My blues brother. I’ve been listening to his stuff with interest for some time now and then he had to go and throw down a blues track that I could not pass up. Give a listen to “Another Blues”.

Another favorite blues tune is “Summer Blues”

Of course his talents are not limited to blues, but that is what I like and it’s my blog so there.

Do yourself a favor and listen to all of Hakan’s music at Sonoma Wire Works RiffCaster.

Keep up the great recording Hakan and thank you for sharing your talent with all of us.

RiffCaster Spotlight, RiffWorks | 4 Comments »

I took the plunge and this was my pick for a Father’s Day gift this year. The Line 6 Variax 300. I did tap into to the $299 Musicians’ Friend Special which meant I had to get a Red guitar. I guess that is not all that bad - I mean for $299! Although, I would have preferred black.

The setup out of the box was pretty decent. The strings were extremely oxidized so they were replaced. I had to tighten all the tuners. I made very slight intonation adjustments.

I was pleasantly surprised at the playability. Of course I was convinced that I would not like the neck at all. But it is very smooth and comfortable. One of my major concerns was how palm muting would work with the piezo pickups. And for the clean sounds, it seems natural. But I may have to adjust how I mute when using distortions.

Setup: I connect my 300 to the Pod XT Live via the Variax Digital Interface (VDI). So I haven’t tried the batteries or the XPS power connector.

Models:

• (Updated 7/6/07) I was really disappointed with the Stratocaster models. But I haven’t given up on them yet. I had the same problem with the Strat models that I had with the Acoustic models, I just had not found the correct amp model combination. But I got it dial in last night and I think it captures the essence of the the Strat.
• I was initially disappointed with the Acoustic models until I got the right amp combination.
• The selling point of this guitar was the Jazzbox models. Some of the sweetest tones you can imagine.
• The Sitar is kind of weak. You have really strike the strings pretty hard to get the Sitar to ring out.
• The banjo model is pretty cool.

Pros:

• Price is right for 25 different guitar models.
• Variax Workbench allows you to create more models.
• The alternate tuning capabilities is another great feature. It is nice to be able, at the flick of a switch, go to drop D tuning or open G and then back to standard tuning.
• Pod XT Live interface.

Cons:

• I can’t use my GR-20 interface the same as I did on a standard guitar.
• Not as much sustain as standard guitars.

Here is a song where the main lead guitar work is using the Strat model, I call the song “Stratisfied”. Credit and thanks goes to KOR for the great backing track “BTT Backing Track”.

Stratisfied

Here is a sample where I use the Variax for the acoustic guitar, the bass and the banjo. I virtually have the banjo model tuned in standard banjo tuning so I am playing this on my guitar using banjo chords and picking style. I have never played banjo before so be kind.

Hardware, Line 6 | 8 Comments »

I don’t know anything about Javier H. except the man can play a guitar like nobody’s business. He seems to have a little problem coming up with song titles, but his playing more than compensates for this inadequacy. I’ve often wondered how one comes up with titles for instrumentals anyway. But I digress!

We were recently treated with one of his tasty tidbits called xx55 as his fingers skillfully traverses the neck of his guitar. Listening to his compositions is like a virgin ride on a roller coaster. Your not sure where it is going to take you but it’s always an exhilarating adventure.

If you didn’t check out his RiffRummble VII entry Skazhia, do it now!

Be sure to check all of Javier’s music at Sonoma’s Riffcaster.

RiffCaster Spotlight, RiffWorks | 3 Comments »

GuitaristWorks is a virtual musicians hangout. You can sign up and create your own little hangout. You can create a blog, post you music so others can listen, rate and review and then watch as your songs climb the charts. It even allows for fans to join your fan club. They also host an awesome forum. The forum not only allows for discussion about all things music, but there’s a collaboration thread where you can hook up with some lean mean guitar playing machines and record your chops against a backing track. Some of these collaborations are phenomenal!

My piece of GuitaristWorks can be found right here.

Here are some other that I highly recommend you give a listen to:
Strat - Everything
George Shepherd - Check out Tiger Eye Blues

Music, GuitaristWorks | 1 Comment »

Broadjam.com is a resource that may interest those that have what it takes to create music for TV and/or film.

Is this something that you’d be interested in or know of another similar source?

Uncategorized | No Comments »

Miami’s own Mickey Mix is a Riffworks ambassador and most excellent song writer and guitar player. Mickey makes all newbies to the Riffcaster scene welcome and he also let’s them know, “the new guy buys the beer!” Mickey constantly encourages others in their musical endeavors. He also is a certified RiffLink Junkie, and we should all be happy of that fact.
The song I want to spotlight is “Let’s Just Say (It’s Over)“.

Being the blues fan that I am, I can’t ignore this one that Mickey said I, somehow, inspired. “Bluesy Dude”

Listen to all of Mickey’s music.

Keep playing Mickey and God bless you my brother form another mother.

RiffCaster Spotlight, RiffWorks | 6 Comments »

I entered a song in the RiffRumble VII competition. The song is called House of the Risen Son. It is a jazzy version of House of the Rising Sun. But since I know I have the promise of living in the House of the Risen Son, Jesus Christ, the song takes on a whole new meaning. Please give a listen and then vote for my song by clicking on the vote link and entering a comment. Ask your friends, family and co-workers to vote. Thank you and may God bless each of you.

***UPDATE***

Thanks to all that voted. And congratulations to all the winners;

• POPULAR CATEGORY WINNER: “BROKEN ANGEL” by JIM GOLDEN
• CONTESTANT’S CHOICE WINNER: “DESTINY” by J.J. “THE GATOR” FALKANGER
• SONIC REALITY’S CHOICE WINNER: “REMEMBER SUMMER” by BILL & JOY YOUNG

Read the winners interviews.

***UPDATE 2 (5/1/2007)***

Jim Golden won the Popularity Contest with his song Broken Angel. He told Sonoma to give part of his winnings to someone else. And that someone else happened to be me. I wish to congratulate Jim on his winning and thank him for his generosity. I also thank Michelle Wright from Sonoma that picked me and my song to receive the prizes.

Here is the email that I received from her;

Hey bluesyDude,

Jim Golden won the RRVII popular vote and he would like for me to give some of his prizes to someone I think is “deserving”

Your song had the 4th most popular vote after Jim’s, GatorJJ’s and WedgeBill’s (who already won these prizes). And you got 2 out of the 26 votes we received for Contestant’s Choice vote. Plus I really like your song!

You get these prizes from Jim:

• Disc Makers coupon for $200 off CD replication services (not valid for any other product; expires in one year), and a package of 100 blank CD-Rs - their best, Ultra 16x inkjet printable discs (worth $242).

• CDBaby.com set up worth $35. CD Baby can get your music selling worldwide on cdbaby.com, Apple iTunes, Tower Records, Yahoo Music, Best Buy, Rhapsody, Napster, MSN Music and more (worth $35).

• Recording Magazine one year subscription for US resident winners only. International winners will receive 3 months of recent back- issues (worth $19.95).

What address shall I have your prizes sent to?

Congrats!

Thanks, Michelle

Music, RiffWorks | 6 Comments »

I have been too busy listening to so much wonderful stuff being turned out on RiffCaster, that I haven’t spotlighted anyone in quite some time. But today I heard something that I just can’t pass up.

Mrs Wedge’s Weather Forecast is a smooth rendition of the classic “Summertime” . Bill’s RiffWorks widow provides some wonderful vocals and Bill, as always lays down some great lead guitar work.

Here is another of my favorites in which the listener can truly get a feel for his U.K. roots - Mumbo Jumbo .

I hope Bill continues entertaining us with his witty songwriting and fine playing. All of Bill’s music.

RiffCaster Spotlight | 2 Comments »

From the Sonoma Wire Works website: “Jam Online with Other Musicians!

RiffLink offers RiffWorks users built-in online collaboration. Share a song session over the internet with up to 4 other musicians and chat while you’re at it. Riff recording allows musicians to play along with each other in what feels like real-time with no worries about latency. New tracks show up as soon as they are finished streaming and are always perfectly in sync. Each layer is instantly streamed to other current users and is also saved on the server for those who wish to contribute later. “

For owners of Riffworks (v2), the best guitar recording software created to date in my humble opinion, a guitarist can collaborate with fellow musicians via the internet. HOW COOL IS THAT???????

When I first heard about it my first thought was, “yeah right!” I’ve been a computer geek since before the term ‘computer geek’ was fashioned. I’ve seen and read a lot of promises about pie-in-the-sky software applications that soon had folks running around yelling, “The pie-in-the-sky is falling.” Well this is no pie-in-the-sky! This is great. It is still in beta so there are some snafus. But all in all it is great. Did I mention it was great? Some of the really gutsy RiffWorks guys jumped on this out the gate and coined the term “Rifflink Junkies” and rightfully so because once you start it is doubtful that you will want to stop.

After my first attempt, I am hooked - totally. It is difficult to describe but it is like being able to jam with some very accomplished musicians without having to move all the living room furniture out into the yard to make room for all the gear. The drummer rarely complains and has impeccable timing.

Don’t take my word for it – check out some of these collaborations. And if you are a guitarist, you owe it to yourself to purchase RiffWorks Standard.

RiffWorks | No Comments »

What is on your Christmas wish list?

I wish for a Line 6 Variax 700 guitar. The gold one.

Product Info | 9 Comments »