tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49529114231266457892024-03-12T21:22:33.167-07:00Another Headless DemoMusings of a guitar playerAnother Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-79444704876531385372016-05-09T11:24:00.002-07:002016-05-09T15:00:37.319-07:00More about solid-state <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9r6X3fG8R1c/VzDUljgBNLI/AAAAAAAAAHE/yLelXWMWxDYU3ZOO2TzPMQzT70ivI_04gCLcB/s1600/quilter-and-ultimate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9r6X3fG8R1c/VzDUljgBNLI/AAAAAAAAAHE/yLelXWMWxDYU3ZOO2TzPMQzT70ivI_04gCLcB/s320/quilter-and-ultimate.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
There's always been a tube vs solid state debate among guitarists concerning amps. I've used both (see my blog about the Fender Mustang and Tone King). <br />
<br />
A good solid-state amp is usually less expensive and lighter than a comparable tube amp. My tube Vox AC30CC1 weighed 65lbs and my Fender Mustang II was about 22lbs. I eventually traded the Vox for a much lighter Deluxe Reverb (which led to the Mustang). More recently, I bought a Quilter 101 mini-head, a light solid-state amp that fits into my gear bag or even on to a pedal board. Quilter claims it's amps are "everything you love about tube tone without the tradeoffs or hassles."<br />
<br />
Saturday night I took my Quilter on it's first gig and paired it up with my pedal board (Digitech delay, Digitech reverb, Boss Harmonizer, Joyo Ultimate Drive and a tuner). The amp combined with the Ultimate Drive rocked!<br />
<br />
With just a little gain on the pedal and the amp on the "surf" setting, I was getting Roy Buchanan like tones from my Telecaster.<br />
<br />
So far, I'm sold!<br />
<br />
More info:<br />
<a href="http://www.quilterlabs.com/index.php/products/mini-head-amps/101-mini-head" target="_blank">Quilter 101 mini-head</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-90018008615256033772014-10-25T10:39:00.000-07:002014-10-25T10:42:42.371-07:00Playing through a $3000 amplifier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-III4kFa572o/VEvRLngKqHI/AAAAAAAAAGI/4G8s3LAIS18/s1600/photo_metropolitan_1_large.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-III4kFa572o/VEvRLngKqHI/AAAAAAAAAGI/4G8s3LAIS18/s1600/photo_metropolitan_1_large.png" height="261" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've always wanted to play through an expensive boutique amp to see what they are all about. I finally got my chance the other night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Band, The <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/hipswayers" target="_blank">Hip Swayers</a> shared the stage recently with another local band, Cosmic Slim and His Intergalactic Plowboys (love the name!). We shared equipment given the size of the stage, and I was fortunate enough to be able to play through a Tone King Metropolitan. Amazing amp.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Based on 60's and 50's era Fender amps, the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Metropolitan had a presence that none of my amps have (including my '72 Vibrolux). I was in tonal nirvana. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One channel could be set-up as a typical blackfaced Fender, and the second channel could be set-up with the kind of overdriven sound you might get out of a 50's era tweed Fender or with the midrange bite control, a smaller Marshall combo. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From beautiful "chimey" cleans, to slight break-up to full blown, cranked up distortion, this amp had it all. But at $2999 ($2200 to $2500 used), it will most likely remain as the "experience I once had with a great amp." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More info:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.toneking.com/models/metropolitan/" target="_blank">Tone King Metropolitan</a></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-86068719347760518032014-09-08T12:28:00.000-07:002014-09-08T12:29:51.835-07:00The Telecaster<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I used to be a Gibson guy. Fender guitars with single coils didn't work for me. Somehow I was able to conquer this affliction without intervention, medication or even support groups (ok, I do visit <a href="http://www.tdpri.com/" target="_blank">tdpri.com</a> every so often, but that's it, I swear!).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWqWMxYgwvI/VA4A15qOt_I/AAAAAAAAAF4/S78PUJkQQjo/s1600/tele-and-deluxe-danny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWqWMxYgwvI/VA4A15qOt_I/AAAAAAAAAF4/S78PUJkQQjo/s1600/tele-and-deluxe-danny.jpg" height="456" width="300" /></a></div>
Last week was <a href="http://www.dannygatton.com/" target="_blank">Danny Gatton's</a> birthday, and him being a Tele guy, I was thinking about this. I spent quite a bit of time driving to band rehearsals listening to him, always being struck by his seemingly super human abilities. I decided I had to have a Tele, so the shopping began.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Ok, I don't pretend to play even close to Danny's level (few do), however his playing and the playing of Roy Buchanan, The Hellecasters, James Burton, Albert Lee and Jim Campilongo inspired me to buy my first Telecaster. I've never looked back.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The guys I really like are the players who coax all the twangy goodness out of this first successfully mass-produced solid body electric guitar. The behind the nut bends, volume swells, tone control wah-wah effects, and the aggressively twangy sound of the bridge pickup makes a Tele, a Tele. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Of course the list of favorite Tele players I've come to know is now a long one, all the a-list country players like Don Rich, Redd Volkaert, Brad Paisley, Brent Mason, and Vince Gill have influence my playing as well (I could go on with more names but I'll stop here!).<br />
<br />
For me, the original 1950 design was good enough. Simple, straight forward, easy to repair, it became one of the most popular guitars of all time. </div>
Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-78704134896870801122014-07-16T08:23:00.003-07:002014-07-16T08:23:52.507-07:00The perfect amp?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecvsXqpOhhA/U8aWkbD7_AI/AAAAAAAAAFM/iGHDnMsKnUY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-16+at+11.09.20+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ecvsXqpOhhA/U8aWkbD7_AI/AAAAAAAAAFM/iGHDnMsKnUY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-07-16+at+11.09.20+AM.png" height="317" width="320" /></a></div>
I've owned quite a few amps over the years. Some of them I wish I still had, like my '66 Fender Bassman. Some were traded in for something different, the Bassman yielded to a MusicMan, which in turn yielded to an easily forgettable Peavey Deuce. Horrible amp.<br />
<br />
After using tube amps for the last few years, I've gone through a succession of modeling amps from the Vox ADVT series to a Fender Super Champ XD and to a Mustang II. The Mustang II has been my go to amp for the last nine months.<br />
<br />
It's hardly the perfect amp, but it's weight makes it easy to transport, and there are lots of good tones, settings and effects to choose from. At 40 watts it can keep up with a drummer in most situations.<br />
<br />
Plug the amp into your computer and you can tweak the sounds through the Fender Fuse software. Not surprisingly, the Fender Blackface tones sound amazingly good (at least to my ear). It's not quite like using my Vibrolux or '65 DRRI, but it's close, and well worth the money spent ($99 used at the local Guitar Center).<br />
<br />
There are a few blindfold tests of the Mustang series on YouTube where you can hear one side-by-side with the real tube amp the Mustang is modeling. The results can be surprising.<br />
<br />
Here's a good one:<br /><br />
<u><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/f0FWOCfXZzE" width="560"></iframe></u><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-23481186246521703812013-02-11T06:37:00.003-08:002014-07-17T05:46:50.395-07:00Rabbit hole<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_qdjgSPZjqw/URkAFud58WI/AAAAAAAAAEg/kVHKlTeQw6w/s1600/mad-youth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_qdjgSPZjqw/URkAFud58WI/AAAAAAAAAEg/kVHKlTeQw6w/s320/mad-youth.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patty Lacy and Ray Hirsch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="p1">
You've been there, you know you have. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
What starts out as a quick look at a friend's band's video on YouTube turns into a 2 hour journey back into time; getting nostalgic, watching videos of the music you grew up listening to. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I'm no different. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Not too long ago I put together a video of vintage movie and TV dance clips to go with a tune I had recorded. One clip in particular kept haunting me. Who were these people jitterbugging and what movie did this clip belong to? </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The dancing was fabulous and the clip funny in a corny 1940's kind of way. One couple was clearly really good, they knew how to dance and I wanted to know who they were. Thus began my Saturday afternoon journey down the YouTube rabbit hole.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
After searching using lindy hop, jitterbug, 1940's dancing, etc., I eventually found them and the movie. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
"Mad Youth" was released in 1940 and featured 1938 National Jitterbug Champions Patti Lacey and Ray Hirsch (the two dancers I wanted to "discover"). It was re-released later with the title "Girls of the Underworld." </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The story includes jitterbugging (duh), strip poker and girls imprisoned in a prostitution/white slavery ring. Pretty lurid stuff. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The amazing part is that Ray Hirsch is still with us and still dancing,</div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><a href="http://www.balboabattle.com/SwingValentine.htm">http://www.balboabattle.com/SwingValentine.htm</a></span> and Patty Lacey is still living in Los Angeles.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">The video I made using footage from "Mad Youth" can be seen here:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UFQ0O6Xccic" width="420"></iframe></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-64727572888826913372012-10-04T06:03:00.002-07:002012-10-14T13:24:06.180-07:00Cheap pedals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BzlHbNaQr8/UG2IaKhj3lI/AAAAAAAAAD4/AUMiM5MBm_E/s1600/cool-cat-trans-and-tuna-melt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4BzlHbNaQr8/UG2IaKhj3lI/AAAAAAAAAD4/AUMiM5MBm_E/s1600/cool-cat-trans-and-tuna-melt.jpg" /></a></div>
I've been using Danelectro pedals for 3 or 4 years now. They're inexpensive and sound really good for the money. My favorite is the Cool Cat Transparent Overdrive (version 1) and the even less expensive Tuna Melt tremolo.<br />
<br />
All the Cool Cat pedals are in metal cases and are fairly rugged. The smaller pedals, like the Tuna Melt, are in plastic cases with very small plastic knobs that can break off easily if you're not careful.<br />
<br />
The Transparent Overdrive isn't as transparent as I'd like it to be, it does color your sound slightly, but it doesn't give you that midrange boost that most overdrive pedals have. It also works well as a clean boost, with little or no distortion added.<br />
<br />
The Tuna Melt pedal (and yes, it's named after a sandwich as are all the pedals in this series), has a nice swampy tremolo with depth and speed knobs plus a small switch to give a hard or soft sound.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I paid less than $25 for the Transparent Overdrive and $11 for the Tuna Melt, used. Not bad.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlxEl09KQDc" target="_blank">Here's my YouTube review of the Transparent Overdrive</a>.<br />
<br />Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-14058555557906882732012-08-10T08:27:00.001-07:002014-09-08T11:06:54.155-07:00Flea market finds<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOHn3nRV6Vs/UCUn4SZ-mgI/AAAAAAAAADY/pQrbW-kW8pw/s1600/rietta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOHn3nRV6Vs/UCUn4SZ-mgI/AAAAAAAAADY/pQrbW-kW8pw/s1600/rietta.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This
past weekend my son and I went to a local flea market (he's 9). This
flea market has existed on Earth for about as long as there have been
people, or so it seems. The buildings are well worn, the tables are
barely standing, and the same could be said for all those who were
selling or buying there.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There
were a couple of farms selling produce: corn, summer squash, carrots
and tomatoes were in abundance. But I was there for the junk.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On
this particular Sunday, there was plenty of junk. Table after table had cheap alarm clocks from the 80's, headless Barbie dolls, used hot wheels, reproductions
of antique signs and army jackets once owned by an uncle who served in
West Germany in the 1960's. Remember when there was a West Germany?</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was not lost on my son, who was noticing how "vintage" everything looked.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After walking around for only a few minutes and viewing the "treasures," he announced to me that he had had enough.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I
want to go home," he whined, "these haunted souls are destroying my
spirit. No one gets out of here with their dignity intact!" he
exclaimed. My wife later suggested that many had probably arrived at the
flea market that way.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We did leave eventually, but not after buying some corn for the evening's dinner. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
might ask, what does this have to do with guitars? I was hoping to find
a guitarist's treasure, an old tube amp or maybe a guitar that the
owner didn't think was valuable. Instead I found seven ears of corn and a
son who has a gift of expression.</span></div>
</div>
Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-7342024105197341902011-08-17T16:25:00.000-07:002012-10-04T05:00:17.070-07:00Building a guitar - update<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNRFGmraezw/TkxTrLUw4YI/AAAAAAAAACg/nXQ7akjHFdU/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5641976434427748738" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gNRFGmraezw/TkxTrLUw4YI/AAAAAAAAACg/nXQ7akjHFdU/s320/IMG_0565.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 267px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 200px;" /></a>I've been working on my Partscaster - adding a new neck and shimming the neck pocket. Usually the area underneath the neck gets shimmed, which I did initially. Before I installed the new neck, I added shims to either side to tighten up the connection between the neck and the body.
<br />
<br />
It made such a difference! It has less ice picky highs and more midrange. Some of that might be the neck, but my guess is that it's the neck pocket.Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-22618024570296548592011-05-03T06:37:00.001-07:002011-05-03T06:38:04.867-07:00GAS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCI0PSfg_qA/TbuFi1J5PWI/AAAAAAAAACU/1NwnG7Q_5-0/s1600/gear-copy.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 216px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lCI0PSfg_qA/TbuFi1J5PWI/AAAAAAAAACU/1NwnG7Q_5-0/s320/gear-copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601217394995969378" border="0"></a>I know the prices are high right now, but I'm not talking about fuel, I'm talking about Gear Acquisition Syndrome.<br /><br />If you play guitar, you've probably experienced this. It's the desire to possess that which you do not possess; to own that which you do not own, whether you can afford it or not or whether you really need it or not (you don't by the way).<br /><br />I've been there and so have you, so own up. That handwired ACME Sledgehammer 4x10 EL84-driven touch-sensitive Class-A monster that Andy at ProGuitarShop.com has just reviewed saying "this amp's 'bloom' is unrivaled," is something you must have you've decided.<br /><br />After all, this morning you watched some guy on YouTube (which made you late to work) who just bought one, say "it sounds like a Dumble at a fraction of the price ... " Of course that price happens to be $3500, and somehow that Peavey Bandit you bought used for $130 four years ago just ain't gonna cut it anymore.<br /><br />So what do you do?<br /><br />If you're like me, you begin plotting. You say to yourself, "What can I sell, maybe I can get some freelance jobs, rent out the kid perhaps?" "If I sell the Bandit and my Squier Strat, I'll have almost $260, and 260 minus 3500 is ..."<br /><br />It goes on and on.<br /><br />I remember reading a story about Ted Nugent meeting Eddie Van Halen for the first time. He couldn't believe the sound Van Halen was getting out of his rig. "Let me give it a try," he said. So Ted Nugent played through Van Halen's rig and low and behold, he sounded just like himself, Ted Nugent. He wasn't amused (and who could blame him?), but that's a story for another day.Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-85963042190081032882011-04-23T10:56:00.000-07:002011-04-23T16:44:38.740-07:00On a benderIf you spend anytime at all listening to Telecaster players, you're likely to hear some pretty crazy string bending going on. Players like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYm1CzPA5lQ" target="_blank">Will Ray</a>, Forrest Lee, Jr., Jerry Donahue and <a href="http://www.jimcampilongo.com/" target="_blank">Jim Campilongo</a> just to name a few. Usually this is standard stuff for country players. You can either use your fingers to do the bending; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CapbXdyv4j4" target="_blank">even behind the nut bends</a>, or use a crazy device featured in this video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tHnOM30piY&feature=related" target="_blank">Fender Classic Vibe with G Bender</a>.<br /><br />This is once again, another headless demo.<br /><br />And also, as a reminder, I'm not a country player, <a href="http://www.davidniles.com/music/index.html">but I play one on the internet</a>.Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-51601960333789776132011-04-07T09:52:00.001-07:002011-04-07T17:16:55.029-07:00Danelectro guitars - Masonite miracles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8za5P3_220I/TZ3r5qd0OnI/AAAAAAAAABg/rnVw8udJ3SM/s1600/3-Danelectros200wide.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8za5P3_220I/TZ3r5qd0OnI/AAAAAAAAABg/rnVw8udJ3SM/s320/3-Danelectros200wide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592885688148441714" border="0" /></a>What can one say about Masonite? First off, it was invented in Mississippi by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonite" target="_blank">William Mason</a> in 1924, and unlike other kinds of particle board, it's made entirely of natural ingredients (basically wood chips). If you were to grind it up, pour it into a bowl and add a little milk, it might be as good a breakfast cereal as anything you can buy in your local health food store. I don't suggest you try this at home, however.<br /><br />The other thing about Masonite, is that most Danelectro guitars use it for their construction. Other materials used for the Danelectro include vinyl as well as that rare, exotic wood found in the outback regions of Home Depot, plywood.<br /><br />First built in 1954, Danelectros originally cost $69 and could often be purchased at any Sears and Roebuck under the Silvertone brand name.<br /><br />I own three Danelectros, all reissues, two of which cost less than $240. New, they are around $399 for a six-string and $449 for a 12-string (if you can find one). Also available are baritone and bass models.<br /><br />When you buy a $3000 Les Paul with a beautifully carved striped maple top, Brazilian mahogany body and neck and rosewood fingerboard, you expect to pay big money. You don't have to worry about that with a Danelectro. Just thank William H. Mason for inventing Masonite which helped Nathan Daniel invent this inexpensive, great sounding guitar.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqI6JzXW4_E" target="_blank">My '63 Reissue Danelectro (YouTube)</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3eeMVYIShk" target="_blank">My '56 Reissue Danelectro (YouTube)</a><br /><a href="http://www.danguitars.com/DANO_CELEBS.html" target="_blank">Danelectro celebs</a><br /><a href="http://www.danelectro.com/" target="_blank">www.danelectro.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.danguitars.com/" target="_blank">www.danguitars.com</a>Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-60451044582656674592011-04-04T09:35:00.000-07:002011-04-04T20:58:04.162-07:00Building a Partscaster<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HAy_0aBkoU/TZn2lf_EtcI/AAAAAAAAAAg/2d2Gv5hA5Zg/s1600/new-butterscotch-tele-small.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--HAy_0aBkoU/TZn2lf_EtcI/AAAAAAAAAAg/2d2Gv5hA5Zg/s320/new-butterscotch-tele-small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591771536458823106" border="0" /></a>I've been wanting to build an early-50's Telecaster replica for quite a while, you know, since dinosaurs roamed the earth. I even had an unfinished body sitting around in my basement for a couple years, then I decided to work out (rim shot please). No really, I had a Tele body waiting for paint and waiting for me to take the plunge by getting off the couch.<br /><br />After sealing, sanding and painting in the warmer months last year (yeah, I know, I'm really slow about these things), I finally began amassing and adding the hardware needed. My finishing job however, left a lot to be desired. The surface of the body, in places, has the texture of Tommy Lee Jones' face. After painting it, I could really see the spots that could have used more sanding <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> I had painted. From now on I'm calling it "reliced," which is guitar-speak for antiqued.<br /><br />Initially, I decided to use some of the hardware and neck from my 2000 American Telecaster, mostly to see if the routs and the body were correct. Turns out they were a little off, but not so much as to make the body unusable. I forged ahead into unknown territory.<br /><br />Once I got the strings on, and did a few minor adjustments, I had to admit, and my wife can verify this, it was the worst playing guitar I'd ever owned. Really.<br /><br />Ok, with a few more neck and bridge adjustments, it started to play a bit better. Then came the real test. Plugging it in.<br /><br />My 8-year old son had been making jokes, imagining that when I did plug it in, all we would hear was something akin to an old man trying to clear his clogged nasal passages on a humid July evening. But miracles do occur, and when we fired up the Super Champ, we actually heard a guitar; no loud humming, buzzing or rude noises anyone's aunt would be offended by. It sounded like a Tele, and a good one at that.<br /><br />On a more technical note, I have an SD Broadcaster pickup in the bridge position and a Custom Shop Texas Special in the neck position. Next step is to find a period correct neck and some domed knobs and I'll be good to go!Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-45120098721224308132011-01-09T09:20:00.000-08:002011-01-09T09:31:31.233-08:00My Vibrolux ReverbWell it's time for my yearly entry. <br /><br />It's been 6 months since I had my Vibrolux Reverb overhauled and I've been pleased with the results. Apparently a previous owner had begun a cap job, but never finished it. I took it to David Martinka at <a href="www.b-sharpmusic.com/">B Sharpe Music</a> in Providence, R.I. and he did a great job. It finally sounds like a Fender should. It takes pedals well and I've been using a Danelectro Transparent Overdrive to give it a little hair at lower volumes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_to1wHqQKyeQ/TSnwfqmmkuI/AAAAAAAAAAU/xq8FsvMhzGQ/s1600/vibrolux.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_to1wHqQKyeQ/TSnwfqmmkuI/AAAAAAAAAAU/xq8FsvMhzGQ/s320/vibrolux.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560239641768399586" /></a>Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-62924398996772757792010-01-02T09:53:00.000-08:002010-01-02T10:04:43.223-08:00Gear Acquisition SyndromeMy wife thinks I'm crazy.<div><br /></div><div>I've bought quite a few guitars and maps the last few years; some on eBay and some at local stores or Craigs List. Can't seem to get enough equipment and I'm running out of room to store the stuff, but compared to some guys, the collection is small.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then there's the time spent reading magazines, blogs, books and websites dedicated to guitars and amplifiers. </div><div><br /></div><div>If I was independently wealthy we would have to add on to the house; of course we would probably be in a bigger house. </div><div><br /></div>Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4952911423126645789.post-78476915905383584722008-10-18T19:01:00.001-07:002010-01-02T09:53:50.867-08:00The pointHave you ever noticed all the headless demos on You Tube? I have. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/anotherheadlessdemo">I've even made a few</a>.Another Headless Demo - David Nileshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12557279162950385487noreply@blogger.com0