Original composition, Spaghetti Western-ish. Emmons GS-10

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 22 Feb 2021 1:53 am

Constructive feedback welcomed.

My first attempt at a multi-track instrumental video. An original performed on ukulele, pedal steel and cümbüş (Turkish, pronounced “joom besh” or “joom boosh”). All percussion sounds are flamenco guitar techniques adapted to the uke.

Pedal steel: Emmons GS-10
Ukulele: Lanikai baritone
Cümbüş: copper model with custom neck rebuild by Kerry Char.
Cat: Mandrake

Everything was recorded and processed on an iPad.

https://youtu.be/Px7VZuYnZeI

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 22 Feb 2021 3:50 pm

Very unique and quite enjoyable.

Thanks for posting that.

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 22 Feb 2021 8:51 pm

Lee Baucum wrote:Very unique and quite enjoyable.

Thanks for posting that.

Thanks! I try.....

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 23 Feb 2021 6:16 am

Pretty cool James. I get the spaghetti western vibe of the Eastwood movies.

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 23 Feb 2021 8:21 am

Thanks!

I'm curious if you noticed any pitch issues? It seemed like it was pitchy during the takes but by the time I was mixing it, I stopped noticing. I'm trying to figure out if I'm just that self-conscious during the tracking or if it just doesn't matter as much by the time you get the mix right.

Where I remember noticing it was during the long slides at the end of each "verse" in the second half of the piece, where I'm sliding a full Aminor triad on the bass strings. I always have issues when I try to play a full triad up the neck and usually choose to play two of the notes a chord so I can at least adjust with a slight bar slant.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 24 Feb 2021 12:55 pm

That's cool, James. This may be the first time those three instruments have played together on a recording. Original and interesting!

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 26 Feb 2021 9:43 am

Tucker Jackson wrote:That's cool, James. This may be the first time those three instruments have played together on a recording. Original and interesting!

Thanks Tucker! I hope you're doing well.

After unpacking the Emmons from storage, I used that coat-hanger oiling trick you showed me years ago. It's beat up but quiet and it stays in tune.

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 26 Feb 2021 12:21 pm

That Emmons is a wonderful guitar. Think long and hard if you ever decide to sell it. Then think longer...

James Mayer · Post by **James Mayer** » 26 Feb 2021 1:42 pm

I've thought about selling it several times when I was moving internationally and knew it would be in storage indefinitely. I couldn't ever sell it because it really does have a certain bite and ring to it that I'm not sure I can get with another PSG.

It plays well enough but there are a couple of issues like the fact that I can push the LKL sharp pretty easily or that the low F# (7th string) has a kind of sitar buzz sometimes because the changer is worn. That last one is pretty cool sounding though and it might be considered a feature if used right.

The eggshell blue is pretty ugly and I'd love to have it be black for these types of videos.

Eh, no steel is going to be perfect and this one has a tone I love.