I was hoping to sneak some playing in before work today but it’s a commute day and I didn’t get out of bed early enough. Better luck tomorrow, I guess.
Not Today
Tag: Les Paul
The Other Les Paul
We were just in my step son’s room, looking in his closet for an ethernet cable.
I happened to notice that his guitar was there. He doesn’t play anymore (he’s piano and percussion only now), but years ago we bought him a student package Epiphone Les Paul.
I have half a mind to pull it out and use it for some recording this month, just for fun. It’s the other Les Paul in the house. I should give it some love, right? Sure, it’s not a full fledge Gibson, but it’s still sort of a Gibson because Gibson owns Epiphone. Yeah, I should show it some love. I’ll ask Harry first, of course.
Finally
It feels like it’s been 100 years, but I finally played some guitar today. I also finally played through my King of Tone overdrive pedal and it was sweet as candy.
I worked on two new songs. I was hoping to do more, but my hands are giving up the fight. Maybe some more tomorrow?
My Next Les Paul
I’d never even dream of the $20,000 custom shop copy of Peter Green’s Les Paul, but the new production line release is only a little more than a stock Les Paul Standard.
Yeah, I want one. Seriously want one.
Still Going
The RPM Challenge is over, but I still managed to play some guitar today. I’m up to three new song ideas. I was thinking of trying to do two songs per month for the rest of the year, but I just had to keep going today. I don’t think I am going to do 10 songs in March, but will I? Who knows. It’s just good to play.
2023 RPM Challenge – Day 19 of 28
Again, posted to tumblr:
I failed to record any vocals today. I’ll try again tomorrow. I did write lyrics to two more songs (I have seven now) and I added two more songs, complete with rhythm guitars. One of the new songs is in 11/8 time, which is a first for this prog nerd.
Vocals in the car in the morning or die trying. Not literally, or course. We buried my mother last Tuesday, I don’t even want to think about death for a while.
And now for the obligatory Les Paul pics:
10 Songs
I recorded rhythm guitar tracks for four more songs tonight. I now have 10 songs ready for lyrics. The guitar gear all played nicely together, including my Deluxe Reverb, which was really wonky last time.
Of course, the MIDI bass decided to pitch shift itself on song number 10. Friggin prick.
Making Progress
I have rhythm guitars on six songs now. I had two done the other day using real amplifiers. I’ve done four today with amp sims. The Amplitube sim of a Fender Deluxe Reverb costs $30. The sim of the Mesa Boogie California Tweed costs $40. I don’t see me moving beyond the free app any time soon. Sorry.
My fingers are killing me so I am taking a break. I am going to finish season two of The Mandalorian, eat some lunch, maybe have a protein bar, go grocery shopping, and then come back for some more guitar.
Sound like a plan?
Everything Works, Now Do Something
The signal path has been tested. I plugged in this morning and made sure the guitar was getting to both amps, and the mics on both amps are getting into the interface and from there into the computer. Check.
Now I just have to learn how to play the new songs and record them. The downside of not playing since November though is that it took about two seconds for my fingers to start hurting. It’s going to be rough over the next 18 days.
This is What Avoidance Looks Like
If you ever wanted to see someone distracting himself from a painful situation and thus being a textbook case of avoidance, this post is it.
As someone who owns two Les Pauls and an SG, this is the single greatest video ever made.
I watched it yesterday before things went south and I was going to post this then, but instead I am doing it now as a form of deflection. If you don’t like it, you can suck it.
Inside the Red Head's Head 