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Archives for April 2009

Kickin’ it Rhythm Stompbox style

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I came across an article from acoustic guitar magazine, May 2009 edition, that talks about a device called Three Rhythm Stomp Boxes. I’ve never heard of such a device before. This equipment simply plugs into an amp or PA system and takes no batteries at all. Just plug it in and starting jammin’!

As we all know, when you see a guitarist playing, you see some of us tapping our feet to help us keep the rhythm of a song. Stomping Tom Connors is Canada’s best example of this technique. With this piece of modern wizardry, it provides us with more then just a simple aid to use when we’re playing.

The Stompbox is made up of wood, or some other wood composites, that have a built in mic system that sends a signal to an amp. Some of these units have 1/4 guitar jacks or low impedance XLR jacks. The XLR jacks are to be used in systems that are specifically made with heavy bottom end equipment, ie: bass amps or sub-woofers.

Some are as simple as plug and play, with a straight forward use, and some are created quite complex thus meaning guys you have to really check out the manual to understand it’s full potential!

The three models shown in this article are Ellis Guitars Original Stompbox (Straight forward approach), Porchboard Bass (both complex and great give), and the Shadow SH Stompin’Bass (has a great Wood like intonation/sound).

Acoustic guitar has this great video that can help you understand stompboxes in greater detail so check it out!

I must admit that I don’t tap my feet much when I play. When playing I tend to bob my head very lightly, but I do have this weird accented breathing while performing intricate pieces. This might be a good thing for me come to think of it, it might just cover up this horrible sound that I make? Just thought of it right now … really!

Being a guitar player who hates to have any dead sound, I think this would be a very important addition to my arsenal. I know the price maybe steep, but the first one seems decent enough.

So the question I have for you would be, is this something that you’d buy for yourself or possibly for someone you know that plays guitar?

Keep on Tappin’





Tommy Emmanuel the Guitar Boogie-man

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My old pal Dominic just sent me this link that shows this fabulous guitarist called Tommy Emmanuel performing Guitar Boogie. He does some fine guitar picking on this one tune that is truly worthy of being called FANTASTIC!

The beginning part reminds me of the great guitarist Brian Setzer. Brian has this Bluesy, Jazz, Swing Rockabilly technique that stands apart from the rest of us guitar players. Tommy Emmanuel certainly has this effect in this piece and a whole bunch more.

At 0:18 of the song, he implements both solo rhythm parts perfectly. I have to work on this aspect of playing and now I have something to work work on finally.

He then breaks into wonderful flat picking that makes my tongue hit the ground at 0:34. Some people have this gift and others … I’ve never been one for playing mind bending, speed breaking solo’s because one I can’t and two it’s not me.

Another favorite part of this piece comes at 1:07. It demonstrates the semi-tone slide up to a chord that can’t help but make you tap your foot. The little chops that he puts in there, for good measure, places his musical talent bar a little higher then most of us can reach, but we MUST TRY PEOPLE!

From 1:33 to … he incorporates the use of his two bottom fingers on his right, picking hand for solo/lead phrasing and gives your pick holding fingers a real workout! I cannot emphasis this any more, to guitarist out there, that this is a technique that you should work on. It comes in handy, more often then not, in a song (or while jamming) that will help showcase you guitar diversity! Another song to help persuade you to perfect this picking style is Steve Howe’s The Clap.

I don’t want to ruin it by giving it all away, so please check this work of art out and tell me what you think of it?

Keep on Jammin’

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