zero comments

While I was visiting my father this weekend, I had the opportunity to play around with the DADGAD tuning on my Martin 00-18V I’ve named “Little Billy”.

DADGAD is a D modal tuning mostly associated with Celtic music. Instead of the standard EADGBE tuning, the six guitar strings are tuned, from low to high, DADGAD.

Over the course of the last month, I’ve dove into the abyss of this tuning and on Saturday night I decided to record some improvised passages after my father retired for the evening.

I like recording these passages improvisational with no predetermined method. With this style, I often make mistakes and I think it helps me grow as a guitarist.

I found one truth in this madness. My recorder, the Edirol R 09 is one unforgiving bastard. 

Little Billy Serenade © 2008 Hippiedog Produce

DADGAD Blues Improv © 2008 Hippiedog Produce

This next one is not a DADGAD tune but a song I’ve been obsessing over the last few months. I normally play harmonica with the tune but couldn’t get the balance right on the recorder. Plus, I didn’t want to wake my father from his restful sleep.

One Too Many Mornings Bob Dylan Cover

rlh

My 175th anniversay year Martin 00-18V

Here are detail photos of the lovely woods used on my Gibson Advanced Jumbo (left) and Martin 00-18V

Both have sitka spruce tops and vintage stylings

I love the patterns in the top wood of the 00-18V

I had the opportunity to get a beautiful sounding 175th anniversary year Martin 00-18V (right) and pound for pound I think it is the best guitar I’ve ever owned. I like sitting on the sofa and practicing scales and riffs, and because of the small size and wide neck, its playable for hours on my lap. The guitar is loud and responsive but it’s best attributes are awesome sustain and clarity of tone. Each string rings separately and there’s no boominess or muddy overtones.

With this little hog wonder, I am lucky to own my 10-year-old Gibson Advanced Jumbo. I’ve kept this AJ longer than any other guitar in my life. I feel the combo of the smaller body 0018V and the awesome power of the rosewood round-shouldered dreadnaught is a perfect combination.  I’ve searched my whole life for great sounding guitars and this is the best two-guitar combo I’ve owned. 

Right now I use the 18 for fingerstyle and acoustic blues moods. The AJ is currently tuned to DADGAD and being tested with a set of Newtone nickel strings. Mostly the AJ is my go to bluegrass guitar and she’s a behemoth in the mid-ranges. Normally I keep both strung with Martin SP lights when a test is not underway.

Are there others out there that have two box combos they love to share news about?

Here is a recording of the 00-18V © 2008 Hippiedog Produce

Here is the Gibson ©2007 Hippiedog Produce

rlh

To celebrate the end of a long campaign run, I put together a gallery of photos taken of the final candidates during visits to Myrtle Beach.  

Go to myrtlebachonline.com to see this gallery of images.

rlh

During a driving rainstorm, the Carolina Forest High School coaching staff waits for their game to begin with Sumter High Friday evening at the school’s football stadium. The storm was the least of the Panther’s concerns as Sumter defeated Carolina Forest 40-0 in a slippery , muddy match-up.  

Okay I’ve had enough of this stuff. I want for once to cover a Friday night high school football game where both teams are close in score and the game is competitive. Last weeks game at Myrtle Beach was a 73-3 nightmare.

Check out these galleries at myrtlebeachonline.com if you want to know how to cover a blowout. 

Myrtle Beach / North Myrtle Beach —- 73-3

Sumter / Carolina Forest —- 40-0

Myrtle Beach / St. James —- 48-0

Myrtle Beach / Socastee —- 52-7

Waccamaw / Aynor —- 31-0

rlh