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Monday, January 25, 2010

Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top Review - Better than a Gibson Les Paul?

By R. S. Rasnick

Even guitarists who play "Guitar Hero" know that the Gibson Les Paul is a symbol of rock and roll might. However, guitar players from a diversity of genres (blues, rock, jazz, and country) have preferred the Les Paul for its power and versatility.

There's one downside, though, to having one of these prized parts of rock and roll history. These are not low-priced musical instruments.

A new Les Paul will cost well over $2,000, which is pretty darn expensive. So what are our options if we don't want to spend that kind of change?

How about the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus?

Even though it reads "Epiphone" on the headstock, the guitar sounds, feels, plays, and looks like a "real" Gibson Les Paul, just several hundred dollars cheaper. This made-in-Korea Les Paul model even sports Les Paul's signature on the headstock. But how does it compare to an American-made Gibson Les Paul?

We reviewed a transparent Blue Les Paul Standard Plus Top, and I have to say the guitar has one of the most pretty tops I've discovered in this cost range. The figuring is utterly gorgeous, and is marvelously complimented by its creme-colored binding and chrome hardware.

Suffice it to say, that that the Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top is one extremely engaging instrument.

When I first played the Epiphone, I couldn't help but equate it to my own Gibson Les Paul Standard. I have to say that I was really impressed with the Epiphone. The neck was fast easy to play, reminding me somewhat of a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard. It was faster in many ways than my own Les Paul, which was a nice surprise.

Though not as well done as my USA-made Gibson, the fretwork was real well done with the frets being smooth and nicely polished. Likewise, the rosewood fretboard felt very comfortable.

The Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus Top sports alnico classic pickups, which unquestionably capture the classic Les Paul Sound. All The Same, I prefer switching pickups in most of my stock guitars, and the Epiphone is really no exception.

I believe a Duncan JB and Jazz would sound wonderful in this guitar, but the substitutes would be more of a taste than a necessity.

The stock Epiphone pickups sound very nice as they are, and they just might suit your needs as is. I did observe some "squealing" at high volumes, but it wasn't that much of an bother.

The compromises in a model such as this guitar aren't readily manifest. Epiphone saves cash by having a veneer flame top glued to non-flamed maple. Likewise, where Gibson Les Paul Standard bodies are made from a single mahogany slab, the Epiphone mahogany body is laminated, as is the neck.

The plus side to the cutting costs with this guitar, though, is that the Epiphone Les Paul will actually weigh far less than a similarly appointed Gibson, which anyone who plays with a Les Paul can prize. Overall, we think this instrument is a solid instrument for the cost and one that could bring you much playing delight for years to come. - 18762

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Unusually Remarkable Movies For Your Amusement Fun

By Tammie Orr

Below are some of the greatest movies of all time. If you wish to watch a wonderful movie tonight, you will find information on some of the greatest movies you may have never heard of. Check them out. Bear in mind you can download them just about right away to your own computer in the coziness of your own residence.

Cop Land - Freddy Hanlin is the Sheriff of Garrison New Jersey, a small town not too far from New York City. Freddy always wished to be a New York City policeman, but he is somewhat deaf, so he never could. When internal investigator Mo Tilden shows up in town to look into likely police corruption, Freddie takes up the cause and begins to help out. Freddie is about to learn that the men he has always idolized might be doing some very dreadful things.

Sugar Town - Entertaining variety of LA life characterizing a handful of characters whose lives unite - a musician wannabe who'll do anything to get ahead, an uptight lone woman who allures the inappropriate men like a magnet, and a band made up of cleaned-up '80s rock stars, to name a few. Made on a shoestring, although intelligent and well recognized; excellent cast comprises a variety of actual musicians. Cast includes Ally Sheedy, Rosanna Arquette, John Taylor, Jade Gordon, Michael Des Barres, Lucinda Jenney, and Martin Kemp. 92 minutes, 1999.

Thunderheart - There have been a number of killings on the Sioux Indian Reservation. The FBI goes in to sort out the situation. One agent, Ray Levoi, has Sioux blood. As he investigates the case he soon finds out there is much more going on than some arbitrary killings.

Belles on Their Toes - Here, Myrna Loy plays a widowed architect who will fight to rear her aging brood. 20th Century Fox back lot seen at its best in recreating early 1900s America. Clifton Webb makes a concise appearance at the end. Cast includes Myrna Loy, Jeanne Crain, Debra Paget, Jeffrey Hunter, Edward Arnold, Hoagy Carmichael, Barbara Bates, Robert Arthur, Verna Felton, and Martin Milner. 89 minutes, 1952.

Uncle Buck - Cindy Russell must pay a visit to her ill father. Her single option for someone to look after her children is good old Uncle Buck. Reckless Buck has to somehow pull himself together and take care of the kids for a couple of days.

Hootenanny Hoot - Unsurprising comedy about college hootenanny show carried to TV is made tolerable only by presence of Money and other nation/people actors. This is one of Sam Katzman's "normal" low-budget films. Cast includes Gene Nelson, Peter Breck, Joby Baker, Rita Lee, Pam Austin, Johnny Money, Sheb Wooley, The Brothers 4, and Judy Henske. 103 minutes, 1973.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Here is a romantic comedy set in a picturesque resort in Hawaii. After being dumped by his girlfriend Sarah, he at last decides to go to Hawaii to get over the loss. Unfortunately, when he goes to check in at the resort, the first person he sees is Sarah, and of course her new boyfriend.

Faces - Extremely personal drama in regards to numerous infidelities is one of the few Cassel movies to become a big hit. Here's a commanding motion picture with awesome action, particularly by Carlin and Cassel. Cast includes John Marley, Gena Rowlands, Lynn Carlin, Seymour Cassel, Fred Draper, and Val Avery. 130 minutes, 1968. - 18762

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Extraordinarily Great Flicks For Your Entertainment Delight

By Kristine Mcknight

Excellent information about some of the most magnificent films that you may have never heard of is right here. Take pleasure in this list of films that are "oldies but goodies". Bear in mind that you can download any of them you choose directly to your own computer in the convenience of your own house.

Faces - Very personal drama in regards to plentiful infidelities is one of the few Cassel films to become a big hit. Here's a powerful movie with remarkable action, particularly by Carlin and Cassel. Cast includes John Marley, Gena Rowlands, Lynn Carlin, Seymour Cassel, Fred Draper, and Val Avery. 130 minutes, 1968.

Sugar Town - Enjoyable variety of LA life characterizing a handful of characters whose lives unite - a musician hopeful who will do anything to get ahead, an uptight lone woman who allures the wrong men like a magnet, and a band made up of cleaned-up '80s rock stars, to name a few. Made on a shoestring, although astute and well recognized; tremendous cast comprises a variety of real life musicians. Cast includes Ally Sheedy, Rosanna Arquette, John Taylor, Jade Gordon, Michael Des Barres, Lucinda Jenney, and Martin Kemp. 92 minutes, 1999.

Black like Me - Vigorous drama based on authentic history of a journalist who took drugs that allowed him to pass for black so he might experience racial prejudice first hand. Some facets of presentation are outdated, although subjects are still important. Cast includes James Whitmore, Roscoe Lee Browne, Lenka Petersen, Sorrell Booke, Will Geer, Al Freeman, and Raymond Jacques. 107 minutes, 1964.

In God We Trust - Uninformed friar Feldman takes off to L.A. to get money for his monastery. This motion picture is a comedy that is sadly not funny starring Richard Pryor, who plays God. Cast includes Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Louise Lasser, Richard Pryor, Andy Kaufman, Wilfrid Hyde-White, and Severn Darden. 97 minutes, 1984.

Internal Affairs - Youthful policeman Raymond Avila works in the Internal Affairs Department of the LAPD. He and his partner see something suspicious with Dennis Peck. His financial situation is much stronger than expected on a police officer's wages. As soon as Peck is conscious of the investigation, he turns his attention away from his crooked dealings to concentrate on Avila.

Uncle Buck - Cindy Russell has to go to see her ill father. Her lone alternative for someone to watch over her kids is good old Uncle Buck. Reckless Buck has to somehow pull himself together and take care of the youngsters for a couple of days.

Hootenanny Hoot - Unsurprising comedy about college hootenanny show carried to Television is made bearable only by presence of Money and other nation/people actors. This is one of Sam Katzman's "usual" low-budget motion pictures. Cast includes Gene Nelson, Peter Breck, Joby Baker, Rita Lee, Pam Austin, Johnny Money, Sheb Wooley, The Brothers 4, and Judy Henske. 103 minutes, 1973.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall - Here is a romantic comedy set in a picturesque resort in Hawaii. After being dumped by his girlfriend Sarah, he finally decides to go to Hawaii to get over the loss. Unfortunately, when he goes to check in at the resort, the first person he sees is Sarah, and of course her new boyfriend. - 18762

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Getting The Best Guitar Sound Effects

By Jarvis D. Burris

You just might have someone close to you who knows how to play the guitar very well. This could be a brother, a sister, an uncle, an, aunt, even your mother and your father, plus dozens of close friends who can impress anyone with his or her fast fingers all over the instrument. And that person just might already have close to everything when it comes to enhancing the music the guitar generates.

So, what can you get that person for him to have more guitar sound effects? Aside from the amplifier, what else can be done to get guitar sound effects? Before we go into that, it is important to understand the concept behind guitar sound effects. You see, guitar sounds are produced with the use of electrical signals. These signals are then manipulated and processed using particular methods and instruments. Special instruments, such as pedals, are used to modify the sound generated by the instrument. These modified sounds are then the guitar sound effects that are produced. The process here is that the guitar first produces a particular sound. This sound is taken by a particular instrument or sound device. The sound device then processes and modifies the sound, then sends it off to the speakers. The speakers then blast out the modified guitar sound effects.

So, what are you able to get for that close person to have the required guitar sound effects? As discussed already, pedals make great instruments for generating guitar sound effects. Effects pedals often come with a large amount of options that you can try. The convenience here is that you may use your foot to change the settings of the pedal to gain the guitar sound effects that you need. Some pedals have a lot of channels that produce varying sounds. The favored pedal that gives such guitar sound effects is the Line six PODSX Live Pedal. Others just come with a single pedal. To change it on for the guitar sound effects, you have to step on it.

You may additionally want to take a look into effects processors. This device takes the electric signal then changes it, just about like the pedal. But the processor can be hooked to a P. C., so revealing options for guitar sound effects. With this option, you can experiment with the different guitar sound effects the device is capable of giving. Express your feelings thru the tune by employing the acceptable guitar effect. Well-liked makes of effects processors include Yamaha, Manager , and ToneWorks.

To select which processor to get, flick through the effects they give, and match them with your own preferences and wants. - 18762

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Find Out About An MP3 Player

By David Morris

Time to release your music on an MP3 player which are also known as MP4 players. The clever random mode on an MP3 player shuffles up your songs, playing them randomly. You can also store all your songs on a player small enough to fit in your pocket. But where does your MP3 player hold all your music?

The first iPods, which made MP3 players popular worldwide, had inbuilt hard drive to store music. Hard drives give an MP3 player lots of memory to store files. For example both Apple and Archos have MP3 players with hard drives that have 160GB capacity. MP3 players that use hard drives are much heavier, more bulky and also use more energy than those that don't.

Newer MP3 players use flash memory, in fact almost all MP3 players made now are fitted with internal flash memory. They can often hold an additional SD memory card to increase the overall player storage capacity.

Both manufactures and consumers have found benefits with flash memory based MP3 players. As a flash memory chip is very small compared to a hard drive, it means that manufactures can create very small MP3 players. Flash memory also uses considerably less energy, and so there are big improvements in battery life.

Flash memory does have it's constraints. Mainly that that the memory capacity is much less than a hard drive. Flash memory usually comes in 8GB and 16GB sizes, which is much smaller than a 160GB player from Apple. Also, additional flash memory cards to add to your MP3 player can be expensive.

Did you know that you use your MP3 player for more than just music. MP3 player now come with color screens. This means you can watch videos and movies, as well as look at pictures. Screen sizes vary, typical small sizes are 1.8 inch while the larger sizes can be 4.3 inch and 5 inch. Interestingly enough, Apple's Ipod Touch has a relatively modest 3.5" display. The bigger the screen the more you will enjoy watching movies, and the larger screens are often in 16:9 ratio too. - 18762

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