West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0

[KBR]

Monster Freakin Mike is Right, Buddy did some awesome stuff way back when...

[aja]

Buddy's early stuff is great I gotta say. Hoodoo man blues with Junior Wells, all his vangaurd stuff. thats all i'll say.
great anson stuff I love the close ups on his hands. Is that Mike judge of Beavis and Butthead fame on bass ?

[monstermike]

I was joking about the "you suck" part. I've heard clips of both Rob and Dave, and they're killers. Other posters (cough, cough...Mike Law...) seem to have been a little more serious. Yikes!

I tend to keep mum about the players I don't much care for, because I know it's not relevant to whether they're any good. There are some fantastic players out there who just don't move me all that much, and it doesn't mean their playing isn't "moving" in general.

But early Buddy Guy? I give up. No fair calling the "last ten years" bit on Buddy, Dave - it might as well be a different musician. Not much aping and clowning on A Man and The Blues, you know? And Rob - despite the considerable recorded evidence to the contrary, you must have no soul, even though you don't play like it. Do you show up in mirrors?

[monstermike]

LOL!

Hey, Mike, I'd much rather listen to YOU, anytime.

That is all. ;)

Thanks, but you're WRONG!

Heh.

[Dave Orban]

I was joking about the "you suck" part. I've heard clips of both Rob and Dave, and they're killers. Other posters (cough, cough...Mike Law...) seem to have been a little more serious. Yikes!

I tend to keep mum about the players I don't much care for, because I know it's not relevant to whether they're any good. There are some fantastic players out there who just don't move me all that much, and it doesn't mean their playing isn't "moving" in general.

But early Buddy Guy? I give up. No fair calling the "last ten years" bit on Buddy, Dave - it might as well be a different musician. Not much aping and clowning on A Man and The Blues, you know? And Rob - despite the considerable recorded evidence to the contrary, you must have no soul, even though you don't play like it. Do you show up in mirrors?LOL!

Hey, like I said, it's just opinions flyin' around... (and it's REALLY the last 20 years... LOL!).

I *still* love to pull out the occasional old Buddy song at a gig, like "Pretty Baby"... or maybe "When My Left Eye Jumps"...

But hey, I'm an just an old curmudgeon who thinks that even ol' B.B. should probably have hung it up about 10 years ago...

Those of us who saw him in the 60s can get REAL bummed out when we see him these days...

[Scott Miller]

It's kind of interesting some players are more polarizing than others. Like Buddy Guy; seems like you totally dig him or not. As opposed to, say, Albert King or Albert Collins; I've never heard anyone say they don't get those guys.

Of course, we all like... umm.... errr... I dunno...

[MVrider]

I personally prefer the old Buddy stuff it was incredible.

I'm with you, but...

Buddy knows what his audience wants and Buddy knows his audience has changed.

If the audience loves the fact he's now imitating the guys who grew up imitating him, that's what they get.

And regardless of what I might prefer, he's making a lot more money playing "blooz" than he ever did in the Chess or Vanguard days.

[TwoFeets]

And Rob - despite the considerable recorded evidence to the contrary, you must have no soul, even though you don't play like it. Do you show up in mirrors?

I plead no contest. I have no way to answer this question. If you've seen any recent recorded video clips of me, you're probably already well aware that I haven't looked in a mirror since about 1986.

Hey, by the way, "My Father's Son" is a great father's day song! In heavy rotation right now.

[jimfog]

"Folk Festival of the Blues".........

..........that's all I have to say on this subject.

[dudeunitx5000]

I find that my favorite blues is of the pre-WWII era.

[Dave Orban]

I'm with you, but...

Buddy knows what his audience wants and Buddy knows his audience has changed.

If the audience loves the fact he's now imitating the guys who grew up imitating him, that's what they get.

And regardless of what I might prefer, he's making a lot more money playing "blooz" than he ever did in the Chess or Vanguard days.
Of course, Buddy's audience now may as well be going to Disneyland and seeing their "Bluesmen of the Caribbean" exhibit... ;)

It's kind of like those folks who saw Jake and Elwood on SNL back in the 70s, and thought they were seeing the "real thing."

Just another step in the homogenization process...

[MVrider]

Of course, Buddy's audience now may as well be going to Disneyland and seeing their "Bluesmen of the Caribbean" exhibit... ;)

It's kind of like those folks who saw Jake and Elwood on SNL back in the 70s, and thought they were seeing the "real thing."

Just another step in the homogenization process...

Pretty much. Can't fault Buddy for it. A lot of his contemporaries didn't or maybe couldn't do what it took to - uh - "change with the times". A lot of his contemporaries died broke, too.

[Scott Miller]

"Just another step in the homogenization process..."

That (homogenization) is the very word that I thought while pondering the fate of all popular music in the last century. What with radio, records, and mostly people travelling all over the place, we got blessed with a gazillion new genres all over the world. And now... it's the Great Homogenization. Everything's turning into some sort of generic rock music.

[jetlag]

Hey twofeets, was the 2 CD chess "Complete Recordings of Buddy Guy" on your list of stuff you heard and didn't like? It's okay if it was, I was just curious because that's my favorite buddy! And yeah, the last 20 or 25 years have been kinda dismal (eg. jeff beck's Mustang Sally solo with ratt fuzz), but his recent acoustic CD has some real nice tracks on it. That CD gets play at a venue I play weekly's jukebox - it is always impressive and refreshingly soulful/real deal. Sure wish he'd do a parting shot electric CD in that same vein (real deal).

[AndreasA]

Hi there.
I am about to order West Coast Guitar Killers vol. 2 after having heard it at some illegal site. I have tried to find some compilations with the individual artists appering on the guitar killers cd however, I couldn't find anyone beside Guitar Watson and Jimmy McCracklin. R.S Rankin, Bud Soudd, The Rockin' Brothers etc. seems impossible to dust up.

Could anybody of you recommend some cd's in the same style from the same era? Mixed compillations are fine but I prefere cd's with one artist. It doesn't necessarily have to include lots of guitar however, it would be a big plus with some.

Andreas A

PS: If anybody could help me out with some "missing links" in the lyrics of If I Had A Genie (Jr. Watson) and Hey Now (Tiny Grimes) i would be really glad. Here are links to what I have found so far:
If I Had A Genie (http://blindman.forumhoster.com/index.php?showtopic=18955)
Hey Now (http://blindman.forumhoster.com/index.php?showtopic=18954)

PPS: Thanks for the advise on the speaker swap in my deluxe. I went to my tech to test some speakers yesterday. I did a blind test between celestion blue, weber 12A150-T (125-model cone with beefier magnet), weber silver bell, my own 12A125 and an eminince the governor. Not only was it a blind test, I didn't even know the competitors. What I knew was that the 150-T was presumably one of them since I had asked my tech to listen to that speaker.

I still preferred my own speaker but it is not loud enough... and even though I like way it compresses when diggin hard into the strings I need something that can stand out a bit more. All of the louder ones (except for the silver bell that I wasn't too crazy about) sounded great. The blue was awesome but not at all what I was looking for to give me that american tweed tone. The 150-T seemed VERY loud and also bright (like the 125) with a slimmer mid and more focused bass than my 125. It was great but perhaps a little too loud and clear for me. The eminence was really nice. During the blind test I was almost shure that this speaker was some weber alnico. It didn't feel as loud and clear as the 150-T, it had a compression closer to the 125. The crunch was a bit different from what I am used to with the 125 but so was the crunch from the 150-T. Without knowing what the speakers were I setteled between the 150-T and the governor. I would have liked something between these two. Not as loud/clean as the 150-T and a with a little more weber-125-ish crunch than what the governor has.
When having the models and prices revealed it was an easy decision. The governor is only a third of the price of a 150-T, hence I picked that one to try out. I never thought I should have a (even cheap) ceramic speaker in my deluxe. I'm glad that we did the blind test so my ears would deside and not my prejudiced opinions.

[jimfog]

PS..........Buddy in the last 10 years??

"Sweet Tea"...............friggin' awesome.

My work here is done.

- Jim

PS.....Fats, Hot Dogs and now BUDDY!?!??!?! Burn, witch, BURN!!!!!!!

[dukeh62]

AndreasA: I just picked up the 4-CD "Boogie Uproar" set and it KILLS! It's a compilation...but of only a handful of guys, so there's lots of tracks from each...including the entire recorded work of Goree Carter and some killer early Gatemouth, which are worth the $24.95 of the set alone! Come on...only $25???

http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&products_id=11870

[TwoFeets]

Hey twofeets, was the 2 CD chess "Complete Recordings of Buddy Guy" on your list of stuff you heard and didn't like? It's okay if it was, I was just curious because that's my favorite buddy! And yeah, the last 20 or 25 years have been kinda dismal (eg. jeff beck's Mustang Sally solo with ratt fuzz), but his recent acoustic CD has some real nice tracks on it. That CD gets play at a venue I play weekly's jukebox - it is always impressive and refreshingly soulful/real deal. Sure wish he'd do a parting shot electric CD in that same vein (real deal).

To be honest, I've listened to a fair amount, and I can't remember exactly which records I've heard and which I haven't. That *may* have been one of them but I'm not sure.

[MVrider]

"Just another step in the homogenization process..."

That (homogenization) is the very word that I thought while pondering the fate of all popular music in the last century. What with radio, records, and mostly people travelling all over the place, we got blessed with a gazillion new genres all over the world. And now... it's the Great Homogenization. Everything's turning into some sort of generic rock music.

There's more to it than just access to different styles of music. Access to disparate styles gave us Western Swing, Afro-Cuban, R&B and plenty more. The roots of blues and jazz can be found in other musical styles.

I guess it depends on who's doing the synthesizing, Ellington and the Geshwins or a *turntablist*.

[TwoFeets]

PS..........Buddy in the last 10 years??

"Sweet Tea"...............friggin' awesome.

My work here is done.

- Jim

PS.....Fats, Hot Dogs and now BUDDY!?!??!?! Burn, witch, BURN!!!!!!!

LOL
Nah I like Fats, that one was Frank's!

I was the one that didn't like iTunes.

[jimfog]

LOL
Nah I like Fats, that one was Frank's!.

Awww...dammit...my bad.......

...........now WHERE'S that "abort" button on my "unruly lynch mob" remote control?!?!?!?

[Scott Miller]

"...some compilations with the individual artists appering on the guitar killers cd however..."

Email or call Charlie Lange at BlueBeatMusic.com. Note that this is a dangerous thing to do; I asked him about Lafayette Thomas, Cal Green, and Jimmy Spruill, and there went the rent. At any rate, if anyone knows, he would, and of course Encyclopedia Frank, who should be chiming in any moment.

[Dave Orban]

PS..........Buddy in the last 10 years??

"Sweet Tea"...............friggin' awesome.

My work here is done.

- Jim

PS.....Fats, Hot Dogs and now BUDDY!?!??!?! Burn, witch, BURN!!!!!!!It was OK. I definitely prefer it to "Damn Right I've Got the Blues" and the other stuff from the '90s.

Seriously, it IS good, but it's really a complete anomaly in Buddy's catalogue. Of course, without the production of Dennis Herring, (Counting Crows, Jars of Clay, Cracker, etc.), the songs of T-Model Ford and Junior Kimbrough, and folks like Jimbo Malthus participating, it would've ended-up being just another bombastic, Chicago-ish exercise with a great studio backing band (a la Blues Brothers) and Buddy's rather predictable arrangements and solos... all designed to appeal to as wide a crossover audience as possible.

In a sense, the whole idea behind Sweet Tea is actually a little gimmicky itself -- you know, a "let's get Buddy back to the basics." But that's not the problem. The problem is that the production is almost too self-conscious in its stylized "authenticity." There's too much audio separation, too much echo -- it even sounds rougher than nearly all contemporary blues albums, but it really doesn't sound gritty, which it should. In spite of it all, though, I'd call Sweet Tea a welcome addition to Buddy's catalogue because, because even with its somewhat "precious" premise and some production affectations, it basically works. And is a refreshing change-up from what he's been doing for the last 20 years.

So I'll give you that one. ;)

[jimfog]

Seriously, it IS good, but it's really a complete anomaly in Buddy's catalogue......

All good points, Dave......and I felt the same way...when I READ about it. I said "cynical attempt to be hip and sell to the younger rock guys who are digging T Model, RL, etc.....plus Jon Spencer and North Miss. All Stars".....

So, going in I was prepared to hate it......in fact, I didn't buy it or even try to hear it. But during a break at a bar I work, the manager put on this insane, raw, wild, intense, beautiful music....... and I freaked " Who is THIS?.......what a killer disc!!"

Turns out it was Sweet Tea.

I like when that happens......the rare occasion when you can hear something without preconceived notions.....

Otherwise, I'm with you..........Buddy in the last decade or two has been a bit rough. His work through the years has been so wonderful though, I forgive him a lot.

- Jim

[THINSOCKS]

I am about to order West Coast Guitar Killers vol. 2 after having heard it at some illegal site. I have tried to find some compilations with the individual artists appering on the guitar killers cd however, I couldn't find anyone beside Guitar Watson and Jimmy McCracklin. R.S Rankin, Bud Soudd, The Rockin' Brothers etc. seems impossible to dust up.

Could anybody of you recommend some cd's in the same style from the same era? Mixed compillations are fine but I prefere cd's with one artist. It doesn't necessarily have to include lots of guitar however, it would be a big plus with some.

Your going to have a hard time finding single artist cds of the stuff your looking for. All of this was back in the day of 45's and 78's, so if your single didn't sell you likely didn't get a second chance to record more songs. The drag is sometimes your left with great guys like ZuZu Bollin who only recorded 4 great sides and then disappeared for a long time. Anyway, the "Scratchy" cd with Jimmy Nolan, Pete "Guitar" Lewis and Jimmy Nolan is a great guitar comp along the lines of the West Coast Killers records. It's out of print and hard to find though. "R&B Guitars 1950-1954" on the Blue Moon label is also a good one (All 4 ZuZu Bolin sides are on this CD). "My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama" is worth tracking down for the Lafayette Thomas and the great Sly Williams sides. I've mentioned this one a bunch, but the "More Agressive Guitars - Kings of Distortion vol.1 1949-1957" CD that Jack Cook sells on his site is worth every penny . Also, if you don't own a Pee Wee Crayton CD you should buy both vol. 1 & 2 of the Ace cds as well as the Imperial stuff that Capital put out awhile back.

[stevieboy]

All good points, Dave......and I felt the same way...when I READ about it. I said "cynical attempt to be hip and sell to the younger rock guys who are digging T Model, RL, etc.....


Interesting, ironic perhaps, that you would think Buddy was trying to sell to the younger guys by recording like guys older than he is. Not that I'm challenging your thought process, maybe it just says something about Burnside and T Model. If I think about it too hard I'll get a headache! I'll just listen to Sweet Tea, cool album.

[aja]

West coast guitar killers vol. 1 and 2 are great

[musicofanatic5]

West coast guitar killers vol. 1 and 2 are great
Lafayette Thomas is the Pavarotti of wes'coas' blues! Gtr Shorty and band (who wrote those charts?!) is downright frightening! "Let's Go Smitty" is this week's (and several preceding weeks/months/years!) favorite gtr inst! Whenever both an alto and bari sax are available, "Behind the Sun" by the Rockin" Bros is on my setlist!

[TwoFeets]

Can you fellas recommend a decent couple of Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo discs? Are the Excello singles collection discs a pretty good representation?

Really digging on that stuff lately.

Also, how about some essential Eddie Taylor?

[Stringmaster]

I've just listed a couple of WC Blues approved amps in the Emporium--'50s Guild Master Amp with a 15" Jensen, and a Watson approved Valco/Gretsch, with the eliptical speakers. Check 'em out!
DD

[TwoFeets]

I've just listed a couple of WC Blues approved amps in the Emporium--'50s Guild Master Amp with a 15" Jensen, and a Watson approved Valco/Gretsch, with the eliptical speakers. Check 'em out!
DD

Hey, that Guild Master amp looks a lot like a non-badged amp a friend of mine has here in town. He calls his a "Sunola" but I have no idea where he got the name from.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Following on from my post yesterday and courtesy of TommyMambo's thread about DST amps...

April 07 ToneQuest Report:
http://www.mambosons.com/images/ToneQuest%20-%20April%20%2707%20-%20Tom%20Guerra.pdf (http://www.mambosons.com/images/ToneQuest%20-%20April%20%2707%20-%20Tom%20Guerra.pdf)
June 07 ToneQuest Report:
http://www.dst-engineering.com/TQRJun07.pdf (http://www.dst-engineering.com/TQRJun07.pdf)

[jetlag]

Can you fellas recommend a decent couple of Lazy Lester and Slim Harpo discs? Are the Excello singles collection discs a pretty good representation?

Really digging on that stuff lately.

Also, how about some essential Eddie Taylor?

Man, the gulf is where it's at. That's where my ears have been lately as well. Well, except REALLY lately I've headed back to Memphis. Here's some of the stuff I have and really dig:

Lazy Lester: http://www.amazon.com/Lover-Not-Fighter-Lazy-Lester/dp/B00002M7U0/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/104-3422338-6145530?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1181051322&sr=1-2

Slim Harpo: http://www.amazon.com/Hip-Shakin-Collection-Slim-Harpo/dp/B000005KI1/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1/104-3422338-6145530?ie=UTF8&qid=1181051425&sr=1-20 (vol II looks identical to vol I, ??? )

Or something similar. I noticed there is a 4 CD import box set on Slim Harpo that might be cool if you can find it. Don't forget Lonesome Sundown and Guitar Gable while you are at it. While we're on the swamp, what's the best way to get all of Charles Shefield's stuff? Anyone?

[dukeh62]

Or something similar. I noticed there is a 4 CD import box set on Slim Harpo that might be cool if you can find it. Don't forget Lonesome Sundown and Guitar Gable while you are at it. While we're on the swamp, what's the best way to get all of Charles Shefield's stuff? Anyone?

I've been trying to track down some Guitar Gable to no avail lately. Any tips? Really would like something that has the original "Congo Mambo" on it...I only have covers of that one.

[mr tom]

Ryan,

I think the original of that appeared on the Best of Excello compilation that came out 5-10 years ago when all that KILLER stuff was being reissued. It's still around if you dig for it.

[btg]

As far as Lazy Lester - I'm A Lover Not A Fighter is the best collection of his original Excello sides. Both of the Antone's discs are worth having too.

Slim Harpo - "Hip Shakin" contains the hits and "The Scratch" is unissued and live cuts. Both worth having.

Don't forget about Silas Hogan, Lonesome Sundown and Lightnin' Slim too. They all had great collections put out on them several years back.

The Guitar Gable cuts can be heard on the Excello Story discs there were four of them but I think they were all on one disc though.

The overlooked gems of the Excello catalog can be found on Blues Hangover which features some great cuts by Jimmy Reed sound alike Jimmy Anderson, Chicken Hearted Woman by Clarence Samuels and more. Check it out

The is also a great cut on one of the Excello story CD's by a band callyed the Hollyhooks which has a rippin' guitar solo in it. Anyone know anything about this band.

Off the Excello subject but still involving cool obscure blues tunes check out the Stompin' series that Bluebeat has. I think I have about 20 volumes so far and need to get the rest.

[dukeh62]

Whenever both an alto and bari sax are available, "Behind the Sun" by the Rockin" Bros is on my setlist!

Jon...I was JUST THINKING of doing this tune recently. Such a killer groove! You beat me to it!

[aja]

I found another online music store that seems to have some good stuff on it. Lots of lps. www.euclidrecords.com (http://www.euclidrecords.com)

[Scott Miller]

Just buy every freakin' Excello compilation you can find, has been my approach. I got bit by that bug real bad.

I think it's the Best of Excello that has Congo Mambo on it, I got it recently. It also has the original Rolling Stone and Little Darling, for the swamp doo-wop fans. And the immortal and bizarre Calling All Cows.

That Stompin' series has all sorts of great wacked out stuff, and they are up to #37 or something. I get them used when possible, which isn't often.

[musicofanatic5]

Jon...I was JUST THINKING of doing this tune recently. Such a killer groove! You beat me to it!

Yes indeed! Seems not worth doing without the bari to do the bop, bop, bop, bop; the gtr doing the ninth chord slide; and the alto on the melody. That means you gotta hire both Doug James and Rich Latie(sp?)!

[THINSOCKS]

I've been trying to track down some Guitar Gable to no avail lately. Any tips? Really would like something that has the original "Congo Mambo" on it...I only have covers of that one.

Eric - It's kind of hard to find, but Flyright put out a entire LP of Guitar Gable sides in the 80's called "Cool, Calm, Collected". I have it and IMHO it has one of the coolest album covers ever. Gable in a flecked gab suit, high hair and a 50's white guard tele. If you can't find it maybe I can make you a copy. Flyright actually issued a insane 50+ LP Excello collection. I think they issued the entire labels output + rare stuff that never came out. Charlie Lang has them all and sold me a bunch of his doubles.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/frankiethetut/Gable.jpg

Some one asked about Eddie Taylor. Amazing stuff and for some reason hard to get on CD. The Charly label put out a LP called "Big Town Playboy" of Taylor's Vee-Jay sides in the 80's. They also issued it on CD sometime later, but I've only ever seen this CD once. P-Vine has a great Eddie Taylor CD of all the Vee-Jay stuff, but it's like $25-30 and I think out of print and hard to find also. Good luck.

[straightblues]

Hey fella, I need some help with octal tubes.

I just got a Valco amp with octal tubes. A 6SC7 preamp, a 6SQ7 phase inverter (two 6v6 power tubes and 5y3 rectifier). This is my first amp with octal tubes. Both tubes are a little microphic and need to be replaced. What are considered to be the best versions of these two tubes? Where is the best place to get them?

[straightblues]

Here are some pictures of my new Valco. I think it is the same amp as Rick Holmstom is using but in different wrapping. Rick's is a Bronson Singing Steel and this one is in Hullings Symphonie packing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/straightblues/dd1a_12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/straightblues/db29_12.jpg

[TwoFeets]

The 6SC7 comes in either a metal tube (RCA) or glass tube (Tung Sol) version at KCA NOS Tubes, I don't think you can go wrong with either though the Tung Sol is twice as expensive at $30 (used in 5C3 Deluxes so there's more demand). KCA doesn't have the 6SQ7 but Antique Elec. Supply and The Tube Store both seem to have them.

[jetlag]

Straightblues - Octals in general can be pretty microphonic. Supposedly metal can versions are more prone to microphonics than glass, but I couldn't say from first hand experience. If your tubes sound good and aren't noisy, you could buy some of those big high-temp rubber donut/rings to try and help damp the oscillations. One of the links I sent to you in a PM sells them. So does Hi Test Tubes. Sometimese anything you put in an amp like that is real microphonic. In the sense that it makes the chassis microphonic (thumping the chassis gives off a louder than normal thump). If that's the case, you can put little rubber O rings between the tube sockets and chassis ala tweed fenders. If your amp has those, check and see if they have deteriorated down to nothing (and replace as required).

[Poppa Stoppa]

Here are some pictures of my new Valco. I think it is the same amp as Rick Holmstom is using but in different wrapping. Rick's is a Bronson Singing Steel and this one is in Hullings Symphonie packing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/straightblues/db29_12.jpgSweet looking amp Straightblues!

[MVrider]

Some one asked about Eddie Taylor. Amazing stuff and for some reason hard to get on CD. The Charly label put out a LP called "Big Town Playboy" of Taylor's Vee-Jay sides in the 80's. They also issued it on CD sometime later, but I've only ever seen this CD once. P-Vine has a great Eddie Taylor CD of all the Vee-Jay stuff, but it's like $25-30 and I think out of print and hard to find also. Good luck.

Lots of superb stuff out there with him backing other Chicago musicians but you have to look. ET has got to be one of the most influential Chicago guitarists but few even realize where it comes from. His stuff filters through generations of derivative players. If there were an award for the most-copied but least-credited of the Chicago guitarists, he's got it hands down.

[rhartt1234]

I think I've found someone who beats those Indo-Rock dudes
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g65/billhaley5/Clipboard01-43.jpg

[Scott Miller]

In the "How ignorant can I be" category, I was talking to local dude Chris Brown recently, he is one of those best-guitarists-you've-never-heard-of guys, and an ace at 50's tone, and he hipped me to a simple technique: bridge pickup with the tone turned way down. Woah, my Broadway just screams with that.

Well, I doubt there could be anyone else as clueless as me about such things, but just in case, there you go.

[jetlag]

Eric - It's kind of hard to find, but Flyright put out a entire LP of Guitar Gable sides in the 80's called "Cool, Calm, Collected". I have it and IMHO it has one of the coolest album covers ever. Gable in a flecked gab suit, high hair and a 50's white guard tele. If you can't find it maybe I can make you a copy. Flyright actually issued a insane 50+ LP Excello collection. I think they issued the entire labels output + rare stuff that never came out. Charlie Lang has them all and sold me a bunch of his doubles.

Sounds (and looks) like a real cool album Frank. Would love to hear the tracks on it that aren't on those compilations. But the tunes I REALLY want to hear from him are Gumbo Mambo and Guitar Rhumbo. Do you have those?

[dukeh62]

Sounds (and looks) like a real cool album Frank. Would love to hear the tracks on it that aren't on those compilations. But the tunes I REALLY want to hear from him are Gumbo Mambo and Guitar Rhumbo. Do you have those?

Yeah Frank, would be great to hear this stuff!

[jetlag]

Scott, I know what you mean. I have done that for a while with P90s and stratotones and the like, but never really rolled the back pup way down on my tele. I did that last weekend and was amazed. A lot of the tones were better than the front pup rolled off a little - perfect for harp backing "busy" guitar parts. Made me realize how fender esquire guys can stay happy all night. The other cool thing is rolling the back pickup off pretty much all the way but blend the front pup in (almost as loud as the back) with it's tone all the way up. On some guitars it nails Robert Junior. I have to thank Charlie Baty for that one (via www.guitar.com (http://www.guitar.com) )Btw, what ever happened to that online lesson site? There were some great lessons on there.

[Scott Miller]

"I think I've found someone who beats those Indo-Rock dudes"

Yeah! Hoyhoy.com! I've spent a lot of time on that site. If they still offer the two CDs, they are great, but as they say, relentlessly rocking. One of them has a Cecil Gant tune with Grady Martin on totally wacked guitar.

[THINSOCKS]

Sounds (and looks) like a real cool album Frank. Would love to hear the tracks on it that aren't on those compilations. But the tunes I REALLY want to hear from him are Gumbo Mambo and Guitar Rhumbo. Do you have those?

I actually have a beat 45 of Guitar Rhumbo, but I can't remember if I have Gumbo Mambo though. I'm still many years away from owning everything. ;)

Here's the track listing for the LP

- Cool Calm Collected
- This Should Go On Forever
- Goodbye Baby
- Life Problem
- Congo Mombo
- Have Mercy On Me
- String Bean
- Walking In The Park
- Please Operator
- Mary Lou
- No Matter Who
- Walkin With The Kings
- Irene
- Long Way From Home

[TwoFeets]

Scott, I know what you mean. I have done that for a while with P90s and stratotones and the like, but never really rolled the back pup way down on my tele. I did that last weekend and was amazed. A lot of the tones were better than the front pup rolled off a little - perfect for harp backing "busy" guitar parts. Made me realize how fender esquire guys can stay happy all night. The other cool thing is rolling the back pickup off pretty much all the way but blend the front pup in (almost as loud as the back) with it's tone all the way up. On some guitars it nails Robert Junior. I have to thank Charlie Baty for that one (via www.guitar.com (http://www.guitar.com) )Btw, what ever happened to that online lesson site? There were some great lessons on there.

Man, Teles are such amazingly versatile guitars once you figure out what to do with them.

In my younger days when I was a classic rocker and wanted to be Jimmy Page, it was a Les Paul and a Marshall and whatever other distortion box, delay, etc. I could stick in there to make things even more raunchy.

A couple of years ago I got together with some guys I used to do a classic rock/alt rock thing with and for grins we did a reunion gig at a bar. I did the whole gig with a borrowed Hot Rod DeVille, a Tubescreamer, and a Tele on the back pickup with the tone rolled back for almost the entire night. And I had WAY better tone than I ever had with 3 times as much gear that cost a lot more! LOL

[Stringmaster]

Can anybody give me their impressions of Dave Stephen's P90's, vs Lollars or Fralins? I'd love to hear opinions/feedback as replacements for my stock Gibson's. PM me if you'd like.
Thanks, DD

[jumpnblues]

jetlag,

Yeah, I discovered a tonal sweet spot on my Tele using the bridge pu and rolling back the tone control about 1/3 to 1/2. My bridge pu is an A&F Blackguard (made by both Alan Hamel and Fred Stuart) which has a very harmonically sweet, smooth, top end. But I've talked with other guys that get the same sweet spot with other Tele/pu combinations. I never used to use the bridge pu on a Tele until I discovered the sweet spot about 5 years ago. Now I use the bridge pu 80% of the time, and the middle and neck positions equally the other 20%. :cool::cool:

Tom

[Dave Orban]

Yeah, learning how to work them knobs opens up a whole other world for folks who've never used 'em.

When I was a pup, it was all SG Les Paul or 335 into a Super or a Twin, all wide open...

Who knew...?!? LOL!

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Jetlag, I have "the Excello story vol.2 1955-1957" that has Congo Mamba but don't see any compilation cd's that have the other tune on them. PM me if I can be of more help. Most of the Excello stuff is so cool with the trem and reverb turned up a la "My Home is a Prison" and of course Slim Harpo. As an aside, I didn't get that GA6 a while back but just got a GA-20T that has been modded some but sounds great. fred

[buickwilson]

Just picked up a great sounding 57 Pro. The tweed is pretty beat. All corners are worn, and most of the front and back edges (the rounded part) are mostly worn to the wood. The sides have about 60% of the tweed, the top about 80%..

I figure is still worth more to leave it as is, then to retweed... but was wondering what the market is like... any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

[musicofanatic5]

Personally, I'd leave it. I used to play with a guy who had a fifties bassman that basically had "fringe" (about 45% covering gone). That, plus the story about Freddie King supposedly once puking on it, made it one of the coolest fender tweeds I've been around!

[afenderman67]

i need some help with a stratotone, i found one in a second hand store, thier asking $159.00 for it?
its got a really rough craftmanship on the wood and a rough black finish on it like it was brushed on! it has only one pickup. but it doesnt say any think on the headstock? do you guy's have any pics you could post of some h44?


thanks! chris

its a stratotone, i looked at website and it looks just like the black one, its pretty rough, is it worth $159.00?


chris

[Scott Miller]

Depends on what type of Stratotone, the H-45 hollow body, which is worth about $159.00, or the H-44 solid body, which is worth about $1590.00. Or $2500.00, depending on how lucky you are on ebay.

If it's the H-44, it depends on the pickup. If it has the non-embossed Hershey bar pickup with two rivets, you're in the big money range. With the embossed pickup, or the toaster pickup, I don't know... I think I saw one go for $700 recently.

The Hershey bar pickups have sold for over $200 each, although one recently didn't sell for a BIN of $150.

[HappyValley]

Geesh...things got wacky round here this week.......
Duke!! You should've mentioned the Guitar Gable tune to me @ the wedding..I had the "Excello Best of..." CD in my car, you could've grabbed it-n-burned it. I think I played Congo Mambo that day..you may have already left, but a conga line actually formed during it if I recall!! Yowza!
I hate to pipe in late referring to the "We hate Buddy Guy" movement, but I will.... ESPECIALLY regarding the Vanguard material....
I am a huge Buddy Guy - guy ( yes, his old stuff)..Besides B.B. at that time, I can't think of anybody that had Buddy's touch or feel on a slow blues on record. As wild as he could be on some material, he would bring it down to a whisper on some of those tunes, still playing a style that was unique & his own.
Anyone here that likes Ronnie Earl, Charlie Baty or Duke's blues playing can hear the Buddy influence ad infenitum in their stuff.
So there. ;)

[zappafrank]

I hate to pipe in late referring to the "We hate Buddy Guy" movement, but I will.... ESPECIALLY regarding the Vanguard material....
I am a huge Buddy Guy - guy ( yes, his old stuff)..Besides B.B. at that time, I can't think of anybody that had Buddy's touch or feel on a slow blues on record. As wild as he could be on some material, he would bring it down to a whisper on some of those tunes, still playing a style that was unique & his own.
Anyone here that likes Ronnie Earl, Charlie Baty or Duke's blues playing can hear the Buddy influence ad infenitum in their stuff.
So there. ;)

bada-bingo!!!!

ac

[jetlag]

Just picked up a great sounding 57 Pro. The tweed is pretty beat. All corners are worn, and most of the front and back edges (the rounded part) are mostly worn to the wood. The sides have about 60% of the tweed, the top about 80%..

I figure is still worth more to leave it as is, then to retweed... but was wondering what the market is like... any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

I also would leave the cabinet as-is. Lots of people (myself included) really dig beat up tweeds and I'm sure it's value is greater with a beat tweed covering vs recovered. You could use the recover money for a new cabinet from mojo. About the only exception to that I've seen is when tweed amps got painted black during the "tolex wars." Generally, those amps, once stripped of black paint, are so fugly that nobody buys them. In that case you'd probably be better off getting a GOOD recover (Greg Hopkins, Sam Hutton's son, maybe Clark Amps). Somebody that knows how to bleach the green out of modern day tweed, how to tint it right, uses hide glue, puts it on right, etc.

[jetlag]

Jetlag, I have "the Excello story vol.2 1955-1957" that has Congo Mamba but don't see any compilation cd's that have the other tune on them. PM me if I can be of more help. Most of the Excello stuff is so cool with the trem and reverb turned up a la "My Home is a Prison" and of course Slim Harpo. As an aside, I didn't get that GA6 a while back but just got a GA-20T that has been modded some but sounds great. fred

Goldenstrat - yeah, I have that too. I don't see any other CDs out there either. I think it has to be a record - you have to be a 78 collector or know one. I was hoping that our resident ace recordologist Frank had snagged copies of those tunes. Glad you got yourself a little gibson amp. They are great.

[Strat-O]

Man that's spooky. Just yesterday I was listening to the Slim Harpo Excello Best of.. two disc set. Its killer. I hate it though because I always want my band to start playing all the tunes. I'd love to have more of that stuff.

The Buddy Guy thing. His music up through the 60's has been a huge influence on my guitar playing and my life. My band rarely leaves the stage without playing at least two or three of his, or the Buddy/Jr Wells tunes. The collection of Chess singles that was issued as an album, "I Was Walking Through the Woods" is some of the most powerful blues ever released. Its really overwhelming. That album has been a good friend for me during some difficult times. Like most black blues guitar players, Buddy abandoned the 'old' approach to his music in favor of trying to keep up with the times. I didn't like it when Freddie King did it, and I wish Buddy didn't do it. But its his music and not mine.

The thing that took us to the dark side is that presumably anybody who has a clue about blues understands Buddy Guy's position as a guitar player and vocalist based on what he did as a Chess studio guitar player, and his extremely influential material from Chess on through the 60's. Including his work with Junior Wells. To say his career is built off of anything other than otherwordly talent is ludicrous. Times 100.

However, it is fair to say that his style and approach to blues changed and he's put a premium on a fun show, working the crowd and trying to be 'contemporary' or 'mainstream'. Regardless of whether you like Buddy Guy or not, his legacy is established and it isn't based on being flashy. If you can't hear it, then just read up on any of our guitar hero's today and you can be sure they'll mention his name with respect, reverence, and admiration.

We play almost everything off "Hoodoo Man Blues" and "It's My Life Baby", as well as a bunch of stuff from Chess like "Watch Yourself", "I Found a True Love", and "She Suits me To a Tee". The real problem with playing tunes that Buddy sang, is having a singer who can even come close to singing them right!

:)

[pete kanaras]

"It's My Life Baby

first record i ever bought and still in my personal all-time top five. as far as the heated debate goes well, opinions are like earholes! everyone's got 'em. man it's a big world of music out there, to each their own....

+ 10 billion on the eddie taylor comments

[Strat-O]

I like the tweed amps that look like a cat has used them for a scratching post.

[afenderman67]

Depends on what type of Stratotone, the H-45 hollow body, which is worth about $159.00, or the H-44 solid body, which is worth about $1590.00. Or $2500.00, depending on how lucky you are on ebay.

If it's the H-44, it depends on the pickup. If it has the non-embossed Hershey bar pickup with two rivets, you're in the big money range. With the embossed pickup, or the toaster pickup, I don't know... I think I saw one go for $700 recently.

The Hershey bar pickups have sold for over $200 each, although one recently didn't sell for a BIN of $150.

yes its the solid body one and it has the 2 rivet pickup, but it doesnt say anything on the head stock. the wood workmanship is real bad on this guitar, is this normal for these guitars?

chris

[TwoFeets]

I like the tweed amps that look like a cat has used them for a scratching post.

There's a local guy named Josh Miller who plays a real 5E5-A tweed Pro that, and I'm not making this up, looks like it spent a great deal of time on the bottom of the Gulf. I have never seen a control panel as rusted as this one is; it's ALL rust. Not only are there no numbers, there is no chrome at all. LOL And it has that scratching post-water-stained look to the tweed also. It is the fartiest sounding tweed Pro I've ever heard, too.

[TwoFeets]

Jeebus H, alright already! LOL I'm pretty sure I haven't heard I Was Walking Through the Woods so maybe I'll have to pick that up some time soon and give it a listen.

All I see is a remastered import version on Amazon and the CD is $25 though. However it does feature 2 songs not on the original recording, that appear to be collaborations with some guy named Bo Nustracks. Anyone else here familiar with Bo Nustracks's work? I think he's right up there with Variou Sartists and Manny Moore.

[valcotone]

'Feets.... here it is for $8:

http://www.amazon.com/I-Was-Walking-Through-Woods/dp/B000002OB5


First Time I Met The Blues is my favourite solo Buddy track... just primal.

[nmontz]

You know "First Time I met the Blues" sounds like Otis Rush playing guitar with Buddy Singing. Dunno....it just doesn't seem to fit with the other stuff to me.

[THINSOCKS]

Goldenstrat - yeah, I have that too. I don't see any other CDs out there either. I think it has to be a record - you have to be a 78 collector or know one. I was hoping that our resident ace recordologist Frank had snagged copies of those tunes. Glad you got yourself a little gibson amp. They are great.

Well, Karl... I didn't want to let you down, so as of this morning I now own both Excello 45's of Congo Mambo & Guitar Rhumbo. I'll drop them to CD and send you a copy with my Bandmaster amp when I send it off to Jeff. Thanks for helping me spend my money. Ha-Ha.

[jetlag]

Well, Karl... I didn't want to let you down, so as of this morning I now own both Excello 45's of Congo Mambo & Guitar Rhumbo. I'll drop them to CD and send you a copy with my Bandmaster amp when I send it off to Jeff. Thanks for helping me spend my money. Ha-Ha.

Frank, you're alright. I don't care what everybody says. Er, uh, I mean, wow! Thanks man!. I guess that means you also have the flip side to Gumbo Mambo - "What's a matter with my baby?" Man, that's so nice I might have to leave the yellow astrons (that are good) in your amp! :D

[THINSOCKS]

Frank, you're alright. I don't care what everybody says. :D

Hey, as long as my mom still loves me. Ha-Ha.

[KBR]

A Man and the Blues is a hell of a record, by Buddy Guy, too.

[rhartt1234]

I'm old school. I've got "Congo Mambo" and I Was Walking Through The Woods not on CD or LP, but on cassette baby! I've got several hundred of em. I didn't get a CD player until I was in college. There is no compact and convenient way to store those F-ers!

[TwoFeets]

I'm old school. I've got "Congo Mambo" and I Was Walking Through The Woods not on CD or LP, but on cassette baby! I've got several hundred of em. I didn't get a CD player until I was in college. There is no compact and convenient way to store those F-ers!

That's hilarious, last weekend I just hooked up a cassette deck for the first time in about 6 years, and dusted off the old cassette collection. Most of my cassettes are from before I got serious about blues, although I do have some cool stuff like the American Folk Blues Festival shows on cassette.

[Scott Miller]

I'm transferring my cassettes to CD, with the use of an audio CD recorder. The end result is a tape on a CD, that is, one big honkin' track. Two tracks, actually, sides 1 and 2. There is software that can make it into individual tracks, but I don't want to bother.

About Buddy Guy, you guys will hate this, and I'm not sure I understand it myself, but what I don't care for is that he's just so dang SERIOUS all the time. I guess I'm more of a rubber chicken kind of player, so... there you go.

[rhartt1234]

Man, my cassette collection is as hip as Frank's LPs. You name I got it, but cassettes don't quite have the romance that surrounds vinyl. Throw a CD or an LP across a parking lot and then try and play it. I've got all my Muddy Waters on cassette. I've bought quite a bit on CD over the years but I've got so many cassettes that it's too expensive to replace with CDs and too time consuming to put them all on CD via my computer. I've put some rare,good and out of print stuff onto CD but I've barely scratched the surface.

I envision myself scouring garage sales 50 years from now freaking out like people freak out over vintage hi fi stuff do today: "Wow a 1991 Sony TC-WR570 dual cassette deck!" (my real deck by the way)

[TwoFeets]

I envision myself scouring garage sales 50 years from now freaking out like people freak out over vintage hi fi stuff do today: "Wow a 1991 Sony TC-WR570 dual cassette deck!" (my real deck by the way)

LOL mine is also a dual, but it's a JVC.

It does have high speed dubbing, however. Oooooh!

The one thing I already have rediscovered that's annoying about cassettes is, unlike CD's and LP's, the inability to choose exactly what track you want to listen to, and the dang rewind and fast forward bit. I'd forgotten about that mind-numbing frustration. Some of the decks did have that bit that sensed the space between tracks and you could fwd or reverse one at a time, but for the most part, you were screwed. Especially if you were trying to work out some tricky guitar bit and had to keep going back to listen over and over again.

[GOLDENSTRAT]

DOS FEETS, you just find the tune and then reset the counter to zero to rewind back to it. All my cassette players died so I am casually hunting for a new (used) one. I was digging on vinyl yesterday after listening to my computer for awhile - vinyl, tube amp and big speakers sound way better. Also playing my lapsteel with that GA-20T sounds raging fat. fred

[TwoFeets]

DOS FEETS, you just find the tune and then reset the counter to zero to rewind back to it. All my cassette players died so I am casually hunting for a new (used) one. I was digging on vinyl yesterday after listening to my computer for awhile - vinyl, tube amp and big speakers sound way better. Also playing my lapsteel with that GA-20T sounds raging fat. fred

Oh yeah I know that bit, but still, kind of a PITA...

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Oh, I know you know, just being a smarta**. Seriously, this Gibson amp is the best sounding amp I have ever had. Has anyone compared one to a tweed tremolux (my coveted best ever amp i never heard)? Has anyone heard of Sugar Ray's Flying Fortress? Swing stuff with "Bim Bam Baby" and "Frim Fram Sauce" . I was perusing half.com for Ace stuff and noticed it.
I recommend Dallas' Johnny Reno's " Singing and Swinging" as a great cd - I bought it (unheard) for "Harlem Nocturne" but the rest of it is fantastic too. Bobby Darin stuff to lounge jazz but some serious swinging stuff. fred

[jetlag]

. Seriously, this Gibson amp is the best sounding amp I have ever had. Has anyone compared one to a tweed tremolux (my coveted best ever amp i never heard)?
I recommend Dallas' Johnny Reno's " Singing and Swinging" as a great cd - I bought it (unheard) for "Harlem Nocturne" but the rest of it is fantastic too. Bobby Darin stuff to lounge jazz but some serious swinging stuff. fred

A GA30 or GA40 is more comparable to a tremolux. All had a bigger cabinet, usually a little bigger speaker and a tad more iron. The GA30/40s have a similar tone to a GA20, but louder, fuller projection with more low end. More giggable. I used to go see Johnny Reno when in college - he was on the midwest college circuit. My favorite configuration was when he was "Johnny Reno and the Sax Maniac's". He had one or two other saxes with him at that time and had a big sound. I forgot all about that guy ....... Kind of a tenor playing Brian Setzer.

[afenderman67]

hey guy's, i just pick up a all original 1966 fender reverb tank, its mint. i gave all of a $150.00 for it!

it sounds awsome compare to my ri tank, so off goes the ri tank!


chris bolen

[dukeh62]

hey guy's, i just pick up a all original 1966 fender reverb tank, its mint. i gave all of a $150.00 for it!

it sounds awsome compare to my ri tank, so off goes the ri tank!


chris bolen

Chris...you really only paid $150 for it??? CONGRATS ON AN ULTIMATE SCORE!

I picked up an original '66 as well last year...although NOT for only $150. It's absolutely amazing how much better it is than a reissue...just breaths so much more.

[TwoFeets]

hey guy's, i just pick up a all original 1966 fender reverb tank, its mint. i gave all of a $150.00 for it!

it sounds awsome compare to my ri tank, so off goes the ri tank!


chris bolen

First a H44 Stratotone for $150 and now a real '64 tank for $150? I gotta start hanging with you more!

Post pics as soon as you can!

[rjkohrs]

Don't forget Johnny Reno's stuff with the Juke Jumpers. The recorded output is a little tamer than some of the shows I saw at Fitzgerald's or Rockefeller's....

[monstermike]

You know "First Time I met the Blues" sounds like Otis Rush playing guitar with Buddy Singing. Dunno....it just doesn't seem to fit with the other stuff to me.

That's Buddy in his Ike Turner-influenced whammy bar period. You can hear it on "Broken Hearted Blues" and some of the stuff on "The Complete Chess Recordings" - maybe "I Got My Eyes On You?" It definitely gives him a wide vibrato, and Otis had a much wider, more pronounced finger vibrato than Buddy.

[afenderman67]

First a H44 Stratotone for $150 and now a real '64 tank for $150? I gotta start hanging with you more!

Post pics as soon as you can!

i did'nt buy the stratotone, its really a piece of crapp! i'll post some pics of all my gear soon!

chris

[aja]

I have some other news to lay on you guys. I just bought round trip plane tickets to play with Preston Hubbard for a week in St.louis. I fly out monday and it could turn into a full time thing and I'd be moving to St.louis. Pretty cool huh ? Its gonna be crazy playing t-bird songs with an
actual t-bird.

[KBR]

Yo Chris, Maybe one of Us want to buy it, call me,
KBR

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Go Alec!!!

[jetlag]

Alec - congrads man! Let me know how things go. We'll only be about 4 hours apart. Maybe you guys will make it this way (KC) some??? Who knows. But congrads!

[Stringmaster]

Congrats Alec--looking forward to meeting/hearing you tonight at HOB.
Dana

[aja]

thanks

[TwoFeets]

Lemme fix that Link for you Strat-o.

The link box is really weird lately.

http://www.georgiajooks.com/m2-aa.mp3

[dddelta]

Great Strat-o....any sign of the "package?!"

Ok, so I was talking online with PoppaStoppa and we were sharing some tunes on the MSN messenger thing. I sent him some songs which only takes a few minutes to load. I got to thinking, why don't we do this kinda thing on the forum?
Anyone interested?

PM me if you are and we can talk more about it.

[afenderman67]

here's the reverb tank!

[afenderman67]

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/HP_Administrator/My%20Documents/My%20Pictures/my%20gear!/my%20gear!%20035.jpg

[afenderman67]

how do you post pictures off of your pc to here? chris

[afenderman67]

here's a list of my gear!

1966 BFSR with the original cts alnico speakers.
a victoria bassman.
a silvertone twin twelve 1484 all original.
1966 fender reverb tank.
fender blues jr amp.
a harmony 1311 hollowbody guitar.
3 fender 1962 ri strats.
a dearmond x155.
a epiphone emperer jazz guitar.
a 1983 gibson les paul cuctom.
and a old early 1960's epiphone amp which i forgot the model.
and i just sold a 1949 fender tv front pro amp.

now if i can just figure out how to post some pictures on here of my gear?

[Dave Orban]

how do you post pictures off of your pc to here? chris
You need to be able to upload them to a hosting site (i.e.Photobucket.com or Flickr.com.), and then link to them from there...

[afenderman67]

here we go!






http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear035.jpg

[afenderman67]

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear042.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear036.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear031.jpg

http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear007.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear046.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear052.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear012.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear041.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear055.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear044.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear039.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_mygear032.jpg

[afenderman67]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/mygear044.jpg?t=1181370892

[afenderman67]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/mygear031.jpg?t=1181371032

[Poppa Stoppa]

Chris - some nice stuff there!

[frank62]

Florida guys. Damon Folwer is playing my local blues club Monday. Is he good?

[TwoFeets]

Florida guys. Damon Folwer is playing my local blues club Monday. Is he good?

Damon Fowler? Check out the video clips at his website. He's well respected in the Tampa community. Does the slide thing/Allmans really well. Dig him playing a Stratotone H44 on the Tampa WFLA clip.

[afenderman67]

Chris...you really only paid $150 for it??? CONGRATS ON AN ULTIMATE SCORE!

I picked up an original '66 as well last year...although NOT for only $150. It's absolutely amazing how much better it is than a reissue...just breaths so much more.


yes i only paid $150 for it. this older guy walks in to our transmission and see our wall of fame in the office (pictures on the wall) and ask if we would be interested in buying some old amps,which were some wierd fender bass amps. and after talking awhile with him about music (this guy played with waylon jennings right after buddy holly's death in the late 50's or early 60's) so i told him i have my own blues band and he said had something i might be interested, it was a fender reverb tank he bought about 30 -35 years ago. he said he had to ask his wife if he could sell it and that he would get back to me!in the mean while were fixing the trasmission in his truck over 3-4 day period.when he picks up his truck he said he would bring it to me soon? so 2 weeks go buy and he brings it in and were talking about the tank (i'm prepared to give him $400 -$500 for it in my head) and he said he really wanted me to have it and is $150 fair price for it? i replied thats a damm fair price and paid the man!

[frank62]

Damon Fowler? Check out the video clips at his website. He's well respected in the Tampa community. Does the slide thing/Allmans really well. Dig him playing a Stratotone H44 on the Tampa WFLA clip.
Thank you sir, i will go check him out.

[aja]

I had to laugh today because I found a Silas Hogan cd at a swap meet lol.
We were just talking about him. Also got some Johnny young with Big and little walter and nighthawk.

Dana you sounded great last night and thanks a ton for coming out !!

[aja]

Billy watson was in attendance last night too and sat in for a few. Talk about great harp tone. Check him out if you haven't , Junior watson
plays with him when he is around.

[Stringmaster]

Great to meet you Alec, and likewise, enjoyed your playing--maybe sometime we can get up together. Thanks again for the invite.
Dana

[soldersucker]

Saw this in the classifieds today anybody have have one ?It's a bit of a hike from my door. one?http://london.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-musical-instruments-1958-Supro-3-4-size-Electric-W0QQAdIdZ15378859

[zappafrank]

had a friend over to take pics of gear I plan on selling (and some I'm NOT selling---)

---I got more to upload later, but here's a few:

In Order---

1980 ES-175
1940-41 ES-100
1953 (54?) Epiphone Zephyr Regent
1965 ES-330
1998 Gibson 56' Historic RI Les Paul
Mid-60's Harmony 415 amp (2x12"--low wattage)
2006 Parts-o-caster Tele w/ Guitarmill Body, Allparts FAT neck, Glendale double-notched bridge and saddles, Callaham knobs and the heart and soul---Don Mare custom wound pickups---oh sweet mama! 1st tele I've had that's a keeper.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics038.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics024.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics014.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics008.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics006.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics003.jpg
http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h271/64strat/guitarpics001.jpg

(sorry for dark photos--I'll have to brighten em' up in photoshop or somehow...)

More to come---too bad the ES-335 is still in the shop---

ac

[zappafrank]

afenderman---some GREAT gear in your pics---love that Harmony w/ the Dearmaond 'stick'---

ac

[afenderman67]

afenderman---some GREAT gear in your pics---love that Harmony w/ the Dearmaond 'stick'---

ac

thanks AC, but it looks like your doing alittle better than me on guitars!


chris

[zappafrank]

thanks AC, but it looks like your doing alittle better than me on guitars!


chris

maybe so, but only because I'm an idiot guitar fan with no wife, no kids, no EX wives, and I still live in an apartment (where the rent has stayed the same for over 15 years, so far!), and I've always kept a day(night) job... time to sell some of 'em and seriously consider a HOUSE of my own...too bad I live in Portland, where the recent 'sluggish' housing market has NOT had an effect---I may have to move out into the Bushes (pun intended) in order to find anything I can afford---maybe an outhouse....:messedup:jo---if I was in Iowa or Montana, it'd be a different story---

ac

PS---I'm moving to days after 5 years of graveyards---so no more posting at 4am soon!----Think I'll rejoin society---

[Schwalbe]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVKldcnqYcE
Some Twin Cities cats here, Joe T. Cook, harp, Dwight Dario, drums, John Schroeder, bass, and the brilliant Jeremy Johnson, guitar.

[dddelta]

Great stuff here from Anders Lewén from Knockout Greg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dJwtzcb-dY

[jumpnblues]

Yeah, IMHO Anders is among the very elite of blues players. One of the best in the business. He can also play swing jazz with the best of 'em. I've heard some other Europeans that are in the same category. I think he posts here too. Great player. :AOK:cool:

Tom

[afenderman67]

here some pics of the stratotone i bought!http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone012-1.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone011.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone003.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone008.jpg

[afenderman67]

tell me what you think? whats this worth? chris

[Stringmaster]

I love Anders playing--very inspiring. Dig the Paladins jacket! Hey, are all of those H-64 types wired out of phase, or is it a mod that's done?

[Strat-O]

I don't know. Mine wasn't wired OOP.

So, what's everybody's favorite guitar to gig with these days? Or maybe your top two?

[valcotone]

So, what's everybody's favorite guitar to gig with these days? Or maybe your top two?


Of the ones I've taken out recently, definitely the "H44-duo" Stratotone (with added bridge pickup), and this one... the Edwards P90 Gold Top w/ Lollar pickups:

http://www.kilback.net/pics/rbb_tanias_01jul07-edwards.jpg

[KBR]

Glad you like the Lollars I sold ya, Skilback,
and Chris, I'll take that $72. Harmony from ya.

KBR In Portland

[afenderman67]

how much would you give for it?

[Poppa Stoppa]

Whoo that clip of Anders is cool. There's another one of Greg hisself doing a long harp instrumental that is equally good.

Chris looks like you might get maybe ten times your original investment on that old guitar, if that's the one you found cheap...I wouldn't pay that myself but the market is kind of crazy...

[musicofanatic5]

tell me what you think? whats this worth? chris
Your photos don't reveal much, so hard to say. It would probably be a refin; H-88s were black, but I don't think any 44s were. The p.g., p.u., and knobs look right. Is it real?

[zappafrank]

I don't know. Mine wasn't wired OOP.

So, what's everybody's favorite guitar to gig with these days? Or maybe your top two?

Good question, Strat-O---IF I had any 'real' gig...
(no---I am NOT scheduled to play at the famous-largest-west-of-the-Missisipi Waterfront 'Blooz' Festival---I have'nt played it in at least 7 years---pathetic, but typical---
However, I'm pretty dang sure KBR, Paris Slim, will be there, and I know Jimi Bott has 5 or 6 spots, so at least some local real-deal cats WILL be representin', so that's good---but perhaps you guys wanna hear Savoy Brown, Eric Burden and the Animals, Joan Armitrading, Brian Auger (???!!!)--I mean really---WTF!!!????---I wish they'd call it what it REALLY is---a Rock/BluesRock/Gospel/Funk/Modern New Orleans Music Fest---it AIN'T no BLUES festival anymore, nor has it been for years, except by occasional seeming accidents and defaults---really a sad state of affairs, but SOMEBODY has to make some money---):FM

Rant over---I feel better---:D:horse


Now, Strat-O---to your original question :o----

My choices change as much as my mind, but I'd have to say, the 66' ES-335 (can't WAIT for it to FINALLY have that neck break fixed and back in daddy's arms--) and the 64' strat---but I'd HAVE to add in the 65' ES-330 to that rotation---I cannot live without p90 tone, period---and that guitar is the blusiest tone of all, oftentimes (and IMHO)---

Others?

ac

[groove_king]

I love Anders playing--very inspiring. Dig the Paladins jacket! Hey, are all of those H-64 types wired out of phase, or is it a mod that's done?

Well, I just recently pulled the wiring harness out of my H62 to replace the worn, scratchy pots and the switch was definitely wired OOP stock. I was gonna replace the switch as well, but when I saw it, I left it as is.

[groove_king]

I don't know. Mine wasn't wired OOP.

So, what's everybody's favorite guitar to gig with these days? Or maybe your top two?

Hmmm ... for the old school trad blues stuff, it's definitely the Edwards Gold Top with the Lollar vintage wind P90s (and no, this isn't skilback posting twice! :) ) and my revitalised Harmony H62. For the more 'modern' stuff I've been taking out my '87 ES-335 Dot and my MIJ '54 RI Strat.

[Birdseye]

So, what's everybody's favorite guitar to gig with these days? Or maybe your top two?

Lately, I've been using my black '56 Fender CS Strat. Just put a set of Mare Watson pickups in it, but it's been my go-to for a while even straight stock. Fender CS is doing some nice stuff.

But last Saturday night was Les Paul's 92nd birthday, so in his honor I grabbed my '95 R4. So glad I did. Also just changed p'ups in that one, dropped in some Lollar 50s winds. It sounded great. Might be taking over the #1 spot.

Amp has been a '65 Deluxe Reverb lately, for the small rooms we've been doing...'60 Bandmaster a close second. Really hard to be a good old Deluxe Reverb though, IMO. I use the normal channel most, plug into the second channel only for tunes that need the tremelo.

-ML

[TwoFeets]

My Tokai goldtop (Gibson R4 neck pickup, True Tone tech bridge pickup 15% overwound) has been my go-to guitar for quite a while now. Even now that I have the '51 ES350, I find myself going back to the goldtop. The Gibson is nice but I just don't find it as versatile as the GT and it's a pain in the arse switching back and forth during the set.

Another interesting thing, the archtop is quite a bit brighter tone-wise than the GT. I figured it would be the other way around.

[zappafrank]

Lately, I've been using my black '56 Fender CS Strat. Just put a set of Mare Watson pickups in it, but it's been my go-to for a while even straight stock. Fender CS is doing some nice stuff.....

-ML


Birdseye---please, if you have time and inclination, PM or email me with a full-on review/impression/comparison regarding those Mare/Watson pickups---I've pulled out the J.M. Rolphs (56' Vintage Pretenders) and am ready to sell em' and get a set of the Mares---any info would be great!:crazy

TIA

ac

[zappafrank]

My Tokai goldtop (Gibson R4 neck pickup, True Tone tech bridge pickup 15% overwound) has been my go-to guitar for quite a while now. Even now that I have the '51 ES350, I find myself going back to the goldtop. The Gibson is nice but I just don't find it as versatile as the GT and it's a pain in the arse switching back and forth during the set.

Another interesting thing, the archtop is quite a bit brighter tone-wise than the GT. I figured it would be the other way around.

wow, feets---that IS interesting!!! Are you, like me, perfectly happy with the Gibson P90's and not prone to wanna change em' for Lollars or whatever? I really dig the Gibsons---afraid to swap em' out---For me, anyway, it ain't broke, and I don't need to fix it! (on the goldtop LP, anywho....)

ac

[TwoFeets]

wow, feets---that IS interesting!!! Are you, like me, perfectly happy with the Gibson P90's and not prone to wanna change em' for Lollars or whatever? I really dig the Gibsons---afraid to swap em' out---For me, anyway, it ain't broke, and I don't need to fix it! (on the goldtop LP, anywho....)

ac

Well you know it's funny. When I got the Tokai, the stock pickups are way underwound for P90's. We're talking around 6K. Tonally they were OK but maybe a little too articulate, not aggressive enough. Closer to the old Guild Franz pickups than P90's.

I didn't have any other criteria for replacing the pickups other than my budget which was very small. I got the R4 pickup out of the gearpage classifieds, it was $40. At the time, Ben Trevillian at True Tone was still winding new pickups for $40 (I dont' know if he is anymore, from what I understand he got real flaky about filling orders). I gave him the reading on my neck pickup and had him go 15% over that. So I replaced both pickups for under $100.

I personally don't feel like I'm lacking anything from the Gibson pickup, no plans or desire to change it. The True Tone pickup is really cool too. Too bad I couldn't get more.

[TwoFeets]

By the way, how's this for a drag - drove 3 hours for a gig on Saturday night at the bar/restaurant attached to an old inn in Fernandina Beach, FL. Halfway through set #2 (of 3) the power goes out. A little while later, fire department comes by. The transformer outside is blown and it'll be at least 3 or 4 hours before it can be replaced. So, we were done.

And, we were the only building to lose power. LOL.

It wasn't a total loss though, Josh Miller's Blues Revue was playing next door, so I went and sat in with those guys. That joint was ROCKIN'. They had their own sizable crowd, plus they got everybody that spilled over from OUR place after the power went out.

[zappafrank]

Hope you still got paid, bro!!

ac

[monstermike]

So, what's everybody's favorite guitar to gig with these days? Or maybe your top two?

My favorite guitar always has been and always will be my blue Strat (the "Fortress of Solitude"), but I've also been enjoying a friend's VOS SG for gigs here and there. I've just been in the studio making the next CD - the blue Strat got the most play, but I did two or three tunes each on the SG and the studio's '66 ES-330. I even changed pickup settings on the Strat a few times - last time I made a record, I don't know how often I ventured north of the bridge pickup!

Amp-wise, I split my time between a Victoria Victoriette (20 watts, 6v6, 1x12 + 1x10) and a '65 Pro Reverb. The Vic is easier to use to its full potential in most rooms, but the Pro has a depth and 3-D thing that I've never heard matched. The Vic is fantastic and really widescreen for a 6v6 amp, but there's something about a more robust power section that I like. So these days, it's usually the Pro pretty clean (between 3 and 4 1/2 depending on venue). I'll probably go back to the Victoria in a while when I start missing the rattier more overdriven thing.

[TwoFeets]

My favorite guitar always has been and always will be my blue Strat (the "Fortress of Solitude"), but I've also been enjoying a friend's VOS SG for gigs here and there. I've just been in the studio making the next CD - the blue Strat got the most play, but I did two or three tunes each on the SG and the studio's '66 ES-330. I even changed pickup settings on the Strat a few times - last time I made a record, I don't know how often I ventured north of the bridge pickup!

Amp-wise, I split my time between a Victoria Victoriette (20 watts, 6v6, 1x12 + 1x10) and a '65 Pro Reverb. The Vic is easier to use to its full potential in most rooms, but the Pro has a depth and 3-D thing that I've never heard matched. The Vic is fantastic and really widescreen for a 6v6 amp, but there's something about a more robust power section that I like. So these days, it's usually the Pro pretty clean (between 3 and 4 1/2 depending on venue). I'll probably go back to the Victoria in a while when I start missing the rattier more overdriven thing.

Mike - it's been a couple of years since I saw you at the Sea Note. Are you still using a Weber MASS with the Pro?

Tell us a little more about your new CD, too!

[zappafrank]

Mike - .....

Tell us a little more about your new CD, too!


+1----enquiring minds gotta know---:D

ac

[Scott Miller]

I spent a lot of time on my Strat, mostly because I was working out some right-hand technique problems and the Strat is easiest to play. But now I'm back to the H-44 and the '65 Broadway.

That black H-44 pictured above... its worth can depend on the condition of the neck. They are, as Frank said, a-warping. If it's a good player, you can get some money for it. If not, you can still get some money for it, just call it "good for slide."

Prices on ebay were around $900 for several months, then up to about $1300, and then when Tom Waits appeared on TV with one of those, it jumped to about $2300 - $2500. Three or four of them sold for that in the space of a few weeks. The last one that I remember was "good for slide" and it sold for around $1500. There's one on ebay now.

[Strat-O]

I've ventured away from my solid body Fenders and gone crazy over the H62 and ES135. Digging that hollow body P90 tone!

My Tele with Don's 0038's is still a total winner though!

[THINSOCKS]

here some pics of the stratotone i bought!http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone012-1.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone011.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone003.jpghttp://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone008.jpg

I think I know this guitar... and if so the sides of the headstock have been reshaped (and maybe the binding was painted over too?). Anyway, they did make a unknown number of H-44's in black, but not that black. The black they used was the same sparkle black that is on the Alden H-88's that where sold in Canada. That's a refin. If this is the guitar I remember then that headstock issue is going to knock the price way down.

[jimfog]

Lately, in my blues band, I've been digging on a cherry Es-333 w/ Lollar Imperials........great, great axe with enough clarity to play those big fat swing rhythm chords, but still have enough bite for single note work. First humbucker axe I've owned that I dig the cleans on.........think B.B "Blues is King" vs. Cream Live.....

Otherwise, I swap between a fiesta red parts strat w/ all the good stuff, including low wind Fralins and Callaham bits......OR a new 52 Hot Rod tele w/ an antiquity minihum in the neck. Once I get my Gretsch 5120 w/ TV Jones back from being rewired, I hope to add it to the gigging stable, too. I tend to use these last three on my more rock, pop, country and backing singer/songwriter gigs. The 333 is the jump-er......

Amp-wise, after a long flirtation with tweeds and the ilk, I'm resigned that MY preference is BF-style Fender reverb amps. I have a Pro Reverb, Deluxe 'Verb and Princeton 'Verb that I use depending on the venue.........recently, the Princeton is getting all the play. With a PaulC mod and Celestion speaker, it gets all the headroom I want in most smaller rooms and lets me play without any kind of boost/od.......

Of course, this will all change tomorrow.

- Jim

PS....I NEVER break strings, but have broken them THREE times in the last couple months on the 333 while playing "Jump My Baby"!!!!! Only that particular guitar and that particular song.....it's always an interesting tune to nail without your B string...lol!

[Strat-O]

"Jump my Baby"...who's tune is that?

[jimfog]

"Jump my Baby"...who's tune is that?

Harman....off "Those Dangerous Gentlemens"......here's a great live version w/ Fats that I borrow copiously from......

http://www.jimfogarty.com/tunes/Jump%20My%20Baby.mp3

Enjoy!

- Jim

[Poppa Stoppa]

PS....I NEVER break strings, but have broken them THREE times in the last couple months on the 333 while playing "Jump My Baby"!!!!! Only that particular guitar and that particular song.....it's always an interesting tune to nail without your B string...lol!I bet it's the metal bridge saddle cutting through your string...

[Stringmaster]

My favorite guitar always has been and always will be my blue Strat (the "Fortress of Solitude"), but I've also been enjoying a friend's VOS SG for gigs here and there. I've just been in the studio making the next CD - the blue Strat got the most play, but I did two or three tunes each on the SG and the studio's '66 ES-330. I even changed pickup settings on the Strat a few times - last time I made a record, I don't know how often I ventured north of the bridge pickup!

Amp-wise, I split my time between a Victoria Victoriette (20 watts, 6v6, 1x12 + 1x10) and a '65 Pro Reverb. The Vic is easier to use to its full potential in most rooms, but the Pro has a depth and 3-D thing that I've never heard matched. The Vic is fantastic and really widescreen for a 6v6 amp, but there's something about a more robust power section that I like. So these days, it's usually the Pro pretty clean (between 3 and 4 1/2 depending on venue). I'll probably go back to the Victoria in a while when I start missing the rattier more overdriven thing.

I guess you are talking about this Strat Mike:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqFUe24j7HI

Can't say I've heard a fatter sounding bridge pickup--what's you're secret?

Also, I've been so focused on your fine playing that I didn't realize what an awesome set of pipes you've been blessed with--I only wish! Can't wait for the new CD!
DD

[zappafrank]

Hey guys---
Well, I'm getting off Graveyards after 5 years of 'em, so I decided it was time to come out of my shell, and I posted a "Musician Available" in our local blues society's paper, the Blues Notes (Cascade Blues Association)---Hopefully, they will print it in it's near entirety, but I wanted to get some reactions from you guys---my only internet pals (sniff sniff)

It's kinda long, so forgive me---and skip it if it bores ya--
---------------------------------------------------------------------

A.C. Porter

Blues Guitarist/Vocalist Available

Muddy Award winning (Best New Act) and nominated (Best Electric Guitar) guitarist now has more time to give to playing what he loves best---blues---after 5 years working night shift. My name is A.C. Porter, and I have played extensively over the years with such locally reknowned acts and artists Kinzel and Hyde, Bill Rhoades and the PartyKings, Jim Wallace (in The Haus Kats and Bad Samaritans, etc) as well as sitting in frequently with top acts such as Little Charlie and the Nightcats, and Junior Watson, when they come through the area.
I am also on 4 or 5 cuts of frequent W.C. Handy award nominated Master Blues Drummer Jimi Bott's (Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza) excellent and very positively reviewed and received live CD, "Bott and Paid For".

Now that all the silly self-indulgent hype is out of the way---I just want to play with good musicians actively gigging, who can really put the grease into it, with a deep love, respect, practice, and knowledge of blues music---preferably with an emphasis on Pre-British Invasion-era Electric Blues and Jump/Swing, but I am open to more modern styles.
As far as Rock music---not so much, unless your tastes run to Frank Zappa and Tom Waits. (Hey---a guy can dream, can't he?).
Also VERY into doing some soulful, creative originals, if the vibe is right, and we have no intention of trying to play the Holiday Inn lounge circuit.
People say I sing like Elmer Fudd, But I'm getting better---I think I sound more like Fran Drescher now.
I've heard enough Classic Rock/BluesRock to last me a lifetime, but if the money's good and the band even better, I'm open.
Oh yeah---I am willing to rehearse/practice weekly with the right outfit, but I am not looking to waste anyone's time, including my own. No amateurs, flakes, Prima Donnas, or Mt. Everest-sized egos, please---it will clash with mine.

Thank you all for your time--

AC Porter

[safecracker]

AC, I think you wrote a GREAT ad. It lays it all out there nicely.Good luck 'bro. Shawn

[rhartt1234]

He's Jimmie's son.
http://www.tvaughanmusic.com/
Not really my bag but it doesn't suck, I guess.

[Dave Orban]

He's Jimmie's son.
http://www.tvaughanmusic.com/
Not really my bag but it doesn't suck, I guess.Not bad at all!

[afenderman67]

Your photos don't reveal much, so hard to say. It would probably be a refin; H-88s were black, but I don't think any 44s were. The p.g., p.u., and knobs look right. Is it real?

yes its real, but somebody did a refin on it!

[afenderman67]

I think I know this guitar... and if so the sides of the headstock have been reshaped (and maybe the binding was painted over too?). Anyway, they did make a unknown number of H-44's in black, but not that black. The black they used was the same sparkle black that is on the Alden H-88's that where sold in Canada. That's a refin. If this is the guitar I remember then that headstock issue is going to knock the price way down.

no the headstock has not been reshaped! and the binding has not been painted over either! but it is a bad refin!
http://s202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/th_harmonystratotone005.jpg

[afenderman67]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/harmonystratotone008.jpg?t=1181657730

[TwoFeets]

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa101/afenderman67/harmonystratotone008.jpg?t=1181657730

It's hard to put an exact value on a refin but if all the parts are there (it looks like they are) I don't think it would be outrageous to say it's worth at least 5 times what you said it was originally tagged at (I'm not sure what you ended up paying for it)

[Strat-O]

Cool AC! Hope something great works out for you. If not, put your own combo together man! You seem pretty agile around the fretboard. Do an instrumental combo, west coast style. Maybe shoot for some jazz type gigs.

So, I was wondering...

Does the Hollywood Combo had any plans for another album anytime soon?

Will the grand patriarch of this motley crew, Fretshop, stop in and speak to us sometime soon?

Will the resident Bi-Ped be able to get his big daddy hollow body with a wood bridge to sound warmer than his Les Paul?

Will Tyrone Vaughan be able to do any better than Charlie Sexton and Doyle Bramhall Jr with that style of blues influenced rock n' roll?

Will some freakin' body offer Junior Watson a record deal before the end of 2007? Somebody?! Pacific Blues?

Is Rick Holmstrom going to be able to do a national tour behind his new album?

Will Don Mare offer a killer vintage P90 design in his line, that puts all others to shame before the end of 2007?

Will brother Cleanhead fill us in on some details with this new album of his anytime soon?

Having missed killer opps on two H62's for less than $1000; will Strat-O snag another H62 in 2007 for a good price?

Will any of the seemingly thousands of custom amp builders offer a well built 35 watt version of the Blues Jr circuit with built in tremelo in a 1x15 and 3x10/4x10 setup...and call it the "Jump King"?

Will anybody ever know how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie roll tootsie pop?

:confused:

[THINSOCKS]

So, I was wondering...

Does the Hollywood Combo had any plans for another album anytime soon?

There will be a new one in the early part of next year. Our tenor player is out on the road with Ricky Martin this summer, but once he is back we are going to start on a new record. It's going to be a mostly instrumental burlesque themed record. In the meantime, stop listening to the old one. Ha-Ha. I was pretty damn "green" on that one.

[Scott Miller]

That's a good ad, AC. I wonder, though... I mean, if I were to look for some bitchen new blues gig, I already know all the people I would want to play with. There aren't that many, and half of them are already busy with Musselwhite! Well, you know what I mean.

But it could work for something more eclectic, which is also good. You never know; the band I'm in keeps branching out. I've become a multi-instrumentalist: guitar, ukulele, and kazoo!

Good luck, anyway!

[Poppa Stoppa]

Not many of us play humbuckers much - generally too much output and 1968 blues-rock sounds. I saw this thread about wiring the two coils of a humbucker in parallel, thereby dropping the signal level:
http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=257480
Anybody tried this? Results?

[TwoFeets]

. It's going to be a mostly instrumental burlesque themed record. In the meantime, stop listening to the old one. Ha-Ha. I was pretty damn "green" on that one.

That's great, Frank, and kind of coincidental too! Leroy played the burlesque circuit for about 4 years or so, back in the day. He expressed some interest a few weeks back about adding some numbers like that to our repertoire, or even doing something on the side along those lines. Cool stuff.

[mikelaw]

ive been diggin earl kings -imperial recordings lately. CANT stop listening to this stuff. IMHO, WAYYYYYYYYYYY ahead of its time and some of the deepest grooves ever. lyrics are genius. can i get an amen????????

[KBR]

I backed up Earl King in Austin, He was Killer.

[THINSOCKS]

ive been diggin earl kings -imperial recordings lately. CANT stop listening to this stuff. IMHO, WAYYYYYYYYYYY ahead of its time and some of the deepest grooves ever. lyrics are genius. can i get an amen????????

Yeah, that's great stuff, Mike. He's got such a great feel for everything he does. I have this weird LP called "Battle of the Guitars" Guitar Slim vs.Earl King that has all his stuff before Imperial (I think Ace, Specialty and Savoy). Some cool stuff on there too with some funny lyrics about washing his wifes feet and brushing her teeth, etc.

Anyone have the 50's Art Neville stuff on Specialty? It's great. I just bought this over the weekend and I have to say the song "Cha Dookey-Doo" has one of the the coolest distorted guitar tones on record. It gives both "Rumble" and "Cotton Crop Blues" a run for it's money.

[straightblues]

So, I was wondering...

Will Don Mare offer a killer vintage P90 design in his line, that puts all others to shame before the end of 2007?

:confused:

He built a set for me after I bugged him awhile! He rewound some stupid hot Duncans that I had. We went for a a Freddie King thing and nailed it. I have them in a Gibson Historic 1956 Les Paul Reissue (R6). They aren't coming out anytime soon. They are slightly underwound and are the most polite P90's I have ever had. They don't slam the front of the amp like most P90's available today. But man, when you crank up the amp, they scream, bite, kick and yell like the old records. I have had Lollars in 4 other guitars and always loved them. I like this set that Don wound for me better. Ask him and you might recieve this wish. :AOK

[Dave Orban]

Don does nice work. I have a set of his Roy Nichols winds in my Swamp Ash parts Tele, and it is THE sh*t...! :dude

[THINSOCKS]

Talk about bad audio. Everythign sound slike it's going into a wah-wah.

Junior Watson, Mike Morgan & Darrel Nulisch circa 1990

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j5206lrJSk

[mikelaw]

anyone know what sir jr. watson has in his 4x10-5f4 super for speakers?

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Someone mentioned Roscoe Gordon earlier, he and Earl King are two of my favorites - they really have some unique vocal melodies over blues progressions, not just the standard phrases. Can you imagine seeing and learning from Guitar Slim? fred

[rhartt1234]

I backed up Earl King in Austin, He was Killer.

I traded sets with Earl King at a club in Providence about ten years ago. He played with a local back up band. He was so drunk/high that he could barely stand up and in fact fell over twice. I love his old stuff though.

[GOLDENSTRAT]

Thinsocks, I Amazoned a sample of "Cha-Dookey Doo" - it sounds like it could be a Holmstrom number! The rhythm section and guitar both up his alley. fred

[nc slim]

My favs lately are silvertone h62 that was in tone quest Jersey george fixed it nice (out of phase switch in f hole)Junior looked at it in Charlotte and liked it.Also using my 58 strat george also made it sing. for amps using my little airline into my big airline w 2x 12s in it thru a beat up premier reverb unit(ansons old one).

I think a good line of discussion would be our right hand picking technique.After watching blues guys for years this is what separates the men from the boys. The pressure the angle. Do you use your wrist or your whole arm. Anson gets a cool sound w the pick ponted down ward and uses the large muscles in the arm not his wrist. Fats used his wrist. It seems this is critical if you want your notes to sound as big as Texas. You guys may thik I am nuts but I really feel this is an underestimated and critical part or a real authentic and pro sound.

[Cleanhead]

I have now been in Seattle for a little over 5 weeks and the dust is beginiing to settle. I already miss CHicago's vibrant blues scene but keep reminding (fooling?) myself that this move could be a great opportunity musically. At the very least I still have to finish this album so that will consume my thought, time and (unfortunately) $$$ for the next few months...

So... Before leaving town I headed into the studio with my good friend JETLAG, a fine piano player out of Kansas City (MIke 'Shinetop' Sedovic), Jimmy Sutton on bass and Mike Schlick (Dave Specter's Band) on Drums... What ensued was two very grueling yet wildly creative days in the stucio... As with my last album, I did not have the luxury of recording songs that were road tested... instead we were practising and changing arrangements in the studio - not ideal but can translate into some magical moments.. a special treat was recording with Kenny Smith on drums for a couple of 'Chicago Blues' numbers... He used the same exact kit as Schlick (more of a jazz guy) and got a totally different tone...

all in all I am really excited about this album as I believe that my playing (and I think JEtlag's too) has matured since our last recording effort... I played chromatic on over half the album, wrote a couple of instrumentals and really tried to vary the grooves... it is no surprise that my writing style remains 'little charlie-esque' but I am proud that a was able to write a few more 'modern' songs that HOPEFULLY sound like they could have been recorded years ago... as you all know - not such an easy task - at least for me, the funny stuff is much easier to write...

my only regret (aside from having time to practice with the band) - is that I did not have my sh*&# together vocally so I now have to redo vocals (otherwise it was straight to tape - 2 inch analog)... many of the songs I had written and never even played with anyone... oh well, I plan to finish the vocals here in seattle and then off to KC and then Chicago to finish mixing with JETLAG...


one final note: I can't say enough how much I appreciated and continue to marvel at JETLAG's versatility in the studio.... He was asked to play so many different grooves (swing, jazz, jump, deep chicago, swamp blues).. at one point I was trying to describe what I had in moind for an original and told him to play 'gospel guitar' ... I realize that is a useless reference but he still managed to nail what I wanted... as for the plethora of guiotar rigs and set up - JETLAG can speak more intelligently to that... as for the studio - the mics were amazing as was the 'live' room sound..

sorry for the long winded email... as soon as I have anything that is presentable to the public I will let you know - at this point we are still months away (with $$$ and vacation time being the limiting factor)...

Kurt

[KBR]

NC Slim,
The way a person attacks the strings with the right and left hand has a lot to do with Tone, not so much equipment.
I can sound the same on any Guitar, P90s, HBers, Strat or Tele pups.

Earl did like to tip a few before the Gig I did with him in 90, I thought he was gonna take a fall but did well.

[Birdseye]

Someone mentioned Roscoe Gordon earlier, he and Earl King are two of my favorites - they really have some unique vocal melodies over blues progressions, not just the standard phrases. Can you imagine seeing and learning from Guitar Slim? fred


That was me. Glad someone noticed. I thought it got overlooked in all the excitement over deciding if Buddy Guy was any