| Author |
Message |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1099
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 7:28 am: |  |
Two rock or not two rock, that is the question! Nice looking head - serious without all the gee gaws. Rock out, that is the answer! Enjoy it, Pat.
Bill, tgo |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 308
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 7:59 am: | |
Yum - sweet Two-Rock goodness!
I've been very interested in the CR Artist - nice price compared to the Signature. How's the reverb? I understand they have changed it.
Hope we get a full report of how your Alembic sounds through that baby.
Tom |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 56
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:33 am: | |
The speaker configuration right now is a 4x10 with jensen alnicos, but soon i should be getting the 1x12 matching cab with a eminence/two rock speaker. its a 100 watt speaker so it should be good. its pretty simple, although you can dial in super complex tones, its easy to get any good sound. the artist and sig are much much closer to each other now than when they first made them. they use the same parts, but they only do a few extra things for the sig. the reverb is super lush, like a fender reverb, but clearer is how i can think of it. it goes from very subtle to super surf style. just need to set it carefully with the gain controll or else it will really echo! i think im going to get a 4x10 cab with tone tubbies, and sell my mesa combo with the jensens,if anyone wants it,ill let it go for a grand. but i think the 1x12 and a 4x10 will rock, and mabee a sig cab 2x12.purely awsome! |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 57
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 5:42 pm: | |
 |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1107
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 6:21 pm: | |
PRS CE24, right? Don't you just hate the rotary pickup switch? What were they thinking!!!??? I was just about to get mine modified when I bought my first Alembic, an '83 Electrum. Funny how I never got around to modding the PRS.
Bill, tgo |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 58
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 6:26 pm: | |
yeah the rotary can be a pain, i think im gunna get a 3 way with a tap. |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 1783
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 5:21 am: | |
Nice, Pat! |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 59
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 6:42 pm: | |
i was playing her today, and i just though, this sucker is louder than balls! |
jazzyvee
Advanced Member
Username: jazzyvee
Post Number: 380
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 12:23 am: | |
Has anyone tried the Sheldon brand of hand made guitar amps with their Alembic guitars?
If so whats the verdict?
Jazzyvee |
jaysimon
New
Username: jaysimon
Post Number: 7
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 4:36 pm: | |
Has anyone tried the mesa lonestar with 4 10s with their alembic?
For that matter, does anyone play through a traynor amp with their alembic? Any experiences? |
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace
Post Number: 216
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 5:03 pm: | |
Heres my Mesa Studio Pre, 2:90 power amp, and EV cabs...... probably as close to boutique as I care to get... |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 322
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:00 pm: | |
Jason - I play my Skylark through a Mesa Lonestar 1x12. I would think a 4x10 would kick a**! Both the Skylark and Lonestar are really versatile, so it takes a little bit of effort to dial them in - but once they're dialed in the tone is amazing. My sense of the Lonestar is it's a great old school Fender on steroids. With 4 10s it could definitely get that black face Super Reverb tone.
Tom
(Message edited by tom_z on March 22, 2006) |
jaysimon
New
Username: jaysimon
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:08 pm: | |
Tom- Thanks, I've tried the 1x12 and it was quite the amplifier, and I can imagine the 4 10s would make it that much more enjoyable. Thanks for the help.. |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 323
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:02 pm: | |
I've been considering having the folks over at A Brown Soun build me a 2x12 cab with Tone Tubbys - but now you've got me thinking 4x10 might be nice instead.
As for the Lonestar, the 1x12 is incredibly flexible - so much so that I'm holding off on picking up a really great 60s Bandmaster (new caps and tubes and a vintage Fender transformer - the thing sounds incredible) at a bargain price because it would seem redundant.
Tom |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1140
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 12:04 am: | |
Tom
Grab the Fender. You ever try going stereo? I've been messing with my Boogie Mark III and a Riviera era Princeton Reverb II together. A VERY full sound.
Bill, tgo |
laytonco
Junior
Username: laytonco
Post Number: 50
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 6:51 am: | |
Bill, is "going stereo" just a matter of pluggin into two amps? I have a 65 Fender Twin and a Heritage Patriot (2x12 like the twin). I've actually never tried to use them both at the same time. Is there a trick, or is it that simple?
Gil |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1142
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 7:20 am: | |
There are a few ways to accomplish this. Of course if you have a "stereo" instrument, such as a Series 1 or 2, or a Rickenbacker with "ric-o-sound" it's just a matter of plugging the two channels into two different amps. (By the way, a "ric-o-sound" box works fine on a Series insrument). For a regular mono instrument you can:
1. Use an ab/y box. This way you can switch between the amps, or use both. You might want to try running your effects to one amp only and leaving the other signal dry. The really cool thing to do is put a slight delay on the signal to one of the amps;
2. Use a stereo chorus to split the signal to the two amps. This will also enhance the separation like using a delay as described above;
3. This is a system I'm experimenting with. I use an old Nady 201 wireless. It was made about 20 years ago, but it works. (In fact, last year I bought one of those "guitar bug" wireless systems, figuring my Nady must be obsolete by now. The expensive "bug" sounded like crap - the Nady was much better. Back went the "bug"). Anyway, I bought an extra receiver for a song on eBay. I set up my regular receiver on the floor by my pedal bord. I set up another on the Fender and go into it dry. So far this seems to work very well and I haven't encountered any ground loop or other noise problems that are commomn with a wired system.
WARNING: Once you try stereo, you may find it difficult to go back.
Bill, tgo |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 325
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 8:58 am: | |
Hmmmmm . . . Bill - you have me thinking about the Bandmaster again. I've been going back and forth on this amp so much I'm getting seasick.
Life is so simple right now - Lonestar combo + a couple guitars + Mu-Tron III = quick and easy. But, it looks like I may be getting involved with a studio project where I could probably leave some gear. Sooooooooo . . .
Tom |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 10:22 am: | |
Tom:
How often do you get a chance at a classic amp in good shape at a good price? You can always sell it down the line. I don't think 60's Fender amps will be going down in price any time soon. My (probably) '67 blackface Pro Reverb w/JBLs is worth upwards of $2000 these days! (I picked it up from a friend for about $200 25 years ago). I can almost guarantee that if you don't pick it up at some point in the future you'll be kicking yourself. Especially in another 10 years when you see 60's Bandmasters going for $10,000 on eBay.
Bill, tgo
(Message edited by lbpesq on March 23, 2006) |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 326
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 10:58 am: | |
I know what you mean Bill. I think the amp I'm looking at is more a player's amp than for collectors. It's a '68 silverface that is no longer close to original - but it plays and sounds exceptional. It would be a nice back up for my Mesa but I'd also need a good reverb unit and an OD.
Anyone getting rid of a Lexicon LXP-1??? Preferably with the Audio Upgrades mod?
Tom |
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace
Post Number: 217
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 6:53 pm: | |
FWIW Tom, I'd buy the Bandmaster... I have an original '68 which I wouldnt trade for the world!! Its a different beast than the Mesa (less headroom, no reverb, etc etc..) but I love it to death!!!! sorry if my opinion sounds too subjective.... but seriously..... go for it!!!!!!
Does anyone know if Poor_Nigel sold that Dual~Shoman?!?!!? |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 330
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 1:14 pm: | |
Alright folks - you (and my wife) talked me into it. As I mentioned above it's far from original (note - grounded power cord) but it sounds spectacular - very tight and sweet.
Tom |
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 709
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, March 24, 2006 - 10:32 pm: | |
Pace:
What kind of steel is that in the Mesa picture, and WHAT does it sound like through the clean side of that rig?
J o e y |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 3528
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 1:31 pm: | |
Hah!! I had no idea what that was! Never saw one upside down. Thanks Joey!! |
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 711
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 2:15 pm: | |
Yes, Dave, a doubleneck steel (e9, c6 necks). The four legs and pedal rack/rods screw into the four corners to right it and play. The shiny bars pointing to the ceiling are the knee levers. You rock your legs to the left or the right to actuate them. These along with the pedals and knee-lifts (like the levers, except you raise your leg to push them) all are keyed to raise or lower a given string to alter your tuning. The WHOLE thing is a B-Bender! There's no standard instrument as far as these go. You see some with only a few pedals and levers, then others you can't imagine how there's room for the guy's legs there's so many under there. All depends what you need and want.
I LOVE pedal steel. My brothers-in-law are terrific players, and of course you see them a LOT here in Nashville (duuhhhh!!). A good friend of mine is Doug Jernigan, one of the greatest steel players on the planet (www.digndoug.com), a wonderful player and educator, and a truly terrifying speed picker. Also plays wonderful jazz on it that sounds NOTHING like country music. Not a lot of steel players that have Charlie Parker in their set list!
And they are utter MONSTERS to learn to play: Fretless, the tuning must have been sorted out by roulette wheel, one pedal pulls one string one way, the next the other, it makes me dizzy to think about it. But in the hands of the right person, they make magic. Not just the tinny, whiny thing most people think. Gilmour and Garcia get LOTS of brownie points just for being able to play anything on one!
J o e y |
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck
Post Number: 3532
Registered: 5-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, March 25, 2006 - 2:33 pm: | |
I've always been a big pedal steel fan too! Played with a pretty good steel player in the mid '80s. And I loved the Burritos and Poco. I tried playing one once a few years ago. It only had a single neck and just a few levers and pedals; but monster is a good description! |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 1805
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 6:49 am: | |
I understand Buddy Cage gives pedal steel clinics and/or private lessons.
I'd love to try myself, but I already s*ck at two instruments and have spent a small mint on them, LOL! I did try my buddy's 60's-vintage double-neck Fender steel (like the one Steve Howe uses) with comical results, LOL! |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1160
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 7:57 am: | |
Where does Buddy Cage teach?
Bill, tgo |
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace
Post Number: 218
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 3:28 pm: | |
I didnt mean to hi-jack the thread..... next time I'll take my gear to a photo studio.... lol.... 
Joey,
That's a MSA D-12 which I am changing the copedant on (still need to thread some more rods, and buy some bellcranks)..... When it's all done the E9 neck will havea couple of extra changes, and the lower neck will be an extended Sneaky Pete B6 tuning. Steels sound great thru the Mesa. Come to find out, Paul Franklin uses a Studio Pre, so it's a hot item among psg players!!
I envy your location, Joey!!! Aside from several psg conventions up here in the fall, there really isnt much of a scene or community. Doug & Herby Wallace are two of my favorite C6 players.... I never realized a steel could swing so hard until I heard them!
Bill & Kev;
Last time I sat down with Buddy was in June. He's been busy with all the NRPS stuff, but usually when he finds time, he e-mails all his students and does "lesson tours" within the vicinity of NYC.... He helped me out of a rut a couple of years ago & its kind of embarassing to listen to stuff I did prior to then!!!
OK.... back to amps & Alembics..... alright?!?!
-Mike |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1161
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 6:18 pm: | |
I picked up a Shobud Maverick - 3 pedals, 2 knee levers. The "tricycle with training wheels" of the Pedal Steel Guitar world. Even this simple one is pretty overwhelming. I don't know how you guys do it!
Bill, tgo |
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace
Post Number: 219
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 3:44 am: | |
Mavericks shipped w/ one lever~ you're pretty lucky Bill!!! What changes are your levers set up for?!?
My first steel was a Maverick... if you need any help, let me know!! |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 1807
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 5:07 am: | |
Thanx, Mike.
Buddy's site is lacking in info (other than a tuning and tab section) and hasn't been updated recently.
FWIW, he must have ten legs to work all the levers and pedals he uses (double-neck twelves!!!)
Regardless, Buddy is awesome. During the PLAF show last Nov, Barry Sless did his best on PS to conjure up the ghost of Jerry and mixed-in a healthy dose of Buddy to boot. He nearly brought a tear to my eye...another very underrated player, IMHO.
Cheers,
Kevin |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1162
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 7:01 am: | |
Mike:
My mistake - the Maverick has 1 knee lever. I wrote the above after driving 365 miles yesterday. Can you say wasted? Anyway a suggestion of good learning resources would be appreciated. Also, any suggestions of raising this thing up a little bit? I'm 6'2" with long legs. It's a little cramped under there.
Bill, tgo |
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace
Post Number: 220
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 9:47 am: | |
It wouldnt be too difficult to fabircate new legs and pedal rods. The legs are aluminum with no threads, or anything funky (cut them to desired length & drill holes for the pedal bar on two of 'em)... The pedal rods require threads on one side, and a bend on the other. Pretty simple stuff for a machinist to bang out during lunch break.... or if you're feeling lucky, go to a Lowe's and see what they have for stock ( i forget the diameters on a Maverick). |
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass
Post Number: 716
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 11:37 pm: | |
L B P
Check Doug's site I mentioned above, he publishes quite a few method books, even a DVD and VHS/book courses (www.digndoug.com).
J o e y |
kmh364
Senior Member
Username: kmh364
Post Number: 1811
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 5:07 am: | |
Surprisingly (to me, anyway), there appears to be quite a bit of PS sites out there, and a bunch of instructional vids/lit as well. The PS community appears to be rather close-knit, but they also are willing to share resources which are hard to come by in a very small musical niche. Do a search....it boggled my mind how much info is actually out there. |
pace
Advanced Member
Username: pace
Post Number: 221
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2006 - 5:24 am: | |
Yeah Kev, When I picked up my first psg I was pleasantly surprised to see so many computer savy rednecks.... who wouldve thunk it?!?!? j/k
Bill, the hard part about lesson material for you will be the lack of additional changes on the Maverick~ a lot of books out there assume that you have E>F & E>Eb levers |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 65
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 04, 2006 - 2:15 pm: | |
Good news folks, the week of the 17th i will be getting my gee tar shipped to good ole CT! i can finally play it through the new two rock! I just cant wait! anyone else using an old fender, tweed/blackface/silverface versions? |
jerico
Member
Username: jerico
Post Number: 65
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 6:33 pm: | |
I just got my Further today (!) and I'm running it through a Mesa Lonestar. I'm sort of bewlidered and lost trying to figure out the settings I like - there's so much variety and tweak (and control sensitivity) between the two. And the Further really cranks the overdrive channel even at low drive levels(MUCH more so than my Strat and my Les Paul). But it doesn't take too much to get great sounds...
Justin |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 66
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 05, 2006 - 7:18 pm: | |
yeah the tribute electronics are so involved. its like having a rack unit in your gee tar! i like to keep things simple, one volume, one tone, and pickup select switches! i cant wait for mine, i know ill be trying to wrestle it for that sweet spot although no bad tone comes out! how are them bright switches? I could never have an effects loop and like 8 thousand knobs and switched on a guitar, im too simple minded and lazy! they sound fantastic tho! |
laytonco
Member
Username: laytonco
Post Number: 51
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 6:05 am: | |
The electronics are amazing. I've had my Tribute for a year now and STILL I am learning new settings. Plus, dumb me, I went and bought another amp; so now, I have have a bazillion options with the Tribute going through a blackface Twin and now another bazillion options going through a Heritage Patriot.
moderator's note: resized picture a couple of posts down
(Message edited by mica on April 06, 2006) |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 339
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 8:58 am: | |
Justin - I completely understand your situation with respect to the Lonestar and an Alembic. Even my Skylark is amazingly versatile so it starts to become a bit of a chemistry experiment. Pat’s right about seeking out the sweet spots - on these guitars you don't just dime all the knobs and step on a bunch of pedals for "tone." As far as amps go, I'm still tweaking my Lonestar looking for the sweet spots. I usually run it in the tweed setting at 50 watts for the OD channel - it has very nice sag and a great warm tone with my Skylark using a blend of neck and bridge pickups - filters somewhere in the middle - I use the bright switches for that little extra sparkle. On the clean channel I pretty much only use the neck pickup - it is sooooooo sweet with a little warm reverb. Having spent a little over a year with the Skylark, I think I'll have a bit easier time with the additional versatility of the Further when it arrives.
To comment on Pat's question about anyone playing through a Fender - I'll say that I've fired up the Bandmaster (pictured above) a few times and have to say that it's a great little amp. It's refreshingly simple and it's very responsive. It has a noticeably different feel from the Mesa and it's not as versatile but you can't get a bad sound out of it. Now the search for the right cab and speakers begins and I have my eye on a nice reverb unit.
Justin have you experimented much with different preamp tubes in your Lonestar? I'm kind of wanting something in the OD channel that is a little less grainy.
Anyway, have fun discovering the tone of your Further.
Tom |
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq
Post Number: 1182
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 9:27 am: | |
Pat:
My main rig is a Boogie Mark III simulclass. I've been fooling around with a two amp set up. Among those I've been adding are a mid 60's Blackface Pro Reverb w/ JBLs (old K-120s). A GREAT amp that I've had for about 25 years. The JBL's really make a difference. Also an early 80's Riviera designed Princeton Reverb II - also a lovely sounding amp. My most recent experiment is with a Motion Sound Sidewinder - a 1 x 12 combo with a rotating baffle ala Leslie.
Bill, tgo |
jerico
Member
Username: jerico
Post Number: 67
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 2:54 pm: | |
Tom - I haven't tried changing the preamp tubes in my LS. I quite like the way it sounds in general, actually. I've only had it for a little while, so I figure I'll change them at some point for a little more variety. However, at the moment my variety plate is quite full!!
What reverb unit are you looking at? I have an Alesis MidiVerb but I haven't used it since I got the LS... I'm not a big fan of effects in general.
Justin |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 341
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 6:07 pm: | |
Yeah - I love the reverb unit in the Mesa - it's spoiled me a bit. I'm looking at a Lexicon unit for the Bandmaster. The Fender has really nice a vibrato channel, but I don't have the RCA switch for it. No matter, I'm with you on the use of effects. The LS is ideal in that way with pretty much everything I need - great clean channel with hella headroom, nice OD, nice reverb. The only other effect I use is a Mu-tron III. I'm looking forward to putting it in the effects loop of the Further.
Tom |
mica
Moderator
Username: mica
Post Number: 3213
Registered: 6-2000
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 6:30 pm: | |
I resized laytonco's picture to make it easier to read this thread since has a lot of posts.
 |
tom_z
Advanced Member
Username: tom_z
Post Number: 343
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 6:38 pm: | |
Thanks mica, I was getting scroll-a-vision. =)
Tom |
jerico
Member
Username: jerico
Post Number: 71
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2006 - 7:23 pm: | |
Oh yeah I forgot about my envelope filter - I have an Emma Discombobulator. I've never tried an authentic Mutron but I'm told they're very similar. |
gary24
New
Username: gary24
Post Number: 8
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 - 8:06 am: | |
The main Amp I use for my Skylark is a Carr Rambler. I also use a Carr Mercury and a 71 Princeton Reverb. The tone is amazing through the Rambler.
Gary |
paulman
Junior
Username: paulman
Post Number: 39
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 22, 2006 - 7:50 am: | |
Bose L-1 with Bass cabinet. I'll never be miked, or or too quiet, again. |
7string_thing
Member
Username: 7string_thing
Post Number: 76
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, July 07, 2006 - 8:12 pm: | |
sounds like everyone is having a blast, did anyone check out the pics of my new axe, the 7 string thing is done, what a beaut! |
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