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Instruments and Equipment
Nowadays Jack performs exclusively on his custom 8-string acoustic guitar (built by
Jeff Traugott in Santa Cruz, CA--831-426-2313). His 8-string has one extra high string (usually tuned to A above high E) and one extra low string (usually tuned to A or B below low E) and includes a Novax fanned fret system which allows for a 27 3/4" scale length on the low string and a 23 3/4" scale length on the high string.
Jack's gig rig includes: two Schertler DYN-G dynamic transducer pickups and a Fishman Rare Earth magnetic pickup (custom wired to a 5 pin end-pin jack), a custom Pendulum Audio Preamp and power supply (that eliminates the need for batteries in the guitar),
a Behringer Feedback Destroyer Pro, a DBX Compressor, a Meyer UPM-2P powered monitor speaker, and an Acoustic Image Contra amp (for the bass frequencies).
Jack usually tunes his 8 string to AEADEADA, AEADGAEA, BEADF#BEA, BEADGBEA, or BEADF#AEA.
Jack plays everything "fingerstyle" without any picks (he gets acrylic manicures from Oriental Nail in Rockridge!). Jack's 8 string guitar work includes complex counterpoint bass and melody lines played simultaneously, unusual polyrhythms, and unique work with his pinky slide.
Jack ususally records with an AKG 414 placed vertically about 8" back from the bridge, a second mic about 8" back around the 12th fret, and the magnetic pickup EQ'd to tape to accent only bass frequencies. For detailed info on the Continuum recording session, see the feature story in the Electronic Musician,
December 1997 issue.
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