Author Topic: Cornish Pedalboard (Read 235 times)

jalevinemd · « **on:** December 07, 2006, 01:25:26 PM »

A little more than a year ago, I spoke with Pete Cornish about a custom pedalboard as a present to myself for my 40th birthday Then nearly 2 years away). Unfortunately at the time, he was starting something for David Gilmour and Pete Townshend was next in line. Plus, I had wanted another Alembic for the big 40. Needless to say, I kind of forgot about the pedalboard. Nevertheless, my son's guitar is still in the build phase, probably to be ready by my b-day in the fall. So commissioning another Alembic for my 40th makes no sense at all.

Lately the desire for a custom pedalboard has re-surfaced. I spoke with Mr. cornish for about an hour today and have decided to get the ball rolling on one of his boards. Over the past year, he's been of considerable help steering me towards certain pedals to incorporate in the final design.

He's a true gentleman. As I mentioned previously, despite his lofty list of clients, he takes time out of his busy schedule to chat with people like myself. Today we were speaking while both simultaneoiusly surfing ebay for certain pedals...

hey did you see item number yada yada yada?
that looks like a good one.
should I bid?

It was quite a lot of fun!

It will be a long time before the project is realized, though from working with Alembic, I've learned that quality takes time and no one does their best with threats of deadlines. Until it becomes a matter of life and death, I'll simply bide my time, knowing full well that I'll never have it by my 40th.

I have a difficult time justifying the expense to myself and have already begun putting a bit aside. I guess after years of putting other's needs before mine, I just decided to do something utterly selfish. And once the Jewish guilt passes, I'm sure I'll be able to enjoy it. I'll post updates once things get started.

lbpesq · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:06:28 PM »

Jonathan:

Sounds cool. Do you have to round up the pedals and supply them on top of paying roughly the equivalent of the GNP of a medium-sized country? So whatcha gonna get? And don't let the guilt get you down.

For the benefit of the yiddish impaired out there, here is an illustration of classic Jewish guilt:

How many Jewish mothers does it take to change a light bulb?

None. Don't worry, I'll sit in the dark.

Bill, tgo, fbmb

(former Bar Mitzvah boy

jalevinemd · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2006, 02:14:15 PM »

Bill,

Yes I have to round up the pedals and then cough up a small fortune to have them strung together! Not only that, but I've wasted hundreds on pedals that won't even make the final cut.

After several years of experimenting, here's the final line up, several of which were recommended by Pete:

Electric Mistress Flanger (vintage, mint)
Boss DD-2 Delay (vintage, mint)
Boss CE-2 chorus (vintage mint)
MXR Phase 90
Frantone Sweet Fuzz
Fulltone OCD Overdrive
EH Metal Muff Distortion
Demeter Opto-Compulator
Cornish NB-2 Linear Boost
Boss TU-12 Tuner

lbpesq · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2006, 04:09:41 PM »

Jonathan:

I have to say that I am absolutely flabbergasted that given the incredible expense of these vintage mint pedals, (is the MXR required to be original also, or a re-issue? I've heard the re-issues aren't nearly as nice as the old ones), let alone the dowry for Pete, after all is said and done, you're dropping a Boss TU-12 into this! I've had a couple of TU-12s for many years - they are certainly a worthwhile sturdy cheapo tuner. However, in this set up, it seems to me to be akin to getting a Ferrari with all the bells and whistles, and then putting in a Radio Shack am/fm/cassette for the sound system! I went from the TU-12 to the more recent TU-2 stompbox tuner. I liked it because I could put it on my board and it had more options to set it for my personal tastes. I had no complaints until last May when we played Cannabis Freedom Day in front of San Francisco City Hall. My tuner was useless in the bright sunlight. The other guitar player had a Peterson VS-1 virtual strobe tuner that could still be seen in the daylight. I borrowed it, then went out and got me one. I never use the Boss or any other tuner anymore. Once you use the Peterson you realize two things:

1. The Perterson is incredibly accurate, and

2. All the other tuners only get you in the ball park.

My Boss is still on my baord as I've been waiting to finalize some changes before I pull it (like adding the Twin Tube in place of the Tubescreamer). Even so, I'd rather schlepp the Peterson and be REALLY IN TUNE than rely on the mere approximation offered by the Boss. The VS-1 is no longer being made. It's replaced by the V-SAM - same thing with more functions that I don't need, and another model, the StroboFlip that appears smaller and more convenient - it even has a bracket to mount it on the mike stand. They also make the StroboStomp. If Pete could mount this one in the board it would be the ultimate. Either way, you might want to check out the Petersons before you commit an obscene pile of cash to the TU-12.

Bill, tgo

jalevinemd · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2006, 05:11:44 PM »

Bill,

You make an excellent point. Why invest so much in the ultimate tone if I'm going to be out of tune. I didn't really get into it with Pete as to why he uses the TU-12. He did, however, say that despite still being a digital tuner, it's very close to being analog. He may make some mods on it before installation, I don't know. I will definitely ask him about that and the Petersons.

Regards,

Jonathan

valvil · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:44:44 PM »

I'm with Bill, can't go wrong with a Peterson, Jonathan.
Expensive but worth every penny.

Valentino

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 07, 2006, 07:48:17 PM »

Do ask - the best rackmount tuners (in common with a $30 IntelliTuner that clamps on your headstock - I don't know about stompbox tuners) are accurate to within 1 cent. The Peterson VS models, in common with an actual strobe, are good to 1/10 of a cent. Especially if you do your own setups, it's the way to go.

Peter (who used to earn his living tuning guitars)

811952 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 07, 2006, 08:05:05 PM »

+1 on the Peterson...

jazzyvee · « **Reply #8 on:** December 07, 2006, 11:52:58 PM »

Hmm I'll have to check those Peterson tuners out.
Jazzyvee

jacko · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2006, 01:59:47 AM »

They're almost as expensive as a new Alembic Jazzy.
FWIW I have the Korg DTR2000 in my rack and it's pretty accurate, even on the low B. Sorry, I know this is a thread for thin stringers ;-)

Graeme

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:04:22 AM »

According to Korg's website, the DTR2000 is accurate to 1 cent, and Musician's Friend will sell you one for a hair under $260. A Peterson R490, the rackmount version of their actual strobe, is almost $500, but the VS models are under $250. So, for a little less money, you get 10 times the accuracy. Easy call in my book. (OK, the Korg does look a lot cooler than the the VS, but still....)

Peter

jacko · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:09:36 AM »

I'd have preferred a peterson rackmount but couldn't afford it. As I play without my specs, a stomp box would be no good as I can't see the floor standing up;-) I also tried the behringer rackmount but it wouldn't tune the B string at all.

Graeme

lbpesq · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:18:05 AM »

Graeme:

Check out the Peterson StroboFlip I mentioned above. With the mike stand bracket it's right there. I set up my VS-1 on top of my rig. It has a nice solid fold-out stand. Then I use it just like I would if it was in the rack.

Bill, tgo

jacko · « **Reply #13 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:20:08 AM »

Oh Man, does that mean I'd have to sing?

Graeme (the mute one)

kmh364 · « **Reply #14 on:** December 08, 2006, 07:25:03 AM »

Jon:

Congrats! I'm very jealous! Pete Cornish's stuff is the best, but incredibly pricey. I've wanted one for years, but couldn't bring myself to spend more than the price of a custom Alembic on one. I didn't realize that you have to supply the stompboxes...none of the PC customers I had a dialogue with mentioned that tiny tidbit.

FWIW, I'm also a Peterson devotee. I have the V-SAM virtual strobe. IT wasn't real cheap, but it works great...much more accurate than a std. tuner, analogue or digital. I've had two analogue Korg's I've used since the early 80's that I dug, but the Peterson is much better. Personally, as a student of the guitar, I find the additional features of the V-SAM valuable. It has a very useful and customizeable metronome, and the tone generator is useful for tuning acoustic instruments and/or ear training...this thing will tune ANYTHING: it's designed for school band departments.

FWIW, despite the hight price, they're not US-made, nor are they very durable. They come with a blue Fluke-style rubber protective sleeve because the unit itself is made of cheap plastic. I had a speaker (cheap, PC-mount type) fail and replaced under warrantee after only a few months of ownership (it's used for the tone generator and metronome functions). Other than taking it to my lesson a couple of times, it's never been out of the house, nor has it been dropped or manhandles in any way, yet it still failed. Physical protection/durability shouldn't be too much of an issue if Pete mounts it in one of his massive wooden-constructed pedalboards, however.

Cheers,

Kevin