Solo of the Month (SotM) #89 - Challenge

stratman3142

This is the 89th solo of the Month (SotM) Challenge.

The challenge is now open and ends at midnight 24th December 2022

Discussion:

This backing track was kindly provided by @flying_pie

You can download backing track from Soundcloud below:

https://soundcloud.com/thefretboard/sotm89-flying-pie-freely-rockin-in-the-world?si=6d17b04cc2e446658c4638e5d74cfd99&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Record your solo over the top of it and then submit it (ideally in mp3 format) to solos@theFB.co.uk

Also, feel free to comment on how you approached the solo, which will add a bit more interest and maybe we can learn something from each other.

Title: Freely Rockin In The World

Tempo: 132 bpm

Chords:

A x 4

Em I  D C I x 8

G  I D  I C  I Em (D) I x 2

Finish on A

There should be headroom to record your solo. Try to set a level without excessive master limiting, because we want to avoid loudness wars.

Voting will start soon after the submission deadline, with each voter selecting their 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

First choice gets 5 points - Second choice gets 3 points - Third choice gets 1 point

The order and scores of the top three entries will be announced soon after the voting ends.

No prizes. It's just for fun.

As people submit their entries, I'll post them below to hopefully promote some discussion on approaches used for the solo:

https://soundcloud.com/thefretboard/sets/sotm89-2022-12?si=81133ecdec78432e8637aa4992656e66&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

stratman3142

Mine's in the playlist.

That's one so far. Is everyone else out Christmas shopping?

fastonebaz

I just keep accidentally playing the original.  I think I need to crack open the Christmas absinthe for creativity. 

flying_pie

fastonebaz said:

I just keep accidentally playing the original.  I think I need to crack open the Christmas absinthe for creativity. 

The original? I'll have you know that this is a completely unique composition...

I'll hopefully get something soon. Just been crazily busy at work and watching football has been more tempting than recording guitar. I've not even done my Christmas shopping yet.

maharg101

Incoming

Strat bridge > Mooer Orange 90 > Nobels ODR-1 > Big Knob TS > Valvepower 18 watt > Ox with some compression, delay, and reverb.

Great backing track @flying_pie - I just jammed with the track on repeat about 4-5 times to warm up, then went for it, so pretty much improvised with no fixed idea other than hitting the changes at the right time. I hadn't played much for a few months, so it was really cathartic to get something done.

By the by, I've just realised that the strings on that strat are over 5 years old, I really must change them !!

stratman3142

maharg101 said:

Incoming

It's in the playlist.

flying_pie

Sent

As the inspiration for this track is a song which legally requires at least 17 guitarists on stage to play it I decided to do two separate solos. The first is not at all melodic and was recorded with a cream bound, black singlecut guitar with dirty fuzz. The second was an attempt at the melodic guitarist taking over and is the first time I've used my USA Std Tele in ages

All noodling is brought to you by Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cab Shiraz

stratman3142

flying_pie said:

Sent

Received and in the playlist.

stratman3142

The specs for mine are:

Ibanez AZ2204 guitar (as usual) on bridge pickup

Helix Native (as usual) using the following blocks

  Dist: Hedgehog D9

  A+C: US Princess with 1x10 US Princess CAB

  Verb: Dynamic Room

  Delay: Cosmos Echo

Then ReaEQ to roll off some low end and give a slight lift around 3.5K

fastonebaz

Sent one in.

Had a couple hours free this evening so managed to get one done.  My approach was lots of composed harmonies and so ended up with 17 tracks.

Charvel San Dimas Pro Mod Neck Pickup throughout

stratman3142

fastonebaz said:

Sent one in.

It's in the playlist. A couple of phrases at the beginning bear a passing resemblance to mine - but then all similarities end.

fastonebaz

stratman3142 said:

fastonebaz said:

Sent one in.

It's in the playlist. A couple of phrases at the beginning bear a passing resemblance to mine - but then all similarities end.

I didn't listen to any others before having a crack at mine, i rarely do in fact. I did hear something on planet Rock the other day which inspired me though, I think it might have been by Jeff Beck but I didn't catch the band or track name. Dammit. It was amazing.

stratman3142

Just 2 more days to go.

Entry closes at midnight 24th December 2022.

mudslide73

Mine's sent, I can't remember why I chose this as a title. I recorded it a few weeks back to "get one in the bank" with the intention of doing another one.. sadly, I've run out of time.

The specs for mine are (as you can see I've nicked @stratman3142 s Helix preset presentation layout ).

Charvel Pro Mod San Dimas on the bridge pickup (SD JB)

Helix Native with these blocks

Compressor: Deluxe Comp.
Amp: Solo Lead with a couple of eq tweaks
Cabs: Uber and Blackback 4x12s in dual cab mode with no cab delay.
Delay: Stereo Transistor Tape.
Reverb: Stereo Dynamic Ambience on 12m2 setting.

Then a Waves Puigtec EQ on the "clear string plucks" preset.

stratman3142

mudslide73 said:

Mine's sent...

It's in the playlist.

stratman3142

Entry closes tomorrow at midnight 24th December 2022.

stratman3142

Entry closes tonight at midnight.

digitalkettle

Damn...ran out of time this month!

stratman3142

digitalkettle said:

Damn...ran out of time this month!

That's a pity. You could submit one during the voting period, if you want to take the risk of losing votes from those that have already voted.

 Entry closed, apart from any stragglers  

Merry Xmas.