Post by robn on Mar 22, 2010 8:48:21 GMT
Befor I dive into this week's guitar set-ups I though I'd post some thoughts on using a reso at gigs.
I went to see Woody Pines last night in Aberystwyth. They are currently doing a UK tour and play what I could only describe as "Grass-a-Billy"
a sort of cross between Bluegrass and Rockabilly. They are a great live band, still with some UK dates left on their tour, so check them out.
www.woodypines.com/
As well as the great music, what struck me was Woody epitomised working with a reso guitar at gigs. Most of us here on the forum gig at small venues with poor acoustics, tight space and awkward p/a placement. Woody's band have the same issues. They are a 4 piece consisting of drummer, acoustic bass, violin and reso guitar (NRP Delphi Delux, played in standard tuning, usually with capo on fret 2, 3 or 4 and fingerpicks).
The bass is plugged in, the violin is plugged in, the drums are mic'd and the reso is.........mic'd with an SM57
Here they are playing at the Snowdrop Inn, Lewes:
I must be asked every couple of days about fitting p/us to reso guitars. If folk want to colour the tone (aka Rory Gallagher or Chris Whitely - or perhaps to add effects) then a good mag p/u is the way to go - particularly with a loud band behind you (electric bass and full drum kit)
But for the vast majority of us who play small venues, pubs and clubs in acoustic style sets and with a sympathetic rhythm section (ie a drummer who does not model himself on Animal from the Muppets
) then just mic' your guitar and play 
The times for quality sound reinforcement (Highlander) are going to be few and far between for most of us. Pretty much every other peizo system I have tried has needed a disproportianate amount of EQ, unless you have been really lucky in getting the placement and pressure applied to the peizo absolutely correct.
So, for me, it is mic' ( - or mag which changes the nature of the instrument).
Robin
I went to see Woody Pines last night in Aberystwyth. They are currently doing a UK tour and play what I could only describe as "Grass-a-Billy"
a sort of cross between Bluegrass and Rockabilly. They are a great live band, still with some UK dates left on their tour, so check them out.www.woodypines.com/
As well as the great music, what struck me was Woody epitomised working with a reso guitar at gigs. Most of us here on the forum gig at small venues with poor acoustics, tight space and awkward p/a placement. Woody's band have the same issues. They are a 4 piece consisting of drummer, acoustic bass, violin and reso guitar (NRP Delphi Delux, played in standard tuning, usually with capo on fret 2, 3 or 4 and fingerpicks).
The bass is plugged in, the violin is plugged in, the drums are mic'd and the reso is.........mic'd with an SM57
Here they are playing at the Snowdrop Inn, Lewes:
I must be asked every couple of days about fitting p/us to reso guitars. If folk want to colour the tone (aka Rory Gallagher or Chris Whitely - or perhaps to add effects) then a good mag p/u is the way to go - particularly with a loud band behind you (electric bass and full drum kit)
But for the vast majority of us who play small venues, pubs and clubs in acoustic style sets and with a sympathetic rhythm section (ie a drummer who does not model himself on Animal from the Muppets
) then just mic' your guitar and play 
The times for quality sound reinforcement (Highlander) are going to be few and far between for most of us. Pretty much every other peizo system I have tried has needed a disproportianate amount of EQ, unless you have been really lucky in getting the placement and pressure applied to the peizo absolutely correct.
So, for me, it is mic' ( - or mag which changes the nature of the instrument).
Robin
