Guitar Talk

[bods1000]

Yo Bods!

 

Correct you are, my friend!

 

It's taken a couple of generations for these journeymen to be recognized. Ironically though, Americans got to know of the blues and the way these bluesmen played guitar--via the Britsih Acts who invaded the US in the 60's and 70's.

 

The Rolling Stones loved Muddy Waters so much they named their group after one of his songs. Led Zeppelin did quite a few covers of Johnson. HOwlin Wolf was also  favorite of the Who and Yardbirds.

 

Technically speaking, the blues continues to evolve in a way that the other genres have not. Guitar players have continually adapted modern techniques of playing into the manner they play the  blues and yet the blues still retain the specific flavor and taste which has made it last for generations. The differences between the guitar playing of Big Bill Broonzy and Gary Moore are world's apart and yet they both play the blues.

 

On the other hand, Eric Clapton has taken the exact opposite route as most other electric guitar players who are into the Blues. Clapton has played the blues as close to the originals as possible-- a difficult task as Clapton will aways retain the sound and the feel which makes him readily identifiable----but nonetheless, a  gallant and noble effort for a man who has played almost everything and anything. Some of his best work, as exemplified in Eric Clapton's Unplugged gig for MTV --shows how advanced his acoustic guitar playing has evolved when he tackled such numbers as Walkin Blues, Malted Milk, Old Love, NObody KNows you When you're Down and out.

 

REcently, Clapton did a duet album with BB King--the grammy award winning album was titled "RIDING WITH THE KING" and here BB King and Eric exchange some really deep solos of their songs. ONe of the highlights was an acoustic duet with both players going through Big Bill's "Keys TO the Highway".

Rock on!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The British guitarists paved a lonely way before the music got recognized and adopted by the Americans. Think John Mayall, Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Page in his Yardbirds days, Clapton when he was known as a God in the late 60's and early 70's. All of them got hooked on the old blues masters.

I have Clapton's From The Cradle where he plays versions of all these old blues songs - like Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man, Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby, Eddie Boyd's Five Long Years, Elmore James' It Hurts Me Too and others...

But I haven't gotten hold of his Me and Mr. Johnson, and Sessions for Robert J. which from the titles would be some sort of tribute to Robert Johnson...

you're right about that thing about blues being played different ways but still the same old spirit - from the barebones guitarplaying and moaning of the Delta bluesmen to the metallic sound of the Chicago bluesmen like Buddy Guy but they're all gooooood!

[16track]

Telemaster:

 

Good question you got there! A guitar is an investment not only for your soul but also for the obvious reason of finance. A good guitar--say, the Fender American Standard-- can last your lifetime and even be passed on to your son and then to his.

 

Most of the US made guitars are excellently constructed and will defintiely appreciate in value. All my guitars have appreciated --inluding the Korean made ones. I have never sold a guitar at a price lower than what I paid for.

 

The American Standard series of Strats, Teles and basses were created by Fender precisely to lift Fender's sagging image in the worldwide market in the 70's. Believe it or not, Fender went through some very hard years-- mostly after Leo Fender sold the company to CBS-- when their guitars were percieved to have been of lesser quality. Sales dropped and many players started playing other guitars. This period refelct the rise of Ibanez, BC Rich, Washburn, Yamaha, Ovations etc...

 

This was the period 1965 to early 70's. This was also the time the Japanese made Fenders hit it big in the 70's as they were then looked at aas having better quality than the US made ones and also offered at such lower prices. It was that bad. CBS then sold the company to one of their top employees ( I think it was Bill Shultz) who then transformed the company back to it's original glory.

 

The vehicle that Fender rode to its recovery was the American Standard series which had better workmanship, better parts, better pickups--over all an excellent made guitar. One difference was that the American Standard also sported the new 2 Point Fulcrum Tremolo as compared to the original Fenders that had the 6 screw trem blocks. Players often say this was a better design -but that it debatable.

 

Don't wory about Fenders. They are good to play and will be your friend for a long time. Fenders, by the way, have different neck sizes and forms. Try to play several models before making your purchase as you familiarize yourself with V necks, C necks and U necks.

 

Each type of neck has a diferent feel and --- IN THE CASE OF ROSEWOOD and MAPLE fingerboards, will have a different tone. Rosewood tend to have a warmer, darker tone. Think SRV and Jeff Beck and Ritchie Sambora (he endorses Gibson now) when you see Rosewood boards. Maple has a brighter tone-- think Hendrix, David Gilmour, Clapton and Yngwie Malmsteen for Maple.

 

Ibanez , Jackson, ESP are wonderful axes that generally shouts "Shredder" to any one who looks at them. Well made with slim fast necks, very low and comfortable string action, light bodies, good electronics and stable solid Floyd Rose Trem systems (in some cases-- a Kahler system in place of a FLoyd.) These guitars are like Katana blades-- very useful to a skilled samurai -- but totally wasted on a wanker. I meant this with no offense but there are many who buy these guitars without even having an idea of what a Floyd Rose Double locking trem is or how to use it. Sayang as these FR eqipped guitars are not cheap.

 

But you seem to know what they are so I say.. "Go for it, dude!" Those guitars are great! I have an old Fernandez that has a Floyd Rose too! So there!

 

In the end of it all, you buy the guitar that feels right for you. When you go that path, nothing can go wrong as long as you buy what your heart desires!

 

ROCK ON!

 

 

 

hi guys, hello sir 16track! i have a question about fenders guitars...im planning to purchase one sometime soon hopefully if my budget will allow me.  what do you think about the fender american standard model? have you tried any? im comparing notes right now coz i know this will be a big investment on my part coz its pretty expensive.

 

im also considering some guitars with locking trems an ibanez or jackson on the same price range.  i just want a good US made guitar this time.  would you care to comment on this? thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited August 17, 2005 by 16track

[16track]

Bods, bro!

 

You really know your music!

 

I have the first John Mayall "Beano" Album with Eric Clapton and it's a gem. Peter Green is an excellent guitar player but he kinds lost his marbles for some 2 decades-- never playing a guitar and letting his finger nails grow long on purpose so as to avoid playing. He gave away royalities to his records and just wasted away until maybe about 5 years ago when emerged and said he was healed of his mental problems and started to record again.

 

Gary Moore's 1957 or 58 Les Paul was "THE " guitar of Peter Green. The same one he used in all those Mayall records and concerts and early Fleetwood Mac. Peter sold it to Gary for almost nothing --as he was in a low mental state. Gary did not know Green was a mental case by then so he paid for it-- Peter was in fact Gary Moore's hero and Gary made that guitar his numbern one.

 

Pare, lets get together one time and just listen to these guys while taking a doze of fine red wine. It will be great to share the music!

Cheers!

 

 

 

The British guitarists paved a lonely way before the music got recognized and adopted by the Americans. Think John Mayall, Peter Green of the original Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Page in his Yardbirds days, Clapton when he was known as a God in the late 60's and early 70's. All of them got hooked on the old blues masters.

I have Clapton's From The Cradle where he plays versions of all these old blues songs - like Muddy Waters' Hoochie Coochie Man, Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby, Eddie Boyd's Five Long Years, Elmore James' It Hurts Me Too and others...

But I haven't gotten hold of his Me and Mr. Johnson, and Sessions for Robert J. which from the titles would be some sort of tribute to Robert Johnson...

you're right about that thing about blues being played different ways but still the same old spirit - from the barebones guitarplaying and moaning of the Delta bluesmen to the metallic sound of the Chicago bluesmen like Buddy Guy but they're all gooooood!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[bods1000]

Bods, bro!

 

You really know your music!

 

I have the first John Mayall "Beano" Album with Eric Clapton and it's a gem. Peter Green is an excellent guitar player but he kinds lost his marbles for some 2 decades-- never playing a guitar and letting his finger nails grow long on purpose so as to avoid playing. He gave away royalities to his records and just wasted away until maybe about 5 years ago when emerged and said he was healed of his mental problems and started to record again.

 

Gary Moore's 1957 or 58 Les Paul was "THE " guitar of Peter Green. The same one he used in all those Mayall records and concerts and early Fleetwood Mac. Peter sold it to Gary for almost nothing --as he was in a low mental state. Gary did not know Green was  a  mental case by then so he paid for it-- Peter was in fact Gary Moore's hero and Gary made that guitar his numbern one.

 

Pare, lets get together one time and just listen to these guys while taking a doze of fine red wine. It will be great to share the music!

Cheers!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

pare that should be a classic - I only have this Mayall album from the 70's - a double LP set with an all-star guitar ensemble. Called Back To The Roots it had Clapton, Mick Taylor, Harvey Mandel and Johnny Almond as guests on some recordings of his. Just recently I got his Along For The Ride album - a new recording about 4 or 5 years ago and it had as guests Gary Moore, the ZZ Tops' Billy Gibbons, Mick Taylor, Mick Fleetwood, John Mcvie, Jeff Healey, Steve Miller and ....Peter Green!! It had great and amazing songs on it.

 

Didn't know that thing about Peter Green. Kaya pala nawala yun but I saw a CD of his at Tower just recently. For the man who composed Black Magic Woman and Oh Yeah, that talent should never go to waste even if you're in your 50's now which I guess is his age now.

 

Pare sige say when where I'll bring my collection and drink while listening to them! Better yet, hie off to the Blues thread I created hehehe and talk it over there.

 

cheers!

Edited August 17, 2005 by bods1000

[telemaster_311]

thanks for your advice 16track! hmmmm lalo ako nalito at napaisip ah hahaha anyway thanks again bro

[furian]

anybody here who could enlighten me on which pick up is better - active or passive? - for a bass guitar ?

[Dr.Love]

Depende sa taste mo yan bro. Pero karamihan ng bahista na di gumagamit ng stingray/precision/jazz bass style na bass, they mostly use active pick-ups. Ok kasi yan lagyan ng mga tone circuits & super tahimik pa.

[16track]

Hi there!

 

As Dr. Love mentioned, it's really a matter of preference when it comes to Active or passive pickups.

One thing for sure however is that Active Pickups have been around long enough now to make it's presence felt in the guitar world. Countless Session players and artists employ active pickups in records and in concerts.

 

Almost all major guitar manufacturers have a model or series that are equipped with active electronics.

 

According to active pickup users, Gain wise, active electronics can push your signal right through longer cables or through chains of effects as opposed to passive pickups which experience some signal loss for the same chain. Additionally, another thing they claim is that -GENERALLY-- control of tone is easier to handle as the sound remains the same even at lower volume settings of the pickups. This is in contrast to passive pickups when the guitar's tone mellows down a lot when the volume pot is set low and then the gain only kicks in when set to 10. --But there is more to it than that I am sure as passive pickups players actually prefer being able to control the gain on their pickups manually. Besides, a boost for lead solos is only a pedal away. Lastly, active pickups can also be designed to behave like passive ones in terms of gain control -- except that it does so with a great deal of noice reduction.

 

For Fender, there are now models of the Precision and Jazz Bass that sports active pickups as well as the more traditional passive ones -but these are not readily available here in Manila.

 

EMGs have a good lineup of active electronics but there are other Brands too!

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

 

 

anybody here who could  enlighten  me on which  pick up is better - active or passive? - for a bass guitar ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Edited August 22, 2005 by 16track

[telemaster_311]

try mo muna dude ano mas ok sayo...manghiram ka or mag test ka sa tindahan na passive/active PU kaso depende din yun sound sa kahoy ng bass at set up mo pero at least meron ka ng idea ano tunog

[furian]

thanks mga brod kac im planning to have both kinds in my rig my plans are passive ung sa mid part then active ung sa may bridge kaso medyo pinag aaralan ko pa ung tunog n gusto ko pa iba iba kac ung preference depending on the music d b , well any way thanks keep updated kung ano mangyayari

[16track]

Darn...

 

Still can't get over how Dimebag died. Too violent... too meaningless.

[telemaster_311]

yeah...random act of senseless violence. grabe bat ganyan sa US dami sira? hahaha nasa kanila na lahat ah, serial killer, stalkers, lahat ata ng klase ng krimen hehehe

[16track]

Yep.

 

Dimebag Darrel was one of the forces that continue to push the guitar's limits beyond the standard lines.

 

He entered a guitar contest when he was like 14 years old and smoked everyone else by playing "Eruption" note for note. He was actually the last contestant for the day and before he came o stage, the judges more or less had a winner in mind. However, after hearing him play, Dime was declared the no constest winner.

 

His prize? A Dean ML Guitar. He used the Dean for so long but the time that he became famous and was looking for an endorsement, Dean was also in hibernation. Dimebag then signed a contract offered by Washburn.

 

A couple of years back, Dean re-emerged and got the Dime endorsement.

 

 

yeah...random act of senseless violence.  grabe bat ganyan sa US dami sira? hahaha nasa kanila na lahat ah, serial killer, stalkers, lahat ata ng klase ng krimen hehehe

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[saitohajime24]

it's a real loss for guitar players. I love Dimebag...whammy bar dives, squealing harmonics, cool riffs i've always wanted a dime " kiss design"guitar. but i can't find one here anymore. The only 2 players i saw with them are eraserheads and sandwhich made me drool just seeing the guitar.

[telemaster_311]

di ko type yun washburn. too commercialize for my taste. mas ok yun dean imho lang po