Watch Out Where the Huskies Go
Posted: February 14, 2010 Filed under: Artists, Listening | Tags: Frank Zappa, Guitars, Page McConnell Leave a comment »- Digging out my back yard today, I shoveled a bit of yellow snow (where the greyhounds go). I found myself humming, “Dreamed I was an Eskimo…”
- The Phish.net blog has a good video up of Page McConnell walking an interviewer through his rig. I’d embed the video here, but WordPress.com doesn’t support the player (Brightcove) yet.
- One of the tuning pegs on my old Yamaha acoustic is shot, and it slips when I tune it above a certain pitch. So I’ve tuned the guitar way down, which has lowered the action quite a bit. It’s a lot more fun to play now.
PRS Guitarbud
Posted: January 20, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Guitars, iPhone, PRS Guitarbud 2 Comments »The PRS Guitarbud came to my attention recently via @fretbase.
This must-have accessory allows you to plug your guitar directly into your iPhone and 2nd Gen iPod Touch (simultaneously with your headphones) for use with all guitar applications.
30 bucks. I just ordered one up.
Acoustic Guitar Jones
Posted: December 29, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Guitars, Mandolin Brothers, mpomy, Tony Rice 3 Comments »Another tidbit from MPomy: a Santa Cruz Tony Rice Model D for sale at Mandolin Brothers.
Tony’s legendary 1930s D-28, previously owned by Clarence White, served as the model for an instrument design that combines the bass presence of the old D-28 with more substantial midrange and treble response, which is necessary for Tony’s modern lead work.
Writeup adds that the instrument, and “world class performance domination,” can be had for as low as $4,720.
Back in college, we all trekked to Mandolin Brothers, where they used to let you play everything, even the $30,000 Strats or whatever.
Bluegrass Bender Ahead?
Posted: December 12, 2009 Filed under: Listening | Tags: C.F. Martin & Co., Guitars, Tony Rice 2 Comments »Free time ran in exceedingly short supply today. I did have time to download Tony Rice’s 1977 self-titled record off iTunes. I may be in for a bluegrass bender. Not sure.
Also, I got to play maxwellkeeler’s two Martins (six string and 12 string) this evening. Whoo boy. I may also be in for a new guitar shortly. Not sure about that either.
Smitten by the Starcaster
Posted: November 24, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: G.E. Smith, Guitars, Starcaster 2 Comments »
HK posted the following questions in the comments:
is that your guitar at the top of this page? what is it?
Yes, that is my guitar. It’s a Fender Starcaster.
Now, HK didn’t ask, but for the record, here’s a bit of backstory on my Starcaster. In 1997, I had some cash to burn and a jones for an electric guitar. One day, I was over at DeLaRuss’s apartment and got a chance to play his recently acquired Starcaster. I picked up the thing and was smitten.
Not long thereafter, I wandered in to Chelsea Guitars on 23rd Street in NYC. I asked them if they had a Starcaster in stock, and they did, although it wasn’t on display. As the guy went to the back of the shop to fetch the guitar, I heard someone say, “A Starcaster, huh? Do you play the blues?” I looked over – it was G.E. Smith (pictured above). That kind of sealed it for me.
Also for the record, I later learned that I paid way more than DelaRuss did for his Starcaster. Oh well. I stayed within my budget, even if I overpaid. A fair price is what a willing buyer pays a willing seller.
Changing Strings
Posted: November 21, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: guitar strings, Guitars, Yamaha Leave a comment »
My big activity this Saturday night: putting some new strings on the Yamaha.
Music Links and a Guitar Jones
Posted: October 27, 2009 Filed under: Technology | Tags: Grooveshark, Guitars, Wired Leave a comment »Bits and pieces this evening.
- Wired compiles the “8 Best Ways to Share Mix Tapes.” My favorite on their list is Grooveshark, which just updated its site.
- Very Short List flags Let Them Sing it For You. Random.
- One of these days, I’ll upgrade to a nice acoustic guitar, like this one.
XTC’s Andy Partridge: “Surprise Yourself”
Posted: September 23, 2009 Filed under: Artists, Videos | Tags: Andy Partridge, Guitar.com, Guitars, Paul Badger, XTC 1 Comment »Via Paul Badger via Guitar.com, an interview with Andy Partridge of XTC. Partridge talks about how he got started playing guitar (including playing along with Jerry Garcia), favorite players, his approach to chord changes, songwriting, summoning up the great god “Ernie,” and soloing.
“Surprise yourself. Alarm yourself.”
Nice one.
The Other Yamaha in Action
Posted: September 20, 2009 Filed under: Videos | Tags: Guitars, Kids, Yamaha, Yngwie Leave a comment »Well, it wasn’t much of a weekend for blogging. Supplies of free time ran out very quickly.
As a follow on to last night’s post, here’s a video featuring FBdN son #2 taking a keen interest in the Yamaha acoustic. Now, I don’t post this to suggest he’s a budding Yngwie – the guitar did indeed seem to fascinate him, but that probably would have held true for a paper shopping bag or a Deer Park water jug.
The Other Yamaha in My Collection
Posted: September 19, 2009 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Guitars, Yamaha Leave a comment »
