Anyone play guitar?

[Gretsch]

Yep, coz there's more to life than just investing/trading.

From experience when on tour and especially bush gigs, things can become ah... interesting even when the best of intentions from the "roadies" cause lead/cable/connector/lighting disassembly or, worse!.
We've a bush wedding booked in Oct so we'll be taking extras of everything.

Yep, been there, done some of them, and desert gigs (NT, WA)

From your handle thought you'd be a Gretsch man.

Nah, I own a couple and at the time I was into my Roundup and figured I'd use Gretsch for my handle.
Show and tell time....Pretty huh!

Anyway, GTK there's a few "entertainers" within the ASF membership.

Great stuff!

 

[Gretsch]

.. i have this cute home-made valve amp ( cost $5 at a flea market ) the problem is i can't identify the valve ( if i need to replace it ) it looks like a 12AX7 and a 12AX7 works with massively reduced output , and despite a collection of valves ( from various sources ) no joy

EF86?

 

[Gretsch]

And pure over-the-top indulgence Hand Wired Reissued Fender Champ 57 - 5 watts of tube goodness.

Oh yeah !
My current project is to gut my Blues Jr and build a hand-wired Deluxe (5e3).

 

[Dona Ferentes]

Just wondering if any one is good at playing guitar.

I'm not

 

[Belli]

As nothing much has been happening with shares (seriously, all the waffle going on is a distraction for long-term investors I think), I've been indulging in some serious efforts lately with the classical guitar attempting to nail Bach's Arioso - harder than I originally thought!.

 

[Craton]

Oh yeah !
My current project is to gut my Blues Jr and build a hand-wired Deluxe (5e3).

Nice one, there's just something about valve amps.

As it seems my bass playing gigs are over and the 6 string duo gigs will remain into the future, I've been looking at upgrading the guitar amp, pity none of the bass amps would suffice

I've been tempted by the new Tone Master Twin Reverb from Fender especially for the low weight and lower pricing now but, a valve amp I do like is Fender's Hot Rod ML, this really, really appeals.

For now though, just sticking and switching between the solid state Fender Champion 100 and Marshall ValveState 2000.

 

[Belli]

there's just something about valve amps.

Not sufficiently expert to understand why but there sure is. Only two small valve amps (Vox AC4TC, a 4 watt amp which are no longer made, and a Fender 57 Champ reissue of 5 watts) and they seem to have a warmth and clarity which I simply don't feel when I use the Fender Acoustasonic 15 watt solid state.

Mind you as I'm presently using a Zoom H4n* to record it could be my crappy playing which is the variable.

*Darn sensitive little beast it is too.

 

[Craton]

Not sufficiently expert to understand why but there sure is.

In a nutshell, it's all in the way the signal is amplified as per this Masterclass link:

What Is the Difference Between Tube Amplifiers vs. Solid-State Amplifiers?​

The physical difference between a solid-state amp and a tube amp is that a solid-state machine derives amplification from electronic transistors, while a tube amp uses vacuum tubes (also known as valves). Transistors operate differently from tubes in the sense that they don’t pleasantly distort when pushed to their limit. By contrast, most players will tell you a tube amp sounds its very best when pushed to the max.

Here are some other key differences between tube and solid-state amps.

• 1. Solid-state amps are great for players who want maximum headroom (a.k.a a loud, clean, undistorted signal). But without a bit of natural distortion, an electric guitar can sound a bit brittle. As such, solid-state amps are more popular with bassist and keyboard players than with guitarists.
• 2. This isn’t to say that guitarists completely eschew solid-state amps. Jazz players, many of whom play with almost no overdrive at all, tend to favor solid-state amps. This is partly for tonal reasons, but it’s also because solid-state amps are almost always lighter than tube amps, and many gigging musicians value the convenience of a light amp.
• 3. Rock musicians also use solid-state amps. Andy Summers of The Police is famous for his use of the Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus amp, which is unapologetically solid-state (and incredibly loud). John Fogerty’s guitar leads on Creedence Clearwater Revival records were achieved with a Kustom solid-state amp. Meanwhile, Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood tends to use tube amplifiers for clean tones and a solid-state Fender Eighty-Five for distorted tones— the opposite of what most players would do.

So all a matter of personal choice and musical style/s I guess.

BTW, we all sound crap to our own ear...

 

[Belli]

Thanks for that @Craton.

BTW, we all sound crap to our own ear

The problem arises when we sound crap to the ears of others!

I'm actually very fortunate as a friend was a working musician for many years (no need to buy a reliced Tele. His is naturally reliced.) Comes over now and again and is kind enough to provide gentle instruction.

Oddly as he had to do most of his sound checks while doing gigs, it stood him in good stead as the experience enabled him to jag a position at a University in the Audio Visual area recording and filming speeches, etc

 

[Gretsch]

Nice one, there's just something about valve amps.

As it seems my bass playing gigs are over and the 6 string duo gigs will remain into the future, I've been looking at upgrading the guitar amp, pity none of the bass amps would suffice

I've been tempted by the new Tone Master Twin Reverb from Fender especially for the low weight and lower pricing now but, a valve amp I do like is Fender's Hot Rod ML, this really, really appeals.

For now though, just sticking and switching between the solid state Fender Champion 100 and Marshall ValveState 2000.

Yeah hot rods are decent amps, the thing I don’t like about them is the way they’re made. PCB’s. Give me a hand wired job any day. Like buying a tank.

 

[Gretsch]

Oh yeah !
My current project is to gut my Blues Jr and build a hand-wired Deluxe (5e3).

Well that was the plan, and plans change. Ended up building a complete new amp, box and all. Have to say, love the result.

 

[Craton]

Well that was the plan, and plans change. Ended up building a complete new amp, box and all. Have to say, love the result.

Pics, where's the pics?!?
Onya for hand crafting your amp. I've noted there's a few YouTube vids on doing just that and that's piqued my interest. Might have a crack at it myself when I retire from the day gig... ?

 

[Gretsch]

Sure, pictures....Yes, a good retiree project for sure.
Amp done, box done, waiting for grill cloth to arrive and then have it painted. I'm going for a 2-pak finish in Fender surf green ... just to be different
I'll post more pictures when it's finished.

 

[Belli]

Sure, pictures....Yes, a good retiree project for sure.

Sweet. I'm impressed.

 

[Belli]

I shouldn't have but I did. And OK, I'm sorry. It isn't a Fender.

Used and it'd been available for a few months. As I'm not a very good negotiator my mate went with me and gave the git the once over. Some issues such as the jack needing attention. The seller wanted a price which was only around $200 less than new. I left them to it and ended up paying just over 55% of new. Maybe over the odds but I did so want a T-style for a long time.

Classic Vibe Butterscotch Blonde

 

[Gretsch]

I shouldn't have but I did. And OK, I'm sorry. It isn't a Fender.

Used and it'd been available for a few months. As I'm not a very good negotiator my mate went with me and gave the git the once over. Some issues such as the jack needing attention. The seller wanted a price which was only around $200 less than new. I left them to it and ended up paying just over 55% of new. Maybe over the odds but I did so want a T-style for a long time.

Classic Vibe Butterscotch Blonde

Yeah, you got it for a little over half price of new, I would say that's not a bad deal at all.
Nice looking axe, love the butterscotch finish, congratulations and enjoy.

 

[Gretsch]

For those interested, here's the final product.

 

[Belli]

Many would already be aware of this but some may not be. If you are looking for backing tracks there are many on Spotify. Do a search on 'backing tracks' or 'guitar backing tracks.'

As I have Spotify linked to my Sonos sytem with a number of speakers throughout the house, including in the lounge where I've paired them in stereo, I have found it a great way to spend an enjoyable couple of hours.

 

[Gretsch]

Didn't know that, I use IReal Pro myself.