West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0

[TwoFeets]

PS---Josh F. was very happy to get all those 'myspace' friends---guess I need a MySpace!!:eek:
ac


It's really cool to finally hear Josh play. Now I know why you've always spoken so highly of his playing.

[Strat-O]

I can neither confirm or deny that Sam Butera wrote that song. But, Watson says he got it from Butera.

Has Kid Andersen left Musselwhite's band to play with John Nemeth? What happened?

[RickyKing]

Yawn,Late night and I'm up too early....another Beautiful day here in Btown.
I'm getting together a Yard sale of stuff and as soon as I am ready I will post my offerings here 1st. I have tubes,speakers,amps and guitars that need to go. I hope this don't violate any rules or anything,just I think that the folks here would be interested in what I have. Just too much stuff!

[HappyValley]

OK this is the last video I'll post of myself, I'm real proud of this one though.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2873384044444494864&pr=goog-sl

IMHO Salgado is a great singer, better than Kim or Estrin. I love his stuff on Live at Lupo's and his solo stuff.But his harp playing isn't on the same level as Piazza,Estrin,Wilson,Little Walter. Those guys tone is unbelieavable, I never felt like salgado's tone was their from a guitarists point of view.I don't know all the intracacies of harp either.

Alec- REALLY nice stuff, bro'...but I've seen more of Los Carnales this past week or so than I have my WIFE!! LOL!

Salgado is truly great...IMHO, however, the term "better" when referring to singing, or guitar playing for that matter,is pretty subjective; Curtis may bring different approaches or nuances/inflections to the table than Rick Estrin or Kim, but they ALL have their own INDIVIDUALITY, the MOST important thing, I think.
I guess it's like saying "Muddy was better than Lockwood", or vice versa... they're both great, just different stylists, different approaches, voices, etc.

[pete kanaras]

hey all

go to Nappy Brown's myspace page for a listen to "That Man", off of his upcoming blind pig release. fukking incredible. WOW

this has been a Real Blues Public Service Announcement

[HappyValley]

I can neither confirm or deny that Sam Butera wrote that song. But, Watson says he got it from Butera.

Has Kid Andersen left Musselwhite's band to play with John Nemeth? What happened?
He's doing tour some dates w/Nemeth, that I know.....as far as 'leaving', not sure. I was told by a friend he saw Musslewhite & Kid A.recently and they KILLED.

[Goldie295]

Saw this and thought it looked cool:

http://i15.tinypic.com/4lyu4cn.jpg

Cheers
Phil

[Dave Orban]

hey all

go to Nappy Brown's myspace page for a listen to "That Man", off of his upcoming blind pig release. fukking incredible. WOW

this has been a Real Blues Public Service AnnouncementThanks, Pete...! :dude

[Strat-O]

He's doing tour some dates w/Nemeth, that I know.....as far as 'leaving', not sure. I was told by a friend he saw Musslewhite & Kid A.recently and they KILLED.

Yeah I saw them when they came through town and it was KILLER. Best band Musselwhite may have ever had. Kid was on fire.


Salgado is truly great...IMHO, however, the term "better" when referring to singing, or guitar playing for that matter,is pretty subjective; Curtis may bring different approaches or nuances/inflections to the table than Rick Estrin or Kim, but they ALL have their own INDIVIDUALITY, the MOST important thing, I think.
I guess it's like saying "Muddy was better than Lockwood", or vice versa... they're both great, just different stylists, different approaches, voices, etc.

Thank you! I can't stand the 'horse race' mentality.

[Scott Miller]

John Nemeth and the Kid is a great combination. Those guys will be playing when us geezers are long dead and gone. I'm glad to hear he's going on the road with John.

Musselwhite tends to take time off now and then; I was talking to Chris when he first got the gig, I think it was in a September, he was all excited, and then he got less excited when he found out his first gig was the following April.

[valcotone]

AHHHH---Sax player for....damn it....Louis Jordan or Xavier Cugat:messedup????---Help me out here, w/ my 70's acid-burned-out brain!!! (I THINK it's Cugat---but maybe I'mm WAY off....


:-)

Sam Butera played sax and sang with Louis Prima.

[valcotone]

Yawn,Late night and I'm up too early....another Beautiful day here in Btown.
I'm getting together a Yard sale of stuff and as soon as I am ready I will post my offerings here 1st. I have tubes,speakers,amps and guitars that need to go. I hope this don't violate any rules or anything,just I think that the folks here would be interested in what I have. Just too much stuff!


Of course Rick... we always like to see what cool gadgets you have for sale... bring it on!
:BEER

[aja]

ha ha !! thanks Nick, i've been a little excited is all. agree 100% on the singing stuff.

[musicofanatic5]

Hi all.
I would be glad if some of you reverb tank users could give me some advice regarding the use of the guitar vol.

My rig is guitar [mainly strat] -> kendrick reverb tank -> tweed deluxe clone

Before purcasing the reverb tank I used the guitar vol a lot to vary the volume and amount of dirt. With the reverb tank however, it seems that what is mainly varied is the amount of reverb. Or at least the variation in reverb is more dominant that desired. If I get a good reverb sound at 6-7 on my strat vol. it is too dominant when I max the vol.

The reverb sound I am after is not ala Hollywood Fats or Kid Ramos but more of a humble sound.

How do you deal with this?

Andreas A
Try using a volume pedal between the reverb tank and your amp to control your playing level.

[valcotone]

So I've been trying to find a copy of Howlin' Wolf Rides again to complete my Memphis Wolf collection (I've got the 2 Bear-issued CDs, vol 1 + 2), and Charlie at Bluebeat couldn't track down a copy... haha... I've ordered it the last 2-3 times but he was always out. So I checked Amazon.com and found some used copies offered for $44-58! Crazy! Finally scored one on ebay for $25.... damn! I just wanna hear the music... I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Does anyone have any reviews of this album? It's Willie Johnson on guitar, right?

[RickyKing]

So I've been trying to find a copy of Howlin' Wolf Rides again to complete my Memphis Wolf collection (I've got the 2 Bear-issued CDs, vol 1 + 2), and Charlie at Bluebeat couldn't track down a copy... haha... I've ordered it the last 2-3 times but he was always out. So I checked Amazon.com and found some used copies offered for $44-58! Crazy! Finally scored one on ebay for $25.... damn! I just wanna hear the music... I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Does anyone have any reviews of this album? It's Willie Johnson on guitar, right?
If it's Memphis,it is Willie...

[Goldie295]

Yes it's Willie. Great album. As it happens, I have it in my car's cd player at the moment.

Enjoy!

Cheers
Phil

[Ryguy]

Just got this '56 Guild X175 (off of Ebay) and have some Vintage Vibe p-90's I'm going to throw in there. What a smoking guitar. Man these 50's and 60's Guilds are criminally cheap!

Dave, you have sound posts in your ES-175 right? Did you have them installed when you bought it, and do you find them helpful cutting down feedback?

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p173/rygalli/MyPicture-2.jpg

[zappafrank]

Louis Prima---of COURSE!!!---I was SORT of on the right track---

ac

[zappafrank]

So I've been trying to find a copy of Howlin' Wolf Rides again to complete my Memphis Wolf collection (I've got the 2 Bear-issued CDs, vol 1 + 2), and Charlie at Bluebeat couldn't track down a copy... haha... I've ordered it the last 2-3 times but he was always out. So I checked Amazon.com and found some used copies offered for $44-58! Crazy! Finally scored one on ebay for $25.... damn! I just wanna hear the music... I'm sure it'll be worth it.

Does anyone have any reviews of this album? It's Willie Johnson on guitar, right?

Sean, I owe you one my friend---PM or Email me and I'll hook you up---Gratis!

Oh---I see you found one---next time?

ac

[zappafrank]

Nice Score, RyGuy!

ac

[TwoFeets]

Just got this '56 Guild X175 (off of Ebay) and have some Vintage Vibe p-90's I'm going to throw in there. What a smoking guitar. Man these 50's and 60's Guilds are criminally cheap!

Dave, you have sound posts in your ES-175 right? Did you have them installed when you bought it, and do you find them helpful cutting down feedback?



Nice guitar.

I had an all-original 'burst '59 X175 for a little while but I just didn't get along with the Franz pickups and the way the volume/tone controls interacted. I didn't want to mess with the original harness to put in regular P90's so I just sold the guitar.

[valcotone]

Me too... I had a sunburst '59 Guild CE-100DP with Franz pickups and didn't care for the narrow neck or the tones... it sounded almost Tele-like in some ways which I didn't want out of an archtop at the time.

Nice score anyway though RyGuy... I agree those guitars are beauties! P90s should be awesome.

Here's the CE-100DP "Capri"...

http://www.kilback.net/pics/sk-ce100D.jpg

[jetlag]

Regarding Memphis era Wolf - Is there any reason to get "Rides Again" over "Sings the Blues." It appears the latter has all of the tracks and then some, re-remastered, plentiful, cheap, etc. What am I missing?

[Ryguy]

Thanks gents, I love this thing. Weirdly enough this is the second '56 x175 I've owned; this (like the other one) has a fat, really comfortable neck. Feels perfect. I didn't like the Franz pups much either (at least for the archtop sound, they do get a killer tele style tone. They do a great Jimmy Vaughn sort of thing) , so this thing was perfect for me. Already has some horrific Seymour Duncun rail somethings in there (in the original Franz covers) so I have no remorse about putting the P-90's in there. I'll probably jsut swap out the whole harness.

Anybody other than Mr.Orban put soundposts in their archtops?

Ryan

[Dave Orban]

Just got this '56 Guild X175 (off of Ebay) and have some Vintage Vibe p-90's I'm going to throw in there. What a smoking guitar. Man these 50's and 60's Guilds are criminally cheap!

Dave, you have sound posts in your ES-175 right? Did you have them installed when you bought it, and do you find them helpful cutting down feedback?

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p173/rygalli/MyPicture-2.jpg
The sound posts were installed after I got the guitar. Made a considerable difference in taming the howl. Also put a couple of spots of Elmer's Glue under the bridge. Another huge improvement for a heavy-handed player like me. ;)

Edit: BTW, it was Charlie Baty who told me about both the Sound Posts and the Elmer's Glue.

[valcotone]

Regarding Memphis era Wolf - Is there any reason to get "Rides Again" over "Sings the Blues." It appears the latter has all of the tracks and then some, re-remastered, plentiful, cheap, etc. What am I missing?


Haha... you're not missing anything, but apparently I AM!! :NUTS
I didn't know that collection existed... anyone wanna buy Rides Again? haha...

[Ryguy]

Dave: OK thanks. I think I am going to go ahead and have the soundposts put in. This has something under the bridge that keeps it really stable. I am also a slugger, and with my other archtops I always had to put double sided tape or something to keep it it from moving under me.

BTW this is on the way too:
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p173/rygalli/9506_12.jpg
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p173/rygalli/72c0_0.jpg


It's a Guild Custom shop M90 from the 90's. It's like Guilds LP Special, but with tone chambers like their Bluesbirds. I had one and loved it and sold it like an idiot. Best sounded slide guitar I've had, and really versatile to boot. Does big jazz bog to tele like tones.

[Dave Orban]

Anybody know who played guitar on "Drinking Beer," on William Clarke's "Tip of the Top" CD...?

I'm thinking Fats, or maybe Watson, but I've been wrong before, and see no need to stop now...

[T. Caster]

The sound posts were installed after I got the guitar. Made a considerable difference in taming the howl. Also put a couple of spots of Elmer's Glue under the bridge. Another huge improvement for a heavy-handed player like me. ;)

Edit: BTW, it was Charlie Baty who told me about both the Sound Posts and the Elmer's Glue.

Dave---Can you describe the sound posts to me? Thanks.

Dan

[Dave Orban]

Dave---Can you describe the sound posts to me? Thanks.

DanWe installed one piece of pine connecting the top to the back (approx 3/8" thick and about the width of the pickup hole) under the bridge. It has to be carefully fit to match the curve of the top and back under tension, and we used just a touch of glue to help hold it in place.
We used this type of sound post because my tech had seen it in a few nice archtop guitars. I saw one recently with a couple of dowels similar to a violin sound post.

Hope this helps.

[HappyValley]

Anybody know who played guitar on "Drinking Beer," on William Clarke's "Tip of the Top" CD...?

I'm thinking Fats, or maybe Watson, but I've been wrong before, and see no need to stop now...

Sounds to me like 100% Junior w/maybe the ol' H62 Espanada... ...his attack on those fills and 1/2 step bends is the dead giveaway to my ears, Dave.

[zappafrank]

Sounds to me like 100% Junior w/maybe the ol' H62 Espanada... ...his attack on those fills and 1/2 step bends is the dead giveaway to my ears, Dave.

I concur, Nick---


I used soundposts on my ES-295 years ago (long gone---had it for 10 years though--)---I'm at the point now I can control howl w/out them after playing on archtops for 17 years fairly consistently---but I know there are some out there that will just do that anyway!

ac

[Ryguy]

Dave thanks for the description. That is how I have seen it done as well. Feedback has never been an issue for me with jazzboxes at club volumes with blues and jazz combos, but I would love to work this in a few tunes with a rock band that I play with that has another guitarist, and is quite a bit louder. Plus I think it varies from guitar to guitar. The last x175 I had didnt howl quite like this one. Didn't sound as good good either FWIW.

[groove_king]

Sounds to me like 100% Junior w/maybe the ol' H62 Espanada... ...his attack on those fills and 1/2 step bends is the dead giveaway to my ears, Dave.

Yup. Liner notes say Junior and Joel Foy play guit on that one - def sounds like Junior on the solos.

[T. Caster]

Dave---Thanks for the description of the soundpost. I don't have a hollow body now, but maybe someday.

Dan

[zappafrank]

Dave thanks for the description. That is how I have seen it done as well. Feedback has never been an issue for me with jazzboxes at club volumes with blues and jazz combos, but I would love to work this in a few tunes with a rock band that I play with that has another guitarist, and is quite a bit louder. Plus I think it varies from guitar to guitar. The last x175 I had didnt howl quite like this one. Didn't sound as good good either FWIW.

Interesting point about it not sounding as good when it it did not tend to howl---I have a 'theory':rolleyes: that it's related to how 'live' the weight/construction/wood of the archtop is, compared to a possibly 'dead' sounding (less howl) archtop might be w/ regards to being heavier, duller wood, heavy-handed construction techniques---JMO---

FWIW, my ES-295 was never a particularly great sounding one---kinda heavier and 'dead'---but I played it til it turned green anyway!

That ES-100 and others I have now, however, are a different story--pretty dang 'lively'

ac

[RickyKing]

Interesting point about it not sounding as good when it it did not tend to howl---I have a 'theory':rolleyes: that it's related to how 'live' the weight/construction/wood of the archtop is, compared to a possibly 'dead' sounding (less howl) archtop might be w/ regards to being heavier, duller wood, heavy-handed construction techniques---JMO---

FWIW, my ES-295 was never a particularly great sounding one---kinda heavier and 'dead'---but I played it til it turned green anyway!

That ES-100 and others I have now, however, are a different story--pretty dang 'lively'

ac
I had a mid 50's 175 that was the same...kinda dead...sorry I let it go.:YinYang

[Goldie295]

Cool new YouTube Video with Jr Watson, Charlie Baty and JW Jones in the studio (click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSsu2Vw9gU)).

Had a great gig on Friday. Played the '53 es295 into the Narrow Panel Pro the whole night and it sounded (to my ears) great and just how I had hoped the Pro would when I decided to put down the cash to buy it.

I think I finally worked out how to set up the Pro for my liking: Volume at 12; Treble at 12; Bass to where it just starts to have an effect around 9; and Presence full on.

How do you guys set yours up?

On a whim I also used my Danelectro Spring King for the first time in ages and it sounded great. Might leave the Fender Reverb Tank at home for a while...less to lug around and all that.

Cheers
Phil

[TwoFeets]

Holy cow, volume at 12? Zoinks! My Pro would sound like a bunch of shrieking monkeys if I pegged it like that. You're a brave man, Phil!

I bought a Dan-O Fab Echo pedal yesterday. I needed a cheap slapback effect in case we decide to pull out a rockabilly number at the audition on Wednesday. It's not a Echoplex but for $15, it does the job.

[Strat-O]

Cool new YouTube Video with Jr Watson, Charlie Baty and JW Jones in the studio (click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSsu2Vw9gU)).



:munch

[zappafrank]

Charlie was telling me that was supposed to be getting posted soon---Thanks Goldie!! ---I can tell THAT CD will be a popular purchase amongst all of us when it comes out!

ac

[zappafrank]

Haha... you're not missing anything, but apparently I AM!! :NUTS
I didn't know that collection existed... anyone wanna buy Rides Again? haha...

Yeah--I'm in the same boat! LOL!---Maybe Rides Again was mixed better, with any luck:rotflmao

ac

[Dave Orban]

Cool new YouTube Video with Jr Watson, Charlie Baty and JW Jones in the studio (click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSsu2Vw9gU)).



Thanks for the heads-up, Phil! :dude

[jetlag]

Cool new YouTube Video with Jr Watson, Charlie Baty and JW Jones in the studio (click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSsu2Vw9gU)).

I think I finally worked out how to set up the Pro for my liking: Volume at 12; Treble at 12; Bass to where it just starts to have an effect around 9; and Presence full on.

How do you guys set yours up?

Cheers
Phil

Two of the "holy trinity" with JW in the studio, WOWZA ...........................

What do you figure that cost him a day with that lineup? $10,000?

Regarding pros, lately I've been using the normal channel on about 4, treble on 10 or so. Bass up to about 7 or a hair more. Presence on 2. "off channel" volume on zero. That's for old pots, you can add about 2 clicks for a new build amp. Oh, and a 12AX7 in V1 slot. You're Pro on 12? Jeezus!

[jumpnblues]

Goldie,

That's almost exactly how I run my Vicky Pro with Weber P15N. However, I haven't played out in a couple years so I can't remember where I set the volumes for live performances. In my studio I practice with both volumes at about 7 1/2 with my Teles and Strats. I turn down to about 5 with my Epi '56 G.T. (Lollar p-90s) and 4-5 with my Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster (Lollar P-90s). :BluesBros

Tom

[TwoFeets]

Here's an odd question: I have a couple of Johnny Guitar Watson collections. One is the Rhino "Very Best Of" and the other is called "Three Hours Past Midnight."

The Rhino disc seems to have all the versions you know and love, while "Three Hours Past Midnight" has several of the same tunes, but they're not the same versions. I don't think they're alternate takes; it's almost like he went in and re-recorded a bunch of them. Anyone have any idea why this was done?

[Dave Orban]

Two of the "holy trinity" with JW in the studio, WOWZA ...........................

What do you figure that cost him a day with that lineup? $10,000?

Regarding pros, lately I've been using the normal channel on about 4, treble on 10 or so. Bass up to about 7 or a hair more. Presence on 2. "off channel" volume on zero. That's for old pots, you can add about 2 clicks for a new build amp. Oh, and a 12AX7 in V1 slot. You're Pro on 12? Jeezus!And JW was no slouch, neither...! :dude

[jetlag]

And JW was no slouch, neither...! :dude

Dave, I agree completely. JW is a smokin' player. He drops my jaw on a consistent basis. I guess those guys were playing loud in the studio - JW and Charlie were using RI bassmans. Junior had his 5E5A.

Twofeets - I'll have to go back and listen to Three Hours Past Midnight. It always struck me that those were just alternate takes. Like that version of Too Tired where the drummer blows the into and keeps playing triplets past Johnny. Love that stuff. I also have the "Hot Like TNT" CD as well and it has two versions of Hot Little Momma on it (that sound like the same session).

[Scott Miller]

"Two of the "holy trinity" with JW in the studio..."

Who's the third?

[valcotone]

I agree JW is great and I'm looking forward to his new CD... here's a 25 minute promo video from his website that really shows off his playing...

http://www.jw-jones.com/sounds/jw-jones-promo-video.wmv

[btg]

My guess for the third of the Holy Trinity would be Fats

[Scott Miller]

"My guess for the third of the Holy Trinity would be Fats"

Heh. I wasn't thinking of dead guys. You open these things up to dead guys and you get a Holy Big Honkin' List.

[aja]

WOW !! What does JW Jones use for a setup, i freaking love that tone.

[mikelaw]

jw is great, hung with him only once but it was a hoot! ryan was there on the gig too from what i remember...

going pedal crazy lately! :) haha so i can use my brown concert quieter without an attenuator. greer ghetto stomp on the way, love pedal woodrow and boss space echo too. ouch. its addicting but this is my last harrah before the house payments need to be sent out soon. ill give a report when i test these out to whomever is interested... cheers

[rjkohrs]

My first thought of the third person of the Holy Trinity (and living) would be Kid Ramos.

[KBR]

JW is sounding pretty good, for sure.
He used to ask me alot of questions on pickups/Amps/verb tanks, etc and I believe he is using that P90 in the bridge cause of me.
I saw him in Ottawa a few years back when doing the Ottawa Blues Fest and BITS, also got to catch Johnny Moeller w/ Darrell and these 2 young Cats are both Smokin Players.

[fretshop]

I helped JW with his wiring /pickups

[jetlag]

Wow, it's a historic moment folks. 9/24/07 02:30 PM. The triumphant return of fretshop. Welcome back George. George, that was for his strat though, correct?

[mikelaw]

holy shit, fretshop is back! WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIII RRRRRRRDDDDDDDDDDDD

where have ya been weirdo?

[Scott Miller]

He's been helping JW with his wiring /pickups. Must have been a big job.

[Strat-O]

Hot damn Mary, go boil some water! The MAN has come back! Yeah a few months ago when I was watching that JW promo video and thinking that the Strat he was playing was the one set up with the cool Fretshop Strat wiring scheme. He is a great player and has been since the beginning. First it was like Charlie Baty playing Hollywood Fats' rig, now its more BB oriented but clearly a man playing his own style.

[Dave Orban]

Hot damn Mary, go boil some water! The MAN has come back!
And it's about time, too...!:dude

[bbarnard]

In case anyone here is interested, my LP Studio Gem with P90s is for sale in the emporium. To make it relevant to this thread, it was played by Nick Curran. He may have left some notes in it. :cool:

http://www.thegearpage.net/board/newreply.php?do=postreply&t=295129

[fretshop]

Let's see...There are several variations of the P-90 based JW Strat, and some LP circuits I did too. Deaf Eddie was also a great help, and an inspiration.

Finally finished my "Memphis Soul" Tele neck pups with period correct cover and one is out to a renowned axe man for testing. Alot of post middle age players who came up during the Gospel/R&B/Doo-Wop eras were bugging me for the "tone"...so I gave it a shot.

I have discovered the Pine Tavern in Oldbridge NJ....caught Deb Callahan there the other night....Philly artist...wonderful voice, and a great looking gal too. Must be that East Pensy H20....all those Pennsylvania folks are killer performers. But...I must admit, New Jersey has spawned some formidable cats too. Let's not forget The Trenton Terror who can perform in a 90 degree smoke filled room in a suit and tie...the man reminded me what a wus I am when I saw him with Harman in August.

That's about it.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Wow - fretshop is back! Where ya been?

That tone of JW's was the business. I thought he threw in some cool Albert Collins style licks at the beginning too.

Just heard Autopilot Slim is flying in tomorrow. Uh oh - I can see my good intentions this week going to rack and ruin. Curries, too many beers, late nights...shall we get him along to the Adelaide jam tomorrow Phil?

[T. Caster]

After listening to the JW vid posted, I fount this on the menu, not exactly west coast style, but interesting: JW Jones band with Sue Foley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tq4WSbiVsY&mode=related&search=

Dan

[btg]

Just go word that Texas harp player Gary Primich has passed away. RIP

[RickyKing]

Wow R.I.P. Gary...wonder what happened..

[safecracker]

Just got word that Texas harp player Gary Primich has passed away. RIP
That is awful news to hear. He was young too. I was just listening to him on the new Jimmy Reed Highway cd. Got all his cd's. Sad to hear that. RIP Gary.

[safecracker]

I want to send a special thanks to George (Fretshop) for helping me on the 5-way super switch for my '52 ri tele. That switch is the s#@!. Also, I just placed an order with Uncle Spot for a tank. Long wait, but should be worth it from all reports.

[jimfog]

Hey George,

Welcome back......I was just gonna post a "Where is Fretshop?"......

Glad you liked Deb Callahan......she's right around the corner from me. A nice girl, who's working REALLY hard to get her name out there. I'm pretty good friends with her and her guitarist, Allen James.......AJ is a bit of a local legend around here from a bunch of 70's and 80's big rock bands. Curious what you thought of him.

- Jim

[mikelaw]

crazy about primich! i wonder how it happened?

49 years old.

http://wc09.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=GARY|PRIMICH&sql=11:09ftxqrgldfe~T1

[Schwalbe]

Just go word that Texas harp player Gary Primich has passed away. RIP
Man that's tough. Gary did a harp seminar at a private residence here last year. I played guitar for that one. Nice guy, gifted player, gentle and encouraging teacher.

[rhartt1234]

Gary Primich was and is one of my biggest influences and not just in my harp playing but in my whole approach to music. I bought his first record when I was in high school. It was in the Blues section had a dude holding up a harp so I rolled the dice. I got lucky. The harp was amazing: great tone, cool phrasing and the occasional mind blowing lick that took a LONG time to figure out. Before I heard Watson, Fats, Holmstrom etc (I might have had Clarke's "Blowin' Like Hell" with Alex Schultz) I heard Shorty Lenoir! He may be Canadian but that was some of the first Tiny Grimes meets Willie Johnson 'sploding amp guitar I had heard. That was one of the first records that made me think "We'll, I'll never be Muddy Waters or Little Walter but maybe I can do this. This is the type of Blues I want to play"
Damn shame.

[Schwalbe]

Coupla Gary You Tubes;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niF3kHhd6QY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DccWVvclO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAZ8MjcPMiQ

[aja]

Man he was great. He was young too. Probably drugs.

[aja]

George whats up man !! Where you been ?

[bluesjuke]

Cool new YouTube Video with Jr Watson, Charlie Baty and JW Jones in the studio (click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYSsu2Vw9gU)).

Had a great gig on Friday. Played the '53 es295 into the Narrow Panel Pro the whole night and it sounded (to my ears) great and just how I had hoped the Pro would when I decided to put down the cash to buy it.

I think I finally worked out how to set up the Pro for my liking: Volume at 12; Treble at 12; Bass to where it just starts to have an effect around 9; and Presence full on.

How do you guys set yours up?

On a whim I also used my Danelectro Spring King for the first time in ages and it sounded great. Might leave the Fender Reverb Tank at home for a while...less to lug around and all that.

Cheers
Phil



First off, thanks for the great link!

Secondly are you considering buying a second Pro soon to replace the one you now have?
12!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's kranked with a capitol Krrrr.

I usually play around the house with the channels jumped with guitar plugged into #1 input on the bright channel.
Bright Vol. on 4-7 and Normal Vol. from 6-8.
When I play out the volume is about the same.

Bass 7 max with treble from 5-8.
My presence is best for most things around 8 but if I want to warm it up more especially with a maple necked Strat I may put it lower.


Ain't Pro's great?

[musicofanatic5]

Is this real:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1945-Vintage-Gibson-ES-300-Rare-Black-Beauty_W0QQitemZ300154800921QQihZ020QQcategoryZ118 991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

All the Gruhn gtr books I have do not contain info on this gtr on page 193 or elsewhere. As far as I know the 300 didn't come back until '46. The earliest post-war 300's had this no-polepiece P-90, were mostly all-mahogany and had the Kluson tailpiece with the f-hole cutouts, but I have not heard a run of 15 in black. Have you?

[Scott Miller]

Never mind... Posted some news about bass-player switcheroos, then thought better of it.

Anyway, got a nice bunch of Gary Smith and Charles Wheal at Mike's jam tonight.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Man he was great. He was young too. Probably drugs.

Let's not speculate. Especially stuff like that.

[Goldie295]

Holy cow, volume at 12? Zoinks! My Pro would sound like a bunch of shrieking monkeys if I pegged it like that. You're a brave man, Phil!

Sorry Feets and the rest of you who responded. I think I misled you.

When I say the volume is at 12 I mean at 12 O'clock. (Any higher and I agree it is like a fire in a Pet Shop !). My Pro is homemade so I don't have any numbers on the panel. Just a Chickenhead knob with a sticker indicating Vol, Treble etc. It didn't occur to me the numbers went up to 12 on the real thing... Quite funny really :rotflmao

Sorry again for the confusion and no I shouldn't be on the Thrash board !! :D

Glad you all liked the link. I only found it by doing a chance search on 'JrWatson' rather than the usual 'Junior Watson'. Quite a little gem.

Cheers
Phil

[safecracker]

Coupla Gary You Tubes;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niF3kHhd6QY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DccWVvclO4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAZ8MjcPMiQ
Schwalbe,thanks for the clips. GARY WILL BE MISSED. HE WAS A GREAT TALENT. He could do big time horn runs,or guitar parts on the harp. Incredible player. Shawn

[Dave Orban]

Great clips. So sorry to see him go.

[TwoFeets]

Is this real:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1945-Vintage-Gibson-ES-300-Rare-Black-Beauty_W0QQitemZ300154800921QQihZ020QQcategoryZ118 991QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

All the Gruhn gtr books I have do not contain info on this gtr on page 193 or elsewhere. As far as I know the 300 didn't come back until '46. The earliest post-war 300's had this no-polepiece P-90, were mostly all-mahogany and had the Kluson tailpiece with the f-hole cutouts, but I have not heard a run of 15 in black. Have you?

When I was playing with Felix Reyes down here, his wife found a black one at a flea market for a few hundred bucks, believe it or not. I don't remember what year it was, but I'm pretty sure it was an original black finish ES300. I didn't know a lot about vintage stuff back then and what to look for, so I don't remember if the P90 had polepieces or not.

[fretshop]

Hey George,

Welcome back......I was just gonna post a "Where is Fretshop?"......

Glad you liked Deb Callahan......she's right around the corner from me. A nice girl, who's working REALLY hard to get her name out there. I'm pretty good friends with her and her guitarist, Allen James.......AJ is a bit of a local legend around here from a bunch of 70's and 80's big rock bands. Curious what you thought of him.

- Jim

Deb and I e-mailed back and forth. I told her about this thread. Let's see if she logs on. AJ is a very smooth guitarist. I'd like to see Deb with a Keyboard added, although the trio backed her very nicely...great dynamics.

[Dave Orban]

Deb and I e-mailed back and forth. I told her about this thread. Let's see if she logs on. AJ is a very smooth guitarist. I'd like to see Deb with a Keyboard added, although the trio backed her very nicely...great dynamics.So, where ya been, bro...? Ya kinda fell off the face of the earth...!

[Strat-O]

So, where ya been, bro...? Ya kinda fell off the face of the earth...!

:dude Ha! Ha! Well contrary to popular belief, there is life outside the world of da' Wes' Coas' Bloooz' Thread!

He's been doin' "things". Ya' know?

:BEER

[Dave Orban]

:dude Ha! Ha! Well contrary to popular belief, there is life outside the world of da' Wes' Coas' Bloooz' Thread!
How is that possible...?!? :confused:

[Strat-O]

:) I'm afraid I can't answer that question.

Seriously though, can a vintage P15N be reconed to be brighter? I've got one that sounds killer but it just needs to be a little brighter. Actually alot brighter would be okay, I don't mind turning the treble down.

Is this something that can be done or does it totally screw up a P15N to mess with it?

[dukeh62]

:) I'm afraid I can't answer that question.

Seriously though, can a vintage P15N be reconed to be brighter? I've got one that sounds killer but it just needs to be a little brighter. Actually alot brighter would be okay, I don't mind turning the treble down.

Is this something that can be done or does it totally screw up a P15N to mess with it?

Strat-O...I've always found my P15Ns always loose that cool dark mojo after they are reconed, and are a little too bright sounding. I'd hate to see you rip out an original cone and then find you don't like the results. You may want to just spend the little extra dough and pick up ANOTHER speaker to try. Save that original cone if there's nothing physically wrong with it!

[Jeff Michael]

Here's a lousy shot of us: Me on the 175, Nathan James on a '70s reissue Special, the inimitable James Harman on harp and vocals, Jeff Michaels on the doghouse bass, Ron Baldwin on keys, and unseen but definitely heard, the awesome Mark Shewchuk on drums!

http://www.oydesign.com/gypsies/pictures/20070809_harman1_ajs.jpg

And a fine time was had by all.

So Professor, you got any more pics or video from that weekend? I'd love to see whatever you might have.

[Dave Orban]

So Professor, you got any more pics or video from that weekend? I'd love to see whatever you might have.I've got a couple of decent photos that I'll try to post later, and I'm still waiting on Chip for any video that may exist...

[blueskalle]

I cant believe that Gary is gone!!!
I first saw him in a town nearby back in -96. Shorty was playin guitar and I believe Mike Keller was on the bass. Shorty blew me away with his cool stuff, playing a Es-330 through a blond Custom Vibrolux. My friend and I talked to Gary during the break and he was such a cool guy. He will be surely missed!
My band do play some of his songs and there will be a deeper feeling doing that from now on.

[Dave Orban]

...I was also putting in a lot of time helping to run the joint in South Amboy (no names mentioned here). That's done now. The house band was working the open mic for free... just for drinks and meals... a fun night out. Plus I was picking up inventory, groceries, doing the cleaning, tending bar on Sundays... etc. Then we took a bunch of paying gigs, and a certain somebody you and I know who had been spoiled by our generosity and free loan of equipment 86'd me for somebody "more reliable". The new band stiffed him the first night on the job... poetic justice.
He's pissed now because he had to go out and buy amps, and now has to pay a band to do the jam. God... I feel so terrible.
Like they say, no good deed goes unpunished.

[Goldie295]

Another new(ish) Jr vid (click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bBEA9E-mwI&mode=related&search=)).
Cheers,
Phil

[valcotone]

RIP Gary...

I saw Gary and his band play on 6th Street in Austin, Tx, a year ago... it was a small club and Mike Keller was on guitar. The crowd was small but appreciated what he was putting down. He really was a great performer... I remember he had a cold and was sucking on oranges between songs - I still wonder what that was for. Anyway, my favourite memory of that gig was when they played "You've Come A Long Way From St. Louis". Killer!

[fretshop]

Strat-O...I've always found my P15Ns always loose that cool dark mojo after they are reconed, and are a little too bright sounding. I'd hate to see you rip out an original cone and then find you don't like the results. You may want to just spend the little extra dough and pick up ANOTHER speaker to try. Save that original cone if there's nothing physically wrong with it!

You are right...but there is an alternative if Strat-o needs the extra frequency in the long run...after break in. (wouldn't be guitar deafness setting in, would it?) You'd have to get a hold of Ted Weber to find out who the vendor is...I forgot his name, but he's been having Weber re-cone 50's P-15Ns (look like organ pulls) with British components...(eg) the speaker becomes a "P15N Blue Bulldog". I saw one on e-bay about 3 weeks ago for $199. I spoke to Karl about it, but decided to spend the $$ on a pre-owned Vibrostomp.

[Schwalbe]

I cant believe that Gary is gone!!!
I first saw him in a town nearby back in -96. Shorty was playin guitar and I believe Mike Keller was on the bass. Shorty blew me away with his cool stuff, playing a Es-330 through a blond Custom Vibrolux. My friend and I talked to Gary during the break and he was such a cool guy. He will be surely missed!
My band do play some of his songs and there will be a deeper feeling doing that from now on.
Yeah Shorty was a fabulous guitar player, another victim of the biz I guess. He works at a grocery store now, doesn't play at all.

[mikelaw]

does it come with the 5th trem spring eric?
:)

that neck looks HUGE! awesome stuff. it looks like watson's strat

[Strat-O]

thanks for the p15n advice. i've got one that's blown...I'll see about getting it reconed with the british treatment.

On another note, I'm selling my sunburst H62 (64?) please let me know if you're interested. Its headed to eBay if no one is...

[Scott Miller]

OK, who wants me to give a shout-out to Nick Moss tonight? Ahh... you're all in bed or something. I hate to pass up Freund's jam but...

[mikelaw]

ghetto stomp by greer is SICK boys. killer farty sun records tones. if you have an amp thats a bit too clean for your taste or you kill people with volume to get a nice crunchy tone, check this one out. man is it great.

[bluesjuke]

Sorry Feets and the rest of you who responded. I think I misled you.

When I say the volume is at 12 I mean at 12 O'clock. (Any higher and I agree it is like a fire in a Pet Shop !). My Pro is homemade so I don't have any numbers on the panel. Just a Chickenhead knob with a sticker indicating Vol, Treble etc. It didn't occur to me the numbers went up to 12 on the real thing... Quite funny really :rotflmao

Sorry again for the confusion and no I shouldn't be on the Thrash board !! :D

Glad you all liked the link. I only found it by doing a chance search on 'JrWatson' rather than the usual 'Junior Watson'. Quite a little gem.

Cheers
Phil





That link was so good I had to listen several times and it's loading again now (dial up ).

Glad to hear the 12O'Clock thing.
Honestly when you asked where others keep theirs I had to look as I just set it to taste not 'by the numbers'.
I see it more as 'about there' for a starting postition.

[jimfog]

Interesting new amp for West Coastie stuff....

I just picked up a Dr. Z Route 66....running it with an opened back 1x12 cab.

This sucker is LOUD, but even at moderate volumes it has this wonderful fat, creamy thing going on in the mids. No modern buzz in the highs at all. Great cleans and outstanding OD. It takes to attentuation real well, also.

I saw it once described as a "pissed off 59 Bassman" and that's a real good place to start. Tele, 335 and Strat were all equally tasty.......

I'm still figuring out 'verb for this beast, but I can imagine w/ a tank and an open back 1 x15 cab w/ an old Jensen, you'd REALLY have something.

I always considered myself a guy who basically digs old Fenders and variations thereof.......but between this Z and the new AC-30 I've been playing, my horizons are much expanded...........for the better.

- Jim

[dukeh62]

Hey guys,

Just FYI...I was notified by a moderator yesterday that it's against TGP rules to post gear for sale here, and can only be posted in the emporium.

Just figured I'd let you guys know....

[HappyValley]

What a loss...I met Gary Primich at the Virginia Beach 'Blues On the Beach' Festival back in '04 when I was on the show w/James Harman...1st time I played w/James. Gary was the nicest guy you'll ever meet,down to earth, good person. We talked awhile,turns out he used to spend his summers back in the 70's about 1/4 mile away from where I lived growing up just outside of Boston! His grandparents were caretakers of the oldest house in Dedham, MA- The "Fairbanks House", and he'd visit them fairly often I guess.
I have pics of James, Gary and Billy Boy Arnold together around here somewhere...I'll try to find them and post 'em if possible.
A sad day.

[Strat-O]

I guess that would be me offering to sell something here recently. Sorry.

[dukeh62]

I guess that would be me offering to sell something here recently. Sorry.

Nah...was me too strat-o!

[TwoFeets]

What a loss...I met Gary Primich at the Virginia Beach 'Blues On the Beach' Festival back in '04 when I was on the show w/James Harman...1st time I played w/James. Gary was the nicest guy you'll ever meet,down to earth, good person. We talked awhile,turns out he used to spend his summers back in the 70's about 1/4 mile away from where I lived growing up just outside of Boston! His grandparents were caretakers of the oldest house in Dedham, MA- The "Fairbanks House", and he'd visit them fairly often I guess.
I have pics of James, Gary and Billy Boy Arnold together around here somewhere...I'll try to find them and post 'em if possible.
A sad day.

Wow. The Fairbanks House? Small world!

Speaking of that Nick, have you been back to that area with all the schools being built and knocked down? It looks like another planet.

[bbarnard]

I guess that would be me offering to sell something here recently. Sorry.

I did too but it was to something I had in the emporium.

[fretshop]

can we still mention that we have something for sale on the emporium ?

[fretshop]

Recommendations please : On Monday, XM radio played a solid hour or more of Gary Primich's material...I loved all of it, but are there, let's say a definitive recording or recordings that are a must have?

On another note, I've been trying to learn the basics of harmonica from Adam Gussow's harmonica videos. They are extremely good..IMO, but then, I'm just a beginner. I also found a couple cool sites where I learned how to mod the harps. They do play MUCH better, and easier after being "worked"....again, I'm a crude and un-initiated beginner, but am fascinated by the instrument. I bought some Big Rivers to learn on.

Dennis O. from Mr. Mic gave me a vintage EV stick mic, (can't remember the model) and late 40's Turner (I believe it's a model 2) mic with a Shure magnetic cartridge that is really superb...Dennis does some nice stuff.

[Cleanhead]

FRETSHOP -

Jetlag and I gave a friend of ours the PORTNOY 3-disc instructional set... from what I can tell it is one of the best available... I should add that at that time YOUTUBE was not even around and great videos like those being put out by ADAM were not readily available... I have watched his videos and think they are great - sure would have saved me hours of trial and error (mostly error) in my living room! Glad to hear you have taken the plunge on the tin sandwich... beware… you might just get hooked. Feel free to email me if I can be of any help...

Dennis O. is a nice guy and does great work... spent a few afternoons in his blues basement/workshop hand picking elements...

Kurt

[fretshop]

FRETSHOP -

Jetlag and I gave a friend of ours the PORTNOY 3-disc instructional set... from what I can tell it is one of the best available... I should add that at that time YOUTUBE was not even around and great videos like those being put out by ADAM were not readily available... I have watched his videos and think they are great - sure would have saved me hours of trial and error (mostly error) in my living room! Glad to hear you have taken the plunge on the tin sandwich... beware… you might just get hooked. Feel free to email me if I can be of any help...

Dennis O. is a nice guy and does great work... spent a few afternoons in his blues basement/workshop hand picking elements...

Kurt

Yea, Dennis is a great guy. My Uncle Lou used to restore accordions in the family shop....and lo and behold, the electrified accordions had OEM Astatic 151's and Shure R-7's in perfect condition attached inside the bellows housing...I sent Dennis an immaculate R-7 and we've been pals ever since. Unfortunately, Uncle Lou passed, and that's the end of the elements. Dennis fitted a hot OEM Shure magnetic (T-70 ?)element into my Turner, and installed a very smooth volume pot. Then, last year, he sent me a 60's EV mic for my birthday. Both mics are very responsive.
I modded one Special 20 that I didn't care for, using instructions I found on Harmonica Master Class and other sites. The three tricks that really worked were burnishing reed and comb slots for tighter tolerances, porting the end of each reed slot, and using 3M porous paper surgical tape as a gasket between the plates and comb. The harp blew easier and there was somewhat more control on both lower and upper blows.

[fretshop]

harponline.com and the Seydel site had phenomenal photos and step by step modding instructions for harmonica mods. The Mel Bay Harmonica Sessions site was also features a repair and modifications course with great photos.

It's all very frstrating right now, especially maintaining wind and breathing. I tire out quickly. Tongue blocking is the other mystery.

[S.W.Erdnase]

Tongue blocking is the other mystery.

And also a key element of classic Chicago blues harp...

[mikelaw]

good luck george! it aint easy to be good on a harp. kind of like bass...

easy to play, tough to be good at!

[aja]

Here's some Steve Freund I liked. Cool player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jysoeBSpYps&mode=related&search=

And some Cool James Harman, I'm shocked this wasn't posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N17UjSbPTA8

[rhartt1234]

I am proud to report that some clips of me putting the new Lone Wolf Harp Delay through its paces are on the Lone Wolf website.

http://www.lwharpamps.com/delay.html

I think this is a fantastic product! Don't go looking for the sound of
your Boss DD-3 or your Dan Echo. This pedal is built from the ground up
specifically for harp with its own sound. Its the sound you were
looking for when you bought those other pedals and couldn't get because
they were made for guitar. From tone fattening slap back, to long
Little Walter slow Blues delays, to funky phaser/Leslie like doubling
the Lone Wold Harp Delay does it to death!. I can't decide if I'm going
to use my Boss DD-3 as a paperweight or a door stop.

For the gear record I am using a Silvertone 1482 and a EV 606.
Ryan

[Echo Are]

Here's some Steve Freund I liked. Cool player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jysoeBSpYps&mode=related&search=

And some Cool James Harman, I'm shocked this wasn't posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N17UjSbPTA8


I shot the Steve Freund video. I didn't send that part of the footage to him at first because of the weird camera angle(think Batman TV show). But he wanted the footage anyway, so I sent it to him, and he posted it.

[Strat-O]

Did anyone hear about what caused Gary Primich's death?


The Steve Freund clip is cool. Great classic guitar tone. Wonder what kind of amp he was playing through?

[nc slim]

Check out the tasty specter licks w Sugar Ray. One of my favs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LERNsdcE5zc&NR=1

[karmadave]

Steve Freund's main amp is an Allen Old Flame 2x10 combo. He's definitely one of my favorite Blues artists. Old school Chicago at it's best.

-KD

[Echo Are]

Did anyone hear about what caused Gary Primich's death?


The Steve Freund clip is cool. Great classic guitar tone. Wonder what kind of amp he was playing through?

That night he was using a Lab Series combo, the same model B.B. King likes(L5?). At his Tuesday night jam, I've seen him play through: a couple of 1980's-era Peaveys(Bandit, Special 130), a few Music Mans, some Randall combo, and another, smaller Lab Series--all solid-state amps(except the Music Mans, of course). He sounded great through every one too.

Hey, Karmadave, with all due respect, are you sure you're not thinking of another player? I've never seen Steve use an Allen amp(unless he has one strictly for high-paying gigs that I haven't seen, I dunno).

[Strat-O]

well that's not what I expected to hear. Maybe a Hot Rod Deluxe but not Peavey Bandit.

I used A Lab Series L3 for a long time. Just sold it last year. That's about the way it sounded. But that's about all it did. Not a very dynamic amp.

[Echo Are]

well that's not what I expected to hear. Maybe a Hot Rod Deluxe but not Peavey Bandit.

I used A Lab Series L3 for a long time. Just sold it last year. That's about the way it sounded. But that's about all it did. Not a very dynamic amp.

True about the lack of dynamics. Lab Series where supposed to be the state-of-the-art in solid-state guitar amplification in their day. The ones I've heard sounded good tonally, close enough to tube warmth to get the job done.

...And speaking of the Hot Rod Deluxe, how does the West Coast Blues group feel about this amp? To my ears: a perfectly fine clean and low-breakup amp,and just keep the gain turned way down(3 or under)

[Goldie295]

I am proud to report that some clips of me putting the new Lone Wolf Harp Delay through its paces are on the Lone Wolf website.

http://www.lwharpamps.com/delay.html

I think this is a fantastic product! Don't go looking for the sound of
your Boss DD-3 or your Dan Echo. This pedal is built from the ground up
specifically for harp with its own sound. Its the sound you were
looking for when you bought those other pedals and couldn't get because
they were made for guitar. From tone fattening slap back, to long
Little Walter slow Blues delays, to funky phaser/Leslie like doubling
the Lone Wold Harp Delay does it to death!. I can't decide if I'm going
to use my Boss DD-3 as a paperweight or a door stop.

For the gear record I am using a Silvertone 1482 and a EV 606.
Ryan

Ryan,

The clips sound great !

I have past the Lone Wolf link onto my harp player - might even get my DD3 back now !

Out of interest, how did you set your DD3 when you used to use it? My harp guy can't really settle on a preferred setting and it would be really helpful to get your input.

Cheers,
Phil

[fretshop]

True about the lack of dynamics. Lab Series where supposed to be the state-of-the-art in solid-state guitar amplification in their day. The ones I've heard sounded good tonally, close enough to tube warmth to get the job done.

...And speaking of the Hot Rod Deluxe, how does the West Coast Blues group feel about this amp? To my ears: a perfectly fine clean and low-breakup amp,and just keep the gain turned way down(3 or under)

About 8-9 years ago I did a show with Anson, and Buddy Whitington showed up. Buddy had his Dr. Z, and and I was using my '95 Tweed Blues Deluxe outfitted with an '80s Celestion G-12H 100, Svetlana 6L6's and Sovtek 12AX7 LPS pre's. The Z was all sweet spot...hard to get a bad note out of it, while the Deluxe was a litle rough around the edges until Buddy walked over and started twirling the drive and master controls on the boost channel. He suggested a slightly less efficient speaker to control the volume at the sweet spot, then told me to call Todd Sharp. Todd loves the 90's Tweed Blues Deluxe, and can really make them sing.

I use My '95 Tweed alot, especially with my '63 ES-345, Tele, and Strat. All my axes sound great with that amp...it's a 40 watter, and things can get loud at the sweet spot....that's my only gripe. I also own a 2 X 12 Hot Rod Deville which I use at large venues with archtops and HB equipped solid bodies. It sounds great with the 345 and a Les Paul using stock tubes, but for me, it has not been a good amp for my Fender guitars. When I installed the Svetlanas and Sovtek LPS Pre's...the formula just didn't work. I used a Hot Rod Deluxe last month, and it definitely sounds different than the 90's tweeds. Bruce at Mission Amps also does some great work on the tweed versions.

If you haven't bought the Hot Rod yet....may I suggest seeking out the older tweed model ?


BTW...The new Ampeg J-20 is worth a look at. Point to point wiring, the bias affected tremelo, and stock Alnico speaker for $799.

[mikelaw]

anyone in here like or not like Jimbo Mathus solo stuff? tell me why? I think his stuff is pretty genius and great tones too!

[fretshop]

anyone in here like or not like Jimbo Mathus solo stuff? tell me why? I think his stuff is pretty genius and great tones too!

Jimbo is one of the coolest, most down to earth folks you'll ever meet. Catch one of his live shows at any of the Jukes in Clarksdale.

[Dave Orban]

Jimbo is one of the coolest, most down to earth folks you'll ever meet.
Great stuff, indeed! :dude

[Strat-O]

I've liked what little I've heard. I really need to buy some of his stuff.

[Scott Miller]

Freund's Peavy sounds great. He put a better speaker in it, though.

I truly hate Hot Rods, although a very good player can make them sound good, like Pat Boyack. Danny Caron got some good noise out of one too. Mostly, though: Uck.

[Echo Are]

Freund's Peavy sounds great. He put a better speaker in it, though.

I did the same to my PVs. Good speakers do wonders for them(and all amps). Prior to PV making their own speakers(Black Widow, Scorpion; beginning in the early '80s?), the company used some royally cheesy and butt ugly-lookin' speakers in their amps.

[Scott Miller]

OK, I guess it's official now, the three-way bass-player switcheroo: Ronnie James to Jimmie Vaughan, Randy Bermudez to T-Birds, and Mike Phillips to Musselwhite.

T-Birds fans are going to dig Randy. PHAT bass.

[safecracker]

anyone in here like or not like Jimbo Mathus solo stuff? tell me why? I think his stuff is pretty genius and great tones too!
Jimbo is great. I've seen him play twice. He's got a killer studio too, down in Clarksdale. First time I met him was at a small gig and got to hang out a good while with him and his bass player Eric Deaton. They do love to party. He's got a lot of great music out there floating around. Last time I saw him, he was playing thru a new Ampeg Reverberocket with 2-12's in it and playing a custom guitar made of swamp ash shaped like a old National Glenwood,with JIMBO engraved in the pickguard and a really old looking butterscotch Tele. He is good for sure. Shawn

[Poppa Stoppa]

...And some Cool James Harman, I'm shocked this wasn't posted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N17UjSbPTA8
Shocked & stunned. Stunned & shocked.

I found that one the other day - looking for the mighty Joel Foy. I love the way Joel plays those open-string shuffles in 'A' - as he did on 'Ice Cream Man' and 'Deal the Cards'. Shame he doesn't solo on the video.

He's got a little trademark turnaround in bar 12. Took me a long time to work out how he does it and get the feel right - sorta like this:

--3---------0-------
-------------------3
----(0)~1----------
---------------2---
-------------------
-------------------

Any you guys know the one I'm talking about?

[btg]

If Ronnie is going to play with Jimmie Vaughan I wonder if this means Jimmie is going to start playing more often. I guess he is going in a different direction than the organ bass of the Tilt A Whirl band.

[safecracker]

OK, I guess it's official now, the three-way bass-player switcheroo: Ronnie James to Jimmie Vaughan, Randy Bermudez to T-Birds, and Mike Phillips to Musselwhite.

T-Birds fans are going to dig Randy. PHAT bass.
Did Bill Willis, Jimmies B-3/bass player retire? Shawn

[Echo Are]

The only downside to Randy Bermudez becoming a Thunderbird is he won't be handling bass duties at Steve Freund's jam for a while. Oh, well, 'tis cool he got a higher-profile gig.

Maybe Marc Carino(sp?) will fill his spot at Steve's jam on a weekly basis. Bizarre coincidence: I think Marc was a T-Bird at one time or another, I'm not 100% sure.

[Dave Orban]

Maybe the title of their next album should be "Carousel"...?

LOL!

[THINSOCKS]

anyone in here like or not like Jimbo Mathus solo stuff? tell me why? I think his stuff is pretty genius and great tones too!


I dig Jimbo, but sometimes he seems a little affected to me. I like that song "Monkey to Man" that he cut in his studio for Elvis Costello's record the Delivery Man. Cool drum and organ sound.

[Dave Orban]

New toy alert... Here's my latest: a 2003 Steve Andersen Electric Archie that the Fedex man just dropped off:

http://www.oydesign.com/guitars/andersen/03_Letric_archee_top.jpg


14-1/2" lower bout, solid spruce top, flamey maple everywhere else. Duncan Antiquities. Oy!

THIS is why my L4 CES is now for sale in the Emporium section. LOL! ;)

[fretshop]

The only downside to Randy Bermudez becoming a Thunderbird is he won't be handling bass duties at Steve Freund's jam for a while. Oh, well, 'tis cool he got a higher-profile gig.

Maybe Marc Carino(sp?) will fill his spot at Steve's jam on a weekly basis. Bizarre coincidence: I think Marc was a T-Bird at one time or another, I'm not 100% sure.

Are you from the San Jose area? I spent part of my youth there. Watson went to Campbell H.S., I went to both Lick and A. Lincoln, and we both have mutual acquaintances from the teen dances, high school functions and area music stores. Small world. Scott lives around the block from my old house on Shasta. (What happened to my picture Scott?)

[Echo Are]

Are you from the San Jose area? I spent part of my youth there. Watson went to Campbell H.S., I went to both Lick and A. Lincoln, and we both have mutual acquaintances from the teen dances, high school functions and area music stores. Small world. Scott lives around the block from my old house on Shasta. (What happened to my picture Scott?)

I grew up, and live on, the central Peninsula(San Mateo for the last 18 years). My dad's lived in San Jose since the early-'70s,though. I know my way around there fairly well. I know some of the musical landmarks: Guitar Showcase on Bascom(vintage room, everybody), JJ's Blues on Stevens Creek(lots 'n' lotsa jams there).

Campbell High School...was it on the corner of Camden and Union? Or was that a different high school?

[fretshop]

I grew up, and live on, the central Peninsula(San Mateo for the last 18 years). My dad's lived in San Jose since the early-'70s,though. I know my way around there fairly well. I know some of the musical landmarks: Guitar Showcase on Bascom(vintage room, everybody), JJ's Blues on Stevens Creek(lots 'n' lotsa jams there).

Campbell High School...was it on the corner of Camden and Union? Or was that a different high school?

From what I can remember, Campbell H.S. is on Union Avenue. I used to hang out at The Guitar Showcase...whenever I could get a ride there.
I worked for a while with My Cousin Chaz who was the cook at The Chateau Liberte up in the Los Gatos hills. He was an electrician/roadie for the Dead and modded Harleys when he wasn't cooking. He eventually quit and diappeared someplace with Jeff Baxter for about 2-3 years. Chaz has migrated here to NJ and works as a bridge tender in the south end of the state...still one of the coolest human beings I ever met.

I really miss home !!

[Scott Miller]

Speaking of Nick Moss, I got Gerry Hundt's new CD of mandolin Chicago blues. He plays a Harmony batwing mando. It's kind of a tone puzzle; there are moments when it's a little screamer, but for the most part, how much tone can you get out of little bitty strings like that? Not much. It mostly just wants to plink, so what you play becomes very important. Something to think about when you get all tone-obsessed.

Coming soon to Fretshop, one picture of a house. (I finally got a digital camera, so I don't have to rely on my daughter.)

[Strat-O]

New toy alert... Here's my latest: a 2003 Steve Andersen Electric Archie that the Fedex man just dropped off:

http://www.oydesign.com/guitars/andersen/03_Letric_archee_top.jpg


14-1/2" lower bout, solid spruce top, flamey maple everywhere else. Duncan Antiquities. Oy!

THIS is why my L4 CES is now for sale in the Emporium section. LOL! ;)


Pretty guitar. I like the knobs.

[safecracker]

I am proud to report that some clips of me putting the new Lone Wolf Harp Delay through its paces are on the Lone Wolf website.

http://www.lwharpamps.com/delay.html

I think this is a fantastic product! Don't go looking for the sound of
your Boss DD-3 or your Dan Echo. This pedal is built from the ground up
specifically for harp with its own sound. Its the sound you were
looking for when you bought those other pedals and couldn't get because
they were made for guitar. From tone fattening slap back, to long
Little Walter slow Blues delays, to funky phaser/Leslie like doubling
the Lone Wold Harp Delay does it to death!. I can't decide if I'm going
to use my Boss DD-3 as a paperweight or a door stop.
For the gear record I am using a Silvertone 1482 and a EV 606.
Ryan
Ryan, I checked out the clips and am impressed with the pedal. I've got both the dan-echo and a boss dd-3 and have never really been happy with either one for harp. Thanks for the heads up. Shawn

[Strat-O]

Any Jimbo Mathus recommendations?

How about Primich?Did anybody give Fretshop recommendations?

I owned a Blues Deluxe briefly. The volume went from off to way too loud on about one click. But I have heard friends get great tone out of them. And others who don't mind them for backline amps. I'm sure G-Man sounds killer through his.

How many of you use Les Pauls regularly?

[Stringmaster]

Great looking Little Archie Dave--love that guitar--right up my alley!
DD

[Dave Orban]

Great looking Little Archie Dave--love that guitar--right up my alley!
DDThanks! It plays REALLY nice, and the smaller body size is extremely comfortable.

Sounded killer straight into the '54 Deluxe!

[T. Caster]

That's a handsome guitar Dave!!!

Dan

[sideman]

Man you guys post alot!

"Recommendations please : On Monday, XM radio played a solid hour or more of Gary Primich's material...I loved all of it, but are there, let's say a definitive recording or recordings that are a must have?"

Try the 1995 "Mr. Freeze" and the 1994 "Travelin' Mood" (both on Flying Fish records). All five of his seven or so releases that I have are good. But those two are particularly strong.

[rhartt1234]

Out of interest, how did you set your DD3 when you used to use it? My harp guy can't really settle on a preferred setting and it would be really helpful to get your input.

I'm never as picky as I should be about this stuff. I just pulled the DD-3 out of my bag and Level is just a little past 9 o'clock, the Feedback is 7 o'clock and Delay time is 8 o'clock and the Mode is set @ 800ms. That's pretty close to my standard slap back sound where I keep it 90% of the night. Different rooms need slight adjusting but not much. For a funkier chorus type sound I bring the level up. For slow Blues tunes I bring the delay time up.

For Gary Primich recommendations I agree with Sideman and say go with Mr. Freeze and Travelin' Mood. They have the best mix of Gary's traditionalism and progressivism without getting too outside. It also features some of his strongest songwriting and playing, and some great instrumentals. I would also recommend his first two on Amazing if you can find them, they are out of print. My Pleasure was produced by James Harman and has some strong tunes and ends with a beautiful version of "September Song".

[musicofanatic5]

New toy alert... Here's my latest: a 2003 Steve Andersen Electric Archie that the Fedex man just dropped off:

http://www.oydesign.com/guitars/andersen/03_Letric_archee_top.jpg


14-1/2" lower bout, solid spruce top, flamey maple everywhere else. Duncan Antiquities. Oy!

THIS is why my L4 CES is now for sale in the Emporium section. LOL! ;)
Did you get it directly from Steve? He's close, long-time friend from our time together a luthier school in Phx back in the early seventies. Just spent some time with him a few weeks back, when I was through Seattle with Duke. Steve's been doing some great work for some time now, and one of the mostr successful luthiers I know! Enjoy.

[RickyKing]

I love it when theres lots to read......

[RickyKing]

Did you get it directly from Steve? He's close, long-time friend from our time together a luthier school in Phx back in the early seventies. Just spent some time with him a few weeks back, when I was through Seattle with Duke. Steve's been doing some great work for some time now, and one of the mostr successful luthiers I know! Enjoy.





looks about like my buddy Daves Vega guitar...

[Dave Orban]

Did you get it directly from Steve? He's close, long-time friend from our time together a luthier school in Phx back in the early seventies. Just spent some time with him a few weeks back, when I was through Seattle with Duke. Steve's been doing some great work for some time now, and one of the mostr successful luthiers I know! Enjoy.No, I got it from a private party, who had purchased it used from a dealer. It's an '03, but in very nice shape. Wonderful guitar...!

[Autopilot Slim]

Man you guys post alot!

Try the 1995 "Mr. Freeze" and the 1994 "Travelin' Mood" (both on Flying Fish records). All five of his seven or so releases that I have are good. But those two are particularly strong.

+1 on Mr. Freeze. :AOK
A great harp/guitar album.

[jetlag]

.... the pot taper on the
H-62 Harness. I went ahead and ordered more of the same. I gave CTS an OEM Centralab and they got unbelievably close.

Hmmmm, sounds like I need to give you a call George.

[TwoFeets]

Hmmmm, sounds like I need to give you a call George.

LOL

Yeah I'm still not getting along with the non-original harness in my ES350. The tone control especially is a POS.

[Strat-O]

No Les Paul players?

[Scott Miller]

The taper on the H-62 is good, I'm happy with it. The old (also non-original) pots were like a switch.

My main problem with this guitar is the loss of life that occurs when the volume is turned down. It's not just a treble bleed, the thing just kind of says "I don't care anymore" and goes all dark. I've heard some players say "Yes! We like that!" But not me. Well, I've griped about this before so I'll shuddup. I'll either learn to live with it, or start messing around with treble bleeds.

It's before 9:00 AM out here, and I'm already listening to Sun Ra. Ay, that'll wake you up in the mornin'.

[Strat-O]

Schwalbe - I was looking around the Weber kits page and noticed your clip for the 5E5A. Great tone and chops. Is that just a stock Weber 5E5A kit? What kind of reverb are you using?

Thanks!

[THINSOCKS]

No Les Paul players?

I've just recently started playing one.

[free_jazz]

Is it ever too late to chime praises for Steve Freund? That youtube clip of "Reconsider Baby" was most impressive. His phrasing, patience, time ... that confident relaxation ... the weight in his rhythm -- undeniable.
Just masterful.

Loved that Batman angle, btw.

[TwoFeets]

No Les Paul players?

Missed that, sorry. Yes, I use one a lot.

Oh wait, no I don't. Mine is a LOVE ROCK!

LOVE that rock baby.

[dukeh62]

No Les Paul players?

Pretty much all I'm playing these days. I'll drag out my R6 w/ Lollars, and either my parts strat or tele.

[Echo Are]

I was going to say, the Les Pauls used by the folks in this thread are P90-equipped, right? A few months back somebody said, in so many words, that humbuckers generally don't work too well for West Coast Blues because they sound too "1968 Blues Rock",lol(I like that description.)

[Dave Orban]

I was going to say, the Les Pauls used by the folks in this thread are P90-equipped, right? A few months back somebody said, in so many words, that humbuckers generally don't work too well for West Coast Blues because they sound too "1968 Blues Rock",lol(I like that description.)
Of course, Fats used humbuckers, no...?

[jetlag]

Strato - I use a P90 goldtop with a phase flip switch quite a bit. I also have an old tokai love rock that came with buckers but now has some of those humbucker sized P90s. For me, a P90 les paul with a phase push-pull phase flip is one of the more versatile guitars I've encountered. From what I've seen, I think that Edwards that Sean has is one of the better deals out there.

[Echo Are]

Of course, Fats used humbuckers, no...?

Oh, yeah, that's right. There was a pic of him in Guitar Player playing an ES 300-something with humbuckers. Maybe whoever made the 1968 Blues Rock comment was referring strictly to Lesters:rolleyes:?

[Poppa Stoppa]

The taper on the H-62 is good, I'm happy with it. The old (also non-original) pots were like a switch.

My main problem with this guitar is the loss of life that occurs when the volume is turned down. It's not just a treble bleed, the thing just kind of says "I don't care anymore" and goes all dark. I've heard some players say "Yes! We like that!" But not me. Well, I've griped about this before so I'll shuddup. I'll either learn to live with it, or start messing around with treble bleeds I'd be interested in some more info on this - I have a P13-equipped H62 ( the ex-Watson H1310 conversion) which sounds amazing until the volume is turned down, when it turns to sludge. It's a very attractive sludge, in a funny kinda way, but it makes the guitar less versatile than I'd like.

Same thing happens on my '64 Harmony Meteor. The most incredible tones at full volume, turn it down and it's like playing through a pile of blankets.

Also can anybody point me in the direction of a good pair of tone caps for two hershey bar pups I want to put on an Airline H44?

[dukeh62]

Strato - I use a P90 goldtop with a phase flip switch quite a bit. I also have an old tokai love rock that came with buckers but now has some of those humbucker sized P90s. For me, a P90 les paul with a phase push-pull phase flip is one of the more versatile guitars I've encountered. From what I've seen, I think that Edwards that Sean has is one of the better deals out there.

Yeah, looking back, I wish I ordered my Lollars with the extra leads to have th OOP switch.

[Poppa Stoppa]

Yeah, looking back, I wish I ordered my Lollars with the extra leads to have th OOP switch.Duke I'm sure you can wire a switch to give you the OOP choice anyway.

[Scott Miller]

Ditto on the H-62 turning to sludge thing. Or wait, I already said that.

Funny thing is, with my H50, also a P-13, it kills at any volume. However, it is a slightly different pickup; just the bar with no screws. Maybe that's the difference. I've heard the square pole P-13s are hotter and livelier still.

Odd about the Meteor, though. Those deArmonds on my H-75 are extreme at any speed. A little blanket effect would be nice now and then.

[Schwalbe]

Schwalbe - I was looking around the Weber kits page and noticed your clip for the 5E5A. Great tone and chops. Is that just a stock Weber 5E5A kit? What kind of reverb are you using?

Thanks!

Thanks man! Yeah the 5E5A was stock back then. That clip is from maybe the first gig I did with it. The tank is a reissue Fender '63 with the cap mod (c10?) and a 6K6.
Since then I've modded the 5E5A some, cathode/fixed bias switch, carbon comps anywhere that signal actually passes through (at least the values I had in stock), and a higher value resistor for the last one in the power rail, I think it's an 22K now, haven't looked in a while.

[valcotone]

Strato... I dig Les Pauls.

I have the Two-Feets-approved '74 Les Paul "55" which is modeled after a 50's Special...black clear-bobbin P90s that grunt nicely. Great axe with amazing sustain that sounds big and fat! I think it's like the one that Nathan James is using.

And I still really like the Edwards P90 Gold top that Jetlag mentioned... it's a fine guitar and compares favourably to ones costing a lot more. Mine's lightweight with a great neck (on the beefy side).

Finally, an Orville By Gibson nitro-finished MIJ LP STD with humbuckers... it's also a fine guitar that's better than most new Gibson's I've played.

[T. Caster]

Of course, Fats used humbuckers, no...?

Not to mention T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton, Duke Robillard...

Dan

[michael30]

Odd about the Meteor, though. Those deArmonds on my H-75 are extreme at any speed. A little blanket effect would be nice now and then.

They're not the same. The H7x series has a different model PU ("Maximum") than the Meteor ("Mustache" on most, "Goldtone" on early ones and the fake humbuckers on the post -68 ones). The Maximums and Goldtones have more bite and output than the Mustaches.

[Dave Orban]

Not to mention T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton, Duke Robillard...

DanIndeed.

FWIW, I just picked up a DiMarzio Bluesbucker humbucker, to try out in the neck of my new Andersen. Supposed to be P90-ish in feel. We'll see... ;)

[TwoFeets]

Strato... I dig Les Pauls.

I have the Two-Feets-approved '74 Les Paul "55" which is modeled after a 50's Special...black clear-bobbin P90s that grunt nicely. Great axe with amazing sustain that sounds big and fat! I think it's like the one that Nathan James is using.

And I still really like the Edwards P90 Gold top that Jetlag mentioned... it's a fine guitar and compares favourably to ones costing a lot more. Mine's lightweight with a great neck (on the beefy side).

Finally, an Orville By Gibson nitro-finished MIJ LP STD with humbuckers... it's also a fine guitar that's better than most new Gibson's I've played.

By the way there's a '75 just like yours for sale in the classifieds for a very nice price $975... has a headstock repair but looks great.

[Dave Orban]

By the way there's a '75 just like yours for sale in the classifieds for a very nice price $975... has a headstock repair but looks great.I know... I keep looking at that and thinking of how good Nathan's played and sounded... LOL!

[Strat-O]

Schwalbe - That was some some great tone. What did the changes you made do? You switched reverb tanks too right?


Man, I want an R4 really bad. I'll have to get a co-signer or sell off half my amps to get one though. Glad to hear they are popular. Seems like everybody's got a gold top though.

[THINSOCKS]

Seems like everybody's got a gold top though.

All I have is that jacked up and stripped 1956 LP Junior of mine. I routed it for a neck pickup and it's kosher now. Cost me about the same as a Goldtop reissue when all was said and done.

[mikelaw]

Of course, Fats used humbuckers, no...?

and luther tucker and lockwood and eddie taylor and dave myers. they ALL used 'em! i just happen to like singles better because they are more responsive to dynamics and pick attack. more natural sounding to me. especially BIG singles like the H44 and P90's.

i DO like buckers too, especially in a semi hollow body 335 style. nice and dark but still airy feeling. at the 'dark' tones nothing does that like a humbucker in my opinion.

[Echo Are]

Is it ever too late to chime praises for Steve Freund? That youtube clip of "Reconsider Baby" was most impressive. His phrasing, patience, time ... that confident relaxation ... the weight in his rhythm -- undeniable.
Just masterful.

Loved that Batman angle, btw.

Here's a video from that same show that I posted. In between a song, I scurried to the other side of the stage, where I got a better angle overall, as well as closer to theaction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z_9gsxhOx8

[Strat-O]

You scurrying dog you. Nice camera work. That's a masterful display of classic blues right there.

[Echo Are]

Thanx. That's another reason I changed sides, so I could get his playing on tape.

[Scott Miller]

"That's a masterful display of classic blues right there."

Not only that, but every time I see him, he does something I've never heard before. Infinite innovation within the tradition.

[Autopilot Slim]

Man, those Fruend clips got me jonesing for a night out at The Saloon.
Ive always loved his playing and vocals, and Burt's bass playing as well. Thanks!

On another note, check out this Darth does Sonny Terry clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eZBevXohCI

Hope everyone has a bluesified weekend.

[T. Caster]

Here's a video from that same show that I posted. In between a song, I scurried to the other side of the stage, where I got a better angle overall, as well as closer to theaction.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z_9gsxhOx8

Sounds like he's heard a few Lightnin Hopkins records in his day. Thanks for that one.

Dan

[T. Caster]

Man, those Fruend clips got me jonesing for a night out at The Saloon.
Ive always loved his playing and vocals, and Burt's bass playing as well. Thanks!

On another note, check out this Darth does Sonny and Brownie clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eZBevXohCI

Hope everyone has a bluesified weekend.

Enjoyed that one!

The Other Dan

[bluesjuke]

No Les Paul players?


I play a couple.
Got rid of a third in an amp moment but will replace that with an R6 soon.

[bluesjuke]

Think I'll spend this Saturday morning watching all of Steve's videps.
This is top notch stuff- thanks!

[nc slim]

for you tast tippers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNJhwlTmCEI&mode=related&search=

[Schwalbe]

Schwalbe - That was some some great tone. What did the changes you made do? You switched reverb tanks too right?

The Carbon Comp resistors made very little difference, they may have warmed it up just slightly. The cathode bias switch is handy, the amp runs 20 watts cathode, 30 fixed. Lowering the pre-amp voltage darkened the tone and let the amp break up a little sooner. The thing was damn loud before and I don't play that many big rooms any more.
I replaced the '63 tank with a Weber ToreVibe. The ToreVibe is darker and less splashy than the RI Fender.
It sounds like this now, well it's a different guitar and a different room but...
http://tinyurl.com/3avx6f (http://tinyurl.com/3avx6f)
The recording ain't the greatest but you can get an idea of what the rig sounds like.

[jumpnblues]

Schwalbe,

Very, very, nice playing. Nice tone too. I don't know what it sounded like before but it sure sounds nice now. I thought about ordering a Weber reverb tank but it sounded like the assembly would be beyond my current capabilities, so I ordered the Uncle Spot tank instead. Yours sounds great.

Tom

[Strat-O]

I was wondering if the volume was too much. I had a Clark Pro for a little while and it was just too much amp for 99% of the places I play.

All of you guys who play tweed Pro's, how do you keep the volume under control? Do you place big places all the time?

What can you do? Is a 5E3 in a Pro cabinet the best way to do it?

[sideman]

That was exactly my problem until I took Jetlag's advice and had a cathode bias switch put in the Pro. Without it it was too much of a one-trick pony: great with P90s at a certain loud volume, thin below that volume, particularly with other pups. On CB now it gives up thick tones, with nice compression and overdrive at modest club volumes. Even though I liked it before, I was ready to sell because the Bassman could cover the volume level that it was right at. Now it fits in nicely between the 18w and the Bassman.

[jumpnblues]

Strato,

The last time I played out with my Pro I was sitting in with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets at Blues On Grand, in Des Moines. It fit in the mix perfectly. I used my USACG Tele and when I soloed it stood out just right. I rolled the volume back when I was comping and it was just right there too. The venue is an average sized bar and the instruments are miced. Never a complaint about volume. If there was a problem I'd go with a Tremolux.

Tom

[hasserl]

I was wondering if the volume was too much. I had a Clark Pro for a little while and it was just too much amp for 99% of the places I play.

All of you guys who play tweed Pro's, how do you keep the volume under control? Do you place big places all the time?

What can you do? Is a 5E3 in a Pro cabinet the best way to do it?

Post PI master volume. I installed the Ken Fisher style MV that uses a dual 250k pot to replace the bias splitter resistors. I installed the pot in place of the ground switch, which isn't needed. Simple to install and works like a charm!

Your other idea though may be a good one. I'm building a 5E3X2 now, which will go into a 1 x 15 cabinet. But I'm thinking about tweaking the circuit, going with a Bassman style long tail PI, which won't crumble as much as the cathodyne PI in the Pro and Deluxe does when pushed too hard, and will drive the 6V6's harder for more power tube distortion; and in order to get plenty of drive in the front end I'm looking at using a 6AU6 pentode on the normal channel, which should drive the PI into clipping. Together it should be a smokin amp. I'm working on the schematic now.

[Schwalbe]

Strato,

The last time I played out with my Pro I was sitting in with Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets at Blues On Grand, in Des Moines. It fit in the mix perfectly. I used my USACG Tele and when I soloed it stood out just right. I rolled the volume back when I was comping and it was just right there too. The venue is an average sized bar and the instruments are miced. Never a complaint about volume. If there was a problem I'd go with a Tremolux.

Tom
Mine really worked well in that room too.
A couple years ago I built a Weber 5F4 for a buddy. We set it up cathode biased and to run 6V6's. It's a great little amp, puts out about 14 watts so it's right in that 5E3 range. It's a little cleaner than the 5E3 and it doesn't come on so strong so fast. Many times I've thought I should have built another for myself. Well hopefully the 1x15 Princeton Reverb clone I'm currently building will cover that and I can use the 5E3 for the really small places.

[sideman]

Jumpin, earlier in the week you posted, regarding your Vicky Pro with Weber P15N, that "I haven't played out in a couple years so I can't remember where I set the volumes for live performances. In my studio I practice with both volumes at about 7 1/2 with my Teles and Strats." Dunno where your volume was last time you played out, but if it was anywhere near your practice sessions, and if your Vick is anything like my vintage 5E5A, that would be plenty of overdrive/compression. My issue was getting it sweet at down around a third volume, where the sound guys want it miced. That said, it's all in the tone you want.

[jetlag]

Blues on Grand is a club I've played at least a dozen times. For those gigs I was using a tweed bassman or super reverb in that room! Granted that band was kinda loud. But really, I'm not sure BOG (on weekends) is the best example for a Pro being able to behave in a "regular" little blues dive. It can generally take some pretty loud sound stage levels w/o alot of complaints.

Sideman, good to hear you got that added to your Pro and are (hopefully) as satisfied with it as you are with your PR.

The Pro clone that I've had experience with was a bit louder before distortion than my old one. If you were to couple that with an efficient speaker, it would have really been a loud amp. Vintage P15Ns can really help tame volume. So can this cathode biasing that we talk about. So can tube selection/bias and using the normal channel with the tone controls cranked.

[bluesjuke]

I think it would be nice to have the cathode/ fixed switch in my Pro but besides that I don't have volume that is too much.
May be that the 5881's I have in it instead of the 6L6's make the difference along with the vintage P15N.

What power tubes are most of the 5E5A user's here using?

[bluesjuke]

.......the Bassman could cover the volume level that it was right at. Now it fits in nicely between the 18w and the Bassman.


That's what I find that the Pro fits in perfectly between my Deluxe and Bassman with some of the qualities of each in it.

[TwoFeets]

My Tungsten Pro has a 50's Jensen P15N in it, and winged C 6L6's. It starts to get some hair on it at about 3.5 or 4 which is about where I have it for most of the smaller rooms we play in. It's not an ultra-loud amp though I do dial out some of the bass in the smaller rooms. Its breakup characteristics are much better at low volume than the Vicky Bandmaster I used to have, which always sounded tight and had none of the sag you would expect out of that circuit.

[RickyKing]

My Tungsten Pro has a 50's Jensen P15N in it, and winged C 6L6's. It starts to get some hair on it at about 3.5 or 4 which is about where I have it for most of the smaller rooms we play in. It's not an ultra-loud amp though I do dial out some of the bass in the smaller rooms. Its breakup characteristics are much better at low volume than the Vicky Bandmaster I used to have, which always sounded tight and had none of the sag you would expect out of that circuit.

Al this pro talk...I am running a wide panel pro circut,(just tone knob)tung 5