tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190299292024-03-05T08:28:06.450-06:00Ryan's GuitarsGuitars, Gear and Inspiring Musicians.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-9527473176332445242011-07-01T18:00:00.002-05:002011-07-01T18:09:16.468-05:00Site Currently Experiencing Some Issues<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YV0NkyqB6bc/Tg5TTS8VZFI/AAAAAAAAAms/HFo1f4vhCX4/s1600/guitarsmash.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YV0NkyqB6bc/Tg5TTS8VZFI/AAAAAAAAAms/HFo1f4vhCX4/s200/guitarsmash.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624524575599846482" /></a>Sorry readers, but my first foray into <a href="http://plus.google.com/">Google Plus</a> has totally erased all my blog images! Apparently there is no fix for this, so I am going to have to go back to my hard drive(s) and painstakingly spoon feed each photo back into each post by hand. Six years worth of photos. By hand. *&@%!!!! <div><br /></div><div> :)<div><br /></div><div> This will take some time, but I am on it. And I have lots of latent posts to fill in here, as well. I've been quite busy with guitar things and have the stories, reviews and photos to prove it. Check back soon and thanks for reading!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-15010122366736537472011-02-10T12:57:00.004-06:002011-09-12T10:02:12.328-05:00Winter NAMM 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikagiI6EP74h4a9P0O6B-IkZTzc57Ag10Am3xUSkdA1F0kgds8rj_dYxge2Rbu0piJImB23-Cu6JGazXEdhQe8e87nsFkxHKQ93XG39x89Bfx_ZF8iS5wZrjVz0PdGrYGsx-XKyA/s800/winternamm-2001.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582529483688595106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikagiI6EP74h4a9P0O6B-IkZTzc57Ag10Am3xUSkdA1F0kgds8rj_dYxge2Rbu0piJImB23-Cu6JGazXEdhQe8e87nsFkxHKQ93XG39x89Bfx_ZF8iS5wZrjVz0PdGrYGsx-XKyA/s800/winternamm-2001.jpg" /></a>Finally, my dream came true... I got to attend a <a href="http://www.namm.org/">Winter NAMM</a> show in Anaheim, CA!! Pinch me, please. :) I have always wanted to attend this show to see all the awesome new gear and, more importantly, some of my biggest heros... and I can say that the Winter NAMM show is even bigger and more impressive than I thought possible, on many levels. First off, the show takes place in the Anaheim Convention Center, a 1.5 million sq. ft. facility that was literally chock full of gear; and, just about every famous guitarist I could think of was there at some point, to boot. There were live performances at booths (I got to see Frank Gambale and Brian Bromberg play at the Carvin booth, and Steve Morse and Dave LaRue at Erine Ball's). There were also some great guitarists just walking the floor. For example, at one point we ran into <a href="http://www.andytimmons.com/">Andy Timmons</a>, <a href="http://garyhoey.com/">Gary Hoey</a> and <a href="http://gretchenmenn.com/">Gretchen Menn</a>!<br /><br />Claudia and I were attending the show with Robbie Calvo in support of his new site, <a href="http://robbiecalvoguitar.com/">RobbieCalvoGuitar.com</a>, that we are co-creating with him. While there we took advantage of the opportunity to meet and mingle with a number of Robbie's endorsement partners, as well as strike up some new friendships and alliances. It was three days of incredible fun and lots and lots of walking. If you plan to cover 1.5 million sq. ft. of floorspace in three days, you must be prepared to do a lot of walking. :)<br /><br />I could write a small book on the experience, but I'll let the pictures do the talking. Check out the Flickr widget below of some of the great photos Claudia took of the experience. Can't wait to go back next year!<br /><div align="center"><br /><object width="450" height="350"><param name="flashvars" value="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fclaudiarhea%2Fsets%2F72157625877204544%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fclaudiarhea%2Fsets%2F72157625877204544%2F&set_id=72157625877204544&jump_to="><param name="movie" value="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><br /> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="offsite=true&lang=en-us&page_show_url=%2Fphotos%2Fclaudiarhea%2Fsets%2F72157625877204544%2Fshow%2F&page_show_back_url=%2Fphotos%2Fclaudiarhea%2Fsets%2F72157625877204544%2F&set_id=72157625877204544&jump_to=" width="450" height="350"></embed></object></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-1957919969352354422011-01-25T15:30:00.009-06:002012-05-09T20:30:38.272-05:00New Video Instructional Site for Guitarists - Robbie Calvo Guitar<div align="center"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18705341" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitAllowFullScreen mozallowfullscreen allowFullScreen></iframe><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I am very excited to announce a new video instructional site for guitarists called Robbie Calvo Guitar (<a href="http://robbiecalvoguitar.com/">robbiecalvoguitar.com</a>). If you're like me and you've seen just about every DVD and online lesson that's ever been made, then you'll know that the quality of these sites and courses are usually very poor and not well organized. <a href="http://robbiecalvoguitar.com/">RobbieCalvoGuitar.com</a> is going to change all that. As I wrote in <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">my first post on Robbie</a>, he is a fantastic guitarist and superb teacher. Robbie has a way of making the most complex music theory information easily digestible and intelligible. Couple that with some of the richest, highest quality HD video ever produced for guitar lessons and you've got yourself something special.<br /><br />At the moment the site has a Coming Soon video (shown above), blog and bio sections. I'll be contributing a lot to the blog on an on-going basis and Will Kelly of Vintage Guitar Magazine will be crafting some quality guitar articles and posts, as well. Apart from a huge section of video guitar lessons, the site will also feature regular video posts of Robbie interviewing tons of celebrity guitarists and other music industry gurus. This should end up being a really cool, one-stop place to get your guitar fix!<br /><br />The final site is slated for release some time later this year, so go to the site and sign up for the mailing list to be notified when the final site goes live. It will be subscription-based and the fee will be announced some time before launch. Be sure to tell all your guitar playing friends!<br /><br /><br /></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-85924169072910270022010-12-17T12:14:00.020-06:002011-09-13T10:20:15.292-05:00"Jailhouse Rock" Benefit Concert in Nashville, TN<a class="enlarge" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHRfuaD1siFqnumnRUXAt6tCf3yAk9ZH-IpK01vLUKEtf1zDqgaasyPAMgcRluk52DUpyBAUFiiO64h8gnBUxoujB7qKfrb3uqnkjNyVLmzM7JQvavctpEQrGZb8g1onT4yv6kA/s1024/jailhouse-rock-01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHRfuaD1siFqnumnRUXAt6tCf3yAk9ZH-IpK01vLUKEtf1zDqgaasyPAMgcRluk52DUpyBAUFiiO64h8gnBUxoujB7qKfrb3uqnkjNyVLmzM7JQvavctpEQrGZb8g1onT4yv6kA/s800/jailhouse-rock-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551728740530941794" border="0" /></a>I had the good fortune to attend the "Jailhouse Rock" benefit concert at 12th & Porter on December 5th in Nashville. This show was a real treat for me because some of my favorite Metal rockers took the stage and melted faces. :) The main line up consisted of Carlos Cavazo (guitarist for Quiet Riot), Vinny Appice (drummer for Dio and Black Sabbath), Rudy Sarzo (bassist for Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and Ozzy), Scott Warren (keyboards for Dio, Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell) and Chas West (vocals for Jason Bonham Band). There were also guest appearances by Mark Slaughter, Kip Winger and Kenny Olson.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JYUVOSjNUjE/Tg5mNP-x45I/AAAAAAAAAnA/a4MYqa_ZCgs/s1024/jailhouse-rock-03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-JYUVOSjNUjE/Tg5mNP-x45I/AAAAAAAAAnA/a4MYqa_ZCgs/s800/jailhouse-rock-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551729064610914370" border="0" /></a>The "Jailhouse Rock" concert was hosted to raise money for the Williamson County Literacy Council GED and education programs to benefit the rehabilitation of prison inmates. Rudy Sarzo commented, <span style="font-style: italic;">"When I got the call, I jumped at the opportunity to participate with ‘Jailh</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ouse Rock’. That old cliché fits in this case – insanity is expecting the same results by repeating the same thing over and over </span><span style="font-style: italic;">again. If you keep locking people up and then don’t offer some kind of training program, the results get worse. You gotta give these people a hand up. The outcome has to be better than it is now. With an education program and a job, everyone wins."</span><br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gAGPMJh0Dl4/Tg5mNpGqCMI/AAAAAAAAAnE/m-tKDaS1kSk/s1024/jailhouse-rock-02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 45px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gAGPMJh0Dl4/Tg5mNpGqCMI/AAAAAAAAAnE/m-tKDaS1kSk/s1024/jailhouse-rock-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551729415813030322" border="0" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jTRlE8ql2nc/Tg5mP7yRH8I/AAAAAAAAAnI/S_f0hWbQuzg/s1024/jailhouse-rock-04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 46px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jTRlE8ql2nc/Tg5mP7yRH8I/AAAAAAAAAnI/S_f0hWbQuzg/s1024/jailhouse-rock-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551729784606855714" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNOWYuq2oBT84qbJDX_nuoDpq3KDweW0WeolM6U47tan3cZo8M7l0JoU69mgpTnI7h1RGcvA_-jC8BhCQ7o4qyasmfhvaK0sGCl9cc2IyM6T9d1k6js_3s164SicFfurUrU0IFQ/s1024/jailhouse-rock-05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 46px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNOWYuq2oBT84qbJDX_nuoDpq3KDweW0WeolM6U47tan3cZo8M7l0JoU69mgpTnI7h1RGcvA_-jC8BhCQ7o4qyasmfhvaK0sGCl9cc2IyM6T9d1k6js_3s164SicFfurUrU0IFQ/s1024/jailhouse-rock-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551729950756805746" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV-oAuVdT2RRBu1FMwIIn7dCkqp9ooL5mUafpkTumpNRmYMA7D25bjsmuTjsEbwR3xnP48DRsYxht3ecVO5V0SjtRoTNUIlg_0WGXV8qNRm8c4wk9ANR4YN2k4J9TM2tUZ2bhMg/s1024/jailhouse-rock-07.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 46px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV-oAuVdT2RRBu1FMwIIn7dCkqp9ooL5mUafpkTumpNRmYMA7D25bjsmuTjsEbwR3xnP48DRsYxht3ecVO5V0SjtRoTNUIlg_0WGXV8qNRm8c4wk9ANR4YN2k4J9TM2tUZ2bhMg/s1024/jailhouse-rock-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551730075312401794" border="0" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxDbQyra00U/Tg5mTtrCy5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/MLCM00L-Evs/s1024/jailhouse-rock-06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 70px; height: 46px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxDbQyra00U/Tg5mTtrCy5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/MLCM00L-Evs/s1024/jailhouse-rock-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551730255895279826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxDbQyra00U/Tg5mTtrCy5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/MLCM00L-Evs/s1024/jailhouse-rock-06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lxDbQyra00U/Tg5mTtrCy5I/AAAAAAAAAnU/MLCM00L-Evs/s1024/jailhouse-rock-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551728914192587730" border="0" /></a>The band played classics from Led Zeppelin, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake and even the Beatles. I thought Chas West did an amazing job as the lead vocalist for the night and Mark Slaughter surprised me with some smoking lead guitar work.<br /><br />It was a great show, the band was tight, the stage lights and sound were awesome and it was all for a good cause.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Photos courtesy of my beautiful and talented wife, Claudia Lopez Rhea. </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/claudiarhea/">flickr.com/photos/claudiarhea/</a>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-28637685099166871042010-11-28T16:38:00.006-06:002012-05-09T19:49:13.126-05:00L'Esperance Guitars - Interview<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LSP-HPCVFxs/T6sMcwZ5qAI/AAAAAAAACDM/cBQvjSF3vX8/s1600/lesperance-02.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 125px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LSP-HPCVFxs/T6sMcwZ5qAI/AAAAAAAACDM/cBQvjSF3vX8/s200/lesperance-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544729034969745202" border="0" /></a>One of the greatest things about being a guitar player and enthusiast these days is the sheer number of incredible products that are available out there. We are truly in a "Golden Age of the Boutique", and nowhere is that more evident than in the hand-built guitar market. Enter Paul Gagnon of <a href="http://lesperanceguitars.com/">L'Esperance Guitars</a>. Nashville session player and instructional guitarist, <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">Robbie Calvo</a>, met Paul this past September at the Southeastern Guitar and Amp Show and was knocked out by Paul's instruments. So <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OaduGMFMc04/T6sMeVPwOJI/AAAAAAAACDU/IL2IFOApQiQ/s1600/lesperance-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 154px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-OaduGMFMc04/T6sMeVPwOJI/AAAAAAAACDU/IL2IFOApQiQ/s200/lesperance-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544729256318616466" border="0" /></a>much so that Robbie commissioned him to build a Tele-style guitar with certain unique specs, such as a 24 3/4" scale length and a Bigsby tremolo bridge unit. I caught up with both guys at Robbie's home studio in Nashville to witness the delivery of the L'Esperance T-Series prototype and I also got to sample some of Paul's other 6 string L'Esperance models that he brought along for the ride. Awesome!<span style="font-style: italic;"> Above</span> <span style="font-style: italic;"> photo: Paul Gagnon (left), Robbie Calvo (right)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ObTvM1EIkLM/T6sMa_03DhI/AAAAAAAACDE/LzQRtYq4kKw/s1600/lesperance-03.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ObTvM1EIkLM/T6sMa_03DhI/AAAAAAAACDE/LzQRtYq4kKw/s200/lesperance-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544729737396330306" border="0" /></a>The first thing you notice about Paul's work is the attention to detail. He creates all the wood parts himself, by hand. With gorgeous tops, beautiful nitrocellulose finishes and stunning designs these are some of the best looking boutique guitars I've seen. One of my favorite models is the 629 Doublecut, which is a PRS-like shape with a more aggressive carve in the top and a much thicker overall body profile. It's a beautiful design with a great feel.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6QOBsfCs7d0ZU53bBs4KVNXZBHUHXyd8_VN7UlOTDUk2cromgF4QV-OlMk33Vrr_EF2hs7kErtI8IUnYeq0jd4N9WuK_eeeLMhXz3J_cUBMSW8A48eypcBYDMk7POGTm_s8LuA/s1600/lesperance-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6QOBsfCs7d0ZU53bBs4KVNXZBHUHXyd8_VN7UlOTDUk2cromgF4QV-OlMk33Vrr_EF2hs7kErtI8IUnYeq0jd4N9WuK_eeeLMhXz3J_cUBMSW8A48eypcBYDMk7POGTm_s8LuA/s200/lesperance-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544729942505233954" border="0" /></a>While Robbie was down in the studio playing some tasty licks on the new L'Esperance T-Series, I sat down with Paul to ask him a few questions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">The new L'Esperance T-Series seems to be a departure from your normal line of guitars since it is a basic Tele shape with Tele headstock. You seem to prefer to d</span><span style="font-style: italic;">o original designs, right?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictIb1gJ5lvinQePvUZXztSr_H3A2ZAJJpoIIXwC_QrYxXdJqDhWoWQJF-oJ4-eUCSp8SLFits3ejgxe81zCVXiEQDZTbLyeEU6IrzzVFeEe4gab3NHs8FzJMie8SPlZckuhVocA/s1600/lesperance-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictIb1gJ5lvinQePvUZXztSr_H3A2ZAJJpoIIXwC_QrYxXdJqDhWoWQJF-oJ4-eUCSp8SLFits3ejgxe81zCVXiEQDZTbLyeEU6IrzzVFeEe4gab3NHs8FzJMie8SPlZckuhVocA/s200/lesperance-05.jpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544733232698307266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul</span>: Yeah, Robbie really wanted a traditional shape and I was happy to do it for him, but what really excites me about building guitars is coming up with original designs. It is important for me to design something different… to find that right shape and go for something no one else is doing. A lot of people enjoy playing a shape that is new and unique.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">How did you get started building instruments?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul</span>: Well, it started out as a challenge with my bandmates. I am actually a bass player. I made the comment one day at band practice that I was unable to find a bass that pleased me, so they said I should build one myself. A light bulb went on in my head and I started smiling. They were like, "Hey! We were only joking…" but at that point the damage was done and I became obsessed with the idea of building guitars. (laughs)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t8mLBngy6yD7LkQ2fEeGnmTfcaOEEcsuF6TOuuuuss3XX9lMzqymyoAiklNczL0hd7TjVQaqdVgd1SLletA39akq8igC5lNpiJu5r59XOyatRT61z1ioiy_PAYYP0kAUNqKk_w/s1600/lesperance-06.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t8mLBngy6yD7LkQ2fEeGnmTfcaOEEcsuF6TOuuuuss3XX9lMzqymyoAiklNczL0hd7TjVQaqdVgd1SLletA39akq8igC5lNpiJu5r59XOyatRT61z1ioiy_PAYYP0kAUNqKk_w/s200/lesperance-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544733379022573826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">What do you like the most about building custom guitars?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul</span>: I think the friendship that develops between me and my customers is my favorite part of the whole process. All of my sales up to this point have been word of mouth… these guys hear about me, we chat and plan out the build and due to the time it takes to create a guitar you really get to know a person. I have found a friend in each and every customer I've built a guitar for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">What makes a custom-built gu</span><span style="font-style: italic;">itar worth the price?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVus6BCRrU_QqH_T1Dt469hloBgfvJgMcEVpljxXyepU3CT6eWrTUQGwk63HIGBrg7KkMBiYkoV1ufGcZzZTn3Aeq9bPNdl6CcLQNDCA2oUwhyVLF30-sRiixkDAqF5Elceizfg/s1600/lesperance-07.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVus6BCRrU_QqH_T1Dt469hloBgfvJgMcEVpljxXyepU3CT6eWrTUQGwk63HIGBrg7KkMBiYkoV1ufGcZzZTn3Aeq9bPNdl6CcLQNDCA2oUwhyVLF30-sRiixkDAqF5Elceizfg/s200/lesperance-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544733523418288146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul</span>: I was building a guitar recently for a local guy and asked him to come down to the shop to see the stain that I had applied to the top. He really loved it, and while he was there I put the neck of the guitar, that I had just shaped, in his hands and asked him what he thought. He wanted a little more shaved off the profile, so right there I just did it and we got it to exactly the right shape and profile for him. You just can't get that in a music store. What you get off the shelf is what you get.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">And the quality of a hand-built guitar is top notch, as well…</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul</span>: My guitars have a limited lifetime warranty, which means I will fix anything wrong with that guitar for the life of the instrument provided that the customer hasn't abused the instrument excessively. My primary goal is to create a guitar that plays perfectly and performs like a professional tool should with minimal need for maintenance. I always build my stuff right from the beginning… then I focus on making them beautiful.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z9iMPqw9tLtZy3hu5KtrY1EIgGeO4RpKh5opEhtTXCW1w5UW7oldxUPFuhfho4WabnXOgW2dLXMrJU6OD4vqb3cD1ZK7lR9Ik-Jyz5C6Y5L8_lwfM4Whv3gOvLQ9bJ8qPAnk3A/s1600/lesperance-08.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-z9iMPqw9tLtZy3hu5KtrY1EIgGeO4RpKh5opEhtTXCW1w5UW7oldxUPFuhfho4WabnXOgW2dLXMrJU6OD4vqb3cD1ZK7lR9Ik-Jyz5C6Y5L8_lwfM4Whv3gOvLQ9bJ8qPAnk3A/s200/lesperance-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5544733668342934146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">Thank you for your time and for letting me play your beautiful guitars!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Paul</span>: It was my pleasure.<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://lesperanceguitars.com/">L'Esperance Guitars</a> if you are in the market for a beautiful custom-built guitar. Paul is a great guy and great builder!<div><br /></div><div><i>All photos in this post courtesy of my beautiful wife, and fantastic photographer, Claudia Lopez Rhea: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/claudiarhea/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/claudiarhea/</a></i></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-20495225961828831342010-11-18T13:53:00.012-06:002011-09-13T10:35:02.191-05:00Review - Callaham Guitars Vintage S Model Strat Bridge and ABR-1 Gibson Bridge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8QaN-IsbVHvJXqH23X5JkfP2gl0nAQphzdRQalCgGrioOFB0FCD__RZ0HPCpOtdMQQQoOkkE8pacARPZnFbjhZ4zfgxdaNX8srCWli2nkFNW8gnq5d3VmKl8f3ZMT31zhL1hqQ/s1100/callaham-02.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8QaN-IsbVHvJXqH23X5JkfP2gl0nAQphzdRQalCgGrioOFB0FCD__RZ0HPCpOtdMQQQoOkkE8pacARPZnFbjhZ4zfgxdaNX8srCWli2nkFNW8gnq5d3VmKl8f3ZMT31zhL1hqQ/s800/callaham-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540982482161190466" border="0" /></a>Bill Callaham really knows tone. Having grown up with all sorts of great instruments with which to develop his ear (Lloyd Loar mandolins and '50s Gibsons and Fenders), he has built his business on helping others reproduce quality vintage tone. With a strong background in machining, a great ear, meticulous attention to detail and a Mechanical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech, Bill and his company, <a href="http://www.callahamguitars.com/">Callaham Guitars</a>, have introduced an unrivaled level of quality to the vintage guitar repro market.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFulm2zHWXG7elw0P7HAtXm8a6jKqk9Qs3AEEtL57W7PGq9ue4X5EtBN7eEyVTLlGxTWt8U2YxGaEDvNCSV-_UMWghNdbi_5YBXfkiBIujv9qDhH9xdqzW55I-_vOGU1eXZ3U1A/s1100/callaham-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFulm2zHWXG7elw0P7HAtXm8a6jKqk9Qs3AEEtL57W7PGq9ue4X5EtBN7eEyVTLlGxTWt8U2YxGaEDvNCSV-_UMWghNdbi_5YBXfkiBIujv9qDhH9xdqzW55I-_vOGU1eXZ3U1A/s800/callaham-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540982377161258450" border="0" /></a>I recently purchased two of his bridges, one a Vintage S Model Strat bridge for my <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/11/new-guitar-eric-johnson-stratocaster.html">Eric Johnson Stratocaster</a> and the other an ABR-1 bridge with vintage studs, which is a direct replacement for the ABR-1 Tune-o-matic bridge on my <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2007/11/new-guitar-gibson-les-paul-2007-59.html">'07 VOS Gibson R9 Les Paul</a>. At the time of this writing I have only installed the Vintage S Model on my Eric Johnson Strat, but have not yet installed the ABR-1. I have also previously purchased and <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2008/11/malmsteen-strats-get-callaham-bridges.html">installed a couple of Callaham Limited Production Narrow Strat bridges</a> in two of my other guitars, so this is not my first experience with Bill's product.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uSPhrKfzFl4/Tm93QrExsZI/AAAAAAAABPg/vJQEk-zRTqA/s1100/callaham-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uSPhrKfzFl4/Tm93QrExsZI/AAAAAAAABPg/vJQEk-zRTqA/s800/callaham-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540981952565577554" border="0" /></a>The first thing you notice when you take one of Bill's bridges out of the box is how much it weighs and the quality of the craftsmanship. These are made from specific steel alloys that Callaham Guitars has found to produce the widest range of frequency response, increase the guitar's sustain and improve note separation when playing chords. I can attest to the fact that these Strat bridges have greatly improved the tone on all the guitars I have installed them on. Immediately after installation I can hear that the guitar is much louder when strummed acoustically, the tone is crisper and more focused and sustain is greatly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aMDxYyRPNjQ/Tm93RS4CBEI/AAAAAAAABPk/UXQT_Xt7sn4/s1100/callaham-04.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 97px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aMDxYyRPNjQ/Tm93RS4CBEI/AAAAAAAABPk/UXQT_Xt7sn4/s800/callaham-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540982097446536322" border="0" /></a> improved. Plus, the superior machining and quality steel alloy makes for a much smoother mechanical action when using the tremolo and tuning stability is never an issue with one of Bill's bridges.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEozDPI8i1iIZv8e-Qi915Rar0OsLzQZqn6mq9pOMTXaJuM-fDEukr0ChPMaSqu0-E8Skiwo9e5NcCdgUKmxweRm5kO8QyfxyNCPc7aHiaUBMEDPkgzjD5IhC_xJM6scseHm95A/s1100/callaham-05.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVEozDPI8i1iIZv8e-Qi915Rar0OsLzQZqn6mq9pOMTXaJuM-fDEukr0ChPMaSqu0-E8Skiwo9e5NcCdgUKmxweRm5kO8QyfxyNCPc7aHiaUBMEDPkgzjD5IhC_xJM6scseHm95A/s800/callaham-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540981470338517410" border="0" /></a>I can 't wait to get the ABR-1 on my R9 Les Paul and I will post a follow up once it is done. If the Callaham Strat bridges are any indication, then this will be a major upgrade in tone for my Les Paul. If you are looking for that single mod that takes your guitar from ordinary to extraordinary, I would suggest trying a <a href="http://www.callahamguitars.com/parts.htm">Callaham bridge</a> first before spending money on anything else.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-7555743994061411462010-11-08T16:06:00.013-06:002012-05-09T19:57:03.245-05:00New Guitar!! Eric Johnson Stratocaster<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTktLxwxBTwiIcmReQCGp9SG7rh51MWtthamQEv9a27PQe4uKK2LXYK9AfQ8M4tO5KG1TdZpYoqg-rsxWRzIlk9zdM1m4bAFVenp3-rgbiWXhoEdgxJrtY7YdRC-JsDvPVnMB9LA/s1600/ej-strat-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTktLxwxBTwiIcmReQCGp9SG7rh51MWtthamQEv9a27PQe4uKK2LXYK9AfQ8M4tO5KG1TdZpYoqg-rsxWRzIlk9zdM1m4bAFVenp3-rgbiWXhoEdgxJrtY7YdRC-JsDvPVnMB9LA/s200/ej-strat-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537308563607677186" border="0" /></a>Even though the Eric Johnson Strat has been reviewed to death since its release in 2005, I simply couldn't resist doing another one on my new two-color sunburst. I've only had this guitar for a few weeks and it has quickly become one of my favorites, and if you've ever had a chance to play one you'll know exactly why I love this guitar. Eric Johnson Strats are beautifully built with deep, comfortable contours and a superbly shaped neck that is a real pleasure to play. We're talking high-end, Fender Custom Shop quality and attention to detail here for under two grand. You just can't beat that.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHD3IaGXxHFduDk8ZxmHRvdTfVPZgjWZfnn_OPvmzB3h7Nq2jMEI4PEY3uo0fLjCO_uiOKu-ASIBz6PJG1RornGsfjjnJbe8ANfgKI4LHoO6GrI2MgPC7yCYriHEtdQpgknHA0A/s1600/ej-strat-06.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijHD3IaGXxHFduDk8ZxmHRvdTfVPZgjWZfnn_OPvmzB3h7Nq2jMEI4PEY3uo0fLjCO_uiOKu-ASIBz6PJG1RornGsfjjnJbe8ANfgKI4LHoO6GrI2MgPC7yCYriHEtdQpgknHA0A/s200/ej-strat-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537308845353152354" border="0" /></a>This is actually my second Eric Johnson Strat. I briefly owned a Candy Apple Red EJ Strat a couple of years ago, but never quite bonded with it. I was acquiring so many guitars during that period that it was difficult to connect with each and every one, so I am glad to have the chance to revisit this great Strat model and spend some quality time with it. The first thing I noticed (as I did with my previous one) was how stiff it played out of the box. Once I put on some fresh Ernie Ball Hybrid strings (.009s on the top and .010s on the bottom), added my treble bleed mod to the electronics, adjusted the truss rod to straighten out the neck, removed a spring, floated the tremolo and readjusted the action and intonation the guitar sounded much, much better and began to play like buttah. With a bit more tweaking (it still needs another truss rod adjustment and some serious playing time), it should break in beautifully and play even better.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ztVzRDtQSQM/T6sRE2JP2DI/AAAAAAAACEQ/hhURfDtQZ10/s1600/ej-strat-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ztVzRDtQSQM/T6sRE2JP2DI/AAAAAAAACEQ/hhURfDtQZ10/s200/ej-strat-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537307802131784658" border="0" /></a>I really like the sound of this Strat as compared to my others. I tend to pull out the pickups in just about any guitar I acquire and pop in my favorite replacements. For Stratocasters I typically go with DiMarzio Virtual Vintage Blues singles in the neck and middle position and the Fast Track II single coil sized humbucker in the bridge. This time, however, I am going to leave the EJ Strat electronics completely stock (save for, of course, my beloved <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2008/04/treble-bleed-mod-done-on-various.html">treble bleed mod</a>). This is my most "Strat-sounding" Strat at the moment and I am loving it! The Fender EJ pickups are a set of great sounding custom wound PUs made to Eric's exact specifications and are a bit lower in output than I am accustomed to. I am compensating for the lower output of the pickups by kicking in a little overdrive boost with my TS808 copy (when needed) and a healthy dose of compression from my <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/09/review-fuchs-royal-plush-compressor.html">Fuchs Royal Plush compressor pedal</a>. Lately I have really enjoyed playing it through the clean channel of my <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2009/06/new-amp-kingsley-d32-head-and-matching.html">Kingsley D32 amp</a> with generous amounts of reverb, a touch of delay from my Boss DD-3 (a pedal I acquired when I first started playing guitar back in the '80s) and my Fuchs compressor. This guitar just oozes tone through the D32. What a great combo!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uh8maWRrO5k/T6sRFdtMoLI/AAAAAAAACEc/CiVyDB2ow0k/s1600/ej-strat-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uh8maWRrO5k/T6sRFdtMoLI/AAAAAAAACEc/CiVyDB2ow0k/s200/ej-strat-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537308413580012098" border="0" /></a>I love guitars finished in "thinskin" nitrocellulose lacquer. Apart from the improvement in tone I like the feel of nitro and the fact that nitrocellulose is a natural, organic lacquer (despite being a very environmentally unfriendly substance). These types of finishes also tend to age beautifully over time. I look forward to the wear marks and battle scars that mine will display in the years to come. It took several playing sessions before the neck finish "smoothed out" and stopped feeling quite so gummy and sticky. There is a small break-in period for nitro to smooth out and <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XKQ0VZL7F-4/T6sRHGoUZtI/AAAAAAAACEk/v1fc0fmPSR0/s1600/ej-strat-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 97px; height: 131px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-XKQ0VZL7F-4/T6sRHGoUZtI/AAAAAAAACEk/v1fc0fmPSR0/s200/ej-strat-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537308182742067538" border="0" /></a>become more glassy to the touch, and I really love the feel of a nitro neck once this curing has taken place. Speaking of necks, the EJ Strat's one-piece, vintage-tinted quartersawn neck is a deliciously chunky, soft V profile with a very comfortably playable and bend-friendly 12" radius fitted with medium jumbo frets-- making fret work super smooth and easy. It puzzles me why Fender doesn't make more guitars with flatter radii like this. A flatter radius makes for a much easier set up and a more comfortable action; plus, the dreaded "fret out" issue is less likely to manifest itself when bending strings in the upper register.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DDB5GVSd0Kk/T6sRHHTfISI/AAAAAAAACEo/HPqV2kdbZBA/s1600/ej-strat-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DDB5GVSd0Kk/T6sRHHTfISI/AAAAAAAACEo/HPqV2kdbZBA/s200/ej-strat-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537307292470052034" border="0" /></a>One of the really cool, unique features of the EJ Strat is the lack of string trees on the headstock. Some people erroneously believe EJ Strats have slightly angled headstocks, or that the headstock is somehow cut differently in order to make it possible to remove the trees, but this is not the case. Fender actually designed split-shaft, Kluson style tuning machines that are dramatically staggered. "Staggered" tuning machines are simply machines with shafts that get progressively shorter and shorter from low to high, which provides the needed break angle behind the nut slot for proper coupling with string, therefore eliminating the need for the string trees-- even on the B and high E strings. Despite the stock bone nut (a great sounding, but notoriously bad material for tuning stability with tremolos), this guitar stays in tune quite well even with moderate to heavy tremolo use, and the lack of string trees certainly helps.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF42sKJRZDiX0cb4-eLrZ7bqUQRSy0YEAR_6wXtPQRI6rf1-CWbOt6oQ5gFURa11lHoxawfgSfCZ8xN3KWRQD7sMqC6tfKalkS4kILMaBMP9BKhrP3KtfnDAGqTgUmsozq_o-8PA/s1600/ej-strat-07.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF42sKJRZDiX0cb4-eLrZ7bqUQRSy0YEAR_6wXtPQRI6rf1-CWbOt6oQ5gFURa11lHoxawfgSfCZ8xN3KWRQD7sMqC6tfKalkS4kILMaBMP9BKhrP3KtfnDAGqTgUmsozq_o-8PA/s200/ej-strat-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537307153410307906" border="0" /></a>I have a Callaham bridge on order as I write this, and I can't wait to upgrade this guitar with it. A Callaham bridge is pretty much a mandatory modification for me these days whenever I get a Strat that I know I'll be keeping. The improvement in tuning stability, tone and feel is incredible and well documented on the Internet. If you've not head of Callaham Guitars, or if you have and are curious, check out the <a href="http://www.callahamguitars.com/">Callaham website</a>. This guy makes the best Fender replacement parts in the business. I'll be sure to post a follow up once I get the tremolo installed. I can safely say that this is one of my all-time favorite guitars in the collection!Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-7330234157696162722010-10-26T12:00:00.009-05:002011-09-12T09:56:37.919-05:00Red Bear Trading Co., Tuff Tone "Lil' Jazzer" Pick Review<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8rjaRletzoM/Tm4Vb80bwpI/AAAAAAAABN4/FfiGRgjogDo/s800/red-bear-first-review-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8rjaRletzoM/Tm4Vb80bwpI/AAAAAAAABN4/FfiGRgjogDo/s800/red-bear-first-review-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532399128870252850" border="0" /></a>I am usually not one to spend a lot on guitar accessories. I buy strings in bulk and play with cheap plastic picks, for the most part. So a few years ago when I heard of the <a href="http://www.redbeartrading.com/">Red Bear Trading Co.</a>'s $20 picks (yes, $20 <span style="font-style: italic;">each</span>) I thought you'd have to be crazy to spend money like that on a pick. After doing a little research I discovered that they specialize in recreating tortoise shell picks (which are now illegal to make with real turtle shells) by using a material made from animal proteins. The result is a pick that plays and sounds exactly like tortoise shell, is legal to make and does no harm to turtles. Brilliant! These guys also have an impressive, and growing, <a href="http://www.redbeartrading.com/artists.html">list of artists</a> playing their picks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6pPSKYRwp_w/Tm4VdRZlFjI/AAAAAAAABOA/DHG8Px1zBRs/s800/red-bear-first-review-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6pPSKYRwp_w/Tm4VdRZlFjI/AAAAAAAABOA/DHG8Px1zBRs/s800/red-bear-first-review-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532399226769960770" border="0" /></a>Red Bear makes each pick to order, by hand, in nearly every conceivable size, shape, color and thickness. They also do custom orders with your name stamped on the pick, etc. And when they say "made to order" they mean it; there is no stocked inventory to pull from so it can take several weeks for your order to be fulfilled. Besides the simulated tortoise shell material, Red Bear now offers a new material in a line they call "Tuff Tones" for half the price ($10 each). This is the variety I ordered. The model I chose is the "Lil' Jazzer" with a heavy thickness (1.65mm) and added grip holes drilled into the center for better control. These things are pretty sheer and smooth, so if you are used to having some texture on your picks for grip, I highly recommend the grip holes option. Apart from the lower price, another thing that attracted me to the Tuff Tones picks are their durability. According to Red Bear, they are supposed to be as worry free as any regular plastic pick. The regular Red Bear line, on the other hand, can be a bit more fragile due to the material they are made from.<br /><br />Apart from the pretty bland beige color, the Tuff Tone pick itself is a work of art. Beautifully cut and finished with a perfect bevel all the way around, each pick is also topped with a nice, clean logo graphic and model name etching. I ordered the standard bevel which is a basic bevel as seen on most picks... a "speed bevel" is also offered which is a more aggressive bevel sanded onto the edges where the pick hits the string near the tip. There is a right-hand and left-hand speed bevel option available.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidd-H4xGTJDsfhwcNhfjBu9PlStIbeifih3SD9L5r-cODNk72TG3crt7U46egbCeCChYcuwk3lu8aarDPk4JbPCFuiRUJvh4YYBIZdggZbGnT2pSaoaFw3GXl571ca-GQb2wQy8Q/s800/red-bear-first-review-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidd-H4xGTJDsfhwcNhfjBu9PlStIbeifih3SD9L5r-cODNk72TG3crt7U46egbCeCChYcuwk3lu8aarDPk4JbPCFuiRUJvh4YYBIZdggZbGnT2pSaoaFw3GXl571ca-GQb2wQy8Q/s800/red-bear-first-review-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532399322607354962" border="0" /></a>Now let's get to the real crux of what a good pick is all about: tone, playing action/feel and durability. Starting with tone, I'd have to say this is one of the best sounding picks I've ever tried with an electric guitar. The sound is full, round, warm and articulate... but not so warm that definition is lost. Quite to the contrary, there's a nice balance of highs <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> lows with this pick. Contrasted with my usual favorite, the Dunlop Jazz III, there is a lack of mid range muddiness in the Lil' Jazzer that I can distinctly hear in the Jazz III as I compare the two.<br /><br />In terms of playing action and feel, this pick has a <span style="font-style: italic;">presence</span> in your hand. It has a substantial feel between your fingers with each note picked; whereas the Jazz III feels thin and cheap by comparison. The Lil' Jazzer just glides over the strings providing a very smooth, snag-free playing action. Incidentally, this is the main reason I decided to check out these picks. I am in the process of switching my right-hand technique to the <a href="http://www.frankgambale.com/bio.html">Gambale method</a> (economy picking style) which requires a super smooth pick bevel to execute properly. The way I pick causes the Jazz III's to eventually develop a rough edge after some use and requires periodic sanding to keep the action smooth. Plus, the Jazz III isn't the smoothest pick to begin with, so I figured the Red Bear might give me a small advantage with my new technique. Time will tell, but so far so good! My economy picking is much smoother with the Lil' Jazzer and the tone is fantastic.<br /><br />And finally, the durability factor. This one will take more time, as I just recently acquired the pick. I ordered the standard bevel and literally within a few days of playing the pick has developed its own "speed bevel". Hopefully this wear will level off and the pick will last a good long while. I have no idea how long it might last, but since I am now literally sweeping a large portion of my notes, the edges of my picks see a lot of action. In fact, most of the wear on my picks falls directly on the edges and almost zero on the tip. As I write this I have two more Tuff Tones Lil' Jazzers on order. One is the same exact heavy gauge thickness as the one being reviewed here, and the other is the same model in a medium gauge, which will be closer to the same thickness as a Jazz III. I'll report back once I get them and do a follow up review on which gauge, medium or heavy, works best <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zdceY5qvmoM/Tm4VdfphzzI/AAAAAAAABN8/3fNWSHnVbvE/s800/red-bear-first-review-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-zdceY5qvmoM/Tm4VdfphzzI/AAAAAAAABN8/3fNWSHnVbvE/s800/red-bear-first-review-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532399442230208146" border="0" /></a>for me and how good the long-term wear is.<br /><br />As for tone and playing action I can definitely give these a thumbs up! I feel like my tone path is finally complete... great amps, great guitars, great pickups, premium strings, quality cables and now a quality pick.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-88466843096604936882010-10-21T13:44:00.013-05:002011-09-17T16:30:41.107-05:00Sanyo Pedal Juice - Review<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vgwq0IA-S3Y/TnUNf7AjN-I/AAAAAAAABQI/wiEFUpo88pU/s1100/pedal-juice-06.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vgwq0IA-S3Y/TnUNf7AjN-I/AAAAAAAABQI/wiEFUpo88pU/s800/pedal-juice-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530961795819696802" border="0" /></a>If you are like me, you can't stand dealing with batteries or wall warts to power your pedals. I have a dedicated pedal board with integrated power for all the effects I use in front of my amp, but I also run a couple of pedals in my amp's loop that I keep close to the rig. It's these two pedals that require wall warts or batteries... and that is where the <a href="http://us.sanyo.com/Pedal-Juice">Sanyo Pedal Juice</a> comes in. What a convenient product this thing is!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9nSlOjR5MgsT5DC4-MEPSR1Il-BF9Kod2dltiyltuL1pCPgLUNEByPiP0F_IINI7kpu7vJIevSkgbTO6wCXnCg7JemchsPPmwjlzosjupytKJOSuJZAdf0woCZaR1NVXQOhXvA/s1100/pedal-juice-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh9nSlOjR5MgsT5DC4-MEPSR1Il-BF9Kod2dltiyltuL1pCPgLUNEByPiP0F_IINI7kpu7vJIevSkgbTO6wCXnCg7JemchsPPmwjlzosjupytKJOSuJZAdf0woCZaR1NVXQOhXvA/s800/pedal-juice-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530961705009006386" border="0" /></a>I was skeptical at first. I mean, 27 plus hours of playing time for two pedals on a single charge? It didn't seem likely until I charged it up and actually used it for a couple of weeks. After many practice sessions and a couple of jams this thing is <span style="font-style: italic;">still</span> going strong. The Pedal Juice is basically a battery brick (3.7v lithium-ion) with two DC outputs that can power up to ten standard pedals (in order to power more than two pedals, one or more of them needs to have a power pass-through or you'll need a multi-plug cable since the Pedal Juice device only comes with two output cables that terminate in a single male end.) Sanyo claims that a single analog pedal using 10 mA will get about 50 hours playing time, a digital effect like a delay unit using 50 mA should get around 27 hours and a three pedal setup... say, a chorus, od pedal and a delay (with all three using something like 80 mA) should get about 20 hours of playing time. Pretty awesome!<br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1oZEcXO6GVk/TnUNcRJJWkI/AAAAAAAABP0/JYSInngnKBI/s1100/pedal-juice-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1oZEcXO6GVk/TnUNcRJJWkI/AAAAAAAABP0/JYSInngnKBI/s800/pedal-juice-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530961579707089826" border="0" /></a>Build quality is superb. It is housed in an attractive, Apple Computers-like white plastic case that feels durable and looks great. The company claims it is water and shock resistant (great for the drunks that spill beer all over your stuff at gigs) and operation is super simple. There's a single power button and 3-stage LED indicator. You get a continuous green light when fully charged, then orange (30%-60% power remaining) to red (less than 30%) when it gets low. With over 20 hours of playing time for two pedals, this thing will last me a long time on a single charge and the best part is that I don't have to worry about AC power cords and the possibility of ground looping noise in clubs with less-than-stellar electrical wiring. When both ports are in use they output 1000 mA each, which means you'll need to check your pedal's power requirements before using something like this and, of course, usage time may vary depending on those power requirements. Oh, and it only takes 3.5 hours to fully charge... which is actually quite fast for nearly 30 hours of up time!<br /><br /><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--HBjEYWvB2Q/TnUNeHKW1uI/AAAAAAAABQA/2vHLgkeNYzs/s1100/pedal-juice-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--HBjEYWvB2Q/TnUNeHKW1uI/AAAAAAAABQA/2vHLgkeNYzs/s800/pedal-juice-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530961383392276882" border="0" /></a>If you are interested in buying one they can be found at your local Guitar Center or Sam Ash store, and online. So far I am really impressed with this device and I plan to make it a permanent part of my rig. I highly recommend this product!<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 22px; font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Disclosure</span>: <span style="font-style: italic; ">This product was given to me by the manufacturer for review. This in no way influenced my opinion or review of this item.</span></span></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-31151157592697720892010-10-15T15:05:00.003-05:002012-05-09T20:43:50.843-05:00New Guitar!! '88 Lefty Japanese Fender Strat<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7-bXO2ZOt5g/T6sbQHZIHQI/AAAAAAAACFQ/oOlB8Xniae0/s1600/lefty-strat-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7-bXO2ZOt5g/T6sbQHZIHQI/AAAAAAAACFQ/oOlB8Xniae0/s200/lefty-strat-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528363945084465570" border="0" /></a>As I mentioned in my <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/09/nashville-weekend-with-joe-glaser-andy.html">Weekend In Nashville</a> post back in early September, I recently purchased an '88 black lefty '60s re-issue Fender Strat that I have restrung to play right handed. For years I've wanted a flipped "Hendrix" Strat, so when I started to look this one over I knew I had found what I've been searching for (and it's <span style="font-style: italic;">black</span>, just like Jimi's number one!) The goal was to find a quality lefty for cheap and then fix it up... at $270 this guitar was a steal! '80s Japanese Strats are often considered as good or better than the equivalent American version.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--bzvjN7pE4s/T6sbSo7khuI/AAAAAAAACFk/XEZU0xhr-o8/s1600/lefty-strat-07.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--bzvjN7pE4s/T6sbSo7khuI/AAAAAAAACFk/XEZU0xhr-o8/s200/lefty-strat-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528363808780205666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dbwa5pVBJ85Z9ycLW4W9ZINpkl7UiDr1TCcoUVzAt0IRqRyCbIvYIv0CDanXlDEOBzyQN6ZD9j4KuXBRstKCWt9uUtTfLEF-Cz7BB6Ij_MYl9aftrCscIJuBXKZMs1flCEky0A/s1600/lefty-strat-08.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9dbwa5pVBJ85Z9ycLW4W9ZINpkl7UiDr1TCcoUVzAt0IRqRyCbIvYIv0CDanXlDEOBzyQN6ZD9j4KuXBRstKCWt9uUtTfLEF-Cz7BB6Ij_MYl9aftrCscIJuBXKZMs1flCEky0A/s200/lefty-strat-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528364250124441090" border="0" /></a>Once I got the guitar home I immediately removed the strings, popped the neck off and tested the truss rod to see if it was still functioning properly (many times old guitars have broken truss rods that have been over tightened by people who shouldn't be working on their own instruments.) Once I verified that the truss rod was working I gently removed the nut, flipped it over, reinstalled it and slightly back filed the slots so I could finally test out the guitar strung right handed. I also set up the vintage tremolo bridge to float. The previous owner had 5 springs in it with the claw cranked down to immobilize the bridge. Leo Fender designed his bridge to float, and I personally feel that Strats play <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> sound better with the bridge set up this way. Of course, all of this was just a quick, down and dirty test to see if it was worth keeping. I was really impressed with the tone of this guitar! I knew it was a keeper within just a few minutes of playing time.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4TuJzJbzOo/T6sbSjd53EI/AAAAAAAACFs/eyLY9Q1NsHQ/s1600/lefty-strat-09.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4TuJzJbzOo/T6sbSjd53EI/AAAAAAAACFs/eyLY9Q1NsHQ/s200/lefty-strat-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528363175996886818" border="0" /></a><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1EcqjhBFkq4/T6sbQC25sNI/AAAAAAAACFM/zlIO3k28FlE/s1600/lefty-strat-06.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 107px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1EcqjhBFkq4/T6sbQC25sNI/AAAAAAAACFM/zlIO3k28FlE/s200/lefty-strat-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528363326558803922" border="0" /></a>I played the guitar for about a week to see if I could accustom my right picking hand and arm to the knobs, tremolo bar and input jack being on top. This definitely takes some getting used to. Another caveat is the limited upper register access due to the top horn being further up the neck than the bottom one. Once I realized I could overcome most of these disadvantages I decided to move forward with having the fretboard re-planed to a flatter radius and having the neck refretted. I dropped it off at <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/09/afternoon-at-glaser-instruments.html">Joe Glaser's shop</a> in Nashville where they took the 7.25"<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xV719DOt9JM/T6sbQM1nO_I/AAAAAAAACFU/aLAyfK9DeQk/s1600/lefty-strat-05.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 107px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xV719DOt9JM/T6sbQM1nO_I/AAAAAAAACFU/aLAyfK9DeQk/s200/lefty-strat-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528363457781195090" border="0" /></a> neck radius down to a more comfortable compound radius-- 10" at the first fret merging to a 12" radius at the octave. I opted for 6105 profile fret wire and provided the shop with my own favorite nut material, Stew Mac "slipstone" (delrin plastic.) This material is excellent for guitars with non-locking tremolos. Afterward, it was given the full Plek treatment by Joe himself. The Plek ensures that all the frets on the neck have a balanced sound, thus eliminating potential dead spots. The result is a stunningly comfortable, highly playable neck and consistent tone all over the fretboard.<br /><br /><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NJNXNAa7Y1g/T6sbTrpQ-CI/AAAAAAAACF8/4VrIFGRqB74/s1600/lefty-strat-10.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NJNXNAa7Y1g/T6sbTrpQ-CI/AAAAAAAACF8/4VrIFGRqB74/s200/lefty-strat-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528363036083860594" border="0" /></a>I am now debating on whether or not to change out the pickups or leave the originals in there. The old pickups that are in it do appear to be the OEM set that came with the guitar. Of course, the 60 cycle hum is there and I've accustomed myself to the ultra quiet and great sounding DiMarzio Virtual Vintage pickups, which I use in all my other Strats. I'll need to do some further testing to decide, but so far I love the tone of the originals.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MYjnMmSxipgo9yMr9kMgwqVMF7MS-zBggzQNayIcOIMDkPog7vC31AlfTTXFNwQJ2A5JE3pw_1XcQhgS_NaVfYKj34i_kHfYPE6qipeHHRPdv9PELyVLys7svVkdf7fM88IWzw/s1600/lefty-strat-11.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_MYjnMmSxipgo9yMr9kMgwqVMF7MS-zBggzQNayIcOIMDkPog7vC31AlfTTXFNwQJ2A5JE3pw_1XcQhgS_NaVfYKj34i_kHfYPE6qipeHHRPdv9PELyVLys7svVkdf7fM88IWzw/s200/lefty-strat-11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528362908646995138" border="0" /></a>Despite some basic wear and tear (far less wear and tear than you would expect on a 20+ year old instrument) the guitar is in superb condition. The only mods I've done (besides the neck work at Joe's shop) is to relocate the strap pin to the lower bout horn, replace the old eyelet-style tuners with a new set of lefty Kluson split-shaft tuners and install <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2008/04/treble-bleed-mod-done-on-various.html">my treble bleed mod</a> on the volume knob. Eventually I'll replace the strap pins with locking Schallers. I also plan on replacing the bridge with a <a href="http://www.callahamguitars.com/partsstr.htm">Callaham</a> narrow-spaced lefty vintage tremolo sometime next year when he gets another batch of them made. According to Mr. Callaham, his shop only makes one batch of these narrow-spaced lefty models per year. Can't wait to get one of those on this guitar!<br /><br />I am really excited to finally have a lefty Strat in my collection! And I am very pleased with how this guitar is coming together. I'll be sure to post a follow up when all the mods I pan to do are complete.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-54874814454036011512010-10-06T17:05:00.005-05:002011-10-17T15:44:27.039-05:00New Guitar!! Soloway Gosling<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLgfcHXd4mm4bjeVKC7d2yIAcOhjmeYZqV_WP2ZzXxsrcMq5EI9r0XJpv4LkBu8n2teHgkMO0JFQCtgRxDL6MGYV8FM4-z-bl8axmZdhI56hMU5kiwA4HGUV9EW6XT7Vhi1AjvA/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-02.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjLgfcHXd4mm4bjeVKC7d2yIAcOhjmeYZqV_WP2ZzXxsrcMq5EI9r0XJpv4LkBu8n2teHgkMO0JFQCtgRxDL6MGYV8FM4-z-bl8axmZdhI56hMU5kiwA4HGUV9EW6XT7Vhi1AjvA/s200/Soloway-Gosling-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525055849991983618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aQZRlwtrTQw/TpyORdUFsTI/AAAAAAAABTc/pqA9rmzLcl0/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aQZRlwtrTQw/TpyORdUFsTI/AAAAAAAABTc/pqA9rmzLcl0/s200/Soloway-Gosling-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525055954393976578" border="0" /></a>Yes, it is true. I have a guitar problem. I can't seem to get enough of them and all the new and exciting builders that are coming out of the woodwork these days aren't helping matters any. As I reported in my post on <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">Soloway Guitars from the Nashville Amp Expo back in August</a>, I ended up purchasing one of Jim Soloway's irresistible masterpieces. A gorgeous Gosling model donning a beautiful flamed redwood trans-burst top with Soloway-logo-inspired "f-hole"… once I saw it (and played it) I couldn't get my wallet out fast enough.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iOj4ko3qP4M/TpyOX9uljnI/AAAAAAAABT8/ygL7XpsimaU/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-07.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-iOj4ko3qP4M/TpyOX9uljnI/AAAAAAAABT8/ygL7XpsimaU/s200/Soloway-Gosling-07.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525055020265943986" border="0" /></a>From what I've gathered, Jim's been at this for about 8 or 9 years now and he's developed quite a fine product in the process. Fusing the design aesthetic of the Stratocaster with his own unique lower bout shape, Jim has produced a truly stunning new take on the classic Strat shape that most new builders rarely achieve. His first model, the Swan, is a semi-hollow body construction and is made from choice tonewoods (alder or ash usually) with all sorts of different top options available (maple, koa, redwood, and others). What is unique about the Swan is its 27" scale length. Though its scale might suggest it is a baritone, these guitars are strung and tuned like normal guitars. Jim claims the intonation of a 27" scale length guitar is far more accurate and the lows are much tighter and more piano like.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOg6-UOXqNJjxuC48-6CTPs1AXZoHc3o_6wpGYUcMbXm7zQXV2Ea4RsNZyFj1gI5UBfhIwOtAHFbVWSBey9BrVSEnLOvi2WlqU0zLRyyxc9qz8r1Bn1CmmXSpeWKpLrgASyqi8Q/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaOg6-UOXqNJjxuC48-6CTPs1AXZoHc3o_6wpGYUcMbXm7zQXV2Ea4RsNZyFj1gI5UBfhIwOtAHFbVWSBey9BrVSEnLOvi2WlqU0zLRyyxc9qz8r1Bn1CmmXSpeWKpLrgASyqi8Q/s200/Soloway-Gosling-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525055252150799394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cKuaIPg8nrc/TpyOX4mxVBI/AAAAAAAABUA/RtP5exLOdxs/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cKuaIPg8nrc/TpyOX4mxVBI/AAAAAAAABUA/RtP5exLOdxs/s200/Soloway-Gosling-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525055435956974370" border="0" /></a>The Gosling, on the other hand, is one of Jim's newest models and the first to offer the standard 25.5" scale length. The first thing I noticed when playing the Gosling I purchased, apart from the flawless fit and finish, was how great the neck feels. Jim calls this neck profile the ".915 Stubby". It starts at .915 at the first fret with a soft V shape and merges to 1.0 at the octave with a full C shape. Made of maple and topped with a Madagascar rosewood fingerboard fretted with stainless steel frets, bends and vibrato on this <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXiokeXNNt1WWsKykEmXhIOTRlhQm6L6vNuwxmGelHV7cw-nA748Fh8CuhJdYDs7Zzvqbd1zsfAuGDNvUIi0XP3923QJAGAbQt8l4k4jpjWczdWN8UPyFP5cqmNG1syUabdltDA/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-09.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXiokeXNNt1WWsKykEmXhIOTRlhQm6L6vNuwxmGelHV7cw-nA748Fh8CuhJdYDs7Zzvqbd1zsfAuGDNvUIi0XP3923QJAGAbQt8l4k4jpjWczdWN8UPyFP5cqmNG1syUabdltDA/s200/Soloway-Gosling-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525055569097961410" border="0" /></a>neck are effortless and super smooth… in part due to the extra fat profile giving your hand more leverage, and in part due to the ultra slinkiness of the stainless steel frets. Soloway necks are finished with a "thin skin" nitrocellulose satin finish, while the bodies are finished in what Jim describes as "the thinnest possible" coating of polyurethane. All Soloway necks are fitted with beautifully made bone nuts and gorgeous, hand-crafted truss rod covers with inlaid logo (mine is made from sycamore.)<br /><br />Another thing you immediately notice is how light these guitars are. My Gosling weighs in at a feather-light 6.7 lbs! All of the guitars I demo'ed that day felt just as light. Jim is adamant about building light weight instruments after years of torturing his own lower back gigging heavy guitars. And despite the low weight, the timbre and sustain of these guitars is off the chart! Not even my heavy Les Pauls can keep up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KhVqhv340l0/TpyOXySfSaI/AAAAAAAABUE/3NUhQnfDnh8/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-08.jpg"><img stylehttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KhVqhv340l0/TpyOXySfSaI/AAAAAAAABUE/3NUhQnfDnh8/s200/Soloway-Gosling-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525054628066881778" border="0" /></a>Jim uses great hardware on his guitars. My Gosling is fitted with a Hipshot fixed bridge with Strat-style bridge saddles, some cool modern metal knobs with rubber gaskets fitted on them for easy gripping and some awesome open-back (yes, <span style="font-style: italic;">open-back</span>!) locking Hipshot tuners. The guitar feels solid and stays in tune beautifully.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO38Yshg6eqxVRVQjBk82WuQhEBmGEH4KstEG7dId1q7lFwHldwPLHKLhg83-3j5lyz4a0WF8p4TFs-mMhAv2MPXxv636Oa-P5AOpjmNHV0voKLl7Vvt3uAgTx1hfb8_JiQJwNg/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivO38Yshg6eqxVRVQjBk82WuQhEBmGEH4KstEG7dId1q7lFwHldwPLHKLhg83-3j5lyz4a0WF8p4TFs-mMhAv2MPXxv636Oa-P5AOpjmNHV0voKLl7Vvt3uAgTx1hfb8_JiQJwNg/s200/Soloway-Gosling-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525054135229818210" border="0" /></a>Plugged into my favorite Kingsley ToneBaron boutique amp rig, the Gosling just blew me away. It is by far the clearest, most articulate guitar in my collection. While I was easily able to get all the basic rock, shred, jazz and blues tones from it I can definitely see this guitar becoming my main go-to instrument for fusion stuff. This particular build sports a DiMarzio 36th Anniversary PAF humbucker in the bridge position and a custom wound DiMarzio Firebird mini-humbucker in the neck (that was actually made for Jim by Larry DiMarzio himself). The electronics are wired with a<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xNBRLcEoAmc/TpyOVQyjtoI/AAAAAAAABT0/sBOwMJIB_fU/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-06.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xNBRLcEoAmc/TpyOVQyjtoI/AAAAAAAABT0/sBOwMJIB_fU/s200/Soloway-Gosling-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525054264538703682" border="0" /></a> 3-way selector switch, master volume and a push-pull tone pot that (when up) puts the pickups in series mode and (when down) puts them in the standard parallel mode. Pulling the push-pull knob up and engaging the series mode fattens up the tone so much that the bridge pickup practically sounds like a neck pickup. Couple this with the tone knob itself and different volume knob settings and a stunning plethora of sounds are available at your finger tips. With the Kingsley cranked under full distortion and the neck position in parallel mode with the volume rolled most of the way down, it was very easy to get a bright, Strat-like chime. There's almost nothing this guitar can't do!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dUWuJNEyHT8/TpyOa6bY6tI/AAAAAAAABUU/c2bLzV82q18/s1600/Soloway-Gosling-10.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dUWuJNEyHT8/TpyOa6bY6tI/AAAAAAAABUU/c2bLzV82q18/s200/Soloway-Gosling-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525053822349810898" border="0" /></a>So... fit and finish perfect, great sound, plays like buttah and looks stunning. I think I've found a keeper! If you are curious about Soloway guitars, go to the website and <a href="http://www.jimsoloway.com/Gallery09.htm">check out the gallery</a>. If you're serious, you can <a href="http://www.jimsoloway.com/TestDrive.htm">contact Jim for a "test drive"</a>. I warn you, though-- if you try one you'll almost certainly be buying, so be prepared to spend your money <span style="font-style: italic;">before</span> you try. :)Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-3830474813331292652010-09-29T11:06:00.012-05:002011-09-13T10:28:28.263-05:00Afternoon at Glaser Instruments - Nashville, TN<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdx37DcEGUc_GVXzgN07Kb84b4xe8n8kKYhbsQaxQ-PPi1kE6nLe9juPYFX8oc1XySndNIjP_8LvH1d-bX72HHim4xOkyXQO2g3RQi4xgb-CrnvqhUwG4UcGOZNvIyjygGe1bbQ/s1100/joe-glaser-01.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522396762002978242" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 149px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdx37DcEGUc_GVXzgN07Kb84b4xe8n8kKYhbsQaxQ-PPi1kE6nLe9juPYFX8oc1XySndNIjP_8LvH1d-bX72HHim4xOkyXQO2g3RQi4xgb-CrnvqhUwG4UcGOZNvIyjygGe1bbQ/s800/joe-glaser-01.jpg" border="0" /></a>It's not often that I get to hang with people of the caliber of Joe Glaser (pronounced "glay'zer"). I've been hearing about Joe and his legendary shop for quite some time, so it was a real treat to spend an afternoon touring Glaser Instruments and asking Joe questions about his craft and the clients he services. And, wow, what a client list! Keb Mo, Vince Gil, John Fogerty, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley just to name a few.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EhdQ3HiGeWU/Tm9z5UsdkpI/AAAAAAAABOw/4FsRIwtbNh0/s1100/joe-glaser-03.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522396680168995106" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 133px;" alt="" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EhdQ3HiGeWU/Tm9z5UsdkpI/AAAAAAAABOw/4FsRIwtbNh0/s800/joe-glaser-03.jpg" border="0" /></a>As it turns out Joe is a master of the Plek machine, a computer automated guitar fret dress and setup device (<i>pictured above right</i>). As one of the first Plek operators outside of the Plek company, Joe has years of practical experience with the machine and is responsible for helping create and streamline many of the important features of the latest model, the Plek Pro. This machine is able to level and crown frets much more accurately than a human being... to measurements that are within .0001 of an inch, consistently, across the whole fretboard! This allows Joe to perform fret levels and setups that are always spot on. Now, that is not to say that these guys can't do a mean fret level and dress by hand, but, according to Joe, "Once I got the machine I scanned all our hand-done work, and it was really good, but not as good as the Plek."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZlDhJknb7eE/Tm9z7J0ALhI/AAAAAAAABO4/a5OxiuSrZCo/s1100/joe-glaser-02.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522396369387096610" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 133px;" alt="" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZlDhJknb7eE/Tm9z7J0ALhI/AAAAAAAABO4/a5OxiuSrZCo/s800/joe-glaser-02.jpg" border="0" /></a>While on the tour we were shown many pieces that were severely damaged by the 2010 Nashville flood last May. Joe and team have been working furiously over the summer to restore a lot of these damaged instruments for musicians like Pam Tillis, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Keith Urban and many others. The shop was literally chock full of them. Some of these restored instruments will be<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3jVrwPbMYT7f2VC12G8HFQQnOpTRYDQ5PWonAgcDjLcE9lVdUjJbjtBn4tQS2OCo6Wb5-OWhA_Sw0Mkr2NoVdbcn_SETs9YC8nRiu6jkB0UeHXb-FMon0FH0im5TO0Y3xvvw1A/s1100/joe-glaser-04.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522395682036847618" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 125px; cursor: pointer; height: 83px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3jVrwPbMYT7f2VC12G8HFQQnOpTRYDQ5PWonAgcDjLcE9lVdUjJbjtBn4tQS2OCo6Wb5-OWhA_Sw0Mkr2NoVdbcn_SETs9YC8nRiu6jkB0UeHXb-FMon0FH0im5TO0Y3xvvw1A/s800/joe-glaser-04.jpg" border="0" /></a> auctioned off by a non-profit organization called <a href="http://nash2o.moontoast.com/">NasH2O</a> created to help Nashville musicians who were uninsured for flood damage. Many of these less fortunate, struggling musicians lost everything in the flood and are trying to get back on their feet. The work that Joe and team are doing will help raise the money needed to ease these victim's losses and to get them playing and creating music again.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCf-NzFuZG_bHaL5oWEawrZxqVnlgK5LS-K8cLl26vW1ZrnVwsGRebTgbPX57QHcYB9i1F_mXWLAbI8ziegl0a9x4Zg83GaUXkX0oCvdREkVZcbjXGCU5bIoEBHdtioRBxYT5Og/s1100/joe-glaser-06.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522395940338712082" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 125px; cursor: pointer; height: 83px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCf-NzFuZG_bHaL5oWEawrZxqVnlgK5LS-K8cLl26vW1ZrnVwsGRebTgbPX57QHcYB9i1F_mXWLAbI8ziegl0a9x4Zg83GaUXkX0oCvdREkVZcbjXGCU5bIoEBHdtioRBxYT5Og/s800/joe-glaser-06.jpg" border="0" /></a>As you might expect, Glaser Instruments offers full service guitar repair. There is a machining area where Joe makes the famous Glaser B Bender, a paint booth and a wood shop. Joe's great team of experts help him keep the place humming smoothly. Tom Barkstrom (<span style="font-style: italic;">pictured right</span>) is the guitar tech and setup <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRRYxzkxukDXk0CRh8qM5M7eKxzP7YsIDJSdzsFYwVmGl34C1VcTF8H-5gXr72eM6dGkayXsLEUi_YPUJh4RLkm-ifGVr5iA06RvbCw3Q_-TYBXrbRAgjIG5EadEkHL6nzXdDSQ/s1100/joe-glaser-07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522396146315791634" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 125px; cursor: pointer; height: 83px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRRYxzkxukDXk0CRh8qM5M7eKxzP7YsIDJSdzsFYwVmGl34C1VcTF8H-5gXr72eM6dGkayXsLEUi_YPUJh4RLkm-ifGVr5iA06RvbCw3Q_-TYBXrbRAgjIG5EadEkHL6nzXdDSQ/s800/joe-glaser-07.jpg" border="0" /></a>guy, Charley Lonsdorf is the acoustic setup and electronics expert, Scott Holyfield is the finish and structure guru, Floyd Cassista (<span style="font-style: italic;">pictured top left</span>) mans the fretting station and John Alford is in charge of the Glaser B Bender installations. From complete restoration to refrets and simple setups, these guys do it all!<br /><br />After we wrapped up the tour, Joe began working on a 250 year old upright bass that belongs to Victor Wooten. While he was working, I asked him a few questions:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZrP-S0rudFA/Tm90AM0QXHI/AAAAAAAABPM/IxdQ-7Hznho/s1100/joe-glaser-08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522395324088856978" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px; cursor: pointer; height: 136px;" alt="" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZrP-S0rudFA/Tm90AM0QXHI/AAAAAAAABPM/IxdQ-7Hznho/s800/joe-glaser-08.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ryan's Guitars:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Are you a Strat guy or a Les Paul guy?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe:</span> Actually, I am a former steel guitar player so my guitar preferences aren't very much aligned to the norm, so to speak. I collect, and am most interested in, the '30s and '40s high-end Gibson archtops such as the L5 and Super 400. Not so much anymore because you just don't see these now, but about 10 or 15 years ago when they were just around I collected as many as I could find.<br /><br />But I have to say that I am a giant Fender fan and have been from the very beginning. Not only of the simplicity of the Tele and the Strat but also the way Leo Fender thought and designed. The correlation between his design mind, the product and its usability just knocked me out and was a big influence on me in the early '70s when I first started doing this.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ryan's Guitars: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Why repair and what do you love the most about it?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe:</span> One reason I like doing repair is because a lot of the people we deal with are in the studio all day long, world class players, and they know really quickly what's in tune and what isn't in tune with their needs... what plays well, what the difference is between this pickup and that, wiring styles, and so forth. So to me one of the great privileges of this business is the expert feedback we get on all the things we do. You learn a heck of a lot from that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ryan's Guitars: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">You are primarily a local shop, but you also receive a fair amount of work from out of town. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe: </span>Yeah, we stay busy enough locally that I don't normally try to cater to out-of-town jobs. One reason is because I like having a personal relationship with my customers so I can better learn what they like. That's easier to do when someone sits down and plays in front of you. Even so, we do get a lot of guitars sent in from out of town and we treat each job we are working on as the most important one in the shop, no matter who the instrument belongs to or where it came to us from.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ryan's Guitars: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">One thing I've always found annoying is going to a guitar tech and requesting certain setup specs only to get the guitar back set up to the tech's preferences. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe: </span>(laughs) I often go around the country to do Plek training, or help set up the machines and while in some of these shops you find that the setups are done to the shop owner's specs only. This is very common. Here we set every guitar up differently. We ask people what their setup preferences are and that determines everything about the job we do on that instrument.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan's Guitars:</span> You certainly rub shoulders with a lot of top-notch musicians... many of whom were not top-notch when they first started coming to you for repair work. Any parting words of wisdom for the undiscovered players out there?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe:</span> Everybody I deal with, who is not just a player but well positioned in the hierarchy of players, keeps themselves from getting too "settled" or they won't practice, they won't play, they won't have the artistic drive and they won't push the envelope. All the great players that I personally know would never tell you they think they are good... and some of these guys are truly awesome players, but they just don't see themselves that way.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Ryan's Guitars: </span><span style="font-style: italic;">What are your five desert island albums?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe:</span> Are you serious? (laughs) Gosh, that's an interesting question... well, the first one would be Jessie Winchester's first album, the Beach Boys "Smiley Smile", anything by Chopin, Bob Dylan "The Basement Tapes" and Albert King "I'll Play the Blues for You".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan's Guitars:</span> Thank you, Joe. It's been a great experience meeting you and touring Glaser Instruments.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Joe:</span> My pleasure. We were glad to have you!<br /><br />--<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-5JoNOl451IzTBhFg2YLWZgqlcGVr1r-G2J8wRjVef-aYyYjWzJXmhz_RlIheg0R8KL8cbZjnCFBOh6tgpMY1IJ3PnJu8T0HPAD_P3uM-zk_lXnGM2XXCDj78k_6-0JYryZjZA/s1100/joe-glaser-09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522395062298682354" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 133px; cursor: pointer; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-5JoNOl451IzTBhFg2YLWZgqlcGVr1r-G2J8wRjVef-aYyYjWzJXmhz_RlIheg0R8KL8cbZjnCFBOh6tgpMY1IJ3PnJu8T0HPAD_P3uM-zk_lXnGM2XXCDj78k_6-0JYryZjZA/s800/joe-glaser-09.jpg" border="0" /></a>If you live in the Nashville area, or even if you don't, and you are looking for the best refret, refinish, setup and/or instrument repair work money can buy, contact:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glaser Instruments<br /></span><span id="search" style="visibility: visible;">434 E Iris Dr<br />Nashville, TN 37204-3108<br />(615) 298-1139<br /><br />The shop closes at 5:30 CST on weekdays and is closed Sat. & Sun.<br /><br /><br /></span>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-64260227927000774052010-09-13T11:31:00.020-05:002012-05-09T20:51:40.339-05:00Weekend in Nashville with Joe Glaser, Andy Timmons and Robbie CalvoI love going to Nashville. My wife and I always have the best time there meeting and hanging with interesting, inspiring people and catching the live performances of some of our favorite artists. Nashville is a very musically diverse city dripping with raw talent that can be experienced even in such places as the hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurant where we stopped to have beers with friends our first night. The guitarist in that band was laying down some serious fusion licks with flawless, effortless technique... in a Mexican restaurant! Oh yes, Nashville is definitely my kind of town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3RtarHTsPFIEulEa-y_5JN62ot5CnNGspeqfXZ3Yn9ehstTneeIgApxRlUdf_60XVTx7cjKmPW53xJADqBJeljsabh_fG2WZ28OF4vvKIGIeNW1HnTbvmRZSIaa8wynHMgmEmQ/s1600/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3RtarHTsPFIEulEa-y_5JN62ot5CnNGspeqfXZ3Yn9ehstTneeIgApxRlUdf_60XVTx7cjKmPW53xJADqBJeljsabh_fG2WZ28OF4vvKIGIeNW1HnTbvmRZSIaa8wynHMgmEmQ/s200/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519051140032550882" border="0" /></a>First up on the list of things to do for the weekend was to visit Joe Glaser at his shop, <a href="http://www.manta.com/c/mm488mk/glaser-instruments">Glaser Instruments</a>, to drop off a guitar for a refret. Joe has been building, setting up and repairing instruments for the who's who of Nashville for over 30 years. He and his team of experts do everything from salvaging disasters (i.e. acoustics smashed by jealous girlfriends) to basic tweaks and everything in between. The guitar I dropped off is one I recently bought at my local Memphis Guitar Center... an awesome '88 Japanese lefty Fender Strat. In addition to the refret, I am having the guys flatten the neck radius from 7.25" to a compound 10" - 12". Can't wait to get it back, and I know it will be perfect when I do. While there, we were given a tour of the shop by the man himself and I was able to ask him a lot of interesting questions along the way. Joe is such a great guy and wickedly smart. Hanging with Joe Glaser for an afternoon ranks awfully high on my list of coolest life experiences... don't forget to look for a complete write up and my interview with Joe soon!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QciBZQUyYrA/T6sdxcYNkyI/AAAAAAAACGU/fd4R6Qy750U/s1600/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-QciBZQUyYrA/T6sdxcYNkyI/AAAAAAAACGU/fd4R6Qy750U/s200/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519050898499377730" border="0" /></a>After leaving Joe's shop we rushed over to meet up with my friend <a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/Home_Page.html">Robbie Calvo</a> (a Nashville session player and recording artist) and model/actress Annie Anderson at World Music Nashville to catch a clinic performance by renown guitar player, <a href="http://www.andytimmons.com/">Andy Timmons</a>. I've been a huge fan of Andy's for years now and have his albums in regular rotation on my iPod. His playing, compositions and note choices are fantastic and his tone is easily the best of all the instrumental guitarists I listen to. Unfortunately, we missed the first 20 minutes of the show, but I was thrilled with the songs he played after we got there... Deliver Us, Gone (09/11/2001) and Helipad from the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5IKEqQfia73lLCpNPyOzCteZ5jigt1nQjjUg0P-RUo_5p-rKhzSHP6sz8-XMk97REjmsksXejxxELsIQPQ0xM_wk_ti0r7BDF4qtkXIuNizuKPsO2sXL59j6-ZcWVTtKBw4WYg/s1600/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5IKEqQfia73lLCpNPyOzCteZ5jigt1nQjjUg0P-RUo_5p-rKhzSHP6sz8-XMk97REjmsksXejxxELsIQPQ0xM_wk_ti0r7BDF4qtkXIuNizuKPsO2sXL59j6-ZcWVTtKBw4WYg/s200/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519050720662323682" border="0" /></a>"Resolution" album and Falling Down, Cry for You and Electric Gypsy (my all time fav!) from the "That was Then, This is Now" album, among others. Being the witty and funny guy that he is, he had everyone laughing and having a great time with his jokes and humorous stories in between songs. What a character! Andy Timmons fans will be delighted to know that he plans on releasing two new albums soon, one an instrumental guitar remake of the Beetles "St. Pepper" album and the other a new offering of original tunes coming out shortly after that. Can't wait to get them both! If you haven't bought one of Andy's albums yet, head on over to his <a href="http://store.andytimmons.com/">online store and grab one</a>... this guy can really play.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kv3YOV7JXLE/T6sdzUpMvYI/AAAAAAAACG0/xMTpLH-5rMs/s1600/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kv3YOV7JXLE/T6sdzUpMvYI/AAAAAAAACG0/xMTpLH-5rMs/s200/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519050382320262866" border="0" /></a>After a fun night of dinner and drinks with Robbie and Annie, I awoke the next day to be treated to an amazing guitar lesson by Robbie at his beautiful home studio. This is ultimately what I had come for and I was really looking forward to it... I was not disappointed. Robbie is one of those kind souls that is clearly meant to teach others. Through his patience and uncanny ability to assess exactly what I didn't know and explain it all so clearly I was able to grasp material, in a matter of a couple of hours, that had been alluding me for years. I was inspired so much that the very next day I spent over 7 hours in my own home studio practicing the material Robbie was helping <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o9W57NsXUhg/T6sdyUXm2RI/AAAAAAAACGo/wF-wHGzh2UE/s1600/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o9W57NsXUhg/T6sdyUXm2RI/AAAAAAAACGo/wF-wHGzh2UE/s200/weekend-nashville-sept-2010-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519050216963244194" border="0" /></a>me with, and to great effect. I cannot recommend Robbie enough if you are a guitarist looking to improve your technique, knowledge of music, compositional skills, improvisation, etc. Look this guy up if you are a local (or if you plan to pass through Nashville) and <a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/Contact.html">book a lesson</a>. And, of course, you can always order his <a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/TrueFire___Sweet_Notes.html">Sweet Notes instructional DVD</a> if coming to Nashville is not an option. You will not regret it.<br /><br />My wife and I look forward to many more fun weekends in Nashville in the near future. There is always good music, great friends and incredibly interesting people to enjoy and experience. Nashville rocks!Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-46271629939902382032010-09-06T15:31:00.021-05:002012-05-09T20:55:42.666-05:00Review - Fuchs Royal Plush Compressor Pedal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S_Pk9RED2Fob_JBy9Qw0s_UP1SfHNcd4Q-3VPd9RoT0myCPnT9HNjuqVK458foBGKVRI6o5gl4tZ39A7B-V4aZ_9hSXNmn1fDLC7qDJ9iEJZPgMOcGeL5IDgeCQKg62tSFMPgw/s1600/fuchs-royal-plush-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1S_Pk9RED2Fob_JBy9Qw0s_UP1SfHNcd4Q-3VPd9RoT0myCPnT9HNjuqVK458foBGKVRI6o5gl4tZ39A7B-V4aZ_9hSXNmn1fDLC7qDJ9iEJZPgMOcGeL5IDgeCQKg62tSFMPgw/s200/fuchs-royal-plush-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516803188985469042" border="0" /></a>I finally got my <a href="http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/products-plush-detail.php?id=royal_plush&cat=2">Fuchs Royal Plush compressor pedal</a> after ordering one at the <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">Nashville Amp Expo</a> a few weeks ago. I was really excited to add this unit to my pedal board, especially since I had no compressor pedals in my collection and had been unable to find a compressor to my liking in the past despite many auditions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sy9RkpOfN3M/T6sfdn8H0XI/AAAAAAAACHI/sDGTxYbw5cw/s1600/fuchs-royal-plush-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Sy9RkpOfN3M/T6sfdn8H0XI/AAAAAAAACHI/sDGTxYbw5cw/s200/fuchs-royal-plush-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516803112912093954" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">As demonstrated by Andy Fuchs himself at the Amp Expo</a>, this pedal is very quiet. Pretty much all compressors add a bit of hiss to the overall signal when used with overdrive or distortion (and this one is no exception), but with this pedal additional noise is very low and the compression effect is quite good. Per Andy, this unit uses a simple signal path for higher quality tone, hand-selected audio chips and an actual photocell just like an expensive rack-mount studio compressor unit. The effect is smooth, warm and free of the "pumping" effect cheaper units tend to suffer from. Plus, true bypass wiring means it isn't sucking your tone when not in use.<br /><br />Compression can be a very subtle effect when applied to the guitar. In fact, a lot of the time compression is difficult for a listener to discern when used in a guitar's signal path. Many players use a compressor as a volume boost for solos with little or no compression at all, while others dial up a lot of compression that "squashes" the tone to produce the snappy attack often heard in Country music "chicken pickin'" and Funk rhythm styles.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAgAwFLLnjh9v529iKGsaiE9gXous-3-_MnK-D_5OkyzoOmhtjRwOz_9IT9eIZ2xO6Jon-iikLmAQds1Nt2KFMAYQa4bTL29mSuTlaFzU62fPotBjbA59wbZ0c0k2RT0S-RJIow/s1600/fuchs-royal-plush-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAgAwFLLnjh9v529iKGsaiE9gXous-3-_MnK-D_5OkyzoOmhtjRwOz_9IT9eIZ2xO6Jon-iikLmAQds1Nt2KFMAYQa4bTL29mSuTlaFzU62fPotBjbA59wbZ0c0k2RT0S-RJIow/s200/fuchs-royal-plush-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516802781561747522" border="0" /></a>Basically, compression is the reduction of the dynamic range of an audio signal when run through a compression device, such as the Fuchs Royal Plush or any number of other compression pedals, software-based compression plugins and/or rack-mount hardware. Compression evens out the difference between softer and louder sounds by making them closer to the same volume... either with upward compression (making softer sounds louder) or with downward compression (making loud sounds softer).<br /><br />I am very pleased with the sound and transparent nature of the Fuchs Royal Plush. It's absolutely silent with clean tones and does a wonderful job of making the notes "pop" under full compression while avoiding the dreaded pumping effect. Back the compression down a bit and notes sustain beautifully while keeping their natural fatness. Tone-wise it's almost as if the pedal was not even engaged which, for me, is important because I want a compressor that is as tonally transparent as possible so that my amp's basic sound remains unaltered.<br /><br />I am also very impressed with the construction quality of this unit. Good, roadworthy metal casing fastened by hard phillips screws with heads that don't easily strip out when opening up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4PSwljttqYw/T6sffAWAKaI/AAAAAAAACHQ/n77DkKWLIKA/s1600/fuchs-royal-plush-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-4PSwljttqYw/T6sffAWAKaI/AAAAAAAACHQ/n77DkKWLIKA/s200/fuchs-royal-plush-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516802492808857666" border="0" /></a> the unit to access the battery compartment. The plunger footswitch feels solid and is easy to engage and disengage... plus, even the purple paint is evenly applied and finished with nicely done graphics.<br /><br />Overall I am very pleased with this purchase! If you are looking for a great compressor pedal, I highly recommend the Royal Plush.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-62819115082350406272010-08-26T10:00:00.007-05:002012-05-09T21:05:47.318-05:002010 Nashville Amp Expo<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size:75%;">MAIN ARTICLE | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybzRNXAuZKF2CdehiSRHcfkyzMMfNCInc00KQ8aqZKda1DwzXRyQwWdLN935lPX4M63hhTia05Gxmuxql7urq3WM1wMOU6N0rYYuhhNu0MYyf6rl2W2hPKrGjg6n1nZI1GxirA/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybzRNXAuZKF2CdehiSRHcfkyzMMfNCInc00KQ8aqZKda1DwzXRyQwWdLN935lPX4M63hhTia05Gxmuxql7urq3WM1wMOU6N0rYYuhhNu0MYyf6rl2W2hPKrGjg6n1nZI1GxirA/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787559708311410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The 2010 Nashville Amp Expo was an incredible experience this year. So many wonderful products and awesome builders. Unfortunately, two days doesn't give one nearly enough time to experience everything, so I had to carefully choose which rooms I dove into. Also, this year I felt it would be better if I were to elaborate a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> little more on each of the vendors and individuals I spent quality time with. The above sub-menu links to full blog posts based on my experiences with each of these fine builders and players.<br /></span><br />W<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vePlQApWa9o/T6shRpVSp0I/AAAAAAAACH0/cMrD6XY1Roo/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-02.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vePlQApWa9o/T6shRpVSp0I/AAAAAAAACH0/cMrD6XY1Roo/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787873499316914" border="0" /></a>hen I looked at the calendar earlier this month and saw that the <a href="http://www.nashvilleampexpo.com/">2010 Nashville Amp Expo</a> was just around the corner, I could not believe it. It seems like my wife and I were just there for the 2009 show a few months ago, not a year! These shows are so much fun and so inspiring that the experience stays with you long after the show ends.<br /><br />For the uninitiated, the Nashville Amp Expo is held at the Hyatt Place in Brentwood, TN (just outside the state capitol of Nashville). The main sponsor, <a href="http://www.creationaudiolabs.com/">Creation Audio Labs</a>, buys out the entire hotel and each vendor sets up his/her wares in the individual rooms on each floor. This is a brilliant idea (especially for a guitar amplifier show) as it cuts down tremendously on ambient noise when testing the gear. Other vendors are invited, as well... guitar builders, pedal and effects makers, cable makers and so on. It is basically a cornucopia of all things guitar related, i.e. "my idea of heaven". :)<br /><br />This year Creation Audio Labs did a smart thing by grouping all the guitar builders, pedal and effects guys and other "non-amp" products on the same floor. The amp and cabinet vendors, conversely, were located on the other floors (there are five total floors in the hotel, and <span style="font-style: italic;">all </span>of them were full!). This made demo'ing guitars and pedals much more enjoyable than last year. It's a bit difficult to hear the nuance of a beautifully hand-crafted acoustic guitar with a full-stack Marshall clone blasting on "11" across the hallway. It was a great idea to separate the two and it shows how the Expo is maturing and improving each year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtjR_Hp1XGkcFdKx671yno0Hj-l_2qVe6k0bjx5KXA-xEQBlei5S_V5a0r0vcnxKFuFHrBUfMk4SMLkpAyqnJgftUtbIfSUf1g53dzoaTzP1cvzbPCmZ9tMM82WTuXbJV4vWQ6w/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtjR_Hp1XGkcFdKx671yno0Hj-l_2qVe6k0bjx5KXA-xEQBlei5S_V5a0r0vcnxKFuFHrBUfMk4SMLkpAyqnJgftUtbIfSUf1g53dzoaTzP1cvzbPCmZ9tMM82WTuXbJV4vWQ6w/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509788122616957250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-uU3ux7B3YA0P8LFuYdUgwxcpSn_z9zQAiiPggHf8XmI3Y3Ni9AwWN59IHQZS6fcY1m-PAi-Vr3TTZ0lEkxla14Rp_PGJxurZBv40V0XQj0uxS7JDPwNDbjJt1NCApvykeNJBA/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-04.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 80px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-uU3ux7B3YA0P8LFuYdUgwxcpSn_z9zQAiiPggHf8XmI3Y3Ni9AwWN59IHQZS6fcY1m-PAi-Vr3TTZ0lEkxla14Rp_PGJxurZBv40V0XQj0uxS7JDPwNDbjJt1NCApvykeNJBA/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509788365431981874" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hAzWXUXH628/T6shTUjyFuI/AAAAAAAACH8/alb804iipPs/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 80px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hAzWXUXH628/T6shTUjyFuI/AAAAAAAACH8/alb804iipPs/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509788554915982434" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Among the great vendors at the show were Mesa Boogie, Shaw Amps, Delgado Guitars, George L's cables, Ark Amps, VVT, Hipkitty, Satellite Amps, Peavey, Egnater Amps and Larrivee guitars. I just love getting to meet a lot of the people behind the brands and products that I use and read about online and in magazines. It truly is a treat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4_L06F6rhW1Yq_FRvOdnF1m5KONSEP1U6XQelxjpCaFgJD3PsnZHLSLitPGMxDBoTUdietAc_J3WRYVE57xpxf5tuhnr-F1-7AECa4C643XAaR7P6WZn1NAfQPqSm_2MekWlAw/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-06.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4_L06F6rhW1Yq_FRvOdnF1m5KONSEP1U6XQelxjpCaFgJD3PsnZHLSLitPGMxDBoTUdietAc_J3WRYVE57xpxf5tuhnr-F1-7AECa4C643XAaR7P6WZn1NAfQPqSm_2MekWlAw/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509788848342997202" border="0" /></a>As usual everyone was gracious and inviting. Even my wife, who is not a player, always leaves these shows filled with excitement, inspiration and a passion to create something. Being surrounded by all that talent and creativity does something positive to you. It's really hard to describe, but I can say if you've never been to one of these you must make it a priority to come out and enjoy next year's Expo. You wont' regret it!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;">MAIN ARTICLE | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-76138231442252954932010-08-26T09:55:00.005-05:002012-05-10T20:12:04.423-05:00Fuchs Audio Technology - 2010 Nashville Amp Expo<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | FUCHS | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybzRNXAuZKF2CdehiSRHcfkyzMMfNCInc00KQ8aqZKda1DwzXRyQwWdLN935lPX4M63hhTia05Gxmuxql7urq3WM1wMOU6N0rYYuhhNu0MYyf6rl2W2hPKrGjg6n1nZI1GxirA/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybzRNXAuZKF2CdehiSRHcfkyzMMfNCInc00KQ8aqZKda1DwzXRyQwWdLN935lPX4M63hhTia05Gxmuxql7urq3WM1wMOU6N0rYYuhhNu0MYyf6rl2W2hPKrGjg6n1nZI1GxirA/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787559708311410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The 2010 Nashville Amp Expo was an incredible experience this year. So many wonderful products and awesome bui</span><span style="font-size:85%;">lders. Unfortunately, two days doesn't give one nearly enou</span><span style="font-size:85%;">gh time to experience everything, so I had to carefully choose which rooms I dove into. Also, this year I felt it would be better if I w</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ere to elaborate a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> lit</span><span style="font-size:85%;">t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">le more on each of the vendors and individuals I spent quality time with. The above</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> su</span><span style="font-size:85%;">b-menu links to full blog posts based on my experiences with each of these fine builders and players.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZGZCFj6ZHzc/T6xlpakRPiI/AAAAAAAACKA/OaUmJ9nRazE/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZGZCFj6ZHzc/T6xlpakRPiI/AAAAAAAACKA/OaUmJ9nRazE/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509798291063568898" border="0" /></a>I was so pleased to finally get to meet Andy Fuchs of <a href="http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/">Fuchs Audio Technology</a>. I am a proud owner of a Fuchs ODS 30 head that I acquired nearly two years ago from a fellow <a href="http://www.tgpwebzine.com/">Gear Page</a> enthusiast, and I have been wanting to meet Andy ever since to tell him how much I love the amp and my tone... so I was thrilled that I finally got my chance!<div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l7C-V9XtxFI/T6xlma85B4I/AAAAAAAACJo/xWLf37NhNSk/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l7C-V9XtxFI/T6xlma85B4I/AAAAAAAACJo/xWLf37NhNSk/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509798418321326818" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">Fuchs Audio T</span><span style="font-size:100%;">echnology designs and builds some of the most wonderful guitar amplifiers and pedal effects on the market, in addition to making modifications to Fender amps, Music Man amps and older model Tra</span><span style="font-size:100%;">ynors (<span style="font-style: italic;">check out the </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/service-and-mods.php">Service & Mod Page</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> on the Fuchs Audio website for more info on existing amp mods).</span> Andy has over twenty-five years of experience as a musician and tech, so you know that when he creates a piece of </span><span style="font-size:100%;">gear it is really going to be something special.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalBV8DygpZ6IwjjjoVnPyLg4ZJcDvo4ylctRJ8ulYfAP8KsciOl3dEbGJxNH74A3_EvOqYHxmCfQa4hRCw95TCoHDL1M4bM-nPQTVmAe4U5S4X3bSYVyOVCUN35Y9Y4mE4G0-YA/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalBV8DygpZ6IwjjjoVnPyLg4ZJcDvo4ylctRJ8ulYfAP8KsciOl3dEbGJxNH74A3_EvOqYHxmCfQa4hRCw95TCoHDL1M4bM-nPQTVmAe4U5S4X3bSYVyOVCUN35Y9Y4mE4G0-YA/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509799134984739778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">As a side note... </span><span style="font-size:100%;">if you have never played one of And</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y's amps, I highly recommend that you do. Experiencing an Overdrive Su</span><span style="font-size:100%;">preme, for example</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, could very well end your tone chase... for life! I absolutely love my ODS 30. The </span><span style="font-size:100%;">li</span><span style="font-size:100%;">quid sustain of the overdrive and the beautiful harmonics and overtones that jump out and envelope each note, coupled with an incredible decay </span><span style="font-size:100%;">"bloom",</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> is something that </span><span style="font-size:100%;">has to be exp</span><span style="font-size:100%;">erienced. And the cleans </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk31zJTOEOQmvGxR4DVBp7ENZoEcaETNNiAsDZhlfmda3vs2ujz9WBVFTIqTTNIOEFcUpF76qs9MMjWUMBRyxqhyphenhyphenpfRUzTg_F89rFUr4RVe15lE1AZYnsnIhbyzcxuf71Z_stEw/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk31zJTOEOQmvGxR4DVBp7ENZoEcaETNNiAsDZhlfmda3vs2ujz9WBVFTIqTTNIOEFcUpF76qs9MMjWUMBRyxqhyphenhyphenpfRUzTg_F89rFUr4RVe15lE1AZYnsnIhbyzcxuf71Z_stEw/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509800012563696610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">are equally as good! The amp is </span><span style="font-size:100%;">capable of nice bright, pun</span><span style="font-size:100%;">chy </span><span style="font-size:100%;">(and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">LOUD) cl</span><span style="font-size:100%;">eans or lovel</span><span style="font-size:100%;">y "round", soft and warm jazz tones... they are all there. This is one <span style="font-style: italic;">versatile</span> amp. There is simply too much to write about the ODS 30 to sum it all up in a paragraph, so look for a long overdue review of this amp very soon.<br /><br />My wife, Claudia, and </span><span style="font-size:100%;">I really enjoyed hanging out with Andy and his gracious ...and beautiful... wife Annette. The stories about Andy being such a down-to-earth and nice guy are all absolutely true. I had a lot of questions regarding his amps and pedals and he was kind enough to answer and explain everything that I wanted to know.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAZBXBmEOtlOwl9SvCCocgYw3UYvL8hyaa6eJBKWKsDPveOUt6kRL5-FUhAeZz6JfqMa0iU6rN-yruXt8kBeIOV2_k86tdldFtdZOQTgpYTNylvKuRrYvm7kU-k6TSKEITkHYnA/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-05.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAZBXBmEOtlOwl9SvCCocgYw3UYvL8hyaa6eJBKWKsDPveOUt6kRL5-FUhAeZz6JfqMa0iU6rN-yruXt8kBeIOV2_k86tdldFtdZOQTgpYTNylvKuRrYvm7kU-k6TSKEITkHYnA/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509798961349169474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">On the floor, right in front of a wall of Fuchs amps, were two pedal boards full of the Fuchs <a href="http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/products-plush.php">P</a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.fuchsaudiotechnology.com/products-plush.php">lush FX pedal</a> line. Andy promptly plugged me in and took me on tour of each pedal. What a treat! I had always heard good things about Andy's pedals, but I was truly blown away by the tone, quality and sheer number of effects he has in the line. Some of my favs were the Royal Plush compressor, Extreme Cream OD, Noxious distortion, Verbrator and Replay Tube Delay. I have been needing a good compressor for some time now, but never found one quiet enough for my taste. After hearing how dead silent the Royal </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Plush compressor pedal is (and how great it works), I was sold and</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> bought one on the spot. The pedal is shipping to me as I write this, </span><span style="font-size:100%;">so stay tuned for a full review of the Royal Plush after I've put it through its paces with my </span><span style="font-size:100%;">rig.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Hanging out with Andy and his wife was</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-LILX1mclqxIfdGQRG6q2yFFrFCz0IY9YtGDPh-seM4pB9r_BUWDPnY6xL3CcKIEyqIe7DwZKTRE3e_YQSQ-Ado1H7T_OyxjtXod1v6FdWLoQU-GMxj6TUnOcKPSTE-gjLg8rg/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-06.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-LILX1mclqxIfdGQRG6q2yFFrFCz0IY9YtGDPh-seM4pB9r_BUWDPnY6xL3CcKIEyqIe7DwZKTRE3e_YQSQ-Ado1H7T_OyxjtXod1v6FdWLoQU-GMxj6TUnOcKPSTE-gjLg8rg/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-fuchs-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509799470459994418" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"> truly one of <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> highlights of the Expo for me. I thank them both for their hospitality and, especially, for all the great products they make that inspire us all.</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | FUCHS | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-75743488873767173522010-08-26T09:40:00.006-05:002010-11-08T16:37:05.372-06:00Robbie Calvo - 2010 Nashville Amp Expo<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | ROBBIE CALVO | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THayl-xHv3I/AAAAAAAAASE/dlQyF0Gvnnk/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 170px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THayl-xHv3I/AAAAAAAAASE/dlQyF0Gvnnk/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787559708311410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The 2010 Nashville Amp Expo was an incredible experience this year. So many wonderful products and awesome bui</span><span style="font-size:85%;">lders. Unfortunately, two days doesn't give one nearly enou</span><span style="font-size:85%;">gh time to experience everything, so I had to carefully choos</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e which rooms I dove into. Also, this year I felt it wo</span><span style="font-size:85%;">uld be bett</span><span style="font-size:85%;">er if I w</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ere to elaborate a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> lit</span><span style="font-size:85%;">t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">le more on each of the</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> vendors and individuals I spent quality time with. The above</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> su</span><span style="font-size:85%;">b-menu lin</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ks to full blog posts based on my experiences with each of these fine builders and p</span><span style="font-size:85%;">layers.<br /></span><br />While at the Expo I got to meet, jam with and get a lesson from <a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/">Robbie Calvo</a>, who is hands down one of <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> best guitar players I have ever heard. A graduate of the famous <a href="http://www.mi.edu/guitar">G.I.T. (Guitar Institute of Technology)</a> located in Los Angeles, CA; Robbie went on to teach guitar at England's London Musicians Institute. Robbie has won various guitar competition awards over the years and has even contributed guitar technique articles for Guitarist Magazine. He is currently a sought-after session player and hired gun on the Nashville music scene when not writing and pitching songs by day, and burning up local Nashville clubs with live performances by night. As these impressive credentials suggest, Robbie Calvo is a remarkable player and, as I soon discovered, an equally remarkable teacher.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbPR2OhChI/AAAAAAAAAU0/92OBcevsk9I/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Robbie-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbPR2OhChI/AAAAAAAAAU0/92OBcevsk9I/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Robbie-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819099655506450" border="0" /></a>I don't often get the chance to meet such an outgoing, well-rounded, humble and multi-talented person as Robbie. From the get go he saw that I had some burning questions about music theory and he literally jumped at the chance to share his knowledge with me. We spent practically an hour together going over some of the various points of his excellent <a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/TrueFire___Sweet_Notes.html">"Sweet Notes" </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbPkmWhfDI/AAAAAAAAAU8/a-qmjdVjsFM/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Robbie-06.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbPkmWhfDI/AAAAAAAAAU8/a-qmjdVjsFM/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Robbie-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819421811637298" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/TrueFire___Sweet_Notes.html">instruction method</a>. Robbie has somehow found a way to take the complexity and confusion out of chord and scale theory and boils it down to the real essence of good playing... the <span style="font-style: italic;">sweet notes</span>. I was so impressed with the method that I purchased the DVD. Look for a full review here soon once I have the chance dig deep into it.<br /><br />Apart from being a great player, it doesn't take long too discover that Robbie is also a great human being. Easily one of the nicest guys I have ever met. I was truly inspired and I look forward to learning as much as I can from his Sweet Notes DVD. As a side note, Robbie is also actively teaching guitar and is currently scheduling lessons. If you live anywhere near the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbPyhvIVWI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Y0FUzf2nfSw/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Robbie-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbPyhvIVWI/AAAAAAAAAVE/Y0FUzf2nfSw/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Robbie-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509819661090837858" border="0" /></a>Nashville area, or are planning to visit the city, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/Contact.html">contacting R</a><a href="http://www.robbiecalvo.com/robbiecalvo.com/Contact.html">obbie</a> to schedule a lesson. You won't regret it and you'll definitely leave him a better player! I can't wait to go back to Nashville to get another lesson.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | ROBBIE CALVO | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-61690823869918598282010-08-26T09:35:00.009-05:002010-11-08T16:37:39.020-06:00Soloway Guitars - 2010 Nashville Amp Expo<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | SOLOWAY | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THayl-xHv3I/AAAAAAAAASE/dlQyF0Gvnnk/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 170px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THayl-xHv3I/AAAAAAAAASE/dlQyF0Gvnnk/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787559708311410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The 2010 Nashville Amp Expo was an incredible experience this year. So many wonderful products and awesome bui</span><span style="font-size:85%;">lders. Unfortunately, two days doesn't give one nearly enou</span><span style="font-size:85%;">gh time to experience everything, so I had to carefully choose which rooms I dove into. Also, this year I felt it would be better if I w</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ere to elaborate a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> lit</span><span style="font-size:85%;">t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">le more on each of the vendors and individuals I spent quality time with. The above</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> su</span><span style="font-size:85%;">b-m</span><span style="font-size:85%;">enu links to full blog posts base</span><span style="font-size:85%;">d on my experiences with each of these fine builders and players.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbUvEVSirI/AAAAAAAAAVM/JQ4AUQG9FXQ/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbUvEVSirI/AAAAAAAAAVM/JQ4AUQG9FXQ/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509825099216358066" border="0" /></a>I told myself I would not be purchasing any big-ticket items at this year's Amp Expo. It simply was not in the budget, and that was that. After meeting Jim Soloway and playing his guitars for the first time, boy did that resolution go flying out the window! Jim's room was my first stop at the Expo and we easily spent a couple of hours demo'ing guitars, talking gear and finding out which of the Soloways that Jim brought with him to the show was my favorite pick... or did it pick <span style="font-style: italic;">me</span>?<br /><br />Jim is one of those intense, passionate, super patient and genuinely <span style="font-style: italic;">nice </span>guys that you just love to meet and hang out with. It was a real pleasure to hear Jim tell his story, explain his philosophy on luthery and to just hear him play. And, man can this guy <span style="font-style: italic;">play</span>!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbU5jO41pI/AAAAAAAAAVU/6Crznc6SV1E/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-06.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbU5jO41pI/AAAAAAAAAVU/6Crznc6SV1E/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509825279309698706" border="0" /></a>Jim inadvertently started <a href="http://solowayguitars.com/">Soloway Guitars</a> about eight years ago while in search of his idea of the perfect guitar. Primarily a 7 string Jazz player, Jim was never quite satisfied with the often muddy low-end of the 7 string and wanted to build a guitar that had those "piano-like tones" he had been in search of his whole adult life. On his kitchen table one day, Jim drew and cut out a shape from construction paper (-- <span style="font-style: italic;">see photo left</span> --) that would eventually become a series of three prototype guitars... all of which were 7 string designs. From there Jim and crew set about applying everything they had done <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbVKqrccBI/AAAAAAAAAVc/O6Tg6bsGJe4/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-02.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbVKqrccBI/AAAAAAAAAVc/O6Tg6bsGJe4/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509825573366296594" border="0" /></a>and learned to a 6 string model and the current production Soloway Swan was born. All Swans have a 27" neck scale, which is often used on baritone guitars that are tuned from a perfect fifth to an octave lower than standard tuning. The Swan, however, is tuned to standard A440 pitch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbVWIV7vKI/AAAAAAAAAVk/aSj2DKhRsxM/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbVWIV7vKI/AAAAAAAAAVk/aSj2DKhRsxM/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509825770307697826" border="0" /></a>For many years the 27" scale, 6 string Swan was the only Soloway model offered. Jim recently announced a new direction at Soloway Guitars with the introduction of the 25.5" scale Gosling model. A six string guitar built exactly like the Swan, save for a few necessary adjustments to pickup and bridge placement; and, of course, the new shorter 25.5" neck scale. With the Gosling, Jim wanted to offer the same famous build quality, clarity of tone and focused lows Soloway Guitars is known for with the added comfort and familiarity of a 25.5" scale neck.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbVfC2_7TI/AAAAAAAAAVs/8mrtk3tCI8E/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-05.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbVfC2_7TI/AAAAAAAAAVs/8mrtk3tCI8E/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-Soloway-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509825923454594354" border="0" /></a>From the moment I placed my hands around the neck of the first guitar Jim handed to me (a Swan sporting a beautiful quilted burst top) I knew I was going to walk out with one. The fit and finish was flawless, the neck felt great and the tone... oh, the tone! The focus and clarity of these guitars is truly stunning. Even with full-tilt distortion these guitars ring with clarity and articulation and they sustain like no other guitar I've ever experienced. Once I got home with my Soloway, a gorgeous Gosling topped with a flamed redwood burst (-- <span style="font-style: italic;">see above right photo</span> --), I promptly plugged into my rig and let it rip. I was amazed at how much clearer my single note runs sounded and how articulate the notes were in every chord I played, all over the neck. Look for a complete review of this guitar soon.<br /><br />If you have never heard of Soloway Guitars, or if you have and are interested in trying one out you should contact Jim and <a href="http://www.jimsoloway.com/TestDrive.htm">arrange a demo</a>. Jim keeps a couple of guitars in constant motion going from one test driver to another so you can see for yourself if a Soloway is right for you. I don't think you'll be disappointed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | SOLOWAY | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span><br /></div><br /></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-9208764895401252732010-08-26T09:00:00.000-05:002015-03-06T12:17:22.336-06:00Little Walter Amps - 2010 Nashville Amp Expo<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: 75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | LITTLE WALTER | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybzRNXAuZKF2CdehiSRHcfkyzMMfNCInc00KQ8aqZKda1DwzXRyQwWdLN935lPX4M63hhTia05Gxmuxql7urq3WM1wMOU6N0rYYuhhNu0MYyf6rl2W2hPKrGjg6n1nZI1GxirA/w1672-h2198-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787559708311410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitybzRNXAuZKF2CdehiSRHcfkyzMMfNCInc00KQ8aqZKda1DwzXRyQwWdLN935lPX4M63hhTia05Gxmuxql7urq3WM1wMOU6N0rYYuhhNu0MYyf6rl2W2hPKrGjg6n1nZI1GxirA/w1672-h2198-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 170px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 126px;" /></a><span style="font-size: 85%;">The 2010 Nashville Amp Expo was an incredible experience this year. So many wonderful products and awesome bui</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">lders. Unfortunately, two days doesn't give one nearly enou</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">gh time to experience everything, so I had to carefully choos</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">e which rooms I dove into. Also, this year I felt it would be better if I w</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">ere to elaborate a</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"> lit</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">t</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">le more on each of the</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"> vendors and individuals I spent quality time with. The above</span><span style="font-size: 85%;"> su</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">b-menu lin</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">ks to full blog posts based on my experiences with each of these fine builders and p</span><span style="font-size: 85%;">layers.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD2cd7GdHXSoVCTGKMxF27EU1bvf1ncgNnFbnue5qf-hti77knpu3SLrhggfa5gJ8MFfmDRKpO6iDAHtaex3UUIehmxVAXEEHnsrjXvVreXSh6F3wwbJK74nzrlT696rLVtHfew/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509806915822903874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXD2cd7GdHXSoVCTGKMxF27EU1bvf1ncgNnFbnue5qf-hti77knpu3SLrhggfa5gJ8MFfmDRKpO6iDAHtaex3UUIehmxVAXEEHnsrjXvVreXSh6F3wwbJK74nzrlT696rLVtHfew/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>The first thing I noticed when I walked into the <a href="http://www.littlewaltertubeamps.com/">Little Walter Tube Amps</a> room was the electrifying ambiance. There was an incredible "positive charge" in the air, an exciting sense of "oh yeah, this is <span style="font-style: italic;">the place</span> to hang out at the Expo". My gut wasn't wrong. I've rarely had so much fun with fellow musicians playing music and talking gear. But once you get to know Phil Bradbury, you realize that the Little Walter Tube Amps experience could not possibly be anything short of electrifying and <span style="font-style: italic;">fun</span>. While this guy really knows how to build incredible tube amps, and is a seriously talented musician and technician, he hasn't lost sight of the fact that the real magic is in the heart and fingers. And when you plug into a Little Walter amp there is no doubt that Phil easily pulls off that philosophy in his creations.<br />
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One thing t<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LZQlW37D2OE/VPnrvZjKCQI/AAAAAAAALZc/rwKF49RrfCg/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-03.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509807177573243122" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-LZQlW37D2OE/VPnrvZjKCQI/AAAAAAAALZc/rwKF49RrfCg/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-03.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>hat immediately jumps out at you when gazing upon a Little Walter amp is its inherent simplicity. With only two to three knobs total on most models, there is no need to even open it up to realize that Phil is going for purer tone by minimizing complexity in the circuit and leaving out any and all features that he deems unnecessary to achieve a great sound. Phil's chief motto: "The shorter the signal path the purer the tone" and you need only plug into one to realize how true that statement is. The amp I played through produced a warm, round slightly overdriven tone with beautiful harmonic overtones on top of the notes with t<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zumymex2P9Pbb4VrVxVTptkRzeAoxLMDWqnSI9pTnwlz45GypOEnBAI223jMDNdzvuNznG2N-QB2Aprw-eNN7EMhh0cV4Bwzwt_TlOf0WfnRdVWB6ge9flh3YR21UbYxsRYAhA/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509807287148129266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zumymex2P9Pbb4VrVxVTptkRzeAoxLMDWqnSI9pTnwlz45GypOEnBAI223jMDNdzvuNznG2N-QB2Aprw-eNN7EMhh0cV4Bwzwt_TlOf0WfnRdVWB6ge9flh3YR21UbYxsRYAhA/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>he amplifier cranked up at around 4 or 5 o'clock (which, by the way, was <span style="font-style: italic;">very</span> loud). I love a good touch-sensitive amp and you'd be hard pressed to find an amp that does this better than a Little Walter. Very responsive to the guitar's volume control, as well as pick attack.<br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-53LYpMrS8-c/VPnrwIi4c9I/AAAAAAAALZQ/yc2Au0-vLTM/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509807472481754114" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-53LYpMrS8-c/VPnrwIi4c9I/AAAAAAAALZQ/yc2Au0-vLTM/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>Another fantastic feature of these amps is the great bottom-end they produce in conjunction with the aforementioned, lovely top-end "sheen" of harmonic overtones. These two things work together to produce a truly gorgeous, full tone that can only be fully appreciated while experiencing the amp in person. Speaking of experiencing the amp in person, I would be remiss if I failed to mention how great these amps <span style="font-style: italic;">feel</span>. Little Walter amps are tube rectified to provide that classic tube "sag" feel and, overall, have a really nice soft, natural compression that can only be achieved with a well made, well designed all-tube circuit. One other major point about Phil's amp design is the fact that most of his amps use octal preamp tubes (8-pin 6SC7's). According to Phil, these tubes produce a much bigger, more open and full tone with a quicker response. I have to agree!<br />
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Not only do these amps sound great, they look great as well. With options ranging from tweed covered to natural wood finishes to high-end custom cabinets, the Little Walter looks as fantastic as it sounds. Phil had a variety of cabin<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vv_6iP9p59Y/VPnrvy5oMHI/AAAAAAAALZU/TXv43fD-LQU/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509807727601416274" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vv_6iP9p59Y/VPnrvy5oMHI/AAAAAAAALZU/TXv43fD-LQU/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" /></a>et examples in the room (both head and combo versions of his various models) and they were all drool-worthy. Absolute top-notch fit and finish. I am sold on Little Walter amps, and as soon as I put the funds together I will be purchasing one.<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EiGo2ObrKaQ/VPnrwlS7UjI/AAAAAAAALZY/bGU8UUvEdB0/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-07.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509807960724998834" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EiGo2ObrKaQ/VPnrwlS7UjI/AAAAAAAALZY/bGU8UUvEdB0/w2200-h1462-no/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-littleWalter-07.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 133px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 200px;" /></a>My visit ended with a couple of spontaneous blues jams (one with Phil laying down some awesome harp! <span style="font-style: italic;">--see photo above</span>--). Hanging out with Phil and crew was an unforgettable experience and one I look forward to having again, soon!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | LITTLE WALTER | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/tomaszewicz-amps-2010-nashville-amp.html">TOMASZEWICZ</a></span></div>
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Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-81657378123013430112010-08-24T09:25:00.009-05:002010-11-08T16:38:06.833-06:00TomasZewicZ Amps - 2010 Nashville Amp Expo<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | TOMASZEWICZ</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THayl-xHv3I/AAAAAAAAASE/dlQyF0Gvnnk/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 170px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THayl-xHv3I/AAAAAAAAASE/dlQyF0Gvnnk/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509787559708311410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">The 2010 Nashville Amp Expo was an incredible experience this year. So many wonderful products and awesome bui</span><span style="font-size:85%;">lders. Unfortunately, two days doesn't give one nearly enou</span><span style="font-size:85%;">gh ti</span><span style="font-size:85%;">me to experience everything, so I had to carefully choos</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e which rooms I dove into. Also, this year I felt it wo</span><span style="font-size:85%;">uld be bett</span><span style="font-size:85%;">er if I w</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ere to elaborate a</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> lit</span><span style="font-size:85%;">t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">le more on each of the</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> vendors</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> and individuals I spent quality time with. The above</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> su</span><span style="font-size:85%;">b-menu lin</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ks to full blog posts based on my</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> experiences with each of these fine builders and p</span><span style="font-size:85%;">layers.<br /></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbYfNk1cHI/AAAAAAAAAV0/wlrn4QxAYvc/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbYfNk1cHI/AAAAAAAAAV0/wlrn4QxAYvc/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509829224866082930" border="0" /></a>When I read that <a href="http://www.jtsoundinc.com/">TomasZewicZ Guitar Amplification</a> (pronounced “tomas-evich”) was going to be at the Expo this year I was so excited. While attending Summer NAMM in 2008 I had the distinct pleasure of plugging into his TZZ-15H combo, which is a super sweet sounding 15 watt EL84 amp. I have never forgotten that tone.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbYlprPWTI/AAAAAAAAAV8/yaf2aBhNg0w/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbYlprPWTI/AAAAAAAAAV8/yaf2aBhNg0w/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509829335488354610" border="0" /></a>It was really great to see John again and to get to plug into one of his creations for a second time. What a great sounding amp! He has created a really special line of guitar amplifiers that really aren't quite like anything else on the market. The first thing I noticed was the Sustain knob located directly above the Drive control. It turns out that John has literally built a studio-quality compression effect directly into the circuitry of the amp. Via an internal trim pot, John pre-adjusts each Sustain control for the perfect amount of compression. This takes out the guess work and provides a simple control to increase sustain and add a bit of drive to your sound. Using the Sustain knob, together with the Drive control, you can tweak the amp to various levels of overdrive -- from crunch to liquidy and singing lead tones. Very cool! The amp also has a tube-powered, buffered effects loop that John claims suffers no treble loss. In addition, all of the TomasZewicZ amp line uses top-notch components in the circuit that far exceed voltage and temp ratings for guitar amplifier application.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbYro-1PAI/AAAAAAAAAWE/UFrYwQVIggE/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-04.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbYro-1PAI/AAAAAAAAAWE/UFrYwQVIggE/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509829438381308930" border="0" /></a>Not only do these amps sound great, they also look like a million bucks. My favorite fit and finish is the blue tolex option. These amps are just stunning in blue, especially the full-size half stacks. According to the TomasZewicZ website, all standard tolex colors are offered and amp covers are included. The cabinets are indestructible 13-ply Baltic Birch with 1/4" finger-joints... and I can say first hand that John's head, combo and speaker cabinets are all finished with flawless perfection.<br /><br />Plugging in to a red TZZ-15H combo I was greeted by that familiar, sweet EL84 chime that I experienced back in '08 at Summe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbY2finIAI/AAAAAAAAAWM/q3AjRVOVUsw/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-03.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbY2finIAI/AAAAAAAAAWM/q3AjRVOVUsw/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509829624825585666" border="0" /></a>r NAMM. I just love the sustain of these amps. I found that I could play all my lead lines with ease, and the beautiful harmonics on top of the notes make this amp such a pleasure to play. Plus, I could <span style="font-style: italic;">hear</span> everything for a change. John's amps produce such a clear, high-fidelity, articulate tone that you don't really know just how mushy and muddy your current amp is until you plug into a TomasZewicZ. I will definitely be adding one of these to my collection when the funds allow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbY-cJ2LAI/AAAAAAAAAWU/MI5puhZq9Tw/s1600/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/THbY-cJ2LAI/AAAAAAAAAWU/MI5puhZq9Tw/s200/2010-Nash-Amp-Expo-TZZ-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509829761355361282" border="0" /></a>We had a great time visiting John and his marketing guru, Janet. They were so accommodating! John is one of the nicest guys you'll meet and he loves to talk about his amps. I had lots of questions and he was gracious and patient enough to answer them all. Before you buy another amp, you must check out a TomasZewicZ!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:75%;"><a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">MAIN ARTICLE</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/fuchs-audio-technology-2010-nashville.html">FUCHS</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/robbie-calvo-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">ROBBIE CALVO</a> | <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/soloway-guitars-2010-nashville-amp-expo.html">SOLOWAY</a> | TOMASZEWICZ</span><br /></div><br /><br /></div></div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-81478759509048443792010-08-08T20:34:00.012-05:002010-08-08T21:27:12.294-05:002001 Gibson R7 Les Paul Black Beauty Gets DiMarzio Super Distortion Pickup<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eHIIEsCI/AAAAAAAAAQM/HyCa_jDRl4s/s1600/BB-Super-distortion-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eHIIEsCI/AAAAAAAAAQM/HyCa_jDRl4s/s200/BB-Super-distortion-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503220746203476002" border="0" /></a>While it's true that I love the <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/01/gibson-r7-black-beauty-les-paul.html">WCR Darkburst pickup I installed</a> in the bridge of my Black Beauty Les Paul recently, I've just never quite felt the pickup had enough output to properly compliment the guitar. This guitar is very bright for a Les Paul (and <span style="font-style: italic;">especially</span> bright for an all mahogany custom). I even tried pulling the cover off and positioning the pickup as close to the strings as possible. This definitely helped, but I still felt the overall tone was a bit bright.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eOhgeEbI/AAAAAAAAAQU/PfkZ5DK-PaI/s1600/BB-Super-distortion-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 91px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eOhgeEbI/AAAAAAAAAQU/PfkZ5DK-PaI/s200/BB-Super-distortion-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503220873275773362" border="0" /></a>I happened to have a double creme DiMarzio Super Distortion lying around so I thought it would be cool to try it out and see if the higher output and darker tone would better compliment the natural brightness of this guitar. Plus, it's ultra "'70s cool" to have a double creme DiMarzio Super Distortion in your Les Paul! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eVrOpryI/AAAAAAAAAQc/cDtWuXWmGMo/s1600/BB-Super-distortion-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 91px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eVrOpryI/AAAAAAAAAQc/cDtWuXWmGMo/s200/BB-Super-distortion-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503220996144475938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eb0hZ7MI/AAAAAAAAAQk/W-IHRQZV7Io/s1600/BB-Super-distortion-04.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9eb0hZ7MI/AAAAAAAAAQk/W-IHRQZV7Io/s200/BB-Super-distortion-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503221101718269122" border="0" /></a>I have to say that I really like how this pickup sounds in this particular guitar. Even with this pickup the tone remains bright, but with the added output and the darker tone of the Super Distortion the notes are rounder and thicker and sustain has also improved. I may end up keeping this pickup in there! Time will tell. Once I get my <a href="http://www.ryansguitars.com/2010/08/new-pickups-scored-some-great-used.html">recently acquired Duncan Antiquity</a> potted I may very well pop it in the Black Beauty for a quick test. It's nice to have options!Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-85472078074560374632010-08-05T20:52:00.009-05:002010-08-08T21:30:44.878-05:00New Pickups!! Scored Some Great Used Pickups for Cheap<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9iMnHp48I/AAAAAAAAAQs/JJwMhlxhZTU/s1600/used-pus-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9iMnHp48I/AAAAAAAAAQs/JJwMhlxhZTU/s200/used-pus-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503225238469075906" border="0" /></a>Thanks to Jon Baxter of <a href="http://www.jonbaxterpickups.com/">Jon Baxter Pickups</a> for the great deal on these used pickups. I got a Seymour Duncan Antiquity, a Duncan Hot Rails and two DiMarzio PAF Pros all for $160! Used Duncan Antiquities can often go for nearly that much alone, so this was an incredible deal for sure.<br /><br />I am also excited about meeting Jon. He lives a few hours away in Alabama, and it's always nice learn of another boutique pickup maker. Jon is more than happy to create any kind of pickup you can imagine, so I may well have him develop some custom pu's for a few of my more "challenging" guitars... the ones that have certain tonal qualities in the woods that make them difficult to find off-the-shelf pickups that are complimentary. I'll definitely have him pot the Duncan Antiquity since I play fairly loudly and with plenty of gain. I am sure it will be pretty microphonic otherwise. Look for an interview with Jon soon, as well as a complete review of a few of his pickups.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-18347830719685411582010-07-31T17:27:00.019-05:002010-08-08T18:21:06.656-05:002001 Gibson R7 Les Paul Black Beauty Historic Gets Stainless Steel Stud Mod<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF86txaEXDI/AAAAAAAAAO0/jhZfYM1030g/s1600/BB-stud-mod-01.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503181827701234738" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF86txaEXDI/AAAAAAAAAO0/jhZfYM1030g/s200/BB-stud-mod-01.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 150px;" border="0" /></a>After reading about an intriguing stud mod trick on a message board I just had to give it a try. All I needed were a few dollars in parts from a hardware store and some simple tools. Basically, this was a mod to remove the short, soft zinc-based bridge studs that came factory installed on my Black Beauty and replace them with longer, much harder stainless steel studs to prevent the bridge from pitching forward under string tension and to help improve tone.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF866rEbJjI/AAAAAAAAAO8/C7UZePY8kBs/s1600/BB-stud-mod-02.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503182049338140210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF866rEbJjI/AAAAAAAAAO8/C7UZePY8kBs/s200/BB-stud-mod-02.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" border="0" /></a>I stopped by a local hardware store and bought the following parts: several packs of Hillman 6-32 x 1 1/2" stainless steel machine screws and a package of zinc-based 6-32 nuts (don't waste money on expensive nuts, they are only used to remove/install the studs). Once I had </div><div>my parts the first thing I did was remove the old strings, stopbar, ABR-1 bridge unit and the thumbwheels from the old studs. I removed the first old stud by installing and locking together two nuts at the top of the stud. I placed one nut on, then the other and locked them together finger tight... using a wrench on the bottom nut and a nut driver on the top nut I locked them tightly in place by turning both nuts gently in the opposite direction at the same time. Then I was easily able to use the nut driver to extract the old stud. I repeated this process on the other stud and then began to prep the new ones for installation.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF84zVSiTMI/AAAAAAAAAOU/FkCv-Wm7StM/s1600/BB-stud-mod-04.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503179724209409218" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF84zVSiTMI/AAAAAAAAAOU/FkCv-Wm7StM/s200/BB-stud-mod-04.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 88px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 65px;" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF85TSrW0QI/AAAAAAAAAOc/fmijMzJl3Kk/s1600/BB-stud-mod-05.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503180273264021762" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF85TSrW0QI/AAAAAAAAAOc/fmijMzJl3Kk/s200/BB-stud-mod-05.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 90px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 67px;" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF85ewdrexI/AAAAAAAAAOk/lrTDU9eyAVM/s1600/BB-stud-mod-06.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503180470238280466" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF85ewdrexI/AAAAAAAAAOk/lrTDU9eyAVM/s200/BB-stud-mod-06.jpg" style="float: left; height: 90px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 120px;" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF87bJYHEkI/AAAAAAAAAPE/VonbL1gJPzY/s1600/BB-stud-mod-03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF87bJYHEkI/AAAAAAAAAPE/VonbL1gJPzY/s200/BB-stud-mod-03.jpg" border="0" height="150" width="200" /></a>In order to use the new stainless steel machine screws as Les Paul bridge studs I had to cut off the screw heads. When you cut the screw heads off it is best to use a Dremel cutting wheel so the job is clean and the threads do not get damaged during the cutting the process. It is also important to cut the head off as closely to the top of the screw shaft as possible. We want to be able to use the full length of the screw.</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I removed the heads I repeated the same process as before with the old studs... locking two nuts together so I could use the nut driver to install the new studs. During installation I could feel the new, longer studs as they began to cut into fresh wood. This is desirable. For some reason Gibson installs shorter bridge studs than the holes they drill into the body. The result is less coupling and therefore less vibration transfer from the bridge to the body. The longer screws that tap into virgin wood insure better coupling and a firmer pair of studs, thus improving tone and bridge stability. Stainless steel is also a much better, more musical sounding metal alloy than zinc, and it's much stronger. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF85wIe1GbI/AAAAAAAAAOs/GzIhndkQa1Y/s1600/BB-stud-mod-07.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503180768743332274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF85wIe1GbI/AAAAAAAAAOs/GzIhndkQa1Y/s200/BB-stud-mod-07.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 200px;" border="0" /></a>Once everything was re-assembled I plugged in and was pleasantly surprised to hear just how much better the guitar sounded! I didn't expect such an huge improvement, but it certainly was. The tone sounded much more focused, less fuzzy/muddy and somehow clearer. I'm a big believer in this mod and will be converting my other Les Pauls over soon.</div>Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-1491928427980224962010-06-08T21:25:00.006-05:002010-08-10T13:27:50.031-05:0020th Anniversary Roadflare Red Ibanez RG Gets New Pickups<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZPExDk1I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/TXwwU5qSQ2E/s1600/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 140px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZPExDk1I/AAAAAAAAAQ0/TXwwU5qSQ2E/s200/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503848703880041298" border="0" /></a>My buddies' 20th Anniversary RG was in desperate need of some new pickups, so we ordered him some awesome neon green DiMarzios (ToneZone bridge and Air Norton neck) to pop in there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZYcaJ7dI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/j4WpyyhMLf4/s1600/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 69px; height: 90px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZYcaJ7dI/AAAAAAAAAQ8/j4WpyyhMLf4/s200/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503848864845262290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZiYGIZ9I/AAAAAAAAARE/4pkArc3AfO8/s1600/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 90px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZiYGIZ9I/AAAAAAAAARE/4pkArc3AfO8/s200/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503849035486226386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZrJmJxoI/AAAAAAAAARM/YFh0E9fNjvY/s1600/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-04.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 90px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TGGZrJmJxoI/AAAAAAAAARM/YFh0E9fNjvY/s200/Ibanez-Roadflare-Red-PUs-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503849186212824706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The whole job was really straightforward. I didn't replace any electronics, just an easy pickup swap out. The guitar looks and sounds so much better with the new PUs in. The green is especially cool with the (unbelievably) bright Roadflare Red paintjob this guitar has. This color has to be seen in person to be believed. :) Very cool guitar!Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19029929.post-63740668135407611912010-05-20T13:58:00.009-05:002010-08-08T21:37:17.141-05:00Ibanez Jem Bridge Radius Corrected<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9KO3-2sRI/AAAAAAAAAPU/5mYTDtRLxzM/s1600/jem-radius-fix-01.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9KO3-2sRI/AAAAAAAAAPU/5mYTDtRLxzM/s200/jem-radius-fix-01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503198889076240658" border="0" /></a>Most Ibanez guitars I've owned that have tremolos have needed some slight adjustment to the bridge radius and my Jem is no exception. Ibanez tremolos are really nothing more than soft, die-cast "pot-metal" that is molded much like Hot Wheels toy cars. It's unfortunate that Ibanez uses such inferior metal in their bridge parts, since I am sure tone must be adversely affected as a result. Often during molding processes, cheap pot-metal parts like these are not created at high tolerances, and therefore it is relatively common to see Ibanez bridge saddles not conforming to the exact radius of the bridge plate itself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9KYNrMPUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/P9f7YEdG31w/s1600/jem-radius-fix-02.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9KYNrMPUI/AAAAAAAAAPc/P9f7YEdG31w/s200/jem-radius-fix-02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503199049518169410" border="0" /></a>I bought this guitar new years ago, but I am just now getting around to fixing the bridge radius. It was only slightly off, so I was in no real hurry to correct it... I had many more pressing repairs that needed to come first. But today I was in the mood to fix it. :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9Kh7dv5KI/AAAAAAAAAPk/mOi6D4bAnCo/s1600/jem-radius-fix-03.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9Kh7dv5KI/AAAAAAAAAPk/mOi6D4bAnCo/s200/jem-radius-fix-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503199216428639394" border="0" /></a>There were two saddles that were off... the high E was a fraction low and the D saddle was too high. To raise the high E saddle I cut a piece of 0.1 millimeter brass nut shim to the exact shape of the bottom of the saddle and reinstalled the saddle with the shim underneath. This was just the perfect amount needed to bring the high E saddle up to the same level as the B, G, A and low E saddles. Next up, lowering the D saddle.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9KrcWJXxI/AAAAAAAAAPs/PhyC8fXsZWM/s1600/jem-radius-fix-04.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9KrcWJXxI/AAAAAAAAAPs/PhyC8fXsZWM/s200/jem-radius-fix-04.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503199379873947410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9K09S5wUI/AAAAAAAAAP0/0AEFl1QNTno/s1600/jem-radius-fix-05.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9K09S5wUI/AAAAAAAAAP0/0AEFl1QNTno/s200/jem-radius-fix-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503199543337533762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9K_uDFvrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/3UBJ-ILx3kY/s1600/jem-radius-fix-06.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 100px; height: 75px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9K_uDFvrI/AAAAAAAAAP8/3UBJ-ILx3kY/s200/jem-radius-fix-06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503199728223239858" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9LItXVbmI/AAAAAAAAAQE/A-KcQx_QSFM/s1600/jem-radius-fix-08.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rzV4S62B1DA/TF9LItXVbmI/AAAAAAAAAQE/A-KcQx_QSFM/s200/jem-radius-fix-08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503199882658541154" border="0" /></a>To lower the D saddle I first removed it from the bridge, then carefully sanded the bottom of the saddle by hand to get the desired height. The only real way to do this effectively is to sand a little at a time, reinstall and check the height. I had to do this many times before I got the height just right. The trick is not go too far and take off too much. That is why it is so important to go slowly and check the height often before you've lowered it more than needed.<br /><br />A quick check with the radius gauge confirmed that my job was complete. I certainly won't notice much of a difference since neither of these saddles were so far off that my picking mechanics would have been affected, but it is nice to know that the radius is correct and the guitar is setup as perfectly as possible.Ryan Rheahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01214242736368603277noreply@blogger.com0