Guitars, Amps and Misc.

Campilongo Signature Guitar!

The Fender Custom Shop Campilongo Signature Top-Loader Telecaster has arrived!

It was introduced at the winter NAMM show January, 2010. Learn all about it at the Signature Telecaster page.

MY '59 TELECASTER

guitar and amp I aquired my Tele about 15 years ago when a generous pal, John Jensen, gave it to me. He did so because I fell so much in love with it. It still feels like my musical home. Thanks again, John.

I have a '59 Fender Tele, three saddle, toploading bridge with threaded "steel" saddles and slot head set screws. 1959 was the only year Fender produced string through BRIDGE and not BODY. As far as the Toploader -- I think the feel and sound is a bit more "rubbery" than a standard Tele.

Both pickups have had windings snap internally and have been rewound by Seymour Duncan so they are "original" and "Duncan's" at the same time.

Everything else on my '59 Tele is stock except the Gotoh/Kluson tuners (see below). The volume and tone potentiometers, etc., are stock. When I replace parts that wear out, I make sure there's nothing modified or "improved". I'm not saying my way is better, I am simply accustomed to the guitar the way I got it and prefer to keep it consistent.

OTHER GUITARS

I love my '58 Gibson 225, my new Gretsch Chet Atkins with a Bigsby modified by Paul Gambon, my Hahn Tele, my Greenwich Village Tele, my '62 Custom color Strat (signed by Roy Buchanan), my '58 Martin 015 (thank you Dave Boat), and my '70 Martin D-35 (purchased by my mom from my first guitar teacher, the amazing Bunnie Gregoire).

STRINGS and SETUP

I like D'Addario EKXL120 009's-.042 sitting as high as possible over the pickup plate. This helps me avoid picking the pickup plate instead of the low E string. I also have a tendency to miss strings 3 and 4 but an "extreme arch" with the truss rod somewhat remedied this problem. I have a string endorsement but I liked D'Addario well before the endorsement deal. I like their bright sound and feel. Maybe I'm imagining this but D'Addario's seem wound tighter then "Boomers". They feel more "round wound" on my fingertips. I always get these "raised eyebrow" looks when I say I use .009's but I've used that gauge (on my electrics) since 1973. I've always felt that a lighter gauge was easier on the fretting hand but harder on the picking hand. Why? Because there is less string surface to strike. I've used .010's and felt that the sound was too bright. More info can be found at www.daddario.com

TUNERS

I like the Kluson copies made by Gotoh. The Kluson tuners are good too - but the Gotoh tuner is loose enough for an easy twist but with no "play" whatsoever.

THE NUT

Although I seem to burn through the hardest substances available, a good nut rebuilding trick is to apply some Super Glue and (seroiusly) a bit of baking soda in the string slot. This rebuilds the nut slot and sidesteps having to buy, install and break in a brand new nut.

CABLES

I use Fulltone "Gold Standard" guitar cable, as short as I can handle, 8 ft to 10 ft. I believe cable length affects your sound. Fulltone cables are a bit "brighter" then most cables which is something I usually shy away from. I mean, have you EVER heard ANYONE say "I can't get enough highs out of this Telecaster!"? All that said, the Fulltone adds a nice clear fidelity I enjoy.

AMPLIFICATION

I own many amps but I prefer the weight, portability and sound of Princeton Reverbs. I own two '66 Princeton Reverbs, three 70's, two new reissues, two '70's Vibrolux Reverbs (one has solid state rectifier instead of a tube) and a 70's Vibrochamp (the most amazing vibrato sound ever created).

SPEAKERS

The variety of speakers in my Princeton amps:

a) Celestion G-10 for a throaty "compressed" sound. This speaker isn't too bright so sometimes I'll use it for "jazz" sounds as well.

b) 60's "Gold Back" Jensen C-10 N. My favorite speaker. The more advanced the the Jensen speaker alphabet (as in Q verses N) the less the wattage capacity. The N Jensen C-10 seem to be robust enough to handle maximum volume, de-tuning and whatever else I throw at it. The highs are cutting but still pleasant.

TUBES

I replace all my amps with "new old stock" tubes. Any of the available NOS's are, in my opinion, an improvement over "stock" Russian or Chinese tubes. Also, if you're like me and play 45 year old amps on "10" for six months you should expect to have to replace tubes and speakers more than you'll like. Remember... When it comes to tone, there is no such thing as a "free lunch"!

BIASING HOT

I bias all my amps on the hot side. Princeton amps are normally biased at about 22. My Princetons are biased at 30 - AT LEAST! Sometimes over-biasing can add unwanted overtones, so use your ears. Biasing hot also shortens speaker and tube life, but in my humble opinion, it's great while it lasts. (Hey, that "free lunch" line is around the corner, pal!)

THE FENDER REISSUE

I endorse the Fender Princeton reissue and I think the guys at Fender did a great job. I'm proud to endorse the amp. A video of what I have to say about the reissue can be found here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHVG4kDurtY

In a nutshell... No matter what year my amps were manufactured, my personal tastes include replacing tubes and speakers in all of them. So check out the info I've supplied here on this page and draw your own conclusions. Tone is a subjective and quite often confounding thing. Learn to trust your instincts. You'll be glad you did.

AMP REPAIR

On the West coast there is none better at amp repair then Keith Reinegger at the Amp Lab in Campbell, CA. As far as I'm concerned he's the "Zen Master". Tell him "Jim Can't-Be-Long-Now" sent you.

Keith Reinegger
Amp Lab
279 Dillon Ave # 1
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 871-2422

Out here in New York I really like amp tech Pat at Main Drag Music. I think he tweaks my Fender amps JUST RIGHT ! He's also into vintage tube stereos and he tweaked my Dyna Kit brilliantly.

Main Drag Music
718-388-6365
www.maindragmusic.com
info [at] maindragmusic.com
330 Wythe St Williamsburg, Brooklyn 11211

GUITAR REPAIR

Whenever I'm in California, I have my guitar set up by Luthier Kenneth Harper. He does GREAT WORK and the most perfect setups my fingers have experienced.

Harper Manufacturing, Makers of Fine Stringed Instruments
email: twangster_1999 [at] yahoo.com
phone: 707-446-0487
7246 Browns Valley Rd
Vacaville, CA 95688


"THE KID IS A GENIUS"

In New York I have Izzy Lugo set up my guitars. He does great set ups for a reasonable price. Furthermore, he's a good player and checks the set ups out thoroughly with "torture test" bending from all positions. I recently sent a finicky friend to Izzy and when I asked him about the results of Izzy's work he said "I think ... the kid is a genius".

Izzy is located in midtown in NYC and can be reached at 646-596-6043. You can text him too.

SPEAKER RECONING


John Sworen does a great job...
Vintage Radio
144 N. Beverwyck Rd., #208
Lake Hiawatha, NJ 07034
(973) 575-0717

THE KLON CENTAUR

Since I started playing through Princeton amps on "10", I haven't used the Centaur on "my thing", since recording "Loose". You can hear the Centaur all over that CD (check out Harlem Nocturne). Most recently I employed the Centaur on the entire Martha Wainwright tour and again was amazed by the Centaur's organic quality. Pleasant surprises like octave feedback would occur at low distortion settings and, most importantly to me, it responded to the touch of my right hand. Martha played some very high profile gigs: Letterman, Conan, Abbey Road, etc., and I always looked forward to stepping on the Centaur with total confidence. Bill Finnegan is my pal, but In my unbiased opinion the Centaur is the best overdrive money can buy. Learn more about it at www.klon-siberia.com

Guitarists I Like ....

Roy Buchanan - Absolutely my favorite guitarist - Get Roy's 1st Album on Polydor. I think it came out in 1971. Roy invented or help define......

*TELECASTER*

Most important - he had a mournful, expressive quality in his playing. He said he was trying to say "help me"... In my opinion he put out a bunch of uneven records so try to hang tough in finding "Roy Buchanan 1st Album". It has been re-issued on cd.

When I was in my really early twenties, I would see him play every time he came to SF. I ended up attending about 25 shows He was and is my guitar mentor and teacher.

Another recommendation is "Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West ", "Stratosphere Boogie " on the Razor and Tie label. It's crazy, humorous instrumental music with delightful virtuosity. It has the classic pairing of Pedal Steel Guitar and electric guitar (Telecaster) . Many other " Hot Guitar " couples like Buddy Charleton and Leon Rhodes (Ernest Tubb Band)

"Brisbane Bop" with Jimmie Rivers on guitar had a huge impact on my playing. I studied that record for years before actually meeting Jimmie In 1996.

I was lucky enough to meet Jimmie Rivers in a small restaurant in Placervlle, Calif where he held his every Sunday residency. I walked in the place (I forget the name, The Blue Gill or something like that ...) and couldn't believe the sound coming from a corner in the restaurant was the unmistakable sound of Jimmies guitar style. There was no stage and Jimmie and his band played on the carpeted restaurant floor. This is no hard-luck story, one could feel the joy and comaraderie transmitted into sound as the band played. This wasn't "Brisbane Bop" but it was well played swing by excellent, talented pros. Jimmie was teasing the waitress to bring him a drink while he joked, smoked, taunted and took everything around him . He spotted me and during the break walked over. He was interested in me, why I came. When I told him his guitar work was big influence. He became self-effacing and emotional. He really couldn't understand the interest "Brisbane Bop" was receiving When I asked if the "Jimmies Blues" solo was worked out, he roared with laughter and cried out "We were all drunk!" I was lucky enough to sit in with the band. They were all really nice and supportive despite my nervousness and occasional musical shortcomings. Later Jimmie invited to visit his house and meet his wife Maria. I overcame my fear and called a few weeks later. This led to many thrilling opportunities including playing his "Retirement Show" at the Great American Music Hall and to a few guitar lessons.

His guitar lessons were amazing! He was very into sharing his concepts and was thrilled I was interested. I couldn't help think that being 70 years old had him feeling like someone should carry on the flame. He'd show me ideas and say" People go nuts when you play this at the end of a song !". He was not Mr. Music Theory, he called Emi7b5 (prefacing A7 ), "Little C7" but he had a profound genius in cutting away all the useless fat and showing the essentail "meat". Many of his ideas were based on Jazz trumpeter Bill Davison and Charlie Christian via Barney Kessel He once said the only solo he liked from "Brisbane Bop" was "Rose Room" in which he plays the Chistian solo pretty much note for note. Jimmie could break down and simplify like a true Zen Master and many of his concepts I still draw upon and share.

Other great Guitar players ...

Don Rich - Played with Buck Owens and played low note twang" Truck Driver" guitar. Don was influenced by Red Simpson's guitar player, Gene Moles. Red Simpson was re-issued on cd. That's really good too.

Roy Nichols - If you have a record player check out "Live In Muskogee'. Merle voice never sounded better . Roy Nichols plays beatifully. Hard Time Blues is a must hear.

Hank Garland - A Nashville session man who played with Elvis, Patsy Cline, The Everly Bros and more. I would recommend" Hank Garland and the Sugarfooters " for hot Country Jazz .

Chet Atkins - I own over a 100 Chet albums and I think most of them are incredible.

Influences

Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols
I am still amazed by the originality and raw power of this record. It still sounds as vital and important to me as the first time I heard it. I wish more records made today were as challenging and "uncorrupted" as this one.

Pioneers of the Jazz Guitar
This CD features guitar greats Eddie Lang, Carl Kress, Lonnie Johnson and more. This wonderfully satisfying era is where amplification and recording methods allowed players to but down their banjo's and play the more dynamic 6 string guitar. The songs and performances are eventful and charming.This music is from an era where shoe-gazing singer songwriters would probably be knocked down by drunken sailors. Because of this, the musicians virtuosity is always presented in a melodic and yet an aggressive and accessible way. A "must have" CD that in my opinion, anyone can enjoy.

Music of Spain, Julian Bream
Virtuoso Julian Bream covers the compositions of turn-of the century composers Granados and Albeniz. A great journey into guitar music at its best.

A Session with Chet Atkins
I own over a 100 Chet albums and I think most of them are incredibly musical. His output is amazing and almost always high quality. This record is among his first. Like most his records, the songs are charming and to the point. It also features Homer and Jethro in the rhythm section and Jerry Byrd on steel guitar. What an all-star cast! [This album is not available, but Guitar Legend: The RCA Years and The Essential Chet Atkins: The Columbia Years are -ed.]

Nocturnes 1-11, Chopin/Nikita Magaloff
Wonderfully moody and deep compositions played with the poignant understanding of Nikita Magaloff. These Nocturnes always sound surprisingly "modern" and contemporary. Nikita Magaloff's fine touch is a user-friendly environment for listeners that are leery of sometimes bombastic Classics. Beautiful music.

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
A great era of Lennon. Minimalistic rhythms, primal scream and vulnerable love songs. In some ways, an underrated album. I've been inspired by this record since I was a kid.

A Mod A Mod, Ernest Ranglin
Virtuoso reggae guitarist Ernest Ranglin cleverly plays pop standards with a charm and playfulness that is worth a thousand listenings. [This album is not available, but In Search of the Lost Riddim and Rocksteady are -ed.]

The Chess Box, Muddy Waters
This era of Muddy Waters is some of my favorite blues. Right up there with John Lee Hooker, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Hound Dog Taylor. This Chicago era is where blues music is commercial enough to have song form but not rhythmically pigeonholed. Little Walter's harmonic croons and wails while Muddy sings with a king-sized bravado. Check out the track "She's Alright" for an example of pre-Budweiser commercial blues that has a dangerous and menacing nature.

Julie Is Her Name, Julie London
Her first album that features the fine guitar playing of Barney Kessel. This was recorded in a sparse and moody setting that I never tire of. Amazingly vibey--Julie's breathy vocals are beautiful and she gives the material a clear and mature reading. "Cry Me a River" made its debut on this record.

Movies/TV

Bill Hicks Live - Satirist, Social Critic, Stand-Up Comedian
Poignant and hilarious, still cutting edge and thought provoking. Hicks transcends comedy and satire and enters an arena of great artistic achievement.

Callas - A Documentary Plus Bonus / John Ardoin, Franco Zefferelli
Two in-depth programs detailing the life and temper tantrums of great opera diva Maria Callas are included on this video. The first, a 90-minute documentary, is narrated by famous film director Franco Zeffirelli. Exciting performance and newsreel footage including her tryst with Onassis, her funeral cortege, and even the infamous Rome Walkout. Bonus interviews with opera stars Titto Gobbi and Renata Scotto, plus several others.

American Experience: Kinsey
This powerful PBS documentary puts sex researcher Alfred Kinsey under the microscope via archival footage and exhaustive interviews, examining his childhood and personal struggles, his far-reaching influence, how his comprehensive study came to be and how his "report" made waves for years to come

The Corporation
This documentary charts the spectacular rise of corporations as a dramatic, pervasive presence in our lives. Filmmakers Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott present a timely, entertaining critique of global conglomerates as they chronicle the origins of corporations, as well as their inner workings, controversial impacts and possible futures.

Biography - Abraham Lincoln: Preserving the Union (A&E DVD Archives)
During his term as President of the United States, Lincoln faced some of the toughest challenges of any U.S. president. This biography examines his fascinating life, from his childhood in rural Kentucky to his rise as a politician and his presidential campaign. The film chronicles Lincoln's actions during the Civil War, as well as his depression and marital problems.