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Archive for the ‘GUITAR GEAR - HOW TO’ Category

If you are ever in Los Angeles in early October you should check out the L.A. Amp Show at the Airtel Hotel. If you love to A/B top gear (and who doesn’t?) this is the place. It’s the next best thing to NAMM. Actually, it’s such a niche that in a way it’s better. Here are a few of the product demonstrations. More videos to follow.

During my interview you start to understand just how badly Torn wanted to expand his knowledge of all music and just how deep his passion for creativity and individuality runs. Torn knows the rules of music well and has done an amazing job of breaking them. At one moment he’s using his trem bar to make swoopy, stuttering sounds and the next he is methodically practicing traditional oud scales. It sounds diverse, but it makes perfect sense when you hear his music.

David Torn spends much of his time scoring films and consulting with companies about music gear. The man has “ears” and knows innovative sounds. He was even a little concerned that his playing on this interview was not captured on a more professional format. So please be aware that I recorded his playing with the shotgun microphone on my Canon consumer camcorder. I do this on all my videos. Nothing fancy. but it gets the job done without much fuss and allows me to concentrate on other things.

Playing a prototype maple-neck gold D’Pergo strat-style guitar made from ancient swamp ash through a variety of vintage and modern effects amplified through two prototype Fryette amps he stood there like a sorcerer conjuring auditory daydreams and nightmares (often in the same musical phrase).

We may all be looking at the same picture, but some of us see it differently. David Torn is that kind of musician. Don’t just watch him play, listen to his thought process and philosophy about music-making. This guy is open-minded and unafraid to push the envelope. Prepare to be inspired.

This guy is not just playing pentatonic blues scales…who does he sound like? David Torn.

David Torn - Interview 1

Torn’s Los Angeles-area home studio showing effects rack, pedalboard, Fryette amps he is consulting on and more. Click on picture to enlarge.

The wizard’s work station. Click on picture to enlarge.

David Torn - Interview 2

One of Torn’s racks containing a looper and Lexicons used to create other-worldly tones. Click to enlarge.

David Torn - Interview 3
Demonstrating some of his unique approach to guitar on a prototype D’Pergo made of ancient swamp ash.

The newest amp from Fryette that David is consulting on. He had two and was comparing speakers with them. They sounded great clean or distorted.

David Torn - Interview 4

David Torn - Interview 5

Torn playing his Oud.

How To Save Money and Time While Keeping Your Tube Guitar Amp in Top Shape.

Do you own a tube guitar amplifier? Have you ever been at a gig and under pressure when your amp stops working? What do you do? How can you keep your amp in tip-top shape and prevent a disaster? What part of your amp repair can YOU do, and what should you leave to a pro?

So many of us depend on tube guitar amps to get us through the rehearsal, gig or recording session while delivering the sound that only a tube amplifier can deliver.
It’s so easy to get caught off guard and find yourself in a nightmare scenario with humming, popping or smoke emanating from your prized amplifier ten minutes before the downbeat. Relax. I went to the effort to seek out an expert who knows tube guitar amps inside and out; Rick Marshal.

Rick has worked on tube amps for years at Carruthers Guitars in Venice, California. In case you don’t already know, John Carruthers builds amazing handcrafted guitars that are played by world-famous guitarists and musicians that demand the best. So when musicians take their vintage tube amps to the Carruthers shop, the bar is set very high.

While there is some emphasis on vintage Fender amps in this series of videos, this video series focuses on tube amplifiers as a general category. If you watch this four-part series and don’t learn something important, you are probably qualified to be a department head at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA, just like John Carruthers .

So kick back while you listen to the voice of experience on how to prepare for the worst and how to prevent the worst from happening in the first place.

by David Caris

Video 1 - Tube Amp Survival Guide With Rick Marshal

Video 2 - Tube Amp Survival Guide With Rick Marshal

Video 3 - Tube Amp Survival Guide With Rick Marshal

Video 4 - Tube Amp Survival Guide With Rick Marshal

WANT TO CONTACT RICK FOR  REPAIR WORK?

VISIT WWW.CARRUTHERSGUITARS.COM

Rick went through my 1966 blackface Princeton Reverb and re-capped it. The amp sounds spectacular and I will never sell it. That’s my story and I am sticking to it.

I am always amazed at how many really good guitar players don’t string their guitar correctly. I know it sounds absurd, but plenty of guitarists make some crucial mistakes when changing strings and it keeps their guitar from staying in tune and playing optimally.

Even if you think you know how to change strings watch this video. John Carruthers actually designs and builds expensive custom guitars. He wants his guitars to sound and play the best and he wants your guitars to as well, so we decided to film this tutorial. The last step of building or repairing is stringing the guitar.
When properly strung, your axe will stay in tune better and you will spend more time playing it without having to tune.