Messages

1

Guitar Talk In General / Re: Telecaster

« on: May 23, 2012, 08:42:19 AM »

I think Diego is owned by Duesenberg? Anyway, a German brand. Seen some here, but only in one store (that's now bankrupt).

For tele... depends what you want.

Modern bridge vs traditional bridge? Three or 6 saddles?
Rosewood vs maple fingerboard?
low or high output pickups?
etc.

I didn't particularly fancy the Chinese G&L models (that I played in another store now bankrupt).

I'd personally pick http://www.thomann.de/fi/fender_classic_player_baja_tele_vb.htm
But I am a traditional bridge and 3 saddles kinda guy (who own a Squier Classic Vibe Custom tele)

2

Guitar Playing, Technique, Theory / Re: "blues Scales"

« on: May 01, 2012, 08:06:22 AM »

Technically, if there is a minor pentatonic scale (with or without any 'blue note') there must be a relative major pentatonic.

Must be a relative major? Why, or where can I apply that info? What is the major relative of the six note blues scale (I think b5 of E is m3 of G, for example)? Basically, as far as I understand scales is that any scales can be seen as modes, meaning that a five note minor pentatonic has five modes, depending which note you start from... one of which is the major pentatonic. Not all scales are major or minor, but any scale that has 5 notes is a pentatonic.

I too think the original poster must have seen the minor pentatonic scale patterns that cover the whole fretboard. The scale itself is just the 5 notes, the patterns are just a practical tool for "seeing" and playing the five notes. The minor pentatonic in E is the open, 3, 5, 7th and tenth frets of the E string. What commonly is called the blues scale would then add the note at the 6th fret to that.

As far as scales played in blues, of course there can be seen to be many. It depends on the style of blues, some are jazzy or sweet, some sorrowful or blues rock. Minor pentatonic and six note blues scale are the common basis. But major pentatonic  (or mixolydian) and dorian modes are very common as well, for example, those just have some more notes in them. So, for example, dorian is like and extension of minor pentonic, like blues scale is.

You don't necessarily need to know the scale or it's name to be actually playing it. You can be playing the minor pentatonic all along, but using some extra notes in passing (bending or sliding, for example) if you so feel. Also, in my view of things,  if the backing track chords change, in essence you scale will change as well if you keep playing the same notes. You play the same notes, but they sound different if the chords (harmony) behind it is different. I think you should practice with your head (thinking) and play with your heart (expressing emotion). Meaning when you actually play, I think the point is to forget scales, instead think about scales when you transcirbing or something.

3

Recording Studio / a country loop thang

« on: April 11, 2012, 03:54:52 AM »

My playing mostly consists of playing country solos to a boss loop pedal. Simple fun, easy to fit in to a regular parent's schedule.

Here's one I played a month ago (yes, don't get to play these THAT often )
http://www.box.com/s/blvlfhorcsy231pnnr6k

This one even has a B section, I usually just play 20s things on a simple one or two chord loop backing. 

4

Electric Guitars / Re: Les Pauls

« on: October 13, 2011, 12:36:23 PM »

some mandolins and acoustic archtops are made in china, costing in 4 figures. I think that's more of a proof. If they make no corners cut high$ acoustic instruments, then i think we can agree they got it!

Great violins are made in china. That's the real pudding! Electric guitars are not that tough to make, imo.

I have korean and chinese guitars. No problem. I'd rather have a locally made, but cannot justify the cost. Also i rather have something that was built to last, so no corners were cut. I don't like waste.

5

Electric Guitars / Re: Les Paul's

« on: October 12, 2011, 03:09:39 PM »

Its a big deal because the Korean models had better quality build consistency then the Chinese models.  Don't get me wrong, I loved my Epi LP Standard that was made in China.  What's even more coveted is the Japanese models that were made to look exactly like Gibson's with the open book headstock and 17 degree pitch on the headstock.  I believe those were called the Orville's.  Japan still makes them, I believe its Tokai now.  From what I heard its a Gibson quality instrument at 1/2 the price.  But if we are going to be on this subject, why not take a look at Heritage Guitar company in Kalamazoo, MI?

I think some of the worst guitars I've played have come from Korea (of course some 60s American guitars have been even worse, maybe). But that was in the 80s. They learned, in the 90s they were making good cheapos. I think $2000 Chinese instruments are great... but you don't see many of them, do you?

Heritages are swell. I've played some very very nice Japanese guitars.

6

Electric Guitars / Re: Les Pauls

« on: October 12, 2011, 03:36:27 AM »

american not the better investment in the short term and long term is tough to predict (need low supply and high demand or quality). In the short term:
Buy new 1000$ guitar, sell for 800.
Buy new 300$ guitar, sell for 240.
Which is better?  You lose more money in the bigger investment (has higher opportunity cost also). The loss is almost the price of used cheaper guitar.

If one sells guitar, one tries push the demand and perceived value up. By saying this better than new ones, chinese ones...

7

Electric Guitars / Re: Epiphone ES-339

« on: October 11, 2011, 05:05:36 AM »

epi es339 is on thomann.de. For 400euro in europe. Not available yet of course.

It's common that not everything is uptodate on epi, squier, gibson etc. Sites.

8

Dolphinstreet Lessons / Re: That Hendrix Chord explained

« on: September 29, 2011, 01:59:21 PM »

I've only played the 7#9 two ways. The open E chord, the barring the B and e strings with pinky. Or then the "regular way" 7th fret.

I play "thumb over" style a lot. I originally learned the open G chord like that (3x0003), muting A string with the thumb as well. I have reltively short fingers, and played a nylon strung Yameha C-40 (= very wide neck).

But the Merle Travis style fretting both E and A strings with thumb is a bit too much for me. He played the D7 like this for example: 554535. Which is like the C7 up two frets... but two strings fretted with the thumb!

9

Electric Guitars / Re: Epiphone ES-339

« on: September 29, 2011, 01:30:27 PM »

I have a Epi Alleykat. Sort of like semi hollow Les Paul deluxe kinda thing. I like it. Also have an Epi Dot that I bought as I wanted to be more semi-hollow... oh well... not playing at all...

I tried a Gibson ES-339 back when I got the Dot. Sticky neck, and although it was great, felt that it missed the depth of the Gibson Dot (that I tried in another store)... but anyway, cheap skate me didn't buy a Gibson.

Epi ES-339... will it be as light as the Gibson... but not neck heavy! On the Alleykat I had the neck strap button moved to neck heel (from the side). It's a lot better now, doesn't feel neck heavy anymore.

10

Guitar Playing, Technique, Theory / Re: Here are some chord progressions

« on: February 17, 2011, 04:12:47 AM »

Most songs have either IV-I or V-I, or all those three chords. Also the bVII is often used, in a similar way as the IV or V.

I-vi-IV-V is a very common progression: C, Am, F, G or G, Em, C, D.

ii-V-i or the ii-vi-V-I (or II-VI-V-I) is the basis of jazz.

http://www.angelfire.com/fl4/moneychords/lesson.html

11

Electric Guitars / Re: Epiphone Nighthawk Reissue

« on: January 29, 2011, 06:33:10 AM »

The reason people didn't like it was the bridge pickup, as no replacements exist.

For blueshawks, there's even a fan site: http://blueshawk.info/intro.htm

12

Electric Guitars / Re: SX guitars are good

« on: December 07, 2010, 06:19:56 AM »

Sure. May cheap guitars are very good now. Usually needing some modification, though.

SX are not that easy to find here in Europe. Walton's in IE has some on their website. Plus there's a Spanish website for SX that seems to have different set of models compared to Rondo....?`

SX also offers combinations of features not available elsewhere. For example, I'd like a 32" Fender P-bass that was light weight. Don't know if they have them, but Fender sure doesn't! 

13

Recording Studio / Re: Reaper

« on: December 03, 2010, 03:39:17 AM »

I do, and I like it. Just remember to press the Ctrl key when selecting something.

14

Recording Studio / Re: How do you record?

« on: December 03, 2010, 03:38:14 AM »

I use Reaper software. It's free to try, so I never bought it, I use the free version. Buying is only like $60, though. I did use Audacity before, but now I learned to use Reaper so don't use Audacity anymore. Opening a band practice mp3 of 250MB takes like 15 minutes on Audacity, and 10s on Reaper.

And I Have Zoom H4 that I use as the mic or preamp or whatever, that plugs via USB cable to my laptop.

15

Electric Guitars / Re: Airline tuxedo vs Hagstrom HJ-500/600

« on: November 30, 2010, 12:24:54 AM »

Many guitar stores never set up their inport guitars.  they pull them out the box, tune them up (if you're lucky), and hang them on the wall.  I went to try the new telecaster blackout series and the action was so high, my string bends were going under the other strings.  A store will want the high end to be perfectly setup.  That's how they sway you.  You should ask for the Epi to be set up right as if you plan on buying it.  Pickup height has a lot to do with muddy/clarity too.  That should be adjusted.  But I would always replace Epi stock electronics for Gibson.  (unless you buy the more expensive models already Gibson equipped).  Fretends are a different story, but a good tech should be able to dress the frets before you leave the store.  Its just a simple file designed for fret dressing....

Sure sure. Plus it's cold as hell here now, means dry dry dry. The winter is the best time for buying guitars, I remember my tech saying.... you know some of the problems to come already.

I can do the simple setup myself, no prob. Of course nuts I never worked on, and that's often an issue.

Actually, I am more thinking about what to do with the Alleykat. It has mini in the neck, and humby in bridge. Already bought a GFS for the neck position... but wondering if I need anything new for the bridge.

Anyway, I'll get me a Mustang I amp, as I think it has what i need for my home recording and stuff. Of course need to tweak out the effects with software first.