West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0

[jetlag]

One band I'm in has two guitars with a harp playing frontman. Neither of us (guitarist) sing either. The other band is guitar + B3 and (usually) no harp. Sometimes when in band "A" and the other guitarist doesn't make the gig - then it's just me. Each situation requires a different approach.

[Schwalbe]

Couple more Minneapolis U toobs.

First, Phil 'Kid' Schmid, Billy Black and Jer Johnson working over some Freddy King. Phil's using my '62 6G7-A with that fabulous brown face trem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L08Rmjb95V4

Next up Texas Red. The whole damn bands a little off on this one with the exeption of the great Curtis Blake doing a bit of a clinic on hand wah technique. When he goes back to playing rhythm harp he starts by quoting Mojo Buford. Curtis is da sh*t IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guKDQCFhV_4

Hey wait a minute. What did that guitar player do just into the second verse?
Ain't there a law against turning DOWN?

[dddelta]

Strat-O

Check your PM's.

[afenderman67]

[quote=Schwalbe;2510664]Couple more Minneapolis U toobs.

First, Phil 'Kid' Schmid, Billy Black and Jer Johnson working over some Freddy King. Phil's using my '62 6G7-A with that fabulous brown face trem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L08Rmjb95V4

Next up Texas Red. The whole damn bands a little off on this one with the exeption of the great Curtis Blake doing a bit of a clinic on hand wah technique. When he goes back to playing rhythm harp he starts by quoting Mojo Buford. Curtis is da sh*t IMO.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guKDQCFhV_4

Hey wait a minute. What did that guitar player do just into the second verse?
Ain't there a law against turning DOWN?[/quote

one that first clip is that a brownface concert he's playing? is the guitar straight in? good tone!!!

[afenderman67]

is that a brownface concert on that first clip? is the guitar straight in? that's some good tone!!!!

[S.W.Erdnase]

It's East Coast... and GREAT.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9gCSMZFEmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTScX57ZacE&mode=related&search=

[Strat-O]

I was just wondering. There's so much space in a one guitar band with no other 'rhythm' instrument, its tough. Especially when almost everything we play has two guitars plus piano and/or horn parts. Even worse than a lack of $$ to pay more musicians is the lack of other guitar players (in these parts) who know what to do!

[TwoFeets]

I was just wondering. There's so much space in a one guitar band with no other 'rhythm' instrument, its tough. Especially when almost everything we play has two guitars plus piano and/or horn parts. Even worse than a lack of $$ to pay more musicians is the lack of other guitar players (in these parts) who know what to do!

The Ramblers was a two guitar plus keys band for a long time. It was actually tougher, I thought, to have three rhythm instruments going at the same time and have them all doing something that was sound melodically, yet not cluttered and busy. Also, we had an upright bass walking all over the place, so the piano player had to be careful with what he was doing with his left hand. So you really kind of have to simplify what you're doing and make sure your parts intertwine and don't clash. When the second guitar player quit and we didn't replace him, it was like a breath of fresh air to be able to stretch out a little bit and play something a little more intricate.

With the Torpedoes, we've got two guitars only part of the time as the other guy switches back and forth between harp and guitar. So I get a little taste of both. I don't mind being the only guitarist though, I think it's really cool to leave a lot of space in there.

[Strat-O]

Space is good, I agree. I should probably use more a more distorted tone more often to fill in more space. With one guitar and harp, you're a trio when the harp player isn't playing, which is most of the time if he's the primary singer. Alot depends on the tunes though, some work great like that others have too much space. Like Buddy Guy's "Suits me To Tee", which we play almost every night, the space can be cool but those horn parts really created alot of the tension and excitement in that tune. Same thing with alot of Otis Rush tunes, which we do a ton of as well. Some are fine with the space, others suffer without that excitement the horns generate. I stick mostly to the classic 50's BB King/Buddy Guy/Otis Rush guitar tone. Probably more in the Otis vein than anything else and BB about 25% of the time.

Anybody have horns in their band? Regularly?

[straightblues]

Are the vintage (50's and 60's) Jensen pulls from Hammond Organs the EXACT same speaker that Fender used or are they different?

[aja]

cool stuff shwalbe. what amp are you using on that ? is that a reverb tank too ?

[TwoFeets]

Are the vintage (50's and 60's) Jensen pulls from Hammond Organs the EXACT same speaker that Fender used or are they different?

I don't know if they're exact; I've been told that they were the same but just a different color but I have no idea.

However, I do know that the 50's Jensen P15N that Adam (Tungsten Amps) put in my 5E5-A is a really outstanding sounding speaker.

[dukeh62]

Are the vintage (50's and 60's) Jensen pulls from Hammond Organs the EXACT same speaker that Fender used or are they different?

I believe TwoFeets nailed it..yes, just different color and without the bell cover

[Schwalbe]

cool stuff shwalbe. what amp are you using on that ? is that a reverb tank too ?

'62 Bandmaster in a 1X12 brown cab built by Tom Bremer or Lee Tedrow many years ago. The amp is running trannies from a '65 Bandmaster cause the 61's were shot. With a Weber copper cap WU4 it only puts about 390 V on the plates. So with an 8 ohm speaker off a 4 ohm OT it runs JJ 6V6s real nice, puts out about 18 watts.
The 'verb is my old used to be RI tank which has since been sold.

[jetlag]

Wow, Tom Bremer. Now there's a name from the past. Any idea of how he's doing or what he's doing Schwalbe?

I can't speak for all organ pull jensens - but the 12s I got were a smooth, bell shaped cone. Pretty different from the regular ribbed (non-bell) cones you see in P12Qs in fender amps. Regardless, they sounded great. I use one in my GA20 as does NMontz and Sideman. If the price is right (non blue jensens should be cheaper), then I wouldn't worry about unless there's something really weird going on with the speaker: wizzer cone around the dust cap, fabric surround instead of one piece paper cone, coaxial arrangement etc etc.

[Schwalbe]

Last I heard, about 15 years ago, Bremer had gotten into some kind of organic farming thing. That was the rumor anyway.

[TwoFeets]

Last I heard, about 15 years ago, Bremer had gotten into some kind of organic farming thing. That was the rumor anyway.

Oftentimes lately when I'm onstage, I wonder if that might not be a good way to go.

[musicofanatic5]

From what I hear about organic farming, blues music might not be such a tough row to hoe (if you catch my drift). Tom Bremer was definately one of the first names I can remember associated with the vinnidge amp world. He seemed to have any part one might need, although many disparaged him for the dissassembly and parting out of old amps.

[aja]

Hey guys,
I've decided to sell my custom vibrolux cause I'm gonna get a pro junior and could use some extra dough. Pm me for details.

[TwoFeets]

Space is good, I agree. I should probably use more a more distorted tone more often to fill in more space. With one guitar and harp, you're a trio when the harp player isn't playing, which is most of the time if he's the primary singer. Alot depends on the tunes though, some work great like that others have too much space. Like Buddy Guy's "Suits me To Tee", which we play almost every night, the space can be cool but those horn parts really created alot of the tension and excitement in that tune. Same thing with alot of Otis Rush tunes, which we do a ton of as well. Some are fine with the space, others suffer without that excitement the horns generate. I stick mostly to the classic 50's BB King/Buddy Guy/Otis Rush guitar tone. Probably more in the Otis vein than anything else and BB about 25% of the time.

Anybody have horns in their band? Regularly?

Oh, back to this. Leroy's pretty much joined on full-time with us, which is great. Thus far we haven't used the horn as much more than a solo instrument with some fills and heads here and there; not much by way of arrangements. We have done some gigs as a 4-piece without him and it does change the way you approach things, even without significant arrangements. We generally modify the set to fit the instrumentation by either skipping or subbing out tunes. Like you say, some stuff just doesn't work if you don't have that extra piece.

Watson is BRILLIANT at filling up the space without being too busy. I was blown away when I caught him down here (bass, drums, sax, Watson). It was amazing to me how many different rhythm figures he could play in a tune while always complementing the sax player and never conflicting with the bass player. As guitarists we're naturally inclined to dig on the lead playing first, but holy crap, that guy can play some serious rhythm.

[KBR]

Only BB plays Lead, all night.
The rest of us must learn Rhythm or get a day Gig.

[Strat-O]

Well said KBR. I think what our bi-ped labeled friend is saying is not that he solos all night but that there is rhythm guitar, and then there's Junior Watson playing rhythm guitar. Junior's comping ideas are not what the average bear seems to dream up...alot of the time.

[AndreasA]

Hi there.
I have a question on how to increase the volume of a 5E5 without messing up the tone. My question is posted here (http://music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=3072) but I know that you guys know a lot about tweeds, hence this post.

I would appreciate any advise.

Andreas

[groove_king]

Hi there.
I have a question on how to increase the volume of a 5E5 without messing up the tone. My question is posted here (http://music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=3072) but I know that you guys know a lot about tweeds, hence this post.

I would appreciate any advise.

Andreas

Hi Andreas

In the linked thread you mention that you play through a 5E3. Is your question how do I increase the volume of a 5E3 Deluxe without messing up the tone or do you have a 5E5 Pro that you are asking about?

Because my answer to the first question is to get a 5E5A Pro ... :)

[nmontz]

I think you are on the right track Andreas with your 5E3 if you need more headroom and volume.

More efficent speaker, p12n,celeston blue, c12n

Fixed bias switchable...so you can kick it up a bit if you need to

a bigger tweed pro/ tremolux cab would be cool too

What about a multi amp setup? Run your 5e3 along with something with more power and headroom set clean. At that volume level maybe a princeton reverb? Heck maybe even a pro jr or blues jr?

then maybe try 6l6wgb's and mess with different rectifiers? If you are going with bigger iron you might as well get a bigger amp.

Interesting you run that sucker pretty much wide open. It's also interesting your amp won't keep up with a pro jr. That doesn't make much sence to me. Do you know what your 6v6's are biased at? I know I can mess with the volume level/ headroom level just switching power tubes on the cathode biased amps I have. I have a 53' ga-20 (that I got off of bb59) with the p12q that jetlag mentioned above...it's pretty close to a tv or a wide pannel deluxe and at 10.5 watts it still bury's the pro jr. the school I teach at has. I have them side by side on a daily basis giving lessons. I attribute that to the 12" speaker and bigger cab vs. the 10" and little bitty cab. If none of the mods work I'd just tell the guy with the pro jr. to tone it down a notch! :-) Nothing wrong with turning down. Maybe I'm the only one, but I don't seem to dig any of my fenders with the volume knob much over 4. I seem to like them right where they get thick but aren't breaking up yet.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Hi Andreas

In the linked thread you mention that you play through a 5E3. Is your question how do I increase the volume of a 5E3 Deluxe without messing up the tone or do you have a 5E5 Pro that you are asking about?

Because my answer to the first question is to get a 5E5A Pro ... :)

How's the build going?

[Dave Orban]

I have to add my two cents about the importance of ryhthm playing.

Junior definitely has his own thing goin', that's for sure, and it's a good 'un...! But for my money, Charlie Baty is one of the best out there at rhythm playing. :dude

[AndreasA]

Thanks for the replies so far.

@groove_king: Wouldn't a pro be MUCH louder than a deluxe?

@nmontz: I have thought about a two amp setup however, my super reverb is way to loud to use with the deluxe and I haven't got the the dough for yet another amp.

I am suddently in doubt whether it actually is a pro jr. that is in the club. It's either a pro jr. or some small tweed peavey (with 1x10" and two controls). It is just a tad louder than my deluxe (or it cuts better through with its thinner, focused sound) where as a blues jr is considerably louder with the master cranked up.

I don't know what the 6V6s are biased at but I am sure that my tech knows what he is doing. He actually changed a component so that the 5V4 wouldn't fry the 6V6s and so that I could also swap in 6L6s. When I bought it I played it beside a victoria 5E3 and they were about equally loud, so I don't think that my amp is much quiter than other deluxes. At rehersal it will stand forward as long as the drummer is moderate.

Interesting that your 53 GA-20 burys a pro jr. I have a 51 GA-20 with the original speaker. It sounds amazing - to my ears in some way better than any deluxe I have heard. That amp breaks up very early and would definitely not keep up with anything much louder than a tweed champ.

[jetlag]

Andreas,

I would try a celestion blue alnico 12" speaker before doing any mods or running 6L6s. For less money, maybe a weber copy of a celestion blue if Ted says it's as efficient, if it isn't, pony up for the celestion. In my deluxe, a celestion blue makes the amp a hair louder than my TV Pro (which is slightly louder than stock) or about 75 percent as loud as a 5E5A pro. It's pretty astonishing how much a really efficient speaker helps a deluxe. In contrast, my opinion on running 6L6s or modding the amp for fixed bias is that it will only be a modest change in relation to the amount of effort it takes. I don't think you'll gain anything with 6L6s that JJ 6V6s wouldn't already give since they are such an over-spec 6V6. And finally, if you want a little less grain to the tone, you could always do the PaulC mod to the phase inverter - there is a link on the weber board on how to do it. I think Skilback could possibly comment on that mod and it's effect in a 5E3. But really, I think solving your problem is as simple as a speaker change. Nmontz's idea of a Pro sized cabinet would really complement the speaker change, but isn't completely necessary. It also helps to put the amp up on a chair and tilt it back a bit. Aim it at a vocal mic too.

[jetlag]

Interesting that your 53 GA-20 burys a pro jr. I have a 51 GA-20 with the original speaker. It sounds amazing - to my ears in some way better than any deluxe I have heard. That amp breaks up very early and would definitely not keep up with anything much louder than a tweed champ.

Noel's GA20 has an old P12Q in it - which really opens the amp up compared to the stock P12R. That probably explains the volume descrepancies you point out. Try a celestion blue alnico and report back. At first it's tone will not be as nice as stock, give it about 10 or 15 gigs, it settles in nicely - not as "tweed" sounding as an old jensen, but still a nice sounding speaker. The extra volume and low end you get with it is worth the trade off. You can always pop the weber back in if you go into the studio.

[dukeh62]

Hey guys,

Well, your nomination votes paid off a few weeks ago...now we're in the final round and need your votes again! Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts we're nominated for best blues band category in our state's big arts newspaper.

Please take a minute to vote for us one last time at the link below!

I was also nominated for "guitar player" and Ryan was nominated for "harp player."

So once you login, look for the blues, guitar player and harmonica categories.

Here's the link to vote: http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/bandslam/index.cfm?pid=29

P.S. Our great buddy Mike Law is also nominated, so please feel free to vote as you see fit!

[Dave Orban]

Hey guys,

Well, your nomination votes paid off a few weeks ago...now we're in the final round and need your votes again! Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts we're nominated for best blues band category in our state's big arts newspaper.

Please take a minute to vote for us one last time at the link below!

I was also nominated for "guitar player" and Ryan was nominated for "harp player."

So once you login, look for the blues, guitar player and harmonica categories.

Here's the link to vote: http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/bandslam/index.cfm?pid=29


Done.

[Schwalbe]

Hi there.
I have a question on how to increase the volume of a 5E5 without messing up the tone. My question is posted here (http://music-electronics-forum.com/showthread.php?t=3072) but I know that you guys know a lot about tweeds, hence this post.

I would appreciate any advise.

Andreas

What's the value of your power amp cathode resistor? Measure it. Consider raising it slightly which should increase your headroom a little. Mine's 270 ohms. What's your B+?
A RI-DR OT might make a difference with a little more iron.
An OT with a 4K primary would allow you to get some more volume when running 6L6's. One with a 4 and 8 ohm secondary would let you run either 6V6 or 6L6 by just changing to the 4 ohm tap when you switch to 6V6's
My Mision 5E3 runs a Weber 12A125-A. It eats Blues Jr.s for lunch. I've been thinking about ways to get the volume down, just the opposite of your problem.

[mikelaw]

im the best harp player in ct, vote for me.

lol

[valcotone]

Andreas, As Jetlag noted, I have a 5E3 Deluxe clone that I built from Mojo parts (mostly) and I did the PaulC mod... it can smooth out the overdrive at higher volumes a little and might add just a bit of headroom, but not much. I don't think it's a solution to your problem.

I also have a '56 Tremolux in the larger Pro-sized cab and when I swapped the original P12Q out for an old P12N I was really stunned at the increase in volume and headroom it provided. Jetlag knows what he's talking about, try a more efficient speaker... it's the easiest and most flexible change you can make... try an old P12N or a Celestion Blue.

I still can't believe you run your 5E3 with vol and tone maxed... that must be a raging beast! :-)

[aja]

I'm selling a 50's reissue strat too. Pm me for details.

[zappafrank]

Hey guys,

Well, your nomination votes paid off a few weeks ago...now we're in the final round and need your votes again! Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts we're nominated for best blues band category in our state's big arts newspaper.

Please take a minute to vote for us one last time at the link below!

I was also nominated for "guitar player" and Ryan was nominated for "harp player."

So once you login, look for the blues, guitar player and harmonica categories.

Here's the link to vote: http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/bandslam/index.cfm?pid=29

P.S. Our great buddy Mike Law is also nominated, so please feel free to vote as you see fit!

Done----good luck, guys...

ac

[safecracker]

[quote=dukeh62;2520363]Hey guys,

Well, your nomination votes paid off a few weeks ago...now we're in the final round and need your votes again! Ryan Hartt & the Blue Hearts we're nominated for best blues band category in our state's big arts newspaper.

Please take a minute to vote for us one last time at the link below!

I was also nominated for "guitar player" and Ryan was nominated for "harp player."

So once you login, look for the blues, guitar player and harmonica categories.

Here's the link to vote: http://www.hartfordadvocate.com/bandslam/index.cfm?pid=29

Done! Good luck Eric and Ryan! Sorry Mike Law,I have'nt heard you on the harp. Send a sample. If I don't like it,I'll send you a demo to distibute as you on the harp.You'd be a shoe-in for sure then.I'm down south bro,no one would know.It would be our secret. LOL. "Too Gone Shawn" AKA "the Safecracker"

[mikelaw]

the only clips i have are of my buddy george playing harp and an old demo of ryan that i reburned under my name. thanks though.
:)

[RickyKing]

He can play!

[aja]

Wow I have to choose between the playboys and the bluehearts on the best blues band. I thought I could vote for both. Ok my votes are in.Good luck guys.

['56 Merc]

Has anyone here played a Hamer Monaco?

[DonM]

lot of 60 cycle hum with those Monacos

[safecracker]

the only clips i have are of my buddy george playing harp and an old demo of ryan that i reburned under my name. thanks though.
:)
Just joking Mike! I loved those pics of your guitar setup a couple pages back.As far as harp goes,what do you play thru?

[Stringmaster]

Must be Junior with his new Mare pickups? Don?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-emQLV653RU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6j9J_Sop0U8&mode=related&search=

[safecracker]

Just found out yesterday that Nemeth will have Janiva Magness' guitar player on the june 30 show.Sure wish it was Watson since I've never seen him.Good news is my buddy got to know Nemeth at the festival in GA he and Watson played a few weeks ago.They all stayed at the same motel (small town).He said John was great to talk to and he would let me sit in on harp on the june show.I bout s... my pants. Can't wait.Even if just one song,which is all I would ask for is going to quite an experience I think.:AOK

[mikelaw]

thanks ricky, love ya man. i was totally joking about being the best in ct. ryan hartt, sonny jr, george dudack, there are just so many here.

harp amp? 1st channel of whatever rig i have. silvertone head or brown concert. i setup the preamp tubes in the 1st channel for harp, 2nd channel high gain for guitar/louder. I keep guitar and mic both plugged into the amp...old school, remember fender put 2-4 inputs on their amps for a reason. :)

[valcotone]

Must be Junior with his new Mare pickups? Don?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-emQLV653RU

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6j9J_Sop0U8&mode=related&search=


There are a few more here...(all from the same user):
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=teebeeferris

[Stringmaster]

Just noticed that the Nemeth clip with Mike Morgan on guitar, appears to be the same gig/same Strat as the one Watson is using? Maybe it's Morgan's? Or maybe he's just sitting in on Junior's guitar?

[musicofanatic5]

...old school, remember fender put 2-4 inputs on their amps for a reason. :)
I come from the days when "no input went un-input-ed". Some of my first bands, the whole band (vocalist, bassman, everyone) plugged into one amp!

[Stringmaster]

...with the designated bass player, playing bass lines on a 6-string guitar; and the drummer being anyone in the neighborhood whose parents would rent them a set! Not that they could play!

[Schwalbe]

I come from the days when "no input went un-input-ed". Some of my first bands, the whole band (vocalist, bassman, everyone) plugged into one amp!

I used to tune my guitar down an octave and play bass parts through my Kalamazoo Model 1. Actually those Black Diamond flat wounds didn't do to bad tuned down like that. The other guitar player's Monkey Wards amp did double duty as the PA.
We were thrilled when we got to borrow a Showman and a pair of JBL loaded bottoms for the PA at a high school dance.:dude

[dukeh62]

I don't know what I enjoyed more in this Nemeth clip...Watson's playing, or watching Nemeth eat a piece of pizza in-between singing verses.:munch

http://youtube.com/watch?v=5Gwn5MD99uk&mode=related&search=

[musicofanatic5]

Yes, yes, my fellow fossils! The above is like a "This Is Your Life" flashback for me. Imagine my delight, circa 1967(?), when the new "designated bass player" got his mom to buy us a Kustom "p.a." (same as the gtr amp, but had four channels). Now everyone had their own vol, tone and reverb(!) controls, with the red sparkle, tuck and roll behemoth sitting stage front! We knew we were "made"!

[Scott Miller]

Har! As reported earlier, I saw John do the same routine with a bag of Indian food and a scotch. It's a pretty good stage gag. Plus, those Idaho folks do love their food.

Looks like Wes Starr is still with them. That guy rAwKs.

Looks like John is back home for a while, doing some gigs with Kid.

[aja]

Cool, Kid Ramos ? That will be a good pair. I like Nemeth's soul stuff for sure.

[zappafrank]

Cool, Kid Ramos ? That will be a good pair. I like Nemeth's soul stuff for sure.


I'm betting Kid Anderson, aja...

ac

[Scott Miller]

Kid Andersen. They are great together. Kid Ramos never gets up our way.

[THINSOCKS]

Anyone own a Fender Blues Junior amp? I'm thinking of buying one as a "grab and go amp" for practices and $50 gigs that don't validate lugging out my old stuff.. Thoughts? I know that guy from Knockout Gregg uses one.

[zappafrank]

Anyone own a Fender Blues Junior amp? I'm thinking of buying one as a "grab and go amp" for practices and $50 gigs that don't validate lugging out my old stuff.. Thoughts? I know that guy from Knockout Gregg uses one.


Had one for the same reasons you stated---sold it in less than a month---just did NOT dig it, tonally---I use my Rambler for the grab and go AND some 'better' gigs, as well as bring as an extra---way more spendy, but good tone----what the Blues Jr. WANTS to be, IMO---

that said, some guys I've heard can get some things going on on it---

ac

[frank62]

I have one. A blonde with a JJ tube set and a greenback. It's a great little amp for the use you are describing. I also use the Smith Sound Enhancer with it. An Epi Les Paul Std and that amp is all i have and it works for me.

[valcotone]

Anyone own a Fender Blues Junior amp? I'm thinking of buying one as a "grab and go amp" for practices and $50 gigs that don't validate lugging out my old stuff.. Thoughts? I know that guy from Knockout Gregg uses one.


I've played through one that a friend owns. I found that the BJ is surprisingly heavy and the overdrive tones are pretty generic sounding. I've also played through a couple of silverface Princeton Reverbs that I would prefer for that scenario... nicer tone and better reverb too. Just outfit it with a good 12" speaker and you're set.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Har! As reported earlier, I saw John do the same routine with a bag of Indian food and a scotch. It's a pretty good stage gag. Plus, those Idaho folks do love their food.

Looks like Wes Starr is still with them. That guy rAwKs.

Looks like John is back home for a while, doing some gigs with Kid.Hey Nemeth has put on some 'condition', he must be doing that pizza routine every other song!

[TwoFeets]

I've used our other guy's Junior from time to time and I don't mind it all that much, but I use my own reverb tank with it and dial the Junior's verb all the way off. I think the outboard tank helps color the sound just enough so that the BJ doesn't sound too generic.

That said, though, mid 60's Ampeg Jets are still dirt cheap (cheaper than a new Junior even) and they sound really good. I love mine.

[THINSOCKS]

Ah, well. Doesn't sound good. The price and size was what interested me most. It's not a tone thing really. I have a '51 TV and '56 NP Deluxe for that. Sometimes you just want to play and not worry about all the other stuff. I had a Carr Rambler for about 2 days and didn't bond with it. Plus, the price tag was rather high.

[straightblues]

Ah, well. Doesn't sound good. The price and size was what interested me most. It's not a tone thing really. I have a '51 TV and '56 NP Deluxe for that. Sometimes you just want to play and not worry about all the other stuff. I had a Carr Rambler for about 2 days and didn't bond with it. Plus, the price tag was rather high.My grab and go amp is the Ampeg Jet Reissue J12R. With a good set of tubes and maybe a speaker swap, it is a realy good sounding little blues amp for the price.

[Strat-O]

I have two. One's my Bee Bee amp and the other is a little tweed one. I love them and use them all the time. They're great in some of the small places I play. The master volume lets me dial in the breakup I need depending on the room.

The key to getting cool tone out of the Blues Jr, in my opinion, is to match it up with a cheesy speaker. The reissue Jensen P12R is the one. Its real dry and raw sounding. In a small room, its gold. I'm talking small as in around 50 people. Or for low volume gigs in bigger places, its fine too.

I'm not the ultimate Tone Ranger though. My two do sound like 50's tweed amps, but someone else might not like them. They do use small transformers and such, so they don't sound huge. I believe that most folks buy them to do something that they aren't designed to do, and they don't like them.

One of mine: http://www.pbase.com/stratorama/inbox

[S.W.Erdnase]

Wow. Great set of pipes on John Nemeth - gotta get me some of his muzak now. The gal on the harp on one of those vids was pretty damn good, too.

[THINSOCKS]

I was just out in Green Bay, WI last week playing the "Rockin' 50's Fest III". I got to see a couple cool shows. My two favorites were both from England - Big Joe Louis and Mike Sanchez. Here's a vid from Mike's show that someone posted on youtube. Wish someone had recorded Big Joe's set too, becuase he sounded killer.... like Lonesome Sundown or something

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HU7cNGyqmK4

[Strat-O]

Man, that guy's tearing it up.

Ma'm, could I borrow a pick from you? Promise I'll give it back...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/2007_swimsuit/models/irina/07_irina_6.html

[THINSOCKS]

Here's a little guitar porn for the long weekend. My recently purchased '56 Esquire and '53 ES-350. Expensive guitars on a $40 thrift store couch. ;)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/frankiethetut/IMG_5238-1.jpg

[zappafrank]

Ah, well. Doesn't sound good. The price and size was what interested me most. It's not a tone thing really. I have a '51 TV and '56 NP Deluxe for that. Sometimes you just want to play and not worry about all the other stuff. I had a Carr Rambler for about 2 days and didn't bond with it. Plus, the price tag was rather high.

I thought my Rambler sounded pretty sterile---at first---then I messed w/ it quite a bit, use the 14 watt setting a lot and crank the mid tone control----that worked pretty well---and then, recently, I put in some real nice NOS 6l6's and---OH YEAH---it's a keeper now---and very expensive, I admit---(Got mine used, thank goodness---)


The Ampeg option sounds great---

Strat-O---GREAT idea on that BB amp/Blues Jr.!!!---Very cool---

And like I said, I know guys that dig em' and sound great on them, so it can be a very decent utilitarian amp---that idea TwoFeets stated about using a tank in front (a Premier would prolly work real cool, too---) is an intriguing idea as well---


killer 350, Thinsocks---gotta love the ol' BLONDE hollows---
ac

[musicofanatic5]

Personally, I prefer the Pro jr to the Bluesjr. The little tiny Bluesjr reverb tank sound unusable, and two knobs on the Projr is more my style anyhow. Upgrade the spkr and tubes and itza winner. Weighs a lot less than my Rambler, even if I gotta carry a seperate reverb.

[Poppa Stoppa]

I was just out in Green Bay, WI last week playing the "Rockin' 50's Fest III". I got to see a couple cool shows. My two favorites were both from England - Big Joe Louis and Mike Sanchez. Here's a vid from Mike's show that someone posted on youtube. Wish someone had recorded Big Joe's set too, becuase he sounded killer.... like Lonesome Sundown or something

http://youtube.com/watch?v=HU7cNGyqmK4
Yeah both those guys are good! There's not much on Youtube of Big Joe apart from this at the Blues Bar:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=HDELTT_AYiQ

[sideman]

Man that ES-350 is magnificent. Great curl on that maple top.

[Scott Miller]

safecracker says:

"He said John was great to talk to and he would let me sit in on harp on the june show."

Be forewarned that John tends to STARE at you when you solo. This can be unnerving at first, but really he's just listening.

On another note, Rosetta Tharpe has convinced me to take my ratty Harmony acoustic archtop to play on our gospel tunes. Man, talk about a world of feedback. That style also requires a pick, which I don't normally do, but the sound is quite driving.

[nmontz]

Thinsocks....man those are some cool guitars! Are you gonna keep the esquire that color or refin it back to white blonde? I've seen some refin work by jay black that was real cool. His aging looks great.

Sideman has a killer flamed blonde es-350 too! Which reminds me.....Sideman.....Jeff wants to sell your ex 53' gt. Won't take a penny less than 35K. Wish I could swing it. I guess I should have bought it from you the first time!

[TwoFeets]

Got a few of these 350's popping up around here! Mine came with a free Thomas the Train set.

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h183/itchytwofeets/350full.jpg

[TwoFeets]

Thinsocks, looks like yours has the neck pickup closer to the neck, hard to tell from that angle though.

I wish someone had the definitive answer on when and why the variation exists between neck pickup placement on these. Seems like every time I try to come up with a rule, I find exceptions.

[THINSOCKS]

Thinsocks....man those are some cool guitars! Are you gonna keep the esquire that color or refin it back to white blonde? I've seen some refin work by jay black that was real cool. His aging looks great.

The Esquire is going back to white eventually. I saw a '53 blackguard last month that Black did. I've heard that he's not doing any refins anymore though. McKenzie River music has two old Teles that he refinished. He would have been my first choice, but I'll probably eventually send it to Gord Miller at GM Vintage Restoration. He's great too.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Thinsocks: so the Esquire is a reproduction? Or am I losing my mind?

[THINSOCKS]

Thinsocks: so the Esquire is a reproduction? Or am I losing my mind?

No, it's a old one.

[S.W.Erdnase]

You're gonna sand the finish off?

Huh? or is this one that had been messed with and you're gonna get it returned to the finish of old?

I don't mean to be dumb (I just am) but if that's the original finish isn't that bad for the value?

[nmontz]

That reddish color finish/stain was from the 1st time somebody refinished the guitar. A 1956 esquire or tele would have came in a white blonde finish (hopefully it wasn't originally a custom color). A good aged refinish (to match the play wear on that cool looking neck) back to white blonde should up the value as much as is possible. Yes you are right though S.W. a refinish usually knocks off darn near half of the value. But a good refinish over a poor one is usually a good thing, somewhat fixing what has allready been done. Either way as it sits it's a cool guitar.

[sideman]

Twofeets, is that finish original on the 350? And who's idea was the switch? Noel, I hope Jeff has not forgotten the right of first refusal I wrote into that P&S to buy back the guitar at 150% of what I sold it for within five years.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Ah thanks. Okay, then.

[safecracker]

[quote=Scott Miller;2531656]safecracker says:

"He said John was great to talk to and he would let me sit in on harp on the june show."

Be forewarned that John tends to STARE at you when you solo. This can be unnerving at first, but really he's just listening.

Scott,thanks for the heads up on John. It's only in the last year that I've gathered the courage to ask to sit in with real touring pros. I'm 40 now.It's now or never.I've been playing harp for 20 years but all the big name cats seem to hold a mojo over me when I go to see them,and I've always been too shy to ask to sit in.Actually it's my buddy that met John and set me up to sit in on the june show.He's playing at a oyster bar in montgomery,al. Maybe he'll suck down oysters between/during songs like the pizza.LOL. Anyway,I get a lot of inspiration from all the guys here on this forum in addition to getting good advice and I really appreciate it fellas.Thanks,Shawn

[TwoFeets]

Twofeets, is that finish original on the 350? And who's idea was the switch? Noel, I hope Jeff has not forgotten the right of first refusal I wrote into that P&S to buy back the guitar at 150% of what I sold it for within five years.

Nope, not original finish. About all that's original on that 350 is the wood and the pickups. It was all done before I got the guitar, including the switch. If it were a car, I guess you'd probably call it a "resto-mod."

[rhartt1234]

I love the satin finish on that thing. It looks like old New England furniture.

ps Your 350 came with a Thomas train set. How come my Thomas Train set didn't come with a 350?

[THINSOCKS]

That reddish color finish/stain was from the 1st time somebody refinished the guitar. A 1956 esquire or tele would have came in a white blonde finish (hopefully it wasn't originally a custom color). A good aged refinish (to match the play wear on that cool looking neck) back to white blonde should up the value as much as is possible. Yes you are right though S.W. a refinish usually knocks off darn near half of the value. But a good refinish over a poor one is usually a good thing, somewhat fixing what has allready been done. Either way as it sits it's a cool guitar.

Yeah, your right on. If I sink about $700-800 in a good refin the guitar value would probably go up another $1500 or so. It's a total win/win.

[bbarnard]

My grab and go amp is the Ampeg Jet Reissue J12R. With a good set of tubes and maybe a speaker swap, it is a realy good sounding little blues amp for the price.

Mines a Super Champ. It kills.

[zappafrank]

Since we are all showing our ES-350's, it seems---

My 55'----yep, a refin but all else original---

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/106_0694.jpg


I do have thing for those blondes, tho---

ac

[sideman]

Wow. Man, that thing is buff. And pretty. ABR-1 huh? I did that too, to pick up a little sustain.

Don't make me get out the digital camera.

[zappafrank]

Wow. Man, that thing is buff. And pretty. ABR-1 huh? I did that too, to pick up a little sustain.

Don't make me get out the digital camera.

Hi sideman---that ABR bridge is original to the guitar---it's a late 55', right before they started going to the thinline version, so it's kind of a 'transition' year for this 350

--ac

[TwoFeets]

Wow. Man, that thing is buff. And pretty. ABR-1 huh? I did that too, to pick up a little sustain.

Don't make me get out the digital camera.

Get it out, man!

Maybe one day we'll all get together and be able to do a "family portrait" of sorts.

[Strat-O]

Man, you guys have some beautiful guitars. :drool

Skilback still has 1st place in the photo competition, but AC is on the verge of overtaking him. One more photo like that in that backyard and it'll be a done deal.

If yer planning to break out the camera for your 350, make sure you find some hot chick to put in the photo too!

[rhartt1234]

Well it's not an ES-350 but it's the best I could do on my budget.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rhartt1234/BraodwayStratII.jpg

[Scott Miller]

I'm listening to that Chance era CD set and wondering about the demise of the almost-but-not-quite twelve-bar blues. Seems like every other song they randomly hang for half a bar here and there, or cut a bar about three beats short. It's a great feel, but I don't hear anyone doing it that much these days.

[THINSOCKS]

I'm listening to that Chance era CD set and wondering about the demise of the almost-but-not-quite twelve-bar blues. Seems like every other song they randomly hang for half a bar here and there, or cut a bar about three beats short. It's a great feel, but I don't hear anyone doing it that much these days.

After 4 or 5 beers that's the only way I play.

[musicofanatic5]

I do that "Next Door Neighbor" by Jerry McCain (Excello), which works out to be a ten bar blues on the first refrain.

[musicofanatic5]

If yer planning to break out the camera for your 350, make sure you find some hot chick to put in the photo too!
I saw some cheap Epi L.P. on ebay that was modeled with an amazing headless female torso! Almost bid on it till I came to my senses and realized the auction was for the p.o.s gtr only. What marketing genius!

[Strat-O]

I'm listening to that Chance era CD set and wondering about the demise of the almost-but-not-quite twelve-bar blues. Seems like every other song they randomly hang for half a bar here and there, or cut a bar about three beats short. It's a great feel, but I don't hear anyone doing it that much these days.

That's because blues has to be perfect nowadays. There aren't many folks, musicians included who play strictly for feel anymore. At least that's the impression I get. Its all about blinding technique and hat tricks. It can be a challenge to get everyone on the same page though when you break from typical form. Unless you're all drinking together!

[rhartt1234]

I'm listening to that Chance era CD set and wondering about the demise of the almost-but-not-quite twelve-bar blues. Seems like every other song they randomly hang for half a bar here and there, or cut a bar about three beats short. It's a great feel, but I don't hear anyone doing it that much these days.

I just got that Chance Era set myself. Great stuff.

I do on occasion not play 12 bars. Not because I'm trying to be hip or old school but because I barely have enough rhythm to play music and can't count for sh!t. I never cease to amaze my band with my whiteness.

[sideman]

http://showcase.netins.net:80/web/tricountybands/es350sideman.jpg

[sideman]

Geez, that came out kinda big. But hey, she's a big girl.

Re diff blues, I like 16 bar (the Stumble, Work Song, Marie Marie), and 8 bar (Run Me Down, Holmes Hop). They have a very natural feel and can be really fresh 'n fun after half-a-dozen 12 bar three chorders.

[jetlag]

We used to have an elder statesman of the blues here in KC named Provine "Little" Hatch. He was born in the delta back when it counted and lived most of his adult life in KC. The guy could sing like Muddy Waters and play like Big Walter. The coolest part of his deal was that he changed whenever he wanted - and only two bass players in town could hang with him. They could hear the change in the "wrong" place coming and nail it consistently, all you had to do was follow. Anyway, I LOVED playing with him because of that. Hatch always used to say "if you play them changes the same way everytime it's like playin' sheet music." Cool stuff. 11-1/4 bars one verse, 13 bars the next.

Bill, I never get tired seeing pics of that 350. Frank, I hope you can get the red stain off that sweet esquire without losing wood. It'll be a knockout in "correct" aged blond. Any chance you can track down Jonathan Wilson there in LA?

I talked to JW a few years ago about the attached tele, wanting him to make a maple board neck for it - so I could switch it back 'n forth whenever the feeling struck. He said no problem, $700. Wish I would have pulled the trigger. BTW, I don't have the barden in there anymore and have the original knobs back on it. It's a refin 59 slab that you can top load or string thru. Bought it out of the paper about 12 years ago. I keep thinking about getting it refin'd properly, but the finish on there is a great color and the patina is real nice. Up close there's lots of orange peel and other problems you don't really see in the pic. http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jetlagslim/DSC01067.jpg

[sideman]

Karl, you definitely get the prize for background in a guitar pic. And that's the kind of refin you gotta love.

[TwoFeets]

http://showcase.netins.net:80/web/tricountybands/es350sideman.jpg


Mmmmmm - purdy!

[musicofanatic5]

For all you 350 variant anal-izers: that's a three-knob-er with the p.u.s farther apart. A seldom seen combination!

[musicofanatic5]

Well it's not an ES-350 but it's the best I could do on my budget.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rhartt1234/BraodwayStratII.jpg
Ryan, I might have hipper gtrs, but I'll never have a groovy black leather sofa like that!

[DonM]

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=244830

Ya seen the latest Junior Watson clip's with the white strat?
the links are in that thread above, scroll about 6 post down once there,

I just found these today,

First time I got to hear those New Strat pups I made for him..

My speakers are in my monitor, i wished I had good sound, I'd really like to put my ears to em..

DM

[zappafrank]

Dang, Sideman---nice shot---and a gorgeous top on that one---yum yum!!

ac

[zappafrank]

"
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/sho...d.php?t=244830 (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=244830)

Ya seen the latest Junior Watson clip's with the white strat?
the links are in that thread above, scroll about 6 post down once there,

I just found these today,

First time I got to hear those New Strat pups I made for him..

My speakers are in my monitor, i wished I had good sound, I'd really like to put my ears to em..

DM "


DonM----I'll be calling you REAL soon---just pulled the J.M. Rolph 1956 Vintage Pretenders out of the Pee Wee Crayton strat, and I know they will sell pretty quickly (great vintage lower-output pickups, but the Pee Wee needs some more beef to shine)---and when they do---you'll be getting a call!

ac

[Strat-O]

Don - How much 'slightly hotter' are the new Watson pickups as compared to the older ones from say 9 months ago?

[MVrider]

C'mon, guys. This is the West Coast Blues Thread. Doesn't anyone else have a "West Coast Special"? Mine was custom-ordered with three P-90's so it's like a thin-bodied ES-5 with (user-friendly) Strat switching.

http://www.aaronsmusicservice.com/guitar1.html


Aaron was with Gibson from the early 60's to the 80's. Nice stuff.

['56 Merc]

Well it's not an ES-350 but it's the best I could do on my budget.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h151/rhartt1234/BraodwayStratII.jpg
That Epipi looks like it could be a Billy Pittman signature model.

Don't feel bad mine are an Epipi ES-5 copy and a Dearmond X-135 that I made into a ES-350 copy.

[TwoFeets]

C'mon, guys. This is the West Coast Blues Thread. Doesn't anyone else have a "West Coast Special"? Mine was custom-ordered with three P-90's so it's like a thin-bodied ES-5 with (user-friendly) Strat switching.

http://www.aaronsmusicservice.com/guitar1.html


Aaron was with Gibson from the early 60's to the 80's. Nice stuff.

Any pictures of the front of it?

The Super 400-alike is cool.

[Schwalbe]

I'm listening to that Chance era CD set and wondering about the demise of the almost-but-not-quite twelve-bar blues. Seems like every other song they randomly hang for half a bar here and there, or cut a bar about three beats short. It's a great feel, but I don't hear anyone doing it that much these days.
That's a set I need to get. Any Lazy Bill Lucas on those discs?
Bill played that non 12 bar style. You really had to pay attention working with him. Two years in his band did great things for my listening ability.
Mojo Buford does the same thing, some guys can hang with it, others get mad or frustrated or believe that the old man is just plain wrong. It's not about right or wrong, it's about playing the real shit.
I don't know if there's many left that can lead a song like that, some of us can follow it. It's a lost art I reckon.
Where did you find the set?

[MVrider]

Any pictures of the front of it?

The Super 400-alike is cool.

Aaron doesn't do much with his website (too old-school) and I don't have any of mine which is being repaired right now. Love the P-90s but not the hum so I'm going to install some Fralin P-92's. Don't like the look so much but the hum gets to me. Unfortunately Kinman doesn't do noiseless P-90's AFAIK.

And it's about the thickness of a Byrdland so it's very comfy sitting or standing.

[rhartt1234]

That's a set I need to get. Any Lazy Bill Lucas on those discs?
Bill played that non 12 bar style. You really had to pay attention working with him. Two years in his band did great things for my listening ability.
Mojo Buford does the same thing, some guys can hang with it, others get mad or frustrated or believe that the old man is just plain wrong. It's not about right or wrong, it's about playing the real shit.
I don't know if there's many left that can lead a song like that, some of us can follow it. It's a lost art I reckon.
Where did you find the set?

Lazy Bill Lucas is on 4 or 5 tracks. I got it at Oldies.com for 12 bucks. When I get something from there I usually round out my order with a couple 2.98 dsics two. Sonny Terry's Gotham stuff this time.

We played with Honeyboy Edwards last year. That was a progression bending experience. We locked in with him probably twice in the 45 minutes we played with him. Some of my first blues gigs were with a Piedmont style player, his father was from N. Carolina and he could play all the Blind Boy Fuller stuff, and he would be all over the place. He was realest Bluesman I ever played with. When he was sober he was KILLER. Drunk he was as useless as he was mean. I was all of 18-19 and I learned a lot of what to do and what not to when playing music.

[rhartt1234]

That Epipi looks like it could be a Billy Pittman signature model.

He's the only other guy I've seen do that. Before the Broadway came out I had seen a couple of guys who took Emperor Regents, with the floating pickups, and mounted P-90s on them. The Broadway was already cut and wired for 2 pickups so I went with that.

[Scott Miller]

I forget where I got my Chance CD. It wasn't hard to find, though.

I asked June Core last night what it was like drumming for Johnny Shines and other guys who played things loose, he said it was no big deal if you listen, and he was used to it having played early on with young guys such as himself who didn't know what they hell they were doing. So hey, all those blues jams you go to where the bass player is clueless... there's something to be learned from that!

[pete kanaras]

I asked June Core last night what it was like drumming for Johnny Shines and other guys who played things loose, he said it was no big deal if you listen

all ya gotta do is key in on the vocal. and think of their instrumental solo sections as an extension of the vocal. after awhile it'll be as natural as breathing for you. by and large the drummer has to keep straight time and clean up here and there. but if you've got a bass player who ain't hip you're totally screwed. i've played with lots of guys who dropped beats according to what they were feeling; there's nothing to it once you stop counting.

[TwoFeets]

Aaron doesn't do much with his website (too old-school) and I don't have any of mine which is being repaired right now. Love the P-90s but not the hum so I'm going to install some Fralin P-92's. Don't like the look so much but the hum gets to me. Unfortunately Kinman doesn't do noiseless P-90's AFAIK.

And it's about the thickness of a Byrdland so it's very comfy sitting or standing.


That's cool.

I'm not too up to speed on current archtop makers, but these two have caught my eye in the past:

http://http://www.kiernanmusic.com/archtop_guitars.html

http://http://www.slamanguitars.com/es150.html

[THINSOCKS]

Frank, I hope you can get the red stain off that sweet esquire without losing wood. It'll be a knockout in "correct" aged blond. Any chance you can track down Jonathan Wilson there in LA?

I talked to JW a few years ago about the attached tele, wanting him to make a maple board neck for it - so I could switch it back 'n forth whenever the feeling struck. He said no problem, $700. Wish I would have pulled the trigger. BTW, I don't have the barden in there anymore and have the original knobs back on it. It's a refin 59 slab that you can top load or string thru. Bought it out of the paper about 12 years ago. I keep thinking about getting it refin'd properly, but the finish on there is a great color and the patina is real nice. Up close there's lots of orange peel and other problems you don't really see in the pic. http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jetlagslim/DSC01067.jpg

I know Jonathan a little. He lives in my area, I've seen his band a handful of times and he has helped me out in the past with some advice on how to do refins, etc. His music career is really picking up though and I don't think he has as much time to commit to GVCG anymore. I'm still going to ask him, since he would be my top pick for a Fender refin, but I'm not holding my breath.

[THINSOCKS]

That Chance stuff is great. I love all the JB Hutto cuts. "Pet Cream Man" has to be my favorite blues song (Ok, maybe it's a two way tie with "Murder in the First Degree" by St. Louis Jimmy). I dig George Mayweathers harp playing on that stuff too.

[aja]

Lightnin' hopkins is doing that on the american folk blues festival dvd's too the bass player will be on the four and lightnin is still on the one.John lee hooker was like that too.

[RickyKing]

I got to play a fair amount with George Mayweather....
The Pet Cream Man indeed!

[mikelaw]

ryan's couch is WAY comfy. i almost passed out in it one day at 5 in the afternoon....thats a first!!!!!!!! and i wasnt drinking either.

[MVrider]

That's cool.

I'm not too up to speed on current archtop makers, but these two have caught my eye in the past:



I was looking forward to seeing those guitars but unfortunately both of those links are dead.

Corrected links here.


http://www.kiernanmusic.com/archtop_guitars.html

http://www.slamanguitars.com/

If I were looking for a real (carved) archtop I'd contact this guy.

http://www.schroederguitarrepair.com/front.html

[TwoFeets]

I was looking forward to seeing those guitars but unfortunately both of those links are dead.

Corrected links here.


http://www.kiernanmusic.com/archtop_guitars.html

http://www.slamanguitars.com/

If I were looking for a real (carved) archtop I'd contact this guy.

http://www.schroederguitarrepair.com/front.html

oops, the dreaded "left in the other http" syndrome. Thanks!

[aja]

Wow those slaman's are gorgeous !! Its about $10,000 for the ice age guitar with the mammoth ivory.Beautiful though.

[stevieboy]

I don't think it's a coincidence that the guys who are known for shifting the song structure around--ie Johnny Shines, Lightnin', John Lee--are guys that spent much of their careers playing solo!

Muddy of course has that one half (or two beat) bar in Can't Be Satisfied, but he does it all through the song, and he did it the same on the Plantation Recordings as he did it later with a band.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Lightnin' hopkins is doing that on the american folk blues festival dvd's too the bass player will be on the four and lightnin is still on the one.John lee hooker was like that too.I read a quote a long time ago..."Lightnin' change when Lightnin' WANT to change..."

I never had to do it myself, but I've played Mexican polkas and the same thing applies to those crazy changes - follow the vocal!

[Echo Are]

I forget where I got my Chance CD. It wasn't hard to find, though.

I asked June Core last night what it was like drumming for Johnny Shines and other guys who played things loose, he said it was no big deal if you listen, and he was used to it having played early on with young guys such as himself who didn't know what they hell they were doing. So hey, all those blues jams you go to where the bass player is clueless... there's something to be learned from that!

Hey Scott, by any chance did you end playing with, uh, Mr. I-Need-A-Schematic-Diagram-Of-Each-Song-Before-We-Start Bass Player at last night's jam lol? Kinda sounded like it from your post, lol.

[musicofanatic5]

Mr. I-Need-A-Schematic-Diagram-Of-Each-Song-Before-We-Start Bass Player? I know this guy, or maybe it's his east-coast cousin. "Dude, it's in G, it's a shuffle, and, if we're lucky we might end together. That's all you need to know!"
Wow, I haven't heard anyone mention Earring George in a long time. Played some with him at the old Cambridge HOB, too, Rick. I love that picture in the Little Walter book where Walter is playing an ES-300 (three knob, p.u.s close) behind George.
I came up playing behind inebriated, white, country guys who were too impatient to wait for any extra beats between vocal lines. Learned how to second guess those suckers pretty quick (yup, just listen to the singer), and the skill has come in handy ever since!
Speaking of westcoastblues, Hummel and his boys were playing down the street last night. Bob Welch is always too cool, and the drummer (Randy?)was killing me, too.

[Scott Miller]

"did you end playing with, uh, Mr. I-Need-A-Schematic-Diagram-Of-Each-Song-Before-We-Start Bass Player at last night's jam lol?"

No, it was Kedar.

On the flexibility issue, we play Big Mama's version of Hounddog, which features some hanging-on-the-five for an indeterminent amount of time. We tried to count it out, but found it was way easier to just follow the vocals.

[pete kanaras]

Barath and his Rhythm Four

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJvw7Uy4xHI&NR=1

this is the canadian guy watson has been Raving about. and check out the other 5 or 6 tunes on the same page.

WOW. impressive in every way. talk about a dedicated band....

[Dave Orban]

Barath and his Rhythm Four

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJvw7Uy4xHI&NR=1

this is the canadian guy watson has been Raving about. and check out the other 5 or 6 tunes on the same page.

WOW. impressive in every way. talk about a dedicated band....Thanks for the heads-up!

[RickyKing]

Man,I just love that kind of playing...Those Canadian guys have it right.
Great control....

[TwoFeets]

Speaking of westcoastblues, Hummel and his boys were playing down the street last night. Bob Welch is always too cool, and the drummer (Randy?)was killing me, too.

We opened for them last week. That was the first time I ever saw/heard Bob play and I was blown away. We seldom hear anyone play that style down here. He not only had the mid-60's Chicago tone down but he also had the 50's Chess thing happening in spades (I'm sure playing with Rusty Zinn for a few months didn't hurt in that respect!)

I agree 100%, that rhythm section, just killing. Oh, drummer's name is Marty Dodson. He almost didn't make it out of Orlando; I came very close to kidnapping him.

[zappafrank]

We opened for them last week. That was the first time I ever saw/heard Bob play and I was blown away. We seldom hear anyone play that style down here. He not only had the mid-60's Chicago tone down but he also had the 50's Chess thing happening in spades (I'm sure playing with Rusty Zinn for a few months didn't hurt in that respect!)

I agree 100%, that rhythm section, just killing. Oh, drummer's name is Marty Dodson. He almost didn't make it out of Orlando; I came very close to kidnapping him.


That sounds really cool---I've never had the pleasure of hearing Bob Welch, but I have heard of him peripherally---

So Marty must have been a heck of a player, huh?

There really are only 3 drummers that I LIKE to play blues with in Portland, so far---Bott (obviously!) and 2 others that can really keep a great groove w/out sounding uber-'modern' and 'tight'---

ac

[safecracker]

Barath and his Rhythm Four

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJvw7Uy4xHI&NR=1

this is the canadian guy watson has been Raving about. and check out the other 5 or 6 tunes on the same page.

WOW. impressive in every way. talk about a dedicated band....
Thanks Pete, I've heard his name mentioned here on the thread before. Excellent band. This is the third guy I've heard Watson talk about over the last couple years.Two years ago he mentioned Jo Buddy(Groovy Eyes),last year he talked about John Nemeth.Now these guys! Junior is quite the talent scout huh? Now if only I could find a guitarist,bassist,and drummer that can play like these cats,I'd be set. LOL

[HappyValley]

Barath and his Rhythm Four

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJvw7Uy4xHI&NR=1

this is the canadian guy watson has been Raving about. and check out the other 5 or 6 tunes on the same page.

WOW. impressive in every way. talk about a dedicated band....

Watson told me about these guys a couple of years ago when they went by the name "Bahrath and the Catfish"; He had just finished a session with them in Canada and told me that Bharath sounded "more like Little Walter than anyone I've ever played with"....considering he's played with every harp-hero out there, that's saying something. In fact, the 6x9 speaker kick Junior was into was inspired by those guys after that session as well.
The guitarist(s) just have the Myers/Lockwood phrasing , tone, feel etc. committed to memory...like they could do it in their sleep.

This weekend was a hoot....got to play with musicofanatic Ross Friday as well as hang with Ryan & Duke H62/Eric at their drummer's wedding on Sunday which I had the honor & priviledge of playing at. Good times!!

[safecracker]

Somebody call Hummel and tell him to put Barath on the next Harp Blowout cd. This dude nails Little Walter Jacobs so good it's scary. Tone and phrasing is perfect. I even like his vocals. Do they have a cd out?

[safecracker]

[quote=Backalley;2544504]Watson told me that Bharath sounded "more like Little Walter than anyone I've ever played with"....
TOTAL AGREEMENT!!!

[jetlag]

Somebody call Hummel and tell him to put Barath on the next Harp Blowout cd. This dude nails Little Walter Jacobs so good it's scary. Tone and phrasing is perfect. I even like his vocals. Do they have a cd out?

They recorded a CD last May or so but, to my knowledge, still don't have that CD out. I don't know what is holding it up. One thing that impressed me alot is the volume and control - they can use an upright piano (maybe even unmic'd???) they are playing so under control. Really cool.

[KBR]

I liked the Canadian cats, Great Harp, & Guitar but all note for note, not my thing at all.

[aja]

their is a little west coast scene going on in canada. Heres another
good player from quebec this guy blew me away www.myspace.com/colinperryandblind (http://www.myspace.com/colinperryandblind)

some guys from diego recorded up thier too ,seems like a long way to go to me but here's their link too, real old school chicago
mixed with west coast check them out too.www.myspace.com/sdbluesband

[valcotone]

their is a little west coast scene going on in canada. Heres another
good player from quebec this guy blew me away www.myspace.com/colinperryandblind (http://www.myspace.com/colinperryandblind)

some guys from diego recorded up thier too ,seems like a long way to go to me but here's their link too, real old school chicago
mixed with west coast check them out too.www.myspace.com/sdbluesband (http://www.myspace.com/sdbluesband)


The Twisters are fantastic too... from Vancouver: http://www.twisters.ca/
Check out the samples on their Discography page...

[THINSOCKS]

They recorded a CD last May or so but, to my knowledge, still don't have that CD out. I don't know what is holding it up. One thing that impressed me alot is the volume and control - they can use an upright piano (maybe even unmic'd???) they are playing so under control. Really cool.

I think right after they recorded that CD the guys house burnt down and he lost everything in it. I think that slowed everything down. From what Watson told me he had a really big collection of old harmonicas, mikes and amps. I think the amp he uses on that record is the fabled Dano Commando 8x8 amp (or is it 8x10). Anyway, that's what guys say Walter used for awhile. My buddy Zack played some guitar on that CD too. He's really good.

[Strat-O]

Well despite low pay and limited job opportunities, it appears that the 'classic blues' scene is not doing too bad across the world.

We had a couple of surprise guests down here a while back. Robert Frahm and Jamie (can't remember her last name) sat in at a gig with us for a set. Great folks. She could sing like mad and he was a killer guitar player, alot of fun to play with. We had a shaky fill in drummer that night, but it was still a great night.

[Scott Miller]

Marty is one of the best drummers around here. He has a style all his own, kind of whackety-whack, and him and Marc Carino together is my absolute favorite rhythm section. Marc has a real percussive style that is also sort of whackety-whack.

For whoever it was who mentioned Jimmy Mullineaux, he was playing with Sid Morris the other night, and sounding great, as usual. Gary Weller on guitar had a bee-yootiful blonde 350.

[musicofanatic5]

That sounds really cool---I've never had the pleasure of hearing Bob Welch, but I have heard of him peripherally---
So Marty must have been a heck of a player, huh?
There really are only 3 drummers that I LIKE to play blues with in Portland, ac
There are only three drummers that I like to play blues with in the WORLD! Well, maybe more like five or six, but that's about it. Marty was low down, but you could tell he had a lotta chops that were purposely not being employed on a blues gig, kinda like Robb Stupka. Small kit, loose tuned snare, and one (ONE!) cymbal (plus hats)!
I think Bob Welch probably had an idea of how to play cool before any influence of Rusty's, but that didn't hurt. Bob is also a killer piano man. When I first saw him was in Musslewhite's band with Fletcher on gtr; Bob would switch between piano and 2nd gtr.
The Commando is 8x8. Whatta amp!

[TwoFeets]

I think right after they recorded that CD the guys house burnt down and he lost everything in it. I think that slowed everything down. From what Watson told me he had a really big collection of old harmonicas, mikes and amps. I think the amp he uses on that record is the fabled Dano Commando 8x8 amp (or is it 8x10). Anyway, that's what guys say Walter used for awhile. My buddy Zack played some guitar on that CD too. He's really good.

Zak contributed to this thread a while back. He's equally good playing electric blues, rockabilly and he does an amazing job on acoustic fingerstyle stuff. He's one of those guys that makes me want to burn all my stuff!

[KBR]

Marty & Carino is a hell of a Rhythm section, June Core & Carino/Kedar, too.
Bay Area has some good ones, None like Jimi Bott, however.
That Cat is the <Man.
I do like Barath on Harp, Great Walter stuff. Little Charlie used to do a lot of Little Walter on Harp when I joined up in that band in early 1975.

[mikelaw]

8-8's commando. i played one once and heard sonny jr. blow through one. It was INSTANT little walter. the biggest, bassiest tone i ever heard. Just amazing, un-explainable in words. You just have to hear it in person.

[TwoFeets]

Here's a diversion.

Anybody here have a recommendation for a good mp3 player?

I've noticed that nobody offers one in tweed, but I think I'm going to get one anyway.

I have had an iPod shuffle but I hated it because of iTunes, so an actual iPod is out of the running.

Ideally, it would be a player that I could just drag and drop the tunes in mp3 format from Windows Explorer right into the player. The fewer proprietary software packages I have to get my primitive cave man bran to wrap around, the better.

[groove_king]

I have had an iPod shuffle but I hated it because of iTunes, so an actual iPod is out of the running.


Dude, what's your beef with iTunes? I think the reason iPod and iTunes is so successful is the fact that it is so intuitive. My kids (9 & 10) have an iPod shuffle each and they're creating playlists and moving stuff back and forth all the time. I love it and I'm not even buying stuff off the music store yet - I'm still ripping my CD collection

Before I got my iPod I checked out iRiver and one or two others and to be honest, they just didn't measure up to the ease of use of the Apple stuff.

So ... one vote for iPod. :)

[TwoFeets]

Dude, what's your beef with iTunes? I think the reason iPod and iTunes is so successful is the fact that it is so intuitive. My kids (9 & 10) have an iPod shuffle each and they're creating playlists and moving stuff back and forth all the time. :)

My problem is apparently that I'm not under age 12. My 11 year-old? No problems. I gave the Shuffle to him.

The real problem is that all these programs assume that you want all these extra features. They all want to be so very helpful and organized. I don't really care about any of that. All I want is to have a Windows Explorer-type list of my mp3's on that side of the screen and to be able to drag them over to the player and listen to them.

[S.W.Erdnase]

TwoFeets: what you desire would (potentially) mean that all your songs would dump into alphabetical order, so you'd have to listen to each of song out of potentially hundreds or thousands from A to Z, or manually skip through the songs. With iPod you can literally dial into an artist, then an album, then a song in seconds.

[TwoFeets]

TwoFeets: what you desire would (potentially) mean that all your songs would dump into alphabetical order, so you'd have to listen to each of song out of potentially hundreds or thousands from A to Z, or manually skip through the songs. With iPod you can literally dial into an artist, then an album, then a song in seconds.

Precisely! That is *so* what I want! Well, except for the alphabetical order bit, I'd want it to randomly shuffle. I guess what it boils down to is I want a 40 GB Shuffle with no iTunes!

[sideman]

I'm kind of ok with itunes and an ipod, and have figured out how to burn tracks off CDs into it, and also lift tracks from other, non-itune, areas of the hard-drive, but I do think it's a pain. Apple makes buying and importing tunes from the i-store really easy, but pulling tunes from elsewhere complicated. And I guess you can't pull tunes off another ipod. And you have to have itunes to load songs -- so now I have three music software programs (musicmatch for burning CDs, itunes for getting the songs on the ipod, and the MS music program that I don't remember the name of). Oh, and the first time I plugged in the new ipod it automatically absorbed every photograph on my computer, which I can't figure out how to get out of the ipod. In fact, I can't figure out how to get anything OUT of the ipod once it's in. Sure wish Apple would let us find tunes where we want and swap them easily. And delete them if we wish without having to study itunes some more. A friend likes her Zune 30 GB MP3 player, which isn't wedded to a proprietary software and music store. All that aside, an mp3 player is very helpful for guitar practice and study.

[jimfog]

Guys......you're scaring me. You all seem to be intelligent, capable folks....who even know their way around a musical instrument.

Itunes is SOOOO easy to deal with........even my 65 yo father loves it......and trust me, he's no tech whiz.

Spend 15mins one day reading the "help" info.......really, it's intuitive and not weird at all.

- Jim

[TwoFeets]

I have iTunes. I have used it a fair amount. I don't like it. At all. I have no desire to use it. I am looking for something that doesn't require using it.

Jeez, remind me not to tell you guys I don't like hot dogs either!

:)

[jimfog]

Hot dogs??

First iTunes, now you don't like friggin HOT DOGS?!?!?!?!??!

Sir....exactly who ARE you? The Anti-Christ?!?!?!?!?!?

"Two Feets", indeed......with which you trample the American way, and stomp on cute little bunnies and butterflies, I'm sure!!!!

You just hate us for our freedom!

Good day, sir........I said Good DAY!!!

[S.W.Erdnase]

Precisely! That is *so* what I want! Well, except for the alphabetical order bit, I'd want it to randomly shuffle. I guess what it boils down to is I want a 40 GB Shuffle with no iTunes!

Turn your iPod on.

Go to the top menu.

Select 'Shuffle'.

The songs will now shuffle.

Less than 7 seconds have elapsed and the machine is doing exactly what you want. Am I missing some subtlety here that would make me suspect that, far from being effortless in operation, the iPod is an abomination aborn from the ugliest troglodyte she-demon inhabiting the 7 hells of Hades?

Because I'm open minded and I'd like to know, and warn others in ma church group.

Thanks a bunch!

[HappyValley]

This is friggin' GREAT!!!! Been awhile since we had an ol' school hootenany!! If not a Hatfield/McCoy-esque feud!! LOL LOL X10!!

[zappafrank]

Hot dogs??

First iTunes, now you don't like friggin HOT DOGS?!?!?!?!??!

Sir....exactly who ARE you? The Anti-Christ?!?!?!?!?!?

"Two Feets", indeed......with which you trample the American way, and stomp on cute little bunnies and butterflies, I'm sure!!!!

You just hate us for our freedom!

Good day, sir........I said Good DAY!!!

Freakin hilarious---!!!:RoCkIn

ac

[TwoFeets]

LOL!

Nevermind, nevermind!

My bipedal bunny n' butterfly stompin' self will just keep toting around my CD's, peaceably eating pizza and burgers, and telling people serving dogs at their cookouts that "I'm just not that hungry!"

[TwoFeets]

Here's a link to Zak's post about the Bharath sessions earlier in the thread.

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?p=1369245#post1369245

[saggybottom]

Anyone know how to track down that Bharath guys cd w/ Jr Watson?

[THINSOCKS]

This is friggin' GREAT!!!! Been awhile since we had an ol' school hootenany!! If not a Hatfield/McCoy-esque feud!! LOL LOL X10!!

Did I mention I don't like Hollywood Fats. Ha-Ha. Rumble!

[aja]

thats treading on sacred ground talking about hollywood fats like that :rotflmao
Colin perry was on that session with bharath/watson ,he's a smokin player
What happened to fretshop ?

[TwoFeets]

Wow. I remember one time Monster Mike Welch said he didn't like Fats's tone, and the Earth actually tilted on its axis. This global warming thing?
Yeah, Mike's fault.

[Scott Miller]

Did I mention that I really hate old Magnatone amps?

Actually, I don't, I don't know anything about them, but that seemed like an appropriate segue.

Anyone know about old Magnatones? Just curious, and I don't think I've heard them mentioned here.

[mikelaw]

hot dogs and ipods rule. they are my favorite things. actually i prefer italian sausage over hot dogs.... and of late i REALLY am loving johnsonville bratwursts. the beer batter kind. they are heavenly.

now playing....30gig ipod. 7861 songs deep. top 5 most played songs all from the tbirds release painted on. i love the statistics of the ipod. what songs do i listen to the most? what bands? what genre do i listen to the most....blahblah.

i also love the itunes playlist features. for some gigs i even list playlists of the covers we do so my band guys know all the arrangements and everything. the PROs of itunes are endless and the cons are only a few IMHO.

[TwoFeets]

Heads up on a very affordable Edwards LP Special/P90's in the Emporium...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=253766

[valcotone]

Heads up on a very affordable Edwards LP Special/P90's in the Emporium...

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=253766



Proceed with caution... I've played a couple of the white and black Edwards Specials on a recent trip to Japan and they were terrible... lousy feel to them and really poor finishing. Zero vibe to them and tone was mediocre. They definitely did not live up to what I'm used to from Edwards (my P90 LP GT).

[mikelaw]

thanks for the heads up sean.

[TwoFeets]

Ditto, Sean

[Strat-O]

Hollywood who? Watson RULES! :dude


I'm a Magnatone freak. I've just unloaded about 4 of them though. :puh Killer for guitar, and even more killer for harp. I still have one that Hubert Sumlin used alot.

Soooooooo, check THIS out....


Harmony Guitars and former MBT International marketing director Alison Gillette have announced the launch of Harmony Classic Reissue Guitars and Basses. Gillette will direct this exclusive marketing arm of Harmony dedicated to the MI channel. The new company was established after the termination of the licensing agreement with MBT International earlier in 2002.
"Already there's a lot of interest in the product," comments Gillette. "At this point, people are curious about our plans. The product will have the value that people historically associate with Harmony guitars." She added that in addition to the reissue products, retailers can anticipate a few artist models and an aggressively priced Stella line.
Among the models making a comeback will be the Sovereign acoustic and the solid-body Stratotone. Also to be featured are the hollow-body Rocket and H-22 bass, as well as historic models such as the Stella Parlor and 12-string guitars slated for release later this year. For more information, contact Harmony at 151 Stanley St., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Phone: (847) 437-3555. Fax: (847) 437-3999. (Thank You Dave Punfield for this information)

:RoCkIn

[Dave Orban]

Wow.

[THINSOCKS]

Soooooooo, check THIS out....


Harmony Guitars and former MBT International marketing director Alison Gillette have announced the launch of Harmony Classic Reissue Guitars and Basses. Gillette will direct this exclusive marketing arm of Harmony dedicated to the MI channel. The new company was established after the termination of the licensing agreement with MBT International earlier in 2002.
"Already there's a lot of interest in the product," comments Gillette. "At this point, people are curious about our plans. The product will have the value that people historically associate with Harmony guitars." She added that in addition to the reissue products, retailers can anticipate a few artist models and an aggressively priced Stella line.
Among the models making a comeback will be the Sovereign acoustic and the solid-body Stratotone. Also to be featured are the hollow-body Rocket and H-22 bass, as well as historic models such as the Stella Parlor and 12-string guitars slated for release later this year. For more information, contact Harmony at 151 Stanley St., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Phone: (847) 437-3555. Fax: (847) 437-3999. (Thank You Dave Punfield for this information)

:RoCkIn

Hate to burst your bubble, but that's old... like 4 years old. They made a few proto guitars and called it a day.... and by a few I mean probably less then 10 or so.

[musicofanatic5]

Yeah, I think Monster Mike got one of those S-tones, as did John Hammond, I believe. Here's my favorite part of the release: "The product will have the value that people historically associate with Harmony guitars".

Most people think of the value of Harmony gtrs as shit, and if their experience is with post 1969 (I was gonna say 1958, but don't wish to be too much of a snob) Hamony's they would be correct. Hey, how come everything I wrote after the quote is blue?!

[TwoFeets]

I remember Mike said his was OK but it wasn't anything like an old one.

The Rockets, I think about 75 or 80 of them ended up being made. Black finish, white trim, gold pickups. They show up on Ebay now and then. They look like anything Eastwood might put out.

[mikelaw]

any ideas for me for a jam combo amp/beater for jammers? peavey delta blues? magnatone? fender blues jr? i need at least a 12" and id say 20 watts minimum? ????? and cheap too...3-400 tops.

[Poppa Stoppa]

8-8's commando. i played one once and heard sonny jr. blow through one. It was INSTANT little walter. the biggest, bassiest tone i ever heard. Just amazing, un-explainable in words. You just have to hear it in person.Sonny Jr sold one to a guy over here ...I heard it was not so good for harp but it was sold on to a guitar player, for which it is said to be great for... Mike do ya know if that was his best one he sold or another one?

[valcotone]

re: The Harmony reissue line... it just might be current news actually. When I was selling a solid-body Stratotone H44 in February I was contacted by someone representing the new Harmony guitar company who was interested in buying it to use as an example for a reissue:

"hi skilback, I work for Harmony Guitars and are going to be doing a re-issue series of vintage harmonys, but unfortunatly I have a budget and cant continue bidding, Thank you "

:D

[aja]

If anyone is in Diego next friday I'll be at the House of blues with West of memphis. Bring your axe and I'll get you up for some.
Blues junior Mike.

[dukeh62]

If anyone is in Diego next friday I'll be at the House of blues with West of memphis. Bring your axe and I'll get you up for some.
Blues junior Mike.

Hey Alec! Congrats man...glad to see you're "out there" out there...errr, huh?

[zappafrank]

OK guys ----enough Hollywood Fats bashing---just for that, I'm NOT going to offer you guys access to the 15-17 'rare' live CD recordings I have amassed thru toil and internet scrounging (one of them was a gift for barely surviving my 'Trial by Fire' the first time I was called up to sit in with Charlie in 90' or 91') over the past 17 years. So na-na-na to all of you haters!!!:moon:BITCH:mad::p:rotflmao

---and although Watson indeed does rule (now)---it's been 21 years since Fats left us at, I believe, a mere 36 years old---hard to say what growth might have occured had he lived---possibly you might say----FATS RULES!!!!:crazy

ac

[aja]

yea thanks eric I can't wait. their is some other crazy stuff in the works
I'll tell everyone about if it happens.:BEER

[THINSOCKS]

---and although Watson indeed does rule (now)---it's been 21 years since Fats left us at, I believe, a mere 36 years old---hard to say what growth might have occured had he lived---possibly you might say----FATS RULES!!!!:crazy

ac

Not to start the mud slinging, because I think this is a total "apples and oranges" thing. I just like a good music debate and more so something to keep me from going mental from boredom at work. Anyway, I've thought that same thing too regarding the growth, but then IMHO you listen to Fats playing and output towards then end of his life and it didn't go all that much further then where he was when he cut the Fats band record in 1979. At least I think so. On the flip side Junior's playing kept growing. I've heard from more then one person that William Clarke use to say that at the beginning Fats was hands down the best, but at some point Junior just passed him. Ok, take it easy on me. Ha-Ha.

On another note, Zappafrank. I have about 3 or 4 Fats videos that you may be interested in.

[KBR]

Although I love BB in the 50's & up to '66,
Albert King up to 1975
Freddie king up to 1976
Albert Collins up to 1986

Hollywood Fats was THE MAN, in my book.

[pete kanaras]

please don't let this thread devolve into one of those ridiculous asinine juvenile "my hero's schlong is bigger than yours" things. btw why has there been SO much of that crap on this site recently, in this thread and elsewhere? it's like trying to "prove" that picasso was better than van gogh. as muddy said, there ain't no best when you get into the top drawer.....

[rjkohrs]

If you're interested, on the Blasters website (www.blastersnewsletter.com) there is an article about Fats' Blasters days at the newsletter archive tab.

[THINSOCKS]

please don't let this thread devolve into one of those ridiculous asinine juvenile "my hero's schlong is bigger than yours" things. btw why has there been SO much of that crap on this site recently, in this thread and elsewhere? it's like trying to "prove" that picasso was better than van gogh. as muddy said, there ain't no best when you get into the top drawer.....

Look. As I mentioned, I was only interested in a exchange/debate for entertainment purposes and not in terms of a pissing contest. I thought it was legit, but I guess not. However, I don't think it was going in the "schlong" direction. Sorry, If I dumbed everything down for you. Won't happen agian.

[Strat-O]

Tubesteak boogie baby! :jo

Seriously, I was only kidding and I thought that brother Thinsocks was too. It is apples and oranges and its all good fun. I wasn't meaning to get all heavy or anything. I'd never do that! :)


Sorry 'bout the false alarm on the Harmony thing. I, obviously, thought it was current news. Maybe I'll call that phone number and see what happens though.
:drool

[KBR]

I guess I should say, IMHO,
Fats was a Great one, as are all the Pro's out there playing.
I happen to like Albert King and Collins the best.
imho,

[pete kanaras]

hey i guess i should apologize myself. trust me i certainly was'nt pointing fingers at anyone but rather trying to nip a potential mess in the bud. you know how those threads go, before long they do tend to go to that level almost every time. and i was thinking boy i'd sure hate to see that silliness happen to one of the best threads on this board. over-protective? yeah i guess so! so again, apologies if i myself ruffled any feathers....

[jimfog]

OK guys ----enough Hollywood Fats bashing---just for that, I'm NOT going to offer you guys access to the 15-17 'rare' live CD recordings I have amassed thru toil and internet scrounging

Well......I'm glad we seem to averted THAT controversy.

But, I think a little healing is in order for this group..........in the form of AC posting some of that rare Fats!!!!

It would go a long way toward putting this incident behind us...............

Do it, AC........if only for the children!

- Jim

[KBR]

No worries, Brethern
I just enjoy Fats, as well as Old Jimmie Vaughan & Anson.
and about 50 other players, too.

[groove_king]

hey i guess i should apologize myself. trust me i certainly was'nt pointing fingers at anyone but rather trying to nip a potential mess in the bud. you know how those threads go, before long they do tend to go to that level almost every time. and i was thinking boy i'd sure hate to see that silliness happen to one of the best threads on this board. over-protective? yeah i guess so! so again, apologies if i myself ruffled any feathers....

No ruffled feathers over here Brother Pete, or Brother Thinsocks. Nobody has to like every-damn-thing that comes down the pike. I like to think that there is mucho love and respect for each other in this thread and the Fats thing is just a little friendly ball-breaking, kinda like the way we were breaking Feets' balls about iTunes and hot dogs. :)


Back on topic, me and S.W. did an awesome gig last night. S.W. used his Clark Pro and was channeling the (still-living) spirit of Kim Wilson. I used my replica 5E7 Bandmaster with my Edwards Les Paul, Harmony H62 and Brother S.W.'s new Nocaster. Talk about tonal bliss! I could not believe how light and resonant the Nocaster was. Great tone and feel. Nice score, S.W.! Gotta love the shows where the swing dancers come out in force and hang around to dig the slow stuff!

[Scott Miller]

Ouch, it's been all H-44 all the time for me lately. My aching wrist. I'm using something else tonight.

OK, the last I heard on the Hershey bar rivet issue was to move them around until you get what works, and that each pickup is different. Anything else to look out for? Oh yeah, the string bottoming out on the rivet if the action is too low. Anything else?

I now have three extra Hershy bars, one from a deadster H-45, and two from one of those Silvertone acoustic slider bracket dealies. I'm going to get H-44 bridge pickup perfection even if I have to sacrifice a chicken or something.

"Gotta love the shows where the swing dancers come out in force..."

Woah there. Around here, there is an angry blues audience contingent that HATES the swing dancers. I don't quite get the vituberation, if that's the word I want.