Captain Old School

This is my response to a recent article that appeared at The Atlantic, regarding a special effects device for guitars and a particular current “artist” who uses it.

Bottom line: so many so-called “guitarists” are nothing more than wanna-be rock stars who are merely distracted by knobs and switches when instead they should just be practicing some scales and fingering exercises. And unfortunately, it will ever be thus.

Do you know how many hundreds of manufacturers there are out there, hawking the latest “new sound” like some ancient snake oil salesmen? And that’s not to mention all the other guitar manufacturers and amplifier manufacturers willing to take your money. 

My advice for aspiring guitarists (from over 60 years experience): unplug the FX and just go practice.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a decree in April 2026 establishing a new Universal Health Service, aiming to provide free, comprehensive healthcare to all 130 million residents, regardless of employment status. This initiative unifies existing systems (IMSS, ISSSTE, IMSS-Bienestar) and begins registration on April 13, 2026, with full integration starting January 1, 2027.