LR for Christmas Eve 2013

[lesdavaz]

Great responses yesterday. Let's keep it going.

LUNCH

Going light today because of the family party tonight. It's probably going to be a PBJ sandwich, an orange and a Nutrigrain bar. This is what I eat most days in the office. Also, family party tonight. My contribution: 1/2 Gal. Canadian Club, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Sam Adams Light. Don't worry, we're eating plenty.

CIRCUITRY, WIRING AND SWITCHES

Aside from standard Fender wiring, what do you especially like about G&L's wiring innovations/electronics, and how do you use them? Two things for me: 1) coil splitting-I have mini toggles on three of my four G&L guitars and they do different things. I have a modded 1990 ASAT with Dimarzzio humbckers that I split for rhythm and distorted lead, and the sound is incomparable. This guitar has Bourne (?) pots which make a huge difference. I have an Invader Deluxe S_S_H and the Duncan H can be split. I basically toggle between the S-H and H for rhythm and lead and use only those two settings. Last, on my 1991 signature S-500, I have the five-way either on two or four and 2) toggle between using two and three pickups with the mini. Pre-G&L, I played Les Pauls through HIWATT's and Marshalls, so you can see this has opened up a new world for me. The guitars have very different applications for me. How about you?

LIVE MUSIC IN YOUR TOWN

What is the state of live music in your area? Here in Charlotte, NC, we get big acts during the week, from Tuesday through Thursday. They all play at ampitheaters or sports arenas, and it is ridiculously expensive. We had good local live music in the '80's, but as the town grew more suburban, the neighborhood bars disappeared along with the good local bands. The local venues that hosted artists catering to small houses: Eric Johnson, Tommy Emmanuel, et al have been acquired by Live Nation. I was fortunate to see all the legendary road shows of the '60's and '70's growing up in the midwest and Germany. You name it; I saw them. But don't come here to see live music. It sucks. How about your town?

WHAT IS YOUR OTHER HOBBY/PASSION, AND HOW DOES IT RANK WITH GUITARS?

I am split between outdoors-related stuff (canoeing, fishing, camping, firearms) and history, especially the history of the two world wars and their antecedents. The former I do with my boys, and it's gratifying in that way, plus it's another gear-acquisition deal. What is your thing?

Now, quit playing with those toys! Get them wrapped and under the tree.

Regards,

Les

[astutzmann]

Hi Les:

Don't know about lunch yet, but as you say, I'm sure it'll be left overs or light in lieu of what's coming.

I don't have any special features on my G&L. I did have a legacy and loved the PTB system....make a lot of sense and I'm currently GASing for an S-500 to try out the mini toggle.

One of the reasons I ordered the LE-2 was for the push/pull with the hum bucker and the combination with the neck, should be interesting to try...............

I live in Niagara area of Canada and there is lots of local talent that play often. My wife and I try to go out to dinner, only to places that have live music. its tough because around here the bands don't usually start until 10-10:30 which used to be ok, but not now that I'm 56 and can't sleep in, ha.

In the winter we go to florida a bit and I love the fact that a lot of music is 7-10pm...PERFECT, get to hear some great musicians. Again, dinner only at places that have live music, even if its softer. Love to watch the guitar players work their magic and wish I had those kind of chops....

Otherwise, I golf and am learning tennis, workout on other days........In the winter I always do a boys ski trip....but we are all starting to get old......was ok when we were mid 30s, now approaching 60, bad knees and backs, its a new ball game..

ALf

[darwinohm]

Good stuff yesterday Les! Like you, lunch will probably be light as we are getting the family together at our house after 4 Pm today with lots of food. I like your contribution to the party. It all sounds tasty!

There are a lot of neat switching/pickup configurations. I am speaking as a bass player but my Carvin has dual humbuckers and a Piezo. I set my tone at the beginning of the gig and don't change anything during the gig. I change my picking position (moving closer to the bridge) when I want a sharper tone. I have a couple of songs that I use a heavy nylon pick for a different sound. I thought that Timothy B Schmidt of the Eagles had the right idea on his Carvin artist model. Just a volume knob and he set his tone with his amp. We all have different tastes but this works well for me. Even on lead guitar work, I usually use the pickup selector to get what I need. I don't do any distortion so it is easy.

There are great music venues in Mpls/St P. They are expensive and I do not go and see the supers. Instead, most of them have live concert videos and that is what I like. I will buy one and watch them when I have time. I do catch some local bands when I have time. There are lot of good musicians in the twin cities. Most of the bands I have seen are quite good but not many have outstanding vocals. They are doing a good job as long as the crowd likes them and that is the bottom line.

Music had always been my main hobby during the working years, I didn't have much time for it. I love working on guitars and it takes a lot of my free time. Retirement is my favorite hobby now and I have to work at it. I don't have extra time but being able to do things when I feel like it is the perfect thing about retirement. The band thing has evolved into more than most of us had anticipated. We have been doing it because it is fun and believe me, it still is. The balance becomes how much do you want to do it. We will see how the next year goes and how the health hold up for us old guys. We are booked at least 3 weekends a month for all of next year. I hope we can keep up with the pace, especially the two young ladies with full time professions and Kari has her family commitments. I have to admit that life is good!

Have a great day everyone and hope that all of you are able to get together with your families and enjoy the holidays. Merry Christmas. -- Darwin

[glvourot]

I have been experimenting with different switch positions of late . I find the differences when flipping the mini toggle subtle especially when using any kind of distortion or effects. I'm usually in switch position 2 ( or is it 4? ) the first one past the bridge anyway. I use the PTB way more than the toggle on my S-500.

It seems to me that there used to be way more shows in town when I was younger. The last band I saw was a cover band in a Casino lounge. There were really good, very competent on their instruments and they had a great singer. Like Darwin mentioned, I'll watch my favorite bands on Blu-rays.

Astronomy is my diversion. I use a pair of 11 X 70 binoculars set up on a tripod. Its amazing what you can see with those even in an urban landscape. I'm going to bite the bullet soon and order a mirror mount so I won't get a sore neck. I have got right back into golf as well , taking some lessons and hope to come out much improved in the springtime.

[bloodied_fingers]

Our family party starts in about 2 hours so I'm pretty much skipping lunch. We're hosting and I'm about to grab the last minute items...

While I like G&L's PTB and even added a s-500 option (via push-pull put) to my legacy I think there are lots of other equally cool schemes out there that I want to try: boost circuit, EMG's active controls, Fender's S-1 switching... But I do think you can go overboard with all these switching options. Sometimes simple really is best I think.

I totally agree with glvourot about how switch position impacts the signal chain. I think the PTB controls (especially the B) seem to have a dramatic effect on pedals.

We don't go to much live music except for to see some Jazz. We have a number of local venues here and my favorite is Tula's (http://tulas.com/). I don't go for seeing big name bands in big venues. Cost, inconvenience, fans who want to be part of the show and all that for what usually doesn't sound that good anyway isn't worth it, imho. I'll watch Palladia instead... There are some contacts I've made since playing guitar that I'd really like to go and see. My wife and I just gotta get better about organizing the 'date nights' I guess.

I'm an enginerd so lots of tech stuff from OS design to passive analog circuitry and bio stuff like conjugated molecules... Of course my boys and whatever they're interested in... I've lost track of how many seasons and sports I've coached. The older one is getting beyond my level now so I'm looking forward to being able to just cheer for him in the future. I also like to read a lot, mostly Sci-Fi and generally older stuff. Until a couple years ago I did a lot of Tae Kwon Do but I finally got tired of the sparring and general aches & pains associated with the sport. For fitness now I just run..

Right now guitar is definitely my #1 hobby.

[sam]

Merry Christmas Eve Les!

I do like the PTB on my Z3 but circuit stuff is pretty straight forward for me. Add 4 way switch when possible. What Dimarzios did you put in? On my ASAT Deluxe I put a Dimarzio Evolution in the bridge and Air Norton in neck and absolutely love that comconation. Also added push pull to allow individual switching per pup.

We get all the live music in the world but between work and kids I don't get to see near enough.

Aside from guitar I can be found on a road bike or running

Hope Santa brings surprises"

[Salmon]

Ate way too many cookies all day today.

I like the S500 switch with the MFD's so much I am thinking about selling my Legacy.

There are a few restaurants in town that host live music. There is an old theater just a few blocks from my home that has hosted the likes of Timothy B Schmit and Joe Bonamassa. Eddie Money comes through periodically. About 40 minutes away is one of the best designed venues for large arena concerts. Freeway access and parking is amazing. I have never had trouble getting a good parking spot within a comfortable walking distance and the neighborhood is safe. Unless you are behind the stage there really isn't a bad seat. I have seen several big acts there. Yet due to the hours I work I rarely see shows anymore. When I think about freeing the time I just don't have the desire to see anyone like I once did. On the other hand, I believe you need to see live shows once in a while because it wakes you up. Just listening to recordings on some form of sound delivery system gets old. You forget how alive things are in a performance setting.

I used to love backpacking and snow skiing. I roadbiked for a while. If it can be considered a hobby reading is what I do other than music playing activities.

Happy Holidays!

[yowhatsshakin]

Howdy folks,

Happy Holidays everybody!

Seattle (still) has an incredible music scene although we have witnessed a similar development where concert organizers also own venues (Live Nation, STG). And tickets are becoming pretty expensive at times, even for me. But that has not stopped a band like The Head And The Heart to make it big!

I have a couple of other hobbies. Doing the crossword, reading (mostly technical and history books), the Apollo Space Project, cooking, and keeping my wife happy and interested in me are the main ones.

- Jos