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Muzz

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Posts posted by Muzz

  1. On 1/27/2022 at 10:50 PM, Akula said:

    Well done mate! Looks and sounds great, and it appears you had a great time finishing the thing off. If I see it around the pub rock scene here, I'll say a g'day!

    Cheers Akula, Yes absolutely mate, and it was a lot of fun to finish this one, I had to change tack a few times to get everything to fit together, for example I had never realised how wide a flying V style headstock is at its widest point and the maple headstock facing I had for the project was not going to cover it. But in the end, it's got some Straya timber in it and it sounds all right so happy days 😀 

  2. 14 hours ago, Prostheta said:

    I've not thought about that aspect at any depth, but I know why you're wondering. Each guitar needs to have its own voice and what it wants to be, which is always one of the coolest things about individual guitars. I miss old school music stores where you'd have several examples of the same guitar in stock....A/Bing two otherwise identical guitars yielded different personalities, even if subtly. I was interested in how you might perceive this in your Marauder project of course.

    Pearly and Invaders will be somewhat different to each other for many reasons. The EMGs in Invaders will produce a consistent and predictable instrument, with EMGs being good at what they do and nothing else. A one trick pony of sorts, hopefully not the "Zakk Wylde pinching the same rabbit out of the hat night after night" though. Noiseless, on the compressed side and "easy" in some ways. FWIW I might end up installing a couple of EMG 81s since buying the KH-BBs are a financial consideration that doesn't work too well for me right now. Just replaced a load of computer equipment and I'm feeling more than a little raw because of that.

    The exact pickup choice for Pearly is still somewhat in flux for similar reasons. Invaders can be completed as all the parts are on the table, Pearly still needs some buying in. I'd like to think that I could afford a Bare Knuckle set in there, something old school, "tubular" and finger sensitive in the neck like a Mule, and a complimentary hot pickup in the bridge. A Riff Raff would work nicely, however a ceramic Nailbomb might require the neck pickup to pick up the output a little. The reasons for those are their tendency towards growly detailed low mid roar. The sort of thing that makes old Marshalls big, broad and warm but not dark and indistinct. Break on the wah, find the sweet spots, notes have timbre rather than just bland "peakiness" and start to speak with personality. I wire my tone pots so they act only on the neck pickup, so I always have a nice rhythm option on the bridge and straight into a set tone adjustment for the neck. This is the guitar that I want to have the most personality in, the one that you can make sing and know which notes take hold and sustain.

    Pearly will still be active, but differently to Invaders. I want to avoid the negatives of what EMG "activeness" does and leverage the transparent noise cancellation from my 18v differential preamps (agh, that reminds me....I'll have to bore out the jack socket hole now....) but I haven't decided how exactly I want to run it. One option is to place it downstream of the pickups after the switch but upstream of the volume and tone controls. This does mean that the tone becomes a master control, which is less than ideal unless it is wired to the neck pickup prior to it hitting the switch. A very non-standard configuration, which is a rarity. The volume would then just act as a master downstream of the preamp. The other option is to run the preamp as a line driver after the whole passive circuit. The apparent differences would be noise and some degree of tonal difference in how passive controls load and interact with the pickups. Both options have their pros and cons. Since I'm just awkward, I might go for the most complicated solution to a problem that might not exist.

    I've been running modelling amps for almost a decade now I think. Maybe more. I just don't have a situation that is amenable to running the amps that I used to (2x Marshall JCM800 2203s, Peavey Mk1 5150 over a straight and a slanted Marshall 1960A 4x12 full stack) and modelling is so much better for going straight to the DAW. My regular "straight" models in that respect are the Friedman HBE100, Soldano SLO, Plexi, ENGL Fireball, etc. I have also compiled a library of IRs to do more or less a "tone model" to mould amps into the sound of others using some Melda plugins to analyse a recorded example and produce an IR for that purpose. My Metallica "....and Justice For All" tone is unnervingly good, along with a few other examples that sound more like the original than the originals such as my various Satriani, Mick Mars, EVH, Brian May, Jim Martin, various hair metal and speed/thrash tones.

    Invaders will likely be standard Eb and Pearly standard D. This will be subject to change based on how the instruments feel and how they want to be played. I probably won't be the one calling the shots, let's put it that way!

    That is very true about subtle differences having significant effects on guitars, a few years back I saw two same model LTD ST-213's (stratalikes) in a store and the visual impact at least was very different due to grain differences in the wood. That model also makes some changes to Leo's design that have an impact, a more comfortable heel and the vibrato block sitting directly on a slanted wood rest in the body. The great thing about guitar making is we can make these kind of changes. Getting the right pickups for a guitar really does unlock an amazing array of tones and I don't think you can go too far wrong with the one's you are considering. That's right that I have recently made a guitar that looks very similar to an old Gibson model but sounds nothing like it and It's great to see you and others embrace the opportunity that there are so many different ways to transform the disturbances in a magnetic field into beautiful noise. I have put a few examples under of different processors, a tube preamp, a solid state preamp, an all tube amp and a couple of VST plugin amp emulations. And these are just examples of the gazillions that you could plug these guitars into and sound incredible. You are on the downhill run now and close to that amazing feeling that every guitar maker gets when they put strings on their latest piece of art for the first time and connect it to amplification.

    I think in this vid, the ADA is being used to generate the overdrive and the Axe Fx is just supplying the delay.

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhIj3WG25g

     

     

     

     

     

  3. 19 hours ago, Prostheta said:

    As if any musician in their right mind would make the suggestion, "play the Freebird solo"! haha

    "Hotel California goes here"

    😆 Love the instrumental at the end of Hotel California, I have seen the song described as a Trip Advisor review followed by a really great solo.

     

    18 hours ago, Bizman62 said:

    I wouldn't be surprised... Now that I've listened to a couple of dozens of their songs it seems obvious that they nodded to most any direction. Many songs sound like pastiches with elements of several songs of a certain artist - like their cover of "Heartbeat" on their debut album: Pretty similar to the original but the drumming was from "Peggy Sue"... And some of their vocal harmonies sound like those of the Beach Boys... Are they sort of a wiseguy band, quizzing the listeners if they could name the source of inspiration of each song?

    Definitely yes, The Knack came bursting out of the gate on their 1979 debut album with the absolute banger "Let Me Out" which to my ear shows a lot of influence from Cheap Trick, just in case that wasn't obvious I think they included a little 'easter egg', listen in Let Me Out for the word "tonight' followed by a set of quavers, which is a nod to Cheap Trick's song "Clock Strikes Ten". 

  4. On 1/15/2022 at 8:46 PM, Bizman62 said:

    No wonder My Sharona was an international hit, it really has all it takes to be a great rock tune!

    Listening you to play it made me search for other tunes by the Knack, truth to be said Sharona was the only one that got pass my fifties/rockabilly state of mind of that era... Had someone invited me to listen to their album back then I may well have liked it! At least the first album has lots of echoes from the earlier decades including a Buddy Holly cover... Oh well, I may have mistaken the band being either "punk" or "heavy", something that a ducktail guy would not touch! My loss!

    I am glad that I sparked your interest to check out more of The Knack's catalogue, and you have in turn sparked my interest to do the same. They have quite a discography and now I want to have a listen to more of their musical legacy.  Some of my favourite artists have shown a 50's/60's influence in some of their songs, like Joan Jett, T.Rex, Queen, Cheap Trick and even KISS, check out their cover of Any Way You Want It originally by the Dave Clark Five, it's awesome!

     

    On 1/16/2022 at 6:08 AM, Prostheta said:

    Sounds great either way! I'm sure that this "blooming" note phenomenon that I keep calling that is maybe what others might term wolf tones? Certain notes that line up with natural coincidental resonances that compress or sustain more than others. To me, that's what gives my guitars character and also why I think that trying to make any sort of copy of "that" guitar will usually result in something else, still unique.

    Great choice of demo material. You can't go far wrong there. 

    Cheers. and one of the resonances that I don't miss was a rattle with certain notes, that disappeared with the replacement of the old neck. The sweet resonance spots in different guitars, however, do draw people back to those areas on the fretboard. One of the great things about overdrive or distortion is that it magnifies those sweet synergy resonances. Just think of all the years we could have been born on this planet, and we arrived in time for clipping, score :) With the solo for My Sharona, I wonder if the other guys in The Knack told Berton Averre to play the Free Bird solo, but just don't repeat the trills so much and throw in some killer melodic phrases.

  5. 19 hours ago, ScottR said:

    Looks like it's dying to be played Muzz. Well done!

    SR

    Cheers Scott, It was dying to be played, Its first played song was an original called Movin On that a friend and I wrote. If you are interested the demo track is here 

    Then I played some classic rock on it, Led Zep, Rock and Roll and Black Dog, then Acca Dacca, Back in Black. I'll record a vid of the solo from My Sharona on it and post that soon.

  6. On 1/8/2022 at 8:04 PM, Bizman62 said:

    I used to have one somewhat similar to that, guess it went with my ex. The constuction was a bit simpler as it didn't require bending anything: Just two screws at one end of a piece of wood salvaged from a fruit box. I tried with one but with two the cap aligns just right even after a dozen bottles. As the base was flat the caps didn't even bend so they could be reused by my poor student friends who tried some home brewing. A small hump might make it more effective, though, as less force would be needed.

    kuva.png.f0e8fca623a91e58da80e989fbeb50dd.png

    There are some amazing bottle openers at http://www.home-designing.com/cool-and-unique-beer-wine-bottle-openers-corkscrew my favourites are the T.Rex and Alessi Diabolix.

     

    Today I got time to do some neckin.

    IMG_7552.JPG.3cd8c7d9219d96823c5e4a8224f999f4.JPG

    I did the one solder joint that was required.

    IMG_5406.JPG.5c5d7e0a9aeddf689bdfde95153b8876.JPG

    All the rest were already done.

    IMG_5404.JPG.96567de8de6087e32d32d82a1210ef71.JPG

    IMG_5402.JPG.06a653d19177c80ae5f3d82a0071fa9c.JPG

    Then I screwed on the loaded scratch plate and tested everything was working using my iphone. I also tested the height of the nut, all OK, and glued it on then marked out the holes for the truss rod cover.

    IMG_5405.JPG.8a11965363b005b57de7f799255c4e22.JPG

    Drilled in and screwed the cover on.

    IMG_5408.JPG.bd00c6f83fb9085d4f2b352428a2d2ac.JPG

    Now I just have to let my nut glue dry overnight and I can put some strings on this thing.

     

    • Like 2
  7. 15 hours ago, Prostheta said:

    Best ever. Bit of wood with a nail in it. That's done us for over twenty years and countless beers.

    That is fantastic, I will have to make a BOWWANII bottle opener some time.

    If I ever use these tuners again on rock maple, I am going to drill 9 mm holes to start with and push the grommets in with a little bit of glue. 8.5 mm holes (I am guessing) would be fine in mahogany but in rock maple they still needed a lot of grating with a bastard file before the grommets would go in safely.  Anyway. they are in now, 

    1556179362_Headwithgrommets.jpg.01503ab17d9c3fdcba661ee3c04a5f77.jpg

    • Like 1
  8. 17 minutes ago, Prostheta said:

    This is one of the few cases where I advocate for the use of twist drills. You probably will only find 8,5mm in those anyway.

    Remember that when you open out these holes, run the drill backwards so it doesn't screw itself in or chip out the rim. I know you probably know this, but I'd rather sound patronising in advance than tell you after the fact!

    It's good to remind/remember the technique to avoid chips when enlarging the the tuner holes. 

    IMG_7546.JPG.4a2be55ddf07f279ae7a9017a2709833.JPG

    I am going to Kango those holes into the right diameter so the the headstock wont split when I tap in the grommets with my beer hammer which seems to have come up in the conversation a few times in this thread. On that topic I am feeling so lazy watching Graham Norton's show that I couldn't be bothered going underground and getting that tool for its secondary function and I have just used the world's  worst ever bottle opener.

    IMG_7545.JPG.fd2d98696984b3615b42efc2317a55e6.JPG

     

     

    • Like 1
  9. I tried the neck fit without any screws, it's snug.

    IMG_7544.JPG.a888a8aff31983470a5924f2003259fb.JPG

     

    Then I went to put in the tuner grommets in the front of the headstock, it was too snug a fit. I measured the diameter of the grommets again, it was not 8 mm as i thought, it is 8.5 mm. So I burnt rubber up to Bunnings for the gazillionth time to get an 8.5 mm drill bit. The screw holes for the tuners are all marked out. The grommets will go in tomorrow, as will the neck screws.

    • Like 1
  10. On 1/4/2022 at 2:46 AM, Prostheta said:

    Whoosh! The back of the headstock looks neat as hell man. Nice.

    Cheers Prostheta, it scrubbed up alright, amazing what some sponjing, a sticker and some nice tuners can do 😀

    On 1/4/2022 at 3:23 AM, Bizman62 said:

    The entire build looks that neat. And even the templates.

    Cheers Bizman, so glad I discovered the existence of template following router bits back when, life-changing 😀

     

    So it is now time to start putting this guitar together, first I have to hack the veneer away from the truss rod nut, measure out where the machine head screws go, bash in the sink-in front washers and then screw in the neck. If all goes to plan the neck should drop into the body, like it was made for it! 

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