Advice for Musicians

Lumpy · September 11, 2011, 06:38:00 PM

No Z's or S's... so that would probably rule out the band Zs?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zs_(band)

Metal and Beer · September 11, 2011, 06:40:33 PM

Quote from: Hemisaurus on September 11, 2011, 05:08:54 PM

No band name should begin with S

RacerX · September 11, 2011, 06:52:34 PM

Quote from: Metal and Beer on September 11, 2011, 06:40:33 PM
Quote from: Hemisaurus on September 11, 2011, 05:08:54 PM

No band name should begin with S

neighbor664 · September 11, 2011, 10:37:22 PM

Imitation is the most effective form of learning for humans. How did you learn to speak? You learned by imitating your parents and other big people, right? In fact you learned many major life tasks this way. Do you consider yourself less of an individual for it? Of course not! Quit making excuses or acting like you are too punk rock to learn someone else's songs! Once upon a time (before the Beatles) all bands and solo artists had to prove they could play with the big boys by killing on a few standards. It is unlikely your originals are Beatles caliber anyway.

Hemisaurus · September 11, 2011, 10:55:23 PM

The Beatles weren't playing originals those years in Hamburg either

Nowadays it's a role reversal, it's those that first fail at originals that end up playing covers.

We needn't go as far as the Fair bros., but Mark Arm had it right, once you get too technically proficient it sucks all the fun out of it. I find a lot of the so called greats sound like they're just tossing off on their instruments.

neighbor664 · September 11, 2011, 11:00:58 PM

Quote from: Hemisaurus on September 11, 2011, 10:55:23 PM
The Beatles weren't playing originals those years in Hamburg either

Nowadays it's a role reversal, it's those that first fail at originals that end up playing covers.

Yeah but I'd bet many of those folks would have had a better shot if they had woodshed on a few covers before believing they should be inflicting their originals on people.

Hemisaurus · September 11, 2011, 11:02:58 PM

you're not an indie rock fan then?

clockwork green · September 11, 2011, 11:09:56 PM

This thread is a great reminder why I only talk about gear with other musicians.

You play whatever songs you lime and I'll do the same. If you don't like my songs it's really not unexpected nor a big deal. If you play covers I probably won't like it, especially if it's a song I actually like but it won't kill me.
Name your band whatever you want and if I deem it a stupid name, I might miss out on a few good bands but I'm taking the gamble that it won't be too many.

Danny G · September 18, 2011, 08:51:00 AM

Leave the ego at the door. No one owes you a fuckin thing. If you think you or your band is being treated unfairly, practice more.

Baltar · September 18, 2011, 11:23:59 AM

Strap-locks. $20 or less you can have one less worry.

Instant Dan · September 18, 2011, 12:23:45 PM

Quote from: Baltar on September 18, 2011, 11:23:59 AM
Strap-locks. $20 or less you can have one less worry.

Better yet, use the beer gaskets they have on bottles like Stella Artois/Grolsch and save your vintage or favorite axe from getting the strap buttons removed.

bitter · September 18, 2011, 12:49:29 PM

Quote from: Baltar on September 18, 2011, 11:23:59 AM
Strap-locks. $20 or less you can have one less worry.

That's def a good one. Lost my big toenail in 2002 and installed strap locks on every fiddle since.

Metal and Beer · September 18, 2011, 03:23:02 PM

Strap-Lock's failure have caused broken guitars. Devise your own, better systems. (the afore-mentioned rubber gaskets, the ol' bread clip trick, or simply place a large washer between the outer strap surface and the strap button).
Strap-Lock's (the actual brand) are garbage. For one thing, the shiny, smooth chrome nut works itself loose over time/vibration which leads to failure and possibly a broken 5,000 dollar Les Paul. I've also seen the inner mechanism fall apart (the spring-loaded shaft section) Fuck 'em.

/ rant

Danny G · September 18, 2011, 05:49:53 PM

^^^^

Yeah. I use those, love/hate relationship due to aforementioned cons. Even the strap buttons themselves, I've worn them so bad on one side from friction that they either broke off completely or I caught it in time but still had to swap out cause straploc wasn't lockin...

But I have them on 3 guitars and 2 basses, so I'm kinda stuck with them. Replacin one set means I ca't use that strap for any other instrument.

But there is a pro: since they are apt to fly apart, often parts can be found on stage. Found several replacement washers that were either lost or discarded.

edit for clarification: I use the Schallers

mortlock · September 18, 2011, 07:43:16 PM

duct tape makes the best strap locks..i think ive mentioned that before in a different thread..

Metal and Beer · September 18, 2011, 08:21:48 PM

Duct tape works great, unless you're concerned about the finish of your 10,000 dollar Les Paul Custom though, then not so much. Also, tape will eventually fail, the large washer will not.

Lumpy · September 18, 2011, 09:26:53 PM

I hate strap locks, they swivel around too much, and they extend away from the body which is not what you want. Grolsch (or plumbing) rubber washers for the win.

Baltar · September 18, 2011, 09:36:19 PM

Grover makes the Schaller lock now. Duct tape is dumb and fails. I'm a really cheap socialist type but $20 is worth my $700 SG knock-off. Plus, if you don't know how to install a set of fucking Schaller/Grovers, I feel really bad for you. I had my Schallers on my Paul for 10 years before I had to replace the button, and ALL PARTS has the replacement buttons for under $5. No excuses.

http://www.grotro.com/strap_locks.html

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Hardware,_parts/Electric_guitar:_Strap_buttons/Grover_Quick-release_Strap_Locks.html

No really, I mean it. No fucking excuses. Stew-Mac has buttons for $3.16, breaking the bank. Ouch.

bitter · September 19, 2011, 12:24:03 AM

Wait, you guys just reminded me of something. I still like strap locks overall but I noticed something a few weeks back...

On my Hag, the strap button near the neck is wearing/grinding down. I see metal flakes collecting at the neck joint every few days or so. Now I assumed this was because the locking U shaped mechanism was upside down for a long time [i haven't been playing much in the last year or so]. I adjusted it ant tightened everything down. Still see some flakes. I'll get them replaced

Thanks Guys!

Lumpy · September 19, 2011, 03:40:02 AM

Quote from: Baltar on September 18, 2011, 09:36:19 PMPlus, if you don't know how to install a set of fucking Schaller/Grovers, I feel really bad for you.

Sometimes the screw threads are different, and the Dunlop screws wiggle their way out over time. And just because you have straplocks doesn't mean you can't pop your strap off the post... you might need a big washer, too. Why not just go right for the big washer right off the bat, maybe permanently install the strap with a screw. You need 2 guitars on stage, but you can't afford an extra strap? Anyway, the straplocks are not infallible, so why even get started with them. I hate straplocks!

Volume · September 19, 2011, 02:04:40 PM

Dunlop strap-locks

... or duct-tape.

Corey Y · September 19, 2011, 02:36:12 PM

A bit of black gaffer tape around the end of the strap does the trick nicely, holds up a bit better and doesn't look as cheap as duct tape. By that I mean attaching the strap, then wrapping a piece of tape around the strap right above/behind the button. Sort of the same concept as the washer, keeps the button from pulling back through the hole in the strap. No need to touch the finish of the instrument, still pivots freely on the button and works pretty well. I had a telecaster like that for over a year and it never budged.

Baltar · September 19, 2011, 03:03:36 PM

Quote from: Lumpy on September 19, 2011, 03:40:02 AM
Quote from: Baltar on September 18, 2011, 09:36:19 PMPlus, if you don't know how to install a set of fucking Schaller/Grovers, I feel really bad for you.

Sometimes the screw threads are different, and the Dunlop screws wiggle their way out over time. And just because you have straplocks doesn't mean you can't pop your strap off the post... you might need a big washer, too. Why not just go right for the big washer right off the bat, maybe permanently install the strap with a screw. You need 2 guitars on stage, but you can't afford an extra strap? Anyway, the straplocks are not infallible, so why even get started with them. I hate straplocks!

If the screw threads are differnent then you just drop a toothpick or matchstick in the hole and add wood-glue. Then drop the screw in.

I've never, ever had my strap pop off my Schallers. I did the big washer thing on my Paul first but having the strap permantly attached is a pain in the ass. I had two guitars on/off for years and each guitar had their own strap and Schallers. That way if I lost or forgot one strap the other still worked.

SpaceTrucker · September 19, 2011, 05:57:24 PM

what about "zen multiplier"

Spacebone1.02 · September 20, 2011, 12:08:00 AM

Ya I was lovin the strap-locks until the top screw just recently started comin out of my USA Fender V jazz, pretty rapidly. Weak. is there a good tweak to do so that they don't cause that screw to wiggle out, maybe grease the swiveling part or..?
I see that washer idea, is that for use in combination with straplocks?