Equipment

Obviously, I'm using an acoustic guitar and a microphone, but there are other things going on as well. "How do you get those vocal harmonies?" "Is that a saxophone I hear ?" The mighty Oz in trying to conceal his secrets suggested not to pay attention to the little man behind the curtain. I, unlike Oz, am prepared to show you my little man.

Vocals

I use a Shure Vocal Artist Headset system. It consists of three parts: the headset mic, a transmitter that I wear on my clothes, and a receiver that I keep in a rack by my mixer. This allows me to leave the protective bubble of the stage and wander freely with the proletariat where we can mutually infect each others minds. Thanks, Shure.

For those elusive harmonies, I use the Digitech Vocalist Performer. With a couple of programming jabs before each song I can let you in on the voices inside my head. I can control when these "backup singers" sing with a footswitch. (this piece is currently out of commission)

Guitar

I play a Washburn acoustic-electric model 17SCE that is no longer made. If you would like to see their present selection of acoustics, check out the Washburn site. I souped it up with a Fishman Prefix Plus preamp, a sound device that installs into the side of the guitar that creates a better electronic translation of what the acoustic is saying. It's the size of a TV remote but costs almost as much as the guitar.

I also can be wireless on my guitar using a Samson Wireless System . Once again, the system I am using has been retired but you can check out their current line of products and insert your favorite dinosaur joke here.

Guitar Tricks

Here's the cool stuff. I am using a Boomerang Plus Phrase Sampler. I can digitally record what I play and save it for later in the song or run it in a continuous loop. While it plays back, I can solo over it or even layer in extra pads of sound.

In tandem, I have a Roland GR-33 Guitar Synthesizer. This gives me access to over 350 sounds for soloing or layering in the sampled loops. Violin, Flute, Sitar, steel drums, you name it. I can even trigger applause when I'm feeling lonely.

P.A. System

I see this system everywhere. And why not - it's powerful, diversified, inexpensive and user friendly. (and apparently not above me kissing it's butt.) It's the Mackie 808M PPM Series powered mixer. Separate 600 watt main and monitor mixes and 8 band eq's, 8 channels, digital effects, and very good tech support that will do anything for you including a group hug. I get no commissions from these folks, I just really like their product.

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