Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Werner,

I, too, have had very little formal musical education. But there's another reason it's so hard to hear some of the guitar parts on the early R.E.M. albums. Take "Murmur" and "Fables," for instance, where Peter did so many electric and acoustic overdubs that it's difficult to isolate the individual tracks. Joe Boyd, who produced "Fables," once commented that, while usually in the studio each band member wants his or her own parts to be made louder and punchier, everyone in R.E.M. wanted their parts turned down!

As for the Janglebox, I think you'll find that it sounds particularly dramatic with 12-string guitars, but that regardless of what gear you're using, it can take a while to really dial in that "sweet spot." Once you find the right settings on your amp and the pedal, though, you'll hear a quantum leap in tone.

I agree with you that most of the online, so-called tab transcriptions, are wildly oversimplified and not very helpful. I just wish someone would put together an R.E.M. tab book that contains authoritative transcriptions of some of their earlier material. Maybe you and I could collaborate on one, Werner?

Robert

Folkie wrote: I believe several people on that thread complimented you on your playing. But I stand corrected. You must have found that on a YouTube search.

They did? Was that directed at me? Woops I should pay more attention

Folkie wrote:Maybe you and I could collaborate on one, Werner?

The world's a bad enough place without me creating tabs, Robert

Now, I do hope Peter will rejoin the Venus 3 and Hitchcock for some sort of tour of the UK so I can ask him if we ever will get something like that Radiohead tab store, which is great!

Maybe I'm totally off-base with regard to the comments you got on that "Green Grow the Rushes" clip. Am I the only one who thought it was you?

The guy looked more like an english bloke to me

I'm not very much into videos, especially not featuring me

Don't want to spoil anything, but did you get the final Newsletter from the fanclub? Peter looks like he is NOT enjoying himself on the centerfold (hah hah, Peter as centerfold )

Wildberry wrote:The guy looked more like an english bloke to me

I'm not very much into videos, especially not featuring me

Don't want to spoil anything, but did you get the final Newsletter from the fanclub? Peter looks like he is NOT enjoying himself on the centerfold (hah hah, Peter as centerfold )

Alas, I was never a member of the fan club. But, as you know, I've been a loyal follower of the band since 1986. My latest R.E.M.-related news is that my best friend, who now lives in L.A., spoke to Peter backstage at a show where Peter was sitting in (don't remember the name of the band) and got him to sign a CD insert for me. I have it filed away with all my treasures, including programs signed by jazzmen Frank Morgan and Mike Stern.

Probably an Englishman, Werner. That song sounds really good on a six-string!

I only became fan club member in 2003 and not because of the fanclub pre-sale as I hadn't heard of that then yet!

Folkie wrote:Probably an Englishman, Werner. That song sounds really good on a six-string!

What?

I think we had a bit of a difference of opinion about this, but, to me, the studio version of "Green Grow the Rushes" screams "12-String." However, it's always great to hear it the way Peter played it in concert (and on the Athens Demos). Not too difficult. It was one of the first songs I learned on acoustic.

Robert

Wildberry wrote:I only became fan club member in 2003 and not because of the fanclub pre-sale as I hadn't heard of that then yet!

Folkie wrote:Probably an Englishman, Werner. That song sounds really good on a six-string!

What?

Now I've got it! No connection between the Englishman and the six-string! Sorry for the non-sequitor!

I just don't get what the evil smilie means in the context, Robert

[quote="Wildberry"]The guy looked more like an english bloke to me

Werner,

The evil smile was a reference back to your joke about the English bloke (which I took to be a devilishly funny remark).

Hope you didn't take anything the wrong way.

Robert

Folkie wrote:The evil smile was a reference back to your joke about the English bloke (which I took to be a devilishly funny remark).

Hope you didn't take anything the wrong way.

Well, Robert, I could've said the bloke looks scottish as he reminds me of Scott, now that would be evil

Anyway, I havent replied to your question regarding thicker string gauges yet.

I'm using TI 011 flats. Maybe I should switch to DM 013 flats to be as close as possible to Peter? I like the thicker gauges, they're easier to play. TI 011 allow bends if need be. I doubt they make me sound closer to PLB though.

Wildberry wrote:Anyway, I havent replied to your question regarding thicker string gauges yet.

I'm using TI 011 flats. Maybe I should switch to DM 013 flats to be as close as possible to Peter? I like the thicker gauges, they're easier to play. TI 011 allow bends if need be. I doubt they make me sound closer to PLB though.

Switching to 013 to sound more like Peter Buck isn't the best option. Considering he also has a unique fretboard wood, and it's unfinished, and his RIckenbacker pickups have lost magnetic power over the years... I think the key to his sound, at least in modern times, is the combination of the Vox and Tonetubby amps.

Let's see, how can I put this without evoking a bit of revolt...there isn't a way, so I'll just quick draw. To continually try to "sound" like another player, a famous player is complimentary to that player, but not oneself. Find your sound and write your own songs. That is the key, unless playing covers is the goal; and I'm not knocking playing covers. I loved singing Driver 8, Blood and Roses and Born to be Wild while back in college.

Addendum: I hope Mr. Buck does not continue to be a hired gun in other buddy's bands. I hope he starts his own, possibly joining forces with J. Marr, who has a habit of doing the same thing. They are my faves. Besides, I know someone who'd love to offer vocals.

Addendum II: I don't remember the year of comment, but I believe it was Andy Summers who mentioned no taste for alternate tuning. He said there is enough to learn and use in standard; pretty decent thinking...for some.

...wisdom