G.A.S. Report — ACQUIRED! Lexicon I-Onix U22 with M-Audio BX5a Monitors

In one of those deals that I "just couldn't pass up", after Xmas, Guitar Center had a massive clearance sale. 60% off on many items. I walked in the day that the Lexicon I-Onix U22 was on for 50% off and the M-Audio BX5a Monitors, store demos, were for 60% off. These were two items I had long wanted to create a nice little desktop recording studio using GarageBand '11 on my iMac but had put off due to regular price cost being way too high.

I appreciate that my wife understood and knows a good deal. I'm also fortunate that we had the money in the budget to splurge so soon after Xmas. I am a lucky man!

Cut your cable! Apple TV with Netflix is the future!

We cut our cable about 4-5 months ago. No one missed it much. Sure we had to sacrifice the last season of Dexter (although I fear it's jumped the shark now :( ). But I was able to utilize our local library for many free titles to keep everyone happy. Our girls are very much movie watchers, not really TV show watchers, so it's been a little easier. I feared they would not be able to chat as easily with friends, not knowing what happened on that show last night, etc. It's not like we are that family that got rid of all the TVs period. But I don't think they suffered. I know I didn't suffer paying the $200+ monthly bill to have 400 channels and a DVR I never had time to watch.

So we got an Apple TV ($99) after Xmas. We added the Netflix service ($10/mo.) and upped our DSL internet to 12mbps for only $10/mo. more.

My Adventures in Effectsville, Part 3

If you ever buy an SKB PS-55 Stage Five Pedal Board, be prepared for how huge and heavy this thing is! I got it set up last night with only one issue, otherwise, it's ready to rock.

As I suspected, the actual pedal board surface is not as big as I'd like, but it's much bigger than what I did have. I was able to put my amp's channel switch pedal back on the board and give things a little better spacing.

All the power plugs worked just fine including the 9VAC for the M9. Nice to have it all taken care of with one power cord.

My Adventures in Effectsville, Part 2

Well, all of you out there that love effects pedals know that a guitarists pedal board is always in a state of flux. G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome) is always lurking, ready to inflame our lust for that elusive tone we hear in our hearts and heads!

My board has changed a little since the last posting and is about to change again. Here it is as of now:

But I have since removed the GFS tuner pedal and replaced with a TC Electronic Polytune. At first I was skeptical about the Polytune but after trying one....well, I said "oooh, I have to get me one of those!"

But my board is cram packed and falling off. Plus I have no room to add or move additional pedals in from rotation. depending on what my mood and projects are.

Don't let anyone tell you that your choice of Pick doesn't matter!

I've had a set of these since last year when Dunlop sent me a gift package of a tshirt, strings, stickers and about 100 picks. I have been playing Star Picks pretty exclusively for a while now but decided to go through them and try some options.

I tried the .73 version of this Ultex pick first and liked the feel, especially the sharp tip. Then I tried the 1.14, a thickness I usually stay away from…I LOVE THEM! That sharp point makes my note accuracy jump right up. Nice crisp yet mellow sound. Tone just jumped out of my fingers.

NGD!! Epiphone Les Paul Deluxe in Sparkle Blue with Mini Humbuckers

From 2000 in a very rare Sparkle Blue (close to LPB). Made in Korea. It was missing it's original pickguard but I'm having one made now. Thinking of changing the plastics to black and knobs to black top hats. We'll see. Maybe it looks better, more "retro" with the cream all over. hmmm. Got it for a song at $249 at my local Guitar Center. The the guys up there wanted it and said we had to set up custody arrangements for them to play it from time to time. I don't think they wanted to sell it to me as the Manager had it in his office! But they know me pretty well up there. It's probably the weirdest looking guitar I've ever bought but DAMN it plays well and those Mini Hums are great!

Favorite Products: Bolo Pick

Bolo Pick

I love to have a pick on me wherever I go, especially MY picks, what feels comfortable to me. I avoided buying the others that I've seen about, usually made from leather or faux leather. And bulky too!

Bolo Pick is nice and compact, lays flat on my keys and therefore more comfortable in my pocket, and holds three to four picks, depending on thickness. I've had mine since October 2010 and it seems to be holding up to daily usage.

They come in several versions: multi-pick keychain, several versions of a single pick necklace, & carabiner multi-pick keychain.

I found mine at Conway Music, downtown on Oak St., the only place that sells them in the entire state of Arkansas. I've been back twice now to purchase more to give away as xmas gifts and to other guitarists that I think will appreciate them.