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Play It Again Sam is located in Montpelier, VT, and is an authorized musical instrument dealer for Fender, Peavey, Epiphone, Washburn, Tacoma, Ovation, Applause, Danelectro, Kawai, Roland, Tascam, Deering, Goodtime, Vega, Weber, Pearl, DOD, Digitech, LP, SansAmp, Tech 21, Mackie, Toca, Bill Lawrence, Dean Markley, Everyone's Drumming, and many other world-renowned guitars, banjos, mandolins, keyboards, amplifiers, effects, drums, music books and accessories.We ship worldwide! See our shipping cost chart at http://www.guitarsam.com/services/order.htm for shipping in the 48 connected United States. If you live outside of that area, email us for a discounted shipping quote!
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IN THIS
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MUSICAL TIPS
We got so much feedback from last month's tips that this month, we only have space for the followups!
TIP #1---ADDENDUM TO "REFINISHING YOUR GUITAR"
In addition to our tip about taking your guitar project to a professional auto-body person for refinishing, we heard from one auto-body specialist, and one electric bass luthier who are willing to take on long distance work. Both are very experienced, and can assist you in achieving professional results.
Mike WinchesterMike Winchester has finished guitars, basses, and fiddles, and is currently doing some work on some basses for Philip Kubicki.
Phone 1-802-479-2654 (USA)
Email Mike Winchester at funkypaint@aol.com
Jimmy Wilson, of Landing Bass, http://www.landingbass.comJimmy Wilson, a luthier specializing in electric basses has offered his instrument finishing services on a long-distance scale. You can view his line of basses at the link above, and click on the following URL to go to a finishing price sheet that Jimmy has provided us.
http://www.guitarsam.com/catalog2/landingbass.htm
You can email Jimmy Wilson at Landing@ix.netcom.com
TIP # 2---ADDENDUM TO "POLISHING YOUR GUITAR AND REMOVING SCRATCHES"Last month we offered a way to make your old guitar shine like new, and we have had a number of readers make additions to our advice. Here's two professional replies that help to clarify the discussion.
RESPONSE # 1
Regarding the guitar polishing tips in our last newsletter: http://www.guitarsam.com/newsletters/apr_5_1999.htm which also appeared in the "Guitar News Weekly" newsletter, thanks to Neil Shedden, editor of Guitar News Weekly:
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990412/1.shtml?nl9936
John Duck from "Dr. Duck's" followed up with this letter:
Aw.. Kevin, Kevin, Kevin ... you don't want to use anything that builds up on a guitar finish .. the problem with McGuires is that it "Builds up" !! .. the whole idea (especially with pricey vintage pieces) .. is not to add anything (build-up with car waxes, etc.) to the finish... and not to take anything away (no abrasives either) from the finish .. (granted with real basket cases .. you might want to use a "VERY MILD" abrasive .. only if the finish is real real real bad .. but be very careful with it) ..
What you need ...and what your readers need is "Dr. Ducks Ax Wax & String Lube" !!! .. (I know you are not suprised that I would say such a thing) .. now .. if ... the piece is extremely filthy ...you might want to clean it first with 1/2 rubbing alcohol and 1/2 water (its very rare that you really need to do this) ... otherwise use very little Dr. Ducks Ax Wax and follow the directions .. your dings and small dents will then turn into beauty marks ...you will have conditioned the bridge and the fret board, and you will not have added anything or taken anything away from the original beauty of the instrument ..
Check out the "Things they keep saying about us" page off of http://www.ducksdeluxe.com/guitarmc.html for other opinions of what Dr.Ducks Ax Wax & String Lube will do and is all about..
Stay in touch ... Dr.Duck ..
(Thanks, John!)
RESPONSE # 2This letter originally appeared as a response to our newsletter guitar polishing tip that was also published in the "Guitar News Weekly" newsletter, which is edited by our friend Neil Shedden in Australia. Neil produces a terrific (and free) email guitar newsletter which you can view and subscribe to at: http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletter.htm
Here's the letter...
From: "Steve Carmody" <Carmodyguitars@erols.com>
Regarding the guitar polishing tips in the last newsletter(s):
http://www.guitarsam.com/newsletters/apr_5_1999.htm
http://www.guitarsite.com/newsletters/990412/1.shtml?nl9936
I would advise caution in using the Maguires polish #4 on guitars with acrylic finishes. I'm sure the advice was offered in good faith, but Maguires # 4 is highly abrasive and should only be used when an instrument has years of grunge built up on it, or after sandpaper has been used to level a spot in the refinishing process.
When using any polish, use a less abrasive polish before going to a heavier polish. Personally I find that Maguires # 2 is good place to start on a mildly dirty instrument, and sometimes I then apply Novus Plastic Polish #2 (call (800) 548-6872 for nearest distributor) for a final polish, particularly on acrylic (non-nitro cellulose i.e. non-vintage) finishes. I used Maguires # 7 for a few years until I found Novus #2. The Novus polish is great for pickguards too. Often a buffing wheel of some sort is necessary to get a really good shine in the final polish (again, use extreme caution).
While cleaning a guitar is not rocket science, you do want to be careful and use the right tools for the job. Naturally this can be costly if you are an amateur because you might end up buying three or four grades of polish at $9.00 U.S. each), not to mention a buffing attachment for your drill and regular old Martin or Gibson polish to finish up with,just to clean your guitar once in a while. But then some jobs are better left to pros.
Once again, use extreme caution before using Maguires # 4 if at all on acrylic finishes.
Steve Carmody http://www.GuitarRepairshop.com
(Thanks, Steve!)
Check out Steve Carmody's "Guitar Repair Shop" site at http://www.GuitarRepairshop.com
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NEW GEAR REPORTNEW DANELECTRO MODELS!
The new U3, DC-3, DC Bass, and the Baritone guitar have started showing up at Play It Again Sam! http://www.guitarsam.com/catalog/danelectro_guitars.htm
MUSIC BOOK OF THE MONTH
May's Book of the Month is the "Incomplete Celtic Guitar" by Dan Mozell. This is a spiral-bound 80 song collection of famous and infamous Celtic songs in guitar tablature. It's a great book, inside and out. Printed on heavy-weight eye-ease paper. ADG Productions, $18.95.
To order by fax or mail, click to http://www.guitarsam.com/services/Order_Form.htm
Or just call us with your charge card at 1(802)229-0295, and we'll ship it out to you the same day!
To order by fax or mail, click to http://www.guitarsam.com/services/Order_Form.htm
Or just call us with your charge card at 1(802)229-0295, and we'll ship it out to you the same day!
WORKSHOPS
Workshops coming to us soon............
BOB GAGNON...Chord Melody Guitar Workshop, Thursday, May 27, 7-9 PM.
The above workshop is only a $5.00 admission fee. Call or email for reservations.
- Telephone (802) 229-0295
- Fax (802) 229-0755
INTERVIEW WITH DAVE KELLER
For more enjoyable viewing of our Dave Keller interview, go to: http://www.guitarsam.com/interviews/dave_keller.htm
Don't forget to come back and finish the "GuitarSam eZine"!
THE DAVE KELLER INTERVIEWQ... Dave, I've been listening to "Faith", your CD that was released in 1998 (Tastee Tone Records) , and I have to say that it's hard to play it just one time through. I always find myself going back for more. Are there plans yet for another trip to the studio?
Dave... I'm glad that you like it so much. We -- that is the band, the studio guys (Joe Egan and Aaron Flinn at Eclipse) and myself worked really hard to make it a dynamic, warm album. Each tune is there for a reason, and I'd like to think that it flows well from beginning through middle to the end.I'm looking forward to recording our next CD, but I still have to sell a few more of this batch first. I suppose if a record company came along and gave us a big chunk o' change, I'd be glad to go into the studio tomorrow. We've certainly got some great new material. But, realistically, we'll probably go into the studio 6 or 9 months from now.
Q...Did the recording process change anything in your view of playing live, such as arrangements, soloing, etc? You generally play as a quartet, and the album incorporates a horn section, so what's that like without the backup?Dave...Before we recorded the CD we were a 3-piece band. Once we started working with Andy Harris (on keyboards) for the CD project, though, we really hit it off. Now he is the permanent 4th member of the band. This is a real treat for me, since having Andy in the band provides a bigger melodic/harmonic foundation, and allows me to play more harmonica, and focus on singing more.
The recording process definitely affected how we play our songs live. They are more focused than ever (better intros and endings, tighter solos), and we just plain know them really well now. I wish we could afford a horn section, but it costs enough to pay a 4-piece band that having a horn section at this point would bankrupt us. But if things keep going well I could definitely see adding a sax to the band. On the flip side, however, we can improvise by having fewer instruments, so I'm not in a big rush to add horns.
Q...Tell us about your association with Eddie Shaw, and how he came to appear on your CD.Dave...Eddie has been one of my blues idols for a long time. His song "Blues for the West Side," with Magic Sam (on the Delmark label) is one of my all-time favorites. Not to mention all his work with Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Dawkins, etc. The guy is, not just in my opinion, one of the best blues sax players on the planet.
I lucked out getting Eddie into the studio with us. We were supposed to open for him at the Blues at Burke festival last summer, and at the time I was trying to find a sax player for a couple of the cuts on the CD. I wanted someone who sounded like Eddie Shaw, but I kept coming up blank.
Finally I figured, why not call Eddie himself, since he was going to be in Vermont anyhow. I spoke with his agent and it all -- miraculously -- worked out. (interesting tidbit -- the day Eddie came in, Joe and Aaron had to be out of town due to prior commitments -- so J'Kael from the band Jusagroove manned the control room. Big thanks to the disco man.)
By the way -- Eddie was a perfect gentleman. Played his heart out, very open to feedback (even though I had a hard time giving it, since I respect him so much). A complete pleasure.
Q...You acknowledge Paul Rishell in your CD credits. Have you worked with Paul?Dave...Paul Rishell was an early guitar teacher of mine. He was the first one to show me how to play and sing acoustic, traditional blues. I used to live in Somerville, MA and would go to Paul's house in Cambridge for lessons. I am glad to see him finally getting his due as one of the great carriers of the blues tradition. Again, like Eddie, not only is Paul an amazing musician, but he is a sweet guy.
Q...What's your current equipment set-up, and how faithful are you to certain instruments, amps, etc, for your sound?Dave...As much as I enjoy checking out new equipment, I'm pretty loyal to my old, tried and true stuff. I have been using the same guitar/amp setup for over 10 years: a custom ESP-body/Kubicki-neck strat-style guitar, and a 1968 Fender Pro Reverb amp. To a fault, perhaps, I have usually focused on getting the feel right, as opposed to the tone right. Only recently have I started to work on beefing up my tone, cranking the amp a bit higher, and lowering the volume pots on the guitar. I also bought a used Epiphone ES-335 Dot Reissue last year, but I keep breaking the strings on it. I guess it needs a new bridge before I really start enjoying it and using it regularly. That old custom, "Gabriella," still does right by me. (That's the guitar you see on the back of the CD -- although, truth be told, I used the Epiphone on the actual tracks.)
I am generally opposed to stompbox effects, etc. for blues, at least. I prefer as warm, honest, and analog sound as possible. So just a guitar and amp, thank you very much.
Q...Speaking of faith, which of course is the name of your album......your CD has a strong fabric of faith woven through your music and liner notes. This is a sort "chicken or the egg" kind of question....Did you discover your faith through Gospel music, or did your faith introduce you to the music?Dave...Interesting question, with an equally interesting answer, I hope. I was raised in a reform Jewish family and never really heard black gospel music until my early 20's. I certainly still consider myself Jewish, but I am of the mind (and heart) that the god that folks are all talking about, singing about, praying to, etc. is the same GOD. That is, we Jews ain't that different from Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, and those of other religions.
Yes, we have different histories, but we shouldn't allow those histories to cloud our commonalities. So, here I am, singing songs out of a black gospel tradition, from my heart, and I would like to think that they provide inspiration for people in these often troubled times. I love the idea of faith as something which makes no logical sense to our western scientific minds, and yet truly can help people make it through hard times.
On a side note, I think that for anyone wanting to learn how to sing, black gospel is just fantastic to sing along with. Especially quartet/jubilee style. (For example, The Soul Stirrers, The Heavenly Gospel Singers, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Sensational Nightingales, as well as Bessie Griffin, Fontella Bass, The Holmes Bros., Mahalia Jackson, and R.H. Harris.) And though not a gospel singer, per se, I love the gospel approach of Ray Charles. Gospel singing is freedom.
Q...What are your upcoming plans for gigging/touring through the summer?Dave...This summer we're planning on hitting some of the VT blues festivals again, and stretching out into CT, NH, ME, and maybe even Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard. We also are booked for a bunch of weddings and private parties, as well as plenty of club work. I am corresponding with some European booking agents and deejays too, so keep your fingers crossed for us.
Q...Any plans for any studio or performance work with other artists coming up?Dave...None currently. I would love to record with Anne Weiss again, but she's out west now and it's difficult to get together.
Q...Your song "Rope of Faith" is one of the most inspirational songs I've heard for a long time. And, if you don't mind my saying so, it sounds old. By that, I mean it sounds like one of those classic blues ballads that we must have missed somewhere along the way. How did this song come to be, and how did you get such an authentic feel in a tune that sounds as great as, shall I say...one written by folks much older, poorer, and less fortunate than you?Dave...I feel blessed -- really -- that that song ever came out and got recorded. Basically, after the band had gone home for the day, Andy and I stuck around. I had told him that I wanted to do a gospel tune for the CD. He asked me how it went, and I said, "I don't know." I hadn't written anything, but just figured that if he came up with a good, traditional gospel piano part, then something would come to me. He tried a few ideas out on me, we picked one, and then just let the tape roll. The version on the CD is the first and only take. The words aren't even written anywhere. I remember it was kind of dark and intense outside, the sun was setting, and I just started singing about faith as a rope that you could grab and pull up on. And when we had finished, we all just looked around, Andy, Joe, Aaron and me, and were slack-jawed. To this day, that's my favorite song on the CD.
As regards the "older, poorer, less fortunate" part of your question, I don't quite know what to say. I do what I do, try to do it as honestly as I can, giving it my best shot every single time. I bring to it all kinds of experiences from my life, and from the music I've absorbed from others. I don't think I can explain it beyond that.
Q...One last question, Dave...your CD shows ten tracks, but, to borrow a quote from a famous rock parody movie, "This one goes up to eleven." Any comments, or shall we quit while we're ahead?Dave...Track 11 -- well, people will have to hear it for themselves. Let me just say that my dog Hickory -- a real blues dog that's stuck by my side these past 8 years -- is a talented dog. And the ASPCA verifies that no animals were hurt in the process of recording the CD.
Readers can email Dave Keller with questions, comments, and curiosities at: info@davekeller.com |
UPCOMING INTERVIEWSIn the coming months, we'll be featuring interviews with the following artists:
- Tom Rush, America's favorite folksinger
- Diane Zeigler, Rounder recording artist
- Nokie Edwards, lead guitarist of the Ventures!
- Seth Yacovone, blues guitarist
- Colin Hay, Men at Work
TAYLOR GUITARS NIXES INTERNET SALES
Announcement came by registered letter on Monday, April 26, 1999, that effective May 1, 1999, Taylor Guitar dealers can no longer advertise or sell Taylor Guitars through any form of national advertising, including, but not limited to, the Internet. Expect to see smoke on this decision!
The history of Internet sales with Taylor Guitars is this: Initially, Taylor did not allow their dealers to advertise outside of their geographic selling area, defined loosely by the area's population, and the next closest authorized Taylor dealers. Then, in April 1998, Taylor lifted all restrictions on advertising and pricing. Now, given five days notice, all Taylor dealers are informed that as of May 1, 1999, all Internet and other forms of wide-spread advertising shall cease.
The reasons given by Taylor are to maintain dealer profitability, and concentrate on selling Taylor products on a face-to-face basis. As you all know, the Internet does serve as a virtual clearing house sometimes, where all kinds of crazy prices can be seen. At Play It Again Sam, we have maintained a fair and competitive discount of 25-30% off list price, and from an Internet standpoint, we have also been extremely successful in maintaining the quality of service that you would expect from a hands-on transaction.
It is our opinion that pricing, service, and integrity can be maintained over the Internet as well as in person, with the correct attitude and administration. We will greatly miss the opportunity to serve you in selling what we consider to be the world's finest acoustic guitars.
In this same letter received from Taylor, written by T.J. Baden, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, T.J. writes "As a forward thinking company, we recognize our responsibilty to ensure that Taylor Guitars succeeds for all of us."
Readers..do you think that removing all Internet advertising and selling is succeeding for all of us? Do you think that Taylor is demonstrating their role as a "forward thinking company"?
Let us know! We'll gather your comments and produce a report in the next "GuitarSam eZine".
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LAST MONTH'S WINNER!
Congratulations to Bob Gagnon for quickly providing the first correct answer to our question, which was: "In 1993, Bill Morrissey recorded an album with one of his folksinger buddies, entitled "Friend of Mine". Who was that friend of his?"
The correct answer was Greg Brown. Bob won a copy of Bill Morrissey's new CD, "Songs of Mississippi John Hurt".
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"Guaranteed to Thrill You!"Our return policy is very easy to read: If it doesn't thrill you, send it back to us!
You have 10 days after receiving your purchase to decide whether you want to keep it. If you decide it's not for you, just contact us, and we will guide you through the simple process of returning it, and we will issue you a 100% refund on your purchase, plus the shipping charge to you. The only cost to you is the return shipping, which will be approximately the same charge as our shipping to you.
Shipping Charges...In the 48 connected states, you can consult our shipping chart at http://www.guitarsam.com/services/order.htmPlay 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.
- We hope you enjoyed this issue of the "GuitarSam eZine".
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- Watch for our next issue of the "GuitarSam eZine", due on June 1, 1999, with an interview with young bluesman Seth Yacavone. Seth just opened a couple of shows for B.B. King!
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Kevin Crossett, owner/webmaster |
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Play It Again Sam |
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66 Main St. Montpelier VT 05602 USA |
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Tel (802) 229-0295 Fax (802) 229-0755 |
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