Guitar Licks and Tips

Have you ever wondered how a Talk Box really works? I’ve wanted to get one of these things ever since I bought the legendary Frampton Comes Alive way back in 1978. If I still have your attention then read on!

A Talk Box is referred to as either an effects unit/device or pedal. This device first showed up way back in the 1930′s but who the heck was around then to remember it now. So let’s fast for ward to the mid 70′s when it became popular again by Peter Frampton.

First off the Talk Box receives or takes in an electronic signal (let’s say through a guitar chord to simplify things here). This signal comes from an electrical instrument coming directly from an amplifier. This signal is played through a fairly small internal speaker.

Peter Frampton's original Talk Box

Now they have this airtight flexible plastic tube that captures the sound and shoots it towards the open end which you place into you mouth. On all pedals there is a toggle  switch that allows the musician to send the signal to the amplifier or to this tube. You can use your lips, tongue or mouth to help form the distinctive sound that you are looking for. At this point you can project this captured sound back out your mouth and into the microphone.

So there you have it!

Keep on Jammin’

I found the bands that played at the Taste of the Danforth, a local food festival here in Toronto,  were very distinctive.

The Taste of the Danforth is held every year on the second weekend of August and there’s always lots of food and music and it’s just a good time in the cities Greek Town.  Since my wife and I live in this area of the city we try to go each year.

The first stage we came to is called Immortals Greek Stage at Jones and Danforth Ave at about 8:00 PM.

First we ran into this Greek band called Arkadia. The band was fun to watch but what got my attention was the drummer of the band. His on stage energy levels reminded me of the drummer who played with Carlos Santana, a Michael Shrieve, on the epic Woodstock Music & Art Fair Festival concert. I would definitely pay to see them live.

The next band we saw/heard was The Frank D’Angleo Band at the Celebrity Stage at Danforth and Logan beside Alexander the Great Park. This is the main stage at the event and it is setup perfectly. There is a licensed patio in front of the stage and of coarse it was packed! We were inside, what I feel is the best place on the Danforth to get a Giros, Alexandros.

This guy is a true entertainer. How he interacted with the large crowd in front of him was mesmerizing. He had a couple of backup singers and a good sized horn/sax section that gave me goose bumps up and down my arm when they were playing a few progressions during the show. Those in attendance can back me up on that one. We were there about 8:45 if memory serves me correctly.

So those are the bands that drew me in the most and I’m looking forward to next years program. Anyone else out there that went to the 2011 Taste of the Danforth that can chime in?

Keep on Jammin’

Finally there’s another use for all those broken hockey sticks filing up Canadian landfill sites across the nation: custom-made guitars! Brant, remember when you broke that $200 hockey stick when you tried out for the Brockville Braves (congrats for making the team BTW), tell your dad not to get so upset and just pick it up and make a guitar instead of throwing it out!

The Canadian guitar Luther, Vincent Latulippe, makes one of a kind custom-made guitars and created from all of those broken hockey sticks. He first exposed the world to his unique recycling plans when showcasing it off at the 2009 Montreal Guitar Show. One of his very cool creation can be yours now on eBay with a “Buy It Now” listed at $1,900.

Here is the item description on eBay.

This guitar is made with used hockey sticks except for the central one, which is laminated with mahogany to make the neck.

The back of the headstock have also been reinforced with mahogany to obtain rigidity and the desired thickness. The hockey sticks used in this project have been played with and have some marks on them and have been lacquered after assembly.

Keep on Playin’ CAR!!!!!