The ENWorld Electric Bard Gear (Etc) Thread

[R_J_K75]

Some kindly words of advice. But first a little background, I like GraphTech Ratio Locking tuners on my guitars and have developed an affinity for Telecasters, Fender and Squier.

Don't take this as gospel but a few things I've learned and got screwed by as a result. Ratios will not work on either as the headstock holes usually need to be reamed out larger, time to find a reputable luthier, or trust your own hand. I don't. As some Fender and Squier both have a hex nut on the front side of the headstock you'd think they would fit but nope, they both use a tuner that have nubbins instead of screws on the backside of the headstock. Fender locking tuners will work on a Fender but they will not work on a Squier and vice versa as the nubbin holes in the headstock are placed about a mm off, so again try your own hand or find a luthier.

Now with the "Traditional" split post machine heads I found and used them in both Fender and Squier that these usually fit but you have to pound out the original ferrules and pound in new ones, I've done it, not too hard. But knocked out a nut and had to hide glue it back in then restring it. These aren't bad.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D96M77F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm writing this because I got a set of Ratios that the plastic on them was broken that keeps the packaging closed. They aren't returnable if opened, so I emailed them explaining the situation and they're supposedly sending me a $25 gift certificate. Amateur guitar work isn't easy, pickguards, bridges, machine heads, necks, etc. don't fit as you'd think and sometimes no matter how much research you do it's not enough.

 

[R_J_K75]

Fender locking tuners will work on a Fender but they will not work on a Squier and vice versa as the nubbin holes in the headstock are placed about a mm off, so again try your own hand or find a luthier.

EDIT. Yesterday, I tried to put Fender Locking tuners that I took off an old Squier (I butchered to get them on it a few years back) and put them on a Fender Telecaster. Even Fender Locking Tuners wouldn't fit on a Fender Telecaster. They both had the same two pin style but the machine heads on the Tele were a tad smaller than the locking machine heads. This baffles me, SMH....

The "new" Black Crowes record is really good, Happiness Bastards. Sounds old school while still sounding new. Their last few were duds. Worth checking out, only 37:54 minutes so not a long commitment. Reminds me of an old Stones record...

 

[payn]

EDIT. Yesterday, I tried to put Fender Locking tuners that I took off an old Squier (I butchered to get them on it a few years back) and put them on a Fender Telecaster. Even Fender Locking Tuners wouldn't fit on a Fender Telecaster. They both had the same two pin style but the machine heads on the Tele were a tad smaller than the locking machine heads. This baffles me, SMH....

The "new" Black Crowes record is really good, Happiness Bastards. Sounds old school while still sounding new. Their last few were duds. Worth checking out, only 37:54 minutes so not a long commitment. Reminds me of an old Stones record...

I love their sophomore album Amorica. Does the track sound anything like that?

Some local news, the drummer of the band is now on our local rock stations morning show. The band was supposed to play here in the TC but somebody got sick.

 

[R_J_K75]

I love their sophomore album Amorica. Does the track sound anything like that?

Did you skip Southern Harmony of Musical Companion? That is their sophomore record, Amorica is their 3rd. Remember I mentioned Tall the other day? That was the album that was supposed to be between record 2 and 3 and the brothers fought and undermined anything the other did. How Amorica got made is a miracle. But Amorica is probably my favorite too. I saw them 5-7 times they just played Buffalo and the WNY area alot, and I will say they really suck a few of those, but were really good for a lot of them too.

Does the track sound anything like that?

I would say it sounds like the Crowes, Song 3: Cross Your Fingers can fit anywhere in their catalog post-1991. Yeah the CD is worth buying and listening to IMO

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

The only Black Crowes album I actually disliked was the one they did with Jimmy Page. It was enough of a disappointment for me that I don’t listen to it very often.

The Black Crowes were absolutely a talented enough band to play the songs on that album. And Jimmy Page needs no introduction. But they screwed it up.

The issue? They tried playing the songs in the original keys, and Chris Robinson, while extremely talented, didn’t have quite the range to sing the highest notes. And it happens several times on the album. Usually, that doesn’t bug me enough to shelve an album.

But again, those musicians should never have made that mistake. Especially Jimmy Page- remember, he started off as a session musician before he broke with The Yardbirds & Led Zeppelin. No excuses- someone in those sessions could EASILY have transposed those songs into Robinson’s vocal range, and he’d have delivered a killer performance. I’m thinking a half step or whole step down would have been sufficient, and that’s nothing.

That said, I’ve heard the new track, and agree that it sounds like it would fit in with their better stuff.

 

[R_J_K75]

At the 2:08 mark, that's Tim Commerford's cell phone going off. This is 2001-2002everyone had a crappy cell phone. They said because it was in time and in key they left it in. It was a random call, just forgot to turn off his phone when they were recording

 

[R_J_K75]

Mustve been drunk that night and didnt notice the notification and probably deleted it with 50+ others....But

No excuses- someone in those sessions could EASILY have transposed those songs into Robinson’s vocal range, and he’d have delivered a killer performance.

This is hearsay, etc, but I have a friend that saw that tour and said this was one of the best shows he's ever seen. I want to say it was Raleigh NC where he worked at a club. Adrian Smith bummed a "Fag" off him and he had to drive around for 6 hours looking for Magnum condoms or else Peter Stele wouldn't play; He said I just threw a box of rubbers at him and told him to F**K Off. So I trust his critique.

 

[R_J_K75]

Remember the "Old Grey Whistle Test"? It was a show where musicians would play. I know it, but does anyone know what "the Old Grey Whistle Test" is? Agreed it's an antiquated notion

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Remember the "Old Grey Whistle Test"? It was a show where musicians would play. I know it, but does anyone know what "the Old Grey Whistle Test" is? Agreed it's an antiquated notion

The legend goes that the old moguls of certain UK labels would test pre-final edit versions of songs by playing them for their doormen, who mostly dressed in grey uniforms. Any song the doormen could hum or whistle after a couple hearings would likely be a hit.

 

[R_J_K75]

You are absolutely correc

The legend goes that the old moguls of certain UK labels would test pre-final edit versions of songs by playing them for their doormen, who mostly dressed in grey uniforms. Any song the doormen could hum or whistle after a couple hearings would likely be a hit.

You are absolutely correct