Guitar Player articles from November 2004

Guitar Player archives from November 2004

Noise from the editor.
November 1, 2004... When they're good, surprises are awesome. How about Paul Harem totally self-destructing on the vault at the Olympics--I mean, absolutely jettisoning any chance for even a bronze medal--and then rallying to snatch the gold? It's those little...

Letter of the month!(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I recently returned home from Iraq after being deployed for more than ten months, and I just want to thank you for passing the great news of the guitar on to people like me. My mother bought me a subscription to Guitar Player right after I...

Robert Randolph.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Thanks for the interview with Robert Randolph [Sept. '04]. I stumbled across his music when I saw him on his first appearance on Austin City Limits, and I must say that seeing him gave me goose bumps. It reminded me of the first time I saw...

Sonic nirvana.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... Well, I have to say the tuning--C,G,D,C,G,D--detailed in your September '04 story on Sonic Youth led me to another one of those happy musical accidents. After ignoring the warning about that tweak of the G up to C, and popping many G strings on...

Mr. Clapton & Crossroads.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I've gotten frustrated and dirty looks from "fellow" guitarists when I bring this up, but doesn't anyone else think it's odd that with all the stellar female guitar players out there, Eric forgot to invite even one to his Crossroads Guitar...

Los Lonely Boys.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I love what Los Lonely Boys' Henry Garza said about not being a gearhead [Sept. '04]. Like his father, an old-timer told me when I was young, "It's not what you're playing through, it's what you're playing through it." John "Jz" Zulager...

Robert Quine.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I was saddened to read of the death of Robert Quine [News, Sept. '04]--especially after seeing the reason for his death. I guess he wasn't big enough to get mentioned in some newspapers. In memoriam, I dug through my video collection of guitar...

The Beatles.(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... I've enjoyed your Beatles-focused August 2004 issue immensely--especially Matt Blackett's reference to Mozart in his Post Fab! article on Paul McCartney. I've often thought that in future centuries, referring to Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Lennon,...

Oops!(Feedback)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... In our review of the Mesa/Boogie Lone Star in the October issue, we printed an incorrect price. The 4x12 cabinet actually retails for $879. As about a gazillion of our readers pointed out, in our Crossroads Festival story in the September...

Schecter Guitars has teamed up with everyone's favorite serial killer.(News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Schecter Guitars has teamed up with everyone's favorite serial killer, Leatherface (a.k.a., actor Andrew Bryiarski from the 2003 remake of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre). The collaboration has resulted in two rockin' guitars which will go up for...

Summer NAMM 2004.(Industry Insider)
November 1, 2004... Nashville will always be Music City, but it's no longer the city for the music-gear industry. After 12 years of hosting NAMM's summer session, Nashville has handed the reins to Indianapolis, and the July 2005 show will debut in that city's...

This fall, Queen brings their hit musical to Nevada.(News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... This fall, Queen brings their hit musical to Nevada. Hey, who needs Broadway when ya got Vegas? That's right, debuting in November, We Will Rook You comes to Paris Las Vegas for what may be a ten-year run. The musical, written by Ben Elton,...

GP Readers' Choice Awards.(Industry Insider)
November 1, 2004... You'd think I would have learned a thing or two after logging thousands of gigs in tiny clubs with sputtering P.A. systems. But here I was, wireless mic in hand, and not being heard as I attempted to address a rowdy crowd of manufacturers at...

The Bangles were given a rare honor in July.(News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Bangles were given a rare honor in July, when Sir Paul McCartney gave the entire band an honorary degree from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). LIPA was opened by McCartney and co-founder Mark Featherstone-Witty in 1996, on...

Martin Carthy's traditional values.(Culture)(Interview)
November 1, 2004... Since the early '60s, Martin Carthy has set the standard for creative interpretations of traditional music from the British Isles. "I basically rewrite traditional songs," explains Carthy, who just released Waiting for Angels [Topic]. "They...

Polish riffage.(Culture)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... On May 10, 2004, Polish 6-string virtuoso Leszek Cichonski set the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of simultaneously playing guitars, when he and 916 Hendrix enthusiasts performed "Hey Joe," "Little Wing," and "Wild Thing" in the...

Will Ray's eBay strategies.(Tools)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... AUCTION ITEM: 1950's KAY BARNEY KESSEL ARTIST WINNING BID: $550 I love vintage instruments, but I hate paying exorbitant prices for them. So what I do is look for "damaged goods"--meaning guitars that have been modified, or have some...

Introduce your young 'un to the magic of guitar with the upcoming Sing a Song of Six Strings.(News)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Introduce your young 'un to the magic of guitar with the upcoming Sing a Song of Six Strings, due out in October on Sony Wonder. Produced by Eddie Kramer, the 13-track album features kiddie songs by some damn legendary guitar slingers--Slash,...

Roll model.(Tools)(Guitar)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Motorcycles and rock guitar have always gone together, but MJ Guitars handcrafted this little hummer for those who really want their rock to roll. The guitar is fully functional right down to the handle grip volume control--though smokin' riffs...

Web alert!(Tools)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Tired of half-tone tyranny? Check out unfretted.com--an expansive site containing everything you could possibly want to know about the microtonal mysteries of the fretless guitar. You'll find the history of the instrument, an artist gallery,...

Spiderbait.(Buzz)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... "The most descriptive term I can think of to characterize our new record is 'pure energy,'" says Damian "Whitt" Whittey, guitarist for Australian power trio Spiderbait. Much of the hyper-charged intensity surging through Tonight, Alright...

Bad Wizard.(Buzz)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... On Bad Wizard's #I Tonight! [Howler], guitarists Tina Gorin and Eddie Lynch serve up a buffet of inebriated boogie that harkens back to the days of the Ford administration. "I've always loved good, blues-based rock," says Gorin, who counts...

Scatter the ashes.(Buzz)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Employing melodic ostinato phrases amidst a sea of clangorous echos, Scatter the Ashes guitarist James Robert Farmer laces Devout/The Modern Hymn [Epitaph] with a sound that echoes the textural heroes of the '80s. "My biggest influences are The...

Moollon: buffer age series overdrive.(Out Now!)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * Designed for the full frequency-range of an electric guitar * Specially engineered buffer circuit maintains volume level and tone "under any circumstance" * High-impedance (1M[OMEGA]) input; low impedance (10K[OMEGA]) output *...

Dean: hardtail select electric guitar.(Out Now!)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * Solid flame maple top * Mahogany body and neck; rosewood fretboard * Set neck with molded heel * Grover tuners and nickel hardware; coil-tapped pickups * Available colors include trans amber, trans red, trans blue, trans...

Ultimate support: genesis series stands.(Out Now!)(Guitar stand)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * Flash Base one-touch, umbrella-style opening/closing mechanism * Capable of holding up to three instruments without tipping * Height-adjustable; can accommodate any size guitar, bass, banjo, or mandolin * One-piece design folds...

Boss: RC-20XL phrase recorder.(Out Now!)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * Create multi-layered performances in real time * Record up to 16 minutes of loops and riffs * Hands-free Record, Play, and Overdub * 11 memory tracks * Undo function * (323) 890-3700; bossus.com * $399 retail

Fishman: loudbox pro acoustic amp.(Out Now!)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * Two-channel, 600-watt tri-amped system with active crossover * Extensive control section * Five types of digital reverb; two effects loops * Auxiliary stereo input with level control * Adjustable kickstand tilts back to 40,...

Blue tone: PRO 30M combo amp.(Out Now!)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * 30-watt, single-channel design * "Dark" input adds punch and depth to single-coil guitars * "Bright" input for guitars with humbucking or hot single-coil pickups * Passive Bass, Mid, and Treble controls * Mid and Hot...

Electro-harmonix: POG polyphonic octave generator.(Out Now!)
November 1, 2004... * Generates sounds one octave up, two octaves up, and one octave down from your guitar's original signal * Works on chords and single notes * Allows detuning of either or both upper octaves * Tones are blendable via front-panel...

Santa Cruz: H 13 fret acoustic guitar.(Out Now!)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... * Handbuilt steel-string acoustic with 13 frets clear of the body * Hand-tuned bracing system * Stika spruce top; mahogany back, sides, and neck * Double-action adjustable trussrod * Hardshell case included * (831)...

Allan Holdsworth.(Patron Saint)(Interview)(Biography)
November 1, 2004... Whether it's Charlie Christian drawing inspiration from tenor giant Lester Young, or John McLaughlin channeling the spirit of John Coltrane, guitarists of all stripes have been infatuated by the endlessly inventive improvisations and tonal...

Disorderly conduct: John 5 reinvents rock instrumentals with the country-metal mayhem of Vertigo.(Interview)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... "A lot of guys look for strip clubs on their day off," says John 5, who has survived more than his share of wild rock and roll tours. "But when I roll into a new town, I cruise for guitar lessons. If I can't find a cool instructional video,...

Heroic anti-hero: Earl Slick was one of rock's most exciting lead players. Then he followed his heart and traded solos for sonics.(Interview)(Biography)
November 1, 2004... He could rip your head off in so many ways that the only survivable course of action was complete surrender. He didn't even have to play more than one note, either, because he knew how to hit the right note and smack it, bend it, and throttle...

Heeere's Johnny! Johnny Hiland releases his long-awaited debut album.
November 1, 2004... "My standard for taking on any project is that there has to be greatness there," says acclaimed producer Peter Collins. Having recorded Elton John, Phil Collins, Bon Jovi, Rush, Gary Moore, Brian Setzer, and many other greats, Collins knows...

What's spinning in the editors' heads this month?(Rants And Raves)
November 1, 2004... BARRY CLEVELAND Bjork, Medulla Eric Hofbauer, American Vanity William Shatner, Has Been ANDY ELLIS Howard Emerson, A Tale to Tell The Grateful Dead, Rockin' the Rhein with the Grateful Dead Faces, Five Guys Walk into a Bar... ...

Blues Explosion: Damage.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... Although former GP cover boy Jon Spencer has dropped his name from the band's moniker, the Blues Explosion haven't changed a bit. And that can be both a good and a bad thing. Whereas their last release, Plastic Fang, showed signs the group's...

Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains: the Big Eyeball in the Sky.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... In 2002, Primus bassist Les Claypool joined with several members of Praxis--Buckethead, drummer Brian "Brain" Mantia, and keyboardist Bernie Worrell--to jam at the Bonnaroo Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. The success of that impromptu...

Keneally + Metropole Orkest: the Universe Will Provide.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... Zappa alumni Keneally explains this music as "a collaboration between me and my eight-year-old self." The result is a spectacular orchestral romp through musical landscapes inspired by everything from Looney Tunes to Varese to Mahavishnu, and...

Richard Bennett: Themes from a Rainy Decade.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... Session guitarist and producer Richard Bennett has worked with many greats, including Waylon Jennings, Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Steve Earle, Marty Stuart, Mark Knopfler, and Billy Joel. After years of playing a...

The Nels Cline Singers: the Giant Pin.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... Once labeled "the world's most dangerous guitarist" for his explosive New Music explorations, Nels Cline has more recently been seen weilding a Jazzmaster alongside Jeff Tweedy as the newest member of Wilco. On this second release by the Nels...

Gov't Mule: Deja Voodoo.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... After Gov't Mule's original bassist Allen Woody died in 2000, Warren Haynes and drummer Matt Abts took a surprising tack. Rather than seek an immediate replacement, they elected to record and perform with more than a dozen of the world's top...

Talking heads: The Name of This Band is Talking Heads.(Audio)(Brief Article)(Sound Recording Review)
November 1, 2004... After languishing in purgatory for 22 years, this classic double-live record is finally available on CD. And, at nearly twice the length of the original, it's safe to say it was worth the wait! Disc one covers 1977-79, as the original quartet...

The Ramones: Ramones Raw.(DVD)(Video Recording Review)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... I adore the Ramones, I miss Joey and Dee Dee, and I want Johnny and the rest of the gang to make all the money they deserve--but never really got--as the creators of punk rock. So do me a favor--even though I can't really recommend this DVD,...

The fearsome majesty of the x-y-z axis: free your mind and torch your chops with renegade rocker Reeves Gabrels.(Master Class)(Interview)
November 1, 2004... While hammering a series of fast, ascending trills, Reeves Gabrels reaches behind his fretting hand and tugs the vibrating string, drawing microtonal bends and Theremin-like swoops from his Fernandes RG-13. Goosed by the onboard Sustainer...

Jazz guru Charlie Hunter: superbad funk.(Advanced)
November 1, 2004... Few things are as funky as a good James Brown groove. And although most grooves approved by the so-called Godfather of Soul involve two different guitar riffs and a bass line, I've found that the three parts often lock together so perfectly...

Rock guru Steve Morse: lowdown melodies.(Beginner)
November 1, 2004... In every chord progression, there is a melody hiding in the low strings, just waiting to be brought to life. But it often seems that more advanced guitar players tend to play melodies mostly on the high strings and frets, well above the chords...

Hot guitarist alert! Sam "Sammo" Miltich.(Advanced)(Biography)
November 1, 2004... HOME BASE Grand Rapids, Minnesota STYLE Gypsy jazz ALBUM Sammo, [clearwaterhotclub.com] RAP SHEET Just 19 years old, Miltich has an astonishing command of the fretboard, and not only was he a featured guest on NPR's Weekend...

How to play like ... Elmore James.(Intermediate)(Brief Article)(Critical Essay)
November 1, 2004... Born in 1918 in Mississippi, Elmore James began recording his wailing slide riffs in 1951, after serving in the Navy during World War II. James favored open-D tuning (D, A, D, F#, A, D, low to high), and was known for playing a Harmony...

EZ street: how to fingerpick arpeggios.(Beginner)
November 1, 2004... The Harvard Concise Dictionary of Music defines arpeggio as "the notes of a chord played one after another instead of simultaneously." It goes on to detail strict rules for executing arpeggios (including note order and rhythm) that as...

How not to suck.(Intermediate)
November 1, 2004... Problem Weak concept of harmony Solution Get a grip on parallel motion. Just as a glossy, candy-apple red paintjob will instantly "pimp out" an old, rusty Cadillac into to an eye-catching ride, the right harmony can transform an...

Reader's Challenge: ring fingers.(Intermediate)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Clever use of open strings can make any guitar ring majestically. But, as Tony DiPoto of Neenah, Wisconsin, points out, these long-ringing drone tones can do more than just make your 6-string sound like a harp. "Open strings also offer a way to...

"Goodbye Pork Pie Hat": as performed by Jeff Beck.(Full Song Transcription)(Critical Essay)
November 1, 2004... Jeff Beck is a jazz/rock fusion pioneer in the truest sense. What other rock guitarist in the mid '70s would have had the balls and chops to a tackle a jazz standard such as Charles Mingus' "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat"? In 1976, when the genre of...

Techniques: the making of Feedback.(Recording)
November 1, 2004... Fire up Rush's new eight-song EP, Feedback [Atlantic], and the first sound to emerge is a blast of feedback that sounds nearly identical to the opening strains of "Foxey Lady." But instead of launching into that classic rocker, the band veers...

Processor: Yamaha SPX2000.(Recording)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Twenty years ago, Yamaha introduced the SPX90 multieffects processor. Featuring a user-friendly interface, and packed with lots of useful programs, the SPX90 became a common sight in studios and live-performance settings. The new SPX2000...

Plug-in: IK Multimedia AmpliTube.(Recording)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Ever since the Romans lost the empire, things have been a little sketchy for Italy. Sure, my people have kicked some major booty in car design, fashion, and art films, but few non-Italians consider Italy a power--and that hurts when you've got...

Workstation: Zoom MRS-1608CD.(Recording)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Today's dedicated hard-disk recorders are so powerful and user friendly--especially for guitarists--that you could probably dive into a tank full of various models, grab the first unit that washed against your hands, and be very happy with the...

Gretsch White Falcon and Jet Firebird.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Founded in 1883 by a 27-year-old German immigrant named Friedrich Gretsch, the Gretsch guitar company evolved from a humble manufacturer of banjos, drums, and tambourines to producing some of the most stylish electric guitars of the 1950s. The...

Fulltone Tube Tape Echo.(Editor's Guitar Player Pick)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Vintage tube-powered Echoplexes have long been favored for their warm delay sounds, but players determined to use these old machines have their work cut out for them. Regular head cleaning and tape replacement are de rigueur for keeping...

Crate BV120HB.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Simplicity can be a beautiful thing. And Crate's fire-breathing 100-watt BV120HB abides by that adage as it's a no-frills, no-nonsense, easy-to-maneuver tone machine. The BV's cosmetics complete with see-through metal grate and graffiti-esque...

Graph tech Ghost Hexpander.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Guitarists lusting after the timbral and music-making resources of synths, sequencers, and other MIDI devices must first get comfy with special pickups and pitch-to-MIDI converters. The relationship hasn't always been pretty. Although...

Alessandro Bluetick.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... George Alessandro has been carving out his unique niche in the boutique amp marketplace for more than ten years. Tapping into the parallel universe of high-end hi-fi, Alessandro's High End line features circuits that are rooted in the...

Moogerfooger MF-105 MuRF.(Stompbox Fever)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Combining a bank of eight resonant band-pass filters with an "animation" section that modulates the levels of the filters in various ways, the MuRF ($439 retail/$399 street) offers a bevy of effects that range from subtle EQ. to phasing to...

Studio electronics Modmax Phaser.(Stompbox Fever)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... If the Modmax Phaser ($409 retail/$329 street) looks a little intimidating with its 13 knobs and six switches, you're right--it is. However, if you're an uber-tweaker who lusts after a phaser that could turn a synth programmer green with geek...

Accessory file.(Gear)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... The Lehle D.Loop ($270 retail/$245 street) is a pro-quality signal router designed to control two loops of effects. Lehle (pronounced "Lee-la") only builds switching boxes, and the D.Loop is the German manufacturer's fourth and most recent...

Cerwin-Vega prostax PSX-153.(Field Test)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2004... Founded by a young aerospace engineer named Gene Czerwinski, Cerwin-Vega has long been an innovator in the world of pro audio, introducing such products as a high-efficiency sound system with 18" speakers that could produce 130dB at 30Hz...

Jimmy Bruno Live at Chris' Jazz Cafe (20523DVD).(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Mel Bay Records Now Available Jimmy Bruno filmed live in performance at Chris' Jazz Cafe in Philadelphia, PA. Featuring eight jazz standards as well as an up-dose and personal interview with the master himself. Running time 128 minutes....

Road Gear 160/260.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Phonic America Now Available RoadGear[TM] series provides a mobile solution for gigs, RoadGear units are self-contained systems featuring 2 full-range speakers, a powered mixer, dynamic microphones, and all the cables to get you connected....

UHF Wireless Microphone System/UHF-3. (Product Spotlight.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Nady Systems Now Available Breakthrough, affordable single channel UHF wireless. Half-rack receiver design, DigiTru Diversity[TM], and Nedy's proprietary circuitry for 120 dB dynamic range. Available with handheld, instrument or...

Mode four amplifier.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... (Shown with matching cabinet) Marshall Now Available The hybrid MF350 head boasts incredibly clean headroom, high gain and extended low end response. Its "two amps in one" design-with four modes offers Clean, Crunch, OD1 and OD2 for all...

Guitar backsaver.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... 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. De leather pad slips on/off in seconds with elastic straps. ...

MU1202XP 2X 150W 4 mic/line 2ST 16-EFX powered mixer.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Phonic America Now Available Compact powered mixer with effects. Built in 150 + 150W power amplifier. 3 band EQ on each channel. 24-bit digital stereo multi-effect processor with 16 programs. Phantom power. SRP: $229.99 ...

TruTraps[TM] Broadband Acoustical Absorption System.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Auralex Acoustics, Inc. Now Available The Tru Traps [TM] Broadband Absorption System is a "one-product-fits-all," broadband acoustical solution that includes 15 flat-cut, 3" thick, 2'x4' Studiofoam[R] panels called TruPanels [TM], and 128,...

Big Bends Nut Sauce.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Big Bends LLC Now Available Nut Sauce filled groove luber applicator for pin point application. Reduces pitch drift an average of 54%. Reduces string breakage an average of 85%. MSRP $19.95 www.guitaristonly.com 888-788-BEND...

RockStand 7 guitar stand in Flight case RS20855.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Rockstand by Warwick Now Available The most popular multiple instrument stand in the world now comes in a rugged Flight style case for travelling and touring guitarists. SRP: $219.95 www.warwickrockbag.com 800-741-0109 ...

Sonar 4.(Product Spotlight)(Advertisement)
November 1, 2004... Calkwalk Launch Date: Late September, 2004 Version 4 adds powerful recording, editing, comping and navigation tools that optimize workflow for today's professional. Version 4 also combines innovative surround/AV capabilities along with...

Rik Emmett on: positive reinforcement.(Testimony)(Brief Article)(Interview)
November 1, 2004... "I'm left-handed, and early on, one of my guitar teachers, Jack Arsenault--who was a leftie, too made me turn the guitar around and play right-handed. It felt dreadfully awkward at first, but he told me I'd thank him later, and I did--I still...