Guitar Player articles from March 2005

Guitar Player archives from March 2005

Noize from the editor.(donations to tsunami relief)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2005... The stereotypical reaction to each new year is to face it with optimism and joy. And, hey, a chance for new beginnings--as well as renewed efforts toward peace, love, and understanding--should be celebrated. Unfortunately, we've started 2005...

Letter of the month!(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I just wanted to say, "Thanks a bunch." After having numerous people ask if I was reading YM, and if that was Ashlee Simpson on the cover of your January 2005 issue, I finally snagged a date with a cute girl in my class. Guitar Player--making...

Happy New Year!(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... So my new issue [Jan. '05] arrived and on the cover was a pretty Gen Y rocker. I had been thinking about canceling my subscription since there hadn't been much in recent months that I could relate to. Then I got around to reading it--wow! You...

Allison Robertson.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I just wanted to pass along a big thanks for covering Allison Robertson in your most recent issue. I agree with every word she said regarding the current state of music. Music and bands are manufactured these days--more so than any other time...

Sonorous sleuthing.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... Guitar Player never fails to inspire me or teach me something new! Professor Brown's article, "A Hard Day's Mystery" [Riffs, Jan. '05], was simply brilliant! Every time I hear "A Hard Day's Night," I am fascinated by that sonorous opening...

"Gatemouth" Brown.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I was happy to see Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown get recognition in Guitar Player for the true pioneer that he is. I was first introduced to Brown when I saw him blow Clapton off the stage as Slowhand's opening act at the Royal Albert Hall in...

Pawnshop.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2005... I am the C. Taylor mentioned in the Pawnshop Prize Gibson GA-20 article by Art Thompson in the January 2005 issue. That amplifier was bought new by Gary Edmonds from Lohr's Music in Centralia, Washington, in the late 1950s. He used it until the...

Luna's guitar au revoir.(retirement of guitar-driven space pop band)(Dean Wareham)(Interview)
March 1, 2005... "Time to quit." Longtime fans of Luna's radiant guitar-driven space pop will recognize that phrase as a song title from the band's 1991 debut album. But, as of late, it has acquired a more significant meaning. Explains guitarist, vocalist, and...

This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were recently announced.(News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... This year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees were recently announced. Buddy Guy, the Pretenders, U2, Percy Sledge, and the O'Jays were the lucky winners for 2004. The 20th annual ceremony to welcome those legends will take place on March 14...

In the middle of December, Black Sabbaths former manager, Patrick Meehan, was the victim of a burglary, and among the things stolen wore ten gold and sliver records that had been awarded to the band.(News)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... In the middle of December, Black Sabbaths former manager, Patrick Meehan, was the victim of a burglary, and among the things stolen wore ten gold and sliver records that had been awarded to the band. First, two were recovered when they were put...

Hip tip: keep your ears open.(Education)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... I've spent as much time learning from other instruments as I have from the guitar. There's as much Charlie Parker, Glenn Gould, and Bob Wills in my playing as there is Kottke or Hendrix. By studying other instruments, you realize the guitar's...

Sound advice on tinnitus.(avoiding hearing problems with protective devices)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... If you hear ringing, buzzing, hissing, and other sounds after the amplifiers have been switched off, that's tinnitus. Think of tinnitus (pronounced ti-NIGHT-us or TIN-it-us) as a warning signal, telling you that the noise you've been around is...

Joseph Arthur's primal surges.(Songwriting)
March 1, 2005... "There's absolutely no separation between writing a song and whatever inspires it for me," says renowned singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, who just released his fourth album, Our Shadows Will Remain [Vector]. It's an engaging effort that frames...

Lisa Marie Presley, sole heir to her father Elvis' fortunes.(news)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Lisa Marie Presley, sole heir to her father Elvis' fortunes, has sold off 85 percent of his estate. Music and sports promoter Robert FX Silverman bought the share for a reported $100 million. Presley will still maintain control of Graceland,...

Passing notes.(News)
March 1, 2005... On December 20, Chicago blues legend Son Seals passed away from complications related to diabetes. He was 62. Born in Arkansas in 1942, Seals moved to Chicago in 1971, establishing himself as one of Chicago's great bluesmen. He released eight...

Web of jewels.(Tools)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Decorated with enough diamonds, emeralds, gold, rubies, and sapphires to make J.Lo weep with envy, the appropriately named Web of Jewels guitar from Shiraz Balolla at Grizzly Industrial, Inc. (a maker of machine tools for the guitar industry)...

eBay strategies.("Buy It Now" feature)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... AUCTION ITEM: GRETSCH ELECTROMATIC BO DIDDLEY GUITAR WINNING BIO: $175 I've always secretly dug Bo Diddley's old rectangular guitar that Gretsch custom built for him in the '50s, and later made available to the public in limited...

Mike Varney's spotlight.(Community)(guitarists)(Biography)(Column)
March 1, 2005... No matter how old you are, where you live, or what style of music you play, this column offers you the potential to be recognized by your peers. To be considered for Mike Varney's Spotlight, please send your email address and a CD of your music...

Daysend.(Buzz)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... "For a while now, there has been this attitude in rock music that says it's cool to play like s**t," declares Aaron Bilbija, lead guitarist with apocalyptic metal warriors Daysend. "But there's nothing cool about musical incompetence. Any kid...

The Moaners.(Buzz)
March 1, 2005... Although the Moaners' debut album is entitled Dark Snack [Yep Roc], the record is actually a four-course meal, heaping with singer/guitarist Melissa Swingle's vibey slide morsels and organic tones, and drummer Laura King's thundering grooves....

Tishamingo.(Buzz)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... "We want to break new musical ground eventually, but for the time being, we're just playing what we love--straightforward Southern rock," says Tishamingo guitarist/singer Jess Franklin. "But seeing as how there's not a whole of that going on in...

Out now!(info about guitars from manufacturers)
March 1, 2005... GIG SKINZ GSEG AND GSAG GUITAR CASES * Water-resistant carbon fiber-style fabric * High-density foam body * Plush-lined interior and pockets * Heavy-duty grip-dimple bottom lining * Adjustable backpack straps *...

Prog rock.(Style Council)
March 1, 2005... By 1967, the most creative British bands had exhausted their fascination with American blues and early rock and roll, and even mainstream British Invaders such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones were pushing the boundaries of "rock." Artists...

Comrades in arms: Matt Bachands's rhythms and Jon Donais' solos propel the Shadows Fall assault team.(Interview)
March 1, 2005... Shadows Fall's new album, The War Within [Century Media], continues the band's ascent into the metal stratosphere. Formed in 1996 in western Massachusetts, the band has stayed true to its metal beginnings and is now universally recognized as a...

Steadfast inclinations: Nels Cline sidesteps the consequences of conformity.(Interview)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2005... Nels Cline is a genius. Nearly a century after the invention of the electric guitar--and given all the styles and approaches that have emerged in the interim--he is one of the few players brave enough and phenomenally talented enough to shatter...

Dynamic duo: Andy Summers and Ben Verdery collaborate on a classical concerto and an ambient jamfest.(Interview)
March 1, 2005... Some people sing in the shower, and others come up with an idea for an epic guitar collaboration that turns into a Carnegie Hall premiere. This is exactly what occurred to guitarist Ben Verdery--chair of the guitar department at the Yale...

Live loud & loose: slide sensei Sonny Landreth details the explosive tones on Grant Street.(Interview)
March 1, 2005... With all due respect to Edward Van Halen's famous notion of the "brown sound," there are other colors one can assign to great guitar tones. Listening to Sonny Landreth's heavenly slide textures on Grant Street [Sugar Hill], a much brighter...

Sam Prekop: Who's Your New Professor.(Audio)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Sam Prekop is a busy man. Aside from his fledgling career as a painter and photographer, he's the engine behind post-rock legends the Sea and Cake. Who's Your New Professor, Prekop's second solo outing in five years, not surprisingly sounds...

Cindy Cashdollar: Slide Show.(Audio)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Possessing a vibrant tone and impeccable intonation, Cindy Cashdollar is one of today's finest steel and lap slide players. She honed her relentless sense of swing, crisp articulation, and sassy vibrato during a long stint with Asleep at the...

The Chris Stamey Experience: a Question of Temperature.(Audio)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... When two cool guitarists record an album offering up covers of everyone from Television to soul/jazz giant Les McCann, I'm all ears, baby. Former dB's guitarist Chris Stamey and his old friend, current Yo La Tengo guitarist Ira Kaplan, exude...

King Crimson: the 21st Century Guide to King Crimson Volume 1: 1969-1974.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
March 1, 2005... This four-CD box provides the perfect introduction to one of rock's most influential bands. Two discs cover studio recordings from the distinctly different periods of 1969-1971 and 1972-1974, and two present corresponding live performances. The...

What's spinning in the editors' heads this month?(Rants And Raves)
March 1, 2005... BARRY CLEVELAND Rez Abbasi, Snake Charmer Nathan Paine, More Harold Budd, Avalon Sutra ANDY ELLIS Tift Merritt, Tambourine Marc Broussard, Carencro Hank Garland, Move! The Guitar Artistry of Hank Garland EMILY FASTEN ...

Rob Ickes with Blue Highway: Big Time.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
March 1, 2005... Hello, Mr. Ickes. It says here on your resume that you've played Dobro with Earl Scruggs, Tony Rice, and Dolly Parton. That's all well and fine, but not surprising, considering you're a bad-ass of the highest order. But lately I've been hearing...

Jeff Parker: the Relatives.(Audio)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Known for adding restless and unexpected 6-string sounds to Tortoise, Isotope 217, and Chicago Underground Orchestra, Jeff Parker plays jazz like someone raised on dub, hip hop, and experimental music. On The Relatives, Parker's woody tone is...

The Shadows: the Final Tour.(DVD)(Video Recording Review)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Although they scored international hits, Britain's Shadows pretty much had their stateside cheese munched by our own Ventures. But fans of instrumental rock know the score, and these cats deserve to be way more than a rock-trivia answer. And...

Eric Clapton: Crossroads Guitar Festival.(DVD)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... There are only two criticisms I can level at this celebration of all things guitar, so let's get them out of the way. The first is that it's pretty much a men-only affair. The second is each performer's occasional, self-satisfied enjoyment at...

Devo: Live in the Land of the Rising Sun.(DVD)(Sound Recording Review)
March 1, 2005... I didn't even know Devo was still actively performing until I received this disc, and what a treat it was to reconnect with one of the most sneakily revolutionary bands of the '80s--especially when this set shows they can still rock hard. Yeah,...

The Essential Albert King: Wolf Marshall.(Instruction)(Brief Article)(Book Review)
March 1, 2005... There's more than one way to learn an Albert King lick. In fact, the most popular way doesn't even seem to involve having ever heard of the legendary Flying V-wielding southpaw. It involves simply copping some of Stevie Ray Vaughan's famous...

Streaming vertical slices: a lesson with Adrian Legg in fast, fluid fingerpicking.(Master Class)
March 1, 2005... "It's easy to misunderstand fingerstyle guitar," says Adrian Legg, cradling his custom Puplett acoustic-electric. "It starts when people say, 'How do you play two things at once? You're playing the tune and you're playing the bass.' The truth...

Jam guru: Jimmy Herring: rethinking the pentatonic scale.(Intermediate)
March 1, 2005... When most guitarists learn a scale, their first objective is often to play it as fast as they can. Then, when it's time play slowly again, the scale seems boring and the notes are no longer exciting. That's due in large part to the fact that...

EZ Street: minor bass runs.(Beginner)
March 1, 2005... We started investigating bass runs--and hearing how they provide musical stepping stones between one chord and the next--in the Feb. '05 installment of EZ Street. Our journey began by linking major chords with major bass runs; in this lesson...

Metal guru: Rusty Cooley: teflon tapping.(Advanced)
March 1, 2005... Ever hear someone taking a solo and then suddenly, in the middle of a phrase, it sounds like, "Pause, remove plectrum, insert tapped lick, pause, retrieve plectrum, resume picking"? I hate that sound. That's why you'll very rarely hear me tap...

How to play like ... Keith Richards.(Intermediate)
March 1, 2005... In addition to being the poster child for rockers with attitude, Keith Richards is one of the greatest rhythm guitarists ever to strap on a 6-string. Or more accurately, a 5-string. Richards crafts many of his most memorable riffs using a...

Blues guru: Robben Ford: symmetrical splashes.(Intermediate)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... The last time we met [in the January '05 GP], I showed you how useful the G half/whole, "symmetrical" scale [Ex. 1] is for improvising tangy lines over a standard blues groove in G. I also showed you that any lick you create using this scale...

Lead Guitar 101: hot triplets.(Beginner)
March 1, 2005... We began our journey into the world of head-turning lead guitar by extracting recurring themes from an A minor pentatonic scale ("Lead Guitar 101," Feb. '05). In that lesson, we used fast repetition to build drama in a phrase. Now, we'll add...

The basics: how to record quick & easy guitar tones.(Recording)
March 1, 2005... Clean, undistorted guitar tones can be recorded using a very simple signal chain: Plug your guitar into a direct box, and then plug the direct box into a channel input on your mixer. For added sonic impact, plug a compressor into the channel's...

Mic test: Neumann TLM 127.(Recording)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... This is for all the guitarists out there who are intimidated by expensive, fancy microphones. I feel your pain. Although I often record with the finest microphones in the world when I do studio sessions, I own just two workhorse dynamics: a...

Production strategies: goes back to mono Robert Schneider.(Recording)(Interview)
March 1, 2005... Robert Schneider is well-known in indie-rock circles for the stunning audio productions crafted for his releases with the Apples in Stereo. But for his recent Ulysses project, 010 [Eenie Meenie], the restless creative kingpin abandoned...

AR-15 II voltage regulator/power conditioner.(Studio Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Furman Sound, Inc. Now Available This single rack space unit provides a constant 120 volts of clean, filtered power to connected equipment. At the same time it features the most comprehensive protection available from surges, spikes...

Neumann Series 180.(Studio Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Neumann Three compact miniature mics with patterns that satisfy the demands of all common studio applications. Consisting of the KM 183, KM 184 & KM 185, they have long been recognized as the guitar microphones of choice. ...

TruTraps[TM] Genesis Broadband Absorption System.(Studio Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Auralex Acoustics, Inc. Now Available The TruTraps[TM] Genesis Broadband System is a "one-product-fits-all" solution that includes four 3" thick, 2'x4' TruPanels[TM], 3" thick TruSpacersTM] for offset mounting, and 4 Q'Fusor diffusors...

System 4 MIDI and audio recording system.(Studio Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Steinberg Now Available System 4 is a complete audio recording and MIDI sequencing solution featuring Cubase SL software and the MI4 USB bus-powered audio/MIDI interface. Featuring high quality 24bit/96kHz mic and guitar inputs,...

Model 1R-1KVA balanced power system.(Studio Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Equi=Tech Corp. Now Available The Model 1R is Equi=Tech's precision balanced power system designed for the small studio or musicians rack. Its 10-Amp capacity is an ideal fit for most pro-tools and small recording applications. ...

12 ways to grind.(Distortion Pedal Roundup!)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... Getting a great guitar tone is dependent on a lot of things, but as the first effect that your guitar typically sees, a distortion pedal has a lot to do with how cool you're going to sound when you hammer down on a grinding rhythm part or step...

Eastman Uptown Professional AR810CE and AR805CE.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... When I played an Eastman jazz guitar at a trade show a little over a year ago I was very impressed--but when I was informed of the price, I nearly fell off my chair. How could anyone offer a hand-built instrument of such quality, with a carved...

Daisy Rock Retro-H 12-String.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... The shimmering chime of a 12-string is one of life's great experiences. Doubling the string count by adding two unison and four split-octave courses does incredible things for the tone, not to mention that the slight tuning inconsistencies...

Genz Benz El Diablo 60-C.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... We first met the Genz Benz guitar-amp family in the form of the 100-watt El Diablo in the March 2004 issue of GP. It was clear that with its ingenious combination of tube and active EQ circuitry, El Diablo was innovative and flexible enough to...

Fender '50s Esquire and Malden Mozak.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
March 1, 2005... If there's one thing you can count on, it's that vintage guitar designs never go out of style. Major manufacturers regularly celebrate their past by bringing back models that were considered cutting edge in the '50s and '60s, and newer...

Furman PL-Plus Series II.(Accessory File)
March 1, 2005... If you use a rack, you're a prime candidate for a PL-Plus Series II Power Conditioner ($229 retail/$159 street). A key feature of the unit is its proprietary Linear Filtering Technology (LiFT), an AC purification function that eliminates...

Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH preamp tubes.(Accessory File)
March 1, 2005... For decades, tone tweakers have experimented with different preamp tubes in order to fine-tune their amp's frequency response, tonal texture, and dynamic qualities. The choices of tubes continue to expand thanks to companies like...

J. Chandler Pedaltrain/2.(Accessory File)
March 1, 2005... Like many things in life, setting up a pedal-board can be as easy or difficult as you care to make it. And if you're into doing things the easy way, the Pedaltrain/2 ($299 retail/$189 street) offers a convenient solution to organizing up to 12...

Akai Headrush E2.(Stompbox Fever)
March 1, 2005... The Headrush E2 ($399 retail/$249 street) updates Akai's popular Headrush E1 by improving the overall sound quality, extending the delay times, and adding a Loop Level switch. Like its predecessor, the E2 has three modes, with controls that...

VanAmps Reverbamate.(Stompbox Fever)
March 1, 2005... Pushing a signal through a set of springs may seem like a primitive way to obtain reverb, especially considering the considerable advancements in digital technology. But to my ears, there is nothing sweeter than the drippy, organic reverb...

Guitar Wall Case (GWC-RVE).(Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Access N Sight Launch Date: January 2005 Safety glass door. Options: Vertical or horizontal, electric or acoustic guitar sizes, black or white interior, lock, light, oak, ash, maple, walnut or cherry hardwoods. See our website or...

TTV-2 Dual Tube Tremolo / Vibrato Pedal.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Nady Systems Now Available Dual vacuum tubes design for the ultimate in tremolo and vibrato sounds, with rate and intensity controls, output control for extra boost and enhanced tone, and selectable choice of 3 classic vibratos. ...

Airline reissue.(Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Eastwood Guitars Now Available Two new Airline reissue models are now available; 2-pickup "White Stripes" model and the 3-pickup "J.B. Hutto" model. Tone-chamber body, maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, Humbucker pickups. Available in...

Guitar Backsaver.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Leathers-n-Feathers Now Available Tired of scratched-up electric guitar and bass backs? The patented Guitar Backsaver protects your instrument from belt buckles and buttons. The leather pad slips on/off in seconds with elastic straps....

2000 series frequency-agile UHF wireless systems.(Product Spotlight)
March 1, 2005... Audio-Technica Launch Date: January 2005 Automatic scanning, true diversity reception, easy setup, amazingly affordable. Includes a receiver and either a handheld microphone/transmitter or UniPak[TM] body-pack with high-impedance input...

Framus Diablo Light Scotch guitar.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Framus Launch Date: December 2004 Built on a chambered swamp ash body with a stunning AAA flamed maple top, neck, and fingerboard, the new Diablo Light Scotch guitar by Framus comes loaded with Seymour Duncan pickups and a Wilkinson...

Neck Sock.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Happy Necks L.L.C. Now Available The Neck Sock allows you to display your favorite guitars & basses without sacrificing tone and string life. Protects your strings & instrument from dust and oxidation while providing an alternative to...

Big Bends NUT SAUCE.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Big Bends LLC Now Available NUT SAUCE, stops string breakage, stabilizes tuning (keeps you in tune!). No modifications needed. Easy to use, no waste, no mess pinpoint applicator. MSRP $19.95 www.guitaristonly.com ...

Guitar Collection Case (GCC-1).(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Access N Sight Now Available Holds twelve electric guitars, or six acoustic guitars, or a smaller combination of both. Safety glass, Lock, Hygrometer, Thermometer and more. Wood options: Oak, Ash, Maple, Walnut or Cherry. SRP:...

G7 Kontakt edition.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
March 1, 2005... Sibelius Now Available G7 allows guitarists and songwriters to easily create tab and notation. Create lead sheets, chord diagrams, drum patterns, lyrics and more. G7 also includes high-quality sounds for playback. SRP: $149 ...

Chris Shiflett on technology.(Testimony)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... "We recorded our demos with a boom box when I was a kid," says Foo Fighters/Jackson/Me First and the Gimme Gimmes' guitarist Chris Shiflett, "You were lucky if one of your friends had a Fostex 4-track, but no matter what you did and no matter...