Sunday, December 8, 2013

The Language Of Music

In the few months that I've been on this new adventure-- learning the bass guitar-- I've found inspiration in many different, unexpected places. One of them is in my favorite songs. Listening to a favorite tune is one thing... listening to what each musician is doing is something else. Now that I am specifically paying attention to what the bassist is doing, a whole new world has been revealed to me. The songs are the same, but I am listening to them from a completely different perspective. It's much like hearing the song for the first time.

Along the way I came across a musician named Victor Wooten. Many bass players already know him-- as one friend explained to me, "he is to the bass, what Carlos Santana is to the guitar." I first became aware of Wooten through his book, "The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search For Growth Through Music." Then, as if a guardian angel was paying attention to my musical journey, I received this TedTalk video through Facebook of Victor Wooten describing music as a language.


Here are a few excerpts from the video. Consider these ideas yourself and how you might integrate them into your life-- musical, or otherwise:

"Although many musicians agree that music is a language, it is rarely treated as such. Many of us treat it as something that can only be learned by following a strict regimen, under the tutelage of a skilled teacher..."

"Think about the first language you learned as a child. More importantly, think about how you learned it. You were a baby when you first started speaking, and even through you spoke the language incorrectly, you were allowed to make mistakes. And the more mistakes you made the more your parents smiled.

Learning to speak was not something you were went somewhere to do only a few times a week. And the majority of the people you spoke to were not beginners. They were already proficient speakers. Imagine your parents forcing you to only speak to other babies until you were good enough to speak to them. You would probably be an adult before you could carry on a conversation with them.

To use a musical term, as a baby you were allowed to jam with professionals. If we approach music in the same natural way we approacehed our first language we will learn to speak it in the same short time it took to speak our first language."

I've often been told the best way to learn is to surround yourself with those who are more proficient. It is similar to the emersion courses where you, the beginner, are surrounded by people only speaking French. Eventually, you begin to adapt and learn the language. I don't think Victor is saying that music teachers are bad-- they have their place. Consider other perspectives. Try to surround yourself with more proficient musicians and learn from them. Don't be worried about making mistakes. Just get out there and play. The more you play, the more you will want to practice. Before long you will be able to express yourself through your instrument. As Victor puts it,
"Music comes from the musician, not the instrument." 

Stay tuned, and in-tune~

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

New To Bass Guitar; Where To Begin?

So you're new to Bass Guitar, eh? Me too! 

I've decided to share an abbreviated journal of my new learning adventure. Hopefully something I post here will be useful to you, or you're friends. At any rate, I think it will be fun to look back on these posts... two or three years from now. 

Some readers may remember my review of Philip Toshio Sudo's excellent book, "Zen Guitar". The chapter titled, The Beginners Mind summarizes my view about taking on a challenge such as learning a new instrument-- which anyone at any age can do-- is that its like running a marathon

"Those who want to run, run. Those determined to finish, finish. As the samurai say, 'The only opponent is within.' There are no tricks or secrets. It is a matter of will-- putting one foot in front of the other every step of the path. In Zen Guitar, honesty, integrity, spiritual strength, and depth of conviction are more important than skill. These are the elements that make vital music, and they have nothing to do with natural talent. Where there's a will, theres the Way."

First, the tools I choose: G&L bass, Carvin combo amp, Boss tuner/metronome, notebook (for keeping track of my practice sessions, music notation, etc.) and my textbook of sorts-- "Bass Guitar For Dummies." When choosing your gear, keep in mind the wisdom of Zen Guitar

"...make sure you look for an instrument of suitable quality... Avoid poor craftsmanship; it's the sign of a poor spirit. That doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive equipment... Learn to identify quality and appreciate anything thats well made, wherever you find it. Look deeply into the spirit that goes into making an item of quality-- the care, precision, the attention to detail. Incorporate that spirit into your work...make [it] as well as you can. To do otherwise is spiritless." 

Next, find a good teacher. This may take some time, as I have found out myself. In the meantime, I started through the book, and searched out lessons on YouTube. This is by no means a sufficient replacement for a good teacher! Finding a good bass teacher is very important, but again this may take some time. Here are a few free videos I've found to be useful supplements, that have allowed me to move forward while my search for a good teacher continues:

Its important to remember that not everything on Youtube is helpful, or useful. There are however some real gems to be found. One of the gems belongs to Scott Devine, titled, "The Most Important Bass Lesson I Ever Teach." Scott is responsible for A TON of quality instructional videos-- and they are free. This first video establishes a solid foundation and proper perspective to approach learning a new instrument. It contains wisdom (not just information) that will sustain the beginner through the long journey ahead. GREAT stuff here!


With a proper foundation established, it's time to pick up the instrument. Building on the Zen Guitar wisdom that says, "Don't pick up your guitar aimlessly. Act with a sense of purpose. Be of the mind that you're going to do something-- even if you don't know what that is yet. Prepare yourself to play."

This next video covers the very basics of playing the bass. As a long-time guitarist, I intentionally remind myself that playing the bass is quite different in approach and technique. For example, on guitar I strike the strings with a pick; good bass tone however, is all about the fingers. This video is useful in  understanding the proper way to pick the strings, and provides practice tips for both picking, and timing. 


Finally, to build on George's lesson, Scott Devine takes it a step further with his video instruction about right hand technique. My approach was to take my time with these lessons, and as Scott mentions in the first video, learn things in small pieces. I've learned that having a solid foundation makes playing actual songs much easier.


I found these videos very helpful in getting started, and hopefully they will be for you as well. They formed the basis for my early practice sessions. But effective practice is much more than following a video or two. You have to have a plan. Time is a premium in our house, and when one considers all the responsibilities that come with married life, finding time to practice can be tough. Thankfully I came across this article on No Treblean excellent website for bass players:

The advice in that article has really helped me stay focused (rather than noodling around), and to concentrate practice time to improving areas that I'm weak in, opposed to playing only the that which I already know. I started keeping track of these practice sessions with a basic 80-sheet bound notebook. I choose a quad-rule (graph paper) version because I like to map out fretboard shapes, and locations. Having the little boxes pre-printed is also a time saver, and keeps things neat and orderly. 

Lastly, I created this little cheat sheet, or as I like to call it "quick reference guide" to the fretboard. Used in conjunction with my practice log, the videos and book, I made enough progress to play bass with our church's worship band last Sunday. And let me tell you, I had a BLAST! Theres nothing like playing with other musicians to inspire me to improve, and keep learning new things. It's my hope someone will read this blog-- perhaps this entry-- and find the encouragement needed to learn an instrument. The great Elwood Blues once said, "...no pharmaceutical product could ever equal the rush you get when the band hits that groove; the people are dancing', and shouting', and swain', and the house is rocking'!" 'Till next time...

Stay tuned & in tune~

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Angela's Adventure

     One of the blogs most fervent supporters, Angela tells all of her friends about the blog. 

     On a recent trip to the Washington coast, she took a few moments out to show her affection for one of the planets elders, then sent in these photos.


     Many of us in the Pacific North West are called tree-huggers... as if that were a bad thing! There is actually scientific evidence that hugging a tree is beneficial to ones health.

     But you don't have to live here to experience the joy-- find a tree of your own, and show your love. The tree's appreciate it, and chances are you will enjoy it too. After all, who wouldn't like a big hug? 
                  It's a good thing!



Stay tuned & in-tune!

Friday, October 11, 2013

New Addition: Bass Guitars

Bassists rejoice! 

Several bass oriented resources have been added that can be found in Guitar Production, Rigs & Tips, and Making Music. Be sure to check them out, and stay tuned for more bass related posts. 


Also in production are articles focusing on learning to play bass, guitar, or any musical instrument at middle age and beyond! Is there any scientific data that supports such an effort? Keep checking in during the next 10-weeks to find out!

On the six-string side of the house in the Guitar Production section, I've posted the remaining videos of the Tone King's Carvin Custom Shop series.

Stay tuned & in-tune~

Saturday, August 31, 2013

California Trippin' Part 6 : Norman's Rare Guitars

Norman's Rare Guitars store front
Our California Road Trip was one of the highlights of the year. If you live in, or ever visit California I encourage you to set aside a few days to visit the Carvin, TaylorFender factories. The final stop on our trip was to visit Norman's Rare Guitars, in Tarzana. I first learned of Norman's through the 1984 documentary-- rather, rockumentary of England's loudest rock & roll band, Spinal Tap; guitarist, Nigel Tufnel wore the shirt that quickly became a classic. Since then, Norman's has continued to grow a reputation as the place in Southern California to find rare & vintage guitars. 
Classic Norman's T-Shirt

Walking into this large shop, the initial impression is that they could use even more room! Not only is each wall covered with guitars hanging from their headstocks, even the floor space is covered with guitars. Walking through Norman's is much like observing farmland from above; large squared crops of vintage & used Fenders comprise one large section neighbored by an equally impressive crop of Gibsons. Rows of amplifiers separate the electrics from the acoustics... 


Joe Bonamassa & Joe Walsh visit
Despite its comparable size, Norman's is nothing like a chain store such as Guitar Center. Here the sales people know what they have in stock, and the guitars are in tune. You wont find text-distracted simpletons manning the store, or skinny-jeans wearing 
teens playing out of tune licks through cranked amplifiers. Instead, chances are more likely you'll run into musicians such as Joe Bonamassa, or Joe Walsh, and employees who routinely play and service the finest in vintage guitars and amplifiers. 

Norman's is a guitar shop where it's even possible for a guys wife can find a guitar that she wants to adopt. Our visit to Norman's happened within a week of our visit to Carvin where we got a preview of Kat's custom made blue sparkle single cutaway guitar. It was also within a few days of our visit to the Fender factory, where we got to see each step of the build process. So it should come as no surprise that when my wife set eyes on a blue sparkle Telecaster Deluxe, she would have to take it for a spin. 

My wife's blue sparkle, limited run Telecaster Deluxe
After walking through the entire selection of Norman's collection of classic guitars, we took our time and compared the Tele to classic Gibsons, new and vintage Fenders alike. This Tele had something very special. Even with old factory strings this guitar resonated like crazy with each chord strummed. It was one of those rare times where you know this is the one to go out of your way to bring home. Which we were lucky enough to do. The folks at Norman's treated us like we were celebrities, even though we were buying one of their far less expensive guitars. They obviously understand that for a guitar to be special, it doesn't necessarily need to be built in the 1960s, or built by an old reclusive luthier who wrote the Manual Of Tone


The Tele was waiting to the left of the Rickenbacker collection
The 1400 mile return trip to Washington was much more fun having the Tele with us. It gave me a chance to work out song ideas during longer roadside breaks, and in hotel rooms. The guitars gig bag-- which was from the lower end of the breed-- did a great job protecting the guitar, and provided a much more convenient way of carrying it around during our trip than a hardshell case would have been. 

While California has many wonderful independent guitar shops, Norman's is one that should be at the top of anyones must-do list. After seeing first hand the different approaches used by Carvin, Taylor, and Fender to building guitars-- including the pride each take in building their instruments-- it was fitting that we should also follow the newly built guitars to the retailer and ultimately to the customer-- us! We also placed a custom order through Carvin, but thats a story for another time...

Stay tuned, and in-tune!

Monday, August 19, 2013

California Trippin' Part 5; Fender Factory Tour

2009 American Standard Stratocaster & custom Champ Amp
Fender Guitars has a long, rich history in music. They are responsible for some of the most popular instruments made. Many musicians have become associated with their Fenders--

-- Buddy Holly and Jimi Hendrix are known to favor Stratocasters.

--Keith Richards and Bruce Springsteen are known for playing Telecasters.


--Geddy Lee and Jaco Pastorius are well known Jazz bass fans


--Steve Harris and John Entwistle favor the Precision bass.


One of my favorite, all-time guitars is a daphne blue Strat, so having the opportunity to tour their factory is a real treat.


Sanding a Stratocaster body
     Our tour began while we waited for the factory tour group to assemble in the lobby of their Visitor Center. The factory tour began with our guide showing us the machines which stamp out all the metal parts used on their American Series guitars and basses. Right around the corner is the wood shop where mostly alder, ash, maple and rosewood. High above the stacks of wood are computer controlled misters which maintain humidity levels best suited for the various woods.

New fret-pressing machine
     CNC machines cut the wood blanks into necks and bodies. The necks and bodies then move to sanding, where a team of people shape the necks, and sand the bodies go through several steps in the sanding process. Fret wire has been pressed into the fingerboards by hand since Fender began making guitars in the 1950s. Changes are being implemented that will make the process more consistent, as Fender has installed the first pneumatic press with others to be installed soon. 
Guitars drying above the factory floor
     After the guitars are prepped and painted, they are dried in a very unique way; each guitar body is suspended from a conveyor track that runs above the workers below. Those below are working in teams performing final assembly-- everything from matching necks & bodies, to wiring the electronics. After final inspection, the guitars head to shipping where they begin their journey to a various guitar shops around the world.

Fenders famous Custom Shop
                                                           Located within the Fender factory is their Custom Shop. In this small section of the factory, that builds very limited versions of Fender guitars. There are only a few dozen workers who make new guitars appear 30-years old, or apply special paint schemes, and unique electronics not usually found on Fenders regular production line.


Our tour-guide describing why
  the CS guitars special
 

     We spent most of the day at Fender's Visitor Center and factory tour, and we still didn't get to take in all the sights. It was obvious those who work in the factory take a great deal of pride in their work, and their guitars. As we made our way through the factory, everyone we met enthusiastically explained what they were doing.


Pride in workmanship, and the instruments was a common thread between each of the three builders we visited. Of course, the real proof is in the pudding, as they say-- and these guitars did not dissapoint; all played and sounded great!
The neck department is proud of their work-- and rightly so
     After the guitars leave their factories, they can often be found at shops such as Norman's Rare Guitars on Ventura Blvd in Tarzana California. We visited Norman's a few days after the Fender factory tour-- which I will write about next week~

Stay tuned, and in-tune!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Pick Up Your Guitar; "All Carvin Guitar Epic" Video

Me and my trusty Carvin DC127C
"Don't pick up your guitar aimlessly. Act with a sense of purpose. Be of the mind that you're going to DO something-- even if you don't know what that is yet. Prepare yourself to play... Remember, the guitar is an instrument-- a thing by means of which something is done. Keep this in mind every time you reach for it. When you pick it up, pick it up." ~Philip Sudo, Zen Guitar.

We all get stuck in ruts, or hang out too long in our comfort zone. This is where I've been in my playing lately; happily grooving away playing rhythm guitar with the occasional fills and riffs. 

That is until a friend on my favorite guitar forum put a call out for participants in a new group project he was crafting. Since he made it a point to invite players of all skills and styles, I decided to jump in. Each player was to submit two or three solos that would later be combined into a song-- and in this particular project, the song would be part of a superhero themed video
My recording studio; Zoom G3, Sequel LE, MacBook,
Carvin guitars & Carvin powered 12" monitor

All of the players in this project were well practiced in writing blistering solos... all except me, that is. Time to break out of my comfort zone, and push my skills. Armed with my guitar, laptop, Zoom G3 effects & amp simulator as my USB audio interface, and the Sequel LE DAW included with the G3, I spent the next week picking up my guitar with a purpose-- to write & record original solos. 

Our leader, "X-Mann," reflected on the project after it was completed; "The team is what makes this song SO great too... It's funny that I've never met or played with any of these Carvin players, we were NEVER in the same room together & ALL come from different locations, backgrounds & playing styles... yet... we sound like we all got to gether one after the other & laid these tracks down with our cool Carvin guitars... but we didn't!" 


Working on this project was challenging, rewarding, and a lot of fun! Using the recording software to practice, and craft these solos was very helpful, and a major reason I enjoyed the process. Just as major league baseball players watch film to improve their skills, using the recording software allowed me to listen to what I was playing and identify what was sounding good... and what wasn't

I encourage you to participate in your own "on-line jam" as they are becoming more common with the affordability and ease of use of basic recording software. Of course, nothing beats playing in a live situation, but these on-line projects will help you grow as a player, and learn new skills.


"It doesn't matter what style you play in at all... recording yourself & your own tunes can really develop your guitar playing in a great & musical way." ~X-Mann


Check out the video, keep an eye out for Randy-- a.k.a. Rip Curl, and share the video with your friends, and...

Stay tuned, and in-tune!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

California Trippin’ Part 4; Fender Visitor Center

Our road trip to visit California guitar builders will be a long to be remembered one. First stopping at Carvin Guitars in San Diego, followed by Taylor Guitars, then finally completing the stringed trilogy with a stop at the Fender Guitars factory in Corona. Each of these manufacturers of fine musical instruments operate within industrial parks— after all, their focus is not entertaining guests, rather building tools for musicians to express themselves.

Touring Fender Guitars begins at their new Visitor Center which opened in Sept of 2011. It is an impressive facility featuring displays from the companies history-- many of which can be picked up and played by visitors. It also includes an amp room where visitors can choose from several walls of Fender guitars, then plug into any of the amplifiers from Fenders catalog. 

Hanging out & Jammin' in the amp room
Another reason to stop at the Visitor Center is to see the special exhibits they host; we were lucky enough to see the Jimi Hendrix exhibit which ran from March to May. Many of the items on display were from Seattle's Experience Music Project; event posters from Woodstock, a guitar & strap used at the concert, various clothing, letters, and a huge wall plastered with photos of Jimi chronicling his musical career. 
Jimi Hendrix Wall of Fame

                                


The center also acts as a museum for Fender's history; displays containing key artwork and guitars of that era fill at least half of the floorspace. Some displays included not only a specific period in time, but also specific artists and their favored Fender guitar.
Dick Dale a.k.a "King of Surf Guitar"

What visitor center would be complete without a gift shop? Fender has that covered-- and in a big way! Guests can purchase everything from guitar picks, strings, books, t-shirts, ball caps... even place an order for a guitar-- right there at their Visitor Center. There is an enclosed room adjacent to the amp room where guests can talk with a Fender technician and choose the guitar they want built by selecting various sample parts hanging on the wall. 

There is a lot to take in here, and we haven't even started the factory tour yet! I'll save that for the next post...

Stay tuned, and in tune!

Thursday, July 11, 2013

California Trippin’ Part 3; Taylor Guitars

The only hint that guitars are built in this business park 
    Our visit to Taylor Guitars in    El Cajon, CA was excellent. Anyone who owns a Taylor, plays any kind of guitar, or just plane digs guitars should check out one of the daily free tours of the factory. 

     It would be very easy for someone to drive by the Taylor factory without even realizing it, as the factory is located in a business park along with many other manufacturing businesses. Only a few miles from the San Diego Air & Space Museum to the east, and Miramar Air Station to the north-west, it would be very easy to spend the entire day in this little corner of California and still not see all the town has to offer. 

     Taylor recently completed a new visitor center near the lobby, which provides those waiting for the tour a convenient place to bask in all things Taylor: T-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, coffee mugs, books, guitar stands, picks... and oh yes-- guitars too. 

Visitor Center
Our tour guide, Scott
     The tour group meets at the counter, signs in and receives a radio receiver with headphones, a pair of safety glasses, and a visitor badge-- I thought this was a little much, that is until the tour began. Guests are taken on a guided tour through every step of the guitar production process from wood selection all the way through final assembly. Our guide for the day was Scott, a 10-year employee who maintains the factories machinery.

Scrap wood awaiting to be repurposed 
     
     As mentioned, the tour started in the wood storage facility, and moved through the wood shop where Scott explained each step of the process. For instance, he showed us three large bins that contained wood scraps outside the woodshop. Rather than simply disposing of the remnants, Taylor re-purposes the scrap. Some of it becomes bracing for the guitars, some becomes drink coasters emblazoned with the Taylor logo and given away to guests, while other pieces become kindling for fireplaces and BBQ grills. Every effort is made to eliminate waste throughout the entire building process. 

    
 Scott explained how the wood is selected based on the model of guitar being built, and how the various other parts are chosen, such as neck & fingerboard woods, inlay material, and finishes. Along the way we met several people responsible for each process. 

Pressing frets into a fingerboard
Final setup & inspection
on a T-5 electric/acoustic
One thing that stands out immediately is how advanced some of the machinery is. Along with the traditional shaping tools, CNC machines save time and create guitar components with exacting detail that was impossible a mere 10-15 years ago. Achieving this kind of detail consistently and quickly is one of the ways Taylor is able to meet demand for their guitars while maintaining extremely high quality standards the company is known for. 

Cutting & inlaying abalone
However, these guitars don't leave the factory without a considerable amount of human influence as well. The contrast between high-tech & traditional methods in the same work areas is intriguing Cutting and setting the delicate inlays, is still done by hand, as is the sanding, shaping, and binding of these beautiful guitars. 

Final setup & inspection
Our tour lasted nearly two hours, though it felt much shorter-- time does indeed fly when having fun. The radio receivers & head phones not only allowed us to hear Scott describe all the steps required to make a Taylor guitar, but also as a means to block out some of the noisy machinery. The safety glasses were actually necessary as the tour takes you right alongside some of the workers sanding & cutting the woods that would ultimately become some lucky persons guitar. Getting tohave such an close up, behind the scenes tour of the birth of a Taylor guitar was one of the highlights of my year. There was a real sense of passion among the workers here, and everyone we talked to was excited to explain all the details of their work. 

Again, anyone who owns a Taylor, plays any kind of guitar, or just plane dig guitars should check out one of the daily free tours of the Taylor factory.

Stay tuned & in-tune~

Thursday, June 27, 2013

March Of Carvins - X-Mann & The King Slayers


A buddy of mine has completed a music video project that simply ROCKS!  He asked a bunch of Carvin Guitar owners to create and send him their recordings of solos, riffs, and rhythms that fit a specific concept. That concept was the guiding light for each of the contributing musicians. As he explains it, "I took my LOVE of Carvin Guitars & the HBO series "Game of Thrones" & put them together for this new song & video..."

Participants also sent him photos of the Carvin guitars used to make the recordings. He then put everything together, including his own recordings and the result is a video he named the "March of Carvins." It's really a lot of fun, so check it out, and share with all of your music loving friends :)





Hopefully this video will inspire you to put your guitars to work, and to use them for their intended purpose-- to make music!  

After completing the project, he shared with us some useful insight,
"My #1 tip to getting better on guitar at ALL levels is to record yourself & write your own songs... It will line everything up & you will be creating music & not just practicing anymore..." ~X-Man

~Stay tuned & in-tune~

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

California Trippin' Part 2; Carvin Guitars


Guitar production is one of the three themes this blog revolves around. Luckily I live in a part of the US where several guitar builders have set up shop. California, Oregon, and Washington host a long list of builders, from small independents to large corporations. My wife and I recently embarked on a road trip to visit three of California’s larger builders—Carvin, Taylor, and Fender. 
Arrived at the Carvin headquarters in San Diego, CA
The first of our visits was Carvin Guitars, located in San Diego. There are very few family owned & operated companies in America today, and Carvin is proud to be one of them. They are a relatively small company compared to the likes of Fender, or Gibson, yet Carvin operates a state of the art 80,000 square foot facility, and produce roughly 5000 guitars and basses each year. 




Carvin was founded by Lowell Kiesel in 1946. Lowell passed away on 28 Dec 2009, but the company continues to be a family venture:

- Eldest son, Carson Kiesel is President of Carvin, and in charge of electronics design & production.

- Mark Kiesel is Vice-President, and in charge of guitar and bass design & production.
- Jon Kiesel is also Vice-President, and responsible for speaker cabinet design & production.

- Grandson Jeff Kiesel is Director of National Sales.
- Grandson Joel Kiesel is Director of International Sales.

- Granddaughter Kristen Kiesel Lieurance is a production engineer with Carvin.

(L to R) Carvin V220, Ultra V, DC127
Steve Vai's Legacy III wall of tone
I really appreciate Carvin's connection with their family, their employees, and the community-- not to mention their unique business model. What makes it unique is they sell directly to the customer. Direct sales enables them to offer their guitars, amps, and pro audio gear at a price roughly half that of their competition. 

Another thing that setting Carvin apart from the big companies is all their gear is American made. In a time when all the large companies offer cheap, imported versions of their US models from Asia, Carvin focuses on offering only the best, American made instruments. There was a time however, when Carvin experimented with offering imported acoustic guitars (the Cobalt series), but discontinued the line for several reasons. Carvin has a long-standing reputation for the way their guitars are setup; the string height (i.e. action) is very low, resulting in a very comfortable playing guitar. Each of the imported acoustics received a QC, and setup at the US facility, which required a considerable amount of staff time. As time went on, the orders were taking longer and longer to receive from the sub-contracted builder. After giving the imports a fair try, Carvin decided to discontinue the series, and focus their attention on their US production, and reducing their Custom Shop build times. 

Carvin's latest amps
& extended scale guitars
Builders like Fender and Gibson mass-produce guitars, send them through the distributors to a network of dealers where the guitars sit and wait for customers to come along and buy them. They also have smaller divisions they call “custom shops” where a person could call and request specific features such as non-standard colors, etc. to suit their tastes. The cost of these custom shop guitars usually begins at double the price of their standard versions. Carvin bucks this trend by being only a custom shop. For instance, Carvin begins by establishing a baseline version of a particular model, then the customer decides on the additional options such as color, finish type, wood combinations, hardware—you name it. The guitar is not built until a customer places the order. Operating in this manner eliminates waste in many different ways, such as eliminating unsold stock at years end, and minimizing the demand on the forests for the woods required. The customer receives a guitar built to their specifications, to meet their needs rather than having to modify a guitar bought off the rack. Additionally, the customer saves a considerable amount of money by dealing directly with Carvin.

Kat's new CS4 Sparkle
Carvin does not offer tours of the facility, but they do have an on-site showroom/store. During our visit, product specialist Mike Jones, and assistant manager Jorge Camberos took the time to visit with us, and talk about some of the new things happening at Carvin. They also let us have a sneak peek at some special guitars out from the back- fresh from QC, and awaiting delivery to the customers. The guitar that stood out from all the others was a special order Sky Blue Metallic single-cut that had a finish, which used three different sizes of hexagonal glitter. The guitar had a deep, 3-D look too it; like you could drop a coin on it, and never see it land— very cool! It was ordered by a young lady who has a steady gig playing guitar in a band at Disneyland. I was told (not asked) to NOT take any photos of it… they wanted to present it to her in person rather than her seeing it for the first time on the web. After she received it, photos went up on Facebook for all to enjoy.
Steve Vai's Legacy III amp trimmed in classic sea-foam green 

We also got to see first hand some of the new amplifiers, tuning keys, and Carvin’s new headless guitars built for legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth. The headless guitars were beautiful and fun see, but my favorite piece of new gear is the new three-channel amplifier built for Steve Vai called the Legacy III. Guitar amps aren’t usually very interesting to look at—not so with the Legacy II, as it sports a very surf like sea-foam green painted speaker grill & head. Inside the vented head is a series of LEDs that illuminates the amplifier from within. An angry Kung-Fu Master wouldn’t have been able to knock the smile from my face that day—I was in seventh-heaven.

Even though we didn’t have a chance to tour the factory, we had a wonderful time. Our hosts were the best. Mike was even kind enough to spend much time digging through old parts bins to find the correct replacement part for an older Carvin I acquired through E-bay several years ago. He also reminded me of the YouTube video series they have been filming that follows the building of a guitar from start to finish. It is an excellent series that dispels any Internet-rumors that Carvin guitars are all machine built. In addition to taking advantage of modern technology, there is a tremendous amount of traditional hands-on craftsmanship that goes into building a Carvin guitar as can be seen in the videos. 

LEDs illuminating the Legacy III amp
If the only builder we visited were Carvin Guitars, the 4,000-mile road trip would have been well worth the journey. Luckily however, we also got to visit and tour both Taylor & Fender factories— results of which I will post here over the next few days~

Stay tuned & in-tune~

Saturday, June 15, 2013

California Trippin' Part 1; Prequel to Guitars


In-N-Out Burgers; a CA tradition
One of the more exciting aspects of creating this blog has been touring the facilities of different guitar builders. My wife & I recently loaded up our car and drove to Southern California to visit Carvin, and Taylor guitars in San Diego, and Fender in Corona.  On our way we drove through some of the world’s most beautiful forested land. 


Willits CA in Redwood country
It was a great opportunity to put things into the proper context— guitars are made from trees—and not just any trees; many are built from those found in old-growth forests, 350 – 400-years old. Getting to stand beneath, smell, touch & breath in the majestic NW spruce, and the incredible California Redwoods for example, is something every guitar player should seek to do at least once. Doing so enhances my appreciation for the guitars I have, and forces me to view guitars through a completely different perspective; my favorite guitar was built from trees like these, so I better darn well treat it well, and use it for its intended purpose— to make music! Anything less would be squandering something that has survived storms, fires, droughts, wars, and humans… for hundreds of years. Now it has been used to create an instrument capable of healing people, crossing political and cultural barriers, and creating social change; it has become a guitar. 

Redwood highway 199, and excellent milkshakes!
Consider this; that Sitka Spruce top on your favorite acoustic guitar, or the mahogany neck and back on your new electric is from a tree roughly 400 years old. What significant events have those trees lived through during that time? To put this into context, subtract 400 years from 2013 and our Sitka Spruce timeline begins in the year 1613:

1613
- Galileo observes Neptune but fails to recognize what he sees
Russian Empire elects Mikhail Romanov Tsar of Russia, and establishes the Romanov Dynasty, ending the Time of Troubles
1623- 11 Dutch Ships depart for the conquest of Peru
1633- Astronomer Galileo arrived in Rome for trial before Inquisition for professing belief that Earth revolves around the Sun
- Charter for Maryland is given to Lord Cecil Baltimore
1643- First recorded tornado in US (Essex County, Mass)
- Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut & New Harbor form United Colonies of New England
1653- New Amsterdam becomes a city (later renamed New York City)
- German Parliament selects Ferdinand II king of Austria

1663- Great earthquake in New England
- King Charles II of England grants a charter to Rhode Island
1673- Regular mail delivery begins between NY & Boston
- Dutch battle fleet of 23 ships demands surrender of NYC
1683- First settlers from Germany to US, leave aboard Concord/ 13 Mennonite families found Germantown PA.
- Austro-Ottoman War: Battle of Vienna— the Ottoman Empire defeated
1693- Dom Perignon invents Champagne
- NYC authorizes 1st police uniforms in American colonies
1703- St Petersburg (Leningrad) founded by Peter the Great
- Great storm hits Southern England, 1000s killed, Royal Navy losses 13 ships & 1500 seamen
- Tokyo Earthquake; about 37,000 die

1713
- French residents of Acadia are given one year to declare allegiance to Britain or leave Nova Scotia, Canada
- King Frederik Willem declares war on Brandenburg-Prussia
1723- After a lasting siege and bombardment by cannons, Baku surrenders to the Russians
1733- Georgia founded by James Oglethorpe, at site of Savannah
- Joseph Priestly invents carbonated water (seltzer)
- France declares war on emperor Charles VI
1743- Comet C/1743 C1 approaches within 0.0390 AUs of Earth
- Coordinated scientific observations of the transit of Mercury were organized by Joseph Nicolas Delisle 
1753- 1st official St Patrick’s Day
- English parliament grants Jewish English citizenship
- George Washington becomes a master mason
- 1st steam engine arrives in US colonies

1763- Treaty of Paris ends French-Indian War, surrendering Canada to England
- Charles Mason & Jeremiah Dixon begin surveying Mason-Dixon Line between Pennsylvania & Maryland
1773- Big tea party in Boston harbor (Boston Tea Party) 
- Scottish settlers arrive at Pictou, Nova Scotia (Canada)
1776 - US congress proclaims the Declaration of Independence and independence from Britain 
1783
- Hostilities cease in Revolutionary War/Treaty of Paris signed ending the war
- Earthquake in Calabria, Italy kills 50,000
- W.A. Mozart’s Symphony No.36 is premiered in Linz, Austria
1793- 1st US fugitive slave law passed; requires return of escaped slaves
- Volcano Unsen on Japan erupts killing about 53,000

1803- Ohio becomes 17th state / US Senate ratifies Louisiana Purchase
- 1st performance of Beethoven’s 2nd Symphony in D
1813 – 1st pineapples planted in Hawaii
- Battle of Thames in Canada; Americans defeat British
- Battle of Dresden-Napoleon defeats Austrians
1823– R.J. Tylers patents roller skates
- “Home Sweet Home” 1st sung 
1833– Re-establishment of British rule on the Falklands
- Boston Academy of Music, 1st US music school established
1843– Mt Rainier in Washington State erupts
- “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens published; 6,000 copies sold

1853– Transcontinental railroad survey is authorized by Congress
- Olympia forms as capital of Washington Territory
1863- US Civil War continues 
- Emancipation Proclamation (ending slavery) issued by Lincoln
- 1st military draft by US (exemptions cost $100)
1873- 1st US postal card issued
- Indian Wars: Col Custer clashes for the first time with the Sioux. Only one man per side is killed.
- San Francisco Cable Car service begins on Clay Street 
1883- Buffalo Bill Cody’s 1st Wild West show premieres in Omaha
- Brooklyn Bridge opened by Pres Arthur & gob Cleveland
- US Supreme Court decides Native Americans can’t be Americans
1893- Gandhi’s first act of civil disobedience
- 3rd worst hurricane in US history kills 1,800 (Mississippi)
- Great stock crash on NY stock exchange
- Tchaikovsky conducted 1st performance of “Symphony Number Six in B minor

1903- Pres T Roosevelt shuts down post office in Indianola Miss, for refusing to accept its appointed postmistress because she was black
- Two New Yorkers buy Baltimore baseball franchise for $18,000 and moved it to New York
- New bicycle race “Tour de France” announced
1913- British House of Commons accepts Home-Rule for Ireland
- Brooklyn Dodger’s Ebbets Field opens
- The US introduces an income tax
1918 - World War 1 ends/ Armistice Day (11am on the Western Front)
1923– Union of Socialist Soviet Republics established
- 1st “Reichs Party” the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP) forms in Munich 
1933– Work on Golden Gate Bridge begins
- “Lone Ranger begins a 21-year run on ABC radio
- Adolph Hitler named German Chancellor

1943- Canadian Army troops arrive in North Africa
- Hitler declares “Total War”
- 1st transport of Jews from Amsterdam to concentration camp Vught
- 1st US air attack on Germany (Wilhelmshaven) 
1953- 9 “Jewish” physicians arrested for “terrorist activities” in Moscow
- Flooding in Netherlands, kills 1,835
- Joseph Stalin suffers a stroke and collapses. He dies four days later
- North Korea & UN sign armistice
1963- CIA Domestic Operations Division created (pretty scary!)
- USSR launches Luna 4; missed Moon by 8,500 km
- Beatles meet Rolling Stones for 1st time
1973
- George Steinbrenner III buys Yankees from CBS for $12M
- President Nixon signs Endangered Species Act into law
- OPEC oil embargo begins
1983- Wayne Gretzky sets NHL all star record of 4 goals in 1 period
- Final episode of M*A*S*H airs; record 125 million watch

1993- Sears announces it is closing its catalog sales dept after 97-years
- Gun battle erupts at Waco Texas between FBI & Branch Dravidians
2003- Space Shuttle Columbia takes off for mission STS-107 which would be its final one. Columbia disintegrated 16 days later on Re-entry
- The US Department of Homeland Security officially begins operations
2013- Canadian power-trio Rush finally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

- Sealaska sends their harvested old-growth Sitka Spruce to a PNW lumber mill that supplies the builder. The tree then becomes a guitar and starts a new life, with a new purpose.

Trees of Mystery
Klamath, 35 miles south of the OR boarder on the 199
So you can see that the trees used to make quality guitars such as those from American builders, Taylor, Gibson, Carvin, PRS, etc. have a long and rich history before they are harvested. If you have one of these guitars, play it! Use it for its intended purpose-- to make music. Anything less would be squandering precious resources.

We visited the California guitar builders within days of spending time among the giant trees, and our fresh perspectives gave the tours unique meaning. Over the next several days I will post our experience touring the builders facilities and all the things learned along the way. 

Stay tuned & in tune!