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!

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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?

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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!!!!!

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I’ve never really thought about this perspective so I was a little interested. This effect is thought to be brought on by the Rolling Shutter issues that exist on the iPhone. It’s been well know to all those phone techies out there.

I have a Nokia N8 and it doesn’t have this problem. I know this because I just tried it. I do have an iPOD though and I’m wondering if it has the same controversy as it’s sibling the iPhone. Na, I’ll just Google it! I hope you enjoy the video!

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The guy goes by the name BD594 on Youtube and he said that it took him 2 months to finish the act with his robotic band mates. I think it pretty funny and I just had to show someone!

Dom, Eddie I think that we have finally met our match. While watching the video for the first time, I observed that friend pinhead’s job is the only one who’s instrument might be safe, damn downsizing pencil pushers! That 4 stringed instrument is called a cello in case you didn’t realize it and it doesn’t fit most peoples interpretation of what a real bass guitar is? No bass player(s) have been eradicated during the pre-production of this video … I think?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QMtDyvAzVw

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While checking out a few forums here and there, I’m not sure which ones would be worth looking into. Any good idea’s or direction of which or any of the Apps below I should focus on?

(1) Pocket Amp, pocketlabworks.com

(2) in Tuna Strobturner

(3) Guitar wp App, guitarwepapp.com

(4) Steel guitar yonac.com/software

(5) Guitar interval ear training, Rolf Steenay

(6) Play this note, bignerdranch.com

(7) Amps and cabs, groundupaudio.com

(8) Ampkit vs Amplitube

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Over the years I’ve played on many Martin Guitars. Every one of them were very different in the way that they played or sound. When I was a younger, one of the small things that stuck in my mind, while playing one of these gems, was the contrasting widths of the necks.

I then started thinking to myself, with this Martin acoustic I could play a particular song on this one better on it then another one. Humm. Then while playing on a completely different Martin I could fool around with another song I would find that it was easier on this one then the one that I previously played it on and so on.

Some time later on, I came to the realization that not all Martin acoustic guitars are made exactly the same. Why where they like that? Remember I was only a 13 year old back then. I constantly thought that these guys must really know what they are doing. Over the years I would dream about where the Martin guitars were made and who these guitar makers were.

So if I walked through the doors of the original C.F. Martin plant, I bet it would be quite the experience. I bet I would be transformed back to those early days, contemplating why each guitar was unique from the other. I imagine that I might smell the scent of fresh cut wood, be exposed to some rare humidity that would be hanging in the air. The overall sense of history that you get by walking through it’s hollowed hallways would stay with me for a long time.

So considering the weather is kinda crazy this winter, I guess this video will be the next best thing to being there. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mmfu1hqIDuo

Here are a couple of great video tours of the C.F. Martin factory brought to you by Premier Guitar.
Part 1, 2, 3 & 4.

Remember, Guitar makers are the arms dealers of the peace movement!

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All Wood and Doors, consist of twelve Doors classic tunes that James and Cliff have put their unique slant on them for all of us acoustic guitar lovers out there. They way they use the Dobro guitar in some songs really makes me want to go out and pick one up. A buddy of mine Scott M., had the luck of the Irish with him when he picked one up for $40 (US) and a smoke/cigarette, seriously check out this link! My first guitar lesson was actually on a slide guitar but I never did get one for myself, my parents rented it for me.

Along for the ride are none other then former Doors members Robby Krieger (guitar) and John Densmore (drums), who else would you want to us on a recording like this. They also threw in Peter Tork (Monkees) and Timothy B Schmit (Eagles) and a few others into the mix.

James Lee Stanley and Cliff Eberhardt are excellent pickers and what they did to our songs is unique and refreshing. It was a pleasure to be part of the project. John Densmore ex Doors Drummer

All Wood and Doors Tracklist

* Break On Through
* Love Me Two Times
* Take It As It Comes
* Strange Days
* Light My Fire
* Touch Me
* Crystal Ship
* Soul Kitchen
* People Are Strange
* Moonlight Drive
* Riders On The Storm
* The End

If you want to hear some small samples then click here.

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Rocksmith can be used on a PC, Xbox or PS3 system. This will allow the beginner guitarist to plug in their real guitar, either electric or acoustic. The software is set up to automatically track your playing level. It adjusts the difficulty of playing by inserting more challenging licks to play.

The song that you are working on just won’t come to an abrupt end if you make a mistake. The Rocksmoth will make the song simpler for you to play. This is a good thing for beginner guitarists who might easily get frustrated at not being able to play a particular song at first. Ego’s can truly be a very fragile thing to work with.

On a side note: Gibson is now interested in getting into this project with both feet! According to word on the street, they want to work with Ubisoft to create a bundle to sell to consumers. This bundle would be the software and an actual Gibson guitar. Don’t expect a 1957 Gold Top here guys and girls! You get what you pay for but it does sound promising.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSx1R-kKuM4

I can’t wait to see more about this device. At first glance it appears to be a fantastic gift to give someone who wants to play guitar and has the honest to goodness drive to do so.

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There must of been 25 – 30 vendors selling their wares. Some were showing off albums, some concert pictures that they took themselves from some past shows and some who had collectible items like toys, old concert programs etc.There was a fair amount of DVD’s and VHS shows.

Some of the more bizarre things I saw was a bunch of KISS action figures, some Top of the Charts posters from the past and a few Partridge Family albums.

I didn’t pick anything up, I just had fun sorting through items on tables and chatting with collectors. Does anyone out there go to any of these types of shows on a regular basis?

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