Dr. Edge

Ten Years Gone - Jimmy, Robert, John Paul, Bonzo and... Buster?

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:18:06 -0800

The Best Music Video Editing Ever

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:45:25 -0800

At least that's my opinion today. The timing and editing is so well done... check it out.

Elvis, John Lennon, Einstein and Tupac ??

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 16:51:34 -0800

Top-Earning Dead Celebrities

(Forbes Article)

1, Elvis Presley
2. John Lennon
3. Charles Schulz
4. George Harrison
5. Albert Einstein
6. Andy Warhol
7. Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)
8. Tupac Shakur
9. Marilyn Monroe
10. Steve McQueen
11. James Brown
12. Bob Marley
13. James Dean

White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s (book review)

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:52:59 -0800

I just finished reading "White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s" by Joe Boyd. It's a great read.

The book is part story of the evolution of the music, musicians and attitudes through the 60s. It's part music history of some of the musicians and the times. It's all told from Boyd's first person perspective. He was there -- as an observer, as a tour manager, as a record and a film producer, as a club owner.

The tone of all his stories is never bragging about being there or his role. The tone is always more about having a little idea, naively setting out to find the musician, create a scene for shows, promote a tour or record a great talent. The feeling is more how lucky he was to be part of what was happening--to see it, to hear it, to help it. Even in the later parts of the book, it always feels like he was just a kid scrambling with a passion and a drive for the people he met and the music they were making.

The book opens with his descriptions of time scene at Harvard and his efforts to find some of the lost talents of the jazz and blues areas, to create a small live performance for friends. This led to Boyd taking on the role of European tour manager for a wild combo of jazz greats.

Boyd describes how he and a partner started the UFO club in London and found the new group Pink Floyd who became the house band at UFO. He worked the Newport Folk festival and in one event where Pete Seger ordered him to run through the audience to the sound booth and tell the engineers to turn down the volume that night Dylan went electric.

His stories run through the decade to include the label he started, of work and friendships with Fairport Convention, Nick Drake, about getting to Warner and working on films, ... but every story is centered around the people, a personal perspective of the musician or producer or manager. The book is a great perspective on the times and the music. It's also a great perspective on what makes music special.

Tow truck drivers are the best

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:13:48 -0800

I had my day planned out... listen to some music, do some email, make a new mix tape. But, noooooo. The car had a different plan for the day. The car that just last week was in for a check-up (and expensive check-up, of course). I can understand when people say "Cars suck!".

But the whole hassle of a car, dead, on the freeway, seems to always be made OK by the tow truck driver. In my life, I've dealt with dozens. Everyone different, but all great. First, it's just plain welcome to see the damn truck pull up. And they're there to help. But all the drivers I've ever dealt with (there were, through the course of the ordeal today, 2 of them) are nice people. Maybe the repo business gets a different group, dunno. But the AAA group is just nice people. Helpful, calming, getting you out of a jam.

Even when they seem to have idea about cars, they get it hooked up and get it to someone who does know. Tow truck drivers rock!

But a question. AAA is great, sign you name and it's done. Or is it? Are you supposed to tip the tow truck driver? After all this praise, it occurred to me for the 1st time today: should I tip him?

What's the right thing to do?

Gryphon Stringed Instruments - Upcoming Workshops

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 13:38:37 -0700

In Palo Alto (California). If you know these guys... I've done a few of the weekend workshops. Great for a busy schedule. FYI. http://www.gryphonstrings.com/

Upcoming Workshops

Dix Bruce: Two workshops
Gypsy Swing Chords, Comping, and Repertoire for Mandolin
Sat. November 3, 11:00 AM to 1:30PM, $35.00

Gypsy Swing Chords, Comping, and Repertoire for Guitar
Sat. November 3, 2:00 PM to 4:30PM, $35.00

Robert Bowlin
Sat, Nov 10th, 1:30 to 3:30 pm, $35
Take Your Flatpicking to the Next Level

Carol Holsinger
One Harp, Two Hands, Eight Fingers or "Introduction to the Harp"
Sat, Nov. 17, 2:00pm 4:00pm, $25

Pete Madsen
Blues Fingerpicking Workshop
Sat, January 19, 2008 2- 4:00pm $35

Update on homemade tube amp

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:49:10 -0700

This is a repost and update on the earlier blog: "I Built My Own Tube Amp" (reposted here with the photos).

I finally have a couple of photos added.

Yep, I built my own tube guitar amp.

I've been jonesing for a nice "boutique" tube guitar amp and even have been stopping into local guitar shops to sample a few. But which one? And they are pretty amazingly expensive and right now, I'm deep in start-up mode (ie feeling poor).

So I've done a bunch of research and there's a really cool group (Chris Hurley and a bunch of other gear heads) that's pulled together some great amp designs and schematics. A few designs for different high quality amps and a cool forum of other hobbyists with their suggestions, mods, answers, etc. It's called AX84.com. They have even arranged for a parts supplier to pull all the components for couple of the designs -- a bag-o-parts-- to simplify the shopping.

I picked the "Hi Octane". It's still not cheap, but way more affordable than an equivalent boutique amp. The bag-o-parts has been sitting around for a long time now (that start-up thing). But several weeks ago, I broke gravity and got started. It took about 25 hours to assemble, wire, solder and test... about 4 Sundays. But last week I finally finished it.

It's awesome! I can't believe it. I learned a ton about guitar amps and designs and what I like and want. I had a lot of fun. OK, much of the time was just staring at the schematic, the chassis, the schematic, the wiring diagram, the schematic, ... measure twice / cut once / solder well. But even that was fun.

So the amp. It's got 3 signal tubes, giving it 3 gain stages, a driver stage and a power section (a single "Class A", EL84). It's about 5-6 watts and actually very loud... especially with the 2 main gain stages cranked. But it's got a huge range of tones... clean but rich, bitchy/bluesy, overdriven and very saturated. And all without getting the cops called.

I've played modeling amps and inexpensive tube amps. But this is the real deal. Rich and responsive. Playing style and the volume control on the guitar can really vary the tone. And the AX84 idea is let you tweak the design to learn more about what makes an amp sound the way you like. So I can see trying a few more things.

I'll post some pix soon and maybe even some sound clips. But I'm a believer now. It's so much fun... and I built it myself.

8/5 update: I have noticed a funny noise when the amp is cranked and sitting on the speaker cab. What to do? Since I built the thing, I wasn't afraid to jump in -- I re soldered one connection and now it's fine. Happiness.

Of course, the most fun is playing through the amp. It's so great!

The real problem with free mp3 downloads?

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:43:02 -0700

Joe Strummer - Lefty

Sat, 06 Oct 2007 22:23:49 -0700

He plays guitar right handed and signs his name lefty.

The Dogs Breakfast has been working on this song, but best leaving it to the master.

And while we're at it, how about Coma Girl ...

CMJ-2007 in New York - Is your band going there?

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 09:44:08 -0700

I'm going to be at CMJ-2007 (coming soon!). Is you band going to be playing? Where? When?

Love to check out as much music as possible. It's hard because there's so much great music for the festival, but hey... gotta try.

How long does it take you to figure this out?

Sat, 29 Sep 2007 09:41:29 -0700

The vision to start where he does and take it from there.

Express yourself in a blog???

Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:09:33 -0700

Zep back together -- and crashing sites instead of hotel rooms

Wed, 12 Sep 2007 13:14:18 -0700

I never got to see Zep in the day. And it looks like I've got no chance this time around.

And it's interesting to see the demand is so intense it's crashing the site every few minutes!

Led Zeppelin reunion: demand for tickets crashes site
Show to have 'largest demand in history' says promoter

http://www.nme.com/news/led-zeppelin/31084

Fret board wood changes the guitar tone

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:40:49 -0700

You read about stuff like this all the time... but I just can't see how using maple or rosewood or ebony on the fret board can change the tone.

I still don't get how it can be, but today a buddy played pair of recorded clips: 2 bass guitars with the same strings, setup, pickups, player, etc. The only difference is the fret board wood.

Damn! I could hear the difference. Subtle, there it is.

I built my own tube amp!

Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:13:30 -0700

Yep, I built my own tube guitar amp.

I've been jonesing for a nice "boutique" tube guitar amp and even have been stopping into local guitar shops to sample a few. But which one? And they are pretty amazingly expensive and right now, I'm deep in start-up mode (ie feeling poor).

So I've done a bunch of research and there's a really cool group (Chris Hurley and a bunch of other gear heads) that's pulled together some great amp designs and schematics. A few designs for different high quality amps and a cool forum of other hobbyists with their suggestions, mods, answers, etc. It's called AX84.com. They have even arranged for a parts supplier to pull all the components for couple of the designs -- a bag-o-parts-- to simplify the shopping.

I picked the "Hi Octane". It's still not cheap, but way more affordable than an equivalent boutique amp. The bag-o-parts has been sitting around for a long time now (that start-up thing). But several weeks ago, I broke gravity and got started. It took about 25 hours to assemble, wire, solder and test... about 4 Sundays. But last week I finally finished it.

It's awesome! I can't believe it. I learned a ton about guitar amps and designs and what I like and want. I had a lot of fun. OK, much of the time was just staring at the schematic, the chassis, the schematic, the wiring diagram, the schematic, ... measure twice / cut once / solder well. But even that was fun.

So the amp. It's got 3 signal tubes, giving it 3 gain stages, a driver stage and a power section (a single "Class A", EL84). It's about 5-6 watts and actually very loud... especially with the 2 main gain stages cranked. But it's got a huge range of tones... clean but rich, bitchy/bluesy, overdriven and very saturated. And all without getting the cops called.

I've played modeling amps and inexpensive tube amps. But this is the real deal. Rich and responsive. Playing style and the volume control on the guitar can really vary the tone. And the AX84 idea is let you tweak the design to learn more about what makes an amp sound the way you like. So I can see trying a few more things.

I'll post some pix soon and maybe even some sound clips. But I'm a believer now. It's so much fun... and I built it myself.

8/5 update: I have noticed a funny noise when the amp is cranked and sitting on the speaker cab. What to do? Since I built the thing, I wasn't afraid to jump in -- I re soldered one connection and now it's fine. Happiness.

Of course, the most fun is playing through the amp. It's so great!

This means you, mister!

Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:41:15 -0700

Dr Z amps

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:14:41 -0700

This weekend I dropped into Gelb and tried a Dr. Z amp (Rocker Guitars in SF carries them, too). It was soooo much fun. I highly recommend checking one out.

I'm building an amp and have been doing a lot of reading on classics and newer boutique amps and Dr. Z comes up a lot so I wanted to check it out. I played the Route 66. Did I mention it was a ton of fun. It's so responsive to playing style, pickup selection, guitar volumes, ... The setup is deceptively simple, but has incredible range. The only real problem with the Rt 66 is it's really, really loud. They didn't have the Carmen Ghia, but I want to check that model out next.

Off to White Castle?

Sun, 24 Jun 2007 23:07:30 -0700

Finally saw "Harold and Kumar go to White Castle" this weekend (as H&K 2 is nearing release). Bill & Ted meets Ferris Bueller meets Clerks meets a bit of Office Space ...

Have you seen it? Love it / hate it?

Tommy can you hear me?

Sun, 13 May 2007 20:58:47 -0700

What's your recommendation?

I'm thinking about getting some real ear protection... stepping up from the mini marshmallows stuff in the old ear way. Actually, I almost never wear those since I don't like the muffled sounds.

Maybe all the press and talk about hearing loss is over hyped (think so?). As I get older, I don't think it's BS anymore. (And there's some good discussion on some of the big issues that Uzi started in his blog.)

But, between going to shows, using the iPod with little ear buds, listening to mixes and new music and, maybe hardest on my hearing of all: playing guitar nice and LOUD... I'm sure I'm doing some big damage.

I'd love to hear recommendations on ear protection. Thanks.

Coachella -- are you there?

Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:58:14 -0700

Hey, if you are lucky enough (or an early enough planner) and are there -- cool! Have a blast and bring back lots of stories.

Not expecting and updates during the weekend since I hope you don't have a computer there (shame on you), but I do know people who have been able to do Fuzz stuff from their Treo... so maybe.

SPF 64 and Tanqueray 10 or OE 800 anyone?