strings and radii

I've been playing guitar since 1987. Back then I knew nothing about string gauges, neck radius and their effect on playing. I didn't know anything about tube vs. solid state amps and my fascination was with making music. The gear was secondary. Sure, I knew what "good" instruments were but I didn't have the insight and research I've accumulated the past twenty years. That brings me to the point of this post.
My first acoustic had action that was akin to the telephone lines sagging from the poles in winter. Equally challenging was the mastering of chord shapes, nevermind barre chords. I learned on that axe and it served me well. The strings were probably .013-.056 like most standard acoustic strings. The action was about 1/2 inch off the board. Again, I didn't know better and just learned on the guitar.
Move ahead one year and I get my 1988 Fender Stratocaster Plus, an American made guitar that had "cutting edge" technology on a classic format. The Strat plus had locking tuners, the first version of the Wilkinson roller nut, a trem setter, and Lace Sensor pickups. These were all innovations at the time and still work. The only upgrade I've done since then was to put the second version of the LSR roller nut (which works better IMO) and re-wire the rear tone knob to blend the front/rear pups. The original wiring had the rear tone as a TBX tone control which now is the middle on my axe and the other tone is wired to blend the front/rear when twisted.
This guitar played (and still does) like a dream. The action was close enough to play chords without developing carpal tunnel but high enough to not fret out when playing. I've had every gauge string on there since my youth. I've had the action raised and lowered and have settled on a happy medium. The point is I didn't really notice any major difference between that and my ASAT Classic. I should have.
The neck's radii are different on each. The Strat's 9.5" and the ASAT's 7.5". My PRS has a radius of 10" and the Epiphone Alleykat is very Martin-esque for an electric at 12" (most acoustics are 16" or more). To reiterate I've been oblivious to these things since I was a kid and now as I type with a split fingernail on my left hand middle digit I can't help but think the combination of 3 hours of rehearsals on D'addario XL 10s and tonight's hour on the 12 string finger eater remind me that while we as musicians sweat the small stuff on our gear maybe in the long run we're better off just doing what feels right and recognizing our body's limits.
Sadly, I'm probably going to play my electric now - the G&L Legacy (9 inch radius) b/c it has light electric strings (.09-.042) and I really love the feel of that maple neck in my hands.
Truly, breathe and play what you feel.
If it works for you go for it.

Recording

I've been busy the past day and a half learning songs for service and rehearsing with the Groove Motive. I've also demoed a few tunes we are working on for December's gigs. Since I've not really put any time in recording the Z-28 I decided to do some today.
I made a blind sound test for all my guitarfiend friends. The first sample is a redo of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" where I used each of the guitars for a different track. You, the listener are to figure out which one played what part.
I'm attaching the older POD rec'd version of it, too. Both have groovy sounds but in my ears the tube amp has a bit more character and vibe.
DISCLAIMER-I did use a Visual Sound Axle Grease Delay and a MODTONE Tremolo on two separate tracks for color. Thanks for listening. enjoy.

Pickup Preference

I spent the last 45 minutes playing guitars through my Z-28 amp. It's a 6V6 based amp with an EF86 preamp. The characteristics it has as an amp are touch sensitive response and a very quick breakup if you crank the volume. It's spartan with regards to tone controls which from left to right are Volume, Bass, and Treble. These three knobs provide you with a plethora of tones depending on how you use them. Both of the tone knobs increase the gain when dialed past noon. The volume's pretty much how much gas you want on the sonic fire.
Like I mentioned I spent a bit playing different guitars through the amp. Maybe it's because I grew up playing a Strat but I like the snap and dynamic of single coils through this amp. I started out playing a humbucker equipped PRS and while the tones were definitely rock quality there wasn't that clean sparkle that single coils provide. I found an interesting setting that cleaned up the 'buckers nicely but for all means and purposes I had to chill my attack to keep the tone clean. If I were doing an all blues style of music this combination would rock. It'd also be good for most classic rock styles. For the dance and funk stuff though I prefer the sound of my ASAT Classic or Strats. They have that neatness and crispness I want to hear. Clarity may be the better word. Also, b/c the output of those two axes is different I think it keeps the EF86 from clipping as quickly as it does with the 'bucker equipped guitars. YMMV but for me it's all about the definition and I can't help but love the sounds I can get with a strat and my Dr. Z.

Dr. Z Z28 w/Humbuckers

The last of the Z28 demos. This one showcases a Les Paul in open A tuning and an Epiphone Alleykat doing a variety of rockabilly, blues, and jazz. Thanks for listening. Enjoy!

DRZDemo2

This is the second installment of Z-28 sound samples. In this clip I'm using a PRS with P90s and a G&L Legacy maple neck strat. The tones are from the instruments themselves and my playing. Signal chain is as follows- guitar-cable-amp.
Thanks for listening and sharing with your friends.

DRZ Demo

This is a short sample of the incredible tones available in a Dr. Z 6V6 based amplifier. I really like the ability to get some drive with both my attack and pickup selection or clean it up using the same technique. Thanks for listening and hope you enjoy!

Blogger Pictures

This is a shot from the last gig The Groove Motive did a few weeks ago. We're playing at the Capital Ale House Downtown next Friday evening. You should make it out!

Fall Guitar Classes at Andrews Music Studio

Andrews Music Studio

Fall 2010 Classes

 

• Intro to Reading Music on Guitar
  
  • An 8 week class that teaches beginning students to read music in first position on guitar. (Book included with tuition)
    
  • Class size is limited.
    
  • Ages 10 and up
    
  • Class meets for 45 minutes once/week
    

    
     

• Intro to Chords and Styles
  
  • An 8 week class that teaches open chords, barre chords, power chords and basic jazz chords.
    
  • Class size is limited.
    
  • Styles covered include: rock, blues, and jazz
    
  • Students will learn contemporary and classic rock songs, jazz and blues standards
    
  • Ages 13 and up
    
  • Class meets for 45 minutes once/week
    

    
     

    
     

    All classes are first come first serve. A deposit of $50 will guarantee a student's spot in class. Each student should be prepared to practice to get the most out of these classes as performance is part of the class. Tuition is due in full at date of first class. Tuition for each class is $150. There are no makeup classes offered for absences. Classes begin the week of September 13^th and conclude the first week of November.
    

    
     

    We also offer private lessons on guitar and bass. Please contact Mr. Andrews for lesson time availability.
    

    Questions??? Call 530-0811 or email x24guitarman@comcast.net
    

Hip and Tasty

I've added some decor to two of my fave guitars. The artwork can be found at Pin Ups Plus!
They have a great selection of pinups for adding to anything you wish to customize. I'm pleased with the results on my instruments. Whaddya think?

It's been a while

Friends and natives-

Greetings from the home station. I've been busy the past few months with a new gig, teaching and tweaking the studio. I've joined the band- The Groove Motive and we've played a steady set of monthly gigs. The band's as hot as the summer sun and a heapload of fun. The group guitar class has finished and a new influx of students has me covering the basics weekly with instruction.
Updates on gear are as follows- The Rivera had a bad preamp tube that caused the reverb to squeal like a banshee. A quick replacement and it's good as new. The Jensen Neodymium 12 inside of it has made the amp's clean a useful tool for the TGM shows. The Elixir cable sample has been a staple of my live rig and has worked flawlessly. I have not had any issues with noise or interference with this cable. Thanks again to Elixir for providing a great product for players to try and use.
I'm trying to get permission to link to D'Addario's website for stringing how-to's and relative info for the studio and my students. Each of us has a responsibility to our instrument to play fresh good sounding strings. I have D'Addario's on all of my electrics (XL10s) and even have their chromes on the hollowbody.
I've been recording all of TGM's shows at Breakers. I've been using a condenser mic for the room and taking a direct feed off the mixer for the vocals/keys. We've been using the recordings to tweak our live shows and hear our performances. It's a wonderful way to hear what you're putting out and whether the energy of the performance carries through to the recording as well.
The C.A.T. has been on hold a while. With the busy schedule for TGM and the lack of a viable drummer there has been little motivation for working on my original material. I appreciate all of the listeners who continue to visit our reverbnation page and support my music.
As a player who has the good fortune to play with other great musicians I hope you will take the chance to support live music anyway possible. I hope to sit in with Chicago Cy this Sunday at the Positive Vibe Cafe. This should be a fun jazz filled event replete with hollowbodies and standards.
Check us out if you're in the neighborhood.
thanks for listening and play on.

Really?

As we start the new year I"m astounded by the amount of idiocy present in our society. I for one am stupid for thinking I might find someone to fill the drummer spot via a response to a Craigslist ad. What I got in the following email is somewhat humorous yet still appalling to me that this is our future. I now present to you this resume of impeccable grammar and good taste (minus the picture of him holding money with nunchucks and knives in the background).
God help us one and all.

Craigslist Reply for drummer-


Hey bro, thanx 4 the reply 2 my ad. Some is dat links U sent is off the chain. I no I could blow up sum beats over alot of you songs. Some is a little weak but most it is allrite sound 2 me and when i rock sum fat beats on it u know its gonna go off the hook. lol i just knocked off a ferw 40s so my typeing sux but U get it. Anywya id b down with hooking up sumtime. let me know when u want 2 lay some off this shit down.

just as a fyi so U can see i am attaching a publicity pic i used in may last band and a link to a track we laid down for garageband.com (got sum wack reviews but w/e lol)

http://www.garageband.com/artist/ManHole link to song is on right side of screen in a box

L8r- J Mac

ps- i can bring some biches 2 the jam seshun. i no sum nasty wild freaks all about kickin it at jammz- lol lemme no. also plz dont joke on my kit. its a old kit from Sears and has alot of dings and dents and stuff but i got it sounding tight yo. i gots 2 use wood stirring spoons 4 sticks 4 now but when we start gettin paid i'll get that strate.

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