Rudi

SO yes. I've had my Variax Standard for a couple of weeks now. Only today have I created a bank of tones for in the POD HD400. It was more tricky than I expected. I may have to have another go sometime. Yes I have played with the Workbench software and had fun with it. I'd like to improve the action more. Its playable and fine but I am hearing a buzz that I cant account for. For that reason I am reluctant to lower it any further. I am still enjoying the sound of the regular mag pups.

David, You've made me realise that my posts here were insensitive. Sorry. I was not rubbishing tube amps. Nor even saying that they are no longer relevant or useful. I would still love to have a ToneKing Imperial. I was however, pointing to the future and what I see IMO as the inevitable decline and end of tube tech. And much congrats on your beautiful Ibanez! ATB Rudi

Caution - Grateful Dead

This was the first time I had heard Jerry Garcia. I was 16 and watching the film Zabrisky Point. This is the Love scene music. Though he died in 1995 I continue to be inspired by Garcia. Also in the film was my favourite Pink Floyd track which occurs at the climatic end. Its a version of 'Careful with that Axe Eugene'. I was heavily into Floyd at that young age, so this movie represents a transition of musical taste for me. The music doesnt kick in until 2.25 The scream occurs at 5.00

Contentment Blues - Widespread Panic

I did listen. I cant see the attraction at all. Also I dont see any link to the Percy Sledge song. anyway.... China White - Little Feat (Lowell George)

No. Its all different, except for the Hendrix example (that I noticed anyway) which is every string tuned down a semitone. When using an open tuning (tuned to a chord) you can use a single finger bar for a chord or use a slide. Joni Mitchels Chelsea Morning is an example of this sort of tuning in a song, but she frets certain stings and allows the others to 'drone'. Its not difficult to 'find' some altered chords to use in that way. Sounds great.

No Mahesh, the cheat sheets! I used to use open C, D, G tunings as well as dropped D (there was even a tune in open Cmaj7) when I was much younger (30 years ago). I haven't bothered much since. It wears out yer strings too quick! I used to change strings every week or two back then.

Many Happy Returns Mike (TapperMike). So far as I am concerned, the most musically knowledgeable member & a terrific guy into the bargain.

I've never seen anything like these before.

Writing to Reach You - Travis

Cant Explain - The Who

The line's too fuzzy to walk

Wonderful Wino - Frank Zappa

Yes I love it too. I dont see any connection though challenge

Oh Wot A Dream - Kevin Ayres & The Whole World

At first I tried using the POD without the software. That was painful. I couldn’t believe that it was harder to program than the GT-5 because that was renowned for being difficult, and here was this modern bit of kit that was worse. All power supply leads are kak these days. It doesn’t matter how well built the unit is, it’s let down by a puny plug and string cable. The Beat Buddy has exactly the same problem, as did the Hughes & Kettner Tube Factor. I wouldn’t try to fiddle with the POD at a gig. Sometimes I might get the EQ a bit wrong when I customise the tone to a new guitar. At home at low volume it sounds fine, but at performing volume its always different. It’s usually got too much top. I allow for that and can usually get it pretty close, but sometimes have to tweak it once I’m home again.

I dont do them all together I've taken dance lessons for nearly 15 months & started Badminton several month after. Unfortunately I cant get to enough badminton sessions, so that's why I've returned to Karate. I've been away from it for 16 years! I began training 31 years ago. I've forgotten nothing except kata. But even kata is only just below the surface, I've gotten about 5 back already. Somethings got to work!

I don’t use the POD presets. I don’t even use modified ones. I built my favoured tone patch from the bottom upwards; and if I’m honest, it’s the only one I need. Like you Tim, simplicity is my watchword. I was discussing the merits of 2 or 4 knob guitars on the Gibson forum, and a fellow opined that 2 knobs was ‘worthless’. He later revised that to ‘worthless to himself’, explaining that he could only get the sound he wanted with both pickups set at different volumes. Fair enough. I’ve found the Gibson 4 knob circuit doesn’t work very well IMO. It certainly can’t blend 2 pups smoothly. Also I find it too difficult to avoid knocking switches & knobs when playing out. My tone patch EQ is optimally matched to the neck pickup with the guitar volume & tone control full on. So I keep the volume & tone full on at all times and only use the neck pickup. This means that: 1/ I don’t need a bridge pickup. 2/ I don’t need any knobs at all. 3/ I don’t even need a pickup selector switch. So my ideal custom guitar would look pretty basic. The POD takes care of the EQ, and its expression pedal gives me far easier volume control.

When I said I only need a signal processor I didnt mean I was looking for one. I use a Line 6 POD HD400, which is fine. Unfortunately that wont talk to the variax. So an HD500 might be needed later on. As for Zoom. I had one briefly some 10 years ago. I took it to use at a studio but the sound engineer told me it was too dirty. He brought out a Boss GT5 and we used that. Shortly after I exchanged the Zoom for a GT5. Though I thought the Zoom sounded pretty good. The main problem is that is was fragile. So I didnt expect it to last beyond 12 months. The GT5 was built for road use and lasted about 8 years.

I dont need a Kempler. I dont want to model an existing amp, and the presets are likely not so different to others out there. Like Mike, I also would begrudge the cost. I only need a signal processor. Though that signal processor might have to change after getting a variax.

The treat indulgence is essential I think. Total denial will be much harder. I too need to refocus my effort to lose some weight. My diet is not bad so I am taking more exercise. Badminton, karate, & dancing are my activities now.

Motorcycle Irene - Moby Grape

Ahhh... you were stitched up by Rob. Great ploy; must remember that one.