Do you Play a musical instrument ?

[CJR09]

Originally Posted by Ratmick

a 2005 Korean Epiphone Vintage SG (solid mahogany body, one-piece neck, Seymour Duncan Phat Cat humbucker-sized P-90 pickups), a Mexican HSS Fender Strat (tobacco sunburst, all Seymour Duncan pickups) and a Mexican Fender Telecaster (cherry red, also Seymour Duncan pickups). All set up by Ian Noyce, but modified by myself. If I had to pick one and one only it'd be the Strat, as it's by far the most comfortable of the four of them for me to play.

Two amps now, an Egnater Tweaker 15w all-valve amp and 2 x 12 cabinet plus a little Yamaha THR10C practise amp...and a few pedals, shipload of cables and assorted stuff. I used to do electronics as a job when I was straight out of school and in the Army so I've kicked off making my own pedals. I have three out in the shed to finish, just need the damn time.

If I persevere and stick with it I'll get an American Strat one day...they're pretty

Some nice gear there!

I love obscure Epi's - I managed to pick up a US Gibson Custom shop made Epi LP DC Special with neck through body and SD P90's - beautiful gat - your Epi SG sounds cool, I mostly run through a 100w Carvin MTS these days, sold my Trace Elliot Speed Twin which to this day rips me - also used to run a Mk1 5150 which was pretty cool - first of the big amps to run three channels, crazy to think that was like 20yrs ago now!!




Also interested to know what type of pedals you are creating?

[XC GXL]

I have been playing bass since I was 14.
I only have the two now a Yamaha RBX5 5 String and an Aria 4 string with a Kahler Tremolo and Seymor Duncan Pickups.
I have had the Aria for over 30 years and the sustain and depth is amazing.
The Yamaha is a very fast nech with it being one of the earlier 5 strings it uses a standard 4 string neck with 5 strings on a narrower spacing.
Pretty much self taught and don't use a plectrum.

The Guitar is an Ibanez RB Series.

Wayne

[Feathers]

I play violin, am teaching myself cello, and I bought a guitar last year as well.

[xwgs302]

Picked up an acoustic guitar at about 9yo, got an electric at 16 and played on and off through my 20's. Been in a band with my mates for over 10 years now, but we have slowed down heaps over the years, we only do a couple per year now if that.
I play a Les Paul tuned to slide, an SG and a early Jap Strat that I found dumped and restored it, played into a 70's Marshall 100w Super Lead and Quad box. Built myself a few pedals too. Effects, I use a Range Master Treble Boost, Vintage Italian Wah pedal and a Boss EQ to kick in for solo's.
We playing next month at the Asphalt Demons dirt drags at the Archer Falls Airstrip... We haven't done a car show yet, should be pretty good.

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by CJR09

Some nice gear there!

I love obscure Epi's - I managed to pick up a US Gibson Custom shop made Epi LP DC Special with neck through body and SD P90's - beautiful gat - your Epi SG sounds cool, I mostly run through a 100w Carvin MTS these days, sold my Trace Elliot Speed Twin which to this day rips me - also used to run a Mk1 5150 which was pretty cool - first of the big amps to run three channels, crazy to think that was like 20yrs ago now!!

Also interested to know what type of pedals you are creating?

Yeah the Epiphone SG that I've got was only made for three years (2002-2005) and only in Korea. They still make them of course but not to the same level, and now only in China. I had a shipload of trouble finding one, this one came from a little shop in Japan ($400-odd imported, not too bad). I'd like a Gibson Standard SG one day, or a Epiphone Elitist (MIJ) but they don't come cheap and never (almost never) in Australia.

The one piece neck is a rarity for Epiphones, they normally have the scarf joint joining the headstock to the neck but this one is quarter-sawn. Epiphones, being made to a budget, are also (normally) nice veneer over something cheaper. The SG is solid all the way through. Noice.

Guitars:

Fenders


...the Tele is a lot redder than it appears in that pic .

Epi SG:


...still has the stock 'meh' Epiphone pickups (now gone to a good home in the US).

Epi Les Paul Tribute Plus:


As for pedals:

* Dallas Arbiter Fuzz Face Replica (kit).
* BYOC Large Beaver (Big Muff Pi clone kit).
* Codtone Expandra, a clone of a Bixonic Expandora (building from scratch, I bought the PCB though).

I have a TC Electronic Hall Of Fame reverb and the Ditto Looper...

It's a sickness, sure of it

[russellw]

I have done and still do ... mostly vintage (pre-Korea at least) Ibanez and Maton Custom shop.



The first one I ever bought some 40+ years ago.

Ibanez Model 698 Acoustic (1971)

Body Style: Jumbo
Back/Sides: Mahogany
Top: Spruce
Finish: Tobacco burst
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: MoP
Tuning Machines: Nickel
Bridge: Rosewood
Pickup: Fishman

It's 12-string cousin:

Ibanez Model 698-12 Acoustic (1973)

Body Style: Jumbo
Back/Sides: Mahogany
Top: Spruce
Finish: Sunburst
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Tuning Machines: Nickel
Bridge: Rosewood
Pickup: Fishman

Ibanez 684-12 Acoustic (1975)

Body Style: Dreadnaught
Back/Sides: Mahogany
Top: Fine-grain Spruce
Finish: Sunburst
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: MoP
Tuning Machines: Nickel
Bridge: Rosewood
Pickup: Fishman
Other: Hummingbird PG

Ibanez 756-12 Acoustic (1977)

Body Style: Jumbo
Back/Sides: Rosewood
Top: Fine-grain Spruce
Finish: Cherry Sunburst
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Tuning Machines: Nickel
Bridge: Rosewood

Maton Custom ST65C-6 Acoustic (2004)

Body Style: Custom
Back/Sides: Rock Maple
Top: Sitka Spruce
Neck: Rock Maple
Finish: Ford Blood Orange
Fingerboard: Ebony
Inlays: Black MoP
Tuning Machines: Grover Black Chrome
Bridge: Ebony
Pickup: Maton AP5


Maton Custom EST65C-12 Acoustic (2004)

Body Style: Custom
Back/Sides: Rock Maple
Top: Sitka Spruce
Neck: Queensland Maple
Finish: Ford Blood Orange
Fingerboard: Ebony
Inlays: Black MoP
Tuning Machines: Grover Black Chrome
Bridge: Ebony
Pickup: Maton AP5

Maton Custom MS2000DLX Electric (2003)

Body Style: Carved Top
Back / Sides: Queensland Maple
Top: Victorian Blackwood
Neck: Rock Maple
Finish: Ford Blood Orange
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: Block MoP
Bridge: TonePro stop tailpiece
Machines: Grover Black Chrome Rotomatic
Pickup: Maton MH2 coil tap

Ibanez 2377 SG Copy (1973)

Body Style: SG
Back / Sides: Solid Mahogany
Top: Mahogany
Neck: Laminated Mahogany
Finish: Vintage
Fingerboard: Ebonised Rosewood
Inlays: Block
Bridge: Tunomatic with Bigsby Tremolo
Machines: Chrome
Pickup(s): Chrome Super 70

Ibanez 2402 SG Twin Copy (1977)

Body Style: SG Twin Neck 6/12
Back / Sides: Solid Mahogany
Top: Mahogany
Neck: Laminated Mahogany
Finish: Vintage
Fingerboard: Ebonised Rosewood
Inlays: Block
Bridge: Tunomatic
Machines: Ivory
Pickup(s): Chrome Super 70 / Zebra Super 80

Ibanez 2341 LP Copy (1977)

Body Style: Les Paul
Back / Sides: Mahogany
Top: Birch
Neck: Laminated Maple
Finish: Black
Fingerboard: Maple
Inlays: Block Abalone
Machines: Gold Smooth Tune
Pickup(s): Gold Super 70 (x3)

Ibanez 2351DX LP Copy (1976)

Body Style: Les Paul
Back / Sides: Mahogany
Top: Birch
Neck: Laminated Maple
Finish: Gold
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: Block
Bridge: Tunomatic
Machines: Gold Smooth Tune
Pickup(s): Gold Super 70

Ibanez 2451 L6S Copy (1977)

Body Style: L6
Back / Sides: Figured Maple
Top: Birch
Neck: Laminated Maple
Finish: Natural
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: Dot
Bridge: Tunomatic
Machines: Chrome Smooth Tune
Pickup(s): Chrome Super 70

Ibanez 2350 Custom LP Copy (1977)

Body Style: Les Paul
Back / Sides: Mahogany
Top: Curly Maple
Neck: Laminated Maple
Finish: Sunburst
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlays: Black MoP
Machines: Gold Smooth Tune
Pickup(s): Gold Super 70

Ibanez 2618-12 (1978)

Back / Sides: Mahogany
Top: Carved Maple
Neck: Maple
Finish: Antique Brown
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Tunomatic
Inlays: Dot MoP
Machines: Gold Smooth Tune
Pickup(s): Gold Super 70

Ibanez AM205 (1984)

Body Style: Semi Acoustic
Back / Sides: Burl Mahogany
Top: Bookmatched Burl Mahogany
Finish: Vintage
Fingerboard: Ebony
Bridge: Gibraltar II
Inlays: Block MoP
Machines: Gold VelveTune
Pickup(s): Gold Super 58
Tailpiece: Quick Change II

Add a Laney EA65 Electric / Acoustic amp, Zoom 8080 Multi-FX pedal plus a couple of vintage Ibanez pedals, Fishman pre-amps and a pair of Shure mics feeding into a Tascam 32 Channel Portastudio.

Cheers
Russ

[Captain Stubing]

Impressive collection there, Russ! I haven't seen many twin necks around, until I started researching building a 12 string, when I found a few kits available. I'm looking at attempting a semi-acoustic 12 string kit guitar - it sounds like a fun challenge!

[Ratmick]

Originally Posted by russellw

I have done and still do ... mostly vintage (pre-Korea at least) Ibanez and Maton Custom shop.

image

The first one I ever bought some 40+ years ago.
...

Add a Laney EA65 Electric / Acoustic amp, Zoom 8080 Multi-FX pedal plus a couple of vintage Ibanez pedals, Fishman pre-amps and a pair of Shure mics feeding into a Tascam 32 Channel Portastudio.

Cheers
Russ

Very impressive collection there Russ, I can see a few I'd like .

See, this is the other end of the sickness. It only gets worse .

OCGCS - Obsessive Compulsive Guitar Collecting Syndrome

...sometimes called GAS, Guitar Acquisition Syndrome.

[graphicgoose]

Some great guitar collections in here!

I have been messing around playing guitar since I was 8 (now 28)...haven't had lessons since then though and don't really play regularly anymore. Current collection includes the Ibanez steel string acoustic I learnt to play on, a Cole Clark FL2AC semi-acoustic (sounds fantastic plugged in!), Fender American Deluxe FMT Strat with a suhr aldrich humbucker in the bridge, an LTD MH-350NT QMT with active EMG pickups and a Fender American Jazz Bass (I'm terrible at bass).

I had some classical singing training during uni and used to play clarinet and saxophone when I was younger. Owned an alto sax but played the schools tenor sax in jazz and senior bands in high school. When I was 17 I sold my sax to buy a car stereo...regretted it ever since!

I've messed around with writing and recording some of my own songs since I was in high school. I've got what I would consider a fairly nice amateur home recording setup. I don't actually own any guitar or bass amps these days, I record using an Avid Eleven Rack - these things are epic! It emulates different amps, cabs, mics etc and makes recording electric guitar at home so much easier (and much better sounding) than trying to mic up an amp and cab setup.

May not be anyone's cup of tea, but someone above mentioned posting audio links, so here's the latest song I wrote and recorded. I apologise for the bass and drums, I'm a terrible bass player and the drums are a program.

http://soundcloud.com/remisrecords/this-little-thing

[superyob]

^^^That is sooo good!! Did you do the lot???? That is wizardry. I would buy your songs if they were all that good...

[graphicgoose]

Thanks mate. I wrote the song, recorded all guitars and vocals and mixed it myself. Drums are just done using a drum sample program called BFD, eventually I'd like to get a V-Drum kit setup in my studio so that I can actually get a proper drummer to record for me to get a more natural feel and better beats, but still use the properly recorded sampled audio.

There's 2 other songs on my soundcloud account...but they're not fully finished and weren't recorded with my current gear, so the quality isn't as good. Once I get my own house next year or so I'll setup my studio properly and hopefully then find more motivation to work on re-recording some of my older songs and work on some new stuff too.

[russellw]

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

I've messed around with writing and recording some of my own songs since I was in high school. I've got what I would consider a fairly nice amateur home recording setup. I don't actually own any guitar or bass amps these days, I record using an Avid Eleven Rack - these things are epic! It emulates different amps, cabs, mics etc and makes recording electric guitar at home so much easier (and much better sounding) than trying to mic up an amp and cab setup.

May not be anyone's cup of tea, but someone above mentioned posting audio links, so here's the latest song I wrote and recorded. I apologise for the bass and drums, I'm a terrible bass player and the drums are a program.

http://soundcloud.com/remisrecords/this-little-thing

Nice work - I sing like Kermit so appreciate anyone with a good voice.

I write and record in (the little) spare time I have using a MIDI keyboard (on which I'm average), guitars, synth drums and the effects available via the Tascam. Quality isn't great but for instrumental shorts which is all I do, it's fine.

Software and the midi unit are a decent replacement for the ARP Odyssey I used to do this work on and takes up a lot less space.

Cheers
Russ

[CJR09]

Russ - one word - WOW!!

[MITCHAY]

I'd love to learn how to play an electric guitar. Even if I could learn a few riffs would be fun enough. Unfortunately I have no clue about guitars at all

[graphicgoose]

Originally Posted by russellw

Nice work - I sing like Kermit so appreciate anyone with a good voice.

I write and record in (the little) spare time I have using a MIDI keyboard (on which I'm average), guitars, synth drums and the effects available via the Tascam. Quality isn't great but for instrumental shorts which is all I do, it's fine.

Software and the midi unit are a decent replacement for the ARP Odyssey I used to do this work on and takes up a lot less space.

Cheers
Russ

Thanks Russ.

Ah yeah. When I get my own place part of my studio setup will include a decent midi unit. I've got a sampled grand piano program that sounds FANTASTIC and is designed to be used with a midi keyboard. Would also be useful for sampled strings etc too. If I had the space to set it all up properly and the time to use it I'd happily lose hours/days to messing around with this stuff. I love the creativity aspect of it I think.

What recording software do you use?

[Sabantien]

Originally Posted by MITCHAY

I'd love to learn how to play an electric guitar. Even if I could learn a few riffs would be fun enough. Unfortunately I have no clue about guitars at all

Get one, go on YouTube. You'll figure it out.

Although I think springing for lessons is the best idea. I really need to do it sometime.

[Jack91]

I bought a Martinez 3 years ago and self taught by youtube and tabs. Couldn't transition to barre chords and hit a wall with open chords so I gave up. One day id like to get back into it

[russellw]

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

Thanks Russ.

Ah yeah. When I get my own place part of my studio setup will include a decent midi unit. I've got a sampled grand piano program that sounds FANTASTIC and is designed to be used with a midi keyboard. Would also be useful for sampled strings etc too. If I had the space to set it all up properly and the time to use it I'd happily lose hours/days to messing around with this stuff. I love the creativity aspect of it I think.

What recording software do you use?

Like most, I started with Cakewalk and Cubase but found both lacking in flexibility and the heavily cluttered interfaces gave me the you know what's.

The last decade or so my primary has been Avid Pro Tools (currently using v11) although it is hardly cheap. I also use Audacity a fair bit as I like the uncluttered interface (and you can't argue with the price) and both are supported by a handful of specialist tools like Finale Notepad (creates musical notation); Acoustica Pro and some multi format file editors.

I've been playing with a demo version of Reaper and I like it so far - probably missing some advanced features but I use those so rarely for it not to matter.

Cheers
Russ

[Lotte]

I'm a classically trained pianist, doing a bachelor of arts at the moment with a music major.

Also play guitar (6 & 7 string), bass and tenor sax. Like most Australians I also play recorder. Because primary school.

Oh and I want to learn the bagpipes because screw the neighbours.

[graphicgoose]

Originally Posted by russellw

Like most, I started with Cakewalk and Cubase but found both lacking in flexibility and the heavily cluttered interfaces gave me the you know what's.

The last decade or so my primary has been Avid Pro Tools (currently using v11) although it is hardly cheap. I also use Audacity a fair bit as I like the uncluttered interface (and you can't argue with the price) and both are supported by a handful of specialist tools like Finale Notepad (creates musical notation); Acoustica Pro and some multi format file editors.

I've been playing with a demo version of Reaper and I like it so far - probably missing some advanced features but I use those so rarely for it not to matter.

Cheers
Russ

Ah yeah. I started with Cool Edit Pro (now Adobe Audition) way back when and then had a play with Nuendo. Now I use Pro Tools, think I've got v10...considering I've barely been using it lately I haven't been able to justify upgrading to v12 or updating a bunch of my plugins.

I've heard good things about Reaper. Again, once I get my studio setup properly and have the time to play around a bit more I'll probably be interested in having a crack at Reaper.

[LTD Ute]

Studied Flamenco and Classical guitar since I was 10 and I'm 52 now.
Been playing professionally since I was 14 and won Young Talent time
that year in 1977. Had to take on real job at age 20 when I got married
to keep the bank manager happy so I could borrow for a piece of land.

I've studied at the Madrid Con and continue playing professionally till this day.
Being a teenager during the 70's in Melbourne we grew up with bands like
AC/DC, The Angels, Lobby Lloyd, Rose Tattoo in town halls, pubs and
Mechanics Institutes. Man, glory days of Aussie rock!
I started working on my first guitar about half an hour after I got it and the
science and engineering that goes into them is my life long passion.
I've made dozens of custom built guitars for many a high end guitarist
and can build you anything you can conceive.

I build guitars to the equivalent of Pavteks motor's standards,
just work your recipe and it's pretty much all possible.

Underlying all this is my love of the guitar and all music in general..

Do yourself a favour and pickup a guitar, a mate can get you started
in less than half an hour and you will enjoy it for the rest of your life.

MAKE NOISE!!

[Grunter]

Originally Posted by graphicgoose

http://soundcloud.com/remisrecords/this-little-thing

Wow. That is really good mate!

[graphicgoose]

Originally Posted by Grunter

Wow. That is really good mate!

Thanks mate, appreciate the kind words.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by LTD Ute

Studied Flamenco and Classical guitar since I was 10 and I'm 52 now.
Been playing professionally since I was 14 and won Young Talent time
that year in 1977. Had to take on real job at age 20 when I got married
to keep the bank manager happy so I could borrow for a piece of land.

I've studied at the Madrid Con and continue playing professionally till this day.
Being a teenager during the 70's in Melbourne we grew up with bands like
AC/DC, The Angels, Lobby Lloyd, Rose Tattoo in town halls, pubs and
Mechanics Institutes. Man, glory days of Aussie rock!
I started working on my first guitar about half an hour after I got it and the
science and engineering that goes into them is my life long passion.
I've made dozens of custom built guitars for many a high end guitarist
and can build you anything you can conceive.

I build guitars to the equivalent of Pavteks motor's standards,
just work your recipe and it's pretty much all possible.

Underlying all this is my love of the guitar and all music in general..

Do yourself a favour and pickup a guitar, a mate can get you started
in less than half an hour and you will enjoy it for the rest of your life.

MAKE NOISE!!

Seriously, this place never ceases to surprise me with the array of amazing, incredibly talented individuals that frequent here!
Brilliant stuff you guys!

[XG_Falcon]

I just finished setting up my newest piece of equipment: a Yamaha DTX 450K electronic drum kit.

It's a lot of fun.

[LTD Ute]

Originally Posted by XG_Falcon

I just finished setting up my newest piece of equipment: a Yamaha DTX 450K electronic drum kit.

It's a lot of fun.

Nothing like a new bit of gear to stir the inspirational juices!

[XG_Falcon]

Originally Posted by LTD Ute

Nothing like a new bit of gear to stir the inspirational juices!

You got that right!

[Ben73]

I've been playing drums for 10 years. Taught myself the basic but had a tutor to teach me a bit more advanced stuff. Haven't played much lately since I'm building a House. Once the house is built I will have my own drum room so I'll be back into it.

[XG_Falcon]

Originally Posted by Ben73

I've been playing drums for 10 years. Taught myself the basic but had a tutor to teach me a bit more advanced stuff. Haven't played much lately since I'm building a House. Once the house is built I will have my own drum room so I'll be back into it.

Yeah, essentially I bought the electronic kit because I can't really use my acoustic kit where I live. When I stop renting and build a house, I plan to build a properly soundproofed/acoustically treated home studio.

[brismike]

Originally Posted by b2tf

What's your choice of bass? I have 2x Ibanez BTB's, a Musicman Stingray and an Ibanez SR. I'd like to have an American Jazz Bass soon too.

I've got a Rickenbacker fretless bass and a Yamaha 5 string fretted bass. Used to play in a band in my younger days. Haven't got them out for a while. Must do it this weekend 😊.

Cheers Mike