A Place for Musicians

[Jerseyprophet]

Here's what Hahn uses;

http://www.pssl.com/images/ProdImage01/500/MPC-5000.jpg

64-voice drum/phrase sampler with 64MB memory built-in. Expandable up to 192MB RAM
Three-oscillator virtual analog synth engine with built-in arpeggiator
Over 300 Virtual Analog synth presets included
Eight tracks of Direct-to-Hard Disk recording
Over 40 all new effects available within a modular 4-bus effects processor
Master compressor and equalizer
960 ppq resolution
Built-in hard disk drive
Optional CD-R/DVD drive
USB 2.0 port for computer connectivity
CF Type-2 card slot (up to 2GB)
Chop-Shop 2.0 - slices a stereo loop into individual samples with automatic pad assignment
Patched Phrases - creates multiple splits in looped samples to ensure proper tempo sync without changing pitch
Continuous Sample Track - ensures samples play in perfect sync no matter where you start the beat in a loop
12 Q-link controllers for internal automation, external MIDI control and quick parameter editing
240 x 128 hinged backlit LCD
10 built-in analog outputs, plus 8 ADAT-optical outputs and stereo S/PDIF IO
Powerful new multimode filter
Two MIDI inputs and Four MIDI outputs
Turntable phono inputs with RIAA pre-amp
XLR / 1/4" combo jacks with selectable mic/line levels

(copypasta from pssl.com)

[Dmitry]

You guys beat me to Mr. Hahn He does really well in the situation he's in, and I'm not saying that because I'm a fan. Pre-Minutes to Midnight most of their songs were really creative with how they blended everything together.


As for my own stuff, I play some offbrand Gibson SG (Call a Sprit, got it from Circuit City, anyone else know anything more about it? lol). It actually has a nicer action than my Squier Strat that I got for my first electric guitar. I also have some cheap acoustic that I think was $20 with guitar lessons which I got for christmas a good many years ago. I also picked up an Epiphone SG bass (not gonna bother looking up what they call it). It plays pretty nice, but I don't usually play bass so I don't have any experience to go off of.

The equipment I use most is a 25w Danville guitar amp that I use some Crate head I also got for christmas. I mostly play my bass on the little 15w amp that came with it, but I use the Danville when I want to play louder, even though it's probably not good for it. I also have a Digitech Whammy IV pedal that I use on occasion, mostly when I play White Stripes stuff, which is how my dad found it for me. haha

Also, since this is a musician's thread, I suppose I can talk about destroying my bass some more in here :D Can anyone give me some insight on defretting a bass, if it's possible without destroying it mainly. I'm pretty confident I can play without them, but I don't want to spend more money on another instrument until either I can't find another guitarist or I get a bigger bass amp at least.

[Obev]

Also, since this is a musician's thread, I suppose I can talk about destroying my bass some more in here :D Can anyone give me some insight on defretting a bass, if it's possible without destroying it mainly. I'm pretty confident I can play without them, but I don't want to spend more money on another instrument until either I can't find another guitarist or I get a bigger bass amp at least.

Pay someone to do it. It's not an easy job. http://www.geocities.com/charlesarms/ has some information on the DIY method, but this isn't as good as a proper luthier could do: as the guide mentions, the fretboard will now get freakin' raped by regular strings. Any good guitar shop should be able to do it, or at least provide you with the details of someone who can. You can do it yourself if you want to save $50, but it's really not worth it. Having played a friends' which he defretted himself, and my two basses which were defretted professionally, I can say that the difference is pretty noticeable. That could just be me wanting to justify the money I spent though. If you do it yourself, at least you have the option of handing it over to professionals if it all goes horribly wrong, I guess.

[Dmitry]

Haha thanks a bunch. None of my friends want to help me with it, but the music shop we go to does repairs, I'll ask them next time we go.

[BIGSTIC]

I took Piano lessons from 8-18. Ten years later I can still tickle the ivory when I see a piano laying around.

However I have been looking at getting into guitars but honestly I feel awkward playing them. I have always tried the self taught method. Are lessons worth it for guitars or should I just keep butchering my way threw these books. I feel music and the theroy behind it is important for children and not having a piano in the house I figure a Guitar is the next best thing to learn. I have 2 years to learn, help me BG

PS: I have been trying to learn on a $100 cheapo that my grandma gave me 10 years ago. Its average size but all guitars feel so small in my big hands.

[Kaliden]

I took Piano lessons from 8-18. Ten years later I can still tickle the ivory when I see a piano laying around.

However I have been looking at getting into guitars but honestly I feel awkward playing them. I have always tried the self taught method. Are lessons worth it for guitars or should I just keep butchering my way threw these books. I feel music and the theroy behind it is important for children and not having a piano in the house I figure a Guitar is the next best thing to learn. I have 2 years to learn, help me BG

PS: I have been trying to learn on a $100 cheapo that my grandma gave me 10 years ago. Its average size but all guitars feel so small in my big hands.

Get a Les Paul/copy, they're usually a lot more neck heavy and have a thicker body.

[sephir]

I took Piano lessons from 8-18. Ten years later I can still tickle the ivory when I see a piano laying around.

However I have been looking at getting into guitars but honestly I feel awkward playing them. I have always tried the self taught method. Are lessons worth it for guitars or should I just keep butchering my way threw these books. I feel music and the theroy behind it is important for children and not having a piano in the house I figure a Guitar is the next best thing to learn. I have 2 years to learn, help me BG

PS: I have been trying to learn on a $100 cheapo that my grandma gave me 10 years ago. Its average size but all guitars feel so small in my big hands.

When it comes to Guitar big hands are a real asset. They are great for stretches and for strength, although it may be awkward at first one you get used to playing you will be thankful for getting them.

As for guitars, you can play anyone just fine. However it has to be right for you. Don't let the colour or style distract you just pick one that fits your needs. Go to the music store and spend time there, go through each one and make sure to play them for a while- this is like buying a car.
As for lessons, they are very helpful although as a guitar teacher I may be a bit biased. But the best advice I can give is to learn Clapton songs (ie. Yardbirds, Cream, Derek and the Domino's, Blind Faith, Eric Clapton). They may not be your style of music, but from my experiencing teaching people, it works wonders on learning timing and styles-and have yet to have a student say they did not help them emensly. Also programs like Guitar Pro are extremely helpful.

[Jakson]

Been playing guitar and bass just short of 10 years, Keys and drums off and on. I play a Jackson (hence the username), I don't play in a band anymore, though the only band I was ever in did some absofuckinglutely fantastic deftones covers, so nowadays I just have my Flextone II Plus and satellite cab. Used to write a lot in Powertab, but don't have back ups and powertabs.net got shutdown, so I guess they're mostly lost to the internets forever. A few I wrote, though the only one that doesn't suck is "Maybe Today Is A Good Day To Die", and even that one is naive at best. http://uca.powertabs.net/index.php?page=artist,53


I've been trying to figure out lately how to play some of Buckethead's album Crime Slunk Scene. Electronic Sleight of Hand and King James are fun.

But of course, no matter what our instruments are or what style of music we enjoy to play, to this day I've never been more impressed or blown away by the raw talent of one man.
Victor Wooten, Bass Player. He does two seperate riffs here, in a fucking amazing bass solo. One on the low end, one on the octaves. Im not a bass player, so bare with me in my description.
JUST WATCH IT.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=CR6t47pV8Qc

Not a big fan of the DJ scene, but you definitely have something right there. I was getting bored of playing John Myung stuff when my brother in law said "Hey, check this guy out." Never have I been more humbled than by that guy. I've never had much of a problem playing Les Claypool or any other stuff, but my fingers ache just thinking about Wooten doing Norwegian Wood, and that doesn't even have much sweeping in it like your link shows at about :37. Though I have to give Flea credit, as I never get tired of playing Soul To Squeeze.

The finish on that Les Paul is overpriced.

Fixt.

If you're gonna pay an assload for a guitar and don't want to play metal, get a Parker Fly. Lighter and sexier than Alyson Hannigan with her shirt off. In fact, buy one anyway.

[Jerseyprophet]

All good advice, Bigstic and I've got something to add. I'm by no means a guitarist but I can hold my own. Drums, DJ'ing and what little guitar I play is self taught. Lessons are wonderful and could teach you alot of musical theory - which you already possess from the piano. You'd also learn tabs, and be able to read sheet music.

But, if you want to simply enjoy playing guitar, then I personally feel all you need is the guitar (but do upgrade, if the guitar is acoustic -- acoustics strings are higher above the fret board and take alot more effort to play versus an electric and that may be a disadvantage to someone learning).

Just put a CD on, enjoy playing, and ask anyone around you that plays to show you the basic chords. You'd be amazed how many songs can be played with a power chord, A, B, C and D.

It's fun to self teach. I learned how to play drums (20 years now) by putting headphones on, and experimenting with staying in general rythem. Dave Matthews Band (though I'm not a fan, I AM as a drummer because they blur Jazz, rock, Folk, etc. -- good foundation for a drummer). I can't read sheet music, couldn't tell you what the technical terms of music composure are, but I can write a damn good drum line =)

[Kaliden]

I like SGs, but there's no way I'd shell out 1k+ for a standard when Epiphones are just as good. The main difference between them (aside from cosmetic differences) is the Gibson comes with better stock pick-ups, and you can swap those out yourself. There was a column a week or so ago on Ultimate-guitar.com about looking past the logo.

edit: Found it

[Dolmen]

There are soooo many guitars out there that blow Gibsons away. When you take some of the other guitars out there which have a lesser quality equivalent, the better quality (aka - more expensive) blows the lesser away. Aside from some older model SGs, there really aren't any Gibson guitars I even like, let alone would play.

[Lavik]

d00d fantomas

[Kaliden]

I want this guitar so bad.

Ibanez S470DXQM:
http://ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=S470DXQM

[Shadowstalker]

I want this guitar so bad.

Ibanez S470DXQM:
http://ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=S470DXQM

Would you use the stock pickups?

[Kaliden]

I want this guitar so bad.

Ibanez S470DXQM:
http://ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=S470DXQM

Would you use the stock pickups?

Nah, I'd swap them out for some active EMGs.

[Huggo]

I like SGs, but there's no way I'd shell out 1k+ for a standard when Epiphones are just as good. [/url]

I'm sorry but I like my real les paul way more than the epi I used to have. I'll take an american made les paul over the cheap chinese knock-off any day. The thing about music equipment is that you get what you pay for. And in some cases it's an investment. Part of what makes a real Gibson les paul more expensive isn't just the finish, but the quality of the wood used. You'll get a lot more resonance out of maple than the knock off stuff epiphones are made of.

[Obev]

I like SGs, but there's no way I'd shell out 1k+ for a standard when Epiphones are just as good. [/url]

I'm sorry but I like my real les paul way more than the epi I used to have. I'll take an american made les paul over the cheap chinese knock-off any day. The thing about music equipment is that you get what you pay for. And in some cases it's an investment. Part of what makes a real Gibson les paul more expensive isn't just the finish, but the quality of the wood used. You'll get a lot more resonance out of maple than the knock off stuff epiphones are made of.

This is truth, but you'd be surprised at the sounds you can get out of a plywood guitar with some bitchin' pickups in it. It's never going to give as good a clean tone as a well-made axe, but for loud buzzy angry music it's cheap, dirty, and fun as hell.

[Kaliden]

I like SGs, but there's no way I'd shell out 1k+ for a standard when Epiphones are just as good. [/url]

I'm sorry but I like my real les paul way more than the epi I used to have. I'll take an american made les paul over the cheap chinese knock-off any day. The thing about music equipment is that you get what you pay for. And in some cases it's an investment. Part of what makes a real Gibson les paul more expensive isn't just the finish, but the quality of the wood used. You'll get a lot more resonance out of maple than the knock off stuff epiphones are made of.

What I should have said was Epiphones are pretty decent guitars for being cheap, and that there are guitars at par with Gibson that cost way less.

[Shadowstalker]

I want this guitar so bad.

Ibanez S470DXQM:
http://ibanez.com/eg/guitar.aspx?m=S470DXQM

Would you use the stock pickups?

Nah, I'd swap them out for some active EMGs.

Ick, I'm totally not a fan of EMGs- any active pickup, really. An 81/85 combo -isn't horrible-, it's just not my thing. You're gonna have to spend a lot of time tweaking your EQ if you want the right kind of sound, unless you're looking for a high treble output. Same with Duncan Blackouts (think of the bullet for my valentine sound.)

Personally, I'm more of a fan of Dimarzio and Duncans. The Dimarzio D-sonic pickup is -amazing- in the bridge, imo. It's very balanced for just about any style and any tuning. It doesn't get muddy or harsh. If you're looking for a more thrash'ish sound, you can always adjust the gain on your amp/distortion pedal, but for most hard rock/metal, it sounds great.

As far as a neck pickup, I'd say Dimarzio breed is a wonderful pickup. Either that or a PAF pro.

[Dolmen]

I've personally hit a wall with my sound, and want to further extend it. I want a lot cleaner tone, so I'm looking at replacing my pickups. First, does anyone have any recommendations? Currently I've been looking at the Seymour Duncan Blackout Actives, with thoughts on an 81/85 setup as well. I've been using the stock pickups that came on my Schecter C-1 Plus, and while I love the tone I get, the highs and lows can get really mudded up. Keep in mind that I like playing with either a chorus effect, or really raw distortion. Some might think that with distortion it doesn't matter, but when you get something overdriven to hell that is clear, it really makes some insanely great sounding black metal.