Freeway Jam demonstration...

[Ritchie200]

Hello all!


As usual, a back story for this post. So kick back and try not to fall asleep...  A few years ago I ran across the backing track for Jeff Beck's Freeway Jam.  I was quite excited as I hadn't played that tune in about 40 years. Back when Blow by Blow came out I was deep (haha!) into Deep Purple, Sabbath, Trower, Hendrix, etc., etc....  Anything jazz and fusion related was so far off my radar I didn't even know they existed.  However, a buddy played it nonstop on his Pioneer underdash stereo with power booster amp at high volume and I couldn't ignore it.  Even for someone as set in my ways that I was, I realized what a monster player Jeff was.  I even ended up playing Freeway Jam and Blue Wind in a couple of bands I was in. So after plinking out a few notes to make sure I was in tune, I set the Major up in another room on about 5 and did a slight push with my tube preamp.  It was way too excruciatingly loud to leave the door open so I closed it. Unfortunately there is no interaction and little speaker/guitar sustain.  This is a raw one-take recording with a little verb on the guitar and that's it.  About 30 seconds in, I realized I didn't remember any of the solo and the cool things I used to do. SO, I just whammyed like there was no tomorrow and kept recording.  I basically took one of the coolest rhythm grooves in the history of R&R and played like there was nobody listening (there wasn't).  I was also fingerpicking trying to be like Jeff...  I'll keep my picks thank you very much!  This was never meant to see the light of day.  However....


Which brings me to the "demonstration" part.  I always perk up when someone posts asking for help with a Strat trem.  Many folks here have the trem blocked or they buy aftermarket trems to "fix" the original.  I don't think the two post units sustain like the six screw and I think they actually make the Strat sound different.  I have NEVER had a problem keeping the guitar in tune with the 6 screw trem - back in the 70's or today.  The only thing I used to do back in the 70's was change out the tuners to Schallers as they had a higher ratio than stock.  The Strat used in this recording is my MIJ Ritchie Blackmore Strat which is a 70's big headstock microtilt neck with a six screw trem and vintage "F" NON locking tuners. It even has the (GASP!) string trees. I am using .010's and three springs.  It's so easy to claim anything these days on the Web of lies and deceit.  However, here is proof that if set up properly, the six screw trem will do just fine.  After all the abuse during this song, the guitar is still in tune all the way to the end.  Boom! (drop mic)


So Silvergun, before you get started - this is a trem "demonstration", not a tune to post technical ability!  It does however, show the wonderful chime of the Major when you open it up and let it breathe.  Until I can get some serious woodshedding, I will leave the Jeff Beck stuff to Doug and Super & Plexi!


Jim

http://jimeime.com/mymusic/Freeway%20Jam.mp3

[Ed_Chambley]

Beck, who is Jeff Beck and isn't Paul dead.


I saw Beck in Atlanta last month in a 3 piece and a guest star on vocals. Did he have an amp on stage? You bet and I felt and hard it. The vocals provided by Beth Hart. I would crawl back to seed it again

[EL34]

Cool beans Jim
I love the tune but I don't do this tune
Sort of got burnt out because it was a run into the ground at many a jam


It does sound like your trem is getting a good workout there


How about one of my favs to jam to
Brush with the blues or Beck's bolero


Do you do either of those?

[jojokeo]

Good thing you posted this finally 'cause I was about to whether you did or not! (try to imagine Jimbo being shy?  ) 

[tubenit]

Jim,   

That sounds fantastic!  I've always like Beck's playing on that song and you did a great job capturing the essence of it and making it your own expression.   I admire your talent & playing ability!  Bravo!   It was so good, we won't take any points off being a strat with a whammy gizmo on it.

Really enjoyed your playing ALOT!  Thanks for sharing it.

Best regards, Jeff

[Ritchie200]

Wow Jeff, thank you!  I have a couple more in the breech that I think you will like better!  I just need some time to finish them off.

Doug, I am struggling with the easy one!  Those two I've never played or tried to play.  I pulled up two live shots of Jeff playing those two.... I'll let you tackle those!

Jim

[SILVERGUN]

Well, well.....
We all knew you were an exceptional wanker but now we have definitive proof.

[Ritchie200]

I’m married, what can I say?


Jim

[Ed_Chambley]

Are you going to tell us all the fake music was made?  Also, I believe something may be pushing the Major.


I have 4 damn strats now, all with 6 screw tremolo.  They stay in tune just fine, but I no like string trees.  I have a freind who swears by 6 on his as well.


One of them is undergoing insane work.  Why not, I got 4 and that is why everyone loves Strats.  I finally understand.  If it sucks, buy some more parts for it.  Need it to sound thick, read on.  So I did one is 50's style, the 62RI is of course a 60's version.  Skipped all the way to 2015 for the third and like it as purchased.  It came with stagered locking tuners and no trees from Fender, but still had the vintage trem which is unusual.


The one I am doing now has stainless steel pickguard and a vintage tremolo, but I blocked it.  I put the clapton boost in the tremolo cavity and a push pull pot for it.  It also has a dual blender.  I checked a few Lace pups I have so far, but this guitar is an Ash body and very fat neck.  I believe the Alnico 2 Duncans may be the winners.  Oh yea, I forgot, the tremolo's 6 screws are now bolts.  Yes, I did.  I blocked it in ash, now this is northern ash and the guitar is not light.


BTW, Nice playing Jim!

[tubenit]

I have a couple more in the breech that I think you will like better!

Jim,     Bring em on!  I'd love to hear them!  I thought this one was fantastic.  Excellent playing.   

Left me wondering if that whammy gizmo would actually work on a Tele?  I think there is a Bigsby version isn't there? 

With respect and anticipation,  Jeff

[jojokeo]

Well, well.....
We all knew you were an exceptional wanker but now we have definitive proof.

Hahaa! He is the mastur...err master 

Jim,     Bring em on!  I'd love to hear them!  I thought this one was fantastic.  Excellent playing.   

Left me wondering if that whammy gizmo would actually work on a Tele?  I think there is a Bigsby version isn't there? 

Careful what you wish for T - you are dealing with devil!

I am building a tele with a Bigsby as we speak...(but for someone else). I do own one though from '78 and even Jimbo would like it once he played it.

[jojokeo]

Are you going to tell us all the fake music was made?  Also, I believe something may be pushing the Major.
This was an old recording using a Barcus Berry preamp (before he knew any better)?

I have 4 damn strats now, all with 6 screw tremolo.  They stay in tune just fine, but I no like string trees.  I have a freind who swears by 6 on his as well.
They are growing on you... He swears by 6 screw trems or using a tree on all 6 strings!?

The one I am doing now has stainless steel pickguard and a vintage tremolo, but I blocked it.  I put the clapton boost in the tremolo cavity and a push pull pot for it.  It also has a dual blender.  I checked a few Lace pups I have so far, but this guitar is an Ash body and very fat neck.  I believe the Alnico 2 Duncans may be the winners.  Oh yea, I forgot, the tremolo's 6 screws are now bolts.  Yes, I did.  I blocked it in ash, now this is northern ash and the guitar is not light.
All my strats are either blocked or hard tail. I dislike floating as much as single coil hum! 
Look into Lollar's Blackface or Fender's NOS Fat 50s

BTW, Nice playing Jim!
You are baiting the beast master err wang mastur 

[Ed_Chambley]

I have 4 damn strats now, all with 6 screw tremolo.  They stay in tune just fine, but I no like string trees.  I have a freind who swears by 6 on his as well.
They are growing on you... He swears by 6 screw trems or using a tree on all 6 strings!?

The one I am doing now has stainless steel pickguard and a vintage tremolo, but I blocked it.  I put the clapton boost in the tremolo cavity and a push pull pot for it.  It also has a dual blender.  I checked a few Lace pups I have so far, but this guitar is an Ash body and very fat neck.  I believe the Alnico 2 Duncans may be the winners.  Oh yea, I forgot, the tremolo's 6 screws are now bolts.  Yes, I did.  I blocked it in ash, now this is northern ash and the guitar is not light.
All my strats are either blocked or hard tail. I dislike floating as much as single coil hum! 
Look into Lollar's Blackface or Fender's NOS Fat 50s

BTW, Nice playing Jim!
You are baiting the beast master err wang mastur 


My friend prefers 6 string trees.  Well, 3 doubles, but prefers the non roller stock type.
I have seen him restring and when he gets up to tune, he will hold the strings one at a time at the first fret and push the string down on the peghead side basically stretch the a good bit.  Tunes up and cranks and yanks until it no more falls out of tune.


I dig floating tremolo.  Worst thing I ever did is sell a Frank Gambale Quilted Maple Ibanez that introduced the Wizard II neck.  It was made in the custom shop in Pennnsylvania, but still has Made in Japan on it.  Floyd Rose and locking nut.  I could get another, but they sell fast.  Definately a single line lead guitar, no unison bends but slick and fast.  It is a FGM400 Ibanez if you wanna see it.


Well, I have one strat setup already with a great 50's tone via Fralin Vintage 50, not hot vintage. It is the pretty soundiing one.  The 62 RI got a set of Don Mare Super Sports, which are balanced well and nice Bridge Highs.  The 2015 Slate had noisless and I tried The Blonds and Blackface Lollars, but not really any noticable difference from the previous.  At the moment it has split rail at the neck and bridge and a hot bridge pickup in the neck.  It is different, I promise.


And no, I am not really baiting Jim.  Not right now anyway as he seems too tired or something?  I think he is working a bit.  Me too.

[Ed_Chambley]

Well, well.....
We all knew you were an exceptional wanker but now we have definitive proof.

Hahaa! He is the mastur...err master 

Jim,     Bring em on!  I'd love to hear them!  I thought this one was fantastic.  Excellent playing.   

Left me wondering if that whammy gizmo would actually work on a Tele?  I think there is a Bigsby version isn't there? 

Careful what you wish for T - you are dealing with devil!

I am building a tele with a Bigsby as we speak...(but for someone else). I do own one though from '78 and even Jimbo would like it once he played it.

Oddly enough, I have a Telecaster in the works.  I just sprayed the neck body with Nitro, well did a grain filler, touch of amber dye mixed with blonde for color.  I am using a Musickraft Quartersawn, flamed maple neck.  Craigslist, I got the neck and what is refered to as Swamp Ash, and while I know Fender today say that all Ash is the same.  Well, Lets just say an Ash body with larger grain, and weighs 3lbs, 10 oz.  Bakelite Guard.  Basically buildiing a copy of a 52, but some things I had to change.  More pocket area for upper registers.


The Bridge pup is tapped for traditional broadcaster and the wind continues with 38 for a hotter output.  Don Mare is pretty much the go to guy for this type of thing. 
It needs to sit for a while before I do the final wetsanding and polish.  Once I get there, I stick up some progress photos.  I never think to post photos.


Oh, and BTW.  I really like Hipshot open gear staggered locking tuners.  The will fit either vintage holes or 10MM and have a 18:1 ratio.  I noticed you kept the vintage tuners.  My eyes have gotten so bad I cannot seem to thread the center and wrap the posts.  Lock it and tune it.