JAMS ARE MORE FUN THESE DAYS!

[JEFF MAKOR]

When taking a break from tutoring, recording or boring 'other stuff' that the humble guitarist has to do like eat, visit the toilet and sleep, I amuse myself by going to jams.
There aren't that many these days but where devoted musicians are, the music's just fine.
So, imagine the scene.
Last week at my local, I turn up with a beaten up LP copy but with PG Blues installed.
Looking nicely distressed (the pickups, not moi), I plug straight into a 100wt vintage Marshall half stack.
I've since thrown my Viagras away because the remembrance of that night has worked an unusual 'black magic' in the nether regions!
Well, last night I returned to the pub but with my trusty Washburn w166pro and the Abraxas pups breathing fire on the strings.
The groups guitarist had problems with his AC30, so I had to slum it with his MATCHLESS 2x12 tone machine!
After a swift rendition of Oye Como Va, I can reliably inform you that all the blood rushed from my cranium and as such, I shall be renting my services out as a tent erector in the near future!

[Prawnik]

TOO.MUCH.INFORMATION. *lol*

[Denim n Leather]

First post reads like a J Peterman catalog. wtf?! PDT_008

[CaptainDesslock]

i have no idea what the hell is goin on here  :?:

[shobet]

I think he likes them.

[indysmith]

HUH!?
guitar...viagra...penis...matchless ... wha?

[Fourth Feline]

I hear what you're saying Jeff,  :)

That must have been one great night Jeff ;  especially being able to hear the P.G Blues set through a Matchless, having already been able to hear them through an AC30.  Nice to hear that your enjoyment of the pickups continues to gather pace !   I can imagine that the catharsis and sheer joy ( delightfully conveyed in your post ) of putting aside tutoring and the daily grind, to lose yourself amongst like minded players was heavenly !  How did the sound of the pickups / guitar sound through the Matchless compare to your usual amps Jeff ? 

As an aside ; on (UK ) BBC 4 there was a great 90 minute film / documentary on the life, times and music of 'our hero' Peter Green a couple of nights ago.   Especially nice, as Peter himself was now lucid and content enough to give a good interview / narrative throughout. It revolved a lot around his fellow musicians / brothers / managers / producers ( and of course Peter ) seen as they are now, but reflecting back as to how P.G. evolved through the Bluesbreakers - and into the early Fleetwood Mac.  It was just great to see him looking well - and in his gentle humour / reflective nature, remind us what a really nice man he is .  I mention this because I kind of hope that the BBC might put it up on their 'Watch it again' website - so you can enjoy it too.

Here's to having many more Jams / nights like that one !  :D

[JEFF MAKOR]

How did the sound of the pickups / guitar sound through the Matchless compare to your usual amps Jeff ? 

Well, you can imagine that with a duo of Celestion 'blues' under the Matchless, i was in for a treat!
However, there was an issue with the speakers as they were muffled on the bassy side, so it diminished the sheer sonic quality.
Last night, whilst rehearsing,I plugged the PG Green LP into my friends amp, a model I haven't played through in many years and was shocked.
You'll like this.
The amp in question was a WEM dominator (low powered valve combo from the 70s).
now, I'm really finicky about Peters sound and tone so I wasn't expecting much, but when I turned that box up full and used the volume controls like we all had to do, the sonic mayhem and pure PG sound was all there.
I couldn't get over it.
Alone, it was all I wanted, but I imagine that a good tube screamer and a holy grail reverb would be totally brilliant to gig and record with.
As a low powered amp (15 or 18 wts), it's going to need miking up in a heavy handed band, but I'm seriously thinking of tracking down one to complement the guitar!
AC 30s come and go but I have to say with misty eyed reverence that I never used to get the same tone night after night and they were always unreliable for me.
The PG blues pups are starting to show me just how organic and real they can get and I understand they need to matched to the right sounding amp.
That's keeping me excited in these hard times when finding places to play is diminishing.
Thanks for your reply.
Keep in touch.
Jeff Makor 

[FernandoDuarte]

Hummm why not try to by a WEM Dominator or build a clone? :D

[Fourth Feline]

WEM  Dominator ... now that brings back memories ! 

In the same era when 'H & H ' where pedaling decent solid state Guitar and Bass amps ( as used by Wilko Johnson of Doctor Feelgood ) ...  and Carlsbro still made desirable valve amps ( as used by Bill Nelson during the early days of 'Be-Bop Deluxe ) .  I seem to remember WEM having a grille cloth that was black with a narrow criss/ cross of red / yellow / green (?)   thread - a little 'Voxish' - but predominantly black. If my memory serves me rightly, they did a nice echo unit too.

I also just remembered ( in the category of contemporary but lesser known / affordable amps amps turning out well ) -  hearing  a soundfile of someone doing the Peter Green vibe through a Polish made ' Laboga ' amp.  Very nice it was too ! 

It may have been a forum member here posting in the 'Players' section - or an 'accidental find' on You Tube , but very nice. 

End of nostalgic meandering ...  :)