Elantric's Tips and Blog

Started by Elantric, May 27, 2012, 07:16:34 AM

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Elantric

#25
This guitar has become one of my favorites - sings like a Les Paul after swapping out the old factory tremolo for an X-Trem.
2012 '66 Epiphone Wilshire re-issue



Sadly last weekend I had a mishap and the guitar above  fell off a table in a cheap gig bag  and the resulting impact damaged the guitar   - neck  / body joint cracked - I have repaired / re-glued the guitar - but these Epiphone Wilshire re-issue's today  are getting rare,

Clamping the Neck to Body for 24 hours with TiteBond Glue


Completed Repair - new battle scars, but the guitar actually still sounds better than ever.


What I like most about these guitars are:

* Gibson 24 3/4" scale length

* 6 on a side Tuners with Angled Headstock  = no string trees  and straight path for the strings in the Nut  = Just add locking tuners and a TUSQ Nut and it stays in tune during Tremolo Use

* Very light guitar under 7 pounds that sings

* The stock re-issue Alnico Mini Humbuckers sound great!

so i located another one with better fretboard on Ebay very cheap $200) and I'll add the Xtrem to that too and a GK internal Kit



Here is the 2012 Epi Wilshire deluxe with Xtrem and Planet Waves Tuners


Elantric

#26
Ive been casually looking for one of these for past 10 years - and one finally landed for sale at a price I could not pass up
http://www.phantomguitars.com/mando.html





These are heard on many hit records, from Beach Boys to U2 Joshua Tree to Buddy Miller backing Emmylou Harris






http://www.u2interference.com/forums/f195/the-edge-bbc-story-of-the-guitar-video-190108-2.html

Quote
Originally Posted by europop2005  View Post
what is that mini guitar hanging off the edge of the rack???
That there is a Vox Mando-Guitar.

I think it's Danny's. I've seen Danny play one often. (You can see Danny using one in the Classic Albums: The Joshua Tree video)

Mando-Guitar // Octave Twelve

The octave twelve is a purely electric hybrid with a short-scale 12-string guitar neck and a small solid electric guitar body. It is tuned one octave higher than a standard guitar with the pairs of strings tuned in unison rather than in octaves as is the case of standard 12-string guitars. This puts the instrument in the same range as a mandolin. Most are fashioned afted the old Vox MandoGuitar, as shown to the right.

The MandoGuitar was originally made by Vox, then copied by Hammertone, and is now produced by Phantom Guitars, which seems to own the trademark on the name 'MandoGuitar' as well as the body and head shapes. The others are now calling their instruments an 'Octave Twelve'.

The double strings should give this type of instrument more of a mandolin flavor than the 6-string mandolins, but they tend to sound more like electric 12-string guitars played at the 12th fret. This is probably because no attempt is made to replicate the attack and sustain characteristics of a mandolin. However, they're a good size and shape for practicing mandolin-guitar, and they are a uniquely fun little instruments in their own right.

A relatively new addition to the pack breaks the Vox mold and uses the old Danelectro Guitarlin-type body with a short-scale 12-string guitar neck. It's a Neptune "Shorty" Octave 12 String by Jerry Jones Guitars, pictured to the left. The main difference here is obviously the body. Holding it like a standard mandolin may prove something of a problem with the base of the body so wide. Then again, you probably wouldn't be playing this instrument in a mandolin orchestra.

A bit more...
http://www.mandolin-guitar.com/types/OctaveTwelve.jsp


Emmylou Harris (2014) 06 - Daniel Lanois by KM's Live Music shots, on Flickr

Elantric

QuoteI had wondered if it this forum would be deserted as the VG is no longer sold .
. . .

Sadly, I get the impression this is not such an active board now. 


I guess its all a matter of perspective - I learn crucial concepts about the VG-99, by reading all posts here - (the whole enchilada)  every day.

I know a few VG-99 folks frown on reading about GR-55 / GP-10 / Fishman Tripleplay / Boss GP-10 - but to me its analogous to being an electronics tech - but then focusing your entire  electronics experience around the Tektronix 454 oscilloscope..


while ignoring all the other electronic test tools,   because they are a distraction.

I try to learn 10 new things about my guitar rig everyday, and I accomplish that by reading this link everyday
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=recent
 

Elantric

My trick for slide ( and my main interest for DSP Alt Tuning - regardless if GR-55. VG-99 or Tyler Variax) is Tune the real guitar strings to an Open tuning - for George Harrison that would typically be Open G - And i would kick on a Compressor for Slide Solos. This allows me to play Open Tuned Slide guitar parts with much sustain - but when the Slide solo is over, I use the DSP Alt tuning to convert my Guitar's Natural String's Open G tuning back to a DSP generated "Standard EADGBe Tuning"  - which allows me to play Rhythm Guitar in standard tuning.   

Elantric

Many "user to user" patches for lots of Guitar gear is here:
http://guitarpatches.com/units.php


Elantric

Its a new year, and I will be in Anaheim California at Winter NAMM 2015. Send me a PM if you are also at NAMM show and want to meet up.

Elantric

If you are feeling overwhelmed in your PM inbox here:

How to disable personal messages
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=13367.msg97795#msg97795

Please if you are new and have questions - use:

Advanced Search
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2978.0

But please respect the other members time, and  do not overburden with constant barrage of personal messages  seeking answers to questions  - many of which are already answered within the valuable info filled posts here on VGuitarforums.

Elantric

#32
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-secret-keyboard-controls-of-youtube-maybe-you-108153153539.html


The Secret Keyboard Controls of Youtube

J: Jumps back 10 seconds. Great if you didn't catch the words.
K: Play/Pause. (In case your space bar is broken.)
L: Jumps forward 10 seconds. Great if the introduction is taking forever.
M: Mute the audio.
(Isn't it neat how those four keys are all clustered together under your right hand?)

<-    -> (arrow keys): Rewind, fast forward
Home: Jumps to the beginning.
End: Jumps to the end.
The number keys work, too. You can press 0, 1, 2, 3, and so on to jump to points in the video at those percentages in.
0 means "the beginning." 1 means "10 percent of the way through." 2 means "20 percent through," and so on up to 9.

These keyboard shortcuts don't work in full-screen mode, by the way (except M for mute and space for pause). Still, they're great to know!


QuoteThe ability to slow motion and stop the dvd would be real handy.

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/the-secret-keyboard-controls-of-youtube-maybe-you-108153153539.html
If your browser supports HTML5 you can opt into the experimental HTML5 video playback on YouTube. Not only will you get smoother video playback—goodbye Flash!—but you'll be able to speed up and slow down your videos.

The variable speed control is great for seeing things in slow motion. DIY and tutorial videos often go too fast and watching something in slow motion is usually better than having to watch the same section over and over again to see what is happening. Conversely you can speed up to make finding a section of a long video easier than hopping around from point to point trying to find it.

Visit the link below to opt into the HTML5 beta test. You'll need a browser that supports HTML5 like Chrome or Apple Safari to participate. Check out the link for more details and sound off with you opinion on the new video playback in the comments.

http://www.youtube.com/html5
[/i]

Elantric


Elantric

#34
PU Wiring reference





Test PU Polarity with analog VOM Meter


Elantric

#35
Now that we have Google working again  - we have a return of the typical 20-30 "guests" browsing old posts here at VGuitarforums, and often its valuable to read what others are reading  - based upon a search on techniques used by old timers here.

I recommend set this as a bookmark on your browser  - and read what interests you for a fast track to learning

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?action=who 


Just be mindful of the date of the posts in the thread, as many go back to 2008, and a few of us here have changed opinions several times over the years. 


Elantric

#37
 I abandoned further effort on all IOS/ USB Audio Interfaces that :

* Use the headset connection ( terrible audio performance always restricted by the internal mic pre inside the iPad/iPhone) !) 

* Use a Lightning or USB connection that restricts all USB Audio I/O to iPad to 16 bits - Modern IOS Amp Sims ( Positive Grid BIAS/JAMUP PRO) reveal the shortcomings of 16 bit USB Audio. The latest iPads running IOS6-7 now support Multi-channel 24 bit Audio.
http://auriaapp.com/Support/auria-audio-interfaces

You need 24 bits to run Modern IOS Guitar Amp Sims to get anywhere near a Kemper experience using Positive Grid Bias.  16 bits reveals its sonic limitations under this specific condition



I use a typical electric guitar with its volume rolled down to "3" when judging the audio performance of the USB iPad Audio interface under review ,  as the signal must now compete with the noise floor and hiss of the audio interface's pre amp, and USB streaming interface .


Playing with an electric guitar with its Vol Pot set to "10"  -you may not hear the difference between 16 bit and 24 bit Audio Interface.


Also you must disable any Noise gates in your Guitar Amp sim software - remember my whole point for recommending 24 bit audio interfaces over 16 bit interfaces is not for recording - its for live iPad Guitar Amp simulation software - this is where you really need a 24 bit high SNR Audio interface, else you must use Noise gates all the time, and that ruins your dynamic range  - and you loose the ability to "roll the guitar volume down to clean up" a high gain Amp sim in Positive Grid BIAS (my main objective here) 

read
IOS 24 bit Audio / MIDI + TriplePlay on Battery power
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=10323.0

Elantric

http://www.postseek.com/

One Search Engine, 10 million Tech Posts, 150 Million Tech Replies

Elantric

#39
Googles recent decision to change its Search Tool engine, to downplay popular web sites in favor of elevating Web sites which have more "Truth" has me concerned that Orwellian days are ahead.   

luckily I see this as an alternative search tool
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=VG-99&ia=answer

Elantric

Read about Audio Latency in todays DSP systems

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=4828.msg32720#msg32720

Excellent article about DSP's and Latency by Peter Mapp

from a recent issue of SoundCommunications Magazine
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/55b91be6#/55b91be6/12


While geared towards the Live Sound Reinforcement audience, its worthy reading for MIDI Guitarists.




Elantric

#41
Another alternative ASIO driver -provides many interesting options

VB-Audio  Virtual Audio Cable, Voicemeeter Virtual Audio Mixer
http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Cable/

https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=13328.msg97464#msg97464

and


Just a heads up! This should be a clear wake up call for WinXP users


http://createdigitalmusic.com/2015/02/live-9-warp-automation-tuner-pad-features-asked/


QuoteAbleton is dropping support for some older Mac and Windows operating systems. (10.6 and earlier / Vista and earlier, respectively.)

This should be a clear wake up call for folks still using Windows XP 

Elantric


Elantric


Elantric

Click link below to view Advanced Search  in action

http://bit.ly/ZPdbIH

Elantric

#45
QuoteAny idea on how long the VG88 was discontinued before the VG99 was released?

Roland builds in batches based upon projected sales, and inventory, and market demand.

Typically there is a gap of non production of older models  right before the new generation device is released from R&D to Production.


Roland GR-500 production - (1977-1978)

Roland GR-300 production - (1980-1983) 

Roland GR-700 production  - (1984-1987)

Roland GM-70 production - (1985-1988)

Roland GR-50 production (1989-1990)

Roland GR-1 production (1992-1994)

Roland GR-09 production (1994-1995)

Roland VG-8 production  - (1995-1997)

Roland GR-30 production - (1996-1999)

Roland VG-8EX production  - (1997-1999)

Roland VG-88 production  - (2000-2005) 

Roland GR-33 production - (1999-2004)

Roland GR-20 production - (2004-2009)

Roland VG-99 production  - (2007-2013)

Roland GR-55 production  - (2011-Current)

Boss GP-10 production  - (2014-Current)

Boss SY-300 production  - (2015-Current)


Elantric


Elantric

VGuitar Forums > MIDI Controllers / Interface / Adapters > MIDI Controllers / Interface / Adapters
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?board=7.0

MIDI Tutorials
https://www.vguitarforums.com/smf/index.php?topic=2977.0

Elantric

#48
The current trend for many manufacturers for user control is "island sandboxing" .

They have an agenda to never implement user assignable MIDI CC# targets for their pedals, foot switches and restrict any possible connection that would allow external control of third party gear.

No doubt its motivated to reduce customer support calls, and finger pointing at "incompatible third party gear   

Makes me admire my Roland /Boss gear. Review the GP-100 MIDI Spec  vs the KPA . Even a 10 year old ( and 20 year old Digitech GSP-1101, GSP 2101 with their Digitech Foot controllers have far deeper MIDI Control implementation and ability to function as the central hub of a live gig system.

This is an aspect where Fractal Axe-FX+MFC-101, or even a Boss GT-100, or the "king" (VG-99+FC300)  clearly wins hands down over the tunnel vision control implementation in the  KPA + Kemper Remote.

Elantric

#49
Quote below was given me by Thomas Nordegg, as he thought it best described what we all do here at VGuitarForums with sharing real useful knowledge. It's unprecedented, and I wanted to capture the quote.


Quote
The true gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety and whose self control is equal to all emergencies, who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity...

Who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another, who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power or boast of his own posessions or achievements, and who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy...


Whose deed follows his word, who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own, and who appears well in any company, a man to whom honor is sacred and virtue safe...

but a few posts here confirm another old quote:

http://tinyurl.com/kxajhdv