Circuit Bending and Electronics Workshop

Last weekend I had the pleasure of spending time doing an electronics/circuit bending workshop led by Nick from Toydeath. Toydeath are a band that play songs exclusively with toys - circuit bent toys.

I have found a whole other world out there. A world that can be very addictive where you feel the need to solder and de-solder everything.

Below is a short video of what a circuit bent instrument sounds like. Gearwire have demonstration videos on circuit bending as well and they can be found here. My story (here) can be found at The Brag website.



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Two New Fender Artist Series Guitars: J Mascis Jazzmaster and Joe Strummer Telecaster

Fender are to release two new Artist Models Series guitars this season.

The Clash front man and rhythm guitarist, the late Joe Strummer, is having is DIY '66 Black Telecaster immortalised by Fender with this re-issue. Complete with sticker and stencil customisation kit, the re-issue is a faithful recreation down to the body wear marks.

Click on the pic for a link to the Strummer Tele and specs.

J Mascis, singer/guitarist of alt/indie 90's band Dinosaur Jr., has also had his purple-sparkled Jazzmaster re-issued in the Artist Models Series having the privelege of the first Jazzmaster re-issue.

Click on the pic for a link to the Jazzmaster guitar and specs.

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Reverse Flying V??

Gibson's Guitar of the Week.
Click on the pic for the details.

Click here for a link to the previous Gibson's Guitar of the Week.

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Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz

I recently picked up a pedal I have wanted for awhile now - the Shin-ei Companion FY-2 Fuzz. The FY-2 was sold under a number of brand names, such as Jax, Apollo and Kimbara but was designed by the same company that made the Univox Super-Fuzz.



This fuzz pedal is not for the tone enthusiasts. It manages to create a sound more similar to a construction site than a musical instrument. It can definitely be categorised at the opposite end of the spectrum of the many, many boutique overdrives in the market. The fuzz can be described as a violent splutter rather than a long, sustained overdrive output.

This pedal currently populates the board of Radiohead bassist Colin Greenwood and can be heard on bass lines from tracks such as "Exit Music (For A Film)" and "Myxomatosis". The pedal has also been an instrumental sound on The Jesus and Mary Chain's Psychocandy.

These Japanese fuzz pedals were discontinued in the '60s and have become a highly sought after dirt box, in part for its NPN Silicon 2SC536F transistors, and for the passive mid-scoop between the fuzz-generating circuitry and output level control. These features fuse together to give the notorious "chainsaw cutting a beehive" sound.

Here's a quick demo of the FY-2.
Clip Details: Fender Jazzmaster > FY-2 > Line 6 TonePort (1953 Small Tweed model - clean)> Ableton Live 6.
Guitar Settings: Rhythm played with volume knob turned down. Lead with volume knob maxed.
Pedal Settings: Volume set to Max, Fuzz to 2:00.



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UPDATE #2 - Electro Harmonix Pedals and Rumours

Here is a video demo of the previously posted Electro Harmonix Soul Preacher Compressor pedal. The clip has been linked from Gearwire and was recorded at the recent Summer NAMM at Austin, Texas.



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Mix Tape -- August

Here's a selection of songs for August. I'll be seeing most of these bands in a two week period. Especially can't wait for The Cure.



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