Thursday, August 30, 2012

1963 Fender Brownface Vibroverb clone by Auralux


手工打造的複製品

六個月後我總算買到這個 David Saltzman 手工打造的63 Vibroverb Clone 複製品, Dave 賣了很久決定降價. 昨天我用 Fender 67 Blackface Twin Reverb 和他換. 雙方似乎都很滿意.

放上'63 Vibroverb Clone 照片供參考









Dave是向朋友借了真正的63年的Vibroverb音箱放在旁邊(只生產250台, 市價$6000-8000), 按63年的Vibroverb規格慢慢地製作的.

電路板比1990年 Fender RI 規格正確, 整流器(Rectifier)和63年的規格相同用真空管不是1990RI的電子整流器, 變壓器 (output transformer)是和63年規格相同的70年的零件. 連電阻和加油口蓋的用紙都用中古的. 可以看出Dave對規格細節的執著和細心.

這台音箱是裝 1X10 和 1X12的喇叭. 1X12是1958 Jensen Alnico P12Q.

我相信很難找到如此接近63年Vibroverb真品的複製品.

音箱的木箱是用帶漂亮木紋的松木. 比Twin Reverb 輕十多磅, 我勉強可搬的動.

音色我上次和這次都試過, 的確是沖浪吉他手的夢幻音箱.

Dave Saltzman是芝加哥有名的 Auralux Pedals / tube Amps 師傅




Accurate replica of the 1963 Fender Vibroverb, except that this amp has one10" speaker AND one 12" speaker. Makes for a slightly bigger tone. The 12"speaker currently installed is an actual vintage 1958 Jensen Alnico P12Q.The 10" is a fairly recent Eminence Legend ceramic, similar to what is used in the Fender reissue.

The circuit is WAY more accurate than the Fender reissue, including tube rectifier and the amp has an ACTUAL 1970 Fender output transformer, the exact model that was used in the original '63 Vibroverb.
Power transformer is new and was made by Magnetic Components here in Chicago. 

This amp is THE CLOSEST thing to buying an ACTUAL VINTAGE '63 Vibroverb.It is the clone of an actual '63 that was present on the bench when thi swas built. Vintage (tested) paper in oil caps and carbon comp resisters were used throughout.

The teak oiled wood is stunning reclaimed southern yellow pine (boards are from the 60's!), finger-jointed just like Fender,and Fender wheat grill cloth installed.

Must see and hear to appreciate this amp! This one-of-a-kind amp is $.....  or -$150 if I remove the vintage Jensen 12" speaker. Price is firm.

Brownface, brown Tolex-the 1963 Vibroverb

The original (6G16 circuit) Vibroverb was introduced in February 1963, the speaker lineup and the output transformer were based on the Fender Super amp of the time, the circuit based on the Fender Vibrolux of the time, with no presence control and only one 12AX7 tube for the tremolo effect. It sported typical “brownface” cosmetics, with brown “Tolex” covering (introduced by Fender in 1959), and wheat-colored speaker cloth.

The 40-watt amplifier boasted two channels (NORMAL and BRIGHT). Both channels had VOLUME, TREBLE and BASS controls; the single-control REVERB affected only the BRIGHT channel.

The tremolo effect (labeled VIBRATO by Fender, see “VIBRATO or TREMOLO?” section of the article Vibrato unit) had two controls, SPEED and also INTENSITY, which affected the bias of the output tubes and therefore both channels. To make room for the reverb circuitry (not found on the Super amp) the company used the direct-coupled oscillator vibrato circuitry found on Fender’s previous generation tweed amplifiers (which used two tubes fewer than the Super’s brownface vibrato circuit).

The TREBLE control was the same as found in many Fender amplifiers of the time (i.e. Pro Amp -6G5A-, the Super -6G4A-, the Showman -6G14-, the Vibrolux -6G11-). It was fitted with a “tapped” treble circuit, meaning that the treble control is “flat” at setting “5”; cutting or boosting the treble was possible by turning the knob down (below “5”) or up (above “5”), respectively.

It had two ten-inch speakers manufactured by the Oxford Loudspeaker Company.
This incarnation of the Vibroverb was made for only a few months, and it is thought that fewer than 600 of these units were made.

Tube Complement:
Power:............6L6GC (Two)
Preamp:...........7025 (Two)
Phase Inverter:...7025
Rectifier:........GZ34
Tremolo/Vibrato:..12AX7
Reverb Driver:....12AX7
Reverb Recovery:..7025

..

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Hofner Jazzica Custom

特殊琴身的爵士吉他


幾天前在Craigslist看到一把上次沒有買到的二手Hofner Jazzica Custom, 雖然不是我喜歡的小提琴塗裝, 但是她的琴身設計是我一直想要的. 上端 2 1/2" 彈奏時不需要彎腰趴著彈, 下端又慢慢的加大到4", 有Jazz Box 大桶身的音效.

 圖檔

圖檔

賣琴的是一個非常友善的年輕人叫 Andrew Trim. 買完琴聊起來, 原來他出生在芝加哥五歲隨父母去日本在名古屋長大. 最近才回來. 現在在芝加哥教課兼表演.

http://www.andrewtrim.com/live/

買琴後Andrew答應給我一個免費的爵士吉他課, 到時我想邀請上次買另外一把爵士琴結交的新朋友, 去台灣教過書的Kris一起去. 看來又交了一個新朋友.

***********

今 天下午(6/6/12), 和沙漠嫂開車去芝加哥城裡Andrew的家上我的第一堂爵士吉他課. 從公路下來要經過芝加哥公牛隊Chicago Bulls的大本營United Center籃球場. 附近看來是黑人區, 但這幾年來整頓的不錯. 往北開一陣, 慢慢的變成更整齊的社區.

到了Andrew家, 我們早到了, Andrew還在吃中飯, 不好意思打攪. 沙漠嫂送上一份伴手禮, 我坐在客廳拿出吉他調音. 不久Kris就到了. 他也拿一把Hofner的VeryThin JS 吉他, 和上次他賣我的同樣吉他像雙胞胎.

圖檔

Andrew吃完飯, 過來大家寒喧一下就開始上課. 先了解我的程度和樂風. 我告訴他我喜歡彈投機者The Ventures的演奏曲, 但對爵士吉他是門外漢. 彈了一下我唯一會的帶爵士味道的"哈林小夜曲" Harlem Nocturne 後, Andrew從爵士的基本和弦講起, 我雖然一知半解, 但有點基本的概念.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDmvQrURP8I&feature=player_embedded

簡單的上了和弦課, 我建議Andrew和Kris開始Jam, 我告訴他們我今天來的目的主要是觀摩, 希望能夠因此被激勵啟發.

他們是第一次見面, 從來沒有配合過. 但究竟是老手, 馬上開始Jam幾首我不知道名字的爵士曲.

圖檔


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sv_tVU88zsM&feature=player_embedded#t=0s


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yVjl988Uk4&feature=player_embedded#t=0s

我告訴Kris台灣吉他論壇的網友上次聽了我放上的他隨便彈的"Close To You" Youtube, 覺得很喜歡. 希望再聽他們彈. Kris說這首曲子並不太適合Jam, 而且Andrw比較年輕, 對70年代Carpenters的曲子不是很熟. 不過兩隻老鳥, 大概了解一下和弦進行, 就開始Jam. Kris 先開頭, Andrew不久馬上進入情況.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I87vsbPsjcQ&feature=player_embedded#t=0s

我告訴他們我最近買了本爵士吉他書, 裡面有首Nat King Cole 的曲子"It's only a paper moon", 我很喜歡, 他們是否可Jam一下? 他們聽過此曲但沒有彈過. 真是即興老手, 兩位又滴沽一下和弦進行和旋律, 就開始Jam起來


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLArLr-6lmE&feature=player_embedded#t=0s

我再要求他們彈沙漠嫂喜歡的電影插曲"Over the rainbow":


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_gDKSJNxAc&feature=player_embedded#t=0s

他們兩位又開始J一首曲子, 原來是有名的"Autumn Leaves". 我說最近在台灣吉他網上還提到此曲, 台灣網友還戲稱這是爵士吉他的國歌.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDPhyHf8lY8&feature=player_embedded

最後我問Andrew是否可以彈一些帶有日本風味的曲子, 他隨便彈了一下:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qqz4jRf-MPQ&feature=player_embedded

時間過的真快, 一恍兩個鐘頭就過去了. 應該要說告別了.

今天的上課雖然學到不多, 但受到不少的啟發, 對爵士吉他有更一層的認識.

Hofner Jazzica Custom

 特別身材的女郎
 
幾天前在Craigslist看到一把上次沒有買到的二手Hofner Jazzica Custom, 雖然不是我喜歡的小提琴塗裝, 但是她的琴身設計是我一直想要的.  上端 2 1/2" 彈奏時不需要彎腰趴著彈, 下端又慢慢的加大到4", 有Jazz Box 大桶身的音效.

圖檔

圖檔


Sound holes 是真的洞, 不過有兩條Ebony做的木條加上海綿可以把她們蓋住減少回音Feedback.

圖檔











 

賣琴的是一個非常友善的年輕人叫 Andrew Trim. 買完琴聊起來, 原來他出生在芝加哥五歲隨父母去日本在名古屋長大. 最近才回來. 現在在芝加哥教課兼表演.

http://www.andrewtrim.com/live/

買琴後Andrew答應給我一個免費的爵士吉他課, 到時我想邀請上次買另外一把爵士琴結交的新朋友, 去台灣教過書的Kris一起去. 看來又交了一個新朋友.

 

Jazzica Custom Archtop Guitar, Natural Finish: Single Venetian cutaway with carved, solid German Spruce top and 5 ply binding. Highly figured laminated African Maple (aka Anigree) back & sides. Neck is 1 3/4'' at the nut, 25 1/2'' scale. Body is 16'' across lower bout. Specially designed ''Hofner Contour'' body tapers from 4'' @ the tailpiece to 2 1/2'' @ the neck and brings the neck closer to the player. You will love playing the Jazzica in either a sitting orstanding position. Asymmetric neck profile is thicker @ the bass side, thinner @ treble side. Ebony fingerboard on a 24-fret Hard Rock Maple set neck that joins body @ the 16th fret. Bound neck, top & ''cat's eye'' f-holes. Ebony pickguard & hand-fitted bridge, Schaller M6 machine heads with ebony buttons. Single neck-mounted floating Hofner Diamond pickup (by Kent Armstong) w/ body mounted volume & tone controls. Removable, Ebony f-hole plugs eliminate feedback. Deluxe 5 ply hard-shell case with plush black lining.
..

Sunday, May 6, 2012

"沙漠叔的選擇"

[經過300篇的討論, 我想做個結論. 以我過去玩過試過研究過的吉他做一個"沙漠叔的選擇"供大家參考. 這完全是我個人的偏好, 不代表我的選擇是品質最好, 最超值的吉他. 而且並非都是我目前手上有的或有過, 有的是我想買沒有買到的吉他. 每個人樂風喜歡不同, 選擇自然不同. 大家也可做個"夢幻的吉他"的名單]

"沙漠叔的選擇"
Gibson吉他:

LP: 1954 RI


其實我不是那麼喜歡LP, 買過十幾把最後只留下兩把 R9 和 54 RI. 兩者之中我會留下後者. R9是好投資的吉他, 有合適價格我就會賣. 黑美人合乎我喜歡的"那卡西"音色, 是我喜歡的彈奏的吉他. Grosh 的Set Neck 和Yamaha SG2000 都是LP 的Copies, 是很好的吉他, 但玩玩後是會轉手.

ES: Roger Giffin Hollowbody Standard (ES336變型)


我個人最喜歡的Gibson吉他應該是ES系列, 現在我有很多把, ES330, ES335, ES339, Casino (ES330變型) Giffin HB Std(ES336變型)實在很難選擇. ES339是很好的工具琴, 1959年的古董ES330和限量出品的1958 RI ES335 價格比較高當工具琴太可惜, 終久還是會賣掉. 想保留的大概會是 Gibson過去的Master Builder; Roger Giffin製作的 HB Std(ES336變型)

Fender吉他: 奇怪的是我前後收集試過十幾把正牌Fender, 會留下的卻是小工坊的複製品.

Stratocaster: Grosh的RCS


日本製的Fender Hank Marvin Signature Strat 是我的工具琴不算外, 我會留的是小工坊的複製品Grosh 的RCS

Telecaster: Grosh 的RCVT


可惜我的工具琴Nocaster被我糊塗的賣掉, 我會留的是小工坊的複製品Grosh 的RCVT. 其他的複製品; ESP Vintage Plus-T, Grosh RCHT 遲早會賣掉.

JazzMaster & Jaguar: Fender Custom Shop Teambuilt


我會留下Fender Custom Shop Teambuilt JazzMaster. 相信出乎大家的意外, 我不是那麼喜歡1965年的古董Jaguar, 並不是琴不好, 而是Beach Boys的音色不是我的菜. 等市場行情轉好我就賣掉.

Bass: Lakland Joe Osborn Signature Jazz Bass


目前我用無牌的Precision Bass當工具琴, 會留下的會是 Lakland Joe Osborn Signature Jazz Bass或是Grosh的JB4. 魚與熊掌? 兩把中先賣掉那把就留另一把.

Taylor吉他: T5


三把Taylor吉他已經賠錢賣掉二把, 一把也在賣. 目前看來只會留下T5, 自彈自唱用. 我的木吉他代用品.

PRS吉他: Custom 22 ten top


另外的3把PRS都賣掉了. 現在只留這把 Custom 22 ten top.

Gretsch吉他: TNM Corral


可惜有過的5把Gretsch全部賣掉了, 會想要的是這把美國網友TNM小工坊製作的 Corral(Gretsch Roundup的仿製品). 下手慢了, 被英國人買走.

Rickenbacker吉他: 660 w/toaster pickups


我有過的5把Rics全部賣掉, 如果將來再想伴奏民謠風會考慮被我賣掉的有Toaster PU的660. 可能性不高, T5就其實夠了.

其他的比較特殊的吉他大多是收藏用, 例如McNaught Tiger 吉他, Guilford Ty Tabor , Baker B1, RKS 遲早都會賣掉.

Mosrite吉他和投機者吉他手的私人吉他是另外的話題, 在此不討論了.

Friday, April 27, 2012

Hofner John Stowell VeryThin Signature model

送環迎燕?

這把德國生產Hofner VeryThin John Stowell Signature Model 吉他(不是海外生產的VeryThin CT型號)在Craigslist賣. 琴身厚度比ES335還薄, 德國Spruce Top. 我很喜歡的小提琴塗裝色. 價格公道. 一直認為我的1968年Gibson Barney Kessel 的Jazz Box 桶身太大了, 不容易彈.

和賣家約好星期日去看琴. 如果決定買, 就打算把大琴身的 Gibson Barney Kessel 吉他賣掉. 楊玉環太豐滿了, 換把輕巧一點的趙飛燕.

  •  
     音色示範:



     


     世界真正小, 天涯遇同鄉

    今天去看這把Hofner Verythin John Stowell Signature琴. 進門後互相介紹寒喧後, 沙漠嫂看到一隻小貓,
    喜歡動物的她問賣琴者Kris的媽媽, 小貓咪幾歲? 她告訴我們Jumper其實是隻18歲的老貓. 我們一點都
    看不出來她的老態. 更驚奇的是她來自我和沙漠嫂的故鄉; 台灣!!

    我們告訴他們我們也來自台灣. 我過去摸摸她的頭和同鄉打招呼. 正納悶她如何從台灣來到美國. Kris
    告訴我們他在台灣呆了十年, 擔任過淡江大學當英文教授. 我們又驚喜又好奇, 就和Kris聊起來.  Jumper
    和他一起回美國有十年了.

    我們坐下來像是老朋友聊了半天, Kris在台中待過一段相當長的時間, 也學過國語, 和我們攙雜著英文對話,
    高興講了一大堆台灣的往事, 包括他爸媽去台灣看他去過的地方.

    Kris小我十歲, 彈爵士吉他有三十多年了. 他有兩把Hofner Verythin John Stowell Signature, 所以想賣掉這把.
    試過琴覺得不錯, 琴身真的很薄, 而且很輕, 叫她趙飛燕一點都不言過其實. 調音鈕有個特色; 調到"7"以上
    變成Humbucker的音色, 往下調到"5"左右變成Single Coil 的音色.  做工相當細膩,Pickguard 板, 琴尾板, 調音鈕
    (Volume & Tone Control)和調弦鈕(Tuners)都是用黑檀木Ebony. 吉他線條簡單大方. 價格也相當公道. 就買了下來.

    和Kris約好以後保持聯絡再多聊聊台灣和吉他.

























    回家後迫不及待的馬上試看看, 用唯一會的"哈林小夜曲"彈彈看, 而且用她彈了首沖浪曲. 好像強迫趙飛燕跳現代舞一樣.



     
    .
  • Sunday, April 15, 2012

    2011 Gibson Custom Shop ES339

    移情別戀

    今天總算把一直不喜歡彈的Taylor Solidbody Custom 和別人在Craigslit換掉了. 試過好多次都沒有人要. 今天狠下心貼了不少錢, 換了把全新的 Gibson Custom Shop ES339. 雖然Taylor Custom 賠的很慘, 但既然不喜歡她, 就讓別人試試她吧.

    緣份已盡, 不如分手
    TaylorSBCustom.jpg picture by onemanventures

    ES339 和ES335 大同小異, 主要是琴身小一點. 希望會喜歡她而多彈.

    有了ES339, 原來的ES335 如果有好價格就要賣掉了. 希望能賺回一點, 賠償今天的損失.

    Classic semi-hollowbody sound from a solidbody-sized guitar.

    The ES-339 is the next generation from the Custom Shop of Gibson's iconic ES electric guitars. It goes where no guitar has gone before with a bold, new semi-hollow tone that is rich with expressive, even stinging, overtones. The ES-339 has some exciting enhancements including Memphis Tone electronics, the 30/60 slender neck profile, and reduced dimensions and weight.

    Memphis Tone electronics
    Memphis Tone circuitry utilizes 500K audio taper pots that operate with an interactive load that preserves high end as you turn down the volume. The loading effect preserves the full-bodied tone with rich midrange and singing sustain from the '57 Classic humbuckers while adding a very sweet bite. Another difference is the volume is very smooth, rolling off in even increments along with the numbers on the knobs. Since they operate more like how we hear (logarithmically), the controls work the way the player thinks they should. So when the guitarist turns down the volume the highs are still there!

    30/60 Neck
    Developed in assistance from guitar guru Jon Schwartz. The 30/60 slender neck is a '60s style neck with an extra .030" front-to-back to preserve the semi-hollowbody tone, sustain, and feel while providing smooth playability (The rounded '59 neck profile is also available on the ES-339 '59 Neck - product #515255).

    Reduced dimensions and weight

    The ES-339 builds on the success of the semi-hollowbody guitars first introduced by Gibson in 1958 with the ES-335. Lighter and more compact than a traditional semi-hollow guitar, the ES-339 retains the distinct semi-hollowbody electric tone that powered so many hit records and landmark performances.

    Outer rim output jack

    Here's one ES players have been wanting: The output jack is mounted on the outer rim. No more cable crossing the body, spoiling the guitar's clean looks and and getting in your way.

    Two '57 Classic Humbuckers with 3-way pickup selection plus individual volume and tone controls provide the incredibly versatile sounds that make the semi-hollow electric famous for its use in jazz, rock, blues, country, and nearly every other style you can think of. Quality Kluson tuners keep retuning time to a minimum, and nickel hardware enhances the great looks.

    To show off its vintage vibe, the ES-339 is available in a choice of three finishes: Antique Cherry, Antique Vintage Sunburst, and Light Caramel Burst. The lacquer finish is applied with a light, even touch, allowing the guitar's wood to resonate naturally while providing a protective, mirror-like shine. The Antique Cherry and Antique Vintage Sunburst both come with aged bindings to further enhance the proud ES tradition

    The ES-339 comes with a Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case and a Certificate of Authenticity.

    Features
    • Body Type: ES-339
    • Body Wood: Maple/poplar/maple laminate
    • Top wood:Maple/poplar/maple laminate
    • Scale Length: 24-3/4"
    • Neck Joint: Set-in
    • Neck Wood: Mahogany
    • Neck Profile: Slender Players Profile - '60s slim-neck plus .030" front-to-back
    • Fretboard: Rosewood
    • Frets: 22
    • Nut Width: 1-11/16"
    • Fretboard Radius: 12"
    • Bridge: Fixed
    • Pickup Bridge: '57 Classic Humbucker
    • Pickup Neck: '57 Classic Humbucker
    • Controls: Volume / Volume / Tone / Tone
    • Tuners: Kluson
    • Hardware color: Nickel
    • Pickup selector: 3-way
    • Finish: Lacquer











    [網上說ES339是介于LP和ES335之間的吉他. 我認為更接近ES335. 沒什麼LP的感覺, 只有琴身小似LP, 重量可差多了. 音色彈奏幾乎是ES335的感覺. ]

    音色介紹:





    .