My Desert Rose

I've been playing the Desert Rose S-8 for about a month now, and I've pretty much finalized the D6/G copedent. I love it! I can go from E9th country styles to C6th swing styles just by moving my foot to the right.

   LKL LKV LKR  P1  P2  P3  P4  P5  RKL RKR
F#         +G       +G
D  +D# +E                   +E      -C#
B                           +C#         +C
A               +B      -G#
F#         -F       +G
D  +D# +E                       +D#
B                                       +C
G               +A      -E      -F# 

P1 and P2 work like E9th A&B transposed down a step from E to D. The vertical LKV is sort of like the E9th C pedal. LKL is like the E9th F lever.

LKR, P3, P4, P5 and RKL are all standard C6th changes transposed up a step from C to D. LKL is like the C to C# lever, and RKR is like the A to Bb lever.

Here's a western swing tune of mine from a Burnside Scramblers rehearsal: Sagebrush Shuffle

Mr. Music Birthday Bash

My friend Mr. Music threw a birthday party for himself and everyone else who turns 60 this year. I got to play with 3 different bands: The Country All-Stars, Shannon Rider, and Band'O'Geezers. Here's a picture of the All-Stars, taken by Scott Shewbridge:


Brad Cox captured the birthday cake ceremony on video:



I got to see a lot of old friends. It was a great party!

A tweak from experience

I've been fooling with the 8-string copedent on the back neck of my Williams. I discovered that the B to A lower doesn't sound at all like at A to B raise, and the raise is that "country sound". Here's the update:

   LKL LKV LKR  P1  P2  P3  P4  P5  RKL RKR
F#                                  +G  +G
D  +D# -C#          +E      +E
B          +C               +C#
A               +B      -G#
F#                                  -F  +G
D  +D#              +E          +D#
B          +C   -A
G                       -E      -F# 

Chuck's still building the guitar. It's been 4 months since I ordered it.