Having fun with the BOSS DF-2 and FZ-2!

In an earlier post, I said I would create another Danny Kelly slideshow once I got an appropriate song.  Well, I think this is it.  I still have to put together the slideshow, but thanks to SoundCloud, I can post the song now.

I wanted to have a Link Wray feel to the song, so a feedback intro was in order.  And so I pulled out my BOSS Super Feedbacker and Distortion pedal (DF-2).   After I recorded various noises,  I tried it out on the main guitar parts.  Something was lacking.  So I added my BOSS Enhancer (EH-2) to the mix.  Now it was a bit brighter, but the sound still wasn't where I wanted it to be.

Here's where the versatility of some BOSS pedals came into play.  I generally keep a BOSS Hyper Fuzz (FZ-2) at the front of my pedal board.  Now, I had already ruled out both of the FZ-2's fuzz settings for this tune, but the pedal had one more card to play.  If you have the pedal, you know the third setting is Gain.   The pedal also boasts separate Bass and Treble controls.  So I turned the Bass almost off and cranked the Treble until the DF-2 was singing!  And that's what I used to record all the guitar parts.

For the power chord rhythm parts, I added a Danelectro Tuna Melt.  There weren't any pedals used on the bass parts, which is why they're laying back in the mix.

Once again, the drums were produced by BFD Eco.

Go All The Wray!

I just want to pay tribute to one of my favorite guitar players. While I had read about Link Wray over the years, I had no idea what he was all about until I stumbled upon a copy of "Rumble!  The Best of Link Wray".  I bought it on impulse and never regretted the decision.

If you like guitar instrumentals, if you like distorted guitar, if you like ROCK AND ROLL, you'll love Link.  He laid down some of the most primal and invigorating guitar tones imaginable.  My personal Link favorites are "Jack The Ripper" and "Raw-Hide".

I won't go into detail about Link, because that information is available elsewhere on the Web (and I'll provide a link, pun intended, below).  I just want to give two reasons why he's become a huge influence on me.

One, the raw passion and energy present in Link's songs is infectious.  Every time I listen to Link, I wanna grab my guitar and rock out.

Two, in the early '60s, Link set up his own three-track recording studio.  This is where he and the band recorded for the next decade, often leasing out the the sides under various names.  How can you not appreciate this D.I.Y. ethic?  I would love to emulate this one day.


Want to learn more about Link?  Here's the official site: http://www.wraysshack3tracks.com/
And here's a site packed with information: http://inductlinkwray.com/link-wray-biography/

Want to own a great Link CD? "Rumble! The Best of Link Wray" contains 20 classic chunks of Wray magic, including "Jack The Ripper", "Raw-Hide", and Link's greatest hit, "Rumble".

The BOSS EH-2 Pedal

This is why I love the Internet!  I bought this pedal off eBay some years ago for a really great price.  In fact, I bought because of the price, not because I had any idea of how the pedal sounded.  What can I say?  I was a real BOSS fanatic back then.

Ironically, given the BOSS reputation for durability, the pedal came with a non-functioning power indicator.   That was probably enough to turn me off the pedal.  That, and the lack of a manual.  So the EH-2 simply gathered dust.

Until I saw this video.  I just finished playing my Strat through the EH-2.  Luckily, there's a second light which does work, so at least I can tell if the pedal is on.  And guess what?  Playing with the controls makes a very marked effect (pun intended) on the Strat, particularly the MIX control.  It certainly brightens up the sound.  In fact, when I stepped off the pedal, the guitar sounded muffled to my ears.  I can see this pedal coming in handy to help the Strat cut through the mix.  I'll definitely use it the next time I record.    

Who is Danny Kelly?

I needed a good reason to get my blog up and running.  What better reason than to help promote an artist who deserves some recognition?  I met Danny Kelly on Facebook.  He studied at the Joe Kubert school and has a very dynamic and passionate style.  I decided it would be fun to create a slideshow with some of his art.  It would be even more fun if I composed a song to go with the video.   

I was stuck for inspiration until I spotted this drawing Danny posted on Facebook:

Yes, that's Led Zeppelin caught under the red light!  That inspired "Lead Footed".  I used BFDeco for the drum pattern - too bad the program doesn't include some Bonham style drum patterns!  I used my Strat for the guitar, my Danelectro bass for the ... well, bass, and those other sounds?

I dug down deep, deep, deep into a closet and pulled out an Electro-Harmonix Mini-Synthesizer.  I don't remember the last time I used it, and I really didn't think it would work.   They built things to last back in the early '80s!

By the way, Danny's collection contains a lot of action shots too.  His action shots are raw and visceral, and I decided they wouldn't fit in with the overall feel of the music and the other images.  Rest assured, I will do a second slideshow when I come up with a suitable song.  Where are my fuzz pedals?