solusash's forum posts 241

I don't think it'll look as tacky once it's got actual mirrors on it that can reflect proper instead of just bland spots that all have the same quality of light regardless of where the light source is coming from. So when you look at the actual instrument, some of those will be darker, some will be more reflective. It'll be very kinetic. Plus, the aged pearl pickguard I think will set it off nicely.

I'd LOVE to get a thinline style pickguard on it, but that'd be far too much of a hassle, what with all the rerouting and whatnot for the controls. But eh, is what it is.

Again, the trick here is actually tracking one down that's in GOOD condition. The one they have on Reverb right now is... Well, I don't like to buy instruments that have massive chunks missing from the finish, and that need fretwork. I'm also not a fan of Seymour Duncan pickups. I mean, they're not BAD, by any means. They just sound like Seymour Duncan pickups! :D

The way you describe the note bloom on a chambered LP style going through an AC30 (my main squeeze as far as an amp goes), that's exactly what I'm looking for. So the quest for an Iby 2350 must needs continue on...

The road goes ever on and on... so on and so forth, as it were.

As to shaping one's tone, well, that's been a nigh unending battle with me going on 20 years. I've been working on this airy, hollow, ethereal sound. Very distant, very... me. I don't know how else to put it. It's like early Floyd (Echoes and before) meets Topographic era Yes, with a dash of Test for Echo Rush, and just a hint of Man of Miracles era Styx for the heavier stuff. I know, sounds odd, but it really really works when I put it all together, and what you just told me I should expect from a chambered LP sounds like it would really work well on the low end of some of the harder stuff (particularly like if I were to cover something in the style of "Man of Miracles," which to me is almost a precursor to stoner rock/early doom/sludge metal).

Chrome would jack the cost up more'n I'm really willing to pay, and on top of that, it'd require a lot more polishing to stay looking good. As to the pickguards, much like with my other Fenders, that fate has already been decided--aged mother of pearl, to match my first Fender, a P-Bass, Midnight Wine. Started off white mother of pearl, but 20 years, it's taken on that yellowed colour they do.

Gotta get one for my J-Bass and my Strat still. But ultimately, they're all going to match. It's a bit of an obsession.

Now, the inlaying may be a thing. Depends on how confident I feel about doing that after these bandages come off my hand. I'm going to have to relearn to do some things, and I'd rather not take the risk of screwing up a good guitar top just because I wanted to inlay a mirror.

The idea is something like this as far as the layout goes (note the mad photoshop skills), so breaking wouldn't really be an issue, either.

Good shout, thanks kindly--Fender ships 'em with mirrors that have 3M 200MP 476MP Transfer tape with a release strength of 50gr/in.

Knowing that, I can get the higher bond strength version to make doubly sure of it. This info pleases me. It's also super thin. 2.3mil, so wouldn't make a huge difference.

I've found the adhesive, I've found the mirrors, now I just need to find a damn Fender MiM Midnight Wine Telecaster (when I also have money to buy said Telecaster)!

I always date/marry the evil ones

I'm more a fan of insane myself. My spouse had "Insane and Proud" writtin on their bookbag straps in high school when we first met. Can confirm, they're absolutely nutters.

So. I'm a huge fan of one Syd Barrett. Like, I cannot begin to tell you how much early Floyd means to me as a person. Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun was a spiritual thing the first time I heard it. Barrett's guitarwork, while he's by no means a virtuoso, is still very unique, and the studio techniques he used to widen that sound (and his vocals--his use of ADT informs my own--most people who listen to my music can hear his influence if not as clearly as Steve Howe from Yes, very close to) showed me that the post processing can be just as much of an effect as the signal chain.

Anyway, his Mirror Esquire. I love it. However, I am not a "copycat" kind of guy. I don't want to replicate his axe. I want to pay tribute to the man in my own way.

Piper at the Gates of Dawn came out in 1967. I would like to take 13 mirrors in combination of 6 and 7, and affix them to the face of a guitar (I'm yet to decide which one), likely a Telecaster. My question is, what's the best method to do this? Epoxy? Super Glue? Routing out divits and inlaying them?

I'm all ears.

I use Cakewalk by Banlab. It's free, it's powerful. Bit of a learning curve for the new user. They also have a phone app, and a web browser app.

Full disclosure--I've been using Cakewalk since... uh... Guitar Tracks 2.0. That's nearly 20 years. Well, on and off for nearly 20 years. There was that dry spell when I didn't do any music at all for... a while (the Black Dog of Depression, man, it'll kill ya).

I fully recommend, support, and endorse Cakewalk. Can't say enough good about it.

I've a theory I'd like to test out knowing about the chambered bodies. My da has an actual LP, so if I can lay hands on the Iby, I'd like to do a sound on sound comparison. If my mate's willing, I'd even like to try an electronics swap, run 'em through a spectrogram with the exact same pickups, see what the difference is...

I can already hear his answer... "Dude, this is vintage original all stock!"

I'll put it back right, I swear!

she single?

Haha, nah. She's very married. To another childhood mate, what hails from Canada. Great couple they are. He's insane, she's evil, works out perfect!

Had my hand surgery. Ended up helping the doctor close because they were short staffed (bit of medical training in my past). Childhood friend was the attending nurse, Pixie She-Devil she is pranked me good with the pain pills, instead of auto-filling like literally every other prescription I've ever had she set it up to be a I call them to have it filled. Golden, Gal--never piss off a ginger from south London--I know it was payback for a prank back when we were teens.

Can't feel three of my fingers, but my hand is on FIRE. Got me on Norco 5-325s, and those with my anti-seizure, migraine, and heart pills make for a helluva trip. Not what I was expecting, it's like 11th grade at a Manson concert all over again. But I can't play guitar right now, so I can't make use of being able to hear colours.

Sad.

So yeah, that was my yesterday. Got to help operate on my own hand, got to see an old mate (ok, ok! She's an ex!), and am in pretty high spirits, all things considered.

Well, I've relayed all the info to my mate, we discussed pricing. And... Now he's up in the air on if he wants to sell it. Sentimental value and all that.

Guess I can't fault him, I'm the guy who literally has every instrument and effect (minus one delay pedal) he's ever owned. Still, going to try and talk him into it. I really, really want that axe.

Pancake of wood you say? Kind of like a Dano, or better quality?

Steal one? No. Protest Gibson because of Agnesi's actions? Absofuckin'lutly.

As to the "unplayability" of it, that's another thing I see mixt results of online. Some people love it, some people hate it. Personally, I've always felt an actual Les Paul feels like a 2x4. But thta's just me. Main thing I like about this'n is it's got a wider string path than any of my current gear without being overly bulky on the neck, and since I'm dealing with all the nerve damage, that's kind of a good thing. I mean, I love my super narrow necks, but right now, they're just a hassle.

Michael, that is the type, yes. There are a few listings on Reverb, some have Super 70s listed, some have Hi Flyers, some have Super Distortions as the pickups. None have what the body is made from, that I've seen thus far.

Jim, aye, it's a bolt on. As a Strat player, I don't really mind bolt-on. Fact is, since Mark Agnesi went full-blown "I'll break your legs if you dare show our headstock in a video," I just can't bring myself to buy an actual Gibson.

Can anyone tell me anything about this guitar at all? The Ibanez Wiki has it in the catalog page, but there's no information about what wood it is, what kind of electronics it has, nothing. A mate of mine has one he's looking to unload, he's not 100% sure what it is--I've got it pegged down as the titular guitar based on headstock shape, colour, and the logo on the headstock. I'd like as much info as possible to help him make an informed pricing on it, as I'm the one looking to snag it, and I'd prefer to not rip him off. Not to mention I like knowing as much information about the instruments I end up with as possible.

Wouldn't do to be like "Oh, yeah, that's this, worth that," and then he find out later I lowballed him, friendship going back as far as ours isn't worth a few C-notes, ja?

What I know from internet searches: It is post-lawsuit (hence the non-open book headstock, without the split-parallagram logo), it's a copy of a Gibson Les Paul Custom, it's a model 2350WH. I'm not 100% sure on anything else about it, other than the interwebz seems pretty evenly split on if they're as good as an actual Les Paul or not. So, inquiring minds want to know as much info as possible!

I'll try and get pics if/when I see him middle of the month. What with the 'rona and all (and my immune system), and my going for surgery soon, that's a bit up in the air. Anyroad, thanks!

If no one here bites, you can keep a watch on Reverb, but catching one under $300 is going to be a miracle. You can set up a personal feed that emails you daily listings for certain items, as well, so you'll know if one's posted.

Clipped for space everyoneshould really look at schematics and understand this stuff, tube amps are no joke voltage wise and dicking around with them in ways probably not intended by the designers when you don't know what you're doing might just get you shocked. Know your amp

This is SO important. If there was a like button, I would thumb this up. Knowing your amp (and its quirks) is one of the essential parts of crafting your tone.

I'd say listen to Jim, my short time here I've found dude knows his stuff, and, on a sidenote, as someone who occasionally dabbles in the world of building tube amps (by dabbles I mean I'm planning a Dumble Clone build), he's bang on spot with what he said about the FX Loop.

And again, for posterity: Everyone should really look at schematics and understand this stuff, tube amps are no joke voltage wise and dicking around with them in ways probably not intended by the designers when you don't know what you're doing might just get you shocked. Know your amp.

Remember, amperage kills, and it takes 100-200mA to stop a human heart. Be safe about it, don't faff about with current, it's not a good way to go.

Started recording a song I wrote 16 years ago. I've recorded it on two other occasions. Once, right after I wrote it, and once again shortly after moving into my first "real" house after getting married.

I'm recording it now because I've seen a lot of negative in my various social meeds feeds, including some that are indicative of self-harm. This song was written specifically for someone dealing with those feelings (my at-the-time girlfriend who was on the opposite side of the sea).

It's taken longer than I'd like, But I'm making solid progress. All that's left is to replace some of the scratch tracks, and record the vocals.

EDIT: SOLVED. Don't know that anyone cares, but the victor in the voting wars (among friends family etc as well) was the Strat. I ended up recording the solo with all four guitars, then presenting them to my mates and stuff as "Guitars 1-4," and they voted on what one they liked best. Results were Strat first, Ibanez second, Vox third, Lotus last. Not because the Vox and Lotus sound bad, mind--they just didn't have the voicing for the song. Super Distortions in a ballad... don't always work. And the Vox? Well, while it has the sound for the song, it's also in need of a bit of repair, so it was a touch muffled. I digress. Point is, Strat was the winner.

OK, so. Basically I'm stalling while I wait on the room to cool off, but I figured I'd get as many opinions as possible over the next couple of hours before I actually track the leadwork.

For this song I'm doing, kind of a slower ballad type song, should I use * Vox V241 Bulldog * Fender MiM Strat * Ibanez AK95D * Lotus/Morris L-400 Falcon

Those are the choices, I mean, I have others, but those are the ones I can think that suit the song best. Two single coil options, two humbucking options, though the single coils and humbuckers really couldn't be voiced any differently.

If it helps, it'll be running into an AC series amp sim (unless it's the Lotus, then it'll be running through an Orange amp sim--I find the voicing on DiMarzio Vintage Super Distortions respond better to Orange amps than they do Vox or even Marshall), with a touch of chorus. That's the only effect other than Abbey Roads Chambers (for reverb) that'll be on it at all.

Anyroad, that's where I'm at, feel free to sound off. Or not.

If you did that I would love you for bleeding ever. Assuming I'm understanding it right, I could have one setup that's like "Here's my lead studio rig," and it'd be Guitar+Signal Chain+Amp, and "Here's my road rig," right?

Because THAT would be just... Bliss doesn't even come close to describing it. I believe Bono would probably say something along the lines of "Rapture, baby. Rapture."

you're indestructible.... damage prone but we can't kill you, can't parlyze you, can't blow you up!

I've a mate that started calling me "The Last Seal [of the Apocalypse]," since we've joked for years I'm the Universe's Balance. Bad things and whatnot happen to me to keep the scales even or whatever--so the Universe has to keep me around, or the Apocalypse happen.

It's a catchy name, and the working title of my first real album.

Yup. Again, I think it's likely my phone. No issues on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Don't know what could be causing it.

It's ultimately not a huge deal for me, since I'm mostly computer based while I'm on medical leave, but if I'm not the only person it's bugged with, might be something to look into.

I don't have a preference for forms, what I'd like is for when my phone does autospacing on words, I've noticed it will repeat the last word over and over and over, and filling in any form becomes impossible.

Again, that could just be my phone. LG Stylo 5, Android uh... 9? 10? I don't know, one or the other. If that makes a difference.

I was noticing that with my EB page as well. Thought about posting about it, but figured it was probably something with my end. Glad to see I'm not alone! :D

Everything I do is D'Addario. I started off on 11's, because I was moving from bass to guitar. Bending on guitar on anything lighter, I found I would break strings far more frequently.

Now that I've got the never damage, I'm using 9's. TOTALLY different world. Can't really do many bends either. Relying much more on my tremolo tailpiece guitars. The hands just don't work the way they should anymore.

Mixing consoles, recorders, compressors, EQ's, Filters, microphones and Preamps are studio gear.

By your logic a vocalist's microphone doesn't count as an instrument. I'm sorry. Just because you want your page to look a certain way doesn't change what category the item falls under. I'm none too keen on the fact my Arturia Keylab is under "Studio Gear," but there you have it.

Take the hit, move on.

I do everything from desktop, because any time I try and use mobile, the site goes screwy. Could be my phone, dunno. Just know the only thing I use mobile for is browsing. If I have to fill out any kind of fields, it's going to be desktop.

Drum machines are, by and large, studio gear. Behringer even bills it as such in the description of the item with the line "If you want a classic analog drum machine for your studio."

I get wanting a snappy looking page with everything laid out just so, but I gotta go with the admin on this one--it's a drum machine, drum machines are traditionally studio gear. Makes sense where it is.

I know. Hence the lamenting the fact, wistful thinging, wishing. See, my Fender gear has a trend. All 3 of my actual Fenders are MiM, and Midnight Wine. Soon, they'll all three have aged pearl pickguards as well.

Started with the P-Bass, then the Strat (gods I love my Strat), and the most recent addition has been my J-Bass fretless. Smooth Jaco sounds, even if I can't play that good, I can get the tone!

Hrm... I may have to snag me one of those.

If only they came in Midnight Wine...

That's great news! Not a downer post at all. Hope the universe continues to bring good things your way.

Oh, no, was apologizing for my previous post being a downer post. Yeah, the current one is pretty much all good news. Nurse was even a childhood friend. That was fun. Pixie She-Devil contorted me into all kinds of painful positions, though (yes, I called her "Pixie She-Devil," I call her that to her face, too).

Again, sorry for the downer post.

Good news today though, well, kind of? I do have nerve damage, rather extreme, in my neck. To a degree the doctor is completely baffled as to how I'm not paralyzed from the neck down. Said there's no way I should be able to walk by the scans they've done. It should be physically impossible. Yet I'm not only walking, I play guitar, and I have a very physically demanding dayjob.

So the good news is, while I need to go under the knife for my hand (didn't dodge that), I am not paralyzed, despite the fact everything in my x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs say I should be.

So, once again, the Universe balances things out for me. Shite news one day, for good news another.

Are we specifically limiting it to men? If that's the criteria, Bruce Dickinson wins hands down. Iron Maiden puts on one of the best shows I've ever seen live. Papa I, II, III, Cardinal, and IV also put on a hell of a show.

Now, if by frontman you also men frontwomen, then obviously, the only answer is Floor Jansen of Nightwish. I have had the pleasure of seeing them perform with every vocalist they've had (multiple times each), and I can say they are now the strongest they've ever been. I absolutely adore her. Her voice is that of an angel, her performance is that of a demon. She is a BEAST on stage. Just WOW.

Cobain was actually a solid guitarist. He wasn't great, but wasn't terrible either. In Bloom is a great example of that. We're talking "Worst." Absolute worst. The most terrible.

Kerry King doesn't really fit that either.

I'm'a have to go with Steve Jones (Sex Pistols). I mean, I really, really dig on Sex Pistols (and Anti-Nowhere League, and Black Flag, and ya know, PUNK), but to say they're anything other than bad musicians is a joke. They're loud, they pound the same power chords, it's just not great. I mean, you could argue Jones is solid at what he does, and has gotten better as time goes on, and I'd grant that.

Course, Chad Kroger ranks pretty high on my "I hate them" list, not because he's objectively bad, he just sucks as a human being and I dislike him.

I know what you mean. Sadly, one must play within the rules of the platform they're using to get anywhere at all--or just have an insane amount of luck to have something go viral--if they're going to hack it in the community.

Bah... Wednesday is the doc about these bloody hands again. I'll find out then if it's back to work with no restrictions, light restrictions, heavy restrictions, or if I'm out of work for longer, and what the plan of action is. Bleeding never damage is bloody well annoying, I'll tell ya that for nothing.

That means I've got all of today to try and get shite done 'round ol' Casa del Ash. May just bother about getting the ZoomRoom straight, I've sort of let things crumble to scale the last couple of weeks. Losing a close mate and my grandmother to COVID within 48 hours of each other... Didn't do great on my mental state, and uh... how badly I need to unf^ck my habitat shows that.

Grandmother was 94, but perfectly healthy. Like, better health than me. She had a good run though--outlasted gramps by 17 years. That's unheard of. My mate, though... She was 34, competitive swimmer, perfect health, best lungs on the face of the Earth, not a damn thing wrong with her. Dead within a week.

They wouldn't let me be with her when she died, either. I can't tell you how hard that was for me. Thank the gods for the nurse, she held her phone for FaceTime. It wasn't... it... I...

I know it's not the downer subject everyone probably wants to hear. But I had to tell it somewhere, and my family (outside my wife) isn't exactly supportive. I have to get it out of my system. It hurts.

Gods it hurts.

Quick First Impressions Review of the Two Sites Compared to Each Other:

If you can only pick one: Pickup Music. Has more to offer at a cheaper pricepoint, is far more user friendly. The lessons are bite sized, you can pick up the basics of a new technique pretty quickly with application and practice, it offers more than just guitar ("piano for the guitarist," is one course they have, for example, as well as "vocals for the singer/songwriter"), so you really get a lot of value for the money.

If you want a deep dive into theory: Guitar Super System. Tyler has basically put Berklee's entire music course online for a tenner a month. I mean, that sums up the entire thing right there. that's the GSS. Berklee Music School's Online Guitar Course, but with Tyler from Music Is Win as a teacher, and more approachable.

Community: Both have fairly active forums, but GSS's is more in line with a traditional online forum. Pickup Music is kind of haphazard, and the notification system isn't all that great. The people in both communities are great, though. Replies are usually pretty swift.

Format: Both use video/tab to teach. Both have standard notation. Pickup Music has a course on learning to sight-read, so you could end up using something like lead sheets down the road.

Overall Impressions: Both are excellent systems, both can be used by beginners or advanced guitarists. I would recommend Pickup Music for improving your overall skill, and GSS for your technical ability/music theory.

Will I Resub to Either/Or/Neither/Nor: I will maintain my sub to both. They are amazeballs.

I have. Hell, YouTube used to. But they're becoming more and more hostile towards small channels, which is a cryin' shame, because it's already a tough gig to break into anyway.

As an occasional YouTuber, the count system is somewhat... tetchy... until you've monitized your channel, apparently.

It tends to update in batches, some views will be removed if people use VPNs while they watch, other crazy things... The whole thing is just odd.

But that's YouTube for ya.

and I knew you played D&D, no one who loves prog rock can resist dungeons and dragons....

I don't just play it... I've spent a socially unacceptable amount of time building an original setting for my players, complete with a unique magic system, new spins on fantasy trope creatures, and how the elements work. I also have written down a fair amount of history, kings, rulers, battles, borders, historical events of significance, religions, each region has cultures unique to that region...

Yeah... I uh...

I mean, hey, when you grow up in the middle of nowhere, you've got fuck all else to do, I mean, you learn to play music, and you write.

...

A LOT.

See, if I were to do a deep dive into the books I read and why.. I'm mostly a fantasy guy. Not because D&D, though I do play (and run games). Lord of the Rings for me, while it absolutely did define the genre, it made mythology more accessible--I'm the guy who did his senior research paper comparing and contrasting Greco-Roman mythology with Norse mythology--and I love that about it. Malazan Book of the Fallen, now there's one that has it all. History, characters, worldbuilding, plot, characters, plot, worldbuilding, more worldbuilding. It was written by an anthropologist. Highly recommended if you've not read it.

Wheel of Time though is a whole 'nother level for me. Personal reasons, won't bore ya.

Sci-Fi. Oh boy. Dune is king here. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Rendezvous with Rama, Chronicles of Pern, most anything by Asimov... list goes on... But Dune is just so... massive. Like, the universe is epic in span and scope. I do not like the David Lynch film. I have mixed feelings on the production photos I'm seeing for Dune 2020. But yeah. Dune. Also a massive Trekkie. Like, Way Huge. Just started watching Voyager for the first time (gotta remember, I didn't grow up in the western world--so while I know about a lot of TV shows, some I have to catch up on). DS9 is my favorite of that. Babylon 5 is better.

Will have to check out Westworld. I loved the movie. Found the book... eh...

But yeah, with books, I'm Fantasy First, Sci-Fi Second, Historical Fiction Third (I love Anne of Green Gables). Bit rambly there. But then again, you lot are probably used to that by now. I'm kind of ADHD/stream of consciousness. Can't help it!

I prefer the Witcher to GoT. I mean, I've read GoT, and seen the show. I prefer Witcher. Granted, compared to both, I prefer Malazan Book of the Fallen, Wheel of Time, and LotR, but that's just me.

I also like the show better than GoT, but that's just because Geralt. And Yen. But mostly Yen.

...

...

...

Yeah, mostly Yen.