Mike Overly's 12 Tone Music News

The Latest Guitar and Bass News from around the World Wide Web . . .
April 9, 2020
In This Issue


When we call music a universal language, it's usually understood to be a metaphor. In its purest theoretical form, music may be more like math-a truly universal language-but in its manifestations in the real world, it resembles more the great diversity of tongues around the globe. Each regional, national, and global music has its grammar of scales, rhythms, and chords, each its syntax of melodies and harmonies, though these share some important commonalities.

The syntax of pop music, like its blues predecessor, consists of standard chord progressions, easily swapped from song to song: repeatable units that form a range of available emotional expression. Want to see that range on full display, in a bravado performance by an Australian comedy rock band? Look no further: just above, the Axis of Awesome perform their live rendition of "4 Chord Song," a stunning medley of pop hits from Journey to Missy Higgins that all use the same four-chord sequence.

With the exception of an original composition, "Birdplane," the ensemble's selection of 38 songs includes some of the biggest hits of the past few decades. The tonal breadth is surprising, as we leap from "Don't Stop Believing" to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" to "With or Without You" to Aqua's "Barbie Girl" and Lady Gaga's "Poker Face." Imagine Natalie Imbruglia, Green Day, and Toto trading licks, or Pink, the Beatles, and A-Ha. Maybe these artists have more in common, linguistically speaking, than we thought.

Or, as one of the Axis of Awesome bandmember asks, mock-incredulously, "You can take those four chords, repeat them, and pop out every pop song ever?"
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The name Valco comes up often when one is chasing down an obscure amp or guitar. Valco was behind Supro's fabled guitars and tube amps and also the Airline, National and Oahu brands, to name a few. You can add Custom Kraft to that lineup as well. Kay manufactured the brand in the U.S. from the 1930s through the '60s, during which time Custom Kraft served as the house marque for St. Louis Music. In 1967, Kay merged with Valco, but the partnership dissolved in 1968, the year that the Beat Blaster shown here was built.
IN THE BASSMENT
 
The Made in Japan Heritage Series captures the spirit and very essence of Fender's DNA. These guitars are authentic Fender craftsmanship. You will notice the classic nuances in the lines, curves, and contours almost immediately. The player will enjoy the sound of historic tones while appreciating the high quality of the Japanese craftsmanship.
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Order Guitar EncycloMedia or Bass EncycloMedia now through April 16, 2020 to receive FREE SHIPPING! Only available from the 12 Tone Music store. No coupon code needed. Domestic orders only. Money back guarantee.

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www.guitartruth.com and www.basstruth.com are subsidiaries of 12 Tone Music Publishing, LLC.
WATCH THIS
 
Comedian Adam Sandler has long been an enthusiastic guitar player. And he's been taking the nationwide lockdown as an opportunity to beef up his chops. During a recent video-chat episode of Conan, Sandler engaged in a virtual jam with the show's host, Conan O'Brien. If you want to skip straight to the six-string action, O'Brien and Sandler's brief blues jam starts at 15:55, while Sandler's soloing begins at 16:12. Sandler is playing an Ibanez Artcore.  
LEARN HERE  While these two distinct design formats are used by a wide range of guitar manufacturers today, at the very midpoint of the previous century, they were distinguished as follows: Bolt-on neck guitars were made by Fender, and set-neck guitars were made by everyone else. Putting a name on "everyone else" most prominently means Gibson, Gretsch, Epiphone, and a handful of more affordable Chicago manufacturers that had entered the electric guitar business by 1950. Generally speaking, a set neck transfers the resonance between neck and body more freely and immediately than does a bolt-on neck. The result is usually heard as a little more warmth and fullness in the set-neck guitar, and a little more snap and twang in the bolt-on guitar.
GREAT GEAR
 
All profits from the Blood Donor will be donated to the Red Cross, which is facing a critical blood shortage. Catalinbread is also encouraging buyers - and anyone else who can - to donate blood to assist with the shortage. The Blood Donor features a new transistor set designed to allow for more gain and saturation, and a reduced noise floor. The four control knobs have also been renamed to fit in with the theme: "Please" (filter level), "Give" (gain), "Your" (volume) and "Blood" (input signal level).
ARTIST AWARENESS
 
Since his death Rory's reputation has grown. Perhaps it's only with the passing of the time that the sheer scope and immensity of his achievements can be assessed. A true original, his resolutely ordinary working man image appears all the more extraordinary in the era of media saturation. In 2003 the posthumously released 'Wheels Within Wheels' album provided another career highlight, focusing on the acoustic side of Rory's art featuring collaborations with Bert Jansch and Juan Martin.With the release of the abandoned 1978 album recorded in America 'Notes From San Francisco'. Rory's memory lives on across the globe. 

Order Guitar EncycloMedia or Bass EncycloMedia 
through April 16, 2020 to receive FREE SHIPPING!
Available only from the 12tonemusic.com online store.
No coupon code needed. Domestic orders only. Money back guarantee.
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  www.guitartruth.com and www.basstruth.com are subsidiaries of   
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