Hi Fil,
I hope you don’t mind, I found your email on the Net. My name is Frank Marino. I am the guitarist for the long-time group Mahogany Rush. Someone sent me your YouTube Video where you demonstrate your SVDS replicator. I just wanted to let you know that I still have my SVDS, and it is probably one of the first, if not the first, ever made. Ken Schaffer asked me to test out one of his very first prototypes, which I did on my tours long ago (as I seem to recall, it was actually a beige-yellow color, I think). After that, he gave me one of the first production units (black, as they came to look) and I used it for a very long time, doing many albums with it as well as all my shows, including my Live album of 77. I was one of the first (and maybe the first) of the “wireless guitarists”, and I haven’t used a cord since then… ever. In the very beginning, I even used to tape the transmitter to the body of my SG so that people could see it in full view, because I didn’t want them to think I was fake-playing to a tape or something like that, since they would not see a cord! There are some photos of that around, and some writers thought I had taped my cigarette pack to my guitar… imagine! Here are a couple of those (the names on the pics are the photographers’ names):
After that, others started to use the unit (Angus, etc.) and it became more “normal” to see guys without cords. Also, since you are a big fan of AC/DC, I thought you might like to see this picture from the old days:
Anyway, I still have the SVDS, and I still use it sometimes in the Studio, but I use a different unit live now (Sennheiser) because I don’t want anything to happen to the original. I try to make up the difference in sound with other devices, because I am also a designer and builder of electronic gear, and I make all of my own amps, pedals and other things, never for sale but only for my own use.
Finally, I just wanted to let you know that I think it’s very cool that you’re building that unit, and to let you know of my own history with it, and with Ken. I hope it reproduces the sound accurately, and I wish you very well with it.
Best Regards… Ciao,
Frank Marino – Mahogany Rush
