Lunch Report: Monday April 11, 2011

Hey guys…
I’m your Lunch Reporter for the week….

Dateline: Monday, April 11, 2011 from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, Japan.

Ooppss, sorry…wrong report…

I bought my first guitar, a crappy one at a pawn shop, one bored day, a long time ago…in a galaxy far, far away, while in the USAF…took it back to my barracks room and started trying to find a chord, just something that didn’t sound awful…eventually stumbled on 1st position Em, played only that chord for 10 years, and still love it to this day…
since I rarely have ‘lunch’ during the week, opting instead for a full breakfast at the cafeteria (no, NOT at Fukishima, as the food is too overcooked there) which is almost always the same, eggs/bacon/home fries/muffin/milk/coffee, I’ll talk about what I had for dinner the previous night…

Pizza…ham, beef, black olive…(I forgot to order the diced tomatoes)..was good and I have some leftover for late night snacks…

G&L Question: what’s your favorite G&L color?....i’m kidding…For a while, I thought only the large MFD pups were MFD pups. I didn’t realize there were normal sized MFDs (I just recently acquired my first G&L). A logical assumption on the large MFDs is that they are to regular sized MFDs as P90s are to say, a Strat pup. That is, more beefy, powerful and edgy. In reading thru posts about the large MFDs, I gather there is more difference in tone. So, which do you prefer, the large MFDs or the regular size MFDs, and why. If you reply you prefer the large ones cuz they’re more beefy, powerful and edgy, you will be entered in a drawing for a mandatory vacation in Misrata, Libya…at your own expense.

Non-G&L Question: in chatting with another guy here about the gear we’re using to play thru the computer, I started wondering how many of us do that, thus today’s poll question. Being in a small apartment with thin walls, I’m playing thru the computer and headphones. It took me a while to tweak out the ‘digital’ coldness. I’m running into a Carl Martin or Keeley compressor into an SD Twin Tube Classic into a Line6 GuitarPort. I’ve saved many tweaked up amp settings, mostly using the Bassman model with various 4x10, 4x12, and 2x12 cab models. Being able to use different cab models is one of the cooler things about good modeling. Don’t get me wrong, I prefer a good tube amp and have had many, I just can’t use one anymore. The only amp I have left now is a Fender Super Champ XD which sounds surprisingly good for cheap. My Twin Tube Classic helps a LOT. I recently purchased the Twin Tube Blue model but haven’t got around to messing with it.

P.S. – the pink with butterflies, Is my fave of my entire ‘My Little Pony’ collection….

Hey BadJaxx nice start!

Well I've never played those "normal" size mfd's only the large beefy kind, which I love, so can't comment on that one.

As for the computer the most I do is record onto a computer never played through it

-Dave

Welcome Badjaxx. Let me qualify my vote (never tried) by saying that I use my computer to record with Pro Tools but I do not consider that playing through the computer.

I have many different pickups and like them all. They do different things and that is what they are supposed to do. I practice mostly unplugged and enjoy the unplugged sound from the guitar. I have recently discovered that the chambered bodies really sing. I especially appreciate the art value of a guitar. There are lookers and then there are LOOKERS. G&L has some great ones.

I usually use my Vox Tone Lab when I want to plug in with no sound in the room. I think that the Tone Lab is unbelievable for what it can do. I also use it as a front end when I record. I am not recommending the presets but you make what you want. Thanks for stepping up this week.--Darwin

I don't play through the computer, I use mic's to capture into my DAW's. I use a carvin CTM100 multi pattern condesner mic (hell of a good one, especially for 200$), and a Mark V( no wonder I don't play through the PC eh?)

Only played the big MFDs, sorry can't help you there.

I have used Garageband and when I did I used my Behringer board with the USB interface and a Tascam 2 channel usb interface too.
They worked find but really never did any just playing through the computer. too much of a hassle to set up and then it just sucks up a ton of space.

G&L question: Not being able to verify my assertions while at work, I recall from memory the following:
I have 2 ASAT III which have early '90's S-500 pups and with the maple body they produce a very sweet kind of sound. Round, articulate, rich. The large MFD's on my Broadcasters and other ASAT's have 'gnarl' to it. Extremely well balanced in tone but 'bolder', 'fatter', and in your face. Lots of 'bark' and nice mids. The traditional sized MFD in the bridge on my ASAT Classics however sound 'bitching' and 'biting' and have the easiest time of all 3 models to drive my clean channel on my Express 5:25 into a delicious clip. When switching to the neck there is still a similar amount of output but the tone is more 'rounded'. Not as warm as the ASAT III's though, because there is still plenty of fuzz on the notes. All these words in single quotation marks all have a particular meaning in my head but may evoke completely different things. Just hope it is clear enough. Oh well ...

Non G&L question: Only use my computer to crank up iTunes to play along with albums. Although tempted to build a studio many times, I still haven't gotten around to do it.


Good start of the week!

- Jos

Lunch: Middle Eastern Buffet Owned by Mexicans Nationals of Syrian origin.
Its the best Middle Eastern restaurant in town.

G&L Question: I don't own a Guitar with large regular MFD pickups I have a ASAT III(S-500 pickups) and a Legacy(Alincos).So I can't say. Only played ASAT specials in music stores.

I don't use computers to practice. I have a iGTR so I just hook the headphones on ad that's it. I only use a computer for my Line6 backtrack if I am working something up and I wanted to listen to it.Any other time its work related,iTunes or read this or japanaxe forum.
I consider a computer a necessary evil.

Chet

Darwin, i almost bought a Tonelab once...and...i never met a Preset i liked...most should be called a Pukeset...

i'm figuring the large P90s would be somewhere in between a Strat type and a P90...if it's quieter, smoother and a bit less punchy, like in between an S500 and a P90, i'd probably love them...

here's the first recording i made using the computer...
Disclaimer: i had it hooked up wrong...had to listen to backing track thru puter speakers and my guitar with one side of headphones...and it was during a saturday morning hangover...2004...

http://www.kaneva.com/asset/assetDetails.aspx?assetId=4713324&communityId=0

I have never used a computer 'per se', if I may be so pretentious, to play guitar through. I have used Korg Pandoras a bit though, and with all the processing stuff in there it qualifies as a computer in my book, same with those amps you see with the effects built in - if you ask me, thats a computer. The Pandora is a great little tool. I bought it for much the same reasons as you - living in an apartment. I've since sold it as my neighbors when I was in the flat were late night techno "music" junkies with a large stereo justifying me practicing through an amp. And I'm in a house now so I can rock out at all sorts of volumes.


I only have very limited time on the large MFDs, so can't really comment.



Had a listen to that recording Jaxx - nice playing!

Regarding the poll: I said sometimes, but only when I'm recording. If I'm trying to play with the volume down, which is usually the case at my house, then I plug into a POD and use headphones.

I've got the big and little varieties of MFDs. I've never been able to accurately describe pickups so I'll just say I like `em both for different reasons. Although I will admit the neck pickup on the ASAT special makes me tingle all over. Can I still get an entry in the Libyan vacation contest?

Jeff

p.s. - was never much into My Little Pony so I can't comment there. Littlest Pet Shop ruled at my house.

sorry, Repo, but you didn't use the keywords....
however, your Littlest Pet Shop collection, along with your use of the word "tingle" to describe a pickup sound, DOES qualify you to be bequeathed my "My Little Pony" collection...

Poll: I said "a lot" but really it's "all the time" if a cable is involved. About the only time I'm not playing through various computer-connected bits is when I'm practicing/noodling in a chair or on the couch (disclaimer: until yesterday I hadn't picked up a guitar in six months...yikes!).

G&L: My favorite G&L color is the old two-tone tobacco burst, with natural 'bound' edge. I have never played through the 'normal' MFD pickups. I had an ASAT Classic with the small pups, and then Z-coils in the Comanche and ASAT Z3. There is a world of difference between the smaller MFD in the Classic and the Z3 pickup, let me tell you.

Non-G&L: see reply to Poll above. Heh.

Non-LR-related: I'm flying down to San Antonio 5 MAY to see my oldest son's graduation from AF BMT. He had been in college to be a pharmacist but left the glamorous world of (legal) drugs behind to join the Air Force. As long as he's happy, I'm happy/proud. Also, I love an Em chord, but not as much as a B Myxolydian scale over a I-IV-V in E. Or something. I think.

Nice track, I like it!

I have Comanches and S-500s and Legacys and Legacy Specials, even a lonely ASAT Deluxe--but no ASATs with MFD. From the ones I've played, they sound do nice and fat but the MFDs sound nothing like a good P-90. I even hate to use "P-90" and "MFD in the same sentence.

Don't use the computer for music. I have a Korg D-1600 for recording and a Tascam CD Trainer for learning licks from CDs or late nite jamming. Thinking about getting one of those new Roland Boss Jam Stations--that looks like it could be fun.

Bill

Good questions there BadJaxx.

Lunch: a bit early for that here, but I had muesli and yoghurt for breakfast with a strong cup of black tea.

G&L Question: I've got an ASAT with the small MFD's and a Special with the big MFD's. I'd say the small MFD's are more traditional sounding than the big MFD's. They're smooth and round and it's hard to get a bad sound out of them. The big MFD's cover a lot more tonal territory and can go from smooth and creamy to bite-your-head off bright. In my experience they require more experimentation because there are so many tones in them. As someone else said the neck pick up can make you go all warm and fuzzy when the right tone is dialled in. I was suprised to find that the big MFD's on the Special are actually lower output than the small ones on the ASAT.

Non-G&L Question: Like a lot of other responses, I only play through a computer when I'm recording something. Though I'd prefer to use an amp as often as possible, most of my playing is done through a Yamaha DG Stomp modelling box with headphones attached. I don't know how previous generations of guitarists ever got by without an amp modeller of some sort for practice. I'd be lost without mine.

what is "muesli"...something in the Myxolydian scale?

i once pondered buying a Yamaha DG Stomp as well, cuz i'd owned the original DG Preamp and it sounded great...

i only mention a P90 comparison as it's also a very different single coil pup and something to compare the large MFD to, not cuz it's sounds similar (not that i know) but because it's there...lol

i once pondered buying a Yamaha DG Stomp as well, cuz i'd owned the original DG Preamp and it sounded great...

My DG Stomp has been dropped, tripped over multiple times and last summer it was covered in water for 12 hrs when my basement flooded - it normally lives on the floor. I dried it out with a hairdryer and it still works! It does sound really great, but navigating all the options could be more intuitive (typical Yamaha there).

G&L Question: which do you prefer, the large MFDs or the regular size MFDs, and why.
Between these options I lean to large MFD's.
Have both versions and dig both but the bigger ones have a unique tone. Especially in a ASAT Jr.

Non-G&L Question: playing thru the computer.
Don't do it at all. Would like to give it a try sometime just for kicks, but I am the poster child for computer illiteracy, think I'll stay with amps!

first golf game of the year so lunch was turkey on whole wheat at the course.

have a bluesboy and legacy, so no MFDs, about to get an ASAT special and am really looking forward to hearing the large MFDs. Having said that, I may need an S500 as well, just for comparison!

Also about to receive a non G&L guitar with custom P90s and want to hear those compared to the large MFDs. That should be interesting.

I play mostly thru my amp, but sometimes (rarely), I want to play thru the computer, to record or to use my mic with the guitar (my amp only has 1 input). I use my mac with garageband, have an Apogee duet that takes the guitar and mic inputs. Fantastic product, not cheap, $599 but works fantastic, clean.

great questions, good start!

I don't have any MFD equipped G&Ls, so can't answer that.

I purchased an Line 6 Toneport a few years ago and have played through the computer with that...alot when I first got it, not so much lately. However, I just picked up a Fender Mustang I. I can plug headphones into this little amp, or run it through the computer for deep editing or recording. I'll probably do some of that, but mostly will plug the headphones straight into it for late night practice when it's not practical to use the tube amps.