onetrickpony's forum posts 28

Go to the store and try them all out

Those old enough to remember that Best Buy put out of Business a lot of small record shops across the country. Best Buy for a time carried everything and was lossing their ass over it and scaled back and eventually went into fianciall straights.

The same thing has happen to Small Music stores when a Guitar Center came to town. Wal-Martification of a industry. They are too big to fail but they should fail as they offer mostly schlock these days. When it does it will leave a huge gap in the Music Market. Prices will go up as everyone will lose money and need to recoup it.

Been busy working on new material for a holiday show

Sorry to be late to for the conversation.

I can't recommend Blackstar Amps enough. Great value and options. The ISF feature is killer Going from Tight low end bass of a American Voicing or the more pronounced mid range you get from British Amps

HT-5 Combo, under $300 pretty loud if you want it to be. OD is so good that you don't really need a Distortion pedal. Light and takes pedals well. Very good cleans too.

ID 15TVP under $230. Offers realistic tube tone with 6 Voicings and Tube options to shape your tone. IMO way better than any modeling amp. The 15 is not the wattage but sounds as loud as a 15w tube amp

ID20 or 40. IMO your best fit. With super wide stereo activated via Insider Software makes you amp sound much bigger than it is and will provide satisfactory tone at low volumes. Like the ID 15TVP you have 6 voicings and onboard effects. Very lightweight and under $150 for the ID20 and $200 for the ID40.

All these amp feature Emulated lines out for connecting to a DAW or PA. All will fill a large room with sound

Very nice arrangement.

I like his songs pretty much. But most of them when they're sung by other artists.

Yeah, that sums it up better.

Seen your guitars listed. I could be the T O M Bridge as well. If you are getting buzz while fretting the string you might have a loose bridge spring tension or string guide and a cheap and easy band aid is Loctite sprayed on the Bridge. It is a common problem overlooked to T O M Bridges.

Well his blues faze a decade ago was not bad. When he sang his words were intelligible unlike the 70's and 80's. Nevertheless I prefer pre electric Dylan.

I would like to throw out there Dr Z MAZ 38 it has great clean and very efficient speakers which project well.

Damn!!! I'm impressed and so concise at that.

Please forgive me for my forwardness or foolishness:

It is exciting to see the people are taking their countries back. Globalism isn't working; it reduces everyone to a level playing field. Nationalism isn't much better for the world in general but it allows nations to build on their strengths. Being strong allows puts you in a better position to help others but you have to start at home first.

Yes there are going to be bumps in the road but as with taking medicine it is painful at times and sucks but in the long run you are better off for it.

I have British friends that were not happy with the Brexit result. I was in disagreement with them but we are still friends nonetheless. It is good for a nation to have elected representatives and in the EU many measures are burdened on the people without a vote nor can the people choose their representation. I see the EU as a Oligarchy and a Plutocracy. On paper it looks good but in the end it ignores the interest of the governed.

If France elects a non socialist like LePen I believe it will be good for France.

It seems that wealthier countries are picking up the burden of poorer ones against the will of the people. The smaller countries are being taken advantage of i.e. Ireland. The EU broke that country.

Germany is wealthy but bailing out everyone is gonna put them in the poor house. Something has to be done.

The America I grew up in was that you pulled yourself up from your bootstraps. Like playing an instrument if you want to be good and get paid you have to work for it. Like Videos, instruction books, Lessons; if you don't apply yourself all the help in the world is not going to make you a better musician. This also applies to the Congress, the President and the American people. Government should be there to help if you need it but you also need to apply yourselves and produce something in order to give back. The continual bailing out will run resources dry eventually.

I will say I have never liked any Political regardless of political affiliation. Some I have hated less than others but they all had my respect. It seems that President Trump is not resting on his laurels and applying himself unlike all of his predecessors since Kennedy. He is not a politician unlike Congress who seem to care more about themselves than their constituents.

In Colonial America, Americans were buying from Britain because it was cheaper until Congress levied Tariffs on imported goods. This allow them to build the great country America is. This was eroded by all these trade agreements which has become one sided in favor of other countries but America. I have family and friends that have lost their jobs to overseas leaving them no choice but to shop at Wal-Mart to buy the very items they once produce because they are working two to three jobs to make ends meet.

Like Britain I think our economies and people will fare better in the long run. The only one it is really hurting is Super Corporations. From a musicians view with will suck no more very cheap instruments and accessories from China and Mexico but with stable employment opportunities people will be able to afford to buy local. As one of my local and favorite breweries say "Think Global but drink Local" Or as my father who immigrated from China says "Buy local because the job you save might be your own"

Chorus is the main modulation for me. At times I will use a Flanger. The rule for me is Modulation is used for color and I try not to over saturate the sound with modulation. I primary rely on the use of delays and different speeds. At first I was using a analog chorus with digital delay it didn't quite come out as lush as I wanted to it sounded a little harsh. The goal was a Robin Guthrie esque sound. Currently I use a bucket brigade chorus with a digital delay in shorter speeds followed by a tape delay to smooth the sound out and give it a touch of warmth followed with light hall reverb for accent.

Mine was a LP copy from Fingerhut catalog. Can't tell you the brand. I don't miss it.

My interest is based on that I am old and getting older. I don't want to carry all that weight nor do I want to spend my time and money dealing with tube issues. I realise a solid state will not sound 100% like tube yet but, if I can get 90% or better coming close to a tube amp I'll be okay with that. As I have gotten older it is more about my expression and a good amp can accentuate that. I usually play clean amps anyway for the type of music I play. Occasionally I like a little dirt when I jam or play shows with friends play old school rock and blues. This is why I am interested in Quilter.

The other issue is space. Something I can store in the closet. At my point in life you acquire a lot of stuff and you just can't buy a bigger house. Besides the o'lady is not too thrilled by all the gear I have already. If she doesn't see it she won't bitch about it.

I really like the Holy Grail though I don't own one. However I do own a H.O.F and it works well for the ambient and ethereal stuff I do. It is cheap enough. I also will use the reverbs on the Line6 M9 that I bought use for $250 but for around a $100 you can beat the H.O.F. from TC. With Toneprint you can download from your computer or phone reverbs you can't get from other pedals. Using Toneprint connected to your computer you can create a reverb as good if not better than a Strymon. With that said stock H.O.F may not be as good as a Strymon you will have to put so work and effort to get it where you want.

I like the Holyboard only because I have more zip-ties (being a electrician and all) and have more than a man can ever need and I don't like velcro. I made my own version for job supplies and rummage.

If you count makeshift I wire an 8 track with wire over a nail and plugged it into a console stereo unit.

That sucks I know the feeling all to well. Friend had one back in the day I was a good amp.

Has Solid State Amps come of Age? I believe so.

As a big fan of the Blackstar ID:TVP series one thing it lacks is a effects loop. I stumbled across the Quilter MicroPro Mach 2 8" weighing 19 lbs.; it is 20lbs lighter than Blackstar ID:TVP I own. It has a effects loop, capable of 200w, and external speaker output so it is like having a amp head with a built in speaker for bedroom use and lighter than a tube head. So it is like bedroom to stage in one. Like the Blackstar the Quilter is not a modeler. The Blackstar has effects which I don't use which makes the Quilter sans effects another plus IMO.

Then there is Thomas Blug's BluGuitar Amp 1 like Quilter's Heads can be put on a pedal board. Both options are under $1000. Not to mention a plethora of Amp makers jump on board lately with tube emulation amps.

Needless to say I am intrigued. What I like about Modern SS amps is that you don't have to crank them to get great tone, they aren't as heavy, and you don't have mess or worry about tubes crapping out. These new emulation amps have change the game.

Thanks to all that responded. On reflection some great suggestions on all your input I took some time to meditate and process. I also did some more research on this and came up with few options so far going to Warmoth or Rondo and having a custom built.

Rondo is the cheaper (some what) option and would not be made until next April 2017 according to their site.

Either way I will be able to choose the wood, pup config, bridge, and color.

I believe USA customs offers drop-in 25" replacement necks for the strat, so you could take your stock strat and just swap the neck and set her back up. Bingo, compromise tension for fender tone and Gibson comfort with a bolt-on for extra percussiveness and glassy fender pickups. If that's not what you're seeking you can always go back to the old neck and return the 25" conversion neck.

Interesting, I may become a modder after all..... I thought PRS 25" scale would be a solution but what I gathered from this was it plays/feels more like a fender but sounded like a LP on the Tremonti I own.

Thank you, I will look in to that.

Let's start by saying the oblivious, Wood, string length, and pups are factors. The feedback on this subject is what I expected concerning the fore mentioned. However in this modern world I may have overlooked so innovation and was looking for a different viewpoint.

So why Les Paul well, to start with the position of the volume and tone controls. On a Strat those poking studs annoy me when palm muting and added with the volume control in my way makes it awkward. The Strat seems congested (having the jack on the faceplate) and is why l bought a Brian Moore I. However, I didn't care for the split coil thin sound the Seymour Duncans. I would also add the feel of the bridge against my palm would be a issue. Which the Floyd Rose worked out great but setting up/string changing/fine tuning was a pain.

Neck: I favor a wider neck which is why I bought a PRS Tremonti model. I like the weight and shape of this model. I has great sustain but I don't play metal which this model is geared for. The neck yes, on a Les Paul it suits me better, which is why I bought a PRS Tremont which seemed wider but is a little thin for my likes.

Scale: I have small hands so string tension and finger position come in to play. I have tried short scale Fender products and did care for the sound, feel, or the shape/style.

I have never been a modder (not from a confidence standpoint or lack in ability-just don't like to mess with guitars in that way) other than replacing pots or a nut that needed replacement. I have been holding off of that direction for a while but thinking of it lately to find the solution. I don't know much about P-90's/Soapbars from personal experience and don't know anyone that uses them.so in a attempt to create a strat-like/ single coil sound I might be looking to change pups in Monoprice Route 66 (Basswood LP Style guitar) or the BM i9 with P-rails or P-90's It was not a route I wanted to go but I have to find a P-90 guitar to play with first.

Usually it is the opposite players wanting their Strat to sound more like a Les Paul.

I am the opposite and scoured the web for answers and have come up with nada.

So I put this out there. Is there are guitar that comes close to sounding like a Strat but the feel of a Les Paul?

Look forward to hearing more from you. I like your direction and music. Thanks for sharing.

First, I am jealous you got to see one of my favourite bands.

Second "this is the modern world." We are so sheltered we as a society don't get out of our phones and mix and seek people vis a vis for an interchange of ideas. It is too easy to buy some gear and mix down some Rthymn than find another musician let alone wanting pay them.

Side note: ECONONICS. Speaking with many Bar Bands there is a general consensus bands that gig are getting 1980's prices. Proprietors don't want to pay out for the amount of musicians and have a set price they are going to pay. I see a lot of bands that will forego additional musicians just to get paid. If they can get more money they will bring in musicians and this is the band is know for drawing power. The same may be true to traveling musicians. The ideal of making money hah.... Pro Athletes don't get paid for the endless hours of practice for the training equipment the same is true with musicians. If you are good you have a sponsor or endorser that gives you gear however, many do not. Lets not mention liabilities, insurance, and overhead.

Back to the theme. Helio Sequence great band/duo out of Portland manage with a guitar, drums and loopers. This duo rocks and I don't think their sound could be any better with additional musicians.

Bands are getting to polished to the point of sonic hegemony. If you want to hear it like on the record buy the record but this is what most concert going pseudo fans expect. Especially if the performers are a cash cow for some label. If you want to hear a band rock out well it is a dying form unless you are seeing a classic rock/blues/jazz/old skool punk band play for the love of music first and not the money. It all boils down to the money.

FNG chiming in here.

Musicians that endlessly noodling between stanzas. You know the ones...turn a 30 second stanza and add 6 minutes of non stop jamming before the next stanza. Making a 4 min song into 12 minutes. Come on ever heard of "Phrasing" Latest culprit was a Albert Cummings show a couple of months ago.

Note: for future blues/Jam players: Have a point ...make a point! Use you inner compass and built on something with a direction in mind. I know it is hard do to do when you are high.

Is this what people want or is it ego?

Hello, my name is Bill. I have been playing (Self Taught) guitar and harmonica for years.

Educated in the University of Hard Knocks.

Started playing blues and classic rock; then moved to punk and rockabilly. The past ten years I have been focusing on Shoegaze, Ambient, and Avant guard Jazz.

My approach/ goal is to write, sound and play like no one else. To sculpt air; making big sound with minimal gear and technique a life long pursuit. in short make more with less or in line with the Bauhaus "fine art meets, applied art" "form meets function". Though I love all types of music, I have no interest in performing covers. . I see myself as a borderline hack can play about any style or like about any artist but never any of their songs as I feel it is a form of disrespect to the original art. Haven't done that in 20 yrs and feel no need to. Though Standards are excluded

My main interest is music with the principle in mind "if it was written for the sole purpose of making money it is not that good" So I look to musicians that are write and perform for the love of music. It is a fine line but follow artist that push boundaries or express themselves in a unique way. As a street musician in San Francisco c. 1968 told me "The best music will not be heard on the radio, rarely on a record. but live." This has carry with me though out my life and started a fire/quest to seek out new/unknown musicians and music.

I am influenced by Santana, Robin Guthrie, Vini Reilly, and Neil Young mostly.

Inspired by: Alex Macheck, Frank Zappa, Jeff Beck, John Coltrane, Errol Garner, Thelonious Monk,Johnny Marr, Harold Budd, Kraftwerk and Brian Eno.

Artist and bands I like are: Joy Division, Pat Metheny, Derek Trucks, Dickey Betts, Harold Budd, Kraftwerk, Al DiMeola, Wes Montgomery, Yes, Rush, Paco De Lucia, and Dick Dale.

Lesser known Artist: Cocteau Twins, Durutti Column, Dead Can Dance, Dif Juz, The Brooklyn Funk Essentials, Airiel, Manual, Ulrich Schnauss, Wayne Hancock, Dale Watson, Bill Kirchen, The Pallidins/Dave Gonzalez. DeadBolt, just to name a few but not limited to this list. I don't have the time or space to list them all.

In line with my philosophy my main setup up is Blackstar ID 30 amp, Brian Moore i9, or Acoustic Manuel Rodriguez Classical. For Travel Traveler Speedster, Blackstar Fly 3, Korg Pandora PX3 or iRig UA. and a Minidisc recorder. I have other gear but trying to narrow it all down to bare minimum.

Other interest are History, Philosophy, Theology, Comedy, Soccer (Queens Park Rangers/Liverpool FC/MK Dons), Nebraska Cornhusker Football, Cycling, Craft Beer, Modern Art, Food, Travel, and the Bauhaus School of thought and design and POLKA!!!

I look forward to sharing and learning from all here on the Board and forgive my foolishness in advance.