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Play It Again Sam in the News! In November and December 1999, Play It Again Sam was featured in USA Today, ABC World News, and CNN. Not bad! Play It Again Sam is located in Montpelier, Vermont, USA, and is an authorized musical instrument dealer for: Fender Epiphone DeArmond Peavey Tacoma Weber Alesis Ovation Deering
Washburn Applause Goodtime Danelectro Kawai Vega Roland Tascam Pearl DOD SansAmp Bill
Lawrence Digitech Tech
21 Everyone's
Drumming LP Toca Dimarzio Mackie Dean
Markley Smokey
Amps EBow Dunlop Benson
Audio Shure Palmer Akai Trueline RhythmTech Vic
Firth Promark
Jon Connors writes to us about soundproofing: This isn't really a question, but a reply to an answer regarding sound-proofing. Egg cartons do not work. That is a myth. I recently converted a two car garage into a pro studio. As far as sound proofing went, this is what I did. I insulated the outside walls with R-11 sound control insulation. I then covered those walls and the ceiling with acoustic tiles, then covered the walls and the ceiling with rolled roofing. I then built a wall within a wall, 6 inches in all the way around. I repeated the same steps on the inner wall adding two layers of 5/8 fire code drywall. I built the control room in a similar fashion. I removed the overhead doors, so that wasn't a problem. I installed a utility door and covered the inner side of it with acoustic tiles and then cork. This is a basic rundown of how I soundproofed my studio. The cost was about $2,500. I hope this information is useful to somebody. Jon Connors, Ironman Studio
For musical tips about many instruments and music topics, see SoundAdvice, our FAQ site at www.guitarsam.com/soad/soundadvice.htm
Do you have a special tip or trick? Email it to us! We'll publish your favorites, and give you credit for submitting it! kevin@guitarsam.com
www.guitarsam.com/interviews/frank_marino.htm Since the early 70's, it's been unlikely that one could have a conversation regarding the guitar greats without mentioning Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush. Mahogany Rush spirited the power trio concept to all-new heights, recording many albums for Columbia and other labels, and becoming one of guitar history's most popular touring bands. Frank Marino generously spent some time with us answering a few curious questions. We hope you enjoy this very special Frank Marino interview at: www.guitarsam.com/interviews/frank_marino.htm
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We share our favorite music manufacturers, musical artists, music interest, and other sites.
--Marty, Brigham City, UT
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Richard Hunter's recorded works include "The Act of Being Free in One Act", which is the first full-length CD of works for unaccompanied harmonica ever recorded, and "The Second Act of Free Being", a CD that takes solo harmonica to a new level. Check Richard's website at www.rootsworld.com/hunter/ to purchase these CD's, and to learn more about Richard Hunter and the art of playing the harmonica. If you have questions about harmonica playing technique, use of different keys, bending, blowing, maintaining and so on, send them to us at sam@guitarsam.com, and we'll have harmonica virtuoso Richard Hunter provide an expert answer for you. A reader asks: I have several Hohner 270s. I am doing something wrong because after about two weeks or so they begin to have sticky notes in some of the holes. Then when I draw or blow the note is very week and then sort of pops out. This is very distracting to me. I play about three hours per day as I am trying to learn. Now the question is how do I clean them after this happens. I have used cold water, warm water, and even water with soap in it to try to get the reads to stop sticking. But soon after I begin to play with the harp the notes begin to stick again. It does not happen until I have played a new harp for about a week or two. Richard answers: You're not doing anything wrong. The problem you describe here results from sticky valves or "windsavers;" those are the little white plastic strips you see when you take the cover plates off, and windsaver problems are very, very common with chromatic harps. Windsavers are found covering both draw and blow reeds in the chromatic harp, but the only one that stick are the ones covering blow reeds (which, fortunately, are the visible ones, so you don't have to take the reed plates off to fix problems). Essentially, sticking (and lots of other problems with valves) occur when your hot breath collides with (colder) outside air, which results in condensation forming on the valves. (That's why only the blow reed valves have problems; when you breathe in, there's no collision between warm and cold air, hence no condensation.) The first thing you might try is warming your chromatic harps with a heating pad before you play them, which is something the classical virtuoso Robert Bonfiglio does before every performance. The "popping" sound you refer to results from the two halves of the valve sticking to each other (again, because of condensation); they separate with an audible "pop" when you blow on the reed. A preventive maintenance procedure is to put a small kink in the valve, just above the point where the valve is glued to the plate. Take off the cover plates, slide an arm of a paper clip or similarly thin piece of metal under the valve (taking care not to lift it right off the plate) at a right angle to the valve. Press down to put a bend or kink in the valve. This kink will help prevent the two halves of the valve from sticking to each other. Again, you only need to do this to the valves that are showing when you remove the cover plates; DON'T remove the reed plates to work on the inside valves. If all else fails, replace the valve (and do the procedure described above before using the instrument again). Hohner sells sets of valves fairly cheaply. Pliobond glue works well. Valve maintenance is an ongoing issue with chromatics. On the plus side, it's easier than making reeds for an oboe or tuning a piano. Good luck.
www.guitarsam.com/interviews/dan_frank.htm Dan Frank has a long history with the Trueline Drumstick Company, starting as a player, then employee, on to co-owner, and currently handles artist relations as well as many other aspects of keeping this innovative drumstick company in the public eye, manufacturing one of the world's finest and most unique drumsticks. We talked with Dan to get the inside scoop, and this link will take you to what he had to say. www.guitarsam.com/interviews/dan_frank.htm Trueline Drumsticks are available from Play It Again Sam at: www.guitarsam.com/catalog/trueline.htm
Annie is part of the blues duo Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, who record on Tone-Cool Records, and Annie is also a member of John Sebastian's J Band.
This months ezine includes an interview with Dan Frank from the Trueline Drumstick Company. If you're the first person to email us describing why the "Original" model of drumstick that Trueline makes is so different, you'll win three pair of Trueline sticks, your choice of size. Congratulations to Christian Guirreri in Virginia, for quickly providing the first correct answer. Trueline Drumsticks are made with a bump in the grip, to provide a better grasp. Christian won three pair of Trueline Drumsticks!
Congratulations to Casey Johnson of Vermont, for quickly providing the first correct answer to our question, which was: Q) For many years, Tom Rush has conducted a series of shows with various musical artists. What is the name of this traveling folk show, and where the name come from? A) The correct answer was: Club 47, named after the popular music club in Cambridge MA, where Tom Rush gigged in the early days of his career. Casey won a CD of "The Very Best of Tom Rush: No Regrets". Last month's interview was with Tom Rush, available at: www.guitarsam.com/interviews/tom_rush.htm
"Guaranteed to Thrill You!"
Play It Again Sam ships worldwide! If you're outside of the 48 connected states, send us your zip code, and the items you are interested in, and we'll report to you what the best shipping options are.
Past issues of the GuitarSam eZine are available at: www.guitarsam.com/ezine/archive.htm
"I have contacted Tacoma and you guys to register my DR20. Both were to send me registration materials. Is there a secret handshake I haven't learned? Have you heard me play somewhere and don't want to have anything to do with the nasty things I do to guitar strings? Please advise on my next step. I love your ezine and God bless you for reminding me of DC guitar legend Roy Buchanan. I love my DR20 and am recommending it to everybody I know. Thanks in advance for your rapid response." John
"Thanks again for the reply. Resources like yours are always useful to our studio, helping us provide clients with an exceptional sound. We will be glad to refer others to your site."
"I want to thank you for the excellent customer service. You will be mentioned to all my students as well as friends!" Harry
"I just read my first edition of your web e-zine. Nice job! It shows your enthusiasm for your business and music." Tom
"Just a note to tell you how nice and friendly your site is. The personality of your company really shines through - why shouldn't it? Music, above all things, should be fun!!!"
"Was just singing your praises to a friend of mine that plays and collects guitars. He has visited your shop and really likes it. I really love to see the young guys hanging there, lusting over the Peavey amps, etc, and getting the chance to handle some good equipment firsthand. I guess this is a good time to just say thanks for all the good times your store has provided me with. I know that this area would be at a loss without it." Carl
"Got the Danelectro 12-string yesterday and love it (who wouldn't). Thanks for all your help, and for taking care of all the details, and sending it all factory fresh and all. I love that the best. Look forward to doing business with you again in the future." Diane
"Hey, nice article in USA Today! The little guy fights back! Hope the exposure translates into many profitable hits." Mark
"Hey, thanks a million for that t-shirt. It's stunning!" Chris
"Love your new logo. Perhaps I'll get it turned into a tattoo to add to the others." Bill
"Thank you for the suggestion, it works fine :-) I check out your site quite often and I rate it #1 for guitar related information." Frank
"I received your t-shirt today and I wanted to thank you. It's very nice quality, and I intend to wear it to church this weekend. (For me it's very well dressed.)" Jack
"Just wanted to thank you for putting out a great eZine. I especially enjoy hearing about all the other great guitar sites, as well as the tips that you give about guitars and their maintenance. I look forward to receiving it each month." Scott
"I want to thank you for the prompt reply and am glad to hear that this is an item that you normally stock, and not a special order item. Once again, thank you...it is very refreshing to find a company these days that still offers customer service like you have shown me today." Dan
Face your amp and squeal some feedback to us about Play It Again Sam and the GuitarSam eZine! Tell us what you like, what you don't like, and send your thoughts to us at: sam@guitarsam.com
Watch for our next issue of the GuitarSam eZine, due on February 1, 2000.
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This
month's question of theory comes courtesy of
This
month, year, and millennium mark the first appearance of our
new Harmonica question and answer column, hosted by
world-class player Richard Hunter...composer, performer,
recording artist and music author. Richard Hunter is the
author of "Jazz Harp", from Oak Publications. 
On
Sunday, January 23, 2000, we will be honored to have the
one and only Paul Rishell conducting a country blues
guitar workshop at Play It Again Sam. This is a
"hands-on" workshop, so bring your acoustic guitar, plus
pen and paper. It runs from 1-3 PM, and admission is just
$20. Please call or email to reserve your space.
On
Sunday, January 23, 2000, we will have blues harmonica
phenomenon Annie Raines conducting a blues harmonica
workshop at Play It Again Sam. It runs from 1-2 PM, and
admission is just $10. Please call or email to reserve your
space.Play It Again Sam...66 Main St...Montpelier VT 05602...Phone (802) 229-0295...Fax (802) 229-0755