Tag Archive for "ghs boomers" tag

Thanks for the feedback regarding the best ‘GdaÅ„sk’ prices. Keep your observations coming (to that page, not this one, please). I hope it’s been helpful.

Just to throw something else into the mix, consider the following, if you will.

FYE.com will include a free random pack of GHS strings with the first 50 pre-orders. I don’t yet know which set you have to buy to qualify, but bear them in mind.

Even better, perhaps: Indie stores in the US will include a CD of ‘Wot’s… Uh The Deal’ if you pre-order ‘Live in GdaÅ„sk’. That applies to all bar the deluxe and vinyl sets and is only happening in the USA.

Before you start throwing questions and criticism at anyone or anything, iTunes will include ‘Wot’s…’ – free – if you download the album in full (that is to say, the contents of the two live GdaÅ„sk CDs). You cannot download it individually.

And, if you’ll soon be the owner of a DVD web pass, you’ll also be able to download ‘Wot’s…’ free of charge, along with the 12 live tracks. However, you won’t get it immediately, you can only download one track per month (and no, I don’t know the proposed order, so please don’t ask).

The full track also runs over the credits on the concert DVD, so you’ll have it right there (unless you’re getting the two-disc or vinyl, obviously).

Anyway, ‘Wot’s…’ will be available at MySpace the week after next. I’ll let you know when.

Here it is: the long-awaited Gilmour Signature Strat.

It has the same maple neck, black pickguard, shortened tremolo arm and custom electronics as the original and comes presented in a black case with centre pocket, snazzy green lining and Fender Custom Shop embroidery.

First, the good news.

It will be released on 22 September. That’s September this year.

Now, the bad news.

‘Live in GdaÅ„sk’ will be pushed back a week for a same-date release.

However, the three-disc version (live double CD, plus concert DVD) will be stuffed into said centre pocket.

The hardback edition of Phil Taylor’s ‘The Black Strat: A History of David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster’ will also be released on 22 September, a signed, softback copy of which will also be found inside the guitar case.

A set of GHS strings will also be included, as well as an Evidence Audio cable, as used by David. You even get a deluxe Fender strap and a David Gilmour plectrum thrown in.

And, before you ask… No, I don’t know how much it will cost, but hope that a firm date and photo will be enough to deter the doubters.

Please click the image for a closer look and, if you think you can take it, see Latest News for more excitement.

Three winners today, and their numbers are: 31, 82 and 84.

Meddle, you win a copy of Phil Taylor’s book.

Peter McConnell and James Ward, you each win a set of GHS Boomers for the guitar of your choice, so please let me know whether you want a set of strings for a Fender Strat or a Gibson Les Paul, along with your addresses.

Congratulations to you all.

The final draw takes place on Wednesday.

The chatroom will also be open that day, between 11AM and 1PM (UK).

A quick update on Phil’s book…

It will be available from the larger of the UK’s Borders stores in 2008, not only up until the end of this year, as has been reported. We’d still recommend TheBlackStrat.com for orders, though.

Here’s a wee bit more from Phil’s Q&A to wrap up for another day.

Thanks to Julie and Linda for providing the questions.

What is the most disastrous technical experience you have encountered during a sound check/concert? (Julie Davies)

David’s amplifier/effects rig failing at a Pink Floyd show in Helsinki – during the show. If anybody else in the band’s equipment fails, the show carries on; if David’s fails, the show stops until I get it working. Not much pressure there, then.

What is the best David Gilmour/Pink Floyd gig you ever worked on? (Linda)

Very difficult, there are many reasons for liking different nights. Sometimes just one song from one night can be fantastic. As a tour, the most enjoyable that I have ever done was ‘On an Island’ last year: great music, great band, great crew. The best one I ever saw from the audience – in fact the best gig I have ever been to – was Pink Floyd at Earls Court in London in 1973: a stunning audio-visual-surround experience.

Today’s winners are Paul C (20) and Davie (72), who, respectively, win Best Buy and Borders copies of the ‘Remember That Night’ DVD. These were exclusive to the US and are Region 1, don’t forget, but they’re certainly nice items to add to the collection.

The Best Buy version comes with a three-track CD featuring ‘On An Island’, ‘Take A Breath’ and ‘High Hopes’ from the AOL sessions. The Borders version comes with a poster of David playing at Abbey Road.

Well done, both. Let me know where your prizes should be sent.

The next prize draw will be on Monday, when a copy of Phil Taylor’s fine book, ‘The Black Strat: A History Of David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster’, and some equally-fine (apparently, I don’t play) GHS strings for the guitar of your choice will be the prizes at stake.

If you don’t want to be considered for these, please say so.

Don’t forget, you can find out more about both Phil and his book at TheBlackStrat.com.

Just the one answer from Phil today, but it’s a lengthy one.

Your thoughts, as always, are most welcome.

Do you reckon it’s true that David himself is the secret to the Gilmour sound (i.e. he could pick up an 80 quid Strat copy and still sound like Gilmour, or is that just a sweeping statement used by people who find that they cannot get ‘the sound’?) (Emma)

Yes, no question, it is true. David’s choice of notes and sense of melody and timing, both the physical attack and subtleties with both hands in playing of the instrument and his setting of the equipment and control of it to work in conjunction with what he is playing. It is the combination of all this that is his sound. This said, the quality of the sound can be enhanced by using better sounding equipment. Think – does it sound like David if he is using a Telecaster, Les Paul, Gretsch Duo Jet or a Lap Steel instead of a Strat? We once did a TV show with Mark Knopfler – he used David’s Red Strat with David’s amp on David’s settings and who did he sound like? Mark Knopfler, of course. Like any great guitarist, so much of the sound is him. I have never heard anybody sound like David, because this is the real deal from the man who created it. You can only sound like yourself, perhaps trying to imitate somebody else. Like the mimicking professional parrots, such as in Roger Waters’ band or Pink Floyd cover bands, who try their best, but it does not sound like David. It is best summed up by an analogy: it is like a facsimile of an original piece of artwork.

Thank you for entering our Christmas raffle by sending in your six numbers over the weekend. Please click the image to your left see if any of them proved lucky for you.

Prize draws will take place on Wednesday and Friday of this week, Monday and Wednesday of the next.

The prizes/draws are as follows (feel free to opt-out of any draw, if you so wish):

Wednesday 12 December: Premiere Draw, four winners

One programme, from the ‘Remember That Night’ premieres, signed by David, plus an Odeon Leicester Square VIP pass. Three runner-up prizes of an unsigned programme and pass.

Friday 14 December: DVD Draw, two winners

- One Best Buy ‘Remember That Night’ DVD (Region 1), with three-track CD.
- One Borders ‘Remember That Night’ DVD (Region 1), with poster.

Monday 17 December: Guitarists’ Draw, three winners

- One copy of Phil Taylor’s book, ‘The Black Strat’.
- One set of GHS strings for the guitar of your choice: Strat or Les Paul.

Wednesday 19 December: CD Collectors’ Draw, two winners

- One three-track US radio promo CD.
- One exclusive four-track Abbey Road/PBS CD.

We kick-off this evening with a special prize draw just for the ladies.

We have two brand new, never-before-seen David Gilmour scarves – of all things – (one in navy, one in crimson), which are due for production next year.

Made in Uruguay from 100% pure lambswool, embroidered with tassels, no less, they both have the wireman logo at one end and the now-familiar ‘David Gilmour’ logo at the other. The navy one has white embroidery, the crimson one has black.

The winners of these are Lynn (42) and Stephanie (57).

Well done, both. Please let me know where your prizes should be sent.

The chatroom will be open tomorrow from 3PM (UK time), should you wish to talk about scarves, or anything else.

Here’s a bit more from Phil Taylor…

Are the red Strats modified, besides the EMG and electronics? Perhaps a pre-CBS or Callaham bridge block? (Ernest Peske)

Not currently. They have had different parts: bridge saddles, string trees and springs at times.

It’s been said that Eric Clapton retired Blackie because the guitar became unplayable. With electric guitars, and particularly Strats, being so interchangeable (swapping necks, changing electronics, etc.), can a guitar like a Strat truly become unplayable, and, if so, how much more life do you estimate is left for David’s black Strat? (Andrew)

Parts can always be replaced on a Strat. See my book ‘The Black Strat’ for all of the changes to David’s.

I was wondering, was David’s black Strat used on ‘Live at Pompeii’, or could it possibly be the Strat that El Magnifico used on last year’s tour? (Amedeo)

No, see my book, ‘The Black Strat’, for more information.

For anyone looking to buy the David Gilmour signature strings, produced by GHS, here are some links for you.

They aren’t expected in shops in the US until next week (at the earliest), but you can make arrangements to order a set in advance.

First, it goes without saying that it’s always worth supporting your local music shop, so why not ask them to order a pack for you?

If they need a helping hand, tell them to visit Rocktron, click WHERE TO BUY from the menu bar, and, if you’re in the United States, you can search by city or zip/area code.

If you’re not in the US, click here for a list of international dealers.

The chatroom will be open tomorrow from 12PM (UK).

Here’s a little more from Phil Taylor to finish with.

I know David uses two Hiwatt heads and two speaker cabinets. Are they all used simultaneously or are different head and cabinet combinations used for different songs? (Ax)

Generally they are used simultaneously. For the ‘On An Island’ tour there was a third amp and cabinet for his Long Delay setting for ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’.

Tube types in the Hiwatts… EL34s or KT-77? (George Gipe)

Mullard EL34s are what we have always used.

I’ve looked at genuine 1970s Hiwatt SA212s, but fear I may not be able to maintain them adequately. I see Hiwatt do a reissue David Gilmour SA212, another option. More importantly, I’d like your view on what I should buy, maybe even Fender? (Paul C)

First, you most likely do not need a 50 watt amp at home – more like a three to 10 watts good tube amp would do. Original Hiwatts are known to be about the most reliable amplifiers ever built, but far too powerful for home. They would only just tick over. Better to use something smaller and drive it a bit more. (I have tried and compared some of the new Hiwatts and they do not sound like the old ones.)

The winners of the David Gilmour GHS strings are: James Geary and Ernest Peske, who each win a set for a Strat, and Paul B and TomiSue, who each win a set for a Les Paul.

Well done, all four. Let us know where we should send your prizes.

I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on Phil’s book, ‘The Black Strat’, which many of you will have by now received. Phil has been delighted with the feedback and sends the following note:

I hope people like the book, now it is finally out there. From what I can tell, it seems generally to have been well-received. I have had some complimentary responses from people, so it’s nice to know that all the work – which I seriously under-estimated at the outset, or else I probably would not have undertaken it – is appreciated.

Remember, you can only get a copy of Phil’s book by visiting either TheBlackStrat.com or one of the UK’s main branches of Borders. Please do check with Borders before you make a special trip in their direction, as it is not stocked at all Borders stores.

Quick reminder for fans in Latin America: You can see an hour from the ‘Remember That Night’ concert on HBO tonight, with repeats next week and Christmas week. Click here for all the necessary details (for Brazil, just to give you an example, so do check your own country’s page).

Be sure to also click the Vídeo tab for some ‘interesting’ animation.

I leave you for another week with some questions regarding the David Gilmour Signature Strat, which will be launched sometime next year. We’ve no updates for you concerning its manufacture, unfortunately. As soon as there’s news to report, it will be here.

Have a good weekend, everyone.

The little button on the black Strat, that combines the neck and bridge pickup (so I read some where, is it true?): is it going to be on the David Gilmour Strat? (Graham Knight)

Yes, it will be on the Fender David Gilmour Strat.

Will the Gilmour Strat become a staple of Fender’s, i.e. like the Clapton and S.R.V. models have? (Randall Yeager)

That is the plan. It is not meant to be a limited edition. David has insisted that it is a really good replica in terms of its sound, set-up, playability and looks – and that it should be affordable. He will not let Fender make a limited edition, to be purchased and put away by a few who can afford it as an investment.

Is the black Strat body made of two pieces of alder? (GianLuca)

I don’t know, it seems to be covered in black paint.

How are the pickups on David’s black Strat wired to the pickup selector? (Andrew McHarg)

See my book, ‘The Black Strat’, for this information.

As you may know, GHS are putting out some David Gilmour signature strings – Boomers – for the Fender Stratocaster and Gibson Les Paul.

For the very first time, the following string gauges will be available in sets: 0.10, 0.12, 0.16, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48 (Stratocaster) and 0.10.5, 0.13, 0.17, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 (Les Paul).

They’ll be available in all good shops, starting in the States, but eventually worldwide, within the next week or two.

To win a set, just choose any one string gauge.

If you’d like a set of strings for a Strat, choose one from either: 10, 12, 16, 28, 38 or 48.

If you’d like a set of strings for a Les Paul, choose one from either: 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40 or 50.

Simply match one of the two numbers selected by me, Lotto-style. Everybody with that number will then be entered into one of two prize draws, from which winners will be chosen purely at random.

Please get your number in by 1PM (UK) Thursday (that’s this Thursday, 29 November). Winners will be announced on Friday.

As usual, it’s strictly one entry per person only – no excuses, no entering on behalf of parents, siblings, friends or pets. And, if you’ve got a Strat and a Les Paul, I don’t care. Just toss a coin and choose one or the other, please.

The best of luck to all.

Here’s the latest instalment from Phil Taylor’s Q&A.

What gauge does David use on his electric guitars? (Frank Par)

Different strings on different electrics. GHS Boomers for Strats/Teles/Gretsches, 10, 12, 16, 28, 38, 48; and for Les Pauls, 10.5, 13, 17, 30, 40, 50. GHS are soon to release these two sets of “David Gilmour” strings.

Which strings do you use on lap steel guitars? (Emilio)

David currently uses D’Addario EHR360 half rounds on his electric lap steels.

Are the lap steel guitars tuned differently to normal EADGBE, or does David prefer to keep everything the same? (Emma)

They are different. His favourites are EBGEBE or EBG*EBE or EBGDBG.

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: COMPETITION WINNER ANNOUNCED (16/11/07)

Frank Par wins a signed copy of ‘The Black Strat’.

Well done, Frank. Please let us know where we should send your prize.

Phil Taylor’s book, ‘The Black Strat: A History Of David Gilmour’s Black Fender Stratocaster’, can now be ordered from TheBlackStrat.com. This is the only way to obtain one at present. You cannot order it anywhere else, although this could well change in the not-too-distant future. I’ll keep you updated on that.

Written to accompany Fender’s long-awaited Gilmour Signature Strat, the book is a must-have for guitarist and non-guitarist alike, owing to its magazine-style mix of photos (there are many never-before-seen shots) and facts. There’s also plenty of technical detail and history.

This Strat will not be available this year. However, when it does become available, should you wish to purchase one, you will also get a copy of Phil’s book, a copy of the ‘Remember That Night’ DVD and a set of GHS strings, all housed in a special case.

Courtesy of Phil, I have a signed copy of ‘The Black Strat’ for you to win.

To be in with a shout, just visit TheBlackStrat.com and take any one word from the homepage, looking carefully at the title. Then post it here, with your daily comment.

No more than one word, no need to explain why you chose it, but please make your chosen word very clear.

Those who opt for the word that I have chosen will be entered into a raffle, with one name selected at random on Friday, when the winner will be announced.

One entry per person only, please. Entries must be submitted by 9.30AM (UK), Friday 16 November.

Good luck.

Once you’ve done that, please click here, see the bottom-left of the page, and vote responsibly. Planet Rock hope to determine the Best (Living) Guitarist, and we all remember ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Echoes’ and ‘Take A Breath’ from last year’s tour, don’t we?

And, once you’ve done all that, you can enjoy some more of Phil’s answers to your questions.

I heard you removed the Alembic Pre from this rig this tour. I work at Guitar Center and one morning I see that we all are looking for a vintage one because you called… or something along those lines. Why was it removed and is it going back now? (Matt Surdin)

It was not me who called, I have a few already. The modified Alembics are only used in David’s big Pink Floyd rig – which has not been out since 1994 – and another one with the Yamaha RA200 cabinet, last used in David’s barn earlier this year. See Polly’s photos.

I know David uses a big rack of effects, but, when I went to the Ritzy, he only used one amp and got his distinctive sound. What amp was it and were other effects used from the desk? (Anthony Green)

Get some new glasses. He used two amps: a 1958 Fender Tweed Twin and a 1958 Magnatone 280A, with one of his effects valve pedalboards that I had made.

I’m wondering how you made the black Strat so incredibly quiet on stage! What has changed since the last Pink Floyd tour, when David was still using EMG pickups? (Ben)

Nothing has changed on the guitar. The source of this problem is normally generated from the touring lighting and effects systems. This is picked up by the guitar’s single coil pickups and amplified as noise and interference. The improved designs these days mean that there are few problems. David has great control over his equipment and the way he uses it, and is very good at getting through a show with interference and masking it if needed.

One for the guitarists out there, today.

As you may have seen from the ever-eager Latest News, GHS are putting out David Gilmour signature strings next month (only in the US and not before Thanksgiving).

David uses their ‘Boomers’ on his Fender Strats and Gibson Les Pauls.

The packs include the following string gauges, available for the first time in sets: 0.10, 0.12, 0.16, 0.28, 0.38, 0.48 (Stratocaster) and 0.10.5, 0.13, 0.17, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50 (Les Paul).

I’ll have a contest for you to win some just as soon as I get a few packs to give away.

There’s no chat today, but the chatroom will be open tomorrow afternoon. Please see the calendar for details of all future chat sessions. Opening and closing times are stated there.

If you haven’t registered to chat yet, you’ll find a starter’s guide here. If your question isn’t answered there, just shout.