The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

[JeffB]

Special Thanx to Ex-250 for handing me the torch

Have at it Gents!

EDIT-mods, please edit title Roman Numerals if need be

[ex-250]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

favorite priest album

favorite maiden album

favorite live album (any band)

any surprising musical tastes

why you started playing

favorite guitar youve owned

favorite guitar you have not owned

and of course...
comprehensive gear history!

[ginormous]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

When did you start playing? If you'll pardon the "method acting" question, what was your motivation?

Cardinal... the COMFY CHAIR!!

[bungalowbill]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Jeff..How are you coping with the change to a Fender, after playing Gibson and Gibson-esque guitars for years?

If you were to get a guitar lesson from anyone, who would it be and what would you like to learn from them?

Best bang for the buck....

guitar
amp
OD pedal
delay
chorus

[Rainmaker]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Yo Jeff!

What is your favourite main course meal?

What is your favourite pizza topping?

What is your favourite dessert?

What is your favourite type of block chocolate?

Who/what are your top five non-metal/non-rock artists or bands?

Do you download much? What do you download?

Favourite sport to play?

Favourite sport to watch?

How do you perceive the person you were a decade ago?

Do you enjoy Starburst lollies?

[tone4days]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

age
city state country location
highest level of formal education
career / job
marital / relationship status
offspring status

personal accomplishment that is your greatest source of self pride
personal objective not yet accomplished

biggest musical performance (when, where, how many, description, fav memory of it)

[JeffB]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

favorite priest album

Unleashed In the East, without question by far. If I had to pick a Studio album, I'd go Defenders.

favorite maiden album

Not really an album, but Beast Over Hammersmith from the Early Days DVD is my fave live performance. Every single one of them is "on" that night, especially Adrian and Clive. Studio would be Powerslave, I just think they got all their ducks ina row for that one-strong material, strong performance, great sound mix.

any surprising musical tastes

I'm a huge fan of Allison Kraus & Union Station in particular, and bluegrass in general. I love Duran Duran, The Beach Boys, Swing music. My tastes are far more varied than most probably think (from knowing me here on the boards).

why you started playing

I guess you could say I came from a musical family. My dad knew some cowboy chords on his ES125, picked a little on a banjo he had, and we had an organ in the house while I was growing up- he would play church/gospel type hymns and whatnot once in awhile and hum along to them. My sister was a classical pianist and actually went to college for that major (though she changed her major later)-she also played the acoustic guitar. My brother played some bass and guitar as well. He had an old Sears tele copy with no strings that he gave me when I was about 9, but I just air-guitared with it until I was about 11 or 12, when I actually tried to start learning some chords and whatnot.

When I heard Michael Schenker for the first time around 1982 ("One Night at Budokan"- a casette copy a friend made me from the import album) I was absolutely and completely blown away and said "man, I gotta learn how to play like THAT!"

favorite guitar youve owned

That's tough. I've had some really great guitars over the years. I think my 82 Custom Shop Les Paul standard , and my R8 would take top honors-both exceptional guitars.

favorite guitar you have not owned

I've had a few nice Strats over the years, but I've never had a really good high end model. I'd like to have great Custom Shop strat I guess, or a Hamer USA Flying V.

and of course...

comprehensive gear history!

I don't think there's enough room on the server for me to post all of it. Nor could I remember all of it. So some of my standout (to me) gear

1976 Gibson Explorer (an actual 76, my first good guitar)
1987 Les Paul Custom
1977 Les Paul Deluxe
1987 or 88 PRS Custom 10 top Whale Blue w/ Birds
1982 Les Paul Standard custom shop model
1987 Gibson Explorer (pewter)
1992 Les Paul Standard (black)
a mid 80s MIJ Squier
Charvel Model 7
1991 or 92 Fender Deluxe Strat Plus
1981 Ibanez Destroyer II (DT400)
PRS McCarty
Fender YJM sig Strat
Gibson Firebird Studio
Gibson R8 Les Paul
Hamer USA Standard
Dean USA TCML

For amps- fewer standouts (good ones, I could list plenty of crappy standouts )

my original Marshall 2205 combo (4210? can't remember the model number-the 1x12)
Marshall 800 2203
Marshall JMP 2x12 50W combo
Fender Silverface champ
Mesa Boogie F50
Rivera Chubster
and my all time fave is/was my Marshall 1987x RI

Not much of a pedal guy but- I had a really nice sounding TS10, I liked my EVH Phase 90 better than the original one I had, and I loved (and dearly miss) my old Boss CE2 and Analog delay from the early 80s. Rid's Plexitone is pretty amazing.

[JeffB]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

When did you start playing? If you'll pardon the "method acting" question, what was your motivation?

Cardinal... the COMFY CHAIR!!

See my answer to EX-250- I think that covers it mostly. Motivation? Hmm..not girls believe it or not- probably to just be up on a stage in front of a crowd rocking out (which later became an issue- horrible stage fright )

Jeff..How are you coping with the change to a Fender, after playing Gibson and Gibson-esque guitars for years?

I'm not sure I'd say I'm coping at all There is no doubt in my mind playing a Strat or Tele will make you a better player or make you quit. You have to want to tame the beast and at the same time it's a "finesse" design. The Fenders work better for my CTS, so it's kind of a necessity. The Fenders require more precise picking hand technique-and are more forgiving of fretting hand technique. I honestly wish now that I'd have initially learned on a Fender-however had I done so, I may not be here today either (i.e quitting out of frustration long ago)

If you were to get a guitar lesson from anyone, who would it be and what would you like to learn from them?

Tough question- I think my lesson would primarily center around technique. I don't think good "feel" is something that can be taught, and I honestly think it's something that you either start out with or do not have/are unlikely to develop . We've all heard the guy who can only play 5 notes and kills with them, and then the guy who can play over complex chord changes in every mode and scale known to man and puts you to sleep.

So strictly speaking from a technique lesson- Randy Rhoads.

Best bang for the buck....

guitar
amp
OD pedal
delay
chorus

For Fender Style instrument- you can find some really nice MIMs out there if you look hard enough, but I'd say the Classic Player 60s in particular. For Gibson style- Dean and Hamer imports.

Amps- My tastes in amps runs to the higher end Marshall style stuff personally
but I'd say Vox Valvetronix for modellers. Though I don't really jibe with the tone of most of them, Peavey is hard to beat for bang for the buck in tube or SS amps.

OD pedal- Digitech Bad Monkey. Can't beat it for $40.00

Delay- I haven't owned a separate delay in quite some time, but I always felt the Boss Digital and Analog delays were alot of bang for the buck. Did everything *I* needed them to do without breaking the bank.

EHX Small Clone is much better than the current Boss and Digitech pedals I've tried. I'd still rather pay twice as much for an old MIJ CE-2 though.

[JeffB]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

Yo Jeff!

Bee!

What is your favourite main course meal?

No way I could pick one fave for anything, but I'll try

Sausage Gravy & Biscuits for B'fast.

Don't usually eat much in the way of lunch-but a Good Burger with Am Cheese, Bacon, BBq sauce, a couple of onion rings on top and a teeny bit of lettuce and mayo is tough to beat

My fave dinner is from a pretty ritzy American Southwest style restaurant around here- it's fresh raviolis made one side is infused with red pepper, the other salsa verde (so one side is red, the other green). They are filled with a mix of black beans, ground meat, onions, garlic and SW spices. They are topped with a red pepper infused light cream sauce, fresh roasted sweet corn and tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and crumbled up crispy chorizo sausage. Amazing.

What is your favourite pizza topping?

I like a good "clams casino"- white pizza, ricotta, clams, bacon, onions. Traditionally- hard to beat real Italian Suasage.

What is your favourite dessert?

Another dish from a fairly local restaurant- my GF calls them "pockets of heaven" They are a soft soapapilla (sp?) type thing (half moon shaped) filled with a banana mixture, lightly fried then rolled in regular sugar- Topped with honey on some, chocolate sauce on some, and served with a side of homemade caramel ice cream. Makes ya fat just looking at it

What is your favourite type of block chocolate?

Not much of a candy bar type person-especially just plain chocolate.

Who/what are your top five non-metal/non-rock artists or bands?

Are the Beach Boys considered rock? what about Duran Duran?

Allison Krauss as I mentioned-

I also love a (very few) non conformist Country acts- Dwight Yoakum & Diamond Rio in particular. I listen to alot of classical-though I could not tell you which composer a particular piece is, or the name of the piece.

Do you download much? What do you download?

I don't d-load illegally if thats what ya mean I have an IPOD account- on my IPOD I have a smattering of typical "JeffB" music- Deep Purple, Schenker, Iron Maiden, Priest, Scorpions, Gary Moore (metal era), John Norum, Whitesnake, Badlands, RR era Ozzy, Rory Gallagher, Roth era Van Halen, Tesla, Dio, Thin Lizzy, Alcatrazz, Rainbow, Hendrix's BBC sessions, and MOP by Metallica.

Favourite sport to play?

I competed in Archery for several years. I care not to compete again, but I do miss bowhunting and fishing (I started fishing and hunting at a very early age and have done so most of my life until recently)

Favourite sport to watch?

Not a big fan of any of the traditional sports, really. Hate Baseball. Hate basketball. Played soccer when I was very young. I was into Football when I was younger and used to enjoy watching college football (go WOLVERINES!) but have'nt watched more than 5 minutes of a game in 8 or 9 years probably. I used to really enjoy watching boxing as well.

How do you perceive the person you were a decade ago?

10 years ago- That guy was in for a rude awakening- His GF (ex for sev years now) would soon be pregnant with his Son He had alot less responsibilty, and alot more free time and free money to do what he wished. He also knew little fear. Once he became a father, he would learn to understand fear, and his whole outlook on life would change. He was alot more fun back then for sure, but also more stubborn/headstrong/opinionated (in a bad way) and certainly less wise.

Do you enjoy Starburst lollies?

Not my thing, but my son loves 'em!

[JeffB]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

age
city state country location
highest level of formal education
career / job
marital / relationship status
offspring status

personal accomplishment that is your greatest source of self pride
personal objective not yet accomplished

biggest musical performance (when, where, how many, description, fav memory of it)

Bill, I have to run out for a bit- will get back to ya this evening at some point

[ErikH]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

What is your name?

What is your quest?

What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

[Vetteboy]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

How many states have you visited, and which is your favorite?

If you could pick one band to be banished from existence, who would it be?

[JeffB]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

OK, that took alot less time than expected-

age

I will be 39 next month

city state country location

Born and raised in Va. Have been in CT/NY (aka The Abyss) for the past 10 years. Currently in Western CT about 5 min from the border of Westchester County, New York.

highest level of formal education

Am I filling out a Job application? HS Degree-some one off courses at local CC's and such. Planning on taking some more in the coming year.

career / job

Spent most of my last 10 years in the Healthcare Insurance Industry-Marketing and Reinsurance in particular. I have spent some time in the Archery/Hunting industry as well. Growing up, I worked for my father who owned 2 Gulf/Chevron Service Station/Garages. I spent the last year doing sales & marketing work for a small mom & pop company locally (never again)- was laid off about 2.5 months ago. As mentioned above, going to be attending some classes to broaden my skill set (and hopefully my wallet 1 )

marital / relationship status

I was married in my early 20s, unfortunately to find out later she was more interested in any inheritance I would get from my parents than anything. Messy Messy 2 year long drawn out divorce. bad times. A few years later, met the mother of my Son, whom of course was a surprise We would not have lasted much longer had she not become pregnant. We tried to make it work, but sadly (for his sake) we split up. Was single for a couple years and finally found THE one-my current GF, Janette whom I'm going to ask to marry me next year once I get finances/job/school back in order.

offspring status

I have a son, who will be 9 years old at the end of this month. That is also the answer to your next question

personal accomplishment that is your greatest source of self pride

^

personal objective not yet accomplished

The schooling I mentioned above. The healthcare industry is way too volatile, and I don't have what it takes nor the desire for hardcore sales (though I do love the marketing aspect). So def getting some better/in demand skills under my belt to move forward.

biggest musical performance (when, where, how many, description, fav memory of it)

As I mentioned briefly above, once I got around to jamming in "bands" I realized I had TERRIBLE stagefright. Of course I always had it in school as well when I'd have to give an oral report or other such thing in front of the class, but I didn't think it would bother me playing guitar. But it does. Even at music stores to this day and on the clips I make for the forum here, I get "stagefright" or a serious case of the nerves.

So I didn't ever really have all that much fun, unless I was totally wasted drunk- and of course then my meager abiity was seriously hampered. I quit one band in HS because we were slated to play at the "Battle of the Bands" and I was scared to death to be up in front of all the students. After H.S. I was never in a serious gigging band, mostly just playing with friends at parties and whatnot. As for "biggest" We did play an outdoor/field party once at a guitar mentor/friends house/farm for around 200 people. The best memory of that night was a rather inebriated petite blonde chick who worked at Hooters- I'll let your imagination fill in the rest

[The Owl]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

If you could write for one TV show, what would it be?

Favorite beer? Wine?

[JeffB]

Re: The Well XLIV- Ha! No-one expects the Spanish Inquisition!

What is your name?

What is your quest?

What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow?

No mixing Skits!

How many states have you visited, and which is your favorite?

I've visted or been through most of the U.S.A save Washington state, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kansas, Alaska and Hawaii. ( I really want to go to Alaska badly). I've lived in VA, CA, CT, and NY.

My fave purely from a scenery point of view is Montana. I'd always wanted to go there and I was not disappointed-it was everything I'd hoped for and more.

If you could pick one band to be banished from existence, who would it be?

There's alot of music I definitely do not like, but I don't dislike any one band so much to see it banished from existence In the general sense I have an extremely strong dislike for Rap/dance/techno, Reggae, and "pop/top 40-country".