Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I know this doesn’t do much good for you guys in Australia and the UK (and elsewhere) but McGuinn will be performing at the Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio on Saturday, May 20. Also on the bill is legendary Airplane/Tuna wizard Jorma Kaukonen (who owns the Ranch).
My two guitar g-ds at the same place at the same time … unbelievable.

In case anyone is interested, tickets can be ordered here:
http://furpeaceranch.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=42

Note: Fur Peace uses a “will call” system at the gate to the parking lot.
They are located off Rt. 33 about halfway between Athens and Pomeroy.

That's gonna' be good Mark! Maybe they could have a special guest drop by and play a little bass too!?

Cole

In my dreams, yes.
I've gotten to play with Jorma once (see below if I can figure out how to upload).
Besides the birth of my children, it was the thrill of my life.

\image

Well I guess I didn't figure it out.

My gosh, there was an "Upload Attachment" button there all the time.
Here we go again.
Thrill of my life: me playing with Jorma:

How did you get that gig Mark? You lucky devil you!

Cole

Actually, it was easy, I just asked him.
Actually it wasn't that easy. Well sort of. It's a LONG story. At least I make it a long story when I tell it and I try to make it funny too.
The short answer is, Sunday afternoon is student performance time at the Ranch. And sometimes people are brave (stupid?) enough to ask Jorma (if he's there) to play with them. Not too many ask. But he and I get along pretty well and, heck, I'd been waiting 34 years or so to play with him so what did I have to lose.

Mark- Since you are familiar w/ Jorma's playing style, perhaps you can shed some light on something that I've wondered for years.

In the Airplane it seemed like his guitar was tuned the least little bit sharp, more noticeable on solos. Any comments?

Thank you for that vote of confidence. But I must admit in all honesty that I am not an expert on Jorma’s style(s) of playing. I am very knowledgeable (as a fan) on the Airplane in general and more knowledgeable about Jack’s style (and Paul’s somewhat) than Jorma’s.

I will add this thought, and I mentioned it in another thread a while back. First a disclaimer: I don’t think my ear/brain is good enough to detect a little on the sharp or flat side. However I have gone over a few 60s recordings with my guitar teacher. And he has noticed the same thing you did. It might have been intentional. It might have been the limit of the recording technology at the time. (Tape and tape machines do wear down.) Or it might have been as I quoted Jorma on yet another post somewhere here that, hey, “we played out of tune” sometimes.

But I am going to see Jorma in about five weeks so I can ask him in person if you wish. Was there a specific song in particular? Always keep in mind, however, that memories of these kind of things that happened 40 years ago tend to get VERY fuzzy.

I seem to remember SOMEBODY TO LOVE being one, but he's not sharp on all of it. There were others that I'd have to go back and listen to...

OK, I'll ask him.
If you think of any others let me know.
Just be prepared for a possible answer like "hey man, it was the 60s, ya know."

Speaking of fuzzy, way back in the dark ages (1972) the band that I played with recorded an album at Elektra in Los Angeles. I seem to recall discussions between the engineer, our lead guitarist and Gary Usher, the producer, about tuning the guitar just a hair sharp for dubbed-in lead solos. It had to do with making the guitar stand out a little more and with the fact that notes flatten-out as they decay. It was something that we had never heard of and which Usher brought to the table as if it was often standard practice. As I recall, we did it on certain parts and the effect was more something that seemed to brighten the sound than something you noticed as a change in intonation. It's sort of like playing up-tempo, right on top of the beat - where if you played any faster you would be ahead of it...if you know what I mean. Sorry I didn't pay closer attention but we didn't have a drummer. Since I was the closest thing to a drummer (bass player) once the rhythm tracks were down, it was my duty to wander around the studio trying to hustle any chicks that might be hanging out....

RE: In the Airplane it seemed like his guitar was tuned the least little bit sharp, more noticeable on solos. Any comments?

Sorry, Steve.
Saw Jorma this weekend and asked him. He dismissed the theory. He said if anything sounded sharp it was completely by accident.

Thanks Mark.

Just got home. It was a great show. The crowd really got into and sang along on quite a few of the numbers.
Jorma and Roger didn’t play any songs together. I wasn’t expecting them to, but it would have been a wonderful treat if it had happened.
I did walk away with one prize however . . .



I'm not quite sure if anyone would be able to actually read what that handwriting says, but I'll be sure to let them know.