Vai in Manchester last night

[adamj]

Damn that fella is impressive. Its been about 10-12 years since I first heard of him, and wanted to see him in the flesh. Didnt disappoint one bit, but he came across pretty erm, "eccentric" with his alien robot outfit thing especially.

I need to figure out how he controlled his feedback by blowing on the guitar strings too, that was a neat touch!

[itamar101]

Lucky! :D
I love Vai, easily one of my top 3 favourite guitar players.
I'm quite sure that blowing on the strings creates an artificial harmonic, not feedback, but I could be mistaken.

[Ian Price]

I'm quite sure that blowing on the strings creates an artificial harmonic

Never heard of that before.

Sounds almost as useful as farting on the stings in the quest for a clench harmonic.

I'll get my coat.

[itamar101]

I'm quite sure that blowing on the strings creates an artificial harmonic

Never heard of that before.

Sounds almost as useful as farting on the stings in the quest for a clench harmonic.

I'll get my coat.

:lol:
As I said, I could definately be mistaken.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Saw him when he came to Florida, was a great show indeed! Did the drummer go out with his tiny kit?

[Kiichi]

Saw him on the G3 tour and holy shite, blew Satriani and Morse right out of the water imho.
The playing, the showmanship...very over the top, but not in a "I totally take myself serious doing this crazy stuff" manner. Just amazing, blew me away.
Now I wanne see him on a solo tour so bad.

About that thing you describe, I can enlighten you I believe. When he does that he is using a sustainiac neck PU to get infinite sustain (basecally just controlled feedback) and uses the blowing to get the harmonic like Itamar101 said.



Btw I have never ever seen a human being abuse a whammy bar so hard...I was so afraid he would snap all strings at once xD

[adamj]

haha yeah he used the strap on kit, but i found the rehearsed piss taking off each other a bit cringeworthy! Other than that i cant recommend it enough as a great show.

I tried some feedback tricks at a gig last night, need more practice :)

[blue]

About that thing you describe, I can enlighten you I believe. When he does that he is using a sustainiac neck PU to get infinite sustain (basecally just controlled feedback) and uses the blowing to get the harmonic like Itamar101 said.

he holds his thumb on the switch that takes the sustainer from "sustain" to "harmonic sustain", and switches it when he pretends to touch the string with his tongue or blow on it.  it is a cool little trick, and i must admit, knowing how it's done kind of ruins it :)

i've seen him live a couple of times, and he is fantastic.  puts on a great, and fun, show.  unfortunately this tour seems to have ignored ireland :(

[Kiichi]

About that thing you describe, I can enlighten you I believe. When he does that he is using a sustainiac neck PU to get infinite sustain (basecally just controlled feedback) and uses the blowing to get the harmonic like Itamar101 said.

he holds his thumb on the switch that takes the sustainer from "sustain" to "harmonic sustain", and switches it when he pretends to touch the string with his tongue or blow on it.  it is a cool little trick, and i must admit, knowing how it's done kind of ruins it :)

i've seen him live a couple of times, and he is fantastic.  puts on a great, and fun, show.  unfortunately this tour seems to have ignored ireland :(

Ah, so a switch, forgot about that possibility. Only really knew about the sustainiac. Great show trick really, comes across amazingly.

He also ignores germany so far, especially the north (which many artists seem to do these days). Would so love to see him again, to me he is such an inspirational musician.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

I noticed he has something taped/stuck to his Sustainer pickup when I saw him, anyone know what that's for? I was kinda wondering.

[Afghan Dave]

I noticed he has something taped/stuck to his Sustainer pickup when I saw him, anyone know what that's for? I was kinda wondering.

Usually to stop the high E string from catching on the bobbin when he dumps the trem then pulls up.

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Ah, makes sense. Thanks!

[adamj]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oAhb_sPQqs

how have i never heard of teh sustainiac before?! thats mega!

[Kiichi]

I noticed he has something taped/stuck to his Sustainer pickup when I saw him, anyone know what that's for? I was kinda wondering.

Usually to stop the high E string from catching on the bobbin when he dumps the trem then pulls up.

Yes, a technique he introduced on the Evo, which is still his main guitar (and I want one of those copies so bad).

[TheyCallMeVolume]

Those replicas look so cool. I only got to play one for a minute or so but it was awesome.