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Post by Stevie on Apr 29, 2017 18:16:35 GMT
MM may well chime in with a recommendation for the Zoom H4n. I desired one too but the non-competitive apparently rigged market made me resist the temptation. Then a stunning deal came up for me on a Tascam DR100 Mk2 at BHP Foto Video in the USA and baby sister bought it for me on one of her trolley dolly trips across The Pond. I can heartily recommend the Tascam, but I would be the first to concede that in terms of versatility, the Zoom has the edge. I think the Tascam is easier to use though. Plenty of other options will emerge from those with better experience than myself.
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Post by Stevie on Apr 21, 2017 7:30:25 GMT
I have been experimenting with a DPA 4000 series condensor on my MMB (I got the DPA for free!) First I tried it attached to the neck stick using rubber covered garden wire to enable pointing in a specific direction. This was way too bass heavy. I drilled a hole through the conewell and passed the DPA feed wire through using a rubber grommet, and attached the DPA to the underside of the cover plate on the treble side. This gave a vast improvement in resonator tone rendition but the bass had all but gone. The plan is to move the DPA to the opposite underside of the coverplate next time I "go inside", but the instrument plays and sounds so great that I'm unwilling to disturb it. I may try to move the DPA in-situ but it seems a tall order to achieve. A work in progress...
e&oe...
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Post by Stevie on Apr 14, 2017 11:12:11 GMT
Great idea moving the tailpiece; lateral thinking again (I'll have a pint of that please!). I am always amazed at the ingenuity of this little community (and PeteT in Particular- respect PT).
I removed the tailpiece block on my MMB to make room for a strap peg socket (I also had to cut down the neck stick *inside* the body by about 20mm which was "interesting"!) The TP was 5mm short of the neck stick anyway, so it was only really holding the TP screw. Fellow forumites wrung their hands in despair at the time, but it's still doing fine 9 years later so go figure.
So remove that block (cue cries of armagheddon) and drag the screw hole in the body in the appropriate direction. Fashion a replacement tailpiece block from the necessary 100 years old swamp ash ;<D and you can guess the rest.
Measure twice, cut only once.
Important: tailpiece longevity depends less on a TP block and more upon a snug fit around the end of the body and straight string pull, in equal measure in my opinion. YMMV etc. Bottom line is that there are many ways to see off a cat.
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Post by Stevie on Apr 4, 2017 19:11:20 GMT
Thanks for that Alan. I knew about Red losing his wife and his response mindful of his family responsibilities, but most of the rest was new to me (or forgotten).
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Post by Stevie on Apr 3, 2017 17:12:18 GMT
Brings back great memories of Maidenhead and Red on your blue 'un!
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Post by Stevie on Mar 27, 2017 12:09:40 GMT
Nice Harriet. Played and sung with conviction and respect.
e&oe...
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Post by Stevie on Mar 25, 2017 0:33:38 GMT
As a self confessed non luthier, there are so many implications in what you are about to embark upon, it is not possible to offer any help other than to suggest strongly that you engage the services of someone like Mike at Fine Resophonic in Paris, Marc Schoenberg in the USA or Dave King in the UK because there is a great legacy residing in that guitar which needs to survive the proposed surgery.
That said, and still writing as another non luthier, I would entreat you not to use Araldite adhesive or similar, instead Titebond or hide glue to afford any future luthier an easier ride.
We have more than several very capable luthiers as members who would no doubt be better able to advise, but I would stop here by stating that TTIWWOP (this thread is worthless without pictures!)
e&oe...
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Post by Stevie on Mar 12, 2017 14:57:40 GMT
A heartfelt plea; If I was religious, It would have to be be the eleventh commandment!
What is meant by "ownership"? Even if they have to prize it from your cold dead fingers- who "owns" it then?
Your folding green beer tokens have only made you custodian for the time being. Think of the next "owner" wishing beyond possibility that a previous curator had not in an idle (or worse still flippant) moment bored a hole into it. As MM said, few unmolested examples are left, but there is a great choice of satisfactory work-horses available. As an off the top of the head example, how often do we see David Gilmour playing the "0001" Strat live?
Mr. Gilmour is often to be seen grasping a similar vintage Strat to my own my 1973. I regarded mine with disparity even when I bought it. That left me with no guilt when I had it refinished in red at Ron Roka's place in Endell Street (thanks for that cue Mr Knopfler!). How was I to know that they would coat it in a "red plastic skin"...Worse than that- I had Roger Giffin mill off the maple neck and install an ebony fretboard (which was pretty much unheard of back then). Then I removed the string tree and introduced a 1950s roundel type string retainer. Now that the guitar is 44 years old (and with the internet I have discovered that it has 1960s left over stock grey bobbin pick ups!), I look at it through perhaps somewhat more rose coloured spectacles. I do wish I had not interfered, I really do and not just because I have cattle trucked its value.
Young man, do not travel that same road. Leave well alone and find a satisfactory work around, if not only for the benefit of those that will inexorably follow.
e&oe...
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Post by Stevie on Mar 7, 2017 16:47:55 GMT
"I'll be really surprised if this Martin Simpson has a Highlander pickup on his 12-string (and confused) !"
Sorry, I may be being obtuse but that needs further elucidation for my benefit.
"this Martin Simpson"?
MS does use Highlander pickups, always provided that they are available in PRS guitars.
e&oe...
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Post by Stevie on Mar 3, 2017 11:18:45 GMT
Here's a thought: The Queen (of England!) has stated that the secret to being able to stand in one position for extended periods with minimal fatigue is to stand on both legs equally with the feet slightly apart and not to shuffle from one hip straining position to the other. I have tried this and it does work. Since we are basically talking about good posture, I'm sure it cannot be divorced from a discussion regarding back pain related to guitar playing whilst standing up. All you have to do is remember to keep the advice in mind,- easier said than done... and it comes from a someone with a great deal of experience!
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Post by Stevie on Mar 3, 2017 7:38:46 GMT
Invest in a couple of large neodymium magnets (eBay) for instant clamp heaven. I bought two to re-gauss P90 magnets after a dismal soldering gun exercise on the base plate! They have since been used with great success for your purpose too.
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Post by Stevie on Feb 25, 2017 15:29:48 GMT
Yep. Trout Mask Replica. Way to go. A magician too- he can make a CBG disappear mid sentence while being monitored by several cameras.
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Post by Stevie on Feb 17, 2017 15:29:35 GMT
Spot on regarding the RJ Bigheart Pat. I have already posted in another thread as to how the slidemeister modded mine with a glass bottle insert for exactly the reason you mentioned.
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Post by Stevie on Feb 15, 2017 7:18:42 GMT
Hi Alan, With your resumé you'll fit in just fine so welcome to The Forum. Also (and since you offered...) "TTIWWOP!" (This thread is worthless without pictures!) Steve.
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Post by Stevie on Feb 14, 2017 21:35:30 GMT
I was going to suggest the Blues Baby too but thought it would shift too far away from the thrust of the OP in many eyes and in any event- I have never tried one. The fact is that as another owner of a Sessionette, I can say that Stewart's designs are exceptionally good and as has already been noted- let people's ears judge before you let them down gently. I am currently decking out a Session Rockette 20 watts combo completely in Vox livery just to prove the point (Someone had to!) Some of Stewarts brainwaves tend to be a bit ephemeral and disappear from his website rapidly giving the impression that he floats an idea to gauge public opinion, but the Blues Baby seems to be a raging success. And Pete; I am also one that has blinkered eyes regarding valve distortion... Chickenbone John will most probably concur with the foregoing if we can flush him out!
I have one of the Session JD-10 pre-amps as used by Jerry Donahue which is the clever bit from a Sessionette in pedal format and a super rare Session 15-30 valve amp too. Unfortunately, I traded in a minty late 1960s AC30 for that so we won't go there!
As an interesting and potentially rewarding interlude, I would recommend anyone to self inform regarding hard audio facts and spend some time ploughing through both the advice and the history pages on the Award Session website. Take stock of any pre-conceived cultivated opinion regarding the superiority of valves as an amplifying solution.
Time has moved on and there are other companies doing astonishing work with solid state. Tech21 springs to mind (Great company- their products even smell like warmed up amps!) but Stewart still has a few tricks up his sleeve. He's also a great source for really competitive bespoke cables with Neutrik plugs. No connection yada yada yada!
Walk on the wild side or play safe and go for the Blues Jnr.. neither will disappoint.
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