Lunch Report for Friday, April 5, 2013

[Boogie Bill]

My week of Lunch Reports is done. It always seems to take up so much of my time, yet the week always goes by so quickly. I love talking music and gear, girls, and guitars. I hope you enjoyed it, and maybe even learned something.

Don’t have a huge report today, mostly just some random thoughts, so comment at will.

Probably going to go out for lunch today. I have no idea where, maybe some Mexican food.

And I just read that Katy Perry just broke up with what's-his-name.

(Katy, if you're reading this...call me!)

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I miss the days of TV’s old variety entertainment shows, like Ed Sullivan and The Hollywood Palace. A little comedy, some acrobatics, and some music all rolled into one show. I used to love “Hee-Haw” with Buck and Roy (and I think I still tell some of those corn-pone jokes!) I hate the awards’ shows—the Emmys , Oscars, CMAs—hey, they won’t nominate me, so I don’t go and I don’t watch! LOL! The late night talk shows are still good and the guys usually have pretty good monologues and a decent band. I loved hearing Kevin Eubanks when he was the leader of “The Tonight Show” band, what a great player. Paul and his band on Letterman are top-notch, and I loved Jimmy Vivino and drummer Max Weinberg on the old Conan show.

But one show that is fairly new to me is Later With Jools Holland. I am rapidly becoming a fan of that show. You probably won’t see a lot of the great, established rock artists, but you do get to see some of the rising stars perform. Highly recommended.


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Guitar Ear-Training Tip Of The Week:

Noodle! Yes, Noodle! (No, not pasta or ramen you idiots!) NOODLE!! (A verb!)

Yes, you can noodle on your guitar in a constructive way. Sit yourself down in front of the TV some night, and….PLAY ALONG WITH THE MUSIC!!!!

See how fast you can pickup the key, and then learn the melodies of the jingles as they come on the air. Many of the shows still have theme songs that you can try to learn. And some of these songs have been really great. Anyone remember “The Rockford Files” or Larry Carlton’s guitar on “Hill Street Blues”?

It’s great ear training. If you really want to get somewhere, then transpose what you’ve learned into different keys, and play the melodies in as many different places on the fingerboard as you can find.


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I take several guitar magazines, couldn’t really live without them. But I spend too much time on the gear reviews and not enough time on the lessons that most of the mags have. Lately I’ve been concentrating more on them, and actually learning some things. And most of them have the lesson videos available online.

There’s a lot of information to help you improve your skills, and it is relatively inexpensive. Every little bit helps.


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What is a guitar? Is it a work of art, or a tool? Well, I think of a guitar as both. Sometimes, tools can be downright sexy as some of you car guys may know. Snap-On tools are not only practical, but they have an aesthetic about them, too. I know guys who practically get hard-ons talking about their newest table saw or cordless drill. (You know who you are!)

But I love just LOOKING at my guitars too. I love the simplicity of the black dots on a maple neck, the grain of the maple. When I pickup one of my Martin D-28s, looking at that perfect seam of the neck where the stark, black ebony is fused to the rich, brown hues of the mahogany. I can stare at the spruce tops of these instruments all day long, awestruck by the “silk” in the cross-grain. A couple of my Les Pauls have such rich color, as the burst goes through the spectrum of yellow to orange to tangerine to the cherry red edge. And the depth of the quilt or flame is so three-dimensional, you could drown in it.

Like sex, of course the real thing is best, but looking at pictures is almost as good. That’s why it’s called guitar porn.

Do any of you have “coffee table” books on guitars? I have quite a few. My fav is probably “The Beauty Of The Burst”, Iwanade’s excellent resource on the Les Paul Sunbursts of the late ‘50s. I have other books on Les Pauls, Firebirds and Explorers, Gretsches, Fender Teles and Strats, and Martin. And I have a couple that just show a variety of guitars from the various manufacturers. (There’s some very strange stuff out there, kids!) Andy Babiuk’s book on Beatles’ gear was a total delight for me.

I’ve also got some of the rock biographies. I read Clapton’s book, and I’m currently working through Neil Young’s book. I’ve some big books on the Beatles and the Stones, with lots of history and lots of photos.

Got any of these in your collection that you use as a resource, or use to simply stare at the pics and fuel your GAS?


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Couple of years ago, I did a set of three LRs on the 50 things you need as a guitarist. Some found it practical and helpful, others controversial. Craig was kind enough to archive that, a great compliment. Thank you.

Do me a favor, if you have the time, track that down and give it a read. Wondering if it stands the test of time. Does anything need to be added to that list in 2013?


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Doesn’t look like there is going to be a stampede by the members of the G&LDP to go buy the Fractal Audio AXE-FX II that I wrote about yesterday. Coincidentally, in the January 2013 “Guitar Player Magazine” there is also a review of the James Tyler Variax guitar.

Now, there’s a guitar for the guy who wants his one guitar to do everything, if there ever was one. Here’s a guitar that actually CAN do Tele, Strat, Les Paul and 12-string tones in one package. They are just advancing this technology so rapidly. I’m too traditional I guess; I’d rather have a roomful of cool guitars that just one computerized plank.

With several manufacturers now installing piezo bridges (Godin and Parker come to mind), Roland synth pickups, and hybrid guitars like the Taylor T-5, is this something you’d like to see coming from the G&L factory as an option? Or would build a dedicated model?

Like I said, I’m old school and would prefer to get my acoustic tones from a Martin. Perhaps it would be more practical in certain situations, but for now I personally wouldn’t get much use from such a system. But I think it would be a good idea to offer some kind of piezo bridge pickup. How about you?


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And now our hero rides off into the sunset on his trusty steed. His work here in this town done, he’ll look for other adventures—standing on the side of law and order, truth, justice and the American Way—backed by his Colt .45 riding on his hip. (Actually, it's a Glock .40 S&W!) He’ll remember the gratitude of the town folk, and the kiss of the fair young maiden he saved will linger on his lips for eternity…

Vaya Con Dios, amigos. This is not goodbye, just until we meet again.

Happy trails,

Bill

[Boogie Bill]

Oh, and it's time for someone to step up to do the Lunch Report...

Can I nominate Will Ray or Darth Invader?



Bill

[darwinohm]

Fun week Bill. Back from my Friday evening date with Ginny and had some wings at BIg Louies with a couple of Nordeasts.

I have grown fond of U-tube. Some very good stuff and it is great for learning new songs. I do have a couple of guitar books on the history of guitars and they were interesting. Like you, I miss the old variety shows on TV. I seldom watch TV as there is not much that interests me.

When studying music theory in college is was common for the instructor to walk in the room and start playing. He would ask what key he was playing in and would ask students to identify inversions that he would play. I do some noodleing but I also practice difficult progressions over and over. Practice really works for me.

Guitars are much more to me than a tool. They are a work of art and displaying them on our wall has given me the opportunity to enjoy them by just observing them. It is also nice to have different ones to play each morning. i pick different ones depending how I feel. After getting a new one I spend a few days getting familiar with it. The one I got earlier this week is one of the sweetest I have had. It is a keeper. All I have left are keepers and that can be a problem but probably not a bad problem to have. I know there will be more so choices will have to be made. I am now down to a dozen Fenders and dropping. I only have one G&L I may part with and it is a Legacy, my heaviest one. The last time I thought about trading it I played it and put it back. It wasn't going anywhere.

Thanks for the interesting week Bill! I hope that someone jumps in for next week.-- Darwin

[yowhatsshakin]

Hi Bill,

As Darwin said, great fun this week.

I wouldn't be able to support you nor refute you on your assertion of olden day variety shows. I just don't have TV and stopped caring about it about 20 years ago. So instead of noodling with TV shows, I noodle with Country Home Companio, the World Café, American Roots, etc. or KPLU's blues Saturday night programming.

I usually read my guitars mags cover to cover (including the ads) but like you never paid a lot of attention to lessons, i.e. I would read the text but not fo the exercises. As you argue, maybe I should so I'll give it a try.

The guitar is just the most fascinating instrument invented by human kind. Maybe in the ethnological sense I should not use the word 'guitar' since I would like to include the koto, zither, harp, lyre, bouzouki, portuguese guitar, etc. In other words about any string instrument that is struck by a hand held plectrum of some kind or fingers, hence excluding piano, harpsichord, spinet, etc. In my view, there is nothing out there that has combined (natural) materials, craftsmanship and art with utility as much as the guitar. There is no other instruments that has so many different guises while they are all still called 'guitar'. I'm totally in awe with it just like you are and hence own many guitar books too. Many of those I use to read up on something or just to gawk. Most of the time there might not be uch difference between the two.

I'm not a big fan of piezo pickups; my ears always seem to be able to pick out wether a guitars is miked (and miked only) or is using a piezo pickup somewhere. And I have a completely irrational aversion to output jacks on an acoustic. I guess I can bear them on Ovations because they are mounted on a non-wood lyrachord bowl and being amplified in principle is the whole purpose of those instruments (at least in my book).

I am going to enjoy my birthday tomorrow by cooking some great food for friends (I'm planning on osso bucco), and playing the ASAT Deluxe SH prototype with TV Jones pups I picked up yesterday. Have a fun weekend too.

- Jos

[willross]

Great LR's this week. Live music accompaniment to late night programming is not as common these days. The one's that do, do a good job. Although, I'm getting tired of the prime time karaoke contests ie The Voice, American Idol, etc... Time for something's new!

I noodle a bit, not just business. It can be a way to find and try out expressions and keep it fresh. Guitars can be art, utility & both. No real coffee table books or mags. Don't really know why...

I remember the "50 Things" post. Good stuff! Piezo's work well in my Ovation's and Parker has done well with that format ESP. with the blending. However, until the artificial surpasses reality, I choose real.

Have a great weekend!


Cheers,

Will

[Boogie Bill]

Darwin, remember...I'm always looking for a good Legacy!

Jos, Happy Birthday! I don't like piezo quack either. But there are two preamps I've tried that minimize it. One is the Radial Tonebone PZ-Pre; the other is the Fishman AURA, either the Spectrum DI or the system they install in Martin guitars. Check out the videos of the new Retro Series guitars, or the DC Aura guitar. I have a DC, and it has a great plugged-in tone...very natural.

Will, I'm with you. I don't watch Idol and that genre. A real waste of my time.

Thanks for posting guys!

Bill

[cuzwilly]

I never Watch much tv although it is always on. Wife has to have the tv on all the time don't ask why it's just one of those things.

I do do the thing with noodleing with tv shows I can play several tv theme songs Bonanza is my favorite

It's great to know there is other people like me that likes to look a guitars. most people don't get my love of guitars. I love the internet I can look at guitars all day and never see the same one twice. I use to subscribe to all the guitar mags. but have thinned it down to just Vintage Guitar.

Willy

[darwinohm]

Jos, happy birthday. Mine is next week and I wish I were your age. I am hitting another decade. Don't be afraid to share the ASAT TV Jones with us.

Bill, you would have the same problem with the Legacy that I have. It is heavy. Great Week!!-Darwin

[Fumble fingers]

I really enjoyed the Lunch this week Bill , wife just got back from 10 days at our oldest child house , that and the fact that I'm a two fingered typer ( kinda back to the "log in" name Fumble fingers again, lol) I just didn't have time to type out a reply ......Later with Jools Holland and Live from Daryll's house are my two favorite shows currently on TV , wife and I watch some of the true crime shows and I love watching AMA Supercross and motocross

hope you guy's enjoy a good weekend !! ... I know we are , looks like we are going to have some great weather this weekend for change

Eric

[sggibson13]

Hello all-this my first post. I was lucky to be able to purchase for a great price a 1987 ASAT in beautiful condition and just received delivery yesterday. I had a similar one back in the mid-late '90s I've regretted parting with since the day I did- boy, if only we could again have all the guitars that we've owned and let go. For me it's always been Gibson SG's and Tele's of one variety or another.
Coffe table guitar books:
My favorite which I got online for about $25 would be Billy F. Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead. It's full of great stories and some pretty spectacular photos of many beautiful guitars, classic cars, and lovely ladies and is one of those books you can just let fall open to any page and be instantly captivated- a great read.

[y2kc]

Hello all-this my first post. I was lucky to be able to purchase for a great price a 1987 ASAT in beautiful condition and just received delivery yesterday. I had a similar one back in the mid-late '90s I've regretted parting with since the day I did- boy, if only we could again have all the guitars that we've owned and let go. For me it's always been Gibson SG's and Tele's of one variety or another.
Coffe table guitar books:
My favorite which I got online for about $25 would be Billy F. Gibbons: Rock + Roll Gearhead. It's full of great stories and some pretty spectacular photos of many beautiful guitars, classic cars, and lovely ladies and is one of those books you can just let fall open to any page and be instantly captivated- a great read.

Welcome and tell us more about your Asat. You picked a great year and model.

y2kc

[Boogie Bill]

Willy, I love the Bonaza theme..Hey if you can do that, you must be a pretty good picker!

Darwin, you hitting 40 after all these years of being 39? Hey, I can do a heavy Legacy! My Butterscotch Blonde Leg. Special is about 9.4 lbs.

Fingers, I just realized you're from my neck of the woods, though I moved to seattle when I was ten. I was born in Hamilton, and we lived near Oxford. the Miami campus is so beautiful. Glad to have you aboard!

SG--glad to have you back in the G&L camp, and welcome to the board! NEED PICS OF THE THAT ASAT!!!! Thanks for the tip on the Gibbons' book--I'm going to order that one!

And KC, where have you been all week? I always love your input!

Thanks to all for contributing!

Bill

[Elwood]

My week of Lunch Reports is done. It always seems to take up so much of my time, yet the week always goes by so quickly. I love talking music and gear, girls, and guitars. I hope you enjoyed it, and maybe even learned something.

Don’t have a huge report today, mostly just some random thoughts, so comment at will.

I'll make up for being AWOL last week (emergency cat care experience, he's doing well now ) with many random replies...

Thanks for a great week...the LRs do take a little time, thanks for caring !!
I'm taking a break from noodling and waiting for the sun to upload a few pics from my coffee table.
I like noodling with deep thought...sort of a mandala/fugue experience. Learning which notes to exclude to bring other flavors to the front is a good thing.
Watching Mad Men I had to pull out the Silvertone 1448 to noodle.
If I'm playing with the TV and noone shushes I figure the mojo is flowing.

Noodler extraordinaire (and the guy behind the curtain for most the 60's-70's sitcoms etc.)
His son, Jay ...is a pretty fine player also. He plays in the Herbivores and lots of other projects IIRC.

Ho-Ro!!

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4k0c1zz-3-8[/video]

Here's what's on my table now -



Love the ads...









My Swart SST has been futzy lately. Rectifier tube went out, and so did the mini fuse located in the IEC
socket. Hoping it's not a short in the PT. The new fuse has held but the new JJ GZ34 blew when I powered up. The internet consensus as I see it ,is that unless the JJ rectifier tubes are pre-tested...you are more than likely to have one fail right away (basta'ds!!). So I need to get a good one (different brand,maybe NOS) and check my PT and frontend circuits.
I was going through the manual...pretty funny stuff...I had to share:







Wood is good !! I have some buckeye burl (from oregon!!) hanging on my wall, someday it'll become a couple guitar tops.




A couple 45's stuck in the Mag pile made for this cool pic,



LOL...






Rock and roll!!

elwood