Guthrie Govan Discussion

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: Guthrie and Suhr Hooking Up with Apple!

Author: alexkhan
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:51 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 10

RD wrote:

What kind of external soundinterface does Guthrie use to plug his guitar into?

He's been using some MOTU unit, but after hanging out with the main marketing guy at Apogee during the Apple event, I can see Guthrie going in that direction in the future.
_________________
Ed Yoon
Certified Guthrie Fan-atic and Tone Entrepreneur

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: Guthrie and Suhr Hooking Up with Apple!

Author: alexkhan
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:42 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 10

I just got back yesterday from this trip and am getting back into the flow of things here. Well, the trip was a blast and we had an awful lot of fun with the folks over in Canada and the cool guys at Apple. I'll have photos and tons of more info over the next week or so, but I'll just give you guys a brief (well, somewhat brief) report for now.

The clinic at Cosmo Music in Toronto was a big success. The turnout exceeded everyone's expectations (I'm estimating close to 150). Their new clinic/concert room was filled to the max with an eager crowd chomping at the bits to see Guthrie do his thing. The master class in the early afternoon had 15 students that lasted well over 90 minutes and it seems that everyone got what they were hoping for and more. It wasn't just how Guthrie does this lick or that lick - it was all about the big picture and the more abstract concepts of getting a good tone and varieties of them just with your hands.

Now some guys may have wished for a more instant gratification type of lessons with "secrets" that has 'em doing 32nd note runs and crazy legato licks in a jiffy, but we all know that that's not what Guthrie is all about, right?

Then we did the setup for the clinic in the late afternoon and we got it started with Guthrie starting off with 'Sevens' playing to the backing track and through the MacBook/GR3/MainStage rig. I then joined Guthrie onstage and we went through the different kinds of Suhr guitars through a tube amp set one way so the audience can hear the differences in the woods and the pickups, etc. This aspect of the clinic is as entertaining as the backing track performances: Guthrie just playing the guitar by himself and nailing stuff from country, jazz, blues, classic rock, hard rock, slide, etc.

People just don't want to Guthrie stop. I looked at the faces of the audience as Guthrie played and they're all in a state of wonder and you can also tell that they're being supremely entertained. It's real music. It's not just hyper speed exercises. The audience had a good number of ladies as it seems the guys who really came to see Guthrie brought over their significant others to check out Guthrie as well. And it was obvious that everyone was enjoying it - not just the guitar players.

So the clinic at Cosmo went extremely well. Then it was off to Montreal for the Apple event demonstrating Apple hardware/software along with high-end A/D/A converters and preamps from Apogee and digital controllers and mixers from Euphonix. Considering that the event was held in mid-afternoon of a Wednesday in a hotel ballroom and that most of the people were there to learn something about all this state-of-the-art high-tech gear, the turnout was good (120+). The event had a very minor glitch with the foot controller and Guthrie's guitar sound seemed a little under-mixed (even though it sounded fine during the soundcheck), but Guthrie's portion of the seminar went off great and it was very well received by the audience - most of whom were not there to see Guthrie.

Afterwards, it was Guthrie and me just hanging out in "old Montreal" (a section where it seems they took a portion of Paris, flew it across the ocean and implanted it there), doing some sightseeing and enjoying the local cuisine. Montreal is one very hip city. I really felt at times as though I was in Europe - specifically France. Of course, most people speak French there. So yeah, it was all fun and good. We talked about all kinds of stuff as Guthrie and I actually like to talk about lots of other subjects besides guitars and music.

And we also hung out a lot with the guys at Apple. Apple guys are cool. The guys we're dealing with handle the pro markets (digital photography, digital film, graphic designs, pro audio, etc.) and they really have a great deal of interest in all things that have to do with content and media creation. And, obviously, the guys we were dealing with are huge music fans. They also know the industry very well - both the musical content side (music distribution through iTunes, mainly) and the MI (musical instrument) side as well. It's like this stuff is in the company DNA. You could tell that music is really very important to them.

The guy at Apple who oversees the pro markets in Canada had some interesting comments to make: "Well, we're different than your other technology companies. I reckon that IBM or HP or Dell didn't visit the Suhr shop about doing something like this together." And, really, how cool is that? Fairly high-level reps from a company that is now approaching $30 billion in annual sales (that's roughly 3 times more than all the companies of NAMM put together) and that has a market capitalization of $130 billion actually flew down to Southern Cal to specifically meet with us. To Apple, the music market really matters. They have a passion for it and, from a business standpoint, they want to lock the likes of Microsoft and Dell out of it. Well, you know where Guthrie's and my loyalty lies!

Hopefully, there'll be some usable media from the Cosmo clinic as that one just came off really well. Guthrie wants to review the video footage first. There'll be many photos taken by the Cosmo staff as well and I'll post 'em as I get 'em. The same goes for the Montreal event. Apple had their video crew for the event but they made it clear that it's for their internal use only. All I can say is that the guys at Apple Canada were absolutely blown away by what Guthrie had to offer and they were just chomping at the bits to spread the word throughout their worldwide organization.

What makes Guthrie ideal for clinics and seminars such as these is that he's a very engaging fellow on stage explaining how he uses the gear besides blowing people's heads off with the virtuosic musical displays. He enjoys talking to the audience and he has a great sense of humor that makes the whole thing fun as well as informative. I've seen many great players try their hand at clinics and they're just not good at it or it seemed that they'd rather be doing something else. Guthrie is obviously a great all-around performer but also a great clinician and I say that bodes well for his relationship with Apple in the future.

Guitar players, including Guthrie and myself (just as an observer/hobbyist and listener), have always been very leery and suspicious of high-tech in the music creating process. As we all know, computer technology just keeps improving at a breakneck pace and we also know we're going to have to adopt it where it makes sense. I think the thing that the guys at Apple made clear is that they're not out to replace what has proven to be tried-and-true but to converge and integrate. For instance, Guthrie could integrate his Cornford half-stack into the Apple Logic/MainStage/GR3/Amplitube setup. It could work as a W/D/W setup or a multiple amp rig for both recording or live use.

The really cool thing is the modularity as well as the upgrade path through new plug-ins and updates to the main software programs. And you still get to keep and play your normal electric guitar and favorite tube amps. You can plug in your "old world" racks and pedalboards as well. I need to study up on those aspects with the folks at Apple as time goes by, but it's really good to know that Apple's mantra on all of this isn't to replace your tube amps with digital modelers but to make all the pieces you need to work together.

Well, that's it for now. More to come... It's an exciting new world and I believe that a precious seed has been planted for some delicious fruits to bear in the future.
_________________
Ed Yoon
Certified Guthrie Fan-atic and Tone Entrepreneur

Guthrie Tones and Gear :: RE: Suhr strat - changing pickups

Author: alexkhan
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 8:22 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 1

Hi,

Welcome to the GG Forum. I think it'd be best if you gave me a call at Suhr or email me direct and I can guide you through the options. Are you looking to have a humbucker in the bridge position? You may want to look into our FL pickups as well. Since your guitar has the SSC, you'll want to stick with "normal" vintage-style single-coils. But we can put in a bridge humbucker for you and still have the SSC work with the single-coils in the middle and neck positions.
_________________
Ed Yoon
Certified Guthrie Fan-atic and Tone Entrepreneur

Guthrie Tones and Gear :: Suhr strat - changing pickups

Author: mickelopo
Subject: Suhr strat - changing pickups
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 6:26 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 1

Im thinking of changing pickups for my Suhr Classic Strat. It has the v60LPs now but I dont find them "hard" enough, not the bite im looking for. I want my guitar to be versatile, wondering to maybe switch to a air norton, and chopper minihummies, but i dont know what to have for my bridge. I need some advice. I have the SSC system installed and i dont know how it would react to minihummies or pickups over 8 ohms.

I like to play fusion, some 80s kinda metal(not so hard), petrucci kind of licks but also clean playing like, knopfler and red hot chilipeppers kind of thing.

Please come with some advice on what to do . I _really_ like the suhr guitar though.

Guthrie�s Other Zones :: RE: Asia featuring John Payne dates

Author: Tanya
Posted: Sun Jul 06, 2008 7:47 am (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 10

Hi Guys,
Though you might like to see a few pictures from the bands show yesterday :

http://www.wmmx.com/cc-common/gallery/display.html?album_id=125167

The Asia feat.John Payne shots start from no.76

Tanya

Open Discussion :: LTE 10yr Anniversary Tour

Author: liquidtension
Subject: LTE 10yr Anniversary Tour
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:16 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

I know not everyone is interested in this sort of thing, but has anyone been to or heard clips from the Liquid Tension 10yr anniversary tour? The performances are absolutely raw and jaw dropping. Petrucci's playing seems nearly possessed. I know a lot of people thought his playing started to get rough around the Scenes from a Memory era, but I think he may now be at his best yet.

Anyway, here's a link to audio clips from one of the tour stops:

http://www.trialoftears.net/sounds.html

Techniques, Theory, and Musical Education :: Full UnKle Skunk

Author: timgwie
Subject: Full UnKle Skunk
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:46 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 0

anyone got one?

Techniques, Theory, and Musical Education :: RE: Tab out WAVES?

Author: timgwie
Subject: waves full tab
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 5:45 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 76

tcb10@canterbury.ac.uk

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: THE C3 SHOW THAT CANNOT BE MISSED, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE.

Author: gadget
Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 1:38 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 53

Yes, that was me.

I charge extra for 'slimming' effects
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Techniques, Theory, and Musical Education :: RE: Fives notation

Author: timgwie
Subject: fives notation
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:27 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 5

please send to me

tcb10@canterbury.ac.uk

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: Guthrie and Suhr Hooking Up with Apple!

Author: vgguru39
Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:17 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 10

I was at the event in Montreal and I drove from Sterling Heights, Michigan (it's like 5 hours one way) and I just wanted to say it was completely worth it. I got to attend both the Masterclass and Clinic and Guthrie couldn't have been nicer. I was blown away by just about everything. I hope you guys can start coming to this area more often. I can't say enough good things.

On a side note. Is there any news on the footage that was taken during the masterclass and clinic? I would pay good money for that.
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i am gay and i like buttsex

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: Guthrie's technique

Author: Wickedpicker
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:41 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 10

There is no doubt that simple dexterity plays a major roll in speed. I remember typing class from high school and I maxed out at 55 wpm. Other kids were 80-100 with no errors. None of them ever wrote a memorable poem or novel as far as i know.

I watched an interview with Metheny not long ago and he talked about how much of his playing was listening. He puts himself in the roll of listener during performances and he is able to critically hear himself in the context of the piece and the overall band performance. He simply thinks about what he wants to hear next in his playing and plays it. I would guess Guthrie is much the same. These guys have all the dexterity in the world but that's not the key to their greatness and I think that is what the snobs in their small minded way get upset about. I am far more astounded at the idea of being able to listen to myself in the context of the song and spontaneously compose to fit my ear.
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It goes to eleven!

Techniques, Theory, and Musical Education :: RE: anyone else feel this way?

Author: liquidtension
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:47 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 5

I like to do these exercises while watching TV or laying in bed staring at the ceiling =).

Actually, a slightly fun variation is to set up a sequencer program like Cakewalk to function as a metronome that increases by 5bpm every 4 bars, ranging from 70-210+bpm. Works wonders.

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: THE C3 SHOW THAT CANNOT BE MISSED, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE.

Author: greenfingers
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 1:41 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 53

Hi Gadget, Really good shots, were you photographer wearing the long sleeve shirt with shaved hair? There were a few at the stage but one working like a beaver trying to get the right pic's. I was a few feet back from you at the time watching Guthrie and you go some really nice lighting in your pic's, good job

Yngwie even looks about 6lbs lighter than usual WoW....anyway keep up the good work.......GO GO gadget lense
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Miss Hoover! I ate all the glue again.

Guthrie Govan Discussion :: RE: Guthrie's technique

Author: RD
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:04 pm (GMT 0)
Topic Replies: 10

I read an interview with Guthrie on alloutguitar.com. He said that he always tried to find out why something didn't work. So he analysed the movements until he found the problem, then corrected that flaw.

That is part of the practice thing too you know....

And about talent.... How can you say that talent is the reason why someone plays so well if you don't know E-X-A-C-T-L-Y what that person has done to get so good?

YOU CAN'T

You don't have the info necessary to decide whether it's talent or more practice. And even when you get info straight from Guthrie, you weren't there with him all these years, so you still don't know. It's very likely that Guthrie doesn't realize how much time and effort he put into it because he was simply not focussed on counting time during guitar playing & practising. Especially when he sees it as 'fun'.

Also: what is practice? Lot's of guitarists think about a metronome and eternal repetition when they hear the word 'practice', but that's a very skewed way of looking at a musician's life if you ask me.