Penworks Blog

Still Here

Pen Lister webmaster@penworks.co.uk — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:34:13 +0100

Well, Im still here
That means, I haven’t moved to the groovy new pad. My dream condo in gangsterland Barking did not materialise, and I am still stuck in darkest Essex.
But hey, it ain’t so bad. The people are cool, and East London is definitely cooler than West London these days. so, why fight it?
Other news, Gretsch is at the doctor getting new frets and new fittings. Possibly joining s new group, for the *sociable* action, not the star quality. Still at LonMet, digging out a future. All in all, surviving and enjoying the fight.

Alright?

Is this my new home?

Pen Lister webmaster@penworks.co.uk — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:39:57 +0200

A flat: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom (power shower, bath, tiles, ceramic floor tiles, mirror, 2 flush toilet), 1 large living area (laminate flooring, balcony, floor to ceiling glass doors), kitchen (ceramic floor, gas hob, electric oven, washer drier, fridge freezer, trendy lights, fitted cupboards and worktops, wall tiles), gas central heating and hot water, fitted carpets to bedrooms and hall, double glazing, thick wooden doors throughout. Whew, is that all? No, fitted carpets to all public areas of the block, trendy lift, trendy windows and lights everywhere.
This is the modern world. And I am ready for it. Have a look here

The Future looks OK

Pen Lister webmaster@penworks.co.uk — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 19:38:18 +0100

I thought things may turn out slightly different to how they have.
I thought maybe things might be worse, even.
I thought a lot of things, most of which turned out to be fantasy.
I thought I might be in a rock group.
I thought I might be in a new flat by now.
I thought I might earn less than I have, and be hard pressed to survive.

But then I woke up. And I was back at my desk. Just thinking, and working, and planning ahead.

Am I still able to rOcK?

Pen Lister webmaster@penworks.co.uk — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:46:55 +0100

That IS the question. I was asked recently to try out for vocals in a heavy rock band. As in, front the group. As in, a VERY heavy rOcK band. (Think Korn/Tool etc.)

Is it possible? Of course. Should I do it? Not sure, want to, but should I?

Naturally, it all depends on ideas and sheer charisma. I liked them, I think they liked me. Now what? we wait and see.

My Guitars, All of Them and All of Me

Pen Lister webmaster@penworks.co.uk — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:03:12 +0100

I have recently restrung my Gibson - an LG1 perfect creation, and it now sounds fabulous again. I use 12-53, phosphor bronze D’Addarios, great strings for this weight.

The next one to do is the Takamine - a single cut away £1000 job from about ‘95. Really nice blond maple finish, with rosewood fretboard and simple inlay. Electro Acoustic, so it plugs in and sounds great, as well as being good acoustically. I use the same weight D’Addarios on this one too.

After that comes the Gretsch, 10’s (Rotosound?). A Broadcaster model, dark sunburst, f-hole thin/wide body, great condition, no wammy bar, about 25 years young. Incredible perfect guitar for my electric needs. Soul and fire, as they say.

Then I have a 12 string, Fender Shenandoah. Made famous by the Kinks, this one is at least 30 years old, in great nick. The steel truss rod through the whole body is the special characteristic with this one, so strumming sounds just like ‘America’ or thin paper shuffling, totally magic in my opinion. (There is also a 6 string model that makes a a matching pair, Ive yet to find one…)

Lastly, the small custom spanish job, nearly 50 years old, Austrian, hand made. I use gut D’Addario or similar, light to medium gauge. It sounds, to me, exactly the way a spanish should sound, earthy and simple. Clean, precise with good tuning up and down the neck, I regularly detune/retune and never have any problems with it.

That’s it then - them and me, we come as a package.

(This was originally posted on Facebook, in Nov 2007.)