Jim Says:”I celebrated 4/20 on January 5. Because I can reduce fractions!”
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For as long as I’ve been playing guitar, I’ve been afraid to “mess with” the truss rod, intonation, etc. for fear for destroying my instrument. I have no idea where this irrational fear came from as I’ve had my Chevelle, as well as various other cars and motorcycles, in several pieces, taken my drums completely apart, computers, other machines, electronics, house wiring, plumbing, etc.
But the idea of breaking the neck of my beloved Les Paul kept me from tinkering. Not even my $100 Explorer knock-off, or my Epiphone Telecaster were worth the risk. When I bought my first bass, I got it from Guitar Gallery (where I purchased the aforementioned guitars) and had them do the set up on my $150 Squier Bronco (aka “Count Basey”).
Jim with “Count Basey.”
Well, then I went a got me a Fender P-Bass. Because there is no such thing as “too many guitars.” I took it out to my guys to have them do a set up on it and check it out for me. It played even better and was worth every penny. It wasn’t long until I read that Duck Dunn played a P-Bass with LaBella Flatwounds (760M to be exact), and went and ordered a set for mine. What a difference!
Jim with “The New Hotness.”
Exactly the sound I was looking for. Booker T. and the MGs, half of Motown, every funk record, that was the sound! However, flat wound strings have a much different tension and it threw the whole set up off. The action was so much higher, intonation was off, just a mess. So I went looking..
That’s when I came across John Carruthers’ videos on the Elixir Strings YouTube Channel and decided to go for it. It was surprisingly easy, I took my time and now the “New Hotness” sounds great again, and plays beautifully. I’ll be doing all of my axes in the coming weeks, and looking forward to doing it.
Post pick guard, pre flat wounds.
I’m sharing the videos in hopes that it inspires someone else to give it a shot. I already had feeler gauges, and the .050 hex for the saddle, but I did have to go buy a 6 inch scale ruler, and SAE hex for the formerly terrifying truss rod adjustment.
Jim Says: “Born to do it.”
Many years ago, King Clyde Glunk faced a dilemma. His kingdom was about to come under siege by the Romans as they advanced through Europe. The King stepped onto his balcony and addressed his people..
“My citizens, we have a grave decision to make. The Roman army is approaching and we are badly outnumbered with no chance of victory. If we fight, we will most likely be overrun with very few survivors left to tell our tale. However, if we abandon our small kingdom to flee and hide throughout Europe, our culture will be lost and forgotten in the sands of time. I will not order you to fight. Instead, I leave the decision to you, good people. Shall we face the oncoming onslaught and fight to defend our way of life, or shall we run? I shall return in the morning for your answer.”
The next day, King Clyde Glunk, weary from a sleepless night, made his way to the balcony to once again address his people.
“Good people, I ask you. Do we run and hide? Or do we head onward into battle?”
There was silence as a lone representative from the crowd made his way to the front. He stopped, and looked up at his King. He removed his hat and began to speak…
“Your Majesty,” he said, “as your loyal subjects, we have discussed this long into the night. We have weighed every option, and have come to a solid conclusion.”
“What say you?” asked the King.
“We shall not run and hide. We shall… MARCH FORTH!”
And that’s how we came to celebrate this holiday. May you and yours have a glorius March 4th.
Jim Says:”In honor of Sam.”
After years of playing drums, and playing (struggling) with guitar, I’ve jumped into the world of Bass.
So far, I’m loving it. I picked up a $150 Squier Bronco from my friends over at Guitar Gallery, and have been using the iRig HD2 and Vox amPlug 2 as my amp while I debate which Fender Rumble amp to buy.
If any of my local friends are interested, I’m selling my Epiphone PR-150 acoustic guitar.
Update: The PR-150 has found a new loving home.
“I have too many guitars” – No one, ever.
My family is one of few traditions. One of my favorites began when I was in, about, the 6th grade. As we would drive to my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving, I would hand my dad a cassette to put in the stereo. We would listen to “Alice’s Restaurant” a couple-few of times on the drive there and home. Each time, singing it, when it came around on the guitar.
With feeling.
Now, you yourself may find yourself on a similar drive to a similar meal. And when you find yourself in a situation like that, there’s only one thing you can do about it. You just sing a chorus of “Alice’s Restaurant.”
You can get,
Anything you want,
At Alice’s Restaurant.
And you can get,
Anything you want,
At Alice’s Restaurant.
Walk right in,
It’s around the back,
Just a half a mile from the railroad track.
You can get,
Anything you want,
At Alice’s Restaurant.
Jim Says: “I’m just waiting for it to come around on the guitar again.”
