Robben Ford Discussion

nineacres · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:10 am Post subject: What Is This Contraption?

If you take a look at this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJbGioJu4Lk - you'll Herb Ellis has a device attached to the first fret of his guitar. I'm surmizing that this is some sort of capo. Am I correct? It's just that I never associated jazz guitarists with capos (and I've seen a video of Jim Hall using the same thing too). Why would they wish to do that?
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"Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982

FatTeleTom · Senior Member Joined: 12 May 2004 Posts: 191

I think it's a string dampener--to keep the open strings from ringing out--rather than a full-on capo. Not sure though.

Bluelobster · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:36 am Post subject: Me too

Blues and Rock forever · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 7:39 am Post subject:

I don't think that's a full-on capo, I attend music school, and I see capos quite often there...

Bluelobster · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:39 am Post subject: AGED

JENNIFER BATTEN. Shocked

AGE IS NOT A VIRTUE Twisted Evil

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Millibobs · Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 291

so let's get this straight - to dampen your strings, you nail a batten to your fretboard? Okeydokey, off to my woodshop for some stuff.........

JohnnyZ · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 2:40 pm Post subject:

Millibobs · Senior Member Joined: 25 Apr 2007 Posts: 291

I was wondering where all this extra stuff came from..........

nineacres · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 1:29 am Post subject:

Mystery solved - I finally discovered the identity of this strange object - It's a string damper, invented by George Van Eps. Apparently, it was used to damp down unwanted string overtones and help reduce the archtop's susceptability to feedback. Here's where I found the explanation. Very interesting reading:

http://www.scottymoore.net/dampers.html

However, what got me drooling, slavering, salivating and generally loosing complete control of my traditionaly British unflappable composure, poise and stiff upper lip was THIS - this site should carry a government health warning:

http://www.archtop.com/ac_59S400c.copy
_________________
"Creativeness often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were only thought up a little more than a century ago?" - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon 1894-1982

AndyR · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:29 am Post subject:

Mr. NineAcres,

That IS very interesting...I've seen Herb Ellis using one in still pictures...I was wondering he was adjusting his truss rod in mid-performance?

Of course, this gizmo should not be be confused with a "string dampener," which will simply make your strings wet. Razz

Which reminds me...I have a friend who uses WD-40 on his strings before a performance...ever heard of that before?

Smile

Andy

JohnnyZ · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 3:45 pm Post subject:

And, continuing with the "what is this thing", check out the rectangular resonator thingie in this link http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=Lounge&Number=292087&page=1&fpart=all

As Will Smith said in the movie Independance Day, "I gotta get me one of these!"

Also, check out the photo of the "bass rig" further down. Is that cool or what?!

Note: because I don't have permission to copy and paste these photos, I supplied the link...