Places: The Great Smoky Mountains: Walden Creek to Cherokee
From our cabin in Walden creek to Cherokee, North Carolina, we drove the 33 miles of scenic road to places such as the Sugarland’s, Chimney Top and the highest peak in the Smokey mountains, Kuwohi formally known as Clingmans dome,
From our cabin in Walden Creek to Cherokee, North Carolina, we drove 33 miles of scenic road to places like Sugarland's, Chimney Tops, and the highest peak in the Smoky Mountains, Kuwohi, formerly known as Clingmans Dome. The U.S. Board of Geographic Names restored the Cherokee name Kuwohi on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, and voted to change the name of the highest point in Great Smoky Mountains National Park from Clingmans Dome to Kuwohi, a Cherokee name for the mountain. The tower at the top of Kuwohi is at 6,643 feet elevation, making it the highest point in the park.
The balcony view from our cabin in Walden Creek is breathtaking. This photograph was taken with a Nikon D800 and a Nikon 20-35mm f/2.8 lens. I combined five carefully selected images out of 20, which varied in exposure, then stacked them in Lightroom with minor edits in Camera Raw. The result highlights the serene landscape around the cabin.
I spotted this curious Coyote in Cade's Cove, and I believe it was actively searching for a handout, as it stuck around for quite some time, showing little hesitation in my presence. Shot this image with a Sony 7RII with a Sony G master 135mm f1.8.
From the top left to the right, the photos were taken in Cades Cove. My wife captured a doe right beside our car with her iPhone 14; it almost reached the passenger window. Meanwhile, I snapped a shot of a Tom by the roadside. The most astonishing encounter was with a Bull Elk near the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, close to Cherokee, North Carolina. The mating season in September probably explains why we heard a Bull Elk's calls near our cabin early in the morning. I managed to capture this incredible moment with my iPhone 14 Pro Max.
For Sale: Marshall Cab and 2 Amp Heads
I regret the impulse purchase because the equipment is extremely loud, which has been distressing for our two dogs and cat. Consequently, I've decided to sell it, as it's too loud for our pets and I won't be using it for performances. Additionally, Willing to entertain a trade..
The items for sale come from a smoke-free, pet-friendly home and have never been used for gigs.
The cabinet (2021) and head (1998), both crafted in England, the cab is in excellent condition. The cabinet, a 1960a is equipped with four GT12-75s, was acquired from Sweetwater in 2022 as a floor model. As far as I know, I am the 3rd owner. The Marshall JCM 2000 DSL 100-amp head is a 1996 model, was purchased around the same time and comes with a flight case. It has been inspected by an amp technician who made necessary repairs, including replacing a small capacitor, with no evidence of burns on the main board or bias drift. Further details can be found in my blog posts.
Lastly, I have a Blackstar Venue Series HT Club 50 50W MKII Tube Guitar Amp Head, purchased in 2021 from Guitar Center. Although it's in excellent condition, I've rarely used it. For additional photos of either head, please contact me at briancadephoto@gmail.com. We are located in White Sulphur Springs, WV.
Reference Links:
Revisited: My Marshall JCM 2000 DSL100
Good News....Bad News and Possibly More Bad News: My Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Was $1500
Now $1,350
Local pickup only.
Mr. & Mrs. Flethcher
It was a very small and intimate ceremony, just the happy couple. myself with my wife and justice of the peace, the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson
While wedding photography isn't typically my specialty, I take great joy in capturing these moments for friends, family, and loved ones. I prefer it this way, which is why I was delighted to offer my services for my wife's niece and her fiancé, Chris…… for free, my gift to them.
The ceremony was small and intimate, involving only the couple, myself and my wife, and the justice of the peace, the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson. This was their narrative, and they wished for it to be captured and remembered in this manner.
I aimed to provide 10 to 20 images of their special day, with plans to make 1-2 enlargements of the shots I deemed the best. My hope is that I have encapsulated their moments and crafted lasting memories for them to fondly recall as they grow old together.
Married March 21, 2024.
So, We're Getting Ready to Do a Thing
So, the next hurdle that needs to be dealt with is a file conversion software that can convert the now JPEG image to a VP3, the file format needed for her machine.
I can’t remember when I last checked the “Store” page on the website; I’ve been so busy lately. During this time, however, my wife Barbara, who is an avid quilter, bought a new sewing and embroidery machine. Like me, she has her favorite devices that work for her—Viking by Husqvarna. She owns the Brilliance model, which she uses mainly for quilting, and her newest machine is called an Epic 2, which does embroidery.
How does this fit into what I am doing? Glad you asked. My logo, which appears on the landing page of this website, is a cartoon character I created in the late 80s while attending Columbia College. I incorporated this into what is now my featured logo. Sid, as he was known at the time of creation, will now appear on selected apparel. And instead of outsourcing all of our needs to various places, we decided to do everything in-house per my wife Barbara’s suggestion.
The next hurdle to address is finding file conversion software that can turn the current JPEG image into a VP3, which is the file format needed for her machine. I have been looking at a couple of options: Filestar and Wilcom. Hopefully, a decision can be made soon so we can move on to the next step, wholesale distributors. If anyone reading this month’s blog has suggestions for embroidery file conversion software, feel free to contact us by submitting your email through our contact page.
Revisited: My Marshall JCM 2000 DSL100-
Surprisingly the main board showed no signs of scorching or burns, being an amp of 25 years old, and being pre-2005, the year the bias drift issue was resolved. The board was clean. Keith went on to assure me that not all the PCB boards were faulty, that some boards never had a bias drift issue. Marshall UK reaffirmed this via email to me when I was seeking info on the faulty boards, and what lots in the production line were good and bad, they too assured me not all boards were bad, and it was possible I had a good one.
I finally managed to get my amp to Keith Fain, a retired electronics tech from Beckley, West Virginia, to repair the 8-ohm input jack, clean out the chassis for dust, and test the main board for the notorious bias drift these model amps were known to have from time to time. Since I wasn’t in any hurry to get it back, I left it in Keith’s capable hands on March 16th and awaited news that the work was complete. I received my first update from Keith around April 8th when he sent me an email with an image of the main board. Shortly after, we spoke by phone about his initial thoughts on the main board. Surprisingly, the main board showed no signs of scorching or burns. Being an amp of 25 years old and manufactured before 2005, when the bias drift issue was resolved, the board was clean. Keith assured me that not all PCB boards were faulty—some never had a bias drift issue. Marshall UK confirmed this via email when I inquired about defective boards, explaining that some lots in the production line were good and others bad, and that I might have a good one. Keith did, however, change the rear input jack after discovering the old one was still inside the chassis. It looked like three of the four connectors were missing, with the last one folded underneath (see photo below); so my guess is the input connector was just rattling around. Once the initial work was completed and Keith began testing the amp, he discovered a loud hum when powering it on. The hum was evident even when plugging a cable into the front jack. It didn’t take long to find the culprit: a C-46 capacitor. Keith replaced it with one of slightly higher voltage, which eliminated the hum, then set the bias, and it was rock solid. This capacitor was the only component on the main board that showed signs of burning (see photo below). He also repaired the solder joints on the impedance selector switch, which had been causing the amp to cut out during vibration. I finally brought it home on April 28th. I’m thankful Keith was so thorough and kept me informed throughout the process. He could have just done what I asked—clean the chassis and replace the input jack—and I would have discovered the hum only later, without knowing what caused it. I cleaned the tolex with some leather cleaner and replaced the broken handle. My Marshall JCM 2000 DSL100 now has a new lease on life. The next blog will probably be a sound demo. Until then, I’ll post some important links below. You can contact Keith Fain through his Facebook page.
And since I was not in any hurry to get it back, I left it in the capable hands of Keith on March 16th and awaited word that the work was complete. I got my first update from Keith around April 8th. He sent me an email with an image of the main board. Shortly thereafter, we spoke by phone about his initial thoughts on the main board.
Surprisingly, the main board showed no signs of scorching or burns, being an amp of 25 years old, and being pre-2005, the year the bias drift issue was resolved. The board was clean. Keith went on to assure me that not all the PCB boards were faulty, that some boards never had a bias drift issue. Marshall UK reaffirmed this via email to me when I was seeking info on the defective boards, and what lots in the production line were good and bad. They too assured me not all boards were bad, and I might have had a good one. Keith did, however, change the rear input jack, and found the old one still inside the chassis. By the looks of it, 3 of the 4 connectors were missing, while the last one was folded underneath (see photo below). So, my take is the input connector was rattling around.
Once the initial work was completed and Keith was set to test the amp, this was when he discovered a humming (loud) when he powered it up, the hum was even apparent when he plugged a cable into the front jack. It didn’t take long for him to find the Culprit. It was a C-46 capacitator. Keith replaced it with a slightly higher voltage, which eliminated the hum. He then set the bias, and it was rock solid. This capacitor was the only piece on the main board that Keith had found that showed some burns. (see photo below.) He also repaired the solder joints on the impedance selector switch that was causing the amp to cut out with vibration.
I finally brought it home on April 28th. I am thankful Keith was so detailed and kept me in the loop throughout the whole process. He could have done what I requested, which was to clean the chassis and change the input jack, and I would have discovered the hum, not knowing what it was or what was causing it.
I cleaned the tolex with some leather cleaner and replaced the broken handle. My Marshall JCM 2000 DSL100 has a new lease on life.
The following blog will likely be a playthrough. Till next time, I’ll post some important links below. You can contact Keith Farin via his Facebook page below.
Good News....Bad News and Possibly More Bad News: My Marshall JCM2000 DSL100
Since this was a used piece of gear, and according to the listing on the guitar Center website, it was listed as “Excellent.
First, here’s the good news: my wonderful wife got me an amp head for Christmas. Our way of celebrating the holiday is to pick up to three things we’d like to receive, and then on the big day, we exchange gifts. This way, there’s some element of surprise during the festivities.
So, I selected my three, knowing very well that the odds of actually receiving one of them were slim to none (grin). Come the big day, and there it was — that one gift I thought might be a bit out of reach. It was a Marshall JCM 2000 100-watt amp, which she got at a pretty good deal from Guitar Center (online), Grand Rapids, Iowa. It even came with an ATA flight case. I was speechless, to say the least. This was going to be a perfect match with my Marshall 1960A cabinet.
Since this was a used piece of gear, and according to the listing on the Guitar Center website, it was marked as “Excellent,” the first thing I noticed was a name stenciled on the flight case: Billy Lee Janey. I paused my inspection to Google his name and search social media just to see who he is. I found out Billy Lee Janey is a very accomplished and established touring blues musician from Grand Rapids, Iowa. I spent about an hour watching some videos on YouTube, reading his bio, and checking online reviews. I’ll include his links below.
So I selected my 3, knowing very well the odds of receiving one of the gifts were slim to none (grin). Come the big day, and there it was, that one gift I thought would be a bit out of reach. There it was, a Marshall JCM 2000 100-watt amp. She got a pretty good deal from Guitar Center (online), Grand Rapids, Iowa; it came with an ATA flight case too. I was speechless to say the least. This was going to be a great pairing with my Marshall 1960A cabinet.
Since this was a used piece of gear, and according to the listing on the guitar Center website, it was listed as “Excellent”, First off there was a name stenciled on the flight case was Billy Lee Janey, of course I took a time out from my inspection and had to google his name and search social media to see who he is, found out Billy Lee Janey is a very accomplished and established touring blues musician from Grand Rapids, Iowa. I took the better part of an hour to watch some videos on YouTube and to read his bio and online reviews. I’ll throw his links down below.
Back to my inspection, and to see what bad news is hidden or obvious, my new to me gear showed heavy use of the handle, no biggie and easily replaceable. If anything, it added some character to the piece, may have been heavily toured from its previous life. The serial number on the rear panel shoed it was a 1997 model, Heck, the amp was over 20 years old, the stories it could tell if it could speak.
Next, I removed the aluminum mesh grill on the back to insure all the tubes were intact, and they were, the inside of the chassis was dusty, still, it was used gear, easily remedied. The back panel showed it was missing an 8-ohm jack input. Not a deal breaker, and easily fixable. So, all I was able to see visually was the handle needed replaced and an input jack, I finally plugged in my Gibson Les Paul and powered up the amp, strummed a few notes, damn this thing was loud even at 1, scared the crap out of my dog though.so onto the worldwide web we go.
I went through Marshall amplification for the handle, this saved me from getting a generic or fake part. The 8-ohm jack was a different story, I found a shop in Nashville, Tn. called British Audio, it actually took me 3 times to get the right part, the first 2 times I thought I knew what I was doing, the third and last try I actually called the shop, and they got me the right part, third time was a charm. Very friendly staff Nashville Audio was.
The handle I could easily install, the 8-ohm jack was another story. I called around here in my neck of the woods, and Guitar Pus in Beckley, WV gave me the name Keith fain, a retired gentleman that did work on amps.
Keith and I spoke on the phone for over an hour, discussing everything from music to photography. Keith came across as a real people person as well as very knowledgeable in amp repair. He did tell me that the Marshall JCM 2000 did have some Bios issues and the main circuit board was manufactured thin and the replacement boards were thicker and more reliable. I am hoping my current circuit board was changed out prior to myself or Billy Lee Janey owning this amp model.
Honestly my heart sank when Keith told me of the issues this particular amp had, at this point, I was just a phone call away from getting authorization to return it to Guitar Center. It took another search on the internet for see the cost of a replacement board, and I decided to keep my new to me amp. Clearly GC needs to rate their used stuff better, I would have rated this amp as in “Good” condition, would I have kept it if it was rated as such? Probably so, the fix isn’t too bad. The only big fix would be a new circuit board, that would cost me around $200 - $250, The early “2000s” had a problem with bias drift, a new board would breathe new life into it. It really wasn’t so bad after all, and the not so bad to worse news actually had a silver lining, and as promised I added all relevant links below.
An Odd Parallell
This end-of-year blog post is a departure from my usual topics of music and art. Instead, it’s a deeply personal reflection on my own experiences. As 2022 draws to a close, I found myself battling COVID-19, a situation I certainly didn't choose. Due to my underlying health conditions, the journey has been particularly challenging. However, I can't help but think it could have been far worse if I hadn't been vaccinated.
No Soup for You
I’ve been wanting an acoustic guitar for quite some time, and the brand that stuck out for me waas Breedlove, a guitar company out of Bend Oregan. Sure, I have looked at other makers, Guild, Martin and Taylor guitars to be exact. Breedlove just checked all the boxes for me in playability and affordability for me.
No Soup for You! Oddly enough, I wish it were as simple as no soup for me it's more about a recent purchase I made from Sweetwater, an acoustic guitar to be exact.
I’ve been wanting an acoustic guitar for quite some time, and the brand that stuck out for me was Breedlove, a guitar company out of Bend, Oregon. Sure, I have looked at other makers, Guild, Martin, and Taylor guitars to be exact. Breedlove just checked all the boxes for me in playability and affordability.
So, at the time this model was on backorder, I was both excited and a bit anxious. What model caught my eye? The ECO Pursuit Exotic S Concert CE-Tiger's Eye Myrtlewood, priced at $649 (regular $749), was quickly shipped to me within a few days, thanks to my salesperson, the excellent Justin Dunn.
My guitar arrived on a cold and rainy Friday, and my excitement was through the roof. However, this excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The box that contained my new acoustic guitar showed signs of severe water damage, along with damage to each of the corners. The side with the most severe water damage was even held together with tape, and there was still moisture underneath. Despite this, I decided to wait until the next afternoon to unbox my guitar, giving it time to acclimate to its new environment.
I must clarify that the water damage to the outer box was not caused by Sweetwater delivering my purchase, but rather by FedEx during the shipping process. The guitar was in great shape, surprisingly. There didn’t seem to be any water damage to the third, most inner box of my parcel. The guitar was nearly in tune, so I strummed a few chords and realized that this guitar, this model, was not for me. It didn’t match my expectations, which can happen when you buy something sight unseen. The only thing I truly liked about the Breedlove was the entire bridge design. However, that alone wasn’t enough to justify keeping it. So, back it went, and I continue searching for what I really want. There’s a place not far from us that deals in Taylor guitars, and I think it would be wise to hear what I am looking for in person before making a decision and placing my next order with Sweetwater. Below are the images Sweetwater sent me prior to shipping, along with a link to this particular model.
The guitar was in great shape, surprisingly. There didn’t appear to be any water damage to the innermost box of my parcel. The guitar was pretty much in tune, so I strummed a few chords, and with that, I realized this guitar, this model, was not for me. It wasn’t at all what I expected. I guess that happens when you buy something like this sight unseen. So, the only thing about the Breedlove I truly loved was the whole bridge design. That in itself was not enough for me to justify keeping it. So back it went, and back to searching for what I want. There’s a place not far from us that deals in Taylor guitars, I think it would be in my best interest to hear what I am looking for and then (maybe) make a decision and place my next order with Sweetwater.
Below are the images Sweetwater had sent to me prior to shipping, and a link to this particular model.
Breedlove ECO Pursuit Exotic S Concert CE Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Tiger's Eye Myrtlewood | Sweetwater
Remodding My 2013 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Part 2 of 3
initially, I wanted to go for the 50s wiring; really dig the tone. Wanted to change out the whole wiring harness in favor of getting as close to a ‘59 Les Paul as I could,
So, I wasn’t prepared to do a part 2 for my previous blog with the same title, but in my haste, I discovered a few things that made me reconsider my options for modifying my Les Paul more (or less) than before. Initially, I wanted to go with 50s wiring; I really dig the tone. I wanted to replace the entire wiring harness to get as close to a ‘59 Les Paul as possible, mainly for the Bumblebee capacitors. Don’t get me wrong, I really like the tone I have. The capacitors installed in my LP are Russian PIO capacitors (.022uF 630V K40Y-9 paper in oil). The wiring configuration is that of the 50s wiring on the ‘59. I’ve had my LP for almost a year, and I just discovered this. I guess the original owner had the same idea as I did. The only other changes now are the hardware—bridge, stop bar, tone and volume knobs, etc.
Initially, I wanted to go for the 50s wiring; I dig the tone. Wanted to change out the whole wiring harness in favor of getting as close to a ‘59 Les Paul as I could, mainly for the Bumblebee capacitors. Don’t get me wrong, I like the tone I have. The capacitors that are installed in my LP are Russian PIO capacitors (.022uF 630V K40Y-9 paper in oil). The wiring configuration is that of the 50s wiring on the ‘59., I’ve had my LP for almost a year, and I JUST discovered this. I guess the original owner had the same idea as I had.
The only other changes now are the hardware: Bridge, stop bar, tone, and volume knobs, etc.I wasn't initially prepared to create a part two for my previous blog with the same title, but I recently discovered a few insights that made me reconsider how I want to modify my Les Paul. At first, I was interested in using 50s wiring because I really enjoy that tone. My original plan was to replace the entire wiring harness to get as close as possible to a '59 Les Paul, particularly to incorporate Bumblebee capacitors.
That said, I do appreciate the tone I currently have. My Les Paul is fitted with Russian PIO capacitors (.022uF 630V K40Y-9 paper in oil), and it just so happens that the wiring configuration mirrors the 50s setup found in the '59 model. I've had my LP for almost a year, and I only just discovered this. It seems like the original owner had the same idea as I did.
The only other modifications I've made are to the hardware, including the bridge, stop bar, and the tone and volume knobs.
A Type of Goulash
So many things have happened since my last blog in December. Such a mix of emotions. I thought I’d share a little in this month’s blog. A lot of heartbreak, moreover, a lot of celebration of life.
So many things have happened since my last blog in December—such a mix of emotions. I thought I’d share a little in this month’s blog—a lot of heartbreak, moreover, a lot of celebration of life.
My sister-in-law Mary (Cathy), as she was known to her family. Had been fighting cancer for almost 3 years; she had lost her battle in mid-January, 2 days after her passing, my Uncle Melvin was taken off life support and passed soon after.
Then, in February, my mother-in-law’s little Yorkie crossed the rainbow bridge, living to the ripe age of 19.
Mary Catherine Briggs
1960 - 2022
Remodding My 2013 Gibson Les Paul Traditional Part 1 of 3
Well, I decided to do a remod on my 2013 Gibson Les Paul New Traditional, not so much that “I” am going to do the actual work on it (I don’t trust me);
I've decided to give my 2013 Gibson Les Paul New Traditional a little makeover, focusing on some upgrades and style enhancements. While I won't be doing the actual work myself—I trust the experts for that—I plan to replace the bridge, tailpiece, wiring harness with bumblebees, truss rod cover, input jack, 3-way switch, and the speed knobs. You could say I'm gutting it, but I plan to keep the original pickups—a ‘57 Classic and a ‘57 Classic Plus—and make it more reminiscent of a 1950s style Les Paul.
My first step was hunting for the perfect volume and tone knobs—the top hat style with pointers—that would give my Les Paul that classic '50s look. After lots of research and watching countless YouTube videos, I came across companies like Mojo Tone, Trobak, and Jackson Electronic Luthier. But it was a smaller, lesser-known company called Creamtone from Simpsonville, South Carolina, that really caught my eye. A closer look at their website revealed other components I want to include to complete the transformation.
I’ve included links to the other companies I explored for this remod, just in case I decide to go with a different 50s wiring harness. For now, though, I’m sticking with Creamtone. Once I receive the parts and have the work done, I’ll be sure to share my thoughts about the whole experience.
First off, my initial search was for the volume and tone knobs, the top hat version with the pointer set, wanted the '50s” look” to my Les Paul. After conducting extensive research and watching numerous YouTube videos, I discovered companies like Mojo Tone, Trobak, and Jackson Electronic Luthier. But a little-known company called Creamtone out of Simpsonville, South Carolina, caught my attention… further digging on their site, I found other components I wanted to complete my LP’s transformation.
I’ve linked the other companies I had looked at for this remod, just in case I go with another 50s wiring harness. For now, however, I’m going with Creamtone. Once I get the parts and have the work done, I’ll blog about my thoughts on the changeover.
Update 1/16/2022: I just found out through a Gibson Les Paul forum that Creamtone, the company I chose for my 50s wiring harness, has taken down their website. I'm not sure if this is temporary or permanent. I’ll blog about the replacement harness when I know for certain that Creamtone is no longer in business or I decide on an alternative.
Other 1950s Style Wiring Harness:
Rascal
Our 14-year-old dachshund, Rascal, crossed the rainbow bridge on October 6th at 11:15 pm. He was dearly loved and will be forever missed.
Rascal was diagnosed with CHF (congestive heart failure) earlier this summer when he collapsed in the yard and lost all mobility in his legs. We rushed him to the vet, and there we were told he suffered some back spasms. They found he had CHF, which was a factor with his age and condition.
Sadly, the vet also informed us that with the CHF, Rascal would be lucky to live another 2 years. Though this news was sad and his passing was quite sudden, my wife held him close till the very end; she had raised him from a pup. We will, for the rest of our days, embrace the wonderful memories he gave us.
October 7th Rascal’s body made the last journey to the Fairlea Animal Hospital here in West Virginia. We made the final arrangement to have his body cremated.
On October 14th Rascal finally came home, we had gotten a sympathy card from the vet’s office with Rascal’s paw print on the inside of the card. They have been very good to our fur babies and we thank them for all they do for them.
Rascal
2008 - 2021
Guitar Center: The Almost Rant
I really don’t expect this month’s blog to be long, in fact, it was actually going to be a rant about a purchase I made from Guitar Center in Fairfax, Va. The rant as this blog was meant to become a fast and quick resolve…………
I don't expect this month's blog to be long. It was supposed to be a rant about a purchase I made from Guitar Center in Fairfax, VA. The rant was meant to be a quick and calm discussion with the store manager, John, to resolve an issue.
In late April or early May, I was researching guitar amplifiers. I wanted something for noodling at home, not for gigging or starting a band. I was looking for an amp that wasn't too big and had a warm, bluesy tone. The Fender line of tube amps, including the Blues Deluxe Reissue, NOS, and Blues Junior, is known for their distinct sound and is a popular choice among guitar enthusiasts like me.
After hours and days of reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, I decided on a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue, 40 watts, in good condition from Guitar Center. Although I had many amps saved in my "wish list," I was sure this was the one. I finally placed my order on May 25.
The much-anticipated day, June 2, finally arrived. The UPS app promised delivery by the end of the day. I was unsure if a signature was required, and my past experiences with UPS and FedEx, where they signed my name and left packages on my porch without my consent, only added to my uncertainty. That's a story for another time.
During late April and early May, I was on a quest for the perfect guitar amplifier. I wasn't looking for something to gig with or start a band, just a compact amp with a warm, bluesy tone for some casual noodling at home. The Fender line of tube amps, including the Blues Deluxe Reissue, NOS, and Blues Junior, fit the bill.
After spending many hours and days reading reviews and watching YouTube videos, I settled on a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue, 40 watts, in good condition from Guitar Center. Though I saved many amps in my "wish list", I was sure this was the one. I finally placed my order on May 25.
The long-awaited day, June 2, had finally arrived. The UPS app indicated a delivery scheduled for the end of the day. I was unsure if a signature was required, as both UPS and FedEx have a habit of signing my name and leaving the item on my porch without my consent. This recurring frustration was a story for another time.
So it was no surprise to me to find a box (a huge box) sitting on the front porch. At first glance, the box appeared tattered, torn, and beaten up. No way this was my amp. It had to be something else. Maybe the wife ordered something, and my package was coming later. Nope! further inspection of the shipping label clearly showed it was from GC. My excitement quickly turned to anger, not only at the condition of the box, but also at the poor tape job on the outside of the box, as well, but UPS was not innocent in this. I initially decided to hold off, expecting the contents until the next day, as I had other pressing issues to contend with at the time, but I felt compelled to confront this. So I opened the box.
First off, I noticed the lack of bubble wrap, just one piece lying across the grill cloth; the rest of the packing consisted of wadded up paper, little to no protection for the amplifier inside.
At first glance, the amp looked unscathed, unlike the outer box (eye roll). I started to feel this situation wasn’t as bad after all until I decided to get my guitar and plug it in, hit a note on my guitar, and nothing. Well, maybe I needed to let the tubes warm up, but still, nothing— just the unsettling sound of the reverb echoing every time I moved the amp. So, after further inspection, I noticed that one of the preamp tubes was shattered completely, hanging on by a thread from its socket. Then I saw the impact point on the back left corner of the amp.
I didn’t waste any time, and soon I was on the phone with the Guitar Center. I got to the store and was transferred to someone I thought was located at the Fairfax store. I spoke to someone named Logan and told him my situation. He responded to me with a comment about the poor packing, damaged box, and broken preamp tube. “What do you expect when you buy a used amp?” What?! Are you kidding me?
After serval minutes on the phone with Logan, and me repeatedly telling him it was the preamp tube(s) I needed, what does this young Man do, well to add insult to injury, he sends me the wrong tubes, I received the two larger tubes that are in the amp, I then decided to order the correct ones myself,
Once the correct tubes arrived, I decided to take my amp to a local guitar repair shop, Alpha Music. I told them to do whatever was necessary to bring the amp back to 100%, and they did—wonderful work. There was still one thing I felt compelled to do: call the GC Fairfax store and speak to a manager about my less-than-satisfactory experience, not so much to get compensated for my trouble but to hopefully pass on what I had to deal with so no one else would have to go through the same. It was a Thursday when I spoke to their customer service manager—let's call him “He that shall not be named” (his idea before the blog was written). He then referred me to the store manager, John (who wasn’t in that day), on this matter, so I decided to call back the next day.
There was still one thing I felt compelled to do: call the GC Fairfax store and speak to a manager about my less-than-satisfactory experience. It wasn't so much to be compensated for my trouble, but to hopefully pass on what I had to deal with so no one else would have to go through the same. It was a Thursday when I spoke to their customer service manager—let's call him “He that shall not be named” (his idea before the blog was written). He, in turn, referred me to the store manager, John (who wasn’t in that day), about this matter, so I decided to call back the next day.
On Friday, July 30th, I called John. I won’t go into the entire conversation we had, but I will say it was calm. John checked his computer about my order. The person Logan I spoke to about the replacement tubes, which John told me I must have been transferred to the distribution center, which is why there was no Logan working at the Fairfax store when I inquired. This is where it gets interesting: John also told me that the amp I received was actually not the one I ordered. I noticed this when I looked at some screenshots I took of the one I thought I was getting; it had some marks and showed signs of use, character.
The amp I had in my possession was a newer one. According to John, he had two at the store when I placed my order. One was missing, it seems there was a “new” person they had working at the store, and he shipped me the wrong amp. It should have dawned on me that the amp I had was different; how many used amps come with the little cardboard info sheet that lists the features of the amp?
The bottom line is I know that retail folks always get the short end of the stick when it comes to complaints, they’re treated like crap daily, the store manager at the GC Fairfax store was very attentive, understanding, and showed a genuine concern in what I went through that led to our conversation. All I wanted or expected was to be heard, not just to be acknowledged, but truly understood. I came away from the discussion with that, and it was enough. John also refunded me my shipping, which was very generous. I will be shopping at this store in the future.
What Was Once Lost....Is..... Re-bought 40 Years Later
Between seeing the KISS Dynasty tour in ‘79 and my summer job at Chicago fest in ‘81 and ‘82, my interest in making music was rekindled again; I had been taking acoustic guitar lessons off and on since age 13 at the Chicago Boy & Girls Club in the uptown area a couple of years before those events.
My fixation on the Gibson Les Paul is mainly due to Jimmy Page, but I also owe a great deal to Ace Frehley. It was Ace and the Les Paul that sparked my interest in my music journey. I’d have to say, it was between the TV shows “Midnight Special” in 1975. Don Kershner’s Rock Concert in ‘76 on a small black-and-white TV sealed it.
Around the same time, some friends and I hung out at this spot called Biasco Music on 5535 W. Belmont Ave. I had to look that up, but it's restaurant and a parking lot now. We’d smoke some pot, jam to tunes on the record player, and later you’d find us in one of Biasco’s sound booths just messing around on random guitars. That’s where I got my first real guitar—a brown tobacco sunburst 1978 Gibson Les Paul. I know I was high when I bought it because I couldn’t figure out why I had a layaway receipt in my pocket the day after visiting the store. In the end, though, I paid $500 for it, which wasn’t a bad deal considering Gibson only made about 5,000 Les Paul’s that year, and they had a street price of $749. Back then, I was in several bands, each one a close-knit group brought together by our love of music. We’d rock out to the hits of the time, but our original songs always had that punk rock vibe that reflected our energy.
Here’s Eddie(drummer)and I in better times, he’s holding my 1978 Gibson Les Paul
Pictured above is my old ‘78 Gibson Les Paul, along with an Alvarez 12-string acoustic guitar. I traded my fluorescent green Charvel Model 2 guitar to a friend (we swapped back later).
Nearly 40 years after my original guitar was stolen, am I still bitter about it? I was for many years, until I recently contacted the person who took it and shared my feelings. That conversation allowed me to move on; I guess I just needed to hear some kind of explanation for his actions. A couple of factors motivated me to play again. I wanted to return to playing for my own enjoyment, and I have to credit my renewed love for the guitar to a couple of musicians I discovered on YouTube: Dave Simpson and his band, the Dave Simpson Trio from the UK, as well as Jeff Mcerlain, a performer and instructor based in NYC. I'll link their channels below.
So, in late May 2021, I went on Reverb.com and bought a 2003 Epiphone Les Paul Plus Top (pictured below). However, when it arrived, I found that it had a tapered neck, which I felt was too thin for my liking. Despite it being a Gibson brand and a Les Paul, I quickly experienced buyer's remorse and became unhappy with it. It's currently back on Reverb for sale. I realized that if I was going to own a Les Paul, I wanted it to be the real deal.
The search was on. I looked online for another '78 Les Paul and quickly discovered that the prices were far out of my reach. During my search, I also learned about a feature now found in the Gibson line called "weight relief." As a result, I focused my search on finding a model without weight relief and with a beefier neck—at least thicker than the one on the Epiphone I had purchased earlier. That neck was too thin, and I really disliked it.
Over the next few weeks, I explored Guitar Center, Reverb, eBay, and various other sites for reviews and specifications on particular models. Eventually, I narrowed it down to the Gibson Les Paul Traditional model, specifically from the years 2013, 2014, or 2015, which featured a beefier neck. Then, I found it—actually, I found two that met my criteria on eBay, both with 50s-style necks, no weight relief on the body, and both from 2013.
However, there was one small detail: one had a cherry burst body (which I’m not a fan of), while the other had more of a honey burst. Naturally, the honey burst won out, and the images below illustrate why. As a quick side note, a closer inspection of the original box reveals that the color is listed as "Carmel burst," and it is part of the "New Traditional" lineup of the Gibson Les Paul series. Members of the Gibson guitar owners' page on Facebook confirmed this information, so, in retrospect, it’s close enough to honey burst for me.
So, what’s the verdict? Does the Traditional come close to my old '78 Les Paul Standard? I have to say “yes,” it does. The Traditional is more or less the equivalent of the Standard of old. The newer Standard models have chambered bodies, whereas the Traditional and the old Standard are solid. Furthermore, the newer Standards come with a slim 60s-style neck, while the Traditional features a beefier 50s-style neck.
I wanted to mention that I’m getting back into music purely for the enjoyment it brings. I still remember a few things and can navigate the fretboard, but with YouTube, I can easily explore genres I love—specifically blues and punk rock.
Now, regarding a couple of recent developments: some friends and I are toying with the idea of forming a cover band, focusing on punk music. Our main goal is to enjoy playing together, but that’s a topic for another blog post.
Lastly, I have to credit my renewed passion for playing to a few YouTube channels. First, there’s Dave Simpson from the Dave Simpson Trio in the UK, and then NYC instructor and performer Jeff McErlain. Additionally, my enduring love for jazz and blues music shines through in the Jazz and Blues YouTube channel. Months before I decided to get another Les Paul guitar, I was listening to these channels, and they reignited a spark within me as a middle-aged man. I’ve listed their channels below and highly recommend checking them out for a look and a listen.
“When I was young I wanted to play the guitar badly. After years of hard work, practice and determination, I can play the guitar badly”
Some links I found helpful:
Not Photo/Art Related or Is It
This technically isn’t going to be my typical blog,
This technically isn’t going to be my typical blog,, in fact, this is a non-blog. Been trying to get the yard ready for summer, got some much needed yard work done; weed eating, mowing, etc. Made a few stops in the past month at our local Lowe’s store for a few project items for the yard, so typical warm-weather activities.
The only thing photography-related to happen was I ordered a 5x7 hand-painted backdrop (olive) from Fine Art Backdrops. >sigh<
Review : Pelican Phone Case (The Shield)
This time I decided to try a new case for my new phone; enter the Pelican Shield. To put it bluntly, the case failed me in less than 14 days after purchase. it literally (my phone) slid down my leg with pieces of the belt clip fell nearby
Unlike my “new gear” post, this is actually going to be a review……sort of, well more of a cautionary rant, It started when I not only switched to a new phone carrier, but I upgraded to the new iPhone 12 Pro Max as well, so with a new phone comes a new case to help protect it. Right?
First off I’ve used Otterbox Defender cases for years without a hitch, well maybe replacing pieces from normal wear and tear over a long period of time.
This time I decided to try a new case for my new phone; enter the Pelican Shield. To put it bluntly, the case failed me in less than 14 days after purchase. it literally (my phone) slid down my leg with pieces of the belt clip laying nearby. The shell of the case actually did protect the phone when it hit the floor, but the belt clip was in 3 pieces, something you wouldn’t expect from a trusted brand like Pelican let alone a $70 case. Trust me, just because it cost a little more doesn’t make it better.
The thing that was most disheartening about the Pelican Shield, was Pelican allows their name to be marketed to sell this case, the company that actually puts out this case is called Case-Mate; never heard of them till I put in a claim for this case, which was a $7 processing fee for the replacement. I’ve used Pelican cases for my photo gear, and it’s one tough brand to beat. But if Pelican has licensed their name for this poorly made case, for shame. I have since taken the Pelican Sheild back for a full refund and since gone back to Otterbox, and couldn’t be happier.
Footnote, from what I have gathered from my very short experience with this Case-Mate product? their customer service was quick to reply to my claim, but that still doesn’t make the case any better, especially when I thought of having to keep throwing money at this for replacement and the “what if’s” in life, such as what if I was at a restaurant and this happened and I was unaware my phone was hitting on my seat after the clip broke? what if I was on a walking trail and the phone dislodged from the inferior clip of this brand? I can go on and on, but I won’t. Cause in either scenario I would have been unaware and without a phone. Yea, what if.
Road Stories : That One Show I Regret Missing Is........
‘96 was the second year Alligator Records Photographer Eugene Kimmons would toss me a bone, The year before (because of him) I covered the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival featuring Blues greats such as Luther Allison and Eddie Campbell.
James Brown, there I said it. No build-up to what this blog is all about, just "BOOM", there it is, I guess the image above gave a hint to who it was. It was July 5, 1996. The show was to be at the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park in Chicago (I was still living there … That's the one show I had been eagerly anticipating but had to miss. '96 was the second year Alligator Records Photographer Eugene Kimmons would toss me a bone. The year before (because of him), I covered the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival featuring Blues greats such as Luther Allison, Otis Rush and Eddie Campbell. Eugene, a mentor and friend, always thought I was capable of becoming a music photographer. However, I was much harder on myself and my abilities, both as a visual artist and more so as a photographer. So, back to the "why," this is the one show I regret missing. I remember I had my gear with me at LaSalle Photo, where I worked at the time; it was at least a 40- to 45-minute ride by bus and train, and on a good day, it was about an hour when there were festivals in the downtown area.
Before I departed for the show, I had been nursing a migraine all day long. My 30s were a time in my life when I started to get migraines; they'd come and go, and I'd go about my day, but it was also in my 30s that the frequency and intensity would get worse over time. This debilitating condition was one of those times it was not going to let up, and it left me totally incapacitated. Still, I decided to try and make the James Brown show later that day. I was able to convince my boss to let me leave early that day, all the while thinking to myself that the sun was too bright, and I was feeling sick to my stomach. Despite my condition, I made the choice to go to the show. I always made it a habit to arrive early for any event I was involved in; it helped me plan for the day. To my surprise, the press table was already open, even though I still had a few hours to kill. I made my way to the line.
My migraine was worsening; I was light-sensitive, nauseous, and dizzy. I knew my blood pressure was likely being affected as well. Soon, I found myself next in line to get my credentials for the show. At that moment, I informed the staff that I wasn't feeling well and decided to head home. Looking back, the only show I ever regretted missing was James Brown. It's a regret that still lingers—a missed opportunity that I can't help but think about from time to time. I even came across an article by Rick Regar that appeared in the Chicago Tribune in 1996, which reminded me just how special that day was.
New Gear : Sony a7R II (Part 2 of 2)
I’m just a few weeks late with the January blog, but for good reason. Last month I had gotten the Sony super sharp 135mm f/1.8 lens, I was at the time looking at what mirrorless camera body to complete my purchase; Sony’s A7 III and A7R III were in the running. But wait, the title of this blog post mentions the A7R II, So why the sudden detour from my previous choices.
I' m just a few weeks late with the January blog, but for good reason. Last month, I got the Sony super- sharp 135mm f/1. 8 lens. I was also looking at which mirrorless camera body to complete my purchase; Sony' s A 7 III and A 7 R III were in the running. Then I went ahead and bought the A 7 R II. So, why the sudden change from my previous choices?
The three factors that convinced me, especially considering the A 7 R II is five years old, are:
1. The price- even used from B & H Photo, the A 7 R II was $ 1, 1000 cheaper than the A 7 R III and $500 less than a “new” A 7 III. It simply came down to what I could afford without breaking the bank.
2. NO LOW PASS FILTER! At least with the A 7 R II and III, there isn' t one. This will deliver a much sharper image, from what I' ve read. My Nikon D 800 has a low pass filter, so choosing the A 7 R II was a clear decision. I look forward to comparing the images to see the difference- maybe in the next blog.
3. Shutter count- although it wasn' t listed on the B & H Photo website (which is rare), I had to take a chance and hope for a lower shutter count, trusting that the previous owner took care of the camera body. The one I bought was listed as a 9 +. I wasn' t disappointed with either the condition of the camera or the shutter count, which I checked through shuttercounter. com after it arrived; the count is shown below.
I' m sure there are additional key features I used as deciding points, like Sony' s fantastic focusing system. The high resolution- both the AR 7 III and the A 7 R III- are quite comparable, but at the same time, they are different. Some features it lacks include a second memory card port, which, by the way, is UHS- I and not the faster UHS- II found in its predecessors. I can live with that. The number of images per battery charge is roughly 290 versus 650 from the A 7 R III. Since I no longer shoot fast action events, that wasn' t a deal breaker either. I' m happy with my first mirrorless camera. I posted a link below to show a more detailed look at the two.
The 3 factors that won me over, especially with the fact the A7R II is 5 years old are.
The price, even at “used” from B&H Photo, the A7R II was $1000 cheaper than the A7R III, and $500 less than a “new” A7 III. So simply it came down to what I could afford without breaking the bank.
NO LOW PASS FILTER!! at least with the A7R II & III, there isn’t one, This will yield a much sharper image; well from what I’ve read. My Nikon D800 has a low pass filter, so getting the A7R II was another clear choice. I look forward to comparing the images to see the difference. maybe the next blog.
Shutter count, though this was not listed on the B&H Photo web site ( rarely is if not at all) I just had to roll the dice and hope for a lower shutter count and the previous owner had taken care of the camera body, the one I bought was listed as a 9+. I was not disappointed on either, the condition of the camera or the shutter count as I was able to check it through shuttercounter.com when it arrived; the count is shown below.
I am sure there are a few more key features I used as deciding points, such as Sony’s amazing focusing system, The high resolution, both the AR7III and the A7RIII are really not that different in comparison but at the same time, they are. Some things it lacks are a second memory card port, which by the way is a UHS-I and not the faster USH-II found in its predecessors, I can deal with that. The images per battery charge is approximately 290 vs the 650 you’d get from the A7R III, since I no longer shoot fast action events anymore, that wasn’t a deal breaker either. I’m happy with my first mirrorless camera, I posted a link below to show a more detailed look at the 2.
New Gear : Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens (Part 1 of 2)
This is me putting the cart before the horse, well the lens before the camera is more like it. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 G Master lens. Wait, don’t I shoot Nikon, and isn’t this lens for Sony’s mirrorless camera system? Yes, it is. So have I switched over to Sony? Not exactly, I intend to stay with Nikon, I just decided to go mirrorless, and Sony got my attention.
This is me putting the cart before the horse, well the lens before the camera is more like it. I finally pulled the trigger and bought the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 G Master lens. Wait, don’t I shoot Nikon, and isn’t this lens for Sony’s mirrorless camera system? Yes, it is. So have I switched over to Sony? Not exactly, I intend to stay with Nikon, I just decided to go mirrorless, and Sony got my attention.
firstly though, here’s a little bit on this lens and why I have been leaning more towards prime lenses moreover than zooms, which I have been using for years, and importantly my choice with this particular lens...
Prime lenses are known to be significantly sharper than zoom lenses; (I think so). Simply because they don’t have the extra glass inside that moves in order to zoom. As a result, you get a better quality image due to less diffraction and distortion, and with that, the debate over this is ongoing with many photographers. I will admit, they [zooms] do offer a bit more convenience when applying focal lengths to your subject. Such as when I was shooting events, now I am more looking into studio and environmental style portraiture.
According to the specs, the Sony 135mm F/1.8 G Master features 13 elements in 10 groups, it also has a near-circular 11 shutter blade diaphragm, the most used in the Alpha lens series. It weighs in at a hefty 2.1 pounds, with a length of 3.52 x 5″ with an 82mm front filter. more can be seen at the link below:
SEL135F18GM Specifications | α Lenses | Sony US
So with this out with the old gear and in with the new, I’ve gotten rid of most of my zooms, I do have one more zoom lens I am debating whether to part with; My trusty Nikkor 80-200mm F/2.8, and like with my other departed gear over the years, I’ll just take those funds and invest in more prime lens, I’ve been looking at the Sigma Art series for some time. I am still on the fence on which Sony mirrorless body I want; Sony a7 III or the a7r III. That is a blog for another time.
All still images by Brian Cade Photography
What’s Next?
Been so busy lately with family and personal endeavors that I didn’t post my October blog and nearly missed the November blog.
Been so busy lately with family and personal endeavors that I didn’t post my October blog and nearly missed the November blog.
But this isn’t so much a blog about that as it is of what I am truly thankful for. I look back at a year My little Schnauzer Milo nearly lost his battle with HGE, we brought a very small Calico Kitten into our lives and named her Nebula; Nebbi or noodles for short. I finally got my cholesterol and blood pressure under control. I am thankful for my family and for being given another day to shine and share with others.
{sigh}……….
I really needed to do a lot more with photography than what I have; hopeful I have that opportunity more in the following year, I have an idea I will.
