19 Comments

Astounding detail. Thank you for perking our ears to a greater depth now when listening to Cousin.

Any footage of Tom “Yngwie” Schick ?

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I wish Carols Pub show would be released as a live show. 😃😃😃

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Did you know we put some of it up on youtube?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_lwLyjOjo4

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Please keep talking about this precious sound on Cousin!

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Thanks, Mark for the interesting backstory about the Roland Jazz Choras amp used on Cousin. I know it's Gear Talkin', but your point about that the artist's signature sound remains preeminent is well made. The Gear and the Axe are tools in the hands of the Master (JT)! Long may he Shred!

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Thanks for the deep dive, Mark. I love hearing about how the Roland was an integral part of the unique and new sound on Cousin. (Listening to it now with new ears!) By the way, I also noticed Jeff is playing different guitars on this tour. (Is that a 9-string??) Maybe a Gear Talkin’ about how the guitars shaped the sound? ☺️☮️

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Yes, the Vox 9 string! An actual original 60's model! And now Jeff has a 12 string Abernethy that was transformed into another 9 string for tour. A weird and super fun addition! Yes yes, more on those at some point! Thanks for the idea!

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Cousin does sound fabtatious, and I haven't even heard the entire disc yet!!!!

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Thanks Mark, always interesting to read your words, I have to wait till next year to hear the guys in Melbourne. I will now check out the JC with more interest. Please keep this info coming.

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"a twirling seasick sound" 😊

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So so good to hear you! Jeez Louise! “Good” transmogrified to “god” on my fast reply

Well....lol I’ll say it like I meant it...so so good to hear you. Sometimes I’m a little daft in gear talk, but I was wondering how the Cousins sound got so rich, deep and majestic. Kevin gave me those words! Thanks and let’s “keep holding our hearts closer together.”💜

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Omg thanks Mark! I remember the old JC 120! It was the bomb!

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God, these always make me so hungry.

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Wow Mark, thank you for this Gear Talk. Always love these! My buddy and I both saw the JC sitting there at the recent show we attended. It was hard to focus much on just that, what with the smorgasbord of different guitars shuttling back and forth to Jeff, Nels and Pat. An embarrassment of gear riches. The JC 120 was my first good amp and I still have the darn thing although it doesn’t get used enough anymore. That clean chorus sound is hard to beat and hard to miss.

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Mark, you along with Galactic elder Scott, should write a book. Immersive.

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My 18 year old daughter is a musician and has helped other friends/bands with production and live setups and so on. She’s always talking to me about stuff: “I ran the flankity whip through the skinkity doink instead of using scrabbidy bap and man did that sound awesome!” I just nod like I understand and say “oh, great idea” to mask my confusion. Maybe it’s time I start memorizing and regurgitating some stuff from Gear Talk so I can fake my way through a conversation with her. Probably shouldn’t... I think she’ll figure me out pretty quick.

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Wow, great post. Solid state amps are coming back, right? The great new ones are inducing players to try anew the old ones, like my fine teal-stripe Peavey Bandit, giggable tone for $180 plus tax from Guitar Center. I knew something was up on the album. And thank you for the apt Bun E. Carlos reference. What a great band.

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Always love and appreciate Gear Talk! 🎸💕

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