New Fingerpick Day!

It's New Fingerpick Day! That after 15 years of usage, no filing and still perfectly fine!

So today I tried a fingerpick from my new supply. They are narrower than before, which makes them difficult to mold in hot water. I re-mold them so that I am free to touch the strings directly for multiple harmonics, tapping, percussion, etc. Yes, I wear them "wrong" - I have done so for 35 years without regret :)

That said, several years ago I switched to using bare flesh. Initially, it took more effort to project notes and produce tone, but the benefits are truly astounding. Now many fast, single note lines are easier and far more defined than when using a thumbpick. The increased exertion also greatly improves technique. And with virtually no risk of damaging the guitar top, you extend the life of your Golden Era '45 ;) It is a wonderfully liberating experience, and I have no intention of ever reverting.

Still, I just had to try these new fingerpicks for old times' sake ;)

Laguna de Cuicocha

This is Laguna de Cuicocha, an inactive caldera situated at 10,070 feet above sea level, with the Cotacachi volcano overlooking at 16,220 feet. The lake is about fifteen minutes from the center of Cotacachi.

João Pedro Grácio Bandolim

Many years ago a man in his 90's honored me with a renowned João Pedro Grácio Portuguese bandolim that was made between 1920 and 1950. I recently featured this stunning instrument in a TraqFreq product movie that was shot at lakes, mountains and above the clouds in the Andes. Below are some photographs and a rough recording of this gorgeous bandolim!

1926 Hand-painted Royal Worcester China Set

Here is my rare and exquisite 58-piece Royal Worcester porcelain set, masterfully hand-painted by Ernest Phillips and Paul Stanley in 1926, the pinnacle of the Great Gatsby era. Each individual hand-painted bouquet of flowers is enveloped by an equally elaborate gold Renaissance revival rinceau pattern, fastidiously completed by a different Royal Worcester gold decorating artist.

Here is also a close-up video of this magnificent China:

Cotacachi Videos

Announcing two new Cotacachi videos!

More Cotacachi videos

Cotacachi, Jora 2015, Pregón de Fiesta

The Uher Tapes

I am currently digitizing the audio tapes my dad recorded with his two 1964 (my birth year) Uher 4000 Report-L recorders, one of which is displayed in the photo below. I also have his second 4000L and Uher Mix-5 mixer, all of which are in perfect working order. I used this equipment many times myself while growing up, including on one of my dad's albums. In addition to a long family history this Uher also has incredible German engineering, that distinctly warm analog sound, and a built-in speaker second to none!

Akai X-330

Here is a photo of the 1969 4-track Akai X-330 that was used by the infamous Cotacachi band, Rumba Habana (1949-1979), to produce their records. This recorder is now in one of two new rooms that were opened in their honor during an event which I had the privilege of attending today at the Cotacachi museum.

Cotacachi on flickr!

Introducing a new Cotacachi flickr group! Come see my wonderful hometown :)