Nice song, Mojo ... really heart-warming. AND ... I also like that you actually have a room at work where you can take time to do personal stuff like recording music. I just hope your boss doesn't visit the Forums at Chordie, or it could be trouble. 
1,201 2017-10-29 21:29:34
Re: a song for dad recording (7 replies, posted in Songwriting)
1,202 2017-10-29 21:23:24
Re: Joe Walsh master class (8 replies, posted in Electric)
I never thought a guitar setup video could be so entertaining! Joe's a classy guy with incredible talent, who doesn't take himself too seriously. I love when he said "I've got pretty good pitch." That's like Shaquille O'Neal saying "I've got pretty big hands". Great post, Beamer ... thanks for putting it up.
1,203 2017-10-29 10:45:59
Topic: Pickup Magnet Types (4 replies, posted in Electric)
Everyone has their favorite pickups, and we all like / dislike some kinds for one reason or another. The most important variable which affects a pickup's sound is the type of magnet used. Here's a brief rundown on the most common pickup magnets which may be helpful. I'm personally a fan of Alnico II's but everyone likes different things:
Alnico II is a lower output magnet that is smooth and usually has just a bit of warmth.
Alnico V has more scooped mids and tighter in the low end. Provides some bite and sparkle.
Alnico VIII is generally between Ceramic and Alnico V, with quite a bit of magnetic pull, punchy with upper mids but a little more warmth than ceramic.
Ceramic is quite strong and gives a very bright tone. It retains articulation and clarity even with heavy distortion which makes it suited for heavy distorted styles.
1,204 2017-10-29 10:41:08
Re: Falling in Love (18 replies, posted in Electric)
TIG ... you've got it right. It's a powerful yet enjoyable affliction that most guitarists have. 
NEO ... those are some gorgeous PRS's in your custody. While I'm not a fan of ceramic magnet pickups (both EMG and PRS use them) they are extremely playable guitars, and their build quality is second to none. Is that a Roland Piezo bridge in the second pic? Very nice!
1,205 2017-10-28 09:51:12
Topic: Falling in Love (18 replies, posted in Electric)
I've had my eyes on this gorgeous Epiphone Les Paul "Prophecy EX" for a while, and my savings account for it is getting closer to a purchase:
The color just melts me inside, almost like falling in love does. Once purchased, the EMG pickups (not a fan) will be replaced with a set of Seymour-Duncan P-Rails (https://www.seymourduncan.com/pickup/p- … et-black-3), and I'll move my Stetsbar tremolo off the black Les Paul on to this one. And of course a set of Grover 106B locking tuners (black) will be needed also ... essential with a trem.
The EMGs and the black Les Paul will be sold, for "cost recovery". I'm not a shredder, but this "black & blue" beauty has captured my imagination, and I woke up thinking about it this morning. Yep, got serious G.A.S. with this one!
Anyone else got a dream guitar project in the works?
1,206 2017-10-28 09:40:14
Re: Supportive Kiwis (12 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Hello, Easybeat ...
I haven't followed the "Song of the Month" thread because I'm not a participant. Like most Chordians, we develop our regular threads which we follow on the site, and are likely missing out (as I am) on the rest of it. Please don't take the absence of comments as a critique of your work in any way.
My two weekly posts in "Tuesday's Flying Fingers" and "Prog Rock Wednesdays" and don't often get comments except from a few. But I know there's others who peek in because the "Views" number grows steadily, so at least others are enjoying the songs posted. I enjoy putting each week's entry up, as I know Badeye does with his "Friday Blues Fix" (over 9 years now!). Whether it's our own material or someone else's, it' all about sharing the music we love.
1,207 2017-10-28 09:30:54
Re: Where Dreams and Reality Collide (20 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Nice work, TIG, once again. Writing always involves this fine-tuning process, where the writer is never quite satisfied with every word in every line. Your overall expressions are excellent, and I agree with Beamer about that terrific verse which he highlighted.
(*Insert my applause here*)
1,208 2017-10-28 09:23:23
Re: friday's blues fix (1,560 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
So good to hear his voice, Badeye ... great post. I watched some of his other vids in the YouTube sidebar, and saw one of Vladimir Putin trying to sing "Blueberry Hill". Needless to say, Fats Domino's influence seems to have reached everywhere.
1,209 2017-10-27 09:42:29
Re: Not only Fats (14 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
I'll echo what Peatle said about retaining the good memories you have of him. Condolences to you, and of course to your dear wife.
1,210 2017-10-27 09:40:45
Re: I'LL DIE WITH A SWORD IN MY HAND (29 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Wow ... so vivid! I hope you didn't "act out" during this dream, and trash your bedroom. 
Seriously, this is well done ... 5-stars.
1,211 2017-10-27 09:06:14
Re: DOCUMENTARY: Building an Acoustic Guitar (6 replies, posted in Acoustic)
As a cabinet maker "back in the day", I really appreciate his knowledge of how wood reacts to moisture, temperature, stress factors changing when cut, the glues he uses, etc. These factors have to be managed, and there's no way they can be rushed. It's a real treat to watch someone do something when they're highly skilled, and care about what they're doing ... whatever it is.
1,212 2017-10-25 00:42:17
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Glass Hammer "The Lure of Dreams" Pittsburgh, 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0gvHvjI0MQ
I haven't featured this group before (for some reason) even though they've been a personal favorite for many years. So much prog ... so little time! There probably aren't too many prog bands from Chattanooga, Tenn., but Glass Hammer's quality makes up for it. Lead singer Susie Bogdanowicz's voice has a haunting quality, and the whole group shows exceptional tightness on their cues and harmonies. GH was first formed in 1993, and have released 16 albums since including 2016's "Valkyrie". Jon Davison (joined YES in 2012) did some background vocal work with them on various albums, before leaving for YES. This track is from their 2009 album "Three Cheers for the Broken Hearted", and was recorded live while touring it.
1,213 2017-10-24 08:15:21
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" (covered by Michael Lucarelli)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psyOPSrs0BI
I don't know if this is the back porch of his house or not but the acoustics are as good his playing. This tune never gets old.
1,214 2017-10-23 18:15:38
Topic: DOCUMENTARY: Building an Acoustic Guitar (6 replies, posted in Acoustic)
This is a fascinating 1-hour documentary, featuring Michael Greenfield (Greenfield Guitars, Montreal, Canada) demonstrating the tedious, painstaking process of building a quality acoustic guitar. I posted a video awhile ago in "Tuesday's Flying Fingers" of Andy McKee playing his newly acquired Greenfield right in this shop. Price-wise, these things are way out my league (at $10,000 and up) but it's fascinating to watch a master at his trade. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAeXskZHC2o
1,215 2017-10-21 11:17:55
Topic: Farewell to Gord Downie (1 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
The lead singer for the "The Tragically Hip" passed away earlier this week, after losing a battle with brain cancer at just 53 years old. Gord's distinctive voice, and his activism for human rights issues, made him a beloved part of our Canadian landscape. In a moving ceremony this past June, with his disease already at an advanced stage, Mr. Downie received our "Order of Canada", the highest civilian award given to Canadians for significant contributions to our society. He will be sorely missed.
1,216 2017-10-21 10:58:24
Re: effects pedals? (14 replies, posted in Electric)
BlueJeep ...
To go back to your original question about a "reverb only" pedal, may I suggest you give a listen to a spring reverb pedal VS a digital? Most digitals (to my ears) just don't sound as natural as the spring reverbs, especially when used with an acoustic guitar. Check out the Marshall Reflector RF-1 ... you should be able to get one for about $100 USD.
1,217 2017-10-20 10:46:43
Re: friday's blues fix (1,560 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Happy Birthday, Badeye! We're all glad d'bys 'n' d'garls frum d'Cape shared you with us. Have a good one!
1,218 2017-10-19 11:32:59
Re: Injecting Humour Into Live Shows.. (34 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Peatle Jville wrote:
On Sunday afternoons back in the early eighties, I use to sometimes do a short set with a bit of a banter and bit of bad singing with these old Jazz guys at the Oriental Hotel in the Rocks Sydney. Use to be a drunk who would regularly yell out play songs such as Radar Love or Smoke On The Water, One Sunday the old boys suprised us with a jazz version of Smoke On The Water, Drums. double bass, piano and trumpet with vocals. Possible it could also have been with the Banjo, jazz guitar player that would sit in from time to time. The trumpet player who was about forty years older than me was a very good friend of mine. He was bit like a father to me and his daughter became like a adopted sister. If I did a set with the band I would be paid with free beer and food..He was a very funny man and we would just talk to each other between the four songs I would sing and it always got the crowd laughing.
Hahaha ... those are great accounts, Peatle ... I'd love to hear the "Smoke on the Water" version you described. I once saw a "jug band" buskers group doing "Relax" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Washtub bass, banjo, spoons, moonshine jug, and guitar. It was both hilarious and phenomenal.
1,219 2017-10-19 11:26:47
Re: New Gretsch "Parlour" Guitars (2 replies, posted in Acoustic)
Good stuff, JG!
Simon & Patrick's are solid guitars. I have a Norman which is essentially built by the same Godin family of guitar makers. My friend told me the same thing as you, that the parlour doesn't have quite the big voice as a dread / jumbo, but surprisingly close. He just wanted something to kick back on the sofa with, or for travel ... and these things fit the bill.
Can't wait to see your NGD pics!
1,220 2017-10-19 11:20:47
Re: effects pedals? (14 replies, posted in Electric)
I'm going to echo Neo's suggest about a multi-effects unit.
The Boss ME-80 I use allows me to have 8 effects available at once, and each one has it's own settings to customize to your taste. There are no digital screens to be scrolled through, and it's essentially like having 8 stompboxes in one unit, a built-in tuner, built in looper, plus a volume pedal which can also be set as a wah or pitch shifter. Once you've got the knobs set for each individual effect the way you like it ... fuggetaboutit.
Boss gear is rock solid, and a single unit is easy to drop in a bag and take to a jam / gig, with no patch cables to frig with. I run a simple circuit path as Guitar > Boss > Amp, but it can go in your effects loop also. Bought separately, all these pedals would run a person over $1,000 easily, but the combo unit sells for under $400. Had mine for a couple of years now, and never looked back.
1,221 2017-10-18 10:15:47
Topic: New Gretsch "Parlour" Guitars (2 replies, posted in Acoustic)
At NAMM 2017, Gretsch introduced it's new "Roots" series of smaller-scale acoustic guitars. A friend of mine ordered the G9531 Grand Concert (at left in photo below) and called me last night ranting about how great it sounded for such a small guitar. Priced at just under $500, this might be a strong candidate for that "Campfire Guitar" we have been talking about in another thread. I get to see it / play it on Saturday. Does anyone on Chordie own one?
1,222 2017-10-18 09:55:56
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Unitopia "Artificial World" Netherlands, 2010
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqMYkTLQ8xg
Here's another clip by one of Australia's best prog groups, from their 2010 DVD recorded in the Netherlands. These guys have lots of elements / instruments in every song they do, and execute tight arrangements with both ease and passion. This track is from their album "Artificial" released earlier in 2010 ... enjoy!
1,223 2017-10-18 09:46:04
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Thanks for commenting, CG.
The real transcendant beauty of music is that it comes in so many "shapes & sizes", so that almost everyone can appreciate it in some form(s). While we all don't like the same things (I also have my favorites and dislikes) I've found it calming to appreciate the talent in any particular genre, without having to like or even approve of the style.
I do in fact use tapping where it's needed for some songs, although I'm not very good at it. I first heard it used by Steve Hackett (of "Genesis") back in the early 70's, and have only been able to learn fragments with any degree of fluidity. I know you dislike the percussive elements in this musical style, and I agree that amplification / effects are required for it to "work". For me, that doesn't make it disingenuous in any way, i.e., it's just another method of playing which enables the musician to express themselves.
You are a talented musician with a strong preference for classical guitar playing and teaching ... music which I also love. In the coming weeks, I'll intermingle more from some of my favorites like Ana Vidovic, Narcisso Yepes, Liona Boyd, Andres Segovia, etc.
Again, your comments are sincerely appreciated ... because we both love music!
1,224 2017-10-17 09:25:09
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Pino Forastiere "Rag Tap Boom" (original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9rPSjQaEVE
A graduate of the Santa Cecilia's Conservatory in Rome, Italy's Pino Forastiere takes his substantial classical training, and applies it to percussive fingerstyle playing on his Martin D28. His tapping technique is amazing!
1,225 2017-10-16 12:08:09
Re: friday's blues fix (1,560 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Another beauty, Badeye ... found this pic online that describes your selection:
