General Music Chat

I absolutely love Jackson necks. I tried one a couple of weeks ago at Sam Ash, and REALLY loved the feel of it. Once again, it had more of a Modern-C shape. It had a compound radius, and the fretwork was flawless. I agree, Jackson makes cool s**t. For soloing high on a neck, I prefer a neck-through design over anything else. I have 5-neck-through guitars. I just don't find myself soloing that high for Reggae too much though. It's not TOO much of an issue, but I just like the feel of them regardless.

On a side note, one of coolest guitars I use now is an acoustic/electric. We do a lot of acoustic sets at the House Of Blues, and I wanted to be able to be more comfortable around the 14th fret + area. So I picked up one of these:





It a Fender Acoustasonic. What a great guitar!! It feels exactly like playing a regular electric guitar. Low action, AWESOME acoustic/electric sound!! It runs off 2- 9 volt batteries. 3- piezo pickups that you can individually boost or cut. The sound is amazing.. Probably one of the best purchases I ever made guitar-wise.

Speaking of Jacksons...I'm going to sell my SLS Soloist that I modded with an EMG 81 & 85 set, wired the tone so as if it were on 10, moved the volume knob to where the tone knob was, and plugged the original volume hole. That's the only thing that I don't like about Jacksons is where they put the volume knob. I'll post the pics and a description in the classified section here.

I have another Jackson that I designed and they made to my specs back in 1994, but it needs some serious fret-work now. I'll post a pic of that here because I'll never sell it. It's one of a kind and very pretty.

You know, another part of the equation to fast soloing is which pick to use. Lately I've been using Dunlop Ultex Sharps, and they're perfect for me. Regular Jazz picks are just too small since I do a lot of Reggae rhythm. But these things are a perfect "in-between" for rhythm and soloing.



I know it changes subjects a little, but since we're talking about fast necks and playing, I was just curious what some of you are using for picks as well.

I absolutely love Jackson necks. I tried one a couple of weeks ago at Sam Ash, and REALLY loved the feel of it. Once again, it had more of a Modern-C shape. It had a compound radius, and the fretwork was flawless. I agree, Jackson makes cool s**t. For soloing high on a neck, I prefer a neck-through design over anything else. I have 5-neck-through guitars. I just don't find myself soloing that high for Reggae too much though. It's not TOO much of an issue, but I just like the feel of them regardless.

On a side note, one of coolest guitars I use now is an acoustic/electric. We do a lot of acoustic sets at the House Of Blues, and I wanted to be able to be more comfortable around the 14th fret + area. So I picked up one of these:





It a Fender Acoustasonic. What a great guitar!! It feels exactly like playing a regular electric guitar. Low action, AWESOME acoustic/electric sound!! It runs off 2- 9 volt batteries. 3- piezo pickups that you can individually boost or cut. The sound is amazing.. Probably one of the best purchases I ever made guitar-wise.

Beautiful guitar, dude! When/how often do you play at HOB? I go there on an occasional sunday night to listen to Ronnie Rose, his drummer is my buddy... Catch you there some time!

We've been playing there once a month for the Acoustic Strip Thursdays shows. After our last show there, we got offered to play the District once a month as well By Michael Soli. The HOB has been really good to us man.

We're playing the Blue Martini tonight. Another place that treats us well.

Last Thursday night we played Feelgoods (Vince Neil's bar on Sahara). THAT PLACE FREAKING RULES!! We were the first Reggae band to ever be asked to play there. The sound system is the best we ever played to. You get a pro concert sound in a small venue, along with the lighting, and the sound guy is a sound guy for Motley Crue, ex-GNR, etc.. Freaking phenomenal experience. Talk about a place that knows how to do it right. You can't beat Feelgoods. I'll let you know the next time we're playing there. They want to start having some reggae nights now.

I know it changes subjects a little, but since we're talking about fast necks and playing, I was just curious what some of you are using for picks as well.

It really doesn't matter to me anymore. I used to use Fender Heavys, but when I got into death metal type stuff I tried out Dunlop Nylon .73s for the crazy stutter picked breakdown type stuff. But if my buddies want to hear some Michael Angelo Batio stuff, I'll use a Dunlop Jazz 3 pick. For the most part I got used to using the Dunlop Nylons though because they seem to give a good overall feel and pick attack sound to almost any kind of music stylings. The only drawback to them is that you really, really, really have to be right on the money for shreddin' leads, sweeps, and such. It's all in the accomodation I suppose.

Although I don't play much like him, or nearly as good, I still watch Michael Angelo Batio on youtube all the time. His instructions have been around for a LONG time. Good to see someone else on here giving him props. I'm a long-time fan.

I have two volumes, one tone on my Jackson.
Jazz picks are good for solos but not so good for rythym (for me).
Maybe I'll try one of those in betweens.
I just use the green tortex right now.

...and I'll never put any kind of active pickup on a guitar.

Although I don't play much like him, or nearly as good, I still watch Michael Angelo Batio on youtube all the time. His instructions have been around for a LONG time. Good to see someone else on here giving him props. I'm a long-time fan.

he has amazing control of his fingers. Not many people I've seen on Youtube can keep their little pinky from raising up in the air like a giraffe.

His personality kind of rubs me the wrong way though. he sells himself like one of those irritating infomercials - get all this info free, well after you receive my info CD, I'll leave you hanging like an episode of LOST and you'll have to pay me to see the next episode where I teach you how to be a guitar god. haha. Just strikes me like a bad salesman. I guess that's good business - the info-hook = $ which ya can't blame him form, but it's cliche' for my taste. But he has mad skills for sure. Very fun to watch!

The head-stalk is pretty kewl too.

hmm


Yeah, I'm on my 2nd RG-550

1st was a 1989 Purple w/purple pickguard
Just played the crap outta the thing
Now, I have a "Traffic Cone Orange" 1987(I think)

Though the wiring is not quite up to snuff, the necks on the things are like..whoohooo!

Never heard of the Acoustasonic. i'd be very interested in playing & hearing that one in person!

I'd never seen one here in Vegas before buying this one Phil. It was a weird kind of fate thing. I actually set out that day to find something like this. The first one I ran across was a Fender Stratacoustic at GC. Not the same at all. It had very high action, was a pain to play, and didn't have nearly as good of a sound. I was ready to just stick with my Ovation.

Then I headed to Sam Ash, and I almost didn't see it. This guy recognized me from a show and we started talking. When we were done chatting I was about to leave the room. Then I just saw it tucked in a corner. Could be someone was hiding it to come back with some cash.

It took me 2-seconds to decide. SOLD!! I ended up selling my Ovation to pay for it. And I don't miss it at all. That says a lot.

**GT, on the pick thing, I just found some new ones that are KILLER. Just as good as the Ultex Sharp, if not better. They're Pickboy- High Modulous Reefer Carbon Nylon. A smidge shorter than the Ultex, and slightly sharper point. A .60 pick is as stiff as an Ultex .90.. Crazy to get that kind of strength out of a thinner pick. I'm about to stock up on these. They're awesome.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... K:MEWNX:IT

Check these out. You won't be sorry. If you like more of a medium type gauge, try the Ultex Sharp .73.. Both are great picks.

I also own an Ibanez. I like the neck. I'm not crazy about the body as it is Mahogany. The other stab is that it has a Rosewood fingerboard. But it plays like a dream.

Hmmm, I just got a port scan warning on this thread. Bye bye.