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Fig.1: The “Black Vega” Outer Box (left); Other Cetec Vega unit (right).
So,
today was (Guido) Borghesani‘s lab day 😀 (more…)
Update: trying to grasp “Shoot To Thrill”.
Only an attempt, this one also is far from final. However, some reactions are already happening.
Angus seemed to have been “higher” on the guitar volume knob for this one, as he is evidently “boosting” the bass freqs more (you can hear it definitely even in the rhythm tone).
So on this 1971 SG Standard, volume knob was all time on 9 for both rhythm and solos (did only a single take). (more…)
Still learning here.
With this one, I took away some more TX level. I realized it was too much on the arpeggio piece-thing in the middle of the song: my picking hand was too noisy because of the excess compression.
You see, this thing works as follow: there is a compressor on the TX; and an expander on the RX.
(more…)
Another little update, just remind us of all of the importance of the Schaffer Vega:
In 1977 Angus was first introduced to the brand new technology of the wireless guitar system. The New York Palladium 1977 concert would be the very first time Angus would use the brand new wireless guitar transmitter. Before this, Angus was limited to the length of the guitar wire, so stage crew used to guide the guitar cable behind him during his audience walk about routine.
The very first system was a Schaffer-Vega diversity system, which was a bulky system, the transmitter was usually duct taped to Angus’ guitar to avoid any movement or disconnection from the guitar jack, at one point it possibly even being implanted into the cavity of his Gibson SG to help with stability of the unit during Angus’ wild stage antics. Angus would continue to use these systems for at least a decade or more. More recently, Angus (and Malcolm) have been using the Lectrosonics wireless guitar systems on stage.
Bon Scott told in an interview about his first encounter at the New York Palladium dressing room “I walked into the dressing room and there was Angus at one end playing his guitar and the amps at the other. No cords were connecting ’em! It was amazing to see. And Angus had this ‘Cheshire Cat’ grin all over his face and evil thoughts seemed to be going through his brain as to what havoc he could wreak with this evil little invention”….
Angus eagerly stated in an interview in 1977, “When we get back to Europe the first stop is gonna be London… No one will know what’s hit ’em!”
So,
here they are to us (these three later Cetec-Vega Diversity units). “Us”, I would say, as I hope you’ll follow this one closely with me, as you have always.
These wireless, Cetec-Vega Diversity units here were intended mostly for microphone transmission (levalier), not guitar. In order to try and match what I think is closer to the original Schaffer-Vega Diversity Units (which is the core of this project), they will have to be modified (mainly and hopefully, the input jack type – see pictures – and a few components on the transmitter only).
They have arrived just now, three complete units (One receiver and one transmitter per complete system). In short, the following are my facts and hypothesis (both of which took me years to put together) from which I am officially starting my quest: (more…)
Well, theoretically. Today, while fiddling with things down at the laboratory – now I’m up at home, and I have been listening to “Plug Me In”, Disc 1, the Early Years (looking at Mal’s and Ang’s Amps when live in those years, and listening close with the headphones, once again, for the millionth time) it just struck me – I wonder why not before, not so clearly – that it was a boost. It had to be a boost.
A boost of signal. Do you understand? How many times have you asked yourself (and me) “how do I get that sound?”. Haven’t we discussed it over and over, already? Yes, we have.
But have at least *I* tried it seriously, ever? No, I haven’t. Now I am and I will.
So, today I hooked a clean boost (a volume boost: it’s a pedal unit that has volume and tone on it, you plug it just like any other guitar stomp box, and you play) to my 1959 main input – I had just retubed it with new JJs – and it struck me.
Right there and then. Couldn’t believe it. It was there. The fundamental added tone harmonics were all there. (more…)
Update: Our Own NitroAngus23 has pointed out to us that a brief article has been published on the official AC/DC site. Without permission, I am reposting here:
AC/DC Trivia: Angus Goes Wireless!