General Music Chat

Well, practice yesterday at 2PM. It went well, we played till around 7, rarely have I enjoyed 5 hours more. Worked on a couple of new songs, went through a bunch that needed brushing up, we were both thoroughly pleased overall.

On the way there, a John Fogerty song I wanted to do was running through my head, walked up to the door and Randy was sitting there playing it. COOL...didn't know if he'd like it or not yet, it turned out it was one he tried to get a previous band to play and he loves it. It's ready to go soon as I finish memorizing the lyrics. But I thought it was soo cool that it was running through my head on the way there and he was playing it at the same time...it's like deja voodoo or something...

Anyway, disaster struck once again...sitting there talking out the details of a song and my Fender Champ, the one I just recently fixed, started a weird buzzing sound... wiggled the jack, nothing...leaned over to listen closer and - OH NO...THAT SMELL...burnt electronic stuff...

I won't repeat what I said, but it was not suitable for your 8 year old grandson to hear...took it home and opened it up, it has brown goo dripping down the sides of the power transformer, we're going to check voltages later today, but I'm pretty sure it's fried to a crackly crunch. And I have to have it ready for new year's eve, and don't have the funds to get a replacement...THIS SUCKS...

It's not all bad though, Randy said he would get one and I can repay it later, so maybe I'll have it up and running and crankin' out rock n roll in time for the gig.

I love tube amps and I hate 'em...

Spent the last hour of practice running through his Marshall practice amp. Not bad, decent sounding amp, but it can't match a tube amp. I was running both already, Marshall for cleans and Champ for raunch, so all I had to do was step on the A/B switch, it didn't hold us up more than a few seconds, long enough to get a whiff of THAT SMELL...

OK I'm all better now...

Bill, you know I love tube amps as much as anyone here. But I dont know some of those solid state jobs seem more consistent than tubes. Everytime I fire up one of my big tube amps it takes a bit to get it where I want it. Whereas that preamp Ive got I just plug it in and go. No it doesnt sound as good, but I really dont think the people that come to see me know the difference.

That song These GUns Are Loaded you listened to, the rythym guitar line is the digital preamp, now the solo and noise stuff was my Mesa Subway Rocket miced thru my pedal board. But the rythym parts are tight to me.

This looks like a nice amp.

Thats killer looking, when I first looked I thought of a heater, then maybe one of those robots off Lost In Space. If it sounds good it would be the greatest thing to play cause everyone would want to talk about it.

That looks pretty strange, RGM.

Billy, so there's good news & bad, but it seems as though the good is outweighing the bad so far. Sucks about your amp, though. Post some recordings when you can.

Yep, sucks about the amp. The whole Jedi thing about the JF song is cool though.
Heads up brother. As well that ends well.

Thanks guys, and I think I figured out - well, we did actually, the transformer is probably what caused the arcing on the tube sockets not long ago. It arced across the power tube again this time and fried the socket, probably fried the tube as well but I won't know till later. Transformer did get plenty hot, it has brownish goo drippies on the bottom and indications of heat along the corners too. So Randy figured it out, the windings got hot, the coating (it's just lacquer) got burnt off and two coils touched, which created a voltage spike, and therefore the arcing across the tube pins. New transformer is ordered and should get it back to normal. We're planning to let it sit all day and run as a burn in test, I wish I had a place to do the EVH acid test...plug it in and crank it to 10, let it sit there and feedback for a few days...But I'll have to go with a simple 24 hour burn in.

I like that amp too, cool looking rig and I think I even see a tube so it can't be all bad...

We're planning a demo CD before too long so I'll post something soon as we get a chance to do that.

Overall I guess the good does outweigh the bad, but the bad sure does suck...oh well, it comes with the territory so all I can do is press on...and we're looking for a third person for this gig, they want a bigger band, so we'll be auditioning players real soon for that.

Wanna play new years eve JW?? Yeah I know it's not New Orleans but it would be a jam session and a half, and I have little doubt you could wing it. OK seriously...we're really looking for a keyboard player but not sure if one will be available. Only one around here that's really good is already committed to a new years gig with my old band. Ironic huh...but did just find out about a guy who is with a band in Branson (yes, the one in Missouri) and should be in town for the 1st, he might be able to do it but he has to find out if it would cause contract problems and get the new schedule, it's not out yet. If he has anything the 1st or 2nd he'll have to leave here early. He's on contract for 2 years, so he also needs to find out if that would cause any grief. we don't want that for sure...

Later guys, I'm off to work soon.

Bill, I would love to play New Years, but weve got a couple of bids in on some higher paying gigs for New Years and if they dont come thru me and the gf will be headed out somewhere. I dont know if we will head to NawLeans or not, she didnt think much of that idea, for some reason. JAX Square is nutty down there on New Years Eve, if you get in that crowd you feel just like cattle. We were down there for the Sugar Bowl back in the 80s had some clowns trying to get our wallets. I hate to say it but my brother and i pulled a these to the side and beat the crap out of them. These police showed up and were going to arrest us until some other guy comes up and says that those guys had taken his wallet, and the dumbass's still had a couple of wallets in their jackets. Saved me from going to jail, but I hated that blood all over my ass. I hate fighting but all that training comes in handy sometimes. Plus New Orleans just smells like pee everywhere. If I hadnt gotten into a relationship all the sudden I may have just come down and played with you, but I better take care of my girl, if you know what I mean.

but I better take care of my girl, if you know what I mean.

I'm glad to see that comment, cuz if you don't take care of that cutie I have to say, you is a FOOL...

I wasn't serious anyway, although I wouldn't hesitate to take you up on it, I knew you had plans and was amazed you didn't already have a gig lined up and confirmed for new years.

But if you do cruise by anywhere within an hour of Monroe, I do expect a call...If you do happen to not be gigging and be anywhere near the area, be sure and bring a guitar. We don't like sit ins, but I'm sure an exception can be made here and there.

Um...JW? I wouldn't tell anyone about the blood on your ass, if I were you...



Billy, I'm still bummed about not getting to meet ya when you came through these parts awhile back! I'm thinking...ROAD TRIP!!!!

I'd start by going north & meeting Crip & Jimmy & RM, then head south to see everyone else, cuz you always get better gas mileage when you're going downhill! (Look at any map & you'll see that south is always below north)

Yeah, I need a road trip cuz these parts are getting old for me...

Cool, I'll go fill the water cannon.