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THE BLUE HOUR LOUNGE

Pete exchanges information and gear talk for the advanced and the novice musician.

The Blue Hour Lounge was a forum in which Pete answered questions from fans on guitar playing and the music business. Although some of these questions were from the late 1990s, the answers are still helpful and insightful. There are also links to exclusive interviews.

PAGE SIX

QUESTION First of all, I'm a devoted fan. I really appreciate your music and producing. I have had the chance to meet you a couple times. I really appreciate your hospitality.

I am curious to know...how often to you administer "check ups" to your guitar. Meaning string height, cleaning, set up, etc. etc. Also, are there any tips for taking care of a tube amp? I play a '65 Twin Reverb.

Thanks Pete.

Brad Williams

ANSWER: I check every time i tune up ....intonation and over all feel... I change the strings every 3 or 4 shows on the road ... On the twin make sure you have matched tubes and the bias set by a pro...also you can change the value of the bright switch to match that of a super reverb bright switch....thanx your pal/pete

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice-had no idea that there is a"hidden" mid control...I did see your idea in that issue of Guitar Player but wasnt sure it also applied to the '65 Deluxe reissue(pc board).Also I'm searching for a classic slapback echo-right now using a Boss DD3 but thinking about EH Memory Man or Maxon AD80... any thoughts?
Thanks again buddy
Paul

ANSWER: I use the little boss purple delay box I am not sure of the model # but they do not reissue them...thanx/pete

QUESTION: Hey Pete!
My name's Morgan, how's it goin? My dad and I have been fans of yours since we heard Blue Hour on a local station here in LA back when Working Class came out. (He had already been a big fan of your work with Dwight)

We saw you play at McCabe's when you toured for Working Class and again at the Santa Monica Pier (what was the name of that place? the Ash Grove?) Awesome shows both times.

I'm writing because at 18, I'm about to embark on becoming producer and engineer, and was wondering if you had any tips on anything, be it from career advice to actual recording techniques. I do have one specific question: as a guitarist, I put a lot of importance on trying to capture authentic tone. I've got a Custom Shop 62 tele and a Super Reverb, and I can never quite get it to sound as awesome as hearing it live. I remember reading a long time ago some interview where someone asked you how you mic'd guitar amps, but I can't remember what it was you did. I do remember you somehow capturing the room noise in addition to the amp though.

If you have any other recording advice (I know it's a broad topic, but any special techniques you have or favorite gear or whatever), I'd appreciate it greatly. Thanks so much!
--Morgan Klein

ANSWER: I think you can get a back article from guitar player...if you do please let me know I could use it as well ...if not I will fill you in on the next e mail.
Also thanx for the support thru the years..your pal/pete

QUESTION: Greetings,
I am trying to find out the date of the GP issue that had the article about modding a Deluxe Reverb for 6L6's and installing the EV12L. I'm sure it's in my collection but I can't remember what Month and Year. Your help is appreciated.

Twang on!
Tim Griffin

ANSWER: I think guitar player can help ..and if you do find out please tell what issue, I also need a copy...thanx/pete

QUESTION: Hey Pete, do you now how to read music? Or do play by ear? thanks,
Rick

ANSWER: I read only if I have to...it is necessary to have a real good understanding of music theory, but to not actually have to read single notes... understand rhythym as it is written...and understand how to build chords and why they work...also learn the major scale harmonized..that's a lot ...good luck /pete

QUESTION: Hi Pete , First off I really appreciate what you do. Yourself, Clarence White & Roy Nichols are the #$@&!! I'm trying to get that midrange honk from my tele + deluxe reverb but its not happening. Can I change the resistor on the bass control of my R.I. Deluxe and have it act like a middle control. ? Any magic box (i.e. sparkle drive )? Thanks for your time
Paul

ANSWER: There is a middle control on deluxe reverbs...but it is only a value shorted out on the chassie they didn't put a knob on them.. I spoke about this in Guitar Player mag about a year ago, they may be able to help find it ..or a good local repair guy that is up on fender amps... What you want is it to sound like the middle control is turned up all the way...then just add a little bass as you need it.... I hope this makes sense...if not email me back and I will try to help....laaaater your pal, Pete

QUESTION: I have a few Tele questions:

Have you found that there's a tone difference in guitars with maple fingerboards and those with rosewood fingerboards? Some people say that maple is brighter and rosewood is warmer. Just curious if you've found that to be true. I noticed that the red '57 with a maple fingerboard was used on "Guitars, Cadillacs" and wondered if the maple played a part in the "spark" on that song.

When I look at your guitars on your web page, it looks to me like some of them have the newer Telecaster bridge on them. Did you replace the old bridges? If so, why? Do you get the same kind of "twang" with the newer bridges as with the older ones?

Have you tried any of the "noiseless" Telecaster (or Stratocaster for that matter) pickups? If so, what have you liked and not liked about them?

Thanks a bunch, Jeff

ANSWER: Maple necks have a brighter sound to me as well ...if you use lite strings and low action you get a little spank sound that Burton and Albert Lee get... It is real cool for chicken pick'n. I like the rosewood for most of my stuff, with a dense bridge..chrome plated brass for max sustain. The Seymour noiseless are good/also Demarzio has just come out with a really good vintage sounding set as well ...thanx, your pal/Pete

More Blue Lounge Questions & Answers - Page Seven...