What Am I Gonna Do (Original)

Vanncad · August 05, 2009, 07:51:28 PM

I had the day off, so I did some experimenting.

This is the first time I have recorded a song by micing my amp. I had a real hard time getting the levels right. There is still some buzz. Maybe my ears are going.

Anyways, I had a good time recording this one. Hope you guys like it.

The specs:
Guitar - Japanese Strat
Amp - Fender Bandmaster thru a Crate 4X12 cab
Effects
Guitar #1 - BBE Green Screamer
Guitar #2 - BR600 P03
Guitar #3 - BBE Green Screamer + Boss Delay + Dunlop CryBaby Wah
Bass - Fender Jazz (borrowed from a buddy) straight into the BR600 (Tube Bass patch)
Mic - Shure SM 58 - placed about 4" in front of one speaker, then plugged directly into the BR600 with effect patch P01

64Guitars · August 05, 2009, 08:34:26 PM

Wow! I love the guitar tones, Vann, and the song! I especially love the tension in the 8 bars before the guitar solo at 1:21. That is soooo cool!!!

The lead guitar reminds me of someone. Hendrix comes to mind, but there's someone else it reminds me of even more and I can't place who it is.

This song makes me envious for several reasons. 1) I wish I could play and write as good as you. 2) I've got to get a Strat. I've always loved the unique tone of Strats but I've never owned one. 3) I wish I lived somewhere where I could crank up my HIWATT and mic it.

Vanncad · August 05, 2009, 08:47:55 PM

64 -Thanks. I lucked out and got the strat and my epi les paul for a good price from a guy who was off-loading some gear. Until a couple years ago, I was playing a Washburn G-4. I got that BBE Green Screamer from GC fo $30 and it's the best purchase I have ever made (except for the Bandmaster, which I bought with corn-detassling money back in the early 80's).

I was going for a Robin Trower type of sound with a little Stevie Ray mixed in. I wrote the lyrics to this tune this afternoon sitting around the pool so they are not as refined as they should be.

P.S. - I am envious of you because you own a HIWATT! Maybe that's my problem. I only had the amp on 3.5 and set the Mic level higher on the BR600.

Bob Iles · August 05, 2009, 10:50:23 PM

Holy f#@!ing sheet, Batman. Great track, man! I'm not a big blues guy, but god damn that rocked! I like your idea for using the mic into a guitar patch. I tried mic'ing my amp through a mic patch, and wasn't totally satisfied with the outcome. I'll have to try your way....

Great playing, great writing, smoking hot vox - The bee's knees. Seriously!!

If I had one, this would go straight to PiePod!!

Bob

P.S. - You've totally nailed the Trower meets SRV vibe!

Ferryman · August 06, 2009, 08:14:26 AM

Sounds pretty good to me, really great vox as well, really great voice you got there! Great rocker, great use of a day off. Some really powerful guitar licks there, great stuff all round.

Cheers,

Nigel

Greeny · August 06, 2009, 09:45:35 AM

This is hot. Damn hot. That wah lead is blistering. I really like your vocals... they remind me of Free / Paul Rodgers a bit, which is no bad thing! You're a real rock powerhouse, and you sure know how to mix a track. I absolutely love this. Hard, driving, classic rock.

launched · August 06, 2009, 05:05:09 PM

Uh oh, Greg Brady's coming out and I can't hold him back...

Groooovy, Man!!

I love how you listed the equipment lineup. I pretty much have just a guitar, bass, cord and MBR

Very impressive playing and songwriting skills.

A hot song - had to turn the AC on after listening to this!

Mark

Rickocaster · August 06, 2009, 07:30:09 PM

oooh yeah! This song cooks. Love the feel. Great voice. Dig the wah.

lg · August 07, 2009, 08:12:11 AM

You sound alot like Hendrix/Trower.
I LOVE the wah guitar work!
Great vocals too by the way.
Bravo!
You should take another day off and do one more...LOL

LG