December Jam - Pumped Up Kick

(Who'd-a-thunk Yamaha still makes 20 years old kick triggers?)

 Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell

“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young

“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan

“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young

“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor

“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional

“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake

“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young

“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser

“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters

“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood

“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young

“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor

“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart

“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward

“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters

“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty

“Ring of Fire” - (1963) by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore

“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty

"Cortez the Killer" - (1975) by Neil Young

December Mini-Jam

(No drums. No bass. Two guitars.)

Vallejo, CA

"Cortez the Killer" - (1975) by Neil Young

"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood

“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young

“Dead Skunk” (1972) by Louden Wainwright III

“California Stars” (1999) Composed by Jay Bennett, Woody Guthrie, and Jeff Tweedy

“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser

“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young

“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

November Jam - Fluff Cycle

Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty

"Cortez the Killer" - (1975) by Neil Young

“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty

October Jam - No Bam-Bam for the Twang-Twang

 Sacramento, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips
"Gel" - (1994) by Ed Roland
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty

September Jam - Rust Makes Me Happy

 Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

"Gel" - (1994) by Ed Roland
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty

August Mini-Jam

(Debut of the Pilfered Jam Rug)

Pleasanton, CA

“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young

"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty

 

July Jam - Therapy Jam

Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Gel” - (1994) by Ed Roland
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty
“Factory” - (1978) by Bruce Springsteen
“Knockin' On Heaven's Door” - (1973) by Bob Dylan
“Mad World” - (1982) by Roland Orzabal
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty
“Ring of Fire” - (1963) by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore

June Jam - Illin' Like a Villain or Getting Down with His Sickness

 Sacramento, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips
“Gel” - (1994) by Ed Roland
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty
“Ring of Fire” - (1963) by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore

May Jam - Kung Pow Nuts

  Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan

“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty
“Higher Ground” - (1973) by Stevie Wonder

"Walking on the Moon" - (1979) by Sting

"Walking on the Moon (Reprise)" - (1979) by Sting
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty

Soldering Tips & Tricks for the Home Musician

(Courtesy Fralin Pickups, Richmond VA)

Soldering can be a tricky skill to learn, mainly because you don't spend all day honing your soldering skills. When something needs soldering, you have to take out the iron, wait until it heats up, solder to the best of your ability, and then you're done! At Fralin Pickups, we spend all day soldering, and we've gotten pretty good at it. Fortunately for you, we love passing our tips and tricks along! Here are some useful tips and tricks to get you started:

TIP # 1: CHOOSING THE CORRECT SOLDER
Using the right solder is key to making sure you get the job done right. Ideally, the best solder to use is a lead-based solder with a rosin core. Lead-based solder with a rosin core will secure a reliable electrical connection and flow nicely. We use the Kester® brand of solder, and you can usually find Kester® Solder at your local hardware store.
Don't have the Kester Solder? That's okay! Most solder will work well for installing pickups. One type of solder is a pain to work with, though - Lead-Free Solder. This solder does not flow and is prone to cold solder joints. Avoid this if you can.

TIP # 2: CHOOSE THE RIGHT SOLDERING IRON
Use a soldering pencil - not a gun! Soldering guns are unwieldy and produce a magnetic field around them. This magnetic field can demagnetize your pickups during installation - a huge bummer.

TIP # 3: MAKE THE RIGHT CONNECTION
The best connection you can make when soldering is a "Mechanical Connection". A Mechanical Connection features a "kink" in the wire before the solder is applied. When connected properly, a Mechanical Connection is basically fail-proof!

TIP # 4: PRE-TIN
Pre-tinning your connections is one of the most game-changing tips we can offer. It's the difference between a clean, pretty, and effective solder joint and a messy "cold" one. To pre-tin your connections, simply apply solder to both elements you want to connect before soldering them together.
For example, if you were soldering a 5-Way switch, you would pre-tin the terminal of the switch and pre-tin the pickup's wire separately. Then, all you would have to do is join the two and apply heat from your soldering pencil, and voila! You have a beautiful, clean solder joint. Pre-tinning coats each surface with solder and burns away any impurities on each surface to provide a clean and effective solder joint.

TIP # 5: PROTECT YOURSELF
Soldering can be dangerous. Use proper eye protection and wash your hands after soldering if using lead-based solder - it's poisonous!

April Jam - Ongoing Sickless (But No Longer Sick)

 Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty
“Higher Ground” - (1973) by Stevie Wonder
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty

Mic Music Stand = Smaller Footprint

 What with instruments, electronics, pedals, stands and such all over the place, garage band space is at a premium. Your "footprint" is much smaller with a music stand that fastens to the mic stand.

This stand works perfectly (especially for our Dismal-Splat Books), but costs about $40 because, finding none that were wide enough for an open 8 1/2" x 11" page, 2 page spread books, two products perfectly fine for their own purpose are combined into a smashing new tool!

If you are so inclined and can afford the extra cost, purchase (@ $25) this On-Stage U-Mount Clamp-On Bookplate (almost right by itself, only supports 1 page though), and then combine it (@ $15) with an Eastar Tabletop Music Stand. 

There may be a cheaper way to extend the shelf of the bookplate or buy something with a cheaper clamp-on arm, however, you can throw out the plate and attach the light fold-up stand by: 

#1) Removing the music stand from the tabletop piece, 

#2) Use a pair of pliers to compress the 2 bracers on the bottom of the music stand that fit in the tabletop piece until the bracers are flush against each other (ensure the holes in each bracers lines up with the other bracer)

#3) Remove the Bookplate from the arm of the U-mount saving the bolt that holds the Bookplate's bracer onto the arm.

#4) Insert the bracers from the music stand into the slot where the Bookplate's bracer was (it will be a tight fit with the rubber gromets), line up all the holes and insert the bolt from the Bookplate bracer and tighten everything up. Voilà! 

Music is close enough for NO GLASSES!

*** NOTE: Make sure your mic stand is not unbalanced by too-heavy things setting on the music stand and also that any legs of your mic stand are positioned properly to counter the weighted angle of the music stand.

March Jam (Sickless-Sick)

 Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell

“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young

“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan

“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young

“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor

“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional

“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake

“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young

“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser

“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters

“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood

“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young

“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor

“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart

“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward

“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters

“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty

“Ring of Fire” - (1963) by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore

“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty

Tips for Recording a Band Live with One Microphone

 

1. Pick a nice large-diaphragm condenser stereo microphone. Look for clarity and an ability to absorb nearer sounds without distorting.

2. Pick a large room at least the size of a living room. The room needs to sound good and be devoid of loud outside noises. Avoid rooms with a lot of glass.

3. Keep the microphone centered and as away from instruments/speaker cabinets as possible (and keep your mic far away from large windows).

4. Critical that everyone plays quieter, there needs to be some headroom to get louder on certain passages.

5. Create balance in the room by arranging instruments/cabs so that the loudest are furthest away. Test and adjust placement of instruments/cabs until a good balance is achieved. A dB sound meter can also be used to set the instrument/cab/vocal levels at the mic.

6. A cardioid microphone is directional, so sound off-axis will be limited. A figure 8 around the cardioid area will work and putting a drummer or another louder instrument/cab in the "dead" spot directly behind a cardioid might help tame the sound if overly loud.

February Jam

  Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots" - (2007) by the Flaming Lips
“Gel” - (1994) by Ed Roland
"Lake of Fire" - (1984) by Curt Kirkwood
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty

More Swag

 

Swag

 

January Jam

 Vallejo, CA

“Farewell Ride” - (2005) by Bek David Campbell
“Dead Flowers” - (1971) by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
“Down by the River” - (1977) by Neil Young
“Blowin' In the Wind” - (1963) by Bob Dylan
“For the Turnstiles” - (1974) by Neil Young
“Hurt” - (1994) by Trent Reznor
“House of the Rising Sun” - (1905) Traditional
“Lucky Man” - (1970) by Greg Lake
“Powderfinger” - (1979) by Neil Young
“Then Came the Last Days of May” - (1972) by Donald Roeser
“Comfortably Numb” - (1983) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (organum)” - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

"Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots (requiem)" - (2007) by the Flaming Lips

“Gel” - (1994) by Ed Roland
“Old Man” - (1972) by Neil Young
“Ordinary World” - (1999) by Warren Cuccurullo, Simon LeBon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor
“Time Stand Still” - (1987) by Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart
“War Pigs” - (1970) by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne, and Bill Ward
“Wish You Were Here” - (1975) by David Gilmour and Rodger Waters
“You Don’t Know How It Feels” - (1994) by Tom Petty
“Factory” - (1978) by Bruce Springsteen
“Who’ll Stop the Rain” - (1970) by John Fogerty