Manhattan clips

[Fourth Feline]

Well folks,

Here we are ( eventually ) with a few clips of the Manhattan in a 'pimped' Vintage VS575 .

 A very basic / raw home computer recording, but the fact that the BKP tone survived the process, says a lot about the Manhattans for me. Nuances like false harmonics , volume leveling and such suffer due to my inept recording methods , but at least you will get an idea as to the sound of this somewhat rarely recorded pickup:

http://www.box.net/shared/1lnmk3qhhc

For Liftman's concern about the mids and bass end in a maple ply archtop, try 'Autumn Leaves' .  

I realised that the whole copyright issue was avoided, as my arrangements sound nothing like the original songs !

 :lol:

[Plexi Ken]

I listened to Autumn Leaves, your playing style and tone are tremendous  8)
Thanks for the clip  :)  I'm off to download the others.

[tomjackson]

Looking forward to a listen when I get home from work!

[Fourth Feline]

Gosh !  I just had to sign in and say "Thank you" to Ken, as this is a whole new genre for me -  having decided last winter, that I would give it a go, despite not having formal training, or really knowing what the 'rules' for this sort of thing are.  I just had to devise a system of first playing  robotically through the chord progressions a few times - and then at least allude to the melody ( as I recalled it ) in amongst that somehow .

This is certainly the most enjoyment I've had with a guitar for many years - and very relaxing to study.  I have since been somewhat remiss, and put the guitar down for the summer and my 'other'  hobby ;  but encouraged by your kind comments, have just got the guitar out - and resumed my quest. So thank you Ken - and I hope it helps ( or at least distracts  ) Tom and Liftman in some way when they get a chance to listen.  


At least I feel these 'raw' clips represent what the Manhattan's can do for a cheap  Archtop , even without ' sonic assistance'  -  as the tone with the stock (Wilkinson)  humbuckers was VERY, very different - being quite bright and certainly a lot thinner / harder sounding.

Cheers !  :)

[tomjackson]

Fourth Feline, I really like those clips, the playing, tone and definitely the feel.  I could be listening to an old 40's or 50's Jazz recording.  Put some fake crackle on the track any you are away!

I do listen to some older Jazz styles and this does sound very authentic.

The Manhattans sound Warm, woody and articulate. very close and personal.  I thought may be a little more reverb would be required at first  but I've now decided that would distract from the closeness of the playing.

How did you record them?  I can't hear much 'amp' in the clips so I presume it was a very neutral amp, recorded quiet or DI? 

You should be out playing this at late night Jazz bars (if you are not already!)

Your tone reminds me a little of this guy:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM9BTGCU19c&feature=channel 8)

[FernandoDuarte]

I'm not a big fan of Jazz, but these songs sound very good! And has some awesome tones on it!

[Fourth Feline]

Hiya Tom, and thanks for the nice comments, if only I was like Matt !   :lol:

No, I'm a self taught novice at this, the four tracks I left on the link, being four of only five I have had a crack at so far - with number six in the pipeline now It's that 'stop in and play' time of year again.

The recording conditions were sparse, as I had not intended the tracks to be any other than a 'listen back' for my own purposes.

As such, I just plugged the guitar ( Via a Monster 'Jazz' cable on this occasion ) straight into a basic £90 Tapco computer interface - and within that - just used the free 'Tracktion' recording ( not modelling ) sofware that it came loaded with. No 'real ' amplifier was used - and no animals were harmed in the making of these clips.

 The occasional hint of reverb was just an after thought, when I found a slider for it within  Traction -  but I did not have the motive nor patience at the time,  to find and apply compression or E.Q adjustments.  So , it's just the guitar / BKPs , a set of Thomastik Tapewound 12s - and a heavy BKP pick applied lightly. Beyond that I like both pickups on together ( my fave combination on any guitar ) - and the guitar volumes and tones rolled off a couple of notches -  to compensate for the lack of any pedal / amp / speaker simulation, or further E.Q  adjustments being used.  More a set of rough sketches than a painting really. I just needed to listen back to how I had approached it - and( as a Jazz novice ) try and evolve from there.  

It was also good practice for my current philosophy ( nicked from Joe Pass and Matt Otten if I am to be honest ) of 'Great amps are still great amps - but I need to be able to plug into almost anything and still make a reasonably nice sound' .   Most practice for this stuff being 'unplugged' anyway.

I just want ( for once in my life ) - to be eventually able  respond to that request I had formerly dreaded - and that is :

" Go on , play us a tune then .... " .

I would like to get a solo act ( adaptable to a singer or trio if needed ) together over the next year or so - just in a ' After Dinner relaxation'  sort of way. To create a mood , share the songs - and make people feel nice emotions, even if they forget who played them . The music , not the player being centre stage.

Meanwhile, thanks again Tom for your encouragement, much appreciated.  :)

* Edit *

Also Tom, You were 'bang on' about the neutral amp bit, even given a choice I prefer a 'warm but otherwise neutral' Cub 100  acoustic type amp to play these through - and if ever needed ( due to room acoustics )  - just a splash of studio type reverb from an equally neutral and spacious sounding  Fishman Acoustic reverb  pedal.  

You were also very observant in noting that they sound better 'dry' though - as they are incredibly detailed, woody and above all intimate when you hear them 'live' .  :)

[Fourth Feline]

I'm not a big fan of Jazz, but these songs sound very good! And has some awesome tones on it!

Thank you Fernando !

The tone (as you may have gathered from the reply to Tom ) was down to the Manhattans, not me.  

[FernandoDuarte]

Now we just need some Manhattan dirty clips :P :lol:

[Fourth Feline]

Now we just need some Manhattan dirty clips :P :lol:

 :lol: -  You are probably right Fernando,  but that would be a bit like painting a moustache on the otherwise enigmatic Mona Lisa .  :)

These are sweet creatures, let us not sully them with a life of sin ...  :twisted:

[FernandoDuarte]

:D

[_tom_]

Very nice tone and playing :) Very classy!

[Fourth Feline]

Very nice tone and playing :) Very classy!

Thank you for listening Tom, it is much appreciated.   :)

"'Classy"  is what I am aiming for - but you put the word to it for me.   

The Manhattans and 'Archtop' really are like a time machine when you fall under their spell . As previously expressed  by that other notable Tom ( Jackson ) in his previous post - " add a few scratches to the tracks - and it could be an old record you are listening to " sort of thing .   Even the pseudo 'Art Deco' cosmetics of the Manhattan pickup covers, prompted me to chose new knobs and hardware of that same style around them.  If I ever did post on 'You Tube' - It feels like I should be wearing a formal shirt and black bow tie to appear next to the guitar and Manahattans . 

The Manhattans really are ( for me ) - a revelation ;  even as an existing B.K.P user . The Ceramic Nailbomb for the 'Jazz Generation' ...  8)

Cheers !

[Twinfan]

As Tom said Derek, very classy tone and playing!

I'm listening to Cry Me A River and imagining myself sat in a smoky c--ktail bar at the end of an evening, dressed in a dinner suit, drinking a margarita and eyeing up the leggy brunette in a red dress smoking at the bar..........

;)

[Fourth Feline]

As Tom said Derek, very classy tone and playing!

I'm listening to Cry Me A River and imagining myself sat in a smoky c--ktail bar at the end of an evening, dressed in a dinner suit, drinking a margarita and eyeing up the leggy brunette in a red dress smoking at the bar..........

;)

- Get her number and ask if she does 'care in the community' work ;  as you are happily Married !   :lol:

I really appreciate your imput Dave, as I was wondering what on earth you would make of this new project . Would I anger the Gods of Rock ? !

Seriously though, I respect your opinion, and admire your abilities, so it was really nice to get a 'check in' .

Please send my warm regards to your good Lady - and delightful felines .  :)