Clinesmith mp3 - Coconut Grove

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 23 Jun 2009 10:23 pm

I promised to do a quick recording of my Clinesmith, so I rounded up the boys (me, myself and I) and recorded a version of Coconut Grove to show off the tone of this fabulous guitar. I played the Clinesmith straight through a Fender Princeton Reverb and mic'd the amp with an SM57, so that may have colored the tone in some way. In fact, all of the instruments were recorded with the SM57, including the American Tourister drums. I sweetened the whole thing with a little reverb.

There are a few weird glitches that I'm not sure how they occurred, but I probably taxed my system by leaving a few other programs open.

Anyway, I hope this gives a good idea of what it sounds like today, under these circumstances. Thanks for listening

Coconut Grove

Lynn Oliver · Post by **Lynn Oliver** » 23 Jun 2009 10:26 pm

Nice!

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 24 Jun 2009 12:50 am

Mike, that guitar has one beautiful tone especially in your talented hands. Awesome!

Gerald Ross · Post by **Gerald Ross** » 24 Jun 2009 4:55 am

Very nice Mike. Let's form a band.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 24 Jun 2009 7:01 am

Fabulous tone & great touch on the steel, Mike. Really cool!

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 24 Jun 2009 7:18 am

Great playing Mike.

Todd Weger · Post by **Todd Weger** » 24 Jun 2009 7:19 am

Fabulous!

Tom Pettingill · Post by **Tom Pettingill** » 24 Jun 2009 7:28 am

Sweet, and nice playing Mike

Jon Nygren · Post by **Jon Nygren** » 24 Jun 2009 7:52 am

I like that rendition! The tone ain't bad either.

Richard Terry · Post by **Richard Terry** » 24 Jun 2009 8:49 am

Maestro Neer

You, yourself and you and the Clinesmith brightened my day. I'm probably lost in the ozone but that sound connected me instantly with the 50s when I was a teenager playing the steel. Of course my playing didn't sound like that, but the pros did. Man that is fine. And you sounded like you, yourself and you and the Clinesmith were all having a great time. Thanks

Richard

HowardR · Post by **HowardR** » 24 Jun 2009 8:56 am

Mike,....I remember one of the first times that you played with The Monnlighters at The Living Room.....

You have really made (and making) your musical journey amazing.....

Danny James · Post by **Danny James** » 24 Jun 2009 9:10 am

Thanks for sharing Mike. I thought it was very well done.

You have a great sounding guitar there in your Clinesmith and it looks beautifully made too from past pictures you sent us.

Steve Cunningham · Post by **Steve Cunningham** » 24 Jun 2009 9:22 am

Sounds great Mike - I love your harmonic ideas. What tuning are you in?

Steve Waltz · Post by **Steve Waltz** » 24 Jun 2009 9:23 am

Mike,

Did you record anything with your D-8 Clinesmith. It would be interesting to hear differences, if any. How do they compare to you?

Steve

Rick Collins · Post by **Rick Collins** » 24 Jun 2009 9:46 am

That hit me over the head like a falling coconut Mike,___ great.

You might even re-title it COCONUT GROOVE.

Joseph De Feo · Post by **Joseph De Feo** » 24 Jun 2009 12:23 pm

Thanks Mike. Very smooth tones! Ya had me floaten',
laying back in the chair, kick-off the flip-flops, and dig my toes in the sand...

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 24 Jun 2009 3:34 pm

Thanks, everyone. I really did enjoy recording this last night. I've got a Kay upright bass, a Dunn guitar and a suitcase and a pair of brushes. I was going to fine the band for lagging on the beat in one section, but then I realized it was all my fault.

Gerald, I'll start a band with you, but only if I can play suitcase drums.

Steve W, I didn't record the D-8 because I didn't have any recording software or an interface. I think the sound was very similar, though.

Steve C--it's C6/A7, which is pretty new to me, but becoming a favorite.

When I listen back to this, it's funny because I've never played the tune, but I've heard a hundred versions of it. Mine has bits of all of them--from Buddy Charleton to Jimmy Day to Jerry Byrd to Garland Nash (who has such a fun version on youtube) and then some.

Anyway, this guitar is really a joy to play.

Mark Bracewell · Post by **Mark Bracewell** » 24 Jun 2009 4:02 pm

I really enjoyed it too. The suitcase sounds sweet, what year is it?

Todd Clinesmith · Post by **Todd Clinesmith** » 24 Jun 2009 6:30 pm

Great job,
Made my day with them nice tones and excellent playing.
Thanks for posting that !
Todd

James Williamson · Post by **James Williamson** » 24 Jun 2009 10:33 pm

Thanks for the posting Mike....you're the man and that's the guitar...nice drums too.

james

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 24 Jun 2009 10:58 pm

Very nice, Mike. That guitar has a sweet vintage tone. Nice playing too. Thanks for sharing your sound with us.

Kurt Kikendall · Post by **Kurt Kikendall** » 25 Jun 2009 2:18 am

WOW. Beautiful. Don't know if hearing stuff like that is motivating or depressing

Eric Dunst · Post by **Eric Dunst** » 25 Jun 2009 9:49 am

Sounds just great Mike. Are you bringing it with you to Barbes tonight ?

Jerry Gleason · Post by **Jerry Gleason** » 25 Jun 2009 10:02 am

That's really nice, Mike. I love your accompaniment, too. Nice relaxed feel. Key of E? I have a version in C on my website, but after hearing your version, I may have to revisit that. I still have yet to get into C6/A7, but I'll have to spend some time with that, too.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 26 Jun 2009 6:54 am

The Clinesmith sounds fine, Mike, and is clearly beautifully crafted. Honestly though, your touch and tone always shines through no matter which guitar you're playing. Great stuff! (Nice band, too!)