West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Ricky, I have a Valco/Vega - sounds like that one. The preamp circuit on top the power amp section on the bottom. Two channels , one with trem., I dated the little metal plate -seems like 1963 or so. The non-trem channel on the bass setting sounds awesome for guitar on mine for a warm tweedy thing or jumper the channels for more juice. I have seen similar looking Supros on the internet. Enjoy, fred.

[RickyKing]

Thanks guys,it does sound pretty cool...It sounds like yours,2 Chan w/trem.,Fred.

[pcutt]

Anybody know of any West Coast Blues bands that tour the South? I recently moved to Lafayette, LA from California and the WCB bands that I'm familiar with don't seem to be coming down here. Your suggestions are welcome.

-Paul

[Scott Miller]

Lafayette, LA? Yikes. Musselwhite tours in the south. Not WCB, but he has a killer band. Carol Fran lives in Lafayette. Not even close to WCB, but she's a national treasure.

[fretshop]

Lafayette, LA? Yikes. Musselwhite tours in the south. Not WCB, but he has a killer band. Carol Fran lives in Lafayette. Not even close to WCB, but she's a national treasure.

Ditto:

She has always been a wonderful lady. Loved her work with the late Clarence Holliman.

I worked with Barbara Harris for a while (Toys "Lovers Concerto", also with the Marvellettes from time to time), and she is a BIG Carol Fran fan...if she was here right now, Barbara would also tell y'all to check out the late Laverne Baker.

Ms. Baker ex-patriated to the Philippines during the '60s where she managed the NCO Club at Subic Bay Naval Air Station. It was almost impossible to get into the club when she was performing. Check out her internet bio, AND her music.


It all fits in....you just gotta listen to it, and give it a chance.

[TwoFeets]

Ditto:

She has always been a wonderful lady. Loved her work with the late Clarence Holliman.

I worked with Barbara Harris for a while (Toys "Lovers Concerto", also with the Marvellettes from time to time), and she is a BIG Carol Fran fan...if she was here right now, Barbara would also tell y'all to check out the late Laverne Baker.

Ms. Baker ex-patriated to the Philippines during the '60s where she managed the NCO Club at Subic Bay Naval Air Station. It was almost impossible to get into the club when she was performing. Check out her internet bio, AND her music.


It all fits in....you just gotta listen to it, and give it a chance.

We (Midnight Ramblers) had a lady singer named Jen Thompson with us for a while who would do a smattering of LaVern Baker songs. She could absolutely NAIL that stuff to where it would send chills up your spine. We did Tweedle Dee, Jim Dandy and her version of See See Rider. She also did credible versions of Janis Martin and Wanda Jackson stuff.

[Poppa Stoppa]

A friend who plays old blues styles (archtop, T-Bone etc) has put THD Yellow Jackets in a Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 and has started getting great comments on his tone.
http://www.thdelectronics.com/products/yellow_jacket.htm
It appears to me you could use them in, say, your tweed Pro for smaller gigs, then slot the 6L6's back in for bigger gigs. Has anybody here used them? Views/reviews/tone reports?

(PS congrats to Mike Law on the 2,500th post!)

[ES350]

I recorded and gigged with Carol after Clarence passed and she was a lot of fun to work with. Whenever I used an archtop, she wanted to hear that 'John Collins' sound....

[TwoFeets]

A friend who plays old blues styles (archtop, T-Bone etc) has put THD Yellow Jackets in a Fender Hot Rod Deville 4x10 and has started getting great comments on his tone.
http://www.thdelectronics.com/products/yellow_jacket.htm
It appears to me you could use them in, say, your tweed Pro for smaller gigs, then slot the 6L6's back in for bigger gigs. Has anybody here used them? Views/reviews/tone reports?

(PS congrats to Mike Law on the 2,500th post!)

The guy that used to play in the Ramblers with us got a pair when he bought his Bassman RI. We both agreed that they made his amp sound like crud.

[HappyValley]

Good luck down Memphis Ryan, Ducoff et al! Happy New Year to all the GP'ers.

[fretshop]

A Happy, prosperous and peaceful New Year to all !!

Nick: If I'm not booked for a gig or session, I'm going to try and scoot up to Hyannis for 1/13. I'm frazzled and need a break...these 60-65 hour weeks are doin' a job on me. Are y'all bringing the wives along to Harry's ? I'll be in the office all day if you want to chat.

[RickyKing]

Hi All,
Wishing All Here the Happiest of New Years!
Lets hear about everyones NYE gig. I for one will be crusing Boston Harbor
with about 200 peeps and livin' it up.
Have a happy and Blusey one. Nick,I know you guys will kill them @ Harrys!

[Dave Orban]

Ditto on the Happy New Year's wishes to everyone!

It's been a real pleasure to follow this thread, and I've learned a great deal from all of you regular (and irregular) posters. Your passion for this music is infectuous, and I really appreciate it!

A happy, healthy, and prosperous 2007 to all! :dude

[HappyValley]

Yeah Gents!
RickyKing...phone tag is a drag, ain't it? Happy (and especially HEALTHY!!) New Year to you & yours, my brother. Let's play & soon.

[RickyKing]

Right Back at you Nick and all here!
Be carefull out there tonight,it's amature night ya know ;.0

[Schwalbe]

Tonight I have a gig at a private party with Hurricane Harold's band. We played there last year and they asked us back. It's in a Craftsman style house on Summit Ave. in St. Paul. Summit is where the railroad and lumber baron's built their shack's, James J. Hill and that crowd. IIRC we may have Bruce McCabe on keys tonight
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/RockinDaddy/Christmas/ccdhnwp1b.gif


http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/RockinDaddy/Christmas/hg103.gif
A BIG thanks to The Gear Page for having us.
It's been great getting to know you guys, and keeping up with Mr. Ross.
Hey Skilback, GREAt to meet you, don't hesitate to look me up if you're ever this way again.
AND, I'm really looking forward to meeting everybody who's going to the IBC. Seeya there, we're gonna have FUN!

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Happy New Year Everybody! fred

[Poppa Stoppa]

Lets hear about everyones NYE gig. I for one will be crusing Boston HarborI was lucky enough to play in a band led by harp player Lee Sankey, with Earl Green on vcls and Evan Jenkins (drums, Matt Schofield's band) & Jeff Walker (bass) - very funky guys.

Lee is a killer harp player, so I was surprised when he took me to school with his guitar playing too. On one tune must have had the ouija board plugged in as well because was channeling Albert Collins - tone, licks, the whole thing. Somebody please recommend me some good Albert CDs quick, I have some woodshedding to do!

Best part of the evening was when we were playing 'High Heeled Sneakers' at about 11.45pm. The bar staff gave everybody in the place party poppers and those little horns with a plastic mouthpiece and paper horn, ready for 12.00. Gradually the place filled with them being tooted in time with the beat, louder and louder until it was louder than the band. Lee took the band down and gave the audience a couple of verses on their own. As the drummer said: 'In 25 years of playing, that was a first!'.

Hope you guys had good gigs, and happy New Year to all!

[TwoFeets]

I actually had no New Year's gig this year. We did play the night before, though, an outdoor gig at a house party near the beach where the temperature dropped so rapidly that condensation formed a sheet over ALL the gear - very precarious. My Shure 55 mic shorted out. D'oh!

[TwoFeets]

I've got some pretty exciting news to report. Shortly before Christmas, the sax player in the blues band I'm in quit suddenly and without notice. When we were looking for replacements, we found a real doozie in Leroy "Hog" Cooper - right on our doorstep.

Leroy is a veteran player out of the Dallas scene. He's got a list of credentials a mile long which include:

- Along with Fathead Newman, was on the 1950's session with ZuZu Bollin that produced "Why Don't You Eat Where You Slept Last Night" and "Headlight Blues."
- Lowell Fulson's bandmate for several years, with Fathead Newman also on sax, and was on the sessions that produced, among other Fulson classics, "Reconsider Baby."
- When playing in Fulson's band, Leroy and Fathead shared the stage with a young up-and-coming pianist/vocalist named Ray Charles. Leroy joined Ray's band in 1957 and anchored his horn section on bari sax for about 20 years. He still worked off and on with Ray on various sessions and gigs right up until Ray's passing.

Even in his late 70's, he's still a monster bari player and a hugely warm and friendly human being with a zillion stories to tell. BB King even mentioned him in his autobiography. Leroy came out to our rehearsal last week and I think we passed the audition, I think he's going to join on as close to full-time as he can!

[monstermike]

That's the most ridiculous thing I will hear all year, Rob. Congrats!

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Wow, that's the coolest, Rob! Ya better start recording rehearsals for the history lessons. fred

[buickwilson]

Newly joined the forum... thanks to all for a great read. I really enjoyed this thread.

All the cool pictures of the E5's, 350's, etc. made me want to post my '53...


http://members.aol.com/buickwilsn/350.jpg

[TwoFeets]

Newly joined the forum... thanks to all for a great read. I really enjoyed this thread.

All the cool pictures of the E5's, 350's, etc. made me want to post my '53...


http://members.aol.com/buickwilsn/350.jpg

Dig it - and check out, it's a 3-knobber with the neck pickup right up against the end of the fretboard (at least that's how it looks in this pic)

I'd like to start a survey and see if we can't figure out a rhyme or reason to when the neck pickup was located in that spot.

[TwoFeets]

That's the most ridiculous thing I will hear all year, Rob. Congrats!

Thanks! I'm pinching myself over here. I'm truly not worthy!

[jetlag]

First off, Happy New Years everyone.

Rob, that's great news about Leroy. Just super cool. Congrads man. There's another guy that used to post here with a blonde, three knob 350 from the 50's. I'll have to ask him where the front pup is on his - so as to add to your running pole. Sideman, you out there?

Mr. Wilson, that 350 is a real beauty, thanks for posting.

[Dave Orban]

Newly joined the forum... thanks to all for a great read. I really enjoyed this thread.

All the cool pictures of the E5's, 350's, etc. made me want to post my '53...


http://members.aol.com/buickwilsn/350.jpgWelcome! Beautiful guitar...! :dude

[fretshop]

Dave,

Carlos Colina will be at The Blue Moon this Friday P.M. Just finished some prototype N-Caster bridge pups. Installed one in the fly Tele to road test it Friday. Hope you can make it.

[Dave Orban]

Dave,

Carlos Colina will be at The Blue Moon this Friday P.M. Just finished some prototype N-Caster bridge pups. Installed one in the fly Tele to road test it Friday. Hope you can make it.I will sure try, George...!

Thanks for the heads-up!

[aja]

Right on Twofeets. It must make you feel good to play with a legend. I bet he's
got funny stories too.

[Thinsocks]

- Along with Fathead Newman, was on the 1950's session with ZuZu Bollin that produced "Why Don't You Eat Where You Slept Last Night" and "Headlight Blues."

That's to cool! The Baritone on those tracks is coolest thing on those records... well ZuZu's playing and singing is pretty damn cool too, but that part the baritone plays after the intro on "Why Don't..." is just killer.

[musicofanatic5]

Wow, Leroy Cooper?! Yikes!
Here's to a swell 2007 for y'all! My wish is for live music to become an "in demand" commodity again!

[RickyKing]

Welcome home,Jon! We missed you...
Happy New Year !

[Scott Miller]

Woot! We're opening for Little Charlie at JJ's Jan. 26. Yea. Talk about getting taken to school...

Not so woot: RJ seems to be moving to Arkansas in a few weeks, or so I hear. Blast. I don't know what's happening with his jam, I expect someone will take it over, because it tends to draw mightily; even more than many of the weekend acts. But it won't be the same without his skillfully unpredictable hosting methods, and I'll really miss his harp playing and the killer bands he puts together.

[Dave Orban]

Woot! We're opening for Little Charlie at JJ's Jan. 26. Yea. Talk about getting taken to school...

Go easy on Charlie, will ya...? He's kinda old... ;)







Congrats...! :dude :dude :dude

[sideman]

Buick, your ES-350 looks identical to my '52). The neck pick-up location never struck me as unusual. I'll try and email you to compare notes.

[Echo Are]

Not so woot: RJ seems to be moving to Arkansas in a few weeks, or so I hear. Blast. I don't know what's happening with his jam, I expect someone will take it over, because it tends to draw mightily; even more than many of the weekend acts.

I wouldn't be surprised if Steve Freund ends up taking over the jam. He's been at a kinda loose end regular-gig-wise ever since he lost his regular Tuesday night gig at that bar in Albany(The Ivy Room?)last year. Taking over the Mojo Jam would be perfect for him, I would think. The Mojo Jam's on Tuesday Nights, and Steve has the credentials, experience, drawing power, and a very healthy local fan base.

[Scott Miller]

Yes, it's one more month with RJ and then Freund takes over, with Marc Carino as the regular bassist.

Francis Clay was there tonight. Not playing, just in the audience.

[pete kanaras]

Francis Clay was there tonight. Not playing, just in the audience.

wwwow..........

[dukeh62]

Francis Clay was there tonight. Not playing, just in the audience.

That's pretty heavy!

[dukeh62]

Not sure if you guys saw this in the other forum, but figured it was worth posting b/c it might be the funniest thing I've ever seen. This is Albert King, Luther Allison and Jerry Portnoy sitting in with Journey. Check out how Neal Schon cuts off Albert King, and then proceeds to go ON AND ON in the wrong key. Albert finally turns around like he wants to bitch-slap him! PRICELESS!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKAqhenPvQ0&mode=related&search

[fretshop]

Francis Clay was there tonight. Not playing, just in the audience.

wwwow..........

Double wwwow !!

Pete, I think it's time we made a non-working road trip back to my home town. We could probably sleep in Scott's garage.

[mikelaw]

he should have. journey sucks.

[TwoFeets]

Before I spend $55 flat rate to send my Shure 55SH Series II mic back to Shure for repair, is there anyone here handy with a soldering iron that knows how to wrench on microphones?

[RickyKing]

Hey,Anyone have some input on the Eastwood H-44?
A buddy of mine is wondering if they are any good.
Opinions please (I think I know where this is gonna go...)

[aja]

Their is no 80's band I loathe more than Journey. Or any band for that matter.

[Strat-O]

Ricky, the consensus seems to be that it looks, plays and sounds cool. But, its not exactly a true reissue of the H44. I'm going to get one next month and hope Don Mare has a formula down for the pickups. If he could just put the 0038's in those mini-humbucker covers, we'd have some f*&$%'ing a$$ pickups for it.

[RickyKing]

Good to know...my buddy is really interested but doesn't want to spend a grand.
I was lucky enough to find a refined one with all the parts there cheap.
They are just getting out of sight.
Maybe Eastwood will reissue the Espanada!
BTW has anyone tried Don Mare's Junior wrap Strat set?

[pete kanaras]

Pete, I think it's time we made a non-working road trip back to my home town. We could probably sleep in Scott's garage.

sounds good to me bro!

[maxVsf]

Dudes, Scotty is right. Francis Clay, thanks to his blues loving friend- Celia, frequently checks out the local clubs and shows around the Bay Area. His birthday bash at Biscuits and Blues is always an event to remember. And seeing him in the audience does inspire you not to be jivin'...

[Scott Miller]

"We could probably sleep in Scott's garage."

Har. You should see my garage. I live with a packrat.

Francis Clay gets around with a walker and a very nice friend of his, but I don't think he drums anymore. He told me: "I used to be Francis Clay!!!, but now I'm just... Francis Clay."

[Scott Miller]

On the other hand, I have an upstairs bedroom with a table all laid out with soldering equipment and an H-62 with possible wiring problems...

[HappyValley]

Not sure if you guys saw this in the other forum............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKAqhenPvQ0&mode=related&search

1st of all........hysterical.
2nd of all......WHAT "OTHER" FORUM??!!! (surely not the condemned FDP?!!)THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY!! :BITCH
Cripes, who has the time for 2 of these durn thangs anyhoo, and can still practice?? :nono

(hee hee....i luv goofy emoticons).

Two Feets....great score, man. LEARN EVERYTHING from that cat...he's a living, breathing, walking & talking LESSON. Congrats.

[fretshop]

On the other hand, I have an upstairs bedroom with a table all laid out with soldering equipment and an H-62 with possible wiring problems...


Scott, check your e-mail.

FYI: Just for the heck of it, I checked the real estate prices in the old neighborhood. My older sister and I have always dreamed of buying the old place on Shasta Avenue back...it was such a beautiful house. We paid $22K for the house in '65. It is now valued at $770K. Geeeez !!! There goes my dream of "coming home" !!

[dukeh62]

1st of all........hysterical.
2nd of all......WHAT "OTHER" FORUM??!!! (surely not the condemned FDP?!!)THIS IS THE ONE AND ONLY!! :BITCH
Cripes, who has the time for 2 of these durn thangs anyhoo, and can still practice?? :nono

No, no, no...just another forum on this site. Guess that's actually a "thread." :moon

[btg]

Congrats to A.C. who has his name mentioned in this months Blues Revue for his part of Jimi Bott's new CD.

[Cliff]

Happy New Year guys. I haven't checked in with the blues thread since before Christmas. Question: I've got a tweed Bandmaster clone incoming, and I wonder what speakers you guys recommend for this amp. Seems like this would be the place to ask. It's my first 3-speaker amp....

[mikelaw]

i used 3 speakers recently... because i tested them and noticed 1 was wired backwards. switched the leads now and all is right....MUCH better now. 4x10 rules.
:)

[zappafrank]

Congrats to A.C. who has his name mentioned in this months Blues Revue for his part of Jimi Bott's new CD.


I do?????

...well...uh....F'n COOL!!!---er, that is, if they said anything nice about me, or were just kind enough to mention my name w/out tearing me apart re: tone, technique, finesse, and/or soul!!!!:o


Thanks, btg ,for the heads up!


Oh yeah---CONGRATS to Two Feets---that is so awesome---you can't help but learn from someone that's REALLY been around like him----

I'll have to re-read the last six pages later to catch up!!!

ac

Happy New Year, y'all

[Guitarzan]

I do?????

...well...uh....F'n COOL!!!---er, that is, if they said anything nice about me, or were just kind enough to mention my name w/out tearing me apart re: tone, technique, finesse, and/or soul!!!!:o


Thanks, btg ,for the heads up!


Oh yeah---CONGRATS to Two Feets---that is so awesome---you can't help but learn from someone that's REALLY been around like him----

I'll have to re-read the last six pages later to catch up!!!

ac

Happy New Year, y'all

Congrats man, Great review!!!

[fretshop]

A.C., Congratulations and Happy New Year !!

[Poppa Stoppa]

Hear hear, congrats A.C. and also to Twofeets - very cool, both!

[dukeh62]

For all our northeast brethren, we've got a few cool shows coming up...

First, this Saturday at Black-Eyed Sally's in Hartford, CT we're doing our "Memphis or Bust" fundraiser to help raise some dough for the trip to the IBC in a few weeks. We've rounded up some KILLER prizes including: -

- Autographed CD's from Rick Holmstrom, Sugar Ray Norcia
- Autographed Harmonica Masterclass box set from Jerry Portnoy.
- Bluebeatmusic.com donated about 20 Black Top titles.
- Pacificblues.com donated a bunch of cool t-shirts.
- Delta Groove Records sent 3 new titles over
- $50 Gift card from Ron's Guitars in Groton, CT
- Gift certificate to Black-Eyed Sally's
- Gift certificate to Martoccio's Music in Avon, CT
And more!

And...on January 27th we're opening for Roomful of Blues at the Webster Theatre in Hartford, CT. You can get tickets from us (cheaper then at the club) by clicking here (http://www.ryanhartt.com/generic17.html).

Thanks for putting up with the promo! Hope to see some of you there!

[fretshop]

Delta Groove Newsletter just arrived via e-mail. Looks like Mitch Kashmar has been recruited by War as a new harp/vocalist.

[bbarnard]

Woot! We're opening for Little Charlie at JJ's Jan. 26. Yea. Talk about getting taken to school...

I actually got to take a lesson from him about a year ago and it was the most humbling thing that ever happened to me. He's a monster. We went out to dinner afterwards and I'm surprised I didn't faint from having my head filled with so much stuff.

[pete kanaras]

Delta Groove Newsletter just arrived via e-mail. Looks like Mitch Kashmar has been recruited by War as a new harp/vocalist.

man mitch is one insanely talented dude, good for him. i saw him with watson a few years back and he just knocked me out. and while playing in seattle this year lee oskar and harold brown came by and sat in and we had a complete ball. lee has his own thing going on for sure, a very musical cat.

[RickyKing]

God,I love this thread....
I Just scored this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230073954157&rd=1&rd=1

Check it out,I'm STOKED,always wanted a Sunburst!

[jetlag]

AC, congrads man. Good for you. Same thing Ricky, congrads - that's a really sweet looking H62.

[Scott Miller]

Mitch Kashmar... War... I would totally go see that. I think. I wonder what kind of venues War plays at these days.

I saw them sometime around 1971, backing Eric Burdon when "Spill the Wine" ruled the airwaves. Burdon sang a 20-minute X-rated version in excruciating detail: "And then she grabbed my_____ and then I licked her____" I was about 16 and thought it was the goddamn coolest thing ever. I can see Mitch having fun with that.

That Journey clip... if I had the chance to jam with Albert King and then screwed up that bad, I would beat myself to death with my guitar.

[mikelaw]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Harmony-Stratotone-Model-H-44-Guitar_W0QQitemZ230071908898QQihZ013QQcategoryZ238 4QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

$$$$

[mikelaw]

nice harmony ricky

[fretshop]

Ricky...I just sent you an urgent e-mail with my phone number. Call me.

[fretshop]

God,I love this thread....
I Just scored this...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230073954157&rd=1&rd=1

Check it out,I'm STOKED,always wanted a Sunburst!


URGENT !!! Ricky, I just sent you an e-mail...with my phone numbers. Call me ASAP !!!

[Thinsocks]

URGENT !!! Ricky, I just sent you an e-mail...with my phone numbers. Call me ASAP !!!

Is the "ArchtopDan", George? The guitar looks very familiar

[TwoFeets]

Hey THINSOCKS, did you sell that Kay Jimmy Reed you had up in the classifieds yesterday?

[fretshop]

Is the "ArchtopDan", George? The guitar looks very familiar


I'll call you. I hope Ricky got to his e-mail.

[Thinsocks]

Hey THINSOCKS, did you sell that Kay Jimmy Reed you had up in the classifieds yesterday?

Nope

[musicofanatic5]

$1,500 for an H-62?!?! Over two grand for a (worn) H-44?!?! Harmony gtrs?!?! I believe the end of the world might be closer than I previously thought!!! Is there an emoticon with a pistol held to head?

[pete kanaras]

$1,500 for an H-62?!?! Over two grand for a (worn) H-44?!?! Harmony gtrs?!?! I believe the end of the world might be closer than I previously thought!!! Is there an emoticon with a pistol held to head?

my thoughts exactly! man this is all getting waaaay too silly.

blame the internet i suppose for the craziness of price increases on hot-to-trot items in the new instant global community we live in. it used to be a 6-10 year or more gradual price escalation thru word of mouth, etc. a graudual ramping up. now, with the advent of the 'net it's more like 12-24 months or even less. haha, you can't even catch your breath anymore and dwell on something before you purchase it! the evil flip side of instant imformation transfer. that's my take on it at least.

[RickyKing]

Hi All,
Thanks for the heads up Fretshop,Thinsocks.I left a message on your phones,
It is indeed the person you refer to and he says as far as he knows
it is all original.We'll see. It is alot but have had sellers remorse since selling
my last Silvertone one so I hope I don't end up regretting this one.
I did end up using pay pal so if all is not good back she goes...
These things are just getting harder to find in nice shape...
Anyone priced Strats lately...
I'll have to check out my buys with you guys first...you all seem to know everybody!
Many Thanks again!!

[Thinsocks]

Dig this... check out the solo. Raw as hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ

[Dave Orban]

Dig this... check out the solo. Raw as hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQWay cool! :dude

Wonder what she was playng through?

[dukeh62]

Dig this... check out the solo. Raw as hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ



Wicked! Thanks Frank!

[HappyValley]

In the ridiculous price category......I bid on a mint Valco 1x12 on Ebay, was winning via a $610 offer until the 11th hour...SOLD to some nut for $1000!! a Grand for a VALCO!! HaaaHaaaHaaa!! Pathetic.

I'm DONE with Ebay and with "cool" gear hunting....I have more than what I need as it is. Pete Kanaras nailed it ....the Internet has ruined the 'pawn shop' prize concept, because of increased demand (THE WHOLE WORLD!!) and limited supply. The days of grampa's tweed deluxe showing up at Mr. Music are over....even if something cool does materialize at a retailer, nine times out of 10 you're still paying Internet price- gouging $$!!

[Dave Orban]

In the ridiculous price category......I bid on a mint Valco 1x12 on Ebay, was winning via a $610 offer until the 11th hour...SOLD to some nut for $1000!! a Grand for a VALCO!! HaaaHaaaHaaa!! Pathetic.

I'm DONE with Ebay and with "cool" gear hunting....I have more than what I need as it is. Pete Kanaras nailed it ....the Internet has ruined the 'pawn shop' prize concept, because of increased demand (THE WHOLE WORLD!!) and limited supply. The days of grampa's tweed deluxe showing up at Mr. Music are over....even if something cool does materialize at a retailer, nine times out of 10 you're still paying Internet price- gouging $$!!True. And there's plenty of "new" stuff out there that sounds as good, if not better.

The "cool factor" is cool, but not worth paying through the nose, IMO...

[HappyValley]

Dig this... check out the solo. Raw as hell.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeaBNAXfHfQ

She's badass. I've bought some stuff o' hers, but have yet to find the guitar heavy sides anywhere, Suggestions?
BTW, she had the coolest collection of Gibsons ever - archtops, GTLP, that SG, 335, etc.

[jetlag]

The power of Rosetta's voice is remarkable. Coming over the top of that choir w/o a mic stuck right in her face is something else.

[TwoFeets]

The days of the "pawn shop prize" and the in-store vintage deal may be dead and gone, as may be the "bargain on Ebay days" (if those days ever existed in the first place) but the truth of the matter is, there is still plenty of cool vintage gear out there to be had cheaply. All these shmoes selling the stuff on Ebay have to be getting the stuff from somewhere, and I know several people who score cool stuff all the time. It just takes a lot more leg work and dedication than it used to.

Most of these guys who you see selling a lot of vintage gear are known to get up in the morning at 5 AM on weekends to hit flea markets just as the sellers are unloading their cars and setting up their tables. They have regular routines for hitting yard sales and estate sales and they tirelessly advertise that they buy vintage gear. They also develop relationships with local store owners and pawn shop owners. The reason most pawn shops have nothing worth looking at because none of it ever hits the selling floor, it's all picked over by guys like this before it ever sees the light of day. I even know a guy who has made some contacts at the dump!

Now, does that mean you're likely to stumble upon an old Fender, Gibson or Martin? It happens but not very often; those names are too recognizable as collectible. (that contact at the dump scored a very dirty but functional ''65 Deluxe Reverb for my friend just a few months ago though believe it or not) But those old Harmonys and Silvertones were made by the truckload and there are still a ton of them out there.
You just have to have patience, a lot of free time and a lot of energy. LOL (no day job helps too)

[RickyKing]

Actually,I have a pretty cool Harmony Master & Hollywood,1 came from a yard sale $5.00,theother from the dump $0. And so it goes...
I'll keep you all posted on my latest Full Moon drama...(H-62)
Thanks again Frettshop & Thinsocks.
Nick,you'll trip over one of those Valcos at a church sale someday...
BTW Check this out,I thought I was nuts....$2338.00. Hold onto your hats all...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230071908898&rd=1&rd=1

[Thinsocks]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230071908898&rd=1&rd=1

Crazy! I found one hidden on Ebay 2 weeks ago for $450. It was hanging behind a Kay guitar that was for sale, but I could see that H-44 headstock in the background. I e-mailed the guy and he offered it up for $450. I passed and told Sean about it and he bought it. Sean is now the H-44 king! haha

[valcotone]

Crazy! I found one hidden on Ebay 2 weeks ago for $450. It was hanging behind a Kay guitar that was for sale, but I could see that H-44 headstock in the background. I e-mailed the guy and he offered it up for $450. I passed and told Sean about it and he bought it. Sean is now the H-44 king! haha


And of course, many many many thanks to you Frank for that lead!! :BEER

[Dave Orban]

Actually,I have a pretty cool Harmony Master & Hollywood,1 came from a yard sale $5.00,theother from the dump $0. And so it goes...
I'll keep you all poster on my latest Full Moon drama...(H-62)
Thanks again Frettshop & Thinsocks.
Nick,you'll trip over one of those Valcos at a church sale someday...
BTW Check this out,I thought I was nuts....$2338.00. Hold onto your hats all...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230071908898&rd=1&rd=1
:eek::eek::eek:

[valcotone]

In the ridiculous price category......I bid on a mint Valco 1x12 on Ebay, was winning via a $610 offer until the 11th hour...SOLD to some nut for $1000!! a Grand for a VALCO!! HaaaHaaaHaaa!! Pathetic.


Nick... was it this one? That must be similar to your red/tweed one, eh?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270074153152

http://i24.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/81/2a/6160_2.JPG

I couldn't believe that selling price!

[RickyKing]

Skil,Yea thats the one,I was watching it too...

[zappafrank]

I'm late to this party, but:

buickwilson---welcome to the best damn tread on da web---and that 350 is a sexy one---tell us more---real nice---

sorry---I spend way too much on guitars and stuff, but over 2300.00 for an H-44? 1000.00 for a Valco amp? and 1500.00 for an H-62? (although, that IS a hollowbody---and looks very cool---congrats Ricky---hope it's all it's supposed to be when you get it!!!)

....I guess I'm out of the game for the off-brand vintage stuff officially now.

Scott---cool to hear that Freund will be hosting yer jam---I saw him fill in for Charlie when the Nightcats were on tour once and Charlie had a broken leg or something---he was a walking encyclopedia---just great---a very bluesy night!!

Nick---hope you get what you need out of your amp---sounds like a great one!

and +1 on anyone here giving me a clue on a CD or album that highlights Sister Rosetta's raunch guitar---I've thought about that Proper box set, but I might be disappointed on the guitar end of that stuff...

....OK---I need to review the past 6 pages AGAIN to figure out what I forgot to comment on this round!!!---you guys are going post-crazy!!

Oh yeah---my 350 is in the shop...just getting it dialed in---frets polished/dressed, new bone nut (old one's just a tad low and grooved for BIG strings---I'm still deciding if I should try 12 thru 52 or 54 Nicklewounds w/ a plain 19 or 20 'G', or stick with the tried 'n' true EB 11.'s I use on all the others...any thoughts????)---I wish I got along w/ flatwounds for that REAL oldschool sound, but they just always feel/sound too dead for this blues stuff...what about you guys????

Man---we should compile a masterlist of all the cool old/new WC-type gear that is prolific in this thread---we could open a VERY cool Vintage shop!!!

ac

[zappafrank]

Oh yeah---I was really sorry that things did'nt work out to be able to meet Mr. Ross when he was in Portland over Xmas...that was a shame---just not enough time for either of us---Jon---would ya mind if I gave you a call sometime??

ac

[Thinsocks]

and +1 on anyone here giving me a clue on a CD or album that highlights Sister Rosetta's raunch guitar---I've thought about that Proper box set, but I might be disappointed on the guitar end of that stuff...



There is some cool guitar hidden on the "Gospel Train" cd that would fall under the "raunch guitar" category. I like the Proper box a lot, but it's more acoustic big band stuff and not anything like that youtube clip.... although her guitar playing is just as out of control and very much sounding like Lonnie Johnson on pills (especially the Lucky Millinder stuff).

[musicofanatic5]

Oh yeah---I was really sorry that things did'nt work out to be able to meet Mr. Ross when he was in Portland over Xmas...that was a shame---just not enough time for either of us---Jon---would ya mind if I gave you a call sometime??

ac
I, too, regret the whirlwind pace of my visit. I'd be pleased to hear from you, A.C.

[Poppa Stoppa]

I'm thinking of having my '64 ES-330 re-fretted. The existing frets are low and quite worn and there's too much wood under the fingers. What fretwire do you guys recommend? I like quite high frets.

Does re-fretting knock the vintage value much? The wire looks original. Maybe there's a consideration to be made of whether to keep it as it is on that basis.

(Thinsocks/Skilback thanks for that amazing detective tale about the H44!)

[rhp52]

I had my 65 refretted and used the same size fretwire that was original. Certainly the resale value will suffer if you leave the frets as they are, to my way of thinking. But, I may be wrong. I'm not a collector

[Dave Orban]

I'm thinking of having my '64 ES-330 re-fretted. The existing frets are low and quite worn and there's too much wood under the fingers. What fretwire do you guys recommend? I like quite high frets.

Does re-fretting knock the vintage value much? The wire looks original. Maybe there's a consideration to be made of whether to keep it as it is on that basis.

(Thinsocks/Skilback thanks for that amazing detective tale about the H44!)
Mine has 6105s. Tall and not too wide. I had it refretted as soon as I got it, 5 years ago... I wouldn't have anything else on it.

[jetlag]

Poppa - I've made that decision a few times and am stilling mulling over refretting a '64 335. So I know how you feel. In the past, I went ahead and refretted old guitars because they were my main axe(s) and I was intent on playing the crap out of them. I wasn't worried about the resale value to much at the time. I thought of it in these terms - Yeah, you might damage resale but if you hold onto that guitar for another year, it will have appreciated enough to recover that (or more). So my opinion is that if you are going to keep a guitar and play it alot, refret the damn thing. Screw the collectors.

Now, as for frets - you said you liked tall stuff. I would narrow it down to dunlop 6105s (tall and a little narrower than what's in your guitar) or 6100s (just as tall, but roughly the same width as what's in your guitar). I am assuming, of course, that your present frets are the stock ones that gibson put in it. Maybe you can go to a repair place and see if they have some guitars sitting around waiting with those two fret sizes - and see which suits you. I like both of them and use both, depending on the guitar. Some people even use 6100's upto the 12th fret and then 6105s the rest of the way - it buys them more space for their fingers up high, better intonation up high, better wear down low .......

One last piece of advice - Find someone sympathetic and experienced with old gibsons so they are kind to your inlays (dots or blocks) when leveling out the fingerboard. You don't want someone sanding thru them and replacing them with new stuff that looks weird. Also, you want someone good at cleanly removing/replacing them so that you don't lose chunks of your fingerboard, damage the binding etc. It's worth paying extra to get a really pro job done since your guitar is so nice/vintage/valuable. THAT way, you'll minimize the guitar's depreciation. If the refret is done mediocre, you'll really impact the resale value.

[pete kanaras]

Some people even use 6100's upto the 12th fret and then 6105s the rest of the way - it buys them more space for their fingers up high, better intonation up high, better wear down low .......

HAH, ya learn something new every day, wow!!!

jet's giving you some primo advice there poppa. and i agree with him 100% that you should try and find some gibsons, one with 6105 and one with 6100 and see what YOU like best. it ain't subtle man. some gibsons i've played refretted with 6105 just did not feel right, as some gibbys simply play/feel best with wide/flat wire. but some that had wide/flat originally really opened up and felt a lot better when replaced with 6105. wierd i know, but it's worth the extra effort.

[musicofanatic5]

Crazy! I found one hidden on Ebay 2 weeks ago for $450. It was hanging behind a Kay guitar that was for sale, but I could see that H-44 headstock in the background. I e-mailed the guy and he offered it up for $450. I passed and told Sean about it and he bought it. Sean is now the H-44 king! haha

Funny, I got a set of old Radio Kings that way once. I can't remember what the auction was for, but I could barely see these drums in the background of the item photo, giving off this unmistakable Radio King stink. I contacted the seller, and he said he wasn't sure they were marketable, but thought he'd take a hundred bucks for 'em. Turns out he was living less than an hour from me, so I drove down and picked 'em up. Ebay is (was?) occassionaly good for something!

[TwoFeets]

Poppa - I've made that decision a few times and am stilling mulling over refretting a '64 335. So I know how you feel. In the past, I went ahead and refretted old guitars because they were my main axe(s) and I was intent on playing the crap out of them. I wasn't worried about the resale value to much at the time. I thought of it in these terms - Yeah, you might damage resale but if you hold onto that guitar for another year, it will have appreciated enough to recover that (or more). So my opinion is that if you are going to keep a guitar and play it alot, refret the damn thing. Screw the collectors.

Now, as for frets - you said you liked tall stuff. I would narrow it down to dunlop 6105s (tall and a little narrower than what's in your guitar) or 6100s (just as tall, but roughly the same width as what's in your guitar). I am assuming, of course, that your present frets are the stock ones that gibson put in it. Maybe you can go to a repair place and see if they have some guitars sitting around waiting with those two fret sizes - and see which suits you. I like both of them and use both, depending on the guitar. Some people even use 6100's upto the 12th fret and then 6105s the rest of the way - it buys them more space for their fingers up high, better intonation up high, better wear down low .......

One last piece of advice - Find someone sympathetic and experienced with old gibsons so they are kind to your inlays (dots or blocks) when leveling out the fingerboard. You don't want someone sanding thru them and replacing them with new stuff that looks weird. Also, you want someone good at cleanly removing/replacing them so that you don't lose chunks of your fingerboard, damage the binding etc. It's worth paying extra to get a really pro job done since your guitar is so nice/vintage/valuable. THAT way, you'll minimize the guitar's depreciation. If the refret is done mediocre, you'll really impact the resale value.

Consider having it done at Gibson Repair and Restoration. IMO I think it takes a little bit out of the resale hit when you can say it was done at the factory.

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Saw Sean Costello last night, sounded great. I saw him a couple years ago and he seems smoother and more relaxed now. Another familar tale, he says he has a new cd in the can but it was deemed too eclectic and won't get released. He played his gold top with pro reverb. Fred

[HappyValley]

Hi guys.

Well, if this weekend in New England was any indicator, I'm experiencing "cautious optimism" for the live music scene in '07, unless the freaky and all- too- real global warming thing gets worse, of course.....but I digress; (sorry, saw Al Gore's documentary " An Inconvenient Truth" recently and as much as I dislike his politics, his environmental angle is indisputably on point and scary.) Anyway...
Packed house on a short notice, minimum promo - op Darrell Nulisch gig on Friday, and a KILLER turnout @ Johnnny D's w/Racky on Saturday...a great "numbers " weekend. Let's hope this is a trend, scene-wide, across the globe....

Dave Maxwell on 88's both nites.....Eddie Boyd & Otis Spann are alive & well in his hands...just amazing. Slow blues in D minor?? Fahgettaboutit!!

[Poppa Stoppa]

Thanks for the great advice on fretwire guys, I really appreciate it. rhp52, Dave Orban, Pete, Twofeets and 'specially Jetlag for that great info. I'll definitely try to compare 6105 and 6100 on a Gibson before deciding.

The repair shop I go to is pretty good and very careful. I would consider Gibson's repair shop but I'm in the wrong place for that, so I'll have to go local.

[mikelaw]

bluehearts had a sick crowd at sallys in hartford last night for their going away party to memphis. really fun time and they raised alot of money for hotel rooms...etc... lets hope 07 is like this for all of our bands!

[Dave Orban]

I don't have a gig lined up until March (!).

I'm dyin' here...! LOL! Me, I get REALLY restless when I'm not playing somewhere. I presume you guys are the same...?

Sorry I couldn't make it out this weekend, Fretshop... been sidelined with bronchitis, which I'm trying to shake before I leave for France for business on the 18th... hope all went well!

[jetlag]

I know what you guys mean - this is weird for January in that I actually have 6 gigs. The crowd was really good last night, as we busted the nut and got extra cash. I'm keeping my fingers crossed too!

I'm excited that in my band "b" our old B3 player is back replacing the pianist we had. He's real old school McDuff/Smith-like with a heavy knowledge of chord theory and harmony. Looking forward to learning alot on the job. I've already got a gospel tinged chord chart to learn - BB/Duke Jethro like. I didn't realize that on chord charts - if the horrizontal line is missing from the roman numerals, that it's a minor chord. That was a new one on me. I also didn't realize there's a word for it (that escapes me now).

[Schwalbe]

OK maybe this is a trend. I didn't think the crowd was all that great last night but the club owner did. He gave us a small bonus, that doesn't happen often.
It's only the second time we've played the joint so I think maybe things could be looking up.
Now if the bass player could count to 4 the same way twice we might have something.

[TwoFeets]

Played a gig at a small upscale restaurant last night called Urban Flats. First gig at this venue and they're franchising out. It was also our first gig with Leroy. The corporate manager happened to be there and after our first set he raved about us, especially our ability to play at a volume that didn't drive people out of the venue. He remarked that while the mix was good and the band was tight, he didn't notice people at their tables struggling to hear each other talk. He said he put in a good word via email to the other people at corporate that the blues, at least the brand of blues we play, is very marketable, and they we could be sure to get gigs in some of the other franchises as they open (there at least 3 that we know of opening within an hour's driving distance).

I'm sure Leroy's presence helped a lot too. There were some real moments last night that made me well up.

He also appreciated the fact that we brought some of our own people to the venue and that they were the sort of people who could appreciate what they had to offer as well.

This band is a little bit unusual in terms of the marketing thing. Rather than go out and try to book only the places that bill themselves as blues venues, they go out and solicit venues that maybe haven't ever tried to put blues in there, or venues that haven't had live music before but have been considering it.

[zappafrank]

Man---I am SO JEALOUS of all you guys!! Even Dave O.!!!---No gigs until March, huh---??

Well, i have nothing on the books until August 10th. So much for 07' being a change for the better on my end---must be my deodorant...

Good luck to Ryan, Eric, and Co.---And great news from TwoFeets---that's fantastic---Nick too! (...though I like Al...'cept he's a tad too conservative/corporate for me...that movie of his is scary as hell, for sure!) Oh yeah, Schwalbe and jetlag...glad to hear your gigs were great this weekend!!


Anyway---I wish you guys all the best for this year---looks like I better hang on to my dayjob for dear life!!! Somebody throw me a blues life-vest! I'm sinkin' down over here....

ac

[zappafrank]

Oh yeah---regarding refrets of old guits---if it needs it, it needs it. I have heard dealers say that usually it's only a couple hundred bucks difference when something cool/valuable has been re-fretted...but that was a few years ago...

ac

[fretshop]

In the ridiculous price category......I bid on a mint Valco 1x12 on Ebay, was winning via a $610 offer until the 11th hour...SOLD to some nut for $1000!! a Grand for a VALCO!! HaaaHaaaHaaa!! Pathetic.

I'm DONE with Ebay and with "cool" gear hunting....I have more than what I need as it is. Pete Kanaras nailed it ....the Internet has ruined the 'pawn shop' prize concept, because of increased demand (THE WHOLE WORLD!!) and limited supply. The days of grampa's tweed deluxe showing up at Mr. Music are over....even if something cool does materialize at a retailer, nine times out of 10 you're still paying Internet price- gouging $$!!

Amen !! Now that I'm selling my Reverberocket 2, I decided to put the word out on it locally, and I hung up photo posters of it at the clubs I play at. I hopefully will avoid the mess with e-bay, and the un-relenting "is every screw original" collector crowd. Sheesh !!!

[fretshop]

Consider having it done at Gibson Repair and Restoration. IMO I think it takes a little bit out of the resale hit when you can say it was done at the factory.


I've got about 150 pounds of OEM Gibson fretwire from the 50's and early 60's that I bought out of the attic at the Kalamazoo factory. The stuff is very soft, wears fast, but it's original. Poppa, let me know via E-mail if you'd like some...then contact Charlie Chandler's shop : (Tell the blokes in the shop that I said hello)

Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience
21 High Street, Hampton Wick, Middlesex
KT1 40A
Tel: 020 8973 1441
www.guitarexperience.co.uk (http://www.guitarexperience.co.uk)

PS: You owe me one at The Trip

PSS: I need a copy of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook's "Derek & Clive Alive". Any copies floating around your area ? Filthy, sinful and downright Moore and Cook. I've got it on 8 track, and the album (Blue Horizon label) is shot.
This is the live recording done in New York, where the British Ambassador filed suit against them for a nasty skit on the Queen Mother. Some album Cuts: Top Rank Ballroom, Cancer, Jump (profane version of an Anglican Hymn).

[Dave Orban]

I've got about 150 pounds of OEM Gibson fretwire from the 50's and early 60's that I bought out of the attic at the Kalamazoo factory. The stuff is very soft, wears fast, but it's original. Poppa, let me know via E-mail if you'd like some...then contact Charlie Chandler's shop : (Tell the blokes in the shop that I said hello)

Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience
21 High Street, Hampton Wick, Middlesex
KT1 40A
Tel: 020 8973 1441
www.guitarexperience.co.uk (http://www.guitarexperience.co.uk)

PS: You owe me one at The Trip

PSS: I need a copy of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook's "Derek & Clive Alive". Any copies floating around your area ? Filthy, sinful and downright Moore and Cook.Just watched "Bedazzled" again the other night. What a hoot..!

[TwoFeets]

Anybody here know much about Kay Barney Kessel (Kelvinator) models, and Upbeats? What's your take on the Kleenex Box pickups? I have a line on a 3-pickup Upbeat, kind of an ES5 vibe. The price is "OK" not a huge bargain but not Krazy Vintage either.

[zappafrank]

Anybody here know much about Kay Barney Kessel (Kelvinator) models, and Upbeats? What's your take on the Kleenex Box pickups? I have a line on a 3-pickup Upbeat, kind of an ES5 vibe. The price is "OK" not a huge bargain but not Krazy Vintage either.

I always dug those----Suburban Slim (on the same J. Bott album I'm on...) had one for years---sounded fantastic, with a lot of variety of tones---i thought a bit 'thinner' than, say, a p90 type box, but had cool overdrive tones from what I recall----not sure about playability issues---probably my favorite tone from Slim that I've heard, know that I think about it---I believe it got 'lifted' from him, sadly.:(

ac

[Poppa Stoppa]

I've got about 150 pounds of OEM Gibson fretwire from the 50's and early 60's that I bought out of the attic at the Kalamazoo factory. The stuff is very soft, wears fast, but it's original. Poppa, let me know via E-mail if you'd like some...then contact Charlie Chandler's shop : (Tell the blokes in the shop that I said hello)

Charlie Chandler's Guitar Experience
21 High Street, Hampton Wick, Middlesex
KT1 40A
Tel: 020 8973 1441
www.guitarexperience.co.uk (http://www.guitarexperience.co.uk)

PS: You owe me one at The Trip

PSS: I need a copy of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook's "Derek & Clive Alive". Any copies floating around your area ? Filthy, sinful and downright Moore and Cook. I've got it on 8 track, and the album (Blue Horizon label) is shot.
This is the live recording done in New York, where the British Ambassador filed suit against them for a nasty skit on the Queen Mother. Some album Cuts: Top Rank Ballroom, Cancer, Jump (profane version of an Anglican Hymn).Wow George thanks so much! Email sent. Pints at The Trip on me. When are ya coming to collect?

I know Charlie Chandler very well - his shop is walking distance from where I live. My wife is convinced I single-handedly keep him in business. He's one of the really good guys, and does great work. Plays good guitar too.

I haven't got the Derek & Clive Alive record but I'll ask around!

[Strat-O]

We've got a half dozen gigs this month too.

[fretshop]

Last year I had alot more going on. Apart from sitting in with a few bands including the Mojo Gypsies (thanks Dave and Jim from a great evening), Carlos Colina, and some commercial/jingle dates....the phone ain't ringin' too much. Now, I finally have the time to service my own guitars, and MAYBE shellac the cabinet on my Pro before it gets filthy. I'd rather be playing, and sneaking a new guitar or two into the house.

[Dave Orban]

Last year I had alot more going on. Apart from sitting in with a few bands including the Mojo Gypsies (thanks Dave and Jim from a great evening), Carlos Colina, and some commercial/jingle dates....the phone ain't ringin' too much. NOur pleasure, George. Just wish we could do it more often!

[KBR]

George,
Just get a double Gig Bag, and the Wife never Knows, (except I hipped my Wife to all kinds of Guitars, she can spot a new one, everytime)

KBR
Happy '07

[fretshop]

My big trick was a "smoke and mirrors-shell game" kinda deal. I'd just wait 'till she went out, then stick the instrument into a dusty case, and tell her it's part of my stash.....then I'd say something like: "Don't you think you have a little too much time on your hands...to be worryin' about something dumb?" She caught on. She later took up with a harp player....served her right. (Musta been his embouchure at first).

BTW: WD has the 50k Audio pots...for all you H-44 Junkies

[valcotone]

PSS: I need a copy of Dudley Moore and Peter Cook's "Derek & Clive Alive". Any copies floating around your area ? Filthy, sinful and downright Moore and Cook. I've got it on 8 track, and the album (Blue Horizon label) is shot.
This is the live recording done in New York, where the British Ambassador filed suit against them for a nasty skit on the Queen Mother. Some album Cuts: Top Rank Ballroom, Cancer, Jump (profane version of an Anglican Hymn).

Frets...

Is this the one you're looking for:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Derek-And-Clive-Live-Peter-Cook-Dudley-Moore-CD-NEW_W0QQitemZ180072365518QQihZ008QQcategoryZ1560QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://i4.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/82/57/bb37_1_b.JPG

[jetlag]

BTW: WD has the 50k Audio pots...for all you H-44 Junkies

George, how about a full sized, 100K, split shaft audio taper pot. Preferably with carbon traces? Any ideas?

[pete kanaras]

She later took up with a harp player....served her right

hahahahahaha STOP IT!! i just finished dinner dammit! oh man....

[Ryguy]

Hi Gentleman, I haven't chimned in a while, but I have I request I should have posted here first. So...

Basically I am getting back into playing harp again (Walters Big and Little, etc.) and need to pick up a cheap mic, as I'm on a non-existant harp budget that will also have to include a couple more harps and a chromatic...so help me with the mic choice! It's only for a couple tunes a show, through a Tweed Deluxe clone FWIW

OK while we're at it how about a recommendation for a chromatic harmonica as well. Playable, decent tone?
Thanks,
Ryan

BTW, I have posted some tunes from a CD I just finished down here in Argentina. Please check them up if you're interested. The CD..gulp..only has a couple of blues and swinging tunes, plus a bunch of other rubbish, but I was stretching out a bit. Here is a link to a shuffle:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=646132&songID=4841059

a dylan sort of blues thing (with my crappy harmonica!):

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=646132&songID=4840948


Anyhow, thanks for the help as always!

[fretshop]

Hi Gentleman, I haven't chimned in a while, but I have I request I should have posted here first. So...

Basically I am getting back into playing harp again (Walters Big and Little, etc.) and need to pick up a cheap mic, as I'm on a non-existant harp budget that will also have to include a couple more harps and a chromatic...so help me with the mic choice! It's only for a couple tunes a show, through a Tweed Deluxe clone FWIW

OK while we're at it how about a recommendation for a chromatic harmonica as well. Playable, decent tone?
Thanks,
Ryan


BTW, I have posted some tunes from a CD I just finished down here in Argentina. Please check them up if you're interested. The CD..gulp..only has a couple of blues and swinging tunes, plus a bunch of other rubbish, but I was stretching out a bit. Here is a link to a shuffle:

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=646132&songID=4841059

a dylan sort of blues thing (with my crappy harmonica!):

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=646132&songID=4840948


Anyhow, thanks for the help as always!


I have one good word of advice for you...

1) SAVE your money and invest in a good mic. Cheap mics are just
what they are....cheap....Ca-Ca.

[Ryguy]

George,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not big on Ca-Ca. I just haven't tried anything since the old green bullet I sold years ago, and have no idea what to be looking for.

[fretshop]

Frets...

Is this the one you're looking for:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Derek-And-Clive-Live-Peter-Cook-Dudley-Moore-CD-NEW_W0QQitemZ180072365518QQihZ008QQcategoryZ1560QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://i4.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/82/57/bb37_1_b.JPG

Yeah...absolutely irreverant diabolic English humor. I was married to a Brit, and lived in England for awhile...(Nottingham Rule !!! Still have me' colors you know !!) the wit rubs off on you...becomes contagious.

It'll take two listens of this recording to get over the shock...then you'll find yourself memorizing the dialogues...then you'll begin spouting them here and there at pubs and bars...and find thatthere's someone else in the place who is into it as well !!! "Jump" is my favoite cut, then "Top Rank", Then, "Dear little Flo". The British Government raised a big mess when the record first came out....because of "The worst job I ever had"....a spood on working for the Queen Mother....absolutely filthy.

Thanks Sean.

[mikelaw]

tweed deluxe im sure is pretty gainy with a mic. which leads me to think youll need a mic that has good tone but isnt as hot as normal. great values can be had and great tone with old shure stick models 533 , 545 , 585 , 777 . 533's are just killer and i can see it working great with a tweed deluxe. any vintage stick type dynamic omnidirectional. vintage being the keyword here.

http://shure.com/stellent/groups/public/@gms_gmi_web_ug/documents/web_resource/us_pro_533sa_ug.pdf

533sa-533sb-533sv...all variations on the original. the older good ones have single point connectors and not xlr's on them. these are the best ones.

good luck. also older astatic mics with crystals are my favorites. with a tweed deluxe i think i would stay away from the old shure controlled magnetic and controlled reluctance elements.

here is another great resourse for harp mics!
http://harmonicamasterclass.com/vintage_collection.htm

[Ryguy]

Mike, thanks for the tips, that website is great! very helpful.

[rhartt1234]

I got a flyer FULL of discontinued Vee-Jay stuff. Lots of John Lee Hooker, Little Richard Jazz and even Dick Gregory. This stuff isn't even on the oldies.com website due to limited quantity.
I got mine so I'll hip you all to it.
The best of Vee-Jay Blues Vol. 1-5
Lots of LC Mckinley and the underrated Christine Kittrell, non Imperial Pee Wee, Jimmy Reed etc.
col 7269- col 7273
oldies.com for the # to order.

[Strat-O]

Well, I have a good friend who blows through an SM57 and can make your jaw drop with his tone all day long. He is a terrific harp player though. And, I believe that Gerry Hundt was blowing through an older SM57 on his recent trip through the south with Nick Moss.

[mikelaw]

it all depends on the player, but trust me a good omni directional dynamic VINTAGE mic is where its at for hot gainy amps. they used to make mics different way back, bigger elements, better materials...etc...

[buickwilson]

I love my 59 Bassman, but it really is a bit much at some of the gigs I do (5 piece band). Thinking about a Bandmaster or Pro or Super. The only experience I've had in this arena is a Vicky Bandmaster and STF Kit Pro. Both were nice, but neither has the vibe of an old tweed.

I'm leaning toward the bandmaster as it's closer with the 10's to what I'm used to playing with, but wanted to hear what others think on the trade offs between the 3 types..

Style is Anson, Duke, Ronnie, Jr, Watson, etc. Guitars are a Les Paul, Strat, 335 and 350...

Guess it more comes down to what I can find and what I can afford... Thanks Neil

[musicofanatic5]

A two-ten Super is kinda half-a-Bassman, right? Probably a good amp for when the Bassman's too much. It's not gonna sound like Anson or Ronnie, but Duke or Jr? You bet. Then again, a Pro sure would be a good compliment to a Bassman; a little less power. Or how 'bout just unplugging one of the spkrs in the Bassman (yes, I know: not endorsed by most techs, but that's "how we used to do it").
Nice 350 in the photo.

[zappafrank]

Buick---if you can afford a vintage tweed 3-10" Bandmaster---well, you are a lucky man!!! Those things are HUGE bucks these days--(I've heard of 8K)-almost as much are the BROWN 3-10" Bandmasters---and those are very rare...

Hmmmm....it seems that supers, pros, and bandmasters are all about the same power and circuit---less than Bassmans, but still pretty dang loud for a lot of situations---(although the Pro seems to be the least loud of the bunch---) It would be cool for something smack dab in between a Tweed Deluxe and a Pro---maybe the pre-narrow panels of the respective models???---just musing...

ac

[groove_king]

I have a Bandmaster. It has a little less headroom than the Bassman, but it's still a loud amp. I've been playing SW's Clark Pro, and while it is essentially the same circuit, I found the feel of it totally different to the Bandmaster. It breaks up sooner and it is not nearly as loud.

For example, my Bandmaster in the Normal channel on '4' is plenty for most situations. But I could turn the Pro up to '6-7' sometimes '8' and it just got sweeter, not necessarily louder. I thought there might have been some construction differences between the Bandmaster and the Pro that might account for the difference in feel, but I was talking to tech friend about it and he basically said that it's the speaker configuration ( 3 x 10" vs. 1 x 15"). Can anyone (fretshop?) back that up?

After playing the Pro for six weeks, I'm sold that it is the perfect trad electric blues amp. SW is convinced it's the perfect harp amp (he sounded uncannily like Kim Wilson last weekend).

[groove_king]

It would be cool for something smack dab in between a Tweed Deluxe and a Pro---maybe the pre-narrow panels of the respective models???---just musing...

ac

I think you might be spot on, ac. I haven't had a chance to play any wide-panel tweeds, but from what I've read, they have less headroom and volume than their narrow-panel counterparts.

[fretshop]

I have a Bandmaster. It has a little less headroom than the Bassman, but it's still a loud amp. I've been playing SW's Clark Pro, and while it is essentially the same circuit, I found the feel of it totally different to the Bandmaster. It breaks up sooner and it is not nearly as loud.

For example, my Bandmaster in the Normal channel on '4' is plenty for most situations. But I could turn the Pro up to '6-7' sometimes '8' and it just got sweeter, not necessarily louder. I thought there might have been some construction differences between the Bandmaster and the Pro that might account for the difference in feel, but I was talking to tech friend about it and he basically said that it's the speaker configuration ( 3 x 10" vs. 1 x 15"). Can anyone (fretshop?) back that up?

After playing the Pro for six weeks, I'm sold that it is the perfect trad electric blues amp. SW is convinced it's the perfect harp amp (he sounded uncannily like Kim Wilson last weekend).

You are on the right track. Even though these amps seem to be related by virtue of their circuit design, there are often some small component variations that can lend to each amps individual character. Speakers alone are not the complete answer, but they play a huge role as far as gain and clipping (eg) What the amp can do, vs. what actually gets fed through the speaker(s). So, yes, speaker configuration will influence what you hear, and how "loud" you hear it, but we're really just scratching the surface.

[fretshop]

George,

Thanks for the advice. I'm not big on Ca-Ca. I just haven't tried anything since the old green bullet I sold years ago, and have no idea what to be looking for.


O.K.....we're gonna start you off properly !! log onto : www.mrmicrophone.com (http://www.mrmicrophone.com)

Dennis Oellig is by far, one of the best mic restorers and builders in the business. I've got a vintage Turner with an old Shure magnetic element that I lent to Carlos Colina, and he flipped over it. Carlos is an awe inspiring player and has access to the best stuff in the business. He gave Dennis' work an A + . Dennis also did most of Sammy Myers mic work. I used to service Sam's harps and his mics while out on tour, and anything I learned, I learned from Dennis.

[dddelta]

Fro Fretshop and others..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NcRCYXuI3k

and..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UT02--Ijdc&mode=related&search=

[Dave Orban]

O.K.....we're gonna start you off properly !! log onto : www.mrmicrophone.com (http://www.mrmicrophone.com)

Dennis Oellig is by far, one of the best mic restorers and builders in the business. I've got a vintage Turner with an old Shure magnetic element that I lent to Carlos Colina, and he flipped over it. Carlos is an awe inspiring player and has access to the best stuff in the business. He gave Dennis' work an A + . Dennis also did most of Sammy Myers mic work. I used to service Sam's harps and his mics while out on tour, and anything I learned, I learned from Dennis.
George, what do you know about Gruenling's mics...? Any good...?

[fretshop]

Well, I have a good friend who blows through an SM57 and can make your jaw drop with his tone all day long. He is a terrific harp player though. And, I believe that Gerry Hundt was blowing through an older SM57 on his recent trip through the south with Nick Moss.

In 1988, I was a guitarist on the "Blues Masters Tour" (Benson& Hedges was the sponsor from what I recall) with Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop and Jimmy Rogers. Charlie Musselwhite was put on the bill with us in order to do a promo for Lee Oscar. All he used were early 80's SM-57s.

[pete kanaras]

Or how 'bout just unplugging one of the spkrs in the Bassman (yes, I know: not endorsed by most techs, but that's "how we used to do it"

sure is, even 2 speakers. done it countless times. beats up the output tubes a bit but other than that it's fine. a 100% upwards mismatch to 4ohms; no problemo with a fender. just don't do it with a mint NOS pair of 5881's, use current manufacture tubes.

[fretshop]

George, what do you know about Gruenling's mics...? Any good...?

IMHO...Good. Dennis' technique and talent can make any mic sound good.

As far as endorsing a maker/modder of harp mics :

What I look for in a modded mic is basically what I expect of my own work : craftsmanship executed with the mentality of a tool maker or master watch maker....so I'm extremely nit-picky. Although a few of the current mic gurus are producing very nice, clean work, I was floored by what Dennis Oellig is doing at Mr. Microphone in Kansas City. Dennis was a pioneer throughout the evolution of the current harp mic business, and he is a real microphone engineer and technician. He has an impressive knowledge of the theory and design technology of sound reproduction, AND his mics sound nothing less than awesome. I remember getting Sammy Myers' rig back from Dennis for a gig in upstate New York about maybe 5-6 years ago. We had an afternoon sound check, and after blowing a couple riffs, Sam stopped and exclaimed : "Jesus Christ !!". BTW: Sam's favorite shell/element combination was a worn JT-30 body with no paint on it, and OEM ceramic elements. His harp of choice was a Meisterclasse. At the height of his tenure with The Rockets his powerful approach could completely wear out a reed plate in less than a couple weeks.

[fretshop]

I recently began playing harp and am studying with Carlos Colina. The instrument has always intrigued me, and I am intent on learning as much as I can. I sound sooo bad right now !!! The whole thing is overwhelming, and very frustrating. I have some Special 20's and Golden Melodies, but as a beginner, I really like the Big River harp. They are affordable and easy to blow, and I like the tone. I was looking at the Bushmans, but they're not cheap. I've got two mint Astatic mics, a Turner, an erly 50's mint Green Bullet with the base, and an Electrovoice stick mic that Dennis "O" sent me (I forgot the model).

[mikelaw]

dennis oelig does all my work and custom made me my white jt30, he is the best in the biz for sure.

dont use a new sm57 for harp. especially not a new one. believe me, i am a player.

[RickyKing]

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/silencer.htm

Check this out,instead of just unpluging 1 speaker in a Bassman or any
multiple speaker amp...I have one and it works great.

[fretshop]

https://taweber.powweb.com/weber/silencer.htm

Check this out,instead of just unpluging 1 speaker in a Bassman or any
multiple speaker amp...I have one and it works great.


Ricky,

Maybe we'll see you at Harry's Saturday evening.

[RickyKing]

Hi George,
I just picked up a private gig on Sat.
So will be unable to attend.:(
I hope the next time.
Am expecting H-62 on Tuesday...I'll keep you posted.

[fretshop]

Hi George,
I just picked up a private gig on Sat.
So will be unable to attend.:(
I hope the next time.
Am expecting H-62 on Tuesday...I'll keep you posted.

Looks like we may be out too. We're both battling colds and are hurting.

[Dave Orban]

Looks like we may be out too. We're both battling colds and are hurting.I hear ya. I've got bronchitis AND a head cold.

Two hours on the train this morning, I was hacking away, and my nose was running like The Donald's mouth. :puh

[Strat-O]

Man. Mike, I hope you won't hold this against me and I hate to be contradictory. But my friend who uses a 57 is using a new SM 57. He's played and toured with many blues harp legends/Chicago blues legends over the years, so he is a 'player'. I don't play harp, of course. As you know, it boils down to technique and what you've got inside. As an observer, I definitely learned something new.

[nmontz]

I have a 60' bassman and a 58' tweed pro. I've played on a friend's bandmaster and I've had a lot of play time on another friend's two hole bassman. I agree with groove kings assment of the speaker configuration and cab size having a lot to do with the tone of the two tweed amps. For some reason I just don't dig the 2x10 cab size...so I'm not going to talk about them. My pro with the 1x15 has a flubby bottom and sludges out. The tone sounds real nice and warm but unfocused. Not a lot of headroom at all. The bandmaster with the 10's is tight edgy and somewhat agressive....it holds it together much better and would be closer to a baby 5F6-A bassman. Everytime I just use the pro I wish I was running it along with something else so I can have some clean headroom in reserve. The two hole bassman would be another option if you are considering a bandmaster. It's essentially a 4x10 tweed pro but It has the dual rectifiers wich is pretty cool and gives you a lot of setup options. I don't think Frank liked his though....but I think it would be a perfect amp though with the right amount of headroom. My 60' bassman is just a monster and loud as hell. It punishes me and is very agressive...cool but not very swingy. Has the texas thing in spades though when ran with a strat. Not a lot of places I can run it louder than 3 and I mainly stick to the normal channel to throttle it back....but it has that clean bight shimmer too that is lacking with the pro.

Good luck finding the right amp Buick

[groove_king]

You are on the right track. Even though these amps seem to be related by virtue of their circuit design, there are often some small component variations that can lend to each amps individual character. Speakers alone are not the complete answer, but they play a huge role as far as gain and clipping (eg) What the amp can do, vs. what actually gets fed through the speaker(s). So, yes, speaker configuration will influence what you hear, and how "loud" you hear it, but we're really just scratching the surface.

Thanks fretshop.

I'll head back to lurk mode now - not much happening in the way of blues (jump, West Coast, Texas or Chicago) in my neck of the woods but I'm loving the conversations!:)

[valcotone]

Hmmmm....it seems that supers, pros, and bandmasters are all about the same power and circuit---less than Bassmans, but still pretty dang loud for a lot of situations---(although the Pro seems to be the least loud of the bunch---)

It would be cool for something smack dab in between a Tweed Deluxe and a Pro---maybe the pre-narrow panels of the respective models???---just musing... ac


A early 50's TV Pro perhaps? :)

[fretshop]

I have a 60' bassman and a 58' tweed pro. I've played on a friend's bandmaster and I've had a lot of play time on another friend's two hole bassman. I agree with groove kings assment of the speaker configuration and cab size having a lot to do with the tone of the two tweed amps. For some reason I just don't dig the 2x10 cab size...so I'm not going to talk about them. My pro with the 1x15 has a flubby bottom and sludges out. The tone sounds real nice and warm but unfocused. Not a lot of headroom at all. The bandmaster with the 10's is tight edgy and somewhat agressive....it holds it together much better and would be closer to a baby 5F6-A bassman. Everytime I just use the pro I wish I was running it along with something else so I can have some clean headroom in reserve. The two hole bassman would be another option if you are considering a bandmaster. It's essentially a 4x10 tweed pro but It has the dual rectifiers wich is pretty cool and gives you a lot of setup options. I don't think Frank liked his though....but I think it would be a perfect amp though with the right amount of headroom. My 60' bassman is just a monster and loud as hell. It punishes me and is very agressive...cool but not very swingy. Has the texas thing in spades though when ran with a strat. Not a lot of places I can run it louder than 3 and I mainly stick to the normal channel to throttle it back....but it has that clean bight shimmer too that is lacking with the pro.

Good luck finding the right amp Buick

I recently had the opportunity to use a '58 Pro at my brother's studio and ganged it with my '67 Reverberocket 2. The combination gave me a bit more headroom and extended Bass response. The whole thing just sounded fuller, yet compressed. I set up the Pro with almost its highest treble setting, and then ran the RR2 with the treble on 3-4. If you go beyond 6 on the RR2 treble control, it starts attenuating the Bass. It was a nice, BIG sound...with reverb and trem to boot !! I used an early RV2 (the no battery model...A.C. adapter only) to gang the amps.

I also tried the Pro with My Jet...and it was also a great improvement.
I still got the WC grind and fart tone, with a nice bottom end and more air movement.

Make sense ?

Pete Kanaras turned me onto using the old RV2 when running amps in tandem, and I can't thank him enough.

[frank62]

the man who builds little dog amps will make you any kind of tweed style amp you want.

[jetlag]

Yeah AC - sounds like a TV or wide panel pro would do it. Or you could hop up the volume of a tweed deluxe by using a real efficient speaker like a blue celestion alnico. It's amazing how much louder it gets. Almost as loud as that example is a deluxe with a P12N. A stock, 50s Gibson GA30 will get you there too. I think any of those three will sit in that spot you talked about.

I can add to the tweed amp comparison since I either own, have owned or have played thru about all the vintage narrow panel tweed amps except twins. Fortunately for me, I got into these amps years ago when prices were much less out of control (people are paying for stratotones what I paid for my bassman). I agree with NMontz's take on the amps sounds(Hey man, how you??), but will add this - The super, in that little box, sounds alot smaller when gigging. It's mostly the cabinet plus those two P10Rs get walloped by the amp and really cave in. The Pro is next in terms of "biggness" and the bandmaster wins out - those three 10's hold together longer and project a bit better. But the difference isn't that great maybe 10 - 15% "more" than a pro. Also, a bandmaster isn't nearly as loud nor as punchy as a bassman - not even close. The bassman will stay clean (and loud!!!) at much higher volume levels. Tonewise I think I like the Pro the best, closely followed by a deluxe. Then bandmaster, bassman, super in that order. I might change my mind if I had the same P12N that Pete had in his tweed deluxe.

Technically the amps are almost identical circuits except that the bandmaster has less negative feedback in it's preamp (more distortion/gain). The Pro has a different NFB resistor in the power section since it has an 8 ohm OT - so it has less NFB in the power section, but fender really was just adjusting that value to balence it with the 8 ohm OT. The pro schematic also shows two 12AY7 tubes in lieu a a 12AY7 and a 12AX7 in super/bandmasters. That's not really a difference as everyone puts 12AX7s in there anyway. The differences in sound boil down almost entirely to differing speaker qty or size and cabinet size. The bandmaster has the most speakers and biggest cabinet so it sounds the biggest. Also, it's speaker arrangement contributes to it's tone which is really crunchy (moreso than a bassman to me) since it has that impedance mismatch between the speakers' 2.7 ohm load on it's 4 ohm OT. That's another big contributer in it's sound. Some of those really rough, crunchy tones that BB gets on that "Spotlight on Lucille" CD remind me of a 3x10 bandmaster. Man, this is getting long. See? Don't start me to talkin' ................... :rolleyes:

[groove_king]

jetlag,

Thanks for the awesome dissertation. Like I said before, the differences between the Pro and the Bandmaster were almost like night and day. I was really surprised, and the info I got from my tech friend and yourself and fretshop have gone towards bettering my understanding. Cheers!

SW has a Super as well. I haven't played it at a gig thinking it would be just like the Bandmaster. I might have to drag it out one of these days to compare - strictly research of course! :)

[jetlag]

Groove King - refresh my memory. You're comparing a Clark Pro to a vintage bandmaster or a bandmaster clone? I ask because some bandmaster clones are really souped up - e.g. many clark and vicky bandmasters have the large bassman OTs which would make them quite a bit louder than one with a stock tweed super type OT - and give them alot more low end thump.

[groove_king]

jetlag - I've got a Bandmaster clone built by a guy here in Australia. I haven't opened it up in ages, so I don't recall what OT is in it. I was assured when it was being built that it was a direct replica of a vintage unit. I've got Weber P10Qs in it, though. Any idea how they would differ from P10Rs?

[Dave Orban]

jetlag - I've got a Bandmaster clone built by a guy here in Australia. I haven't opened it up in ages, so I don't recall what OT is in it. I was assured when it was being built that it was a direct replica of a vintage unit. I've got Weber P10Qs in it, though. Any idea how they would differ from P10Rs?

The Q has a larger voice coil and a seamed cone. Bright, punchy, later/smooth breakup, aggressive, articulate, compressed/fat at high volume.

The R has a smaller voice coil and a straight cone. Warm, crunchy, early breakup, aggressive, compressed/fat at high volume.

[fretshop]

Backstreets:

See you Saturday evening. Not feeling 100%, but coming up anyway. Will e-mail you with hotel info.

Yowsaaa !!

Black Jack

[fretshop]

Karl et al: re: GA-30 (AND the very rare Maestro, which is my favorite !!)

Check out these amp porn sites :1) www.andrewsamplab.com (http://www.andrewsamplab.com)

2) hem.passagen.se/ekabjan/Amps/Post-WWII_2nd.htm - 18k


3) Article: December 1997 issue of Vintage Guitar Magazine

I love the 4X8 Maestro and its Epiphone equivalent for use with an H-62. With the No-Caster I sometimes use a Boss EQ stomp box.

At our Wednesday evening Jam, Kevin Kiley supplies an Epi 4X8, a KILLER Ampeg Gemini 1, and a Danelectro Challenger 1 X15. He got all these amps dirt cheap.

[jetlag]

Karl et al: re: GA-30 (AND the very rare Maestro, which is my favorite !!)

I love the 4X8 Maestro and its Epiphone equivalent for use with an H-62. With the No-Caster I sometimes use a Boss EQ stomp box.

At our Wednesday evening Jam, Kevin Kiley supplies an Epi 4X8, a KILLER Ampeg Gemini 1, and a Danelectro Challenger 1 X15. He got all these amps dirt cheap.

Cools amps George. And yeah, those maestro 4x8's are cool. I have the one that's later. White tolex with reverb. It sounds like a mini- super reverb with a little hair whereas the Gibson GA30 sounds exactly like all the good Robert Lockwood Junior stuff. Those maestro's make great harp amps, I'm selling mine to Lee once I get a speaker reconed in it. He's going to use it for both guitar and harp. They are pretty good sounding for guitar too, I like them when paired with strats, I've never tried it with a H62. Hmmmmmm

[fretshop]

Cools amps George. And yeah, those maestro 4x8's are cool. I have the one that's later. White tolex with reverb. It sounds like a mini- super reverb with a little hair whereas the Gibson GA30 sounds exactly like all the good Robert Lockwood Junior stuff. Those maestro's make great harp amps, I'm selling mine to Lee once I get a speaker reconed in it. He's going to use it for both guitar and harp. They are pretty good sounding for guitar too, I like them when paired with strats, I've never tried it with a H62. Hmmmmmm

Yeah, I've been searching for a clean 4X8 for two years now. I found a couple Epi's, and one later model Maestro. All or them were really beat up.

I experimented with a P-12Q and two 8" Electro Harmonics 8VR4 15 watt speakers and got a real nice tone and touch sensitivity using a modded '65 Bandmaster head with variable O/T. I wired the speakers in series which cut some power, but they can be wired up in a variety of different ways. I'm going to try the combo with my Deluxe and the RR2 just for grins and see what I get.

[jetlag]

Remember when we were talking about gigs and an upswing? I spoke too soon! Lost one of the gigs we had this month. Damn! On the upside it looks like we just picked up a gig here in March backing Lazy Lester! So I'm pretty excited about that. He came in to our Sunday night gig about three years ago in sporting jeans, tee shirt and a trucker hat. Lester had been hitting it pretty hard all day, but still a great performer. I remember him whipping out a pretty cheap acoustic with one of those piezo transducers - so I plugged him into my GA20, cranked it up, cranked it thru the PA and it sounded cool! Pretty old school and much better than running that piezo straight into the PA. Man can that guy work a crowd!

[Poppa Stoppa]

Cool Jetlag! Would love to hear how that gig goes, when the time comes!

[TwoFeets]

Remember when we were talking about gigs and an upswing? I spoke too soon! Lost one of the gigs we had this month. Damn! On the upside it looks like we just picked up a gig here in March backing Lazy Lester! So I'm pretty excited about that. He came in to our Sunday night gig about three years ago in sporting jeans, tee shirt and a trucker hat. Lester had been hitting it pretty hard all day, but still a great performer. I remember him whipping out a pretty cheap acoustic with one of those piezo transducers - so I plugged him into my GA20, cranked it up, cranked it thru the PA and it sounded cool! Pretty old school and much better than running that piezo straight into the PA. Man can that guy work a crowd!

Yeah man! Keep us posted!!

[HappyValley]

Backstreets:

See you Saturday evening. Not feeling 100%, but coming up anyway. Will e-mail you with hotel info.

Yowsaaa !!

Black Jack

Looking forward to seeing you, George.....Here's the line up:
Darrell Nulisch on vox, Mark Texiera ( duke Robillard) on drums, Mark Poniatowski (Janiva Magness, Bruce Katz) on bass........ Harry's on BOOZE & WIMMENZ!! ;)

[S.W.Erdnase]

Man. Mike, I hope you won't hold this against me and I hate to be contradictory. But my friend who uses a 57 is using a new SM 57. He's played and toured with many blues harp legends/Chicago blues legends over the years, so he is a 'player'. I don't play harp, of course. As you know, it boils down to technique and what you've got inside. As an observer, I definitely learned something new.

A lot of great players have used those mics, but the tone they get isn't a trad Chicago sound. It's clearer and cleaner, basically acoustic to my ear. It can sound really great - think Junior Wells or (here in Oz) Robert Susz, who does a mean Jr thang with the fonky horn lines.

Or Billy Branch.

Its not my bag, though. If you're trying to rent some tone in the better neighbourhoods you need to chase up an old Shure or a Turner or an Astatic, preferably a cherry-picked element that's being vouched for by someone who knows shit from cold plum pudding.

For my money, Dennis Oellig makes and sells the best mics for running straight into an old Fender. He's customised my prized 707a and built me two Astatics with an Astatic dynamic element and a Shure black label CR. I've bought mics from all over the joint, including Tom Ellis (great for stock vintage stuff) and others, and Mr.Microphone is hands down a real pleasure to deal with if you want a hi-quality custom job.

In fact, I have a jones for a hot Turner dynamic element in a chromed Astatic chassis, with on/off switch and blue chrome behind the grill.... Mmmmmm-mmm.... chrooooooooome. Time for DJ to pimp my mic.

S.W.

Vice-Prez, Australian Donkey-Pullers Anonymous

[Strat-O]

Ha! I don't know about that traditional Chicago blues tone but to my ears, I'd have to agree the 57 is probably not the best choice for that 'chainsaw with bad gas' tone. I have heard one through a nasty little 20 watt, 1x12 amp from the 50's and it was gnarly as crap. It wasn't a tweed Deluxe sounding amp though.

I don't even play harp and I want one of that guys mics. They look really cool.

Speaking of 4x8 amps, I've got a little 4x8 Magnatone I need to get fixed. Struck out with the first amp tech. I really need to get it fixed. I've heard one just like with harp, but haven't really heard it with guitar. I hope it sounds as good as it looks! Seems like the first 'Lindy Fralin' amp that he was selling four or five years ago had either 3 or 4 eights in it.

[Dave Orban]

Looking forward to seeing you, George.....Here's the line up:
Darrell Nulisch on vox, Mark Texiera ( duke Robillard) on drums, Mark Poniatowski (Janiva Magness, Bruce Katz) on bass........ Harry's on BOOZE & WIMMENZ!! ;)Damn! Sounds like it"ll be a GREAT show...! :dude:dude:dude

[jetlag]

jetlag - I've got a Bandmaster clone built by a guy here in Australia. I haven't opened it up in ages, so I don't recall what OT is in it. I was assured when it was being built that it was a direct replica of a vintage unit. I've got Weber P10Qs in it, though. Any idea how they would differ from P10Rs?

Groove King - speakers are a big part in the sound. I've tried some weber P10Qs on loan from a local player and A-B them to vintage P10Rs and P10Q's. They freaked me out in that they are about twice as loud as the old speakers (whether original cone or "properly" reconed). Alot more bass and highs, alot less mids and funk. So it made the amp totally different. I could see where comparing your bandmaster to a Pro (with maybe a much less efficient 15) would skew the results. When I've compared the two amps with vintage jensens I've found that while differences are there, it's not nearly so marked.

Regarding harp mics and Dennis - he's turned alot of local players around here onto those little pencil sized EV's with the vol and tone slider. That's all Lee uses now. I don't know that it's my favorite sound thru big amps (liek Lee's two hole bassman), but they do kill thru little amps - they are the only mic I've heard that force markedly more volume and bass thru a little amp. The other trad mics just slam those amps and fart them out. Part of what makes 'em work is the tone slider - you slide the treble almost all off. They are maybe late 50's, early to mid 60's? They seem especially well suited for chromatics.

Nick - wow, what a sick lineup. Congrads and have fun! If I had known earlier I woulda sent you a MD recorder to tape that. I want to hear clips!

[dukeh62]

Looking forward to seeing you, George.....Here's the line up:
Darrell Nulisch on vox, Mark Texiera ( duke Robillard) on drums, Mark Poniatowski (Janiva Magness, Bruce Katz) on bass........ Harry's on BOOZE & WIMMENZ!! ;)

Nick...that IS a great line-up...have a ball! We're down there (Harry's) tonight, so we'll be sure to plug your show for you!

[Poppa Stoppa]

Just wanted to make sure you harp fans are aware of this super-rare footage of Little Walter, first with Koko Taylor & Hound Dog Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GG2v8LBcBU
and second with Hound Dog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TZ7omxqzag&mode=related&search=
Walter's actually playing rather than miming here. Who's that on bass? I see Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee sitting there too.

Different topic...anybody know if Willie Dixon actually wrote all those tunes he's credited with, or did he just put his name down on them when a new artist brought a great tune in?

[aja]

Lazy Lester , way cool !! Do Bloodstains on the wall as a request for me ?
And Darrell Nulisch this weekend ? awesome !! Wish I could be at both.:dude

[musicofanatic5]

[quote=Poppa Stoppa;1994273]Just wanted to make sure you harp fans are aware of this super-rare footage of Little Walter, first with Koko Taylor & Hound Dog Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GG2v8LBcBU
and second with Hound Dog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TZ7omxqzag&mode=related&search=
Walter's actually playing rather than miming here. Who's that on bass? I see Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee sitting there too.quote]

I believe that's from the American Folk Blues Festival, vol. 3. Walter wasn't around much after that. It's from 1967 with Dillard Crume on bass and Odie Payne on drums. All three vols are a must for Chicago blues fans.

[Stringmaster]

Jetlag:
Do you know the model number of that EV pencil mic, with the sliders? Any help would be cool!
Thanks, DD

[mikelaw]

[quote=Poppa Stoppa;1994273]Just wanted to make sure you harp fans are aware of this super-rare footage of Little Walter, first with Koko Taylor & Hound Dog Taylor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GG2v8LBcBU
and second with Hound Dog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TZ7omxqzag&mode=related&search=
Walter's actually playing rather than miming here. Who's that on bass? I see Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee sitting there too.quote]

I believe that's from the American Folk Blues Festival, vol. 3. Walter wasn't around much after that. It's from 1967 with Dillard Crume on bass and Odie Payne on drums. All three vols are a must for Chicago blues fans.

for ANY blues fans.

[Guitarzan]

[quote=musicofanatic5;1995228]

for ANY blues fans.

Yep. They are unreal. Only footage of Magic Sam around!!!

[HappyValley]

Nick...that IS a great line-up...have a ball! We're down there (Harry's) tonight, so we'll be sure to plug your show for you!

Go git 'im, Duke! thanks for the plug.....

The fun thing about playing with Darrell is that he's such a PRO. He sounds great ALL the time, regardless of the changes in lineup from gig to gig. (I'm doing a mini tour with him this summer..one nite in Buffalo, one in Cleveland and a fest in Toronto..I'll keep y'all posted for the dates & locations). I played with him, Mudcat and Dave Maxwell w/ Mike Avery on skins last weekend at Ryles and it was just KILLER. He's got a vibe & feel that harkens Bobby Bland, Slim Harpo & Jimmy Reed, all at once...a true treasure.

[Poppa Stoppa]

I believe that's from the American Folk Blues Festival, vol. 3. Walter wasn't around much after that. It's from 1967 with Dillard Crume on bass and Odie Payne on drums. All three vols are a must for Chicago blues fans.Thanks - I have been meaning to check them out in full for some time. The Magic Sam footage is the best.

These two new vids of Lester Butler popped up while I was watching Little Walter. First is with 13 with Alex Schultz, second is a new one from Pinkpop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qpdLxfFIrE&NR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBx0GxmAPPc&mode=related&search=
The fun thing about playing with Darrell is that he's such a PRO...He's got a vibe & feel that harkens Bobby Bland, Slim Harpo & Jimmy Reed, all at once...a true treasure.Sounds like he's got it ALL together. Great. He's about my favourite contemporary blues singer, instantly identifiable and very very listenable.

[aja]

I was just listening to Times like these and The whole truth the other day and
Darrell is in a league all by himself for sure. I'll never forget the Boston Blues festival and seeing him from the side of the stage.

[valcotone]

These two new vids of Lester Butler popped up while I was watching Little Walter. First is with 13 with Alex Schultz, second is a new one from Pinkpop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qpdLxfFIrE&NR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBx0GxmAPPc&mode=related&search=


Thanks Poppa!!! The first one also has Alex Schultz on a Strat! A little bit of a different gig for him... I'll have to break out the "13" CD for another listen, it's been a while.

[zappafrank]

Thanks - I have been meaning to check them out in full for some time. The Magic Sam footage is the best.

These two new vids of Lester Butler popped up while I was watching Little Walter. First is with 13 with Alex Schultz, second is a new one from Pinkpop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qpdLxfFIrE&NR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBx0GxmAPPc&mode=related&search=
Sounds like he's got it ALL together. Great. He's about my favourite contemporary blues singer, instantly identifiable and very very listenable.

WOW!!!!!


Thanks for these new ones!!!! I was very lucky to see these guys once at a Blues Fest in Portland---back when there were still lots of GOOD blues bands coming to the festival here---still some, but not like those mid-nineties and earlier---

ac

[sideman]

There was a very good youtube vid of LB & the RD (w/Paul S) doing "Automatic," but it got taken down. I miss it. It was less caffeinated than that live stuff.

[jetlag]

Here's my favorite Alex clip. Sideman hipped me to it a couple months ago. I don't think I've noticed it linked here, but my apologies in advance if this is a rerun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-gL10jwY6w

Besides Mitch and Alex killing, I LOVE that drummers shuffle. Anyone know who that is?

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Just got the new Kid Andersen and Jeff Turmes cds. The Kid Andersen cd is worth the price for the cover art alone but the cd is great too! The Turmes cd is more r&b, Kid's more "blues-rockish" , both not rehashes of what ya already have. fred

[sideman]

Alex Schultz with Rod P in what, the early '90's?: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XF2_snTil7A.

[sideman]

Junior Watson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r13ksBzDF2Y

Rick Holmstrom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYBqAo9JJ8

[Poppa Stoppa]

Some great vids there. I never saw the RDs doing 'Automatic' - wish I had. Alex Schultz's tele tone with Mitch Kashmar is sooo good - fat and juicy. How'd he do that? I wish I knew. Junior Watson there demonstrating how he's the modern day incarnation of Pee Wee Crayton.Just got the new Kid Andersen and Jeff Turmes cds...both not rehashes of what ya already have. fredThat's so important, isn't it? The old stuff is great, but we have to try to bring some new ideas in, otherwise we're just the blues equivalent of trad jazz, bowling shirts and two-tone shoes replacing the stripey blazers and straw hats. Anybody thinking of recording, I think this is one of the most important things to consider. Easier said than done of course. That's just my 2p.

[S.W.Erdnase]

I just heard the live Roy Brown tracks on the last Hollywood Fats Band (ie, Blue Flames) CD and was completely knocked out. In fact, I drove from Sydney to Canberra (3 hours) with "Love For Sale" on repeat play. Outta sight! What a terrific singer and entertainer - and hilarious lyrics to boot.

This is the first time I've heard any of Good Rockin' Brown's stuff - can anyone recommend the best CDs to track down?

Thanks a bunch.

[GOLDENSTRAT]

S.W., Scott Miller turned us on to a live Roy Brown cd with Pee Wee Crayton on guitar ( he only cuts loose on a couple of cuts but it is good). fred

[Dave Orban]

I just heard the live Roy Brown tracks on the last Hollywood Fats Band (ie, Blue Flames) CD and was completely knocked out. In fact, I drove from Sydney to Canberra (3 hours) with "Love For Sale" on repeat play. Outta sight! What a terrific singer and entertainer - and hilarious lyrics to boot.

Ditto...! :dude :dude :dude

[maxVsf]

The old stuff is great, but we have to try to bring some new ideas in, otherwise we're just the blues equivalent of trad jazz, bowling shirts and two-tone shoes replacing the stripey blazers and straw hats. Anybody thinking of recording, I think this is one of the most important things to consider. Easier said than done of course. That's just my 2p.

No, no, no! You are ALL WRONG! No notes after 1962....:nono

-at least that's what the blues police in my neighborhood told me...

[Dave Orban]

No, no, no! You are ALL WRONG! No notes after 1962....:nono

-at least that's what the blues police in my neighborhood told me...

I got up to 2,003 notes one night, but boy, was my pick tired.

[jetlag]

Some great vids there. Alex Schultz's tele tone with Mitch Kashmar is sooo good - fat and juicy. How'd he do that? I wish I knew.

My guess is he's got the tone knob rolled off 1/3 to 1/2 of the way. Enough to fatten things up on the unwound strings, but not so much to where there isn't any spank left. Man, I love that Amin7 arpeggio he plays over the II in that solo. I already sorta play that but in a different position on the neck, and not nearly as cool as he does. I'm particularly digging the way he slides into it and how he gets that rake going across the strings to sound like a horn.

[S.W.Erdnase]

S.W., Scott Miller turned us on to a live Roy Brown cd with Pee Wee Crayton on guitar ( he only cuts loose on a couple of cuts but it is good). fred

Muchas gracias for that - I'll track it down.

[groove_king]

Or I can let you borrow my copy when you come over tonight ... :)

[TwoFeets]

Some pics of our first gig with Leroy Cooper here:

http://www.smokintorps.com/urbanflatswl.htm

I'm off on Monday this week b/c the kids are off. Woohoo! Will be posting from home.

[dukeh62]

Ugh...well...tonight it happened. Ever have one of those musical experiences where you wish the world would just end while it was happening???

Ryan and I played a live duo thing (something that isn't our forte) on CT's largest FM station tonight. Lets just say it didnt' go too well. Way to bring in all the new fans!

On a positive note...we played a GREAT gig on Friday. Just funny how you can go from so good to el poopo so fast.

[rhartt1234]

On a positive note...we played a GREAT gig on Friday. Just funny how you can go from so good to el poopo so fast.

Ahh si! El Poopo! My favorite Luchador. Viva los Luchadores!
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rhartt1234/losstraitjackets2.jpg

(http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rhartt1234/losstraitjackets2.jpg)

[Echo Are]

I got to play through a 1993 Fender Vibroverb Re-Issue amp at a jam last Tuesday. Just wondering, what do you folks think of that amp in general? I remember reading Guitar Player's review of it way back when. The one I played through sounded pretty cool. Not my idea of the ultimate blues tone, but... anyway, I used my Yamaha SGV 800. In one solo inspiration struck:eek:,I dimed the volume(it wasn't terribly loud), scrunched down next to the speaker grille and extracted a wail of feedback:eek:(http://www.box.net/public/y4tkug5kel) out of it.

But, like practically every old Fender amp I've ever played through, I wished that there was a midrange control, not just treble and bass. Is it true that Leo Fender didn't care for mid tones in general?

[Scott Miller]

"The Kid Andersen cd is worth the price for the cover art alone..."

Down, boy. That's his wife in those pictures.

[TwoFeets]

I got to play through a 1993 Fender Vibroverb Re-Issue amp at a jam last Tuesday. Just wondering, what do you folks think of that amp in general? I remember reading Guitar Player's review of it way back when. The one I played through sounded pretty cool. Not my idea of the ultimate blues tone, but... anyway, I used my Yamaha SGV 800. In one solo inspiration struck:eek:,I dimed the volume(it wasn't terribly loud), scrunched down next to the speaker grille and extracted a wail of feedback:eek:(http://www.box.net/public/y4tkug5kel) out of it.

But, like practically every old Fender amp I've ever played through, I wished that there was a midrange control, not just treble and bass. Is it true that Leo Fender didn't care for mid tones in general?


The general consensus of most of the reviews I've read over the years is that it's a great amp, but the stock speakers they put in it were garbage and with a new set of speakers, it really brings out the character of the amp.

[aja]

Eric and Ryan I forgot to listen but I'm sure it was great last night. I was
planning on listening too but totally forgot. Cool pics Rob I like how you
guys dress. I wish I could hear some.

[djeshkov]

Here's my favorite Alex clip. Sideman hipped me to it a couple months ago. I don't think I've noticed it linked here, but my apologies in advance if this is a rerun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-gL10jwY6w

Besides Mitch and Alex killing, I LOVE that drummers shuffle. Anyone know who that is?

Drummer was Alex Pettersen and Bill Troiani on the Bass, A had a great pleasure to saw such a great rhythm section from Norway played with all this cool cats in Russia Watson,Holmstrom,Kashmar...
A saw Mitch Kashmar did a couple of gigs with Rick Holmstrom that was a killer!!! hope i can share videos for you soon!!!
P.S
From Russia with love! ))

[Strat-O]

The '63 Vibroverb Reissue is a good sounding amp. I used one for several years. The stock speakers sound great to me. I've read all the criticism on the internet about those speakers and just assumed it was from guy longing for the ultimate rock tone from the wrong amp. I did try a variety of different speakers in mine that I had. They all sounded pretty good in it too. Seems like Celestion Vintage 10's (strangely enough) sounded great in it and Webers C10NQ's were killer in it. I'm not the biggest fan of Weber or Celestion speakers either. That amp would sound great for harp, killer smooth midrange and lots of headroom. Has those split tone control pots that boost or cut the signal, whatever that's called.

[mikelaw]

echo, leo didnt like midrange controls because without the control the mids were slightly scooped thus leading to a generally cleaner amp. the period of leo's favorite and cleanest were the brown 60s. he hated distorted amps...there must have been a demand because blackface has the mids and lord knows if you crank a super reverbs mids up (ala buddy guy) you get alot more crank and breakup then if you keep it down.

albert collins,freddie king all the greats with the super reverb style amps went bass-0, everything else 12. beleive it or not doing this adds better bass response to the amp when its cranked...! thats an old trick with those black supers. :)

[rhartt1234]

I may be wrong and I'm sure one of you guys knows better than I do...
Aren't Fender amp controls backwards? Wide open, on 10, is the amp's natural sound and when you lower the setting you are taking away that frequency range. Rather than zero being the amp's natural sound and then adding the frequency range as you turn it up?
Or am I just wrong and stupid? I just spilled coffee ALL over my shirt. Barely got anything in my mouth.

[TwoFeets]

I may be wrong and I'm sure one of you guys knows better than I do...
Aren't Fender amp controls backwards? Wide open, on 10, is the amps natural sound and when you lower the setting you are taking away that frequency range. Rather zero being the amps natural sound and then adding the frequency range as you turn it up?
Or am I just wrong and stupid? I just spilled coffee ALL OVer my shirt. Barely got sything in my mouth.

Ryan - how long did it take to make that post, what with mashing the keys with your palms and all?

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I am but a simple caveman."

:D

[rhartt1234]

I don't know what you are talking about, good sir. I suggest you recheck my post and your facts!

"You're big silver flying machine frightens me"

[jetlag]

Yeah, I think you guys are right in that the tone controls generally are subtractive. That's why you see lots of "soul" or "raw" knobs these days (not to be confused with "suck" knobs ...) some of which, when you turn them up, they gradually defeat the tone stack in the amp. The result is a noticeable boost in volume, mids and rawness, gain etc. Reason being the tone stack circuits that fender normally uses really knock the signal down, thus the reason they have gain recovery stages after them. But I digress.

The other guitarist in our band (Ralphie) settled on a RI vibrolux. I was hoping he wouldn't buy that amp but he did. I think it's a good value, a good utility "tool" to play gigs with. But stock, it's no tone monster. Ralphie gets a good tone out of it when he rolls his tone down at the guitar and uses a hollowbody. But when he's playing a strat - look out. It's that new amp buzzy mosquito thing. Kind of like modern Buddy Guy recordings with those poka dot guitar con lace sensors etc. I'm sure the amp could be warmed up with some tweaking though - especially tubes and bias. I say that because Fender biases them real cold so they can minimize warrenty claims. Rebias will warm up new fenders. If that didn't do it, I'd look at speakers next.

[jetlag]

Drummer was Alex Pettersen and Bill Troiani on the Bass, A had a great pleasure to saw such a great rhythm section from Norway played with all this cool cats in Russia Watson,Holmstrom,Kashmar...
A saw Mitch Kashmar did a couple of gigs with Rick Holmstrom that was a killer!!! hope i can share videos for you soon!!!
P.S
From Russia with love! ))

Welcome and thanks for the info! Tell Alex that he's a shufflin' mofo. I loved his playing.

[djeshkov]

Welcome and thanks for the info! Tell Alex that he's a shufflin' mofo. I loved his playing.

Yeah that guys from Norway realy know how to move you away ))
"This 21 year old drummer was a killer. "
^^^^ From rickholmstrom.com about Alex )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBYBqAo9JJ8
Check this out, same drummer here! )

Couple of photos here http://www.bluescats.ru/files/200511.rick_mitch/

[mikelaw]

hopefully your shirt is brown ryan. that is not always the case with tone stacks being subtractive.....it depends on the circuit. i just read gerald webers book and at 500 pages or so i cant totally remember the details, but from what i remember it all depends on the circuit whether the controls are additive or not.

'tone' only knobs are SURELY always subtractive. ducoff has a pro with a tone only knob and i think it was bypassed and its as if the knob was all the way up. seperate tone knobs arent always subtractive though...ie-bass,mid, treble.

ill read up tonight again. 'soul' type knobs arent always stack bypasses. sometimes they are negative feedback loop pots as well which have NOTHING to do with the tone stack.

[Strat-O]

I'm not a tech guy but some of the brown amps, like the '63 Vibroverb had those tone pots that were at 0 when they were set at 5. Then if you turned them up they boosted (or had the effect of boosting) the tone. And if you turned below 5 the cut they tone. Somebody must know what the heck the pots are called? Center 'something' tone pots? Its pretty widely known.

I also tried using the Custom Vibrolux (its not a reissue of the Vibrolux at all and was never marketed that way) for a few years too...at the same time as the '63 Vibroverb. It sounded cool with Celestion Vintage 10's too. I never really like that amp much though. Somebody on here uses one now. For me, it was always either too harsh, buzzy, or too loud when it sounded good. That Custom Vibrolux has been in Fender's current amp lineup for a LONG time at this point. Its obviously been a big success for them. The best it sounded to me was with a 2x10 extension cabinet running with the main 2x10 speakers. That was an awesome tone.

[aja]

I have to get Alex Schultz's think about it. Is that any good ? It looks like Holmstrum has a vibrolux in those photos.

[nmontz]

I just got "Think about it" on a order over Christmas from bluesbeat. Sideman was raving about it about it earlier in the year...or maybe it's been as long as last year...but I didn't find any copies locally to pick up. It basically hasn't left my player since I got it. Great stuff....Tad Robinson, Finis Tasby and Lynwood slim on vocals. The stuff Tad sings on sounds real real real good. Schultz nails two Kings tones and feel...Freddie on one track and BB on another....not to mention his own vibe is killer. It's a must have cd...I can't understand why it didn't get more press?

[aja]

Cool about the Schultz disc. A couple of the blues guys around are into it
just haven't checked it out. Holmstrom is a sharp dresser man, thats how I want to dress.

[Poppa Stoppa]

I have to get Alex Schultz's think about it. Is that any good ? It looks like Holmstrum has a vibrolux in those photos.Yes, 'Think About It' is a must-have. It's a really beautiful record. There's a lot of ES330 & ES5 through his '58 tweed Pro and it sounds fat and toneful.

I think on that clip & the photos of Holmstrom & Kashmar in Russia the Custom Vibrolux Rvb is the harp amp and Holmstrom's using a Deluxe Rvb reissue...?

Those Custom Vibrolux amps are OK but they don't fatten up when you turn 'em up. They just get spitty and you hear the speakers crap out. They sound OK with a suitable pedal to fatten them up...however that may be just me. Given long enough to tinker with an amp I can get the worst out of almost anything...I have also tried the brown Vibroverb reissue, which falls into the same kind of sonic territory. Oh - the reverb on 'em is weak, but the trem sounds excellent.

Hey djeshkov welcome and thanks for posting that video of Mitch & Alex. Keep them coming!

Jetlag - the day somebody calls me a shufflin' mofo is the day I retire happy. But that young Norwegian guy fits the description.

Strat-O: center detent?

[mikelaw]

alec-aja as well as another local guy, gene donaldson both play them around here. they both get great tones out of them probably because alec has great tone in his fingers and gene uses good drive pedals.

i can see though, where someone would think they are a bit shrill sounding. and i do agree somewhat....

[aja]

Yea they are shrill. I was trying to figure out a way to get rid of that but
gave up and just accepted it the way it is. I love way it sounds except for that.But I play a strat too I've heard big bodies and les pauls and they're better through it.

[jetlag]

Okay guys, you are certainly correct in saying that there are not absolutes - not all amps tone controls are passive only and not all amp's "soul" controls vary the amount of tone stack defeat. I think some companies call it a "raw" control and vice versa in that the terms are used for both that and for power amp negative feedback defeat. So it's good to clear that up.

And I'll be happy to amend my statement to say MOST fender amp's tone controls are passive - as I am unsure of what's going on with anything they've made since the mid 70's. But as far as the majority of amp models that we WCB'ers care about, we're talking passive tone controls. Regarding those early brown tolex CENTER TAPPED treble controls (concerts, vibroverbs etc), I wasn't sure. So I called up my amp tech buddy and he assured me that that circuit is still passive only but admitted that he hasn't dissected that circuit to understand completely what they are doing with that tapped treble pot. Gerald's book probably sheds light on that. More importantly, it is accurate to say that most classic guitar amps (probably most period) are passive tone controlled - but undoubtably there are some active ones out there (gibson lab series, Mesa Boogies, Gallien Kruger, Duke R's Peavey PA head, Acoustics??).

Going into details: The tone controls are typically a pot (variable resistor) feeding into a capacitor that is then shunting certain frequencies to ground. That is about as passive as it gets - a classic RC filter shunting frequencies to ground not too unlike your non-battery equipped guitar tone control. Amps got fancy when they put slope resistors in there, and/or split things up into separate controls governing different bands of the frequency spectrum (ie treble, bass, mid), but they are still just shunting stuff that's already there to ground. Or not shunting it. If you get into more complex amps like some magnatones or maybe a few ampegs, standel etc, then I wouldn't be surprised at all if some of them have some fancy dancy active tone control but (A) I kinda doubt it and (B) it isn't the norm.

I really think you vibrolux custom users would be happier if you would bias the amp nice an warm and maybe experiment a bit with tubes. If there are sovtek 12AX7WA/B/XTs in there, those are some harsh sounding bottles. Try something like Tung Sol RI 12AX7s or Sovtek LPSs and you'll be surprised how much easier on the ears things get. Those TAD short bottle 6L6WGCs are real warm sounding too, but not necessary if Fender put those GE reissue 6L6GCs in your amp stock. If that doesn't do it, try plugging it into a known great sounding 4 ohm cabinet to see if the speakers suck. Alright, I'll go back down in my hole now.

[jetlag]

Ugh...well...tonight it happened. Ever have one of those musical experiences where you wish the world would just end while it was happening???

Ryan and I played a live duo thing (something that isn't our forte) on CT's largest FM station tonight. Lets just say it didnt' go too well. Way to bring in all the new fans!


Duke, no worries. I hear Tenacious D had some rough outtings at first when they went duo acoustic. :D

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jetlagslim/TenatiousD.jpg

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Regarding the Custom Vibrolux amps, I had good luck with mine replacing one of the p10r's with a ceramic speaker and changing the preamp tubes - swapping the v1 with the reverb driver tube. Scott, I'm glad to see that Kid has life by the tail!! fred

[TwoFeets]

On a total aside from the ongoing Fender amp discussion, I've had a bit of an eye-opener lately. Since the Ampeg has been in the shop, and not wanting to lug the Pro out to rehearsal, I've been borrowing my friend's stock Blues Junior. All I can say is WOW. I can't believe the tone I'm getting out of this thing. The two volume controls let me dial in a little bit of breakup. The only thing is I turn the reverb all the way off, and use my outboard tank instead. I'm utterly amazed. Never been a big fan of a Junior but maybe it's just because I never had time to dial one in.

Unfortunately my experience with a horrendously defective '63 reverb RI soured me altogether to current PCB Fenders, but jeez, tone-wise, this thing is more than serviceable.

[Strat-O]

Center tapped, that's it! Man I wish I knew more about technical stuff with amps. Gerald Weber has that traveling "Build Your Own Amp" Camp. I ought to do it so I can learn something.

Two Feets - I've been using a Blues Junior since summer and have the exact same opinion. I just got tired of too much headroom in 75% of the places I play. The master volume works great and between that and the fat switch, I can dial up 'the tone' in a heartbeat to fit every room. In bigger places I run it with my Victoriette and I'm off to the races. I like the reverb okay too. I put a Jensen P12R in mine and can get raw ass tone or clean 50's Buddy Guy tone all night long. It even sounds great with my H62. I run it the same as my other amps, treble wide open and mids and bass all the way off. Everybody's looking for cheap, simple little tone machines from the 50's and the Blues Jr and Pro Jr are just that...cheap/simple little tone machines, just not from the 50's. It'd be cool to hear one with a 6x9 speaker. I will say that it doesn't quite have the depth and overall dimension of the Victoriette. But its also got a little bitty, cheap OT. Well I guess the whole thing is built pretty cheap. But its a small difference in overal tone/sound.

[Scott Miller]

Funny how things change... I'm on a clean kick lately. Using my 38-watt Maz Sr. with the Master up all the way. It seems to let the guitar come across more like itself. With my Broadway, this is a good thing, with the H-44, a VERY good thing.

We had a very good gig Saturday. Our singer had lots of friends in the audience, so she was relaxed and happy and just as ON as all get out, and that got us all revved up. H-44 through a Maz Sr... they got along like a house on fire. We like to keep solos short, but I kept getting carried away... dang it all. Ended up playing too hard, too loud, and real sloppy; my fingers are still sore, but we had such a ball, who cares what it sounded like?

[Echo Are]

I had a Blues Junior for a couple of years, and it was all right. Only thing I didn't like tone-wise was the full-on cranked overdrive tone(volume on 10): it's that weird Fender proprietary blurry/fuzzy glop, like the Hot Rod Deluxe's Drive and More Drive channels. The Blues Jr.'s clean and low-gain timbres were great, though.

[GOLDENSTRAT]

I knew this sounded familiar - it's Peter Green's "Albatross", right? It's also on Steve Freund and Dave Specter's "Is What It Is" cd. Peter Green sure seemed to favor some fat drums for his own tunes which I dig alot. Link to Kid Andersen and Jr. Watson Guitarmegoddon "Mellow Blues" :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUqGYbQDM0

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Ahhhhhh, need another post to get past the page with Tenacious D photo......fred

[valcotone]

I did some recording with a buddy down in Austin with a Blues Jr. We set up in his living room with a single stereo mic and layed down some duo stuff with acoustic guitar, acoustic harmonica, and singing live in the room. I used my travel strat right into his Blues Jr. and I'll be damned if it didn't sound great at that (very) low volume. Mind you, it's a great room... wood floors and nice tall ceiling with sweet natural reverb. I agree that the overdrive tones aren't that great but the clean tones are ok in a pinch. I wouldn't trade any of my amps for one but it didn't suck.

I had a Pro Jr. too and that was a way more toneful amp but not as versatile (no 'verb and single tone control). Mine was in a larger custom 2x10 cab that I sold to a friend.

[HappyValley]

I knew this sounded familiar - it's Peter Green's "Albatross", right? It's also on Steve Freund and Dave Specter's "Is What It Is" cd. Peter Green sure seemed to favor some fat drums for his own tunes which I dig alot. Link to Kid Andersen and Jr. Watson Guitarmegoddon "Mellow Blues" :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiUqGYbQDM0

Peter Green is 100% THE MAN when it comes to the British guys back in the day;I've always enjoyed Eric C, but.......well, you know. Check Greeny out w/the early Fleetwood Mac next time you do a YouTube search. Gorgeous tone & taste, even when it rocks out.

[fretshop]

On a total aside from the ongoing Fender amp discussion, I've had a bit of an eye-opener lately. Since the Ampeg has been in the shop, and not wanting to lug the Pro out to rehearsal, I've been borrowing my friend's stock Blues Junior. All I can say is WOW. I can't believe the tone I'm getting out of this thing. The two volume controls let me dial in a little bit of breakup. The only thing is I turn the reverb all the way off, and use my outboard tank instead. I'm utterly amazed. Never been a big fan of a Junior but maybe it's just because I never had time to dial one in.

Unfortunately my experience with a horrendously defective '63 reverb RI soured me altogether to current PCB Fenders, but jeez, tone-wise, this thing is more than serviceable.

Rob,

Check out Bill Machrone's website...strictly for Blues Junior owners:
http://home.comcast.net/~machrone/bjrinfo.htm

[fretshop]

Peter Green is 100% THE MAN when it comes to the British guys back in the day;I've always enjoyed Eric C, but.......well, you know. Check Greeny out w/the early Fleetwood Mac next time you do a YouTube search. Gorgeous tone & taste, even when it rocks out.


Check out Fleetwood Mac in Chicago...I have the original records on Vinyl, but it was re-released. Greeny at his ultimate best. Side Men: Otis Spann, S.P. Leary, Walter Horton; Honeyboy Edwards; Willie Dixon; Buddy Guy; J.T. Brown.

[fretshop]

G-Man to WCBers....G-Man to WCBers

You will not need your decoder rings for this message :

O.V. Wright

Git it !!!!

Now !!!!

[pete kanaras]

yow, that vidar busk is one tasty player. steps on the vocal a bit but man he's pretty inspired here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDoaBtn8cwI&mode=related&search=

[fretshop]

Karl,

I just check out some old schematics ala passive Fender, Ampeg tone controls etc. In certain design configurations, the tone controls were not isolated, but interactive, and from what I'm reading from the drawings, there could have been some phasing issues as well. For example: early and some mid production Ampeg RR's and Gemini amps tended to lose bass in a linear fashion when the treble control was turned up. Some Fender Brown concert amps were like that as well. Our two BM 1956 and 1958 controls yield a rather flat response as soon as the treble control is rotated past 12 O'Clock.

[fretshop]

Nick,

I'd like to extend my thanks to you and Darrell for your hospitality this past weekend. I know things were hectic and we didn't have much time to chat. I rolled in at about 8:00PM on Friday evening and had dinner at Harry's, then hit the sheets so I could get up early for some shopping and sight seeing. I can't believe how packed the club was on Saturday night....Geeez !!

I was hanging' out at the front door after we spoke, and a very attractive young woman came up and asked me what she'd have to do to wear my hat. I looked at the bouncer, he looked at me, and we were both speechless. She came back about a minute later, gave me a Grand Marnier, and asked me if I had an answer for her. At my age, all I could do was thank her for the drink, then check the outside to see if it as a DYFS sting operation. I jokingly asked her for her I.D. , and she told me to find it. She stuffed her phone # in my jacket pocket, then left with a group of wimmens. I gotta get back there. That hat's got some strange mojo Bro'....

[Dave Orban]

I was hanging' out at the front door after we spoke, and a very attractive young woman came up and asked me what she'd have to do to wear my hat. I looked at the bouncer, he looked at me, and we were both speechless. She came back about a minute later, gave me a Grand Marnier, and asked me if I had an answer for her. At my age, all I could do was thank her for the drink, then check the outside to see if it as a DYFS sting operation. I jokingly asked her for her I.D. , and she told me to find it. She stuffed her phone # in my jacket pocket, then left with a group of wimmens. I gotta get back there. That hat's got some strange mojo Bro'....
Sounds like a fun night, George...! :dude

[pete kanaras]

fret, the ampegs (B15 as well) used the classic Baxandall tone stack arrangement. been around since the 40's. most all vintage hi-fi stuff and studio equipment as well used this design (well, not a Pultec!). very different from a fender ts. that "mid dip while turning up the bass" is an inherent part of the design. they sound great but yeah, it can be annoying for a guitarist. it's a design that does'nt lend itself well to a midrange control either. if you ever saw graphs on it's "action" you'd see what i mean (i had some but they're lost in cyber-land). it took THD a long time time to figure out how to shoehorn a mid control into that circuit; the flexi is rare for a modern amp in that uses a modified Baxandall stack.

[Poppa Stoppa]

I want a hat like that George...