Thu May 24, 2012 4:26 am
Thu May 24, 2012 6:26 am
Thu May 24, 2012 11:45 am
Thu May 24, 2012 12:23 pm
blargfromouterspace wrote:I've always liked the way ASATs are wired up - no tinkering there from me. The controls work just rght on all of mine. The pots on my Bluesboy are stiffer than I'd like them to be and I intend to change them one day soon. I don't know why it's taking me so long to get around to that!
As for accessories, pedals are my main thing. I don't carry heaps of them around with me, nor do I use any whacky effects like ring mods or guitar synths, but I have quite a couple lying about that I don't use, most are overdrive and they all sound the same I'm holding off buying any more for a while until the MI Audio Super Crunch Box comes out. I'm hoping that device will give me the crunch sounds I want from my amp. As I write this I have Otis Redding's 'Pain In My Heart' album playing - there's some very tasty guitar work and sounds (well, sound, it doesn't seem to change hugely from song to song) on it. Makes me want to get rid of all the pedals!
Thu May 24, 2012 12:31 pm
Jaystrings wrote:I accept the baton for the 2nd highest honor. It's been a little while, but I'm chompin' at the bits to do it again. Thanks, Ches...... you 'da men.
Jaystrings wrote:The worst mod? A SC-3 with a scalloped fingerboard. I didn't know it had one - I bought it off eBay. Stole it, really. Loved the tone; hated the scallop crap. I was telling someone at a local store about it & that I was going to flip it or part it out. He bought it on the spot. Got my money out of it. I wouldn't pay $5 for another like it, but probably should have kept it for parts. Fave mod? A 4-way switch like Ches mentioned. Very nice addition to a workhorse.
Jaystrings wrote:I've experimented so much with picks that you might think I have a pick fetish. I have lots around. About all I've found is that those with a little grip assistance are good & those without such can easily be made to function just fine by drilling a small hole in the middle.
Jaystrings wrote:I love that strap; purtiest one I've ever seen [so far].
Thu May 24, 2012 1:20 pm
Thu May 24, 2012 1:43 pm
sickbutnottired wrote:A lot of good reports and responses this week. Hard to catch up.
Ches, you hit a couple things I would like to do this week. I have wanted, for some time, to find an amazing number 1 accoustic guitar. I would have to play a lot to see what I like, and would like to try the boutiques as well as the big boys. Electrics--I am pretty happy with the standard stuff, but love to try everything.
Like a lot of guys yesterday I have played a lot of Fender Amps, and I love them. I only own silverface Fenders, right now, and a Pignose practice amp--doesn't count. But I have total gas for a boutique. I am looking at Reason and Two-Head. But there are so many now. I wonder if I could learn to use an amp with a master volume?
I am an inveterate tinkerer, and have done a lot of mods. But I have not been doing as much, lately. Basically, the reality is I am kinda feel like I make changes, but not improvements. I think Gabe's (whoever that is) 4 way mod is great for tele's. I will do something very much like that for all 2 PU stuff that stays in my stable.
j
Thu May 24, 2012 4:25 pm
Thu May 24, 2012 5:37 pm
Thu May 24, 2012 5:40 pm
Thu May 24, 2012 5:50 pm
louis cyfer wrote:i love scalloped fingerboards. basically the same as having really big hands. those with less than perfect technique are gonna have a hard time playing it. i would suggest for people to practice on guitars like that, it will improve technique tremendously.
my bluesboy is barely modded. just no pickguard, flipped control plate with angled switch, tone control on bridge only, 250k low torque linear bourns volume pot, fralin steel pole 43 bridge pup, bkp missisippi queen p90 in neck. straplocks, 4 way switch. basically the tuners, the bridge and the knobs are still the same.
question 2. all of the above.
i am definitely a pedal junkie.
Thu May 24, 2012 5:54 pm
darwinohm wrote:Checking in as I just finished getting all the equipment ready for gigs this weekend.
I have really enjoyed the photos this week. I am not a pedal guy, only have a few and I think that Louis has made up my share. As primarily a bassist, i wouldn't do them a lot of justice. I have not done a great deal of modding either. However, I more straps than guitars. I have just under 50 straps, all leather and many of them are the same. I keep one in each guitar case. I like the super wide ones for bass and the straps that come with the American Deluxe Fenders have been my favorite for the rest. They are black leather and just have a slip clip for adjusting. In the end I may be a strap junkie. I also have extra string tuners and tend to try new ones that are interesting. I have Schaller strap locks on all the straps and guitars except for a couple of guitars which I do not use. I have experimented with different picks and have many of them laying around. Also a bunch of strings in sealed packs. Jeez, I guess I am kind of a junkie. Come to think of it, I have locking tuners on most of the guitars. I have a bunch of G&L original tuners laying around. I have also been selective about cables do to failures of cheap cables another band member uses. Nuff said I think. Do I have a problem????-- Darwin
Thu May 24, 2012 6:06 pm
zapcosongs wrote:Great LR yesterday, Ches, and fantastic, fantastic responses. I decided not to say anything in the interest of not screwing with perfection. Speaking of which....
zapcosongs wrote:"To Mod or not to Mod" That is the question. Here is my answer: If the instrument isn't pretty much the way I want it, I don't buy it.
zapcosongs wrote:Sub-question: I can't recall modding a G&L, but I lost the "top hat" switch tip for my Bluesboy. If anybody can give me information on the size replacement I need (i.e., would a Fender tip fit?) would be appreciated. Maybe I'll go to Thumbs and get a nice silver one with a nice black onyx on it. Hmmmm.....
zapcosongs wrote:BTW, I'm going to check out your custom strap-making gal, Ches. I am much impressed, and we only live once, after all.
zapcosongs wrote:Also, good get with Jay for next week. I enjoyed his book quite a bit, and have enjoyed his contributions over the years - though the number of CP Thorntons he owns seems to me to indicate a mild form of some mental illness or other. Maybe it's just GAS.... - ed
Thu May 24, 2012 6:12 pm
Tim Buffalo Bros wrote:Hi Ches:
1) To Mod or not to Mod:
Loaded question!
For me it depends on what it is. Example, G&L Broadcaster? No way. SC2 reissue -- yes I would. Knowing mods can affect value is a concern to the individual. Mods to improve playing style to ones preferences are good. My own guitars are as follows ~
a) G&L Broadcaster no mods.
b) G&L Trinity.
Mods in that all the hardware are black crinkle.
2) Accessories:
I do fancy a nice strap. Currently the one I use most is a custom made Ostrich strap with Buffalo (of course) Nickel Inlay conches.
Regards,
Tim
Thu May 24, 2012 6:32 pm
zapcosongs wrote:And Louis said:
"my bluesboy is barely modded. just no pickguard, flipped control plate with angled switch, tone control on bridge only, 250k low torque linear bourns volume pot, fralin steel pole 43 bridge pup, bkp missisippi queen p90 in neck. straplocks, 4 way switch. basically the tuners, the bridge and the knobs are still the same. "
I really enjoy your posts (and your playing is wonderful) but I honestly can't tell whether you are serious sometimes or kidding around or trying to be ironic or what. Hell, just play on and enjoy!
Great LR yesterday, Ches, and fantastic, fantastic responses. I decided not to say anything in the interest of not screwing with perfection. Speaking of which....
"To Mod or not to Mod" That is the question. Here is my answer: If the instrument isn't pretty much the way I want it, I don't buy it.
I neither have the time or the skills to mess with it. And as I've stated ad nauseum, I'm a hack of a player, so changing a value or a gum-drop or whatever would just be a waste of time and effort for me. With two young kids and two demented oldies, dicking around with nice instruments doesn't make much sense for me. But I do have great admiration for those talented folks who know what they want and can make it so. Bravo to you guys!
Sub-question: I can't recall modding a G&L, but I lost the "top hat" switch tip for my Bluesboy. If anybody can give me information on the size replacement I need (i.e., would a Fender tip fit?) would be appreciated. Maybe I'll go to Thumbs and get a nice silver one with a nice black onyx on it. Hmmmm.....
Straps, cables, strings: I like Martin SPs on my acoustic, and tend to buy GHS or D'Addario 10-46 sets for my electrics. I went through a phase where I was in love with Snake Oil strings, but I ended up having quality control issues with them. I don't care too much about guitar straps, but I do have one nice one with good-quality leather and lambs wool against the shoulder. Can't remember the brand right now, but it will come to me after a drink or three. Otherwise, as a basement player, I don't care too much about straps, nor about cables either, actually. Regarding the latter, though, it has become apparent to me that you tend to get what you pay for.
BTW, I'm going to check out your custom strap-making gal, Ches. I am much impressed, and we only live once, after all.
Also, good get with Jay for next week. I enjoyed his book quite a bit, and have enjoyed his contributions over the years - though the number of CP Thorntons he owns seems to me to indicate a mild form of some mental illness or other. Maybe it's just GAS.... - ed
Fri May 25, 2012 1:42 am
Fri May 25, 2012 3:24 am
Fri May 25, 2012 4:04 am
Tim Buffalo Bros wrote:Not a great photo........but the one I have of my strap. A bit worn from about 10 years of use!
Fri May 25, 2012 4:35 am
Boogie Bill wrote:I don't do drastic mods to any of my guitars, though back in 1985 I added a third pickup to a Music Man Sabre II--that's about the only non-reversible mod I've ever done to a guitar. Mike Lull up in Bellevue, Washington, did the work. I've known Mike for forever, and he does good work. It looks factory, and it was a smart change.
Boogie Bill wrote:I have one maple neck G&L Legacy in ash that had Duncan Texas Hot Antiquities when I bought it. I really like those pickups, and I have two more sets; so I'm going to swap them into a couple of my other Legacys. Other than Schaller Straplocks, I don't mod my G&Ls--and I usually don't add the Schallers unless there is a reason.
Boogie Bill wrote:My Gibsons are a different story. Most Les Pauls have a plastic jack plate, so I like to replace it with a metal one. A couple of my Pauls have gotten replacement pickups, and an RS Guitarworks pot and cap upgrade. I've also replaced a couple of stop bar tailpieces with LW aluminum bars made by Gotoh. I've replaced some control knobs, mostly just for the cosmetics. But the first thing I do with all my Gibsons is to install the Straplocks. The Gibson strap button is hopeless.
Boogie Bill wrote:As for AXE-cessories, well....when you've been playing for 45 years...you collect stuff.
Boogie Bill wrote: Got nine pedals on my board, a set of six pedals for the acoustic board, a handful of BBE pedals, four delays I'm not using, a couple of extra chorus pedals, a pair of old blue MXR 10-band EQ for my old rig that I don't use anymore, a PV reverb pedal, and some ODs that I hope will someday become priceless. (I'm not holding my breath!)
I'm pretty set in my pick choices, usually Dunlop Gator, Tortex, Ultrem or Delrin 500 (in that order) in 1.14mm; I am also experimenting with Clayton's Ultex. But Miss Leslie likes to collect picks, just cause they are pretty, and she probably has more than a gross of picks of various shapes, sizes, colors and materials.
And yeah, I think I have 10-12 guitar tuners around, no biggie. I keep a Shubb capo in the case of each of my acoustic guitars, and I have an extra one in my kit.
Boogie Bill wrote:Ah, but I will admit to being a strap whore! I have 50 guitars these days and each one has it's own leather strap. I don't like anything metal on my straps. I have them from Levy's, Franklin, Italia, Fort Bryan, Martin, Moody's, Double Treble, Washburn, Music Man, Atlas, Harley Davidson (Dunlop), Taylor, Silver Eagle, Bobby Lee, and probably more. And one custom made for me. I love finding just the right strap for the guitar. (Won't find any of MY Guitars on "What Not To Wear"!)
I used to make my own cables, but I've gotten lazy in my old age. I have some high-quality cables from Mogami, Monster and Planet Waves, but most of my rig is the Live Wire brand from Guitar Center. I really like those inexpensive Rapco Road Hog cables they sell. That is a very, very good cable--and a very good deal.
I never thought about all the gizmos, gadgets, do-hickeys, thing-a-ma-bobs, cables, stands and adaptors I was going to have to buy when I started playing guitar back in 1965. I've spent a fortune on this stuff,...probably as much as I've spent on guitars!
Bill
Fri May 25, 2012 4:58 am
Fri May 25, 2012 5:11 am
louis cyfer wrote:ches, what do you mean you had a heel of a time with the george l's?
Fri May 25, 2012 5:21 am
Ches wrote:louis cyfer wrote:ches, what do you mean you had a heel of a time with the george l's?
They'd cut out occasionally. I couldn't seem to get a reliable connection. Oddly enough, I'm pretty good with tools and electronics, but those cables were a problem for me.
Fri May 25, 2012 5:47 am
louis cyfer wrote:Ches wrote:louis cyfer wrote:ches, what do you mean you had a heel of a time with the george l's?
They'd cut out occasionally. I couldn't seem to get a reliable connection. Oddly enough, I'm pretty good with tools and electronics, but those cables were a problem for me.
wow, i have never had a problem with those. takes no time at all to make a cable, and i have never had one go bad. the only thing that important is a good cable cutter that is very sharp and cuts like a cigar cutter. you need a flat cut without deforming the shape of the cable from round. the people i have seen struggle with them used a less than sharp knife or scissors, and compressed the cable while cutting it. that way it doesn't go in all the way to make a positive connection with the center pin. also a little lube on the jacket to make it slide all the way in easier.
Fri May 25, 2012 5:54 am