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Post subject: Fender Deluxe VM: First Impressions
Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 9:59 pm
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Well, my amp finally came today! Thank you Brad! :D I was playing drums and I didn't even hear the doorbell ring. It's a good thing my Dad did. He brought it in, right through the room I was drumming in and I didn't even notice. :lol: So I was real surprised to see it sitting there next to me when I stopped playing.

After my Dad opened the wrong end of the box (he was excited), turning it over, and opening the right end, I got my first look at it. Everything was fine except that the grill had come loose during shipping. I popped it back in, but it still wants to fall off so tomorrow when I go to the guitar shop for my drum lesson I'll bring it with me and see if the guitar tech can fix it for me. No big deal.

Well, I grabbed my Strat and plugged it in and wow! It sounds amazing! I've never actually played a Fender tube amp (I was a Marshall drone before this) and I love it. It puts my digital-modeled-Line 6-software-virtual-fender-amp to shame. I messed with the delay and chorus, they both sound good. I really like how you can get the Chorus to sound almost like a Uni-Vibe or a Leslie. Now if only I could play Cold Shot better, that would really sound good. The reverb is also very good sounding. In fact, it probably sounds even better than the real spring reverb in my Peavey Classic 30. I also messed with the drive channel for a minute, but by then my Mom had supper ready and I had to stop.

After inhaling my food, I rushed back to my amp armed with my Gibson Les Paul BFG, my Squier Tele and my modified Squier Strat.
I plugged in the Les Paul first and went strait for the drive channel. It's great, and it's absolutely usable. With the gain at 2 I can get a nice bluesy slightly distorted sound. With the gain around 5 it's pure classic rock. I played "Alright Now" by Free to test how it sounded with chords and with my Les Paul in the bridge position it NAILED the tone exactly. I was actually surprised I could sound that good. :lol:
I played some ZZ Top type riffs too before moving on to testing what it sounded like with the gain at 10.
It sounded really good for leads and classic metal rhythm. Getting Iron Maiden or Deep Purple tone is no problem. For anything really heavy you'd need a pedal.

Next I played around with my Tele for a while. I couldn't get it as distorted as my Les Paul, but it still sounded good. Played some Led Zeppelin on it, if you like classic rock you've got to try this amp. I got some great tones on the clean channel too. Everything from country twang (I don't really play country, but I can kind of fake it) to U2 and alternative rock tones.

And finally I plugged in my Squier Strat (it has Texas Specials, Ernie Ball .12-.56's and is tuned to Eb). I thought the Texas Specials sounded good before, but now it's just ridiculously good. I tried turning it up as loud as I could before it became painful. I managed to get the clean channel up to about 8 and the drive channel (with gain set to 5) up to about 6 before I was on the verge of making my ears bleed and the windows rattle. I can't wait to get it up all the way for the next gig (I play at Church in a gymnasium every week), my room is pretty small.
It nailed the tone for Pride and Joy (my poor pet lizard probably has hearing loss after that), and with the gain set slightly lower I played through Texas Flood. The song, not the whole album.

There's really no comparison between it and the Peavey Classic 30 that has been my amp for the last two years. On the Peavey I turn on the drive channel and you can't even tell that it's on. I have to use my Jekyll and Hyde to get any distortion and boost out of it. I don't really even need the Jekyll and Hyde for the Fender, although I'll probably still use the O/D side of it for solos. I think my next Fender purchase will be the Bandmaster VM 2 x 12 cab, then I'll have a stack going! :D

I'd be back there playing it some more, but I'm supposed to be doing homework right now. :lol: So I guess I better get to it.

If you have any questions about it, you can ask and I'll be happy to answer them if I can. I'll be recording some sound clips and videos and taking some pictures in the near future. :D

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Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2009 10:48 pm
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Wow, texasguitarslinger, great initial report and I'm glad you're digging your prize! Keep me updated regarding the amp grill -- if you can't fix it we'll figure something out.

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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 4:15 am
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Good review.

It would probably be a "Holy" experience for me as I am just starting out and have had minimal experience with amps so far. So having an 800 dollar tube amp would be sweet.

My first one will likely be some small practice amp.


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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:58 pm
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Congrats Texas good review... Pictures please :wink:

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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 2:00 pm
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Nice. I hope you can post some pics soon.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:44 am
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Fantastic review Tex, I know exactly what you mean when comparing the Line6 gear :wink: You had me just as excited as you and your dad with your words, well done.


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:21 pm
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texasguitarslinger: Congratulations!
So... your first tune with the amp was Alright Now by Free, eh? That's not an easy tune to play correctly, even thought it sounds simple, because it's hard to hear what each of the two guitars are actually doing. After seeing some of the very best guitarists around play it (EXACT!) and taking note that a major Guitar mag posted it with the 2 parts totally separated and note for note, I'm now aware of how it's done properly. Most of the "Instructional" versions on YouTube are amateur and just plain wrong. Many are a sad joke.... Beginners with no real clue. However.....
This one (below) has a couple shots of it being played right.... (obviously).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eK6ydCIH ... re=related

I'm still trying to find a close-up of someone who knows what the H*ll they're doing..... LOL

The 2nd guitar plays A, ADA.... D4, D, A (verse w/ NO BASS)
D4 is the same as a regular D, but with your pinky on the high E string's G.

The main guitar plays just the center 4 strings, letting the low A ring along with the fingered A on the G string. The B string gets the on & off between C# and D with the changes between A & D. The D string however gets an F# the first time (with the hammered on D) -back to the A chord- and THEN..... the pinky hits the G note (on the D string), back off to the F# and finally E in the A chord. Of course this is the odd repeat of the first half chord changes. It's the same as the 2nd guitar, but played in the next lower register. I hope that explains it.


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:38 pm
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Nice video! The mix was awesome for a live set too.

Hey there's only one guitar so how could it be played "right" if there are two parts? :D

I know what you mean though, I like to find technically correct techniques too.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 4:10 pm
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True, the guitarist (Neal Schon?) played the main part & Billy Shennan? played the "once in a while" bass, although he (if you noticed) played the upper part of the 2nd half of the lead section an octave high to imply the bottom part of the piano line. However, I heard (correct me if I'm wrong) that the original lead player in FREE passed away... or did himself in. I'm sure Paul Rogers also plays guitar, but just fronted this trio. The original recording had at least 2 guitar tracks, bass & piano, plus several drum and vocal tracks. There were also tambourine and cowbell tracks. Drummers should take time and really listen to the kick drum.... it's not as straight as you'd expect. There's a fair number of variations to it... in odd places. You might have guessed by now that I have thoroughly dissected this tune, but I think I have a few notes left over putting it back together.... LOL

BTW: DON'T look at any other 'Alright Now' vids by amateurs.... some are so bad you might barf....


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:38 pm
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I'm a Fender guy, but I have to say, a Les Paul and a Marshall sound great! Especially with someone as good as that dude playing!

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:55 pm
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You want more umphfff out of your single coils and not go the HSS route? errrrr rout that is..... and still retain the sound you bought the Strat for? check out: www.VilleX.com IE: http://www.villex.com/stratocaster_jack ... oster.html

That dude? mmmmm sure looks like Neal Schon to me. (Journey) Plays & Sounds like him too.... if it isn't Neal, 'that dude' is one heck of a doppleganger!


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 9:53 pm
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Well, I was close. :lol: Shouldn't take me too long to learn the right way to play it. It's kind of like Smoke on the Water. It's the simplest thing in the world to play, but everyone still plays it wrong.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:24 pm
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Here are some pictures. I'm going to post more later. I had to use links because they're big.

http://api.ning.com/files/O0EiiCGckBwgaCV-xoJqeGH3WeQcg6EW7NtKKflIC7ehG1Q3GJrl0VCTugACkBwDi*QZmILK7HlSrg4UOz1E2iI-1jwzbGIE/100_2081.JPG

http://api.ning.com/files/Na0mJ0wAsw2C2jMfM5GdgXY3JNBI1Obw1aqK-i7QBMZBe6zz00X3DZUr9GmfaSZz5ZZ3JPusQ6gf5eOvXI3*GnZhar-lkMgQ/100_2090.JPG

http://api.ning.com/files/O0EiiCGckBw2aQ0S1yCvLMxgm-aRwcNEfb8lfQ0hdKj9JKj1GehhBwL*LAmKE3TjXhxw*FuV8a-yErwKCTURAfWw6sJFNrGL/100_2115.JPG

The dog is my Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Jet. :D

EDIT: The links didn't work. :x Just copy and paste it I guess.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 10:55 pm
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Funny you mentioned Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water" since even Richie Blackmore plays it differently now than when it was first recorded, so that probably gives amateurs (and the rest of us) some room to quibble.

Originally it was played on the 2 center strings without picking the upper string. (Said by those who watched him play it in concert: LIVE, back in the day.) Pick the D string & finger-pluck the G, both at the same time.

Open, 3rd fret, 5th fret.... Open, 3rd fret, 6th fret & slide down to the 5th fret...... Open, 3rd fret, 5th fret..... 3rd fret, Open....... (repeat)

Now it is similar, but the "open D & G" are fretted on the 5th frets of the A & D strings, plus the slide is replaced with an actual 'pluck-stroke'. Also, it is OK to use a pick across both strings.

So, (in conclusion and therefore) either way or any combinations of them are "correct". Personally, I prefer the 'old' way because I like the body of the ring on the open strings AND I like the fuller continuity of the slide. The "newer" version isn't as easy to finger and it sounds 'choppy' without the slide, but that's just my opinion. (Backed up by nearly 45 years of professional playing & performing experience I might add, LOL)

I've even seen it (& heard it - in a music store guitar "try-out", hahaha) played in the key of E, or played with barre chords on the lowest strings. For the most part, the basic idea is there.... it's the technique that's screwed up. Tons of guitarists out there can play the same notes in the same order as Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, Page or even Carlos.... it's the TONE and technique that draws the (giant) line between amateur & super-star. I used to think getting & using the same equipment (as 'they' used) would close the gap..... but that's like closing the doors to the cold on a winter's day, yet all the windows are still wide open. Believe me, technique makes ALL the difference, no matter what equipment you have and use.

And just what IS technique? Well, it involves several things: a personal style for one, such as whether you use a pick, a pick and fingers or no pick at all. Style also involves PHRASING, which can be a real 'signature' for many artists. What you play, how & where (on the neck) you play it and where (or if) you leave gaps, rests or pauses, etc. Bends, hammer-ons & pull-offs, whammy (or not), trills & triplets, clean or dirty, on & on..... it all boils down to 2 things: Not just how well you can play like someone (or anyone) else.... it's how well you can play like NO one else.


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Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:15 am
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Guitarman1117 wrote:
I've even seen it (& heard it - in a music store guitar "try-out", hahaha) played in the key of E, or played with barre chords on the lowest strings. For the most part, the basic idea is there.... it's the technique that's screwed up. Tons of guitarists out there can play the same notes in the same order as Hendrix, SRV, Clapton, Page or even Carlos.... it's the TONE and technique that draws the (giant) line between amateur & super-star. I used to think getting & using the same equipment (as 'they' used) would close the gap..... but that's like closing the doors to the cold on a winter's day, yet all the windows are still wide open. Believe me, technique makes ALL the difference, no matter what equipment you have and use.

And just what IS technique? Well, it involves several things: a personal style for one, such as whether you use a pick, a pick and fingers or no pick at all. Style also involves PHRASING, which can be a real 'signature' for many artists. What you play, how & where (on the neck) you play it and where (or if) you leave gaps, rests or pauses, etc. Bends, hammer-ons & pull-offs, whammy (or not), trills & triplets, clean or dirty, on & on..... it all boils down to 2 things: Not just how well you can play like someone (or anyone) else.... it's how well you can play like NO one else.


Absolutely. That's what it all comes down to.

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