Electric Guitar

[Matt H]

That must just be like sitting in front of a fire in a log cabin sipping a hot cup of cocoa.... just comfortable, rich and warm.

Haha, nice metaphor.

Here's a question for you guys (but mainly Ajay? haha)

How does gilmour get that sound in the first solo of dogs? It's a really distinctive tone... what kind of effects does he run for that?

 

[ajay]

Isn't all the "GOOD" heavy metal derived/inspired from the blues?

Never heard of him before but I do like his playing.
I can listen to blues like that all day.

haha i was just poking fun at the new metal players who seem to think that all the hendrix inspired blues esque stuff isnt any good...

Henderson really goes for it, he was a bop player for years and spearheaded the fusion scene for the best part of the 80's and 90's. Now hes getting back to roots, he loved jimi page, hendrix etc... and now is combining rock, blues and jazz in a power trio set up.

EDIT: MattH ill have a listen tonight and try and give and answer.

 

[Joy]

How would you define this chord?:

0-5-4-0-3-0

It's a C shape 2 frets higher, so I'm guessing it's a D something? D6sus2?

 

[Moggio]

How would you define this chord?:

0-5-4-0-3-0

It's a C shape 2 frets higher, so I'm guessing it's a D something? D6sus2?

From the top of my head could be something like Dadd4(no5)/E that's viewing it as a D chord shape. Yucky

From the perspective of E it would be a Em9 (ie 1 b3 b7 9 ignore the missing 5th). That's nicer.

Still my chord theory is rusty and I don't have my reference charts...

 

[pyrop]

How does gilmour get that sound in the first solo of dogs? It's a really distinctive tone... Yes the very distinctive Gilmour tone

what kind of effects does he run for that?

It's very clean so my guess would be Univibe & booster but don't quote me on that.
Quote from http://www.gilmourish.com/?page_id=182

1976 Recording Sessions – Version 1
According to Pete Cornish’ own schematics the new board dates from March 7. 1976 and construction began June 3. Keeping in mind that effects boards being a fairly new thing at the time, Cornish had already been making boards for Robert Fripp, Steve Hacket and Phil Manzanera (among others). It was probably David’s first guitar tech, Chris Adamson, who initiated contact with Cornish (Phil Taylor joined as backline tech in 1974 and became David’s guitar tech sometime in ‘76). The board was used during recording sessions in autumn 1976.

Effects as in chain;

Pete Cornish Tone pedal
Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face (BC109)
Pete Cornish Custom Fuzz
MXR Phase 100
Univox Uni-Vibe
Cry Baby wah wah
MXR Dynacomp
(send/return for additional effects)EH Big Muff and EH Electric Mistress
Pete Cornish volume pedal
(send/return for delays, a Binson II was used during recording)
MXR Noise Gate/Line Driver

The board had two inputs for guitars (input is selected with an on/off selector pedal). The signal is then split, - into a Conn Strobo tuner and a master bypass. The signal travels through the effects (as described in the list above) and then to three outputs for amps, either in solo or combined. Also, the Cry Baby had a custom switch on its heel for reversing the connection for the “Echoes seagull squeals”.

1977 Animals Tour – Version 2
After the recording sessions finished in November 1976, Pink Floyd started rehearsing for the tour in their Britannia Row studio and later at the Olympia Exhibition Hall in London. During these couple of months, the board went through some minor changes. The Tone pedal was placed in front of the volume pedal and a Colorsound Power Boost was added, placed between the Uni-Vibe and Cry Baby (see comments below). Pictures taken at the Olympia Hall (Animals songbook) also show a EH Big Muff ’73 “Ram’s Head” and an EH Electric Mistress ‘76 model lying on top of the board, connected via send/return (see comments below).

Effects as in chain;

Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face (BC109)
Pete Cornish Custom Fuzz
MXR Phase 100
Univox Uni-Vibe
Colorsound Power Boost
Cry Baby wah wah
MXR Dynacomp
(send/return for EH Big Muff and EH Electric Mistress)
Pete Cornish Tone pedal
Pete Cornish volume pedal
(send/return for delays, Binson II/Morley EVO-1/MXR DDL)
MXR Noise Gate/Line Driver

 

[JSPhoto]

How would you define this chord?:

0-5-4-0-3-0

It's a C shape 2 frets higher, so I'm guessing it's a D something? D6sus2?

Its just a D isn't it? Asked a mate doing music as well and he said just normal D too.

 

[Joy]

Its just a D isn't it? Asked a mate doing music as well and he said just normal D too.

Hmm D doesn't have a G or an E in it though...

 

[Moggio]

Its just a D isn't it? Asked a mate doing music as well and he said just normal D too.

A D chord is D F# A, while this is E D F# G D E low to high. If you view it as a D chord then you have a bass note which is the low E. The D and F# fit nicely as a D chord but there is no 5th (ie A), so you still have the E and the G to deal with which are a 4th and a E which is a 2nd or a 9th hence either a add2. A mess really.

As an E its1 b3 5 b7 9 which is a m9 chord, the fifth is optional. So then the G is the b3, D is the b7 and F# the 9th.

Its almost a poly-chord with a Em (ie E and G) and a D major (ie D and F#) as we have two roots and two 3rds, one as a minor and one as a major. No 5ths, but they can be implied by us mentally.

In the real world or guitar its a sort of D with some drones that sound cool and can create an ambigious tonality between E and D.

 

[Matt H]

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=gKdAVYKYZfo

Intro of storm the embassy. Em, C, Joy's weird chord.

 

[ajay]

Joy: I remember you asking about replacement necks - check this out > http://www.etguitars.com/necks.htm
They look like the pretty much specialise in after market ibanez style necks with all the vine inlays in freakin wacky colours etc. Never heard of em before so Im not sure how good/reliable they are, but I thought you might be interested...

PS - wear sunnies before entering the site

 

[Joy]

Joy: I remember you asking about replacement necks - check this out > http://www.etguitars.com/necks.htm
They look like the pretty much specialise in after market ibanez style necks with all the vine inlays in freakin wacky colours etc. Never heard of em before so Im not sure how good/reliable they are, but I thought you might be interested...

PS - wear sunnies before entering the site

Man! Thanks! Heaps of awesome things on there

 

[LJohn]

From the top of my head could be something like Dadd4(no5)/E that's viewing it as a D chord shape. Yucky

From the perspective of E it would be a Em9 (ie 1 b3 b7 9 ignore the missing 5th). That's nicer.

Still my chord theory is rusty and I don't have my reference charts...

I thought Dadd4add9 but that makes no sense (I don't know much music theory, but I'm pretty sure that ain't possible) so Em9 does seem to fit better, but no 5th? Ah, just read you mentioned that. You could play 5443 instead of 5403, which'd add in the fifth, but it may not be the voicing wanted.

Also, quick question on amps. What are Blackheart's like? I hear good things already, even though they've just been released, and their handsome devil seems like a cheaper, cooler Orange Tiny Terror. It's either that or a Fender (or an Egnater rebel which may just be the best thing since sliced bread, if it isn't too expensive over here).

EDIT: I do love a bit of stray cats. Lee Rocker on the upright, what a tone. they fit so well as a unit, but I've noticed Setzer's quiff has lost some 'volume' since then.

 

[ajay]

Also, quick question on amps. What are Blackheart's like? I hear good things already, even though they've just been released, and their handsome devil seems like a cheaper, cooler Orange Tiny Terror. It's either that or a Fender (or an Egnater rebel which may just be the best thing since sliced bread, if it isn't too expensive over here).

I played through some kind of Blackheart (cant recall the model) but it didnt really offer anything new, just another one of the pack really. I had no reason to dislike it however. Seemed well built, had pretty decent tone, drive tone was average but I use pedals for anything more that the slightest break up so I wasnt fussed.

A real decnt amp worth checking out is the new Black Star amps, they come from china (not that thats a bad thing these days anyway) and a designed by a group of ex-marshall guys. They are hand wired point-point with EL84 power stages ( I think, maybe 34's) and they sound brilliant. I was really taken back when I heard them, left fender for dead and was much more natural and organic sounding than an equivillent marshall. They dont break that bank either, they look awesome, sound awesome.. etc. Maybe check them out?

Theres a heap of amps on the market that dont have huge advertising bills to pay for and are producing really good stuff, I ended up with that Reynolds JFR which I couldnt reccommend enough, but at a bit over 3k new that might be pushing it a tad. What is your budget?

 

[Moggio]

I thought Dadd4add9 but that makes no sense (I don't know much music theory, but I'm pretty sure that ain't possible) so Em9 does seem to fit better, but no 5th? Ah, just read you mentioned that. You could play 5443 instead of 5403, which'd add in the fifth, but it may not be the voicing wanted.

You can pretty much write a chord any way you want, just depending what note you start on and to put the tonic in as the bass note as /E. This is how you can end with all those nice inversions and why there are only a few augmented and diminished chords. However it can get ridiculous to try and write them in certain ways which I was trying to demonstrate to show it isn't really a D chord, but more an E based form. Though you of course can use it like a D chord, depending on how you put it in context. I think the Brian Setzer example in the clip above was more an exotic D chord rather than an Em9 even though they are the same chord, but the context was different.

The 5th in any chord when you have higher numbers like 9ths, 11ths 13ths etc is the first note to drop from the voicing as it isn't necessary to define the chord's sound. The 3rd defines the major or minor and the 9ths, 11ths etc define the character too. The root can be defined by the other instruments if you want and the others just are for colouring in.

 

[LJohn]

The 5th in any chord when you have higher numbers like 9ths, 11ths 13ths etc is the first note to drop from the voicing as it isn't necessary to define the chord's sound. The 3rd defines the major or minor and the 9ths, 11ths etc define the character too. The root can be defined by the other instruments if you want and the others just are for colouring in.

Ah this is gold. Thanks Moggio. I'm beginning to think about chord construction differently now. Especially now that I've started learning the fretboard notes for convenience.

And Ajay, at the moment my budget is pegged around $1000, but I'm looking for a small (sub 20w) head to play pub gigs and eventually use as a practice amp. Next year when I have a job and money I'll buy a really nice combo. I was actually thinking of buying a Ceriatone 18w kit or a Evatco 5E3 copy and just building a little amp to get me by.

Also, I use pedals for distortion/overdrive. More switchable and adaptable.

 

[ajay]

And Ajay, at the moment my budget is pegged around $1000, but I'm looking for a small (sub 20w) head to play pub gigs and eventually use as a practice amp. Next year when I have a job and money I'll buy a really nice combo. I was actually thinking of buying a Ceriatone 18w kit or a Evatco 5E3 copy and just building a little amp to get me by.

Also, I use pedals for distortion/overdrive. More switchable and adaptable.

I've not used a Ceriatone before, but I know a fair few people who do, and they love em - a lot - certainly wouldn't be just something to "get you by"!
That would be a great option for you, especially considering your love of electrickery!

 

[todd94]

ur guitar

yeh u can do it

 

[Moggio]

Ah this is gold. Thanks Moggio. I'm beginning to think about chord construction differently now. Especially now that I've started learning the fretboard notes for convenience.

Chord theory is actually pretty easy, you just need a good source for the tables of what series makes up a chord and then the rules that define them. I had a great chart I made up for this years ago when I was doing some teaching. Buggered if I can find it now...

The hard part, like any music theory, is turning it into something practical... I wish I had done a lot better with that part

 

[frostbite]

Whats the best way to ship a guitar from the states? I'm here and I might be picking up a bass for a co-worker. I also have a guitar that I'd like to take back to Aus with me. Anyone have any idea of how much shipping will be? I might be able to take one on the plane with me, depending on luggage allowances.

 

[Moggio]

Whats the best way to ship a guitar from the states? I'm here and I might be picking up a bass for a co-worker. I also have a guitar that I'd like to take back to Aus with me. Anyone have any idea of how much shipping will be? I might be able to take one on the plane with me, depending on luggage allowances.

Try and take it on the plane. A few years back I bought my acoustic from the US as there was no choice. I paid then US $200 for shipping. I could trace it online as it went via Alaska then somewhere in Asia and eventually here. It sat at the airport for around 3 days (I assumed in the hot sun in an air container) and then got to customs. I had to pay lots of duty or whatever on it then and wait for about 3 hrs to go through the burocracy.

I don't think there would be the same problems sending an item already bought to yourself, but still whatever you can get on the plane can only be a good thing.