Loop pedals, also known as looping stations or loopers, allow a single player to record an exact replica of their instrument within a given space of time to be played back with the tap of a foot. The first looping pedal is an enormous graduation step for any developing musician. Guitars, basses, keyboards: If an instrument is electronic, its possibilities are multiplied when a looper is brought into play. So how do you use a looper? Looper functions are divided into three main parts: record, overdub, and play. Recording typically involves a button or footswitch: Press the button to begin recording, press it again to stop. Overdubs allow for additional parts to be layered on top of an existing recording, and finally, hitting play sets your loop live. Want a rhythm section to practice your soloing? Done. Prefer some ambient noise to complement a track? No problem.

From iconic ‘50s slapback to the trailing decay of spacey experimental bands, delay has become a staple on most musicians’ pedalboards. Even if you’re not after endless repeats or cavernous echoes, basic delay can give an otherwise dry note a little something extra. And like reverb, delay is fantastic for adding some depth and dimension to your sound. Your typical delay pedal will give you control over a few basic settings like repeats, delay time, and feedback, the latter of which will help send your pedal reeling into the realm of self-oscillation. Many pedals also have onboard tap tempo, which you can use to actually plan out the exact timing of repeats.

While much has been written describing the subtle differences of the classic fuzz pedals -- your Fuzz Faces, Fuzz-Tones, Tone Benders and Big Muffs of the world -- today we thought we'd take a look at some of the very best modern boutique fuzz pedals currently on the market. All these pedals take the fundamental fuzz sound that's been heard on records from Satisfaction to the Smashing Pumpkins to St. Vincent, the Black Keys and beyond, and give it a little spin. In this roundup, we're focusing on some lesser-known options, but there are plenty of other modern classic boutique fuzzes that are worthy of consideration.

Your first acoustic guitar can be a big purchase. With prices ranging from under $100 to up in the thousands, the world of acoustics and what dictates their price may seem more than a little foreign. After all, there are body shapes to consider, tonewoods to take into account, and even the nylon vs. steel-string debate to throw a wrench in your planning. That being said, for beginners looking to play pop, rock, country and other acoustic styles, a classic steel-string dreadnought acoustic is the most popular choice. Although there are smaller body types, like concert acoustics, and larger, like the jumbo, the dreadnought is what most people think when they think "acoustic guitar" and probably the most versatile option out there. In this article, we’re going to take a look at a few stellar steel-string dreadnought options and even throw in a travel-sized model to give you plenty of options to choose from when shopping for your first acoustic guitar.

A good humidifier is an essential purchase for anyone who wants to keep their guitar in tip-top shape. While it may seem like a dry subject (pun intended), anyone who’s left their acoustic in less than savory climate conditions can tell you what havoc leaving your instrument un-humidified will wreak: warped necks, buzzy frets, horrifying cracks, the works. Sometimes the damage is irreparable. This can be particularly important to keep in mind during the colder months, when heating systems dry out homes and, consequently, your stringed instruments. Unlike other accessories you can buy for your guitar, there are many different types of humidifiers to consider, but they all seek to accomplish the same thing: keep the wood in your instrument properly humid and happy. You can use a hydrometer to measure the humidity of a room or space, which should ideally be kept between 40% and 50%. There are even some nifty in-case sensors out there that will tell you what the humidity is like inside of your guitar case.