West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0 [Archive] - Page 26

HappyValley

09-04-2007, 12:39 PM

jimfog

09-04-2007, 12:46 PM

The "volume" issue is one of the reasons I enjoy gigging with my non-West Coast Blues-approved Matchless Chieftain.

With the decent master volume, I can get very good-sounding grit and breakup at very low volumes, and can get even better-sounding tones when I crank it. It lets me play all kinds of small rooms, as well as outdoor gigs, with the same amp.

I don't ever want to be in a position where I'm not asked back to a venue because we were perceived to be "too loud"... ;)

Dave,

While I would hate to judge anything by the sound at AJ's (dear god that guy was incompetent)...........I have to say, since you were able to keep your stage volume down and have it mic'd and through the PA, your tone was far and away the best on stage that night. That Matchless and 175 sounded awesome. Really cut........not "woofy" at all like most archtops.

FWIW,

Jim

mikelaw

09-04-2007, 12:48 PM

There's absolutely no need to be too loud in this day and age, with all the available great sounding, lower wattage amps around.

Hey, I'm guilty of it, too.....it's FUN to play loud........but as a performer, our responsibility is to the crowd and venue, NOT just to get our jollies.

When I'm too loud, it's usually because I was too lazy to bring the proper sized amp and mic it....so I over shot.

"But I need volume to get MY SOUND, man" is complete diva-ish BS.

....and there's NOTHING wrong with using a pedal, if that's what it takes to keep things sane.

Worrying about "being authentic" is just what veers our little scene way too much in the direction of the civil war re-enactment nerds........in other words, exclusive, pathetic and obsolete.

- jim

gain pedal is on the way so i can get the tone at lower volumes! i agree sometimes we get a bit loud, i am just saying louder is where the energy is at and i dont care how good you are or what you are playing for material. you just cant get that HOT energy when your amp is on 2 and you can barely be heard against the candy assed yuppies yippin it up at the bar.

lets face it, the whole world is turning into metrosexual candy assed punks.
:) lol

RickyKing

09-04-2007, 01:00 PM

Yeah Mike!! YEAH!! :dude

Seriously, I prefer smaller amps, lower volume gigs for my own selfish reasons like..... my hearing, for instance. But yeah, Mike... How 'bout Albert Collins?!! He had that Quad Reverb amp goosed...4x12's!!! Remember, in some cases, those guys were playing much larger venues than we're playing now, fair to say....but I'm with ya on the energy thing. I miss the ol' Harper's Ferry in Boston Blues days when Super Reverbs on 6+ abounded!! Big room, big sound....

AMEN,Brother!:AOK

TwoFeets

09-04-2007, 01:35 PM

Not just larger venues, but you gotta also remember, the availability of good sounding, affordable PA's has come a LONG way since those days. Lots of times back then you HAD to be loud in order to be heard over the squealing feedback of the vocals-only PA.

bbarnard

09-04-2007, 03:06 PM

The "volume" issue is one of the reasons I enjoy gigging with my non-West Coast Blues-approved Matchless Chieftain.

With the decent master volume, I can get very good-sounding grit and breakup at very low volumes, and can get even better-sounding tones when I crank it. It lets me play all kinds of small rooms, as well as outdoor gigs, with the same amp.

I don't ever want to be in a position where I'm not asked back to a venue because we were perceived to be "too loud"... ;)

Same reason I frequently use my non WCB approved Super Champ and Valvetech 22. The Valvetech will get pretty tweedy if need be and has a built in boost function that I try to use for a subtle volume boost on solos.

Strat-O

09-04-2007, 03:18 PM

Same reason I frequently use my non WCB approved Super Champ and Valvetech 22. The Valvetech will get pretty tweedy if need be and has a built in boost function that I try to use for a subtle volume boost on solos.

And why I ventured into Fender Blues Jr territory (master volume) and Victoria Regal territory too (switchable power tubes).

jumpnblues

09-04-2007, 03:25 PM

The overwhelming majority of the time I much prefer going straight to amp sans any pedals. However...sometimes ya' just gotta' do what ya' gotta' do and for those times a pedal can actually improve your tone while at the same time allow you to play at a lower volume. I have a Klon that I only use when I must keep my volume down or risk not being invited back. And I use just a slight amount of boost...no, or just very slight overdrive. Just remember for most boost/overdrive pedals you do have to have the tubes working at least at a mild breakup levels to sound good. The pedal will take it from there. Way too many guys forget or don't know this about many of the boost pedals out there. If your volume is too low the pedal will make things sound thin, flat, and anemic. So, if you're too loud just getting to that point, chances are you have too much amp for the room period.
Mike, brother, believe me I feel your pain. I absolutely will not play out if I can't get a good sound to my ears and to do so with tube amps the tubes must be pushed. I used to have a killer sounding '61 Concert myself, but it was one loud mofo by the time you got the tubes cranking. Add to that it had highly efficient Weber P10Qs and C10Ns. Mike, as I see it you can do four things to remedy your situation and three of those are good solutions and easy to do: 1. Do nothing and continue to occasionally have to fight it (we all know that's a real PIA). 2. Use a boost/overdrive pedal if you can get your volume up enough for the pedal to work well. 3. Buy a smaller amp to use in smaller venues. Or, 4. Buy a Weber MASS for your Concert. They aren't 100% transparent (maybe 90%), however, the very slight change in tone to any amp I've used them with was actually an improvement to the amp's tone by very slightly smoothing out the top end. And they're very reasonably priced. They really are a killer product. I play "West Coast" style blues, straight blues, and swing jazz with solid bodies and archtops. You really should check one out if you haven't already, especially using a vintage Fender Concert amp which was one of the cleanest, loudest, amps ever designed. But, man, do they sound sweet?!! They were designed at a time when there was a push for extremely clean amps with no distortion and that's pretty much what the early 60's Concerts were all about. You can have your cake and eat it too with the Weber MASS. Or, if you can get loud enough for a good pedal go for it. Both will cost you roughly the same. Anyway, JMHO, YMMV.

Tom

TwoFeets

09-04-2007, 03:39 PM

I agree with Tom on the full-size MASS but I would strongly advise against the Mini-Mass. I had an old-style MASS with my Vic Bandmaster and it worked well. When I bought my Pro, I picked up a Mini-Mass to go with it, and it was really very bad - MUCH more coloration than the regular MASS I had. I dumped it pretty quickly.

I guess we need to populate a list of West Coast Sanctioned Pedals™... since I know a lot of us love tremolo, and a lot of us love tweeds, and the majority of tweeds don't come with tremolo. Unless we're only talking about boosts/OD's.

btg

09-04-2007, 03:45 PM

My vote for best trem pedal is the Austone Vibrostomp - ggod trem and MAganatone style Vibrato in one pedal. I have used mine for the last several years and love it.

Strat-O

09-04-2007, 04:01 PM

I've got a Mini Mass that I'd give away to someone who wants to pay for shipping. Some folks might like it, not for me.

cigpow

09-04-2007, 04:08 PM

PM sent :AOK

valcotone

09-04-2007, 05:17 PM

Auralux King Trem works for me.... really swampy sounds with speed footswitch and two speed settings. Close to an early swirly 60's brown Fender trem. Hard to find and the builder has some reliabilty problems (according to reports). Does not f*ck up your tone like so many other pedals. It's a big pedal and noisey in some environments, but I love it!

jumpnblues

09-04-2007, 05:25 PM

I currently have a Demeter Tremulator for a trem pedal and like it a lot. Had the Fulltone one as well and liked it too. Didn't need two and the Fulltone trem took up just a little more room on my amp so I sold it. But as I said I liked it and would recommend it.
For boost/overdrive pedals I have a Klon, Banzai Cold Fusion, Z-Vex Super Duper, Nobles ODR-1, and Keeley modded Sparkledrive. The first three are pretty transparent, however, the Cold Fusion does something to the highs in a very good sort of way. I use it with my Vicky Tweed Pro when I need to knock the volume down a bit but still get a really sweet tone with a really sweet high end. It brings out the upper harmonics nicely. The Keeley Sparkledrive is nice for smoothing any raspy/harsh high end like you might get with a rented backline of Fender RI amps. The Z-Vex Super Duper is handy if you need two different stages of gain. It's also a very transparent boost...close second to the Klon for transparency. The Nobles is pretty much a Tube Screamer without the pronounced mid hump and with the O.D. off works fairly well as just a boost. If you're just talking boost it's still hard to beat the Klon for transparency. But that's really all I ever use these pedals for anyway as I don't play with much "distortion" unless I want it for some West Coast style songs...you know, the slit speaker sound with an archtop (which I usually don't use a boost pedal for anyway, but you could). The first three pedals named above have a way of making your amp sound bigger without much increase in volume. Nice feature in a small club.
I would like to know more about the Menatone Red Snapper and Subdecay Liquid Sunshine. Are they good for low volume situations?

Tom

ES350

09-04-2007, 06:19 PM

its just complete BS and patrons going to see music and even musicians are becoming candy asses. just waiting for a reason to NOT support live music. im not saying loud is better but energy is definately better.

Sorry, but I'm not going deaf at age 55; try playing with Roy Gaines through a Twin on 10 and then tell me it's a great experience. I know alot of older guys came out of Chicago and Detroit and half of them are deaf...

Jeff Michael

09-04-2007, 11:03 PM

Dave,

While I would hate to judge anything by the sound at AJ's (dear god that guy was incompetent)...........I have to say....your tone was far and away the best on stage that night.
Jim

Among the harpsquawkers, pianoids, and steelfloss diddlers, you meant to say. Surely a mighty Trace Elliott bass stack stands head and shoulders above all these tweed-draped thermionic antiquities.

Thump thump thump,
JAM

jimfog

09-04-2007, 11:06 PM

Among the harpsquawkers, pianoids, and steelfloss diddlers, you meant to say. Surely a mighty Trace Elliott bass stack stands head and shoulders above all these tweed-draped thermionic antiquities.

Thump thump thump,
JAM

You sounded ok......

....once Harman told you to TURN THE %$& DOWN!!!!

:roll

Goldie295

09-05-2007, 04:27 AM

I would like to know more about the Menatone Red Snapper and Subdecay Liquid Sunshine. Are they good for low volume situations?

Tom,

I am yet to try a Red Snapper. Matt Schofield (http://www.mattschofield.com/gear.php) is well known in the UK for using one but he always goes out of his way to say it is basically a decent clean boost at a reasonable price. He is now using a Klon, so you have that covered...

The Liquid Sunshine is a different matter. I have been using one for a while. On the way to it I tried various pedals such as a fulltone OCD, most of the Keeley range (I didn't realise quite how much of his stuff I had acquired until Robert sent me a free t-shirt...when the second free t-shirt arrived I decided enough was enough), HAO Rust Driver, Expandora, Klon, Hotcake, Hoochie Mama and so on. The LS for me is better than them all. The second best is the Klon, but it is expensive, bulky, needs a wallwart...etc so I haven't bothered to keep mine as a back-up. The LS can be both a clean boost or create a drive tone in situations when you can't really turn your amp up. It has no tone control so what you hear is your amp and guitar.

For a good indication of what it sounds like, go to my band's website (link below) and listen to Sweet Little Angel on the juke box. Also, Got Love If You Want It. Basically you are hearing a partscaster with a CC neck pup going into the LS and then into a Bassman that is set on 1 (when I got to the studio my amp started playing up - you can hear it farting on the recording in parts - so I had to run it low and break out the LS to get a sound. The reverb was added later by the engineer). The pedal is on the whole time on both songs and I simply play with the guitars volume and tone to get clean to dirty sounds. Because the amp is clean as can be and the tubes are barely working it is a really good example of what the LS sounds like. Obviously it does sound better when the tubes are cooking, but it would never sound worse so it's a good place to start. Also check out Harmony Central (http://reviews.harmony-central.com/reviews/Effects/product/Sub-Decay/Liquid+Sunshine/10/1).

Cheers,
Phil

jumpnblues

09-05-2007, 09:11 AM

Phil,

Thanks for the very useful info.

Tom

Jeff Michael

09-05-2007, 01:04 PM

You sounded ok......

....once Harman told you to TURN THE %$& DOWN!!!!

:roll

That was great! He was so polite yet matter-of-fact about it: comes up on stage, comes right to me, leans in, and says "you need to turn WAY down."

And I go all " :eek: yessir"...because usually I'm too low if anything, since the last thing I ever want to be is too loud.

I still blame the FOH mix (if only because it's so easy to do at AJ's).

JAM

aja

09-05-2007, 01:15 PM

The whole world is turning into to people who want to be rock stars Mike. ;)

Dave Orban

09-05-2007, 01:35 PM

That was great! He was so polite yet matter-of-fact about it: comes up on stage, comes right to me, leans in, and says "you need to turn WAY down."

And I go all " :eek: yessir"...because usually I'm too low if anything, since the last thing I ever want to be is too loud.

I still blame the FOH mix (if only because it's so easy to do at AJ's).

JAMYeah, that FOH mix SUCKED ass...! LOL!

But you sounded just fine, bro! :dude

TwoFeets

09-05-2007, 09:26 PM

Here's a guy that didn't even win the store final at our local guitar center in the King of the Blues competition. Some shredder-blues guy won.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBYX7PNVuf0

zappafrank

09-06-2007, 04:18 AM

Here's a guy that didn't even win the store final at our local guitar center in the King of the Blues competition. Some shredder-blues guy won.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBYX7PNVuf0

No wonder you talk 'bout Shaun quite a bit---boy can play---sounded like good blues to me!---Thanks--

ac

HappyValley

09-06-2007, 09:39 AM

No wonder you talk 'bout Shaun quite a bit---boy can play---sounded like good blues to me!---Thanks--

ac

AC- check your PM!

jimfog

09-06-2007, 11:52 AM

Hey,

Any thoughts on the Victoria Regal......v.1, the single tube model?

What's the tone and headroom like?

Sounds like a great recording/small gig amp.

- Jim

mikelaw

09-06-2007, 12:42 PM

anyone who doesnt have it should get FINIS TASBY-jump children. georgia slop is worth the price of admission alone.
whos on it? lester butler,holmstrom,innes,kid ramos,larry taylor and others!
WOW

Strat-O

09-06-2007, 02:12 PM

Hey,

Any thoughts on the Victoria Regal......v.1, the single tube model?

What's the tone and headroom like?

Sounds like a great recording/small gig amp.

- Jim

Too much money for just one power tube. v.2 lets you use one or two tubes in any configuration you want. Better deal.

valcotone

09-06-2007, 03:22 PM

anyone who doesnt have it should get FINIS TASBY-jump children. georgia slop is worth the price of admission alone.
whos on it? lester butler,holmstrom,innes,kid ramos,larry taylor and others!
WOW

Yeah, awesome CD.

His follow-up to that isn't at the level of Jump Children, but is pretty good too. It has Enrico C. covering the guitar duties...

KBR

09-06-2007, 04:14 PM

Yeah you right re: Finis Tasby.

I worked with him In LA before I joined Bill Clarke.
Finis is a great singer and used to play Bass w/ Freddie King.
The Band is great as well.

Lewy

09-06-2007, 05:45 PM

How come Job Striles doesn't seem to have had a mention on this thread yet? His album "Sings & Plays" is one of my top 5 favourite blues records and more than any the one that turned me on to the whole WC sound.

Any other fans?

Strat-O

09-07-2007, 10:10 AM

Somebody has mentioned Job Striles before...finding it may be difficult though.

Have any of you fellas tried the "Cloud 9" Les Pauls, or the chambered Les Pauls? What do you think of them?

dukeh62

09-07-2007, 10:17 AM

Have any of you fellas tried the "Cloud 9" Les Pauls, or the chambered Les Pauls? What do you think of them?

Strat-O: I bought (and quickly returned) a Chambered R6 last year. As much as I tried to convince myself I liked it, the guitar was complete crap. The tone was EXTREMELY bright, which was the opposite of what I expected with chambers. The pots were total garbage with no usable taper whatsoever (basically "on" or "off") and the PLEK job had the frets filed down lower than on my R6 that I've been playing for over ten years. The first 5-6 frets were visably lower than those up above the 12th fret.

All in all, was a major disappointment. Aside from the weight and look of the guitar, it left much to be desired. And this is coming from a diehard LP fan.

stevieboy

09-07-2007, 12:07 PM

I've known Job on and off for 15+ years. Cool guy, knows more songs than just about anybody. His stuff is readily available on the itunes music library!

mikelaw

09-07-2007, 12:59 PM

Yeah you right re: Finis Tasby.

I worked with him In LA before I joined Bill Clarke.
Finis is a great singer and used to play Bass w/ Freddie King.
The Band is great as well.

kenny with complete respect, who HAVENT you played with?

KBR

09-07-2007, 01:20 PM

I am 57, Mike, and played with a lot of Good ones!
I missed seeing Wolf, But know Hubert. I missed seeing T Bone.
Lot's of these Players were in either LA or the Bay Area, so you could meet em and hopefully get to do a few Gigs with alot of em. Luther Tucker was a great dude and would introduce you to Cats.
Also, working with Smokey Wilson @ The Pioneer Club, Cats like Pee Wee Crayton, Shakey Jake Harris, Joe Houston, Big Joe Turner, Lowell Fulson, and even Big Mama T, would come in and Jam.

I missed some great stuff from 69-72 when I was in the US Air Force in London, England.
I bet Albert King and Jimi, and others were best during that time.

bbarnard

09-07-2007, 02:04 PM

anyone who doesnt have it should get FINIS TASBY-jump children. georgia slop is worth the price of admission alone.
whos on it? lester butler,holmstrom,innes,kid ramos,larry taylor and others!
WOW

Yeah he's great. He sings several songs on Kirk Fletcher's Shades of Blue CD (which should be required listening for everyone). He's also on the Mannish Boys CDs. Really great singing and in some songs sounds just like BB King.

Anyone else see the really great shoutout that Norcia gave to our very own Monster Mike in the latest edition of Blues Review?

valcotone

09-07-2007, 02:18 PM

Heads up... 1957 Harmony sunburst H62 on ebay for $1K BIN:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1962-VINTAGE-HARMONY-F57E-ELECTRIC-ACOUSTIC-GUITAR-USA_W0QQitemZ190150612553QQihZ009QQcategoryZ85851Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(new info on this one... check the pics carefully... the neck probably needs a reset)

nc slim

09-08-2007, 05:34 AM

Good topic the old guys that pushed us into this stuff. Who did you guys see live? As a grasshopper blues fan. I saw F King rt before he died. What a persona. He did not need a mic.I think he had a quad reverb. He would have been a giant in todays rock blues environment. Saw Wolf but he was near the end sittin on a piano stool whole time .Saw A King and BB together guitar duel they were great. the opening act was a newcomer by the name of Cray. Most incredible at the time in 73 was Roy Buchanan.He walks in w Hush Puppies on puts amp on metal chair. I am thinking who brought the square lookin history teacher. The he started. I still have never seen anyone like him all deference to Baty Watson Gatton etc. In 80's great shows were R Earl w Broadcaster w Nullisch of course Anson original blues Bros Buddy and Jr. In South Fla they go nuts so much over Rock Blues it was hard to find the real guys. I just missed Duane Allman rt before he died.One concert I decided in 74 to miss because I thought he was toooo old was Muddy. I was really stupid My friend said his guiatr player was real good. Guess who was w him then. Fats. Another faux Paus was failing to go to SRV show. I was a blues snob and thought he was too rock. Next day the paper says he showed w blues guy who played whole nite w him by name of Otis Rush. Another stupid move.I have made it a point to take my friends and his guitar shredder friends to see guys even if they do not get it yet.I took kids to Clapton Cray watson Anson so far at least I can fill their ears w music they may surface after the shredder influences wear off. Who got a hold of your Blues soul????

RickyKing

09-08-2007, 01:30 PM

monstermike

09-08-2007, 01:30 PM

Anyone else see the really great shoutout that Norcia gave to our very own Monster Mike in the latest edition of Blues Review?

Not I. Which issue? Who's on the cover? What'd he say?

Thanks for the heads up!

valcotone

09-08-2007, 03:28 PM

BTW Skil,Nice H-44 grab,mate!

:D haha... thanks. I bought that for a local buddy who had to have one after hearing mine again recently... hopefully this one will check out fine.

Strat-O

09-08-2007, 04:52 PM

Duke - Thanks for that info. What a dissappointment!!! Do you think it could have just been that particular guitar? Or did you try several?

I'd really, really love to have a '54 chambered reissue! I mean...bad!

TwoFeets

09-08-2007, 11:20 PM

aja

09-09-2007, 02:33 AM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zh1dBgcARGU

Me with Los Carnales !!
Enjoy !!

Goldie295

09-09-2007, 06:06 AM

Have any of you fellas tried the "Cloud 9" Les Pauls, or the chambered Les Pauls? What do you think of them?

A friend has one (amongst 15 odd other Les Pauls). It sounds great. Very middy. Sort of that early Clapton sound. I am told pre VOS Gibsons can be very hit and miss so if you find one see if it rings. If not give it a miss.

I played a festival gig last night with the Pro. I was able to set it at any level I wanted and really had a first chance to get it cooking since I acquired it. It sounded best with the Airline though I spent most of the night on my 52 RI Tele.

One thing I noticed was how hard it is to get a decent sound on stage with the 1x15 when playing with a loud band. It doesn't seem to sound good until you are at least 10/15ft away from it (when it sounds killer). I never had this problem with the Bassman Has anyone else found this? Will converting the Bassman to pro config with 4x10s for the bigger gigs help??

Cheers,
Phil

TwoFeets

09-09-2007, 07:28 AM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zh1dBgcARGU

Me with Los Carnales !!
Enjoy !!

HELL yeah, Alec!

safecracker

09-09-2007, 08:33 AM

Hey guys, just got the new cd from Bharath and his Rythym Four with Junior Watson. Junior plays on 11 of the 14 songs. This cd sounds like it was recorded at Chess studios. Excellent cd if ya dig that Little Walter type harp along with upright bass,upright piano,and excellent guitar type of thang. LOL...Shawn

bluesjuke

09-09-2007, 08:40 AM

What's the title?

safecracker

09-09-2007, 09:37 AM

Friday Night Fatty is the title. Ya gotta love that! Charlie at www.bluebeatmusic.com (http://www.bluebeatmusic.com) is who I got it from. Shawn

mikelaw

09-09-2007, 09:42 AM

alec you sound killer bro! the whole band is great. cant wait to hang with yas in 08!

dukeh62

09-09-2007, 09:45 AM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zh1dBgcARGU

Me with Los Carnales !!
Enjoy !!

Alec...you're sounding absolutely FANTASTIC man!!!!

safecracker

09-09-2007, 09:52 AM

Is the influence of this thread spreading? There are threads in the Sound Hound Lounge titled Kid Ramos, Nick Curran, Hollywood Fats, and Jimmie Vaughan... none of them started by people from this thread.
That is very good news to hear. Speaking of Jimmie Vaughan, I got the new cd of him and Omar yesterday. Also on it are Kim Wilson blowing on a couple tracks as well as Gary Primich, James Cotton,and some vocals by Lou Ann Barton, and Delbert McClinton. All the vocals are by mostly by Omar Dykes with Jimmie singing along on a few tracks. Cool news is the whole cd is Jimmy Reed songs except for the title song. The title is "On the Jimmy Reed Highway" Jimmie plays great and is backed by Derek O'Brien.

jumpnblues

09-09-2007, 09:55 AM

Nice job aja.

Tom

bluesjuke

09-09-2007, 10:01 AM

Thanks, I'll look it up!

GOLDENSTRAT

09-09-2007, 10:13 AM

Great job Alec!! fred

safecracker

09-09-2007, 10:16 AM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Zh1dBgcARGU

Me with Los Carnales !!
Enjoy !!
Just watched your clip. Great playing! I really dug it.Shawn

aja

09-09-2007, 12:21 PM

thanks guys !!! appreciate it !!
I want to get that new Jimmie Vaughan one too. Derek O is a killer player. Hes like Jimmie and Anson.

aja

09-09-2007, 12:38 PM

This is what popped up after our video lol !! never heard of him but he's great !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR9B-Y2epS4&NR=1

Poppa Stoppa

09-09-2007, 12:50 PM

Strat-O

09-09-2007, 03:04 PM

One thing I noticed was how hard it is to get a decent sound on stage with the 1x15 when playing with a loud band. It doesn't seem to sound good until you are at least 10/15ft away from it (when it sounds killer). I never had this problem with the Bassman Has anyone else found this? Will converting the Bassman to pro config with 4x10s for the bigger gigs help??

My amp with a 15 is kinda beamy. I put one of those Weber Beam Blocker's on it. Great match for the 15" speaker...really spreads the sound all around without killing the top end. AFter the Beam Blocker went on the 15, my bass player said he could hear me better than ever...and he's generally about 6' behind my amp.

Not so great for 10's though; made them stop cutting through the band. Works pretty good on a 12.

Schwalbe

09-09-2007, 03:08 PM

Cool stuff Aja.

Man I had a ball last night. The Rough Cuts backed up our old buddy Mojo Buford at the Rockbend Folk Festival. The old man doesn't get around so well these days but he can still light up an audience.
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/RockinDaddy/Rockbend%202007/DSCN1582.1.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a122/RockinDaddy/Rockbend%202007/DSCN1583.1.jpg

I don't have any video or audio from the festival...yet, but here's a track we did years ago.
http://home.comcast.net/~theroughcuts/Trouble_Dont_Always_Last.mp3 (http://home.comcast.net/%7Etheroughcuts/Trouble_Dont_Always_Last.mp3)

valcotone

09-09-2007, 03:28 PM

Aja... nice playing man!!

From Bluebeat, I just ordered the Jimmy Reed Highway, Bharath & Junior Watson, Texas Northside Kings, Howlin Wolf Rides Again, and Darrel Nulisch Goin Back To Dallas... should be a damn fine day when those arrive!

mikelaw

09-09-2007, 05:12 PM

great shots schwalbe.

alec 'xxx' james. a northeast original! wish i was half as good as the other famous northeasterners.

speaking of that i hung with ryan and eric at harrys in hyannis friday...what a ball! get this. honeyboy edwards opened the show, dave maxwell played keys all night, jerry portnoy hung most of the night and sat in, and louisiana red played quite alot solo and with jerry and the bluehearts as well.

unbelieveable night.

ive got to say, louisiana red was one of the nicest dudes i met. and really sharp witted and intelligent about lots of things not just music. went out of his way to talk to me ask me what i did, my name, where i was from. i mean these are legends what do they care about young punks like me? very cool stuff.

big shout out to johnny guitarist from the coolerators. he reads the page all the time but never writes in. johnny is one of the coolest and nicest people i know too. plays and hangs with ricky russell another northeast original and amazingly sweet people. man, guys are so nice out on the cape!!!! johnny is also a great player too man! there is no lack of talent up this way! check the coolerators out at http://thecoolerators.com/

loveya johnny, wish we lived closer man. we'd be hanging and playing all the time!

mikelaw

09-09-2007, 05:25 PM

Aja your playing on that video is killer, and I love the tone you were getting. What was your rig there?

Somewhere I have the original of 'Marked Deck' - not the T-Birds version. That's excellent too, different feel though.

i take full credit for alecs tone. i modded that strat. most of the tone is due to the globs and slobs of solder in there when i changed the wiring. :)
lol

believe it or not, lots of solder = better tone, more resistance and more bass.
:crazyguy

Schwalbe

09-09-2007, 08:26 PM

believe it or not, lots of solder = better tone, more resistance and more bass.:roll:roll:roll:roll:Spank
:crazy :crazy
:NUTS :NUTS

jimfog

09-09-2007, 11:58 PM

Hey Guys,

I've been stuck in a bit of a rut recently with my jump and blues playing.........could use a little inspiration.

What tunes have you guys been shedding recently that have opened doors and/or just simply blown you away?

The last one that did it for me was Hollywood Fats playing on "Jump My Baby".........damn, what a performance. I learned a good chunk of it, and have been doing my best to make it my own ever since. (WITHOUT note for noting it......I hate that)

I'm up for a challenge, so don't hold back! Obscure, complicated, wacky, iconic.......it's all good.

Thanks,
Jim

Goldie295

09-10-2007, 02:37 AM

My amp with a 15 is kinda beamy. I put one of those Weber Beam Blocker's on it. Great match for the 15" speaker...really spreads the sound all around without killing the top end. AFter the Beam Blocker went on the 15, my bass player said he could hear me better than ever...and he's generally about 6' behind my amp.

Not so great for 10's though; made them stop cutting through the band. Works pretty good on a 12.

Thanks for the tip !

I have ordered a Blocker and will let you know how I get on with it when fitted (probably take a few weeks by the time it gets through customs etc).

Cheers,
Phil

S.W.Erdnase

09-10-2007, 06:26 AM

Oh mah gawd! Have any of you reprobates heard of this?

The stuff on cdbaby is OUTSTANDING...

http://cdbaby.com/cd/bharathahrf

safecracker

09-10-2007, 06:35 AM

S.W., I got it in the mail on saturday. It is most fabulous. It sounds 50 years old. It should put Bharath in the mix with all the top dogs of harp IMHO. His technique and nuances in his playing style are just great.

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 06:53 AM

Thanks for the tip !

I have ordered a Blocker and will let you know how I get on with it when fitted (probably take a few weeks by the time it gets through customs etc).

Cheers,
Phil

Hope it helps your problem. I use mine on a vintage P15N. They just totally killed 10" speakers though.

Poppa Stoppa

09-10-2007, 10:35 AM

...What tunes have you guys been shedding recently that have opened doors and/or just simply blown you away?...JimCouple of suggestions Jim - these have provided some serious inspiration recently:

1. 'The Wig Flipper' - Knockout Greg & Blue Weather, Anders Lewen on guitar. I heard the album version then this version which might be even better:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N7yhdxLYBT4
That lick at 0:58-1:02 is a genuine wig flipper! (Cheers Anders if you read this!:BEER)

2. 'Jam Up' by Alex Schultz with Jimi Bott & the Flyers off Jimi Bott's CD 'Cheap Thrills Vol 1'. Jim - if you haven't got this you gotta get it just for this 10-odd minutes of fantastic guitar. (Alex - :BEER).

3. Alex Schultz on YouTube courtesy of our own dddelta: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6kmTUrO9qpM

4. 'Jumpin' Salty' off Sean Costello's CD 'Cuttin' In'.

Poppa Stoppa

09-10-2007, 10:45 AM

i take full credit for alecs tone. i modded that strat. most of the tone is due to the globs and slobs of solder in there when i changed the wiring. :)
lol

believe it or not, lots of solder = better tone, more resistance and more bass.
:crazyguyNice one Mr Law - that was the the wiring mod I sent over - I forgot about that! But I think aja is sounding GREAT on that video on all pickup positions, including the middle position where there's no difference! I should like to know what amp he's using...aja?

mikelaw

09-10-2007, 10:50 AM

thats right poppa! you did send us that wiring scheme! haha

alec has a white knob vibrolux reverb last i knew. those newer ones.

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 11:10 AM

Couple of suggestions Jim - these have provided some serious inspiration recently:

4. 'Jumpin' Salty' off Sean Costello's CD 'Cuttin' In'.

That is a great tune indeed.

GOLDENSTRAT

09-10-2007, 11:14 AM

Holy Cow! Pee Wee Crayton !!!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4sGWPaucZ8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4sGWPaucZ8)

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 12:06 PM

What is that freakin' rig he's playing? And a flanger?

:worried

aja

09-10-2007, 12:21 PM

Love ya Mike. I actually didn't use the mod on that vid ,I use that alot though and love it.I've been obsessed with the middle position on my strat lately. Thanks for the compliments shwalbe.Great pics I don't know who that is.

All my setup is is a 50's reissue strat through a mxr clean boost pedal into a vibrolux on 4.

I don't know who did the original marked deck but I love the t-birds version of course and everything on the first album. Getting to play that with Prez is surreal.

aja

09-10-2007, 12:26 PM

I see a Marshall cabinet in that Pee Wee vid. Killer playing

though.

Jimfog I've been REALLY digging "Weekend off" on the Little Charlie and the Nightcats cd Thats big .

And Kid bangham with Sugar Ray on "Love,Life and Money" off Sweet and Swingin. Kid is another great Northeast player too.

monstermike

09-10-2007, 12:41 PM

The original Marked Deck is by Mercy Baby, who was Frankie Lee Sims' drummer. It's available on a must-have compilation of 50's Ace recordings called 4th and Beale and Further South.

Man, Alec, you sound good. Way to make someone else's signature sound - because you can't get more Jimmie Vaughan than his version of Marked Deck -and put your own stamp on it. That's something I struggled with at first with all of the great Ronnie Earl and Kid Bangham parts that I play with Sugar Ray. I eventually got comfortable with it, and you seem to get it right off the bat. Nice!

Listening to those Bharath clips - which are very impressive, by the way - what's everyone's feeling about that level of vintage re-creation on recordings? I used to be very put off by it - I couldn't even listen to one of Nick Curran's records at first - but I came around in that case because, well, Nick's so freaking compelling (make that freakishly compelling), and because that's what my favorite records generally sound like. Does it come a little too close to "why bother, we already have the original" to anyone? I'm still torn.

Not a slight on Bharath, Junior Watson, or the fine band - it's obviously a very cool sounding record.

safecracker

09-10-2007, 12:51 PM

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 01:12 PM

Man, its like you were reading my mind..sort of...

I'm going through this now...do we make our new CD sound as modern and 'relevant' as we can, or do we just accept that what we play isn't relevant to many people and make it sound as much like a great old scratchy record from the 1950's?

Traditional blues is so far off the beaten path of modern music, or modern blues that were all pretty much doing it for ourselves and other musicians into the same music. I'm sure there are still some regular ole blues fans who enjoy traditional sounding blues, but it just ain't popular anymore with the 'mainstream' blues audience. I figure that if 90% of what I listen to was recorded before 1965 then why shouldn't a CD I make sound like the music I like. Its not like I'm depriving myself of a shot at some kind of Grammy nomination.

I'm all for classic blues recording techiques. What I personally don't like is when a band makes a recording and the proudly exclaims on the disc cover that the recording was made with all vintage recording equipment, guitars, amps and techniques. As though that automatically gives it credibility or some kind of instant level of musical quality. Either the tunes and the performance is good, or it isn't. Old equipment and room mics don't take the place of geniune talent. In other words, I love classic blues recordings but I'm not hung up on how you get that sound. The performance and recording speak for themselves. Nick Curran is a great example of that.

Its all for fun anyway. There clearly isn't any 'money' involved in the proposition of playing real classic blues.

mikelaw

09-10-2007, 01:25 PM

love life and money on rays record with kid's solo is one of my favorites too alec. i LOVE that tune on there. it made me get into little willie john's old stuff because he was the original to do that.

what a GREAT tune.

jimfog

09-10-2007, 01:32 PM

Monsterly Mike,

I think it's a fine line......

We've all heard some of the disastrous results when cynical attempts are made to "modernize" the blues.

At the same time, I get really tired of the (and I love this term, thanks, Jeff Michael!) "Civil War Re-Enactment" mentality that pervades much of the current blues scene.

You know:

Wear the properly vintage-approved clothes.

Play the properly vintage-approved axe.

Spew the properly vintage-approved licks.

No pedals.

No influences post-1965.

etc, etc.......

I think recordings like your "Crying Hey" and most of Ronnie Earl's and the Kim Wilson's blues stuff do a good job of walking that line....

Raw and real, but not contrived.

Having said that.......of course, masterful singing, songs and playing trump all.

- jim

TwoFeets

09-10-2007, 01:46 PM

I feel like most modern recordings are just too hi-fi sounding for me. It's probably just a matter of personal preference. I just don't like stuff that sounds too in-your-face. I don't like to have my voice too loud in the monitors when I play out.... I don't like to have my guitar in the monitors, and I don't like to have my amp pointed right at me. For some reason, most modern recordings are the pre-recorded musical equivalent of that. Many of them are so over-produced that I feel like I'm sitting with my ear up to a speaker the entire time.

I do think maybe the obsession with using correct vintage recording equipment and tape and so on is going a little overboard. However, there's a lot to be said for, say, paying attention to mic placement and using more than one mic per instrument, rather than just sticking a mic directly in front of the grillcloth and going to work. That sort of thing. I think it's possible to get a nice modern recording that breathes without consciously trying to make it sound like it was recorded for Chess in the 50's. I think the problem is, it seems like most guys who own the most modern equipment have no idea how to record a blues band.

jimfog

09-10-2007, 01:50 PM

Feets,

Have you heard Mike's "Crying Hey"???

You can hear every nuance, and the guitars and drums sound absolutely HUGE without sounding like a Don Gehman production.

The sound is so good it almost makes up for the crappy playing............

Almost!

;)

- Jim

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 02:26 PM

At the same time, I get really tired of the (and I love this term, thanks, Jeff Michael!) "Civil War Re-Enactment" mentality that pervades much of the current blues scene.

You know:

Wear the properly vintage-approved clothes.

Play the properly vintage-approved axe.

Spew the properly vintage-approved licks.

No pedals.

No influences post-1965.

etc, etc.......

- jim

So, you think maybe my band would be more popular with contemporary music audiences if I went for a look that was more like his... http://www.dimebagdarrell.net/ yet continued top play Pee Wee Crayton and Little Walter style tunes?

;)

RickyKing

09-10-2007, 03:21 PM

Just watched your clip. Great playing! I really dug it.Shawn

I like Dat!! all down pix and xxx at that...!!!:eek:

RickyKing

09-10-2007, 03:23 PM

T. Caster

09-10-2007, 04:08 PM

Couple of suggestions Jim - these have provided some serious inspiration recently:

1. 'The Wig Flipper' - Knockout Greg & Blue Weather, Anders Lewen on guitar. I heard the album version then this version which might be even better:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N7yhdxLYBT4
That lick at 0:58-1:02 is a genuine wig flipper! (Cheers Anders if you read this!:BEER)

2. 'Jam Up' by Alex Schultz with Jimi Bott & the Flyers off Jimi Bott's CD 'Cheap Thrills Vol 1'. Jim - if you haven't got this you gotta get it just for this 10-odd minutes of fantastic guitar. (Alex - :BEER).

3. Alex Schultz on YouTube courtesy of our own dddelta: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6kmTUrO9qpM

4. 'Jumpin' Salty' off Sean Costello's CD 'Cuttin' In'.

Thanks for the Alex clip, just the sort of thing I'm looking for. Will check out the others too.

Here is another nice Alex Schultz clip I discovered after checking out the above link.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=IvdKV7vUN9A&mode=related&search=

Dan

S.W.Erdnase

09-10-2007, 04:56 PM

Mike, I love the vintage sound. On the new Bharath cd (which is actually playing as I write this) is cool IMHO. When the cd starts playing,just before the music starts you hear analog noise, but I'm a big fan of (room sound). One of my favorite engineers at achieving this is Jerry Hall. He's got it down for sure. Just my 2 cents. Shawn

I think when it's done right, like on Wilson's "My Blues" it can just make the whole thing jump out at you.

At the end of the day, I think getting some ambient room noise and making sure you mic the drums as a single instrument (a mic on the snare and one overhead) rather than going the dumb ass heavy metal route is what is required for a decent blues CD. Make it sound live, make it breathe...

At the other end of the spectrum, just think of all those Alligator records that could have been so much better if they hadn't DI'd the bass and got that tinny drum sound with no room noise and shit like that.... (shudder)

mikelaw

09-10-2007, 05:35 PM

pee wee crayton with a phaser or auto wah! great shit!

bbarnard

09-10-2007, 05:43 PM

Not I. Which issue? Who's on the cover? What'd he say?

Thanks for the heads up!

Betty LaVette, #108, Oct/Nov 2007, page 40:

"I've always managed to have some of the best guitar players - Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Kid Bangham, Mike Welch, Troy Gonyea and Paul Size from L.A. band the Red Devils. The "revolving door" seems to work best, because it changes everything and keeps it fresh. When I have a four-piece with Mike Welch on guitar, I like to compare the sound to the early Fabulous Thunderbirds, with a driving Chicago blues energy. Mike's intensity reminds me of when I used to play with Ronnie Earl. People say there's a magical connection between the two of us onstage. Mike never holds back, and he's very knowledgeable about how to back up a harp."

High praise and all true Mike.

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 07:12 PM

At the other end of the spectrum, just think of all those Alligator records that could have been so much better if they hadn't DI'd the bass and got that tinny drum sound with no room noise and shit like that.... (shudder)

(double shudder)

Strat-O

09-10-2007, 07:14 PM

Betty LaVette, #108, Oct/Nov 2007, page 40:

"I've always managed to have some of the best guitar players - Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Kid Bangham, Mike Welch, Troy Gonyea and Paul Size from L.A. band the Red Devils. The "revolving door" seems to work best, because it changes everything and keeps it fresh. When I have a four-piece with Mike Welch on guitar, I like to compare the sound to the early Fabulous Thunderbirds, with a driving Chicago blues energy. Mike's intensity reminds me of when I used to play with Ronnie Earl. People say there's a magical connection between the two of us onstage. Mike never holds back, and he's very knowledgeable about how to back up a harp."

High praise and all true Mike.

Monster Mike's got it going on. Too bad there's not enough blues fans in the USA to buy the music and support a tour. :(

aja

09-10-2007, 08:07 PM

Thanks for the compliment Monster Mike and Ricky. I think I copped a lick from you on their too Mike. I could never compare myself to those guys, I just try to play their stuff cause I love it. I'll never be Jimmie Vaughan. Our Marked deck is played at a slightly fast tempo IMHO.

I think some of Dukes work, Sugar Rays, Kid Ramos, Piazza are some great examples of modern recordings.
I'd love to make an old school chicago recording but a well recorded modern cd is ok by me too.

nc slim

09-10-2007, 08:53 PM

strat o we tee off 8;00 tommorow if you are comin call me, ice pick James and Hummel it will be great jam

aja

09-10-2007, 09:11 PM

Bo ... Diddley !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrYhRFOcgg4&mode=related&search=

GOLDENSTRAT

09-10-2007, 09:32 PM

There used to be a late 50's clip on youtube of Bo on Ed Sullivan with Jerome on maracas that was very cool. From the 60's clips, I would say Bo knows rhythm guitarists.
Talkin' bout recording, I like Dave Specter's "grainy" (to me) sound, and Ronnie Earl's mid 90's studio alblums are amazing - very clear and warm. Duke's last couple of cd's are nice sounding, too. You can tell that Curran and Jr. Watson both went for a vintage live "one take" sound, Harman's always have a good vibe to me too. fred

valcotone

09-10-2007, 10:48 PM

These are hard to find, and I know some guys have been lookin:

54 Les Paul VOS RI (not chambered)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190151272382

(I'm not affiliated with the seller...)

RickyKing

09-10-2007, 11:12 PM

Betty LaVette, #108, Oct/Nov 2007, page 40:

"I've always managed to have some of the best guitar players - Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Kid Bangham, Mike Welch, Troy Gonyea and Paul Size from L.A. band the Red Devils. The "revolving door" seems to work best, because it changes everything and keeps it fresh. When I have a four-piece with Mike Welch on guitar, I like to compare the sound to the early Fabulous Thunderbirds, with a driving Chicago blues energy. Mike's intensity reminds me of when I used to play with Ronnie Earl. People say there's a magical connection between the two of us onstage. Mike never holds back, and he's very knowledgeable about how to back up a harp."

High praise and all true Mike.

There some BAAADDD Boys hangin here:messedup! Fo Sho!

pete kanaras

09-11-2007, 06:05 AM

At the same time, I get really tired of the (and I love this term, thanks, Jeff Michael!) "Civil War Re-Enactment" mentality that pervades much of the current blues scene.

haHA
man you're killin' me

blueskalle

09-11-2007, 11:47 AM

In July 1997, I read about a guitarplayer i Guitarplayers Spotlight kolumn. It was a bout aChicago bluesplayer that seemed like something I would like. Now ten years later I found him here- John Edelmann!
Cheers!!!

mikelaw

09-11-2007, 03:07 PM

lyla tov-good night. moeller on the whole truth -nulisch. SICK tune.

GOLDENSTRAT

09-11-2007, 05:12 PM

Just got "B.B. King the Modern recordings 1950-1951" , a double cd of early singles and alternate takes - tons of great raw guitar, vocals and saxophone. I've had "Do the Boogie" and "Spotlight on Lucille" for a long while and have been looking for more early raw B.B. This seems pretty good - it has him on the cover with a tele. fred

monstermike

09-11-2007, 05:47 PM

You should get the Vintage Years box on Ace. Everyone should, really - without those records you don't get Buddy Guy, Freddy King, Magic Sam, Little Milton, Otis Rush, Jimmie Vaughan, etc. You'll recognize whole solos taken almost note for note on records you know. B.B. influenced everybody, really.

monstermike

09-11-2007, 05:48 PM

Betty LaVette, #108, Oct/Nov 2007, page 40:

"I've always managed to have some of the best guitar players - Ronnie Earl, Duke Robillard, Kid Bangham, Mike Welch, Troy Gonyea and Paul Size from L.A. band the Red Devils. The "revolving door" seems to work best, because it changes everything and keeps it fresh. When I have a four-piece with Mike Welch on guitar, I like to compare the sound to the early Fabulous Thunderbirds, with a driving Chicago blues energy. Mike's intensity reminds me of when I used to play with Ronnie Earl. People say there's a magical connection between the two of us onstage. Mike never holds back, and he's very knowledgeable about how to back up a harp."

High praise and all true Mike.

Wow - that is high praise. I'm all choked up. Thanks for posting it!

M

GOLDENSTRAT

09-11-2007, 05:52 PM

Mike, last week I was digesting Ace's "B.B. King - Best of the Blues Guitar King 1951-1966" and thinking exactly what you just said - esp. Freddie King, JLV and Buddy Guy. fred

Dave Orban

09-11-2007, 06:10 PM

Strat-O

09-11-2007, 06:52 PM

oh man, you can hear so much BB in Anson's playing too.

Sorry NC, can't make it up there tonight...the timing just isn't good. Have fun!

mikelaw

09-11-2007, 08:14 PM

great article on holmstrom in the new vintage guitar magazine! anyone have the tele/gatemouth wiring rick is commenting about? not that i have a tele, but ONE day.....

Echo Are

09-12-2007, 02:02 AM

Hi folks, haven't posted in a while. Just thought I'd mention, if you're looking for cranked Fender tweed tones on a shoestring, check one of these out:
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/NayrYes/PVBack30Amp.jpg

Some of you might be laughing right now, but, seriously, this amp does an uncanny impression of dirty tweed blues tone. I picked mine up for $70.00. It's a 1977 model(PV ran the serial # for me via e-mail). I put a Jensen MOD speaker that I had in it(I'll have to try a 101 dB speaker sometime). Volume-wise, it's 15 watts into 8 ohms, and it's amazingly loud, though it *just* barely cuts through for soloing live(I've used it unmiked at 2 blues jams so far). Still, for '70s solid-state amp technology, I'm impressed.

But, actually, y'all please go on collecting the vintage Fender, Gibson amps, etc. I want all the old PVs for myself;).

S.W.Erdnase

09-12-2007, 04:18 AM

What just happened?

Any you guys see that?

saggybottom

09-12-2007, 07:52 AM

Johnny Knox hosts a blues jam in Atlanta and has one of those for players to plug into. Everyone comments on the amps tone and how good it sounds for solid state amp.

monstermike

09-12-2007, 08:04 AM

Stringmaster

09-12-2007, 08:48 AM

Heads up--I've just relisted my '50's Guild 1x15" Pro style amp in the Emporium--at a "give away" price.
Thanks, DD

dddelta

09-12-2007, 09:43 AM

Hey Mike, you even get a mention here in this great clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG7Vp_V3JKE&mode=related&search=

Echo Are

09-12-2007, 11:32 AM

Johnny Knox hosts a blues jam in Atlanta and has one of those for players to plug into. Everyone comments on the amps tone and how good it sounds for solid state amp.

Cool! Does he mike it, or does he have a really sensitive speaker in it? It's a perfect blues jam house amp: cheap to buy and maintain, and built like the proverbial brick s**thouse.

aja

09-12-2007, 12:06 PM

Gatemouth had some killer tone for sure. Especially for tele. Must be this one hes talkin' bout.http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NYC2G1J8L._AA240_.jpg (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000FHYI60/sr=1-3/qid=1189616799/ref=dp_image_0/103-4989561-1286246?ie=UTF8&n=5174&s=music&qid=1189616799&sr=1-3)

Goldie295

09-12-2007, 01:13 PM

KBR - I should warn you that I run all my amps with the treble all the way up and the bass (and mids if there's a mid knob) all the off. Amp volume is usually just above a grind level. I use the guitar volume/tone controls alot.

Strat-O,

Sorry to pull out such an old quote but I was listening to some old Gatemouth stuff and found your comment while doing a search of this thread of old Gatemouth posts.

I love the idea of putting on loads of treble and then using the guitars tone to control it. A couple of questions:

1. If there is a presence control do you max this also?

2. Which amps do you own and run like this?

Cheers
Phil

KBR

09-12-2007, 01:21 PM

I use an Allen Old Flame Head (like a Super Reverb PTP ala mid 60's and it has a Raw control knob which dials in da dirt if I want it.
Also an Allen Brown Sugar head 30 watts cathode biased with Reverb and Raw control, kinda like a cross Brown Fender Amp/Tweed Pro.

Presence varies but usually 1/2
I like my 2 P12N open back cab (12A150 Webers)
and am making a 3x10 Cab, probably 2 P10N's and a P10Q.

I love Fender Tweeds, and Black Face amps, all of em, and owned a few truck loads of em during my career.
I use piggy back due to lifting 35 lbs in each arm is easier than 70 in one.
I have 2 discs out and can't afford the surgery.

I lived in London during 69-72 and was in the USAF and gigged around town, I loved it.

monstermike

09-12-2007, 02:15 PM

Hey Mike, you even get a mention here in this great clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG7Vp_V3JKE&mode=related&search=

Spooky. After all of the dead legends, seeing my face and "born 1980" is like looking at a headstone with my own name on it. "1980 - "

And I was born in 1979. Oh well. It's nice to be included!

Is that Gatemouth record an Ace compilation? There are some things that aren't on the "Original Peacock Recordings" that I've been casually looking for.

M

straightblues

09-12-2007, 05:38 PM

great article on holmstrom in the new vintage guitar magazine! anyone have the tele/gatemouth wiring rick is commenting about? not that i have a tele, but ONE day.....

Call Don Mare. They are his pickups in it and I believe he also did the wiring for Rick. Maybe Don will even post about it here.

Strat-O

09-12-2007, 07:14 PM

Darn, I forgot to go back and delete the evidence! :jo

Ha, nah just kidding. This internet is like a massive paper trail except there's no paper. I'm not the King Tone Ranger, but it works for me on most any amp I've used. I don't have any with presence controls and haven't for a long time. I use a Victoria Regal II about 90 percent of the time. The rest of the time either a two 6V6 Victorilux with either 2x10's or 3x10's. The 3x10 is my favorite. And sometimes I use one of my Blues Jr's as a 2nd amp hooked up with a splitter box. Setup works pretty good with Tele's, Strat's and P90's. The midrange can get right on top of you though and be hard to manage.

I'm a massive fan of 50's BB King tone and that's where I can find it the easiest. But sometimes I can't use that for the gig depending on who I'm backing up. Occassionally I back the treble down on the amp a notch or two but keep the bass on 0. Hope this is helpful. Its also awesome for the bridge pickup to get Gatemouth's 50's tone...Daddy Yaddy Ya all night long! And Johnny Gtr/Pee Wee Tone. For me anyway.

That You Tube video was very cool but got kinda weird after the 7 minute mark.

GOLDENSTRAT

09-12-2007, 09:36 PM

http://i21.ebayimg.com/02/c/05/a8/f5/62_6.JPG (http://product.half.ebay.com/His-First-Recordings-1947-1951_W0QQprZ3479770QQtgZinfo) Mike, I like this one almost more than the "Original Peacock recordings". fred

monstermike

09-12-2007, 10:31 PM

Yeah, that stuff's great, too, but it's not nearly as interesting to me as the 52-56 recordings. The big fat angry Telecaster is one element, but it feels like he stepped up the intensity of his singing, too.

T. Caster

09-13-2007, 05:17 AM

Can someone please recommend a couple of good cd's featuring Alex Schultz on guitar? Thanks.

Dan

S.W.Erdnase

09-13-2007, 06:02 AM

Can someone please recommend a couple of good cd's featuring Alex Schultz on guitar? Thanks.

Dan

Think About It (his solo outing)

http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/index.php?main_page=product_music_info&products_id=10651

Did You Ever Wonder? (Tad Robinson CD)

Blowin' Like Hell (William Clarke CD)

Blues In The Dark (Rod Piazza CD)

Alphabet Blues (Rod Piazza CD)

Goldie295

09-13-2007, 06:13 AM

sideman

09-13-2007, 05:14 PM

Alex has a website: http://alexschultz.com/. I like all his work, even with Tad Robinson (although that stuff's alot less interesting to me), but if I had to pick only two CDs it would be William Clark's "Groove Time" (ALCD 4827) and Rod Piazza's "Blues in the Dark" (BT 1062). His more recent solo release "Think About It" is a little slick for me. Rod's "Alphabet Blues" is also very good.

mikelaw

09-13-2007, 05:39 PM

schultz-claibornes best? BB AND THE BLUESHACKS...sick stuff!!!!!!

T. Caster

09-13-2007, 07:31 PM

Thanks guys, keep em comming! Particularly looking for the real swingy stuff. Bought "Jam Up" off the Jimi Bott live disc from I Tunes, very cool. Will investigate all leads (no pun intended).

Dan

Strat-O

09-13-2007, 08:22 PM

watson's tune off Cheap Thrills is smokin' .

T. Caster

09-13-2007, 11:17 PM

watson's tune off Cheap Thrills is smokin' .

Yeah, I got that one too.

Dan

Poppa Stoppa

09-14-2007, 04:34 AM

watson's tune off Cheap Thrills is smokin' .Yeah that's smokin'.

'56 Merc

09-14-2007, 09:45 AM

I just clicked on the"Cleaning a Microphone Foam Shield" thread thinking it may have been posted by John Nemeth.

RickyKing

09-14-2007, 11:28 AM

Lordy,the mail from CA comes fast...
Bharath...+1!
Mannish Boys...+1 (withrez.)
Hollywood Combo...+1! Yea F.T.!!

zappafrank

09-14-2007, 12:10 PM

I just clicked on the"Cleaning a Microphone Foam Shield" thread thinking it may have been posted by John Nemeth.

THAT is purdy funny!--

Actually, Nemeth went down and sat in at the ol' regular SteinHaus gig last night (where Jimi Bott is the usual drummer, Paris Slim on guitar---I started that gig and still do it once in awhile---I quit when they would not give us a raise from $35.00 a man-4 piece-!)---anyway---I heard he was fantastic, but I missed it as I was at a BB King concert---and Mr Welch is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!---"The Vintage Years" Box set on BB is essential---truly a desert island set for me---

Lots of great posts lately---I'll have to play catch up!!---I'm seeing Little Charlie tonite---a good week for music!

ac

Dave Orban

09-14-2007, 02:13 PM

If anyone is looking for a NICE archtop, I just posted for sale my 2001 Gibson L4-CES. It is a GREAT guitar, but I just scored something I've been drooling over for some time now, and, unfortunately, some things have to go... ;)

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=291368

T. Caster

09-14-2007, 02:43 PM

The postman just brought me James Harman "Strictly Live in '85".

Hot Dang!

Dan

bbarnard

09-14-2007, 02:43 PM

THAT is purdy funny!--

I'm seeing Little Charlie tonite

ac

Tell Charles I said "Hello".

mikelaw

09-14-2007, 03:01 PM

ps- there is a great article on rick holmstrom in the new vintage guitar magazine! great photos of his gear and stories and all. he also makes mention to our very own ryan hartt and the bluehearts in the interview too! wohoo

GOLDENSTRAT

09-14-2007, 08:22 PM

Saw Duke Robillard with the fabulous Jon Ross on bass last night. Nice show and great musicians all around, really enjoyed "The Memphis Grind". fred.

jumpnblues

09-16-2007, 04:19 PM

Anyone here use a wireless system for their guitar? Is there one that doesn't adversely affect your tone and sounds as good as using a high quality chord? Thanks. :cool::cool:

Tom

T. Caster

09-17-2007, 02:17 AM

I just found out that James Harman will be coming to town in late November. It's part of "Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blow Out", Featuring Hummel, Harman, James Cotton, and Lee Oskar. I'm familar with Harman and Cotton, anyone have anything to say about Hummel and OsKar?

Dan

Goldie295

09-17-2007, 03:02 AM

Anyone here use a wireless system for their guitar? Is there one that doesn't adversely affect your tone and sounds as good as using a high quality chord? Thanks. :cool::cool:

Tom

Tom,

I have a system by Audio Technica (7000 model). It is fairly cheap costing around 200 pounds new over this side of the pond. I found mine on ebay for a 1/4 of the price and thought I'd dabble.

The system has signal boosters and things to get your signal up to chord quality signal levels.

The problems with them are twofold:

1. The amount of boost required depends on the power of your pickups. This means it needs to be set up seperately for each guitar unless you get different bodypacks (with have their own fiddly trim pot), which is expensive. When I switch from the 295 with p90s to the Airline H44 the system distorts until I reduce the amount of boost, due to the much hotter Airline pups.

2. The first problem is easy to solve by changing the rotary boost control. However, the main problem with these systems is the bodypack needs to be at least 2m from the receiver. If you are any closer it still works but the sound is noticeably thinner. Most the venues I play do not allow for 2m distance between my amp (with the receiver on top) and me. This is the real killer.

Cheers,
Phil

TwoFeets

09-17-2007, 08:13 AM

rhartt1234

09-17-2007, 08:23 AM

I'm sure I'm not the first guy to think of this but...
The tweed Pro is among one of the amps of choice for trad/old school blues guitar players, like Watson, Holmstrom, and the great Eric Ducoff. Many have also praised the humble Pro Junior as a great little amp with a lot of bang for the buck. So what would happen if you a put a Pro Junior chassis in a 1X15 cabinet? I don't know for sure but I doubt the chassis is the same size as a Pro chassis so it's not as simple buying a Weber 5e5A cabinet. But other than that it seems like a pretty cool idea. Or is it reverse gestalt and not worth combining a $200 amp, a $250 cab and a $75-$100 speaker? Waddya think?

Also:
Whoever mentioned Job Striles:
I used to see Job play with Max Bangwell a lot when I lived in LA. They played happy hour every weekend at the Blue Cafe so they were essentially the permanent opeing act for all the national bands. Job has a really cool combination of sophistication and rawness. It's been mentioned on this thread how the T-Bone imitators were sometimes cooler than T-Bone cuz they were so funky and what they lacked in technique they made up in energy. Job is like that, uptown but still funky around the edges.

TwoFeets

09-17-2007, 08:29 AM

I'm sure I'm not the first guy to think of this but...
The tweed Pro is among one of the amps of choice for trad/old school blues guitar players, like Watson, Holmstrom, and the great Eric Ducoff. Many have also praised the humble Pro Junior as a great little amp with a lot of bang for the buck. So what would happen if you a put a Pro Junior chassis in a 1X15 cabinet? I don't know for sure but I doubt the chassis is the same size as a Pro chassis so it's not as simple buying a Weber 5e5A cabinet. But other than that it seems like a pretty cool idea. Or is it reverse gestalt and not worth combining a $200 amp, a $250 cab and a $75-$100 speaker? Waddya think?

Mojo will do cabs with custom cutouts by request. I think there's a little upcharge but you can do it. Adam Palow at Tungsten Amps who built my 5E5-A has also built things like Champs and Princetons with 15"s, tucked into 5E5A sized cabinets.

Swingblues

09-17-2007, 09:13 AM

Hey Kenny check this out:

http://www.mrmojo.com.br/2007/09/12/mojo-bluescast-quarto-episodio-elmore-james/

The "radio cast guys" are great friends and really like your music, listen it!

All the best
Igor Prado
www.igorpradoband.com (http://www.igorpradoband.com)
www.myspace.com/igorprado (http://www.myspace.com/igorprado)
www.pacificblues.com (http://www.pacificblues.com)

Poppa Stoppa

09-17-2007, 09:54 AM

I tried my Pro Junior through a 1x12" cab and it sounded great. Bigger sound, lass 'nasal' tone and more headroom. Tonedog do a tweed 1x12 cab for a Pro Junior. http://www.tonedog.com/

No reason why a 1x15" wouldn't sound good too.

Goldie295

09-17-2007, 10:49 AM

Do any of you guys have a BB King Blues Club in your area?

They're opening one here in Orlando, and notice has gone out that they're auditioning guys for the house band, both as regulars and subs. It will shape up to be an 11 piece band with horns. Obviously they're going to do a variety, not just straight-ahead blues, so there will be some call to do some soul, Motown, funk, etc. but I'm thinking about throwing my hat in the ring just the same. I've never actually BEEN to one of these clubs - can anyone tell me what they're like?

Feets,

That sounds like the opportunity of the century - what a gig !!

You have to go for it.

I used to love BBs own rhythm guitarist - Leon Warren - during gigs. What a sound from a Howard Robert Gibson and a Fender Twin. A sweet blend of Charlie Christian and T-Bone Walker. Sadly, I believe he died at the beginning of the year, though I may be mistaken. I saw him with BB in Paris last October. Great gig.

Cheers,
Phil

Cleanhead

09-17-2007, 11:12 AM

I may have mentioned that many months ago I sold my Brownface Concert to buy an engagement ring... I am excited that I met a great gal and do not regret the decision; however, since that time I have struggled with a rig that sounds decent... I guess I now realize what a great harp amp I had...

After some unsuccessful gigs (tone wise) with some blackface supers and a silver face super, I was recently loaned some amps that should work. Tomorrow I will be playing out for the first time with the new setup - original 59 bassman daisy chained to an old silvertone... should do the trick :)

I harp player in town heard me playing through a silverface super and said "you need a better rig to do you justice - I have a bassman at home collecting dust.. Just use it as much as you want..." Boy, I am continually blown away by the generosity and friendliness of musicians here in the Pacific Northwest...

Quick question for bassman owners... Do you recommend "jumping" the channels? Is this safe for the amp? Since it is borrowed, I definitely don't want to do anything to harm the bassman...

Kurt

Strat-O

09-17-2007, 11:17 AM

I've been to two BB King clubs; NYC and Memphis. I thought they were very cool. Go for it man.

I had Mojo Tone make a 53 TV Front Pro cabinet for my Blues Jr...the Bee Bee amp I made. I was on the verge of doing exactly what you're talking about with a Pro Jr but discovered the Regal II amp (with reverb and trem) and bailed out on the idea due to lack of funding.

jumpnblues

09-17-2007, 02:39 PM

Cleanhead,

No problem jumping channels on the Bassman. Used to do it on my Victoria Bassman all the time.

Goldie,

Thanks for the info. Didn't realize you needed to be 2 meters from the receiver. Good to know. I'd probably be using it in my studio 95% of the time. Kind of hard to remain 2 meters from the receiver when my studio area is about 8'X10'. There is a walk-in closet next to my studio area. Maybe I could place the receiver in there? Thanks again.

Tom

Poppa Stoppa

09-17-2007, 03:05 PM

Cleanhead,

No problem jumping channels on the Bassman. Used to do it on my Victoria Bassman all the time.

TomSomebody who knows confirm this in more detail (Jetlag?) - the volume controls on a Bassman are interactive, like on a tweed deluxe, so you can also turn the one you're not using way up and it affects the tone hugely, without jumpering. I've seen that done with brown Concerts too.

valcotone

09-17-2007, 03:11 PM

If I were borrowing an original '59 Bassman I'd be carefull about the speakers... if they blow you risk a lot of the value of the amp. Just a thought. I'd love to hear you blow harp through that rig!

IMO, jumping the channels is ok and pretty common.

hasserl

09-17-2007, 03:22 PM

Somebody who knows confirm this in more detail (Jetlag?) - the volume controls on a Bassman are interactive, like on a tweed deluxe, so you can also turn the one you're not using way up and it affects the tone hugely, without jumpering. I've seen that done with brown Concerts too.

Really the tweed Deluxe is the only one this works very well on, due to the volume control circuit being so different on that amp than on any other. The outputs of both volume controls on the Deluxe are joined together going to the grid of the second gain stage. The outputs of both volume controls on the Bassman are separated by a 270k ohm mixing resistor on each channel. This isolates the channels pretty well and reduces that cool interactivity between the channels that a Deluxe has.

Edit: on the brown and black face amps there is no chance for this interactivity at all. The channel volume controls are separated by gain stages and in the case of the brown amps a tremelo section. No chance for interaction between them at all.

nc slim

09-17-2007, 04:12 PM

re Hummel just had him and Harman at a benefit in N C . INPO he is on the small roundtable of the greatest living players.we had a blast w he and Harman. got to play w them w my harp player Eddie Martin. ask him to play the Creeper, Cotton's show stopper or Summertime. Harman just drips w blues authenticity and his stories are a hoot. I will post pixes. Lee Oskar is also a great more jazz or melodic players never saw him tho.

Dave Orban

09-17-2007, 04:16 PM

T. Caster

09-17-2007, 07:05 PM

I've been picking up some Harman CD's: Live in 85, Extra Napkins, and Mo Napkins, the latter of which should be arriving in the next day or so. Great harp player and singer. And if the Holywood Fats video on Youtube is representative of a typical live performance, he would have given the Godfather of Soul a run for his money for the title "The hardest working man in showbiz".

Has anyone seen any of the Hummel " Blues Harmonica Blow out's"? I found a Youtube video, and there were 4 harp players onstage at the same time. Is that the way they are structured, or do they each play seperately with a band, then all get together at the end for a jam?

Dan

S.W.Erdnase

09-17-2007, 07:08 PM

They play separately first, thank god. You can beat the rush and leave when they all get up for the heehawing session at the end.

T. Caster

09-17-2007, 07:11 PM

Do they use the same backing band, or each bring their own?

Dan

Dave Orban

09-17-2007, 07:28 PM

I've been picking up some Harman CD's: Live in 85, Extra Napkins, and Mo Napkins, the latter of which should be arriving in the next day or so. Great harp player and singer. And if the Holywood Fats video on Youtube is representative of a typical live performance, he would have given the Godfather of Soul a run for his money for the title "The hardest working man in showbiz".

Dan
James is 62 now, so there's not quite the same level of physical energy as back in the Fats days. But I can tell you from first-hand experience, the man COMMANDS the stage, and delivers a performance that most folks can only wish they could deliver. He's the real deal, and there aren't too many today who can come even close, IMHO...

S.W.Erdnase

09-17-2007, 08:44 PM

Do they use the same backing band, or each bring their own?

Dan

It's usually Hummel's road band, with a few sit-ins.

musicofanatic5

09-17-2007, 08:53 PM

They play separately first, thank god. You can beat the rush and leave when they all get up for the heehawing session at the end.
Saw a version with Wilson and Musslewhite. They and Hummel performed a trio with (I can't recall exactly who played what) one playing bass on a low harp, one in the middle on rhythm, and one on top; without the band. Heehawing? I thought it was pretty cool.

T. Caster

09-17-2007, 09:08 PM

James is 62 now, so there's not quite the same level of physical energy as back in the Fats days. But I can tell you from first-hand experience, the man COMMANDS the stage, and delivers a performance that most folks can only wish they could deliver. He's the real deal, and there aren't too many today who can come even close, IMHO...

Dave---The first I ever heard of him was in your thread where you described backing him up recently. That must have been a real gas. I never figured that I would get a chance to see him, so was pleasantly surprised to read about the upcoming event right here in town. I had assumed that the physical energy on stage would naturally be toned down due to the years; I was amazed that he could keep it up even back then.

Dan

S.W.Erdnase

09-17-2007, 09:11 PM

Saw a version with Wilson and Musslewhite. They and Hummel performed a trio with (I can't recall exactly who played what) one playing bass on a low harp, one in the middle on rhythm, and one on top; without the band. Heehawing? I thought it was pretty cool.

I'm a harp player - I was joking. (Little tip of the hat to Monster Mike's donkey puller line).

Mind you, it can be a trap getting all the good guys together on stage at once. It shines a light on who's way better than who. Like that SPAH 98 Finale that's circulating. Even if a guy is a really solid harp player (like Curtis Salgado) who is obviously trying reeee-e-e-e-al hard to make an impression, it pales when guys like Kim Wilson and Steve Guyger pick up the mic and go BLAT!

Indeed, it was funny to see Kim Wilson's double take when Guyger played his solo. Guyger's tone and phrasing were monstrous.

Dave Orban

09-17-2007, 09:46 PM

I'm a harp player - I was joking. (Little tip of the hat to Monster Mike's donkey puller line).

Mind you, it can be a trap getting all the good guys together on stage at once. It shines a light on who's way better than who. Like that SPAH 98 Finale that's circulating. Even if a guy is a really solid harp player (like Curtis Salgado) who is obviously trying reeee-e-e-e-al hard to make an impression, it pales when guys like Kim Wilson and Steve Guyger pick up the mic and go BLAT!

Indeed, it was funny to see Kim Wilson's double take when Guyger played his solo. Guyger's tone and phrasing were monstrous.I've seen Guyger a number of times. Hell, I've even played with him three times. And I have to say, I honestly don't get him. His playing ain't nothing to write home about, IMO, and his singing (?!?) sounds like a mouth full of marbles and maple syrup. I just don't think he's anywhere near Kim's league...

Different strokes, I guess.

'56 Merc

09-17-2007, 10:49 PM

I saw Hummel, Harman and Billy Boy Arnold about a year ago. It was Hummel's band backing with Charles ??? [English guy]on guitar. Real good. '60 330 into a Victoria Tweed Pro. Hummel opened then Billy Boy did a set then Harman and then the free for all with four other harp players joining them on stage.

James Harman is one of the best, don't miss him.

I have a 5e5 clone that a buddy refers to as a Pro Sr. and a Pro Jr. I'll plug the Jr. into the Sr. cab and post a report.

jetlag

09-17-2007, 11:02 PM

Somebody who knows confirm this in more detail (Jetlag?) - the volume controls on a Bassman are interactive, like on a tweed deluxe, so you can also turn the one you're not using way up and it affects the tone hugely, without jumpering. I've seen that done with brown Concerts too.

Poppa, correct. You can plug into a single input of a 5F6A tweed bassman (or for that matter a 5f4 super/5E5A pro/5E7 bandmaster) and the other channel's volume control is interactive. It's in a different way than with a tweed deluxe. The bassman circuit will increase in gain and mids as you turn the "off" channel up to a point - typically around 4 or 5 - then the effect diminishes. With a 5E3 deluxe, as you turn up the "off" channel, you get phase cancellations that thin and/or scoop out the tone. Two different input circuits and two different types of interactive behavior. As far as brown concerts, I wasn't aware of that, but you probably have a good point since the two channels still share preamp tubes. Something fender "corrected" in the blackface circuits.

And Cleanhead, yes, you can jumper the channels w/o fear of damaging the amp. See if you like the thickening of tone that it can provide. For harp I would think it would be a waste of time, as typically you'll run a 12AY7 or 12AU7 (your fav) in V1 just in an attempt to LOSE gain so you have more dial control over the volume knob before feedback. But it doesn't hurt to try.

jetlag

09-17-2007, 11:07 PM

Merc, I'm with you. Charles is a really nice player. His last name is pronounced like "wheel" but the spelling escapes me. Not sure what happened to him. I got to play with him and Hummel's band during one of those harp rumbles about 3 years ago when we all backed Lee McBee, who opened the night. Charles played great and it was an awful lot of fun doing two guitars with someone who "gets it." Later, with Mark, he did some stuff very similar to Magic Sam's Lookin' Good. Something I've endeavered to do for years but can't seem to grasp. Maybe one of these decades .............

jimfog

09-17-2007, 11:26 PM

I've seen Guyger a number of times. Hell, I've even played with him three times. And I have to say, I honestly don't get him. His playing ain't nothing to write home about, IMO, and his singing (?!?) sounds like a mouth full of marbles and maple syrup. I just don't think he's anywhere near Kim's league...

Surprised to hear you say that, Dave.....

Guyger's a strange dude, and I don't love his singing either, but I think he's a monster harp player........the stage lifted a few feet in the air when he sat in with you guys, from the power.

He's probably a little dirtier and more raw force vs. Kim's finesse........but they are both upper echelon.

- Jim

aja

09-18-2007, 12:08 AM

thought i'd put this up for everyone.
my band los carnales
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6FEfc-wTgs

DonM

09-18-2007, 01:27 AM

thought i'd put this up for everyone.
my band los carnales
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6FEfc-wTgs

i enjoyed it.. cut me too!:RoCkIn

S.W.Erdnase

09-18-2007, 02:04 AM

Surprised to hear you say that, Dave.....

Guyger's a strange dude, and I don't love his singing either, but I think he's a monster harp player........the stage lifted a few feet in the air when he sat in with you guys, from the power.

He's probably a little dirtier and more raw force vs. Kim's finesse........but they are both upper echelon.

- Jim

Right. What Jim said.

Different strokes, no doubt, but to say Guyger's playing is nothing to write home about is, well... let's just agree to disagree.

But hey, whatever. Heee-haaw.

pete kanaras

09-18-2007, 08:00 AM

i was in guyger's band for three years before i moved to DC. the band was steve, me, the late great danny sperduto on drums and gary phillips on bass, mostly. and for my taste he is as great as anyone i have ever heard on that instrument, and heavier than most of them. you might not realize it after seeing him once or twice but man the guy is as deep as deep gets, i can tell you that first hand. and he gets ultimate respect from the guys in the upper tier; every single one of them know him and love him. i spent a lot of time with steve in the early 90's, and i dig his singing a whole lot too. william clarke went on the record as saying that steve was his favorite living harp player, 'nuff said. i remember being at guyger's house the day he got that quote from bill in the mail. i love all the guys mentioned in this recent thread, but for me estrin and guyger are IT. as good and as original as it gets, while staying true to the tradition

mikelaw

09-18-2007, 08:12 AM

sick and slick clip alec, i LOVE the band!!!!!!!! love the singer and of course your playing is the best man. preston rules too of course. los carnales is my new fav band! lowdown!

steve guyger is one of my favs. love his singing and harp playing.

zappafrank

09-18-2007, 08:17 AM

Maybe Salgado might not quite be at the harp level you guys are enamored with---but he can sing ANYTHING he wants, anytime---what a voice, man---if I could sing half that good I'd sell all my gear and JUST sing---the best of all the guys mentioned, I gotta say---just saw him sit in w/ the Nightcats last Friday (hung out w/ Charlie and the boys, but that's another story)---I think Nullisch is in that league, as well---just all my opinion---

man---you guys have been on a posting frenzy!!!---I gotta get caught up!

ac

zappafrank

09-18-2007, 08:19 AM

aja---killer, killer stuff----makes me REALLY want to get something going around here again! Excellent, bro---keep it up!

ac

TwoFeets

09-18-2007, 08:31 AM

I think the real indicator of how good that Los Carnales clip is, is how much fun Prez looks like he's having.

Goldie295

09-18-2007, 10:52 AM

valcotone

09-18-2007, 11:12 AM

It was Hummel's band backing with Charles ??? [English guy]on guitar. Real good. '60 330 into a Victoria Tweed Pro.

I remember seeing Charles and Mark Hummel in a small club several years ago back when I was first discovering this fine music for myself... I was also looking for a nice P90 hollowbody and Charles had an old ES-330 for sale at the time... I think he wanted $1500 for it, but I wasn't able to swing it. DOH!! Very nice guy and fine player. He really plays some nice stuff on those Harp Meltdown CDs.

stevieboy

09-18-2007, 11:22 AM

I'm looking to get some definitive early Lowell Fulson tracks.

I have found Classic Cuts 1946-1953 on the JSP Records label, but it is a 4cd box set and is quite expensive to download (113 tracks).

If anyone has an alternative suggestion, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Cheers,
Phil

Get it the old fashioned way--from Amazon.com on CD! (Times sure change, when that's now the old fashioned way.)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/1946-1953-Recordings-Biggest-Talents/dp/B0002I9IKI/ref=sr_1_8/202-6480754-4081450?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1190132129&sr=1-8

15 quid, that's a pretty good deal for four CD's.

aja

09-18-2007, 11:47 AM

Some JLV on the Jimmy Reed Highway tour !! Killer vintage JLV playing like girls go wild !! :eek:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ew_S3Zn_y-I&mode=related&search=

valcotone

09-18-2007, 11:55 AM

Some JLV on the Jimmy Reed Highway tour !! Killer vintage JLV playing like girls go wild !! :eek:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ew_S3Zn_y-I&mode=related&search=

Yeah... and Derek O'Brien doin' the rhythm thang too!

Thanks Aja.

Cleanhead

09-18-2007, 12:31 PM

First of all, thanks to everyone for the advice on the bassman - I am playing with it tonight and will report back on the live sound...

As for Steve Guyger, I am somewhat surprised by some people's reaction to his playing and singing. Comparing anyone to Kim Wilson is a tall order as Kim sits alone at the top; however, in terms of traditional CHicago blues Guyger is not far off. I have never seen Guyger live but have watched the SPAH tapes, have three of his CD's and also have heard an amazing "bootleg" of Guyger with our very own Pete Kanaras backing him up (recorded in the 90's before Pete joined the 'Hawks). Not only does it showcase Guyger's amazing harmonica prowess (both chromatic and diatonic) but it also shows what a great traditional player Pete is... Prior to the tape I had seen Pete several time with the NIghthawks - in that group Pete always "played the bag" and sounded great.. however, hearing these tapes opend my eyes and ears to how deep a player Pete is - great stuff indeed...

Another guy that I like (both vocals and playing) is RJ Mischo... Like Guyger he has TONE galore and very traditional and "deep" musical ideas...

Kurt

hasserl

09-18-2007, 12:45 PM

thought i'd put this up for everyone.
my band los carnales
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6FEfc-wTgs

Nice! :cool:

pete kanaras

09-18-2007, 02:15 PM

gee cleanhead thanks for the kind words. that was a killer hard core 4piece harp band, the best i've ever been involved with by far. i learned a Lot playing with steve, man he would just pull it out of you. i remember the night that bootleg was recorded, late '94 at the North Star in Philly buy a guy at the bar on a cassette walkman. what's on there is the 1st set and then the guy ran out of tape. pity because steve gomes sat in on bass the 2nd set, one of my favorite bassists ever. man that was a really great night, everybody was on.

and as you know, doing your record with karl was one of the most enjoyable experiences i've ever had in the studio. what a killer band, ouch

jimfog

09-18-2007, 02:28 PM

As for Steve Guyger, I am somewhat surprised by some people's reaction to his playing and singing.

Kurt,

Be aware, it's Dave who feels that way.......so not a huge backlash against Steve.

....and he's a got great taste, and I totally respect his opinion, even if I (we) happen to disagree.

- Jim

Dave Orban

09-18-2007, 02:44 PM

Kurt,

Be aware, it's Dave who feels that way.......so not a huge backlash against Steve.

....and he's a got great taste, and I totally respect his opinion, even if I (we) happen to disagree.

- Jim

Yeah, I can be an opinionated old fart, can't I...? LOL!

I've been listening to the "best of the best" of blues harmonica since, oh, 1966 or so. I'm pretty familiar with all the usual suspects, and can even blow a pretty respectable harp, myself. To me, Guyger does one thing, reasonably well. But there are plenty of others out there, both historical players and contemporary practitioners, who do many things, and do them so much better. And, many of them have got the "whole package," nailed down, with writing, singing, arranging, performing, and bandleading. You guys can complain to me all you want, but I ain't changin' my opinion on Guyger. ;)

pete kanaras

09-18-2007, 05:14 PM

dayum....

different strokes indeed. ok, moving on now....

valcotone

09-18-2007, 06:54 PM

Speaking of Kim... Who has that Kim's Mix Vol 1 "My Blues Sessions"? There is some killer stuff on there that really highlights the strengths of those sessions... some fine playing from all involved. I'm hoping for vol 2 and 3...

RickyKing

09-18-2007, 07:06 PM

mikelaw

09-18-2007, 07:06 PM

sean, it is sick. ducoff,ryan hartt myself and fellow harp player george dudack all snatched up copies on the last tour kim was on with mark hummel blowout.

we listened to it on the way home and all said it was killer. that session was kims best for real low down blues. kim said there are even more tracks from that session but who knows how many more.....watson is just stupid good on that stuff. SICK tone. id LOVE to know what watson used on that stuff. as ive mentioned before though, wil