Michael Molenda

San Carlos

Writer at Guitar Center

Editor in Chief, Guitar Player Founder/CEO, Guardians of Guitar

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Articles

Fender Player II Modified Extends Player II Series

1 week ago | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

Fender is a never-ending story. On the surface, the brand has celebrated the legendary instruments forged by Leo Fender and his team in the ’50s and ’60s for almost 80 years now. But Fender has also improved, refined, revitalized and/or reenergized those original designs with astonishing consistency. If Leo were still tinkering in his workshop today, he’d be doing the very same thing.
3 Ways to Get Pro Sound in Your Home Studio

4 weeks ago | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

It may be hard to believe in a world where practically every musician has a home studio that there was a time when gatekeepers—professional audio engineers working in commercial recording facilities—held dominion over the sounds artists put on their tracks. When working in pro studios in those days, I routinely had my hand slapped away if I dared reach for a fader or EQ knob.
The Best Dunlop Fuzz Face Pedals

1 month ago | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

Posted in Buying Guides onConsidering his colossal influence on everything guitar, Jimi Hendrix was one of those beloved demigods that fate plopped into the music world as a reward—and benevolent challenge—to humanity. Hendrix had a mystical power to transform everything he touched—chord progressions, solos, riffs, guitars, guitar amps, tone and textures—into otherworldly genius. Like another late guitar virtuoso—Eddie Van Halen—Hendrix was one of those “before and after” artists.
Gibson Custom Eric Clapton 1958 Les Paul Custom | A History and Demo

2 months ago | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

Posted in Product Demos onEric Clapton’s 1958 Les Paul Custom may be the guitar equivalent of a riddle wrapped in a mystery wrapped inside an enigma. As Clapton has owned more than his share of iconic guitars—and played them throughout a career of scrupulous documentation, given his legendary status—historians can usually pinpoint which one he used when and where.
NAMM 2025: Guitar Amps and Effects Pedals

Jan 24, 2025 | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

Posted in News onAnother “Happy New Year” of new gear is on target to be debuted at NAMM 2025 from January 21 through January 25 in Anaheim, California. As with past NAMM shows, some manufacturers like to offer early sneak peeks at upcoming releases, while others prefer to embargo new product information until the convention officially opens. But we’ve got you covered.
"I had simple tools. All my sound and tone came from my hands and a few pieces of gear." How Andy Summers used chord fragments and an Echoplex to change the sound of rock guitar

Jan 19, 2025 | guitarplayer.com | Michael Molenda |Joe Bosso

It may be difficult to appreciate nearly 50 years on, but when Andy Summers arrived on the rock scene with the Police in 1977, there was no one to compare him with. Using his Fender Telecaster, Fender Twin amp and a few effect pedals, Summers created an instantly identifiable and timeless guitar tone. But it wasn’t just his tone. It was his fretwork and astute sense for when, where and how to fit his guitar lines into the propulsive rhythms provided by bassist Sting and drummer Stewart Copeland.
How Andy Summers used chord fragments and an Echoplex to change the sound of rock guitar

Jan 19, 2025 | yahoo.com | Michael Molenda

When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Rob Verhorst/RedfernsIt may be difficult to appreciate nearly 50 years on, but when Andy Summers arrived on the rock scene with the Police in 1977, there was no one to compare him with. Using his Fender Telecaster, Fender Twin amp and a few effect pedals, Summers created an instantly identifiable and timeless guitar tone. But it wasn’t just his tone.
"I had simple tools. All my sound and tone came from my hands and a few pieces of gear." How Andy Summers used chord fragments and an Echoplex to change the sound of rock guitar | Flipboard

Jan 19, 2025 | flipboard.com | Michael Molenda

Eric Carmen Was a Power-Pop Legend. Then He VanishedA s soon as he answered his phone, Clayton Carmen knew he was getting bad news. It was March 2024, and by then, nearly a decade had passed since he …
Yamaha Revstar Guitars | Revved Up on Innovation

Dec 6, 2024 | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

If you’re way into motorcycle culture, leather-jacketed rebels and guitars, Yamaha's Revstar debut in 2015 was jam-packed with vibe, a hint of danger, innovation and history. Inspired by London’s café racers of the 1960s, the high-octane look of the Revstar series was informed by Yamaha’s 1955 YA-1 “Red Dragonfly” race-champion motorcycle and the company’s iconic SG1000 double-cutaway guitars of the ’70s. But a Revstar guitar is far from simply a nostalgia machine.
The Best Gifts for Beginner Drummers in 2024

Nov 22, 2024 | guitarcenter.com | Michael Molenda

Posted in Buying Guides onFinding the best gifts for a beginning drummer doesn’t need to be challenging—even if you don’t have much experience getting into the head of someone just kicking off their journey in the percussive arts. Fortunately, every drummer needs a ton of gear, and that’s a very good opportunity for a gift giver. But we’ll make it even easier to find the right gifts for newbie drummers by breaking down the vast list of potential presents.