I guess if you're already in love with the guitar, you could take lessons. But if I had taken lessons back then, I definitely wouldn't be playing anymore. Iwould have hated it as a metal addicted teen. But it's true, there are many things I want to play but can't. On the other hand, I learn stuff by trying to play along to songs I love and try to imitate those guys (recently I'm trying to figure out all this old blues stuff). So - no lessons, but progression anyway.

And thanks to you guys for the expertise, that's some things I'll consider next time I buy strings.

Cheers, Doc

Thicker strings are good for surf? thats crazy aha

Whats the difference in sound between flatwound and Round wound?

Jamie said:

What the string is made of will also affect the sound. I believe in the 50s and early 60s strings were usually pure nickel and usually higher gauge than modern strings. Now strings are made in lighter gauges and you can get nickel plated steel or pure nickel. Steel being a bit brighter and pure nickel being a bit warmer. I tend to use Ernie Ball Rock n Rolls 11s.

 

If you're playing surf I would definitely go with higher gauges. A lot of retro types are into flatwound strings too (think early George Harrison). I've never tried them so I'll let someone else share their opinion.

What the string is made of will also affect the sound. I believe in the 50s and early 60s strings were usually pure nickel and usually higher gauge than modern strings. Now strings are made in lighter gauges and you can get nickel plated steel or pure nickel. Steel being a bit brighter and pure nickel being a bit warmer. I tend to use Ernie Ball Rock n Rolls 11s.

If you're playing surf I would definitely go with higher gauges. A lot of retro types are into flatwound strings too (think early George Harrison). I've never tried them so I'll let someone else share their opinion.

The Fleshtones' new album Brooklyn Sound Solution is out 3/15 and is streaming in-full now at Reverb Nation. http://www.reverbnation.com/thefleshtones?eid=3379077_18966063#!/artist/artist_songs/381323

There's also gonna be re-releases of all of the old Reatards records like "Teenage Hate".

Dave Giù la Testa said:

Jay Reatard's best of is coming out soon on Shattered as well, I'm looking forward to that. I hope they do him justice.

Oh wow!  Yeah, I hope they do him justice too!

Dave Giù la Testa said:

Jay Reatard's best of is coming out soon on Shattered as well, I'm looking forward to that. I hope they do him justice.

Jay Reatard's best of is coming out soon on Shattered as well, I'm looking forward to that. I hope they do him justice.

I know the Fleshtones have been in the studio working on a new album, so I'm excited about that!

It's an old song, but I am looking forward to getting The Trains single by the Nashville Ramblers later this month. Available on Ugly Things records I believe.

I can only see as far as those I've just picked up:

The Knights of the New Crusade - Knight Vision: Hymns for the Invisible Church
Electric Eel Shock - Live Around The World Volume One
Guitar Wolf - Untitled (CD/DVD limited edition)

Just so I can have a heads up on what to look out for, what albums are you guys most excited about this year? I know the Dirtbombs have a new record coming out soon, but from what I've heard of it I'm not that into it.

I first went searching for garage-like music because of the white stripes. And when I heard Kick Out The Jams, I really got into garage.

"Gloria" by Them

"Sometimes Good Guys Don't Wear White" by The Standells

"Have Love, Will Travel" by The Sonics

Three garage rock classics that I heard a while ago (early on) and from there it just went on... from the 13th Floor Elevators and The Amboy Dukes, that someone mentioned, to the Zakary Thaks.

The first song that got me into garage rock was canon live by the white stripes

The attitude of that song was unlike anythign I had heard and now everything i listen to is gritty and loud

Yeah cool, so it's just a bit of maths then (about 2.6ohms per tap I reckon).

But I would go down the road that Jamie suggested, Make another cab instead of butchering the one you've got. Trust me, I trashed my share of cool old vintage gear and some of it I really regret while some of it was just broken old shit that got what it deserved! But that setup you've got is really cool, I'd keep it original.

Ryan Thomas LeGere said:

Mardy Pune,

 

It's sounding more and more complex to me. I thought it would be as easy as doing a little math, matching ohlms, and soldering. I have looked at the speakers. I actually had to solder the wire back on one because it came undone. The speakers are wired in parallel. No transformers on the speakers as far as I can tell. One output transformer to 3 speakers. I am wondering if I should just find a tech that knows old amps. I  don't want to get fried.

Duke of Earl -
Thank you so much for offering to 'take one for the team'. Your generosity will not be forgotten ;-)

Only ever heard one of the eps. Didn't realize they had an lp.

Dead Boy said:

The Snivelling Shits - I Can't Come (except the track 1.)  I dommo if it's lesser knowm on the other country.

Well, yeah.

whatwave dave said:

Of course you mean the 12" EP on Ready Records, right Pete?

Pete Fiend said:

The Demics

The one with the funny looking airbrushed cover wasnt that bad. Im still wondering what records were on that 63monroe cd set that I saw a while ago.

whatwave dave said:

Of course you mean the 12" EP on Ready Records, right Pete?

Pete Fiend said:

The Demics

Of course you mean the 12" EP on Ready Records, right Pete?

Pete Fiend said:

The Demics

Gawd bless Mr. Childish. 

Most prolific garage punker ever! Billy is one of those artists, right when you think you have enough in your collection...you hear something else that you must get. 

I need many of these listed but I'm sure the majority are OOP.

Add in all the books/poetry and paintings and you'd swear the guy has to be twins or have a time machine or something. 

I play through a Peavey Bandit 65 from around the mid-80s; got it off a guy in Southie for about $50, needed something to tide me over until I could get the money for what I really wanted(Fender Bassman), but after getting it cleaned up, I think this'll stick with me until it dies.

Rob: I'm in London, Ontario, Canada....so it would be a bit of a drive...LOL

Rob Bailey said:

Hi Dave, If you in Europe you be pleased to know you can catch Cyril and Roy live in London on Sunday 24 April @ Le Beat Bespoke 7, cheers Rob

whatwave dave said:

1. Flamin' Groovies

2. Flamin' Groovies

3. Flamin' Groovies....

 

Detect a pattern here? Last time they played in Canada was 1978 and i didn't go to see them as i wasn't a huge fan. Now that i'm older (but definitely not wiser) and a HUGE fan of The Groovies AND Roy and Cyril are out doing shows, i gotta see them!! A-Bones are the perfect back up bands as Mirian was the Prez of The Flamin' Groovies fanclub for many years.

I did get to see Magic Christian (Cyril's new combo) about 2 years ago and that just whet my appetite even more for a real Flamin' Groovies show!!