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G Mac

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Posts posted by G Mac

  1. 2 hours ago, 'Scales said:

    Thanks G Mac and Pip, I think it would be worth a look/listen. My sound is more of an ugly 'strident' spiky thing which seems to offset lead players well for that music  - much of which is a bit less heavy than that particular video, I actually don't use much gain (lesser of the 2 gain channels set to 2) but have a Dimarzio ceramic beast of a humbucker stuck in the bridge position which gives a lot of drive. I noticed the MM says they now use a quality modern light weight speaker and the whole amp is less than 12kg - I like the sound of that if it still works as it should! Cool video too G Mac - fun stuff.

    I don't know anything about the reissues. I called and emailed Ernie Ball/ Music Man about releasing the new amps in the U.S. and their answer was, "No!". Apparently, the new ones were only marketed in Japan, Italy, and the U.K.. I think I'd love to try one if they ever make it over here! Mine is from 1983 - '84 and has been recapped in 2014 and I replace the power tubes every couple of years when they start to sound a bit anemic. She does well for a nearly forty year old amp and we'll likely never part! Also, thanks for digging the video! I really enjoyed working with those guys...all original and all instrumental! I wish you the best of luck in your quest for your sound! I also enjoyed your video. Keep up the good work and, as always, stand and deliver! Peace!

  2. 13 hours ago, 'Scales said:

    That's interesting insight G Mac - I've got a birthday coming up and have never had a 'good' amp - though at my level I've been happy enough with my early 90's US made Fender soldid state Priceton 112s and my cheapo HiWatt 200w SS head into Kuston quad for gigs, ....but, you only live once and a rare treat of a tube or hybrid amp to see out my days would be cool. I will check out the MM RD 112. The band plays alternate/pub rock with an overdriven sound https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i4Kn9mV6eMM so I'd be keen to have a decent mid gain channel for that stuff.

    Tell me please, does the reverb work on clean on these? - it is grouped with the gain knobs, but I'd like a Fender style clean with spring- reverb option. Thanks

    All - what would be other good options along those lines?

    Hey, 'Scales! As far as the reverb goes, it works on both channels and as Pippy said, it is a nice reverb. I watched your video and think that the MM might not give you the midrange gain that I hear on the video. Some people are not fond of the gain channel on the MM amps...it's not a modern type high gain sound. I would say that it's more of a classic overdrive sound; very good for most everything but, for heavy music, maybe not so much. I will say that MM amps are very good pedal platforms and will deliver a Fender clean (they were designed/ produced by Leo) with good headroom and they are plenty loud. I'll include this video of a recording that was made some time ago to give you an idea of the sound of the amp...no effects, no reverb, just switching to the O.D. channel for the solo. The solo starts at around 3:15 so you don't have to listen to the whole thing, unless you like it. Also note that the amp is not mic'ed. I hope this helps!

    The sound of the Music Man RD 112 50.

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  3. Hey, Rabs! That's frigging hilarious! I've often felt that it might be time for rock's demise based on the reactions of some of the people at some of my gigs..."The Maestro asks if the guitar could be a little softer...". I began my quest as a rocker and am still a rocker at heart but, occaisionally it seems so stale. Maybe I'm just an old fart, eh? Rock isn't dead, it just smells funny! Into my favorites it goes! Pow! Thanks!

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  4. I have three amps and I love them all; a Music Man RD 112 50 (a fifty watt hybrid amp with two 6L6 GC's and a 12AX7 driving a single 12"), a Carvin V3mc (also a fifty watt single 12" with four EL 84's and four 12AX7's), and a Danelectro Cadet which I call my "Lightning Hopkins" amp because it has that sound like "Gimme Back My Wig". I gig regularly and find that for almost everything, the Music Man rules. It has a beautiful sparkly clean and a nice blues/rock overdrive and is very responsive. The Carvin is good for metal/modern distortion sounds and is very versatile as it has a lot of preamp sculpting choices and multiple wattage selections (7, 25, or 50). I call it my "poor man's" Mesa Boogie. The Danelectro I only use at home and for teaching lessons as it is the only one with two inputs. I don't use any effects (not even reverb; I've grown to love just the sound of guitar...) so the amp(s) I use are important to me. Having said that though, I have found that I can get a usable sound out of almost any amp...sometimes one has to use what's provided. I use a Strat, an Epi Les Paul, and a Gibson ES-330 through all of them with equal glee. However, my favorite hands down, is the Music Man. I really cannot overstate its purity of tone, ease of use, and reliability. Whatever you're playing, brothers and sisters...stand and deliver!

  5. First, if it's in a pawn shop, it's unlikely to be a real '53...especially if it's under $20,000. There's a '53 body, no neck, no pickups, or hardware on Reverb for $10,000. I'd say it's probably a reissue that's at the pawn shop. Good luck!

  6. I like thick picks that go where I want them to go with no lag. I've been using Dunlop Stubby 3.0's for many years now; I find them to be very effective for all my picking needs. They do chirp at times when I play acoustic. I find that V-Pick's medium round is good for acoustic though some may not like it's darker sound. I've thought about trying a Blue Chip but, the one I'd like to try is $75!...I'll wait until my next life. I used to make my own picks out of plexiglass but, found that to be a bit labor intensive. So for convenience's sake, I'm sticking with the Stubbies at least for now.

  7. Hey, Niko! By "original music", I mean stuff that you have composed/written yourself, not cover songs. You do a very fine job recording, mixing, and mastering. You are obviously talented which is why I'd like to hear your own music. Anyway, I hope you weren't offended by my comments...I intended nothing but praise for a job well done.

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  8. Oh yeah! I had forgotten what it was called. When I first heard that album, I was like eight or nine and I didn't get it but, in my twenties, I had much the same reaction as you! That's still my favorite Chicago record to this day! I'm a Man, South California Purples, Beginnings, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?...all of it! Thanks for bringing back the memories, man!

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  9. Somebody once asked Jimi who he thought was the best guitarist in the world and he named Terry Kath. Hey, Navy Vet...do you remember that incredible feedback/improv extravaganza of his on the Chicago Transit Authority album? Man so good, and all on a Fender Twin as I recall with no effects...wow!

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  10. So, derek R...let us in on who some of your favorites are! I think we all agree that there is no "greatest of all time". Personally, I'd be interested to know who you like so that I can suss 'em out if I've not heard them yet! I have got introduced to a lot of great new music on this forum! And, Navy Vet....thumbs up to Terry Kath and Albert Collins! You seem to have great taste! Also, Thank You for your service!

    • Upvote 1
  11. I can only listen to Jimi every couple of years because his playing was SO powerful and truly otherworldly. I don't think anyone since him has or has had that same mojo. To my mind, Jimi exemplifies the concept of no impediment betwee the player and the instrument. To be clear, I am not a Jimi worshipper or sycophant but, I am able to recognize what I consider to be genius. As far as my favorites, both Jimmy Herring and Roy Buchanan are among them. Others would be Allan Holdsworth, Al DiMeola, Alex Lifeson, Joe Pass, Larry Carlton, John Lennon, George Harrison, Skip James, T-Bone Walker, and Robert Fripp. I only list ten because I could fill a page with guitarists that I love and admire. As far as today's faves Merciful, I have to nod toward Greg Koch and Eric Gales. I agree with you, Navy Vet....there is no greatest but, there are innumerable favorites! Peace, brothers!

    • Upvote 1
  12. I've played through a Quilter...not sure which model; a single 12" with lots of knobs. It seems to be a really nice rig! I'm not familiar with Henricksen either so...good luck in your quest!

  13. If I had to guess, I would say that the low impedance pickup is the only Gibson piece on the guitar. The rest looks like it was cobbled together from various low quality sources. Good luck getting it in tune with the bridge set up like that! Hopefully, it plays well and sounds good!

  14. I have an ES-330 that I stuffed surgical cotton into. While it doesn't eliminate feedback, it makes it less prevalent and easier to control. Also, it's less dense than say, socks, so it has less effect on the overall tone of the guitar.

  15. Have any of you listened to Marcus Nalgaber's latest post? It's in The Performance Hall and is called "Serenade for Nylon Strings Guitars". It's some very nice playing (in my opinion).

        That Gipsy Kings is great! That's how "Volare" should be played! Pop! Into the favorites it goes!

        I once saw Willie kick the crap out of one of those young blues fetuses on Letterman and Mr. Nelson only played about ten notes! The poor young guy looked like he couldn't believe what had just happened! How can ten notes be better than one hundred? Experience and taste, that's how! An old cat will beat you down before you know it!

  16. I got my first classical guitar when I was in my late teens and have loved them ever since. I wouldn't call myself a classical player but, I do love playing classical music! I also play jazz and anything else on the nylon strings because it's such a lovely sound. I also use it when I'm learning songs for gigs; with no fret markers, you have to know where you are, which is helpful. I find that the extra neck width is good for keeping my fingers stretched out and allows for more room for my fat fingers.

         Some of my favorite classical players are: Christopher Parkening, Ana Vidovic, and Narciso Yepes. For flamenco it's Paco de Lucia and Manitos de Plata. Maybe you'll give a listen to some of these folks and grow to love them as have I.

        Lastly, I have only seen/ played one Gibson classical in my life. It was OK but, not spectacular. As with most all guitars, what make one more special than the next is personal preference. Each guitar has it's own personality and charm.

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