Ever since picking up the guitar at the age of 9, Nick has worked as a music educator, studio guitarist, and has toured extensively with the rock band, Monarch. You can find some of his most popular work out of the Monarch catalogue from songs like “Gotta Get to Know Ya” or “No Vacancy”. Aside from his primary band’s work, Nick has served duties as a session guitarist with artists like Water Street, Sydney Schizzano, Miracle Club, and many more.
Nick has studied privately with guitarists such as Ron Jackson, Oz Noy, Matt Finck, and Paul Quigley, whom he cites as important contributors to the development of his style and approach. He believes that it’s important to study from players who inspire you to push your limits and evolve your own style so that you’re always aiming to reach for greater heights. Taking certain ideas and approaches and making them your own is what he considers part of the growing process that all musicians must constantly seek to endure.
Over the course of his career, he has developed an intense passion for writing and helping others learn more about the world of music, ranging from performances, interviews, informative articles, and much more. Now he is a contributing writer to American Music Supply’s team of authors. As someone who has been around music all of his life, Nick has come to learn that there’s always something new to discover from its ever-changing nature.
Ribbon microphones might seem like a sacred relic that'll fall apart if you so much as look at it wrong. But when used correctly, they can really take your studio to the next level. Here's everything you should know about ribbon mics — and why you probably need one!
Nothing! Or at least that's what it might sound like to the uninitiated... Once you learn about compression pedals and what they actually do, you'll never be without one on your pedalboard — trust me.
Confused about the difference between a Dobro and a resonator? So were we! Let's break down their history, body styles, and bridge types to help you find your perfect sound.
We all use vibrato and tremolo interchangeably, but do we realize how different they really are? In this article we’re going to eliminate all the confusion behind these effects and show you what sets them apart from each other.
It's not just for the '80s anymore! Chorus is back and it's better than ever. But where should you start? Check out this guide to anything and everything chorus — with a few suggestions about the best chorus pedals out there.
Rhythm makes every track better. That's why we put together a list of the best drum machines in 2025 to help you find the perfect rhythm section that won't complain, add their own fills, or play while you're trying to tune...
When you're tired of worrying about pesky little things like staying on pitch, there are two tools that can really help you dial in your perfect sound. Here's the breakdown between the two heavyweight pitch correctors: Melodyne vs. AutoTune.
The Fender name is legend. But their catalog is so vast, you might not know where to start. We'll give you a quick hint with this AMS-approved list of the Top 5 Fender Products available right now.
Trying to figure out what to gift a guitarist? Even though there’s an abundance of options, we’re going to help you sort through and give you a variety of options to consider.
It's the showdown of saturation. The competition of clipping. This is Overdrive vs. Distortion vs. Fuzz. Learn what these three effects really do to your tone to help you choose the right one for your style.
Ready to start your recording journey? It all starts with a great audio interface. Here are 10 features you should look for in an audio interface to make sure you choose the right one for your recording needs.
Hitting the clubs in Brooklyn and NYC never looked so good with this rig! Check out what AMS writer Nick P. uses to blow audiences away on the daily in this addition of The Gear That Runs AMS.
Want to really get that THUMP out of your bass drum? Check out the AMS-approved list of best kick drum microphones. And don't worry, you won't have to take out a loan with options at every price point.
Ready to head to the underworld of guitar? No, nothing demonic. We're talking about Baritone Guitars! Learn all about baritone guitars and how they can add new dimensions to your sound.
The wizard behind the scenes works in mysterious ways... We're talking about digital signal processing, of course! Learn all about DSP and how it powers your gear.
Shure has been coming out with a lot of microphones lately. And if you're wondering whether it's worth upgrading from your old SM7 to the SM7B, here's all the details you need to know.
Ready to put some punch to your guitar — minus the hum? Check out the AMS-certified list of Best Humbucker Pickups for Electric Guitar, and add some PAF to your setup.
Does a mic’ing technique really matter when recording a piano? We’re going to dive into how to mic a piano and how you can get the best piano sound with microphone choice and placement.
Find your next guitar without breaking open your piggy bank with the official 2025 AMS ranking of best budget electric guitars. (And they're good guitars, too!)
A lot of cool stuff released in 2025. But what was the best? Check out this list of the Best Gear of 2025 to see all the top picks — in our humble opinion, at least.
Put your picks away, because we got to talk to Matteo Mancuso at the Yamaha booth at NAMM 2026. We talked all about his writing process, where to find inspiration, and of course, his love for the Yamaha Revstar.
Is it getting hot in here or is it just Rsonist from Heatmakerz? We got to chat with Rsonist and learn a few things about producing, fostering creativity, and just letting the musical juices flow.
Schecter has all the goodies at NAMM 2026 — including Mastodon guitarist Nick Johnston. We got to chat with Nick all about his relationship with Schecter, pracitcing guitar, and how creativity can resolve your woes.
Guess who we found at the Ernie Ball booth at NAMM 2026. Our good buddy Steve Morse! We got to talk to him all about his warmup routine, what it's like playing with arthritis, and how he built his signature Music Man. Check it out now!
Guess who we ran into at the Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ...? Mikael Åkerfeldt and Fredrik Åkesson of Opeth! We got to talk to them all about how they make music, their awesome PRS guitars, and a few tips and tricks for the up-and-coming metal artists out there.
How good do you have to be to be considered Wolfgang Van Halen's favorite guitarist? Pretty darn good! And we were lucky enough to get a few pointers from the man himself: Aaron Marshall! Check out the interview right here.
Ready to rock the turntables and get everyone out on the dance floor? Check out the ultimate DJ buyer’s guide to learn everything you need to know about becoming a DJ.
It’s not easy to build the perfect live sound setup, but we’re here to make it at least a little bit easier with the AMS ultimate live sound buying guide.