Thank you both for listening! I really appreciate your comments, and glad that you dig it!
Jos,
I mostly use my Comanche VI like a regular-switching Comanche. On "Huddled in the Dovecote," I used the bridge+middle. On "Matterhorn," I used the neck+middle. The main non-standard combo I use (not on the recording) is the "double-duck": bass coils of the neck+middle and the treble coils of bridge+middle. It gives that funky low end with the sparkly high end. I've used the bass coil bridge plus the treble coil middle for a more noisy single coil sound, when my former cover band would play Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good." I liked how it sounded.
I've only had one opportunity to compare the VI to a late-model V, but can't say for certain that the VI is sweeter from the parallel wiring...but I believe it's true.
I do love how the Z-coils maintain so much clarity with effects; I consider a large part of my role in the Dragoons is providing color. I partly take inspiration from Umphrey's McGee, where both Jake and Brendan switch in different effects for different portions of a tune. Keeps it fresh and interesting. Their tunes have many different sections, and the Dragoons are often that way.
Sam,
I'm running into my beloved Electroplex Rocket 50. (See
http://www.guitarsbyleo.com/FORUM/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=10592&hilit=New+amp+makes+comanche+sound+old.) A cross between Bassman and JTM 45. Often switching between the clean and dirty channels for our songs, though I sometimes used dirt boxes. We recorded the songs live (without vocals) in one room to capture that energy. Then guitar extras, vocals, harmonies, trumpet, fiddle, keys, were added later and at different places. We did little if any direct into board (unlike the first CD).
I hope you check out the rest of the tunes. This band has been far and away the most fun I've had playing music, and these guys are good people on top of it!
Cheers,
Tom