Fun With Words
"Dave Navarro, who became one of alternative rock's first guitar heroes with such notorious bands as Jane's Addiction and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, made a celebrity appearance at Primal Nightclub in Atlanta on New Year's Eve. Club co-owner, Greg Hicks had terse words with the uncooperative rock star who tried to avoid taking photos with fans at the club. The star did sign some of the the hard rock style venue's guitars before jetting over to the new W Hotel Midtown shortly after midnight. The star strangled a bottle of scotch while flirting with dozens of girls in the Hotel's Whiskey Park Bar which is owned by celebrity club owner, Randy Gerber. Not surprisingly, Navarro left the party with 3 girls, just as he did during his 2007 appearance at another Atlanta nightclub."
You gotta love the press. No need for the facts anymore, just write it and it comes across as fact. While I WAS at Primal for NYE, there were no terse words or avoiding anything. Took lots of pictures and had a great time. Now. This whole "strangling a bottle of scotch" thing isn't even a misunderstanding or an exaggeration. It's simply untrue. We all know how I am and if I was to get loaded, ever... It would be drugs and syringes and blood and horror with me locked in a bathroom somewhere. Not SCOTCH!!!! As for the dozens of girls I flirted with? I wouldn't say DOZENS! HAHA. In fact, I was with my date, hand in hand, the entire night. We didn't leave with three girls... And this whole leaving with three girls back in 2007? Well... Yeah... OK, maybe they got me there! As much as this kind of reporting does wonders for the myth and legend... I must admit, it sounds kinda good... The truth is that me and my date went back to the hotel bar for a while and then watched Saw V on pay per view in the room. Not right away, of course! ;) (Yup, that's right... I used a winky! What? What?)
January 05, 2009 at 12:10 PM | Comments (14)
Sunday 10?
Vegas Guest List: Andy Cianciotto + 1, Verena Leitner + 1 (please let us know if you cannot attend so I can invite someone else)
Sunday 10?
January 04, 2009 at 11:18 AM | Comments (17)
AVN PARTY AT TAO
Next Wednesday the 7th we will not be live at Dark Matter on Indie 103.1FM. I know this for a fact cause I am headed into the studio today to pre-record the show. For those of you who missed the Christmas Eve show, it is available here. Our man Chase has had a few issues with recording the last couple of shows but he should be on it soon. Until then, they are available on the Indie site, but the quality isn't as good. I hope everybody had a great New Year's Eve... I had an amazing time in ATL and got the opportunity to say hello to some of you at the event. Next week is the AVN Awards in Vegas. Although I am not up for anything this year I will still be there on the carpet conducting interviews with my friend Kirsten Price, just like last year. Todd will be shooting as always and the actual broadcast should run on Showtime later in the year. On Friday the 9th, the night before the awards, I will be hosting a party at Tao with my adult entertainment boss, Tera Patrick. I'm sure I can squeak two names on the list if anyone wants to come. You know the drill... First two names at 6767.com in the comments. Later this year I will begin production on my second film. More to come on that.
January 03, 2009 at 11:37 AM | Comments (14)
Louis Vuitton: Making Dreams Come True
ATL Guest List: Jackie Carbone + 1, Michael Foster +1, Jeremiah Johnson +1, Joy Johnson +1, Lynn Zingale +1
Good morning everybody. Just getting ready to go to Atlanta for New Year's eve. 08 was a pretty spectacular year as some really amazing things have taken place:
1. Obama elected President
2. Original Line-UP Jane's shows
3. The Netflix "Watch Instantly" feature
Yup, that's pretty much it. :)
Lemme back track to Christmas for a moment to share with you a Christmas miracle that has taken place! Remember when Louis Vuitton sent me a cease and desist letter regarding my using the Louis Vuitton guitar straps I had been given years ago? Well, after posting about it here back in June it became one of those "light net stories" picked up by bloggers who have nothing better to write about and evidently got back to the people at Louis Vuitton. I ended up speaking to a representative for the company and I sent her one of my old LV straps so she could see first hand what I had been using. (Partly to see and partly to turn over I suppose.) Well, today I am the proud owner of the only LV guitar strap ever made in Paris by Louis Vuitton! They took great care in keeping the length the same and even fitted the piece with the exact strap locks I use for my guitars. What an amazing gift that I will no doubt cherish and use forever. Thank you Louis Vuitton!
December 30, 2008 at 04:01 PM | Comments (34)
Some Answers
ATL Guest List: Jackie Carbone + 1, Michael Foster +1, Jeremiah Johnson +1
1. Does Camp Freddy rehearse their sets ?
We used to, but with the nature of our shows and the guests we invite, we are never really certain as to what the set is going to be until sound check, sometimes not until show time. We generally agree on a proposed set based on what the singers want to do and kind of brush up on the songs on our own at home, then iron them out at sound check. This is primarily why we sound so "loose" on certain songs. Some say "loose", I say raw! haha You can usually tell what we are least comfortable with based on how much we stare at Chris Chaney for the changes! That guy hears a song and knows it and remembers the arrangements as if he has some kind of musical photographic memory. Truly a remarkable musician. More often than not, by the time we have something down cold we have a break for over a month and the whole process starts over. It's actually kind of fun, cramming for shows the day of. There is a level of stress that makes pulling it off all that much more rewarding.
2. Do you think that it's possible it's a sincere holiday wish to the receiver, because they want YOU to know they still exist?
HAHAHA! No! The word "mass" implies that the message hasn't been sent to anyone specifically.
3. Hi Dave, just wondering if you still have a good relationship with Anthony Kiedis?
Yes of course! I honestly love Anthony as if he were my brother. I feel that way about all the guys and even John and I had an opportunity to spend some time since my departure. I remain a friend, a fan and a student of RHCP!
Have u had a chance to sit down and listen to Chinese Democracy all the way through? Your thoughts on it?
Yes. I have to say that I pretty much love it. The way I have been describing it has been 70% awesome and 30% really weird, but after a few listens... The weird becomes awesome again. I don't know if it's the songs or the fact that I just enjoy hearing that guy's voice or both, but I am a fan. It's not GnR as we know it... It feels more like an Axl solo record... Probably because as music lovers, we were able to get a feel for the old GnR dynamics and the personalities of each member in the band. I know very little about this band so it's hard to connect with each member sonically like I did before. People have been commenting on how long it took to make but I kind of don't believe he was working on all THESE songs the whole time. I'm sure there have been versions, stuff that got scrapped, breaks, line up changes, personal time... I'm speculating of course, but having worked on so many projects I know that there are a million things that go down before you even decide on the track listing.
4. Do you think a person is ever too old to take guitar lessons? Have you taken any instrument lessons... as an adult?
Absolutely not! With music, in fact, with everything in life.... It is always a good thing to do what interests you no matter your age.... Provided it won't harm you. I have taken classical piano lessons as an adult and as far as guitar, I am taught something new everyday by the musicians I play with. In fact, playing with Eric, Stephen and Perry again has already made me a better guitar player. There comes a time when your teachers are the ones you create with. Learning to listen is a huge part of that and I have never been in a situation that requires more attention than Jane's. My time with CF is a totally different learning experience in that adaptability is required. Playing with so many different musicians begs the flexibility to adapt to their sensibilities while maintaining your own creative presence.
December 27, 2008 at 04:10 PM | Comments (33)
Post X-Mas
I hope everyone had a great holiday! I had a really great couple of days just hanging with the family and eating and sleeping and relaxing! Sure, I got tons of mass texts as per usual, but I simply deleted as they came in so no real big deal there. I guess mass texts are just a wave of the present much like info-mercials or T-Shirt companies on MySpace. The real thing about them is that if you really want to break it down, it's not about a sincere holiday wish to the receiver specifically, it's about the sender not wanting to be forgotten and taking an opportunity to let everyone know that they still exist! If I look at it like that, it's easier to feel some sort of empathy instead of resentment.
For NYE I will be in Atlanta at a club called Primal. If there is anyone here in the area who would like to come, just let me know here in the comments.
As you could see from the videos, the last Camp Freddy show at the Roxy was incredible! Of course, Ozzy was amazing as he joined us for Paranoid, Iron Man and Crazy Train... But the night leading up to his performance was just as spectacular with our friend Linda Perry who sang some unreal versions of Led Zepp's Rock and Roll and Whole Lotta Love. Juliette Lewis also killed it on Aint Talkin Bout Love and Dirty Deeds. Chris Vrenna from NIN and Manson took the double drum duties with Matt on Whole Lotta Love and Dirty Deeds. Of course our long time partners McGrath and Jonesy kept the set flowing with some Sex Pistols, Bowie and Johnny Thunders as Naveen Andrews took the mic. Surreal, fun and over far too soon... Our Roxy residency is officially complete. Thank you to everyone who came out and celebrated December with us. We will most certainly be doing it again.
Q&A Time?
December 26, 2008 at 10:57 AM | Comments (26)
More Ozzy
December 25, 2008 at 12:51 PM | Comments (6)
OZZY at The Roxy
December 24, 2008 at 11:08 AM | Comments (23)
Answers & Podcast Update
Camp Freddy Winners:
Eric Gross +1
Kim Tillman +1
(This is the view from my window. What is this? Some kind of sick joke?)
1. How did you & Todd meet?
God, we both get asked that question all the time and there really is no great anecdote to it. I wish could tell you, "I was down on my luck and stranded at a train station in Wisconsin when all of a sudden this kind young man asked me to come in from the rain and share a hot cup of cocoa. That kind young man, turned out to be none other than our very own Todd Newman! The rest, as they say, is history." Truth is that we live in the same city and know the same people and we just started hanging. Come to think of it, Dave Kushner of Velvet Revolver introduced us. Maybe it IS an anecdotal story... But only because Dave is in Velvet Revolver. At the time, he wasn't. So, what was once a non anecdotal story became anecdotal when Dave joined the band, without us having to lift a God damned finger to make the story of our initial meeting anecdotal!
2. So, what do you want for Christmas?
Well, I am not much of a "stuff' guy... That makes me pretty hard to shop for I hear. Actually, the Newman family did really well with me and got me several pairs of colorful striped socks! I am kind of a sock whore and always have to wearing something secretive and fun that only I know about. Well, me and one other... Two others on a good night! Otherwise I really don't have a wish list. I suppose what I really wish for is World Peace! And now, please allow me to dazzle you with my rendition of Ave Maria...
3. I was wondering if there will be a Dark Matter next Wed/Thurs as the show would be in the early hours of Christmas Day? Pre-taped perhaps?
You better believe it! My plan is to call over to Todd's house around 11pm and claim there is some kind of emergency so his wife will release him from late night Daddy duties. Then, we sneak over to the station to bring in the Miracle of Christmas Morning live on air! I will need to verbally and emotionally purge on the airwaves anyway as I will be coming from my family's Christmas Eve dinner and that is always good for fuel for discussion. Who knows, it could become a Holiday Family Dysfunction Show.
Dec 17, Dec 10, Dec 3, Nov 26, Nov 19, Nov 12, Nov 5
December 20, 2008 at 10:04 PM | Comments (41)
Rachel Miner on Dark Matter
Last night's Dark Matter (Wed 12a-2a Indie 103.1FM) is up. One of my favorite actresses, and now people, Rachel Miner came down to the studio and joined Todd and I for a couple hours. What a treat... Not only is she incredibly talented and stunningly gorgeous... Rachel is absolutely brilliant. We hung around, played music and discussed a myriad of topics... You can see Rachel in Californication on Showtime, an upcoming episode of CSI: Miami and dozens of films.
December 18, 2008 at 01:51 PM | Comments (15)
Last Night!
Thanx Amber! More to come!
December 17, 2008 at 05:39 AM | Comments (20)
A:
Ted Melendez + 1
Lucy Marin + 1
1. My very tech related question... Does guitar playing chip nail polish?
It does, which is actually a plus, cause one can acquire that perfectly chipped street whore junky look in the time it takes to play a set without having to shoot drugs, smoke crack or walk the streets selling sexual favors. Sure, these other methods are tried and true but they take days to accomplish what can be easily done in 60-90 minutes...
2. Have you ever thought about grabbing the mic at a CF show, and sing one of the songs yourself?
No. Part of what makes CF so much fun for me is the fact that I get to play guitar with some amazing musicians and singers. Also, as much as I enjoy recording and singing songs I have written, I do not enjoy the experience on stage as much as I love simply playing my instrument.
3. Have you always, even as a youngster, been open-minded and accepting towards gays and lesbians?
Yeah... Growing up in LA I was never really exposed to racism or prejudice till I was much older. In my home, people just were... There was no difference. My earliest memories regarding these issues are very simple... My parents basically said, "Oh, some people do this... Some people do that... Some are like this... Some are like that..." There was really never an implication as to which way or thing was right or wrong. It just was. It wasn't until elementary school and junior high that the poison taught to other kids reached me. By then, I was already immune. Kind of a cool way to be brought up now that I think of it. Thanks Mom and Dad! HAHA! I sound like Kelly's brother: "A car! And a computer! Thanx Mom and Dad!"
December 14, 2008 at 06:20 PM | Comments (17)
Sunday
Morning! The third Camp Freddy "C U Next Tuesday" Residency show is already upon us at The Roxy on the 16th. I can add two names with plus ones to my personal list. As always, the first two to leave their full names in the comments will join us.
I also came across some extra wrist bands from the Jane's show at La Cita. White with "J.A. 10/23/08 La Cita" etched into them, these things are really the only remaining items that commemorate our first show with Eric Avery this year. Some might find them valuable and collectible... some may not. If you do, I will be giving away a hand full on next Wednesday's Dark Matter on Indie 103.1FM, between 12a-2a. I am also hoping to have an in studio guest.
OK, I am gonna go get my day started... I can take questions or submit gear related inquiries to Dan.
December 14, 2008 at 10:41 AM | Comments (22)
Grace & Manners Bassist Goes the Extra Mile!
Looks like Paddy (Dan) went the extra mile! He may not know shit about guitars, but he's fuckin rad! And THAT is why I hired him! Dan's real job is playing bass in the trio Grace & Manners... Sadly, he cannot work for me on the 23rd so the G&M singer Nate a.k.a. "Wood Hair" has agreed to make a special appearance in Dan's place. Dan has another engagement that night, frolicking or cobbling somewhere. He will be missed.
Tomorrow night, I will be in Long Beach with J Mello performing at Club Sachi, 6400 PCH LBC 90803 at around 11:300pm. I can add a couple of names to my guest list so if anyone wants to come, please leave me your full name here in the comments. Mello does a set of his music and I will be joining him on 3 or 4 songs. Should be a good hang for sure.
December 10, 2008 at 10:07 PM | Comments (36)
Dark Matter Tonight
(My original Jane's/Shepard Fairey piece! Thank you Shepard!!!) Tonight is an all new Dark Matter (Wed 12a-2a Indie 103.1FM) I have a couple of guests booked for upcoming shows including Killola, but tonight we fly solo with Jessica, of course, and maybe even Todd Newman if I can steal him away from baby duty for a few hours. On the show tonight I will be giving away some tickets to Camp Freddy, tickets to Indie's Holiday X-Mas Show with The Pretenders, and I even found a few more Jane's/Shepard Fairey posters to give out... (unsigned by the band, but still really cool) Although I DID promise one to JA Cafe.
Once again, we all had a great time last night at The Roxy for week two of the Camp Freddy residency. Our guests included Mark McGrath who did an unbelievable version of Public Image and an even better job on Sanctuary with The Cult's Billy Duffy. Who knew the guy could sing like that? Mark also killed it on Rebel Yell with Steve Stevens on guitar... Later we were joined by Slash and Chester Bennington for Whole Lotta Love and Paradise City, which were the ultimate finale. Chester also did an incredible version of Mountain Song with the core band. Of all the people who I have heard sing that song, Chester is second best, after Perry of course. Chester obviously respects the song and really does it justice in his delivery and clear intentions to stay true to the original version. He also tore up Ace of Spades. Other guests included Franky Perez, who amazed everyone with his incredible voice on Highway To Hell and Alright Now, Steve Jones, and The Darling Stilettos. There are two more weeks of Camp Freddy at The Roxy. Stay tuned for more tickets here and on Dark Matter. Congratulations to this week's winners, Jason and Lucy.
Here is a pretty awesome review of the show last night.
If there are any more Ask Dan questions regarding teching or gear... Let them fly!
December 10, 2008 at 12:37 PM | Comments (13)
Answers to Questions - CF Winners
(photo: Josh Giroux) Jason Purcell + 1 and Lucy Marin + 1 - See you guys tomorrow!
Wednesday night is an all new live Dark Matter (Wed 12a-2a Indie 103.1FM) with an in studio guest. Details to follow.
1. iPhone vs. Blackberry... Where do you stand?
Without a doubt, 100% Blackberry. The iPhone is cute and all and has some really great fun apps you can add including a great browser feature... But at the end of the day I use my phone for communication via texts, emails and conversation. Personally, I am not into to the touch screen of the iPhone and I prefer the actual keyboard of the Blackberry. If the iPhone comes out with an actual keyboard, it would be hard to pass up but right now it's simply not functional for me. Some love it and can get with it's touch screen. Also, if I am gonna do anything on the net, I am gonna do it on a computer. I kind of don't care how great the browser on the phone is... It's just way too small for me. I'm also not so down with the fact that they are exclusive with their service provider.
2. Does the constant flashes bother your eyes after a while during live performances, or do you just somehow adjust to it?
The flashes aren't really a problem at all cause they kind of blend in with the lights of the venue streaming down into our eyes anyway. What has become more and more awkward is the fact that now that everybody has a camera on their phone, we generally look out to and audience who are watching the show through the screens on their phones as they snap away. We make less eye contact with about half of the room cause they are shooting the show with some digital device. I get it and appreciate the fact that people want to save memories... I guess I am just old school and miss the days when the audience was more connected without a piece of technology between the show and themselves.
3. What's the wildest rumor you've heard about yourself?
There have been several! The wildest one was that I was dead... That one was years ago and got so out of control that people were calling my family with condolences. The others are just the same old random ones that have ebbed and flowed over the past 15 years...
4. You played a cool cover of "Send me an angel" on DM Nov 19. Could you please tell me who recorded that version?
That was Zeromancer off their album Eurotrash and it's available on iTunes.
5. One of my favorite guitar effects is the "wa-wa" effect, and about 2 minutes into the album version of "Ted Just Admit It", you deliver that. However, I noticed in live versions of the song I don't hear that effect, which always gives me chills.
Yes! I love that too! It's actually a Phaser that I just happened to step on while we were recording that song. I do use an EVH Phase 90 during the live shows. Perhaps it's time to bring that back! Great call! Thanks for the reminder.
6. Have you ever been afraid of failure, has that or would that ever stop you from doing something? Or do you always go into things giving your best and wait to see what happens?
Yeah fear of any kind is, for the most part, kind of useless, although of course we all feel it. (I know... fear of falling off a building is good cause it keeps you away from the edge... etc.) I suppose that the way I look at it when it comes to fear of failure is this: "I'm already not doing x, y or z. What's the worst that can happen? The worst thing that can happen is I'm still not doing x, y or z. May as well give it a shot!" That make any sense?
7. When you ask Dan to do guitar-related stuff does he ever kinda mutter to himself "They're always after me lucky charms" as he walks away?
Constantly!!! In fact, it's getting kind of annoying! I don't know what's worse. That or the fact that I am surrounded by pipe smoke whenever he is on the side of the stage.
8. What's your favorite guitar pedal?
That's a tough call cause I use the delay and the wah a lot, usually together. I suppose if I could only choose one it would be the wah as it can help change color during solos and even act as a slight boost during dynamic parts of a song.
December 08, 2008 at 08:59 AM | Comments (15)
Dark Matter & Update re: PORTLAND w/J Mello
(photo: Ambersonian) ATTN: Bobby, Jim & Jo...
Unfortunately, due to a travel mix up in New York, we had to cancel tonight's Portland show. I had you guys on the list, but sadly I will not be there to meet you. I hope you understand and we will more than likely be back eventually to make up the date.
Tonight is an all new Dark Matter (Wed 12a-2a Indie 103.1FM) with my tech Dan! The phones are down at the studio... Or I already taped the show or something like that! Anyway, with the lack of calls we can get into more music. Check it out tonight or catch the podcast later. Still trying to confirm my guest for next week. This could turn out to be a very magical holiday season after all! 41 years later, I'm still hanging in there for that Christmas miracle!
Last night's Camp Freddy show at The Roxy was a fucking blast! We were joined by our friends Steve Jones, Mark McGrath, Brett Scallions, Billy Duffy, Duff McKagen, Abby from Slunt and Sully Erna from Godsmack. Sully sang AIC's Man in a Box and Zep's Good Times Bad Times and was unbelievable! That guy has some serious pipes! We were so blown away that at the last minute, Matt suggested another song. After a quick brushing up on stage for me with Steve Jones, we went into the Pistols' Bodies. (Hey, if I am gonna brush up on a Pistols song, who better to go to?) Sully of course nailed the fuck out if it. It was a great way to kick off the month long residency at The Roxy. We have three more shows each Tuesday for the rest of December. Of course, I will be giving away tickets here and on Indie 103.1 when I am back in the studio next week.
December 03, 2008 at 03:11 PM | Comments (16)
Boss Tone Radio
In the meantime, here is an interview I did a while ago for my friends at Boss for BOSS Tone Radio with Paul Hanson. Oddly enough, it's another tech related interview! Perhaps Paddy could do with a listen!
Just gettin ready for soundcheck with Camp Freddy at The Roxy... Since we put our sets together depending on who is joining us, our sound checks become more of a cram session with the sound guys turning knobs simultaneously. By the end of our self taught clinic, the sound is hopefully dialed in!
December 02, 2008 at 12:44 PM | Comments (10)
This Week
I am stepping into another busy week here... Today Todd and I are shooting our documentary film, which is coming along great but will take about a year to compile. Still can't discuss what it's about, but as soon as we are done shooting and into editing I will. So why mention it? Well, I guess because it ties in with the whole busy thing. Then, tomorrow night is Camp Freddy at the Roxy. The first night of our month long residency there, I have Danielle and Kurt on the list... Winners from Dark Matter. Anyone else? I can give out 2 more pairs. Wednesday morning I fly out to Portland for my gig with J Mello. For that show I have Bobby, Jim and Jo on the list. From Portland I fly directly to Chicago where I will be meeting up with the CF boys for a private gig and then I am back. As a result of all the travel, this Wednesday's Dark Matter has been pre-taped. Due to the overwhelming response that Dan has received, I brought him in to play some songs and share his Irish charm. Don't forget!!!! If you wish to see Dan Cleary teching LIVE on stage... You can catch him "live" this Tuesday night at The Roxy! He also answers to "Paddy". He will be the one on the left side of the stage, as you face it, surrounded by yellow moons, blue stars, pink hearts and green clovers!
December 01, 2008 at 12:24 PM | Comments (21)
ASK DAN Vol. 2
"I don't know!" "Yeah, I don't know either!"
OK... Maybe we went a little far with that one!
Q: I notice sometimes you have one of the 4x12's pointed backwards -- what's the point of that?
A: (Dave) I pretty much only do that when I am playing with DJ Skribble. The reason is mainly due to the fact that when he and I do our set, I am the only thing coming from the stage as his turntables and the mics are only going through the p.a. The idea is to mix the guitar through the p.a. with Skribble's tracks so the blend is even and the people up front don't get blasted by the amp facing them. When we have DJ Slynkee playing drums on stage with us, or when the front row is far enough away, I'll have the amp facing out.
Q: Also are you still using the JCM 900's sometimes I have squinted really hard at my computer screen and they look like JCM 2000's.
A: (Dave) I use the 900 for Jane's and Camp Freddy... the more organic rock set up. Sometimes I use the 2000 with Skribble and J Mello or when I'm playing with a more electronically fueled set.
Q: Does DN's rig consist of two Marshall JCM 900's for the purpose of running one for gain/distortion sounds and another for clean tones? If so is this due to the Marshall JCM 900 having only one set of tone controls which is shared by both channels, thus using two seperate heads allows for varied settings to be attained for gain and clean tones?
A: (Dave) For club shows I only use the 900 for both clean and dirty tones. If you see another head on stage, it's primarily there as a back up in case something goes wrong with the head I'm using. For larger tours I do switch between two heads... The 900 for the dirty and a Mode 4 for clean. The Mode 4 is an amazing all around head but I prefer the dirty on the 900. The clean on the Mode 4 is perfect because it can handle high output pickups without breaking up on the clean channel. It is nice to have more control over the tones when running two heads but the shared tones on the 900 hasn't ever been a problem in the smaller venues.
Q: What system do you use to toggle between the heads?
A: (Dan) We use a Whirlwind A/B Box. You can do any combo of clean, dirty, or both.
Q: What tube compliment is employed in these amps and do you use different tubes for each, are they biased differently?
A: I don't re-tube Daves heads myself. I bring them to my guy and he works his magic. But I can tell you that we use EL-34's in both heads.
Q: Dan, how does your personal rig compare with that of Dave?
A: (Dan) Well, I am a bass player in "real life." I use Musicman & Fender basses through Ampeg SVT. But one thing we have in common is that we both like simplicity. No need to have all kinds of extras if they don't help. I have no effects, but Dave has minimal effects and only what he needs to sound like himself.
Q: What is up with that white Ibanez Dave played (in the pic that accompanies the El Cid post)? I thought I saw a PRS tremolo on that instrument, can you tell us about that Guitar?
A: (Dan) I had that made for Dave recently through our friend Rob at Ibanez. Usually with Ibanez if you want a tremolo you get a Floyd Rose, but when you are teching a Floyd Rose and a string breaks it can sometimes take longer than is acceptable to change it out. So I had that one made with a floating tremolo like you find on the PRS or a Strat. Once you put the Sperzel locking tuners on it, it stays in tune 95% as well as the Floyd Rose does.
Catch Dan Cleary teching LIVE on stage Dec 2nd at The Roxy!!!!
November 29, 2008 at 11:41 AM | Comments (17)