I'm fuckin' lame, and I simply should have put the pix up awhile back...look in my guitar pix section and see what I think might be one of the most beautiful guitars I've ever had the pleasure of owning.
Bernie Rico Jr made this one for me about 6 months ago, and I have just been so incredibly busy with finishing the Tenet album, and also being a Dad, that I never got around to putting up the photos. LAME!
It's a Vixen model, neck thru, mahogany body with 5A maple top, hand rubbed black stain finish, maple neck, ebony board, mother of pearl side position markers, Grover Imperial tuners, bone nut, single Seymour Duncan 'Blackout'(although I'm switching back to my trusty EMG 81...no offense to the mighty Seymour Duncan, but the Blackout just isn't for me), one volume, one kill switch. Simple, and elegant. It's fucking gorgeous. Of course I don't have to tell you how well it plays. And for as beautiful as it is, the harder you hit it, the better it sounds. I love that, it's the true mark of a quality instrument.
So thank you once again to Bernie...a good friend, a good human, and a more masterful guitar builder I have not met.
With unbelievable sadness, we've lost another soldier.
Chris Stanley, fuck...as I type this it all seems too unreal to me, but I know better. It's going to hurt even more, soon.
Chris has been a friend to me for over 20 years. He's been a friend, a mentor, and a peer. He was one talented motherfucker, that's for sure. Add to that, funny--that guy could get a crowd onto a frenzy of laughter...a certain moment from the Dynamo festival and Chris acting a little too retarded comes to mind. Add to that, whipcrackin' smart...he KNEW shit.
What he has left is a legacy of music, laughter, artwork and special effects, movie props, funny pictures, not funny pictures, nuns running scared everywhere, and more stuff than I could ever get into here. But it's all in my head, and it will all never be forgotten. I MISS YOU SO MUCH ALREADY CHRIS. To Scarlet, his wife, and to all of his family, my condolences...I know how much he meant to me, I can't begin to imagine how much he meant to you. All my love.
My trusty old Gibson flying V has your flames on it...they will always be there bro...and every time I look at that guitar(as I am right now), or pick it up and hammer the fuck out of it, you are with me Chris.
With Horns Higher than I've ever Held them, I love ya man. We all fuckin love ya man. Wherever you go from here brother, I know that you will raise the bar, and a few eyebrows...heavenly or otherwise.
It is with great pleasure and pride that the '20 year overdue' Armoros album 'Pieces' is now available through Marquee records. Many thanks to them for doing this. Horns WAY Up. Check it out, then pick it up! www.marquee.com.br/english/principal.asp
For those of you that don't know, Armoros was my first 'real' band. We were together from 85 through 90. We did a bunch of demos and one album. That album, 'Pieces', was never released...until now. The label we were on at the time folded before the album could come out, and it was a devastating blow to a young band. We never really recovered. But, we were fucking good at what we did, and as testament to that, the good folks at Marquee have finally issued our debut album from 1988. 20 years late, but that's ok...I'm extremely happy to finally hold this in my hands. And very proud. This is my first brotherhood, and it still stands strong today. The music is just as visceral now as it was then.
So if you like it fast and furious, this is for you. For those of you who collect, this is definitely for you. A great package covering our entire lifespan. All the demos, a bunch of live shows, the debut album 'Pieces', photo's, flyers, a sticker, liner notes written by us with our thoughts on the songs and the state of the band at that time...all wrapped up nice in a beautiful digi-pack.
After all these years man, it's a great feeling. Long Live Metal.
Me and Sus went to AC/DC last night in Wilkes-Barre, PA. It was the first show of the tour. I cried. Not kidding. It made me like 08 just a little bit more.
MOAR TENET PLEEZ
Kick ass guitar man! I am dying to hear the Tenet record bro!
That thing is SWEET! I honestly don't think I would have it any different (including switching back to the EMG).
BRJ is the MAN!!!
im sure jed could rock a harmony brand guitar with single coils and make it scream. sweet effin axe. if i had 4-5 thousand id own the same shape.
Awesome guitar Jed but I couldn't bring myself to take out a Blackout unless it was for a passive Duncan
I find the regular blackouts lacking in the mid department. I have a couple in my 7 but if they made the blackouts metal in a 7 string version, that's what would be in the bridge. Onto other things, how's the band thing goin?
I jest you not. Check the tone charts at Seymour and you'll see what I mean. Resonant peak is around 1.2K if I remember right. You may like it, but it doesn't quite suit my playing style. I never said it was bad, because it isn't... but it isn't for me. I love mids, they are integral to a great guitar sound, I'm just not fond of this range. The end.
TOO middy? there's such a thing as too much (as long as there's warmth)? O.o surely you jest?
Ahhh....there she is eh? Fucking awesome.
It's not the first time i've heard people being disappointed by the Blackouts not being the "EMG-killers" they're touted to be. Had any chance to test out the EMG-Xs or whatever they are? I hear they're EMGs response to the Blackouts, which sounds pretty fucked up.
Just completed a 7-string build, and am popping in passive SDs for a hot-rodded PAF sound instead of 81-7s. Are you EMG all the way Jed, or do you have a couple of passiv
Understood, but for me the Blackout is a tad too middy...great tone for sure, but just not my thing.