How many musicians do we have here at LH?

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

In a recently defunct thread, Neanderthal asked me a question about my former life as a professional musician. I responded, and asked for his own story. Then, the thread, which actually had nothing to do with any of that, was closed, which was probably for the better. But, I am still interested in hearing Neanderthal's story, and also from any others of you that play(ed) music. So, I am copying the original post here, and would very much like to hear how many of you are musicians. How many of you have played music, professionally, at some time in your life? How many still do so? If you used to play for $$, do you still play music at all? If so, what kind? Please share your personal situation, fellow musicians! Thanks, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

Here's my own story:

Quote:
Originally Posted by neanderthal http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=226313#post226313)
Hi Doc....Just curious of your "professional musician career"...where for who? Thanks


Morning, Neanderthal,

Thanks for asking about it! Are you, or were you, a musician, too?

I played music in most all the clubs and hotels down in San Diego for many years. Went on the road for the first time in 1969, with "mixed" results. Later, I got into a traveling band, and for eleven months of the year, for five years, we were on the road, playing show and dance clubs, border to border, coast to coast. We eventually ended up working the Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Reno circuit, and opened for such acts as: Lou Rawls, Donna Summer, Roger Miller, Jimmy Buffet, Blood-Sweat-And-Tears, The Sunshine Company, Sopwith Camel, Taz Mahal (S/P), and many others. I ended my full-time career by playing in a house band (with very good friends) on the Harbor Cruise Boats, out of San Diego. It was a good career, and I miss playing music, quite a bit. However, I really did see some of the worst, along with some of the best times whilst so playing!! Drugs took a HUGE toll during those years, and even though I, personally, never indulged in such things (hell, I didn't even begin drinking BEER until I was 50 years old!:blink:), I watched many good friends die, and otherwise come to complete ruin, because of their choices back then!! Bittersweet memories, that's for sure. I played drums and sang lead vocals, both from behind my trap-set, and later as our front man/vocalist. I love Latin percussion, and play most of that stuff, too, as well as two horns. Tight vocal harmonies, and complex poly-rhythmic stuff always did it for me, especially when lots of good horns were added to the mix!! So, that's my story. What's your's, if you don't mind sharing? Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc (who continues to "play music", only now, it's 18th century stuff, done on whistles, fifes, and flageolettes, at Living History events! Fun!!)
__________________
The only thing that can never be taken away from you, is your honor. Cherish it, in yourself, and in others.

[jcrobso]

I come from a musical family, mostly clasical musicians.
I was the rebel played guitar and Bass.
I have 1960 Start and a 1961 Jazz bass.
Play in a lot of bands in the Chicago area.
John

[doodlebug]

Played in bands throughout most of the 70s, all of it on the weekends. Being in the mid-Atlantic states, we did a lot of the beach bars up and down North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia plus the requisite frat parties.

These were what I called 'show' bands, with the 4 singers out front and a full rhythm section of Hammond B3 organ, guitar, bass and drums plus a horn section. Lots of the Motown and funky stuff - heck, anything that sold beer and we'd play it. In fact, we got really good at marketing by showing a potential bar owner how much _more_ beer we sold at our last gig than the bar's normal take - call it a Beer-Business Model. We would run Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at some bar and sometimes fit in a frat party on Saturday afternoon. I spent lots of time traveling late at night, of course. I can tell you there are strange people that come out only at night and inhabit those Waffle Houses you see along the Interstate highways. Anyway, it paid the rent while I went to engineering school and worked at a stereo shop as the bench tech by weekday.

Later, I did the Holiday Inn/Ramade Inn circuit playing with a pared down version of the old band on the weekends with much the same material until I got married and put down the horn - sax in my case.

It was 27 years later - this decade - that I picked the very same horn I used back then and started playing again only this time its been jazz. Have played in a number of restaurant/bar bands in the last 4 years doing the old standards, which are quite a lot of fun. Its low stress and no travel. Heck, I'm even practicing again!

So, there you are: One hobbyist sax player.

Cheers,

David

[JBLRaiser]

Played in bands throughout most of the 70s, all of it on the weekends. Being in the mid-Atlantic states, we did a lot of the beach bars up and down North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia plus the requisite frat parties.

These were what I called 'show' bands, with the 4 singers out front and a full rhythm section of Hammond B3 organ, guitar, bass and drums plus a horn section. Lots of the Motown and funky stuff - heck, anything that sold beer and we'd play it. In fact, we got really good at marketing by showing a potential bar owner how much _more_ beer we sold at our last gig than the bar's normal take - call it a Beer-Business Model. We would run Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at some bar and sometimes fit in a frat party on Saturday afternoon. I spent lots of time traveling late at night, of course. I can tell you there are strange people that come out only at night and inhabit those Waffle Houses you see along the Interstate highways. Anyway, it paid the rent while I went to engineering school and worked at a stereo shop as the bench tech by weekday.

Later, I did the Holiday Inn/Ramade Inn circuit playing with a pared down version of the old band on the weekends with much the same material until I got married and put down the horn - sax in my case.

It was 27 years later - this decade - that I picked the very same horn I used back then and started playing again only this time its been jazz. Have played in a number of restaurant/bar bands in the last 4 years doing the old standards, which are quite a lot of fun. Its low stress and no travel. Heck, I'm even practicing again!

So, there you are: One hobbyist sax player.

Cheers,

David

I price my jobs according to man-hours. Does the music industry do the same. Five players plus roadies times a price per hour or some other way of figuring your charge. Most you ever made on one gig. Also, any good stories on trying to collect from a deadbeat bar owner, rowdy situations, etc.? Hope I'm not hijacking your thread, Doc.

[Bob Womack]

I started playing in 1970 and worked my way through the usual lot of garage bands, etc. By college I found my way into a pretty good band that got its big break: We auditioned for the president of a large record company and were offered a deal. There was only one problem: Only one of the six members wanted a career in music. Me. We turned them down. That left me in the position of being a guitarist during a decidedly guitar-unfriendly music period and having to evaluate whether I thought I could work up another band and "get seen" again in the South where I lived. The odds were astronomical.

After falling in love with a beautiful gal, I decided to pursue a parallel course that used my skills but provided a more stable lifestyle and income for a family: recording engineering. That's what I've done ever since, working for a rather large media concern and working with some rather interesting and famous folks.

Looking back, and seeing the trail of damaged and unhappy people in the field, not taking the deal with the label was probably one of the best things that ever happened to me. I've had the lifestyle that allowed me to enjoy and take care of my family. I still play guitar seriously for my own enjoyment. And I'm still married to the beautiful gal. I'm a lucky guy.

Bob

[Harvey Gerst]

I think I was the only guitar player working at JBL during the 60's. We had a cello player in the furniture finishing department, but that was about the extent of it, as far as I knew. I went on to play professionally.

[MJ Bing]

I have been a student of the Bass guitar
for the past 5 years. Perhaps a musician
in training. :D

[scott fitlin]

I played guitar, drums whas what I REALLY wanted to play. Parents WERE NOT HEARING ME AT ALL!

I DJ, and though I PLAY other peoples music, there is an artform to it.

I VERY much DO consider my sound system an instrument!

[JBLRaiser]

I played guitar, drums whas what I REALLY wanted to play. Parents WERE NOT HEARING ME AT ALL!

I DJ, and though I PLAY other peoples music, there is an artform to it.

I VERY much DO consider my sound system an instrument!



are there pictures here of your place?

[scott fitlin]

are there pictures here of your place?Theres a couple of pics, search for the thread " My Eldorado, My Life "!

[hjames]

Theres a couple of pics, search for the thread " My Eldorado, My Life "!

Quicklink - http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12195

[Fred Sanford]

I had started a thread a while back for musicians to show some of their toys, but didn't get much of a response:

http://www.audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=17907&highlight=musicians+toys

I'm primarily a drummer, but have also learned a bit of guitar & bass. Played keys when I had to (recordings & theater work) and sing for fun, but rarely live or on recordings.

Recording & mixing & producing & arranging is another type of "instrument", to me.

je

[scott fitlin]

Quicklink - http://audioheritage.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=12195Thank you Heather, as always, YOUR THE BEST!

[louped garouv]

i played trombone first, and then trumpet/cornet later, in elementary and middle school marching/jazz bands...

then i got into hanging out in bars/nightclubs

after i pass the CPA this year, i want to learn the piano...

[Titanium Dome]

Played in bands throughout most of the 70s, all of it on the weekends. Being in the mid-Atlantic states, we did a lot of the beach bars up and down North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia plus the requisite frat parties.

It was 27 years later - this decade - that I picked the very same horn I used back then and started playing again only this time its been jazz. Have played in a number of restaurant/bar bands in the last 4 years doing the old standards, which are quite a lot of fun. Its low stress and no travel. Heck, I'm even practicing again!

So, there you are: One hobbyist sax player.

Cheers,

David

I know this story; sort of lived it myself. I played trumpet for many, many years, including in an orchestra and on street corners. Also I did a couple of years in a college/post-college power trio as bass player playing college and high school gigs, then touring through the Great Lakes as a warm up band.

Later I picked up the electric piano and played and sang in an "Aquarian" ensemble. Groovy, man.

Once I got married and had kids, it all went away.

But my GF and I now have a music room, and we've picked up playing together for fun. I got a 1957 Conn Director off ebay and found my old Bach mouthpiece and for the first time in 38 years I played the trumpet. Thankfully, she's got the Clarinet and we're both in b-flat, so we can play the same music together. We even have CDs that accompany lots of the pieces we play that we can put in the many JBL systems in the music room.

Plus, I've been a singer (of sorts) all my life, and we have our own karaoke rig, plus we go to some of the Japanese and Korean karaoke bars in LA when we're feeling the urge to "perform" in public. I'm certain you'd all find it eminently entertaining.

[johnaec]

Well, here's my ugly bass-playin' mug - 'black pants and Hawaiian shirt - (sax player missing...).

John

[SMKSoundPro]

I played drums and found I could not make a living at it. Put down my sticks. I have joined a community band for the 4th of July parade the last couple of years.

My 2 brothers are/were incredible sax players. Grant (little brother) is in the Air Force band at Wright-Patterson. He is OUTSTANDING with perfect pitch and all. Older brother Eric was the tenor sax playing guru! Bassoon, reeds everything! He played it all. Died a couple of years ago from brain tumor/cancer.

Mom still teaching piano in Fairbanks, with over 100 students a week! She is just doing great.

Dad was famous organ grinder.

I come from a very musical family. We were all in choir and band and musicals and the like.

I just realized one day that I didn't have what it took to be a professional musician like my parents and two brothers. I was the electronics wiz that kept dad's B-3 working at all times. He taught me all of the licks and tricks to the Hammond tone-wheel generators.

As you may know, I am not shy. Afterall, I am the middle child.

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

Well, what the heck! I have enjoyed hearing all the stories about those of you who play music, in whatever form, and now that photos are beginning to appear, I might as well share a few, too! Fun! A while back, we had a band reunion, and many players who had all worked together, at one time, or another, were invited. We setup in the back yard of one of the guys, and spent a very enjoyable afternoon and evening, jamming our way through whatever we could remember, and trying hard to read some charts that a few of the guys still had tucked away!! It was scary, fun, and in the end, extremely satisfying!! The only problem was that little thought had been given to logisitics, so we had to make do with an enemic PA, and just barely passable monitors. Oh, well.... we STILL have a wonderful time, playing music from Tower of Power, Blood-Sweat-And-Tears, Average White Band, Cold Blood, and many other great horn bands of "our time", who's tunes we used to cover! Some of the guys still play professionally, in famous bands, in symphony orchestras, and even some working club bands. In any case, it was a day and night well spent!! I'm the Old Fart that is playing the congas and singing most of the lead vocals! ;):D Thanks for checking it out, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[Rolf]

I am very good to blow in the mic. Sounds like "a fart":o:

Sorry, could not resist.:D

[SMKSoundPro]

Oh what I would give to see/hear Tower of Power!

They will be at Jazz Alley in Seattle in the first days of December.

Oh well.....

[Doc Mark]

I am very good to blow in the mic. Sounds like "a fart":o:

Sorry, could not resist.:D

Hey, Rolf,

Done that, myself, a time or two. ;):D My only question is: Is it live, or is it Memorex??!! :rotfl::rotfl:

Doc

[Doc Mark]

Oh what I would give to see/hear Tower of Power!

They will be at Jazz Alley in Seattle in the first days of December.

Oh well.....

Evening, Scott,

I've had the pleasure of hearing Tower of Power at least 6 times over the years! Long ago, when our group was the house band for Good Time Productions, who setup teen dances every week at the El Cortez Hotel, they also brought in TOP. We were thrilled, as we were then covering almost every tune they had recorded to date!! Then, the ante was even made better, because we were asked if we would like to help unload their trucks, and help carry in the gear for Tower of Power!! Did we go for it? You darned right, we did!!! That was quite an evening, I must tell you, and all ten member of our band were flying high that night, after hearing our Idols, and after having actually carried in and helped setup their gear!!

This past year, Sweet Bride and I went down to San Diego, to the Viejas Indian Casino, to hear Tower of Power again, with some of those same band members with whom we'd played all those years ago, and who were also a part of our reunion! Man, was that a fantastic evening! TOP sounds better than ever before, and their lead singer is the absolute best they've ever had!!! I know you will probably not be able to head down to Seattle to see them, but if you could possibly swing it, I guarantee you will be glad you did!!! They are a great band, and one of the true Icons of the good old days of great horn bands!! To quote one of them most popular songs: "What is hip? Can you tell me, if you think you know? If you're really hip, the passing years will show!" And in the case of Tower of Power, it has, indeed!!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[doodlebug]

Evening, Scott,

I've had the pleasure of hearing Tower of Power at least 6 times over the years! Long ago, when our group was the house band for Good Time Productions, who setup teen dances every week at the El Cortez Hotel, they also brought in TOP. We were thrilled, as we were then covering almost every tune they had recorded to date!! Then, the ante was even made better, because we were asked if we would like to help unload their trucks, and help carry in the gear for Tower of Power!! Did we go for it? You darned right, we did!!! That was quite an evening, I must tell you, and all ten member of our band were flying high that night, after hearing our Idols, and after having actually carried in and helped setup their gear!!

This past year, Sweet Bride and I went down to San Diego, to the Viejas Indian Casino, to hear Tower of Power again, with some of those same band members with whom we'd played all those years ago, and who were also a part of our reunion! Man, was that a fantastic evening! TOP sounds better than ever before, and their lead singer is the absolute best they've ever had!!! I know you will probably not be able to head down to Seattle to see them, but if you could possibly swing it, I guarantee you will be glad you did!!! They are a great band, and one of the true Icons of the good old days of great horn bands!! To quote one of them most popular songs: "What is hip? Can you tell me, if you think you know? If you're really hip, the passing years will show!" And in the case of Tower of Power, it has, indeed!!! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

Yep, that old show band I was in did a number of TOP songs, too, when the singers took a break from all that sychronized dancing/singing a la The Temptations. TOP, IMHO, was a band's band back in the 70s. It was a bummer, though, that I never got to see them in person until the 90s, since eastern North Carolina didn't have any venues big enough to book them.

I've seen them since a number of times, though, and they are as tight as I remember their recordings. Doc, you've lived one of my dreams!

BTW, Cold Blood actually showed up at an afternoon concert in Monterey, CA, this summer. I learned about it too late to get there while visiting out there. It was billed as a reunion. Bummer.....

Just a bit OT: Speaking of 70s recordings, here's (http://www.uaudio.com/webzine/2008/november/analog.html)an interesting tidbit of the restoration of the console used to make Neil Young's Harvest recording. I worked at Universal Audio for a while last year. These are great folks.

Cheers,

David

[JBL 4645]

Yeah I have keyboard took me weeks to memorized a few simple notes from one of Beethoven’s piano’s hits.

I forget which piece it was that one that goes I know I have to play a white key then black key followed by another white each one had different note and going onto another set of notes. I also misplaced the (music notation) sheet that came with my Casio keyboard.:banghead:

To be honest I like (sound effects) when I was doing this (music and technology course) many years-ago I discovered I had more of an ear for (sound effects) over music even thou some music is in way sound effects with these computers today. It’s all generated in or crated and then shoved onto the computer to be manipulated later on.

You really can’t tell what is Real anymore in regards to music unless its (Jean Michael Jarre) sure I can buy what he creates it’s the other junk that makes my want to throw-up that you hear on BBC Radio1 or the local crappy radio stations today with blonde bimbos like (:barf:Gwen Stefani:barf:) “:barf:wind it up:barf:” how about “wind it down:banghead:!!!” this crap is enough to make an sane person swing from chandelier!
http://cache01-videos02.myspacecdn.com/17/thumb1_539a269847d7542e19fc4d64fed586f4.jpg

[JBL 4645]

Well, here's my ugly bass-playin' mug - 'black pants and Hawaiian shirt - (sax player missing...).

John
“Round up all the usual suspects”!

From right to left we have look-alikes!
Jack Black
John Ratzenberger
Robert Stack
Sean Connery

:D:rotfl:

[Doc Mark]

Morning, David,

It's outstanding that you got to see Tower of Power, and that your group used to cover some of their tunes! Yes, it was great for our group to be able to see them from their beginnings, and it's been very interesting to see what's happened in the band since those old days. Though they were very good back then, they are truly world-class today!! So, what you saw and heard is actually better than it was back in their beginnings, in many ways!

One of the most understandable is that the band is free of the millstone that drugs and excess drink hung around their necks back then! Some of them, like David Garibaldi, their monster drummer, have always been free of that albatross. But, for others, it's ruined their lives, ala Rick Stevens, one of their first lead vocalists, doing hard time for murder, and other bad things! Stevens actually STOLE the band's PA, once, to sell for drug money!! HOLY MOLY, how much worse could it get??!! :blink::blink:

Also, back in the old days, TOP suffered from an excess of competing egos, and a lack of common goals. Since then, they've had many different lead singers, and the horn section and rhythm sections have turned over quite a few times, too, mainly because the guys argued all the time, and spent energy doing that, instead of trying to work together. Emilio Castillo has actually been the glue that's held the basic band together since those days, and he's very open about their early problems, and the fact that they no longer tread those dark paths! Several of their old original members are now back with TOP, and they work much better together, now. God Bless him, and the rest of the guys, for their hard work and devotion to their music, and especially for getting off the bad things that made their path so rocky back then! When you see them today, it's quite obvious that they are enjoying themselves much more than they used to, and that they are happy to be working together, and grateful for their successes and longevity.

On a related note, no pun intended, back in 1991, Sweet Bride and I backpacked 850 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail, here in CA. It was a grand trip, but we carried way too much weight, and eventually hurt our feet and knees. In the end, that kept us from being able to complete our entire hike, which would have taken us from Mexico to Canada, and entailed 2,650 trail miles. But, on our way back home, we stopped off in Lake Tahoe, and stopped in at one of the Hotel/Casinos, to see an old piano-playing friend of our's, who was working there. Dressed as we were, you should have seen the look on the Head Waiter's face, when he saw us standing in the doorway of that posh place!!! :blink::blink: Anyway, our friend saw us from the stage, finished his set, and immediately came over to give us big hugs and tell the offended dude that we were "OK", and not some homeless beggars!! :D After just a little time enjoying seeing him, our friend had to head back to the stage. But, not before telling us that Cold Blood would be playing that night, right across the street, and that Lydia Pense, their original lead vocalist, would be with them!!!!!!!! OH, YEAH!! We made sure to stick around and catch their show, even dressed as we were, and they were very, very good!! Most of the folks who heard them didn't even know who they were. But Sweet Bride and I hooted, hollared, and whistled for every single tune that night, which made the band smile quite a bit! Lydia even gave us a nice nod, now and then, and smiled in our direction quite often!! I wish more folks would have appreciated them that night. Lydia had lost some of her powerful high range singing, but still sounded pretty damn good to us! They played many of their old favorite tunes, including: "Down to the Bone", "Valdez in the Country", and "Funky On My Back"!! It was a fine evening! Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[Doc Mark]

Greetings, All,

This has been a very enjoyable thread for me, and I hope for you, too! Our LH member, "Indycraft" (Bart), used to play music, too, and in horn bands, just like some of the rest of us. He very kindly sent me a wav file of his band, playing the old "Chicago" tune, "Make Me Smile"!! It did, indeed, friends.... it, did, indeed!! Well done, Indycraft, and thanks for sharing a bit of your music with me!! :applaud::applaud: Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[johnaec]

“Round up all the usual suspects”!

From right to left we have look-alikes!
Jack Black
John Ratzenberger
Robert Stack
Sean Connery

:D:rotfl:Ashley - you DO crack me up!!! :p

John

[Loud & Clear]

Rock - N - Roll Drums... :band:

Tom;)

[JBL 4645]

Ashley - you DO crack me up!!! :p

John

I hope I didn’t offend you, John.

If you think that was funny about 17 or so years ago someone said I looked like Michael J. Fox LOL.:D

[johnaec]

I hope I didn’t offend you, John.Nah - the band loved it! They wanted print-outs! :D Seriously!

John

[JBL 4645]

Nah - the band loved it! They wanted print-outs! :D Seriously!

John

LOL I guess this will boast their sexual ego with the wives now. (Oh, come hare Sean).:D Print it out on A5 size paper!

[3dbdown]

Blues harp, and Bass........Blooz Bass!

[indycraft]

Where have the years gone?

[Doc Mark]

Hi, Bart,

Man, those are some fantastic photos of "the old days"!! Your group looks great, and seeing those threads you are all wearing really "makes me smile"!! Our groups looked very similarly, back then, and like you, we had a ton of fun playing all the great horn-band tunes that were popular at that time!! To me, there is nothing much more exciting than hearing a great horn-band! Thanks for sharing your trip down memory lane. I may have to go down into the Hobbit Hole and see if I can dig out any old band photos to share, too. Ohhhhh, that would be a daunting task, as the HH is a really crammed full of junk!! :blink::blink::o: Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[snerty]

Hi, my names Bryan and I'm a professional sax player. Played and recorded with many of the "big acts" and/or stars. Got a few CD's out on a small jazz label. Fortunate enough to make a living at it. Anyway, jumped in the thread because of the Tower of Power references. Back in the mid-90's my friend John Scarpula was playing the solo Tenor chair, So I got invited to go hang with the guys. Nothing like you would imagine the band to be like. Doc Kupka was strapping on all kinds of things on for hernias, bad back,etc.. No booze allowed backstage to avoid temptation. Very mellow scene. Rocco was such a sweet guy. Got to talking about the gig and how his bass playing was so distinctive. He just said it was because he played guitar,and that's how a frustrated guitar player plays bass. Very cool guy.The gig was at the Supper Club in NYC. so Lenny Pickett showed-up to play and see his old buddies. It was a good night. :applaud:

[Doc Mark]

Hey, Bryan,

Good to hear from you, and welcome to LH! Your thoughts on TOP mirror my own thoughts on how things got better over the years. To me, the version you met, and later ones, were actually better than the original versions, simply because they got serious about the music, and out of the traps that had messed things up in the early years. I'm very proud of them, one and all, and they are still one my most favorite bands!

So, how can we hear some of your music, Bryan? In what style do you record your stuff? Some of the sax players I like are Tom Scott, Dave Koz, Wayne Shorter, Kim Hutchcroft (Seawind), Michael Brecker, amongst many others.

Thanks for putting in your two cents on the TOP thing, too! Great stuff. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[snerty]

Hi Doc, my style of playing is an amalgam of my favorite musicians. Some of them would be Coltrane, Ornette, Brecker, Grossman,etc.. But I tend to favor the post-Bop thing. I have three releases on Blue Canoe Records. One as the Bryan Lopes Trio, then Megaphone Man, and Megaphone Man Live in Berlin. Other records are with T. Lavitz ,Jeff Sipe's Apt. Projects,etc..:blah:
You can check out Bryan Lopes Trio on Myspace to get an idea. I'm honestly not trying to sell or plug anything. You asked and I figured I'd tell you a few of the things I've done. Hopefully the administrators won't think I'm trying to sell stuff through this thread:D

[jeenie67]

Began in the 60'...school dances..no one knew what to make of this skinny little kid with a wall of amps when they all played through little Fender's, Kent's, and Premiers etc. ( I had a music store that specialized in band instruments and guitars way back in the early 60's on the end of my street, my wonderful fate!). Never had a good stick though till I started to work. One of the first guitars of note was a Fender Broadcaster for $75 beat to sh*t. Traded it as I've traded every one back n' forth. First set up at that time was a Fender Bandmaster with two cabinets ( was able to buy it on installments with my first job as a dishwasher) y-corded to an Ampeg B-12 powering a Leslie speaker (borrowed forever). Plus I jump corded to a Sears Silvertone twin Twelve (given to me by a friend who couldn't really play). Played a Harmony mini Gibson 335 lookin' thing w/ two pickups. It did the job. It's been fun and one experience after another all my life. Quit high school and went to New Jersey with a classmate to play with his former band (his family moved here to Buffalo because of his dad's promotion at work) The other guitarist and drummer attended Julliard...the bassist was the strangest, but best of em' all, nuts like me! Learned how to drive in NY City where all our gigs were in his dad's second car, a 1955 Chevy 4-door station wagon loaded with our gear. Randy (bassist) guiding me all the way...smokin' a joint and sittin' on a blanket so I looked normal...?.....After returning home (was under aged) I've played every bar and club here in Buffalo at one time or another. Hit every open mike the last few decades and just recently acquired my current setup. A 1985 Fender Evil Twin, Vox AC15, Dean Guitars practice amp, and some Peavy, just a small one, amp. Play a Paul w/PAF's, 1960's pots, caps, and a put-it-together from parts, all 60's Strat with a maple neck. Jam and sit in still... and unmercifully beat these guitars with authority....better than a workout at the gym! Putting something together with the dude downstairs from me (bass) and looking for a female guitarist and percussionist. Serious, but only to play out occasionally once or twice a month; studies come before anything period! What a hell-of-a ride! Wouldn't trade a moment of it ever !!!

[rgwalker]

[quote=Doc Mark;226348]Greetings, All,

In a recently defunct thread, Neanderthal asked me a question about my former life as a professional musician. I responded, and asked for his own story. Then, the thread, which actually had nothing to do with any of that, was closed, which was probably for the better. But, I am still interested in hearing Neanderthal's story, and also from any others of you that play(ed) music. So, I am copying the original post here, and would very much like to hear how many of you are musicians. How many of you have played music, professionally, at some time in your life? How many still do so? If you used to play for $$, do you still play music at all? If so, what kind? Please share your personal situation, fellow musicians! Thanks, and God Bless!
------------------------------------------

I played electric bass as a pro from 1967 to 1979 and I don't gig anymore but I haven't stopped playing and jam regularly with friends.

I have documented a portion of my career, along with 130+ recordings, on a website www.walker-entertainment.com (http://www.walker-entertainment.com)

Bob Walker

[opimax]

I played trumpet from 4th to 7th grade(still have it) and was switched to Tuba/Sousaphone because I was so poor at trumpet and the biggest guy in school. I managed to get up to "less than average" on tuba by the time I left high school. I never learned to play a note that wasn't written on paper. I then learned to play the stereo and have gotten decent at that finally about 3 years ago but more work is still needed :applaud::applaud::applaud:

Mark

[eyedoc]

Hi all, haven’t been around for awhile, but it is nice to see that the fun has not changed, still with great threads!
Bass player for 30+ years here. Long history of orchestral (acoustic) bass as well as plenty of jazz (from big band/dance bands to old school trio work) and rock/pop playing and a little recording work as well. Played piano before that. I guess I probably have to come clean with my tuba playing in high school, but I may not admit that part in the court of law….:o:

After reading through the ‘what’s “real” bass’, I thought about responding there, but it seems like an older link that has made it’s run...

Anyway, add me to the list that carries the bottom end in sound reproduction as well as production.


eyedoc

[Doc Mark]

Hey, Eyedoc,

Good to hear from you, and also from the other guys! As a drummer/singer, I have always been happily tied into whatever our bass player was doing. To me, bass does not sound "real", or "natural", unless it sounds like it did when I was up on stage, with the bass player and his amp right next to me!! Others might consider that to be "too much of a good thing", but not me! With upright bass, I want to "feel" the bow being drawn across the strings, or the strings being plucked. If I can't feel it, then that neither sounds, nor feels real to me.

As I eyedoc from Indiana, I wonder if you might know a few fellows in the eyewear industry, who do, or have done, things for historical reenactors? We have two such Gentlemen with whom we've done business over the years. Take care, and God Bless!

Every Good Wish,
Doc

[JSF13]

"To me, bass does not sound "real", or "natural", unless it sounds like it did when I was up on stage, with the bass player and his amp right next to me!! Others might consider that to be "too much of a good thing", but not me!"

As a former drummer know exactly what you mean.Also prefer that "sittin behind the horns" sound as opposed to sitting in front of them if you get my drift.


Tower of Power:applaud:

[jerry_rig]

For what it's worth, I play bass in various groups in and around New York. Lately, I've been in a Grateful Dead cover band. Before that, it was a Pink Floyd tribute. I have several custom shop type basses, including three Laklands and a Ritter. Three of these are five-string basses. My bass rig has enough juice to make your pants flutter at 30 feet, particularly in larger spaces.

I started playing guitar in 1966 in St. Louis after seeing the Beatles live at Busch stadium. I switched to bass in 1971 and played in a folk rock group for the next five years. Then stopped altogether, went back to college and earned a doctorate in economics. That brought me to NY and Wall Street. Now, I'm back to discovering my roots and reviving my early fascination with JBL: When I was 18, I built my first custom cabinets, based on a D123, LE20 and LX2. Later, around 1974 I built a nice PA out of JBL pro stuff. So I've come full circle. More than you need to know, right?

[Rolf]

:applaud:
For what it's worth, I play bass in various groups in and around New York. Lately, I've been in a Grateful Dead cover band. Before that, it was a Pink Floyd tribute. I have several custom shop type basses, including three Laklands and a Ritter. Three of these are five-string basses. My bass rig has enough juice to make your pants flutter at 30 feet, particularly in larger spaces.

I started playing guitar in 1966 in St. Louis after seeing the Beatles live at Busch stadium. I switched to bass in 1971 and played in a folk rock group for the next five years. Then stopped altogether, went back to college and earned a doctorate in economics. That brought me to NY and Wall Street. Now, I'm back to discovering my roots and reviving my early fascination with JBL: When I was 18, I built my first custom cabinets, based on a D123, LE20 and LX2. Later, around 1974 I built a nice PA out of JBL pro stuff. So I've come full circle. More than you need to know, right?

:applaud::applaud::applaud::applaud::applaud::appl aud::applaud::applaud:

[louped garouv]

thought some musicians would get a kick out of this one...

http://denver.craigslist.org/zip/1004947693.html


as found in the "free" section of denver's CL

Old Gibson Wedge shape guitar from 1950's.
Looks like rocket ship. Brown case is coming apart at
seams. Cleaning out my fathers home and have lots
of stuff for free. Luke

I replied "please do not give that guitar away...
it is worth some serious coin...
take it to an appraiser and get a decent amount for it, please..."

to which the poster replied...

"You are the only honest person of the 300+ who emailed. Thanks."

looks like someone is having some fun....

[maxwedge]

Figured I better show myself! I'm a old punker from the SF bay area.:applaud:
The 1st picture was Punk show we put on with the Dead Kennedys in 1979. I'm on the right and the band was called The Vandals.

The next 2 pictures are of a Power Pop band I helped form in the early '80s called Smear. The 1st is a Halloween show in 1984 and the other is in 1985.
I'm playing the red Gibson SG in both of these.

I stopped gigging in 1992 but I'm trying get it together again and write some tunes.:bouncy:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Bands/Reduced%20size/Vandals-OrindaGig-8.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Bands/Reduced%20size/IMG_0031.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Bands/Reduced%20size/BerkeleySquare3-19-85.jpg

[doodlebug]

Cool pics, MaxWedge! I used to have all my old band's glossy - and in my case - cheezy - promotional pictures but no live-on-stage pics like those. All my pics went up in a house fire some 15 years ago now so all I have left are the memories.

BTW, I say cheezy because I used to do the Top 40/R&B type stuff in the 70s, playing up and down the east coast in all sorts of bars and halls. So there I was in these bands with the exact same double-knit suit with the pointy collars and open necks in some sort of embarrasing, unnatural pose a la the old Doo-Wop groups. Still, we were funky.....

Later I did the Holiday Inn/Ramada Inn circuit for a while, where you were booked by corporate HQ into all those sad hotels along the Atlantic Coast Interstates highways. It was regular pay and regular gigs but miserable.
Thanks goodness there weren't any promo pics of that part of my life.

Looks like MaxWedge was far more happy in his pics.

BTW, the are some great war stories here. Its like those moments in the movies when a bunch of folks arrive at the same place and realize they've all been on the same road only to discover they weren't really alone after all.

Cheers,

David

[maxwedge]

Thanks. Yeah it was fun but we never made a lot of money and played mostly originals. Stupid day job/career probably kept from being more successful but yeah, ya got to eat. :p
This is how I started using JBL, I was always our sound man.:)

I finally bought a scanner and now am scanning all that old stuff I saved.

PS: Sorry to hear about your loss of your pictures. That box of stuff is one of my most prized possessions I have.

[maxwedge]

If it wern't for musicians (and public speakers, lol) we wouldn't have a need for speakers, like JBL ect.
This is my 50th anniversary Les Paul.
PS..that shed in the back ground houses my old PA!!!! Mostly JBL (drivers in the house).
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Music%20Gear/My%20Guitars/37013_108802639168999_100001177916213_55963_487690 3_n.jpg
And the rest.....
......
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Music%20Gear/My%20Guitars/GroupShotMay2009.jpg

[Fred Sanford]

If it wern't for musicians (and public speakers, lol) we wouldn't have a need for speakers, like JBL ect.
This is my 50th anniversary Les Paul.
PS..that shed in the back ground houses my old PA!!!! Mostly JBL (drivers in the house).
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Music%20Gear/My%20Guitars/37013_108802639168999_100001177916213_55963_487690 3_n.jpg
And the rest.....
......
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Music%20Gear/My%20Guitars/GroupShotMay2009.jpg

Nice assortment of toys- I could live quite happily with that harem!

je

[JBL 4645]

If it wern't for musicians (and public speakers, lol) we wouldn't have a need for speakers, like JBL ect.
This is my 50th anniversary Les Paul.
PS..that shed in the back ground houses my old PA!!!! Mostly JBL (drivers in the house).
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Music%20Gear/My%20Guitars/37013_108802639168999_100001177916213_55963_487690 3_n.jpg
And the rest.....
......
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j7/maxwedge572/Music%20Gear/My%20Guitars/GroupShotMay2009.jpg

Nice collection of musical guitars to electrically buzz the neighbourhood! :D

[Rolf]

Wow. Is these all really your guitar's? Make me think about Pink Floyd .. The wall.

[svollmer]

I've been playing drums since I was a kid. Still play in a band regularly (AC/DC, Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy kind of stuff). All of us have full-time jobs, so even though we take the music seriously, we don't take ourselves too seriously. We think of the band as our form of golf.

Our "claim to fame" is self-producing a couple of CD's that have sold enough to pay for the projects and we've had a couple songs used in independent film soundtracks. "No music budget? Call that Vollmer band; they'll give their stuff away free!" :D

We like to be tight and love to be LOUD. Here's a picture of the band with my old black Slingerland set with a custom 28" bass drum. I'm playing a new Ludwig set now that I really like. I had to downsize the bass drum to 26", like Bonham, because Ludwig wouldn't make me a 28". Smaller bass drums sound better, but bigger ones look badass and feel like you're sitting on a big HOG with tons of power. And hey, it's only hard rock; looks are important! :applaud:

50798

[JBL 4645]

We like to be tight and love to be LOUD. Here's a picture of the band with my old black Slingerland set with a custom 28" bass drum. I'm playing a new Ludwig set now that I really like. I had to downsize the bass drum to 26", like Bonham, because Ludwig wouldn't make me a 28". Smaller bass drums sound better, but bigger ones look badass and feel like you're sitting on a big HOG with tons of power. And hey, it's only hard rock; looks are important! :applaud:


What about earplugs then and do you suffer from tinnitus?

[svollmer]

What about earplugs then and do you suffer from tinnitus?

WHAT??????


Seriously, I'm the only one in the band with permanent ringing in my ears. And I'm not in front of the guitar amps.

However, I am the only one in the band who used to work routinely with hammer drills, jack hammers, etc., so I think that noise added to the drums caused my tinnitus. On the plus side, I still seem to hear very well. At least I haven't noticed it getting worse.

I'm trying to prolong that by wearing earplugs every time I play the drums, go to a concert, or work around loud machinery. The band can't play any "quieter" because I love loud drums and the guitars have to keep up with my noise level. If I can't play the way I do, I'd rather not play. So, I'm stuck with loud and am religious with the earplugs.

[JBL 4645]

WHAT??????


Seriously, I'm the only one in the band with permanent ringing in my ears. And I'm not in front of the guitar amps.

However, I am the only one in the band who used to work routinely with hammer drills, jack hammers, etc., so I think that noise added to the drums caused my tinnitus. On the plus side, I still seem to hear very well. At least I haven't noticed it getting worse.

I'm trying to prolong that by wearing earplugs every time I play the drums, go to a concert, or work around loud machinery. The band can't play any "quieter" because I love loud drums and the guitars have to keep up with my noise level. If I can't play the way I do, I'd rather not play. So, I'm stuck with loud and am religious with the earplugs.


Do you regret that you tried to play tough guy I don’t need earplug ear defenders are for pussies. Wrong on many counts!

Trouble with bands and don’t take this wrong. Concerts like live PA should have a new SPL db code implemented!

One any crowd member that stats shouting or yelling is to be thrown off the premises as this encourages other people to start scream and shouting and that’s worse than listening to band! Your ears will be surrounded easily by 100db screaming and shouting yelling and whistling!

Tell me I’m dead wrong.

If the audience remains quiet like as in HUSH!! Till the band finishes each track then appalled afterwards. :applaud:

This would reduce the hearing loss by many db the band can also play at softer level there’s no need for artificial amplified music to be blearing at over 100db for many hours.

I wouldn’t go near to live PA stage without earplugs and I’d be standing many meters back! Then again I don’t think I want to be near to people who screaming yelling shouting and whistling! A wolf whistle can easily peak at 10 feet at 115dba! That is not healthy for ones hearing!

You can and listen to live real orchestra it’s a whole different thing. It can only reach so loud! But the audience is HSUH! Because what are doing! They’re listening to detail of the performance. With PA its just noise! Overlapping frequencies producing random noise not music, noise!

If each member in the band is trying to out do you then you have an ego issue in the band! It has to be tamed so for fairness for yourselves and the audience listening because tinnitus is no fun at the beach!:(

I don’t even like high peak middle range frequencies on film soundtracks that are too bright. At home I can re-EQ balance the issue but in the cinema I have to reach for earplugs if it goes too high because, I know now that middle range tones is damaging to the ear. I’ve got my fair share of mild tinnitus that can last for days on end and its enough to put me, so far down in the dumps with deep depression.

[svollmer]

Do you regret that you tried to play tough guy I don’t need earplug ear defenders are for pussies. Wrong on many counts!

Trouble with bands and don’t take this wrong. Concerts like live PA should have a new SPL db code implemented!

One any crowd member that stats shouting or yelling is to be thrown off the premises as this encourages other people to start scream and shouting and that’s worse than listening to band! Your ears will be surrounded easily by 100db screaming and shouting yelling and whistling!

Tell me I’m dead wrong.

If the audience remains quiet like as in HUSH!! Till the band finishes each track then appalled afterwards. :applaud:

This would reduce the hearing loss by many db the band can also play at softer level there’s no need for artificial amplified music to be blearing at over 100db for many hours.

I wouldn’t go near to live PA stage without earplugs and I’d be standing many meters back! Then again I don’t think I want to be near to people who screaming yelling shouting and whistling! A wolf whistle can easily peak at 10 feet at 115dba! That is not healthy for ones hearing!

You can and listen to live real orchestra it’s a whole different thing. It can only reach so loud! But the audience is HSUH! Because what are doing! They’re listening to detail of the performance. With PA its just noise! Overlapping frequencies producing random noise not music, noise!

If each member in the band is trying to out do you then you have an ego issue in the band! It has to be tamed so for fairness for yourselves and the audience listening because tinnitus is no fun at the beach!:(

I don’t even like high peak middle range frequencies on film soundtracks that are too bright. At home I can re-EQ balance the issue but in the cinema I have to reach for earplugs if it goes too high because, I know now that middle range tones is damaging to the ear. I’ve got my fair share of mild tinnitus that can last for days on end and its enough to put me, so far down in the dumps with deep depression.


Wow! I didn’t know that I said I tried to play a tough guy. Just that I get off on playing good rock music with enthusiasm. And yes, there is a decibel code implemented on concert PA’s; it’s called “You.” If “you” think a band is too loud, “you” are free to walk away or use ear plugs. Yes, you can turn down a PA so it’s not loud. But, the whole point of live rock music is that it’s visceral. I like to feel the bass drum punch me in the chest. If you don’t like that, don’t go see bands that play that way.

If the audience sat there quietly and applauded politely after each song, like you suggest, EVERY rock band experiencing that would think that they must suck! So yes, you’re dead wrong as far as rock concerts go.

And you’re really making a stretch (actually an unfounded assumption) about each member trying to “outdo” each other without knowing me or ever hearing my band. I play loud, they mix in and it sounds good. Then, unfortunately for you, the whole thing gets amplified by the PA to an even louder level.

I don’t know when the last time you went to a rock concert was, if ever. But I can tell you that every band, including ours, doesn’t play nearly as loudly as bands did in the 60’s – 80’s. And I’ve been to several shows where the PA sounded very, very clear and detailed, just quite a bit louder than a typical home stereo. I don’t agree that “with PA it’s just noise! Overlapping frequencies producing random noise not music, noise!” PA’s today are very good and I’m sure there are many LH members who own and run PA’s who would agree (and be offended by your gratuitous assertion).

[maxwedge]

Wow. Is these all really your guitar's? Make me think about Pink Floyd .. The wall.
All mine. :)

They don't get all the love that they used too, except for a few.

[JBL 4645]

Wow! I didn’t know that I said I tried to play a tough guy. Just that I get off on playing good rock music with enthusiasm. And yes, there is a decibel code implemented on concert PA’s; it’s called “You.” If “you” think a band is too loud, “you” are free to walk away or use ear plugs. Yes, you can turn down a PA so it’s not loud. But, the whole point of live rock music is that it’s visceral. I like to feel the bass drum punch me in the chest. If you don’t like that, don’t go see bands that play that way.

If the audience sat there quietly and applauded politely after each song, like you suggest, EVERY rock band experiencing that would think that they must suck! So yes, you’re dead wrong as far as rock concerts go.

And you’re really making a stretch (actually an unfounded assumption) about each member trying to “outdo” each other without knowing me or ever hearing my band. I play loud, they mix in and it sounds good. Then, unfortunately for you, the whole thing gets amplified by the PA to an even louder level.

I don’t know when the last time you went to a rock concert was, if ever. But I can tell you that every band, including ours, doesn’t play nearly as loudly as bands did in the 60’s – 80’s. And I’ve been to several shows where the PA sounded very, very clear and detailed, just quite a bit louder than a typical home stereo. I don’t agree that “with PA it’s just noise! Overlapping frequencies producing random noise not music, noise!” PA’s today are very good and I’m sure there are many LH members who own and run PA’s who would agree (and be offended by your gratuitous assertion).

I don’t mean to offend you. No I haven’t been near to a live PA band in years and it wasn’t even memorable to remember?

I do remember in the 1980’s being invited with other locals to see how the local radio station operated. It had live Jazz band playing on one of its shows and the pitch of one of the instruments was unbearable! That was in controlled room with acoustics.

I think it was the seating that was placed too close to band some 2 meters away?

I assumed you have worked with power tools don’t care about your hearing as you can’t control the level! I don’t like power tools myself and will always use ear plugs if I’m vacuuming for a long period I’d use earplugs because the noise doesn’t regulate up and down its consent noise!

Power saws I hate those things, but if the job has to be done, it has to be done. I think with earplugs!

I would say more people from 60’s to 80’s have serious hearing loss! For a ticket that no doubt cost no more than $10.00 dollars buys you a life time of hearing loss!

I like to listen to bands at 90db peak on middle range tones lows aren’t as ear busting damaging until its played at dangerous levels! I like the chest bass feel! Just as long as it’s not over 120dbc my ears ether buzz at 120 to 126db.

I read that some bands use bass kickers fitted to the seats so they can feel the lows. You don’t use any of these?

I was at collage early around 2000 doing a music course thou I was only interested in sound effects. some rooms were hired out for young group bands. Each room was fitted with an LED SPL db loudness metre that was set to 90db.

[maxwedge]

What about earplugs then and do you suffer from tinnitus?


WHAT??????


Seriously, I'm the only one in the band with permanent ringing in my ears. And I'm not in front of the guitar amps.

However, I am the only one in the band who used to work routinely with hammer drills, jack hammers, etc., so I think that noise added to the drums caused my tinnitus. On the plus side, I still seem to hear very well. At least I haven't noticed it getting worse.

I'm trying to prolong that by wearing earplugs every time I play the drums, go to a concert, or work around loud machinery. The band can't play any "quieter" because I love loud drums and the guitars have to keep up with my noise level. If I can't play the way I do, I'd rather not play. So, I'm stuck with loud and am religious with the earplugs.
Yeah, my ears are all messed up too. Damn drummers were always too loud! :p
Just kidding.:D

I'm not active anymore and one of the reasons I quit, among other things, because my ears couldn't take it any more and using ear plugs took a lot of the joy out of the music, for me. I had been jamming for about 20 years straight at that point in the mid 90's.

I got into bicycle racing, then had a kid and got married. Now it's 2011!:crying:

[JBL 4645]

Yeah, my ears are all messed up too. Damn drummers were always too loud! :p
Just kidding.:D

I'm not active anymore and one of the reasons I quit, among other things, because my ears couldn't take it any more and using ear plugs took a lot of the joy out of the music, for me. I had been jamming for about 20 years straight at that point in the mid 90's.

I got into bicycle racing, then had a kid and got married. Now it's 2011!:crying:

Was it on the high hats then :D Bass kick on drums doesn’t bother me I like the kick beat it can produce. It’s the high hats that clashing shrilly sound that I can’t stand the ear is sensitive to that frequency range when hit hard enough.

Do you recall when you had an issue with your hearing and did you try to take precautions against further risk?

You know what they say when we get older we turn it down LOL

[jcrobso]

I started at age 14, but I did play Piano and Trumpet before that.
I still play but bass at Church.

[JBL 4645]

Well I play a little keyboard only it takes too f%(+_k%_ long to learn. :D I have Casio CTK-491 I haven’t played it in while I lost the notation sheets that came with it. It took me weeks to learn Beethoven piece, a simple melody. I forget the name tune??

It starts off with middle key notes.

I only play it once in while now...very once in while.

[Fred Sanford]

I don't get to play live as much as I'd like, but I still get to do a bunch of studio & overdub work. Here's a couple pics of the main music room with some of the current guitars & drums on display (plus about 15 Lansing-related products visible) and one recent live gig playing bass.

je

50803

50802

50804

50805

[JeffW]

Jerry Seinfeld called, he wants his shirt back.

[ChrisKoehn]

Interesting thread!
So it's mostly Rock'n'Roll people here.... me, i play the piano and organ since I was six or seven - but because of lack of ... well... ultimate talent, I suppose, and also some unwillingness to follow a rigorous schedule of practicing when I was a teenager, I went on to become a musicologist.
So today everyday work is mostly about the theoretical aspects of music, leaving me too little time to make music myself, unfortunately... every other weekend though I play in a piano trio, mostly modern chamber music, no "professional" ambitions, though.

Best regards,
Chris

[svollmer]

AWESOME room Fred!!! I'm drooling! :rockon2:

Is that clock melting, or did I take the wrong pills again?

[maxwedge]

AWESOME room Fred!!! I'm drooling! :rockon2:

+1

Nice. I have to get going on my garage addition!

[Fred Sanford]

Jerry Seinfeld called, he wants his shirt back.

I've worn that shirt since before Jerry's show. Jerry & I are cool either way, I fixed his NYC apartment's AV system a couple of times, he owes me. :D

je

[Fred Sanford]

AWESOME room Fred!!! I'm drooling! :rockon2:

Is that clock melting, or did I take the wrong pills again?

Thanks!

It's my "Dali" clock. The clock on the other side of the room (over the drums) runs backwards.

Come visit, you're not too far away!

je

[Fred Sanford]

+1

Nice. I have to get going on my garage addition!

Judging by your collection, I think you'd be right at home here! Lots of P90s & other oddball pickup/string count/scale length options.

je

[svollmer]

Thanks!


Come visit, you're not too far away!

je

Deal! What county are you in? My sister lives in Amissville (sp?).

[maxwedge]

Judging by your collection, I think you'd be right at home here! Lots of P90s & other oddball pickup/string count/scale length options.

je
As Kramer would say..."Oh Ya.." w/the full body shake!

I have one more P90 to snag and that will be a gold top R4. I was actually looking for one when I ran across my R9 and fell in love!:eek:

[Rolf]

I totally agree.



Wow! I didn’t know that I said I tried to play a tough guy. Just that I get off on playing good rock music with enthusiasm. And yes, there is a decibel code implemented on concert PA’s; it’s called “You.” If “you” think a band is too loud, “you” are free to walk away or use ear plugs. Yes, you can turn down a PA so it’s not loud. But, the whole point of live rock music is that it’s visceral. I like to feel the bass drum punch me in the chest. If you don’t like that, don’t go see bands that play that way.

If the audience sat there quietly and applauded politely after each song, like you suggest, EVERY rock band experiencing that would think that they must suck! So yes, you’re dead wrong as far as rock concerts go.

And you’re really making a stretch (actually an unfounded assumption) about each member trying to “outdo” each other without knowing me or ever hearing my band. I play loud, they mix in and it sounds good. Then, unfortunately for you, the whole thing gets amplified by the PA to an even louder level.

I don’t know when the last time you went to a rock concert was, if ever. But I can tell you that every band, including ours, doesn’t play nearly as loudly as bands did in the 60’s – 80’s. And I’ve been to several shows where the PA sounded very, very clear and detailed, just quite a bit louder than a typical home stereo. I don’t agree that “with PA it’s just noise! Overlapping frequencies producing random noise not music, noise!” PA’s today are very good and I’m sure there are many LH members who own and run PA’s who would agree (and be offended by your gratuitous assertion).

[Fred Sanford]

Deal! What county are you in? My sister lives in Amissville (sp?).

Rockingham county, near Harrisonburg. Still about 1.5 hours from Amissville.

Next time hjamesr & BMWCCA & Opimax come visit, we'll make sure you are on the invite list.

je

[hjames]

Rockingham county, near Harrisonburg. Still about 1.5 hours from Amissville.

Next time hjamesr & BMWCCA & Opimax come visit, we'll make sure you are on the invite list.

je
Awesome - I've thought all along you two would get along well.
I'm sure Mark had the same thought!
Steve is maybe 15 minutes from my place near Fairfax ... quite close!

[Fred Sanford]

As Kramer would say..."Oh Ya.." w/the full body shake!

I have one more P90 to snag and that will be a gold top R4. I was actually looking for one when I ran across my R9 and fell in love!:eek:

A few good ones have already come & gone (a '52 LP, a '56 LP Custom, a '56 LP Special, other LPs & SG Specials), but the two that remain are long-time favorites ('74 and '75 LP 55s). They don't sound (or look) quite as good as my old '50s models, but they fit me better.

je

[Fred Sanford]

Awesome - I've thought all along you two would get along well.
I'm sure Mark had the same thought!
Steve is maybe 15 minutes from my place near Fairfax ... quite close!

Bring your Vox & Emma's harp, we've got a jam going... ;)

je

[maxwedge]

A few good ones have already come & gone (a '52 LP, a '56 LP Custom, a '56 LP Special, other LPs & SG Specials), but the two that remain are long-time favorites ('74 and '75 LP 55s). They don't sound (or look) quite as good as my old '50s models, but they fit me better.

je
They look nice! I once had a 59 Les Paul Special TV Yellow that got stolen. One of the stupidest things I ever did was leave it in the back of a pu w/camper shell, covered up with a blanket. Went in to get a bite to eat and came back out and it was gone. With a small boogie amp too! Bummer.:crying:

My main SG I used for years is a 64 jr but I f'd it up by putting a Kahler on it. My other jr is a 61 or 62 that was in a fire (in a closet) and lost all of it's finish from mid neck up. The yellow LP Special in the pic is 2006 CS. It's heavy for a Special but is a nice guitar.

Scott

[svollmer]

Bring your Vox & Emma's harp, we've got a jam going... ;)

je


Sounds like it would be a fun day. I'll definitely bring some sticks! :band:

[Fred Sanford]

Sounds like it would be a fun day. I'll definitely bring some sticks! :band:

If you like wood tips, you might want to bring yer own...if you like nylon tips, you're probably covered- I like variety:

[svollmer]

If you like wood tips, you might want to bring yer own...if you like nylon tips, you're probably covered- I like variety:

I think the Vic Firth Metal N's will work just fine! :applaud:

[Fred Sanford]

I think the Vic Firth Metal N's will work just fine! :applaud:

Oh, yeah- you like it loud! I even have a few of the older version, the Tommy Lee signature sticks. Those puppies break cymbals if you ain't careful.

je

[Fred Sanford]

Here's a few pics of some of the recent arrivals, all but one arrived in trade for broken AV gear or labor working on recordings/overdubs...

First off, the 1980 Vantage VS600B medium-scale bass I played at that November gig:

[Fred Sanford]

A project-in-progress, a 1981 Vantage AV-325. Recently painted the body, still lots of details to work out (new black bridge/tuners, fret work, electronics). Just a quick mock-up to see the new color here:

[Fred Sanford]

A 1982 Vantage AV-310, I bought it back in '86, gave it away in '87, it came back to me last year:

[Fred Sanford]

An absolutely gorgeous 1982 Vantage VSH-455, destined for a new home in Australia (advice on economical shipping appreciated, the best estimate I've gotten is DHL for $315):

50864

50863

[Fred Sanford]

A 1983 Vantage AV-330 (yes, I have the whammy bar):

[Bern1]

50867

[maxwedge]

Nice LP and welcome to the forums!

[Bern1]

Thanks, a new adventure is always fun!

[Krunchy]

Geez Fred (Sanford), how many axes do you have :applaud: man that must be fun.
Bern, always lusted after one of those gold tops ;) maybe for my 50th!

[svollmer]

Oh, yeah- you like it loud! I even have a few of the older version, the Tommy Lee signature sticks. Those puppies break cymbals if you ain't careful.

je

Did you have the aluminum Tommy Lee sticks made by Eason (the company that makes aluminum baseball bats!)? I used to have a pair of them and loved them. Those things are over 17" long (long for drumsticks) and have a very bright sound.

I had been using Regal Quantum 9000's (very fat AND very long) for years. Regal recently quit making them. After much searching and trying different sticks, I've switched to a stick from Vater (the DSK) that is similar in lenght, but a little smaller in diameter. So far I'm pretty happy with them and ordered two cases. I prefer the leverage a longer length provides.

One thing I've had to do was dip them all in Minwax poly on the grip end. It seems all sticks are now coming with a smooth satin finish (maybe a "green" alternative to shellac :dont-know:) that's really slick. I prefer the grip of glossy sticks when you have a little sweat on your hands (I know it seem contradictory, but glossy sticks "stick" better to my hands). And I don't like wearing gloves or using grip tape. In a pinch, I'll pour Coke on my hands and let it dry before we play live to ensure my hands are sticky.

I've trashed plenty of cymbals, but don't worry, I only abuse my stuff; never other people's kits. :) I got the $40 "you break it, we'll replace it" warranty on a cymbal I bought from Guitar Center about 6 months ago. We'll it's starting to crack, so I'm going to try the warranty. If it works, I'll buy it from now on. Just hope there's no "fine print" for them to wiggle out of it. Cymbals are getting ridiculously expensive. I guess it's tied to the commodity market price of the metals. I used to get Paiste 18" 2002's or RUDE's for around $180. Now they're up to around $220!

[Fred Sanford]

Geez Fred (Sanford), how many axes do you have :applaud: man that must be fun.


There's a dozen or so that are "family", and the rest (currently another dozen) are "foster kids"...they'll get the love & care they need and then either get adopted here permanently or find new, loving homes. So, usually around 15-18, but right now 24-26 with the latest crop that's come in. I found in the past that it gets kind of unwieldy when it starts to get up around 30.

It's kinda nice when it's time for overdubs- there's lots of textures & feels & sounds available.

je

[Fred Sanford]

Did you have the aluminum Tommy Lee sticks made by Eason (the company that makes aluminum baseball bats!)? I used to have a pair of them and loved them. Those things are over 17" long (long for drumsticks) and have a very bright sound.

I had been using Regal Quantum 9000's (very fat AND very long) for years. Regal recently quit making them. After much searching and trying different sticks, I've switched to a stick from Vater (the DSK) that is similar in lenght, but a little smaller in diameter. So far I'm pretty happy with them and ordered two cases. I prefer the leverage a longer length provides.

One thing I've had to do was dip them all in Minwax poly on the grip end. It seems all sticks are now coming with a smooth satin finish (maybe a "green" alternative to shellac :dont-know:) that's really slick. I prefer the grip of glossy sticks when you have a little sweat on your hands (I know it seem contradictory, but glossy sticks "stick" better to my hands). And I don't like wearing gloves or using grip tape. In a pinch, I'll pour Coke on my hands and let it dry before we play live to ensure my hands are sticky.

I've trashed plenty of cymbals, but don't worry, I only abuse my stuff; never other people's kits. :) I got the $40 "you break it, we'll replace it" warranty on a cymbal I bought from Guitar Center about 6 months ago. We'll it's starting to crack, so I'm going to try the warranty. If it works, I'll buy it from now on. Just hope there's no "fine print" for them to wiggle out of it. Cymbals are getting ridiculously expensive. I guess it's tied to the commodity market price of the metals. I used to get Paiste 18" 2002's or RUDE's for around $180. Now they're up to around $220!

Don't have the aluminum sticks, but I did have some graphite sticks for a while- they transferred way too much shock back up through my wrists, they were bad for me. The big Tommy Lee sticks are good for certain things, but as mentioned you really need to adjust your cymbal technique to avoid busting cymbals. I've even broken snare hoops with those sticks.

I also miss the sand coating that ProMark had for a while, where the sticks were red & the grips grey? They worked well for me. They also discontinued my all-time favorite stick, the Golden Oak 808 Billy Cobham stick...more dense than the Japanese oak, more weight down towards the tip of the stick. I bought a gross of them when I heard they were discontinued, I think I'm down to about 8 left- they only come out for critical recording sessions now. I shatter hickory sticks within the first song, usually, except for the big Tommy Lee sticks.

je

[Krunchy]

I found in the past that it gets kind of unwieldy when it starts to get up around 30. It's kinda nice when it's time for overdubs- there's lots of textures & feels & sounds available. je

:rotfl: I bet!
I am sure it does come in handy to have all the little nuances of each individual guitar at your disposal, it must be fun. :)

[Fred Sanford]

A few more that I've photographed on recent sunny days:

This one's a '68 Kalamazoo (by Gibson) KG-2A, a recent grab that still needs some work. The lead pickup is out of a ~1970 SG100:

[Fred Sanford]

A ~'68 Teisco Del Rey KET-230, I've had this one since the early '80s. Yard sale, $35, LOTS of work here & there to make it play right:

[Fred Sanford]

A LONG-term project, this one's a '75 Gibson L6-S Deluxe that I've had since the mid-80s. Bought it as a factory reject, just wood & frets. Painted by Mercedes Benz Manhattan in their 1990 300CE Garnet Red. Tuners/pickups/pots/toggle/jack from my first guitar, a long-gone '71 SG Deluxe. Custom-made pickguard, new bridge/nut/knobs/trim rings/etc. Now I just gotta start fixing up the case...

[Fred Sanford]

Another long-term project (~1995 > present), this one's the TeleBastard. Made entirely from parts lying around my house, lots of 'em mis-matched & hacked to fit. It's finally playing really, really well. Warmoth body, Jackson strat neck, Duncan 5/2 rhythm pickup, Fender SCN lead pickup by Bill Lawrence.

[Fred Sanford]

ESP M200 LTD, arrived recently as partial payment/"thank you" for mixing a concert DVD for a friend's band.

[Fred Sanford]

1995 Vantage VST 33 CE TBK 6-string, I wanted a stage acoustic with a shallow body/cutaway/preamp.

50884

1993 Hohner TWP600B. Useful for songwriting sessions & beach parties.

50883

[svollmer]

The big Tommy Lee sticks are good for certain things, but as mentioned you really need to adjust your cymbal technique to avoid busting cymbals. I've even broken snare hoops with those sticks. (my added emphasis)


je

U DA MAN!!!! :rockon2:

[hjames]

U DA MAN!!!! :rockon2:

Umm - sounds like we best be bringing earplugs to the next listening party/JAM FEST!:blink:

[Fred Sanford]

U DA MAN!!!! :rockon2:

It wasn't a good thing at the time! :eek:

I even know which song it was- I'll see if I can post up a sample of the tune. The other band members often commented about the fact that I'd hit so hard at the end of the tune that I'd elevate off the throne.

je

[Fred Sanford]

It wasn't a good thing at the time! :eek:

I even know which song it was- I'll see if I can post up a sample of the tune. The other band members often commented about the fact that I'd hit so hard at the end of the tune that I'd elevate off the throne.

je

Here's a sample from the end of that tune ("Colors" by The Hasbros)...at about 0:26 in this snip is where I'd start to rise up off my seat when playing live:

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1727556/ColorsEnd.mp3

...and another from the same time, where I'd hit the snare pretty hard at the end of the song ("Ups & Downs" by The Hasbros):

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1727556/UpsNDownsEnd.mp3

je