REVIEW OF GREENBOY FEARLESS F112

I drove out to Dave Homer's Gigmaster Soundworks (a little Northwest of Battle Creek, MI) and picked up my Greenboy designed Fearless F112. Dave had taken a little longer than projected for the build, since his day job schedule had gone crazy, but it wasn't that much of a delay. The build looked beautiful...I'd gone for black with red highlights, and he'd gone a bit darker than I had anticipated, but with much classier looking results. We tested it and one of his F115 cabs out on his deck, and initally I was quite pleased...the F115s are really nice as well, by the way. And Dave is a great guy, very knowledgeable and laid-back, a very easy person to do business with! It was a long drive but worth it.

When I was first testing the cab at home I had some doubts about its handling capacity, it sounded to me like the speakers were "bottoming out" on the low notes, especially with the electric bass. I took it to a couple of gigs and felt the same way, which made me kind of anxious...had I made a mistake? Was it too small after all? I have a fairly aggressive right-hand attack sometimes, and I wasn't sure what was going on. I wound up calling Dave "Greenboy" Green who designed the cabinets, just to see what might be up. He and I talked for a while about musicians, amps, basses, and the kinds of tones we liked...he too is a very good guy, very easy to talk to about any problems. He suggested that the distortion might be coming from the amp itself (a GK 400RB), and that it might be underpowered for the job with a setup like this. I'd been coupling it with a 4/10 cabinet, and I hadn't noticed any real problems, but I went to my good friend Doug Wolgat, who offered his GK 1001RB for a comparison.

Well, Dave was right! We ran the F112 through the 1001RB, and it cleaned right up. We played Doug's Fender Precision and Jazz Basses through it and it sounded clear, with the dark creamy Fender tones shining through like a champ, even on the low notes at substantial volume. Next weekend he loaned the amp to me again for a gig at a medium-sized club, and it kicked ass with the trio! I was using a Kawai FB2 (the "Poor man's Alembic") and a Diamond Series 5-string Schecter, and they both sounded amazing. While my band The Shelter Dogs aren’t super ultra loud, our drummer can get enthused and isn’t shy about the volume on a Bo Diddley number or two, and I had no trouble keeping up with him. We never mic drums or bass on gigs like this. While  I'd brought the 4/10 cab along just in case, it never got used. These F112 cabs seem very transparent, and give out pretty much what you put into them.  Which may mean rethinking your amp and eq settings! Apparently the distortion in my amp, which was undetectable with my old cabinets, was really noticeable with the F112. I did the last set at the gig with the 400RB, Doug having gone home with the 1001RB. I found that if I backed off the Master some (I’d been using it dimed for years), and compensated with the Gain, I could use the amp without any distortion at all. I DID have to change the eq settings…the 400RB has a pretty distinctive midrange hump (which I actually like) that was a bit over pronounced with this cabinet. But if I backed the mids off a bit and added a little bass, I was back to the target tone I wanted.

I haven’t done an upright gig since these last experiments, but at home today it seems to be confirming what I initially thought when I played through the F112. It’s really really nice! With the 40s Kay Swingmaster and a Rev Solo direct into the 400RB, it’s not hard to get a very natural “like the upright but louder” thing happening. It’s not only really clean and clear, but it seems more resistant to feedback…I’m not sure why this should be, but here in the practice room it sure is. I'm sure with a larger amp like the 1001RB for more headroom (I gotta get one of those, by the way!) the results would be even better. I tried the Fishman Pro Plat with it as well, but it just seems to magnify the shortcomings of that preamp…I’ll play with it further, but it doesn’t seem to be helping much. It really doesn’t seem to need it. I’ll be playing the upright out onstage this weekend, and I’ll write more then.

As it is I’m feeling really positive about this cabinet!! The tone (now that I’ve figured out what’s up and dialed it in) is exceptional, the loudness is very impressive, and the folks who stand behind it are excellent. Did I mention that it’s beautiful and weighs only about 33 pounds? Pretty cool stuff. I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first, but now I’ve gotta say that if you’re looking to upgrade your rig to another level (and cut size and weight down considerably!), you should really look at these babys. You’ll like ‘em, I think.

Back On The Horse In The Infinite Quest

I've been noticing that recently I haven't been playing my instruments around the house all that much...something I've learned over the years to associate with depressive legs of my Bipolar cycle. Well, I do pick up a guitar or bass and doodle around late at night while watching TV, and that's certainly better than nothing (also, kinda fun), but to get back to where I want to be I need to get back to a regular practice routine. Especially if I'm gonna be leaping over some of the hurdles that I see coming up soon...new recording, touring, doing some free clinics, maybe some web stuff. So I'm back on the horse!!

Not too darn much to begin with, maybe a couple of hours a day if I can squeeze that in, and some on upright, some on electric. I'll leave the guitar for the late-night doodlefest and the jam sessions for now. I've got a lot to get together as it is. But I think I can do this!! There's plenty to work on. Hopefully I can augment my upright work with some lessons from Janet Cannon, who I was working with last year before everything kind of hit the fan. She's a classical bassist and really knows her stuff! Those lessons helped my upright playing in a major way, and I'm still just getting started. Music is one of the infinite quests...you're never done, there's always something to find just over the horizon. And that's why it's so cool. Wish me luck getting started back up!

Esmerelda And The Vampire

In the interest of alternating between serious deep issues and their polar opposites (well, I AM bipolar, after all) I'm posting this bit that I found while cleaning up the other day. I can't remember when I wrote this, but it was some years back...it's not a song, and not a poem really either. A bit of doggerel perhaps, but appropriate for the upcoming Halloween season. Vampires have been done to death, but they hadn't been when I put this down, so there, hah.

ESMERELDA AND THE VAMPIRE

Her full name was Esmerelda La Conchita De La Crown

And she was the most beautiful girl in parts ‘round here, hands down

When she walked by the boys and men and everyone would stare

And it was generally agreed, “She’s fairest of the fair”

Her lover’s name was Sandor, no last name was ever known

And Esmerelda loved him as a poet loves a poem

No one ever doubted that they were the perfect pair

When people saw their flashing eyes and long black wavy hair

The trouble all began when Sandor just dropped out of sight

And Esmerelda cried for him from dusk until the light

Until one night she heard a tapping at her windowpane

She looked outside and saw at last...Sandor What’s-His-Name.

“Dear Sandor, I can see that you’ve become a Vampire now”

“Well, actually, I have, but Baby, how did you guess, how?”

“You’re tapping on my window in the middle of the night...

And, well, I have no balcony, and I live up three flights.”

“My dearest Esmerelda, come and fly away with me

I’ll give your neck a nip and then a Vampire you shall be!”

“Well actually, my Sandor, that does sound pretty nice,

But then we’d have to kill folks, and we’d both be cold as ice.”

“But Honey, if you leave me then my Vampire heart will break

You might as well just finish the job, and through it drive a stake!”

“Oh, Sandor, you will always be my sweetheart Vampire man

But don’t despair, my clever brain has hatched a clever plan!”

Now San and Esmerelda run a Blood Bank in St. Clair

And if a pint goes missing no one either knows or cares

They come home to a heated casket big enough for two

And since they’re Vampires now, they’re probably happier than you

 

Once More Into The Breach, Dear Friends, Once More

So, after over a years layoff, I return to write in my blog...wandering into the place, dusting off the cobwebs, scaring off random rodents, and opening the windows to let the Autumn light filter in. It's as hard starting again as it is resuming an exercise routine (which I'm also starting to do). The joints are creaky, it kind of hurts to bend this way or that, I get tired way too easily, and I'm dismayed at the shape I've gotten into! But the only way to go is forward really. We are creatures bound in the traces of linear time, after all.

The reasons for giving up writing were pretty normal...I had a hellish few years, is all. Finding my friend Tom dead in his house was very bad, and still haunts me. But after that, the roller coaster seemed to pick up and Cyn and I were swept up in the craziness. My Mom breaking her back, and her subsequent surgery and recovery, then my Dad breaking his NECK, and his very traumatic time in the hospital and later at home, that was tough. But the sudden emergence of my Mom's hidden heart condition, the desperate three months in the hospital, and her death were what smashed me to earth. I'm still trying to cope with that, and to spend time with my Dad, who's even more devastated than I am. As I said, a pretty hellish time. So for a while, writing and sharing my thoughts online just wasn't on, except for short notes on Facebook and such, which was as much as I could manage.

But now, as I have a minute to draw back and think, I realize that perhaps getting some of this out on this virtual paper may not only be good for me, but perhaps might strike a chord in some of you folks who are going through your own losses and traumas, and maybe even do a little good. Some things that we must go through are universal, we're all on the bus together...even though for most of us, the route it's taking is sometimes puzzling. And if you'd like to discuss any of the issues I write about please feel free...it could help us all, maybe. There have been great, wonderful moments interspersed with the pain, and I want to look at how it all weaves together, and if the patterns in the fabric imply some meaning.

Don't think I'm gonna just be writing dark poetry on black paper with black ink in an unlit room, though!! As most of you who know me are well aware, I have a rather goofy and hopeful side, and it's often to the fore. I'll be writing about my musical endeavors, hijinks with my crazy and creative friends, family hoohah and hanging on the farm with the cats and the chickens. As well as whatever ridiculous observations about Life, Nature, Sex and Art spring into my somewhat twisted brain. And you're welcome to read or not, and respond if you feel like it. I'll try to shoot off some stupid thing or other every day if I can! Till next time, Peace and Love,

Todd

Cancellations

Today I was driving around, doing all the things that my crazy life requires I do...taking my Dad to the hospital for more tests, fixing my Mom's car, renting chairs for my upcoming wedding this weekend, and other stuff...and I get a call from the bar I'm supposed to be playing at tonight. They're cancelling me...because of a last-minute Tigers game that's gonna fill their bar with people who'll want to watch it on their giant TVs. So we're superfluous, and we're out. At the last minute too. Now I have to call my bandmates, who are as thrilled about this as you might imagine, and try to buoy their spirits up and share their pain at the same time. Some of us have cancelled other gigs to make this one, which now won't pay us for our lost time, and may decide to ax us altogether if we squawk too much about it. I grind my shiny shiny teeth.

The problem is that we have so very little leverage in the music world at this time. There's a million bands that would love to play every gig (granted, not as gifted as the band I'm fortunate enough to be in, but still), and the Musician's Union is as sad dusty shell that can essentially do nothing about situations like this. I know, I worked for the MU for a while, doing their paperwork. I wish it were otherwise. We're playing as much as any band in our area doing this Roots-oriented stuff, and I'm having a lot of fun doing it, but moments like this remind me that a lot of these clubs don't really give a crap about live music, or they're doing it on a whim, or under duress from one of the owners, or whatever. I won't say that they're bottom-feeder gigs....hey, I've BEEN on the bottom...but we're not too high up the food chain either. I've been to so many clubs without stages, or dressing rooms, or lights, or actual space to set up, that when I get said stuff I'm startled. And that's sad.

 It's a whole other blogs worth of words to talk about the changes in the public's perception of Music and their valuation of it...certainly there are other things people are doing with their time (like me right now). But is live music an endangered species? Yeah, I think it is. Am I gonna keep at trying to do it? Yeah, because I can't stop. Does it get me down sometimes? Yeah...hey, if you're gonna keep asking questions you might at least buy the next drink, buddy.

Top 10 Touring Tricks

Things to think about before you go out on the road…

1. Pack efficiently – a large (wheeled) duffle bag and a small book backpack should be enough for a tour under two months long…or even longer. Consider what kinds of weather you’ll be encountering, having a spare sweatshirt can be a lifesaver even in the summer if you’re close to the ocean or in the mountains. I’ll pack in walking shoes as well a gig boots, and a lot more t-shirts, socks and underwear than you think you need. Cotton clothes and drip-dry stuff is great since you may be doing your laundry in the sink at the hotel, especially if you’re in Europe! Laundromats are hard to find, and finding time to use them is harder. I’ll just ask for a couple more towels and wring my socks, t-shirts or whatever out with them…before a show…hang ‘em up and they should be dry by next day.

2. Bring food with you – even in the States it can be hard to find anything remotely edible on the highway stops…pack some Protein Bars and things like that along. Even if promoters tell you that they’ll provide a meal, surprises happen…a lot…and having a bag of granola or whatever can make a big difference. Note: DON’T pack perishable stuff! Those bananas are just gonna stink up the van, trust me. Eat that kind of thing as soon as you get it. And if you’re a band that brings its own cooler along, well, you’re smarter than the ones I’ve traveled with! It’s a great idea, you’ll save a lot of dough if you buy sandwich stuff at a grocery, and you’ll eat better and stay healthier. And don’t just fill it all up with beer!

3. Save those little soaps and shampoos you get in hotels. Nice and disposable. Who wants to travel with a big ol’ slimy bar of wet soap? Not me! Plus, shampoo bottles can open themselves…if you do travel with bottles like that (and toothpaste too), put them in Ziploc bags just in case. Keeps your kit bag from being slimed.

4. DON’T trash your hotel room/dressing room. That’s for babies.

5. If you don’t have your own sound guy, be sure to make friends with the one at the venue you’re at. Yeah, some are idiots and some are insane, but they can make or break your sound, and you have to deal with them. Be pals with them, buy ‘em a drink or whatever, ask ‘em about their job and what the crowds are like. A sound man’s job is difficult…they’re supposed to be transparent…and a lot of the time the only time they get acknowledged is when something is going wrong. If you’re on friendly terms you’re a LOT more likely to get what you want in terms of sound, and your special requests won’t make you seem like prima donnas. Plus, these guys usually talk with the owners of the clubs more than you do…if they like you, they’re liable to talk you up to them, and repeat business is the name of the game.

6. Bring stuff to keep you from going crazy. Back in the day I’d stuff all my available extra space (such as it was) with books and CDs. Nowadays, a well-stocked iPod and a Kindle can take their place, but it’s still an essential thing to have for some distraction. There’s lots of time a band on the road will want to talk together, but some of those long drives can dry that up occasionally. If you’re a game player, bring those. I’ve also spent a lot of road time writing, and if you’re a songwriter you might consider spending time each day with your notebook…it can be a valuable thing to do, and it eats up the miles as well.

7. Try to get a little time for yourself when you can! One of the hardest things about being on tour is that there’s very little privacy, and that can get on your nerves after a fairly short time. If you have some down time, maybe take a walk, check out the city you’re in, find a park or browse a pawnshop, whatever. You’ll get less burned out. And also, if you can, get out and have fun with your bandmates on days you have off! Getting a chance to get out, have new experiences, see new things and meet new people are some of the best things about touring. Don’t spend all your down time watching sports on hotel TV.

8. Do I really have to tell you to be great to your agents, to the club owners, promoters, fans and friends on the road? Everybody you meet will eventually talk about meeting you…give ‘em something good to say. I’ve sure heard bad stories about artists from all those kind of folks, and it does nothing good for their careers!

9. I won’t tell you what to consume (who’d listen anyway), but please, try to be aware of the fact that any intoxicants are gonna affect your performance, your stamina, and your health out on the road. I can speak from the experience of many years of dissipation! Many of us like to relax with a drink or whatever before or after a show, but just remember that the stresses and the ongoing party vibe of the music scene can make overindulgence seem like a good idea. Really, it’s not so good…the sides of the touring road are littered with the bodies of great musicians who fell too far off the wagon. And touring is physically stressful anyway…it’s just very easy to burn yourself out, and that’ll take a toll on the most important thing, the music. So have fun, but if you indulge, please pace yourself.

10. One of the best things about festivals and multi-band shows is getting to hang out with the other musicians! Lots of great times and experiences to be had for sure, and a lot to learn, both about music and survival on the road and in the business. Again, just being friendly has positive results most of the time. Networking with new friends can help your career too…you can get invaluable tips on new venues for booking, the word on promoters and agents, ideas for new shows…it really never hurts to make friends, and you never know where it can lead. When I worked with the Ultrasonics, our keyboardist Ben spent some time hanging out with the members of Blues Traveler while we were at a festival. After our band finally folded, they hired him! He’s been playing with them ever since. I always enjoy being able to spend time with our crazy, wonderful compatriots in this business, it’s always a treat, and part of what makes it a fantastic career at any level. May you too have a lifetime of great experiences as a musician! You’re already well on your way.

So things have been going really well for The Shelter Dogs in the last few months...we've put together a new CD that everybody seems to like, our musical catalog has expanded quite a lot, our playing has gotten tighter and more cohesive and fun, and we're gigging a bit and folks are showing up and enjoying it! I feel good about it. Although, as one of the principal guys in the band doing booking, I would love it if I had a manager who would do that part. Maybe someday. Things still seem to be progressing slowly to me...but that may just be my nature to see it that way. Actually, for the time we've been together, things are doing great.

This week I'm getting ready to start moving my old Magic Attic Studio into my farmhouse...it's gonna be a lot of work but it'll be a better space and I should get a lot more done. I'll have to scrape together a few more pieces (anybody wanna give me a nice beefy computer? Ours melted down), and get the rooms ready, but I'm looking forward to recording the band there, as well as doing some of the Beowulf Kingsley stuff and producing a few of my friend's bands as well.

Still wrasslin' with the Upright Bass! It's a monster...but a good one. Every time I think I'm starting to really get it down, I wind up looking at a Ray Brown video on YouTube and it's "Well, back to the practice room"!! Currently I'm looking at a new fingering method (for me, anyway) by this amazing cat named Francois Rabbath (check HIM playing on YouTube too!), a remarkable soloist and teacher. Thing is with the Upright (BEWARE! Boring tech talk follows): the darn thing is so huge that most practical fingerings have had to be divided up into whole-step and half-step positions, and there's a lot of shifting your hand around the bass. And the traditional method involves a LOT of positions...it's sort of debatable how many there are, but more than a dozen...it's very confusing and easy to get off your intonation (tuning). Rabbath divides the bass up into just 6 positions, and uses a fingering system that apparently helps your intonation stay spot on. So I'm gonna give it a shot! It involves learning a whole different approach, but I like learning new things, so we'll see. I might even start bringing the bow out to gigs. Earth people, tremble in fear!!!

Anyhow, I'm feeling strangely positive for being a 59-year-old looking towards February. It was a mess of a year last year, and there's been a lot of challenges, but I'm still afloat mostly, still living with the coolest girl in the world, still feeding all these dang cats, and still playing music. I'm feeling more creative and energetic these days, even if my back might be a little creaky in the mornings (well, sometimes in the afternoons too). We'll see what the future brings in!