Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:38 pm Post subject: California hollowbody and RF black Baker?
Okay, I've been talking John to get some more info on his Baker hollowbody. I found the spec sheet. What are VV PAF's? Excuse my ignorance but I've never heard these pickups. What kind of tone do they have? Would these be more suited to jazz guitar, or are they capable of good lead tones? Can they be easily switched out? And if so, what kind of pickups would any of you suggest for more heavy rock oriented playing? I've never heard this guitar, and information on it is very scarce since there are no user reviews that I could find. Does this guitar have the Buzzy Feiten tuning system? There is no weight listed. Anyone know?
In comparison to Bill Morgan's black RF Baker. What exactly are the tonal/neck/weight differences between these two guitars? Advantages of one over the other? I'd like to get the one that has the best ability for different styles, from blues to acoustic to hard rock. Any info would be appreciated.
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject: i feel sorry
bt i find you are really tiring , , do you really want one of us coming to your house to show you how to put strings on your axe If you don't know anything about pick ups then start with ...., i don't know, find some others players , try their guitars, go in stores ask for a trying .
You sounds like a Young doctor in the army having to face his first battlefield and asking : what kind of scalpel for this, what kind of saw for amputation, what kind of fibrilator, hey wait a minut this saw too heavy for me , how much it weights............
QUOTE
What exactly are the tonal/neck/weight differences between these two guitars? Advantages of one over the other? I'd like to get the one that has the best ability for different styles, from blues to acoustic to hard rock. Any info would be appreciated.end of quote
Are you impaired or what _________________ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=147748
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:22 pm Post subject:
Ah Blobby, I find you quite humorous! Yes, spatzi asks alot, but real Bakers command lots of $USD$. So, I don't mind lots of questions, even if I cannot answer most of them.
So, put on some Jimi, and hit next when new posts happen on this thread...
spatzi, keep emailing me. Eventually, you'll realize what a fine instrument I have to offer. Whether you buy it or not, well, that's to be seen...
Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:52 pm Post subject:
spatzi: I hope you don't take these questions in the wrong way, because your quest to salute Robben Ford by chasing that elusive "mojo" that starts in his heart and comes out the speakers ("Tonka Toys"? "Celestial Seasonings"? Can't remember the names of the speakers he's using these days -- I'm not much of a gearhead) is an honorable one: How old are you, and how long have you been playing?
I ask because a lot of this stuff just sort of seeps in over time, like the dust the invariably piles up in the most unlikely places around one's home. The reason you haven't found any "user reviews" about the Baker Calfornia hollowbody is because it's my understanding that he only made 8 or 9 of 'em. And I think I know that only because I've kept my eyes and ears open for a while and have come across stuff Gene Baker has posted, stuff others have said, things I learned from JohnnyZ when he came through here last year, etc. I've actually held JohnnyZ's axe. Haven't heard Bill's, but understand that it's very similar to the black one Robben was playing regularly a while ago, which I did hear on 2-3 occasions. Bottom line: These are two fairly different and distinct guitars. I'd love to own either one, if budget would allow.
Your quest is not my quest, so it's really not my place to suggest any strategy or tactics to you, but if it were me, I wouldn't waste time figuring out how to spend money on gear. Instead, I'd invest in a workable guitar that was similar to one that Robben's worked with, say a used Tele (or even a Squier Tele), or one of the Gibson thin-bodies like a 335, a decent tube amp, just a few -- but best quality -- effects, like delay and chorus, and an overdrive, and a volume pedal. Then I'd spend as much time as possible listening to Robben's recordings and playing my own versions of his tunes until the fingers and the gear disappeared, and it was just me and my feelings connecting with the people listening.
At that point I might also invest in a good wig (hey ... how does he DO that? I'm only 2-1/2 years older than Robben, but I ended up with Daved's hair!), but probably not. Again, it isn't the long hair and the artful clothing. It's the way Robben connects with the listener. And again, that's a matter of woodshed, woodshed, woodshed, and then some more woodshed. Not gear.
If you end up performing for an audience of 100, maybe one person (and probably not even one) might come up to you afterward and remark that your gear is sort of cheapo, and isn't the "real stuff," i.e., isn't a real Gene Baker and a real Alexander Dumble, etc. Another 3 or so might actually know who Robben Ford is, but wouldn't know a Telecaster from a telephone or a Dumble from a Mini-Cooper (hint: the former has more power under the hood). The remaining 96 people? All they'll know is whether or not what they heard had "soul." And soul is something you can't buy at any price. In fact, you can't work for it, either. It's just something that God gives you if you relax and open up and take note of everthing that's going on around you (sorry Sir Paul -- guess I stole that from "Martha My Dear," a Zen song if ever there was one).
Anyway, good luck. And really ... JohnnyZ's guitar is a beaut. But you'll be doing him a favor if you DON'T buy it 'cause we're all praying for him that he gets a good new job soon, and if he's sold the guitar by then, he's really going to regret it.
Oh, and Blob: On another thread I've left a note for you, essentially suggesting decaf. At least for a while. _________________ - BlueRunner
Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 11:11 pm Post subject: Re: i feel sorry
Bluelobster wrote:
bt i find you are really tiring , , do you really want one of us coming to your house to show you how to put strings on your axe If you don't know anything about pick ups then start with ...., i don't know, find some others players , try their guitars, go in stores ask for a trying .
You sounds like a Young doctor in the army having to face his first battlefield and asking : what kind of scalpel for this, what kind of saw for amputation, what kind of fibrilator, hey wait a minut this saw too heavy for me , how much it weights............
QUOTE
What exactly are the tonal/neck/weight differences between these two guitars? Advantages of one over the other? I'd like to get the one that has the best ability for different styles, from blues to acoustic to hard rock. Any info would be appreciated.end of quote
Are you impaired or what
Wow. Who is this guy? Nice introduction. Happy to meet you too. I especially like the "I find you really tiring" and "Are you impaired?" bits. Tremendously enlightening, as well as entertaining. If I tire you out, then don't respond. If you have nothing useful to add, then don't respond. If you believe that questions are a bad thing, then don't respond: I don't need your elitist non-contributions. I don't post legitimate questions about a serious investment on this board as a 'joke' or for 'laughs' or to be called 'impaired'(???) Maybe you mean something else. This must have lost something from the French translation. I'm on the boards for less than a week, with 9 posts, and already I'm tiring you out? Sorry, I'll try to cut down. And I do apologize that I don't know the answers to my questions. That's why I'm asking them; that's why I'm on the RF board, so I can ask people more knowledgeable about the guitar than myself, as some here have actually played it, and especially as the guitar is incredibly rare, and I can't even play it in person. Are you the type of person who considers buying a $3000 guitar, with no chance to actually play it, without asking questions? Then, you sir, are the one that's impaired. Yes, please. I would like you to come to my house for some lessons. I'll even pay your flight. I have been using my strings for hanging laundry and cutting cheddar. I would appreciate you showing me how to put them on the guitar.
I'm 43 and have been playing since I was 10. I've played everything from Beethovan piano sonatas, to Robben Ford tribute band. I've gone from finger pickin' to speed metal, to minimalism and acoustic, and back to the blues. I've played in Europe mostly, and supported myself doing it, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Holland - in bands, and solo. I played the Reichstag in Berlin for two weeks when it was covered in flannel. Now that was a GIG! You try playing for an audience of hundreds thorugh the noise, the competition, with a Tonka toy 3 watt amp and a guitar made in Slovakia. Brother, you better be a good player with that kind of equipment.
I've recorded my own CDs. I have experience. Just not a lot of experience with gear, as I've never relied on it. I'm not gearhead or a guitar collector. It never really interested me. It's the playing that interests me. I've squeezed a lot of tone out of crap equipment in my day, believe me, but now it's time to treat myself. Or should I wait until I retire? (why do I feel I need to make excuses for considering this guitar?) I think have earned the right for at least one decent guitar in my life. Okay, I know everyone wants Johnny to keep his guitar, but I think he wants to sell it. If I ever get it, and he really wants it back, maybe I can sell it back to him, because who knows? Maybe I'll get it and not even like it. Now that I have confessed that I have played guitar since Nixon was in office, can I please, please, be allowed to consider buying this guitar? Or do I need to also post 'musically complex' clips of me playing a kazoo from various orifices to pass some kind of test? Written consent from all board members? Bluerunner, you're right about finding the soul. I agree. It's important. If I buy a guitar like this, it is not going to sit in a case. If I'm playing live, I don't really care if anyone recognizes the guitar, or praises it, or even if no one but me ever sees it. I spent my entire teenage years playing in my room in suburban hell. The important thing is that I like the way if feels, and sounds. I do have a good 'Tube works' amp right now. Other than that, a zendrive and mojo vibe on the way...
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 5:51 am Post subject: well said
Good points here Spatzi , i hear you.
There is lot of forums where you can find how much is the weight for a guitar or a Les paul anyway.
Thank you for putting back the trash up in my face , everyday is another day. Edited : 24 hours later i don't wanna bump over this but for those who would read : there is the gear page , the les paul forum, the seymour duncan discussion board, the famous harmony central, not to mention guitar.com and multiple avatars.....
i know i am rude , and sure i do not follow the net "etiquette" (internet attitude )but hey may be be i am the moderator He,he,he.
No one can't know . .
Blue Vs/ rED.
You didn't even take time to go to introductions. 4 posts since the 27 of October just to ask for a weight . . Ok 'nuf said , i am a teaser anyways. I am just realizing you are not DEVLIN. _________________ http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=147748
Last edited by Bluelobster on Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:26 am; edited 2 times in total
Joined: 29 Jan 2004 Posts: 1504 Location: Methuen, MA
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:42 am Post subject: Re: i feel sorry
spatzi wrote:
If I buy a guitar like this, it is not going to sit in a case.
And, this is the #1 reason that I'm selling this guitar- because it sits in its case and doesn't get played like it should. Why don't I play it more? I guess it's because I play my inexpensive Ibanez more. The Ibanez is what I take to my lessons, and it's the one I practice on. I don't really think about it- I just go right for the Ibanez. Why did I buy the Baker? Impulse. G.A.S. attack. Because it was outright gorgeous. Because they're rare, especially this model. Because I thought it would propel me into playing more (which it hasn't). Because, at the time, I could...
Wow, after all of this deep thought, I actually feel like playing the Baker! _________________ Soul on Eleven
Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 197 Location: San Jose Ca.
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:01 am Post subject:
Tell you right now, the equipment does make a difference. I've heard teles and strats with humbuckers in them that still exhibit the inherent characteristics because of the body shape they are in. Garth's Fender RF gets that particular tonality, and when I see him live, that tone is almost the same as Robben's, even though they play way different. I have a Fender RF, and the whole reason I got it was to get that sound. The best way to start the search for a particular IMHO is to get as close to what your favorite player is using as a tone generator, and then start switching components to your taste. The RF I bought didn't have a Duncan JB in the bridge when I bought it so that was what I changed first. Your fingers just don't have a spruce top and a alder/mahogany body. The guitar is very important IMO, the amp and effects secondarily so.
Joined: 19 Sep 2003 Posts: 646 Location: City of Trees, USA
Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 10:22 am Post subject:
bottom line: I understand the "fun" part, but not the "so long." Hope to see that 9-post figure go up to 900 or more in the future.
One of the great things about this message board (as with most) is that none of us really know anything about anyone else. ('Tho the few board members I've met in person have all turned out to be pretty amazing folks). Thanks to spatzi for coming back and filling in some of the blanks. Gives a lot more for us to go on when looking at his search for a Baker. Some times you just don't know.
One thing for sure: No one should ever take too seriously anything said about or to them in cyberspace. Enjoy a good scrap once in a while.
And yes, JohnnyZ, I understand the feeling about the axe that spends too much time in the case. Years ago I sold a Martin 12-string that suffered that fate, and I like to think that whoever bought it is still playing it every day. I also retired from amateur bicycle racing about 25 years ago and sold a lot of very classic equipment because I felt bad about keeping it shut up in the garage, and I've got to assume that those old frames and wheels are still getting daily fresh air. If the California hollowbody turns out to be the right guitar for spatzi and his Ford tribute takes off, I'll look forward to seeing and hearing the guitar some day. _________________ - BlueRunner
Joined: 21 Feb 2004 Posts: 243 Location: Rochester, MI
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2005 5:58 am Post subject:
Well put BlueRunner.
I too have met a few guys from this Board--including BlueRunner. We were both at the RF clinic in August of '04. It turns out we have a lot in common (both have professional careers and still are nuts over music and guitar). We both had a great time hanging out at the clinic. I also hang out at the Gear Page and have met and spoke to a number of guys over there as well--very cool folks as well.
The bottom line is we all can't take this (or any Board) too seriously. Hell, I got several hate posts and death threats from a thread I posted a few months ago. Through personal reflection, therapy, and some medication, I'm doing ok right now (I'm now able to sleep through the night).
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, do you really want one of us coming to your house to show you how to put strings on your axe 
If you don't know anything about pick ups then start with ...., i don't know, find some others players , try their guitars, go in stores ask for a trying .
spatzi: I hope you don't take these questions in the wrong way, because your quest to salute Robben Ford by chasing that elusive "mojo" that starts in his heart and comes out the speakers ("Tonka Toys"? "Celestial Seasonings"? Can't remember the names of the speakers he's using these days -- I'm not much of a gearhead) is an honorable one: How old are you, and how long have you been playing?
Nice introduction. Happy to meet you too. I especially like the "I find you really tiring" and "Are you impaired?" bits. Tremendously enlightening, as well as entertaining. If I tire you out, then don't respond. If you have nothing useful to add, then don't respond. If you believe that questions are a bad thing, then don't respond: I don't need your elitist non-contributions. I don't post legitimate questions about a serious investment on this board as a 'joke' or for 'laughs' or to be called 'impaired'(???) Maybe you mean something else. This must have lost something from the French translation. I'm on the boards for less than a week, with 9 posts, and already I'm tiring you out? Sorry, I'll try to cut down. And I do apologize that I don't know the answers to my questions. That's why I'm asking them; that's why I'm on the RF board, so I can ask people more knowledgeable about the guitar than myself, as some here have actually played it, and especially as the guitar is incredibly rare, and I can't even play it in person. Are you the type of person who considers buying a $3000 guitar, with no chance to actually play it, without asking questions? Then, you sir, are the one that's impaired. Yes, please. I would like you to come to my house for some lessons. I'll even pay your flight. I have been using my strings for hanging laundry and cutting cheddar. I would appreciate you showing me how to put them on the guitar. 
Or do I need to also post 'musically complex' clips of me playing a kazoo from various orifices to pass some kind of test? Written consent from all board members? Bluerunner, you're right about finding the soul. I agree. It's important. If I buy a guitar like this, it is not going to sit in a case. If I'm playing live, I don't really care if anyone recognizes the guitar, or praises it, or even if no one but me ever sees it. I spent my entire teenage years playing in my room in suburban hell. The important thing is that I like the way if feels, and sounds. I do have a good 'Tube works' amp right now. Other than that, a zendrive and mojo vibe on the way...
He,he,he.
.