Robert Fripp's Diary for Friday, 13th June 2008

Robert Fripp's Diary

	Friday, 13th June 2008

08.06

DGM HQ.

When we die, clearly, our state changes; but not our station. That is, we remain where we are. “”The kingdom of heaven is within: so, when we die & “go to heaven”, the exterior falls away and we are, where we are.

This is quietly terrifying.

Oh no! It’s Friday the Thirteenth at DGM HQ...

The good news: today is Uncle Bill’s birthday: Uncle Bill is 94.

10.12 Guitars! Guitars for sale!

Q. What does a working player do when they need money, perhaps because large amounts of royalties have been unpaid, perhaps because their company has a large loan to be redeemed, perhaps because a new roof is needed on their home?

A. They sell their instruments!

Well, that’s one possible solution, one with precedence in my own life.

In early 1991, when a sound system was needed for the RF & The LCG tour of Italy & yes, there was a problem paying royalties (to quote SG Alder Esq. in conversation with David Singleton at an industry seminar in the late 1990s and my income stream of c. £138,000 for record royalties, over 4 accounting periods, were being lent back from the EG Music Group to Athol & Co., formerly EG Management Ltd., to support Messrs. Alder & Fenwick’s collapsing financial interests) I sold a D’Angelico 17” Excel (and here) for £10,000; a superb instrument I bought in NYC during 1978. I never played the Excel professionally: this was a rainy day guitar. A Happy Gigster knows, one day, the rain will fall. Although the details of when, where & how are rarely known, the Happy Gigster knows: one day, I’m gonna get soaked. In my case, the rainy day was the EG Shower Party.

What’s this? I...

II…

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V…

VI…

It’s a 1959 Gibson Les Paul, serial no. 9 0993, bought from a music shop in Denmark Street (1972 or 1973) as a spare, to replace a newer Les Paul I had been using on tour with the LTIA 5-piece KC during Autumn 1972; and the sonic difference between new & old models was significant. The Denmark Street shop told me the Les Paul had been owned by Steve Marriot (and here).

I bought the guitar as a guitar, without provenance; and accepted the provenance given by the shop in good faith; but I am unable to establish its veracity.

KC supported Humble Pie on several shows in the US during 1973; and interesting associational tales to be told when time is available.

What this? I…

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It’s a 1966 Fender Stratocaster, serial no. 66596.

Interested players & collectors may contact Sr. Hernan Nunez directly at the
following email address: rfgear@guitarcraftguitars.com.

11.26 A busy DGM HQ.

In Reception, Nicky Book-keeper cheerfully at work, doing her best not to twitch when planning how to fund my debts & outlays…

In the Art Department, Hugh the Fierce …

… is at work on the artwork for the KC Tourbox…

In SoundWorld II, David & Mr. Stormy…

… are putting together the sonic elements of the Tourbox.

14.06 Today’s focus on guitars continues: a tale of four guitars in current employment & the point of discussion is how to fit a Roland midi-pickup.

Approach No. 1…

This is of relevance to the story, but of no use in visually presenting the information. The guitar is a Fernandes, built in Japan c. 1995 for Adrian, recently acquired by myself & currently in Basement Belewbeloid. The midi-pickup is fitted in conventional fashion, where the right part of the midi-pickup extends no further than the regular bridge-pickup. The low-res pic doesn’t convey this, and if it did, the strap’s covering it anyway.

Approach No. 2…

… the 48th. Street guitar custom made for me c.1992. Please note the midi-pickup…

… and how the left part of the midi-pickup extends no further than the regular bridge-pickup.

Approach No. 3…

… where the right part of the midi-pickup extends no further than the bridge. That is, the midi-pickup is a conventional setup. However, this midi-pickup is encased with no sign of lead going into the instrument’s innards; a very satisfying solution to hiding wires & setting the midi-pickup into the body in a non-intrusive fashion.

Approach No. 4…

… with midi-pickup set as per Approach Nos. 1 & 3: the midi-pickup extending left past the bridge.

Our excellent guitar maker has insisted: both my guitars (3&4) have the midi-pickups set up the same way! He is correct, I am mistaken. My apologies to him for his distress. However, in both cases, I would like them set-up the other way round. Why? My particular approach to picking & use of the right hand.

Meanwhile, all excellent guitars, each with their own characteristics.

15.20 After-lunch DGM Kitchen discussion with David, Alex, Hugh & Nicky. The world is put to rights.

17.55 Dribble. Superb progress with the KC Tourbox for the upcoming celebration. A selection of pix to Hugh for artwork of same. E-frenzying of terror. Such has been the day that no practising has taken place. Presently the VRHHL is Debt Collector & Reservist, and not only no longer an artist, almost not quite a guitarist.

18.25 To Bredonborough…

21.56 … via Romain’s Emporium of Antiquities & Delight in Wilton I…