Guitar and Bass tone. . . . What does it all mean. . . .

A litte back story to the guts of this post.

So, last night I went and saw Switchfoot at the pageant. It was the first time I've seen them in a couple of years so I was super pumped for many reasons. 1.I absolutely love Switchfoot, I've listened to them since I was 13 and they've been one of my favorite bands since then. Jon Foreman, the frontman and major songwriting force, is an amazing songwriter and performer. Tim Foreman, the bass player, is one of the bass players I attempt to mimic when I play and a great performer as well. The whole band plays with so much energy that you can tell they leave everything they've got on the stage. It was an AMAZING show!

The interesting thing is what Jon and Tim were playing through. In the past they've both always had fairly large pedal boards for their tone. (I'm a gear hound, so I always look when I go to shows.) This time around they were both playing through Line 6 modeling amps or effects units. Tim had the newer Line 6 LowDown Bass Head through a GK 412 and I think Jon was using either some sort of POD through a "PHAT" amp, thats what the front of the amp said I think it was a VOX AC30. OR he was using a Line 6 amp. They both had FBVII pedalboards on stage.

All that to say that I've always respected Switchfoot's guitar and bass tone. It was always something different and good all at the same time. As soon as I saw the Line 6 amps something in me said, "Wait, is the tone still gonna be there?" I'm not sure why this happened but in the one minute discussion in my head that followed I decided to wait and hear what it sounded like, not let my eyes do the hearing for me. And it sounded absolutely amazing all night. -Aside, Drew, their other guitar player had a 65 amp with his normal pedalboard.-

So, what does this all mean to you non-gear heads that read this blog? Oh wait does anyone actually still read this thing. Moving on. . . . .

Through out the night I was so excited to be at this show. Singing along with all the other switchfoot fans, hearing Jon's unique scream and worshipping God through their music was what my soul, mind and body needed. I've had a few discussions with friends who were at the show and some who weren't about what it take for good tone and have come to this realization.

Do what ever it takes for you to have good tone, whether that's learning how to play your instrument better, saving up for a new instrument that is of a higher quality, or buying all the pedals and toys you want to. Here's the big thing for me as a follower of Christ and one who enjoys playing music for the Church. Play for the glory of God no matter what gear you've got. If all you can afford is a Line 6 Pod then master that piece of gear and make it sound good for the glory of God.

That's the big thing that matters in worship, that you bring your best stuff to the table to praise God for all he's done for us.

For me I will be doing a lot more research into amps, cabs, and pedals. So, master your craft and bring the best that you've got to the table for the Lord. . . . .At least that's my plan.

Next Goal. . . .

250 lbs. by May 1st.

Here goes another 50 lbs off. After that it will be another 50 to go. . . . . .

The Dreamer

Dreamer's scare people, some dreamer's are the artisans of this world.
Dreamer's live in this world, some dreamer's live for another world.
Dreamer's are the breath of life, some dreamer's can't appreciate life.
Dreamer's love intriguing conversations, some dreamer's love no conversation.
Dreamer's are emotional, some dreamer's don't know how to convey their emotions.
Dreamer's work to live, some dreamer's live to work-when said dreamer gets their dream job.
Dreamer's are the enemies of practicality, some dreamer's are enemies of the state.
Dreamer's enjoy shaking things up, some dreamer's shake to hard to fast.

To live the life of a dreamer all you need to do is imagine.

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
- John Lennon

Unsure. .

I have become unsure of the world that man has created. It is such a dark and faithless place, it is not ours to run, yet we try and rule it. It is time for a change, it is time for God to rule over this world. It is time for love to rule, once love has found a way life will feel right.

Life is just sitting there waiting for us to grab a hold and run with it. When will you grab your life and run with it? Or do you just want to sit around and have life handed to you.

Merry Christmas!!!

So, instead of a mass text Merry Christmas I decided to do this.

"Merry Christmas to all, I hope your family and yours have a wonderful day.
May your day bring you hope, peace and a little something special in your stocking.
Let there be food in your belly, warm clothes on your back,
And a little bit of rest for your soul.
To the musician's, artist's, and creatives, enjoy your gifts this holiday time.
Use your gifts to make others smile."


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Things I've been thinking about. . .

Ok, so in no specific order-

•why does it seemlike everyone thinks that you have to be totally put together to find someone to love?
•What is out there for a younger person who wants to work for the Church but has his own ideas and wants to do church in a different way?
•What happened to my childhood?
•I love crisp fall days. .
•I'm wonder when I will figure it out
•Why does the physical body matter so
much to people?
•When do I get paid for having a degree?
•Why did I go to college?

Cool "quote". . . .

"The world does not consist of 100 per cent Christians and 100 per cent non-Christians. There are people (a great many of them) who are slowly ceasing to be Christians but who still call themselves by that name; some of them are clergymen. There are other people who are slowly becoming Christians though they do not yet call themselves so. There are people who do not accept the full Christian doctrine about Christ but who are so strongly attracted by Him that they are His in a much deeper sense than they themselves understand. There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it…" - CS Lewis

Some days I'm not sure where I'm at in this manuscript, it's rather long for a quote. . . isn't it. . . .