Do you need a few licks to get you out of the dreaded rut we all go through as guitarists? Maybe you just want to break the ice and meet someone special. Guitars have a way of attracting the opposite sex like magnets….especially if you know how to play.

A shy middle-aged friend of mine who plays guitar recently got divorced. He’s not a pro, but not a beginner player either. Awhile back I showed him some of the new “Licks & Tricks” I have been filming. He got all excited after learning from two of the videos and started having jam parties.

One of his jam pals brought his girlfriend and her sister. What do you know, the sister likes guitar players. Big shock right? Let’s just say that he’s not been without companionship ever since. He is the first to tell you that guitar is the best social lubricant on the planet. (Just add wine).

Help me out. Tell me what you want to learn so I can get some more guitar “tricks” to you. And if you have some lessons of your own, please send me a link so I can post them here.
Sincerely,
David Caris

watch this video to get an idea what’s coming up….

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.

The latest Matchless masterpiece which is as-yet without an official name. However, they are now shipping this amp.

I recently made a visit to Matchless Amplifiers in West Los Angeles and met with their chief designer Phil Jamison to discuss their unique products. If you have been reading and watching GuitarBandDVD.org, you know I only interview musicians and gear makers that are top-notch. Matchless is no exception.

The product-pride and the laid back, but highly-professional demeanor made it clear that these people are very focused on being the best while loving what they do.

Granted, you can buy a much cheaper good sounding amp, but Matchless has never targeted the lower-end customer. You certainly get what you pay for however. You can’t use the best components and hand-craft amplifiers that sound like a Matchless, and be the low-priced leader.

If you need an amplifier to cover up sloppy chops, this would not be a good choice. This amp line has characteristic shared by every model they make; clarity and nuance. Guitarists can build a style around Matchless gear. This will make you a better player and bring out your true sound.

Phil and I started by discussing the new more-economical amp they are starting to ship (which is as-yet unnamed). In the interview(s) we cover what goes into a Matchless, some of the components and design that make these amps sound the way they do, and gain insight into the technology utilized in the new designs.

For what it’s worth, I have owned a Matchless SC30 since 1992 and I can honestly say, this is the ONLY amp I have never had for sale. I have owned a dozen other high-end amps since then, but sold them all. I never, for a moment considered selling my Matchless.

by David Caris

The term “overbuilt” really applies towards Matchless Amplifiers. You can tour the world with their gear without fear…and many people have.
Click on these pictures to enlarge the details.

The man behind the amps, Phil Jamison.

This is part one of the interview with Phil Jamison

Click on image to enlarge.

He’s been building guitars for decades and his client list reads like a who’s who list of some of the biggest and most talented players in the world. His designs have been responsible for some of the most sought-after guitars by players and collectors worldwide. He earned his stripes as a consultant for Fender, G&L and Yamaha (to name a few) and he has been quietly building some of the most responsive, ergonomic and advanced guitars out of his Venice, CA shop for more than 30 years.

I have know John for years and have learned more for from him about what makes a guitar “magic” than anyone else I know. In this video he shows two of his recent designs and we discuss his experiences from being a columnist for Guitar Player Magazine to his current position as a department head at Musician’s Institute in Hollywood and owner of Carruthers Guitars. If you are into guitars, this interview is both entertaining and educational.

Hey, ever heard these songs? You bet you have. What do they have in common? The Wrecking Crew played on ALL of them.

5th Dimension
Let the Sunshine in/Aquarius
Stoned Soul Picnic
Up-Up and Away
One Less Bell to Answer
Association
Windy
Never My Love
Beach Boys
California Girls
Don’t Worry Baby
Fun, Fun ,Fun
God Only Knows
Good Vibrations
I Get Around
Sloop John B
Byrds
Mr. Tambourine Man
Turn! Turn! Turn!
Glen Campbell
By The Time I Get to Phoenix
Gentle on My Mind
Wichita Lineman
Captain and Tennille
Love Will Keep Us Together
Carpenters
Close to You
We’ve Only Just Begun
Cher
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves
Half-Breed
Chipmunks
Chipmunks Theme

Nat King Cole
Ramblin’ Rose
Sam Cooke
Twistin’ the Night Away
You Send Me
Crystals
Then He Kissed Me
Da Doo Ron Ron
He’s A Rebel
Bobby Day
Rock-in Robin
Defenders
Taco Wagon
Shelly Fabares
Johnny Angel
Richard Harris
MacArthur Park
Jan & Dean
Dead Man’s Curve
Surf City
Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)
Balboa Blue
Gary Lewis and the Playboys
Everybody Loves a Clown
Sure Gonna Miss Her
This Diamond Ring
Barry McGuire
Eve of Destruction
Mamas & Papas
California Dreamin’
Creeque Alley
Dedicated to the One I Love
Monday, Monday
Henry Mancini
The Pink Panther Theme
Marketts
Out of Limits
Surfer’s Stomp
Dean Martin
Everybody Loves Somebody
Scott McKenzie
San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)
Monkees
Mary Mary
Valleri
Chris Montez
Let’s Dance
Ricky Nelson
Fools Rush In
Wayne Newton
Danke Schoen
Jack Nitzsche
The Lonely Surfer
Harry Nilsson
Everybody’s Talkin’
Partridge Family
Come on Get Happy
Elvis Presley
A Little Less Conversation
Viva Las Vegas
Paul Revere & the Raiders
Indian Reservation
Righteous Brothers
Unchained Melody
You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’
Rip Chords
Hey Little Cobra
Johnny Rivers
Poor Side of Town
Tommy Roe
Dizzy
Ronnetts
Be My Baby
I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Routers
Let’s Go
The Sandpipers
Guantanamera
Lalo Schifrin
Mission Impossible
Simon and Garfunkel
Mrs. Robinson
Frank Sinatra
Strangers in the Night
That’s Life
Nancy Sinatra
These Boots Were Made for Walkin’
Drummer Man
Sonny and Cher
The Beat Goes On
I Got You Babe
T-Bones
No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In)
Nino Tempo & April Stevens
Deep Purple
Tijuana Brass
The Lonely Bull
Spanish Flea
Taste of Honey
Whipped Cream
Zorba the Greek
Ike and Tina Turner
River Deep Mountain High
Ritchie Valens
Donna
Bobby Vee
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
Ventures
Hawaii 5-O
Mason Williams
Classical Gas