This is so very tragic, Bill ...
Our heartfelt condolences to you and your dear Dondra. May you find power from on high to endure, and find comfort in the days and weeks ahead. Warmest wishes and prayers for peace are going up on your behalf.
1,476 2017-06-04 08:46:01
Re: Our Son Has Died (Jason -46). (31 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
1,477 2017-05-31 09:50:39
Re: Teardrops in the Rain (14 replies, posted in Songwriting)
I know there are only two ways to say "Wow!" (forwards & backwards) but you've knocked it outta the park with this one, TIG ... wow! Stunningly gorgeous!
1,478 2017-05-31 09:42:59
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Uriah Heep "The Golden Palace" Mermaid Theatre, London, 2001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHaSS5Y8Nvs
Heep's "Acoustically Driven" album was their 7th live album, and encompassed some of their old standby's and a fresh take on their newer tunes. The only original members (Mick Box, guitar / Lee Kerslake, drums) are joined by newer additions Bernie Shaw (vocals), Trevor Bolder (bass), and Phil Lanzon (keyboards) and a bunch of special guests. The whole album shows a softer side of the group, and beautiful arrangements. It was sold as a matched offset to their album "Electrically Driven" of the same year. And where would a Heep album be without the album artwork of the amazing Roger Dean? Enjoy!
1,479 2017-05-31 09:30:05
Re: It's Good News Week~~~ (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Never heard of "Hedgehoppers Anonymous", Bill ... fun music, and apparently a tad controversial back in the day.
1,480 2017-05-30 09:24:16
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Owen Van Larkins "Wandering Hands" (original composition)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FHXNN7daO4
Another terrific Australian talent, Owen demonstrates some creative use of the capo in this one.
1,481 2017-05-26 08:57:54
Re: Anyone using DR strings besides me? (4 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
Welcome to Chordie, Burnell ...
I've got DR flat-wounds on my Gretsch, and they do sound great ... smooth, warm, great sustain, etc. But I'm kinda hooked on the D'Addario NYXL's on the Les Paul, because they stay in tune so well when using the tremolo. I prefer 10-46's for the gauge on both, but that's just personal preference. On the acoustics I've tried a lot of different ones, but keep coming back to Elixir NanoWeb 80/20s in 12-53 gauge. The sound and feel of strings is such a personal thing ... glad you found something you really like.
1,482 2017-05-25 18:59:45
Topic: Manchester United - Europa League Champions! (0 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
What a great way to end the football / soccer season for my Red Devils @ ManU. Solid performance throughout the entire campaign, and a rightfully earned place back in the Champions League next year. I really liked "Man of the Match" Ander Herrera's comments:
“We are very happy. A European trophy you don’t win every day. I lost the final four years ago. I am happy but I want to dedicate this to the victims. This is just football but what happened two day ago was horrible. We want peace in the world - a normal world with respect. We are just football players but we have an audience so we want to work together for a normal world. This happened in Manchester but everywhere we need to have a united world to fight for peace and no more attacks and deaths please."
In response to the tragedy, the two Manchester football teams combined to donate £1million ($1,293,610 US) to relief for victims' families. It's a bittersweet victory, but a solid show of unity in the midst of sadness.
1,483 2017-05-24 09:57:57
Re: Seven Times (5 replies, posted in Songwriting)
Yup ... that line about getting back up is perfect ... very nicely done, TIG.
1,484 2017-05-24 09:52:22
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Steve Hackett (Genesis) "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" Liverpool, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mq82_p4Yqmw
Released in late-1974, this was only the group's 6th studio album, and yet their last one with Peter Gabriel. It was a two-album vinyl set, and easily one of the best Prog Rock "concept albums" of the 70's. Tensions built within the group over this one, as Gabriel insists on writing all of the lyrics. The rest of the group felt there was too much singing, and not enough room for them to showcase their talents. Peter left in May 1975, so when I saw them tour this album in summer 1975 (Montreal) Phil Collins had taken up the lead vocal duties, and the very capable Chester Thompson played drums for the tour. Not quite the same, but pretty doggone good ... as is Nad Sylvan's vocal rendition here.
1,485 2017-05-24 09:42:21
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
TIGLJK wrote:
FLAWLESS guitar playing ! Beautiful performance, so soothing and relaxing to listen to.
Thanks for sharing.
I certainly agree, TIG ... thanks for giving a listen and commenting. I love to watch these guitarists who are much better than I am ... great way to learn new things, and stretch the imagination.
1,486 2017-05-24 09:40:24
Re: Is a 15w amp too loud for home practice? (22 replies, posted in Electric)
donnieclark wrote:
Hello,
So I've been dabbling in electric guitar after being mostly an acoustic player. I have an El cheapo guitar and practice amp. I finally decided I want to invest in some good quality gear. I'm planning on getting a American special tele. The problem I've been running into is with the amp. I really like the fender bassbreaker breaker and played it a little bit at guitar center. However the 7w version has no effects loof or reverb.
Would the 15w be too loud for home use? I might use an overdrive pedal, but I would still like to be getting some of my crunch from the amp.
My alternative would be to go with a line 6 HD 500x, unless someone has other recommendations on a good low power tube amp with an effects loop.
Thanks for any help!
Hi Donnie ...
Was just looking through some recent posts, and wondering if you picked up your new amp yet? Many of us put up a "NAD" (New Amp Day) or "NGD" (New Guitar Day) post when we get a new piece of gear. I hope you found one that works for you, and hope you'll let us know what you decided on.
1,487 2017-05-23 09:43:59
Re: G'day to all. (9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Welcome back, Bushy! My favorite musician from "down unda" is the amazing Tommy Emmanuel. In fact, he's one of my favorite guitarists from Planet Earth. (and Owen Van Larkins also gets honorable mention)
1,488 2017-05-23 09:42:18
Re: `Online Dating` song (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Great tune, Easy ... love your "tongue-in-cheek" humor. My dear wife and I have been married for almost 38 years, before the term "on line" was in the dictionary. 'Way back then, relationships involved two people getting to know one another face-to-face, and falling in love as time went along. Sheesh ... how old-fashioned can it get! 
1,489 2017-05-23 09:35:04
Re: There is a lot of truth in this funny (7 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Yup, picks in the sound hole is a well-practiced tradition ... after a while, the guitar can almost be used as a Maracca. 
Coincidentally, Roger's post had a cat, and I use these "Cat's Tongue" picks, just so's I can hang on to the dang things.
1,490 2017-05-23 09:27:58
Re: Someone has a birthday!! (9 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
A very belated Happy Birthday, Topdown ... glad you had a good day!
1,491 2017-05-23 09:23:46
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Tobias Rauscher "Passion Loop" (original)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSgQGy9xrV0
Beautifully played, Herr Rauscher also shows us how he's building the layers of this piece with his Looper & Delay pedals. This is "lay-back-with-the-headphones-on" music ... dreamy.
1,492 2017-05-23 09:20:16
Re: Ibanez Talman? (10 replies, posted in Acoustic)
beamer wrote:
check out guitar fetish, they have very well made guitars for under 200. the Xaiver single cut away I bought my son is perfect.
Thanks, Beamer ...
I've actually been on there recently, looking at their "Rich Tonewood Series" acoustics. They look to be good guitars for the money:
1,493 2017-05-23 09:17:23
Re: Please Recommend A String Winder? (19 replies, posted in Guitars and accessories)
joeyjoeyjoey wrote:
For a tuner, I use a basic Korg GA 1 . For a pegwinder, an Ernie Ball Power Peg. When you string as many guitars as I do, you want to wind the pegs fast. Lol
Funny comment about stringing lots of guitars ... how many can you do before the battery discharges?
1,494 2017-05-17 09:42:42
Re: Prog Rock Wednesdays (580 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Porcupine Tree "Don't Hate Me" Chicago, 2005
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i0bgYeJBA8
Here's a tune from PT's 1999 album "Stupid Dream", their fifth studio album. The sumptuous bass-drum groove during the middle couple of minutes is one of the best I know of. Gavin Harrison (drummer) and Colin Edwin (bassist) show amazing chemistry in all their live shows. It's too bad this group went their separate ways in 2010, but I'll say it again, "Thank goodness for YouTube!".
1,495 2017-05-17 00:46:49
Re: What is Talent? (11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
Lots of great things to ponder ... isn't that one of the best things about music?
TIG ... I hear ya about physical ability, which is part of what I had in mind when I mentioned "Aptitude". I should've defined it more clearly. Your observation about emotion is well taken. As good as Ms. Lace is (and a lot of others) her performance is a bit "sterile" ... could be a case of being camera shy / stage fright / don't know.
BGD ... you're totally correct about effort, which is also part of what I was thinking under "Attitude". People with the right attitude will tend to work harder at things. And your comment about resources is also (sadly) true.
Personally, I've never invested the time in truly serious, methodical, and consistent practice. Running a 3-location business with 75 employees, raising a family, community involvement, and having a bunch of other equally-enjoyable hobbies (fishing, kayaking, wood working, reading, etc.) all require time. And that is our one non-renewable resource.
1,496 2017-05-16 10:02:18
Topic: What is Talent? (11 replies, posted in Chordie's Chat Corner)
The post in this week's "Tuesdays Flying Fingers" is by a young lady from Latvia (Laura Lace), who looks to be in her mid teens. It's got me wondering (again) about how talent like this can develop in a person so young. There are many other phenomenal young people out there who just make wish I'd taken up Tiddly-Winks and not guitar.
What do you think? The ability to play well seems to come from 3 sources:
1) Aptitude ... some people do seem to have a real knack for things
2) Training ... whether self-taught, or taught by another, there are skills and techniques to be learned
3) Attitude ... some people seem to have the drive & discipline to practice, practice, practice, until they have it
These probably aren't in even proportions (33% - 33% - 33%), so what do you think the proportions are?
1,497 2017-05-15 22:05:35
Re: Tuesday's Flying Fingers (474 replies, posted in Bands and artists)
Antonio Vivaldi "Summer" (arranged & performed by Laura Lace)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVa37f67Hnc
This amazingly talented young lady from Riga, Latvia looks to be in her mid-teens, but plays like a seasoned veteran. She's obviously had terrific training, has put in lots of hours of practice, and seems to be one of those "wunderkind" who comes along every so often to amaze us. Enjoy!
1,498 2017-05-13 15:43:20
Re: Is a 15w amp too loud for home practice? (22 replies, posted in Electric)
Yeah, there's no question that a 15w tube amp is a lot more expensive than a 15w solid state one. But the difference in sound quality is like night and day, and a 15w tube will generate about as much volume as a 75w solid state. And when other things are added (more than one channel, effects loop, power soak, etc) those all add to the versatility ... and price.
1,499 2017-05-12 17:30:31
Re: Is a 15w amp too loud for home practice? (22 replies, posted in Electric)
TIGLJK wrote:
TF
Although one question I still have - One volume knob says " Clean " - the other says " Overdrive " - What is the difference ?
Glad to be of help, TIG ... although I'll outright confess I'm no electronics techie. I put new batteries in the TV remote once, and it still wouldn't turn the TV on. I kept pressing it, and all that happened was the garage door kept going up and down.
What you're describing is a 2-channel amp. The "Clean" channel is taking the raw signal from your guitar and running it through its signal path to produce a relatively distortion-free sound. This is dependent somewhat on the output of your pickups, but that's the general idea. The "Overdrive" channel is basically doing what the "Gain" knob does, i.e., it's adding a boost to the signal coming from your guitar, before it goes to the power tubes in the amp. It allows the player to jump from the Clean to the Overdrive channel on the amp (via the footswitch) to change tones mid-song for soloing, etc., instead of stopping to fiddle with knobs.
1,500 2017-05-12 08:40:39
Re: Studio of my Song : Just outside of Nashville (8 replies, posted in My local band and me)
Yup, I agree with all the comments above ... super work, TIG ... and I'm not even a country music fan.