Holiday wishes, news and other stuff
Hi all.......it's been a while since I've posted, but I'm trying to make time to get back here.....just read a bunch of posts and really realized how much I miss this place 
.......It's been a busy fall, work crazy, ex-wife crazy, mother crazy LOL.......but I do have good news.....and it has nothing to do with my car insurance.......I'm getting married Dec. 17th........which of course means that the next 3 weeks will be totally crazy.....my boy is going to be my best man and her daughter the maid of honor, they are 6.5 and 15 respectively........he's going to look totally cool in his little tux LOL
Other than that, been playing in a band with some guys, doing covers, stuff like Velvet Revolver, Eddie Money, Collective Soul, Sammy Hagar, AC/DC, etc....it's been fun.....kind of gave up on using the GNX3 with the band, it just wasn't working through my Mesa and I really love the Mesa's tone all by itself.....I run from guitar to an Ibanez Parametric EQ I've had for years, then a new Behringer Wah, that seems good so far, then to a Boss CE-2 chorus I just picked up as well as a second release Small Stone phaser I found for 25 bucks, then to a couple delays set for different times.......so I guess it's not just the mesa alone LOL.......
I also had an old, mid 60's Fender Twin Reverb I put in the shop a while back and the guy got it going again, needed all new tubes, one other part, forget what, and one JBL reconed...can't wait to get it back, it was a really sweet sounding amp........
The one thing I haven't had time for is my original music.....I have one that's about finished, just needs an intro I think......but since I just moved my music room from the small bedroom my soon to be step daughter is going to use to the tiny storage room/closet (hey, at least it's heated) off the garage maybe I'll lock myself in soon and finish it LOL
It looks like everyone here is doing pretty well and I'm glad......maybe I can manage to get a song out here or like Thomas on soundclick (haven't had time to listen to the new one, want to wait till my boy's not asleep so I can crank it..........
Here's an early Happy Holiday's to everyone
Bill
.......It's been a busy fall, work crazy, ex-wife crazy, mother crazy LOL.......but I do have good news.....and it has nothing to do with my car insurance.......I'm getting married Dec. 17th........which of course means that the next 3 weeks will be totally crazy.....my boy is going to be my best man and her daughter the maid of honor, they are 6.5 and 15 respectively........he's going to look totally cool in his little tux LOLOther than that, been playing in a band with some guys, doing covers, stuff like Velvet Revolver, Eddie Money, Collective Soul, Sammy Hagar, AC/DC, etc....it's been fun.....kind of gave up on using the GNX3 with the band, it just wasn't working through my Mesa and I really love the Mesa's tone all by itself.....I run from guitar to an Ibanez Parametric EQ I've had for years, then a new Behringer Wah, that seems good so far, then to a Boss CE-2 chorus I just picked up as well as a second release Small Stone phaser I found for 25 bucks, then to a couple delays set for different times.......so I guess it's not just the mesa alone LOL.......
I also had an old, mid 60's Fender Twin Reverb I put in the shop a while back and the guy got it going again, needed all new tubes, one other part, forget what, and one JBL reconed...can't wait to get it back, it was a really sweet sounding amp........
The one thing I haven't had time for is my original music.....I have one that's about finished, just needs an intro I think......but since I just moved my music room from the small bedroom my soon to be step daughter is going to use to the tiny storage room/closet (hey, at least it's heated) off the garage maybe I'll lock myself in soon and finish it LOL
It looks like everyone here is doing pretty well and I'm glad......maybe I can manage to get a song out here or like Thomas on soundclick (haven't had time to listen to the new one, want to wait till my boy's not asleep so I can crank it
..........Here's an early Happy Holiday's to everyone
Bill
Comments
Are you going to get an A/B switch for your setup? Mesa overdrive with Fender cleans sounds like a great combo. You're lucky with your effects finds. I can never find what I want used. Happy holidays to you.
When are we going to hear your new song?
I might actually get my \"studio\" LOL...such as it is, hooked up this weekend.....I'd love to get the new song done and out for review.....it's called \"The Tempest\" and I found some ocean sounds I want to put in for an intro......a while back Mike C told me about taking things like that and overlapping them in each channel for a more realistic effect and I'm dying to try that.
So between cleaning the house, mowing the yard, decorating for Christmas maybe I can work on music this weekend LOL.....
cya,
BJ
Congrats on the upcoming nuptuals!!!
If you've not tried one yet, look on eBay for a Franklin Mod SD-1. In fact, look for the Mod #2 - Rick (Franklin) found a high performance chip and up'd the bass response over the original design. It's a Tube Screamer only better! This is a TREMENDOUS overdrive pedal - use it stand alone for gain, use it to drive your amp, use it for low gain/crunchy stuff - whatever you like. Hey - don't you have a Kramer Focus 3000 (Super Distortion in the bridge)? If so, put the Kramer on the neck pickup and the SD-1 drive around 9:00 - you get this \"Little Wing\" tone that I could truly play all night long... just thought that it would be a nice addition to your rig - give you another gain option to compliment the Mesa.
Congrats again - I hope your big day is the stuff fairy tales are made of!
David
Yeah, I have a red focus 3000 w/ a super distortion.......I really need to take some pics of my guitars......would like to post them on the pics post but more to have a record for insurance, ya know.......
Thanks also for the congrats on the wedding.....I really did find a good one this time LOL.......we've both been treated really badly and I don't think either one of us will ever take the other for granted and will always support each other in whatever we decide to try, she's totally into me doing music
It's going to be a great adventure......
BJ
LOL
Just Kiddin!
Congrats bud!
Best wishes for you and yours!
KT
I hear ya on the GNX. I like mine, and I will keep it (mostly cuz it has no value if I sell it - LOL), but I want back to real tube tone and response. I only find myself using just the same 2-3 patches on the GNX anyways so I don't really need a huge tone arsenal or the ability to emulate other players' tone (since I never play covers). Getting the Carvin V3 412 stach in January. Going to team it up with a TC G-Major and a nice big midi pedal board, plus I have a few \"left over stomps and wahs from \"back in the days\"
Cheers,
Thomas
I have an AnalogMan (AM) SD-1\\808 (Boss clipping) and two Franklin Mod SD-1s (mod #1 and mod #2). I like the AM mod - it's a good pedal, and AnalogMike is good to work with. However, the Franklin Mod #1 is VERY close, but different in a BETTER way - AND it's about $40 less than the AM mod (which is over $100). The Franklin Mod #2 has a higher performance chip that gives it a better full range of gain from a better lower gain to more available gain over the AM or Mod #1. It's truly a sweet pedal all the way around! I'd HIGHLY recommend the Franklin pedals. He sells them on eBay (resscom) but if you don't see one out there get a hold of me and I'll get you in contact with Rick (Franklin). It's just that good!!! If I had to go down to one pedal between the guitar and amp it would be the Franklin SD-1 mod #2. No question about it at all!
Congrats on the hottie who is into your music!!! I mean, what more could a mortal man ask for?!?!?!?!?
David
I agree - I liked the GNX, but found the same thing - only a couple of patches worked well for me. I swithced to an all tube/pedals rig about six months ago and have been much happier. That's not a bash on the GNX at all - but for ME it's been good. I've heard a lot of guys gettting great tone from the GNX - and if I could have gotten that tone I would have been happy with it. But as I couldn't, I'm happier with some hot tubes!!!
... and I'd recommend the Franklin Mod#2 SD-1 for you as well. The V3 sounds like it's a higher gain amp - the Franklin SD-1 is a nice compliment to provide a more diverse gain structure.
David
T has a new song out on soundclick?????? Hmmmm Have to go check that out! Thanks for the heads up T
T
I've thought about dragging a power amp and a couple of full range speakers I have down to practice and trying the gnx3 again, but I really do love that Mesa's tone......it sounds better through my 1960A marshall, but I've just been taking the combo and putting it on an amp stand to get it up off the ground.......
Had to fix my LP's pickup switch this morning, it was going crazy last night, from being loose LOL.......you know, it's really no fun playing if you're gear's messing up LOL
Thank for the congrats Kenny and Thomas......I'll really be glad at this point when I get past the 17th and can get things settled down.......it's going to be a crazy month
Bill
Man, with all these pedals going, we're going to have to learn some Pat Travers LOL.......a little Life in London, or Gettin Betta......
Thanks for the recommendation, David, it should be here the first of the week I hope and I'll let you know how it works for me
Bill
I really think you're going to like the pedal! I've had mod #1 for a few months and got mod #2 a few weeks ago - both pedals are AWESOME, but mod #2 takes it next level! I really think you're going to be happy. To me, with my rig, it's one of those pedals that just doesn't have a bad setting - and I think you're going to find you can get what you want out of it - both to overdrive the Mesa and as a stand alone overdrive. It does both REALLY well. I play mine with the gain maxed and it sits in the mix SO well!!!
Enjoy it - I KNOW you will!!!
David
Has your arrived SD-1 yet?
Not yet, but I know it's shipped yesterday cuz Rick sent me an email telling me and asking that I let him know what I think of it. Seems like a nice guy. I can't wait. Got home as soon as I could just to check the mail even though I knew it wouldn't be there LOL......since it's December and the Christmas cards are out in the post, it'll probably get here Saturday or even Monday, but hopefully sooner......
BJ
I really think you're going to luv it! It's an awesome stand alone pedal! I think you'll also find it's an incredible compliment to your Mesa, or will be amazing driving the gain channel of your Mesa.
Rick is a great guy too!!!
David
David......still no pedal LOL.......maybe tomorrow
BJ
My pedal came in Friday, but I didn't find it till Saturday morning, and since it was about 21 degrees here friday night, I opened it up and let it sit yesterday to make sure it wasn't wet inside....man that puppy was COLD when I opened it up LOL.......but this morning I checked it, seemed fine and hooked it up to a little Peavy Backstage amp, won't have time to hook it to the Mesa till later in the week hopefully (with Christmas, the wedding and moving my GF in, I'm a little busy LOL), but I gotta tell you, it sounded incredible with that little bitty amp......
Ok, first impression........I think the best thing about the modz SD-1 is that it seems to clarify your sound....I had the tone and drive wide open and the level at half, and like I said, every note was overdriven of course, but so clear, it just gives so much definition to what you're playing, whether something fast and furious or slow and legato.....I really can't wait to hook the Mesa up, and/or stick it in front of the gnx3 through the mixer/pc.....I have a feeling it's going to be a staple in my sound from now on......
I'll post more when I can hook it up right
Thanks for the tip.....it was a good one I think
Bill
You seem to have the same impression of that pedal that I have. I have BOLTED mine to my pedal board! I think you're going to LOVE the added dimension it gives your Mesa rig - you'll have the gain channel in the Mesa then this SD-1 mod to give you a different gain tone from the clean channel. Or, use it to drive the Mesa. It's just a great addition to any signal path. I think you'll find the more you turn the knobs the more magical tones that thing has. Roll the Drive back to just over 9:00 - play the neck pickup (single coil) and see how much it gives you that \"Little Wing\" or \"Castles Made Of Sand\" tone. Blissful! You've already noticed how brutal, but clear, it is when you dime the drive. It's really just awesome!!!
I'm glad you like the pedal - I had no doubt you would.
David