New REM Rickenbacker goodness!

[electrofaro]

Ah, thanks for posting that video, hadn't seen it yet

[tnelson]

playing with Minus 5 must have givin the other members a kick in the pants that the best stuff ive heard from them since the late 80s

[Folkie]

Werner,

I saw all the "Collapse into Now" clips on this thread, and I'm considering biting the bullet and ordering the cd from Amazon. But first I have a rather blunt question. Exactly how much 12-string is there on the new album?

Robert

[electrofaro]

Probably the slowest reply ever - been too much out of house (holiday, work trips etc).

How much 12-string? There's a Wall of Sound on a lot of songs which makes it difficult to tell sometimes what's all on a song.

Of the 12 songs, I think these only have a 12-string on it:

Discoverer
It Happened Today
Blue (Discoverer Reprise at end of song)

I'd say go to Spotify or Grooveshark and listen to the album.
Imo it's like taking New Adventurs in Hi-Fi as basis and layer all subsequent albums and the band's experiences since 1997 over it.

[jdawe]

Great clip, Werner -- much better quality than the one I posted.

What on earth is Scott wearing on his head?

[benjamin672]

Hadn't seen this either -- thanks for posting.

[Ain'tGotNoPokemon]

Probably the slowest reply ever - been too much out of house (holiday, work trips etc).

How much 12-string? There's a Wall of Sound on a lot of songs which makes it difficult to tell sometimes what's all on a song.

Of the 12 songs, I think these only have a 12-string on it:

Discoverer
It Happened Today
Blue (Discoverer Reprise at end of song)

I'd say go to Spotify or Grooveshark and listen to the album.
Imo it's like taking New Adventurs in Hi-Fi as basis and layer all subsequent albums and the band's experiences since 1997 over it.

Upon reviewing their early records, and having my own recent 660/12, it's amazing just how much Peter used a 12 string on the first three records. It's fair to say he minimally used the Ric 360/6; it's always been his main guitar (After he bought it, at least), but more so live than in the studio. Of course, it receives a good work out on LRP and Document.

[Folkie]

Guy,

The first three full albums are my favorites in the R.E.M. catalog, for the very reason you stated: plenty of 12-string out front in the mix. If you haven't already, you should check out the You Tube footage from their Raleigh, NC concert in 1985. Peter's Jetglo 360/12 makes a rare appearance onstage for three songs: "Talk About the Passion," "So. Central Rain," and "Good Advices." Do you have any idea why he used the 360/12 so sparingly onstage? I always assumed tuning issues or else he just found the 12-string harder to play in a live setting.

Robert

[Ain'tGotNoPokemon]

Guy,

The first three full albums are my favorites in the R.E.M. catalog, for the very reason you stated: plenty of 12-string out front in the mix. If you haven't already, you should check out the You Tube footage from their Raleigh, NC concert in 1985. Peter's Jetglo 360/12 makes a rare appearance onstage for three songs: "Talk About the Passion," "So. Central Rain," and "Good Advices." Do you have any idea why he used the 360/12 so sparingly onstage? I always assumed tuning issues or else he just found the 12-string harder to play in a live setting.

Robert

I think it may have something to do with comfort; it's not easy to go back and forth to 12 and six strings. While Peter basically uses acoustic strings on his 360/6, they probably still cut deep after a long 12 string session. Not to mention, it takes practice to play that 12 string fluently too! Hence he played his 12 string McGuinn model through an entire show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ocaJ36 ... re=related

Otherwise, with REM's later work requiring more than one guitarist, he and Scott play in unison when required. When I saw them on the last tour, Peter was like Jimmy Page with that 360/6; he never switched to his Les Paul or the trusty SG JR (I saw it on the side of the stage - I was in the closest row to Peter!). When they played older stuff, it just sounded like Peter! Plus, it didn't hurt that Don Dixon and Mitch Easter were on stage for "Sitting Still!"

[miltric]

Hence he played his 12 string McGuinn model through an entire show

Isn't that a 340/12 that he's playing? That's a great set, by the way. . .

[Ain'tGotNoPokemon]

Hence he played his 12 string McGuinn model through an entire show

Isn't that a 340/12 that he's playing? That's a great set, by the way. . .

A photo of his McGuinn model is lurking around somewhere.

Incidentally, Bill Berry owns one of Roger's actual 12 strings.

[Folkie]

Guy,

That's really cool that you had a front row seat to see R.E.M. on their last tour. Wish I could have been in your shoes! Yes, the Jetglo 360/6 seems to be Peter's main live guitar these days (as it was so for many years).

I've seen the footage from that show at the Rockpalast in Germany (10/2/85), and I'm not entirely sure that Peter is playing a 370/12 RM. I can see the three pickups and what seems to be the approximate body shape, but it doesn't look like a 12-string headstock to me. It doesn't really sound like a 12-er to me either. Check out those three songs from the 1985 Raleigh, NC show, and you'll really hear those octave and unison strings chiming out (and you'll get a clear view of the 12-string headstock). Could Peter be playing a Mapleglo 6-string in the Rockpalast footage?

Robert

[electrofaro]

Rockpalast is Peter using a 340 MG if you ask me. Definitely a 6, not a 12-string. I've got some of the videos as Youtube favs and seen them very often, I doubt I would've missed it being a 12er.

[Ain'tGotNoPokemon]

Rockpalast is Peter using a 340 MG if you ask me. Definitely a 6, not a 12-string. I've got some of the videos as Youtube favs and seen them very often, I doubt I would've missed it being a 12er.

http://www.youtube.com/user/REMchout#p/u/54/m3Zc8RAY7zo

Sounds more like a 12er to me.

[analogpackrat]

Check the headstock in the video--definitely a 6. Sounds like he may be using a touch of chorus or phaser, but the 12-string chime is absent.