20 Oct 1973 1960B G12H30s And Some Boogie
Update: Adding Simone’s song backing track:
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Update: adding another little thing I did for the wife’s birthday (next sunday). Used the ’50s Les Paul for all of it, and the Gibson “Dusk Tiger” for the acustic parts (piezo only).
I remember many times people asking me what were my originals like. This is what I have in mind usually.
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Okay, it’s here. The cabinet I mean. That one that I said I had gotten because of the G12H30s. To close the circle that is, or at least, try.
So here’s what it looks like on top of my other 1960B now loaded with 1977 G12Ms “blackbacks”. The other cabinet, with the sand cloth is behind. I still love that one the most probably, especially for older AC/DC.
HOWEVER, G12H30s seem to be magnificent too, and there must be something AC/DC-ish in them. Must have been used somewhere, somehow. Too soon for me to say, will have to experiment (and I think you know I will).
I would do this as a job. To sit here in this little room of goodies and be always here on solodallas.com. Will see what the future brings.
Room how it is now:
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(Top: 1973 1960B G12H30s; Bottom: 1960B 1977 G12Ms “blackbacks” – they say it’s the same as the greenbacks)
And finally, while fixing this messy room, a picture of how I record at times and the mike (AT4047):
ο»Ώ
[singlepic id=404 w=1024 h=768 float=]
As you can see, when on its support it can’t be pushed all the way towards the cloth/speaker. It’s rather centered, but loads of experimentation (and actual recordings) are done with these microphones OFF axis (it’s on axis in the above picture). Still haven’t found the time to go and get the second XLR cable for the other microphone, would you believe it? Sigh. With two microphones I should be able to pull even further tones, like they did and do with AC/DC (and loads of other bands, just common technique).
It seems that for rhythm guitar the microphone should be touching the cloth, attached to it. While for solos, I read that it would be better to leave some room in between. We’ll find out.
Took the time to do a little “boogie” for ya. It’s played with the ’67 (new strings), all of it. I did equalize the guitars, so it’s too soon for you to try and assess which is which.
I will – however – do a clean recording of guitars alone, with the different cabinets, no equalization, same settings and all. It will be “the mother of all cabinet comparisons” (laughs).
“Old Boogie”:
and naturally, the backing track.
Boogie Away!
Love,
Fil π
TheRazor'sEdge727
Posted at 22:00h, 25 OctoberFil, i was curious on what guitar(s) you used for Simone song beside the Dusk Tiger?
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:03h, 25 OctoberSorry you’re right, didn’t specify that well: Les Paul 1959 “Lentz” Conversion
TheRazor'sEdge727
Posted at 22:18h, 25 OctoberOh, that is a wonderful guitar. It had an amzing tone in that song. I think on the metro session of this guitar you posted i watched it like 8 times in a row.
adam10603
Posted at 22:12h, 21 OctoberFil,
How can you stand the volume of a 100W head in that small room? Or do you use an attenuator ? π I remember when I first heard a 100W super lead… it was fully cranked (it had no MV) in a small room. No comment… π I almost became deaf. π
adam10603
Posted at 22:13h, 21 Octoberbut it ROCKED so bad. I heard a LP through it. π wow. what a tone!
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:19h, 21 OctoberWell I am sort of deaf already, from years of “Marshall” use. Hehe. But jokes apart, these I am using here are 2203s and 2204s (Master Volumes). For the Super Lead and the 1987 I use three different types of attenuators. I will be making a video presenting each one of them soon!
adam10603
Posted at 22:36h, 21 Octoberoh, so you already got your 50 watter. Good news π well, I only have a 5W amp, but it’s still loud enough to worry about the neighbours… or for them to worry about me ! π Hehe. But it has an amazing vintage AC/DC tone, believe it or not (I guess you do… just think of your little beagle head π ) I’ll record it as soon as I will get a good mic. “Gone shootin’ ” sounds exactly how it does on the record, with my amp. I love it! I use it with a home made 2×12 cabinet with G12M-25 greenbacks. (it’s a copy of a marshall 2061CX cabinet. It’s nice because it’s bigger than a normal 2×12 cab, so it sounds more like a 4×12! It looks like a 4×12 just a bit smaller. Actually it’s the size of the old and rare marshall 4×10 cabinet, but has only 2 12″ speakers in a cross pattern) π
adam10603
Posted at 22:36h, 21 Octoberit’s my tine rock machine π
adam10603
Posted at 22:37h, 21 Octoberedit: tiny
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:41h, 21 OctoberI had read “time machine” before your edit (via email) and it made total sense: back to classic rock time!
adam10603
Posted at 22:49h, 21 Octoberwell, that’s also true! π
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:40h, 21 OctoberI LOVE those cabinets! In my older videos you could see one, it was always there. I still have and it has – in fact – 4×10. Will have to try it with these heads, but the room is overloaded with things right now, can barely enter it. I know you love your little amp. And I miss my Beagle (sold it, needed the money). It sounded wonderful. Looking forward to seeing yours. Remember, there will be soon a “Members Video Section” here, under “Performances”. π
adam10603
Posted at 22:47h, 21 Octoberthank you π I’m glad you are interested. I promise I’ll upload a demo of it, as soon as I get a good mic. btw, why do you prefer condenser mics ? Do they sound better than a dynamic ? Or simply because you are after the BiB tone, and that was recorded with condensers ? I’m thinking about buying a shure dynamic mic, but after seeing you lots of times with condenser mics, you made me think this over.
SoloDallas
Posted at 22:51h, 21 OctoberI am always interested when the person is “dedicated”. I always learn. Yes I prefer condensers. I used to use dynamics only (SM57s) but they sounded harsh to me. Not only BiB was recorded with condensers. A lot of records were (and are). Also, a combination of dynamics and condensers (I did, in the Metro session!)
adam10603
Posted at 23:00h, 21 OctoberThank you Fil, this made sense. π My amp already sounds a little bit harsh by itself (maybe because of the speakers. They are not broken in well yet…). Maybe a condenser mic would handle this better. Thanks Fil, you always tell me something useful π
Hyce777
Posted at 01:25h, 24 OctoberI know what you mean. I got a little 5 watter too, a blackheart little giant. Neighbors can tell me exactly what song I’m playing… and I’m using a 1×12 cab.
DirtyDeedGoneCheap
Posted at 20:09h, 21 OctoberGreat sound. DirtyDeeds style!
RiffRaff
Posted at 17:53h, 21 OctoberI’d love to download these songs and put into my MP3 and my car stereo.
tjtristan
Posted at 12:52h, 21 OctoberYou used 2 guitar tracks in your backing track? (on both channels one guitar if i hear it correctly)
Dries
Posted at 12:35h, 21 OctoberIs the rhythm played with your Gretsch? Nice lead tone. It fits so nice in the mix!
Your phrasing and note articulation are truly superb to my ears.
banane
Posted at 09:43h, 21 OctoberMaybe comparing the frequency diagrams of the speakers will help. The all can be found here:
http://www.drtube.com/tubeshop.htm#Celestion
drtube.com is also a great site for researching Marshall Amp facts. Helped me a lot on my search for “The ultimate Amp[TM]” π
Dillon
Posted at 04:29h, 21 OctoberHey Fil, if you get the chance can you email me the this track? i still don’t get the option to download it :/
Dillon
Posted at 04:31h, 21 Octoberoh nevermind, i saw that you are gonna put a link up later.
JaiminhoPagina
Posted at 00:08h, 21 OctoberHey Fil! π
Sounds great!
The G12Hs sounds…. less midrangy and a tad more aggressive I think.
Between these and the G12M…. I think I like both! xD
It’s very AC/DCish indeed. π
andrei
Posted at 23:37h, 20 Octoberhey solodallas, if you were to sell your 1967 sg (your best guitar!!), how much would you ask for it??
SoloDallas
Posted at 23:41h, 20 OctoberI don’t know. I wouldn’t sell it, as it has some features that others don’t… and I couldn’t sell it for more than what the market price is, therefore, I presume around 7-8k, maybe less. I am nobody famous, and the guitars must follow the market value. Say I could sell it if I was suddenly broke (which I was afraid it would happen in the 2008 financial crisis), but that would be an emergency.
adam10603
Posted at 21:31h, 20 Octoberdamn… i can feel the groove in my soul π
adam10603
Posted at 21:32h, 20 Octobermy legs are shaking to the rythm. π I like this. wow. nice job, Fil
Tyler
Posted at 20:27h, 20 OctoberI liked the original piece, the acoustic backing is a nice touch. Can you throw in a link for the backingtrack? Should have fun with this one like I did with your last backing track!
SoloDallas
Posted at 20:41h, 20 OctoberYes of course. Tomorrow morning I will link the backing track (it’s down – in the basement – laboratory, I’m “Up” home now π )
TheBrowling
Posted at 17:59h, 20 OctoberHi Fil! I know this has nothing to do with this topic, but I’m thinking of making a small practise amp myself. It would be a really easy electronic circuit around 10β¬ budget and with a 1/2 or 1 watt speaker. I would just use it to go with the electric guitar everywhere, as it would be working with a 9volt battery. If I finally make it, I’ll tell you! it would be based on the “smokey amps” (amps that fit in a cigarretes box).
SoloDallas
Posted at 18:06h, 20 OctoberThat’s a cute idea. I use those little amps with the 9v battery to walk around the house, tied on the belt and playing while dancing with my son π
adam10603
Posted at 20:29h, 20 Octoberbelieve it or not, these extremely simple and cheap amps sound KILLER. Of course with a tiny speaker it’s kind of a joke. But what if you plug it into a marshall cabinet? They can drive a 4×12. And I’m not joking. Watch:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KSWa7N1xGY
no, this is NOT the marshall π what you hear is a $1 amp that runs off a battery. amazing for its simplicity and price isn’t it ? π
adam10603
Posted at 20:33h, 20 OctoberThat’s about it:
https://www.tzywen.com/photos/misc/lm386amp.jpg
HagusYoung
Posted at 20:34h, 20 OctoberBut youve also got a really decent guitar mate π
that helps a lot. most people spend thousands of dollars for amps and stuff, but why they dont get it sound right is the guitar. But really nice power from that little amp π
banane
Posted at 20:39h, 20 OctoberHagen, did you read my comment about my JMP? It arrives, it sounds just like Fils one, and you should go out and buy one too π Am very happy with it.
HagusYoung
Posted at 20:54h, 20 OctoberIm not sure if i do want a JMP, im a fan of the Ballbreaker tone, im still struggling with the question, what sounds will this JMP give me. They are great, and have this late 70s AC/DC vibe to them but i decided to get a 61 Les Paul (as you can see on the pic) and im not sure about the combination of them. I just need to see and test a lot of Amps, right now im using a Tiny Terror (JTMis amp).
banane
Posted at 21:03h, 20 OctoberAh ok, I see. This one? http://www.thomann.de/gb/orange_tiny_terror.htm
I’m unsure if the JMp can fit the Ballbreaker tone, but I assume so. Fil, what do you think?
HagusYoung
Posted at 21:14h, 20 Octoberyup, thats me little rocker π
banane
Posted at 21:16h, 20 OctoberNice little thing π
What cab do you use for it?
HagusYoung
Posted at 22:06h, 20 Octobera 4×12 with celestion 70-80s in it… no real company , was a sell out. But its big and resonant, a marshall or a orange cab would be better of course.
HagusYoung
Posted at 21:03h, 20 Octoberyes i did – will you post a video / tone demo ? whats your guitar?
adam10603
Posted at 20:40h, 20 Octoberoh that’s not me π wish I had a LP like that π
HagusYoung
Posted at 20:55h, 20 OctoberDont worry, once youll get one, but get a historic collection LP. Not the USA ones. Please. π
adam10603
Posted at 20:40h, 20 OctoberBut it’s true anyway… π
SoloDallas
Posted at 20:42h, 20 OctoberWho’s testing it?
adam10603
Posted at 21:21h, 20 Octoberdon’t know… probably not a member here. Just found it on youtube
rjofig
Posted at 21:38h, 20 OctoberFWIW, I have one of these AC30s:
http://www.voxamps.com/amplug/
The sound is pretty decent, definitely good enough for practicing with a headphone. It’s small and convenient (uses two small AAA batteries); it’s about twice your budget but I guess you might find a good used one.
cheers
ar2619Rob
Posted at 21:52h, 20 OctoberI reckon I’ll get one of them. Which do you have, the lead or classic rock?
rjofig
Posted at 21:58h, 20 OctoberI’ve got the AC30 – that was the only model available when I bought it, looks like they’ve expanded the offerings now. It has gain and volume knobs, goes from clean to crunchy.
cheers
rjofig
Posted at 02:39h, 21 OctoberIf I find some time this weekend, I’ll try to post an audio sample with the AC30 here. cheers,
rjofig
Posted at 01:13h, 24 OctoberHere’s something I recorded with the AC30:
http://soundcloud.com/rjofig/ac30test/
Listening to the recording, it seems the sound lost quite a bit of its fullness (probably because I had to lower the output of the AC30 to drive the computer’s mic). It sounds better going straight to a headphone, but this gives an idea.
cheers,
Renato
286luca
Posted at 17:27h, 20 Octoberthere’s gonna be some rockin’….
…at solodallas site tonight!! π
headwhop26
Posted at 18:55h, 20 Octoberwoooooooo its always a party in here!
adam10603
Posted at 16:58h, 20 OctoberI have read that Angus used G12H30s as well as greenbacks. Those are the TWO main speaker types that Angus have used. And he also used V30s (but only at some live situations. I guess he used them because they are really LOUD speakers… Great for live situations) btw, the sound samples are amazing. Really nice tones! π oh and the blackbacks are exactly the same as the greenbacks. They just ran out of the green plastic… i’m not joking, seriously π
Hyce777
Posted at 16:32h, 20 OctoberYou know Fil, this is really close once again. I’m starting to feel the sound isn’t so much the gear; well it is, but not 100%; the rest is your magnificent playing. If you had someone else play through this gear it wouldn’t be the same.
SoloDallas
Posted at 16:38h, 20 OctoberGear counts. I’d be a filthy liar if I didn’t say so. I would still play probably this way with other way, but I would SOUND the same way. Having said this, it’s all on the timing. Repeat with me (please): it’s the timing.
rpatzelt
Posted at 16:48h, 20 Octoberit’s the timing π
Dave4433
Posted at 17:19h, 20 OctoberYou can’t play better if you KNOW that it’s timing, you need to UNDERSTAND that.
Some people (such as myself) know that they have problems with timing, they just can’t understand it.
SoloDallas
Posted at 17:47h, 20 OctoberI know Dave. And I think that that is why you are here. I actually CAN understand, since I had no timing, ZERO timing until a few years ago. And then again, I have been making progress. It is feasible. Completely feasible. But you have to dance. YOu have to move. You have to listen to the drums and the bass and let your body move (sounds like a disco tune).
banane
Posted at 20:26h, 20 OctoberI second that. When I started learning “you shook me all night long” learning the rhythm and the intro jingle wasnt that big problem, it just took time to hold the chords right.
But then came the solo and that just sounds shitty.
It took me a lot of time to realize that my timing was wrong. Not that I’m ready with the solo, but its one less thing I can do wrong π
HagusYoung
Posted at 20:41h, 20 Octoberunderstand music, thats it, as you say Fil.
learn to really feel music and understand it. every song has a beat, i just try to get that beat no matter which style it is, i dont care about that, it all helps.
What really helped me though is blues, simple blues. Starts as simple as it gets, elmore james 5 bar blues, goes over to John Lee Hooker and if you feel like you know how this badass plays and you can keep up with his rythm, you can start with all the rock n roll tracks you like.
Had to say this, sorry π
SoloDallas
Posted at 20:51h, 20 OctoberYes, understand it. It’s easier than it seems. It “happens” once you’re into it and playing/recording ourselves helps immensely. You start to “hear” in your mind what you want. And then work to get it. It’s that simple, that’s how it is for rock and roll (it may be different with other genres, I don’t know). Blues is very, very hard to play. Hooker for example is someone who has his own feel and timing, inherited from black people – who have it in their blood – and then developed during a lifetime of playing everywhere. Playing like Hooker is hard. Seems easy and once again, it is very difficult to replicate. One has to translate inside the musician’s mind, which is feasible, but requires a lot of time and dedication. This is why I stuck with the blues and rock and roll. Many people overlook it and think that pentatonic melted with major scales are too easy to cope with. Not my way of seeing it. I’m more into the notes and the phrasing now, that occasionally fall into scales.
HagusYoung
Posted at 20:57h, 20 OctoberBravo. (i also do like scales :D:D)
rjofig
Posted at 21:18h, 21 OctoberFil, it’s pretty hard to believe you had zero timing until a few years ago, but that’s motivation that it’s feasible to go from 0-100 π
I agree with your other comment, recording/playback is very helpful. You know, it would have been cool if you had recorded yourself as timing began to make progress, to see the progression, like when people take pictures with the same background over the years and see how they change.
Actually, here’s an idea that just occurred – building on the member video contributions thing, having people post their playing of a consistent song or songs every so often, kind of a solodallas.net yearbook π
cheers
ar2619Rob
Posted at 16:11h, 20 OctoberI really, really like this. Not sure if it’s the guitar or the cab or all of it in harmony but this is IT for me. The earliest few albums are by far my favourite and this could be from any one of them.
It’s a classic ‘British’ Rock ‘n’ Roll tone but your licks and riffs are instantly AC/DC.
GoingDownOnTheWay
Posted at 15:50h, 20 OctoberSounds as if you did not really want to stop playing, or did you? π
SoloDallas
Posted at 16:39h, 20 OctoberI’d never want to stop. But imagine how boring these few seconds would become. Unbeareable π Got to have a song structure, singer and so on to make it pleasing for 5 mintues π
davidon66
Posted at 15:19h, 20 OctoberSounds like Theres gonna be some rockin’ to me …. Well done π
SoloDallas
Posted at 16:39h, 20 OctoberWell it’s a shameless plug in fact. It’s it.
Dave4433
Posted at 15:19h, 20 OctoberSounds great Fil. This one sounds “cleaner” not as messy compared to the other tracks.
We now need a D-load link for the backing track, please. π
Aaron
Posted at 16:29h, 20 Octoberif you use the “downloadhelper” add-on for firefox you can get it.. same with youtube videos.
SoloDallas
Posted at 16:40h, 20 OctoberI use in fact firefox. However, should problems be there, I’ll add the link.