Zoner

How about low-noise options as compared to a stock O.E.M. type from a Japanese import (I think it's a Gotoh pickup)? Are all the upscale replacements quieter or can someone recommend a rude but quiet P-90? Z

Mmm, ended due to an error in the listing? Someone scored that awesome rare Ted Nugent model before I could even bid!!! Dang.

PM sent. Z

In a word, word. I opened a case the other day and was at first not even aware that I still owned the guitar I found lurking inside. "Oh yeah, now I remember this thing!" I'm sure when I got it it was gonna be "the one" and was a "must have". Sickness for sure. I will be having a similar sale over the next week with some serious reduction in inventory, just trying to get down to a Strat (O.K., 2; one with a maple board, one with rosewood), a Les Paul, a Tele, a 335, a pointy guitar, a fully hollow jazz guitar, something with P-90's, a Floyd Rose equipped guitar, a Gretch with 'trons, an electric 12 string, a Dano with lipsticks, a bass, a 5 string bass, an active bass, a nice acoustic and a nylon string. Oh, and a Hamer Phantom Custom. I'm gonna get the amps down to a Fender Champ, a Mesa MKIII, a Marshall Jubilee, a Gibson with el84's, a Micro Cube, an acoustic amp, a handwired.............. oh, just kill me now, please. Wait, and a fretless bass and doubleneck with a 6 string neck and mandocello on top Z

Indeed, confirmation of the little-known "memories to be used upon unsuspecting and hapless males when least expected" region of the female brain. Thanks for the insider info, now just tell us how to avoid setting our own traps while still being able to speak, eh? Z P.S. Welcome to the HFC, I dig the notion of another voice from the fairer sex.

Just a word of caution: make sure if the sticker is offensive to anyone that you are better at hiding them than I was. This was on the back of a guitar that I hardly EVER take out of the case, but somehow my wife found it and added her commentary. I'm still waiting for it to fade from her memory. Z

Lots of swapapalooza options with these triple-coils - I can't wait to get my grubby mitts on one of my own. Z

See if he remembers Chris from F.M. Grass Jr High. I'll have to come out and see Shakey Jake for some heckling ( ) as soon I learn 2112 again - that way I can go in with my head held high! Thanks. Z

Yes indeed I am, I just need the particulars again - where and when + what to bring. Is there a drummer lined up yet? Z

BillW, I'm glad it's not my imagination about the scene around here sucking a bit. Scooter, you just laid out what I had planned to do with myself when the gigs no longer revolve around "how much are they paying" and "do you guys know Brown eyed girl?". I still love to play, even when the songs don't exactly move me, so the next step is to round up some casual players and have some real fun. The family have been bugging me a lot too since I'm JUNK on gig weekends due to lack of sleep and second hand smoke (I don't even get toasted, I'm just getting old!) Z Oh, And by the way, BillW - do you have a dude named George Hamilton in your band? I see your pics in the CP all the time and went to school and used to jam with a drummer that looks just like one of your band members. Imagine a bunch of 15 year old noobs trying to learn 2112 (although George could play it pretty well!) - yikes!

Himbos @ Inn Cahoots in Hamel, MN Fri and Sat night. These will be my last cover band gigs as I have finally realized playing other people's tunes in smoke filled bars to people that are mostly annoying is not worth the time/energy/physical toll. I am now 41 years old with a wife and 2 kids, and this is no longer a good time. I will have to find another outlet to keep sane i'm sure(dust off the recording gear, I guess), but no more crappy gigs 100+ miles away, thank you very much. Now I just have to find a way to justify my G.A.S . Z

80's Cruisebass in Antique White. I was looking for a bass for recording (guitar is my main thing) and it was dirt cheap at Knut Koupee in Minneapolis 15+ years ago. It had a bunch of stickers on the case from a record label and cartage company, and some dude named Andre Cymone (sp?) was the previous owner. I later found out it was the bass player from The Revolution, Prince's old band, and that he had taken it on tour a few times. It is still "in the family" as a couple of my buddies have passed it back and forth over the last few years. That started my affliction and a Sustain block Special soon followed.

I would add that it is helpful to go for as little distortion as possible (while still getting the feel you need) to "cut" the best through a mix. I play in a band with another guitarist and have been setting my rig up to be progressively "cleaner" as things get louder and more indistinct out front. We run sound ourselves and most of my volume is from the stage, but finding the right tone to sit in the mix is pretty easy for me as long as my sound is never super gained out. On occasions when I do use tons of distorto, I am also running an EQ pedal to zone in on some select frquencies to make it through the mud and still be heard. I agree that compression is probably your nemesis here, as playing dynamics help your sound "jump" out of a mix and compression is designed to kill the dynamics. Keep after it and you'll be happier in no time, especially with all the great advice from the cats on this board. Z