I haven't had a bad gig.
(I've played badly, no doubt)
I've thought a few would head south, but they didn't. In fact those gigs turned out to be some of the best.
Tonight was supposed to be a Good Bye Samir show, but it wasn't to be. Strike one.
No worries.
I still had the afternoon gig at the Farmer's Market. This is a paying job. $25 an hour...cash. Through the town and the Parks & Recreation Department.
As we are setting up the promoter comes to explain it would be three hours and not four as we had agreed.
And of course that meant $75 per person rather than $100. Strike two.
Sigh.
As we began to play it was to a sparse turnout. The weather here has been brutal up until yesterday.
(The AC had been running 24/7) And then it broke. So today it was very pleasant, cool and a distinct lack of humidity.
So I expected a larger crowd. Okay...play on, McDuff...yes, I said it.
The band is a Blues thing - strict blues. No Rockabilly, no Tejeno. Joes band - he can do as he pleases; I'm just happy to play, right?
We're playing Stormy Monday, a standard.
There is a chorus early in Peaches En Regalia (F. Zappa) with an incredible walking bass riff, with the horns placing a sweet minor descending riff over the top.
Somehow Steve and I got 'stuck' in it half way through the song. (I started playing it, Steve recognized it and off we went)
But it rang...Joe starting playing his harp to my horn parts. It just worked SO well. Steve and I were both grinning involuntarily.
And now I notice people dancing. The crowd from the Glass House, a venue across the street, are filtering over in between shows...to check us out. These are nineteen through twenty five year olds. I'm really grinning.
And when we took a break, the woman at the taco stand came over and plied us with food.
"Could you play some Santana?" Joe nods.
I haven't had a grin plastered on my face this silly and unyielding as this since the early 1970s when it was acid induced.
Playing music is SO cool.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Beauty Sleep Matters
If you are not in tip top form, your game deteriorates. Some people feel the effects much more than others, but if your are run down, everything suffers.
For myself, if I get less sleep than is my wont, I am edgy, surly and not very creative at all. I lack patience and the ability to see any picture other than my head aching.
I've seen performers go for many hours past their limits - buoyed by the audience or drugs. And while it works for a time, eventually, the house of cards collapses.
Miles Davis was known for turning his back on the audience, or worse...flipping them off. I suspect he didn't sleep well, among other problems.
I know myself that if I lack sleep, my playing itself doesn't change, but my mental attitude does. And attitude is paramount to making music. I lack the vision to imagine where the tune should go. And without that inner dialog the music doesn't move much at all. It becomes rote finger work. In a word - boring.
Of course there are tricks to staving off the mental lethargy that lack of rest brings - I am making tea as I type this.
It's when you're at that wall, for me three or more days with less than ideal sleep, that no matter what you do, you won't be performing at your best.
Funny thing - audiences rarely notice all the little mistakes in the rendition of a song, but be out of sorts and every human in the room knows something is up.
Bands that have been doing it for a while learn how to snatch sleep where and when they can. New stars frequently show the excitement by powering on, even when they should be resting.
I get such a charge from playing that it takes hours for me to come off the high and be able to lay my head down.
So I have learned to sleep on the way to the venues. To each, his own.
For myself, if I get less sleep than is my wont, I am edgy, surly and not very creative at all. I lack patience and the ability to see any picture other than my head aching.
I've seen performers go for many hours past their limits - buoyed by the audience or drugs. And while it works for a time, eventually, the house of cards collapses.
Miles Davis was known for turning his back on the audience, or worse...flipping them off. I suspect he didn't sleep well, among other problems.
I know myself that if I lack sleep, my playing itself doesn't change, but my mental attitude does. And attitude is paramount to making music. I lack the vision to imagine where the tune should go. And without that inner dialog the music doesn't move much at all. It becomes rote finger work. In a word - boring.
Of course there are tricks to staving off the mental lethargy that lack of rest brings - I am making tea as I type this.
It's when you're at that wall, for me three or more days with less than ideal sleep, that no matter what you do, you won't be performing at your best.
Funny thing - audiences rarely notice all the little mistakes in the rendition of a song, but be out of sorts and every human in the room knows something is up.
Bands that have been doing it for a while learn how to snatch sleep where and when they can. New stars frequently show the excitement by powering on, even when they should be resting.
I get such a charge from playing that it takes hours for me to come off the high and be able to lay my head down.
So I have learned to sleep on the way to the venues. To each, his own.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
At Least They Tried
Chris called, my guitar is ready and he confirmed that the Made In Mexico Jaguar I have has a Made In America Jazzmaster tremolo plate. When GM did this using Chevy engines in Pontiacs (even though, functionally, the engines were identical - valve covers said Chevrolet), the outcry was huge.
Potentially a consumer could order a mod part and it wouldn't work since the arm on the MIA part is not threaded but the MIM tremolo arm is.
It took Fender or Sam Ash eight days to have a part delivered from Fullerton to Ontario...ten miles?
And Chris took the mint greet tip off my arm and placed it on the replacement arm. Fender didn't ship a complete tremolo arm? Well, at least it is functional, now.
As you exit Sam Ash or Guitar Center, for that matter, they want to search any musical related package.
Can you say illegal search and seizure?
They don't ask to search womens handbags. But for "security," IE shoplifting, they want to look in my property?
I have bought and paid for this case and what is within. Call the police if you believe me to have stolen something but to presume, nay ASSUME that everyone with a guitar is a thief is too much for me.
This is why I will continue to patronize Styles Music in Pomona. Even if it did cost a few dollars more to buy from Little Lou, it doesn't, I would still not buy from a large corporation that treats their customers so poorly.
Am I being too critical?
The phrase, "the customer is always right," has been relegated to history's dust bin, it seems.
At least the Jag is home.
Post Script - As I was trying to determine how the swap in parts had occurred an older gentleman approached and we spoke about guitars in general and the Jag in particular.He has one as well.
"Who set this up? The action is like butter!"
Andy Brauer strikes again!
Potentially a consumer could order a mod part and it wouldn't work since the arm on the MIA part is not threaded but the MIM tremolo arm is.
It took Fender or Sam Ash eight days to have a part delivered from Fullerton to Ontario...ten miles?
And Chris took the mint greet tip off my arm and placed it on the replacement arm. Fender didn't ship a complete tremolo arm? Well, at least it is functional, now.
As you exit Sam Ash or Guitar Center, for that matter, they want to search any musical related package.
Can you say illegal search and seizure?
They don't ask to search womens handbags. But for "security," IE shoplifting, they want to look in my property?
I have bought and paid for this case and what is within. Call the police if you believe me to have stolen something but to presume, nay ASSUME that everyone with a guitar is a thief is too much for me.
This is why I will continue to patronize Styles Music in Pomona. Even if it did cost a few dollars more to buy from Little Lou, it doesn't, I would still not buy from a large corporation that treats their customers so poorly.
Am I being too critical?
The phrase, "the customer is always right," has been relegated to history's dust bin, it seems.
At least the Jag is home.
Post Script - As I was trying to determine how the swap in parts had occurred an older gentleman approached and we spoke about guitars in general and the Jag in particular.He has one as well.
"Who set this up? The action is like butter!"
Andy Brauer strikes again!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Kudos Fender & Sam Ash Customer Service
My brand new Jaguar...sniff, sniff - baby isn't quite right.
It seems the collett that accepts the tremolo arm is not threaded as the arm would suggest.
I called Fender and was quickly connected to Steve.
Steve took my information and my issue. It was slightly above his level of knowledge so he asked to call me back, shortly.
Not more than fifteen minutes had passed when Steve called. First pleasant surprise.
My issue is indeed something an authorized repair center can rectify, gratis. Steve goes on to name a center located in Los Angeles; he based this on my cell phones ANI.
No, Steve...I am in Pomona. In seconds and without missing a beat, Steve came up with a dealer within minutes of my house. And I live out in the sticks...styx?
He goes on to provide both the name and number of the gentleman at the dealer who heads the repair department.
I call and spoke with Chris, who was kind enough to tell me that he is currently caught up so my guitar will only wait for parts if needed, to be shipped to him.
I went to Sam Ash in Ontario, I proceeded to look for Chris - he had just left for lunch.
Gary was kind and attentive, wrote the repair ticket and walked me back to the door after he provided me with business cards with direct numbers.
(Guitar Center also has roaming people to watch the store, but they tend to be rude and condescending; Gary was anything but)
My day job involves Quality Assurance as applied to things such as Customer Service. In this instance I was very happy with the service rendered. From start to where we currently stand, the representatives have been articulate, courteous and helpful. In this day and age, this level of service is outstanding.
Kudos to Fender, Sam Ash as well.
I'll let you know how the repair turns out.
Chris from Sam Ash called to tell me the MIM Jaguar has a MIA tremolo plate ... We'll see.
It seems the collett that accepts the tremolo arm is not threaded as the arm would suggest.
I called Fender and was quickly connected to Steve.
Steve took my information and my issue. It was slightly above his level of knowledge so he asked to call me back, shortly.
Not more than fifteen minutes had passed when Steve called. First pleasant surprise.
My issue is indeed something an authorized repair center can rectify, gratis. Steve goes on to name a center located in Los Angeles; he based this on my cell phones ANI.
No, Steve...I am in Pomona. In seconds and without missing a beat, Steve came up with a dealer within minutes of my house. And I live out in the sticks...styx?
He goes on to provide both the name and number of the gentleman at the dealer who heads the repair department.
I call and spoke with Chris, who was kind enough to tell me that he is currently caught up so my guitar will only wait for parts if needed, to be shipped to him.
I went to Sam Ash in Ontario, I proceeded to look for Chris - he had just left for lunch.
Gary was kind and attentive, wrote the repair ticket and walked me back to the door after he provided me with business cards with direct numbers.
(Guitar Center also has roaming people to watch the store, but they tend to be rude and condescending; Gary was anything but)
My day job involves Quality Assurance as applied to things such as Customer Service. In this instance I was very happy with the service rendered. From start to where we currently stand, the representatives have been articulate, courteous and helpful. In this day and age, this level of service is outstanding.
Kudos to Fender, Sam Ash as well.
I'll let you know how the repair turns out.
Chris from Sam Ash called to tell me the MIM Jaguar has a MIA tremolo plate ... We'll see.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
New Offerings
People Get Ready
Constant Change
Hey Joe Take Two
The first is the song by The Impressions from 1965 that Jeff Beck has taken and made into somewhat of a signature piece. My thought was what if Dicky Betts did the piece instead.
Constant Change is just a nice variation on the Blues.
The iconic Hendrix song, sans vocals - it was literally, take two.
Constant Change
Hey Joe Take Two
The first is the song by The Impressions from 1965 that Jeff Beck has taken and made into somewhat of a signature piece. My thought was what if Dicky Betts did the piece instead.
Constant Change is just a nice variation on the Blues.
The iconic Hendrix song, sans vocals - it was literally, take two.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Case For A Case
I recently bought a new Fender Jaguar guitar. It came to $767.15 out the door. It included a "Deluxe Fender Gig Bag." A thin padded bag that will protect from swirl marks only. Impact a amplifier cabinet and there will be a dent.
Online there are only two choices for a Hard Shell Case (HSC) for the Jazzmaster or Jaguar guitars. These being the only two Fender models bearing the "Offset Waist." Most of the vendors have the black case with the red interior. My guitar is red. I wanted the brown tweed with the orange interior. Most of the vendors want an additional $10 for the brown. And I'll assume they don't stock it, so the $10 is my paying for them spending six minutes ordering a case online.
Guitar Center carries both and furthermore, does not charge a premium for the brown tweed. They do, however, charge $139.95. Are you &*^%^%!! me?! Oh yeah...another $12 and change to ship it. I could have ordered it at one of the other vendors and saved $2, because they'd have shipped it for free.
At this point I am close to banging my head against the mike stand. And I haven't touched on why I feel guilty buying anything from Guitar Center - suffice it to say, they are the Walmarts of the music world.
Ah well, lesson learned. Use Vaseline.
In 1972 when I got my first Stratocaster, my first real guitar, my father paid $272, which included the HSC.
At that time, there was no such thing as a gig bag - a nylon guitar shaped back pack.
Every guitar made, came with a HSC. And these things were luggage. The Strat I got had the long rectangular case, which at that time was rather new. It was HUGE. It served as my file cabinet, my stash and it held my guitar, with assorted picks and strings.
It was de-rigueur to case your guitar. There was the ritual of warming the case before opening it during N.J winters - although today, the byproduct of opening it too quickly, finish checking, is sought after - proof of age, mojo. (Not really, but that is for another time)
But now, the major manufacturers - Gibson and Fender both, include gig bags on their lesser priced models.
(Gibson makes all guitars in the USA, but cheaper models get bags - Fender manufacturers worldwide, but only USA models get HSC standard)
I am not saddened nor nostalgic, I think they have missed an opportunity.I would have bought the Jaguar for $100 more if it included the case. I seriously doubt any sales would be lost. And then how difficult is it to have two packages, one with case - one with bag - similar to options on a car?
All of my guitars have hard cases. You cannot gig with a bag. Ever watch people throwing equipment into a van after a show; tired and wanting to leave as soon as possible?
And your stash won't be safe in a zippered pocket.
Online there are only two choices for a Hard Shell Case (HSC) for the Jazzmaster or Jaguar guitars. These being the only two Fender models bearing the "Offset Waist." Most of the vendors have the black case with the red interior. My guitar is red. I wanted the brown tweed with the orange interior. Most of the vendors want an additional $10 for the brown. And I'll assume they don't stock it, so the $10 is my paying for them spending six minutes ordering a case online.
Guitar Center carries both and furthermore, does not charge a premium for the brown tweed. They do, however, charge $139.95. Are you &*^%^%!! me?! Oh yeah...another $12 and change to ship it. I could have ordered it at one of the other vendors and saved $2, because they'd have shipped it for free.
At this point I am close to banging my head against the mike stand. And I haven't touched on why I feel guilty buying anything from Guitar Center - suffice it to say, they are the Walmarts of the music world.
Ah well, lesson learned. Use Vaseline.
In 1972 when I got my first Stratocaster, my first real guitar, my father paid $272, which included the HSC.
At that time, there was no such thing as a gig bag - a nylon guitar shaped back pack.
Every guitar made, came with a HSC. And these things were luggage. The Strat I got had the long rectangular case, which at that time was rather new. It was HUGE. It served as my file cabinet, my stash and it held my guitar, with assorted picks and strings.
It was de-rigueur to case your guitar. There was the ritual of warming the case before opening it during N.J winters - although today, the byproduct of opening it too quickly, finish checking, is sought after - proof of age, mojo. (Not really, but that is for another time)
But now, the major manufacturers - Gibson and Fender both, include gig bags on their lesser priced models.
(Gibson makes all guitars in the USA, but cheaper models get bags - Fender manufacturers worldwide, but only USA models get HSC standard)
I am not saddened nor nostalgic, I think they have missed an opportunity.I would have bought the Jaguar for $100 more if it included the case. I seriously doubt any sales would be lost. And then how difficult is it to have two packages, one with case - one with bag - similar to options on a car?
All of my guitars have hard cases. You cannot gig with a bag. Ever watch people throwing equipment into a van after a show; tired and wanting to leave as soon as possible?
And your stash won't be safe in a zippered pocket.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Every Guitarist Should Have One
When one buys a guitar, whether it is new or used, it can use - nay, it needs a proper setup.
Frequently intonation is off, action is very generic, the strings may be very old, et cetera.
With that in mind, many people set about to rectify the situation themselves. Some people are capable of making these adjustments utilizing the many resources available online or through tribal knowledge.
Dan Erlewine's book, 'How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!' being one of the well known sources.
But a greater amount of people do not know what they are doing or do not have the patience necessary to complete the job. And if there are any issues with the instrument, it takes a craftsmans touch to bring out the best the instrument has to offer.
It has to be a labor of love.
That brings me to Andy Brauer. Andy loves guitars. I mean that Andy has a passion for guitars that is infectious and almost innocent in demeanor. His love of guitars is child like - he has a wide eyed sense of wonder when in the presence of a guitar.
I learned of Andy quite by fortuitous accident.
Last Summer I purchased a pair of Sheptone AB Tribute pickups for my SG. They had been very highly recommended by a tech who produces wiring harness ready to drop in your guitar. I had the pickups and a wiring harness and quickly found myself at the limit of my knowledge and more importantly, my patience.
I began looking online for a tech to put my guitar together for me.
Andy's website came into view. I grabbed the phone number, called him and explained my situation.
"Those are my pickups! Sure I can help. When would you like to come by?"
I had a moment...so that was what the AB in AB Tributes stood for! Oh my!
I drove to Valley Village and found his workshop. I handed him my pickups and the wiring harness. Went over the work I wished to be done...a proper setup, install the pickups and the wiring harness. When do I want it back? Is this a dry cleaner? Andy knows that working musicians need their equipment. If they have a gig Saturday, that's when it has to be done.
We made a date and I waited expectantly. The only tech work I had experience with previously was the guy the local music store had hired at minimum wage. Needless to say, that was poorly done work and had for years turned me away from utilizing a competent tech.
I drove back at the appointed time. After greeting Andy and the ensuing pleasantries I sat down and Andy handed me my guitar. I strummed it unplugged. It rang! The action was perfect, the pickups and harness were in place...I was beside myself. It fit me like a glove, as though it were made for me!
And now I understood. A person who loves music and the instruments this much imbues every piece he touches with absolute magic.
The setup included:
frets had been polished
the fretboard oiled
the guitar cleaned and polished
action was very low as I had asked
intonation set
new strings installed.
I subsequently brought Andy my Strat (new nut + setup), my Gretsch (new nut + repair tailpiece + setup), and now he has my newest, the Jaguar (setup).
I cannot wait to get it back.
In each case, he took a nice guitar and made it artwork.
If you play and do not have a tech, get one - post haste! If you live near Los Angeles, call Andy.
If you live further away - factoring in shipping costs. This guy is the Michaelangelo of technical work, you will not be disappointed.
Andy Brauer
Frequently intonation is off, action is very generic, the strings may be very old, et cetera.
With that in mind, many people set about to rectify the situation themselves. Some people are capable of making these adjustments utilizing the many resources available online or through tribal knowledge.
Dan Erlewine's book, 'How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!' being one of the well known sources.
But a greater amount of people do not know what they are doing or do not have the patience necessary to complete the job. And if there are any issues with the instrument, it takes a craftsmans touch to bring out the best the instrument has to offer.
It has to be a labor of love.
That brings me to Andy Brauer. Andy loves guitars. I mean that Andy has a passion for guitars that is infectious and almost innocent in demeanor. His love of guitars is child like - he has a wide eyed sense of wonder when in the presence of a guitar.
I learned of Andy quite by fortuitous accident.
Last Summer I purchased a pair of Sheptone AB Tribute pickups for my SG. They had been very highly recommended by a tech who produces wiring harness ready to drop in your guitar. I had the pickups and a wiring harness and quickly found myself at the limit of my knowledge and more importantly, my patience.
I began looking online for a tech to put my guitar together for me.
Andy's website came into view. I grabbed the phone number, called him and explained my situation.
"Those are my pickups! Sure I can help. When would you like to come by?"
I had a moment...so that was what the AB in AB Tributes stood for! Oh my!
I drove to Valley Village and found his workshop. I handed him my pickups and the wiring harness. Went over the work I wished to be done...a proper setup, install the pickups and the wiring harness. When do I want it back? Is this a dry cleaner? Andy knows that working musicians need their equipment. If they have a gig Saturday, that's when it has to be done.
We made a date and I waited expectantly. The only tech work I had experience with previously was the guy the local music store had hired at minimum wage. Needless to say, that was poorly done work and had for years turned me away from utilizing a competent tech.
I drove back at the appointed time. After greeting Andy and the ensuing pleasantries I sat down and Andy handed me my guitar. I strummed it unplugged. It rang! The action was perfect, the pickups and harness were in place...I was beside myself. It fit me like a glove, as though it were made for me!
And now I understood. A person who loves music and the instruments this much imbues every piece he touches with absolute magic.
The setup included:
frets had been polished
the fretboard oiled
the guitar cleaned and polished
action was very low as I had asked
intonation set
new strings installed.
I subsequently brought Andy my Strat (new nut + setup), my Gretsch (new nut + repair tailpiece + setup), and now he has my newest, the Jaguar (setup).
I cannot wait to get it back.
In each case, he took a nice guitar and made it artwork.
If you play and do not have a tech, get one - post haste! If you live near Los Angeles, call Andy.
If you live further away - factoring in shipping costs. This guy is the Michaelangelo of technical work, you will not be disappointed.
Andy Brauer
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Size Does Matter
I own a Fender Stratocaster. A wonderful guitar.
It has a 9.5" radius - the curvature of the fretboard.
A scale of 25.5" - length of the neck.
With 21 "Medium Jumbo" (oxymoron, anyone?) frets.
Since 1972 when I bought my first Strat I have always felt that Fender guitars just didn't "fit" me well.
The radius of the neck combined with the scale made the curve of the neck feel very pronounced.
My Gibson has a flat neck, no radius to speak of. And it feels much more natural.
But the sound a Strat makes - It is God Himself playing - is not to be denied.
I could have found an alternative...a company that makes Strat copies with flat necks. But I want the real thing. I want a Fender.
I have recently rediscovered the Classic Players Jaguar. It has two pickups with higher output than a Strat, a control setup that resembles a Jetson styled car, and this particular model is "aged." That is, it's made to appear to be an older Jaguar. The pick guard is "mint green," what happens to a white pick guard over time. The frets are bronzed and the pickup covers are "lightly" aged...whatever that means. Headstock is pure old school with the small model designation.
They retail for $799 and are MIM - Made in Mexico.
The control setup is fascinating. It allows for two independent set ups in terms of both volume and tone that are changed with the flick of a switch. Nowadays people spend good money on A/B switches to accomplish the same thing.
And here is the secret all guitarists lose sleep over.
SIZE does matter.
The Jag has a shorter scale - 24" and one more fret, 22.
The effect is a flatter feeling to the fretboard. Add to that the cutaway on the body. While the Strat appears more "balanced" to the eye, it is the Jag that in reality is a better fit. It sits well when standing or even while seated. Something most guitars do not do well. They excel at one or the other...usually.
It is a most comfortable instrument! It's one drawback is weight; very close to eight pounds.
It has a 9.5" radius - the curvature of the fretboard.
A scale of 25.5" - length of the neck.
With 21 "Medium Jumbo" (oxymoron, anyone?) frets.
Since 1972 when I bought my first Strat I have always felt that Fender guitars just didn't "fit" me well.
The radius of the neck combined with the scale made the curve of the neck feel very pronounced.
My Gibson has a flat neck, no radius to speak of. And it feels much more natural.
But the sound a Strat makes - It is God Himself playing - is not to be denied.
I could have found an alternative...a company that makes Strat copies with flat necks. But I want the real thing. I want a Fender.
I have recently rediscovered the Classic Players Jaguar. It has two pickups with higher output than a Strat, a control setup that resembles a Jetson styled car, and this particular model is "aged." That is, it's made to appear to be an older Jaguar. The pick guard is "mint green," what happens to a white pick guard over time. The frets are bronzed and the pickup covers are "lightly" aged...whatever that means. Headstock is pure old school with the small model designation.
They retail for $799 and are MIM - Made in Mexico.
The control setup is fascinating. It allows for two independent set ups in terms of both volume and tone that are changed with the flick of a switch. Nowadays people spend good money on A/B switches to accomplish the same thing.
And here is the secret all guitarists lose sleep over.
SIZE does matter.
The Jag has a shorter scale - 24" and one more fret, 22.
The effect is a flatter feeling to the fretboard. Add to that the cutaway on the body. While the Strat appears more "balanced" to the eye, it is the Jag that in reality is a better fit. It sits well when standing or even while seated. Something most guitars do not do well. They excel at one or the other...usually.
It is a most comfortable instrument! It's one drawback is weight; very close to eight pounds.
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| Mine is in the middle. |
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