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Post by wannaplayblues on Dec 27, 2020 7:14:48 GMT -6
What a Christmas - seems I've been a good boy this year as Santa brought me all the pedals I wanted so I could complete my perfect pedalboard layout in a pretty case.
The case I had, and the "Bluesy" pedal I already had, but now it's all complete...
The case is by Mooer - who do their own tiny pedals, but they're a bit cost prohibitive for Santa 
Working from right-to-left, which is the signal chain order I have:
Tuner - 'cos we all want to be in tune Donner Ultimate Comp - compressor for tight clean lines and finger playing Tom'sLine Bluesy - for some nice overdrive and blues  Donner Morpher - basically, think Marshall stack sound; for heavy rock Donner Yellow Fall - a delay pedal Donner Verb Square - 7 different delay types including room, hall, church, spring and plate
They're all price around $20-30 each, however, they sound fine to me and they're all true bypass! I figure batteries are useless in pedals - if I 'aint got no pedal power I wont have amp power either  I really like the small form-factor
These are now what I use for practicing and I'm sure they'll be my main recording rig too. This week I'll be recording a piece for the AM monthly challenge, due next weekend.
SO......
What did Santa bring you cool cats this year? Or were you on the naughty list?  |
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Post by joachim on Dec 27, 2020 7:51:04 GMT -6
All I got was constipation and a slight hang-over...
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Post by bluesbruce on Dec 27, 2020 7:55:20 GMT -6
No guitar toys here - my family had (at the behest of my kids) a "no gift" Christmas, with the exception that you could get something for us all to share - a locally roasted coffee, a game or puzzle for us to play, a wine for us to share, etc. You know what? I think this was the best Christmas I've ever had. We spent Christmas day together - finished a couple of New York Times Sunday crosswords, put together a 1000 piece jigsaw, my daughter and wife played the piano some (made me realize I need to learn to strum some Christmas songs, too), ate a lot of good food... Then yesterday, it was sunny and 75 degrees - we all went for an almost 3 mile walk and were able to go over and sit outside and visit with my parents (both in their late 80's and we're all scared to death of giving them Covid). I've told my wife and kids for years that I don't need anything for Christmas, and I feel blessed that my family has come to this decision regarding gifts and "material stuff".
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Post by Phil on Dec 27, 2020 9:26:59 GMT -6
No guitar toys here - my family had (at the behest of my kids) a "no gift" Christmas, with the exception that you could get something for us all to share - a locally roasted coffee, a game or puzzle for us to play, a wine for us to share, etc. You know what? I think this was the best Christmas I've ever had. We spent Christmas day together - finished a couple of New York Times Sunday crosswords, put together a 1000 piece jigsaw, my daughter and wife played the piano some (made me realize I need to learn to strum some Christmas songs, too), ate a lot of good food... Then yesterday, it was sunny and 75 degrees - we all went for an almost 3 mile walk and were able to go over and sit outside and visit with my parents (both in their late 80's and we're all scared to death of giving them Covid). I've told my wife and kids for years that I don't need anything for Christmas, and I feel blessed that my family has come to this decision regarding gifts and "material stuff". Bruce, That sounds like the way to go. Everybody got less in material goods and much more of the truly important stuff. I got a pair of flat response head phones that I've been putting off buying for the past 2 years. We went with 1 reasonably priced gift each and spent more on good food that we wouldn't normally buy. Everybody was happy and we thought it was the best Christmas since our kids were little. |
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Post by Phil on Dec 27, 2020 9:29:05 GMT -6
I got a metronome. It's broken already, it always misses a bit when I'm working with it... Mine keeps speeding up then suddenly slowing down. Since I use an online metronome I figure it must be an Internet problem.  |
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Post by Marc on Dec 27, 2020 9:32:35 GMT -6
Practice wise, I got though BYCU Lazy day blues, not need to refine some areas. the quick licks give me trouble. I should add that to my list of stuff to work on. On the Jazz front, I'm going to move on to a new song today but I'm still working on for day in the life of a fool. I've put together a scratch track and am looking at making an arrangement.
I guess I've been a good boy too 
I got a Mosky Silver Horse (klon clone), Complete Jazz Guitar by Jody Fisher, Riffs by Rikky Rooksby and a strat wiring kit.
My strat copy (30 year old Hamer import) which has been on the fritz for a while. I got set to install the wiring kit and realized the guitar has no shielding and and they pick guard under the knobs was all nastily discolored. So I ordered a new pickguard, shielding tape and knobs. Was fun picking stuff out and deciding to customize it. I got the white peraloid pick-guard, black pickup covers and knobs on a forest green body and maple neck. Should look pretty cool when i'm done. Will give me a nice little project for next week.
the Mosky Silver Horse (klon clone) is pretty amazing I have to say. Very cool, overdrive (they call it a transparent overdrive). If you don't have a klon copy, I really think you need one. I plugged in my strat before i tore it apart it sounded like someone poured honey in my ears, it was that sweet.
Riffs by Rikky Rooksby is a little different, it's not just a standard how to play guitar book but more of an intellectual and musical discussion about what riffs are and how to create them. I've not gotten too far but it's intresting and fun so far. I want to check out some of his other books at some point.
Complete Jazz Guitar by Jody Fisher I'm not sure what I got my self into. this is a beast of a book and takes a different approach to the other jazz books that I have (Micky Baker and Jeff Schroedl) he jumps you into learning triads really quick.
wannaplayblues I have the Donner Yellow Fall, it's pretty great. I've had mine for a few years. I'm really amazed by what you can get for cheap nowdays. I'm having a hard time even considering any pedal that cost more than $50.
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Post by blackcountrymick on Dec 27, 2020 11:43:01 GMT -6
No guitar related pressies for me either, though I did ask Santa for a bag of musical talent but he must have forgotten me, maybe I was on the naughty list Bruce, we also did less this year on the gift front at the request of our son, but that did not stop us splashing out on the 2 Grandchildren. Our youngest is 7 months and has already developed a mean rhythm on his Peppa Pig tambourine!!! Happy new year Guys. |
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Post by jack1982 on Dec 27, 2020 12:23:32 GMT -6
What's this now, non-materialistic Christmas? Enjoying time with the family? I got a guitar for chrissakes  Jackson Pro Soloist SL2A. I love it Pencil-thin neck, super-low action, Duncan Distortion pickups (sound great), and that woodgrain is just something to behold. Kind of a light week practice-wise, been working on "Animal Magnetism" by The Scorpions and also re-learning the solo to Stairway to Heaven. Also working a bit on technical exercises, which so far has only involved watching videos and reading a book. This week we'll get to the playing part though lol. |
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Post by Phil on Dec 27, 2020 13:02:01 GMT -6
No guitar related pressies for me either, though I did ask Santa for a bag of musical talent but he must have forgotten me, maybe I was on the naughty list Bruce, we also did less this year on the gift front at the request of our son, but that did not stop us splashing out on the 2 Grandchildren. Our youngest is 7 months and has already developed a mean rhythm on his Peppa Pig tambourine!!! Happy new year Guys. Drums and other noise making toys are excellent choices to give grandchildren. I look at it as taking revenge on their parents. |
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Post by jack1982 on Dec 27, 2020 18:20:26 GMT -6
I was reading my legato technique book, and the guy recommends placing your fretting hand very much in the classical position - thumb in the center of the back of the neck, opposite the 2nd finger (so if your index finger is on the 5th fret, the thumb would be behind the 6th fret). Then he says "Create a pivot point with the thumb, then use the elbow and wrist to roll each finger onto the fretboard, one at a time. A standard error is to lock the wrist into a rigid position and expect finger strength to produce all the motion." Well, good to know my error is the standard one lol. I've always locked the wrist into position and expected finger strength to produce all the motion. Considering the author, Chris Brooks, can play Yngwie solos like they were nothing...I guess this deserves some thought and some practice. Anybody else ever heard of doing it this way? Or has everyone always done it this way and I'm the only dummy that didn't know?  |
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Post by Phil on Dec 27, 2020 20:47:25 GMT -6
I'd have to see a video of this. I can't place my thumb in the classical position for more than a few seconds due to arthritis in the base of my thumb so this method wouldn't work for me. I just looked at how I do hammer-ons and it looks like I do move my hand, but I'm pivoting off the base of my index finger where the neck is cradled. Again, a video would be needed to show what I'm talking about and you know me and videos.
Anyway, give it a try. If it works for you use it. Then again maybe your hands are big and strong and you get enough power from just your fingers. My hands are pretty small.
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Post by jack1982 on Dec 28, 2020 7:28:57 GMT -6
Phil - yeah that classical hand position has to be the most uncomfortable thing ever invented. I've got a book called "The Classical Guitar Compendium" by Bridget Mermikides, she's an absolute virtuoso on classical guitar (with perfect classical technique) and yet I found a video of her playing electric guitar and sure enough, that thumb was resting on the top edge of the fretboard So that let me know it was perfectly okay. I'll put a bit of effort into this rolling-the-wrist thing and see if I can get a feel for it, but I'm not abandoning my old habits just yet. Tony - oh yeah I take everything with a grain of salt. The nice thing about the huge amount of instructional material these days it it allows you to see how a lot of different guitarists, all with fabulous technique, do things entirely different from one another. I think the best instructors just show you all the options available and tell you to try them all until you find what works best for you. Yngwie, eh? I have to admit my ultimate goal is to someday play "I Am A Viking" LOL. See you in February...of 2025 |
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Post by Marc on Dec 28, 2020 9:55:52 GMT -6
I was reading my legato technique book, and the guy recommends placing your fretting hand very much in the classical position - thumb in the center of the back of the neck, opposite the 2nd finger (so if your index finger is on the 5th fret, the thumb would be behind the 6th fret). Then he says "Create a pivot point with the thumb, then use the elbow and wrist to roll each finger onto the fretboard, one at a time. A standard error is to lock the wrist into a rigid position and expect finger strength to produce all the motion." Well, good to know my error is the standard one lol. I've always locked the wrist into position and expected finger strength to produce all the motion. Considering the author, Chris Brooks, can play Yngwie solos like they were nothing...I guess this deserves some thought and some practice. Anybody else ever heard of doing it this way? Or has everyone always done it this way and I'm the only dummy that didn't know? I went and checked out a few videos and trainings on 'legato' after seeing this post. I'm not sure I would completely agree, with the author. From what I've seen the thumb is more on the rear edge of the fingerboard unless your legatoing (i going to copyright that word) way down the fretboard then it's more in the classical position. The classical position does give you more leverage and room to move.
My main argument is that people don't just legato all the time. Most of the time, from my observations, when they are playing they move from legato to vibrato quite often. When your doing a vibrato your thumb tends to hang over the fretboard since it gives you more control. There seems to be a compromise of position between vibrato and legato which is that rear edge of the fretboard.
I'm not an expert on anything other than naps, so take that for what it is.
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Post by cunningr on Dec 28, 2020 14:23:45 GMT -6
Hi everyone I am late to the game again, been busy finalizing paperwork on a piece of property we purchased near the cost.
No guitar toys here either we slimmed down our christmas as well. Had our last classes of 2020 combo class we reviewed caldonia then ran through several of the previous tunes. We have narrowed down a list of 4 songs to clean up a slow blues, a shuffle, a funk, and a straight time blues.
Spent my private lesson hitting some points i missed from the combo classes when we were in travel restrictions.
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Post by jack1982 on Dec 28, 2020 19:25:45 GMT -6
Marc, yeah I totally agree about the thumb position. I was just a bit intrigued with the idea of using the wrist for extra power during legato passages; I've always kept my wrist locked for hammer-ons and pulloffs, and if there's some extra potential sitting there unused, I'd like to make use of it Tony, I actually picked up a Keeley Dark Side pedal a few years ago to replicate that David Gilmour sound (which I never got around to working on lol). Some day I guess... |
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Post by grampalerxst on Dec 30, 2020 9:19:32 GMT -6
I was reading my legato technique book, and the guy recommends placing your fretting hand very much in the classical position - thumb in the center of the back of the neck, opposite the 2nd finger (so if your index finger is on the 5th fret, the thumb would be behind the 6th fret). Then he says "Create a pivot point with the thumb, then use the elbow and wrist to roll each finger onto the fretboard, one at a time. A standard error is to lock the wrist into a rigid position and expect finger strength to produce all the motion." Well, good to know my error is the standard one lol. I've always locked the wrist into position and expected finger strength to produce all the motion. Considering the author, Chris Brooks, can play Yngwie solos like they were nothing...I guess this deserves some thought and some practice. Anybody else ever heard of doing it this way? Or has everyone always done it this way and I'm the only dummy that didn't know? Hmm. As it turns out that is how I do hammer-ons with my thumb up over the neck, although the pivot can be either the ball of my index finger or my thumb, depending on just how up over the neck my thumb is, especially for my little finger. I never noticed I did that until you mentioned it. In classical position I seem to do it all with fingers, but I'll fool around with rocking it some. Will be hard to undo habits picked up with classical guitar I think. I don't seem to lock my wrist per se, but don't use it.
Keith Wyatt says when first learning hammer-ons to put the thumb behind the neck (rationale iirc is it is easier to bring the finger strait down on the string). Then as strength builds over time a player can switch to thumb over/above. For context, he suggests thumb over/above as the basic position for players who will play standing, especially when playing a style that requires a lot of bending. Part of the logic is having the thumb contacting the "upper" half of the back of the neck is that it can take some of the weight of the arm and and generally help stabilize the instrument.
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Post by jack1982 on Dec 31, 2020 9:03:32 GMT -6
Riffs by Rikky Rooksby is a little different, it's not just a standard how to play guitar book but more of an intellectual and musical discussion about what riffs are and how to create them. I've not gotten too far but it's intresting and fun so far. I want to check out some of his other books at some point.
Sounded interesting so I had to pick it up too Haven't even started on it yet but I've always loved riff-based songs so maybe this will make a songwriter out of me. |
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Post by cunningr on Jan 3, 2021 14:08:53 GMT -6
Marc, yeah I totally agree about the thumb position. I was just a bit intrigued with the idea of using the wrist for extra power during legato passages; I've always kept my wrist locked for hammer-ons and pulloffs, and if there's some extra potential sitting there unused, I'd like to make use of it Tony, I actually picked up a Keeley Dark Side pedal a few years ago to replicate that David Gilmour sound (which I never got around to working on lol). Some day I guess... I bought one of those pedals as well, I use the fuzz section in it. I was messing around with some Pink Floyd tunes as well but I had no fuzz pedal so thought this could fill double duty. |
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I really like the small form-factor
