So I was a jugde......

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:55 pm

in the Guitar Center Guitarmagedeon contest last night.
Pretty interesting. A couple really good players. One cat did a sweet Eric Johnson thing.

The legendary Dick Wagner was a judge, too. Always great to see him.
I may go back next Tuesday to judge again. There's 3 weeks of preliminaries, then the finals for that store, regionals and so on.

George

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 1:31 pm

George,
What Guitar Center was that held ?
Roseville?

Fritz

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:17 pm

How were you selected to be a judge?

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:37 pm

This was at the Saginaw, MI Guitar Center.

I was called when a judge was tied up and couldn't make it. They didn't say who it was.

Anyway, I'm pretty well known in the Michigan music scene, so I guess I qualified. I guess I'm entitled to something for having played with Kid Rock.

George

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 3:16 pm

Yeah damnit. Now its time for royalties for showing up on VH1 for 1.5 seconds. Right man! Ha ha

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 3:18 pm

That's what I'm talkin about!

Although, it more like.5 seconds. My split second of fame!!!

George

jkmcgrath · Post by **jkmcgrath** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 5:56 pm

VelvetGeorge wrote: I guess I'm entitled to something for having played with Kid Rock.

I allways liked the guitar work on Kid Rocks music. Big balls and nice and crunchy!

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Wed Mar 17, 2004 7:17 pm

Hey were there any blues cats there George? I've always remembered checking out a Guitarmageddon and there being a bunch of Steve Vai shredders. Yuck. Can you tell us some more info on how you judge them, possibly by what criteria???

Thanks

Post by **VelvetGeorge** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 4:16 am

Well, I judged the finals last night.
Shane: there were all shredders there. I have no idea why a sloppy rock guy like myself is qualified to judge those guys. But, there I was.

There were 3 (out of 6) finalists who really had exceptional technique. The difference became stage presence, originality and (not an official catagory, but paramount in my opinion) melody and natural tension and release over the course of the performance.

These are the things that really seperate the techinally great players from the true artists. I mean, anyone can learn to play fast and accurately. But to really express something, that is the key. Those performances where techinque becomes the vehicle of expresson are the ones that move me.
Otherwise, it just sounds like a practice exercise.

Other judges tonight included Dick Wagner, famous for playing the lead guitar parts on Train Kept A Rollin. And Larry McCray, national reknowned blues guitar player- and smokin I might add.
Of course, both of these guys will be trying out my plexi style amps real soon.

BUT..................................

My main reason for posting....................

For being a judge, I get to purchase one piece of gear at employee discount pricing. The best possible price available through GC.
I'm thinking I have to preorder one of those hand wired Marshalls that are coming out later this year.
I'd love to hear thoughts on this. In fact, if the general concensus was that I need to use this for a particular piece of gear, I'll honor it. Within reason of course. I'm not selling that many circuit boards!

So, forum members: what should I purchase? I'm at your mercy.

George

flemingmras · Post by **flemingmras** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 12:20 pm

I know I know! Purchase one of my special Spinal Tap Plexis...oh wait a minute GC's not selling those...yet...and you could build one if you wanted it that bad.

Oh wait...ah no they don't sell hookers either.

Oh wait...NOW I got it...purchase another Les Paul! Yeah that's it!

Jon

Country Boy Shane · Post by **Country Boy Shane** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 12:37 pm

I say buy some sweet ass drums. I know i would exersize my secondary instrumental needs!!

OnTheFritz · Post by **OnTheFritz** » Wed Apr 07, 2004 1:02 pm

FWIW, I think getting the HW 1959 would be a great idea, and at the lowest possible price, why not?
You could analyse the crap out of it, compare it to your stuff, and sell it for a probable profit. (or keep it for posterity)

Fritz