Lunch Report, Thursday, May 19. Corned beef rising.

[Ahryn]

Corned beef, the sandwich so nice I had it twice... with a little twist. Toasted bread this time and some Hawkins brand cheezies on the side.


Finish Him!

Since I’m sorta on the run i’ll have to make this a short one, first of all one of the real jewels in G&Ls crown is there finishes.

Not only do they look beautiful and are buffed to perfection, but they hold up real well from what I have seen.

So guys are there any classic finishes you would like to see return or are there any finishes out there you think G&L should offer?

I know I personally wouldn’t mind seeing seafoam green on the menu...


C-c-c-c-capo breaker.

Being primarily an acoustic player of there is one thing I can not do without it is a capo.

(for those not in the know a Capo is a clamplike device used to shorten the strings and as such raise the pitch)

I love using it in practice with familiar chord shapes (G E C A) and finding new ways to play my favorite songs or change the timber of what I am playing.

Now Capos are also neat to use if you are downtuned a lot (especially 12 strings) because even if you have it and capo up to regular tuning the chord can still sound subtly different.

When my G&L comes in I am really looking forward to how it will react to various capoing so my non G&L question for you today is...

Do any of you guys use a capo for your acoustic or electric?

What kind of capos do you use?

Any neat tricks you have discovered?

Or are capos just for cheaters


Random link of the day.
[youtube]jxNEiZhpinY[/youtube]

[zapcosongs]

Schubb.

'Nuff Said! - ed

(never used a capo with an electric but I don't know why not for the life of me!)

[klokker]

Use a capo once in a while on my acoustic guitar. The only other time I use it is to adjust the truss rod on my basses.

Banana for lunch. Wasn't bad but I gagged on it about half way through for some reason.

[sirmyghin]

No idea what finish G&L would be missing, they have enough for me as is.

Capos, you mention the change 'subtly' in the chord tone, when tuning 'back' up to standard. The reasoning here is the order of the harmonics change slightly with string width relative to scale length, this is known as inharmonicity. Typically with standard strings, you aren't really going to pick up on it/have you set off in a displeasing was unless it gets fairly large though. I don't like capos, as a bass player I especially don't like capos. When people dink around and play in C sharp with the use of a capo it makes my job a bit heavier, and a bit more annoying. I very rarely play open chords in the first position, so overall a capo is not something that finds it's way into my repetoire. So yes, Capos are just for cheaters (I lie a little, I use a capo to adjust my neck relief)

[Boogie Bill]

Sure, I use a capo, though usually only on acoustic guitar. I've gone through a few of them over the years. The Bill Russell capo was just coming into vogue when I was just starting out. The elastic band though would wear out. Another popular one was the Hamilton. I never owned one--they're kind of big and clunky.

Things got better with the Jim Dunlop Capo that came out in the Seventies. These were the lever action ones with the ballistic nylon strap. The first one wasn't infinitely adjustable, but then they added a sliding buckle and that was a big improvement. Jim Dunlop actually CALLED me himself one time after I'd had written a letter to the company telling about a bad experience with a brand new capo that broke--the rivets pulled through the nylon webbing the first time I used it. We chatted to 15--20 minutes, and he sent me a couple of new capos and a whole bag of stuff. A very nice man; GREAT customer service!!! They were small back then, but THAT'S how you get big!

I'm trying to think of when I started using a Shubb capo--must have been in the Eighties, cause it feels like I've been using one for forever. By far, the best design I've used. Do it right, and it won't change the tuning. All you need to do is occasionally change the little rubber piece on the clamping bar. Still my favorite capo, I keep one in the case of every acoustic guitar I own. Except one.

I tried a couple of Kyser capos--I still have one in red, white and blue that I keep with my Ibanez Artwood AW50CENT. This is my budget "beater" dreadnought that I bought in a pawnshop for $225. but it sounds like a more expensive guitar. The Kyser is handy because you can clamp it to the head of the guitar when your not using it. But overall, it's not as good as the Shubb. I always have to retune after clamping it on, and over time the performance degrades as the spring weakens. Kyser will service them for a very modest fee. I think I bought four of these, kept the red, white and blue one; and sold or gave away the others.

I hear good things about the G7 Capo, but for now I'm sticking with the Shubb.

As to finishes, I'd like to see a Metallic Purple brought back. I would also like a better Gold Metallic--the Gold Metallic on my mid-Nineties Legacy has a very greenish tint. I'd prefer something along the lines of the Gibson Les Paul Goldtop gold. I'd also like the Transparent Blonde to be a little thinner and MORE transparent, so more of the wood grain would show through.

I'm glad they finally started doing Nitro finishes, but I'd prefer it to NOT be aged--I can do that myself over the next 20 years!!!

I agree, G&L really does a great job with their finishes.

Bill

[suave eddie]

Capos................
I use one occasionally on the acoustic, which doesn't get much play time these days.

There is definitely a time and place for a capo.

This song could be played without a capo but it would never sound "right".
[youtube]yGKPHFrHVVY[/youtube]


I am pretty certain this song also is played with a capo up pretty high on the fretboard and would never sound the same without it. So, the term "cheater" I don't believe always applies.
[youtube]L9EKqQWPjyo[/youtube]

[blargfromouterspace]

I don't use capo's. I don't even own one. I play with a guy who abuses capos and uses them on pretty much everything. Last week I discovered that he got the habit from his mother, also a musician and also uses a capo on damn near everything! That's fine with me - he sings, and if he needs the song in A# or whatever to suit his voice better then so be it. All thats required of me is that I play in that key. Easy enough once you've done it a couple of times.

Here's a guy who uses a capo all the time
[youtube]-lg9VPEQQ60[/youtube]

Woohoo! Albert Collins! Damn fine player. The end lick of the song is a signature lick.


I'm with Bill - I'd like to see a different gold finish. The new Yukon gold is too yellow for my tastes. The gold sparkle is awesome. The new Margarita metallic finish is reminiscent of the lurid colours so popular in the '80s when G&L started out. Maybe a hot pink or electric blue. Or, in the vein of Fender's paisley telecaster from the '60s they could make an '80s ski-jacket guitar.



Or maybe not.

[darwinohm]

Corned beef is one of my favorites. That is what I most often order when I go out for lunch.

G&L finishes are among the finest. I would like them to come back with the swirl. I could go for a Red Swirl

Capos are not for sissies. I agree with the bass players to use them for checking neck relief. On regular guitars there are songs that need to played in a certain chord and a capo allows you to change the key for a vocalist. Wildwood Flower is finger picked in C. Without a capo you will not do it in another key and sound like Wildwood Flower. Chet did it right and I would not argue with Chet. When doing backup rhythm I will sometimes capo to get a different sound. It is magic and if you haven't tried it, you could be missing something. I will play in any key you want to but there are some songs that you will have to capo if the singer does it in a different key. I have used Keyser, Dunlop and the winner by far in my opinion is the Shubb. You will stay in tune if you use it properly. Yes, I wear pink shirts and Blarg,I would play that Pink Tele of yours anywhere. I would like a Custom Shop Shell Pink Tele. Good subject today Ahryn!!! By the way, a Shell Pink ASAT Special would be sweet and I'll bet I could get that past Ginny! -- Darwin

[Philby]

Capos: I too am a Shubb dude, though I have a few of the old Dunlop elastic band type randomly scattered around the house. I use capos a lot. Not to make songs easier to play, but to adjust the sound of the guitar. I use 'em on acoustic and electric. Tele's sound superb capo'ed around the fifth fret, bridge or bridge/middle pickup on, and some dirt dialled in on the amp. A cool recording trick is to record one part un-capo'ed and then record the song again with a capo on, using different chord inversions to make it in the same key. Pan one part left, the other right and balance to taste. It sounds a bit like a stereo 12-string guitar.

G&L colours: I agree with the gold comments above. I like sea foam green too, but find the G&L Bel Air green too dark for my taste. A lighter version would be great. The G&L burst finishes are superb. I'd be interested to see some more variations on the burst theme e.g. light blue burst or sea foam green burst. The Charvel Surfcaster came in a lovely green burst that would look cool on an SC-2.

[darwinohm]

Philby, I am impressed with you Capo evaluation. I also use them in recording for inversions. For those of you who have not done it, I recommend that you tune your guitar two notes lower, and use a capo to bring it up to where it should be. That will knock em' dead. You will have pickers out in the crowd saying "How in the hell is that guy doing that"?????? --Darwin

[zapcosongs]

Great post, Philby.
You know, I bought a Chavelle bass guitar at a small shop's "going out of business" sale for $200, new around 1993. Five years later, I was moving and had not learned bass, got married, etc. and sold the thing for $500 when folks first started transacting online. I thought I did great! Recently, I got curious and took a peek at what these things are fetching now. Wow! Mine was orange with a stunning, flamed maple top. I really am a moron. Thankfully, I have a clean 1981 L1k and first style SB-2 now to console me. One day I'm going to learn to play them.

Darwin: I'm going to try that trick. I can use all the help I can get. - ed

[CGT]

Vintage colour I always wanted was Fiesta/Fullerton Red, so I'm happy, but come to think of it, an ASAT in seafoam green would perfectly complement the Legacy and I'm liking the idea of asking G&L to add that colour. With respect to capos, I've never used them on an electric, but I can see their utility. It might make for some interesting harmonic experiments.

[Ahryn]

Great replies guy! I was a little hesitant to mention capos so I am so glad to see it take off like this. in case anyone is wondering I am using a dunlop for my Norman and a keyser for my Yamaha 12'er so a shubb is going to be next in line

Zapco: if any one post could sum up every conversation on capos I think yours is it.

Klokker: sorry to hear about the banana, for some reason I always find myself only eating half of any banana I eat.

Sirmyghin: Thanks for the explanation, I love the amount of knowledgeably people on this site.

Bill: Wow, I love a good customer service story and that is one doozy, I agree that is how you get big. If there is one thing I like about Gibson it is the gold top, and I can;t get the image of a gold top ASAT deluxe with nickel covered humbuckers out of my mind.

Suave Eddie: Two of my favorite guitarists, Bob Dylan and George Harrison. Awesome.

Blarg: I am blinded by that jacket! but in between diamond shaped splotches on my corneas I can see my foot tapping from listening to those sweet sweet licks.

Darwin: A return of the swirl finishes would be pretty great. "Chet did it right and I would not argue with Chet" that comment made my night.

CGT: I look forward to hearing about those harmonic experiments, and maybe making some of my own

Well people are crazy and times are strange, so I guess I'll give I'll have to give "things have changed" another listen and call it a night...

[BadJaxx]

i'd also like to see a nice gold, seafoam green, greenburst....but my fave would be a 'Mary Kaye' finish...

don't use a capo but would if it worked better for a particular song...

[sirmyghin]

Ahryn, if you are feeling really ballsy, check out a 'spider capo'.

http://www.spidercapo.com/

[willross]

Great job this week; although I missed most of it. Capos: Shubb Noir & Keyser. Cool colors? Check these out:

http://solidbodyguitar.com/graphics17/lindner.jpg Can't post this image due to size???? I have seen HUGE images posted here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????

I dig the selection at this place! http://solidbodyguitar.com/


Cheers,

Will

[Craig]

Can't post this image due to size???? I have seen HUGE images posted here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????

Due to display issues with one of the Styles and large photos greater than 1000 pixels wide X 1300 pixels high,
In April I put a restriction on the inline photo size (no bigger than 1000 x 1300).You must use the timage= tags with
the size no bigger than "1000,1300", which will place a resized image of your photo as a link to the full size image.

For more info see the READ ME FIRST: guitarsbyleo.com History and G&LDP Guidelines
and for examples see the READ THIS FIRST - G&L Porn!!!.

Hope this helps.

[willross]

Yeah, I saw that. I just couldn't calculate the smaller size off the top of my head...


Cheers,

Will

[vulpesoutfoxed]

Ahryn, if you are feeling really ballsy, check out a 'spider capo'.

http://www.spidercapo.com/

Interesting that I should stop by the GLDP and read this thread only hours after picking up a spider capo. I probably would have read it sooner, but well I have been playing all afternoon running the capo through it's paces, would probably still be playing my guitar but have managed to turn my calluses into mush. I love this capo with it's ability to depress individual strings. It is even pretty simple to change the strings that are capoed while playing. I am already considering getting another to try playing around with two capos at different frets, could be fun. As much as I love this capo, it does look like it could easily be broken, Hopefully I am wrong though and that it is indeed a very durable tool.

-Brandon

[Craig]

Yeah, I saw that. I just couldn't calculate the smaller size off the top of my head...


Cheers,

Will

Hi Will,

Here's my method to resize a photo:

I use Chrome and Firefox browsers, so I cut and paste the image link into a tab.
The tab label will be the file name and the size of the image. In your case, the size is 1024x560.
The width is 24 pixels too big, so subtract 24 from the width and length: so use "1000,536" for the size.

Here's your photo:



And, when you click on the image, you will see the full size photo.

Hope this helps.