There's no money above the fifth fret

This Old Fiddle

2011-12-22T20:29:00.009-06:00

The winter fiddle project is finished. Instead of cleaning every nook and trying to "restore" it, I decided to leave all the gunk and grime. It came by that grime honest. It's ~100 years old, has been played, left in attics and trunks, and moved more times than I can count. But it's still here. And all that gunk was along for the ride. So, I figure it's got a right to be here.

Here it is.

Here's an early shot of this fiddle in action. I'd give anything to be able to pull up a step and listen to this jam session.

And here's a recording of my grandpa playing his other fiddle in 1967 with a still shot of this fiddle.

Currently listening to: Miles Davis 'Round About Midnight

Fall Project

2011-09-24T08:40:00.007-05:00

So, I said Fall project, but it might end up stretching into a Winter project.

This old fiddle belonged to my grandfather, Ray Masters. Check out this earlier entry for more info on him, and some clips of him playing a different fiddle. This particular fiddle was actually his first. It was purchased in Laflin, MO from a man who worked for the railroad probably sometime in the early 1920's. It's just a basic, lower quality, 3/4 size fiddle that he learned to play on.

This one needs lots of attention. Saddle, nut, bridge, tailpiece, pegs, fingerboard re-finished and re-glued, etc.

I'll try to post some updates of the (most likely SLOOOOW) process of getting it back in respectable shape.

Now Listening to: Django Reinhardt

Thank you Mr. Bourgeois.

2011-04-01T14:30:00.004-06:00

I stopped by a great guitar shop here in St Louis today that carries some fine acoustic guitars.

After surveying the land, I'm convinced I can't do any better than these two from Dana Bourgeois.

On the left is an early DS240. EIR/Adirondack Spruce with forward shifted/scalloped bracing. It's like a giant D-28 in a Gibson's body. Sounds a mile wide. On the right is an early Country Boy in Mahogany/Bearclaw Sitka Spruce. It's just what a Mahogany guitar should be. Gobs of focus on the fundamental, lots of mid-range thump and FAT tones on the treble strings.

To paraphrase Norman Blake...Thank you Mr. Bourgeois, I'm alright.

Now playing: Clarence White 33 Guitar Instrumentals

Thanks for the memories!

2010-11-08T19:43:00.006-06:00

This past weekend I made the eastward trek to Louisville, KY and had the opportunity to witness on of the best thoroughbreds of the past 30+ years (maybe ever) finish her career. Even though she came up a nose short, she definitely cemented her legend and proved to all the so-called scribes and odds makers that she was the real deal. She danced for the crowd at the paddock like she always does. And she put on what many who have watched the race say was one of the best performance they've ever seen.

So, Zenyatta, thanks for the incredible memories!

Proof I saw one of the greatest ever!

This Old Cassette

2010-07-06T20:21:00.034-05:00

For as long as I can remember, this old cassette tape has been around. In a cedar chest, then in the storage compartment of the family hi-fi, back to the cedar chest. I don't remember the first time I tried to listen to it. I just remember how horrible it sounded. It was scratchy, warbly, and the music it contained was unlike anything I'd ever heard.

Jump forward to my 12th birthday. I'd just bought an acoustic guitar at Shivelbine's Music and Sound in Cape Girardeau and was practicing like crazy trying to play Buddy Holly tunes from another cassette I'd found at our house. My Aunt invited me to a Bluegrass festival. I had no idea what that was, but I was up for the camping trip side of it. From the second I got there, it sounded and felt familiar. It was the music I'd heard on the cassette. That was 1990 and from that moment I've been completely infatuated with old-time and bluegrass music. I've had stints where I tried to escape it. A few years when I tried to give up music...4+ years in a pretty raucous rock and roll band. For better or worse, I can't.

A few months ago I was visiting my parents, snooping through the old records in the Victrola and Hi-Fi and found THE cassette. I brought it home and dubbed it into a digital editing software and proceeded to chop it up into tracks and clean up the audio as best as my software will allow.

This old cassette contains the sonic remains from a night in 1967 when my grandfather, who hadn't played his fiddle in years, joined his sister-in-law and brother-in-law for a jam. What makes it special to me is that I never met my grandfather. He passed shortly after this recording.

But here he is. Sawing on an old Stradivarius-copy fiddle (bought off a man on the railroad in Bollinger County, MO)...and doing it pretty damn well.

Get Along Home Cindy

Bury Me Beneath The Willow

I never got a chance to jam with my grandfather...but in a round-about way I did get to make some music with him after all.

Dulcimer Build Finale...

2009-08-08T21:46:00.009-05:00

Got a day off, so I decided to head out to the shop and really get after the dulcimer project. I had a lot less work to do than I had originally thought. Final sanding, Tung Oil finish, and tuners/bridge/nut installation. Waiting for the Tung Oil to dry a couple times was the longest part of the day.

The coolest moment had to be when I finished installing the tuners and got ready to string it up. It reminds me of the feeling you get when you rebuild a carburetor and you jump behind the wheel to fire it up for the first time (will it start or will it burst into flames?). Same kind of feeling here. When I put some tension on these strings, will it make a joyful noise or fold like a cheap chair into pieces on the shop floor? No folding here.

This project has been a really great experience. I've been doing set up/repair work on solid body electric guitars for myself and other folks for several years now. But I've yet to try my hand at any acoustic instrument construction. All in all, I'm pretty happy with the results.

So...here it is.

Hourglass/Walnut #1

Currently listening to: The Black Keys-Rubber Factory.

Dulcimer Build Days 1-4

2009-06-26T13:49:00.022-05:00

I've started working on a Walnut teardrop shaped dulcimer as an entry into small scale Luthiery. So far it's been really fun. I realize I'm only a week into a simple build...but this is definitely something I'd like to transition into professionally.

I got a little ahead of myself and didn't snap any shots of the raw materials. So we'll pick up after the tail block has been glued in.

Here, the sides have been bent, sanded and are ready to glue into the scroll.

And, after the scroll has been glued in.

Next up, I've drilled the tone holes for the top. I'm a weirdo who doesn't like to look at things that aren't symmetrical...so I've went with some basic circles laid out in a pattern that doesn't make me want to gouge my type A eyes out.

After the tone holes are ready, I've glued them to the fingerboard.

Now it's time to glue the top/fingerboard to the sides. As you can see, I don't have a set of go-bars. So I've opted for the highly scientific route of c-clamps and sugar/flour bags.

The top is glued in and it's time to trim the basic shape. This involves several careful passes with a razor knife.

And finally a shot of the label that I'm about to glue to the inside of the solid back piece.

I should be closer to being finished next week...

Currently listening to: Norman Blake(what did you expect?)

Back in Missouri...for better or worse.

2009-06-17T09:48:00.007-05:00

I was in Nashville this past weekend for Derek's (my brother) graduation at Vanderbilt Medical Center. We had a pretty laid back weekend. Highlights included breakfast at Loveless Cafe, and my ritualistic stop at Gruhn Guitars. I actually ran into George Gruhn outside the back door of the store. He appeared to be unloading a huge SUV full of guitars and mandolins.

I got back to Cape Girardeau early Tuesday afternoon and promptly saw this prick. Is this Toby Keith?

Welcome home!

(make sure you click the photo to view his message on the tailgate)

Now listening to: Norman and Nancy Blake: Morning Glory Ramblers

Going to Nashville with a pocket full of money. Or, how I bought a guitar I didn't really need.

2009-05-25T15:18:00.007-05:00

I made a trek to Nashville for no real reason other than to try lots of great guitars at stores like Cotten Music, Artisan Guitars , and Gruhn Guitars . Nashville is a pretty great town to look for a guitar if you've got some money burning a hole in your pocket.

I tried quite a few and was all set on a Martin D-18 Authentic. The D-18 A is hands down the best traditional dred I've ever played. Rather than rolling off a line at Martin, 2 D-18A's are built a week by a VERY small team of builders. They use the same techniques and materials (hot hide glue, etc) as they did in the pre-war Martin days. The D-18A is on par with ANYTHING any boutique builder is producing out there.

Like I said, I was all set on the 18A. Until I got my hands on this at Gruhn Guitars...

It's a '97 Bourgeois Slope D (Slope shouldered Dred) that was built for, and belonged to Norman Blake. Norman is THEEE flatpicking king, in my opinion. Along with being a great songwriter who's solo records are stellar; he's played on everything from Nashville Skyline, to John Hartford's Aereo-plain, to the recent Plant and Krauss record that won about a bajillion Grammys.

The Slope D shares a shape with the old Gibson Advanced Jumbo (Gibson's first stab at a traditional x-braced dred). However, the Bourgeois has the forward shifted, scalloped, "advanced x-brace" like a pre-war Martin. This gives it a really punchy, throaty, low-mid thing that really cuts when your flatpickin'. The slightly larger body size adds a real depth that you don't get with a traditional drednought guitar. The best way to describe these early Slope D's is to say they're really punchy, but still sound a mile wide.

I feel pretty fortunate to have had some great gear in the past. I can honestly say none of them are as special as this Bourgeois Slope D. It could be the best guitar I've ever played...plus it belonged to a personal guitar hero. It really doesn't get any cooler than that.

Casper's, 100 years in Springfield...

2009-05-10T09:12:00.006-05:00

We were in Springfield, MO visiting Alaina's parents for a few days. I suggested we grab lunch at Casper's at least once while we were there.

Casper's has been in Springfield for 100 years. There's a reason it's been around this long.

Casper's is tiny. I'd say their max capacity is around 20 people. The menu is quirky, but loaded with choices for such a small place.

Some folks go for the Frito Pie.

Not me, we're trying to find the best burger on the planet here...

The burger at Casper's is pretty great. It's a lot like what you get at the Clover Grill in New Orleans, and that's a good thing.

Currently listening to: Norman Blake, Back Home in Sulphur Springs.

65 Amps: The Unmistakable Sound Of A Generation

2009-04-16T19:17:00.006-05:00

Indeed!

Full size picture...

65 Amps website

Now Playing- Queens of the Stone Age

Suhr Badger 18 & PRS DGT wankorama '09

2009-03-02T15:31:00.009-06:00

Suhr Badger 18 & PRS DGT Demo

Don't view this unless you're ready for 7 minutes of mindless guitar wanking.

New Year, New Gear

2009-02-26T18:19:00.003-06:00

Lots of changes in the gear department here at Bellevue Studio (by Bellevue Studio I mean the spare room where my gear is stashed along with my rudimentary home studio).

First up, we have Suhr Badger. It's 18 watts of EL-84 chime and crunch. This one is actually an early prototype...Badger #6!

Next up is the Goldtop PRS DGT. I traded my Cherry Sunburst to a guy who had been hounding me about it for a few months about it in exchage for this goldtop. Personally, I dig the goldtop.

Together they make a glorious noise...

Add this to the list of best burger joints on the planet...

2008-10-20T10:18:00.005-05:00

This one is right there with the burger from Rotier's in Nashville. Maybe better than the burger cooked on a flat top grill "under an American made hubcap" from the Clover Grill on Bourbon Street. Yes, this could be "the one".

It's the cheeseburger and loaded baked potato from Port of Call in New Orleans. These are crazy good. There's a reason folks line out the door and down the street to get one of these on the weekend.

Banksy

2008-10-18T09:59:00.003-05:00

I was completely surprised when I looked out our hotel window and saw one of the buildings Banksy got when he visited New Orleans on the 3rd anniversary of Katrina.

New Orleans revisited...oh, and all that other crazy stuff too.

2008-10-12T10:07:00.014-05:00

It's been a crazy month. In the past 3 weeks, I've managed to lose my job due to a "corporate budget cutback", visit one of my favorite cities on earth (New Orleans), and get engaged...told ya it was a crazy month!

New Orleans in the Fall is one of the greatest places on earth. We managed to acomplish a few things we hadn't been able to do in previous visits.

We caught the NOLA All Stars at Preservation Hall. The whole time I was in Preservation hall, I couldn't help but think in the back of my mind how great a cranked Vibrolux, a big ass drum kit and an ampeg bass amp would sound in that room...not to mention all the mojo floating around in there that would add to the mix.

We mangaged to catch the Black Keys at the House of Blues. The Keys are really great live. Do yourself a favor and catch Dan and Pat the next chance you get.

Basically we just hung out in the French Quarter and relaxed for 7 days...which was much needed.

We'll end all this with my beautiful Fiance...which I've been recently informed is French for "do what I say"...is that right?

Fulltone 69 Fuzz

2008-08-29T13:41:00.012-05:00

In my ever-ridiculous quest to attain ignorant amounts of fuzz pedals, I give you the Fulltone "69" Fuzz pedal.

The 69 is Fuller's recreation of the early Germanium transistor Fuzz Faces from 66-69. The real twist with the 69 is the ability to adjust "Bias" (signal hitting the transistors), and "Contour" (mids/sustain). Depending on where you set the controls on the 69, you can go from mild, gritty fuzz; all the way to the fat, singing fuzz we all love and adore.

Here's a shot of the parts that make the sound all fuzzy-like.

And finally, a quick demo where I stack the Fulltone 69 with the Earthquaker Hoof fuzz. The 69 stays on the entire time and I kick the Hoof on and off.

Fulltone 69 stacked with Hoof fuzz demo.

From Akron with Fuzz

2008-08-21T17:27:00.015-05:00

So this week I went batshit crazy and bought 2 new fuzz pedals. The first to arrive is the Earthquaker Devices Hoof Fuzz. Earthquaker Devices effects are handbuilt in Akron, Ohio by Jamie...the US Tour Manager for the Black Keys. The Hoof Fuzz is built along the lines of a Russian Big Muff with some modern twists. The Hoof has a combination of Germanium and Silicon transistors that allow it to get some pretty diverse tones.

My intention with this pedal was to cop some nasty Dan Auerbach type tones...the Hoof's got all that and more.

Here's a quick demo I did with the Earthquaker Hoof Fuzz...

Hoof Fuzz Demo

Broussards...always a good time.

2008-05-12T09:43:00.011-05:00

The Dirty 30s played at Broussards this weekend. It always turns into a rowdy whiskey soaked mess by the end of the night...but it's always a good time!

P.S. The new PRS DGT (David Grissom Trem) sounded and played great.

Best "cheap" delay pedal out there...

2008-04-30T16:08:00.006-05:00

Here's a tip on a delay pedal that won't break the bank, and will give you those murkey low fi analog delay sounds. The kicker here is, you gotta go to Toys R Us to buy it. I'm serious....

It's the "First Act Delay Effect Pedal". You'll find it on the aisle with all the other small, inexpensive instruments that today's future gearsluts are learning on.

It's got a layout similar to a Boss Pedal. Metal Case, runs on batteries or a 9v Boss style adapter, the battery compartment even has a thumbscrew like a boss pedal.

You're probably askin' "Matt how does this cheap piece of shit sound?"

Well, it sounds pretty good. Better than any of those hi-fi digital delays that have 800000 billion ms of repeats and a hold feature and blah blah blah. It's not for the guy in the U2 cover band. But, what it's great at is adding a few low fi repeats to your signal. Some of the high-end is rolled off the repeats so it sounds convincingly "analog".

It's $39.99 in the store and $19.99 (minus shipping) online. You can't buy a door stop that cheap...plus, it's got a 15 year warranty. So, who gives a rats ass if it's made in China and covered in lead paint, go buy one and sell your analog boss pedal on ebay for some serious scratch to the pedal geek who HAS to have it.

Here it is, in all it's Chinese, lead-painted, low-fi glory.

David Grissom...thank you Sir.

2008-04-30T08:28:00.008-05:00

I've been shopping around for a good dual humbucker guitar for a few months. I've been going back and forth between Historic Gibson Les Pauls and a couple models from PRS. I was all set to buy a PRS SC245 when I found a great deal on a PRS David Grissom Trem.
The DGT is a new model for PRS. It's sort of an update on the McCarty model with a few tweaks that David came up with after playing his Goldtop McCarty for about the last 15 years.
I can't really say how impressed with this guitar I am. It plays and sounds fantastic.

(PRS DGT with my Dr Z Maz 18)

Spring project (automotive content!)

2008-04-20T17:04:00.003-05:00

It was entirely to nice to stay inside this weekend. So, I decided to head to the shop and get the Charger ready for warm weather. After sitting all winter the fuel had gummed up the carb and the gas was beyond stale. So, I tore the carb down and went through it. A can of carb cleaner and 2 hours later and she was purring like a kitten.

2008-04-08T15:40:00.002-05:00

Monday was too nice to stay inside! I got out of the office a few minutes early, so I headed out for a walk. I'm still trying to work myself back up to the bike, shouldn't be long :)

It doesn't get any better than this...

2008-02-05T16:38:00.000-06:00

It really doesn't get any better than this.

Hamburgers and Hand Grenades...

2007-11-07T14:31:00.000-06:00

Here's a VERY brief synopsis of the New Orleans trip. It truly has to be experienced firsthand.

One of my favorite parts went down about 2 hours after we got to town. The Rage Against the Machine show was pretty unbelievable. I still can't believe I finally got to see these guys in person. I've met/interviewed Tom Morello a few times, I even got to hang out in the Audioslave dressing room with Tom and Chris Cornell. This was just cool to witness...along with 70,000 other people.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is worth the trip alone!

Make sure you stop in at Cafe Du Monde for a cafe au lait and some biegnets.

Another must try is the Muffaletta from the Central Grocery.

AND...a Hand Grenade...or two from Tropical Isle.

You also HAVE to try the worlds best burger at the Clover Grill on Bourbon street. I think the secret lies in steaming it under an American made hub cap!

Before...

After...(sombrero not included in the price of meal)

Alaina & I at the French Market.

Break Time

2007-09-06T17:27:00.000-05:00

I got home today and this was in the mail...

Dr. Z Air Brake

It's an attenuator made by Dr. Z called the Air brake. I had one of these a few years ago, right after they came out. But...just like every piece of kick ass gear I had back then, like an idiot I sold it. Not because it didn't work great or sound awesome. I sold it to finance another piece of gear I thought was more important. Obviously I was wrong! Whatever it was is now gone, and here I am back to the Air Brake.

It works much like any other attenuator, going between the output of your power amp and the input of your speaker to limit the overall volume. But the Ken Fisher designed Air Brake has some great features that you can't find on other attenuators. First off, the Air Brake works with any ohm load between 4 and 16. It's basically universal. There's no longer a need to buy an ohm specific attenuator. Second, this one takes off the dbs gradually...1.8 per click, as opposed to the THD Hotplate which takes off 4 dbs per click. Instead of cutting the power in half on the first click like the Alessandro Muzzle. And lastly, (and most importantly!) the Air Brake is consistently chosen as the most transparent attenuator out there.

The Air Brake is great in several settings.

At a club gig, you can use it to limit your overall dbs at the beginning of the night. Then, gradually decrease attenuation as the club fills.

Secondly, at as a practice tool. The bedroom setting works great if you want to hear some distortion while you practice at home late at night, or if the neighbors don't like you.

Third, for studio use. For instance...if you want to make sure you don't damage a valuable condenser mic with those high spl's (sound pressure levels)!

Guitar Rig v.2007 a.k.a. "The Return of the Z"

2007-08-27T16:55:00.000-05:00

So...the day after I closed on selling my house, I decided to treat myself to a hand built, class-A, boutique Amp (some people go out to dinner...I buy an amp?!?!). I've had quite a few over the years, the top two being a Bad Cat Hot Cat 30, and a Dr. Z Maz 18 Reverb. I regretfully sold both of them.

So this past Saturday, I took a road trip to St. Louis and paid a visit to Eddie's Guitars. The guys at Eddie's are always great...plus they only stock high-end guitars and hand built amps. I mean, you've got to go down in the basement if you want something with a printed circuit board.

Here's what I came away with (minus the guitar)...

It's the Dr. Z Maz 18 non-reverb head. It's 18 class-A watts, all hand wired. I went with the Z-Best 2x12 cabinet. After firing it up and trying to find some baseline settings, I was totally blown away. I had completely forgot how fantastic these amps sound. Notes from the very lowest to the very highest come through just as clean and clear as can be. Comparing this to the Blues Jr. I've been gigging lately is like comparing a Steinway grand piano to a Casio keyboard. Don't get me wrong, I like the Blues Jr for its grab and go simplicity...but the Dr. Z is just dripping with tone and in a class all by itself.

Thanks to Dr. Z for making such a great product.

It's all over now baby blue...

2007-08-20T09:09:00.000-05:00

Looks like my days at baby blue are numbered. I've got a buyer for my house and we close this Friday. It's been a great little starter home...but it's time for me to move on.

I've spent the last 2 days moving furniture and cleaning out lots of stuff I forgot I had.

One thing I won't forget are all the good times and hell I raised in and around baby blue.

Rainy day picture of 'baby blue'

Best guitar mod...period

2007-08-12T13:28:00.001-05:00

Here's the best $1.25 you can spend on your guitar. Period.

If you're like me and use a tube amp and like to control volume AND gain by rolling off the guitar volume...this is the best mod you can do. It lets your volume pot actually work...instead of going to crap after about 8.5. So, break out your soldering iron and have some fun.

Hard Rock?

2007-07-24T20:18:00.001-05:00

The Dirty 30s played at the Hard Rock Cafe in St. Louis last weekend. It was a little different. I mean, we're used to playing dives. We're apparently invited back, so, I guess we'll give it another go sometime.

Sometimes, by the end of the night, Brian really looks like this when I look over at him...

Grillin'...continued.

2007-07-16T19:26:00.000-05:00

Today, I stopped by Esicar's Smokehouse to pick up the best damned corned beef on the planet (Reuben blog is on the way). While I was in, I decided to spring the extra $3.79 for a lb of their fresh, homemade brats.

All I can say is that it's a real shame this place is closing later this year. They've been in business in Cape Girardeau for almost 75 years...it's like an institution...for pork.

Once the grill is good and warm...get the brats on. Keep an eye on them...they need lots of attention.

Fresh Brats on the grill.

Riverview Relish

While the brats are cookin'; chop up a small red onion, add some fresh cracked pepper, a little salt, some olive oil...and liberal amounts fresh lime juice.

The finished product.

Find a good fresh bun...use copious amounts of French's yellow mustard and LOTS of the Riverview relish.

BAM!

Another way to end the day...

2007-06-21T21:53:00.001-05:00

The ever-refreshing Gin and Tonic.

CG, MO Show

2007-06-19T10:02:00.001-05:00

The Dirty 30s and the John D. Hale Band are playing at Muddy Waters this Saturday...it should be a damned rowdy time. I'm certainly lookin' forward to it.

How to end a day.

2007-06-16T16:17:00.000-05:00

Last night we stopped by the Lewis & Clark Cafe for some great espresso and baklava (with pistachios). The coffee, baklava, and conversation (with Sam) were excellent...as usual.

shady camera phone shot of the groceries

Grillin...not to be confused with Q'n

2007-06-09T20:04:00.000-05:00

Today seemed like a fine day to fire up the grill. I've been itchin' to try some kabobs.

Kabob view from above.

While you're preparing the marinade (olive oil, garlic, coarse cracked pepper, salt and Cavender's Greek Seasoning) it's best to put on some Ramblin' Jack Elliot, or Billy Joe Shaver. They set a pretty good mood for Beef Kabobs. Keep the music going late into the evening...you won't regret it.

Some people don't deviate from the red wine/red meat combo. But, when it comes to sunshine and hot flames with beef, I prefer a good beer. Today I went with Blue Moon Honey Summer Ale. This beer seems pretty refreshing and tasty...the honey/orange overtones are excellent.

MMMMM...beer and beef. Summer is here.

Nice Day...

2007-06-09T09:52:00.000-05:00

For a ride downtown...View of the river from just below the "River Campus"

This ain't no "Boogie Bridge"...R.I.P. old bridge.

Recipe for a lazy Sunday...

2007-06-04T15:15:00.000-05:00

Nothin' happening today besides the 2nd to last episode of the Sopranos, so I decided to pick up a small BBQ grill for the apartment (the one at my house is TOO big). It's a little tiny baby grill (and it's gas)...but it seems to get the job done in the confines of the city.

Directions:

1. Prepare marinade...mix some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, fresh cracked pepper, 4 big cloves of garlic chopped up real fine, and a little Tony Chachere's® Creole Seasoning in a bowl (use your preference on any of the above ingredients).

2. Place trimmed chicken breasts in marinade...don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Work it in real good.

3. Cover and let it rest...it cooks quick if you let it warm up to room temperature.

4. Plug in your tube amp and let the tubes warm up in standby (your vintage amp will thank you for this).

5. Wrap corn on the cob and other veggies in aluminium foil.

6. The tubes in your amp have reached a fine operating temperature by now...play your Telecaster for 45 minutes.

7. Place chicken on the grill...watch it close, turn it when you need to. Don't over-cook it...it'll be like chewing on boot leather if you do.

8. After 15 minutes of cooking...plate it, find some white wine and dig in.

Chicken & roasted sweet corn...BAM!

...God said out on Highway 61.

2007-05-27T19:34:00.000-05:00

Memorial Day weekend has been chocked full of stuff...lots goin on. We had a wedding to attend Saturday, for Cara Stone and Shiv. Sunday we decided to take a road trip since we were essentially stuck in town for the weekend with the wedding. First off, we made our way to Tower Rock Winery. We've been assembling a "Missouri Wine List" and needed to check this one off the list. We settled on something dry and white and headed towards Tower Rock...where we devoured a picnic lunch and the wine. The Illinois side of the river looks much more hospitable...but the view seems better from the Missouri side.

photo by Dr. Jim Dufek

We left Tower Rock and headed North on highway 61. On our way to Ste. Genevieve we saw a couple old towns that have been essentially abandoned since interstate 55 came along. These little river towns that follow hwy. 61 have a rich history and some groovy lookin' abandoned motels that rival the stuff on Route 66.

Hwy 61 view out the windshield of Stang Baby

Hwy 61 took us to Ste Genevieve. It's the oldest permanent European settlement West of the Mississippi (excluding New Orleans). This town is full of great old homes and buildings that are still in great shape. We swung by Sainte Genevieve Winery for a tasting and a couple more bottles of white wine and made our way around town. After seeing a couple blocks of the historic downtown...we've already got a full "weekend trip" planned for St Genevieve.

"Old Brick House" built in 1785

Good Times...

2007-05-18T10:39:00.000-05:00

The Dirty 30s sure had a blast at Off Broadway last week. It was also great to see some folks I hadn't seen in a long time(JL and Chopper).

I'll leave you with this fine moment from the show...feel free to interpret and talk amongst yourselves.

Off Broadway

2007-05-08T10:20:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since the electrified version of The Dirty 30s have done any pickin'. However...we'll be tearin some shit up at Off Broadway this Friday, May 11th. It should be a rowdy good time...I'm glad to get a chance to check out Jay's band Fertilizer Bomb. If you're in the StL area stop in and say "hey".

On the bike front...I've been combing craigslist for project bikes...here's this weeks "want"...some type of semi-flat bar single speed...stripped down...simple. I snagged this photo from Roscoe's website. This is actually a fixed gear...which I'm nowhere near ready for...but dang it's sweet lookin!

Roscoe's KHS

Wake up to Missouri

2007-05-07T09:09:00.000-05:00

O-tay...
Lots of stuff goin' on this past weekend.
Saturday:
First, we had a wedding party to attend for Carolyn and Jesse. These two lovebirds are getting married later this month. So, as sort of a pre-celebratory super-fun-time, we went to Cave Vineyard in Ste Genevieve, MO. They have this sweet-ass cave where you can sit and enjoy their wine...which is some of the best in Missouri. The earliest records of the cave date back to the 1700's when some Frenchman stumbled upon the cave while walking and Indian trail. Which is ironic...since I stumbled OUT of the cave after lots of really good wine. har har har...

The lady and gentleman of the evening enjoying some fine wine in the bat cave.

On the way home, we decided to stop by Wibb's Drive In (Jackson, MO). If you EVER find yourself passing through, make sure you stop in. They have the best toasted bbq sandwich's on the planet...hands down. I like mine "spicy, with pimento cheese"...but, you can't go wrong with just the standard sandwich.

Wibb's Drive In, Jackson, MO

Sunday:
We made the short trip to Commerce, MO to River Ridge Winery for a combination dinner for my girlfriend Alaina and brother Derek. Their birthdays were in April, but this is the first chance we've had to get together. Commerce is a little river town south of Cape that's been essentially abandoned since the "flood of '93". Anyflippinway, back to the winery...the wine isn't anything to write home about, but the reuben is damn good. It's so damn good that I completely forgot to take a picture of it before devouring it. I'll get a picture next time...

"Big Muddy" shot from the "main road" in Commerce, MO

Racked

2007-05-03T12:50:00.000-05:00

The weather here in Southeast Missouri the past few days has been shit...lots of rain. Anydamnway, that hasn't stopped me from using this...

Saris Bones 2 atop the Pontiac Grand Prix luxury coupe

The Saris Bones 2 has been on the market for a couple years now...I just got mine a week or so ago. I did some research and decided a trunk rack was best for me. Further research led me to the Saris Bones. It's well designed...not to mention hella-stout. Once you've got the straps tight, the rack and your bike are well secured. Another cool thing about it is that it's made out 100% recycled aluminum and injection molded plastic, so there's nothing to rust.

The guys at Cyclewerx were great as usual...they let me test-fit it (to make sure it fit) and even installed it on my car.

If you need me...here's where I'll be this weekend.

Beatle Bob picture I found.

2007-04-19T16:16:00.000-05:00

I found this one today. It's from 2006 at the Red Sea on Delmar in St. Louis. I was stoked to see Beatle Bob in attendance. You can see him here in mid crazy-ass-spin move mode. The Red Sea is a fine time...but not somewhere you want to lug a Twin Reverb into!

The Stringbender Tele

2007-04-17T15:45:00.000-05:00

I wish I would have been keeping a diary of some sort while I assembled this guitar. I've made a ton of changes and I really don't remember them all. The guitar started out as an AV52 Re-issue. I bought it new at Eddies Guitars in St Louis in 2003( I think?). I played a few and this one was lighter, had a really tight neck pocket, and a neck that is pretty round and fat...REAL chunky! Also, I like the rounder radius and vintage fretwire.

I played it for about 6 months or so before I had the Parsons-White Long Throw b-bender installed. The stroke on this bender is about 1 3/8"...The Parsons/White is very linear. You definitely have more control with these compared to the Glaser-style benders that feel like your flipping an on/off switch.

I swapped pickups a few times before I tried the Lindy Fralin blues-special bridge pickup. They're a little hotter and darker than the average tele bridge pickup. They have some grunt, and none of that "ice-pick" treble that a lot of pickups have. I broke out the router myself and went to town in preparation for the Alnico strat neck pickup. Its bright and clear...unlike that muddy mess you get out of a standard tele neck pickup.

I tried a set of Callaham compensated saddles...but I went back to the non-compensated saddles that came stock. They're a little beef-ier, and since I went back to smaller strings with the b-bender, I thought the added mass helped with sustain.

So, thats the abbreviated version of where/how it got to where it is. I think I'm going to start saving my pennies for one of these.

Pedal-ing...non-bike related content this time.

2007-04-17T13:55:00.000-05:00

BFE LPBx-Blender

Here's a pedal I've had for a couple years now. My friend Brian Friend built it. He's an electrical engineer in Southen California by day and an Effects Pedal whiz/Parsons-White B-bender installer by night!

The LPBx-Blender is a combination of two circuts in one housing. The left side is a clone of the old Electro-Harmonix LPB-1 "clean boost". I like this clean boost WAY better than the clean boost setting on my Fulltone fulldrive 2. This one has a little more "oomph". It's great for slamming the front end of an old tube amp. The knob in the center controls the level on the LPBx side.

The right side is a clone of the late 60's, 4 knob Fender Blender octave/fuzz. The Blender isn't all that practical, but damn it's F-U-N! It's pretty over-the-top and fizzy...Like a fuzz pedal should be! The effects can be used one at a time, or both at the same time. The Clarence White Sticker is just something I put on to add a little mojo...and because CW used a blender live and on a few studio tracks with the Byrds.

Trailers for sale or rent...

2007-04-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

Actually...it's a 3br 1 1/2 bath house (not a trailor!) and it's just for sale!

I was in Delta today to mow and do some general yard maintenance. I thought I'd snap a quick picture...it looked better 2 weeks ago when the trees in the front yard were blooming. It's been a great 'starter' home...but it's time for me to move on. I'm hoping someone decides to call it home soon and I can move to St. Louis, or ???

A talented young man...

2007-04-15T16:21:00.001-05:00

About 3 weeks ago we (The Dirty 30s) played a show in Cape Girardeau with Justin Earle. We did a show with him once before at The Basement in Nashville, TN. He obviously comes from good stock...as his surname indicates. If he happens to make it to your neck of the woods, make sure you give him a listen!

Time for some amp talk.

2007-04-14T16:32:00.000-05:00

So, after several near-death experiences carrying my "blackfaced" 72 twin reverb up and down flights of stairs...I decided it was time for a smaller combo.

Enter the Fender Blues Jr.

It's 18 watts of el84 based tube power. The Blues Jr originally came from the early 90s Bruce Zinky era at Fender amps. It's not gonna overpower an obnoxious drummer. But, it will deliver some great bluesy tones. I'm not gonna lie and tell you it's as good as my Dr. Z Maz 18, or my Bad Cat Hot Cat 30. But at a little over $300.00 new...it's a solid buy.

The one I have is new, so it comes from the factory with groove tubes. I have a stash of JJ/Tesla tubes, and some Mullard 12AX7's that I have yet to experiment with. The whole idea of this amp for me was to keep it simple/inexpensive and lightweight...it definitely does that. I've only gigged it a few times since I got it about 3 weeks ago...but so far it seems great for what I have planned.

I thought about springing the extra $1000.00 for a vibrolux or deluxe reverb...but then I really thought about it. When you play dive bars, it's really all about damage control. If, or should I say when someone dumps a 16oz beer on this, the worst case is that I'm out a $300.00 pcb/mass produced amp. I can leave the bigger stuff at home and let this little fella fight it out in Pabst Blue Ribbon-swilling-red-neck-land.

Cheers you bastards!

Where's the warm weather at??

2007-04-14T15:50:00.000-05:00

I don't think it's ever gonna get here sometimes.

I'm just ready to give this thing a proper floggin'!

I just picked it up today. I know you track bike purists are cringing...but cut me some slack. It's been forever since I've ridden anything. I really see this as a good commuter...and something I can get in better shape with. Maybe by next summer I'll find a good track bike.

Thanks to the guys over at cyclewerx for their help. The service was top notch.