According to Guitar World, here are list of Top 10 Worst Dressed Guitarists:
1) Gary Shider
2) Ted Nugent
3) Buckethead
4) Angus Young
5) Wes Borland
6) Ace Frehley
7) Dave Navarro
8) Kurt Cobain
9) Scorpions
10) George Lynch
mzcqybrax9
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
My Old Guitar
This is my old maison guitar. I always use this guitar in all spakum band live performance.
Simple Ways To Impress Your Boss
According to Nate, there are same simple ways to impress our boss, here are some keywords:
- Care about people
- Always be honest
- Speak your mind
- Be respectful – with an edge
- Ask for help
- Plan to wing it
- Work hard to help others
- Ask questions and look stuff up
- Do what you're not supposed to do
- Give people more than they expect
- Get organized
- Whatever you do, do it with a touch of "you"
Reborn
Today when I search a keyword spakum, I can see this blog address is on the first line of the result. I open it again, and still work fine, but I forget email and password for logging in.
After some trial, finally I can make the blog life again.
Thanks God and thanks uncle google.
After some trial, finally I can make the blog life again.
Thanks God and thanks uncle google.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Rare and Weird Music Instruments
50's Chevy Tail Fin Pre-Kramer
Kramer Triax and Enterprize
Grim Reaper Kramer
Kramer 1984 (Eddie Van Halen Guitar)
Custom Carved Mess (Eddie Van Halen Collection)
How to Buy a Guitar
Before you buy:
At the store:
Overall Tips:
Source: http://www.ehow.com/
- Choose between a steel-stringed acoustic guitar for folk and blues, a nylon-stringed acoustic for classical music, or an electric or electric bass guitar for good old rock and roll, to name a few.
- Talk to follow musicians about their instrument of choice and what they love about it.
- Research guitar brands using price guides, guitar magazines and the Internet. Some models appreciate in value as they get older.
- Consider buying secondhand instead of new. If you know your stuff, you may be able to get more value for your dollar.
At the store:
- Examine the construction. Look for a straight neck, a well-balanced body and frets that are smooth and flush.
- Strap on the guitar and hold in playing position. Does it feel natural? Balanced? Too heavy? Does your hand fit comfortably around the neck?
- Tune the guitar to see how smoothly the tuning keys operate and to test the sound quality of each string.
- Play a song. Do you like the sound? Is it easy to press down the strings? Is there any buzzing or clicking that suggests problems?
- If you are buying an electric guitar, plug it into an amp and play. Listen for crackling or humming. Test the controls for ease-of-use. (Humming might be caused by a bad cord; replace it with a new one.)
- Try out several models before you decide on one. Before you buy, ask, "What can you offer me if I buy my guitar here?" Some stores will throw in freebies (picks, guitar straps, a set of strings) or discounted accessories (amp, effects, capo or a mike stand). Make sure the price includes a guitar case.
- Remember that the retail price of a guitar is often negotiable. Also, make sure you know the return policy before you buy.
Overall Tips:
- Before renting a guitar, ask the salesperson about rent-to-own deals.
- Bring along a guitarist friend when you shop, especially if you can't tune a guitar.
- Avoid guitar stores without marked prices and aggressive salespeople unless you really know prices and are willing to haggle.
- You can buy a beginner's guitar for $200 to $500, but if you want to buy a renowned model of a popular brand, such as Gibson, Fender, Rickenbacker or Guild, expect to pay $1,000 or more.
Source: http://www.ehow.com/
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Bass Strings
The Importance of Bass Strings
Bass strings play a huge role in the overall tone you get out of your bass. There are a lot of different bass strings from which to choose. Understanding the various aspects of bass strings will help you know what to buy and try out. And, it’ll hopefully make you sound better!
Bass String Construction
Every bass string is comprised of two strings – the core string and the winding string. The core string is a thick wire from one end of the string to the other. Around the core string another smaller string is tightly wound in a spiral all the way up the length of the core string. If you look closely at a bass string you will see little grooves all the way up the string. That is the tiny winding string. The winding string adds brilliance to the string’s tone.
If you have an old set of strings, try unwinding one to see how it looks.
Types of Bass Strings
The different types of bass strings usually refer to the string’s winding string. There are two main types of windings and some that fall in-between them. The two main windings are roundwound and flatwound.
Roundwound Bass Strings
A roundwound string has a round shaped string wound along the core. Think spaghetti.
Roundwound strings are the brightest sounding of the two windings. These are the most commonly used type of string. They feel a little rougher because they have more grooves. There is also more finger noise because of all those grooves.
Roundwound strings are used in almost all styles of bass playing. And they are essential for slapping, popping and tapping where you want a nice bright tone.
When you first put them on you may find they are too bright. After a little playing, they will lose some of that zing. I like them after a week or so.
Flatwound Bass Strings
Flatwound strings have a ribbon-like winding wound along the core string. It’s like metal fettuccini.
Flats have a mellow sound to them. They feel smooth and silky. They have very little finger noise since they have fewer grooves up and down the string. Flats also have a long playing life since there are fewer cracks where dirt and oil can build up.
You may find flatwound strings to be a little too mellow for rock, r&b and funk. But you might like them for jazz and reggae where you might need a more mellow sound.
Groundwound and Halfround Bass Strings
In-between rounds and flats there are a couple of other types of string. Both in terms of tone and under-the-finger feel they are in the middle. I’ve been playing some groundwound strings recently and I really like them. They have a good brightness and hardly any finger noise.
A groundwound string is a roundwound string that has gotten a shave. Basically, they take a roundwound and grind off some of the roundness.
A halfround is kind of an oval-shaped winding.
Bass String Gauges
Gauge refers to the thickness, or diameter, of the string. The diameter is expressed in inches. A typical E-string is .105 inches in diameter. A typical G-string is .045 inches in diameter.
There is a trade off between tone and playability when it comes to string gauge. With lighter gauge strings you lose some tone, but they are very easy to play. Heavier strings have a great tone, but take a little more finger power to fret and pluck.
The lower the pitch you need, the thicker string you will need. If you are tuning down much, you may want heavier gauge strings.
Try a bunch of different gauges and see which suits your playing. If you are playing a lot of slap, try some light gauge strings. Just go easy on them so you don’t break them.
Scale Length
The scale of your bass refers to how long it is from bridge to nut. Most basses are 34” scale. This is known as long scale. Some basses, like the Hofner Beatles bass and others, have short scale necks which are, um…shorter. Make sure you get the right scale strings for your bass – most likely long scale. If your strings are too short, you won’t be able to put them on your bass! If they’re too long, you won’t be able to wrap them around the posts because they’ll be too thick at the end.
The Sexy Silk Wrappings on Your Bass Strings
You may wonder what those silk wrappings are for. They don’t do a whole lot. They help prevent scratching a bit and may help prevent the winding from coming off the core string. Mostly, I think manufacturers use them for a little brand recognition. Just make sure the silk is not on the point of contact at the bridge or nut. If so, you may have the wrong scale length string for your bass.
What Strings Should I Get?
It’s impossible to tell anyone what set of strings to use. Finding the right strings is a long process of trial and error. The same set of strings can sound different on different basses and under different fingers. There are just too many variables to consider – playing technique, pickups, bridge, body, etc. You just have to experiment and find what you like.
Don’t use strings just because your favorite bassist endorses them. You’d “like them” too if you were getting paid to like them and got boxes of free sets.
The best advice is to experiment a lot until you find your favorite set. And when you get a new bass you might have to do it all over again.
Bass strings play a huge role in the overall tone you get out of your bass. There are a lot of different bass strings from which to choose. Understanding the various aspects of bass strings will help you know what to buy and try out. And, it’ll hopefully make you sound better!
Bass String Construction
Every bass string is comprised of two strings – the core string and the winding string. The core string is a thick wire from one end of the string to the other. Around the core string another smaller string is tightly wound in a spiral all the way up the length of the core string. If you look closely at a bass string you will see little grooves all the way up the string. That is the tiny winding string. The winding string adds brilliance to the string’s tone.
If you have an old set of strings, try unwinding one to see how it looks.
Types of Bass Strings
The different types of bass strings usually refer to the string’s winding string. There are two main types of windings and some that fall in-between them. The two main windings are roundwound and flatwound.
Roundwound Bass Strings
A roundwound string has a round shaped string wound along the core. Think spaghetti.
Roundwound strings are the brightest sounding of the two windings. These are the most commonly used type of string. They feel a little rougher because they have more grooves. There is also more finger noise because of all those grooves.
Roundwound strings are used in almost all styles of bass playing. And they are essential for slapping, popping and tapping where you want a nice bright tone.
When you first put them on you may find they are too bright. After a little playing, they will lose some of that zing. I like them after a week or so.
Flatwound Bass Strings
Flatwound strings have a ribbon-like winding wound along the core string. It’s like metal fettuccini.
Flats have a mellow sound to them. They feel smooth and silky. They have very little finger noise since they have fewer grooves up and down the string. Flats also have a long playing life since there are fewer cracks where dirt and oil can build up.
You may find flatwound strings to be a little too mellow for rock, r&b and funk. But you might like them for jazz and reggae where you might need a more mellow sound.
Groundwound and Halfround Bass Strings
In-between rounds and flats there are a couple of other types of string. Both in terms of tone and under-the-finger feel they are in the middle. I’ve been playing some groundwound strings recently and I really like them. They have a good brightness and hardly any finger noise.
A groundwound string is a roundwound string that has gotten a shave. Basically, they take a roundwound and grind off some of the roundness.
A halfround is kind of an oval-shaped winding.
Bass String Gauges
Gauge refers to the thickness, or diameter, of the string. The diameter is expressed in inches. A typical E-string is .105 inches in diameter. A typical G-string is .045 inches in diameter.
There is a trade off between tone and playability when it comes to string gauge. With lighter gauge strings you lose some tone, but they are very easy to play. Heavier strings have a great tone, but take a little more finger power to fret and pluck.
The lower the pitch you need, the thicker string you will need. If you are tuning down much, you may want heavier gauge strings.
Try a bunch of different gauges and see which suits your playing. If you are playing a lot of slap, try some light gauge strings. Just go easy on them so you don’t break them.
Scale Length
The scale of your bass refers to how long it is from bridge to nut. Most basses are 34” scale. This is known as long scale. Some basses, like the Hofner Beatles bass and others, have short scale necks which are, um…shorter. Make sure you get the right scale strings for your bass – most likely long scale. If your strings are too short, you won’t be able to put them on your bass! If they’re too long, you won’t be able to wrap them around the posts because they’ll be too thick at the end.
The Sexy Silk Wrappings on Your Bass Strings
You may wonder what those silk wrappings are for. They don’t do a whole lot. They help prevent scratching a bit and may help prevent the winding from coming off the core string. Mostly, I think manufacturers use them for a little brand recognition. Just make sure the silk is not on the point of contact at the bridge or nut. If so, you may have the wrong scale length string for your bass.
What Strings Should I Get?
It’s impossible to tell anyone what set of strings to use. Finding the right strings is a long process of trial and error. The same set of strings can sound different on different basses and under different fingers. There are just too many variables to consider – playing technique, pickups, bridge, body, etc. You just have to experiment and find what you like.
Don’t use strings just because your favorite bassist endorses them. You’d “like them” too if you were getting paid to like them and got boxes of free sets.
The best advice is to experiment a lot until you find your favorite set. And when you get a new bass you might have to do it all over again.
Source: http://www.tunemybass.com/
How to Clean Bass Strings
Bass String Cleaner
By far the best method to clean bass strings is to soak them in denatured alcohol. You will be amazed at how well cleaning them this way works.
WARNING!
Let me stress that denatured alcohol is poisonous! DO NOT DRINK DENATURED ALCOHOL!!! Denatured basically means poisoned. They add poison to pure wood alcohol so they don’t have to pay hefty liquor taxes and it can be sold at hardware stores. So, keep your drummer away from it. They're hard enough to find!
Not only is this stuff poisonous, but it is also very flammable. Don’t use or store it near any heat source – cigarettes, water heaters, fireplaces, etc. Use it in a well-ventilated area or outside because the fumes stink and can be irritating. Also avoid skin and eye contact with it. Use some rubber gloves and protective goggles. Don’t be scared to use it. It’s not dangerous to use if you follow simple safety precautions.
Don't Substitute Anything Else to Clean Your Bass Strings
Denatured alcohol has no water in it. You don’t want to put water on your bass strings like I warned in the boiling bass strings article. Some strings may rust as a result. Rubbing alcohol, as from a drugstore, has water mixed in it. So, don’t use rubbing alcohol as a substitute. Just use denatured alcohol from your local hardware/home improvement store. It can be found next to the paint thinner products. In many places you need to be 18+ years old to buy it.
How To Clean Your Strings
Just soak your bass strings for 12-24 hours in the denatured alcohol, wipe them off and they’re like new. You can clean them as often as you like. Each time they are like new. Over time they will wear out from frets chewing into them. If you do a lot of popping, you will also wear them out/weaken them more quickly. On a fretless bass you can use the same set of bass strings seemingly forever.
I highly recommend building a bass string cleaning tube. Then, you should buy a bunch of different brands and types of bass strings to have around and experiment with. Now you don't have to fear buying some of those pricier bass strings!
Source: http://www.tunemybass.com
By far the best method to clean bass strings is to soak them in denatured alcohol. You will be amazed at how well cleaning them this way works.
WARNING!
Let me stress that denatured alcohol is poisonous! DO NOT DRINK DENATURED ALCOHOL!!! Denatured basically means poisoned. They add poison to pure wood alcohol so they don’t have to pay hefty liquor taxes and it can be sold at hardware stores. So, keep your drummer away from it. They're hard enough to find!
Not only is this stuff poisonous, but it is also very flammable. Don’t use or store it near any heat source – cigarettes, water heaters, fireplaces, etc. Use it in a well-ventilated area or outside because the fumes stink and can be irritating. Also avoid skin and eye contact with it. Use some rubber gloves and protective goggles. Don’t be scared to use it. It’s not dangerous to use if you follow simple safety precautions.
Don't Substitute Anything Else to Clean Your Bass Strings
Denatured alcohol has no water in it. You don’t want to put water on your bass strings like I warned in the boiling bass strings article. Some strings may rust as a result. Rubbing alcohol, as from a drugstore, has water mixed in it. So, don’t use rubbing alcohol as a substitute. Just use denatured alcohol from your local hardware/home improvement store. It can be found next to the paint thinner products. In many places you need to be 18+ years old to buy it.
How To Clean Your Strings
Just soak your bass strings for 12-24 hours in the denatured alcohol, wipe them off and they’re like new. You can clean them as often as you like. Each time they are like new. Over time they will wear out from frets chewing into them. If you do a lot of popping, you will also wear them out/weaken them more quickly. On a fretless bass you can use the same set of bass strings seemingly forever.
I highly recommend building a bass string cleaning tube. Then, you should buy a bunch of different brands and types of bass strings to have around and experiment with. Now you don't have to fear buying some of those pricier bass strings!
Source: http://www.tunemybass.com
About Guitars and Pickups
The electric guitar is still an acoustic instrument. Four equal components make up the tone of the instrument: (1) the pickups, (2) the wood, (3) the amp and speakers (4) and the gauge and height of the strings. The wood of a guitar can absorb some frequencies and resonate at others.
The pickups can only pick up what the string is doing so if you have a guitar that absorbs frequencies between 150 and 450hz, you will have thin sounding treble strings.
If your guitar resonates well between those frequencies you will have more solid treble strings. Guitars that are more resonant allow you to use a lower output, brighter pickup and still get the same volume from the instrument.
Lower output pickups also give more of that twang on the wound strings. For this reason we sell more stock pickups than over wound models.
We also caution our customers not to ask for more power than they actually need -- for every 5% more turns on any pickup, you will get 5% more mid-range but 5% less high-end. See graphic below for an example:
* Note:5% (+) Overwind = 5% More Power, 5% More Mids, but 5% Less Highs 5% ( - )
Underwind = 5% Less Power, 5% Less Mids, but 5% More Highs
A magnetic pickup is a coil of wire around a magnet(s). A steel string vibrating close to the magnet pushes and pulls the magnetic field through a stationary coil. This "induces" a signal which will be amplified.
What type of magnet structure and coil determines the tonal characteristics. Our pickups are offered in a variety of outputs in as little as 2.5% increments to fit the needs of any guitarist’s taste.
More turns on any pickup will give a stronger, thicker but darker sound (see example above). Stronger pickups sound better for single string playing (plain strings). Lower output pickups sound better in chords (wound strings). All of our pickups are potted in wax for reduced micro-phonics and better durability.
On most guitars, we recommend the bridge pickup to be 10-15% stronger than the neck pickup. Our Replacement Strat Style and Replacement Tele Style sets reflect this. In P-90's or Humbuckers, we suggest ballpark ohm readings. (i.e. Humbucker set 8K neck - 9K Bridge).
» Read and learn more about guitar pickups here
There are many ways to tweak a guitar’s tone:
Lowering pickups into the body may sound better, but will produce less output.
Experiment with pickup heights until you find your own "sweet spot."
ALNICO rod pickups that are too close to the strings can "pull" the string out of tune, especially on the bass side of neck pickups.
Bigger frets, heavier bodies and maple face plates can add to the highs and thin out the midrange, as do heavier nuts (brass) and bridges (locking tremelos).
Shielding, on the other hand, reduces highs by raising the capacitance of the circuit. Shielding the coil has more of this effect than shielding the body cavity because it places the shielding closer to the coil itself. Therefore, we do not recommend shielding the coils or the inside of plastic covers because of potential damage and shorting out of the pickup.
Volume pots put a small short across the pickup dampening highs so a larger value pot will make a guitar a little brighter and a smaller value pot will make it darker. A resistor can be added across the pickup (hot to ground) to achieve resistances between standard pot values. ( a 330k resistor added to a 250k pot gives a 145k short across the pickup).
A good tone out of your instrument can make playing more rewarding— so experiment and enjoy!
Source:http://www.fralinpickups.com
The pickups can only pick up what the string is doing so if you have a guitar that absorbs frequencies between 150 and 450hz, you will have thin sounding treble strings.
If your guitar resonates well between those frequencies you will have more solid treble strings. Guitars that are more resonant allow you to use a lower output, brighter pickup and still get the same volume from the instrument.
Lower output pickups also give more of that twang on the wound strings. For this reason we sell more stock pickups than over wound models.
We also caution our customers not to ask for more power than they actually need -- for every 5% more turns on any pickup, you will get 5% more mid-range but 5% less high-end. See graphic below for an example:
* Note:5% (+) Overwind = 5% More Power, 5% More Mids, but 5% Less Highs 5% ( - )
Underwind = 5% Less Power, 5% Less Mids, but 5% More Highs
How a Pickup Works
A magnetic pickup is a coil of wire around a magnet(s). A steel string vibrating close to the magnet pushes and pulls the magnetic field through a stationary coil. This "induces" a signal which will be amplified.
What type of magnet structure and coil determines the tonal characteristics. Our pickups are offered in a variety of outputs in as little as 2.5% increments to fit the needs of any guitarist’s taste.
More turns on any pickup will give a stronger, thicker but darker sound (see example above). Stronger pickups sound better for single string playing (plain strings). Lower output pickups sound better in chords (wound strings). All of our pickups are potted in wax for reduced micro-phonics and better durability.
On most guitars, we recommend the bridge pickup to be 10-15% stronger than the neck pickup. Our Replacement Strat Style and Replacement Tele Style sets reflect this. In P-90's or Humbuckers, we suggest ballpark ohm readings. (i.e. Humbucker set 8K neck - 9K Bridge).
» Read and learn more about guitar pickups here
"Fine Tuning"
There are many ways to tweak a guitar’s tone:
Lowering pickups into the body may sound better, but will produce less output.
Experiment with pickup heights until you find your own "sweet spot."
ALNICO rod pickups that are too close to the strings can "pull" the string out of tune, especially on the bass side of neck pickups.
Bigger frets, heavier bodies and maple face plates can add to the highs and thin out the midrange, as do heavier nuts (brass) and bridges (locking tremelos).
Shielding, on the other hand, reduces highs by raising the capacitance of the circuit. Shielding the coil has more of this effect than shielding the body cavity because it places the shielding closer to the coil itself. Therefore, we do not recommend shielding the coils or the inside of plastic covers because of potential damage and shorting out of the pickup.
Volume pots put a small short across the pickup dampening highs so a larger value pot will make a guitar a little brighter and a smaller value pot will make it darker. A resistor can be added across the pickup (hot to ground) to achieve resistances between standard pot values. ( a 330k resistor added to a 250k pot gives a 145k short across the pickup).
A good tone out of your instrument can make playing more rewarding— so experiment and enjoy!
Source:http://www.fralinpickups.com
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
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