From: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org (JMDL Digest) To: joni-digest@smoe.org Subject: JMDL Digest V2013 #1389 Reply-To: joni@smoe.org Sender: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-joni-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk Unsubscribe:mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe Website:http://jonimitchell.com JMDL Digest Monday, October 14 2013 Volume 2013 : Number 1389 ========== TOPICS and authors in this Digest: -------- Joni Guitar/Strings [simon@icu.com] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Oct 2013 23:24:13 -0400 From: simon@icu.com Subject: Joni Guitar/Strings c Karma wrote > Subject: re: Joni Guitar/strings > > I think this came from Simon's research. In 2003 Westwood Music > offered -3- of Joni's guitars for sale via auctions on eBay. Oh, I wouldn't necessarily call it research. But thankx anyway. c Karma continued > The following statement was included with the eBay item description: > > As Mitchell explored jazzier sounds in the late '70s, she turned to electric guitars. > From 1979 until the mid-'80s, she performed with five George Benson model Ibanez > guitars, which were set up by Joel Bernstein and Larry Cragg with a range of string > gauges to accommodate her tunings. > - - - - - > If so, it seems to indicate that her techs ... > > ** DID set up her guitars differently with different string gauges to accommodate different tunings. ** > > I wonder if this was done to facilitate ease of playing, control of sound, or to protect > the instrument from stresses for which they were not built. It would also be interesting > to know if they also had a few dreadnoughts similarly strung. Of course, since many of > us here like to investigate her tunings and guitar transcriptions...I'd bet our instruments > would appreciate the string gauge prescriptions for each tuning if they exist. > Anyone in a position to hit Joel or Larry with the question?CC Yes that IS the case. We're talking about Joni's Tours in 1979 and 1983. One year there were -5- "George Benson Model Ibanez Guitars". The other year there were -6-. And No, I don't know which year was which. Joel will have to check his notes. He didn't remember either the last time the subject came up. Each guitar was set up with different String Gauges for different tunings, or different families of tunings. The slackness of certain tunings, and their resonances, becomes an issue with electric guitars in a way that does not occur with acoustic guitars. THAT's what the multiple guitar set up is all about. - - - - - - The 'Sunburst Ibanez' purchased by Peter Carney had a SetList still taped to the body with two songs listed as "Sharon" and "Love". That guitar was made in 1982 meaning it was used on the 1983 World Tour for two songs "Song For Sharon" and "Love". JMDL member Anita's guitar was made in 1978 so was available for both Tours, 1978 and 1983. Each guitar had a number (1-5, or 1-6) on the back of the head so it was easy to identify, and give Joni the correct guitar depending on the next song, or group of songs. Any further information will have to come from Joel Bernstein. In 2006 a SongBook he was working on was published prematurely, without his knowledge or permission, AND before he had completed his work. THIS SongBook discontinued, deleted and withdrawn from sale. Check out the comment from JMDL member Randy Remote. There was supposed to be a detailed essay explaining how Joni's guitars were set-up, the string gauges, and various other aspects of her tunings and how/why some have changed over the years as her voice AND vocal style evolved. - - - - - - Apparently this SongBook may yet be revised, corrected and once again Published. andmoreagain, - - - - - - - - - - simonM ------------------------------ End of JMDL Digest V2013 #1389 ****************************** ------- To post messages to the list, sendtojoni@smoe.org. Unsubscribe by clicking here: mailto:joni-digest-request@smoe.org?body=unsubscribe -------