Hi Lydianmode,
the Light Bodies were originally designed as lightweight & durable stage guitars with a full range of acoustic and electric tones. It is quite interesting to observe the way the sympathetic strings add acoustic-like resonance to the over-all sound, and in a lot of the recording work we've done with them, they would convincingly pass for an acoustic guitar (with a ton of sustain). By turning up the pickup on the sympathetic strings, the result is like adding frequency specific reverb into the primary output signal. Since all the vibrations within the instrument are in constant interaction with each other, the harmonic complexity of the output is enormous without adding any effects.

The one I'll be bringing with me has a padouk neck with a curly redwood body, and weighs in around 5lbs.

Looking forward to meeting you!

I was by David's today & got a couple shots of some basses he's working on & the LightBody guitar he's bringing with him. If you don't mind me posting these, David.

Here's the LightBody

The man with a bass. I had to edit this because David's wife Annie wasn't crazy about the messy shop (according to them) & albino looks. Forgive the Photoshop efforts, ST.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tom Munch,

I'm in Baby.. C U in a minute..Brian.

Hi Tom,

The photoshop thing is fun.

While I can totally empathize with Annie's concern about the shop, I actually *liked* seeing it. Very real. One of those 'it must be a miracle' things when you see the instruments and then the shop.

Thanks.

I don't mind the mess either. It was Friday, & Annie says she cleans on Monday & would rather not have the world seeing the mess the shop can be. There might be some trade secrets in there somewhere too for all I know. David does have some really creative ideas that I hope he will hint at in Big Sur. He may keep them close to the vest since other pickup guys will be there.

I'm trying his latest triple system which is pretty amazing. I have switched back & forth between the saddle pickup/mic & the magnetic pickup/transducer world many times over the years. I usually shun the "latest & greatest" for "tried & true" run through a good quality preamp for my acoustic guitars. David has set up different guitars for me several times with stellar results, but they just weren't useful in the real world of loud bandmates & bad rooms. The pickups were just too natural & lacked any "in-your-face" qualities needed for biting solos for the band & "larger-than-life" qualities I look for at solo shows. The latest system can still get a very natural sound, but it can easily be tweaked to get all kinds of gain without feedback & cutting tone for leads. I haven't played it with the band yet, but I'm pretty sure it's going to work out just fine.

I have busted David's chops many times with guitars that were hard to amplify & arguments as the Devil's advocate to keep him humble. He has some top-name clients who love his sound. I may be one of the lesser-name ones now.

I live in Monterey and I am interested in attending on Monday/Tuesday April 24/25. I would not be staying overnight.

Can I just drop in??

Please reply to therrien at alum dot mit dot edu

Thanks.

edit to obfuscate the email address

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ST,

I've got this one.

ST

quote:

Originally posted by Charles Therrien:
I live in Monterey and I am interested in attending on Monday/Tuesday April 24/25. I would not be staying overnight.

Can I just drop in??

Please reply to

Thanks.

Hi all,
for those interested, I was told by Kim Stone that he'll be arriving around 5pm on Tuesday. He has a Rippington's gig in Florida the night before, so this is as soon as he can make it. I'm not sure if this will effect any of the organizing of events, but I thought I'd let you'all know just in case it would.

For those interested, I became good friends with Kim up in Boulder, CO and did a lot of tech work for him. He's now located in Manitou Springs, CO, and we've been in touch quite a bit lately.
Best to you all, and see you soon!

Thanks David!

Too bad Kim Stone isn't arriving earlier... but it's just too cool that Kim and David Enke know each other...

Such a small world isn't it...

Makes you wonder what other surprises we may be in for in Big Sur. Is the weather clearing yet out there, Joseph?

Ahh, Tom... good question. Big Sur actually had a record amount of rainfall this year. Mudslides, cracks in the road, debris everywhere... the dirt road becomes impassible when it's raining too steady. Except for good quality four-wheel drives.

However, the weather prognosis is for a complete change come this Monday... a streak of warm and true California Coast Sun for the rest of the month is predicted...

Keep your finger's crossed...

I checked the road department out there & Highway 1 looks good today. Here's the link. The Big Sur Chamber is also a good site with pdf maps of the area. Link It looks like the best way to come from the east is 80 to 680 to 101 to 56/1. Any pointers from the locals on better routes.

I'm will be heading down the coast to the Studio tonight and will check the road conditions, etc. And provide a little report for everyone when I get back...

Thanks, Joseph.

Anyone suggest a better route from the east than 80 to 680 to 101 to 156/1?

Currently, Highway 1 is a little rougher then usual ... but all the major cracks are filled
.... the dirt road up the studio has huge rocks on top of green tarps, blocking the parts that might cave in from left over moisture ... However, this should dry up in plenty of time for the gathering.

Thanks for the report, Joseph. I'm so looking forward to seeing Highway 1 on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.