Tweed Deluxe 57 all valve handwired build
At last, I have a Tweed Deluxe 57 all valve amplifier. All custom made and hand wired by myself and I really don’t know why it took so long. As a lifelong guitarist and electronics engineer, the guitar amplifier has … Continue reading
Will 2014 be a bumper year for weddings?
As a Scottish-based covers band which is often sought out to play weddings we saw a noticeable dip in activity over the past year. While we’d normally take on 10 – 12 weddings in a year, we have played only … Continue reading
Building a Custom Bass Guitar – Warmoth ’54 Precision single coil
When I decided to order something from Warmoth it was because I had played many basses that I’d seen and heard in a lot of the bands I am into, and got close to, but they never exactly as I’d envisaged. … Continue reading
Squier Classic Vibe 50’s Telecaster, my pal.
The grandaddy of them all, the humble Telecaster, and what a great instrument it is. Bereft of anything unnecessary, designed to function and perform, in all honesty probably the greatest electric guitar ever conceived. Although I have other axes, great … Continue reading
Blackstar HT Studio 20 – Clean channel max volume (dimed) Vs Dirty Channel
You just can’t beat the sound of a valve (tube) amp with the clean channel max volume (dimed). That’s how they used to role in the old days of rock and I loved it. So I decided to do a … Continue reading
Canadian Drum Supremo
Here’s another great example of why the internet and social media can be amazing. This is the FaceBook page for Domenic’s Drum Zone which features the work of Canadian based drummer Domenic Nardone. Not only is he an extremely talent … Continue reading
Tips on booking your perfect wedding band
In Big Tuna’s 10 years of playing gigs across Scotland, including numerous Scottish weddings, we know the drill pretty well and we are pleased to offer a few simple hints to brides and grooms as they begin the search for the … Continue reading
La Cabronita – How to build a custom clone
Fenders’ La Cabronita custom build clone monster So you want to own a Fender La Cabronita? Well look no further. If like me, you love the look and sound of these beasts, but think they are way over priced. OR … Continue reading
Gretsch Floating Bridge – How to install new one.
Gretsch Duo Jet 6128 Floating Bridge Replacement After playing with my new Gretsch Duo Jet 6128 for a while, I decided to change the floating bridge as the angle looked wrong. Since these type of guitars have what is called … Continue reading
Orange Tiny Terror “gains” a new lease of life.
The law of averages is a lay term used to express a belief that outcomes of a random event will “even out” within a small sample. Roughly translated, if you play your equipment enough times, at some point it WILL eventually break. … Continue reading
A “top” guitar worth its’ weight in “gold” – The Les Paul Studio 60’s Tribute Goldtop
Having tunnel vision can be a good thing sometimes. It can hep you focus, prevent distractions and improve your ability. That’s what I used to think. Why would anyone need more that one guitar? How many different sounds do you … Continue reading
The “Star” of the show – Blackstar HT Studio 20
“Clean Bright Sharp Resonant Crisp Clear Warm Fat Dirty Bitey Driven Filthy Snarling Barking Brutal Wailing Screaming Tone”. Ht Venue Series
On a lighter note…
Everything’s black and white when you’re 14. While hormones, acne, cheap beer and angst join forces to whip up a storm of confusion in your maturing mind, you need something certain to hang on to. That need is sharpened by … Continue reading
Converting a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe from 6L6 to EL84 using TAD Tone Bones tube adaptors
I love taking things apart. I have been like that since I can remember. While everyone else in my family was playing with their newly unwrapped Xmas presents, I was taking mine apart to see how they worked. Sometimes it’s … Continue reading
Bass is a community thing….
As anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m pretty much addicted to all things Bass. I regularly attend gatherings of like minded individuals in far flung parts of the world like Newcastle and Manchester and contribute on a number … Continue reading
GAS + PayPal = New Guitar Day!
GAS – gear acquisition syndrome “It’s a funny old game” Greavsy once said, and there’s no stranger truth. Although during the day job I sometimes design and build websites, I have actually never written anything for a blog before! So … Continue reading
How to choose a name for your rock band – kind of!
I don’t think there has been one gig I’ve played with Big Tuna that someone hasn’t asked me the obvious question. “Big Tuna, that’s mental, what does it mean ken-like-pal!”, which of course is a Fifeism for friend or neebour. … Continue reading
Is this the best representation of a guitar solo ever? Discuss…
The wisdom of solo, man…
Draw a rakish comedy moustache on Michelangelo’s David, pour Agent Orange over Van Gogh’s sunflowers and roll a Faberge Egg to destruction down a grassy precipice next Easter. All these efforts are overshadowed, out-gunned and just plain beaten to a … Continue reading
Freaking out
Crocodiles, BB King, horseshoe crabs, cockroaches and Angus Young. What do they have in common? All of them have been around for a very long time, and none of them has needed to change with the times. Why? Because, in … Continue reading
Taming the Tuna Tone – Part 2
As you’ve probably guessed by now, I don’t write for a living. I’ve never been one for reading or writing 300 words when 50 will do. When I pick up something to read, I want to be straight into the action. However, … Continue reading
Taming the Tuna Tone – Part 1
Ask any keen guitarist what it is that makes them tick, and you can bet a 1959 Les Paul they will tell you it is all about the tone. I remember walking to school when I was 12 years old … Continue reading
How to start your own rock band
Looking to form a live covers band to play in clubs and at weddings? This is the story of how Scottish four man band BIG Tuna got its act together. Drummer Bill Shaw writes. Continue reading
Rock’n’Roll Wedding – Yes please!
I never thought I’d see the day when me and the boys in the band would be playing at a wedding. How things have changed. Every wedding I’ve been to, as a guest (or my own), the entertainment was always … Continue reading
- QuicklinksWEDDINGS
Big Tuna can tailor their set around your big dayVIDEO
> Scottish Wedding Band
If you've never seen them – then check out the videosGIG GUIDE
> Big Tuna Videos
Full guide to where and when you can catch performancesGALLERY
> Gig Guide
Some snapshots from the Big Tuna family album
> Photo Gallery