UPDATE

A previous post sought answers about a small,  obviously old,  and definitely "re-touched"               photograph I had found in a nearby antique store.  While leafing through a copy of the Smithsonian,  I noticed a short piece on a very similar photo/frame combo.  It turns out that my photograph is an  ambrotype,  a popular form of portrait photography during the 1850's,  and whose name is derived from the Greek word "ambrotos" meaning "immortal".  This technique (glass negative rather than the metal ones used  in daguerreotypes) yielded a softer,  more flattering image.  Now if we could only figure out the strange additions to this photograph.

SENSA CERVELLO?

LOW ARCHITECTURE 5: PHANTOM BASS

Carrying on a tradition started in the Sixties by Vox in England and Elka in Italy,  Phantom Guitarworks of Oregon  produced the distinctive pentagonal-shaped instrument seen above. It boasts improved electronics and a wonderfully expressive whammy bar installed by local luthier Ed Clark.  This addition produces a fine vibrato,  as well as pitch changes,  much like the pitch wheel found on many keyboard synths.  Plus,  coupled with the hornless body and "paddle" headstock,  it looks very cool indeed.

BUCHLA FOR SALE AT CONTROL

My Buchla 18 space powered boat,  shipping case,  audio patch cables,  and various modules are now for sale at CONTROL in Brooklyn.  All are discounted and in excellent shape.  Call Jonas or Daren for details at (347) 699-2875.  

A FOLKTEK DOODLE

Presented for your visual delectation is a scribble included with one of my many orders from Folktek,  known primarily for their vast assortment of what may be called "noise generators".  Eccentric and unpredictable would certainly be an appropriate description of Folktek honcho Darius Blaze's approach to aural electricity.  I have no idea what his message here applies to.  As usual,  mysteries abound.

LOW ARCHITECTURE 4: Moses Vertical Jump Bass

By now,  I'm sure you all know that I'm attracted to modern design concepts rather than standard issue instruments,  and the above certainly fits into that area.  The "Vertical Jump"  bass,  also known as the Moses Graphite KP Series Upright Bass,  was designed by Steve Mosher  sometime in the Nineties.  It is nearly all neck,  and in this case,  a very stabile carbon fiber or graphite one.  Its real distinguishing feature is the long retractable horn that serves to balance the bass and to give the player a place to rest his right hand while playing. Its length also serves to extend the plucking zone for players with that disposition. While I'd prefer a 4-string model due to my rather small hands,  its beauty and utility are certainly not lost to me.

MY SYNTHI AKS at CONTROL

Daren Ho and I put my vintage EMS Synthi AKS through its paces at CONTROL in Brooklyn today. It sounded great,  but definitely needs at the very least some cleaning,  calibration,  and repair to the sequencer section.  CONTROL will be offering repairs through Mike Schmidt of Electronic Audio Services,  also out of Brooklyn.  Stay tuned for more info.  Photo courtesy Jonas Asher. 

DUH

THE PARTY OF EXCLUSIVENESS DOES IT AGAIN.  Could it be time to consider that rich, white males aren't the only ones the President is working for?

LOW ARCHITECTURE 3: Dammann Custom Bass

I suppose that,  as I've mentioned before, my reaction to nearly everything I come in contact with is based primarily on an object's physicality and yes,  "vibe".  Part of why I'm doing this blog is that it helps to organize my thoughts on some of those objects,  and come up with ways of seeing yet again.  The above instrument is another beautiful example of functional design,  where aesthetics meet new playing techniques.  Ralph Dammann of Dammann Custom Basses designed this bass to be played upright,  and in dong so,  produce less wrist strain, as well as expanded right hand technique.  The mahogany body's thick left side provides a built-in hand rest,  thus freeing the player's thumb from use as a pivot. And since most bassists do not use a pick,  all five fingers can be used,  much like a classical guitarist.  This bass is light weight, easy to play,  and a wonderful collision between Classical scrollwork and a modernist design mindset.  As Ralph Dammann would say,  "play Art".