Boats are my number 1 interest and have been since I was eight years old.
I am not one that just jumps on a boat for the sake of being on a boat. I prefer them as my home and if I had my way I'd rather just jump aboard and stay there as I had done in the past. ..
Boats are a great way to travel without packing and unpacking. If I cannot live on a boat I race them. My Moore 24 Spitfire (USYRU 77674) had the "highest trophy to race entered ratio" at 84% (85% of those were 1st place) of any boat on the west coast for a number of years.
I love Santa Cruz "Ultralights" and have owned boats that span the ULDB types, conventional types, and multi-hulls. Open 60 class of single handed ocean racers are one of the most impressive boats on the sea from my point of view. The mini-transat 6.50 is also a blast. A boat is like a tool, use the right tool for the job. Power boats? Love them too. No matter what the vessel, I prefer to be on a boat that is small enough to be in touch with the elements. I do not consider a cruise ship a boat (it is really a ship) but have had a lot of fun on cruise ships.
Music is my number 2 interest in my life overall but generally it is my first priority and takes up the majority of my time. I work with many artists on a daily basis. Many of these artists can be seen on my GAB website. Many are also listed on the link here - http://www.groovetubes.com/f-n-r.cfm
When I have a bit of spare time I like to focus on new artists that are on their way up. If they need any techical assistance, amp design, amplifier consulting, amplifier blueprinting, arranging, composing, mixing, sound reinforcement, FOH or monitor console live work, or help with their song writing I try to help them. If you want to talk about any of this just drop me a note.
Music
When it comes to music I like just about every style if it is done well. You can find many of the artists I work with in my friends list here on myspace. There are many more who are not on myspace. You can also see many of them on my GAB website, some with photos and in many cases photos of their gear, amps, and/or backline. There is an entire section on the GAB website for owners of Dr. Z amps where there are photos of the amps of folks I have assisted and who are friends.
I grew up falling asleep to the radio before I could walk. I listened to every kind of music from the 1950s on. Decades ago, before the age of digital recording and punching in to correct mistakes, and even before the advent of stereo, recording was a grand production. Scores of top musicians would back singers. Backup singers were multiple in numbers to harmonize. It was groups such as The Beatles that showed the world that a group could be self contained.
There was a magic and charm to the old recordings. Back in that era there were lots of great examples. The Motown sound with the group that has been on more recordings than any other group in history (The Funk Brothers) spanned 14 years of #1 hits behind various artists.
When it comes to music I cannot tolerate bad production values, bad mixing or poor arrangements. I always prefer live performances even with the occasional mistakes.
At times I feel the folks from Nashville are more fun to work with than folks right here in Los Angeles! That is a generality but tends to be somewhat true. It seems like more than half of the folks I work with are out of Nashville. The next 30% are from all over the globe and only about 20% are from Los Angeles or So Cal. When groups are on tour I suppose it does not matter where they are from as we seem to be able to meet up and work without much trouble.
I design custom amplifiers and work with many amp designers. I do live sound work, engineering, producing, mastering, arranging, etc. I have played guitar since the age of 8. I did play the accordian from the age of 5 to 8 but will never admit that to anybody.
I always find time to support a number of up and coming groups if I have faith in them. This includes the loan of my own equipment and my support. I do these things at no cost to the band if they need the support to grow. I also do my best to arrange endorsements for these bands when it comes them wanting to purchase their own equipment. I have just as much fun supporting a band in a club of 200 as I do working at a 30,000 seat arena.
I support many bands and acts out of self preservation. If I am going to have to listen to them for one to three hours I don't want to spend 90% of my time thinking (or worse ... complaining to anybody that is around me) that their amp bias is off, their tubes are shot, they have the wrong preamp tube in V1 and have lost articulation and things are just not all that right.
Generally you will see a number of artists which I support in the top 20 videos on CMT and GAC. Some of these can be seen on my GAB website.
This is one of the best amp books I have ever seen. From an entry basic level to the levels of the most experienced amp tech this book will provide interest to all. You can find this book at all the typical spots and Amazon has the book and you can find it by CLICKING HERE or you can find it at Backbeat Books by CLICKING HERE
Carl Verheyen - DVD Rumor Mill. Carl is the best guitarist I have ever heard. Period. Above is the dual DVD Rumor Mill. If you do not have this and you either play guitar or like guitar in the least or even love a great show then trust me ... get this .... CLICK HERE
The two shots above are Carl's latest CD. Two different cover shots, the Europe version above and USA version below. This is CD with a bonus DVD on the making of the record, recording info, band member info and more. Sure you can get this at places like Amazon but I think getting it directly from the artist is pretty cool. From Carl Verheyen
Michael Burks - One of the greatest blues players you will ever hear. For more go to www.michaelburks.com
Brad Paisley - last CD. A must for any guitar player.
Brad's latest CD ... out June 2007. Best one yet. It's going to be interesting seeing how many of these songs end up with award nominations. There are at least four or five that could turn into amazing videos based on Brad's humor and writing. The songs just keep getting better and better. You can probably get this at www.bradpaisley.com or over at the old standby, Amazon by clicking here
Rebecca Lynn Howard - Forgive. One of my favorite singers on the planet.
Loni Specter - Lapdancer Lap Steels. Look on my GAB website for more info.
Carl Verheyen amp shootout - his plexi 50 vs the SRZ-65 from Dr. Z Amps. The SRZ-65 won.
Carl's Blackface Twin Reverb - I am doing a bit of blueprinting on the amp.
Greg Leisz - maybe the most requested steel player around. Playing the Pierson Amp tweed champ.
Jimmy Wigle - GT Lab - Killer hard rock player - and general all around crazy man.
Patrick Selfridge from GT - great player (Rockabilly is his forte') and all around great guy. Patrick left GT mid December 2006 and is now over at Mercury Magnetics ... makers of the best transformers in the world.
Brad Paisley and Mike Zaite (Dr. Z).
Loni Specter and John March (Zenblues)
Typical mess on my floor blueprinting somebodies Black Face twin Reverb (I believe)
One reason my 3rd ex-wife hated amps - the corner of the living room.
Movies
I do not watch a lot of movies in the movie theater. The last cool movie I saw was Good Night and Good Luck. I do not go to a lot of movies as I really dislike when some people don't seem to care that others are there and are disruptive. I do not care for lines, parking in crowded lots at the theater locations, and the general chaos of many people being pushed together in one room.
Perhaps that is also why I stay on stage during concerts and also arrive 6-8 hours before the show. (Yes, there is work to be done but I also avoid the crowds by getting there early.)
I write music scores for movies with Dina Covington. I guess we do watch some of the movie we are trying to score if it grabs our attention.
On this page you will see a lot of boats. Boats are probably my favorite thing in life. I love all kinds of boats. I am not just a sailboat fan. A boat is a tool and having the right tool for the job is paramount. You would never go sport fishing on a sailboat!
I can fall pretty hard for a perfect boat of perfect design. Back in my "Spirit of Nemo" days I was walking along the docks with a close friend Eric Lambert before a big race and saw a yellow boat of twenty something feet with a flush deck named "Legs". I turned to Eric and said ... "I don't know what that thing is but if it is not still made today I will build one. I met the owner and learned that the builder was indeed in business. I contacted the builder, Ron Moore of Moore Sailboats in Santa Cruz, and started to build "Spitfire". Spitfire went on to hold the highest trophy to race entered ratio of any boat on the west coast for a number of years.
I fell in love with fast, small, seaworthy, fast, beautifully designed boats. The boats shown below are from a class called "650". These boats are raced, singlehanded, from Europe to the Brazil in one race and to the USA also every few years. The reason I have put this in the "movies" section of myspace is because in my video section there are a number of videos on these boats as well as videos on other boats.
As a side note, the boat I love to sail on more than any other is a boat of this class. The boat is named "Ashley Danielle" as it is a 21 foot boat that is small, fast, very well designed and can do just about anything. The real Ashley Danielle is a student (18 units) on her way to being a doctor, a model, a martial arts expert, actress, gymnast, and can do just about anything. Ashley is 5'1" tall. Both the boat and Ashley prove to old adage that great things come in small packages. You will find a lot more of Ashley all over my myspace page and also find her in my top row of friends.
When I race double handed races (two people on a boat) I race with Mya Scott who is with the Ritz Carlton Hotel chain. The Ritz Carlton is our sponsor. The relationship with the hotel chain goes back to my Infonet days when they would host Infonet's global events and conferences.
This is my favorite type of boat to sail alone or sometimes with one other.
Columbia 50 designed by Bill Tripp. Built in the late sixties and rebuilt continually. There are two shots of the forepeak area in the little slideshow; one of the original design and one after being updated. This boat can take you anywhere. With H.O. 211, 229 and 249, two sextants, full charts and the more common GPS aids used today, finding your way across the globe is not much of a problem if you know what you are doing.
Television
Do I watch TV? Yes
When I live on a boat I do not have a TV on the boat and never would.
I watch a lot of GAC and CMT as that is work related. I like old British WWII sea movies, any submarine movie on TV, and shows like NCIS, and some of the typical action shows.
I have NEVER watched a sports show in my life. I do not play sports that are team sports. I only get involved in sports where there are huge expenses to cover the equipment used. These sports are ones like sailboat racing and aerobatic airplanes. What do you get in basketball? A ball ... sometimes. Baseball? A mit, ball, and bat. If you win or loose it is a team effort. In aerobatics it is all on you. The same goes for long distance single handed sailboat racing. Then again, I sometimes will catch a sports show out of the corner of my eye when I am visiting friends. I now smile at football and basketball games as my oldest son is a basketball sports agent and he played football in high school and college. He had schlorships cover his college education so I see one great aspect of these sorts of sports.
I do NOT watch ANY reality shows including music related shows. I would rather experience my own reality. On those survivor shows I cannot bear to watch lame mistake after lame mistake. I guess I can thank my military training for not being able to tolerate these shows! I watch The Unit, ER, Desperate Housewives, The Sopranos, most HBO series if I am around. I will admit to watching Sex and the City when it was on. My favorite series of all time was Northern Exposure.
I guess my shows are varied something like my choices when I drink which is rare. I prefer B-52's, good rum, wine on occasion, but never drink beer. I love those fruity drinks like Pina Coladas. I had a friend that once said to me .... "I cannot figure you out. You drive a big 4WD truck, ride a Harley, fly airplanes and sail boats. You shoot guns and wear levis and flannel with western boots but you drink Pina Coladas". I guess that says a bit about me right there. Sort the the same as my TV habits.
Books
Something of an understatement would be that I am not an avid reader.
My favorite book of all time is 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (I have about 5 different versions). What can you not like about a man that bails out on the conventional world to live on the sea?
I have my Merchant Marine seaman's papers for both Captain and Engineer for very large vessels. I am more than happy to be a "hired gun" as a single handed racer. In France they have the right idea - they pay their singlehanded sponsored sailors more than they pay any other sporting people. They also pour tons of money into the boats that are supplied to their sailors. That is why they are very hard to beat.
I have had sponsorship and backing from Coca Cola, United Technologies, Infonet, Motorola, Maxwell Winches of New Zealand, Horizon Sails, and Moore Sailboats of Santa Cruz.
My race record seems to impress some people. In the end I can make an amp sound pretty decent, sail a boat pretty fast, or shoot pretty straight (another aspect of my life I suppose). On the minus side I am probably less than a desirable husband as boats and music generally come before most anything else.
I read some of Timothy Leary's book but it was somewhat like a second hand acid trip ... sort of disjointed. I could not finish it. But he did autograph it for me when we worked together at Apple.
I read Brave New World and 1984.
Those are about 1/2 of the total books I have read by choice.
I tend to read a lot technical material or magazines much more than I read books.
Heroes
I have two heros. One is real and one from a book. Phil Weld who was the most amazing person I have ever met and Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Phil Weld, at the age of 65, won the 1980 OSTAR (Observer Single Handed Trans Atlantic Race). He was the oldest competitor in the event. This just goes to show you that growing old is something that is earned (a quote from the movie "The Guardian"). Experience and skill overcame younger age once again. Captain Nemo ... I named my favorite boat after him ... "Spirit of Nemo" which I lived aboard for a number of years.
As far as real people to mention that I admire, there is one more. I only have one autograph ... it is from him, Timothy Leary.
The models below may be seen at Saunders Stewart Models or at their own websites or their own myspace pages. The SSM models have extensive portfolios at Saunders Stewart Models where there are between 40 and 80 models available for music video work, CD cover work or other photographic projects. You can check the SSM website to see if there are any models that meet your project requirements. Some of the SSM models here on myspace may also have links to their own SSM pages.
My favorite photographers here on myspace are shown in my top myspace friends along the bottom row. Look on their pages for some great work.
Below are a few shots of Ashley Danielle. You can see more of Ashley Danielle on her own myspace page. She is in my top row of friends or go directly to her myspace page by going to http://www.myspace.com/model_ashleydanielle or you can go directly to her own website at www.ashleydanielle.net where there is a lot more information. Ashley is the head of artist relations for Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting in addition to being a model.
Below are some shots of Kelly Kaye. She is a great model out of Salt Lake City Utah. You can find her in my top friends row if you would like to learn more about her.
Control Data Corportation US Customer Engineer - Hardware Large Systems Division - STC Sunnyvale - SDC Santa Monica - CDC Sunnyvale Operations. Chosen as 1 of 8 picked nationwide to work with Seymour Cray on the STAR 1b
Data General Corporation US Regional Depot Manager - Regional Logistics Mgr. Manager Regional Depot, hardware, software, systems support, regional logistics manager, six or so years
United Technologies US Manager of Software QA Ten years as the head of SQA on digital comm systems
Delphi Communications US Director of Diagnostic and hardware development Manager of Diagnostic Development under Bob Ryle (father of Marcus Ryle - VP line 6) Bob Ryle was the father of speech synthesis that could also be recognized by other computers back in 1982 or so
Infonet - BT - NTC US VP Operations & Engineering x.25, Infolan IP, Frame Relay, ATM, and VOiP global network deployment and Engineering with Siemens, Nortel, and Cisco + more. Ten years
Apple Computer, U.S. Roland Corp, Yahaha Corp. US Music and design consultant Apple's mobile demos, Roland S-50, D-50, MC-500 + others, Yamaha synths and audio consoles
Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting US Founder and owner My current life - Helping guitarists sound better one amp at a time. See my website for more info
Saunders Stewart Models US Co-founder and owner We have 70 models for music video work and print work
S&S Marine Surveyors US Co founder and co-owner Underwater marine salvage and survey. Underwater insurance claims and recovery for Global Marine Insurance - the biggest in the business. S&S was the first company a major insurance carrier would allow to do an in the water and below the water survey.
Malibu Sheriff Department Malibu, CA US Reserve Sheriff Pressed into service 1984-1985
Groove Tubes San Fernando, CA US Tech Support head of SAG Ran their web stuff, was their tech support and ran the special applications group
May 2002 - Aug 2008
65 Amps North Hollywood, CA US Consultant I am their vacuum tube braintrust
The Amp Show Los Angeles and New York, US Good question ... title? www.ampshow.com
In the above shot the shirt is old, the ammo is old but the rifle is currently what I use in match shooting. The ammo came back using the same process out of Saigon that VTVN used to ship news and movies to and from the USA back in that era. That is also how my 4,000+ "unofficial" photos also came back to the USA back in that era. I was out of the firearms scene for a while but am back again.
Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting & Saunders Stewart Models
Myles S. Rose
"Helping guitarists sound better - one amp at a time"
www.mylesrose.com is the fastest way to Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting. From the main GAB entry page you will also find a link for Saunders Stewart Models. There are generally about 40 to 75 models for your photo or video projects.
If you are a model and would like to be considered for addition to the SSM group please drop me a note.
I now have some time to do some amp blueprinting again for new folks. If you are interested just send me an email or message of some sort.
You can now also find me on Facebook. Facebook seems to work better for everyday contact and interchange of info than Myspace. It also requires much less formatting and programming for most folks. Most of the latest videos I have been taking generally will be posted on Facebook before they are posted here. When I do post videos here they are in my blog.
On August 15, 2008 I left Groove Tubes after six and a half years as they were sold to Fender. Current information on what I am doing can be found on the first page on my Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting website.
I started this myspace page on May 2nd 2006. There are many of my friends on myspace and it seemed like a good way to keep in touch with them. This page is a chance for me to be less formal than I typically am on the Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting website or the Saunders Stewart Models website. I find this page a bit more personal and not quite as serious in nature which can be more fun...
Right here at the beginning I want to say that boats have been the most important part of my life since the age of 8. Music interest started at the age of 5. They are the two passions in my life.
This page spans the range of technology from low tech of the fifties (by today's standards) to high tech. Here is an item that bridges both high tech (carbon fiber / graphite) and low tech. Carbon fiber is utilized in aerospace and very fast offshore racing yachts. It has found it's way into car hoods for high performance cars. This is the most unique use I have personally seen and the photo directly below will set the basic theme of my page. A note to the builder of this Open 60 boat: You can save a bit more weight if you loose the toilet paper dispenser and just hang the roll. By the way, this is the "potty" of OceanPlanet - Bruce Schwab - www.bruceschwab.com
I am a simple man in some ways. What impresses me the most are things done right. A guitar amp, a guitar or other musical instrument, a model where everthing about them come together along with their personality which come across in a photo, a photograph taken by a master, or a properly designed boat. These are some of the things in life that rate high on my list. Some airplanes fit into my thinking. Most cars do not as they are compromises based on cost and safety laws.
This is where I spend most of my hours. I work with musicians in helping them get the sound they have in their head our there for others to hear.
Groove Tubes was a part of my life from May 2002 until August 2008 when they were sold to Fender. I still support what was part of their client and artist base. www.groovetubes.com I ran their SAG (special applications group). The SAG worked to help a musician or artist fine tune their skills to their own very specific requirements. This is the same thing I do at Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting but at GAB it is on a much higher level. I was also GT's tech support. I work in the areas of tubes, amps, and very high end studio equipment. Some of GT's current Friends & Relations can be seen at www.groovetubes.com/f-n-r.cfm A number of folks reading this may be on this list. I left GT in the middle of August 2008 and I don't think this list has been updated or the webpage content has been updated since I left in August 2008 as I also did their website work.
The Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting website (and Saunders Stewart Models site) receive between 5,000 and 15,000+ visitors on an average day. This is not "hits" but actual, individual unique IP address visitors. There are over 450 pages on the GAB website.
Ashley Danielle (Below) is the Director of all Artist Relations for Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting
Ashley now has her own model and talent group and is tied in with SSM (
www.saunders-stewart-models.com
) If you would like to be considered for inclusion in Ashley Danielle's
group drop her a note. You can find her in my top friends row, first
position in the left of the top row.
Ashley Danielle is also a model and is available for music video work and other photographic projects. She has current music video work to her credit and is very much at home with the music video production process. You can contact Ashley directly from her icon in my top friends row.
I may not have a lot of friends on this myspace page compared to many others but the ones that are here are generally people in the music business, model business, or personal friends. I generally do not seek out friends or collect friends. The folks you see on this page are people that asked to be accepted as friends on my page as a general rule. Generally I do not send out friend invites unless they are a friend that was discoverd on myspace or a friend I was directed to by another friend.
I look at every friend request that comes to me and unless there is something to offer my other friends they are not accepted.
I rotate some folks in and out of my top friends on a regular basis. There are some of my top friends that will be there all the time. These folks are personal friends and some of my personal favorite clients. They may be who I feel are the best amp builders, best photographers, etc.
If you have any amplifier questions you may feel free to:
1. Send me a message from myspace
2. Email me from my GAB website. There is an email link on the first page that is the best of my email addresses.
In the Guitar Player Magazine forum there are almost 100 pages and 6500+ posts with answers to some of your questions.
As a point of mention - I think I own a number of decent amps and guitars. It always will raise a point of disagreement if somebody states that a Strat is better than a Les Paul or a Marshall amp is better or worse than a Fender or Vox amp. But... I do have one thing which I feel is the best example of the best. I have the best guitar straps on the planet. They are the best leather (think Bentley Turbo R seats rather than my Scion as an example), the best stitching, dying, and workmanship. You can argue that you have a better amp or better guitar but you cannot argue that you have a better guitar strap: www.moodyleather.com
A shamless plug for a great book but it is not a plug for me! One of the folks on this page is a group called The Molenes is named Dave Hunter. Dave is a great player and writer of music but also one heck of a writer of technical books. He has been the editor of more than one very popular guitar magazine and has a number of books out. His latest book - The Guitar Amp Handbook: Understanding Amplifiers and Getting Great Sounds - is one of the best books I have ever seen (and it is about 1/4 the cost of a book that some know that I was involved with). For anybody at any level that wants a great amp book this may be the holy grail. You can find it on Amazon and other places but I'd contact Dave Hunter and ask him the best place to get the book as he may have some personal preferences or just go to www.myspace.com/themolenes
Below are a few guitars from what may be the coolest guitar place on the planet. I am sure you folks have your favorite places but this place is really a cut above anybodies expectations.
First off, it is not open to the public. It is by appointment only. Not that unusual? The owner, David Brass, is also a seller of rare books. Perhaps that is the foundation behind the detailed writeups on each guitar or amplifier.
His establishment, Fretted Americana, is unlike the typical music store or high end vintage shop. There are a number of different offices or rooms filled with guitars and PROPER amps use to audition the guitars, basses, and other fretted instruments. The entire inventory is the pick of the pick of the pick to put it in simple improper English. I am sure David could have written this in a more articulate way but I think my point is understood. There are vintage amps in each room to play the guitars through, each in pristine shape. Each instrument has an extensive description sheet that goes into each instrument's specific details such as pickup output, weight, history etc.
www.frettedamericana.com is the website for Fretted Americana and David Brass. Yes, the guitars are as amazing as they look in the photos. Many are so clean you'd think they just were unpacked from the factory. A the moment I have some of his Gibsons and Fenders but they also have Gretsch, Epiphone, Rickenbacker and others. David also has a few classic amps for sale at times. If you go to the Fretted Americana website you can see detailed photos of all the guitars below and more, from all angles and will very detailed specs and information. There are MANY more than what I show here.
In the group of photos below you will also see some of the work of Dustin Jack. Dustin does the Fretted Americana photo work and video work. He was the one that did the photos for the Brad Paisley / Carl Verheyen first meeting and he also did a very cool video. If I can find a way to upload the video at some point I will.
Some of my friends below
Above - Finally a place that offers hope to all mankind for the most serious of problem situations!
The video here on youtube says it is Idaho but this was done in Los Angeles and part of the performance on the DVD Rumor Mill that was done in 2005. A video not to be missed. Check Carl's website for the dates and cities of his current tour schedule. www.carlverheyen.com ....
Below is Maggie's Ladder live from the taping of the Rumor Mill DVD. If you don't have this DVD get it!
Below is Carl Verheyen in the studio. This is also a great sound clip of the Dr. Z SRZ-65!
Below ... a bit of history
The above video is from Urgh! A Music War. This is back from the punk era from some folks point of view. This was a very cool movie and this particular group was one of my favorites. I love the first seconds of the opening as it shows the contrast in the people waiting for an east coast show versus a west coast show. Here in New York the girls are dressed up, high heels and the look is quite different from Los Angeles and places like Madam Wong's, The Blue Lagoon Saloon and other clubs of this era.
The video directy below is from the same movie, the Alley Cats. Check out the energy and the great guitar breaks. It may not be the vibe of metal but the energy is there as is the energy and it was done without a lot of things such as switching systems, tons of effects, in ear monitors or a bank of switching amps. Simple rock music.
As you know by now, I work in the music industry. I work directly with many amplifier manufacturers and designers on a consulting basis as part of my time. I also work directly in a very interactive way with select artists, guitarists, and musicians to get the tone in their head to be the tone they can finally produce live or in recording. Custom tailoring an amplifier by using different or selected tubes (and leveraging their tonal differences), documenting all voltages at various places in the amp, and tuning the amp to a specfic player's style and taste is one aspect of the Blueprinting process. Once the amp has been blueprinted we can go "up. down, left, right, or sideways" as the player's needs dictate for a given application or performance. We can then always come "back home" because the player actually knows what the amp is doing internally and not just guessing.
I support a number of players on tour and teach them and their staff how to keep the gear in top shape. They learn how to continue to keep the best tone, response, and articulation whether on the road or in the studio. Their techs and the players learn how to change aspects of their tone on the fly in a very predictable manner. This is another process of amp blueprinting.
Guitar amplifier blueprinting is a very interactive process. It takes many hours during the first session between myself and the player. One cannot just drop off the amp and come pick it up at a later date. The player needs to be on location every moment I am working on the amp and will be playing for many hours. The player will also learn a lot about how his amp works, see what happens when items such as matched phase inverters are used, see how a long plate and short plate phase inverter change things, learn how to soften an amp by tube selection and swapping, make the amp darker or brighter, etc. They will also learn how to bias their amp and how to service their amplifier.
For musicians on the road I will build a kit for their tech staff with a number of tubes that are marked with various numbers and a sheet that will have characteristics. This way the tech can change the amp for a brighter or darker venue or change the amp's feel or tone on the fly for a given performance. A blues gig may require more compression while a hard rock gig may require the feel to be more immediate. The tech or player can make these changes in a matter of seconds, generally with no tools and with no adjustments to the amplifier.
I get the most personal satisfaction is when I work with a group or artist that is on an indie label or no label at all. Folks trying to break into the music industry. People that have talent that are trying to get noticed. People that could use a bit of help.
I have been known to loan my own equiment, loan my time in their support and call in resources from many of my other friends. It is very rewarding to pass along what experience I have to others and watch them take their place on the stage.
If you are an artist that has a myspace page that has recorded material please feel free to contact me. If I am on your friends list and you are performing somewhere in the near future please let me know. I may place you in my "top friends".
Myspace
is a powerful resource. The days are long gone of high priced studios being the
only place to record a record. Resources like myspace also can get a group or
artist out in the public eye much faster and more effectively than most agents
or advertising agencies. Airplay? Only time will tell us all the most effective
media. My hat is off to Tom for putting myspace together.
If you are an artist with a lot of resources behind you such as record labels and major management companies you may have paid me $165 an hour or $1500 per day. But, if you are a struggling artist that needs equipment, sponsorship, technical help, or other assistance you may have paid me nothing at all. I cannot think of a single case (well, there was ONE), that I did not come out great on the deal. I will continue my support of those folks with talent on their struggle to the top.
I have been working with guitar amplifiers, recording equipment and sound systems since I was a teenager. I worked in the high tech computer and data comm industry from 1973 to 2002. In 2002 I left the computer / comm industry and moved to full time in the music industry.
2005 L.A. Amp Show Tone Wizzards Panel - As typical, I am the one in the foreground doing the talking at that moment
2005 L.A Amp Show Tone Wizzards Panel - more info at www.ampshow.com
There was also a 2006 and 2007 show in Los Angeles and there have been three ampshows in New York; 2007, 2008
and 2009. The 2008 L.A. show was be a two day event. The 2009 L.A. Ampshow
will be in October again this year.
2006 L.A. Amp Show raffle prize winners and Saunders Stewart Models (L-R) Lauren, Marlene, Ashley Danielle, and Emily. Emily was Miss Amp show 2005
L.A. Amp Show 2006 - 65 Amps room ( www.65amps.com ). Dan Boul (L) and Carl Verheyen (R) taking over the show. These amps are made by who I feel is in the top five amp builders on the planet. If you want to find out more hit their website and if you want to try one live or in the studio I have a London that can be borrowed. If you want to try a Marquee Club 35 watter I can probably arrange to have you play with one of them also. More on my website and the 65 Amps site.
Above is a classic shot of the first amp that started it all over at 65Amps - The London. Spectacular piece of work. Today at 65Amps they have the London, Marquee Club, SoHo, Royal Albert, Monterey, Kings Head bass amp, Stone Pony and Lil' Elvis (the hit of 2009 Winter NAMM)
Above is Thad Beaty and Scott Patton of Sugarland. These are two great players but also two of the greatest guys on the planet. They some of my favorite folks to work with and the side benefit is that everybody in Sugarland are 100A1+++ in my book! I will make one comment here about one of the main members of the band Kristian Bush. The guy has more energy on stage and any 20 year old out there. Jennifer and Kristian put on a show that is amazing and always a treat no matter how many times you see them.
I love 50s and 60s tweed era amps. These are from Pierson Amps at www.pierson-amps.com
These are Dr. Z amps from www.drzamps.com These are one of my favorite amps on the planet (the top three are Dr Z Amps, 65amps, and a few ties for third place). I support more of these on major tours than any other amplifier. Yes, they sound and play great but the also are stone cold reliable playing 200 nights per year on the road in hard tour use. One of the "5 best builders on the planet" in my eyes. Dr. Z has a very extensive line of amps that are both cathode biased and grid biased. The tube compliment includes EL84, 6V6, EL-34, KT66, and KT88. There are pentode front end amps (Z-28, Route 66, KT-45, and Delta 88) in the product line. These are the most pedal friendly amps I have ever seen. The MAZ Jr and Sr are amps with the widest use envelope that you may able to find. The Stangray and RxES as used by Brad Paisley and many others attack tonal needs from yet one more direction. There is more on my GAB website. Also available to loan out for live or studio work on request.
Up above are the Doctor Z SRZ-65 LE (Limited Edition) amps (there were 35 produced) at the Z factory prior to shipping in January 2007. This amp was originally produced in the Eagles "Hotel California" days and was what Joe Walsh used on that song and on that tour. If you want to hear "the best sounding Marshall amp ever made" you should give this amp a listen. After Carl Verheyen A/B'd one of these against his vintage Plexi Marshalls he made the switch himself. Think of a Marshall 2204 / JCM 800 at the peak of it's evolution and you get the idea. This is about as good as it gets if you are a Marhall fan.
Above is Michael Burks with his Z Rig. Michael is one of the finest blues players on the planet. You can find Michael in my top friends where you can add him to your own myspace friends and say hello to him. You can find out more about Michael on his own webste at www.michaelburks.com and also look at his schedule to see when he will be playing in your area. Don't miss a show if he is near you.
A little on me as a person and where I came from...
I was born in Los Angeles in 1949. I guess I have not grown up to be in sync with my calendar years. Folks say I am in good shape for my age. Funny ... in the 1980 OSTAR single handed sailing race from England to the USA, the winner Phil Weld was 65 at the time on a 50 foot boat. I guess I am still a few years away from my prime? I have not met anybody younger at this point in my life that can do with less hours of sleep on the sea.
I would not exchange the year I was born for anything. I was a teenager with a used and beat up 1957 MGA in the sixties. It never ran for more than two weeks in a row but it was a great car for the late sixties! The Fillmore and Avalon were in full swing in San Francisco, and the real Woodstock was a few days after my discharge from the military. Then again .... that was one bad aspect of the sixties!
I have been sailing since I was eight years old and started playing guitar at the same time. I received my pilots license from Gunnell Aviation in Santa Monica when I was 16. I only fly fun airplanes these days or helicopters.
I generally have a great time working with musicians. I am the moderator for Guitar Player Magazine in the guitar forum at www.musicplayer.com and am the moderator on the Dr. Z Forum and Carl Verheyen forum.
Gary Hooker and Brad Paisley - It does not get much better than this.
Who I'd like to meet:
The title of this myspace section ... "I'd like to meet" ... really does not apply here but I have no easy way to change it.
Before we move on with even more, here are a few things to think about ....
I have been married more than once. A bit of a joke that I have used more than once is that my second wife was the best wife I ever had. Actually, my third wife was the best wife I have had but there is a bit of truth in the statement about my second wife. She was a horse breeder and horse trainer. She is now a vet. She is somewhere in Northern California or Oregon I believe. Her name is Dawn. If anybody in that neck of the woods knows a blonde Dawn who is remarried to a vet please tell her I said hello. While I was married to Dawn she had about five horses and other animals. I had two boats over the course of the marriage. She would go to horse shows. I would go off racing. We both had what we loved close at hand and did not get in the others ones way and were supportive of each others passions.
The best boat I ever owned had no engine, no plumbing, and a bucket for a toilet. It was a stripped down racing boat that never let me down. Looking back on my life now I realize that I love to sail alone. I have had boats with showers and ovens and all those things but was not in love with them as I was with Spitfire. Go off alone, sail hard and fast, toss dirty clothes up in the sail locker, eat out of cans, forget all forms of personal hygine, sleep 20 minutes every four or five hours, and just sail.
I have sailed with others for long periods of time but I did feel a bit ill at ease at times when I was asked even simple things such as "what do you want to eat". When I am hungry I eat. When you are hungry you should eat. Leave me out of it. Life is that simple.
I have been able to meet a number of the most amazing people on the planet during my life. One was Timothy Leary. His autograph may be the only autograph I own. His mind seems to go in 10,000 directions at the same time.
I have a number of single handed ocean racing videos in my video area and some double handed videos too. I am pulling most of these down from this main page so the page will load a bit faster.
There is a promo video done by the yachting folks in Barcelona where they host a number of major sailing events including the double-handed round the world race which is also a non-stop race. This race and the Vendee Globe race are non-stop. Some of you may have heard of the BOC Challenge. That particular race has four stops. I have one major issue with this video .... they say the first solo circumnavigation was done in 1969. This is quite wrong. It was actually done at the turn of the last century by Joshua Slocum. Slocum departed from Boston Harbor, MA on his famous circumnavigation on April 24, 1895, at the age of 51, in the rebuilt 37-foot sloop Spray. Slocum returned, sailing into Newport, RI, on June 27, 1898 after single-handedly sailing around the world , a passage of 46,000 miles. This historic achievement made him the patron saint of small-boat voyagers, navigators and adventurers all over the world.
I enjoy meeting all long distance single-handed or double-handed sailors.
On this page you might see photos of Oceanplanet from time to time. This is one of the current Open 60 class of boats. This boat was successfully campaigned by Bruce Schwab and the Oceanplanet organization and racing team in many events. With less than 1/100th the sponsorship of the French boats in the last round the world race, Bruce finished 8th which was spectacular when you realize he had virtually NO budget for much of anything. This boat will continue a strong campaign while Bruce campaigns Oceanplanet II. We are trying to raise sponsorship for Oceanplanet II and sponsorship not only means money but exposure and interest. If this is at all interesting to you there is much more at www.bruceschwab.com/index.asp and there is even a page where you can donate if you want to do that. Don't worry about the amounts on the donation page! You can donate any amount no matter what button you click. If you do not want to donate money that is fine too ... just spread the word on the efforts and mission of Oceanplanet. Bruce does a lot for kids and the environment. He is also an American in a sport that is generally dominated by sailors and sponsors from Europe.
Bruce is also a guitar player. Maybe think of him as a bit of a model as well. He comes across on camera quite nicely in all his press stuff and in the news footage that was done on him. Bruce is not a part of SSM (Saunders Stewart Models) but he may be called upon for a photo shoot or two. There you go ladies ... a single guy that can truly fend for himself! He lived totally alone on the sea for over three months non-stop circling the globe. He fed himself, cooked for himself, did his own laundry and "housework", and still kept his boat going in everything from no wind to storms that would have people on land evacuating their homes. He runs an organization that helps kids and educates folks about ecology. I cannot think of too many people that have so many sides to their personality and abilities. He has a sensitive side. He helps the environment and educates people about the planet. He writes songs and plays guitar. He can be totally self sufficient and yet be in the center of the spotlight whether the entire world is watching him on camera or at a post race celebration with thousands in attendance. I can do the "run off at sea all alone" part of the formula and play a bit of guitar but this guy sure has me beat in about a dozen other ways!
The Vendee Globe is a single handed non-stop round the world race. It has been run every four years since 1989/90. The race generally starts in November for better weather south of the Equator. The next race started on November 9th, 2008 and when I last updated this page the race was in progress January 18, 2009 with a while to go.
Below is the course for the Vendee Globe run by the Open 60 class and Open 50 class boats.
The Open 60 race boat is the ‘Formula 1’ ocean racing machine of the high seas. The name comes from the simple fact that the design of this boat is open, the only rules are that the length is 60ft on the waterline and that each boat must pass strict security measurements and stability tests so that the safety of the yacht & skipper is paramount. Therefore boats are designed by different architects and customized to suit the skipper and the racing programme, but they do compete as a class on a level playing field. As these boats are raced in all conditions and across all the world’s oceans, they are built out of carbon fibre in order to be robust but also extremely light and fast. Although 60 foot long, an Open boat is designed so that they can be handled by just one person.
The sail locker up in the bow carries an inventory of up to 9 sails, weighing in total 413 kg and with a total sail area of 490 square metres downwind. These ocean-going ‘greyhounds’ can reach speeds of up to 33 knots on the fastest point of sail, and can cover over 400 miles a day.
Running away on boats
The first time I ran away on boats after dropping out of society was after my first divorce in 1979. In 1979 I was Data General Corporation's youngest Regional Manager. I had gone through a divorce. Rather than stick around in the corporate world I moved aboard my boat and left what you or others may define as a conventional lifestyle. I ran off from 1979-1981. In August of 1981 I returned to the corporate world. I once again left the world of big business in 2002 and shifted my life full time into the music business. Today I have "half a conventional lifestyle" as being in the music business is not exactly a Monday to Friday 8-5 job.
The boat below is a great Bill Tripp design, a Columbia 50. These boats are still great sailers today and could still take one around the globe in safety, comfort, and with ease.
Above: This is an image that comes to mind when I think about my past.
I love Bill Tripp designs and look at the classic lines above. This is my idea of form following function and just a beautiful boat to my eyes.
This fellow below is less than an hour from big problems. You really have to think about having more than ONE other person on a boat with you if you have anybody else along at all. This fellow is out numbered. Things may look like they are under control in this photo but I would bet that a short time later he was having second thoughts!
Since 1973 I have worked for companies such as Control Data, Data General, Delphi Communications, Lexar, United Technologies, Infonet and others. My last corporate stint was at Infonet ( www.infonet.com ) where I was their VP of Operations and Engineering. I worked there for ten years prior to deciding to leave the world of big business and go full time rather than part time into the music business.
So when they ask here "who I'd like to meet" ... I suppose I am always looking for somebody that loves to live life for the moment. Somebody who has not grown up too much yet. Somebody who could take each day as it comes. I think we are all looking for somebody who share our passions and interests.
Some of the folks on my page here are people that I work with directly and support them in the tour and in the studio. At times they may want to throw a party that will not be forgotten. The best way to travel I know of is by boat. The best vacations are by boat. The best way to have a boat experience that cannot be beat if you are looking for the ultimate vacation and want to experience life far beyond that in any 5 star hotel is by charter yacht.
For many years I have worked with Camper & Nicholsons International and Purcell Yacht and Ship Brokers. C&N has been around for 230 years in the areas of yacht and ship design along with construction. They have offices all over the globe. The main office I work with is their West Palm Beach office. If you would like to charter a yacht for a week or more just drop me a message and we can arrange something. You can also contact Diana Mares at CNI WPB directly at 1 561 655 2121. If you contact her directly please mention my name to her. Frankly, there is a big chunk of money that comes my way for this sort of work.
For more information on charters, yacht brokerage, crew placement, vessel management, charter locations, detailed information and brochures on many of the vessels, and other information, just hit their website at www.cnconnect.com or drop me a message or give Diana Mares a call at the above number and say hello from me. If you are interested in purchasing a boat that is a little less pricy than some of the CNI yachts that are offered for sale (a different division than the charter division but I can help you there too), I can work with you in Southern California through Purcell Yacht and Ship Brokers in Marina Del Rey where I have been on their staff for over a decade.
Thankfully there are photographic artists like the ones shown on my page, some of the greatest photographers out there.
From the model business side of my life from www.saunders-stewart-models.com I have become friends with some of the greatest photographers in the business. Some of them are Keith McNulty (I wish I had a myspace page URL for him), Frank Murdock of Implied Images ( www.impliedimages.com ), Charlie Couch, Mike Byerly, and others that you will see on this page along with some of their work or in one row of my top friends.
There is a magic that comes together when the photographer and model click. It is like when a band is together and has one of those magic performances. Having great photographers in places like Florida, California, and Utah is very fortunate for me. These photographers are the few with the talent to make me look at a photograph of some models with the highest level of respect for their talent. These photographers produce images which generate in me the same weight as the love of a properly designed boat sailing on the water captured in a photo when the boat is one of perfection in design and execution.
Below some great photos from Brian at iYi Images. Brian is also in my top folks with the other photographic masters.
See much more of iYi Images / Brian's work at his myspace page at www.myspace.com/iyi_images where you can also find his website link
The below photos were taken by Charlie Couch. If you want to see more of his work look on his website at www.charliecouch.com
..
The photos in the next group below are from Robert at 40 Digital Photography. www.myspace.com/40digital
Two of my favorite people: Phil Jamison of Matchless Amplifiers and Ashley Danielle. Matchless is one of the "top 5" builders on my list. Who can not love a DC-30? It was a great amp in the late eighties and still great today. Since Matchless started they have moved forward. Today's new designs and offerings from them are just spectacular. www.matchlessamplifiers.com
This is Ashley Danielle - This is the photo she has on her site. A comment I made at one time was "my favorite girl with my favorite guitar"
Thanks to: 1960 Fender Custom Shop Blue Strat - Sam Austin GT Pro Audio. 65 Amps T-Shirt - Dan Boul at 65 Amps. The photo - thanks to Implied Images. I cannot think of three cooler things off the top my head than Ashley, a classic Strat, and a 65Amps amplifier.
A quick change out of her 65Amps work T-shirt and a bit of time on her hair and Ashley is ready to head out for a formal evening.
Ashley is also the head of Artist Relations at Guitar Amplifier Blueprinting.
You might wonder, what does she do in her spare time?
For more on Ashley Danielle just go to my top row of friends and click on her myspace icon.
I am personally presenting a Webinar on Sunday at 7:00 PM EST and would really appreicaite it if you would attend. It is all about working for yourself, online, and starting a turn key business online that can start as a secondary income and turn into so much more. I Brad Stevens personally know someone who made $10,000.00 in 2 months, I'm about halfway there! The webinar is online through a service called GotoMeeting and All you have to do to register is Click this link https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/140353688
Thank you so much I look forward to seeing you there! Here is to SUCCESS through working with a POSITIVE TEAM!
Hi Myles, Heaven & Earth is on hiatus now as Stuart Smith and Richie Onori have joined forces with bassist Steve Priest to reform "Sweet". For those of you unfamiliar with the band, Sweet originally formed in the early 70s and went on to sell over 40,000,000 albums with 11 International Top Ten Hits such as "Ballroom Blitz", "Little Willy", "Love is Like Oxygen", "Fox on the Run", "Teenage Rampage", "Action", "Blockbuster", "Hellraiser" and many others.
This reincarnation of the band reformed last year, playing their first show in June, and went on to play festivals throughout Canada and the States and had played to over 300,000 people before the year was out. During this tour last year they recorded a live CD available on Amazon entitled "Sweet, Live in America" which has received rave reviews - pick up a copy and please Add Sweet As Your Friend On Myspace!
Christmas is coming soon. Are you looking for a Christmas present and would like to help handicapped children? Than please request the list of donations in kind from HelpCharity, www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity , by sending me an e-mail at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de . Many donations in kind are autographed.
If you don't have the chance to request the list of donations in kind, please add HelpCharity to your Top Friends!
Thanks for helping me to support handicapped children!
Christian
Founder of HelpCharity Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 (0) 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 (0) 171 6903352 E-Mail: Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Internet: www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity Internet: www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
hey how's it going? in case you haven't checked our myspace, we've been on tour and are constantly posting more dates! i hope to see ya when we come through, so check our page now!
and if you still don't have our album, "wait for the sun," you can find it on itunes or in our online store - http://store.tdrrecords.com
Well, Thankyou very much for the support! We need as much of it as we can get! We r set to go and record our full legnth album in March to make up for the crappy quality demo! So, keep intouch and Thankyou very much for adding us to ur top friends!
Many thanks for adding me to your 'Space' and equally welcome to mine. Great to find someone with your experience so supportive to musicians - signed or unsigned - and a brilliant resource for tube amp information you offer at your www.guitaramplifierblueprinting.com page.
All the very best to you and Ashley from England, Clive
Thanks Myles. Saw you at the amp show in LA taking pictures at the 65 Amps room saturday morning. You might have even took a pic of me talking to Dan. Had a great time.
Come by Hyde tonight if you're in town. i will be there at about 10:30. It's my agency launch party. You wouldn't have to stay long but it would be nice to see you. I will also be throwing a dinner for my girls at XIV at 9pm prior to going over if you wanted to stop by there as well. At Hyde just go straight to the door and say you're with Ashley. Have Lonie come and any of the other guys if they are in town too :)
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