Dojo Faves
February, 2012
I'm getting a new pedal board built by Mason Marongella at Vertex Effects Systems. He really seems to know a lot about electronics and thanks to Mike Landau. I've started to feel more comfortable with effects and have met Mason to help put it all together. I'll let you all know what I'm using once it's done. Should be very cool!
I've been fooling around with a '63 Gibson Firebird, of all things. This guitar sounds fantastic! But the balance is a bit daunting for me and
the treble pickup is a little thin. Found it at a place called Fretted Americana in Calabasas, CA. Great vintage shop.
We'll see....
October 15, 2011
I've been playing a 68 Les Paul Deluxe on this trip to the Pacific Rim and it's really a great guitar. Haven't heard it recorded yet so I don't have any objectivity but everyone else is digging it.( I'll have it in Seattle and Portland). The mini humbuckers have that brightness that I like, not so thick like the full humbucking pickups. I miss a little of that and might just need two Les Pauls. Great guitars. Thanks Les!
September 29, 2011
Robben's new Gibson B-25
September 5, 2011
I have become a big fan of Dimitri Mahlis. The percussionist,Toss Panos, and I have been playing together for years and I was blown away when he played this music for me. Three great talents playing very fresh yet deeply rooted improvisational music. And I can't say enough about Jimmy as a stringed instrument player. Wow! This is the most soulful thing I've heard in a long time...
The Mahlis-Panos Project is the creation of multi instrumentalist and composer Dimitris Mahlis and drummer/percussionist Toss Panos, with bassist Dan Lutz.
This recording is the latest in a series of musical collaborations from these two musical adventurers that pushes the envelope in composition and improvisation. Schooled in Eastern and Western musical traditions, Dimitris Mahlis brings a soulful and unique approach to the compositions and the oud. Combined with the extraordinary voice of Toss Panos and the sensitivity and strength of Dan Lutz, this track presents a rich and rewarding stew!
Miles, Spoon, Joni and Me - Robben Ford
I bought a '64 Gibson SG recently from Truetone Music in Santa Monica. This guitar has been chopped. Pickups are '70's, Bigsby removed, headstock doctored. But I Love this thing. It's become my No. 1 guitar, the last thing I ever would have expected. Vintage is hard to beat and I am finding '60's guitars that are inexpensive and beautiful. Look around. If you are in or near LA you should try Truetone Music on Santa Monica Blvd., SM. If they are chopped that just means they are cheaper. And the old wood is what you should be looking for now. Everything else is workable.
Happy hunting!
I've been using an amp on some of the songs for the McDonald sessions belonging to our engineer/drummer Shannon that I hope to find for myself: it's a Marshall limited addition JCM45. Great tone, breaks up in a sweet way but can give you a beautiful clean sound as well if you don't hit it too hard. Apparently only three hundred were made. I'm playing it thru a 4x10 Marshall cab that's working well. Not sure what speakers are in there but they may not be stock. If you find one, congratulations! Great recording amp...
