jamsire
14th June 2008, 12.28 pm
Benefits of Tapping instruments IMHO based on what I have and experienced.
Chapman Stick
In the 1980's, the Stick was the most amazing thing I had seen (coming from the DiMeola, McLaughlin School of guitar playing). What was so "cool" back then was that people tried to learn Stick, but got fed up too quickly unfortunately, and sold them at losses - to my benefit! The Stick made my recordings come out so good - really good that people always asked who was playing bass. I can't play a standard bass guitar - good at all! What the Stick did for my technique was huge also since I would not compromise on cutting my classical guitar nails. It forced me to re-groove my approach to the instrument. When I played a POLY /GRID system at Sam Ash through a Roland MT-32, I almost considered dropping out of grad school and buying one! It was that incredible at that time to me. I recently found a HUGE amount of Stick literature - even my most prized letter from Emmett complimenting me on my demo!!! I love it.
Warr Guitar
The Warr guitar holds a special memory for me as I never had one - because I had a girlfriend who didn't like the way it looked - and she was a serious guitar collection enabler! But I still have the ink jet paper photos I received in the mail and revere them to this day because the designs were simpler then, and I just love the fact that I was "almost there." Seeing the great Frank Joiliffe play one and hearing the sound back in the mid 1990's was a real treat. Just beautiful sounding. I think I may have only played one once, maybe even Frank's.
Mobius Megatar
Love the simplicity and the sound - and respect that they are different than the aforementioned two instruments. I often forget how large my hands are! After seeing RJ's picture, I realized that neck is in fact quite large. I love the different tunings, but I have come to see the benefits of the un-crossed tunings. Fanned Frets?? Oh yeah! Also very fun to play un-plugged.
Stu Box
IMHO a sleeper in this market. This instrument is so ideal for the guitar guys who like to tap on their 6-strings because of size, convenience, or whatever. Solid, sexy and easily transportable. 12 strings, no new tunings to really learn unless you want to change them. I just think this instrument should be on more player's radar.
The Tapladder
As my Tapladder kit comes to completion, I am even more sad to see that RJ will not continue on with its development. The mechanics who have been helping me further develop it, etc., were really impressed with it. Tapping with nails is a compromise - but not with this instrument - I can not wait to chime in on it and get smoothy with it!
I hope someone comes out with a very BEAUTIFUL sounding nylon string tapper - which will be tough. That will be my last stop. MIDI not necessary - just beautiful sounding.
Groove on.
Chapman Stick
In the 1980's, the Stick was the most amazing thing I had seen (coming from the DiMeola, McLaughlin School of guitar playing). What was so "cool" back then was that people tried to learn Stick, but got fed up too quickly unfortunately, and sold them at losses - to my benefit! The Stick made my recordings come out so good - really good that people always asked who was playing bass. I can't play a standard bass guitar - good at all! What the Stick did for my technique was huge also since I would not compromise on cutting my classical guitar nails. It forced me to re-groove my approach to the instrument. When I played a POLY /GRID system at Sam Ash through a Roland MT-32, I almost considered dropping out of grad school and buying one! It was that incredible at that time to me. I recently found a HUGE amount of Stick literature - even my most prized letter from Emmett complimenting me on my demo!!! I love it.
Warr Guitar
The Warr guitar holds a special memory for me as I never had one - because I had a girlfriend who didn't like the way it looked - and she was a serious guitar collection enabler! But I still have the ink jet paper photos I received in the mail and revere them to this day because the designs were simpler then, and I just love the fact that I was "almost there." Seeing the great Frank Joiliffe play one and hearing the sound back in the mid 1990's was a real treat. Just beautiful sounding. I think I may have only played one once, maybe even Frank's.
Mobius Megatar
Love the simplicity and the sound - and respect that they are different than the aforementioned two instruments. I often forget how large my hands are! After seeing RJ's picture, I realized that neck is in fact quite large. I love the different tunings, but I have come to see the benefits of the un-crossed tunings. Fanned Frets?? Oh yeah! Also very fun to play un-plugged.
Stu Box
IMHO a sleeper in this market. This instrument is so ideal for the guitar guys who like to tap on their 6-strings because of size, convenience, or whatever. Solid, sexy and easily transportable. 12 strings, no new tunings to really learn unless you want to change them. I just think this instrument should be on more player's radar.
The Tapladder
As my Tapladder kit comes to completion, I am even more sad to see that RJ will not continue on with its development. The mechanics who have been helping me further develop it, etc., were really impressed with it. Tapping with nails is a compromise - but not with this instrument - I can not wait to chime in on it and get smoothy with it!
I hope someone comes out with a very BEAUTIFUL sounding nylon string tapper - which will be tough. That will be my last stop. MIDI not necessary - just beautiful sounding.
Groove on.