cash up front and save in the long run. This universal nine volt adapter will work with any nine volt pedal.

Multiplug

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The Trutone Multi-plug cable extends your one adapter to handle 5 pedals. If you have more pedals than that on your beginner rig you either have too many pedals or belong in the intermediate club.

Boss Bass EQ

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Why bass eq and not guitar eq? The larger frequency range allows you to drop the boxy 500 range and still boost the bass so if you have don't have a bass player you don't sound empty but if you are playing with a band you can still blend into the mix. Other guitarists are shocked when they hear the difference in the tone. It also has a gain slider to help you boost low signal. I'd personally take it over any of the fancy "acoustic specific" DI's.

TC Helicon Harmony G XT

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This is a tuner and vocal harmonizer in one. I got this before the "Play Acoustic" came out. (See my wishlist). It handles vocal harmonies, vocal doubling and includes reverb and delay effects. The presets are a nice feature but my favorite is the tone button which adds vocal compression and scoops the eq to create a great vocal tone. Still, I'd get the "Play Acoustic" if I didn't already have this.

Beginner Guitars

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro

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Solid top. Pretty look. Great (if a little fancy) beginner guitar.

Yamaha FG800

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Believe it or not, I've never been disappointed with a Yamaha acoustic. A great roommate to have while you search for your soulmate.

Ibanez AW400

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Solid top and well put together. This guitar is both beautiful and has sustain often missing from guitars in this price range.

The Loar LO-16

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Love the size and feel of this one. If you are just starting out it's a great little guitar for the price.

Acoustic Pickups You Won't Hate

Fishman Matrix Pickup

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This is the updated version of my pickup. It's a little more versatile with the solid Fishman reliability.

LR Baggs Anthem Tru Mic Pickup

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If this had been around when I bought my Martin, I would have definitely installed it. The ability to mix the mic and piezo to dial in just the right sound is what really sets it apart. I've gotten to play on one and came away very impressed.

LR Baggs Soundhole Pickup

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I love the way these sound. They are used by some of my favorite artists (including the 15 year old on my worship team). The only thing about them is they alter the look of your guitar but they so ubiquitous they might actually make them look cooler.

Signal Chain

Boss TU-3 Tuner

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This is old faithful. It's been with me forever. I might be swayed by a Poly Tune 2 but I can't turn my back on this one. I'm pretty sure I could throw it full speed into a wall and it wouldn't be worse for wear.

Multiplug

Reverb

The Trutone Multi-plug cable extends your one adapter to handle 5 pedals. If you have more pedals than that on your beginner rig you either have too many pedals or belong in the intermediate club.

Boss Bass EQ

Reverb

Why bass eq and not guitar eq? The larger frequency range allows you to drop the boxy 500 range and still boost the bass so if you have don't have a bass player you don't sound empty but if you are playing with a band you can still blend into the mix. Other guitarists are shocked when they hear the difference in the tone. It also has a gain slider to help you boost low signal. I'd personally take it over any of the fancy "acoustic specific" DI's.

TC Helicon Harmony G XT

Reverb

This is a tuner and vocal harmonizer in one. I got this before the "Play Acoustic" came out. (See my wishlist). It handles vocal harmonies, vocal doubling and includes reverb and delay effects. The presets are a nice feature but my favorite is the tone button which adds vocal compression and scoops the eq to create a great vocal tone. Still, I'd get the "Play Acoustic" if I didn't already have this.

Monster Cable

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Cables do actually make a difference. You might not notice it on its own but put my Monster Cable next to a Whirlwind and you can hear the difference. Monsters are a little pricey but they back it up with their guarantee.

Accessories

Power Adapter

Reverb

Nine volt batteries are expensive and if you are going to be playing live you will need at least a stomp box tuner. Spend a little cash up front and save in the long run. This universal nine volt adapter will work with any nine volt pedal.

Planet Waves Capo

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If you play guitar, you need a capo. This one is low-profile and inexpensive. The adjustment screw allows you to adjust the tension so it's great for acoustics or electrics. It's not as easy to change position as some others but if you aren't performing, that won't be a problem.

Whilrlwind Guitar Cable

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A cheap cable will last long enough for you want to spend more money on cables. I've got a few old whirlwinds that still work great.

G7th Newport Cut Capo

Amazon

A great little cut capo in the Newport style. Check the Green Room for tips on using one.

Monster Cable

Reverb

Cables do actually make a difference. You might not notice it on its own but put my Monster Cable next to a Whirlwind and you can hear the difference. Monsters are a little pricey but they back it up with their guarantee.

Everly Star Grip Picks

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I love these little guys. They feel great and are perfect for both picking and strumming.

Elixir Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb Strings

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I've been using these strings for a long time. They are a little bright when you first put them on but they settle in after a few days and last forever. I play a light 12 gauge.

G7th Capo

zZounds

I love this capo. Variable pressure and one-handed adjustment make it my go-to. It's so good I've considered driving home to get it rather than using my backup.

Dunlop Knuckle Slide

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Since I rarely play songs with only a slide, the knuckle slide is perfect. It allows me to hit the slide parts and still chord easily. It's also great for slide beginners because it's not as bulky as a full size slide.

Wishlist

TC Helicon Play Acoustic Voice Processor

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Similar to the Harmony G XT, this little box has a few features that take it up a notch. My favorite is the ability to tweak the perfection of the vocals. Rather than jumping to each perfect note, you can set it to waver in pitch and slide into notes to make it sound more human.

LR Baggs Anthem Tru Mic Pickup

Reverb

If this had been around when I bought my Martin, I would have definitely installed it. The ability to mix the mic and piezo to dial in just the right sound is what really sets it apart. I've gotten to play on one and came away very impressed.

Electric Guitar

When it comes to gear, you generally get what you pay for. Finding that right balance of quality and value can be tricky. Along with my own rig I've put together a high-quality and relatively inexpensive pedalboard to get you started. You can spend the rest of your day checking out the cool pedals section. Most of the links have video demos. 

Metronomes

Pro Metronome For Android

Google Play

If you've already got a phone, this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat

Reverb

You see this full-featured metronome in all our bass and guitar videos. Where do we begin? Tap tempo, customizable subdivisions with easy to use slider interface, multiple voices including human voice counting, midi and quarter inch cable input so you can practice with headphones in and still hear you guitar. Includes a handy drum hardware connection. It's top of the line but you'll never need another metronome.

Tama Rhythm Watch

Reverb

The RW200 is a programmable metronome with plenty of volume and easy to use dials and plenty of volume. Built specifically for drummers but a nice substitute for the DB-90 if you want to save some coin.

Pro Metronome for iPhone

App Store

If you've already got an iPhone this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

My Rig

Seymour Duncan Jerry Donahue Bridge Pickup

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My guitar was built by one of my students so you'll never be able to get the exact same thing, but if you are looking for the tone, the pickups are a big part of it. I'll put this pickup up against tele bridge pickup on the market. It's a little hotter and rounder that a standard tele and mixes great with the mini bucker I have in the neck position.

Seymour Duncan SM--3 Minibucker

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I like a little warmer tone in the neck position but a humbucker can be a little overwhelming on a tele. This mini-bucker is just right and mixes perfectly with the Jerry Donahue bridge pickup.

Palisades

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You've seen me use this in a ton of lessons. It's essentially every version of an Ibanez Tube Screamer (they change over the years). It's incredibly versatile giving everything from clarifying overdrives to heavy, almost fuzz-like tones. The downside is that it takes awhile to get the hang of and requires a number of knob-tweaks to get different tones. I love it though.

Ernie Ball Junior Volume Pedal

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Okay, this isn't actually on my rig but it would be if I didn't already have a perfectly good volume pedal. Get this one if you need one. It's great. Smooth action and well-weighted.

organizer

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This is my octave pedal. I did a full demo of it in the Green Room. I like its ease of use and straight forward control. It's unique enough to stand apart from other octave pedals but still handles everything you need it to.

Boss TU-3 Tuner

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This is old faithful. It's been with me forever. I might be swayed by a Poly Tune 2 but I can't turn my back on this one. I'm pretty sure I could throw it full speed into a wall and it wouldn't be worse for wear.

Strymon El Capistan Dtape Echo

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This is as close to real tape delay as you're going to get in a digital package. With tap tempo and incredible adjustability it gives you everything you need in this type of an effect.

Keeley Compressor Plus

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Warm tone and the blend knob make this the go to for your rig.

Westminster Effects E89

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This dual overdrive combines Westminster Effects' Edwards and 1689 overdrives. I love the variation of tones you can get with this pedal - everything from barely breaking to raging tube tone.

Dispatchmaster

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You've seen me use this a ton in the lessons. The delay and reverb combo is perfect to my liking. My only issue is the lack of tap tempo though it's not a problem in the studio. Man, the tone on this thing...

George L Effects Cable Kit

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I like getting my board just right and these George L's are solder less, small, and give you plenty of cable to work with.

Monster Cable

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Cables do actually make a difference. You might not notice it on its own but put my Monster Cable next to a Whirlwind and you can hear the difference. Monsters are a little pricey but they back it up with their guarantee.

Accessories

George L Effects Cable Kit

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I like getting my board just right and these George L's are solder less, small, and give you plenty of cable to work with.

PCS-20A Parallel DC Cord

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This one needs the Boss Tuner to work but you can get one that goes directly from the power adapter by Trutone.

Monster Cable

Reverb

Cables do actually make a difference. You might not notice it on its own but put my Monster Cable next to a Whirlwind and you can hear the difference. Monsters are a little pricey but they back it up with their guarantee.

Everly Star Grip Picks

Reverb

I love these little guys. They feel great and are perfect for both picking and strumming.

G7th Capo

zZounds

I love this capo. Variable pressure and one-handed adjustment make it my go-to. It's so good I've considered driving home to get it rather than using my backup.

Ebow

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This isn't a necessity but it's a fun little tool to have in your bag of tricks. It's an electronic magnet that vibrates the string indefinitely. I first heard Stu G use it on "Obsession" but since then you can find it on a number of songs on the site. "How He Loves" comes to mind.

Beginner Guitars

Bullet Strat

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It looks cool and is cheap. When you are just starting out don't waste money on an awesome guitar. Instead buy this little guy and get a decent "setup" with a good guitar tech and you'll be happy long enough to know you want to keep rolling with this guitar thing.

Practice Amps

Blackstar 10w 2x5

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I wish these had been around when I first started. (It was darn near impossible to make a Peavey Rage sound good). It has enough decent sounding amp models and effects to keep you busy until you are ready to start playing out.

Blackstar 20w 2x10

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Same as the 2x5 with a little more juice. Would be worth it if you are going to be practicing with other players.

The Inexpensive Starter Board

Ernie Ball Junior Volume Pedal

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Okay, this isn't actually on my rig but it would be if I didn't already have a perfectly good volume pedal. Get this one if you need one. It's great. Smooth action and well-weighted.

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

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You'll find this bright green pedal on nearly every professional board in the world. There have been different iterations and boutique companies like to create their own versions but for the price, this is what you want. You can sell it later and get something like the Palisades later when you know more about the tone you want.

Power Adapter

Reverb

Nine volt batteries are expensive and if you are going to be playing live you will need at least a stomp box tuner. Spend a little cash up front and save in the long run. This universal nine volt adapter will work with any nine volt pedal.

Boss TU-3 Tuner

Reverb

This is old faithful. It's been with me forever. I might be swayed by a Poly Tune 2 but I can't turn my back on this one. I'm pretty sure I could throw it full speed into a wall and it wouldn't be worse for wear.

Memory Boy Delay

Reverb

I like the Memory Boy for its tone as well as its simple layout. Easy to get the tone you want and as with most EHX pedals you can get some weird stuff too. The ability to add an expression pedal and assign it easily is also a plus.

George L Effects Cable Kit

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I like getting my board just right and these George L's are solder less, small, and give you plenty of cable to work with.

PCS-20A Parallel DC Cord

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This one needs the Boss Tuner to work but you can get one that goes directly from the power adapter by Trutone.

Holy Grail Reverb

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There are a million reverbs out there but the Holy Grail gives you the one you want with one simple knob. Combined with a robust delay there's no ambient work you won't be able to do.

Performance Amps

Vox AC-15

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I love my AC-30 but if the AC-15 had a master volume when I was shopping it may have been a better purchase. Great Vox tone in a lighter package. As a church musician you'll probably never turn it up past "1".

Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

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I started with this before I moved to Vox. It's a great little tube amp at the right price. Amps are all about preference but this is a go-to for many guitarists I know. I just dig that Vox tone a little more.

Vox AC-30

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I. LOVE. THIS. AMP. It's expensive. It's super heavy (75 lbs!). But the tone. Oh, the tone. You probably don't need one if you aren't touring or recording but I got it when I was younger and I'll never get rid of it. Check out the AC-15 (above) if you want something similar at a lighter weight and lower price point.

Amp Substitutes

Pod HD500X

zZounds

If your church has a good monitor system and you don't already own an amp and a bunch of pedals, this pedal is awesome. It has a ton of amp models and effects and it will keep your sound engineer happy with it's non-existent stage volume. Plus, no herniated discs carrying it around. You can even download the Worship Artistry patch for free. (Look for it in the Green Room.)

Boss GT-100

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The GT-100 Floor Amp and Effects pedal is a competitor with the Pod HD500X. It has load of amps and effects that are clearly Boss. The dual screen and knob interface on the actual pedal is easier to use than the Pod but the Pod programming software wins on the desktop. The biggest differentiator is tone. The Pod has a more realistic and dirtier amp tone while the Boss gives you a pristine, more digital sounding tone. I personally prefer the POD for the same price but check out the demos and choose for yourself.

Cool Pedals

Palisades

Reverb

You've seen me use this in a ton of lessons. It's essentially every version of an Ibanez Tube Screamer (they change over the years). It's incredibly versatile giving everything from clarifying overdrives to heavy, almost fuzz-like tones. The downside is that it takes awhile to get the hang of and requires a number of knob-tweaks to get different tones. I love it though.

organizer

Reverb

This is my octave pedal. I did a full demo of it in the Green Room. I like its ease of use and straight forward control. It's unique enough to stand apart from other octave pedals but still handles everything you need it to.

Pod HD500X

zZounds

If your church has a good monitor system and you don't already own an amp and a bunch of pedals, this pedal is awesome. It has a ton of amp models and effects and it will keep your sound engineer happy with it's non-existent stage volume. Plus, no herniated discs carrying it around. You can even download the Worship Artistry patch for free. (Look for it in the Green Room.)

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Reverb

You'll find this bright green pedal on nearly every professional board in the world. There have been different iterations and boutique companies like to create their own versions but for the price, this is what you want. You can sell it later and get something like the Palisades later when you know more about the tone you want.

Polytune Tuner

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The Poly Tune 2 is not only the right size for your board but the right size for your wallet. It's accurate and can even tune multiple strings at the same time.

Boss GT-100

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The GT-100 Floor Amp and Effects pedal is a competitor with the Pod HD500X. It has load of amps and effects that are clearly Boss. The dual screen and knob interface on the actual pedal is easier to use than the Pod but the Pod programming software wins on the desktop. The biggest differentiator is tone. The Pod has a more realistic and dirtier amp tone while the Boss gives you a pristine, more digital sounding tone. I personally prefer the POD for the same price but check out the demos and choose for yourself.

Memory Boy Delay

Reverb

I like the Memory Boy for its tone as well as its simple layout. Easy to get the tone you want and as with most EHX pedals you can get some weird stuff too. The ability to add an expression pedal and assign it easily is also a plus.

Flashback Delay

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To me it's a toss-up between this guy and the Memory Boy. Both pack a lot of punch at this price point. The Flashback has a ton of different delays as well as TC Helicon's Tone Print technology. I also dig that you "tap" the tempo by strumming your strings. Pretty cool.

SP Compressor

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I love this little compressor. It's great to throw on both strumming and fingerpicking and the blend knob keeps you from sounding over compressed. It's on my wishlist so I'm hoping to move it to the "my rig" category shortly.

Holy Grail Reverb

Reverb

There are a million reverbs out there but the Holy Grail gives you the one you want with one simple knob. Combined with a robust delay there's no ambient work you won't be able to do.

Wishlist

SP Compressor

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I love this little compressor. It's great to throw on both strumming and fingerpicking and the blend knob keeps you from sounding over compressed. It's on my wishlist so I'm hoping to move it to the "my rig" category shortly.

Bass

Everybody wants to know about gear. I love what I have and want you to love what you've got too. The main thing to know is how to make what you have sound good! Here is my setup along with some recommendations if you are just getting into bass.

Metronomes

Tama Rhythm Watch

Reverb

The RW200 is a programmable metronome with plenty of volume and easy to use dials and plenty of volume. Built specifically for drummers but a nice substitute for the DB-90 if you want to save some coin.

Pro Metronome for iPhone

App Store

If you've already got an iPhone this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Pro Metronome For Android

Google Play

If you've already got a phone, this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat

Reverb

You see this full-featured metronome in all our bass and guitar videos. Where do we begin? Tap tempo, customizable subdivisions with easy to use slider interface, multiple voices including human voice counting, midi and quarter inch cable input so you can practice with headphones in and still hear you guitar. Includes a handy drum hardware connection. It's top of the line but you'll never need another metronome.

My Rig

Boss TU-3 Tuner

Reverb

This is old faithful. It's been with me forever. I might be swayed by a Poly Tune 2 but I can't turn my back on this one. I'm pretty sure I could throw it full speed into a wall and it wouldn't be worse for wear.

Harmony Reissue H22

I love this bass for my organic sessions or if we have a motown vibe. It sounds thuddy and I have flat wound strings on it so no high end. The only high end tome is the woody sound of the bass which sounds a bit more like an upright bass. I love this bass for its big pillowy sound and its lack of sustain on the right songs. I also think it looks amazing!!!

Mike - E pre amp compressor

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I use this piece of gear when I record. It smoothes out my playing with the compression and colors the tone with the pre amp. It is an a-class piece of outboard gear and makes things sound so much better.

Sansamp Bass DI Pre Amp

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I feel completely at a loss if I forget this guy at home. It is the basis of all my tone. I love this pedal and have used it on most every record I have done for the last 15 years. It gives you the ability to preset 3 different tones so with a click you change your vibe. "This is Amazing Grace" by Phil Wickham is a song that has this kind of change mid song. Its also good if you play more than one bass in a gig so you can get the exact EQ you want for each instrument.

Bluesman Vintage Deville

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This is my "go to" bass. I pick up a lot of basses and this is the one that If I had to take one bass to a session would be my choice for sure. It has a rich warm woody tone that you would expect from a vintage p-bass. It is a 60's reissue built with all custom american parts in Tennessee. The bass has had a relic mod which means that they beat it up on purpose so it looks like a real old bass that has been gig worn for 40 years. It has custom bolt on neck and the neck feels like it comes off a really well played old bass.

Beginner Basses

Fender Made in Mexico

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This is the next level up in price and what you are really paying for is having the brand name Fender on your headstock as opposed to Squire. I know that can be important to some folks just the same as buying a pair of converse chucks or the knockoff brand. I do like these basses but they are not going to have the quality level that you would find in a USA made fender bass.

Fender Precision

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Made in America Fender basses are great instruments that hold their value well and if you want the most reliable of this family of basses the USA made will put you in good stead. If you are a pro working musician you will probably want something like this or the basses that have been inspired by this bass like Lakland or various other high end basses including my custom Bluesman Deville. Here's the most important thing to understand and remember about different range and models of Basses.

Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass

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This bass has a jazzier sound if you are looking for something a little different than the Fender P-bass. It's got great tone and is really playable.

Squire Vintage Indonesian bass

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I am a sucker for these style of basses. I like the Jazz basses too and you may want to experiment with both the the Jazz and the Precision models of this bass to see which one you like more. The pickups are the biggest difference in the two models and the Jazz will give you a brighter less low mid heavy bass. For years I was a sworn fender guy because of the music that I loved growing up and the basses that were played on the amazing songs I heard from Motown to U2 to Delirious and the Police. I still love these basses and how they feel, look and sound.

The Extra's

Planet Waves American Stage Cables

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I have these cables because I was given them by Planet Waves and I have been surprised at how well these cables handle the road. They are the high end planet waves ones and do a great job in my chain.

Planet Waves Leather Straps 

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A good leather strap will always feel great. I have their extra skinny one with the neck pad and I love how it looks but it really bites in after a while of playing so if you have long sessions of playing get one with a broader strap especially if you have a heavy bass.

EHX Bass Big Muff

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I mentioned the EHX Russian Big Muff in the gear podcast. While those are hard to find nowadays, EHX has created a Big Muff fuzz specifically for the bassists. The different EQ settings are a huge win and you won't lose your presence when you kick it on. The price is right as well. If you're looking for a bass overdrive look no further.

Planet Waves Picks

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I use picks on a lot of the more driving rock based songs or percussive bass lines and the nylon and Duralin picks are my go-to's. I really like the tone as well as the consistency it gives my 8th and 16th notes. I play with the pick side on so it increases the surface area that hits the string and make sure if does not make too much of an extra click to the tone. Palm muting also adds a nice vibe when using a pick.

Vox amPlug

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This little headphone amp is great for practice and not driving everyone around you crazy. You can put headphones on and even play mp3's through it so you can practice along. A great thing to have if you're just getting your feet wet with bass.

D'addario Strings

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I like old strings and the EXP 160 Coated Nickel Wound Bass, Medium, 50-105, Long Scale strings by D'addario. They sound warmer and I like that they loose the "gangy" sound that you get when you first put strings on a bass that I would not want in the music that I make. My Jazz bass hates old strings and just sounds bad with them on so it definitely varies bass to bass. The p-bass with old strings thing is a vibe that has been a "thing" for years. If you are into slap funk then newer strings would be a way to go for sure. So These sound good after a couple of months.

Drums

Hey guys! Here is a list of my "Go To" gear that I'm currently using. If you see something that you like you can grab it right from this page!

Metronomes

Tama Rhythm Watch

Reverb

The RW200 is a programmable metronome with plenty of volume and easy to use dials and plenty of volume. Built specifically for drummers but a nice substitute for the DB-90 if you want to save some coin.

Pro Metronome for iPhone

App Store

If you've already got an iPhone this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Pro Metronome For Android

Google Play

If you've already got a phone, this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat

Reverb

You see this full-featured metronome in all our bass and guitar videos. Where do we begin? Tap tempo, customizable subdivisions with easy to use slider interface, multiple voices including human voice counting, midi and quarter inch cable input so you can practice with headphones in and still hear you guitar. Includes a handy drum hardware connection. It's top of the line but you'll never need another metronome.

My Rig

Sound Percussion Snare Stand

Reverb

Great stands for the budget.

Sticks - ProMark D’Addario - TXR5BW (5B) Natural Finish

Amazon

I love ProMark sticks. Nice balanced feel in every pair and the natural finish feels great and helps me hang on to them.

Evans Toms Heads - G2 Coated

Reverb

These heads really give you that deeper warm tone and they're great for keeping the bright sustains out of the mix.

Vick Firth - Steve Gadd Wire Brushes

Reverb

A good resource to have in your bag.

Evans Toms Heads - G2 Coated (Genera)

Reverb

These snare heads favor the G2 tom heads. They give you a deeper/fatter tone and they tend to help cut out the ring or over tones.

Gibraltar Throne

Reverb

This is a comfy little throne that won't break the bank.

Hardware - DW 9000 HiHat Stand

Reverb

Talk about a smooth pedal. This is a super durable HH stand and it has a lot of adjusting room as far as tension goes.

Latin Percussion - Shakers 

Reverb

A good little shaker to have in the bag. Latin Percussion products are great!

Paiste Twenty Series 16” Hats

Reverb

Not too bright and not too dark. These have worked well for me for quite some time now,

PDP Cymbal Stands  

Reverb

Great budget cymbal stand.

ProMark D’Addario - Broom Stick Brushes

Reverb

If you're looking for that low thuddy snare sound try these out. They're soft but still have the weight behind them to get some tone out of your drums.

Rhythm Tech -Tambourine

Reverb

These guys have plenty of Tambourines to choose from but this is a personal favorite.

Kick EMAD Coated Head

Reverb

This kick head gives you the same tone and feel as the G2 tom heads. I like it because I can adjust how much attack I get depending on the beater I use. You can do the same with a clear head as well don't get me wrong but I feel like I have more control with this one.

Snare Drum - Ludwig - Acrolite 14x5.5

Reverb

Great drum for a budget buy.

Big Fat Snare Drum - 14” Steve’s Donut Dampener

Reverb

These nifty gizmos can make a horrible snare sound great. Just enough dampening to cut out any unwanted ring or over tone and they'll fatten out the sound as well. Definitely a good tool for the toolbox.

Snare Drum - Ludwig Centurian (bubinga) 14x6.5

Reverb

This is my "Go To" snare. Love the tone and it's pretty versatile.

Cymbal - Zildjian 22” K Light Ride (used as crash)

Reverb

Great cymbals for "playing to the room" and giving that darker feel to keep the bright highs out of the mix.

Snare Drum - Ludwig Supraphonic 14x5.5

Reverb

Supraphonic is an industry "Go To." I use this guy quite frequently and it is versatile.

Cymbal - Zildjian 24” K Light Ride 

Reverb

Great cymbals for "playing to the room" and giving that darker feel to keep the bright highs out of the mix.

Snare Head - Genera Dry / ST Dry  

Reverb

Just like its name it will give you a little more dry/warm tone with less overtones.

DW 5000 Kick Pedal  

Reverb

My favorite kick pedal of all time so far. Smooth pedal with room for adjustment to fit your tension needs as well as durable.

Snare weight - M1 Dampener 

Reverb

Snareweight makes a few different designs and the one I have is just the little guy compared to the heavier models, but it all just depends on what you're looking for. The heavier models add more dampening because of their weight and the lighter ones add just a little bit of dampening. The M1 can also work on your toms if you're needing to cut out a little bit of ring. It's designed to control the resonance without changing the drum's brightness. Since it adds mass to your drum head, it smooths out those lower-mid ringing frequencies that are hard to reach.

DW Collectors Series (Black Velvet Finish) Dimensions - 22x18 Kick, 12x9 Rack Tom, 16x16 Floor Tom

Reverb

I've had this kit for at least 10 years and I love it. DW make great drums and they'll last a lifetime.

Sound Percussion - Red Wood Kick Drum Beater

Reverb

Great for adding some attack.

Keyboard

I get asked all the time about my rig... especially about what I'm running on my iPad. So here's the low-down on my rig as well as gear to consider if you are a beginner or looking to upgrade!

Metronomes

Tama Rhythm Watch

Reverb

The RW200 is a programmable metronome with plenty of volume and easy to use dials and plenty of volume. Built specifically for drummers but a nice substitute for the DB-90 if you want to save some coin.

Pro Metronome for iPhone

App Store

If you've already got an iPhone this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Pro Metronome For Android

Google Play

If you've already got a phone, this little app has what you need for practice. It's plenty customizable (pay the few bucks for the paid version) and has some great rhythm trainer features. Phone apps use the phone's clock which isn't good for recording but works just fine for practicing. Try the free version and make sure it's what you want.

Boss DB-90 Dr. Beat

Reverb

You see this full-featured metronome in all our bass and guitar videos. Where do we begin? Tap tempo, customizable subdivisions with easy to use slider interface, multiple voices including human voice counting, midi and quarter inch cable input so you can practice with headphones in and still hear you guitar. Includes a handy drum hardware connection. It's top of the line but you'll never need another metronome.

My Rig

Transcend 2 TB SSD Thunderbolt drive

Amazon

These little 2 TB SSDs are fantastic and ultra fast. 2 TB is a lot of space for your libraries and, being Thunderbolt, it's going to be fast.

Native Instruments Komplete 11

Reverb

As if Keyscape, Omnisphere, and Trillian were not enough, there are times when I need different sounds, such as a great Hammond B3, accordion, or bag pipe! Enter Komplete. It's got everything.... and I do mean almost everything. "The Giant" is a fantastic Upright piano that I'll go to if I'm looking for a specific kind of sound. Vintage Organs is great for B3s. If you can't find a certain sound here, you're not looking hard enough.

4-port USB powered hub

Reverb

One thing is for certain: there aren't enough USB ports on laptops these days. This little guy will take care of that.

Ivory II pianos

Reverb

Before there was Keyscape, there was Ivory II Pianos by Synthogy. Now there will always be a debate over what piano plugin sounds the best, but in my opinion, Ivory is hard to beat. I don't use it much now that I have Keyscape, but I still hold onto it just in case. It's kind of like your first guitar... you never get rid of it!

Akai MPK mini

Reverb

Akai has always made great products, and this little guy packs a lot of punch as a featherweight. I use this mainly for programing on my desktop. If I need to do something on a plane or in a hotel room, it can fit in my Thule backpack.

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Reverb

I can't say enough about Spectrasonics. They make incredible libraries and there are not enough words to describe Keyscape. It's my go-to for anything pianos, EPs, etc. Plus it can run through Omnisphere which is AWESOME! Anytime I'm using a piano of any kind, I'm using Keyscape.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61

Reverb

What's great about this controller is that it's fully integrated with Komplete. Plus, you can customize the knobs and buttons for third party plugins. The keys feel great and it makes for a great secondary controller. Bonus: it has customizable LEDs at the top of each key. Great for playing in the dark!

Omni TR App 

Apple App Store

If you are using Omnisphere Live, then this is a must. It will completely change the way you use Omnisphere. Being able to load up to 8 individual sounds and change them at the touch of a button is fantastic. I use this everywhere I play and love it. It's a staple in my rig.

Apollo Twin Duo

Reverb

This is a fantastic audio interface. It's a little pricey around $800, but it's definitely worth it! The converters are clean and the user interface is easy to use.

Nord Stage 2 EX

Reverb

It's RED! What more needs to be said? Ok, if you need more... it's a great keyboard in its own right. It's modular. Easy to use. Lightweight. And did I mention it's RED? I don't actually own one of these due to the $4500 price tag, but I am endorsed by Nord and I use this board weekly at my church. It's a great board for beginners to learn on!

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Reverb

If there's one plugin that I use the most, it's this one. Omnisphere is AMAZING! I use it for all of my synths, arps, pads, and more. The processing capability is unparalleled and it's easy to use. It's a little pricey, but worth every penny.

Apple Macbook Pro

Apple

You need some power to run all these plugins and MacBook Pros are the industry standard. Plenty of speed and plenty of RAM should keep you out of lag purgatory.

Roland RD-700sx Stage Piano

Reverb

I've used Roland products since I first started playing and this stage piano is simply great. It has an awesome feel. It's fairly lightweight compared to other 88-key keyboards and it has onboard sounds that are great for backup, should your computer happen to die. I use this in my studio as a main controller.

Spectrasonics Trillian

Reverb

Again, what can I say? Spectrasonics! If you need great bass and guitar sounds, this is the one to have, and it even works thru Omnisphere. What more can you ask for?

Korg Nano Kontrol

zZounds

For those times when I need a small hardware controller for muting sounds and such, this is a great piece of gear. It's small, easy to use, and many top keyboardists are using these days.

Apple MainStage 3

Apple's App Store

If you are getting into the software side of playing keys, then Apple's Mainstage 3 is a great place to start. This is probably one of the most foundation 'hosts' that professional keyboardists are using today. What's great is it's only $30! And it comes loaded with great sounds and plugins right out of the box and will also run your 3rd party plugins like Omnisphere, Native Instruments, etc. I use this every time I play.

M-Audio Uno 

Reverb

This is a great MIDI interface to use in case the keyboard you're playing on doesn't have USB out on it. I always keep it in my bag... just in case!

Beginner Rig

Akai MPK61

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light, which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

Apple Macbook Pro

Apple

You need some power to run all these plugins and MacBook Pros are the industry standard. Plenty of speed and plenty of RAM should keep you out of lag purgatory.

Apple MainStage 3

Apple's App Store

If you are getting into the software side of playing keys, then Apple's Mainstage 3 is a great place to start. This is probably one of the most foundation 'hosts' that professional keyboardists are using today. What's great is it's only $30! And it comes loaded with great sounds and plugins right out of the box and will also run your 3rd party plugins like Omnisphere, Native Instruments, etc. I use this every time I play.

Hardware

M-Audio Uno 

Reverb

This is a great MIDI interface to use in case the keyboard you're playing on doesn't have USB out on it. I always keep it in my bag... just in case!

Transcend 2 TB SSD Thunderbolt drive

Amazon

These little 2 TB SSDs are fantastic and ultra fast. 2 TB is a lot of space for your libraries and, being Thunderbolt, it's going to be fast.

Akai MPK61

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light, which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

4-port USB powered hub

Reverb

One thing is for certain: there aren't enough USB ports on laptops these days. This little guy will take care of that.

Akai MPK261 (secondary keyboard)

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

Akai MPK mini

Reverb

Akai has always made great products, and this little guy packs a lot of punch as a featherweight. I use this mainly for programing on my desktop. If I need to do something on a plane or in a hotel room, it can fit in my Thule backpack.

AOC Powered Monitor

Amazon

The E1659FWU 15” monitor is great because it's USB-powered. It's light and only needs 1 cable to both power it and feed the display. When you're on the road it pays to keep things lightweight.

Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S61

Reverb

What's great about this controller is that it's fully integrated with Komplete. Plus, you can customize the knobs and buttons for third party plugins. The keys feel great and it makes for a great secondary controller. Bonus: it has customizable LEDs at the top of each key. Great for playing in the dark!

Apollo Twin Duo

Reverb

This is a fantastic audio interface. It's a little pricey around $800, but it's definitely worth it! The converters are clean and the user interface is easy to use.

Nord Stage 2 EX

Reverb

It's RED! What more needs to be said? Ok, if you need more... it's a great keyboard in its own right. It's modular. Easy to use. Lightweight. And did I mention it's RED? I don't actually own one of these due to the $4500 price tag, but I am endorsed by Nord and I use this board weekly at my church. It's a great board for beginners to learn on!

Roland RD-700sx Stage Piano

Reverb

I've used Roland products since I first started playing and this stage piano is simply great. It has an awesome feel. It's fairly lightweight compared to other 88-key keyboards and it has onboard sounds that are great for backup, should your computer happen to die. I use this in my studio as a main controller.

Apple Macbook Pro

Apple

You need some power to run all these plugins and MacBook Pros are the industry standard. Plenty of speed and plenty of RAM should keep you out of lag purgatory.

Software

Apple MainStage 3

Apple's App Store

If you are getting into the software side of playing keys, then Apple's Mainstage 3 is a great place to start. This is probably one of the most foundation 'hosts' that professional keyboardists are using today. What's great is it's only $30! And it comes loaded with great sounds and plugins right out of the box and will also run your 3rd party plugins like Omnisphere, Native Instruments, etc. I use this every time I play.

Native Instruments Komplete 11

Reverb

As if Keyscape, Omnisphere, and Trillian were not enough, there are times when I need different sounds, such as a great Hammond B3, accordion, or bag pipe! Enter Komplete. It's got everything.... and I do mean almost everything. "The Giant" is a fantastic Upright piano that I'll go to if I'm looking for a specific kind of sound. Vintage Organs is great for B3s. If you can't find a certain sound here, you're not looking hard enough.

Ivory II pianos

Reverb

Before there was Keyscape, there was Ivory II Pianos by Synthogy. Now there will always be a debate over what piano plugin sounds the best, but in my opinion, Ivory is hard to beat. I don't use it much now that I have Keyscape, but I still hold onto it just in case. It's kind of like your first guitar... you never get rid of it!

Roland Integra 7 Sound Module

Reverb

I've used Roland since I first started playing keys, and I can't say enough about them. Their sounds are great and their keyboards feel awesome. The Integra 7 sound module is a beast in its own right, but it's great to have a backup sound source in case your computer was to die. Trust me... it will happen, so have a backup plan.

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Reverb

I can't say enough about Spectrasonics. They make incredible libraries and there are not enough words to describe Keyscape. It's my go-to for anything pianos, EPs, etc. Plus it can run through Omnisphere which is AWESOME! Anytime I'm using a piano of any kind, I'm using Keyscape.

Omni TR App 

Apple App Store

If you are using Omnisphere Live, then this is a must. It will completely change the way you use Omnisphere. Being able to load up to 8 individual sounds and change them at the touch of a button is fantastic. I use this everywhere I play and love it. It's a staple in my rig.

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Reverb

If there's one plugin that I use the most, it's this one. Omnisphere is AMAZING! I use it for all of my synths, arps, pads, and more. The processing capability is unparalleled and it's easy to use. It's a little pricey, but worth every penny.

Spectrasonics Trillian

Reverb

Again, what can I say? Spectrasonics! If you need great bass and guitar sounds, this is the one to have, and it even works thru Omnisphere. What more can you ask for?

Korg Nano Kontrol

zZounds

For those times when I need a small hardware controller for muting sounds and such, this is a great piece of gear. It's small, easy to use, and many top keyboardists are using these days.

Wishlist

Roland Integra 7 Sound Module

Reverb

I've used Roland since I first started playing keys, and I can't say enough about them. Their sounds are great and their keyboards feel awesome. The Integra 7 sound module is a beast in its own right, but it's great to have a backup sound source in case your computer was to die. Trust me... it will happen, so have a backup plan.

Akai MPK261 (secondary keyboard)

Reverb

This is a great controller for the price. It features 16 velocity pads, 8 faders, 8 knobs, and is super easy to program. The keyboard feels great and is nice and light which makes it easy to carry around. Throw it in a Mono Case and you're good to go!

AOC Powered Monitor

Amazon

The E1659FWU 15” monitor is great because it's USB-powered. It's light and only needs 1 cable to both power it and feed the display. When you're on the road it pays to keep things lightweight.

Accessories

Mono Case Vertigo Keyboard Case (61 Key)

Reverb

This is a great hybrid case for your 61 note keyboard. It's made of shark skin. That's right: SHARK SKIN! This make is water resistant. It has a rigid skeleton on the inside with a soft exterior, making it nice and light. Plus it has backpack straps for ease of carrying. Love this case.

Thule Backpack

Amazon

You can, of course, roll with whatever backpack or gigbag that you want, but I've found the bags by Thule to be great. They're light, rugged, and can carry most everything I need including my laptop, iPad, cables, headphones, SSDs, etc. I don't head to a gig without it!

Additional Resources

Church Resources

Best Flag

www.bestflag.com/church

These guys are awesome. BestFlag does every kind of banner or custom printed display you can think of, and they understand and (more importantly) love serving churches. So, if you're church needs any kind of hanging banners, stage backdrops, lobby displays, parking lot signage or any other kind of large format graphics, rest assured these guys are pros.

Education

Pianosity - Complete Online Piano Lessons

www.pianosity.com

Looking for piano lessons that deal with everything outside the scope of worship music, then you definitely need to check out Pianosity. It's a subscription based service very similar to Worship Artistry that specializes in piano lessons for all ages and is taught by Worship Artistry's very own keyboard instructor, Ryan King.

Right now, Pianosity is featuring curriculum for kids ages 7-12, and they are in the process of adding content for teens and adults.

You’ve got the heart, we’ll teach you the skill. Free 21 day trial for new members.

Choose the plan that works for you

Join the thousands of worship leaders and musicians who have seen real results using Worship Artistry to help them bring their best.

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Licensed lessons from Sony/ATV, EMI, Hillsong, Word and Integrity Music.