Tonefordays

Joe Bonamassa Visits Rumble Seat Music

2011-11-11T20:51:00.000-05:00

Nice trio of vintage 'bursts. I have never heard of the amp he's playing through but it is sweet.

Vintage Premium P.A.F. Soundclips

2011-11-03T21:45:00.002-05:00

I have added new soundclips to my site done by Dom Polito of Classic Albums Live. The pickups in the clips are V-59 Premium Vintage using butyrate bobbins, PAF correct alloy screws, other specific alloys and magnets gaussed to vintage specs. I will offer all my vintage winds as Premium Vintage.

You can get to the soundclips by clicking on the link for my site to the left or by clicking here.

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Fuzz: The Sound That Changed The World

2011-10-26T23:43:00.000-05:00

Excellent documentary about the fuzz pedal, from the early days to present. There's a few familiar faces in there as well.

Joe Bonamassa - Dust Bowl

2011-10-20T13:20:00.000-05:00

No explanation needed.

Newtone Strings

2011-05-14T11:21:00.003-05:00

Now I'm torn. The Newtone strings I put on my R8 are simply the best I've ever tried. Let me qualify that: they are the best round core pure nickel strings I've ever tried. I think the hex core are neck and neck with Snake Oil strings.

The round core are nice and percussive, very round sounding. Not dark, not overly bright. I was concerned I would lose volume with these as opposed to hex core but I have not found that to be the case. I have found these strings to be a must for that late 60's, early 70's guitar tone.

Newtone Strings

Joe Banamassa's 59 Les Paul up close

2011-03-26T16:53:00.000-05:00

This actually isn't directly about his original burst, it's about his new album and the equipment he used, but he's playing it throughout the vid.

Joe Bonamassa plays Paul Kossof's 59 Les Paul

2010-11-19T11:13:00.000-05:00

Unbelievable tone. This is everything a vintage burst is supposed to be. Recorded at a live gig in Newcastle.

Phil X Jams - Cheap Sun Glasses

2010-11-11T20:13:00.000-05:00

Another video with Phil and Freiheit guitar. Plus my pickups!

Oustanding Music blog

2010-11-06T13:58:00.003-05:00

I've spent the last two hours reading through some of the posts on this blog. Written by Jas Obrecht it has interviews with many of my favourite musicians. Especially notable is the series of interviews with friends of Duane Allman, including his brother Gregg. Here's the link:

Jas Obrecht Music Blog

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Mike Bloomfield website

2010-10-24T22:00:00.002-05:00

I'm fairly certain I visited this site a couple of years ago but there wasn't much there. Now there's a two parts of a documentary plus other videos and pictures. It's really grown in the last little while. There's a great section on his guitars and amps. I also found out there is a feature length documentary scheduled to be released in 2012.

Mike Bloomfield

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Phil X Jams - Highway to Hell

2010-10-05T16:19:00.000-05:00

So here is Phil X playing a guitar made by Brad Freiheit with my pickups in it. A Black Widow in the bridge and a V-1 in the neck.

Phil X - 1953 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top 01130

2010-04-18T18:01:00.000-05:00

There really is nothing like a wrap tail gold top. Beautiful example of the species with great tone.

Blackie Replica

2010-03-28T10:14:00.005-05:00

A friend of mine has been making a few guitars lately and has become quite good at the relic thing. Here's one of his latest, Clapton's Blackie.

Those are my pickups as well. A slightly modified Superstition set.

I like the way he got the exposed wood to look old. One of the great failings of other relic jobs is that the wood looks too fresh. But this one really looks the part. I deliberately didn't show a closeup of the headstock but it has all the cigarette burns of the original.
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Douchebag meter

2010-02-06T17:14:00.002-05:00

I truly wish they made one of these. It would sure come in handy even just to confirm your suspicions.

Jeff Beck - She's A Woman

2010-02-03T10:58:00.001-05:00

Live from 1974. Playing his converted and re-finished '54 goldtop.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)

2010-01-24T14:06:00.001-05:00

Now here's someone I haven't listened to in years. I forgot how amazing SRV was when he hit the scene with the first album. Still an incredible guitarist.

First Video of the new year with PHILX ! 1954 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top 01093

2010-01-14T23:46:00.001-05:00

I don't think this needs any explanation. Phil gets to play some of the finest guitars know to man. Bastard.

1950's National Amplifier

2010-01-08T18:56:00.008-05:00

Here's a rare one. A Valco made National brand amplifier. The Two 8" speakers are the original Jensen Alnico's.

The cabinet is in pretty good shape considering the age of the amp. The top and sides have some water damage from sitting in an attic for years.

Here's the chassis unloaded from the cabinet. You can see the really small output transformer as compared to the power trannie. That's a 5Y3G rectifier next to the PT. Lots of squashy tone there. There is an added master volume ( not really needed and I didn't do that, it was already done when I got it) and extension speaker jack. That black thing with the metal cap is actually a tube. It's a 6J7 and is the gain stage for the amp. The tube behind that is a 6SL7G and does the phase inversion. Two big bottle 6L6G's for output. I didn't pull the control panel out and a friend of mine has a suspicion there's another tube hiding up in there.

Here's the money shot. You can see the old waxed paper in oil caps. It's had a cap job done and the two prong cord has been replaced with a three prong. Which is necessary if you don't want to suddenly die of electrocution.

And the original RCA branded tubes. Still going strong after all these years.

PHIL X 1956 Gibson Les Paul Custom 01070

2010-01-05T14:28:00.001-05:00

I really want one of these. The neck pickup has an amazing tone. Very thick and bluesy. Great sounding guitar over all. Gibson re-issued this at one point complete with the Alnico neck pickup.

It Might Get Loud

2009-12-30T21:58:00.002-05:00

And it definitely does. Well worth the price of admission. While you may not agree with the choice of guitarists it's a great look at three different generations and what inspired and inspires them. Each of them take a walk back through their early days early influences. The deleted scenes are nearly as long again as the main feature.

I came away with a greater respect for Jack White. I just didn't get him before this but now I see that he and Page are not that far apart musically. Watch for the scene where White writes and records ( on an old 8 track no less) a song for the cameras. There are musicians who spend weeks in the studio trying to capture what White got down on that tape in a short period of time.

The best part was the look on Jack White and The Edge when Page ripped into "Whole Lotta Love". Like kids at a candy store.

Review on Analog War Cry

2009-12-18T17:07:00.004-05:00

The review of my Monterey single coils and V-59 humbuckers went up today. It's a great site with tons of interesting and useful guitar related reviews on it. If you're not aware of it here's the link:

Analog War Cry

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Phil X and Gretsch Synchromatic 400

2009-12-17T12:53:00.001-05:00

A little change of pace. Get some acoustic in ya. I just never get tired of this guy.

Snowy White - I Loved Another Woman

2009-12-12T11:21:00.001-05:00

Awesome tone from a very under-rated player. Nice goldtop too.

Latest Copyright Infringement Case

2009-12-07T13:25:00.001-05:00

This made me laugh. Right out loud. And I'm alone in the house so you know it's funny.

Link

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THANKSGIVING PHIL X!!! 1964 Gibson Firebird 01073

2009-12-02T12:04:00.001-05:00

The year I was born. Not my favourite guitar but it sounds pretty good. Those Firebird pickups are really their own thing. They used the same parts as the regular mini but had two magnets in the coils instead of one underneath.

How electron tubes work

2009-11-22T13:46:00.001-05:00

Here is a cool vintage film reel by Westinghouse that explains how basic electron tubes work. Pretty interesting and informative.

Electronics at work

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PHIL X MONDAY!! 1961 Epiphone Wilshire BLACK 01017

2009-11-20T19:53:00.001-05:00

Shades of Steve Marriott.

PHIL X THURSDAY! 1961 Gibson Les Paul TV Cream 01015

2009-11-12T14:33:00.001-05:00

Aahhhhhhh. Tone.

Armour Gold cables

2009-11-09T11:12:00.002-05:00

I picked up some of these the other day out of curiosity. They got here pretty quickly, about two and a half weeks, which I can't complain about because I got free shipping.

They are beautifully made cables. Good heavy duty plugs with thick heat shrink over them. The braided covering on the cable feels very tough and is very wear resistant and is fairly flexible. Maybe a little less than the Planet Waves cable it replaced.

To my ear it sounds a little less bright than the Planet Waves. Capacitance is the key to guitar cables and these are 33 pf, which is pretty much right in the middle. I use lower output pickups which can be very bright so a cable that cuts a bit of that is exactly what is needed. If you really want to cut top end use one of those older curly cords. If you look closely at film clips from the 60's and early 70's you'll see lots of those cords.

These are excellent cables for about the same money as I paid for the Planet Waves. Ordering direct gets a discount. Here's the link:

Armour Gold

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The Peter Green Story (1/12)

2009-10-31T12:30:00.001-05:00

There's 12 parts to this posted on youtube. Well worth watching for anyone who is interested in Green. There are interviews with Mick Fleetwood, John MacVie and Jeremy Spencer among others.

1960 Gibson Les Paul 01013 Phil X

2009-10-28T15:03:00.001-05:00

Phil X again with another beautiful guitar. That little Tonemaster amp is very sweet as well.

FREE - FIRE AND WATER(STUDIO LIVE 1970)

2009-10-24T09:58:00.001-05:00

The Word Detective

2009-10-23T18:30:00.002-05:00

Not actually related to music but just a very entertaining and informative site.

The Word Detective

If you ever wondered where a certain phrase or word came from this is where you will find out. He's kept me entertained for about 8 months now so I though I would give him a plug.

ZZ Top - Just Got Paid (Live)

2009-10-06T09:45:00.001-05:00

Okay, now he has a guitar. A Moderne of sorts.

DunlopTV - Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top

2009-09-30T22:25:00.001-05:00

I don't think anything needs to be said about this one.

1955 Gibson Les Paul Gold Top 00601

2009-09-22T12:26:00.001-05:00

Phil X on another great guitar.

Eric Clapton - I'm Tore Down

2009-09-19T12:37:00.001-05:00

From 1994. Clapton with a Gibson!!!!

TOM WITTROCK | 1960 Gibson Les Paul Burst for $2000, Billy Gibbons

2009-09-18T18:10:00.001-05:00

I happened upon a series of these videos on Youtube. I thought they were really good and wanted to share them.

What guitar player are you?

2009-06-12T23:49:00.001-05:00

Here is a fun little quiz that I did and here are the results. Who would have thunk it? You can do the quiz for yourself with the link on the bottom of the results.

Which famous guitarist are you? Your Result: Jimi Hendrix You are all about jamming and just making music. You are born for making music. When you make music, you like to be with people you know well so you have a feel for them. You are in the spotlight all the time. Cut your hair, hippie!
David Gilmour
Jimmy Page
Adam Jones
Dimebag Darrell
Synyster Gates
Tom Delonge
Which famous guitarist are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

FET Dream

2009-04-05T18:11:00.003-05:00

I have had this pedal for a few days now and I can honestly say it is one of the best OD pedals I have heard. And it's Canadian to boot! Made by Cause and Effect Pedals of Mississauga.

From a little "hair" to to a lot of drive the pedal retains the essential tone of your guitar. I can make my 18 watt sound like it's dimed at low volume or give it a little ( or a lot) extra at high volume.

It has a surprisingly small footprint, about two thirds the size of my Pearl Overdrive, with some great graphics and a bright blue LED to let you know when it's on. Not like you need that light but it is cool, none the less.

The web site is here and it's well worth a look if you're in the market for an OD pedal.

Jethro Tull - Aqualung (Live)

2009-03-13T09:50:00.001-05:00

Here's one I haven't heard in years. I remember having a good giggle over the lyrics when I was younger. Now I just want to know where Martin Barre got those pants.

Plain enamel wire

2009-02-28T18:32:00.003-05:00

I recently lucked in to a nice supply of old formula plain enamel magnet wire. It's a beautiful dark purple, almost black, and smells like magic marker. I've wound a few sets with it now and it really goes on nice. Looks the part as well, much better than the newer plain enamel formulas.

The Science of Music

2009-02-14T11:54:00.001-05:00

Here is a good video explaining the evolution of the modern tempered scale.

The Science of Music

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That Buzzing Sound

2009-02-05T19:24:00.005-05:00

Excellent article in the New Yorker about hearing damage. I saw this posted on one of the forums and then went back to try and find it and I couldn't.

That Buzzing Sound

It's a pretty important topic for musicians so I thought it wouldn't hurt to post it here. The article actually prompted me to purchase these.

Now I can enjoy my JCM 800 on annihilate again.

Freddie King - Hideaway

2009-01-15T18:25:00.001-05:00

The real thing.

Last Train to Clarksville - The Monkees

2008-12-06T11:53:00.001-05:00

I remember running home to watch The Monkees on TV. Followed by Gilligan's Island then Hogan's Heroes. They don't make shows like that anymore.

Great songs from this show, whatever the reason for their creation.

Steve Marriott with

2008-11-24T12:36:00.003-05:00

A 'burst!! This is the first picture I have seen of Marriott with a 'burst. And a beautiful one at that. Double whites in both positions. I ran across this picture on one of the forums and thought it should be shared.

New Sound Clip

2008-11-22T13:16:00.002-05:00

James Anthony was kind enough to provide a clip of a 12k humbucker that I made for him. The guitar is an ES 339 through a '67 Vibrolux with Eminence Red Fangs.

The clip is here.

Melody Maker P-90 Mod

2008-11-19T20:49:00.004-05:00

Here is an interesting little project I just completed. A customer sent me two Melody Maker single coils pickups for a re-wind and a P-90 mod. I can't take credit for the original idea as he provided me with a link to the site where he had seen it. The magnet in the coil is replaced with a steel bar and two magnets are used on the bottom.

You can see from this photo that the whole package still fits nicely in the original cover.

For the re-wind I used 43 gauge plain enamel wire and put 9800 winds on the bridge and 8800 winds on the neck. The inductance readings for both are right on with what I usually get from a P-90 so this set should really smoke.

Joe Bonamassa Interview - Fenderpick.com

2008-11-10T11:38:00.001-05:00

I like it when Joe starts talking about how he can't get the tone he wants out of a Fender. The second part is there as well. It's obvious there's more but I can't find it.

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Superstition

2008-11-07T09:52:00.001-05:00

One of my favourite guitar players with a great rendition of this tune.

1958 burst

2008-11-05T22:19:00.003-05:00

Sweet faded top with a bit of flame. I love the aging on this one. There's a lot of great old bursts at Burst serial.

Old Videos

2008-10-19T18:23:00.003-05:00

Here's a site I happened across doing a search. It has old videos from the sixties and seventies. Also has lyrics but I couldn't find those. Some great stuff on there. Old Amboy Dukes and Grand Funk Railroad. There's also a link to a classic rock radio show every Saturday.

Click Here

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Tone

2008-10-16T11:19:00.002-05:00

For my taste it doesn't get any better than a Les Paul straight into a Marshall. Big, full and loud. One of the forums I post on has a thread titled "Show a picture of your pedal board". There's a lot of pictures with more pedals than I can count on some boards. I keep meaning to take a picture of my wah pedal and post it, just for fun.

I just discovered Rufus Huff and it's as good as it gets. An original 1958 Les Paul through a Marshall.

Fleetwood Mac - The Early Years

2008-10-15T00:02:00.002-05:00

Someone was kind enough to post part 1 of this dvd on-line. Peter Green is one of my favourites and this documentary is out of print ( I don't know if you say that for dvd's). Here's the link

Fleetwood Mac

Enjoy

Eric Clapton Shows Some Guitar Skills

2008-10-12T11:45:00.001-05:00

Really great clip from back in the day ( as the kids are saying)

Badfinger - Baby Blue

2008-10-06T09:36:00.001-05:00

I remember hearing this song on the radio. Checking them out on Youtube it's amazing how many of their songs I do remember.

More On-line Lessons

2008-10-01T11:16:00.001-05:00

I have been aware of Gibson's on-line lessons for a while but they have really expanded the number of lessons they have. I went through a couple today and they are pretty good. More on theory and technique than just playing songs.

Here's the link: Gibson Lessons

Now it's back to the winder.

David Gilmour - There's no way out of here

2008-09-26T21:45:00.001-05:00

I have always liked this tune. Actually the whole album is good.

Mullard Tubes

2008-09-23T08:42:00.001-05:00

Here's an excellent film reel about the Mullard Blackburn works.

Mullard

I remember this type of film from my grade school days.

Sonic Boom

2008-09-18T08:28:00.002-05:00

Frank Reddon's book is finally out. I got it the other day and I'm about 40 pages in. For those not "in the know" it's about Led Zeppelin and the impact of their first year or so. Reddon interviewed musicians and fans who were there for the book.

Here's a link: Enzepplopedia

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Great Documentary

2008-09-14T00:00:00.002-05:00

It's been a while for an update so I when I ran across this I thought I would share. This is an excellent film on the state of the music industry.

Before The Music Dies

Excellent points of view from some serious musicians and fans.

Virtual Zeppelin -Ten Years Gone

2008-06-21T16:42:00.001-05:00

A while back I posted about the Vanderbilly site and the lessons there. Here's something I happened on from that site. None of the people involved ever met for this. They recorded their parts separately. Superb job.

Small World The Stumble

2008-06-01T09:31:00.001-05:00

Colin Black sent me their cd. Best modern blues I have heard in quite a while.

Les Paul

2008-04-06T17:56:00.003-05:00

I just finished reading "The Early Years Of The Les Paul Legacy" by Robb Lawrence. Very informative with some excellent 'burst pictures. This is the first of two volumes with the second being due in October.

The book details Lester's life from the early days to 1963. There is information on his earliest professional outings right up to his days with Mary Ford. All the great innovations are there from multi-tracking to studio effects. And of course, the guitar itself. It wouldn't be a complete book without that.

The book goes over the timeline of the model giving dates and changes over the period from it's development to the first demise of the model in 1963. The second volume is supposed to pick up in 1968 with the first re-issue.

A really well done book about the man and the guitar and well worth the money.

ZZ Top Live in '82

2008-03-12T17:39:00.001-05:00

Incredible tone from the Rev.

Gary Moore - The Messiah Will Come Again

2008-02-17T10:37:00.001-05:00

Phenomenal performance.

If you have a 'Burst fetish

2008-02-14T14:00:00.003-05:00

Well, I do if you haven't noticed yet. Here is one that has the most extensive photo set I have ever seen.

59 'burst

The detail is amazing. Not to mention it's a great looking guitar.

Magnets

2008-02-04T20:23:00.000-05:00

I got my hands on some rough cast Alnico magnets. Rough like they used in the 50's. I like the look of them as opposed to the polished. I am using them as an option on my humbuckers and P-90's but I only have Alnico 2 and 3 at the moment. I'll get A4 and 5 when they are back in stock at my supplier.

Ted McCarty

2008-02-01T10:45:00.000-05:00

I recently purchased "Gibson Guitars Ted McCarty's Golden Era". For those of you who don't know McCarty was president of Gibson from 1948 to 1966. His main passion was engineering though. He was responsible for the ABR-1, the Explorer, Flying V and the Moderne among other things. McCarty also oversaw the development and production of the original Les Paul. I'm thinking everyone knows that story though.

Not to give too much of the plot away the book follows McCarty from childhood to Wurlitzer and then on to Gibson ( with a lot of detail of that period obviously).

Sandy Mary

2008-01-25T11:50:00.000-05:00

This is live from the BBC recordings. An absolutely kickass version with the boys in top form. I picked this one from the listing at the back of Strange Brew. It is not disappointing. All the recordings were done for broadcast on various shows for the BBC between 1968 and 1970, although 4 of them were done after Peter Green left. As always great tone and playing.

Sandy Mary

Peter wrote this for his girlfriend of the time.

Jon Moore Pickups thru Frenzel 5E3FM - Bridge

2008-01-15T11:30:00.001-05:00

Here's a clip done by Brett Jenkins of a set of pickups I made for him. This is one of four that he did. Awesome tone, if I don't say so myself.

Shrine '69

2008-01-06T23:11:00.000-05:00

Just picked up this little gem. Recorded live at the Shrine Auditorium in, of course, 1969. Fleetwood Mac were in absolute top form here. The recording is not great but not bad. Excellent tone from Green and Kirwan. The album is set up so that what you hear is what the audience heard, track for track ( or so I believe). It never falters from the tune up at the beginning to the closer "Great Balls Of Fire", with Jeremy Spencer giving a great performance.

If You Be My Baby

Sloe Gin

2007-12-09T00:52:00.000-05:00

I really like Joe Bonamassa's playing. On his latest disc he gets into acoustic blues in a big way. Beautiful tone and masterful playing. I think one of his best yet. Here is the opening track from Sloe Gin.

Ball Peen Hammer

The Song Remains The Same

2007-11-24T21:53:00.000-05:00

It's been updated and restored. I doubt there is anyone who hasn't heard this yet. It's out now and on my wish list for Christmas.

I remember going down to the Broadway Cinema when I was in high school to catch it when it played. Back in my day repertory theatres were the only way to catch movies a second time around. No vhs or dvd rentals then. That's something my kids will never understand, or ever enjoy probably. There was something really exciting about catching the midnight showing of TSRTS or Rocky Horror Picture Show ( Yeah, I was there in the back row. Didn't dress up though, not quite that fanatical).

Anyhow, TSRTS is one of my all time favourite concert movies. Sure, Robert's voice isn't up to par and maybe Jimmy was off sometimes, but the whole vibe of the movie hasn't faded for me over the years. It still smokes now as it did then.

Fret Doctor

2007-11-17T00:35:00.000-05:00

I purchased this product quite a while ago and haven't had a chance to use it until now. Put it on with a q-tip and wiped it off. Easy as pie. Fret board looks beautiful. Nice and dark and feels great while playing. Slick without being greasy. I notice a definite reduction in friction on the board. Smells nice too as a bonus.

Fret Doctor

Click the link for it on the left hand side.

Transcribe!

2007-11-12T10:30:00.000-05:00

I found this little program through one of the forums. It's a neat little package that slows down songs in real time while retaining pitch. Not only that but it gives note suggestions as well. I found that pretty handy.

Very easy to use. you can seperate out a specific part for continuous playback and EQ the song to try and bring the instrument your interested in to the front. I haven't had a good chance to sit down with it but I like what I have seen so far.

Transcribe

It has a 30 day free trial before you have to buy.

Black Magic Woman

2007-11-10T10:19:00.001-05:00

There have been a few threads on the forums I haunt about Peter Green. A lot of people didn't realize that Santana's biggest hit was actually written by Green. Even more had never heard the original, so I thought I would share it with you.

Black Magic Woman

Green was, in my opinion just by listening, a big influence on Santana's playing. It's most evident on Green's The Supernatural.

Foghat - Slow Ride (Live - 1978)

2007-11-06T16:27:00.001-05:00

I haven't thought about this band in years until someone posted this link on the MyLesPaul forum. One of my favourite lost tunes from my youth.

Cream

2007-11-04T10:15:00.000-05:00

I finished the Dave Thompson book on Cream the other week and thoroughly enjoyed it. There is a lot of insight into the events and people surrounding the group. It jibes well with Strange Brew but gives information on what the group wanted to do from the outset, and what they felt they actually accomplished.

It provides some great insight into the perspectives of each member, Clapton in particular, and how they changed over the life of the group and what influences caused the changes. I found the feud between Baker and Bruce amusing. The origins of it are really quite juvenile set against the larger picture. The same complaints are expressed by Baker again during the 2005 reunion shows.

This book combines really well with Strange Brew to give a great picture of the music scene at the time and the people in it.

Guitar websites

2007-10-28T09:04:00.000-05:00

Here are a couple of sites that I have stumbled on over the last little while.

Blues you can use is a site by the author of the books of the same name. There are about a dozen on-line lessons with more to come. I've only had a chance to gloss through them but they are pretty informative.

Vanderbilly is a great site I found through a mention on Guitars Canada. Really well done videos that, to my eye and ear, are pretty bang on. Vanderbilly himself does a great job on copping the tone and feel of the songs he demonstrates. It's more songs lessons than theory lessons but an excellent site nevertheless, especially for Zeppelin fans.

A little history

2007-10-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

is sometimes a good thing. I finished a book on the history of pickups that I found very informative. A good look into the major players in the 40's and 50's. There was also some information on technical considerations when designing and winding a pickup. It made me re-think my approach to magnet and winding combinations. Went into some detail about magnetic field shape and it's effect on tone. I felt it was an excellent book that can only have a positive impact on my pickups.

I have also started the auctions again now that I am caught up with some orders that I have had since August.

It's not on my site but I have started making 7-string pickups. I've made 3 or 4 sets so far with great results.

Fleetwood Mac - Homework (live in France, 1968)

2007-10-22T00:54:00.001-05:00

I love finding these old clips. Peter Green is in fine form. This is from before the drugs and psychological problems started to take their toll. Danny Kirwan looks like he is on another plane of existance. Everybody looks pretty into it and happy to be there.

The Trews - Poor Ol' Broken Hearted Me

2007-10-04T12:34:00.001-05:00

I really like this tune. This is the first relatively new band in a while that has caught my ear.

Head and cabinet

2007-10-03T22:20:00.001-05:00

Here are the photos I received from Steve at Trinity:

It looks really sweet. I'm glad I opted for the red instead of the purple. I'll have them by the weekend so I'll have this puppy ready to go.

18 watt test drive

2007-09-27T11:20:00.000-05:00

I purchased the tubes I needed yesterday and fired up the amp using the speakers on my JCM 800 combo. They are the original G 12-65's and the sound was great. I had to move one wire that I misplaced on the board for the boost but other than that and a ground I forgot to solder there were no issues.

The sound is exactly what I was looking for. Tube distortion and tube rectifier sag. I should have my head and cab next week.

Amp build

2007-09-25T23:13:00.001-05:00

Well, here is the completed kit:

Took me about 20 hours in total I think. It's ready for tubes and the head box. Here's a shot of the power tranny:

Here's a shot of the board. It's a little blurry. Okay, it's a lot blurry but you can still get a good idea.

I still have to get tubes for it. I still have the 12ax7's that originally came with my JCM800 which I will use so I just need the rectifier tube and two el84's. I had the head and cabinet done in red tolex, just to be different. Upon the recommendation of a local amp guru I went with a greenback clone from Eminence. They were a good enough price that I don't mind taking the chance.

18 watt kit

2007-09-13T22:10:00.000-05:00

I pulled the trigger on a kit yesterday. Can't wait to get my hands on it. I chose one that is similar to the original Marshall with the tremolo channel. This one can be jumpered for some extra overdrive. If this one goes well I think the next one will be a jtm 45 clone.

I'm back

2007-09-07T19:15:00.000-05:00

Well the Casino is over so I now have the time to start blogging again. I bought the Cream book a while ago and now I can't find it. I was going to start that once I had the time and post a review. I'll be damned if I know where it's gone.

I'm a little pissy that Guitar One ceased publication. I am now getting Guitar World without the cd which is a waste of time. Now I have to hunt for a new magazine.

Mojo picks

2007-07-18T22:50:00.000-05:00

Just received the one I ordered the other day. Nice little pick. Made out of a 1944 quarter, the year that Jimmy Page was born. You can get other years that famous musicians were born in as well.

It plays really sweet. I can't believe that a metal pick would feel as nice as it does against the strings. Just glides right over them.

Here's a link to check them out: Mojo Picks

The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (Live) 1976

2007-07-14T11:15:00.001-05:00

One of my favourites from this band. I've been a fan of theirs for quite a while. As a matter of fact I keep finding out that they did a lot of my favourites. You know what I mean, you hear a song every so often that you like and then find out later who it is.

On-line lessons

2007-07-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

Here is a site I stumbled across ( well okay, I admit I followed an advertisement link) that features on-line guitar lessons. It has a lot of variety on it. From country to heavy metal, fingerpicking to shred. I signed up for the free account but when I have the time I am definitely going to get the full membership.

Here's the link: Guitar Tricks

Cream

2007-07-01T09:39:00.000-05:00

I purchased several Cream cd's from Amazon and they were delivered the other day. This is all because of the "Strange Brew" book which gets more interesting with every page. I was a radio listener for a long time and was only really familiar with whatever you heard on there. There's a lot of good stuff on them and it's great to listen to it and know what was happening at the time as well.

For instance that Clapton beat Hendrix to recording with a wah pedal (I'd have to look the song up). Clapton was at one point very intimidated by Hendrix and his playing skills, so much so he considered quitting ( so the story goes). I found another book about Cream which I will read once I finish this one. With the time I have to read that should be October sometime.

Here's one from their first album that's sort of appropriate as a squirrel took out our power this morning.

Cat's Squirrel

Kunio Kishida Live 2007 Alabama Boy

2007-06-29T22:28:00.001-05:00

The author of "Tone Man" playing one of his original compositions. Hard to tell but I think that's and original burst.

Tone Man

2007-06-23T09:19:00.000-05:00

For those who don't know this is Kunio Kishida, an avid 'burst enthusiast and player. I just received my copy of his book of the same name and spent hours looking through it. Picture after picture of original bursts. It's my understanding it's a mix of his current collection, guitars he has owned previously and other examples. "Nancy", his main guitar is pictured on page 8. This book is a must have for any Les Paul devotee.

Kunio has also recorded a couple of albums, "Swamp Waters" and "Alabama Boy". You can also catch him on Youtube.

Beginning of a classic combination

2007-06-16T09:25:00.000-05:00

In mid-August of 1965 Jimmy Page was the house producer for the newly formed Immediate Records. Jimmy played a huge part in getting John Mayall in for a recording session with his hot new guitarist, Eric Clapton. Eric brought his recently acquired gear along to the session. A Les Paul that he purchased from Lew Davis's guitar shop sometime in May, as well as a Marshall amplifier.

The sound from this combination so horrified the engineer he turned off the machine, saying it was unrecordable. He couldn't believe anyone wanted a sound like that. Page persuaded him to turn it back on and he would take full responsibility and history was made. The Mayall single "I'm Your Witch Doctor" was the result. Page has stated in interviews that Clapton deserves all the credit for the creation of that Les Paul/Marshall sound.

This is out of the Strange Brew book that I have been reading. It's fascinating to see all the interaction of the players and bands as the time goes along. The book lists not only live shows but who was there. Peter Green saw Mayall with Clapton and was inspired to purchase a Les Paul for himself. I don't think I need to tell anyone how that went. Jack Bruce ended up playing with John Mayall and Clapton because Ginger Baker wanted him out of the band that he was in previously. Clapton knew Steve Winwood from impromptu jam sessions on stage with Spencer Davis.

I have always been interested in where these musicians come from. When I was younger they just seemed to come from nowhere. This book is highly addictive.

Cream - Crossroads

2007-06-10T09:32:00.001-05:00

After reading the "Strange Brew" and listening to John Mayall I have a greater appreciation for Clapton. Here is one of my favourites from Cream.

Otis Rush - I Can't Quit You Baby

2007-06-03T18:06:00.001-05:00

Nice version of this tune done in 1966. Great hang time on the first note. Notice the similarities between this version and the Zeppelin one. The main repeating riff is used by Jimmy Page and built on for the solo. Zeppelin's version is classic Page arrangement with Jones and Bonham providing a rhythm framework for Page's guitar and Plant's vocals.

Otis is playing a righty turned over and still strung for the right hand. It's damn hard to do that.

Beano

2007-06-01T10:57:00.000-05:00

This is the album that started it all in the U.K. John Mayall with Eric Clapton broke blues music with the general public and started the blues boom in England. Clapton has legendary tone on this one. So much wood you could make your own guitar. He's using an early Marshall JTM 45 turned way up. Not only did he set the benchmark for tone but he changed the way the guitar was recorded. He refused to turn down so the engineers had to figure out a way to mic him. And figure it out they did. This album and the debut from Butterfield Blues Band are probably the two most important white blues albums of the 60's.

Steppin' Out

Classic Rock

2007-05-29T22:44:00.001-05:00

I think I am addicted to this magazine. I picked up a copy on a whim because of a Thin Lizzy article. And I had a gift certificate from Christmas for Chapters. The Lizzy article turned out to be one of three and very interesting. I ended up buying the subsequent magazines just to finish the story.

It's one of the few mags that I have read cover to cover in recent memory. It happens to jibe with my current taste in music. And the Blues Rock special issue is killer. It's given me more cd's to hunt down.