Gigging my TAG Crowdster...

[mojocaster]

...is a beautiful thing.

I don't even bother bringing another guitar, anymore. All I bring is the Crowdster, a Bose L1 PA and a TC Helicon Harmony G pedal.

These days, all my gigs are acoustic solo sets since I decided to stop doing the band thing. While I love being in a band, it had become a situation akin to hitting my head straight into the wall because I like it when I stop.

So the past 6 months or so, it's been acoustic solo gigs only for me. Better pay, full choice of material, and more than anything else, no longer worrying about the complete unreliability of the local musicians who may or may not show up, may or may not communicate like human beings, may or may not have a substance abuse problem, may or may not have rehearsed and be ready, etc...

So it's just me and the Crowdster, and no guitar I have ever gigged has gotten me more compliment, from its look to its tone. I gig three nights a week, and I have had 0 problem with the guitar. My singing, on the other hand... but that's a thread for another day.

The rig mentioned above is the simplest rig I have ever brought to a gig, but it's been one of the most consistent in terms of quality of tone. Bars love it, because they don't have to have a house PA or have a front of the room guy, I love it because it's one trip to the car and I'm done, and it sounds fantastic.

The TAG Crowdster is a wonderful instrument. Light, always in tune, fantastic plugged in acoustic tones, a perfect neck for barre chords without killing my hands - I suffer from severe arthritis in both hands and wrists. And it looks like a million bucks, what with the flamed Koa top. Heck, Jimmie Vaughan signed the back of the headstock, so clearly it now is imbued with the mojo that I could never provide :)

Simply put, I cannot imagine gigging without it.

Anyway, a pic:

http://mojocaster.com/photos/gigging/dmj2.jpg

[tom]

love to hear about that much happiness! not enough of that these days.
i'm with you on the hands not being what they used to be. mine have had a hard life with what i do everyday.
play it in good health.

[dplight]

Your story makes me look forward to gigging with my new crowdster. Even without the words, the smile on your face tells all. Yesterday was my first practice with the band with it. A lot of oohs and aahs from the band mates and it sounded great through a passive DI direct to the mixer.

[mojocaster]

Thanks guys.

Every so often, life kicks you in the man junk, and you gotta hang on to something. For me, it's been music and literature. I stopped playing live for years when I became a father and a busy professional.

2010 has been, by far, the worst year of my life, but the one positive I keep in my heart is the fact that I am back out there playing music, writing music, recording music, and sharing music. The friends I make along the way are people with whom I have little to nothing in common, except for a shared love of music. Those friendships are simply gold to me.

It doesn't matter that what talent I have is as limited a supply as it gets. What matters to me is the connection with some deep part of myself and others that music allows me to nurture.

This guitar has enabled me to go out there and express feelings, ideas and thoughts in a reliable, dependable way. And it's a pleasure to play, be it for 5 minutes around the house, or during a three-hour set at the local bar.

I have other guitars, but none that I would want to bring to a gig more than this one. I am fortunate after all :)

[marsodude]

What a great thread Mojo! You make me want to go get mine out of the case, pick it up and start playing!

[Pietro]

There are two other guitars I've acquired since I got mine and it remains my absolute favorite guitar I've ever owned or played.

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z209/Pietro_gtr/peter_guitar_web.jpg

It does U2-chime better than any of my electrics, too! GO figure that one out...

[wolf]

a 3 hour set ????

You Yanks work hard for your money :D

In the UK it's 2x45 min sets plus 2 song encore !!

beautiful guitar :D

[bud]

Great to hear of the joy of playing. The bose system is incredible. I can only imagine how great the Crowdster sounds through it and WOW, that guitar is a looker. Glad you are getting to play out, without the "headache" ;)

[Bradley]

Hello Friends, my Crowdster Plus just arrived. I bought off a great guy in Louisville and he shipped it up to me in the great white north. I live in Canmore Alberta near Banff National Park. What a guitar. I play it through a Fishman Loudbox Mini. Sounds great, can't put it down. My Collings and Grosh RC are both taking a well deserved rest. Am doing a little freebie for the seniors at our local hospital in Banff tonight. Will be playing it through a passive DI right to the board for a big gig on NYE. The build quality in this guitar is fantastic. Flamed tiger eye quilted maple (bound). Will get a pic up soon. Wish me luck with the old folks tonight.
best regards,
Bradley

[mojocaster]

Bradley, can't wait for the pics! :)

Wolf: I'm not a yank, I'm French ;) Though I do live in the US. And I sure enjoyed the times I spent in Swansea in the South of your beautiful country.

Pietro: that flame top is out of this world!

marsodude: by all means, go out and gig 'er out! :D

[tom]

anyone have any experience with the newer fishman skinny column amp? wondering what to take to namm for the crowdy.

[Pietro]

Hello Friends, my Crowdster Plus just arrived. I bought off a great guy in Louisville and he shipped it up to me in the great white north. I live in Canmore Alberta near Banff National Park. What a guitar. I play it through a Fishman Loudbox Mini. Sounds great, can't put it down. My Collings and Grosh RC are both taking a well deserved rest. Am doing a little freebie for the seniors at our local hospital in Banff tonight. Will be playing it through a passive DI right to the board for a big gig on NYE. The build quality in this guitar is fantastic. Flamed tiger eye quilted maple (bound). Will get a pic up soon. Wish me luck with the old folks tonight.
best regards,
Bradley

We'll be requiring photos, my friend!

[Pietro]

anyone have any experience with the newer fishman skinny column amp? wondering what to take to namm for the crowdy.

Tom, If it means anything, the Crowdster sounds better through the loudbox than any other acoustic amp I've used it through, so I'm guessing the "skinny" would be even better than that.

[tom]

we have had the loud box in years past and liked it fine. was hoping that getting the speaker up off the floor might help it get heard better.

[Pietro]

She's a beauty.

As much better as I like my Crowdster with the neck pickup, I think it looked way cooler with only one.

Alas, everything has a price...

[Bradley]

I am playing my Crowdie Plus with my Daughter. We are doing Swallow Tail Jig for her Christmas concert. She is playing the violin, Daddy on guitar. Can't put the durn thing down Tom. I have never been so pumped about a guitar and I have been through them all. Will get a pic up.
cheers,
BB

[tom]

so glad you're enjoying it! have had occasions in my life to play with my young kids too (when they weren't bigger than me)and it's pretty special.

[Briggs]

anyone have any experience with the newer fishman skinny column amp? wondering what to take to namm for the crowdy.

Hey Tom, I just bought one of the Fishman SA220's for the church and I am very impressed! My crowdy sounds great though it and it's nice to have it at ear level. It sounds more to me like it's coming through a much bigger sound system, especially when compared to just an amp.

[jdblackwell]

Tom,

Look at the FBT MA12. FRFR Full Range, flat Response.

[tom]

fishman is kind enough to loan us one for the namm show so we'll get an extended chance to listen to it under pretty bad conditions. if it sounds good there it will sound good anywhere.

[parker65]

I also play through a Fishman SA220. I love the way my Crowdster sounds and I'm very happy with it so far. We run into a mixer first and then out to the Fishman since two channels wasn't enough. We have two mics, two guitars and it works really well for us. And it is AWESOME not having to lug a heavier system and monitors around.

[mojocaster]

Had a gig last nigh in a new bar, brought the Crowdster. The Manager, who also is a guitar player, came over after my first set, couldn't wait to rave about the guitar, asking me a thousand questions about it, etc... can't say this is the first time, and can't say any other guitar I've owned has ever elicited this sort of reaction.

I played through the house PA - a Bose L2 w/ bass module and a ToneMatch unit - and one thing I noticed is that this guitar is "hot", as in people always have to dial down the volume/boost compared to Martins, Gibsons and Taylors that are plugged into their PA. Strong signal, clear as a bell, most people start looking for the *other* guitar player w the classic acoustic guitar when I start playing :)

[tom]

love that!

[mojocaster]

Me too, Tom.

You know, there's a French saying that, roughly translated, says that "a good worker always brings his tools". Well, when I go gigging and I have this guitar with me in the car, I know that I'm bringing the best tool in the trade that I can bring. It's quite a comforting thought... God knows I can use all the help I can get :cool: