What's on your holiday wishlist? If you're wishing for some cool effects and a wider variety of tones, Behringer's V-AMP2 might be just the thing. The V-AMP2 is "virtual amplification," AKA an amp modeler.

This powerful little blue gadget offers 32 amp models, plus 15 speaker simulations and about 16 effects/effects combinations. It also has a built-in tuner (handy), and headphone input for private practice sessions at Granny's house or in a motel room.

To get the complete technical lowdown and write-up, and some more detailed pics, look here.

A V-AMP2 can be had for about a hundred bucks (USD) and comes with a nice padded carry case, footswitch, cord, AC adapter, and shoulder strap for the bag. And it's compact--a neat little thing at about 11 inches long and 7 inches wide.

I really enjoy and appreciate my V-AMP2, but truthfully, I have no clue how to take full advantage of everything it can do. I have resolved multiple times to wrestle my way through the manual so I could make more intelligent use of the unit. Sadly, after several tries, I have accepted that the manual is incomprehensible to me.

So, I just push buttons and have found a few fave settings. For my money, the V-AMP2 is just the ticket to give me some tonal options.

Happy Holidays!

Recently, there's been some really good guitar-playing at my house. Sadly, it's not come from my fingers, but I have enjoyed it nonetheless. Calvin, a friend of my daughter's, is quite a good guitarist, with quite a repertoire of some great rock music.

Calvin agreed to share a little about his guitaring as an inspiration for us beginners:

Q: How old are you, Calvin, and how many years have you been playing guitar?

C: I am 15 and I have been playing for about a year-and-a-half.

Q: Did you start out on acoustic first, or right away on electric?

C: My first guitar was a beat up old acoustic. Starting with acoustic was probably smart for learning the basics because they are harder to play than electrics, so if you learn the basics well on an acoustic then switch to electric it would make your life easier.

Q: Did you take lessons, or just learn on your own?

C: I started on my own, and learn a lot of stuff on my own still, but I highly recommend lessons because without them you will probably end up playing everything with bad technique. So for me, I learn songs by myself, and technique and theory with my teacher.

Q: How much time do you spend a week playing guitar?

C: I try to play half an hour a day. I normally play more than that though, so about 5 - 6 hours a week, I would say.

Q: Do you play any other musical instruments?

C: Yes, I play the trombone and the bass. The bass I just picked up because it is very similar to the guitar and I have played the trombone since sixth grade in school.

Q: Do you read music, or play from tablature, or strictly by ear? Do you think it is important for guitarists to be able to read standard music notation?

C: I normally play from tablature, but I really should learn how to read music. I have slowly learned how to read music but it is a challenge because you can play the same note several places on the guitar, so you have to figure out where to play it. I have been learning how to pick up songs by ear as well. It isn't completely necessary but I think it would be a helpful skill. I don't think it is super-important for a guitarist to learn standard music notation but it would be very helpful.

Q: What kind of guitar(s) do you have?

C: My first guitar is an Applause acoustic/electric. I now have an Epiphone SG 310, an Epiphone Les Paul Special II, and an Epiphone Goth Explorer. They are all great guitars but if I had to pick a favorite I would have to say my Explorer.

Q: Who are some of your favorite bands/artists?

C: Metallica, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Guns & Roses, Led Zeppelin, System of a Down, Queens of the Stoneage, Eagles of Deathmetal, Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, White Stripes, OK GO, and lots, lots more.

Q: Are you currently in a band, or have any plans to form one?

C: I wish I was. I know a few people who have bands, but they either are full or just say they're a band but don't do anything.

Q: Do you have any advice for the person who is just starting to learn to play guitar?

C: LEARN YOUR BASICS!!!!! They are really boring after a while but it is worth it! If you are having problems with things just break them down, go slow and work on them a lot, then speed it up and put it together.