zandro

i don't use my pinky that much either. but i'd imagine one of these would help.

I have a Gripmaster. It's a neat little thingy but I'm not sure exactly how much it's helped me with guitar. Most of the time I still can't do a hammer-on with enough force to make it sound right.

I think it looks awesome, Scott!

man...not even my blue strap buttons got any credit...

i really thought you guys would like that, too...

The blue strap buttons are a nice touch. But competing with TSL's Tele, like trying to resist the Borg, is futile.

Which is precisely why I'll make sure to finish my guitar and enter in the GOTM contest when TSL doesn't have an entry.

HOLY CRAP

Would you take a '92 LP Studio and couple of bottlecaps as a trade?

I knew I would regret not having $900 today .. I'd love to get one of those DCs.

Welcome aboard, Tex! Methinks you'll like this place.

if you don't have a pre amp, then you could just use the line out of your processor straight into your line in port of your interface, and adjust the level in the program, keep in mind it doesn't sound very good that way, unless your box was made for direct plug in. there are cakewalk plug-ins (programs that run with cakewalk for certain effects, like cab sim, or amp modeling) that can adjust for this set up and simulate a more warm signal. i have a plug-in called "amp farm" it is basicly an amp modeler, but it also has effects that can make a sterile signal sound like it is run thru an amp first. pretty cool, but requires some tweaking.

Okay, two questions. What's line level? And how can I tell if a box is made for direct recording?

you don't really need a unit to have direct input for recording. if you save a few bucks and buy a direct plug in box, then it would serve the sam need.

as far as Boss or digitech, i think they are both excellent buys for the money. i have an old rp40, that i still use time to time. i have a few boss pedals, and they are fantastic. i also have a DOD (digitech's cheap line) chorus that is good too.

a mic pre-amp also will work for direct plug in.

also amp and cab modeling is great, and handy for recording, especially direct. i may be going out on a limb here, but it sounds like you are budget minded, so to find an all in one unit sounds like the best idea. i say go with the digitech RP-** whatever one best fits you needs, mine has lasted like 7 years, so they are rugged.

good luck

Except for the fact that I am still clueless, I understand what you said.

The Digitech RP stuff seems like it'd be my best bet. Now it's just a matter of deciding whether I want the 200A, 300A, or x400.

A more general question, how is direct recording done, exactly? I have a SoundBlaster Live! Platinum with the Live!Drive, and it has SPDIF i/o, mic- and line-ins, and MIDI i/o. Which of these inputs would be the best for recording, if I want to go guitar->effects box->PC? And what software do I use? And what's with these strings on this oddly-shaped plank of wood, anyway?

With my guitar coming along at a pretty fair pace [got the control cavities cut yesterday!], I figured it'd be a good time to ask this.

I've read that it's a good idea to ground the bridge, and that this is typically done by connecting a wire to one of the bridge screws. But how is this done exactly?

Do you drill a hole intersecting the bridge screw hole, feed the wire in, and screw down into the wire and hope it doesn't break? So far that's the only thing I've thought of, and it seems like there's got to be a better way to do it. I'm using the Hipshot hardtail bridge and no pickguard, in case any of that matters.

With Xmas approaching, my mom has insisted I provide a list of stuff I want within the next two weeks. After playing with just a practice amp since I started 4-5 years ago, I'm thinking about getting into some technology and trying to determine what I might want to get for Xmas. Problem is, I'm utterly clueless when it comes to effects.

I've been looking around a bit at what's available and there are some nice options, but it seems as though all of them have things I don't want, or don't have things I do want. Basically, what I want in a box is:

- effects: wah, phase/flange, chorus, delay [others are fine but unnecessary]

- expression pedal and at least two "stomp buttons"

- direct recording to my PC

- ability to use live, should I ever join a band

The boxes I've looked at are:

Boss ME-50

This looks like exactly what I want, but it doesn't have direct-recording, and it's a tad expensive. Looks really rugged and easy to use, though.

Digitech RP Stuff

This stuff looks great too, but it has all that amp/cab modeling stuff which I don't really want. It also is cheap compared to the Boss unit, which makes me wonder about its quality.

Behringer V-Amp

Looks viable, but there's no expression pedal and it has the modeling stuff as well. Plus, I don't know how easy/safe it would be to use at a gig, should the need arise.

I'll go ahead and say right now I don't have clue #1 when it comes to direct recording. How is it done? MIDI, line-ins, USB? I want the easiest way [iE: no MIDI]. The Digitech RPx400 has USB but it's the only one I've seen. Also, is amp/cab modeling required for direct recording?

Would it be easiest for me to get the V-Amp and either buy an expression pedal to control or buy a separate wah unit? Should I go with the Digitech stuff and ignore the modeling functions? Is it possible to record directly to my PC with the Boss unit?

Please help me, as I am dumb. Thank you for your time.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I didn't see any copy in that add which suggested any of those things. Infact, the image linked to and their website are both decidedly matter of fact and hyperbole free!

Aww, come on man, I make a perfectly nice post and you have to ruin it by bringing up "facts" and pointing out that "I did no research."

ust curious but why the Carvin bashing if that is what this is?

I think it's just a matter of the copy Carvin uses to advertise it. I don't think anyone's bashing, necessarily, just doing some good-natured poking fun at them.

I mean, it is kind of humorous touting their bridge as new and original when TOMs have been used for how many years now?

Could also be that Stephen King's legal people got his domain shut down. 

Aw, let me at least think for a short moment that my fearsome letter did the damage. Stephen King has stolen my thunder now.

Well, I'm sure your letter wasn't exactly ignored. It's probably a combination of you and the Stephen King legal team. Probably more you than them, though, you wonderful man you.

I'm from Evansville, Indiana. I'm currently unemployed and have been for about three months .. unfortunately, I'm quickly running out of money [no thanks to you people!] so I'll have to get a job soon.

I'm a senior at the University of Southern Indiana, majoring in economics. Come fall of 2004 I'll [hopefully] be going to grad school to pursue a PhD in economics.

What should I be doing now instead of building a guitar and reading this site? Oh, homework mostly. And getting a job. But honestly, who wants to do either of those things?

Could also be that Stephen King's legal people got his domain shut down.

Lookin awesome...like a ric, but not a ric....didnt you say something about using walnut tho?

I was going to use walnut, but ended up with mahogany, as I'm more familiar with the tone [never had a walnut guitar before] and it was cheaper. I figured it was better to go with a known variable, instead of building my first guitar with a wood I've never used and taking the chance that I might hate the tone.

I love the bridge  I have one one my Custom 7 String. IMO they're the most comfy hardtail bridges available

I don't know about comfy yet [though I'm sure you're right] but I was totally impressed when I got it. I can't believe how heavy and solid the thing is!

Does anyone have old-gold hardware just sitting around that they'd be willing to sell?

I'll sell you the gold hardware I have, but it'll cost you way more than you want to spend, probably, as the guitar is still attached.

is it going to be neck thru? what kind of finish are you going to do? looks awesome.

Yeah, neck through, using the Carvin neck. Finish is, most likely, going to be natural. Whether that means oil & wax, nitro or polyurethane, I'm not sure yet.

i like the shape much more in real wood

thats exactly what i was thinking wes. I wasn't really crazy about the shap while it was just a cad drawing, but this looks awesome!

Aww shucks ... 't'weren't nothin' ...

Thanks a lot for the compliments guys, it really means a lot to me, this being my first guitar and all.

Tonight I managed to get the holes for the tuners, the switches, and the pot drilled. I'll have pics up on my blog tomorrow. Hopefully tomorrow my dad will have time to help me cut the cavities for the electronics using his milling machine.

dude that looks nice! is the arm-cut goin to be EBMM petrucci style? I like them

I don't know for sure - I've read about the cut on the EB/MM JP and it sounds nice, but I won't try to duplicate it exactly - I'll just remove material until it's comfortable. But yeah, chances are it'll be closer to the JP cut than a standard Strat-style cut.

I finally got a chance to use the bandsaw and spindle sander in the woodshop at school today, and rough cut the wings and headstock for my guitar. For those of you who wanted to see the CAD drawing transformed into real wood, here it is!

I've started a blog to track the progress of my guitar, so you can see the pictures there. Here ya go!

Building My Guitar blog

According to the SD website, you're right. It's a Duncan Distortion for the bridge position.

SD Pickup Identification

I believe EB/MM makes at least one of their basses out of Poplar .. is it the S.U.B.? Can't remember ..

New Dream Theater today! EVERYONE GO BUY IT NOW