View Full Version : West Coast Blues Thread - Version 2.0
Thanks, Bro
It's a Great day here in the States!!
RickyKing
11-22-2007, 06:56 PM
Happy thanksgiving to you all.
We don't celebrate this in England (as you know) but my parents fly out to the States every year to celebrate it with their American friends and I wish you all the very best and every possible kindness.
Cheers,
Phil
Right back at you Phil
fretshop
11-23-2007, 02:54 PM
Philly Mid-Winter Get together Update : so far it looks like confirmations from Dave Orban and hopefully members of the Mojo Gypsies, Deb Callahan and her crew, The Jamroom crew, my brother Arnie (unless he has a gig) Pete Kanaras and me. Saron Crenshaw may make the trip if he's not working. Lou promised to leave a message with Dave Gross for Gina Sicilia. We have attempted contact with Jim Fogarty but have not heard from him. We have also left messages for Steve Guyger and Russ Lambert. Mike Schwartz (guitarstorage.com) lives in the Philly area and is attempting to locate a place for the convening. I hope it works out...it would be alot of fun.
jimfog
11-23-2007, 03:29 PM
We have attempted contact with Jim Fogarty but have not heard from him.
:jo
George.........unless you messin' wit me, I"ve posted three times that I'll be there!!! lol......plus, Jeff, too. Once we get a date, I'll bet the rest of the Mighty Rhythm Kings would be into it.
PLUS........I have a sneaking suspicion that Melissa's bar would be happy to host.
cheers,
Jim
dial-tone
11-23-2007, 04:19 PM
I saw you guys talking about Lynwood Slim and
wanted give all you north east coasters a heads up...
Lynwood Slim will be doing a 6 day tour in New England in Jan.....
Band Lineup....
Lynwood SLim-Vocals & Harp
Matthew Stubbs-Guitar
Nick Moss- Bass
Chria Rivelli-Drums
Shows
Wed Jan 16 Wildhorse Tavern Beverly MA
Thur Jan 17 Paddy Barrys, Quincy,MA
Fri Jan 18 Chans, Woonsocket, RI
SAt Jan 19 Harrys, Hyannis, MA
Sun Jan 20 Horsefeathers, North Conway NH
Mon Jan 21 Time Out Pub, Rockland, ME
Its been alomg time since Lynwood has toured the east coast so try to make it to one of the shows if you can.
Thanks Fellas!
S.W.Erdnase
11-23-2007, 04:36 PM
Nick Moss on bass?
mr tom
11-23-2007, 04:56 PM
Nick started his working life as a bass player for Legendary Blues Band!
musicofanatic5
11-23-2007, 05:10 PM
Yes, apparently, there's not one, single, damn bass player on the west coast!! Lately, guitarists such as Kid Anderson, Matt Stubbs, Moss (yes, I know he's not west coast), etc. are out there doing tours playing fender bass. Thanks a lot, Leo Fender, you prick, for inventing the Precision bass, so gtr players could double!! Great idea, a**hole!!
-a disgruntled, under-employed upright bass player.
jimfog
11-23-2007, 05:14 PM
Yes, apparently, there's not one, single, damn bass player on the west coast!! Lately, guitarists such as Kid Anderson, Matt Stubbs, Moss (yes, I know he's not west coast), etc. are out there doing tours playing fender bass. Great! Thanks a lot, Leo Fender, for inventing the Precision bass, so gtr players could double!! A**hole!
-a disgruntled, under-employed upright bass player.
Well, you have to realize, Jon.....in addition to just playing bass, Kid, Matt, Moss, etc are actual MUSICIANS, too!!
:p
- Jim
the Bay Area has a Dozen or more killer Bass Players (Blues & Swing that is, maybe a lot more.
pete kanaras
11-24-2007, 10:30 AM
funnee, but for me it hurts a little bit too. i've been playing bass since i was 14 and been gigging professionally on that instrument for over 20 years. lowell fulson gave me my first bass lesson. i love it every single bit as much as guitar and make no excuses about it. never had a problem doubling in ny (in fact for sub work quite the opposite was true) but i sure had some guilt trips laid on me about it when i moved to dc, jesu; "you're a guitar player, you stay over there!" and so on. so i just let it go, for many years. but this year i made a firm decision to not sweat what other people think and just do it for myself, for the enjoyment i get. i shed on it a lot again and it's worked out great. why should i feel "bad" about wanting to gig on an instrument i clearly love so much? milt hinton i ain't, but i do know this particular music. i just lay it down, fat and simple. and slow but sure i'm getting referalls from drummers(the ultimate endorsement)and some bass player friends have put me on their sub lists as well. bandleaders say "heeey, you really Don't play bass like a guitarist!" and i think to myself well dumbass i tried to tell you, but you tried to stick me in a corner over there....
yeah, it's a complicated issue for sure. economics mostly i suppose, the ability/inability to tour, etc. and i don't have any answers either, but can only relate my experiences.
Bass in a band, is way more important than Guitar, I love and play Bass, too. (no pick) and especially dig good Hammond players playin Bass, too.
stevieboy
11-24-2007, 11:35 AM
I once jammed with Kirk Fletcher playing bass--he seemed to be pretty well acquainted with the instrument! I just saw WC Clark last weekend, he did a couple of tunes very well on bass when his friend Texas Johnny Brown sat in on guitar.
musicofanatic5
11-24-2007, 12:06 PM
Hey Pete-if I lived in your area I'd want you playin' bass for me! The above was hopefully presented as a good-natured rib on alla you gtr players (which I guess includes me!). Really, though, where's the skill? Can you arpeggiate a chord? Count to four? Okay, you're a bass player! Ha!
Maybe this Jimfog fella will someday include me on his little list of "actual MUSICIANS" that are also (by coincidence, economic necessity, touring availability, or just plain stupidity) bass players! What an honor that will be!
Differing from some stated views, to me, bass is the least important component in the band. If you can get a good one, that's great, but as long as someone's up there holding something with a maximum of four strings, looking cool while doing it, and isn't too loud, that's all I need. Seriously, though, I have participated in several bassless line-ups that were plenty cool. I was drumming in this one band that was gtr, harmonica, and piano (with a strong left hand). I do this duo form time to time with me stomping bass drum and hi-hat while playing gtr or mandolin, with my buddy on harmonica or gtr. Muy primitivo and lotsa fun/noisy! I dig a Chicago-style setup with harmonica, two gtrs or gtr and piano, and drums. Bass, schmass!!
pete kanaras
11-24-2007, 12:57 PM
Hey Pete-if I lived in your area I'd want you playin' bass for me!
hell yes, in a new york second too jon! man you sounded great when you sat in last year, i enjoyed your guitar playing a lot. and on that laughably worn out strat of mine too boot, which is no mean feat. hmm, that'd be an intersting concept; get a bunch of like-minded folks together and do an album of great tunes with everyone playing instruments they're not "known" for.
hmm....hello george, paging fretshop. hey patritha! you out there?!?
mikelaw
11-24-2007, 01:10 PM
hate to say it mr ross but i think alot of those cats could play upright as well. my 3rd time playing upright was with bob margolin because mookie let me play his upright. outside of a few flubs mookie let me stay up for 3-4 songs each night over 2 nights. the few times i did flub margolin looked at me and laughed. :) after i told mookie that was my 3-4th time touching an upright he wasn't pleased to say the least. more like, get the F out of this club right now.
mikelaw
11-24-2007, 01:13 PM
ps-you jon however, are the most accomplished on all instruments that ive ever seen. (just say thanks)
im sure time and experience are the most to attribute to that. hopefully one day i could be as good as you and my other upright heroes. first things first, i have to get one. ha
i play drums, harp, guitar, sing, bass...etc... and i have to say bass in general upright and fretted are the most challenging for me. to do what i want to do and play like my heroes of bass. it is easily the hardest instrument i am trying to master. like i always say and some musician told me years ago. 'harmonica is like playing bass. easy to play, tough to be good at.' everyone has a harmonica, even 5 year olds across the world have toy harmonicas. how many good harp players are there though? really good harp players?
TwoFeets
11-24-2007, 01:24 PM
Heads up on a possible deal on a very reasonably priced H62-like ride for you guys!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Silvertone-Harmony-Kay-2pu-hollowbody-guitar_W0QQitemZ130176002528QQihZ003QQcategoryZ119 094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
musicofanatic5
11-24-2007, 01:50 PM
ps-you jon however, are the most accomplished on all instruments that ive ever seen. (just say thanks)
im sure time and experience are the most to attribute to that. hopefully one day i could be as good as you and my other upright heroes. first things first, i have to get one. ha
i play drums, harp, guitar, sing, bass...etc... and i have to say bass in general upright and fretted are the most challenging for me. to do what i want to do and play like my heroes of bass. it is easily the hardest instrument i am trying to master. like i always say and some musician told me years ago. 'harmonica is like playing bass. easy to play, tough to be good at.' everyone has a harmonica, even 5 year olds across the world have toy harmonicas. how many good harp players are there though? really good harp players?
Thanks. The number of really good harp players are about 0.01% of those who own/operate the inst. I think it probably takes less time to sound good on the upright bass than the harmonica.
musicofanatic5
11-24-2007, 01:59 PM
Heads up on a possible deal on a very reasonably priced H62-like ride for you guys!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Silvertone-Harmony-Kay-2pu-hollowbody-guitar_W0QQitemZ130176002528QQihZ003QQcategoryZ119 094QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The same seller has an equally reasonably priced mex-squire up, too. Dunno about the non-string-thru-the-body deal. Could be easily converted...?
bluesjuke
11-24-2007, 03:19 PM
I just saw WC Clark last weekend, he did a couple of tunes very well on bass when his friend Texas Johnny Brown sat in on guitar.
WC does play some good Bass.
I've had the pleasure of meeting WC and his wife and a year later Texas Johhny Brown.
Sweetest people you could ever hope to meet.
Where did you catch them?
jimfog
11-24-2007, 03:31 PM
Maybe this Jimfog fella will someday include me on his little list of "actual MUSICIANS" that are also (by coincidence, economic necessity, touring availability, or just plain stupidity) bass players! What an honor that will be!
Jon,
Whoa down there, big fella!!!!
My above sentiment was stated with tongue (and foot, apparently) FIRMLY set in cheek. When we met at Havanas a few weeks back, I guess I didn't make clear to you how overwhelmed I was by your playing, groove and musicianship...........you, my friend, are simply a stunning musician.............otherwise, I wouldn't have felt comfortable with my poor joke above.
As Jeff Michael can confirm, I'm bass-loving fool......the function, instrument....and especially the REAL players. In contrast to the cliche, I am a guitar player who WISHES he had picked up bass originally, and would prefer that to be my instrument. I've learned, after many attempts, that I am NOT a natural.....nor is it easy to play well. I'm lucky to have 4 or 5 really excellent players available around here......and believe me, I appreciate that!
And....I agree with KBR...........bass is the most important part of a good band.
:dude
- Jim
musicofanatic5
11-24-2007, 03:41 PM
Jon,
Whoa down there, big fella!!!!
My above sentiment was stated with tongue (and foot, apparently) FIRMLY set in cheek. When we met at Havanas a few weeks back, I guess I didn't make clear to you how overwhelmed I was by your playing, groove and musicianship...........you, my friend, are simply a stunning musician.............otherwise, I wouldn't have felt comfortable with my poor joke above.
As Jeff Michael can confirm, I'm bass-loving fool......the function, instrument....and especially the REAL players. In contrast to the cliche, I am a guitar player who WISHES he had picked up bass originally, and would prefer that to be my instrument. I've learned, after many attempts, that I am NOT a natural.....nor is it easy to play well. I'm lucky to have 4 or 5 really excellent players available around here......and believe me, I appreciate that!
And....I agree with KBR...........bass is the most important part of a good band.
:dude
- Jim
Jim-I will occasionally remove my tongue from my cheek here, but it was firmly planted when I wrote the above! Thanks for the complimentary comments.
stevieboy
11-25-2007, 12:18 AM
WC does play some good Bass.
I've had the pleasure of meeting WC and his wife and a year later Texas Johhny Brown.
Sweetest people you could ever hope to meet.
Where did you catch them?
Big Easy in Houston, not where I live (LA), but it was close to my hotel!
Not my first visit to the Big Easy, not my first time seeing WC either. He is my definiton of the consummate musician.
Poppa Stoppa
11-25-2007, 05:41 AM
First time I've checked in for a while -
Poppa Stoppa
11-25-2007, 06:18 AM
First time I've checked in for a while -whoops - have been in hospital a week with some kind of leg infection. Hope to get out tomorrow. Funny stuff from Goldie breaking that 14 gauge E string. Can tell he is a dock labourer by trade and uses ship cables for strings. KBR you asked about the Airline H44 bridge. It is non-adjustable an does slide around. Glue, pins or tape would fix it. Gotta go. This hospital intrnet system is crap!
dukeh62
11-25-2007, 06:34 AM
whoops - have been in hospital a week with some kind of leg infection. Hope to get out tomorrow. Funny stuff from Goldie breaking that 14 gauge E string. Can tell he is a dock labourer by trade and uses ship cables for strings. KBR you asked about the Airline H44 bridge. It is non-adjustable an does slide around. Glue, pins or tape would fix it. Gotta go. This hospital intrnet system is crap!
Poppa Stoppa...get well soon!
bluesjuke
11-25-2007, 08:19 AM
whoops - have been in hospital a week with some kind of leg infection. Hope to get out tomorrow...................... Gotta go. This hospital internet system is crap!
At least you were able to sneak a message out!
Hope and pray you'll have a good quick recovery.
bluesjuke
11-25-2007, 08:27 AM
Big Easy in Houston, not where I live (LA), but it was close to my hotel!
Not my first visit to the Big Easy, not my first time seeing WC either. He is my definiton of the consummate musician.
That's Texas Johhny Brown's territory there in Houston.
Met both of them at the (what used to be called) Blind Lemon Jefferson Blues Festival in Wortham, TX. where he was from, and buried, and started performing on the streets, a busking pioneer ya' know.
My wife's family has also been in that town since the mid 1800's too.
They used to set the stage up on the original brick streets right in the middle of the main intersection.
Keep in mind there is only one flashing yellow light in this town of a little over 700 people.
Many of Texas
best Blues players would come from Dallas, Austin, and Houston to play each year and I made it my Mecca every September until the Chamber of Commerce let it fall apart after 10 years.
straightblues
11-25-2007, 10:45 AM
I have seen Kirk Fletcher play bass a few time. In fact, the last time was at the Long Beach Thanksgiving Battle of the Blues Harps last year. It was Kirk Fletcher on bass and Rick Holmstrom on guitar. They played very well together.
Dave Orban
11-25-2007, 10:53 AM
A good bass player is a rarity, and a thing of beauty.
A good UPRIGHT player is even more rare, and a thing of GREATER beauty.
And I'm looking forward to playing with Jeff Michael (a GREAT upright player) again...! :dude
musicofanatic5
11-25-2007, 12:38 PM
I guess it should be reasonable to expect a good blues gtr player to know how to cover a bass gig. If they possess the authority to criticize bass playing, then they oughta know how to actually do it. I mean how hard is it really? See that old Keith Ferguson interview in GP mag. He describes blues bass as "dunta-dunta-dunta-dunta" or "dunta-dunta", and that's about it. I will say this about a blues music rhythm section: For me, I would rather have a single-celled organism playing bass with a good drummer than the other way around. Bass just isn't that important to me. I don't know how many times I've been playing gtr in a situation, and somebody will ask, "Whadja think of that guy playing bass?", and my honest response is, "Gee, I really wasn't paying attention." Unless the guy is seriously f*cking up or too loud, it will escape my notice entirely. However, if the drummer drops one beat, or places his backbeat anywhere near the top or in front of the beat, I am generally forced to produce my service revolver and take him out. Conversely, I will take notice when a drummer is doing everything "right"; what a joyfull noise that is!
Lucky for me, other people do not entirely share my preference. Saves me from hauling all that heavy drum crap around all the time! I also see great value in all the time I spent years ago, posing with an upright in a full-length mirror. I make a living from people wanting to have "that look" onstage!
Schwalbe
11-25-2007, 12:43 PM
whoops - have been in hospital a week with some kind of leg infection. Hope to get out tomorrow. Funny stuff from Goldie breaking that 14 gauge E string. Can tell he is a dock labourer by trade and uses ship cables for strings. KBR you asked about the Airline H44 bridge. It is non-adjustable an does slide around. Glue, pins or tape would fix it. Gotta go. This hospital intrnet system is crap!
Hope all's well soon.
Dave Orban
11-25-2007, 01:11 PM
With a good upright player, you don't even need no stinkin' drummer. ;)
Strat-O
11-25-2007, 01:49 PM
I guess it should be reasonable to expect a good blues gtr player to know how to cover a bass gig. If they possess the authority to criticize bass playing, then they oughta know how to actually do it. I mean how hard is it really? See that old Keith Ferguson interview in GP mag. He describes blues bass as "dunta-dunta-dunta-dunta" or "dunta-dunta", and that's about it. I will say this about a blues music rhythm section: For me, I would rather have a single-celled organism playing bass with a good drummer than the other way around. Bass just isn't that important to me. I don't know how many times I've been playing gtr in a situation, and somebody will ask, "Whadja think of that guy playing bass?", and my honest response is, "Gee, I really wasn't paying attention." Unless the guy is seriously f*cking up or too loud, it will escape my notice entirely. However, if the drummer drops one beat, or places his backbeat anywhere near the top or in front of the beat, I am generally forced to produce my service revolver and take him out. Conversely, I will take notice when a drummer is doing everything "right"; what a joyfull noise that is!
Lucky for me, other people do not entirely share my preference. Saves me from hauling all that heavy drum crap around all the time! I also see great value in all the time I spent years ago, posing with an upright in a full-length mirror. I make a living from people wanting to have "that look" onstage!
Man I'm glad you said this, I thought I was the Lone Ranger. In my opinion, drums are much more critical to setting the sound of a band than bass. I'm not diminishing the role of a great bass player, and a band is always the sum of its parts. But if you have a great blues drummer, the bass player would have to work hard to screw up the groove...all he has to do is follow the drummer. It isn't that easy for the drummer to follow the bass player and not screw up the groove or the feel of the entire song.
A drummer who's on top of the beat and lacks feel can turn a great blues band into a big pile of dung as far as I'm concerned. Bass players generally can't screw up the drummer assuming its a bass player with any talent and ears at all. That's my opinion anyway. Been there and done that!
I do worship great bass players though, no doubt about it. There's nothing better than having a great rhythm section.
pete kanaras
11-25-2007, 03:12 PM
However, if the drummer drops one beat, or places his backbeat anywhere near the top or in front of the beat, I am generally forced to produce my service revolver and take him out. Conversely, I will take notice when a drummer is doing everything "right"; what a joyfull noise that is!
plus one bazillion
I make a living from people wanting to have "that look" onstage!
haha, stop it! man you're killin' me, oww
straightblues
11-25-2007, 04:23 PM
Here is a history of Chicago Blues narrated by Buddy Guy.
http://www.downloadchicagotours.com/bluesmedia/
Schwalbe
11-25-2007, 04:34 PM
But if you have a great blues drummer, the bass player would have to work hard to screw up the groove...I know one...at least.
On the other hand, Jon, the few times I got to work with you was a real treat.
Strat-O
11-25-2007, 05:23 PM
My band has an upright bass player, and its pretty awesome. Looks cool and sounds even cooler.
jumpnblues
11-25-2007, 08:45 PM
Just a brief heads up...FWIW Harmony-Central finally got around to posting my review of the Louis Electric 10/12. Lou's (Rosano) doing some tweaks as I "speak" and I've had the amp for about 4 months. I'm safely past the honeymoon phase now and can truthfully say I like it better than any single amp I've owned. And that's saying a lot because I've had about a 6 year love affair with my Victoria 35115T Tweed Pro with a Weber 15A150 (P15N). The Vicky with a really good Tele with really good pu's is especially a match made in heaven. And as good as that combination sounds the Louis Electric 10/12 sounds even a little better...a little stronger mids, as you might expect with 1x10" speaker and 1x12" speaker. Also the negative feedback adjustment and 4 stages of gain make it more versatile. My ears like the tone a little better from top to bottom. It has a little more girth or body. I'm not so sure the Pro is less of an amp tone-wise as it is different. The Pro is more scooped. But the 10/12 is really something very special, especially if you're a tweed kind of guy. The top end in particular of the 10/12 is just sooooooo sweet.
If you're looking for Dumble-style tone look elsewhere. Same if blackface tone is your bag, although the cleans from the 10/12 are really something to behold. The 10/12 is a blues and jazz player's dream. Well, I've raved about it here before so I won't bore you with anymore of a rehash. Check out the review if you're so inclined. Email or PM me with any questions. :cool::cool::cool:
Tom
bluesjuke
11-25-2007, 09:19 PM
I'll look for it.
Hope my Pro doesn't get jealous!
jumpnblues
11-25-2007, 09:46 PM
"[I'll look for it.
Hope my Pro doesn't get jealous!]"
LOL!! I think mine already is. It isn't going anywhere though. I still really like that amp. I think Pros are a great, well kept secret. With a good speaker and tubes there isn't much that sounds as good, let alone better IMHO.
Tom
musicofanatic5
11-26-2007, 12:32 AM
I know one...at least.
On the other hand, Jon, the few times I got to work with you was a real treat.
Damn, I know him, too, Dan. I laughed my ass off when I thought of who you mean! On the second count, right back atcha!
S.W.Erdnase
11-26-2007, 03:14 AM
A good UPRIGHT player is even more rare, and a thing of GREATER beauty.
Dude, the two upright platers I work with are GREAT on the bass, but definitely not objects of beauty. (Shudder).
fretshop
11-26-2007, 06:29 AM
:jo
George.........unless you messin' wit me, I"ve posted three times that I'll be there!!! lol......plus, Jeff, too. Once we get a date, I'll bet the rest of the Mighty Rhythm Kings would be into it.
PLUS........I have a sneaking suspicion that Melissa's bar would be happy to host.
cheers,
Jim
Yeah...ooops, I checked you off on my list...you're right. I had a brain fart....at my age it's allowable. Melissa owns a bar ?
A Sunday in early to mid January sounds about right. would you be comfortable with that ?
I'll be travelling back and forth from NJ to Massachusetts on family business starting 12/14...but January is clear for me and my guys.
Question:
Mike Schwartz met a harp player named Russ Lambert at the Philly guitar show. Mike's been raving about him. Do you guys know him?
jimfog
11-26-2007, 01:23 PM
Yeah...ooops, I checked you off on my list...you're right. I had a brain fart....at my age it's allowable. Melissa owns a bar ?
A Sunday in early to mid January sounds about right. would you be comfortable with that ?
I'll be travelling back and forth from NJ to Massachusetts on family business starting 12/14...but January is clear for me and my guys.
Question:
Mike Schwartz met a harp player named Russ Lambert at the Philly guitar show. Mike's been raving about him. Do you guys know him?
George,
Got your email this time.
I'll check with Melissa.......be aware that it's a sports bar, so it would have to be a non-football Sunday.......otherwise, I'm pretty sure they'd be into it.
Russ Lambert sat in with the Mighty Rhythm Kings a couple months back, and since then Jeff has been gigging with him......I"m sure he'll check in. Good player.
- Jim
fretshop
11-26-2007, 02:23 PM
George,
Got your email this time.
I'll check with Melissa.......be aware that it's a sports bar, so it would have to be a non-football Sunday.......otherwise, I'm pretty sure they'd be into it.
Russ Lambert sat in with the Mighty Rhythm Kings a couple months back, and since then Jeff has been gigging with him......I"m sure he'll check in. Good player.
- Jim
Mike told me that Russ got a nice little crowd gathered around him while he was blowing harp and trying out amps.
jimfog
11-26-2007, 02:26 PM
Mike told me that Russ got a nice little crowd gathered around him while he was blowing harp and trying out amps.
Well.....I'm sure you would get right along with Russ....he, too, is a snappy dresser!
:D
- jim
fretshop
11-26-2007, 03:03 PM
Well.....I'm sure you would get right along with Russ....he, too, is a snappy dresser!
:D
- jim
Duke told me I looked like a funeral director. While we were at Marsha Brown's restaurant before the show (talk about sticker shock....ya gotta do a credit check to eat there), I was standing at the bar and a lady came up to me and asked for seating....Carol dared me to play the situation, so I grabbed some menus and went for it. That black suit got me a $5.00 tip...(and a pissed off waiter to whom I promptly surrendered the tip).
I left a phone message and an e-mail for Steve Guyger re: January
Jeff Michael
11-26-2007, 03:09 PM
Hey Jon,
I'm with you in not really noticing bass players unless they blow it. I always claim to be from the ninjitsu school of bass--if you notice me I'm not doing my job.
And that's why I think, while owning and operating a bass isn't all that hard, a lot of cats can't really nail the bass gig. There's kind of a minimalist mindset or something that a guy needs. I can't tell you how many times I've heard dudes--other potential employers, almost always--talk about how upright players they've worked with overplay. I guess it's the jazz thing that they just can't suppress. A lot of guys can't just sit back and shovel coal. Not to mention that there is a certain physical command you have to have of the thing. I've heard good guitar players grab a bass and just have no balls whatsoever in their sound.
For me it's like haiku--a real zen kind of thing. Wow, I get four notes to a bar and have (maybe!) four to pick from. That sounds like it would suck, doesn't it? Suddenly I find myself thinking about dynamics, articulation, where in the pocket I want to hang, even register. Just yesterday I was thinking aloud in a rehearsal about where in the bass' register I wanted to put a part. I think the guys thought I was crazy.
You're dead on about the look too. I'm always as gracious as I can be when folks gush about the sound of upright (and boy do they), but in the back of my head I'm thinking "you know, I can make a P bass sound just like this too!" Ironically, electric basses feel alien to me now. All my choreography's worked out for the big girl, ya know? I feel kinda naked with just a plank hanging around my neck.
I should also say that I really dug your stuff at Havana's in New Hope last month with Duke Robillard. More to the point, I hardly noticed you! ;-)
JAM
jimfog
11-26-2007, 03:17 PM
You're dead on about the look too. I'm always as gracious as I can be when folks gush about the sound of upright (and boy do they), but in the back of my head I'm thinking "you know, I can make a P bass sound just like this too!"
JAM
......and THAT, my boy, is exactly where you're wrong.
While I won't deny the image factor (the bass, not YOU, obviously), it's immediately apparent when you've had to switch to electric in the MRK........not bad, but MUCH, much different. The pocket is smaller and more precise.....and not necessarily in a good way.
Anyway......I agree with the rest of what you're saying, though.
- Jim
PS.....we WERE surprised yesterday that you were worrying about what register...........but, mostly because you were playing the wrong NOTE!!
:roll
Jeff Michael
11-26-2007, 03:47 PM
Mike Schwartz met a harp player named Russ Lambert at the Philly guitar show. Mike's been raving about him. Do you guys know him?
I'm surprised Russ isn't better known--I think he's been at it for a good number of years and IMHO he's really a good player. He's based out of Paoli or thereabouts.
You can take a peek at this--he hasn't been doing the MySpace thing for too long, but this'll give you a sense of what he's doing:
http://www.myspace.com/therusslambertband
(I'm pretty sure that's me on bass on those audio files. I can never tell.)
As his bio on MySpace says, Russ is a stonemason by day. Between that and a weightlifting hobby, he's a pretty solidly put together cat. Add in the pompadour, a pencil-thin Fu Manchu 'stache, and, as Jim Fogarty mentioned, a top-notch closet of retro threads, and he ends up looking like a dude you wouldn't want to see if you owed anybody any money! But he's really a prince of a guy. Anybody in the area ought to come out to the Big Easy Saloon in Paoli PA for some great Cajun grub and check Russ out. Hell, odds are if you come to the Big Easy any weekend you'll see me--between Russ, Melissa Martin, and James Day and the Fish Fry I think I'm there almost every week. Just checked the book: three more hits there for me through year's end. None with Russ though--I think I'm next with him in February.
Fun fun fun,
JAM
Jeff Michael
11-26-2007, 04:15 PM
......and THAT, my boy, is exactly where you're wrong.
While I won't deny the image factor (the bass, not YOU, obviously), it's immediately apparent when you've had to switch to electric in the MRK........not bad, but MUCH, much different. The pocket is smaller and more precise.....and not necessarily in a good way.
Anyway......I agree with the rest of what you're saying, though.
- Jim
PS.....we WERE surprised yesterday that you were worrying about what register...........but, mostly because you were playing the wrong NOTE!!
:roll
I guess I see what you mean about the difference between electric and upright: there is a sort of focused immediacy to the electric's sound. The notes have squarer corners.
Wrong notes? Well DUH! I was just wondering if they were less obvious low or high.
Honey, do these frequencies make my intonation look flat?
JAM
musicofanatic5
11-26-2007, 04:30 PM
Hey Jon,
I'm with you in not really noticing bass players unless they blow it. I always claim to be from the ninjitsu school of bass--if you notice me I'm not doing my job.
And that's why I think, while owning and operating a bass isn't all that hard, a lot of cats can't really nail the bass gig. There's kind of a minimalist mindset or something that a guy needs. I can't tell you how many times I've heard dudes--other potential employers, almost always--talk about how upright players they've worked with overplay. I guess it's the jazz thing that they just can't suppress. A lot of guys can't just sit back and shovel coal. Not to mention that there is a certain physical command you have to have of the thing. I've heard good guitar players grab a bass and just have no balls whatsoever in their sound.
For me it's like haiku--a real zen kind of thing. Wow, I get four notes to a bar and have (maybe!) four to pick from. That sounds like it would suck, doesn't it? Suddenly I find myself thinking about dynamics, articulation, where in the pocket I want to hang, even register. Just yesterday I was thinking aloud in a rehearsal about where in the bass' register I wanted to put a part. I think the guys thought I was crazy.
You're dead on about the look too. I'm always as gracious as I can be when folks gush about the sound of upright (and boy do they), but in the back of my head I'm thinking "you know, I can make a P bass sound just like this too!" Ironically, electric basses feel alien to me now. All my choreography's worked out for the big girl, ya know? I feel kinda naked with just a plank hanging around my neck.
I should also say that I really dug your stuff at Havana's in New Hope last month with Duke Robillard. More to the point, I hardly noticed you! ;-)
JAM
Jeff-dunno 'bout no ninjitsu, zen, or haiku, but I know about shovelling coal! I rarely hear a jazz guy who can play "stupid" enough for blues music. Thanks for the nice compliment about the lack of notice I drew!
Say, any of you Philly types know anything about the Steel City in Phoenixville, Pa? I'm there with Duke on Sat., and never been there before.
rhartt1234
11-26-2007, 05:54 PM
I rarely hear a jazz guy who can play "stupid" enough for blues music.
Here's a good Jazz bass player playing Blues story:
Our drummer Nick is one of the more amazing musicians I have ever met. In addition to be a great all around drummer he is an amazing Jazz drummer and is a graduate of the Hartt School of Music which for lack f a better term is a "Jazz school" A bass player buddy of his came to one of our gigs and we had him sit in. I called off the tune "Jump in Bb with a ii-V." And this cat starts playing the most outside stuff I've ever heard. Eric and I were looking at each other with the same "He's a Jazz cat so he must be playing some hip sh!t I can't comprehend" look. Most any Blues musician would know I was referring solely to the turnaround, but come to find out he thought we meant the progression itself was a ii-V.
HappyValley
11-26-2007, 07:04 PM
I saw you guys talking about Lynwood Slim and
wanted give all you north east coasters a heads up...
Lynwood Slim will be doing a 6 day tour in New England in Jan.....
Band Lineup....
Lynwood SLim-Vocals & Harp
Matthew Stubbs-Guitar
Nick Moss- Bass
Chria Rivelli-Drums
Shows
Wed Jan 16 Wildhorse Tavern Beverly MA
Thur Jan 17 Paddy Barrys, Quincy,MA
Fri Jan 18 Chans, Woonsocket, RI
SAt Jan 19 Harrys, Hyannis, MA
Sun Jan 20 Horsefeathers, North Conway NH
Mon Jan 21 Time Out Pub, Rockland, ME
Its been alomg time since Lynwood has toured the east coast so try to make it to one of the shows if you can.
Thanks Fellas!
Hi Matt
Strat-O
11-26-2007, 11:06 PM
You're dead on about the look too. I'm always as gracious as I can be when folks gush about the sound of upright (and boy do they), but in the back of my head I'm thinking "you know, I can make a P bass sound just like this too!"
I don't know, there are some things that an electric bass can do that sounds like an upright, but to me they sound different. And depending on the situation, you know that there are things the upright can do that the electric can. Aside from percussive qualities, the big thing I notice is that the note coming from the upright seems to wind up laying farther back on the beat. I've always assumed it had something to do with the length and composition of the strings etc.
As far as blues bass being mostly "dunt-da, dunt-da, dunt-da", I know the T-Birds did alot of that but my band only plays one song a night like that. As you guys know, there are so many killer classic blues tunes from the 50's and early 60's that are anything but that!
Oh, and don't forget that Fred Below was a jazz drummer!! The story that's ingrained in my head is that when Fred realized the good gigs of the day were in the blues scene, his transition to blues wasn't so smooth. But he figured it out obviously. And I'm sure it didn't take too long!
:dude
Fred Below laid down some HEAVY grooves.
musicofanatic5
11-27-2007, 12:56 AM
As far as blues bass being mostly "dunt-da, dunt-da, dunt-da", I know the T-Birds did alot of that but my band only plays one song a night like that. As you guys know, there are so many killer classic blues tunes from the 50's and early 60's that are anything but that!
Oh, and don't forget that Fred Below was a jazz drummer!! The story that's ingrained in my head is that when Fred realized the good gigs of the day were in the blues scene, his transition to blues wasn't so smooth. But he figured it out obviously. And I'm sure it didn't take too long!
:dude
Fred Below laid down some HEAVY grooves.
"there are so many killer classic blues tunes from the 50's and early 60's that are anything but that!"
Oh yeah? Like what? If KEITH says that's how it is, I'm goin' with that!
Almost all the great chicago drummers were converted jazz drummers. Odie Payne, Francey Clay, Clifton James, S.P. Leary, others I'm forgetting. There was an issue of Living Blues from way back that was a special about chicago drummers. Had a roundtable with Below, and all the cats. Priceless. Maybe the difference is none of the above fellas went to Ber-ser-klee.
Sh*t, I could play II-V's all over your sad-ass little 12-bar form...but I won't!
Goldie295
11-27-2007, 03:02 AM
Hey Guys !
Just checkin' in after an interesting few days with car tyres blowing, bathroom pipes leaking and guitar strings breaking...
PoppaS, very sorry to hear about your spell 'inside' with an injured leg, though I did tell you it was time to cut out the stage diving...
[For anyone that doesn't know, PoppaS is in fact a trapeze artist with the famous Cirque de Slough]
Some interesting talk on bass and drums. In the small world of Phil, the drums are most important. When I'm playing I can always tell a 'struggling' drummer as I find it hard to 'tune-in' when soloing. Bad bass players - for me - are the ones that overplay (which is a good sign of a moonlighting guitar player).
Cheers,
Phil
fretshop
11-27-2007, 07:01 AM
"there are so many killer classic blues tunes from the 50's and early 60's that are anything but that!"
Oh yeah? Like what? If KEITH says that's how it is, I'm goin' with that!
Almost all the great chicago drummers were converted jazz drummers. Odie Payne, Francey Clay, Clifton James, S.P. Leary, others I'm forgetting. There was an issue of Living Blues from way back that was a special about chicago drummers. Had a roundtable with Below, and all the cats. Priceless. Maybe the difference is none of the above fellas went to Ber-ser-klee.
Sh*t, I could play II-V's all over your sad-ass little 12-bar form...but I won't!
We had this "Blues Legends" thing going on in the Boston-NYC-Philly-Baltimore-DC circuit during the early and mid 80's, and Pinetop brought in the Myers Brothers with Fred Below for a short stint....maybe a month. I have some photos of The Lone Star show at home. Depending on the location, either Brian Bisesi, the late Andy Masilli, or I did guitar work for the ensemble. Later, James Cotton recommended Michael Coleman to take over the guitar chair. Mike is a killer Chi-town string man, and he was gracious enough to throw a couple nights my way when had gigs with James and Johnny Copeland. I believe Fred passed about ayear and a half, two years later. He used to listen to some of our regular drummers and remark that they "listened to too many records when they shoulda been studyin' their paradiddles"...whatever that is.
Strat-O
11-27-2007, 07:10 AM
Oh yeah? Like what? If KEITH says that's how it is, I'm goin' with that! :roll
Almost all the great chicago drummers were converted jazz drummers. Odie Payne, Francey Clay, Clifton James, S.P. Leary, others I'm forgetting. There was an issue of Living Blues from way back that was a special about chicago drummers. Had a roundtable with Below, and all the cats. Priceless. Maybe the difference is none of the above fellas went to Ber-ser-klee.
Sh*t, I could play II-V's all over your sad-ass little 12-bar form...but I won't!
I knew Francis Clay was too, but I didn't know about the other guys being from a jazz background.
fretshop
11-27-2007, 07:18 AM
Check out Fred Below's work on Little Walter's "Off the wall".
8:20AM : re: Philly Reunion. Just received and-mail from Steve Guyger. He'd love to do it if he's not working. As soon as we get a date and place...looks like we've got a nice little event happening here. Pete K. mentioned that maybe he'd bring his mint RR II. Pete...I've been diggn' those Shambells CD's you sent. Who's the guitarist ?
nmontz
11-27-2007, 11:18 AM
fun fact for you George, a paradiddle is a simple drum rudiment......
In a measure of 4/4 on 8th notes the sticking goes: down stroke, up stroke, tap, tap and one complete pattern would be R,L,R,R, L,R,L,L The down stroke makes an accent....when you get them going fast enough the taps are a bounce. Down up tap tap Down up tap tap Down up tap tap Down up tap tap...ect.....
My day job is as a band teacher and I teach 5th graders through Seniors in HS. Just teaching paradiddles this week to my beginning 5th grade drummers.....
Scott Miller
11-27-2007, 02:21 PM
RJ threatened to get me on bass behind him, but then he moved to Arkansas. He said he liked my bass playing because I'm always on the edge of screwing up. It would fit right in with his penchant for confident, yet reckless abandon.
I like playing bass because you are right in the middle of the music; you don't fart around with that synchopation crap. I try to get that feeling when playing guitar, but it isn't the same.
Hey, anyone heard of Irish blues guitarist Nigel Mooney? Wondering if I should go see him this Friday here in Dublin.
Echo Are
11-27-2007, 02:46 PM
Incidentally, Scott, how's Ireland so far? Hope I got my time zone right. It's ...what,about 7:45 at night there now?
nc slim
11-27-2007, 08:57 PM
Can you say BILLY BUTLER
nc slim
11-27-2007, 08:58 PM
BILLY BUTLER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9V-QnefTzM&feature=related
Dave Orban
11-27-2007, 09:01 PM
VERY cool!
nc slim
11-27-2007, 09:03 PM
Otis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdBZWrx13S4&feature=related
GOLDENSTRAT
11-27-2007, 09:24 PM
Awesome! and check out Major Holley's solo on the part 2 vid.
On a another note, this month's issue of Living Blues has a very interesting interview with James Blood Ulmer. I was really into him in the early 1980's " Black Rock" LP days, but haven't heard his newer blues releases with Vernon Reid at the helm.
nc slim
11-27-2007, 09:36 PM
pretty cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36ZQfVIVkH0&feature=related
nc slim
11-27-2007, 09:45 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBSnwi94ANQ&feature=related
Is that Jersey George dancing to fleetwood mac
nc slim
11-27-2007, 09:46 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78yGkkufpq8&feature=related more
Ryguy
11-28-2007, 07:50 AM
Just checked in after a while and somebody posts Billy Butler! Great start to the day. One of my all time favorite's. If you haven't heard it, check out Charles Brown's "One for the Road." I guess it was his "comeback" album, the band is crackin' with Butler on guitar, and Houston Person on Tenor.
Nice!!
mikelaw
11-28-2007, 04:52 PM
just put duncan antiquity II's in my jlv strat. kind of cool. better then stock but hard to tell to my ears not playing it loud and live yet. left the middle pu stock fender and the 2 and 4 spots are oophase sounding and lower output because the stock middle isnt reverse polarity i think. but im just leaving it as is because its a cool tone in there.
got a good deal otherwise i would have gotten the watson set from don mare or the sd pickups texas mojo stagger.
Schwalbe
11-28-2007, 08:46 PM
I just like this one, especially how the rhythm section pays attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MAtCwifXl4&feature=related
afenderman67
11-28-2007, 10:23 PM
anyone have any expierence with the import epiphone zephyr blues guitar? pro's and con's?
and what do you think is a good price for one used?
thanks!
Goldie295
11-29-2007, 04:46 AM
anyone have any expierence with the import epiphone zephyr blues guitar? pro's and con's?
and what do you think is a good price for one used?
thanks!
Fenderman,
I use one rather than gig my '53 Gibson ES295 everywhere. They are great.
The only 'con' is the size, as it won't get into my car boot ('trunk') with an amp so I have to lay it on the back seats.
The pros are many. For a start they are cheap secondhand, they are reliable, they sound good, they look good (especially with the pickguard off), the middle pup comes pre-sorted (though I would also recommend turning the rear pup around as that worked for me), it takes about 5mins to get used to the control layout and feedback is not an issue.
For West Coast, T-bone stuff I tend to run all of my volumes on 2 and then roll up the treble/bridge pup for solos (not necessarily to 10). Roll the tone back as far as you can with out loosing too much treble (around 3.5 to 5 will do it) to get that 'old sound' through a Bassman or similar (on the amp I would keep the middle up high, the bass down low, the treble up high and the presence v.low).
For a Jazzy tone you can do the same but roll up the neck pup (or just use the neck pup on its own). No need to keep the tone quite so backed off but it depends on taste. Wes M is tone nearly all off and Kenny B is tone slightly backed off (to my ears anyway).
I would recommend using 12s (flat or ribbon wound) rather than using a heavy set.
Cheers,
Phil
Schwalbe
11-29-2007, 08:27 AM
Those Epi ZBD's are good guitars. I like mine just fine.
Somewhere on this thread there is a clip of The Rough Cuts playing Wee Wee Hours, that's my ZBD.
'56 Merc
11-29-2007, 09:11 AM
After years being a Tele/Strat guy I started getting into large hollow bodies. the first was a 6120 then a ZBD about five years ago and its been a great guitar.
I have a bunch of guitars and it's one of a few that I haven't changed the pickups. I did change the tuners, jack and tail piece. The only thing I don't like is the inlays on the fretboard are too plain.
I play mine a lot like Goldie and turn up the middle or bridge PU for solos.
afenderman67
11-29-2007, 09:59 AM
thanks guys, i can get this one for $ 500 with out a case! is that fair?
chris
RickyKing
11-29-2007, 10:10 AM
I just like this one, especially how the rhythm section pays attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MAtCwifXl4&feature=related
That would be our own Nick Adams on guitar....
Dave Orban
11-29-2007, 10:44 AM
That would be our own Nick Adams on guitar....VERY cool! :dude
jumpnblues
11-29-2007, 11:10 AM
Had one and installed Lollar P-90s. Wow!! Sounded great. I sold it to raise some cash and I'd really miss it except I found a new Gibson ES-5 Switchmaster with P-90s from the custom shop...yep, I installed Lollars on that too although it sounded pretty good with the stock pu's.
A quick story about the ZBD...one night I was in my music room and as I walked by both the ZBD and a Gibson L5CES I had at the time, I strummed them acoustically as they sat in their respective stands...the ZBD sounded better. Much more resonant. I soon sold the L5CES. It had some other problems too (the tailpiece wasn't installed properly, I had to have it refretted when brand new, etc.). But I have very good memories of the ZBD. I'd have another one if I didn't have the Switchmaster which, by the way, is a superb guitar.
Tom
Poppa Stoppa
11-29-2007, 11:22 AM
Hey guys thanks for the good wishes while I was in hospital. It was a weird week but the national health service gave me fantastic service - for nothin'.
thanks guys, i can get this one for $ 500 with out a case! is that fair?
chrisMy ZBD was £499 with a case, s/h. On the basis that pounds = dollars when it comes to buying guitars, maybe you should get that hard case thrown in for $500...
I've used mine a lot. I had the frets plekked - it made a huge difference to playability. Also I changed the metal bridge for a wooden one. It made no difference to the tone but I was breaking strings every set and now don't break any. The only other thing I did was to change the pots and jack socket. The original electrics were cheapest rubbish. The tuners are OK and the pickups are good, and I prefer them to a set of Lollars I bought for it.
TwoFeets
11-29-2007, 12:07 PM
That would be our own Nick Adams on guitar....
You know, I thought so but it was so far away I thought it might be a mirage.
Goldie295
11-29-2007, 12:16 PM
Hey guys thanks for the good wishes while I was in hospital. It was a weird week but the national health service gave me fantastic service - for nothin'.
Glad you're back PoppaS.
Cheers,
Phil
Schwalbe
11-29-2007, 12:25 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwalbe http://www.thegearpage.net/board/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?p=3294678#post3294678)
I just like this one, especially how the rhythm section pays attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MAtC...eature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MAtCwifXl4&feature=related)
That would be our own Nick Adams on guitar
Nice work Nick! Who's the rest of the band?
jimfog
11-29-2007, 02:19 PM
I just like this one, especially how the rhythm section pays attention.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MAtCwifXl4&feature=related
Yeah......but TWO harp players at once on stage?!??!
Oh, the humanity!!!!
:rotflmao
RickyKing
11-29-2007, 03:55 PM
Nice work Nick! Who's the rest of the band?
Looks like Chris Rivelli on drums,maybe JB on the bass.....
rhartt1234
11-29-2007, 04:21 PM
Looks like Chris Rivelli on drums,maybe JB on the bass.....
You are correct. Nick Adams on guitar, Chris Rivelli on drums, and Jeff, "JB" Berg on bass. John Gindick asked me to teach and host the jam at his Boston Jam Camp and I unfortunately couldn't make it, but threw these guys together for the jam.
Schwalbe
11-29-2007, 08:02 PM
Yeah......but TWO harp players at once on stage?!??!
Oh, the humanity!!!!
:rotflmao
I have been known to instigate 3 :eek: harp players on stage at once. One each in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.:crazy
bluesjuke
12-02-2007, 02:23 AM
We're back!!!
nc slim
12-02-2007, 09:10 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsFpcJedlOU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyyQBVV1b40&feature=related
lesson http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKARnJjciZE&feature=related
nc slim
12-02-2007, 09:12 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFH8aLRXeQQ&feature=related
blueskalle
12-02-2007, 09:36 AM
Alex S is so good its scary...And I love it!!!
jumpnblues
12-02-2007, 09:46 AM
Yep. Definitely in my top three of jazzy blues/bluesy jazz players along with Charlie and Duke...well, maybe along with Junior and Anders too...and then there's Markowski and Fats and Igor...Danny Caron...and I almost forgot...oh what's the use?!!! :messedup :bkw :cool:
Tom
Dave Orban
12-02-2007, 10:02 AM
I have been known to instigate 3 :eek: harp players on stage at once. One each in 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.:crazy
When we backed Harman back at AJ's in August, we had three up on stage: James Day, Steve Guyger, and Harman...
The sound was somewhat reminiscent of the baked beans scene in "Blazing Saddles." :eek:
:roll
the-tone
12-02-2007, 09:17 PM
just put duncan antiquity II's in my jlv strat. kind of cool. better then stock but hard to tell to my ears not playing it loud and live yet. left the middle pu stock fender and the 2 and 4 spots are oophase sounding and lower output because the stock middle isnt reverse polarity i think. but im just leaving it as is because its a cool tone in there.
got a good deal otherwise i would have gotten the watson set from don mare or the sd pickups texas mojo stagger.
MIKE!,
You gotta try the Curtis Novak strat pups, I'm telling you that's it. I'm done.
BTW, I'm really loving those burnished nickel strings, but I'm also diggin' the new D'addario pure nickel.
S.W.Erdnase
12-03-2007, 02:28 AM
Yeah......but TWO harp players at once on stage?!??!
Oh, the humanity!!!!
:rotflmao
Ah, the biannual dumping on harp players leitmotif.
Reminds me that daylight savings ends soon. Thanks!
fretshop
12-03-2007, 06:32 AM
Ah, the biannual dumping on harp players leitmotif.
Reminds me that daylight savings ends soon. Thanks!
I enjoyed the interplay between the three harmonicists at the Harman show. I loved listening to the three different stylistic approaches, and was pleased to witness the cammeraderie on the band stand. It can get tricky when trading fours, but the backline held it all together, smoothly, and without incident, although the sound man was having serious issues for at least half the show. It was an enlightening and FUN evening...exactly as it should be.
I am less than a budding novice on "the tin sandwich", and am grateful and fortunate to be receiving both encouragement, and some nice CDs from our own WC member, safecracker. Seeing three great harp players for the cost of one ticket...priceless.
fretshop
12-03-2007, 06:41 AM
Philly "reunion" update:
as of this moment, barring musicians' schedule changes or un-forseen circumstances. the list includes the following individuals and their guests/friends: Pete Kanaras, Deb Callahan, Dave Orban, Jim Fogarty, "Filthy Rich" (Rich McPherson), Ken Nerback (Bassist extraordinaire), Steve Guyger (e-mailed an emphatic "yes" from Helsinki), Russ Lambert, Me.
Tentatives : Carlos Colina, Arnie Brown (Jamroom music Complex), Lou Rosano (Louis Amps).
pete kanaras
12-03-2007, 09:09 AM
Ah, the biannual dumping on harp players leitmotif.
Reminds me that daylight savings ends soon. Thanks!
haha, funnee!
I am less than a budding novice on "the tin sandwich"
the misery whistle
fretshop
12-03-2007, 09:26 AM
"The misery whistle"...that's a good one. I found Sonny Hudson.
valcotone
12-03-2007, 10:43 AM
I know some of you guys have been looking for a Nick Greer Ghetto Stomp... this fellow on the WeberVST board has one for sale (I'm not affiliated with or endorsing the seller, just passing this along):
http://www.webervst.com/bns/messages/41136.html
valcotone
12-03-2007, 10:54 AM
I was in Osaka about a year ago and saw these guys playing on the street... never thought I'd see a video of them, but here they are... nice straight-ahead blues.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IkutEoNkyuk
groove_king
12-03-2007, 02:12 PM
I was in Osaka about a year ago and saw these guys playing on the street... never thought I'd see a video of them, but here they are... nice straight-ahead blues.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IkutEoNkyuk
Was the swaying butt there too? Mesmerising!!!! Oh yeah!
groove_king
12-03-2007, 02:34 PM
Hollywood Blue Flames!!!
Fletcher! Holmstrom! Ramos! Kaplan! Taylor! Innes! Blake!
Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NLrRaJdwafU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=972rX9qUk4s&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jsHNIvWOnvg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xEXFNbzlYaM&feature=related
RickyKing
12-03-2007, 02:53 PM
Hollywood Blue Flames!!!
Fletcher! Holmstrom! Ramos! Kaplan! Taylor! Innes! Blake!
Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NLrRaJdwafU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=972rX9qUk4s&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jsHNIvWOnvg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xEXFNbzlYaM&feature=related
Wow...seemslike I'm not the only guy to have to play with the tv on...:crazyguy
groove_king
12-03-2007, 02:55 PM
Wow...seemslike I'm not the only guy to have to play with the tv on...:crazyguy
LMAO! I noticed that too! Looks like we're in good company!
S.W.Erdnase
12-03-2007, 02:57 PM
Interesting to see Al Blake having to check the band's volume a few times there. Ah, the eternal interplay between the harp player and the over-excited rhythm section... Glad I'm not alone!
musicofanatic5
12-03-2007, 03:06 PM
Hollywood Blue Flames!!!
Fletcher! Holmstrom! Ramos! Kaplan! Taylor! Innes! Blake!
Wheeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=NLrRaJdwafU
http://youtube.com/watch?v=972rX9qUk4s&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jsHNIvWOnvg&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=xEXFNbzlYaM&feature=related
Great variety of gtr players here. L. T. on the "Sheryl Crow model" Kay bass! Innes caged! Enjoyed Fred on the piana, but not every pianist is a necessarily a Hammond player.
Swingblues
12-03-2007, 03:23 PM
A little workshop (swing/blues guitar) last month in Sao Paulo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrgKC-PNEQw
All the best
Igor Prado
www.igorpradoband.com (http://www.igorpradoband.com)
www.myspace.com/igorprado (http://www.myspace.com/igorprado)
Poppa Stoppa
12-03-2007, 03:50 PM
Wow some nice vids there.
Igor - you get a great tone with your gold top. I wish I could play half as good as that with the strings the right way up.
Those Fred Kaplan/Hollywood Blue Flames videos are wonderful. I particularly liked the solo played by Kirk Fletcher. Smouldering playing all round.
Skilback that Japanese blues band has got an amazing groove and the lead player has got the Chicago feel down cold!
Poppa Stoppa
12-03-2007, 04:23 PM
Here's an idea if you get asked what you'd like for Christmas: there's a fantastic book called 'White Bicycles' by Joe Boyd that I was given recently and enjoyed a lot.
He was born in Boston and it's his own story of his music production adventures in the sixties, both in the USA and in England but mainly over here. There are tales about Muddy Waters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Rev Gary Davis, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, how Bloomfield came to join Butterfield, Bob Dylan at Newport, early Pink Floyd, the Move, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Fairport Convention, the Incredible String Band etc etc. It's a great read and I highly recommend it!
Schwalbe
12-03-2007, 08:03 PM
There have been some old Lynwood and Mischo stories on the local Blues board lately. Anyone interested check here;
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/BluesMN/
sideman
12-03-2007, 08:45 PM
Love those Blue Flame vids. Such laid-back, cool, simple grooves. The piano seems to set them up, and everyone else just gets on board. Why don't more bands do that?
groove_king
12-03-2007, 08:56 PM
Love those Blue Flame vids. Such laid-back, cool, simple grooves. The piano seems to set them up, and everyone else just gets on board. Why don't more bands do that?
I'm guessin' it's 'cause most bands don't have Freddy Kaplan at the pianny!
But you're right, though. Blues music has become so guitar-centric it's boring! And I'm a guitarist! It's great to hear another form of expression - be it pianny, B3, mandolin or even the misery whistle!
Jeff Michael
12-03-2007, 09:06 PM
Hey, me too, me too!!!
Philly "reunion" update:
as of this moment, barring musicians' schedule changes or un-forseen circumstances. the list includes the following individuals and their guests/friends: Pete Kanaras, Deb Callahan, Dave Orban, Jim Fogarty, "Filthy Rich" (Rich McPherson), Ken Nerback (Bassist extraordinaire), Steve Guyger (e-mailed an emphatic "yes" from Helsinki), Russ Lambert, Me.
Tentatives : Carlos Colina, Arnie Brown (Jamroom music Complex), Lou Rosano (Louis Amps).
'56 Merc
12-03-2007, 11:29 PM
In the Japanese blues band video the camera should have been a little to the left.
The Valco/Oahu model 51 behind Rick Holmstrom is my all time favorite amp.
Before I read musicofanatic5's post I was gonna ask if that was Larry Taylor?
Great videos, Yours too Igor! What did you end up with for pickups in that Dillon?
safecracker
12-04-2007, 05:28 AM
I am less than a budding novice on "the tin sandwich", and am grateful and fortunate to be receiving both encouragement, and some nice CDs from our own WC member, safecracker. Seeing three great harp players for the cost of one ticket...priceless.
George, I'm more than glad to send you music for you're quest in achieving happiness on the "misery whistle" LOL. I just ordered two different speakers to try with the Masco and Bogen heads. One is a Weber 12a125-30 watt w' no dope,and a Eminence Red Fang. I'll report later. I got a new cd yesterday by Seth Walker. Texas guitar player,extremely talented. Plays a old Gibson ES 150 thru a '59 Bassman w/4-10's.Nice vocals too. Disc has an "old feel" to it. Got it from bluebeat along with the Howling Wolf in Concert 1970 dvd. Shawn
fretshop
12-04-2007, 07:28 AM
George, I'm more than glad to send you music for you're quest in achieving happiness on the "misery whistle" LOL. I just ordered two different speakers to try with the Masco and Bogen heads. One is a Weber 12a125-30 watt w' no dope,and a Eminence Red Fang. I'll report later. I got a new cd yesterday by Seth Walker. Texas guitar player,extremely talented. Plays a old Gibson ES 150 thru a '59 Bassman w/4-10's.Nice vocals too. Disc has an "old feel" to it. Got it from bluebeat along with the Howling Wolf in Concert 1970 dvd. Shawn
The MA-17N arrived. I swapped Arnie some guitar work for it...and now its mine. (Thanks Sean K. for the wiring tips !! ). Needs some work...so off to Lou's shop. I'll do the work myself.
Shawn, I took apart a Big River harp and followed both the Seydel and Mel Bay (News Letter) mod instructions. The harp is easier to play, and the reeds are more responsive. Some things that helped alot were dressing the reeds and reed holes, burnishing the comb and covers dead flat, applying 3M porous paper surgical tape to both sides the comb as a gasket, then carefully cutting around the comb holes with an Exacto knife. Lastly, I drilled the comb and covers for multiple screw holes.
The harp is easier to control and little or no dead spots on the reed plate.
fretshop
12-04-2007, 08:47 AM
Hey, me too, me too!!!
Jeff, you're in. PM me or e-mail me with your contact info. Deb Callahan and Pete Kanaras both suggested AJ's as a possible option for the get together.
I tried to get in contact with Tom Foran as well, but haven't had any luck. I saw him at the Duke Show in New Hope, but he took off before we could get his phone number. Tom is a harp player, and moved to Philly from Central Jersey a few years ago. He was very close friends with Bill Clarke, and was given Bill's Magnatone amp after his passing.
jumpnblues
12-04-2007, 09:25 AM
George,
Say "hi" to Lou for me. He's doin' some tweakin' to my Louis KR-10/12 (he discovered a new master volume method, says it sounds killer). He had one or two other tricks he was going to perform on it too. He's really good about letting you know about updates and improvements. Just got an email from Lou that said it's going out tomorrow. Can't wait to hear it. I was supremely satisfied with it the way it was, but he said he could make it sound even better. So I said "have at it"! Now, if I was "supremely" satisfied with it before will I be, uhh..."orgasmically" satisfied :eek: with it now? LOL!! :D :cool: :cool:
Tom
musicofanatic5
12-04-2007, 10:33 AM
Love those Blue Flame vids. Such laid-back, cool, simple grooves. The piano seems to set them up, and everyone else just gets on board. Why don't more bands do that?
Sh*t, I'd be "doing that" in a damn minute if economics allowed for hiring the fourth or fifth piece that the piano is in a blues music band. That's my idea of chicago style blues music right there. A lotta times, even when the gig pay allows, you can't find sufficiently authorized personel to fill the seat, though. One of my favorite duo gigs is playing gtr with piano.
fretshop
12-04-2007, 11:33 AM
George,
Say "hi" to Lou for me. He's doin' some tweakin' to my Louis KR-10/12 (he discovered a new master volume method, says it sounds killer). He had one or two other tricks he was going to perform on it too. He's really good about letting you know about updates and improvements. Just got an email from Lou that said it's going out tomorrow. Can't wait to hear it. I was supremely satisfied with it the way it was, but he said he could make it sound even better. So I said "have at it"! Now, if I was "supremely" satisfied with it before will I be, uhh..."orgasmically" satisfied :eek: with it now? LOL!! :D :cool: :cool:
Tom
Lou told me about your amp a couple weeks ago.
Here's a Funny story about a particular KR amp:
About a year or so ago, Lou finished a KR in red Tolex with accents for a certain snooty monthly guitar newsletter write up. He took it with him to Keith Richard's home for a try out...Keith messed around with it, then grabbed it and threw it into his automobile and said "see ya !!!" as he drove out to the airport. That particular amp never made it into the newsletter.
valcotone
12-04-2007, 01:15 PM
The MA-17N arrived. I swapped Arnie some guitar work for it...and now its mine. (Thanks Sean K. for the wiring tips !! ). Needs some work...so off to Lou's shop. I'll do the work myself.
Cool. Let me know if I can help George!
valcotone
12-04-2007, 01:19 PM
The Valco/Oahu model 51 behind Rick Holmstrom is my all time favorite amp.
Great amps! Supro Supreme with 6J7, 6SC7, dual 6V6, and 5Y3.
fretshop
12-04-2007, 01:21 PM
Cool. Let me know if I can help George!
Sean, I sent you an e-mail. Maybe I'll send it to you.
valcotone
12-04-2007, 02:16 PM
Some amps.....
http://www.kilback.net/pics/amps_bw.jpg
THINSOCKS
12-04-2007, 02:44 PM
Some amps.....
http://www.kilback.net/pics/amps_bw.jpg
Alright, Sean. Do the guitars next. You have more stuff then some guitar stores. Ha-Ha.
valcotone
12-04-2007, 02:48 PM
Alright, Sean. Do the guitars next. You have more stuff then some guitar stores. Ha-Ha.
I learn from the best, right Frank? :BEER
Swingblues
12-04-2007, 03:25 PM
One more video of my guitar workshop in Brasil.
T-bone, Pee wee ideas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lH2e-hDWSPo
I don“t like to play this stuff in three piece band but is better for the public to identify the bass lines and drums grooves.
Its very hard to find musicians that have studied and that actually play traditional blues here in brasil.
'56 Merc: I buy one set of Lollar“s 50“winds and I“m using them on my guitar.
All the best
Igor Prado
THINSOCKS
12-04-2007, 03:29 PM
I learn from the best, right Frank? :BEER
Ha-Ha. You surpassed my collection a long time ago!
Birdseye
12-04-2007, 05:30 PM
Got a gear question for you guys:
My son plays bass and plays a lot of upright, all styles, classical, jazz and blues. But he doesn't own an upright yet. He's a freshman in college, and has learned thus far using school basses. I'm thinking maybe I'll got one for him for Christmas if I can find one for a decent price.
What kind should I be looking for? I know nothing about these. I don't want to buy junk, but can't afford the best either, I'm sure. Used would be best I'm sure, but I need to know what to be looking for. Advice?
jumpnblues
12-04-2007, 08:34 PM
Man, those Hollywood Blue Flames vids are thoroughly killer. Al Blake is sooo bad and "the Kid" is at the top of his game. Gotta' get some Fred Kaplan CDs too. That vid had me chompin' at the bit to get home from work and play my ax. Those guys are so inspiring. :AOK:AOK
And, Sean, all those gorgeous vintage amps in one place...what a "Christmas wonderland"?!! :drool:drool
Tom
straightblues
12-04-2007, 09:50 PM
I have the same little Valco amp as Rick Holmstrom. It is awesome. My favorite amp of all time. In fact, I got it worked on by the same guy who did his amp. He put a line out for me like Ricks so I can run it through a second bigger amp like Rick does. It sounds really good like that (I run it into a 65 Deluxe or Bassman or a Tweed Bandmaster clone). But to be honest, the best tone is just straight out of this little 8 watt amp with its old field coil 10" speaker. I really wish I could get the same tone from this amp but just a louder. Does anyone know what amp I should buy to capture this Valco tone but at about 20 watts?
Here is the picture of my little Valco....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/straightblues/dd1a_12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/straightblues/db29_12.jpg
Jeff Michael
12-05-2007, 12:20 AM
Got a gear question for you guys:
My son plays bass and plays a lot of upright, all styles, classical, jazz and blues. But he doesn't own an upright yet. He's a freshman in college, and has learned thus far using school basses. I'm thinking maybe I'll got one for him for Christmas if I can find one for a decent price.
What kind should I be looking for? I know nothing about these. I don't want to buy junk, but can't afford the best either, I'm sure. Used would be best I'm sure, but I need to know what to be looking for. Advice?
You ought to find a bass shop and ask them. They're few and far between, but they're out there.
If you were in the Northeast corridor of the USA, I'd tell you to take a trip to either Barrie Kolstein's shop on Long Island, David Gage's in Manhattan, or Mike Shank in Elizabethtown PA (my go-to guy). Essentially there aren't a lot of places where you're going to see any uprights in the flesh...and if you try buying one of those $600 jobbies off eBay, you're just going to have to go see one of these guys to fix it anyway, once the 'ebonizing' (that is, black shoe polish) starts coming off on your son's fingers and that inimitable Chinese political prisoner craftsmanship starts to make itself apparent.
A good rule of thumb is a factor of ten: divide the price of the upright by ten and you can fairly reasonably picture the comparable quality of electric bass you'd be looking at. A $1000 upright is comparable to a $100 electric: a starter axe. A $5000 upright is like a $500 electric: low-end pro. And it just goes up and up from there. Strings are the same: a cheap set is around $100.
These numbers are daunting, no doubt. But think how you'd feel if your dad, knowing you were a guitarist, picked up the phone and acquired for you one of those fine fine Esteban guitars (complete with highest-quality amplifier etc.). We're talking about a tool here, and the quality of the work done will definitely depend somewhat on the quality of the tool used. Having a fine upright is like having a good marriage. Having a crap upright is like the opposite.
I'd recommend a good plywood bass. Carved basses are bears to maintain and tend to be more expensive anyway. If you can't find a bass to have him look at in person, and you have to go the internet-order route, the only way to go is Bob Gollihur's website:
www.gollihurmusic.com (http://www.gollihurmusic.com)
The equipment I've gotten from him has been of invariably high quality. Good luck--you're getting into some deep water there!
JAM
mikelaw
12-05-2007, 08:40 AM
Does anyone know what amp I should buy to capture this Valco tone but at about 20 watts?
i may get flack for this and if you ask rick hell probably laugh at you and say its only for the white stripes, but honestly for old tweed fender, valco tones at 20 watt ranges, CRANKED....i have to say the silvertone 1484 and 1483 heads. whats great about them too is you can dish them through ANY cabinet specs you'd like because they are heads!
i host monthly jams and EVERY player who uses it loves them and its non stop comments and kudos everytime i use them. its gotten to the annoying point actually where id rather bring something else then hear all the comments
'i had one of those'
'that was my first amp'
'that thing sounds amazing'
'your tone is killer'
'can i play through that' (while there are better amps on stage)
in other words, if you havent tried one go try it. i love my brown concert but when it comes to raw TONE and crunch, to me, there is nothing like these.
oh yea and fyi i work with a guy that LOVES old fenders and is a NUT about anything of the sort. he HATES all other amps. i brought the 1483 head in with the 1-15" and his mouth dropped. he said it was VERY much like his favorite fender amp of all time...the black and brown 'deluxe' amps. he said he couldnt believe how similar the tones were and presence, volume, etc. he said he almost liked the 1483 better because it was darker then the deluxe. so now when people ask me what the 1483 silvertone sounds like i always say brown/black deluxe. :)
RickyKing
12-05-2007, 12:00 PM
i may get flack for this and if you ask rick hell probably laugh at you and say its only for the white stripes, but honestly for old tweed fender, valco tones at 20 watt ranges, CRANKED....i have to say the silvertone 1484 and 1483 heads. whats great about them too is you can dish them through ANY cabinet specs you'd like because they are heads!
i host monthly jams and EVERY player who uses it loves them and its non stop comments and kudos everytime i use them. its gotten to the annoying point actually where id rather bring something else then hear all the comments
'i had one of those'
'that was my first amp'
'that thing sounds amazing'
'your tone is killer'
'can i play through that' (while there are better amps on stage)
in other words, if you havent tried one go try it. i love my brown concert but when it comes to raw TONE and crunch, to me, there is nothing like these.
oh yea and fyi i work with a guy that LOVES old fenders and is a NUT about anything of the sort. he HATES all other amps. i brought the 1483 head in with the 1-15" and his mouth dropped. he said it was VERY much like his favorite fender amp of all time...the black and brown 'deluxe' amps. he said he couldnt believe how similar the tones were and presence, volume, etc. he said he almost liked the 1483 better because it was darker then the deluxe. so now when people ask me what the 1483 silvertone sounds like i always say brown/black deluxe. :)
Right on,amigo,I'm very much into grey tones!!!!
valcotone
12-05-2007, 12:52 PM
Does anyone know what amp I should buy to capture this Valco tone but at about 20 watts?
I don't think anything can recreate the same tone as those old Supremes with their field coil speakers and simple circuit. But, you could look at the 50's Valco amps with the same octal pre-amp tubes your amp has (6SC7) but with dual 6L6 output tubes... these have a little more output approaching 18-20 watts, and some similar tones. They aren't as common but they made a few models in that configuration, some with tremolo and some without. Most have multiple instrument inputs and one hotter mic input.
The 1484 and 1843 are cool amps too (I owned a piggyback 1484 for a while).
nc slim
12-05-2007, 02:35 PM
I have a 1484 twin twelve with out the cab What do you suggest I put it thru for the best sound. Can I play it thru a single speaker I know it had twin twelve inch. I used to run thru my Vibrolux reverb cab
N C SLIM
dukeh62
12-05-2007, 02:42 PM
I have a 1484 twin twelve with out the cab What do you suggest I put it thru for the best sound. Can I play it thru a single speaker I know it had twin twelve inch. I used to run thru my Vibrolux reverb cab
N C SLIM
MIKELAW's 1484 sounds THUNDEROUS through his 4x10. Just kills!
Echo Are
12-05-2007, 03:53 PM
Yeesh, you guys are giving me major G.A.S. for one of those Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelves:cool:: the '60s garage band amp, $180.00 brand new in the Sears catalog in the mid-'60s.
jumpnblues
12-05-2007, 04:17 PM
Igor,
I just ordered 2 of your CDs from Pacific Blues. Saw your youtube vid here on the Gear Page and it was killer. I wish you would come to the states for some gigs. I'd really like to catch one of your shows. Anyway, I pumped to hear your CDs.
Tom
jumpnblues
12-05-2007, 04:29 PM
"[Yeesh, you guys are giving me major G.A.S. for one of those Silvertone 1484 Twin Twelves:cool:: the '60s garage band amp, $180.00 brand new in the Sears catalog in the mid-'60s.]"
And to think when they were new snooty guys like me turned our noses up at the "catalogue" 1484's because they...distorted. LOL!! I had just gotten a new ('64) Twin Reverb at that time because they sounded so...clean. Man, little did we know. The 1484s really are tone machines.
Tom
Echo Are
12-05-2007, 04:52 PM
jumpnblues, just curious, do you remember how much a new Twin cost back then? I've always wondered how big the price difference was.
Folks that used Twin Twelves back in the day always told me stories like," we'd run the vocal mic through one channel, and then harp through the other",etc.
mikelaw
12-05-2007, 05:35 PM
maybe 60s garage band tones but KILLER blues tones in there. heck, lots of those garage bands had great tone and killer blues chops too! wailers, sonics, paul revere...etc... they played freddie king instrumentals better then freddie king.
:)
mikelaw
12-05-2007, 05:37 PM
nc slim, i use a 4-10 one of the original fender blues deville's from the 90s. i ripped the chassis out, took the tubes from it, threw the chassis in the garbage and use the cab only. 2 original fender speakers in there and 2 celestion vintage 10-60 watters(my fav speaker)
THINSOCKS
12-05-2007, 05:45 PM
they played freddie king instrumentals better then freddie king.
:)
Hitting the bottle today, Mike?
musicofanatic5
12-05-2007, 05:46 PM
Echo Are-'64 Twin Reverb list price: $469.00. Dunno what the Silvertone went for.
bluesjuke
12-05-2007, 09:11 PM
I could listen to you guys forever Igor!
Good job again as always.
jumpnblues
12-05-2007, 09:54 PM
"[jumpnblues, just curious, do you remember how much a new Twin cost back then? I've always wondered how big the price difference was.
Folks that used Twin Twelves back in the day always told me stories like," we'd run the vocal mic through one channel, and then harp through the other",etc.]"
I think musicofanatic is pretty darn close on the price. I'm thinking mine was $425. And, yes, we would run a guitar or two and vocals through one amp. I remember when we ("The X-Rays") were the house band for the "Kandy Kane Lounge" ('62-'65, Ottumwa, Ia.) the house amp was a blond Bandmaster head and 2x12" closed back cab. All 4 inputs on that amp were filled with either a guitar or mic. We didn't even have a bass player or PA system for the first 2 years. Just 3 guitars and drums. The house also provided a Fender tape echo unit that the band paid for and the house manager promptly confiscated when we decided to go out on our own. We were just teenagers and were easy to take advantage of. I have great memories of those years though. That place was packed every Friday and Saturday. An off duty police officer was hired every weekend to keep the peace. No alcohol was served (inside that is). I was a bit of a novelty because of my age. I started playing there in 1962 with the house band when I was 12 y/o. Like I said in a previous post, where did all those years go?!!
Tom
fretshop
12-06-2007, 06:37 AM
"[jumpnblues, just curious, do you remember how much a new Twin cost back then? I've always wondered how big the price difference was.
Folks that used Twin Twelves back in the day always told me stories like," we'd run the vocal mic through one channel, and then harp through the other",etc.]"
I think musicofanatic is pretty darn close on the price. I'm thinking mine was $425. And, yes, we would run a guitar or two and vocals through one amp. I remember when we ("The X-Rays") were the house band for the "Kandy Kane Lounge" ('62-'65, Ottumwa, Ia.) the house amp was a blond Bandmaster head and 2x12" closed back cab. All 4 inputs on that amp were filled with either a guitar or mic. We didn't even have a bass player or PA system for the first 2 years. Just 3 guitars and drums. The house also provided a Fender tape echo unit that the band paid for and the house manager promptly confiscated when we decided to go out on our own. We were just teenagers and were easy to take advantage of. I have great memories of those years though. That place was packed every Friday and Saturday. An off duty police officer was hired every weekend to keep the peace. No alcohol was served (inside that is). I was a bit of a novelty because of my age. I started playing there in 1962 with the house band when I was 12 y/o. Like I said in a previous post, where did all those years go?!!
Tom
I still have my '65 BF Twin Reverb. My dad bought it for me at a discount music dealer in Newark NJ for $350 in the fall of '65. It is still mint ++.
I also needed to retire my Kay electric, and although I liked the Dot neck ES-335 sitting innocuously, and collecting dust in the used rack...for $175.00, Dad pointed to the display case, and insisted that I take the Gretsch 6120 because it was new and had a warranty. Shortly after, I found a '54 gold top...$90 and $5.00 for the case at another store. BTW: My other amp was a 1940's 4 channel Webster P.A. head that I played through a home made cabinet with two used Jensen field coil 12" speakers (from home stereo consoles) that we found in a T.V repair shop. I still have the Webster P.A. head. I am a gear horder...a very sick one.
RickyKing
12-06-2007, 07:56 AM
I still have my '65 BF Twin Reverb. My dad bought it for me at a discount music dealer in Newark NJ for $350 in the fall of '65. It is still mint ++.
I also needed to retire my Kay electric, and although I liked the Dot neck ES-335 sitting innocuously, and collecting dust in the used rack...for $175.00, Dad pointed to the display case, and insisted that I take the Gretsch 6120 because it was new and had a warranty. Shortly after, I found a '54 gold top...$90 and $5.00 for the case at another store. BTW: My other amp was a 1940's 4 channel Webster P.A. head that I played through a home made cabinet with two used Jensen field coil 12" speakers (from home stereo consoles) that we found in a T.V repair shop. I still have the Webster P.A. head. I am a gear horder...a very sick one.
Actually JG, I admire the fact that you still have the stuff that you got when younger.
jumpnblues
12-06-2007, 08:58 AM
Wow, George, that is impressive. A mint '65 Twin Reverb. I wonder what one of those would bring today? Back then I liked the T.R better than the S.R. It's been a long time since I've heard them both side by side.
If you promise not to tell anyone else I'll tell you what I traded my '64 T.R. for...come a little closer and I'll whisper it...a mutha'frickin' Thomas Organ solid state Vox Royal Guardsman!!! Can you believe that?!! WTF was I thinking?!!!! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell anybody here. They'll never let me live it down. :o :jo
Tom
fretshop
12-06-2007, 09:51 AM
Actually JG, I admire the fact that you still have the stuff that you got when younger.
I just let go of a sweater that I bought as a junior in High School...Yea Lincoln Lions !!! Wish I still had my Kay.
Echo Are
12-06-2007, 10:21 AM
If you promise not to tell anyone else I'll tell you what I traded my '64 T.R. for...come a little closer and I'll whisper it...a mutha'frickin' Thomas Organ solid state Vox Royal Guardsman!!! Can you believe that?!! WTF was I thinking?!!!! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Don't tell anybody here. They'll never let me live it down. :o :jo
Tom
Nah, it's all right, you can be forgiven. I figure, hey, it was the '60s, The Beatles were huge, you were young, and the Royal Guardsman does look like a scaled-down Super Beatle:D.
Hey, Mike Law: I'm a major fan of '60s garage rock. The Sonics were brutal. Gerry Rosley could scream with the best of 'em.
Dave Orban
12-06-2007, 10:32 AM
I just let go of a sweater that I bought as a junior in High School...They had sweaters back then...?!? :confused:
I got back one of my old 4x10 cabs, Man does it sound good w/ a 30 Watt Allen Brown Sugar head...
Weber P10Qs/P10Rs...good tones.
fretshop
12-06-2007, 11:43 AM
They had sweaters back then...?!? :confused:
Well...it was kind of a pull over thing actually. very popular back then. It kept me warm throughout my secondary school years. The last itme I wore it was at Lincoln's funeral. After that, I just packed it away.
Dave Orban
12-06-2007, 11:53 AM
Well...it was kind of a pull over thing actually. very popular back then. It kept me warm throughout my secondary school years. The last itme I wore it was at Lincoln's funeral. After that, I just packed it away.
LOL!
mikelaw
12-06-2007, 12:51 PM
im convinced nothing beats a 4-10 cab. 1-15 and 4-10 is all anyone would need IMO. smaller room single 15, bigger- 4 10.
hey fellas, anyone ever use a 100 or 50k tone pot in their strat????
im truly considering it.
:)
TwoFeets
12-06-2007, 12:52 PM
Well...it was kind of a pull over thing actually. very popular back then. It kept me warm throughout my secondary school years. The last itme I wore it was at Lincoln's funeral. After that, I just packed it away.
Nowadays George, much like myself, relies solely on chest and back hair to keep himself warm.
musicofanatic5
12-06-2007, 01:58 PM
im convinced nothing beats a 4-10 cab. 1-15 and 4-10 is all anyone would need IMO. smaller room single 15, bigger- 4 10.
Nothing! Nothing, I tell you! He's convinced! Now go forth and destroy all 12" spkrs! You have your orders!
(y'killin' me, mikey! what furvor!)
mikelaw
12-06-2007, 02:14 PM
hahaaaaaaaaaa
michael30
12-06-2007, 03:06 PM
Hey, Mike Law: I'm a major fan of '60s garage rock. The Sonics were brutal. Gerry Rosley could scream with the best of 'em.
Their drummer Bob "Boom Boom" Bennett was amazing as well.
Scott Miller
12-06-2007, 03:09 PM
For the really bored at work, here are some photos from one of our blues venues. Some people you might know...
http://tinyurl.com/2zlfzb
fretshop
12-06-2007, 03:24 PM
Nowadays George, much like myself, relies solely on chest and back hair to keep himself warm.
It's a bitch when the hair spray hits the bald spot runs down the back of your neck.....Yeck !! Actually, depressed over my thinning mane, I treated myself to a Dobbs Glenwood Stingy Brim fedora at the Village Hat Shop (Beautiful on-line store). It looked so gooooooood when I put it on...I kissed my image in the mirror, then went out and bought a pair of Madisons....I sat in for a couple numbers at the Peppermint. The House guitarist, Ken Robinson remarked...what da hell you doin' wearin those "old man comfy shoes"...?
http://www.villagehatshop.com/media/thumbsup.php?image=dobbs_glenwood_brn_lrg.jpg&width=375
http://base.googlehosted.com/base_media?q=http://www.zappos.com/images/102/102179/3034-4031-d.jpg&size=2&dhm=8fb8d834&hl=en (http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.zappos.com/noauth/redirect.cgi%3Fq%3Dvz5476912z23&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=4&cad=AK6SEiUyCx-UY3dsZNqp85FW2np3kgci8gAAAAAAAAAA&usg=AFQjCNFaGw_BbLtR3rtiEHTe0X7qPzpgag)
I had a a song called Stingy Brim, an Albert Collins Shuffle, in 96, I am sportin one on these pix, and hey any Playa want to purchase my Les Paul Korina Caster, email me, fast.
It has nickel covers Gibson BluesBreaker pickups and a new Rswd C shaped 22 Jumbo Frets All parts MIJ Fender strat neck 12" radius...see it in link from Scott above.
Guitar weighs 7 lbs 1 ounce! and Smokes.
Looks like Lara is gaining weight, bummah.
I am a svelte 250, my own bad self, Hell If I grow a foot next life I'll be in the NBA @ 6'11" 250.
Better payin job than Blues Guitarist!
Echo Are
12-06-2007, 04:17 PM
For the really bored at work, here are some photos from one of our blues venues. Some people you might know...
http://tinyurl.com/2zlfzb
I haven't checked the Mojo Lounge's online photo albums in quite a spell. There are a couple of pics me in there(Yikes!), under the Steve Freund's Blues Jam album.
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m139/NayrYes/RyKid090707.jpg
"Kid" Andersen on bass! Hmm...looks like we're in A, and I'm holding my patented Ezee-Grip 3-note A7th chord:p.
jumpnblues
12-06-2007, 04:17 PM
"[Nah, it's all right, you can be forgiven. I figure, hey, it was the '60s, The Beatles were huge, you were young, and the Royal Guardsman does look like a scaled-down Super Beatle:D]"
Guilty as charged. :messedup :o
Tom
jumpnblues
12-06-2007, 04:26 PM
"[I got back one of my old 4x10 cabs, Man does it sound good w/ a 30 Watt Allen Brown Sugar head...
Weber P10Qs/P10Rs...good tones.]"
Kenny,
That's a killer speaker combination. I'm running 2 Weber P10Qs and 2 Weber C10Ns in my Allen cab and I kind of think I should have substituted at least 1 Weber P10R in there somewhere. They break up a little earlier vs the P10Qs and C10Ns. My set up is kinda' loud. Killer tone, but just a little loud before giving up the goods. I use a Weber MASS at home with this particular set up so I can get the power tubes cookin' without stripping the paint off the walls. I'd really like to hear your set up. :AOK:AOK
Tom
It's unreal with my clean Lollar HBers or the Don Mare Tele bridge pup.
I have an old WL Van Zandt Strat neck pup (True Vintage) that sounds like JLV on 1st T Birds lp that goes well with the cab, too.
4x10's rule, eh Mike?
The P10Qs/P10Rs is a great combo, I used to like the 2 P12N cab, but nowadays, they won't let you wail, like the old Days.
(Thank God for the few clubs where you can turn up) or out doors, but I feel like 30 Watts RMS is a great volume, kinda like the 59 Bandmaster 3x10.
Joisey George, How much was that Stingy Brim? Looks good, Homes.
straightblues
12-06-2007, 05:56 PM
"[I got back one of my old 4x10 cabs, Man does it sound good w/ a 30 Watt Allen Brown Sugar head...
Weber P10Qs/P10Rs...good tones.]"
Kenny,
That's a killer speaker combination. I'm running 2 Weber P10Qs and 2 Weber C10Ns in my Allen cab and I kind of think I should have substituted at least 1 Weber P10R in there somewhere. They break up a little earlier vs the P10Qs and C10Ns. My set up is kinda' loud. Killer tone, but just a little loud before giving up the goods. I use a Weber MASS at home with this particular set up so I can get the power tubes cookin' without stripping the paint off the walls. I'd really like to hear your set up. :AOK:AOK
Tom
Those Weber speakers are very effecient and are therefore loud. I switched my Webers over to vintage Jensen and CTS and the volume drop was dramatic.
straightblues
12-06-2007, 05:58 PM
hey fellas, anyone ever use a 100 or 50k tone pot in their strat????
im truly considering it.
:)
I know that Don Mare has been trying out different value pots in several strats lately, give him a call he will be able to give you some feedback.
mikelaw
12-06-2007, 06:22 PM
no he wont, because i got duncan antiquity's -shame on me!
straightblues
12-06-2007, 07:12 PM
no he wont, because i got duncan antiquity's -shame on me!
Sure he will, he loves to talk tone. Speaking of Antiquities, I took my Antiquity humbuckers to Don for rewinding. After talking a lot we tried something a little unconventional. We took the two humbuckers apart giving us 4 coils. We then created new humbuckers with 1 coil from each of the stock Antiquites. This made two new pickups with radically mismatched coils. They now have way more of a single coil feel. They get a little 60hz buzz but not near as much as a strat pickup. I really love these pickups.
jumpnblues
12-06-2007, 07:40 PM
"[Those Weber speakers are very effecient and are therefore loud. I switched my Webers over to vintage Jensen and CTS and the volume drop was dramatic.]"
Yeah, I know the Webers are super efficient. But, man, they sound soooo good...and loud. By the way, where is a good source for vintage Jensens or CTS?
Tom
fretshop
12-07-2007, 06:27 AM
"[Those Weber speakers are very effecient and are therefore loud. I switched my Webers over to vintage Jensen and CTS and the volume drop was dramatic.]"
Yeah, I know the Webers are super efficient. But, man, they sound soooo good...and loud. By the way, where is a good source for vintage Jensens or CTS?
Tom
Tom,
I usually go to google product search and compare prices. This site had some very good prices as of today :
www.tonetronix.com (http://www.tonetronix.com)
RickyKing
12-07-2007, 08:23 AM
Would you buy a 55 bassman for $4250 w/replica jensen ?
jumpnblues
12-07-2007, 08:30 AM
Thanks for the heads up on the speakers George.
Tom
Poppa Stoppa
12-08-2007, 04:49 AM
Robin Bank$ with an all-star band with Kid Ramos on guitar:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdcWl8LnvkY&feature=related
A while back Skilback posted 'Wait On Time' from the same band (thanks SK - same gig maybe?). Kid's solo on that is a f'n textbook of tuff blues.
jumpnblues
12-08-2007, 10:27 AM
"[Kid's solo on that is a f'n textbook of tuff blues.]"