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Topics - Guitar74

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16
Center Stage / "Amazing Grace"
« on: August 11, 2020, 04:26:09 PM »
A link to the opener of my Christmas album, "Amazing Grace":https://acadams.bandcamp.com/track/amazing-grace-2

17
The mini bar (off topic & misc) / Oh the joys of recording
« on: August 11, 2020, 04:12:37 PM »
So, yep, I am recording a new album. After letting my brother in law (who used to be the bassist/keyboardist in the first band I was in when I first moved here to the good 'ole ATL) hear the first track I heard things like,"Man, I am hearing SO many things for the bass track.", I caved and asked if he would lay down a bass line as well as some synth sounds (strings mainly. Of course this was at my wife's prodding). So I send him a copy that has some rhythm guitar tracks (enough for an arrangement), acoustic guitar, and drums.

A week later, no response. Two weeks later a response about orchestrating the album (which is typical of him wanting to take over something, inject his ideas, and ruin it). Three weeks later, nothing. Last Friday, as response of,"So when do you want to get together and record this song?" If you can see may face in my hands as I type this, then you know what I am feeling. So I end up having to remind him that all I wanted was a bass track and a keyboard track. I also have to remind him that this is my record. I don't know if you have met this type, but he's the kind that likes to stand on the shoulders of other people, and then take credit for their hard work. It's why we fired him from that band, and pretty much why nobody can work with him.

Moral of story? Don't do things against your better judgement. Even if that means telling your wife that her brother is a poseur.

Sorry. I am recording the bass line tonight, and moving on. Just had to vent. Even if this faux pa was my own doing by way of not listening to that voice inside me that said,"Stop! Don't touch that red button!" 

18
The Pickup Place / PAF '59
« on: October 08, 2019, 11:17:33 AM »
So I look at the PAF '59 and get a little confused. The marketing jargon starts by saying they used Larry's '59 Les Paul cherry sunburst as the reference. I thought that was what they did for the 36th anniversary paf.

They really DO need some new blood in marketing. Also, if you already have a set that used your guitar as a reference, then why do ANOTHER set that uses your guitar as a reference.

Needless to say I am more than a little confused on this one.

19
Guitar Lounge / New neck time.
« on: September 06, 2019, 03:55:25 PM »
I don't think I have made it any secret, that my '97 Big Apple Strat has pretty much been my number one axe. Anyhow, since the day I got it, it has had a slight twist in the neck. I mean ever so slight. Of course over time, that twist has gotten worse. I didn't really notice how bad, until I played my G&L and went back to it. Over time I adapted, even as the twist just kept getting worse.

 I took it to a luthier and the cost was just stupid. So I ordered a new neck today. I am surprised that duthiers are even in business anymore for feet jobs when they charge more than the cost of a top shelf neck from Warmoth just to drop 1 name. The cost of my neck with the same woods, radius, etc. Was half of just a regret, and 1/4 what the luthiers around here want for a new slab and fretjob.




20
Guitar Lounge / ‘79 bumblebee tribute evh
« on: July 23, 2019, 11:06:55 AM »
So I saw the NAMM info in this guitar and when I finally saw the price, I threw up in my mouth a little. AMS is listing $19000 for what is basically a parts caster shred stick. I thought to myself,”Who in God’s name are they marketing these to?” And then it hit me. The same people that will spend 50gs on a Dumble and brag about it on the gear page.

I saw a review on musicians friend when they released the Frankenstein replicas where a dentist bought one to hang on the wall in his waiting room. Yeah THAT’S not a waste of $25,000.

I wonder if I can cash in on this cow and make a 5150 replica out of my ‘85 Kramer Barretta and charge an astronomical sum for it. Maybe throw in one of those custom shop Duncan’s that Seymour says he wound for Eddie. ::)

21
The mini bar (off topic & misc) / Have fun next week
« on: June 28, 2019, 11:32:02 AM »
I am fixing to (that's a literal term for those of us below the Mason Dixon line) leave for vacation so i just wanted to wish everyone stateside a fun and safe 4th of July. If you drink, let someone else drive, and please, don't forget to tip your waitress.

Also remember fireworks are dangerous, and fire is fast.

22
Guitar Lounge / 1985 Kramer Beretta
« on: June 07, 2019, 10:31:42 AM »
So five years ago my nephew asks me if I want to buy a basic shell of a guitar for $75. I ask him what it is and he just brings it over. It’s a Kramer Beretta that someone tried to mod into a two pickup guitar, add switches, and put a Gibson style jack and plate in.

I buy it, and it sits for about a year. I finally go to the wood shop at work and make a basswood plug for the neck pickup, switch holes, and jack. I paint it flat black, put in a cheap Kent Armstrong branded pickup, and a used Floyd given to me with another purchase. But now I think it’s time for a full resto. I still have the factory metal flake red on the headstock, so I think a quart of urethane enamel would be just fine. My dilemma is the pickup.

From the small bit of research I have seen, these came with the Duncan JB. I am not a fan. Especially not in a guitar with no tone control. So any suggestions?

Oh yeah, she’s getting a brand new 1984 style Floyd that wood screws into the body, just like they left the factory with.

I will try and post status updates and pics along the way.

23
Center Stage / A link to some of my instrumentals
« on: June 05, 2019, 06:17:34 PM »
Here’s a link to my ep: www.acadams.bandcamp.com

24
News & New Guys / Newbie
« on: June 01, 2019, 06:49:06 PM »
Hello all of you out there in pickup land. My name's Al. Have played guitar since '85 at age 11, and have been modding/ruining/improving by trial and error since I was 14.

25
Everything you wanted to know about .... / HS-3
« on: June 01, 2019, 06:39:12 PM »
I see nobody has written a review on this one. Is it possibly because there are so many newer stacked singles in the line that have more output? Maybe.

This is my experience with it. The output is VERY low. The tone is absolutely gorgeous. especially in the neck position. They are just a tad warmer, but still have a pretty nice single coil tone along with being dead quiet. Just don't expect screaming output. You will have to adjust them closer than your standard single coils, or adjust gain/volume accordingly. Or use a boost pedal, overdrive like Mr. Malmsteen, or simply adjust your distortion settings a little higher. I actually used to use this pickup with traditional style humbuckers with good results. The big trick was to not go too high output with your bridge humbuckers, adjust the hs higher, and badda boom badda bing.

It is a VERY good pickup, just a little misunderstood because of its main user. Yes he flat out screamed, but his pickups were a little weak, boosted by the od250, and into a CRANKED 50 watt Marshall.

The only thing that confused me was the super high D.C. resistance, but low output. Most pickups with a dc resistance in the 20+ range are LOUD. Anyhow, maybe someone who is more well versed in pickup winding will chime in on that one.

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