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The show the Liam was super. Him playing took me straight back to listening to it all the first time 😀
Back in january I mentionned being recruited by a band following the departure of their singer for singing out of tune. Lots of ideas and exchanges of audio files and five months later we have a set of 10 songs. I've written the lyrics to the eight I sing on and provided the singing melodie. The structures and music are mainly the guitarist and drummer with the rest of us chipping in.
About 20 rehersal/creation sessions and it just about hangs together. We played a local mini festival with five other bands - we were the first on which was great because everyone was sober, we got to dance the night away after and got to play unlike the last band who declined at 05:30 after a visit from the Gendarmes about noise.
Enjoy the flute player starting the wrong song, the singer working so hard to remember his own lyrics there's no brain capacity left to do anything else. We had a great time, the other songs went a lot better but I like this one flaws and all:
In tune despite the -20db ear plugs, I think... .
Off to see Bonamassa next week. Open air gig in the fairytale castle bit of Carcassonne. Should be a good gig by all accounts. I've never really warmed to him, but I'm looking forward to a general guitar geek out and hopefully being impressed by his playing - which I can't fault, but it's always sounded a bit Eric Johnson-y... (And wow, that was a dull gig! EJ at the Marquee... Should have been great, but sounded like he'd put a record on and turned it up a bit.)
I’ve never really warmed to him,
I'm the same. I tend to listen to his albums when they come out and not be interested enough to continue listening more than the once. I'd probably go and see him locally if it wasn't too expensive but wouldn't bother travelling further than I could walk, which means that I wouldn't pay more than about £20 which means I will never see him. 😀
I think I became aware of him early on because of A New Day Yesterday, a cover of the Tull song on his first album. Indeed, he named the album after it, so it had better be good. I love Tull, I should say, especially their early stuff. The JB version misses every bit of character, texture and individuality that was present in Tull's version, turning it into a pub-rock cover, albeit a technically very good one. Which sort of sums him up for me.
edit : I've just listened to it again and am now listening to the JT version., trying to hear it with fresh ears. I could perhaps argue that there's too much going on the JT version, guitars, mouth organ, flute, etc, and JB simplifies it. The JT version is still miles better though. 😀
Chipps,
I love you like a brother but Eric dull, hang your head in shame
I saw Bonamassa in around 2017 and though I dont really listen to his music it was great and the best guitar tone i've heard in a big venue
Subjectively your
Plum
In other news
new pedals
JAM PEDALS HARMONIOUS MONK MK.2 - ok
Diffractor Soundings Arboretum - mind blowing stuff
@plumber - shame accepted 🙂
Eric was supremely competent live, but it was a dull show. He's a quiet/shy guy so there was no audience interaction, no quirky anecdotes. He just played the music, note-perfect, and then went off. I'm a fan of his records (and I have an EJ Strat!) but it wasn't a fun show.
Understood, I will happily enjoy take that/kiss/spice girls/katie perry mega spectacle shows along with Erics low key perfection
its all good
I like me a bit of EJ AND JB (mainly in Black Country Communion).
Not been here much, trying to get out and play more with a couple of local bands..
Strat has gone and a PRS SE DGT goldtop has take over. Still got the Tele, Baritone and JTV 59.
Big board has been replaced by this and it sounds glorious into a QSC CP12 FRFR speaker that is half the weight of my old Line6 speaker. Must get another one for stereo.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53043792916_ac02cf659a_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53043792916_ac02cf659a_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2oPiiBJ ]20230705_202920[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/146501625@N06/ ]John Stanley[/url], on Flickr
Ooh, fancy! That's a nice looking rig!
I do like the look of the DGT SE - especially in gold!
I decided I wanted a candy apple red jaguar instead of a white one so I bought a body off eBay, stripped and refinished it in nitro, polished it then ported all the bits over.
learnt a lot about spraying things and soldering! It’s not perfect but I’m pretty pleased with it!
Nicely done @ceepers 🙂 I've been thinking of putting a tortoiseshell pickguard on my CAR Jag for ages and now I definitely want to do it.
Another thing I want to do is hang my guitars on my lounge wall to free up some space (and to create a nice looking wall!) - has anyone got recommendations for wall hangers? I'll need to buy a drill too 🙂
NPD
Diffractor Soundings Arboretum
very nice
I've picked up a Hercules hanger from my LGS. Hopefully my house won't fall down when I try and drill into the wall 🤣
I've got one of these, very simmilar to the Herc but a few quid cheaper.
AUPHY Guitar Wall Mount Hanger Holder Auto Lock for Electric Acoustic Guitars Ukulele Bass (Black)
It's plenty strong enough but is a stone wall... I suspect the wall material will make more difference.
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I'm presuming my wall is brick, I guess I'll find out when I try and drill into it. I won't do it today though as I'm currently drinking beer 😜🍻
Yeh just take your time with the drilling so its a nice tight fit, and to make sure its straight too, hahah.
Edit, I drilled pilot holes slightly too small for the rawal plugs, and went up one bit size so the plug was a really tight squeeze, a hole only just big enough to press the plug in with a few taps of the hammer without bending/squishing it.
I'm guessing the Herc is the same, but the one I have, the clamp part swivels, so the weight of the guitar will ensure the guitar hangs straight, you just need to get the mounting bracket on the wall straight though for asthetics, assuming your walls are also straight 😀
I think you can tighten a screw too, so if you have a guitar that's heavier on one side than the other, you can offset the clamp angle so the guitar is still hanging straight.
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Yeah, it's getting the mounting bracket straight that worries me (and the wall falling down, this house is ancient!)
It doesn' t need to be exactly straght, but a jam jar of water can be used a sprit level. Don't use a hammer drill if you're worried about cracking the wall, a masonary bit will go in slowly if gently waggled without hammer action.
There may possibly be 3 holes under the mount 🤣
A wooden one, class, mine are all industrial steel look.
It's what the guitar shop had 🙂
I'm convinced it's going to fall off!
Looks good.
I’m convinced it’s going to fall off!
Well you know how heavy the guitar is by feel, so take the guitar off and give it a good tug that's more force than the weight of the guitar, maybe don't try to do pull ups on it though 😀
I’ve gone Bigsby! Added a licensed Bigsby to my homemade Cabronita. OK to fit, an arse to string-up. Seems to stay in tune (I’ve got 11s on to give it some resistance…)
And while I was shopping at Thomann, I got a TC Infinite Sustainer pedal too. Very fun!
that looks cool ! apparently when you are changing strings it's easiest to remove one at a time (but of course the first time fitting that isn't an option..) or use a capo to hold in tension while you wind onto the machinehead
an arse to string-up.
Don't ever get a Floyd Rose with a locking nut then! 😀
Floyds are easy! I have a couple and find them very relaxing. Bigsbys, not so much 🤣
Hi all, my son is heading off to music college in September armed with his guitars, and I was wondering about getting insurance for the guitars, amp etc, beyond normal house insurance which they are planning to get. Does anyone have recommendations for such an insurance? I guess we also need to consider taking it to and from college, gigs etc as well as at home. Thanks.
Contents insurance with cover for valuables away from home. Far cheaper than specialist insurance
There's a guitar shop near me that specialises in high end 2nd instruments. Popped in the other day to drop my strat off for a setup and got a chance to play this.
A 1959 Gibson E5 Switchmaster. A measly £17k. It was stunning
https://www.theguitartradecentre.co.uk/product-page/1959-gibson-es5-switchmaster-blonde-3x-pafs
Recommendations for a decent (inexpensive) first electric and practice amp.
Elder son is playing on an acoustic, doing lessons etc, but everything he plays is rock/metal/grunge and he fancies electric.
He tried a load in Gear4Music and liked the Epiphone Les Paul Special Satin E1 which seemed pretty decent for the money - but now out of stock.
Any suggestions? Preferred the Gibson style guitars to the Fender style (not that he can afford either of the headline brands).
Also what’s a decent bedroom amp these days?
We got the boy a Squier FSR Bullet tele and it's decent for the money. I've had a couple of Yamaha Pacificas which are cheap and cheerful and play pretty well.
Once he'd demonstrated he was properly into it we split the cost of a small Boss Katana, with lots of effects built in. That was one of the best purchases ever, it's really fun and he has barely put the guitar down since. Tiny practice amps are OK but something a bit better really helps.
We got a Spark by Positive Grid, fairly similar in some ways to the Katana I think. It's fun once set up with the app, you can just tell it a song and it magically pulls in settings to give you a similar sound, can provide backing to play along with etc etc.
What made that old Gibson stunning, BoardinBob? Whenever I've tried old classics they've been less than stunning:
Either frets dressed to nothing or (mutiple) refrets that have damaged or changed the shape of the neck so the frets stand pround or slope off the edges.
If the neck hasn't been reset the deck height is often too low (not and issue with bolt ons).
The pickups aren't great or have been rewound in which case how original are they?
The workmanship whilst great for something hand made just doesn't match something CNCed then hand finished.
I like a modern compound radius, jumbo frets and a neck I can get my hand around.
Yeah, I'd love a Broadcaster, 52 Tele or early 60s Epi Texan but I wouldn't expect them to be stunning, I'd hope to live with their foibles.
I've not been playing much recently but I have made some progress on my guitar wall 🙂
Very arty, my three are all at the same height. 😉 Not sure about those yellow picks, I find them too stiff for really fast strumming (the orange are softer) and too big and soft for fast picking (the age old Fender Extra Heavy for that).
I neither strum or pick quickly 😁
"I’ve gone Bigsby! Added a licensed Bigsby to my homemade Cabronita. OK to fit, an arse to string-up. Seems to stay in tune (I’ve got 11s on to give it some resistance…)"
I've got a Bigsby on my Gretsch hollow-body - what a wonderful thing! Your Cabronita looks so cool!
Recently started playing guitar with a pick - just clicked a few days ago. Now there's the whole rabbit hole of picks to go down - I'm liking the purple tortex one I found kicking about at home. The huge Justin Chancellor bass picks I have feel way too big. I've got a Mick Lynch signature one which I gather is a carbon fibre Jazz III that's pretty nice but a bit too tiny.
Looking into getting a baritone guitar for work for demoing heavier/downtuned sounds - Reverend Descent RA is top of the list for now...
Hey guys, this is my sons 1st attempt utube cover of iron maiden
Pretty much taught himself during lockdown .
He is only 16 so any likes will be greatly appreciated cheers
It does, cheers @whatgoesup he is well chuffed
Just picked up a.pedal board, got about 5 9v pedals should I go for a power source to go under the board or is it easier to just get one that sits on the floor next to it, also any ideas on what to buy seems to be so many choices
Also liked and subscribed @cheekyget. tell him to keep going. Music is amazing and music people are mostly amazing.
@cheekyget.....nice and clean. Tell him to keep at it....it'll cost you a fortune obviously 😁
Excellent playing. Liked and subbed.
Looking into getting a baritone guitar for work for demoing heavier/downtuned sounds – Reverend Descent RA is top of the list for now…
I'm using the Chapman Bea Baritone. The 28 inch scale works better for me than the 27" that many companies like Fender use.
I'm tuning to B or Drop A and with 14-68 strings it feels right.
Just picked up a.pedal board, got about 5 9v pedals should I go for a power source to go under the board or is it easier to just get one that sits on the floor next to it, also any ideas on what to buy seems to be so many choices
strymon ojai under the board for me
I bought a cheapie from Thomann. Worked well until l kmover loaded it.
Multi voltages and rather slim and effective.
I've got a TGI Powerbox Micro which seems to do the job nicely.
Thanks @eddiebaby @joelowden ( yes it's cost me fortune all ready , he has 6 guitars now, I told him if he wants anymore he can pay for a extension..lol) @AdamT
He is really pleased, thanks
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People seem to say it's bad to daisy chain power supply is that a real world issue?
It depends on the pedals @ali69er. If it's a couple of overdrives and a chorus, you'll be fine, but if they're clever and digital, or boutique and sensitive then they'll complain if they're not on isolated power cables. Power supplies are the 'welding repairs for the MOT' of the guitar world - they cost a load of cash, but don't actually seem to make anything better - and no one will notice. 🙂
However, a decent power supply, with tidy cables is a joy to use - and any of your higher wattage or sensitive pedals will thank you.
I've got a wah, od, distrotion and a noise gate. Nothing crazy, all bought when drunk and now trying to resolve the real world problems when sober
Worth trying on a daisy chain, then, if you're on a budget. Though it's only £33 for a five-output isolated job from Thomann.
I've got one of these on one of my boards and it's been great - and can handle digital pedals if you do upgrade. https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_powerplant_iso_5_pro.htm
Has anyone used the Positive Grid Spark Go?
It looks useful as a headphone amp for playing quiet, as a low power amp for playing in the spare room when others are watching TV and then apparently you can use it as a head unit to plug into a higher power amp.
I'm only a beginner and I thought that the learning modes on the app might help me as I'm struggling a bit(a lot) to get on. Plus I like audio tech and its not much cash....
Any thoughts?
I had a play of a mates and it seemed OK for exactly the situations you described.
I bought a Yamaha THR10OII when they came out but there were a lot less options back then. Luckily it is amazing. Dunno if I'd still get one.
Andy Timmons playing Bohemian Rhapsody solo... He's great.
Music starts around 1:30.
Had one of my guitars in for a setup at my local shop. Went to collect and spotted they had a 2nd hand Epiphone Jared Nicols hanging on the wall. 10 minutes of playing later and I was in love. An absolutely phenomenal guitar. Good weight, neck fits my hand perfectly but most importantly that single Seymour Duncan dogear P90 might be the best sounding pickup I've ever heard. Such a simple guitar with an insane range of tones available. Best approach is crank the amp all the way up and roll the volume way back. The volume will roll off without sacrificing clarity and the tone control is useable all the way through its range
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^ I like that colour, very minimalist and clean looking too.
Fantastic guitar Bob.
I'm certain someone on here has on that I've commented on before. (id search but... well you know.)
Got my first goldtop, a PRS SE and love it.
After months and months of swithering I’ve finally ordered that FSR shell pink Pro11 strat I’ve been eyeing up.
It’s getting restrung and a final set up in the shop (Merchant City Music in Glasgow) before getting shipped Monday.
The lovely people even took some photos and emailed me them (with the invoice). It looks amazing, honestly I can hardly wait, Wednesday cannot come fast enough (for a change).
MCM a real pleasure to do business with (as ever). Despite being a ‘long-distance’ customer they always treat me well (Richard there reminds me of Paul at Cotic, and that is as high praise indeed!).
That's lovely and MCM is indeed a great shop
I remember someone else getting one of those Jared GT Epi’s on here, never having heard of it/him and YouTubing it. It certainly looks the business (and the vids I watched were pretty positive, but not enough to get one on spec…) A secondhand one would pretty much be ideal I’d have thought. Looks pretty mint.
I have a gold top scratch that, one day, will no doubt demand to be itched…
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Love my AmProIIs.
Sadly the Strat is going as I never play it on anger and my PRS SE covers what I need in the way of Strat sounds.
Hi all, Ive been a lurker / reader since day one (having met Mark at the Singletrack launch at the Bike Show, Birmingham NEC and my mate Jeff Wherlock SS World Champ that year, graces the cover of the first issue). I’ve been playing guitar on and off for many years and gotten stuck in the ‘guitarists rut’ a few times as we all do. I have a PRS 245 SE and an Epiphone Flying V through an Orange Crush amp. This is a wonderful thread - you chaps certainly know your stuff! I play straight into the amp without any gadgets - Bernie Marsden style 😊 but I can imagine falling down the rabbit hole of gadgetry to be very easy 😃. Anyhow just saying hi and thanks for the goldmine of friendly info and support.
I’ve spent rather a lot of time today trying to play Sex Machine, Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag and And Justice For All - all unplugged on my big Gretsch Hollowbody! Still, I am at least now trying to do it with a pick!
And I’ve now added Back In Black and La Grange to my repertoire of things I can’t yet play but I’m going to make my fingertips sore trying! So much open mostly power chord action on Back In Black, v confusing to this bassist’s brain…
Goldtop fever has got me so I finally got all the bits on the DGT SE and took a photo.
The knobs are tabacco coloured from Aliexpress. The tuners are Guyker front lockers, also from Aliexpress.
Tuners work fine. Smooth enough and hold tune well.
Speaking of holding tune I've had a couple of minor problems. The third fret was a tiny bit high so was buzzing a tad on cowboy chords. A quick bit of work with assorted sanding pads sorted that mostly.
Worse was the nut being a bit tight on the factory fitted string and on the D'Adddarios I fitted. Very cautious slot filing and smoothing with a set of those cheapo wire 'nut files' from Amazon has got it prefect. Before any trem use tended to leave strings out of tune if they binded in the slots. Worse on the wound strings but slightly present on all.
I have a Switchcraft jack socket so I'll change that next time I take the plate off the back as the current socket seems to have a lot of play in it.
The fingerboard seems nice and dark with some figuring but next string change I'll put some Monty's Montepresso on there.
Very nice. I have a couple of PRS SE's. Both single cuts. They're great guitars.
Yep. Very happy with it.
Now of course I want one of those Epiphone Jared Nicols.
Looks good eddie. Good cat action too 👍
I am not sure if I posted about it here or not but I recently built myself one of these:
https://shop.pedalparts.co.uk/product/gherkin
A Big Muff with a mid control AND extra clipping options. And hence bloody loads of knobs 😂
It's a great fuzz pedal though. Very sculptable. I've not had a chance to play it very loud yet, but through my little Orange Micro Dark and headphones it's fantastic.
Plus I decorated the case with nail varnish and sharpies, true "DIY pedal" style.
Wow, looks complicated. How long was the build process?
In the easy-to-play-crowd-pleasers list Stay or Go Now by the Clash has to be well up there. That got me messing around to get the sound and led to my Harley Benton Tele with low output vintage bridge pickup straight into the Marshall clean channel. Cowboy chords, low tech, just works 🙂 Anyone got an old Music Man for sale? 😉
Love a gold top - very nice eddiebaby