New McGuinn interview

[kvalois]

Hi, everyone:

I just read the recent Guitar Player magazine that has a brief interview with McGuinn. In it, he says that "lately" he does NOT use a "Janglebox". He says that he just plugs into the soundboard at the gig and uses THEIR compression.

I had noticed in the most recent McGuinn videos on You Tube that the Rickenbacker had lost LOTS of its sparkle and chime. In fact, I thought that the Ric sounded somewhat mediocre!!!!! Over the years, it seems to me, he has lost interest in that classic 1965, bright, "jingle-jangle." I know that on some of his instructional DVDs that he turns down the "treble" to a fairly low level.

I may be "crazy" but I still love that "glass-breaking, bright treble" sound of the early days. In fact, I let a friend of mine who owns a guitar store here in Connecticut borrow my Janglebox 2 yesterday. He had heard about the Janglebox and wanted to try it out. Right in the middle of the store, with customers all around, he gave it a loud test-drive on his Rickenbacker. Everybody stopped to admire the POWER of the Janglebox and my friend-- who rarely shows much emotion-- was absolutely SOLD on it, with a smile from ear-to-ear!!!!

[jimk]

Some of that tonal loss may also be due to the recording methods used on the Youtube videos. Cellphones don't do that well at all, and many home video cameras aren't too impressive, either. In Roger's defense however, I have to say that going through the sound board sure does cut down on the amount of gear you have to schlep around.
JimK

[janglebox]

Hi, everyone:

I just read the recent Guitar Player magazine that has a brief interview with McGuinn. In it, he says that "lately" he does NOT use a "Janglebox". He says that he just plugs into the soundboard at the gig and uses THEIR compression.

I had noticed in the most recent McGuinn videos on You Tube that the Rickenbacker had lost LOTS of its sparkle and chime. In fact, I thought that the Ric sounded somewhat mediocre!!!!! Over the years, it seems to me, he has lost interest in that classic 1965, bright, "jingle-jangle." I know that on some of his instructional DVDs that he turns down the "treble" to a fairly low level.

I may be "crazy" but I still love that "glass-breaking, bright treble" sound of the early days. In fact, I let a friend of mine who owns a guitar store here in Connecticut borrow my Janglebox 2 yesterday. He had heard about the Janglebox and wanted to try it out. Right in the middle of the store, with customers all around, he gave it a loud test-drive on his Rickenbacker. Everybody stopped to admire the POWER of the Janglebox and my friend-- who rarely shows much emotion-- was absolutely SOLD on it, with a smile from ear-to-ear!!!!

There's more to this than meets the eye, but I can't get into it. The "lately" Roger referred to was his two-month European tour where he did not bring a JangleBox. In fact, he didn't even bring a Ric 12-string, preferring to just use an occasional loaner.

But this really isn't news because Roger's always used the JangleBox off and on, depending how it works out at the sound check. When I see him live, I can tell whether or not he's using a JB. Considering that he now only plays a Ric on about four songs per show, it's not surprising that he wants to use the sound check to concentrate on his acoustic set up, which is more time consuming and difficult to fine tune.

He emailed me a while ago that he loved using his JB2 in his home studio, but that he probably wouldn't take it on the road because of the size.

Karl, glad to see that your friend enjoyed your JB2... please tell him we'd love to have him carry our products!

[kvalois]

Hi, Steve:

I've seen McGuinn a number of times during the past few years and you're right-- unfortunately, he uses the Ric-12 only sparingly in concert. He seems to be completely in love with his Martin HD-7, which he uses for most songs. He uses his Martin 12-string for only one or two songs, too!!!

And, yes, my friend DID say that he would like to sell the Janglebox!!!!!


Karl

[rick36]

Any of you who follow the "Folk Den" have probably also noticed the absence of the Ric 12's in the mix of guitars lately. Maybe he's getting a little tired of changing strings and batteries all of the time? The acoustic 6 string, banjo and mandolin are good, but are getting a little tiresome. I for one would be glad to hear some more Ric 12 in the mix...

[kvalois]

Me, too!!!!

[jimk]

I know we all have our favorites, and there are perhaps sentimental attachments to the music Roger has recorded and performed in the past. But I think we all must realize that stasis is not conducive or productive of great art and music.

He's going back to his roots; the things he learned at the Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music. So much so, that I get the impression that he hardly ever thought of himself as a rocker, but a folkie who, when the opportunity presented itself took folk music in a more commercial direction as a matter of practical business sense.

He's also at the point in his career where he doesn't have anything left to prove. He's got the gold records, the awards, the induction into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, and on and on. He has made his mark on popular music. So now he feels, I'm sure, that he's free to go wherever his passion leads him.

I certainly can understand all that.
JimK

[jps]

....he's free to go wherever his passion leads him.

I certainly can understand all that.
JimK

Hence, the electric Rick!

[jdogric12]

I know we all have our favorites, and there are perhaps sentimental attachments to the music Roger has recorded and performed in the past. But I think we all must realize that stasis is not conducive or productive of great art and music.

He's going back to his roots; the things he learned at the Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music. So much so, that I get the impression that he hardly ever thought of himself as a rocker, but a folkie who, when the opportunity presented itself took folk music in a more commercial direction as a matter of practical business sense.

He's also at the point in his career where he doesn't have anything left to prove. He's got the gold records, the awards, the induction into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, and on and on. He has made his mark on popular music. So now he feels, I'm sure, that he's free to go wherever his passion leads him.

I certainly can understand all that.
JimK

Couldn't have said it better myself, Jim. Well done.

[jimk]

Thanks, JDog. Just my $0.02.
JimK

[Janglyman]

You are right, JimK. Maybe one of us should make the next new Rick music.

[jimk]

Doing my part, Russel. Working on my submissions for the RRF compilation CD#3.

JimK

[manta]

Actually, to me, it just seems a long route back to his roots. He always loved folk in many flavors and has promoted it through Folk Den. Its the base for most of the Byrds anthems fueled by youth and '60s - '70s experimentation.

But this avenue should really be no surprise. And the venues he plays are conducive to his acoustics.

Roger that!

He's always been one of the free spirits. That's his true appeal.

Manta

[Folkie]

As usual, Jim K is right on the mark! Successful musicians always face a peculiar dilemma: the diehard fans want to hear more of the classic material, while the critics will pan an artist if he doesn't break new ground. I believe McGuinn is simply returning to his folk-music roots and trying to rechannel them in a new direction. I saw him in 2008, and he only played four songs on the electric 12. His main squeeze these days is his Martin 7-string acoustic.

By the way, I stopped going to see R.E.M. in the late 80's because they adamantly refused to play any of their early material. Now they've gotten way back into the jangle sound and are playing all kinds of stuff from "Fables of the Reconstruction" and before. They even did a lovely version of "Gardening at Night" at their Rock Hall induction. So as a hardcore fan, I couldn't be happier.

[1a12]

REM and Roger in Passaic NJ 1984 round the time I graduated HS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpShuPQW8SA