Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2003 10:56 pm Post subject: Hi to all from Alaska
My name is Gary Lamar, from Anchorage, Alaska.
Been a Robben fan since the first days of Talk to Your Daughter. As many of you, I suspect, I find incredible inspiration from Robben's music, and admire his example as a performer. Being up in Alaska,we rarely get to see top musicians. We're just a little out of the way to make it work economically for acts to travel here, except some who are traveling to/from Japan. Its difficult for promoters to afford to book someone good and keep ticket prices reachable. We don't have a good large venue.That's life. So I may never have the chance to see Robben live, unless a trip outside times out right someday. Seattle is the closest chance.
Anyway, I have been playing since I was 13 ( about to be 53) - you'd think I'd be pretty good by now . I currently play in a cover band doing more of the obscure, but cool tunes like Steely Dan, Joan Osborne, a couple of Robben tunes, Susan Tedeschi, mainly blues influenced rock.
My current gear includes: amps - Fuchs ODS 100, Mesa Boogie Mark IV, Dr. Z Maz 18 Jr., and a Mesa Nomad 100. Guitars - PRS Custom 24, Les Paul Custom ('68 - I'm original owner), a couple of Teles ( one cheap, the other Deluxe), and a couple of Strats.
I'm very appreciative of the existance of this discussion group. _________________ garylamarLOUDguitar
The Fifth Element is one of my favorite movies - love your photo choice!
To answer the question, I am really digging the Fuchs for most of my gigs, but I take the Z to all the jams and everyone is flipping out for it. It sounds great. I use a Fulltone Fat Boost to hit it a little harder for solos, and it really sings. _________________ garylamarLOUDguitar
Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 14 Location: MT. PLEASANT SC
Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2003 4:15 pm Post subject:
Hi Gary! Did you read my introduction? I'm using the name VSC FREE.
Who are you in a band with? Any one I would know? Sounds like you got some great gear!!! Tripped me out when I saw your name on the Robben Ford forum. Say Hi to Steve for me.
Talk about tripping out when you come across an old friend!!
I was wondering about you recently, just because you are such an unbelievable player, and Anchorage doesn't have many these days. I didn't know your wife was drawn towards Chiropractic, although I knew she was headed towards medicine. I have a few friends here who got their Chiropractic education in South Carolina.
I am playing with folks that you probably don't know. Eric Balwin - excellent drummer, Alison King - bass (fretless Pedulla 5 string!!), Tom Lambert on keys, a terrific singer - Monica Lettner, and me making the loud noise on one side of the stage.
I'll definitely give Steve your greetings. He's playing in a good band with some folks you might know - Pete Garrety on guitar, John Tracy on drums, used to have Lucy singing, but she retired and was replaced with another strong lady singer. It turns out that they will be playing for our company Christmas party ( I'm at Channel 2 these days), and I'm guessing I'll get to sit in.
Are you playing with anyone? The scene in Anchorage is at a very low point. The economy sucks and more and more venues are losing bands and hiring DJs. We went from playing almost as much as we want to having one weekend a month, and that's not always true.
Anyway, I won't drag this out, but how cool it is to hear from you, especially via a Robben Ford connection.I still remember how great you played "Revelation" with Paul Pertle at Blues Central (Chef's Inn).
see ya online. _________________ garylamarLOUDguitar
Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 14 Location: MT. PLEASANT SC
Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2003 7:30 am Post subject:
Hey thanks for the compliment Gary! Sorry to hear the music scene is lacking back home. Charleston/Mt. Pleasant has an awsome music scene(except when it comes to the Blues). There are tons of bands and tons of places to play. Right now I'm playing with some older cats doing oldies but goodies. Joni and I are in the rehearsal process for an acoustic trio with a drummer/guitarist/vocalist named Barry. We eventually plan to put a Rock Band together once we find the right Bass player and Keyboard player who sings. Our chiropractic office has been open about 4 months now. Its called "Sunrise Chiropractic". Its really starting to take off!!!! The office is right across the street from a music store! Pretty convenient.
The Charleston area is beautiful. I thought we were gonna have a bit of a problem with Isabelle(Hurricane) but she had other ideas. I have only played one round of golf since we've been here. Pretty sad considering we live right next to Charleston National Golf Course. (I'm even a member.)
What you doing at channel 2?
Hows the family?
Fill me in on your gigging amp. I'm familiar with the Dr. Z's but not the Fuchs.
I'll try to answer both of your questions about amps in this one post.
Lobster - the Dr. Z is a really great amp and I love the tones I get from it. I got it primarily for an amp that I could easily take with me to local jams (mostly blues, but not exclusively). I dial it in to be mostly clean, but almost ready to to break up when I am playing rhythm. You can roll your guitar volume off a little and it cleans up a bit. I use a Fulltone Fat Boost to hit it a little harder for solos. I get a lot of positive comments on its tone. I'm usually playing a Tele or a Strat through it. I don't use it when I gig with my band, as it doesn't have enough variations to cover all the territory I need, but it is a gas to play through. I'll be sitting in with some friends at a private party gig soon, and I plan to take it instead of my other kit ( which is bigger and more to deal with).
Robert ( and Lobster) - the Fuchs is an Overdrive Supreme - one of his 100 watt production models ( he also does incredible mods, if you don't already know). I am really pleased with it. I have played Mesa Boogies since the late 70's, and still have a killer Mark IV, but the Fuchs really does have a different kind of overdrive quality. Since we are all Robben fans, certainly we all must wish we could approach some of his tones, which are associated with his Dumbles. The Fuchs truely is in that family. I've never been able to play through a Dumble, so I have no true basis for comparison, but I have tried to find what my ears are searching for in getting a Robben -like tone. The Fuchs is very sweet. I was used to a different kind of overdrive from years with my Boogie, and it took a while to re-train my ears when I go for a solo with the Fuchs. Its a bit smoother ( what a poor term to use , but I can't think of anything better).
I feel like I am still finding the real sweet spots with it, as we haven't been playing as much as we used to, and I depend on playing at volume with the band to really know how it sounds. You can get great tones at home, but its not the same as becoming part of the mix of a live playing situation. Robert, I know you'd love this thing , and make it sound really great. You often hear people comment on how so much of a player's tone comes from their hands and technique. I feel your playing would go well with a Fuchs.
So, I might be thrilled with a Dumble if someone made a gift of one to me, but I don't feel like things are at all lacking with my current set-up, and certainly don't think about how I can save up and spend that kind of money to get a sound I feel I may already have.
Sorry to be so long in the answer. So many of these things come down to personal taste, and even the way we each hear things, which is not always the same.
Robert - Steve says Hi, and was pleased to hear you are well and happy. I am doing production work at Syntax Productions ( part of Channel 2) - shooting film and video, editing, and related tasks. The family is good. It would take a lot to fill in the details, but we're all fine.
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 4 Location: springfield Oregon
Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2003 5:34 pm Post subject:
Hello Gary. I am from Anchorage also, but I left in 1967 to pursue greener pastures. I worked with a blues singer named Gary Sloan. I currently use a Fuchs amp like you and strive for the tones of Ford and Carlton. It would be interesting to chat with you more. my e-mail is boofus2452@aol.com. Best regards, Dean Forbes
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. I currently play in a cover band doing more of the obscure, but cool tunes like Steely Dan, Joan Osborne, a couple of Robben tunes, Susan Tedeschi, mainly blues influenced rock.
Blob
Nosy lobster wants to know your feeligs about Dr Z .
