Thoughts and musings

Tracking Guitars with a Line6 POD

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:50:00 GMT

Captain's Log, Stardate: 2010. I recorded some tracks last year using a Line6 POD direct into a Mac last year for Kevin Blaine's record. We were on a tight budget, and didn't have access to a large studio wit h tons of mics and things, so we tracked at my home studio. I decided to try the POD instead of mic'ing up an amp to see what kind of tones we could get, and to spare us the trouble of having my neighbors call the cops. We tracked lots of guitars, and Kevin moved to the East Coast and finished the record on his own. To be honest, I remembered very little of what we recorded, and didn't have much hope for how the tracks would turn out, or if he'd even be able to use them. BUT Kevin's record came out last week, and the guitars (and the rest of the record!) sound great. Do me a solid and check out the tunes if you have a minute (actually, you'll need more than that to hear all of the great music) at www.KevinBlaine.com. Thanks, Kevin - for having me on the project. And Thanks, Line6 - for building awesome products that sound great (and that I can actually afford!).

The best part of being a guitar player? Toys!!! Here's the stompboxes...

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:55:00 GMT

Tracking guitars for the new Wil Sebrook Band EP requires a lot of interesting tones and textures. Here's a look at this guitarist-turned-tapdancer's tools of the trade.

My main pedalbaord includes a Line6 M13, EH POG2, Boss TU-3 Tuner, Xotic BB Preamp and RC Booster, Voodoo Lab Sparkle Drive, True-bypass Looper, and Boss Volume Pedal (used as an expression controller for the M13). Also shown is Lior's Fulltone Dejavibe, which got a lot of use on this record. Not shown underneath the board are a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2, a custom pedalboard patch box, and a mess of George L cables. All zip-tied and velcroed onto a Pedaltrain Pro board.

Other fun toys in the in-use pile (l-r): Moogerfooger MuRF with Boss Tap Tempo, EH Octave Multiplexer, Xotic AC Booster, Digitech Synth Wah, Catalinbread Teaser Stallion (COOL PEADL ALERT!), and MXR Dyna Comp.

My secondary Furman pedalboard. From top left: Boss BF-3 Flanger, Digitech Hyper Phase, MXR Carbon Copy analog delay, Boss Super Chorus (had it since high school), Boss TU-2 Tuner, Dunlop Crybaby (also had it since high school), Digitech original Whammy, Keeley True-Bypass Looper, Ibanez TS-9 Tube Screamer, and Boss EQ. Usually another drive pedal lives in this board, too.

Exploring the axes of the Guitarsenal

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:25:00 GMT

Tracking guitars with producer Lior Goldenberg requires a lot of sonic firepower. The new Wil Seabrook Band EP is sounding great, thanks to these workhorses. Front - back: 1969 Les Paul Custom (Black), 1998 Paul Reed Smith Custom 22 (Purple-Cranberry), Paul Reed Smith McCarty Soapbar (Dark Blue), 1962 Fender Stratocaster (Olympic White), Fender Telecaster Custom (gold), 1997 Fender Lonestar Strat (Teal Green Metallic), Gibson CS-336 (Tangerine Burst). We track guitars in many layers, and try to use contrasting tones to make the parts stand out. We usually end up with four or five different guitars per song, and the results are amazing. Can't wait for you to hear it... clips coming soon.

Refretting my beloved PRS

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:40:26 GMT

Took my number one go-to guitar in for a refret after 12 long years of love and abuse. I don't have kids, but this experience makes me have some respect for those parents who are always trying to find the best schools, doctors, mechanics, etc. to make sure every little thing in life caters to their child's comfort and well-being. I am relieved to say that the frets have already been replaced and my baby is just awaiting the Plek and final setup. Loooking forward to getting into the studio with her and making some great music soon. Will post pics!

Strat Setup and Tones

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 13:55:00 GMT

I own a Fender Lonestar Strat that I just seem to hang onto. I've had it for years, and it finds its way onto the stage with me now and then. A year or two ago, the bridge pickup died and I replaced it with a Lindy Fralin humbucker with a coil tap. I had my tech install a push/pull on the tone control that activates the single-coil in any position, making it a nine-sound guitar. I have played with the setup a lot and tried to dial it in, but only recently found the sound I really wanted out of the guitar. I ditched the floating bridge setup and dropped the bridge all the way to the body, and the guitar all of the sudden came to life. I've played a lot of strats before that were setup to float and I always liked that setup, and most Strats are designed to be played that way. But something about this guitar likes having the bridge seated... similar experiences anyone? Listen and watch for this guitar on some upcoming releases with Wil Seabrook and some live shows around Southern California.