The Summer Jam, anyone?

[OzzyC]

I went to the Summer Jam today. It's sponsored by Gibson and hosted in Nashville, TN; I got to play axes worth more then the contents of my house. (that's $34.78, for those of you interested in knowing) I went with my friend who's been a luthier for decades. I learned from him more then anyone else at the event. He showed me a technique that can really enhance the sound of an acoustic and increases the volume as much as 30 percent, which was awesome. I got to see a few great players of various instruments, and plenty that were horrible. All kinds of LPs, SGs, Vs and that reversed V thing, even; and of course, the acoustics. I also saw an awesome looking bass, 6 string fretless with a beautiful quilt.

I almost forgot about the proto I witnessed! It was a re-issue from the 30s, and made for an artist that wanted a replacement after a guitar of his got destroyed. I don't remember his name, but appearently, he's famous. It was acoustic and had a nut width similar to a classical guitar. Almost the entire fretboard was covered in a a plastic inlay. We saw it (and my friend played it) before the artist was even informed it was done.


I played a 5 string for the first time, I may have to get one sometime in the future. It was the steinberger bass. I also played a Kramer guitar and bass. I believe they had quad coil PUs in them. They didn't have an amp set up in that booth, so I don't know how they sound. I found out that the Kelly shape is not suited to me at all and that I HATE playing Flying Vs sitting down esp without a strap.

I learned a bit about the history of Gibson, and the mandolins they made. There was one mandolin that the guy owned and played, I believe he stated that the value today would be $200k that he could sell it for. Also, in that booth they had a harp guitar. It looked like a monster. I didn't hear how he said it was tuned, but I assume he tuned it to the intervals of a scale instead of chromatically.

There were classic cars, too. One that stood out to me was a classic hot rod painted black with green accents and the entire engine down to the bolts was chrome. They had a custom painted LP along side of it, but, me being the Ibby man that I am, couldn't really think of anything other then a 91 UV7BK.

My friend met a guy and started talking to him about retailing guitars and the buisness in general. At this point is when I found out that if a person wanted to retail for Gibson, they would have to buy $150,000 in guitars alone (basses, and gear, too of course)! So, I don't think I'll be starting a shop for new big-brand guitars anytime soon.

There was a battle of the (corporate) bands also, we stayed for 6 sets, which were approx 20 mins each. (they did about 5 songs each)

The first set REALLY sucked, The vocalist was horrible. The mix was atrocious ,and they gave the guitar way too much presence; they toned it down a little after my friend told the sound guys what I had said about it, but it was still bad. And they played songs that weren't that great to begin with (the worst of mainstream rock), so they were a disappointment.

Second set, better mix (but there were still a few things you couldn't hear well, better band (they an 11 piece band.) They had an Alto sax, trumpet hollowbody, and others in addition to the guitar bass and drums.Their vocalist traded off after every song, which made for an interesting set. They were doing some classic rock stuff A decent performance.

Third, best mix of the night, although the kick was overbearing the entire night. 13 pieces, and they sounded great. I could hear just about everyone up there clearly in the mix. They seemed to be the most compotant group that were on stage. They did some R n' B, and the bassist did some cool slap during the songs. Best performance of the night.

Fourth, I think the vocalist from the first set decided to go for an encore, cause I didn't hear anymore then 3 notes in tune during their set. The mix had turned to crap again, and they did one song that would have been decent, had the second guitarist thought about tuning within the past week. He was off by a semitone the whole set.
Do I need to say more? :P

Fifth, the guitarist had a good clean tone for the first song, but then he turned on a really fizzy buzzsaw type of distortion that lacked any enjoyable quality. I remember he was playing an RG and looked and dressed vaugly like Clapton, and had an SRV style of phrasing. Classic rock, sub-par mix, again. 3/5

During the sixth, I wasn't really playing attention, as I was in a conversation mentioned above. We left a bit after they had started this set, but there was a great flute solo in the first song. (I could be confusing the sets with each other also, so I'm not sure I'm thinkg of the right one...)

Oh yeah, and I met a bum. Not a regular bum, either. A con-bum. He gave us a story about how his daughter needed a prescription and he needed some money. Me being the innocent and caring individual I am, decided to give him some money. 3 minutes later, he came back for more.

[Blexican]

Glad you had a somewhat good time, Ozzmeistah. I'd have loved to have seen that harp, seeing as how I've never played one.

Yeah, some bums can be vicious and not remember you from the first time they swindled you...

Originally Posted by OzzyC

He showed me a technique that can really enhance the sound of an acoustic and increases the volume as much as 30 percent, which was awesome.

What is this technique, young man?

[stuz719]

Originally Posted by OzzyC

Oh yeah, and I met a bum. Not a regular bum, either. A con-bum. He gave us a story about .... Me being the innocent and caring individual I am, decided to give him some money. 3 minutes later, he came back for more.

Ah, so Ed Roman was there as well?

[Stitch]

Originally Posted by stuz719

Ah, so Ed Roman was there as well?

[OzzyC]

Originally Posted by Blexican

Glad you had a somewhat good time, Ozzmeistah. I'd have loved to have seen that harp, seeing as how I've never played one.

Yeah, some bums can be vicious and not remember you from the first time they swindled you...



What is this technique, young man?

It involved 'massaging' the treble or bass sides of an acoustic to loosen the glue and allow it to resonate more. He mentioned the man who had the idea originally, but I don't remember the name.

[telecaster90]

Sweet, I've been to the Gibson shop in Nashville when I was visiting a local college. They have some nice guitars in there

I left gassing for a Zakk Wylde Les Paul, having been so close to one

[MetalMike]

You should have took a 30 year old LP and compared it to the current production model. There quality has gone down the toilet as of late.

Originally Posted by OzzyC

Oh yeah, and I met a bum. Not a regular bum, either. A con-bum. He gave us a story about how his daughter needed a prescription and he needed some money. Me being the innocent and caring individual I am, decided to give him some money. 3 minutes later, he came back for more.

Change!?