MOTM

In a message dated 11/1/2000 8:18:06 PM, doc@... writes:

> try leggin' the output of the vca into a mixer/attenuater(<-sp?) 
>first and then back out to the input on your vca with a lower signal 
>level.  it's easier to control the amount of feedback this way.  

Do you do this? I'm still not sure I want to risk either my ARP VCA, my MOTM 
(or other CEM 3330) VCA, or my Serge (go ahead and put it on an O'scope, it 
still sounds great to me!) UAP to try this.

> as far as the PU vibratin' itself to death, i've always been under 
>the (¿)delusion(?)that it's the strings vibratin' themselves to 
>death, not the  PU.

Two different kinds of feedback, but no good way to discuss the difference. 
String feedback, as you know, with moderately high volume and distances of a 
few to several feet between the guitar and speaker. 

If you turn the volume up even higher and stick the PUs right into the 
speaker (as close as you can, up against the grill cloth) the guitar will 
produce a shrill squealing -- like a microphone. If you are able to 
experiment with this, you will find the strings play no effect and even 
strumming them has little effect on the sound which is dominated by the PU 
going microphonic -- the PU (or parts of it) are behaving as an oscillator. 
Warning! This is most certainly damaging to the ears as well.

> have you tried feedback with an ebow?  i use a '63 gretsch 
>tennessean into a reissue '65 twin with no outboard overdrive, reverb 
>at max o' course.  by adjustin' the vibrato settin' carefully, while 
>slowly bendin' the bigsby, one can achieve a most interestin' 
>auditory journey.  much more beautiful than fully distorted 
>feedback. 

Great set up! I love Gretschs, and the Bigsby really adds something to them. 
The Gretsch is definitely on my wish list! Yes, I've been using an E-bow on 
and off for almost 20 years, and I agree that with delay and reverb, you can 
get some great sounds. I often use it to get those Ligeti tone clouds.

However, similar to what I was saying about the squealing PU feedback shaking 
the PUs apart, if you do that "Birdman" style of string feedback, you maybe 
damaging a hollow body guitar as well since the amplifier is causing the 
guitar to vibrate possibly at levels greater than 100% of its ability to 
vibrate -- do you follow this? 

Only two ours of sleep last night, having nothing to do with Halloween!
JB