The guitar corner

[Dan Gould]

On the theory that there are no stupid questions, if the chord is F and I put the capo at the second fret, I'm supposed to play an E, right? Cause I am looking at a tab that says capo 1 for a tune in the key of F, and the F chords are listed as E.

As always this intermediate guitarist who hasn't had a lesson since he was 11 thanks you in advance.

[BFrank]

Have we talked pedals yet? Here's my current collection.

I've had the Boss Looper for a few years, at least, but it's really intimidating to use. I recently got the HardWire Delay/Looper thinking I could do some simple loops with that and get more comfortable with the process. It also has a nice variety of Delay effects. Picked it up CHEAP from Musician's Friend and sold my old DigiTech DigiDelay for about the same price.

The Fat Sandwich I also just grabbed at a bargain price from MF. Sounds great..........and VERY fat!

image by BFrank229, on Flickr

[jazzbo]

Though I have two Damage Control dual tube effects pedals (Liquid Blues Distortion and Glass Nexus) I haven't plugged them in at all since I moved from Texas (and oddly began playing more as I have many afternoons to myself as my only time off and the complex is deserted and I can make some noise). I mainly use a clean signal no effects, more than ninety percent of the time. But I do have this and love it:

I can get this so that my lines are nice and fat and chords have just a nice bit of crunch. Sort of like power tube distortion coming on. It sounds great and gives me just what I want. And if I feel the itch I can really get it fat and fuzzy and distorted.

Edited January 8, 2015 by jazzbo

[Homefromtheforest]

Mainly play clean myself but I have these 3 pedals and this vintage ibanez UE405 multi effect rack with foot switch. The ibanez overdrive is the 30th anniversary reissue and the two electro harmonix pedals are vintage.

[BFrank]

Nice stuff! I generally like to play with a little overdrive and a hint of reverb. Unfortunately, I'm also a SUCKER for pedals ... of all sorts - not that I use them that much. But it's fun to play with them every once in a while and they DO look "cool" lined up on the floor.

Also, I don't spend a lot, but track sale prices on MF and Sweetwater, both of which periodically have deep discounts on select items. It helps me justify my 'addiction'.

[Homefromtheforest]

My friend just bought the new electro harmonix C9 pedal and he says it's amazing. I watched the demo and I must admit I'm tempted to get one myself! You can get some killer keyboard sounds without the tracking issues of old guitar synths..

[jazzbo]

Oh I use reverb, but nothing beats strings for me, I have to have real spring reverb, not a pedal. I have a Fender '63 Reissue Reverb head, and I also have a Schreyer Audio SpringVerb. Both are great (the Schreyer is solid state and has longer springs, so a different beast).

Edited January 8, 2015 by jazzbo

[Homefromtheforest]

Yeah I guess I should add that I almost always use reverb too!

Edited January 8, 2015 by Homefromtheforest

[BFrank]

Nothing like the sound of a real spring reverb when you rock it back and forth!

[BFrank]

Here's a chance to pick up Les Paul's original "Les Paul Black Beauty" prototype. Price 'might' be at a premium, though.

Guernsey's Auctioneers

[BFrank]

I am SO tempted to get one of these. I have one of those Eames chairs that my parents bought way back in the 60s, and it would look great alongside it.

Just wish I knew how it plays/sounds.

SINUOUS GUITARS

[jazzbo]

Interesting. They are probably good guitars. The big innovation is the curved bodies. I doubt that makes a particular difference in the sound, may make them more comfortable to play. . .but how uncomfortable are the traditional wooden shapes?

[BFrank]

Needless to say, I'm looking at that guitar more for aesthetic reasons than musical. From reading their blurb and seeing the list of components, it seems like quality work. But without being able to play it or see one in person it becomes an expensive crap shoot.

Interesting, anyway ...

[jazzbo]

It will certainly look nice! I bet if you were serious about a purchase you could get the company to give you a pretty good idea of the action, the pickup sound, etc. Poplar is a pretty nice tone wood, I have two guitars with a poplar core and black walnut tops and bottoms. They sound a lot like a crisper mahogany tone.

[BFrank]

Interesting about the pickups - they currently install Seymour Duncans, but told me that they have "... been working with a local pickup company named Throbak to custom wind for us. We think they sound extremely good." Don't know anything about them, but they also make effects pedals.

Thanks for your input, Lon.

[BFrank]

OK - I never got that Sinuous Guitar. My self-control kicked into gear.

I've now moved on to Bohemian "oil can" Guitars. They have unique builds, would definitely be conversation pieces and play surprisingly well. I got to see and play one at SXSW. They're not necessarily 'pro-quality' instruments, but they're not built or priced to be. On top of everything else, they're bargain-priced ($185) with significant extras and pickup customization if you pre-order on the crowd-funding site, Indigogo. I ordered one - why NOT?? Disclaimer: I have no financial stake in these at ALL.

Bohemian Guitars

The Boho Series 2.0 - Indiegogo

[Dan Gould]

Question for the experts: My capo seems to wearing out after a few years use. I get too much buzz especially at frets 1 and 2 and adjusting the spring doesn't help. I assume this is normal ... 

I see several at Amazon for $10 or less and others $20 or $30. Are the higher priced ones significantly better or longer lasting? 

[BFrank]

Electric or acoustic guitar? I think it makes a difference.

[Dan Gould]

1 hour ago, BFrank said:

Electric or acoustic guitar? I think it makes a difference.

Accoustic.

[BFrank]

I would think that a capo made for acoustics would have a stronger spring. Also if you have an adjustable bridge it could be raised a little.

[skeith]

I think that by far the best capos are the ones you have to rotate the screw to tighten.....really allows you to adjust the tightness....they are much smaller than the ones that most people use and they never ever wear out.

[Dan Gould]

1 hour ago, skeith said:

I think that by far the best capos are the ones you have to rotate the screw to tighten.....really allows you to adjust the tightness....they are much smaller than the ones that most people use and they never ever wear out.

That's the kind I have and its not engaging the strings the same way it did.  So I am wondering whether the same design at a higher price point is the smarter move or just buy a similar one and assume it will last another two or three years. The price isn't that different anyway ...

[skeith]

1 hour ago, Dan Gould said:

That's the kind I have and its not engaging the strings the same way it did.  So I am wondering whether the same design at a higher price point is the smarter move or just buy a similar one and assume it will last another two or three years. The price isn't that different anyway ...

Hi Dan

I did not think we have the same kind because you said something about adjusting the spring.   There is no spring in the capo that I have.   It has a small knob that tightens and loosens the grip by closing the angle of the capo....have had it for years --- no problems.  Spent maybe 10 or 15 dollars.

[Dan Gould]

1 hour ago, skeith said:

Hi Dan

I did not think we have the same kind because you said something about adjusting the spring.   There is no spring in the capo that I have.   It has a small knob that tightens and loosens the grip by closing the angle of the capo....have had it for years --- no problems.  Spent maybe 10 or 15 dollars.

Well I don't know if there's confusion or not but here's an image.

My wife actually bought it for me and actually looking at it, it looks like I had a $30 model anyway. Guess I should just buy a new one this weekend. Thanks.

[skeith]

4 hours ago, Dan Gould said:

Well I don't know if there's confusion or not but here's an image.

My wife actually bought it for me and actually looking at it, it looks like I had a $30 model anyway. Guess I should just buy a new one this weekend. Thanks.

No that is not the one I use.   Mine is like this..never had a problem and it is much smaller....easy to fit in your case....never got why anyone would use anything else.