How many D70 users can play the guitar?

[timbo]

Hi there y'all, thought I'd throw in my two cents worth... what an interesting topic and depth of talent we have in this group!

I played bass for a living from 1979 to about 1990 in a few Sydney-based bands, back when it was possible to rack up between 5-8 gigs a week. Pub-rock band Dee Minor & the Dischords, punk band The MX-Warheads, "synth-pop" with Ya Ya Choral, more seriously with The Expression and the Young Lions to name a few. Toured the country many times, had a lot of fun, started to believe my farts didn't smell javascript:emoticon(':wink:') and found just the antidote by working as a roadie for the Divinyls on a drama-filled tour of Queensland. That was an eye-opener!

I still play occasionally with my mates, and love nothing more than standing around with a bunch of other old bass players saying meaningless stuff like "I could do that!" and discussing the relative merits of groundwound vs flatwound strings. Just like a gaggle of D70 fans, really...javascript:emoticon(':)')

[timbo]

Hmmm... I just figured out how to make the emoticons work. Forgive me

[gstark]

Hey, Timbo,

Welcome. Where in Bondi do you hide? We're in Ocean St.

I still play occasionally with my mates, and love nothing more than standing around with a bunch of other old bass players saying meaningless stuff like "I could do that!" and discussing the relative merits of groundwound vs flatwound strings. Just like a gaggle of D70 fans, really...javascript:emoticon(':)')

Empire Hotel, Annandale, tomorrow, from 4pm - the SBS Christmas jam session.

As to rounds or flats ... I have a '77 Fretless P; it loves Ernie Ball Series IV - super lightweight, flat. They start to get good when they're about a month old ...

[timbo]

Hi Gary, and thanks for the welcome. The gig sounds great... I'll try to get there!

I'm a recent addition to Wellington St. Loving it here, but finding it hard to cope with the current beach crowds on the weekend... don't they know it's OUR beach!

Love that warm fretless Precision sound. I play a fretted '86 Spector NS-2, Washburn AB-20 and fretless Tune Bass Maniac, depending on the mood. Curently thinking of throwing some Nylon flatties on the Tune...

[gstark]

Hi Gary, and thanks for the welcome. The gig sounds great... I'll try to get there!

You'll be more than welcome. Bring an ax; rig is supplied. Bring your D70 too, of course.

Vic, are you up for it?

I'm a recent addition to Wellington St. Loving it here, but finding it hard to cope with the current beach crowds on the weekend... don't they know it's OUR beach!

Our's.

And the millions of backpackers. Sunset's a good time to head down there, unless you want to get arrested taking pix of the topless sunbathers with your Nokia.

Make sure you take in the walk from South Bondi, through Tamarama, and Bronte ...

Love that warm fretless Precision sound. I play a fretted '86 Spector NS-2, Washburn AB-20 and fretless Tune Bass Maniac, depending on the mood. Curently thinking of throwing some Nylon flatties on the Tune...

That would sound nice indeed.

There's a guy in Dallas who has a fretless J that would pass for my P's brother. I want ....

[Werewolf]

Hiya Timbo!

That's quite a pedigree you got there! I thought The Expression were great for their time, saw 'em at Dapto Leagues in the early 80's and went out and bought the single the next day. "I Always Close My Eyes To Look Into The Sun" - still got it downstairs in my mammoth (but sadly neglected) vinyl collection.

Nice haircuts too lads

Fender Precision (fretted) for me, 80s model. Would love a Rickenbacker one day but I'll probably spend the $3000.00 on Nikon gear!!!

Welcome aboard.

[timbo]

thought The Expression were great for their time, saw 'em at Dapto Leagues in the early 80's and went out and bought the single the next day.

Hi Werewolf, glad to hear there's someone who can still remember the early 80's!

Nice haircuts too lads

Thanks for not mentioning the eyeliner... but we're getting OT here. Thanks for the welcome, and it's good to be aboard. It's just great to have a local support group for the D70. Wish I'd heard about birddog here before I went out & bought mine on eBay from a local seller for almost full price, only to find that the 10 months left of Maxwell warranty he'd advertised it came with wasn't transferable – and he couldn't provide proof of purchase

Luckily I've had nothing but good times with it so far. Replaced the original low profile eyecup with a 'real' one after it dropped off (Nikon product #2939), and can highly recommend this to anyone. Much more secure, and gives better isolation to the viewfinder.

Fender Precision (fretted) for me, 80s model. Would love a Rickenbacker one day but I'll probably spend the $3000.00 on Nikon gear!!!

I'm with you on this... my priorities have changed over the years. I'd held off on a Nikon digi SLR till the D70 came out. Now I'm hooked once again on all my great Nikon lenses. Next on my wishlist is the SB800, then 80-200 f2.8 VR, then... oops! there goes the $3K!

[Dargan]

Re earlier comment on Air Guitar.

Would Air on a G string be in that repertoire?

And when are we going to see some pictures of these marvellous instruments? I wonder whether that new 50 1.4 Poon got me will do the trick? Just for members info I paid for it Monday this week and had it in my hand Saturday morning!!!! from HK. That is some pony express.

[gstark]

Re earlier comment on Air Guitar.

Would Air on a G string be in that repertoire?

The original version was not played on guitar, so no. Even most of the well known deriviatives (Whiter Shade of Pale, I Hear A Symphony, etc) don't have too heavy a guitar influence, but on the basis of the title alone, it certainly deserves to be in there.

How would Phil Spector build a wall of sound with Air Guitars?

[gstark]

I'd held off on a Nikon digi SLR till the D70 came out. Now I'm hooked once again on all my great Nikon lenses. Next on my wishlist is the SB800, then 80-200 f2.8 VR, then... oops! there goes the $3K!

Here's the rub: I bought Nikon because I already had the investment in the glass. How much of the old glass am I actrually using?

Zilch!

I've gone out and bought 3 new lenses (not including the kit lens) with one more still to be purchased.

And I don't think that I'm alone in that regard.

[timbo]

Here's the rub: I bought Nikon because I already had the investment in the glass. How much of the old glass am I actrually using?

I've been using my 60mm 2.8 D series Macro extensively – for both portrait and macro shots – but must admit that all my beautiful old non-CCD lenses haven't had much use except under controlled conditions. Ditto for the trusty old SB-24.

[gstark]

Timbo,

We'll need to get you down to Birddog's in the new year, so you can have a play with some of the VR glass.

Then we'll see how you feel aboiut your old glass.

[Grev]

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/13412624/

I don't need to say more.

[lukeo]

I.T field. No guitar.

[gstark]

I.T field. No guitar.

Is that legal?

[digitor]

Here's the rub: I bought Nikon because I already had the investment in the glass. How much of the old glass am I actrually using?

Zilch!

I've gone out and bought 3 new lenses (not including the kit lens) with one more still to be purchased.

And I don't think that I'm alone in that regard.

You're definitely not alone there <holds hand up> I even think I almost trust this "autofocus" thing now....

Cheers

[the foto fanatic]

Here's the rub: I bought Nikon because I already had the investment in the glass. How much of the old glass am I actrually using?

Zilch!

I've gone out and bought 3 new lenses (not including the kit lens) with one more still to be purchased.

And I don't think that I'm alone in that regard.

Yes, guilty as charged. I'm now tring to sell my old glass. I seem to have fallen in at the deep end.

[GMan]

New to this forum. Hope photos are okay.

Nice to see other guitar players here.

Played since I was about 10...and that was a LONG time ago. This photo is a few years old. I have added to the collection.

I'm also in the IT field as others are.



Other hobbies are...

Flying (when I get time)


Riding (me on the silver)

[GMan]

I'll make the photos links next time. Didn't realize the size.

[JimRockford]

I play guitar , have a takamine fd360sc and a tanglewood tm07 acoustic
and a gold squier strat , epiphone les paul limited edition and aria pro II from 1978 (type sometimes seen being played by andy summers (in early days when not using his tele) and boomtown rats)
I play mainly rythm and some major/pent minor licks. I forget most songs I learned when I learn new ones hehe, I like to play stuff like , eagles, byrds, bon jovi, van halen(easy ones like panama ,runnin with devil) rollin stones .
I like to listen to van halen, dio, aerosmith, stones,deep purple, rainbow,eagles,poison,europe,jovi, crue,great white, alice cooper,tuff,slaughter,kiss,sabbath,metallica,megadeth,winger,crosby,stills,nash, buffalo springfield,guy clarke,lynard skynard ,guns n roses... the list goes on and on
I use a fuji 602z pro vivitar 285hv and have just bought a D70 with the 28-80g. My first computer was a zx81 16k ram (timex sinclair in the states) I also collect retro technology like led calculators, 8 tracks and anything cool.
I love computers although am no programmer, like to read 2600 and indulge in a bit of wardriving.
hope i,ll fit in here........................................

[Vicareyus]

Hi GMan - nice collection of guitars there! Now that's what I need - an extra room to fill up with guitars. Welcome!
Vic

[beetleboy]

Thanks gstark for pointing out this thread in the "Member's" discussion! I hadn't noticed it before and find the visual/aural link very interesting. As a little tacker I played the keys and then moved on to woodwinds (Clarinet, Tenor Sax and my fave Soprano Sax) and have also dabbled in a bit of singing! Recorded a CD when I was at school..would rather not talk about that one!

Liam =] PS - I've also worked in the IT industry!

Edit: forgot to mention I met and performed with Tommy Emmanuel about 8 years ago..a true performer with loads of time for us youngsters

[Nnnnsic]

My first computer was a zx81 16k ram (timex sinclair in the states)

I've got something similar to that running on one of my calculators...

Welcome to the forum, Jim.

[JimRockford]

Thanks nnnnsic, yeah ,its amazing how we have progressed, kinda miss those days when people said , what the hell do you want a computer for, it was just kinda cool to own something like that tomess about with, you would spend hours typing in a program out of a magazine and be delighted to see it respond with a pixelated analog clock or a frogger type game with a x as the frog hehe.

[gstark]

Jim,

Or "Hello world".

The you would change it to "Hello Gary".

Then you'd drop an input line into the code so that it would ask you your name, you'd type in "fred" and it would then respond with "hello fred".

Of course some of the really dramatic (most obvious) changes have come in the world of storage: my first ever HDD was a 10MB, 5.25" full height drive that cost AU$1000 next. Contrast that with the 1GB CF cards we use in our D70s and which cost a bit over Au$100!

[ozimax]

Have played acoustic guitar for about 30 years but no longer into them thar stringed things, play accordion, piano (35 years), digital piano, harmonica, played a fair bit of Grieg, I dislike Beethoven, like Mozart, love Rachmaninov and Schubert, hate rock music/noise/cacophany etc.

I cannot read music (neither can/could Danny Kaye, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel etc) but have written a fair bit, mainly piano rags and southern Gospel, you can see a few at : http://www.finalemusic.com/showcase/fs_home.asp (and simply search under "max young").

I currently have a nice Korg stage piano at home with a 120W Beringer piano amp, complimented by an iBook with a Roland USB setup for MIDI work.

Max Young

[stubbsy]

Boy. This thread has just blown me away.

I saw its title when I first joined 4 or so weeks ago, but since I didn't play guitar (not a musical bone in my body) I didn't look at it. It just popped up again and I've just read all 12 pages. What an interesting and eclectic bunch you (we?) are. I think anyone just reading this one thread would get a good idea of what the entire forum is like. Maybe it should be a sticky

Oh and I'm in IT - first PC Tandy TRS80 in 1979 sold 1 week later & bought an Apple II plus (64 kilobytes of RAM) for $1,500 when my YEARLY salary was $9,000 nett. Made my first money from my hobby a few years later when I sold a number of articles to computer mags. Moved on to macs but am now just Windoze (work is on MS so home made sense)

Have worked as a programmer continuously since 1985 when my hobby became my profession.

Musically I've also spent a small fortune on hi-fi gear and love electronic gadgets (my friends think I'm weird cos I bought a $1,600 programmable Pronto remote control - I just thinks it's sexy - Note to self: I need to get out more ). At 49 I still buy music despite the average age for STOPPING being around 30. Oh and I listen to JJJ not classical or MOR - sorry

Nuff of my life story except the D70 is my second ever camera (my Kodak DC4800 seduced me into the pleasures of photography).

Sorry 'bout the long post but this thread just got me too excited

Peter

Edit: Just realised I missed a great opportunity. Coulda left this for 5 more posts and it'd be #100 doh!

[endymion]

Hi,

I tried to learn the guitar once and got as far as the F chord, which stopped me stone dead. I then broke my wrist (but not from trying the F chord) and haven't been back.

So is this a yes or no?

Cheers,

Bruce

[ozimax]

Bruce,

Learning to play the guitar is a calculated wrist, but don't fret, you'll soon pluck up the courage to start again, get my twang?

(I think someone said that puns are the lowest form of wit, sorry about that chief...)

As for counting as a guitar player, I'm not sure, what makes a musician a musician? There are a great many pop stars out there today who can't sing or play, yet they're millionaires. Food for thought.

Max

[endymion]

Bruce,

Learning to play the guitar is a calculated wrist, but don't fret, you'll soon pluck up the courage to start again, get my twang?

(I think someone said that puns are the lowest form of wit, sorry about that chief...)

As for counting as a guitar player, I'm not sure, what makes a musician a musician? There are a great many pop stars out there today who can't sing or play, yet they're millionaires. Food for thought.

Max

In the words of Agent 99: "Oh Max!"

[ozimax]

I wanted to be a musician, but missed it by " that " much. Would you believe...?

(Agent 86) (or was it Heimi?) (Or the "craw"?)

Max "86" Young

[lejazzcat]

Guitar 15yrs

Music became a form of therapy for me when i was a young obsessed fine arts painter.

At the time, i realised that the part of my brain that processed 'visual art' was directly associated with the areas that were caught up with sex and/or violence. I think that this is probably a 'male only' thing and hence probably why theres such a huge amount of sex and violence in cinema (also targeting young males audiences). This sorta troubled me as i was young and idealistic about the effect i was having on my audience.

I used music to help me to stay balanced as it seemed to help express more 'social' emotions, for example, the ubiquitous 'Love song'.
Bands, jams and years of conscientious practice later , i stopped enjoying it, it was too much like work (kind of like being married! ).Of course once addicted you cant stop. I still have to play every day.

Generally speaking, music is also more physical, as your whole body vibrates in symapthy, especially via dance. I now use regular workouts in the gym etc to get a similar benefit (Im getting too old to go to raves ).

Photography and other visual arts, on the other hand are more intellectual and cerebral, in that its only a illusion and hence a virtual reality. But then thats the fantasy and seduction of art in general, right?

Of course music can also be very academic and grand , but the power of a single voice(whatever the instrument), well used, still does it for grounding me in my 'right here , right now' .

Speaking of nice solo work - checked out Tommy emmanuels "Only" ?
nice player

Just thought ide share that .

[lejazzcat]

Of course music can also be very academic and grand , but the power of a single voice(whatever the instrument), well used, still does it for grounding me in my 'right here , right now' body .

Come to think of it thats why i love photogarphy - the genuine and personal auteurship of it!

[Greg B]

welcome lejazzcat.

With a nom-de-forum like that, I am picturing a beret, goatee beard, bongos in a smoky basement joint, or perhaps, joints in a smoky basement bongo, Maynard G Krebbs etc etc.

Looking forward to seeing some shots at some time

cheers

[gstark]

Max,

(I think someone said that puns are the lowest form of wit,

If that's the case, you're only half way there.

Bu actually, I believe it was sarcasm. (Not to be confused with sarchasm ... there's quite a gap between them, you know?

But in all honesty, I shouldn't need to remind you that punsters deserve to be drawn and quoted.

As for counting as a guitar player, I'm not sure, what makes a musician a musician? There are a great many pop stars out there today who can't sing or play, yet they're millionaires. Food for thought.

More like Maccas for thought - as distinct from "food".

Regarding your question ... while I don't have a specific answer for you, might I ask you what do you call a person who hangs around with musicians?

[Thommo]

i have been playing for about 4 years now, havent played taht much during the last 6 months but am getting back into it now... putting together a band once we find a drummer and bass player.... im nothing special but i love playing

[ru32day]

Regarding your question ... while I don't have a specific answer for you, might I ask you what do you call a person who hangs around with musicians?

...a drummer?

[rokkstar]

Yep, been playing guitar now for 11 years.
Are you trying to start a band? I think we should see if we can get together enough musos to put together some sort of group and go out busking in Sydney.
The other D70 users could then take photos of us and VOILA, we have created another photo opportunity.

Matt

[gstark]

Matt,

we have created another photo opportunity.

Spoken like a true papparazzi!

[Nnnnsic]

Oh sure, stick a 200-400 box out there to collect money and tell everyone we're busking so we can all share the lens...

[stormygirl]

Hi Guys!

I've just been directed to this thread, and thought I should reply! My Husband plays guitar and keyboard in a band called Playback. I sing (mainly backing, but occassional lead when female vocal is necessary!!)
We do covers from the 60's, 70's, 80's,90's, and naughties (00's), and naturally have a ball! We don't have a regular gig, but sometimes do parties or corporate functions.

My husband is the guitar player, not me, and he says he CANNOT take photos to save himself! We shall see what he comes up with, with the D70!

[gstark]

My husband is the guitar player, not me, and he says he CANNOT take photos to save himself! We shall see what he comes up with, with the D70!

There's one for the books - a guitarist admitting that there's something he can't do!

Mind you, at this stage that's only hearsay ...

Perhaps he's worried that we'll put charts in front of him?

[the foto fanatic]

What a laugh!
On tonight's news (Channel 9, 6pm, Brisbane) was an item about some musicians receiving honours at Buckingham Palace.

The guitarists:

Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck & Brian May

The news footage captures HRH's first words to the group as she shakes hands:

"Have you been playing long?"

The report went on to say that the musicians were slightly miffed!

I bet they were!

[a.briggs]

Don't forget Jimmy Page as well.

[the foto fanatic]

Yeah, thanks. I think I misheard the Jimmy Page as Brian May.

Here is the news item:

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=135561178&p=y3556y884

It's a shame Her Maj's minders didn't brief her more fully, as in:
Clapton IS God

[dooda]

Perhaps my most unfavorite of the great five, or whatever you call them. He's good, but he sort of just plays simple blues styles that seem copies of blues artists more authentic than he. Stevie Ray Vaughen might be accused of the same, but the sheer mechanics of his fingering is breathtaking. Turn down the volume and I'm still hypnotized watching his hands.

Clapton has a good record with BB King, but King takes control and Clapton mimics him. Sorry, I know many many respectable guitarists that adore him, there must be something, I just don't see him as one of the best (but I do think he's very good.) BTW, the best of them all has to be either Hendrix or Beck. They truly pioneered a style that no one can mimick or alter, but many try (for Hendrix atleast)

[Matt. K]

Hey GMan
What's the second axe from the right? The clasical?

[a.briggs]

Hard to go past Johnny Winter. Saw him about 15 yrs ago and was tottally blown away both with the sheer speed when needed and also with the phrasing and the ability to play slow as well.

[ru32day]

<could be verging on a rant alert>

... he sort of just plays simple blues styles that seem copies of blues artists more authentic than he. Stevie Ray Vaughen might be accused of the same... Clapton has a good record with BB King, but King takes control and Clapton mimics him...

Well, I tried to stop myself from rising to the bait, but since you picked on two of my favourite guitarists in the one paragraph, I couldn't (especially since you didn't put Peter Green up as a possible replacement).

If Clapton hadn't "copied" (and in my view, while he might play "in the style of" other artists, he doesn't copy them) blues artists (like Robert Johnson, whose style is anything but simple), we probably wouldn't know who they were. Clapton was one of a very few artists who brought this music, which had pretty much fallen into oblivion, to the masses. I know that, along with some classic music, EC's also responsible for some shocking schmaltz and middle of the road crud, but in his defence, he's one of the few who've lived long enough to make such musical mistakes.

The thing I particularly like about EC is that when he plays with other artists, he's very generous with stage time and most often lets others play where they feel most comfortable, while he jams along. Often this jamming involves the classic blues call and response. Even though it appears that the responder in these situations is simply tagging along, I think it's the harder part, because they don't get to pick the topic of conversation, as it were. It would be like someone asking you to make a speech for 30 secs or so on one surprise topic after another. I admire that EC can successfully play in many styles, while BB (for example), rarely moves from the "BB Box" (which I can understand, because I find that particular spot quite comfy too!). PS: I like BB King, because he openly admits that he can't play and sing at the same time, but rather plays a bit, then sings a bit, then plays a bit etc. This makes me think there's hope for me yet.

As to SRV, most other players play a bit, have a bit of a think, and play a bit more, but the music just seemed to flow from Stevie. Listening to him is pure magic for me - takes me somewhere else. Interestingly, I saw a clip where Clapton said that he followed Stevie in a show once, and was so intimidated by SRV's playing, that it was a struggle for him to go on stage.

If playing complex music were the main criterion for a great guitarist, we'd all be listening to Yngwie Malmsteen (sp?). Whereas in our household, to Yngwie is a verb, usually found in close proximity to the term "widdly".

</could be verging on a rant alert>

[dooda]

I'm glad you responded. It's good to defend your faves, and I love a good debate like this as long as both sides aren't emotional (I won't ever get emotional BTW)

I take your point about EC. He's generous with the stage, and a very good guitarist, but he has no signature voice. If I heard BB or T-Bone or Jimi or Stevie or LedBelly or Hooker (gasp for air), you know exactly who it is. Their music is an extension of their personality, like they're talking to me with a unique voice. Robert Johnson as well, but I believe his music and legendary status is overrated as well, and would also argue that his style is anything but complicated. I would in fact argue that almost any Blues artist's music is complicated. That is the beauty of it; every blues song and blues artist stems from one simple phrase, 12 bar blues, it's simplicity is what makes it compelling and fascinating and allows the artist to improv. Jazz is where things start geting more complex. Before the blues all we had was classical, and it was nothing but complex training and studies of intricate patterns of different musical tonalities and instruments.

Stevie Ray on the other hand. Well, I don't pick on him, I only protect him. I watched a video of him playing the cactus in Austin when I was 16 and I've been diehard ever since. His fingers hypnotize me, and how he rattles off riff after riff with no break is totally beyond me. Like he's some kind of alien. I could imagine being in EC's shoes, who's style is so mimicy and...please excuse my overt bash...generic, I wouldn't have gone on stage at all.

One of my favorite movies of recent is called Sweet and Lowdown, about Emmit Ray. A real card who worshipped the ground Django Reinhardt walked on. Someone told him once that Django was in the crowd before a gig and he escaped out of the club from the roof he was so freaked out.

I'm no fan of shear spead, and there's nothing great about Yngwie. I don't even think it's complex, I think its stupid robotic speed. Anyway, I may be dragging this out, but hey, I love a good debate about guitarists.

When we're talking about blues, simplicity is the key.