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Fender announced the “New Standard” series for the big four (the fender godhead: Strat, tele, jazz bass, p-bass).
You would assume the touted NEW standard would bring drastic changes to the lineup. What actually happened is pretty underwhelming.
At a glance the most dramatic change is a new bridge. The strat, is a higher mass copper inused alloy. Perhap will add to the sustain. The tele brigde is brass alloy.
The finishes on New and Body have been refined (reverted?) to a thiner undercoat on the guitar so that the body resonance more. This seems to be more in line with the vintage nitro type finishes.
The marketing guys seem to take it pretty far though. You can hear it on the six string bliss podcast, episode 94 at 31:00.
To see more of NAMM ‘08, you can check out the gallery at Guitar World http://www.guitarworld.com/namm2008
Overall Rating: 1.5 / 5
Foreword:
RHCP is a band that is near and dear to my heart in some ways. John Fusciante’s tone on the album, By the Way, is what inspired me to move away from an Ibanez 520QS and to build the Green Strat.
They are also one of those bands that I like to listen to, but have not really gotten down to dissecting the instruments in the songs. When the video came up on netflix, I picked it up, assuming that it would be the same fairly decent quality of the ITSO: Nirvana video. Wow was I wrong.
Enough about me, lets get to review:
First off I was disappointed to see that sections are not separated by song, album or, chronological order. They go through Riff #’s. So you had better be up on your RHCP catalog to know that Riff #16A is actually the bridge to suck my kiss.
Accuracy: 2 / 5
The solo for Californiation explanation was great until he stopped half way through moved on to riff 22. There was no descending Amin run that really brings that solo home.
The intro for under the bridge was not even close. Compared to John Fusincante’s article in guitar world in 2002? Although it was passable for a cover band.
Educational Experience: 0.2 / 5
The advantage of some guitar vids, is that you can get into the process and method of how that song was writing, equipment tone, inspiration, etc. Even though this is not the orginal artist talking. I would expect at least a key or chord names…and it failed.
There is not even one chord name mentioned, not one. When looking at the tab you are strictly playing by numbers. The host doesn’t mention note names, chords, keys, nothing to really advance you as a player. You just learn riffs, by number.
Overall the video feels like it was half done, with the wrong cast, and a metal head (late 80- early 90’s subspecies) that did not have any interest in this beside a paycheck.
But lets address the target demographic for this video:
Its good for a coverband in a dark small bar that has to learn some RHCP for the ladies even though their first love is Dokken or Night Ranger.
Clem Snide is a singer song writer. This I found this track on the NPR: All Songs Considered podcast. It has a catchy delievery that has kept it stuck in my head all day, so I thought that I would share.
http://www.clemsnide.com/
Youtube
Clip, Sorry I didn’t get the youtube embedded video setup yet.
Fender announced the “New Standard” series for the big four (the fender godhead: Strat, tele, jazz bass, p-bass).
You would assume the touted NEW standard would bring drastic changes to the lineup. What actually happened is pretty underwhelming.
At a glance the most dramatic change is a new bridge. The strat, is a higher mass copper inused alloy. Perhap will add to the sustain. The tele brigde is brass alloy.
The finishes on New and Body have been refined (reverted?) to a thiner undercoat on the guitar so that the body resonance more. This seems to be more in line with the vintage nitro type finishes.
The marketing guys seem to take it pretty far though. You can hear it on the six string bliss podcast, episode 94 at 31:00.
To see more of NAMM ‘08, you can check out the gallery at Guitar World http://www.guitarworld.com/namm2008
If you are looking for something different in guitar design, look at Brian Eastwood’s gallery.
Most of them have the same melting look to them. The Less Paul even has extra wood on one side of the fretboard by the body, to trick the eye.
And the more amazing part is that they are still palyable. Look closely and you will see the the action is straight on all the models.
Review MVP Guitar Method: In the Style of Nirvana
Nirvana is one of those great bands that did something that influenced the face of rock music. They left there mark in the minds of hundreds of budding musicians, where making good music can be accessible to everyone with a message.
Kurt Cobian was not a great master of technique by any means, but the guitar riffs and song composition that he left are very honest. The guitar riffs may seem very basic in view of metal at the time, but I feel they are some of the creative and effective riffs written.
Now that you know how I stand on the band, let’s get into the review.
Instructor Information:
Curt Mitchel comes across as a total hair metalhead with Floyd-rose equipped super strat’s and admits to being in a commercial party metal band at the time of nirvana’s activity. He admits that it is because of them that the hair-metal of the 80’s died.
In the dvd menu and jam track is the same song that was written by him over a looped drumbeat that sounds like it is straight out the the song “scentless appriatnce” and honestly it sucks. He took all the different techniques that were used by Kurt and strings them all together.
Overall it feels like you will be playing more correct sounding Nirvana that Kurt & Co. were pulling off on the records.
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - Intermediate
Prerequisites: Power Chords, TAB, At least some pentatonic scale experience.
Video Content:
You are introduced, through each riff to work through all of the guitar parts for Nevermind and In Utero. Since this is not a sanctioned video, they are referred to by number and not by song. If you don’t know the albums that well, listen to them all the way through before you attempt this video, otherwise you will have no idea where the different pieces fit.
Playing the riffs has given a better appreciation for the creative use of the chords and riffs that Kurt wrote. It is very easy to pick-up on these and learn the material.
Video Production Quality Overall: 7.5 / 10
I give the video a pretty high mark here. I imagine that the majority of us will probably be sitting in front of a computer when working through the lesson. The tab for everything can be found on the DVD in pdf form.
One of the menu items is a mode that goes riff-by-riff displaying the tab along with the music.
In closing, I think that every guitarist has something that we can learn from this band. Either way you can hear their influence on rock and roll. Without them we might still have whitesnake and Yngwie Malstreem on the radio.
There is a growning trend mainstream music recently. It seems that bands are starting to get the message that in the modern-age, they don’t need the big labels.
Raidohead is now distrubing thier latest album for download at whatever cost the you feel its worth. Mondana, Dropped here label and went completely indepent to make money from live recordings and concert admission. Oasis and other bands are moving in the same progression.
Music, especially Rock music, has always been revolutionary to some extent. Now that the industry has become rather draconian (a single mother must pay $220,000), something’s got to give.
If anything, technology has given us the means to exetend then DIY ethos from punk in that started in the late 70’s:
This atmosphere today is one that can allow you to get your melodic message out there to more than ever. It also lends for stiff competition.
Checkout this video for a 5yr old ripping up a Sepulutra Cover:
Do you get the blues? Get your mojo hand working for this one.
The guitar center king of the blues competition is a nationwide event. There are 22 different backing tracks with different kinds of blues.
The prizes are pretty crazy, $5K in cash, A one year Gibson endorsement, etc. Of course you will to out-wail hordes of hungry bluesmen.
Here’s the strategy I’m taking to prepare for it:
1. Pick out 3 tracks, listen to them and get the key signature
2. Import those tracks into garageband (or other recording programming)
3. Jam on them to brainstorm some licks
4. Work on phrasing those.
5. Win!
Once I get some more material, I’ll share what licks I’m using.
Good luck…
This is the first post in a series on building a Fender Mustang. Right now the project is getting to point were I can assemble. I’m just waiting for the paint.
Components
All of the parts are purchased of ebay with the exception of the paint and some hardware. Mustang parts are harder to find then more common guitar models, but fortunately Fender parts can be interchangeable between different models.Neck: $215
The neck is 1966, w/ Rosewood.
Fortunately this neck sold for a fairly cheap price compared to other vintage necks.
Someone altered the logo so that MU are missing from MUSTANG.
Pickups: $25
The pickups are from 1960’s MIJ Fender Stratocaster
Hopefully, these pickups will sound similar to the original 1960’s era mustangs.
Mustang and Strat pickups are similar with the exception of the different pole piece lengths on the Strat and the same size for all of the Mustang with a cover. Original Mustang tuner can be quite pricey.
Pickgaurd: $17
You can get pickgaurd from several different venders. This one is an Allparts Mint colored model. Also from ebay.
Body: $32
The body was from one of the early 1990’s reissues. Some had already stripped the paint and routed the bridge pickup cavity for a humbucker. Fortunately the pickgaurd will this mod up.
Tremelo and Control: $37
The trem. Arm and the control plate are all from a Jag-Stang that was made in early 1990’s
Tuners: $60
I got the Planet Waves locking auto-trim tuners for Christmas (thanks, Mom).
Look for a full review on how these work and installation considerations in a later
Paint: $62
This is going to Daphne Blue w/ Olympic White competition strips from Guitar Reranch
Reranch which specialized in guitar paint. They have are definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a project guitar, or refinishing what you have.
Total for parts: $372
Here are a few pics of the body with my Strat that can be used for comparison
