Guitar Licks

Guitars, tips and great music discussions




You are here: Home / 2007 / Archives for March 2007

Archives for March 2007

TestFreaks reviews Television brands and models

by

A couple of years ago, the wife and I, decided to get a new TV. Well it wasn’t so much as decided to get a new TV, our Sony was dying! We’d turn it on and it would take 15 to 30 minutes to warm up and show us what was on the television screen. We thought about getting it fixed, but getting it fixed would cost about the same amount as buying a brand new regular TV of the same size. That’s when we decided to not only get a new TV, but to get one that was HDTV ready.

I only wish that I’d discovered the Testfreaks.com website before we went hunting for a new television. The TestFreaks site has LCD and Plasma TV articles. Reading the articles of the various television brands and models would have made picking out a new TV so much easier since it has so many TV ratings.

Well, I’ve found the site now, and I’m bookmarking it. When we get around to renovating our basement the DLP TV that we did end up purchasing may get moved to the basement, or we might end up getting another new TV for either the living room or renovated basement. The TestFreaks site will come in handy the next time I’m doing research on the different types of televisions and brands.

If you’re shopping for a new television set be sure to look at the articles on TestFreaks before you make your final decision.




The guitar solo that I can nail the best

by

This is the solo that I know I can pull off live with no hesitation. I do not consider myself as a lead guitar player but others might object to this. I do not wish to be thrust into the limelight because musically, I feel uncomfortable with it.

The band that I played this song/solo with was called “Pylis”, pronounced “Pie-lis”. We were a band from Brantford Ontario in the early 80’s. Saga was the style of music that we naturally gravitated to. It was challenging to us and we could reproduce live quite effortlessly.

The first guitar solo on this song was something that I could not wait to play. It had to be played with a steady fingers and the ability to milk the hell out of every note! In my opinion, it was one of the best songs we played.

Tony, the keyboardist and my best friend, was the backbone for this one. His abilities to play many keyboards at once left not only myself but others to say, “How the hell did he do that?” The sound that he made doing this was sooo huge that it honestly boggled my mind how he could play it to a “T” at will. When he played it, it was like listening to the album without anyone else playing. WOW!

Aldo, the bassist, was way too much fun to hang out with. Too bad the bonehead didn’t come out to Tony’s “80’s band Reunited” held Oct. 10th/2004 at the Hard ball in Milton Ont.! (I have to acknowledge Tony’s wife, Laura, for all the support that she gave for this memorable event. If it wasn’t for her, it wouldn’t have been the success that it was.) Aldo was one of the singers in the band and he could pulloff Geddy Lee like no one else.

Now for the drummer, Chris W. He was like the older brother that I would love to drink to excess with one minute then, wrestle him to the ground. He was a tall and lanky fellow. This made it child’s play to me. Being a little guy, I always went for his ankles and then just pushed him over for starters! He had such the perfect voice for this song that it made you wish that you could sing it just like he did. His drumming was 2nd to none. He had this Silver Slingerland 8 piece kit, the one that Neil Peart used in 1975-76, that was out of this world and boy could he play like it as well!

So here is the tune that I’ve been talking about, so just sit back and enjoy!

Keep on Jammin’

My Medal Pedal – Boss Distortion DS-1

by

I honestly did not use this pedal much after obtaining my 50 watt, HIWATT 1/2 stack, but it was invaluable until I did. This was the first pedal that I got when I was like the kid that Jerry Doucette sang about in his greatest song ever, “Mamma let that boy, play some Rock & Roll”.

It was overpowering at first, for a young kid. That was in the pre-metal/experimental years.

Eventually I learned to tame it, or was it the other way around, interesting? I had dropped that thing so many times I can’t remember but as they say, “takes a beating”!

Some of my friends used the Over Drive pedal. I just thought that it was not what I wanted my music to sound like. It was too rough and not well defined, honest – that is what I said when I was a kid!

Which one do you like?

Keep on Jammin’

Learn about promoting your site at the Apogee Search Blog

by

My wife is the person that set up this site and does all the maintenance on it – like adding new features and promoting the site when she finds new directories to list our sites in. However, I’m slowly learning a bit about promoting sites.

Not everyone has time to work on promoting and optimizing their own sites – especially if you are running a small to large business. That’s were Search engine marketing firms such as Apogee Search come in. Apogee has been in business since 2001 and in that time it has grown to become one of the largest search engine marketing firms in the world.

Apogee works hard to promote their clients websites using proven marketing methods – paid search, affiliate marketing, natural search, and pay-per-call. They even have a Search engine marketing service that set completely sets up and customizes Pay Per Click accounts for your business or website.

I personally enjoy reading the Apogee Search Blog from time to time. There’s always great information about marketing and optimizing resources.

Their most recent post “Why I’m not a fan of Google Sitemaps” was full of helpful information. We use Google sitemaps on our sites to help get new posts and pages indexed faster. I didn’t realize how important it was to have good internal linking on your site to help promote new pages though. Read the article for more information on how to use Google sitemaps to your best advantage.

Anyone working on promoting their own site should bookmark the Apogee Search blog. Every time I visit the blog I learn something new.

My first Chorus pedal

by

It was the Boss CE-2. Boy, those were simpler days.

This was my 2nd peddle that my great parents bought for me. I was the first in my direct and indirect circle of Brantford musicians to have this one.

I thought that it was a peddle that Alex Lifeson used. It was that good at reproducing the songs and effects that he used!

I almost died when the one of the knobs broke off this baby when I was going from a friend of mine to back home for the night. I thought that it was broken beyond repair. Yes, I very naive back then, electronically challenged you might say.

Here is The Illustrated History of Boss products that will make you become nostalgic or laugh your butt off! I was doing both.

In a Musician.com article, it says it all. A very simple pedal for a simple guitar player.

Keep on Jammin’

APEX 420 Home or Studio Mic

by

The APEX 420 microphone is just fabulous for anyone who uses it for home, professional settings, or even live settings. The greatest upside in my eyes is it’s durable construction. Remember, when some closet superstar singer comes over to your house/studio to see this thing, you won’t have to worry about them damaging it when the get their curious fingers all over it. It’s nice to have a scratch resistant finish as well.

I was first introduced to it by Rick Jones, of the Toronto renowned G-Force Media Productions Team. It’s a great product that they use with stunning results. Rick has used this item to capture the voice qualities of soft, hushed tones of his customers to the aggressive Rock/Hip Hop extremes, effortlessly. He has even used it for some of my cuts using my Larrivee L-03 acoustic. The G-Force Media Production page is in the redesign stage now, but when the redesigned site is up you’ll be able to listen to music and audio samples and hear for yourself how nice the Apex 420 microphone’s sound really is.

It is used for various jobs. It is basically a pressure condensed mic. If you have the time, research this type of mic, it’s impressive. You will be able to make it switch from a directional or omni-directional mic. In live gigs it offers excellent feedback rejection and better isolation of the sound that you want, not the sounds that just show up for the hell of it.

So if you get the chance to use this mic then do it, it’s worth the drive. If anyone is in the Toronto Area, give Rick a call and listen for yourself.

Keep on Jammin’

Coupon deals on Music CDs and DVDs

by

I guess I’m in a surfing the net, browsing around kind of mood today. Like most people I enjoy getting a deal on things. That’s why I’ve started to browse through the more than 1000 online stores that are listed at CouponChief. All the stores listed are well known stores, many of which have physical locations as well as online presences.

I decided to visit CouponChief today to see if they had any coupons or coupon codes for music stores. I’ve been looking to expand our music CD and DVD collection and I might as well save some money by using a coupon to get a percentage of the price right?

I discovered that they have a Music and DVD section where they list all the deals they have for their online music stores. I found a great deal using Tower Record coupon codes to get free shipping on orders of $20 or more.

I also discovered that they have listings for deals on MP3 players, iPod accessories, DVD players and other music and entertainment related items at Best Buy, Circuit City, and Sony. See, I told you they have listings for well known stores.

While his Ukulele Gently Weeps – WOW

by

The guy plays this song so well on his ukulele that, it makes me want to go out and buy one.

I’ve been to “Strawberry Field” in New York city, right in front of the Dakota Apartments where John Lennon lived and unfortunately was fatally shot.

I was in New York in 1986 and I can tell you it’s a fabulous city to visit, not to mention living there would be a blast. The feelings that we all felt when we were right there at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, was quite intense.

Anyways, just listen to this song then follow the chord progressions that he does, in concert with his strumming, and it is just the most wonderful tune to be exposed to. Enjoy!

Try to, keep on Jammin’, like this guy

Sale on Sunglasses and eyewear at OpticsPlanet

by

You know how there’s retail stores that you go to just because you like the products they sell. Perhaps just browsing the aisles looking at neat things? Well I found an online store that’s just like that too. It’s called Opticsplanet and they carry the most interesting things.

Opticsplanet.net carries everything from Sun glasses to microscopes, telescopes, binoculars and flashlights and whole lot of other products in between.

When I was visiting the site today I noticed that they had a huge selection of sunglasses. Actually it’s not just sunglasses, but a whole range of eyewear from prescription eyewear, to ski and motorcycle goggles.

I used to have a real problem. I always seemed to lose my sunglasses. I’m not so bad these days, but I could use an extra pair, since I still somehow misplace mine from time to time. An extra pair or two would solve that problem wouldn’t it?

They have a huge selection of brand name and top brand eyewear. Their selection includes eyewear from Bolle, Body Specs, Bobster, Wiley X, ESS, Revision Eyewear and many more manufacturers. Personally, I really like the design of Serengeti sunglasses. The prices are really good too. The lowest that I’ve found actually. I just discovered that pretty much all of the eyewear that Opticsplanet sells is on sale right now, so that makes the prices even better.

What great timing on my part to have browsed the site when they are having a sale eh? If you need sunglasses, goggles or any kind of eyewear from designer to safety or shooting glasses now is the time to visit OpticsPlanet.

They also offer free UPS delivery on all orders over $29.95, and they guarantee the lowest prices. That’s why I love OpticsPlanet. Great stuff, great prices, and free shipping if your purchase is just $29.95? You can’t lose. Check it out for yourself.

H R Pufnstuf

by

Boy do I miss this guy on TV!

pufnstuf.gif

We all, I hope, were exposed to this delightful kids show in the late 60’s & 70’s. I made sure that I got up in time to watch this show. The theme song reminds me of 59th St. Bridge Song (Feeling Groovy), but until today, I haven’t heard the tune. When playing this song, Feeling Groovy, I’ve tried to include some of the words from the theme song and people just jump in and sing along.

I’ve tried to look for it on the cartoon channels with no success.

My brother just called a minute ago and he remembers this show growing up and we chatted for a while on this subject. When we finished up with this topic he muttered, “you’ve got way too much time on your hands”.

Jimmy, played by Jack Wild, is the guy on this adventure that I always wanted to be. He was always having a blast with this Pufnstuf fellow. His best pal was a living flute called Freddie and Witchiepoo, which some of my buddies called a very old girlfriend of mine at the time, was just hilarious with all of her antics and her buddies. H R Pufnstuf, was the Mayor of this living Island that Jack washed up upon.

I hope that you enjoyed this blast from the past!

Keep on Jammin’

Meta

Archives

Pages

Tags

Acoustic amp band bands Brantford Bruce Cockburn Canada Canadian concert Entertainment fender funny General guitar Guitar Equipment guitarist guitar player guitars Home house Humor humour instrument jammin jazz John Mayer keyboard Live Music musician Musicians play playing Progressive Rock Pylis rock RUSH Songs to play sound strings Technology Toronto tour Video YES