Hey Guys,

I was doing a basic vamp for some students of mine today and thought I'd share the backing tack here and see what you guys can come up with!

Its just a vamp (one note/chord) backing in G. G minor/major pentatonic would be a standard scale to use, but you can pretty much use any scales that are 'G based',major or minor or altered.

Lets hear your ideas!

I uploaded a track with some of my improv just using the minor pentatonic (which was actually really hard for me to do as I am used to throwing all kinds of stuff in there!) so you can get an idea. I chose to stay simple for my students sake as they are learning the pentatonic boxes at the moment and I don't think any diminished ideas would be appreciated

I will post feedback on anything submitted!

Enjoy,

B

Hi Guys,

Welcome to my review of the 68 custom Princeton Reverb review!

This is my first piece on here for a while, and I havn't even had my morning coffee yet so be gentle haha!

The 68 custom Princeton Reverb is Fender's Mexican made custom reissue of the classic Princeton amp. The guitar is a Fender American Special Stratocaster. So Fender and Fender

In the words of Fender '1968 was a transitional year for Fender amps, with tone that was still pure Fender but a look that was brand new. With a silver-and-turquoise front panel and classy aluminum “drip edge” grille cloth trim, the Princeton Reverb received a fresh new face as it remained the perfect recording and gigging amp. Small, light and moderately powered, it produced big tube tone, with world-class Fender reverb and vibrato effects. For countless guitarists ever since, the Princeton Reverb has been the go-to amp for classic Fender sound.

The ’68 Custom Princeton Reverb Amp pays tribute to the classic look, sound and performance of Fender’s late-’60s “silverface” amps. In a special twist, a modified tone circuit gives modern players greater tonal flexibility with pedals, and the amp’s reduced negative feedback gives greater touch sensitivity and quicker onset of overdrive. The ’68 Custom Princeton Reverb’s single 10” Celestion® TEN 30 speaker also delivers a more distinctively rock ‘n’ roll flavor'.

You can find the full specs here at Fenders website: http://www.fender.com/series/vintage-modif...on-reverb-120v/

If you don't know much about the amp do not fret (pun intended) hopefully the sound clips will tell you what it is all about. Think Glassy cleans, warm tube tone and a great base for your favourite pedals!

It is a classic Fender amp in the sense of what Fenders are known for, and sits within the hallowed company of the Twin Reverb and Bassman etc.

This amp is not a metal amp, so if you are looking for an amp for mega high gain look elsewhere. However its is perfect for Blues, Country, Jazz and Rock because of its beautiful cleans. Most people who want an overdrive tone will either crank the amp to 10 or more likely stick a pedal in front of it, which is what I did (The Staxmaster drive pedal which may have a review soon

The amp is only 12watts-but don't let that fool you-its is pretty loud. And by that I mean loud enough for small gigs/clubs.

I had the volume on 4 (the sweet spot just before/its starts to break up) but the volume does go to 10. However past 5 it simply gets more overdriven, not much louder. I think it is a wonderful recording/studio and small gig amp.

One difference between this and other Fender amps (i.e. the Twin, 65 Princeton) is that it is designed to break up (overdrive) slightly earlier, at about 4.5 on the volume knob.


My rating for this amp is an easy 4.5/5 with the following breakdown:

Tone: 4.5/5
Versatility 4/5
Quality 4/5
Value 4/5
Weight 4/5 (light)

PRO's:

-Beautiful classic Fender Cleans/WARM valve tone!
-Great Base for pedals
-Very versatile-all but the thrashiest if metal
-Loud enough for small gigs
-Quiet enough for home use
-Quite light so easily transportable
-Price is bang on imo.
-Looks (I love it-some might not)
-Lovely Blue LED

CON's:

-Wont be the best amp for metal (though its not designed for that so whether a con is opinion....)
-Would be nice to see some metal protection on the edges like other Fender amps
-Looks
-Some might see the 'Made in Mexico' as a con

So here are the clips, all recorded first take and improvised so take them with a pinch of salt. Some have slight gaps for when I change tone controls.

Let me know what you think!


Cheers

B

I will be on chat for a bit while I work on design stuff guitar wise so if anyone has any questions (especially blues, jazz, fusion or gear related) come join!

B

All done

Can you sort out my profile so I can PM etc?

Hey buddy! Long time no speak! Hope you are good? Any of the old gang still 'ere?



Cheers Gabriel-its been a long time-I remember ya too! Yes I hope to...if Kris lets me



Ah not far at all then...maybe a special video jam sesh on the cards!

Haha! True bro!

Near Bath area but studied there (2005-2008).

Yourself? Cheers for saying hi!

B

Hey guys,

My name is Ben Howell-I used to be an instructor here many moons ago and am now back!

Its awesome to be back and I have matured as a player, my playing tends to be revolved around blues/jazz/fusion but I do like the odd tapping lick thrown in there!

I have been playing the guitar for 13ish years, and studied Music at Bath in the UK.

I have taught at the International Guitar Festival along side some amazing players (most of who write for Guitar Techniques) and have been a session player and general guitar/amp/tone lover!

I have a theoretical background, having studied jazz at degree level and love that side of it. But I am forever in the persuit of trying to be a better musician and to be able to play what I can hear in my head

Anyway-any questions, queries give me a bell. I have some old lessons on here, but I am hoping to be much more involved now

Talk to you soon!!

B

Replied Awesome stuff!

Now where do I say hi again??!

B

....but check your emails

B

In the words of the Alan Partridge...Lovely stuff!


-Ben

Wow, this is great!

Id love one in black if possible...!!

Great idea, whoever it was!!

-Ben

This is legendary!

Welcome Alain, enjoy your stay.

-Ben

Welcome to GMC matie!

-Ben

Haha not a master at jazz by a long way, but thanks anyway!

-Ben

Nicely played Coffeeman, i wouldnt say your timing was that off at all, in fact 'swing' is the standard timing for jazz anyhow.

Well done,

-Ben

Hello Matt, cheers for your reply. Now thats the two questions taken care of, is it good sound quality? At GAK they have it for only £89 so it seems like a good deal.

-Ben

Hey Guys,

On the subject of the Pandora, does it let you record backings so you can solo over?

Also will it fit in your pocket?

Cheers,

-Ben

Great lesson Andrew, very well explained.

-Ben

Thanks guys for all the input. Some food for thought definately.

-Juan, il pm you now if you have some software that helps with transcribing?

Thanks again,

-Ben

Interesting Muris-thanks for your answer.

Do you know of any free slow-down software out there btw? Im using amazing slow downer but its very limited.

Thanks,

-Ben

Nice replys guys-Thanks.

Its come to a point in my playing where ive realized REALLY GOOD ears are ultimately what matters, especially from an improvisational point of view.

Transcribings a favourite of mine, but can be quite hard especially with some Scott Henderson stuff im working on .

As a side point-how much do you guys rely on your ears in an improvisation aspect, in a ratio perhaps to pattern, shapes etc?

Cheers,

-Ben

Hi Guys,

Just a quick question. Im currently doing ear training at the moment, with the ultimate goal of being able to hear phrases in my head and translate them (quickly) onto the guitar. This is obviously not an overnight thing, but im just wondering your methods of this training?

Im currently using interval training which i find fairly easy to be honest, but hearing the intervals over changing chords (particularly jazz changes) is rather difficult as for each chord you have to treat it as a new tonal center to hear the intervals correctly if that makes sense.

Cheers for the input,

-Ben

Sounds great Andrew, cant wait to hear it. Perhaps you'll start your own boutique amp company?!

-Ben

The amp looks SWEET Andrew! Congratulations!

Love to hear how it sounds!!

-Ben