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room decoration by my mrs
Can she come round and decorate my place please?
Can she come round and decorate my place please?
I'll ask if shes available
a few ground rules
You can't plug it in at any time, no leads, no pedals, guitars, tuners
Its a special kind of torture....................
Changed my mind. Yes, I am fickle...
One of the benefits of WFH with no sig other around is that I've just had a 30 minute gap filled by switching on the gear that is always plugged in and rocking the James Tyler though the valve amp at a stupidly high volume.
Nobody around and nearest neighbour a decent distance away...
🙂
This is 4 ft away from my computer. My ears are whistling now.
Is that James Tyler a Variax? If so how do you get on with it. I am very intrigued by them.
It is.
I love it.
The guitar is made in the same World Instruments factory as the PRS SE models and certainly seems to have the same high standard. The components are all excellent although I changed the tuners to Schaller locking.
As a Les Paul style guitar it is pretty darn good. I like the sound of the basic guitar which is pretty vital. The pickups sound great to me so the basics are all covered.
Move onto the Variax and things get interesting.
I love the Strat and Les Pauls sounds, especially after some tweaking.The acoustic and resonator sounds work really well for me and heck i even enjoy using the banjo and sitar. I have been warned by mates never to play them when we are just foolin around...
The others sounds well - I don't need a jazz guitar but it sounds convincing.
The Rickenbacker 12 strings are glorious as are the acoustic 12 strings and the rest I don't really use.
My only real complaint is the fact that the volume and tone knobs are the 2 nearest the floor. I tweak my volume a lot and do a fair bit of "violining". I'll get over it at some point.
Its pretty cool and I love the fact I can set the electric sounds through the DT25 and the acoustics through the Stagesource FRFR.
If I want I can program the POD HD500X to change everything so I can be playing an acoustic 12 string through the FRFR on Wanted Dead or Alive, hit a floorswitch and switch to 6 string and then with another tap hit get a Strat through a Fender without doing any switching on the guitar.
The different tunings on the fly can be fun as well.
Ahhh I want one now 🙂 I just watched some videos and it would be great for recording where you want different sounds.
I have a Helix so I assume it would work well with that.
Very very much so.
I'm loving this guy's work
Disturbingly accomplished and tasteful.
Any of you guys got any advice on where I can find a variety of drum loops? I don’t have a drum machine and I find the current version of GarageBand seems a bit basic. Not looking for rock, more a variety of world and “jazz” styles.
Theres a million(probably) long drum loops on youtube
They’re just a bit of a pain to get into a DAW. I shall persevere however.
There are loads if you can manage to upgrade to Logic. Even the AI drummer is pretty good once you work out how to drive it and make it follow tracks etc. Though that said most my stuff is rock rather than anything fancy 🙂
I sent some stems to a mate in Garage Band this week as he does not have logic, it really made me realise how worth while the upgrade is.
I'm now nearly 12 months in playing guitar and learning the neck is now on the agenda, any tips on tackling it. I know the major scale in three positions so at the moment thinking of using that as a stepping stone.
Any other general guitar tips also appreciated, well apart from anything that involves a metronome 🤣 cheers.
Found loads of loops from those nice folks at Music Radar.
https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/free-music-samples-royalty-free-loops-hits-and-multis-to-download
Hi Bazzer, thanks for the tip on Logic. I’m mainly using Live but I’ll try a demo version later.
I think there is a 30 or 60 day demo.
I love it, if only I had this sort of thing when I was 18 🙂
Only thing I find is it dilutes my focus, I don't practice guitar as much as I used too, am playing with a synth or working out drum patters. However I have found myself creating more with the skills I have, rather than being more interested in increasing skills. So maybe its actually a good thing 🙂
I watched an interview with Ed O'brien from Radiohead the other day, I am not a particular fan but something he said resonated with me. Instead of worrying about your skill level or the kit you have, concentrate on being creative with what you have and not worry about stuff you struggle to play or having cheap kit. I am paraphrasing 🙂
A bit like people who always feel you need to have the newest bike. Having the right friends to ride with is more important 🙂
Not only has a knackered finger kept me off the bike for a couple of weeks I've not been able to hold a plectrum either which I think is worse than not being able to ride!
I seem to be able to hold a plectrum now though so back to learning River of Deceit. Still loving the ex Rocketdog Jaguar. It has now had a bit of a fettle and some new strings. It deserves someone who actually knows how to play but hey ho, I may be able to one day 🙂
Wow, that's lovely.
Wow, that’s lovely.
I presume that you mean the guitar and not the playing 🙂
Can't wait to see what kind of noises this thing makes. I haven't gotten around to playing with pedals yet so always on the lookout for my first one.
Looking forward to hearing that on The Pedal Show at some point.
Nice, Simon, lovely melow sound - both playing and guitar.
The last few sunny afternoons have been spent on the neck of my worthless plywood Sigma Martin DM 2. The nut just required finger pressure to remove but the frets much patience. The nearer I got to the sound hole the more friable the wood, all out without making too much mess. Then came the sanding, first to remove bulges at the 12th and 4th frets (which caused most of the buzzing), then to get the thing flat along its length, then to do the new 10"-12" compound radius like my favourite Warmoth Wizard neck.
I've ordered some Fender frets with an extra .13mm of tang thickness in the hope they'll be a snug fit in the friable slots. Medium jumbos with the same dimensions as the Dunlop 6150 I have in most of my guitars. One of the things I dislike about acoustics is the silly little frets they usually have in them, I want to press on the string, not wood.
At the moment it feels like throwing good money after bad and hours of my life too. If ever I succeed it'll be a cheap plywood acoustic with a nice electric style neck. Firewood, or a guitar, for the moment the jury is out.
Nice, Simon, lovely melow sound – both playing and guitar.
Cheers 🙂
Still fairly clueless with settings on my Mustang I amp but it's fun playing around. I also need to practice a normal F chord rather than the barre that I default to as River of Deceit really needs a normal F chord as there is a g-string pull-off that doesn't work with a barre. I'll get there eventually!
At the moment it feels like throwing good money after bad and hours of my life too. If ever I succeed it’ll be a cheap plywood acoustic with a nice electric style neck. Firewood, or a guitar, for the moment the jury is out.
I'd love to have the time / skills to do something like this but I'd end up with firewood in seconds! I'll stick to watching craftsmen doing it on YouTube instead 🙂
I seem to be able to hold a plectrum now though so back to learning River of Deceit. Still loving the ex Rocketdog Jaguar.
@simondbarnes really happy you like it, never sounded that good under my fingers. Great to see it being played to its potential 👌
Am self isolating and a bit bored. Just threw some bits together. I think it's all first take except for the fretless bass bit where it's tricky to get the intonation right
Listen to AUD-20201128-WA0010 by adamt on #SoundCloud
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/qRXs
@simondbarnes really happy you like it, never sounded that good under my fingers
Thanks for selling it to me! I love how it looks / feels / plays
Listen to AUD-20201128-WA0010 by adamt on #SoundCloud
Like it 🙂
Any Line 6 Helix users here? Good prices on the HX Stomp at the moment and I'm struggling to resist.
Any other recommendtions for modelers in a similar price range, Headrush Gigboard, Mooer GE300 maybe stretch to a Boss GT1000 Core?
Nice bass work btw AdamT 🙂
Yes I use a Helix, I really love it. Use it with a Headrush FRFR speaker. I have had previous line 6 "pods" and I never really liked them other than their convenience. The Helix is on another level to me. Only thing that I would really like is if it had the wireless built in like their spider amps.
I get great sounds out of the speaker, I am still working on getting good tones for recording. Though I think its learning the fact that what sounds good on its own does not always sound good in a mix.
I use Logic pro and there are great options for recording and re-amping etc with the helix.
Its a top bit of kit.
I've got a HX Stomp, awesome bit of kit. I'm still an 'amp' guy, but some of the amp sounds are great. The bass stuff is lovely too. Not updated mine for ages, I bet that there's loads of new stuff now!
Any of you amp modellers want a decent FRFR?
I have a Stagesource L2m consisting of 800W of tour worthy sound. Bought 6 months ago and only been used at home or hauled down the garden to the garage for volume. And a quiet(ish) acoustic(ish) socially distanced jam session.
Sounds great and is mint. I'll even throw in a Line6 Link lead for any Helix owners.
£360
This would be in classifieds but it won't accept images from me at the moment.
https://flic.kr/p/2kc5m99
https://flic.kr/p/2kc5maw
https://flic.kr/p/2kc5m7A
Nice playing Simon. I might look that up as I'm looking for self-accompanied pieces that sound complete.
But I'm on the lookout for a bedroom amp. I've currently got a Vox Amplug which is ok but slightly fiddly and restrictive. Budget around £200. I've tried a small Fender Mustang and didn't really get on with it - too much faff to find a tone and then I'd never find it again. I keep getting bombarded with ads for a Positive Grid Spark. Anyone tried one? Boss Katana is supposed to be the thing but maybe I should look out for an old fashioned thing that just does one job but does it well.
Glad to hear good things about the Helix amp sounds as I couldn't pass up the HX Stomp for £377. Just plan on using it for practice, noodling over backing tracks, etc but if if we're ever allowed to gig again, it would be handy not to have to lug a head/cab around.
@Tom-B V3 is supposed to have some nice new amp models and 8 blocks for the Stomp.
I keep getting bombarded with ads for a Positive Grid Spark. Anyone tried one?
I have one.
It's absolutely fantastic. Genuinely blown away by the sound from it. The app is a bit temperamental but they're quick to update it with patches. The jam feature thing isn't that great despite a lot of hype from "reviews" but I'm not that fussed.
The user patches you can search for can be a bit of a lottery, but when you find one that actually sounds like it's supposed to, it's quite staggering how good and accurate it sounds.
HX Stomps are subjectivelt the best bang for buck in the helix range
With the last update recently it is beyond belief what it will do
There are certainly better individual pedals out there by a country miles but such convenience in a stop format
I also have a helix which is flat out incredible
8 blocks?! Blimey.....need to get that downloaded then. Roll on 2023 when my gigging career resumes 😭
Edit....agree that they are amazing....I use mine in conjunction with a few other pedals and an amp most of the time too. 8 blocks means that I'll probably ditch the amp at wedding gigs now though.
8 Blocks but the same DSP, use your power wisely 🙂
Hi Eddie,
I'm interested in the L2m
I cant message you on the mail system for some reason
Cheers
Plum
Hmmm. Might be tempted to get a Cyber Tuesday Spark then.
Hey Plum messaged you with my email.let me know if you dont get it.
Nice playing Simon. I might look that up as I’m looking for self-accompanied pieces that sound complete.
👍
I’ve tried a small Fender Mustang and didn’t really get on with it – too much faff to find a tone and then I’d never find it again.
I'm slowly getting used to mine. When I find a tone I like I've been saving it.
I went on the Positive Grid website last night to order the Spark amp after looking at several (suspiciously?) glowing YouTube reviews. Just as you are about to hit go there are 3 little caveats: you're paying in dollars, at a rate yet to be confirmed, there's a "small" import duty (at a rate yet to be confirmed but currently about £35) to be added, and a despatch date (yet
to be confirmed) of 25 to 30 working days hence. So that means I would get an email some time in February telling me that it's stuck in a container in Tilbury with millions of others and the bill is a bit more than I expected.
Hmmm. I might see if Anderson's have got a Boss Katana in stock for about £200. Anything better at that price for a bedroom noodler?
Yamaha THR would definitely be worth a look but they start at £279 IIRC.
I have a Line6 Amplifi (the TT - the non-speaker version) and it seems similar in idea to the Positive Grid thing. I've seen the Amplifi TTs going for a song on ebay. Less so the powered ones with speakers. I just run mine into my powered speakers through the line-in. It's got a good app-based back-end, the ability to play tunes from your phone library (and to search/load an appropriate user-generated tone) and you can store four presets on the box itself, so you don't need the phone app running.
Actually I don't really use it that often as I can usually get away with firing up the valve amps. Perhaps that needs to get on the Classifieds 🙂
The Line 6 Amplifi is an interesting option. What sort of powered speaker would I need to make it into something like a Boss Katana and how much would the whole set up likely cost me?
Any powered speaker should work. I'd reckon that you could get a pair of powered computer monitors (or you may have some already, or might need just this excuse to get some...) or you could get a single, powered PA speaker (something like a 300W Alto, here - https://www.pmtonline.co.uk/alto-tx208-300-watt-active-loudspeaker ) and then you have a (admittedly far less portable) setup. So, there's a TT on ebay for £100 BIN and £80 for a speaker. Though admittedly you're heading towards the money for a Katana or THR then, especially if you find one used.
I have a pair of powered PA speaker that I use for film nights and turbo trainer fun, so it's easy enough to run the Amplifi into it. I also have a pair of powered computer speakers, which is also good with the Amplifi TT as you can play with stereo sounds too.
My mate had the spark, sold after 5 days, he uses an original THR10 most of his practice time and said its very much better than the spark
I have had a THR10 since they came out and fid it hard to believe there is anything better in this particular niche
Elise Trouw, I do like her live looping. She has explained how she does it but I’m still a bit confused.
A bit light for my tastes but excellently executed.
I also have a thr10 and love it. I kind of agree with the above. I'm struggling to think how I'd improve it (apart from adding an effects loop)
I'm a fan of the Fender Mustang amps. They make a good job of imitating amps you might like whereas the Boss sounds like the Boss which a lot of people like, but if you like a Hi-Watt, bassman or Marshal the Mustang gets closer. I did think of adding a comment to an Andertons Youtube comparing them which would have read. "if you lke the Boss then if you persist I'm pretty sure you can model it with the Mustang. Try using the "British Watts" which is a Hi-Watt amp model with the "overdrive" stomp which is tubescreamer, the 4x12g cab model and then mess with EQ and reverb to see how close you can get". The Captain reckoned "British 60s" is a JTM model but I reckon it's supposed to be an AC 30 with greenbacks.
I have a great and versatile 25w valve amp. I love it. Currently about 20% of my playing is done through it.
But 80% of my playing is done through my THR10ii. Brilliant amp and let’s me record via USB into my Mac.
I’d pretty much stopped playing guitar until lockdown when I got the THR and it simply made everything so easy and fun that I bought a new guitar and a bunch of stuff.
Gets my vote every time. I think I paid £245 for mine in April.
Seeing as you brought up looping, I'll have to share my favourite ever looping video. Great song and technical looping nous. And made me buy one of those big Boss loopers too!
I’d pretty much stopped playing guitar until lockdown when I got the THR and it simply made everything so easy and fun that I bought a new guitar and a bunch of stuff.
I used to pick up my acoustic and strum often but for very small amount of time. All stuff I knew and nothing new.
Then lockdown came and I started learning new tunes, then bought a midi keyboard to create some backing tracks on Garageband.
Now I am hooked on recording stuff and writing daft songs 🙂 I still had all my guitar kit etc, but I rarely plugged in an electric guitar. Now I am doing something pretty much every day.
The keyboard is brilliant for learning music theory as all the notes are there in front of you and you can see the patterns etc. Though strangely if I hear a tune I still have to play it on the guitar to work it out then play the notes on the keyboard as I know where everything is on the guitar 🙂
So I upgraded to Logic Pro X and I am now also fascinated by syths, I was a teenager in the 80s so even though I am a rocker at heart I do love a go synth.
Problem with all the music production stuff its its time I could be improving my guitar 🙂
Seeing as you brought up looping,
That’s pretty good. For me the watershed moment was KT Tunstall on Jools Holland. Didn’t get a looper until June this year but I do enjoy it and use it most days.
This was 2004 so pretty much ahead of the curve.
I remember that KT Tunstall performance - superb.
And that was using an Akai Headrush IIRC - something with a tiny amount of memory compared to today. Shows that talent will always triumph over gear 🙂 (Needless to say, I have an Akai Headrush and can't make it sound that good...)
Rachel K Collier and Hannie are my favorite looper types
Premier (pronounced primeer ) guitars rig rundown with KT is worth a watch (if you have spare hour, if not head to 38-39 mins in). She has a good tale about her tambourine being nicked in Wick (bloody weekers) as she deconstructs her, er, construction....
Kind of a looper build masterclass.
Following @Northwind on the Squire Mini P Bass (I think - we’ll I’m blaming him anyway 😀 ) I bought one for Junior 2 for Christmas. If she doesn’t like it, I might just have to adopt it 🤔
Nothing to do with me! I posted the Ibanez TMB30 shortscale not the Squier. Which I had totally resisted, and now I will have to resist again because of you, you MONSTER.
'tis a good one.
A bit OT but since we're talking looping I think I'm legally required to post this
(posting this particular version because I was there, it's not the best ever)
🙂
My latest purchase is a Truetone CS12 power supply.
After replacing my Orange Crush 35RT with a Rocker 15, I had awful problems with ground loops.
This has solved it, at a cost. Worth it though.
I've also sold quite a bit of gear.
Now have:
Squier Tele Custom II - P90s, vintage style neck.
Ibanez RG550 - Just marvelous, frankly it can do anything. Absolute quality build.
The Jap Strat - Took a while to get used to, coming from the Ibanez. But my word, what a lovely thing. Has stolen my heart. Amazing quality, faultless.
LAG acoustic - Mahogany body, lovely slim neck, great build. Set up perfectly by my local shop, no desire to change it.
'Er indoors has a Japanese Paisly Tele and a Faith Venus electro which are both lovely, expressive instruments.
No need for anything else.
So, next is a piano. 🙂
How my looping usually works...
😀
@rustyspanner I've had a cw12 for a while now. At the time it was the only viable option as I needed a Digitech Whammy on my board, so I could still power everything off one plug with it. I'm hoping that my micro POG has replaced the Whammy now, so I suppose I could go back to my gig rig setup.....I did have one issue with the CS12 about this time last year during a show. My HX Stomp froze during the final song before the interval....it was weird.....a clean sound was still coming through but the screen was blank. I swapped it to be powered by the other 500ma socket during the interval and it was fine. Worked fine in both 500ma outputs ever since! A few others have had similar issues with the HX stomp and cs12 combo though I believe.
My next question is: What's the best (simplest) way to record from my amp into my laptop to lay down some basic tracks and then add a few layers, say a basic rhythm track then a lead, then some more noodling?
I listened to all the advice here on amps (thanks to all who contributed) tried and failed to get a Spark within a sensible timeframe, narrowed it down to Yamaha, Katana, Mustang, and Line 6 and phoned Andertons to talk it through. I was talked out of the Yamaha (maybe I'll regret it) and bought a Boss Katana 50MkII.
My laptop is a Windows 10, a couple of years old so not the fastest.
As soon as I google the question the answers go straight into lots of words and numbers that I don't understand. I know I'll need some software to do the recording and editing, and I'm looking for a simple inexpensive one to start with. It seems like I have the choice between going in via the USB or a 3.5mm mic port and maybe something to reduce latency. I might need something in between as well.
Who can recommend a simple basic setup so I can write and record a few tunes and accompany myself with my own backing track? I guess my ultimate goal would be to be able to play all 3 parts of Albatross, or play Black Dog, Wish You Were Here, Breathe, etc. Or something of my own in similar vein.
Does the Katana come with some software? I think Ableton live lite often comes bundled with amps. I’m sure something was bundled with my THR but I can’t remember. That should get you up and running. You may need a USB cable.
I think the Boss software allows you to add more tones and features to the amp. I'm not sure if it's a 2-way thing.
Usb from amp to PC
Then one of these free DAW or if Mac, Garage Band.
https://producelikeapro.com/blog/free-daws-best-available-2018/
Inspired by the recent Paul Davids analysis of SRV's classic, I thought I'd have a go. Still not accurate or fast enough! Certainly a work in progress.
Certainly a work in progress
Sounds great!
I was talked out of the Yamaha (maybe I’ll regret it) and bought a Boss Katana 50MkII.
I doubt it. I’ve got both a Katana and a THR, they’re both great and very versatile. The Katana is the most versatile as it’s got a huge range of Boss effects pedals built in whereas the Yamaha only has a few basic effects. I’d be more than happy with either one to be honest for home use.
The Boss Tone Studio software is an editor and doesn’t allow recording.
I plug in via USB direct to my laptop and use Audacity (it’s free) which does everything I need it to so far. I’ve not tried any others, but should so will take a dive into that link above.
Excellent advice markwsf. Just what I needed to hear. Audacity downloaded!
Ah, didn't realise that I could plug a USB cable from my Fender amp into my Chromebook and record sound. That could be useful 🙂
@simondbarnes chrome book DAWs here https://filmora.wondershare.com/audio/best-daw-for-chromebook.html
AdamT how long have you been playing, I'm just coming up to 12 months, it might help me get things in perspective. 😶
Certainly a work in progress.
kicking my ass there! Nice one.
If I could nail this part (going to take a long time!) then I could record it using a DAW and then learn Billy's part and combine them 🙂
I think I'd be able to play it better on my Jag but it's in a crazy tuning (D#, A#, A#, F#, A#, D) so it'll be easier to just leave this guitar in that tuning as I want to play other stuff on the Jag.
Nice one @AdamT... the main problem my students have had with that piece is maintaining the rhythm at speed....you're getting the right rhythm as you were getting faster 👊
When you've got it nailed it'll feel like an awful lot of work for a piece that is less than 2 minutes 🤣
Edit: I find it nicer to play in Eb