Designed by RAMSAY BOLTON! - GOC Materia

Correct me if I'm wrong, but guitar tuners shouldn't pull the skin off your fingers. For more information check them out at www.gocguitars.com/
Get the Northern Mauler at smgpedals.com/
0:00 What the hell is this?
0:38 Good vs Bad
3:16 First Sound
5:46 Drop Test
6:06 6 string riffs on a 7
8:08 a cheaper alternative?
9:13 Watch out!
10:42 Specs
13:44 The Five Star Review
15:45 The Bottom Line
About Spectre Sound Studios:
I'm Glenn Fricker, engineer here at Spectre Sound Studios. I love making records, and after doing it for sixteen years, I want to pass on what I've learned. On my channel you can find tutorials on how to record guitar, bass, real drums and vocals. There's reviews and demos of tube amps, amp sims, drums, mics, preamps, outboard gear, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, and plugin effects.
We've covered Moon on the Water, played Bias FX, given you the absolute best in Stupid Musician Texts, ranted & raved about bass guitar, and this channel is where The Eagle has Landed.
Everything you've wanted to learn about recording Hard Rock & Heavy Metal can be found right here on this channel!
I also respond to your comments & questions: The best make it into the SMG Viewer's Comments series of videos. Loads of fun, lots of laughs.
Thanks for checking out my channel & please subscribe!

[@XxDavidxXPantera]

After watching this video closely and listening through studio headphones, i can confidently say that, this sounds like a guitar

[@pickledparsleyparty]

One of the guitars of all time, in fact.

[@canhamducbet]

The tuners cause pain, pain creates emotion, that emotion is the muse for your next song "Open Bloody Finger Grinder Wounds". It is totally a feature for song writers.

[@HailRider]

The tuner heads are hard to turn so you don't accidently brush them with your hand or sleeve or anything else that you swipe to closely with and go out of tune. A push / pull mechanism to lock / release for tuning would be a good thing for that style of tuner.

[@fasteddievh2072]

Guitars skills and reviews continue to get better and better. I find my myself watching your reviews in their entirety. 🔥🤘👍

[@tennko]

Hey, Glenn! I'm so stoked that you reviewed a GOC! I am a GOC Guitars Artist and the Vajra 8 I've got is one of the most comfortable guitars I've ever touched. Seems like you have an older run Materia that doesn't feature the AONeck profile. For my taste that blows the Endureneck out the water. Totally agree with your point on the tuners, you always need a pick to turn them. It's a bit of a hassle, but if you play with 1.5mm and have a truckload of those it's not that big of an issue. New models also feature glow in the dark side-dots. GOC really listens to the community and every new run has improvements. Love your review and love your work! Keep it up!

[@XJR15ftw]

The pricing is actually amazing, and I've seen you killing it using the Vajra 8 on your channel. Tempting... :D EDIT: Nobody selling them in Europe or UK? Damn :/

[@AlexAlexandrov]

Тамън да ти го пратя :D

[@eriklambert3809]

Interesting!! I have 3 teens playing and they have been begging for this style of guitar, but the cost is a bit much for a single dad that is a disabled vet. They currently use all of my guitars and amps.

[@eriklambert3809]

@@AlexAlexandrov my kids just subscribed

[@eriklambert3809]

My kids just subscribed to you too

[@m00plank90]

Cut yourself a little slack: Your guitar skills improve with every video. Can’t ask for more than that.

[@RobSinner]

I want to teach him to play Priest.

[@vividz8363]

That close up of the guitar while glenn is playing👌

[@Matthillguitar]

That’s one of their older models I think you should try on of the newer models they still have the same tuners but, they have a nut now they also have a much better locking system on the “headstock”

[@ironblast5]

Tuners can be improved with thrush bearings

[@sillyness3456]

Talking about low tunings and catchy songs: Spiritbox: Circle with Me - Drop F# After the Burial: Neo Seoul - C#1 Fit For An Autopsy: Heads Will Hang - Drop G Meshuggah: Nebulous - Drop D#1 Just a few examples…

[@marcoalexanderwinthermikke9132]

You are probably the most Loud and angry guy i know, that "CANT see Red" 🤣 Loved your choice of words.

[@eriklambert3809]

Thank you for the reviews!! I used to play until I became disabled so now I'm trying to keep my kids active and playing. They want to get into recording too. My oldest and I watch you and talk about things and your Amp, tone wood and pickup test helped immensely and saved me a lot of money as they wanted to swap out some of my old pickups(L500s in my 86 Charvel HH for example)

[@goner.9989]

About your theory on the psyche thing: there has been a research done (which I do not remember the source of) where it is said that our brains pick up on sonic frequencies that are the most closest to that of the human speaking voice, so if the guitar is tuned even slightly lower than those frequencies, your brain is just naturally is less receptive to it, as the tuning gets lower. Even though we physically respond to bass frequencies, sonically, we respond the most to midrange to slightly higher midrange frequencies. Hope this helps.

[@ericdpeerik3928]

Just speak a little lower, bro! 🤪

[@modernroyaljams]

I had totally forgotten about Bad News until I saw the shirt. What a classic! The Young Ones was one of my favourite shows growing up!

[@nickboxer7147]

I dig the delay you through in there! Makes leads sound a lot better, in my opinion.

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Love how good you are getting!

[@ryanwilson5936]

Damn Glenn, that intro was fire!! Keep it up, brother!

[@mateuszlucek]

hey congrats on 500k subs! hopefully we can see 1M soon :)

[@liljoe5139]

Wasn’t he eaten by dogs ?

[@michaelrodgers6559]

Most brutally.

[@mikemorrisonmusic]

Thankfully.

[@PooNinja]

That’s how I wanna go. You know dogs only lick humans because they know you’re full of bones

[@defectivemonk3884]

His dogs too!

[@SiameseDream97]

He's alive in our hearts

[@lewis1305]

Hey Glenn, you should try out the EART GW2 (not the pro version). Great 6 string headless for even less than the GOC

[@BosbluzGuitarMethod]

i have bought 2 GOC guitars....a 7 and a 6 string...Varga models....I love both of them...never touch my other guitars any more....even my high end Schecter's.....the tuners where a little rough in the beginning i agree....but when i changed the strings for the first time, i verry carefully oiled the threads on all the tuners, and and string height adjustments, and now they turn very easily...with that being said....absolutely the finest made guitars i have ever played. And the AO neck (Flat on the back of the treble side of the neck)forces me into classical position with my hand, which i also love....make good habits!!!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Ok, I’ll try that out

[@learningisgrowing]

The AO necks are quite something. They were 2022 models onwards so Glenn's one is out of date in terms of where the company are at now - they have improved immensely

[@Pr0v0kat0r777]

Good, honest review. I own Vajra a bit newer version. Tuners are the same tight as hell, but there are holes for a pick, so you could turn them easier. I must say they hold tune like a brick, i havent tuned them for a while, while my gibson and legator(sold it eventually)needs it every week. Goc became my main eventually, very reliable/lightweight axe for my taste, well schekter km-7 is on my lap 2 when i'm at home.

[@lukagrubesa5586]

The tuners are great, stay in tune really well and are made to be turned by a pick, that's why they have wedges in there, so yeah. What i really appreciate about the company is that it includes lefty versions of most of their models, unlike most other brands, as when i was searching for a 7-string for under 1000$ this, legator, solar and used schecters were really the only choices, and this brought a lot of higher end features like stainless steel frets and fanned frets, as well as being a headless guitar so yeah. Though i totally agree with the sharp sticky frets. Much love from Croatia \../

[@StratEdition]

I had the same feeling with the chugging on the 6th string on a 7 string when I started playing on one. But if you think about it, any song that had a lot of chugging on the 5th string (and there are a couple) you'd have the same exact feeling on a 6th string. It's just a matter of learning to play on the top string where you can angle your wrist more agressively because you have room versus in an "in between" string where things are tighter. That'll come with more practice. Nowadays I don't bother playing 6 string stuff on my 7 at all.

[@dwerggalago]

Avid 7-string player here, and this does seem like a really interesting alternative to the way more expensive Strandbergs. Thanks for showing this one off, Glenn!

[@adammotter7430]

I own a 8 string Vajra from a 2021 roll out and I love it. My only two gripes are the tuners (which can be easily turned with a pic - so nbd) and the fret ends needing a little more smoothing. The action, playability, tuning stability and sound are all excellent.

[@randomdude93-93]

7 string Materia from 2022 (Lefty). Still love it ❤

[@darkflash32]

Looking forward with the Xavier video, Glen!

[@DudeMcGuybro]

One of the hardest auditorial slams I've ever experienced was a band called Ventana hitting the first note of the song "Watch us Burn" live. It's in Drop A, and it felt like I got blasted from the first row to the back wall of that club. Recording wise, yeah maybe Drop A isn't the best to remember riffs for, but when those notes hit live they fucking SLAM. In terms of memorable experiences, I don't ever remember a band immediately catching my attention like they did the first time I heard them.

[@xburninxthexremainsx]

this is probably your best video on a guitar ever bro, good stuff

[@KylaKarnage]

Hey Glenn, awesome video as always! One of my favorite bands that always stands out to me for great writing on a 7 string guitar is that of Unleash the Archers from Vancouver. Chunky, but catchy power metal at its finest. Their music inspired me to buy a Schecter C-7 Apocalypse after giving up on 7 string years ago. Definitely a different feel to that of the ergonomic headless guitars, but I freaking love it. Cheers and hail Crom!

[@commanderphilbo1471]

Intro was killer 🔥

[@christiankinne8747]

can someone please tell me what song the riff he's playing at 6:07 is from? also the riff from 10:08

[@redevil200]

Glenn meet Trivium's Shogun? It maybe my bias but, that album was mostly written on 7 strings but it's strength is definitely in the song writing. Have you listened to Trivium? I'd say their newest album is a pretty solid example of their 7 string usage and not being djenty or gimmicky imo.

[@ronaldmalcolm5609]

Just consider this: somewhere out there, someone is thinking, "Damn, I wish I could shred like Glenn."

[@theinfant]

Don't think you have to look too hard even

[@shagovthemutiny2591]

I think you have a valid point. Even as a bassist here, I've switched over to 5 string and play with djent style bands. Every time I go back to my 4 string, it's another animal. Noyebi also play guitars, 6 & 7's and this statement just seems to ring true. Thanks Glen

[@DriveSMR]

Can you get ball end strings and run it backwards at least?

[@donbishop6994]

Steve Vais entire Passion And Warfare album was absolutely beautiful and very memorable. The guiyarwork on that album was perfection. Fun fact, the song was played by a 12 year old McRocklin with Steve's first prototype universe and was later gifted to the kid. Beautiful story behind the song too.

[@bazzathegreat3517]

I chop my strings into little pieces when I throw them away. I used to wrap them in a circle and throw them away. But high E would always stick straight up and attack me.

[@MrSJPowell]

I'm not a metalhead or producer, but how much does the 7th string or drop tuning affect the sound after you put it through the low pass filter you've suggested in previous videos?

[@alrecks619]

you mean low cut/hi pass? it's pretty much on whether the kick starts clashing with the bass, and the bass starts clashing with the guitars.

[@elasticmachinery]

Sounds good glen

[@allywilkeforsenate]

Love this rig!❤️💯🤤💖💕💞

[@timothyt850]

Agree on the setup. I received both of mine late 2022 and the strings were a mile high off of the fretboard. As for the tuners, just add a drop of lubricant on the threads and they're so much easier to turn by hand. I'd love to see you try out a more recent model. The new neck is very thin and the new hardware is 100 x better.

[@wmrg1057]

Have you tried the 9 string Hennin was playing with

[@KaldDodeGitarist]

As far as memorable riffs and low tunings go: Carcass, In Flames, At The Gates, Amon Amarth, all have very memorable riffs, and all have tuned to B standard or lower. I'd also include Nile, but they're a bit more extreme than the aforementioned bands

[@KaldDodeGitarist]

I wonder if it has more to do with low tunings and technicality and speed, than it does just low tunings itself. Because Necrophagist tunes to D standard (not very low), and I struggle remembering their riffs, but Death also tunes to D standard and has very memorable riffs

[@michaelgothard6872]

GLENN! you are the shit, from top to bottom. You are honest, educated, opinionated, and (above all else) fucking helpful. Your guitar reviews are fantastic and yes, you have gotten better. As one will do when they practice and do what they love to the best of their abilities. As one of the bottom feeders you so despise, I would love to see some bass guitar reviews. I love low end lobster and a few other guys for their opinion, but with your stylistic approach I'd love to see some of your opinions on lower end basses. I know I know....rule number 2 coming in hard, but your opinion in my opinion is one that matters, so I have to ask. Love the channel, fuck you Glenn, and of course I gotta represent my fellow low enders and ask....wait....what?

[@jeremylove6594]

One of the lower priced victorinox Swiss army knives with the flat head screw driver / bottle opener would be great to have to turn the craptastic tuners. Bonus you can use it to open beers

[@0riole11]

Easy fix for sharp string ends, stop using side cutters and get flush cutters. Flush cutters are used in electronics to cut the ends of wire square to reduce arcing, used on guitar strings, they stop strings being needle points.

[@jblazeby]

I agree Glenn Opeth only really uses standard tuning and all their riffs are super cool and memorable.

[@therealalexmullins]

I bought a GOC 8 string not too long ago. The manual does say to use a quarter to tune which is dumb lol

[@theruel]

Thanks for the honest review! But, fudge you! I love my Materia 7! Everything you said makes sense though, except for the fret markers.

[@louisburley1597]

Yeah I gave up on ERG’s a long time ago. I just don’t find them comfortable at all in the neck.

[@tree6676]

Can we please get another SMG C*ckblocker pedal re-release?

[@dave6564]

Im on my second GOC and to be honest the build quality, finish, playability, pickups and everything are on par with my two 2.5k Kiesel builds. Theyve since redesigned the materia a few times. the tuners have been redesigned as well since that version. I sold my last materia, same as that one, because of the tuners. the new tuners and headstock string lock things are a billion times better.

[@molochsorcery4357]

I like the lower 7th & 8th strings on guitars and like a whammy bar, they're best used sparingly.

[@hide1986]

Are strandberg hard to tune?

[@Mike6StringsIn]

Some guitars with bridges like that come with a little wrench you insert in the tuner knob. It has a little crank I kid you not.

[@bigkidband5731]

Glenn, You should check out the NK brand. Looks similar but using tuners with bearings and brass washers, multi laminate asymmetrical fan fret neck and great pickups. Cost is around $600.

[@davidfaustino4476]

Those guitars don't even come close to GOC quality.

[@RICCARDOREARDON]

YOUR TONE AS WELL AS PLAYING IN THIS VIDEO SERIOUSLY REMIND ME OF UNCLE~MR.JOHN PETRUCCI..

[@soundman1402]

"What's it sound like?" To my highly trained ears: A guitar.

[@hrgiger]

I have a few headless guitars with odd bridge tuners. Check the tuners and see if they have a hexagonal hole in the end. I suspect you are supposed to be using an allen key to tune those strings rather than your fingers! It would explain why it hurts. If you got a bag of bits with it see if the allen key is in there.

[@theerectus2004]

Every time I go to the LGS and try a seven string I like my whammy DT more and more.

[@brandonjackson5865]

That’s another excellent point with the various drop pedals out now I don’t see any reason to add an extra string, also baritone guitars are more readily available.

[@jasonflaherty8364]

GLENN!!! Congrats on 500k! Get your best steel toes on and call Steve. 😂

[@brandonjackson5865]

With so many baritone options out there, I think I would much prefer a 27 in for b standard or dropped A and then if you wanted to get dropped Z or whatever a 30 inch scale length. If I could get an original Universe or the black and green one then I’d probably have to for nostalgia because I always thought those were so cool and honestly 6 strings in an extended scale is way more comfortable in my opinion.

[@allywilkeforsenate]

I so want the cheapie!

[@ryanohlson4181]

Hey Glen! Great Video. I both agree and disagree with your point about extended range guitars and lower tunings. I think there are plenty of memorable songs and riffs that utilize them, but I think that the styles that almost exclusively use them tend to overuse them and not use them super well. Stuff like older Amon Amarth and Carcass I think are good examples in the more extreme metal world. In more traditional metal styles, there are bands like Visigoth that play in B standard and have really really catchy riffs. I think it really comes down to how you use that extra range. I personally play a 7 string guitar in a traditional heavy metal band, and it just gives me an extra little bit of flexibility in my writing, if I have something in E minor that I want to modulate to the relative phrygian mode, I have that option. That's definitely not how most people who play 7 string guitars use them, but for me and the styles that I play I think it works really well.

[@hannessimon9563]

Fan fret vs traditional would be a cool test. Who can tell the difference. I fell like I can hear something but I can be wrong on this and would love to test this

[@enemyandy]

Ridiculous 🤣

[@seanbarker4610]

On the plus side of the High Gain situation, that means that you can use ANY solid body electric guitar to play Metal!

[@daynedamage8919]

Ideally with humbuckers (to avoid excessive feedback) but yeah, as long as it isn't broken then you're most likely good to go.

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

What amp did you use?

[@SoundForgeStudio]

Looks like Glenn might have a giveaway guitar for the near future.. unless he just wants it to sit around and collect dust, lol.. either way, cool video. I'm looking forward to the next one !!

[@jessewest2109]

I havent seen on thing glenn has done that sounds like good music.

[@michaelsnydermusic]

Glenn “don’t touch the sharp pokey part….ouch!” 😂

[@crionics99]

Is it 7 string guitars or low tuning in general? Slaughter of the Soul is in B standard and that riff is memorable as fuck

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

Good to know!

[@dixonj8006]

You can loosen the tuners with the Allen screws.

[@friedbunny76]

That shirt though! Hey, hey Bad News!

[@dandaris2153]

I bought a used Spirit (by Steinberger) headless bass, from 1996, and I LOVE this thing but, I need a screw driver to tune it lol.

[@JackDeiten555]

Tone nobs are useful for getting a good lead tone You just need to switch to the neck pickup, roll back the tone to 0 and add insane amounts of gain to your tone. Noise gate always helps. So some people do prefer tone nobs for certain tones. 🙂

[@jonlorbacher]

Use a pick to turn the tuners. I actually wish that Strandberg would put the slots in the back of the tuners too. I have a Materia 8 and a Boden Original 8. For the heavies I actually prefer the GOC

[@jonlorbacher]

Also, swapping the washers on those tuners with the Teflon ones that Strandberg uses instantly makes the tuners work a lot smoother. And they are cheap. The later GOC stuff doesn't have that same issue

[@TarnishedViking.]

Agree🤘

[@apexrepeat9169]

You should really try a GOC with the AO neck profile. I have a new one and it's become my favorite. The tuners still suck, but the neck is thin!

[@beekay4848]

i think it has been better after adding the teflon washer. I use pick to tune my guitar. I would rather do that with a very stable tuning than easy ones that get detune several days later. I cannot recall when the last time i tuned it!!

[@learningisgrowing]

Yeah the AO necks are quite something! You can always swap the bridge out for a T4M bridge - those tuners turn like butter!

[@ltgray2780]

Maybe try a coin in the slots of the tuners. I had pennies laying all around for the locking nut on my '86 Soloist.

[@cags12]

All those issues with hardware have been fixed in the past 2 years. Luminlay fret markers, Teflon washers and completely new nut. New neck design and other bits. I have PRS’s and Musicmans and the GOC has become one of my favourites now and I am measuring it on a high standard. I don’t think this review is fair to the current reality of the brand but well…

[@learningisgrowing]

Yeah the newer models are light years apart from pre-pandemic models

[@aeroragesys]

Where do you even buy GOC? Seems like every listing is either used or sold out?

[@bassplayer2011ify]

I think the biggest issue most have with extended range guitars (at least what I've heard) is that the low b tends to sound like mud. And for most tend to default to chugging and do nothing else on seven strings. Which is funny because the 7th string is supposed to give more options not less.

[@heisserschrei]

Hey Glenn, If you want an exemple of a really memorable low tuning riff, check out Holy Roller by Spiritbox if you haven't already. That being said, as you get lower, you go into bass instruments territory and should have a different approach when writing riffs because anything meant to jump out as a topline melody will just get lost when another melody line at higher range is played. That's also why a lot of riffs on 7/8 string guitars, tend to go 1/2 octave up to accentuate certain notes. But well, it is not anything new that the bass range requires another way of writing, composers for orchestras figured that out a long time ago.

[@felderup]

watching andre fludd's guitar reviews on headless, one thing i thought would improve them wouldn't work on yours, a standard locking nut replacing the horror show on his. what i'd thought was that a pretensioner would make tuning so much easier, except most locking nuts i've seen have to be done two strings at a time.

[@MichaelSheaAudio]

On the point of lower tunings and catchy riffs, humans like bass frequencies. We can feel the bass and that's what sets the rhythms we move to, like the bass and kick. We like low tunings, but of course, the lower you tune, the more definition and note separation you lose. I think 7 strings and 8 strings and so on create a different way of playing, like I play my 8 string different than my 6 string, and they're commonly used in styles of music that aren't centered around catchy hooky choruses. If you want low tuned songs that are still as catchy as the music you like, then create it, or do your best to seek it out. I think there are tons of great, memorable riffs played in low tunings. Bands like After the Burial, Within the Ruins, Chelsea Grin, etc. have awesome riffs, but they use harsh vocals, which you have made clear that you are not a fan of. Good riffs in low tunings exist, I'm just not sure how much of it is presented in a way that you would enjoy. You can always be the change you want to see!

[@averyplaysguitar]

the thing you said about lower chugging not making memorable riffs really depends on how good the artist's songwriting is. yeah, most people will just be using the lower string as a chug factory pumping out 1s and 0s like binary code, but bands like Meshuggah and Korn have been proving for decades that if you have the talent you can make something good and actually use the EXTENDED RANGE of an extended range guitar. And hey, even a song full of open string chugging like Bleed is memorable because it's so deceptively complex.

[@eamonahern7495]

I agree with your point about riffs being less memorable in lower tunings, especially in terms of playing 6-string riffs on 7-string or heavily down tuned guitars. That being said, Archspire (who I've a ticket to see on the 9th of March) play 8-strings and they're pretty impressive.

[@alrecks619]

i'd say Drop B/B Standard is the lowest you can go without having the guitars, bass, and kick drums clashing for that low end space.

[@niemand5627]

Persuit of the Vikings by Amon Amarth is one of catchiest songs ever its tuned to B

[@gmod8033]

Blinded by fear and slaughter of the soul by at the gates as well.

[@johnnyq1233]

With that tuning setup, why didn't they just create a key tuner that just slips over the slotted and knurled screws? Kinda like a drum key if you follow my drift. Include it in the case, with a set of narrow tip side cutters and Bobs your uncle!

[@TheSchtrogull]

"Aw F#ck, I just did it right there, son of a b!tch !!" :-D Sorry Glenn, it's too funny !

[@DarrenForbes]

For $800 USD it should have no detractors in this day and age of guitar manufacturing. Great info as always.

[@brianstallard5446]

GLEEENNNNNNN! We haven't seen a good burp and fuck clip at the end in ages. What the fuck, over!

[@KyleP133]

Oh neat, another guitar with a barftastic burl top. Very innovative.

[@LordKlektar]

I’m with you on poplar burl top wood.

[@manfredworner8528]

Inlay Stickers should fix one of the problems

[@tmmmedia731]

Love my vajra 7 and 8 more than life itself

[@a2ndopynyn]

4:11 - Yep. Squared waves are squared waves.

[@UTubeHandlesSuck]

Maybe the next-gen GOC should come with a flathead screwdriver pocket in the body, like those instruments with the hex key magnetically clipped to the head. ...you know, to make it *_really_* easy to do quick tuning adjustments between songs and such. 🤣🤣

[@robotosandlasers7212]

Maybe Korn, could be an example of 7 strings guitar hooks

[@mrpositronia]

Nice to see Mr Bolton didn't want a through-neck, or set-neck.