My new signature pedal from The Lone Wolf Blues Company the "CLEAN CAT" is a remarkable, translucent, clean-boost/sparkle pedal for guitar OR harmonica. Clean Cat's hit the market in January! This is THE pedal for people who THINK they don't like pedals or the recovering pedal junkie alike! I am so proud to have my name on this amazing sparkle pedal and Randy Landry and Nathan Heck have truly outdone themselves on this one!
The pedal sounds great Jason, and it's an excellent promo vid from you. 2017 is getting off to a good start in terms of harmonica gear, Happy New Year!
Last Edited by Brendan Power on Dec 28, 2016 9:01 AM
I think that maybe Jason is doing another Pisstake ala the "too many notes too loud " one. What do you guys think...I'm on the SM57 side.
Last Edited by indigo on Dec 28, 2016 10:27 PM
If it's anything like the EP Booster then hell yeah. That thing took my sound from in the mix to precision target at will. 60 Concert, LW Delay, LW Octave (no effect -pre-amp/volume feedback control only), EP Boost ~20%. SM57.
Thanks Yall!!! The Clean Cat it IS A LOT like an EP booster and was designed that way except to do a bit more of the same effect a bit faster and with harp frequencies in mind. The mic is NOT a 57.. sounds almost identical though, with slightly more bass and will distort a bit easier it's also lighter. Also the prototype does not have any floating diaphragm issues so there is no handling noise. ---------- www.mooncat.org
well.... without all of these processing gadgets, we would no longer have a modern blues harmonica sound.
we would be back at square one, plain old vanilla,traditional blues harmonica. here we have a pedal designed for harmonica, that is being released in 2017... can't get much more modern than that! ---------- .
Ice man...You may be hearing the digital recording sound from my computer itself Sir. I certainly can. May I ask: Can you hear that sound before I step on it? I can and I'm playing straight into a tube amplifier. The pedal itself is all ANALOG and is really making the amp do all the work...If you don't like my tone that is one thing and of course is fine, however I can't hear any "processing" sound in the pedal as it really is not doing that nor designed for that.. ---------- www.mooncat.org
analog sound before you step on it, to my ears, is also slightly processed.
you may be right about the computer sound. I guess the best way is to hear it in real time in real life. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Dec 29, 2016 3:45 PM
Thanks Ice Man, you have a great ear. Yes it's very clear to me anyway to hear processing/processed sound in many homemade musical youtube videos. 1.) the video is recorded at home using a mac lap top and imovie so it's naturally digital. 2. Youtube itself then compresses the video. You can even hear it when I play purely acoustic if you listen close enough (highs and mids). BUT the real processing/digital sound comes whenever the audio signal is a little loud! I really try to keep the amp as low as I possibly can and still have it be realistic for the user at home to achieve the same or better results. There are definitely times in this video and TONS of live videos from everyone where one can hear slight or heavy amounts of digital distortion. iMovie itself does the best it can to even these flaws out and THAT is the processing were hearing! I don't own any real recording mics or know how to use garage band/ mixer for videos etc nor do I have any free access to any studios otherwise I would surely eliminate these problems. This is the best I can do with what I got. Joan Mallatides the "Blues Broad" and John Ripper and Gary Hodgson are some tapers that always have GREAT gear. Their videos are alway way better and more representative, sonically, of the actual bands sound then most of the other hundreds of videos that get shot. It's amazing to hear the difference of their videos from the other one the SAME night! Totally different tones! The other thing I'm sure many of you have experienced is sound men RE-EQing your tone adding treble,bass and even digital delay etc to your signal AFTER it's in the house. Really frustrating. Any way it's a great pedal and it's analog definitely worth checking out I'm pretty sure some very heavy hitters who have previously NOT used any pedals before will be now using this very pedal soon. Names will be released shortly. Thanks again everyone.-J ---------- www.mooncat.org
I do have an unbelievable ear. Not only can I determine sound quality to the nth degree (acoustical science was one of my college majors along with 20 years plus as highly regarded piano tech to the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Dave Brubeck, etc), but I have no problem recognizing notes at almost any velocity with perfect pitch, something that took a bit of time to develop. Yes, even your too many notes are quite clear and obvious to my ears, so I recognize every pattern used as such. It's kind of a gift but also sometimes a curse because I can't turn it off.
but I digress...
It would seem logical to me that, in launching a new product with appropriate promotion, why you don't go to the nth degree with them in sound quality. Since you are partnering with Lone Wolf Company and everyone is - most likely - interested in selling as many units as is possible, between you and the company, a bit of $$ spent on the promotional video sound quality will net you a larger $$ return for sales.
I'm not trying to tell you how to run your enterprise, just following what seems like good logic in a successful approach.
Yeah totally logical and I'm sure we'll have plenty of those high quallity professional videos to come as we grow just for discerning individuals like yourself with fine taste and discriminating ears! For now It's a good enough video I think. So far your the only one to take issue with any part of it which I do appreciate. A bunch of interest has definitely been generated as the result of this video but most of it's been done on the ground floor. A few people trust my opinion on these and other products in general so part of these videos purpose is of course to let people know I dig it and these same people and more get to hear them all over the world, on television, in the studio and at conventions etc as this what I actually do for a living, not make videos really. Lone Wolf is not a real big company yet with tons of money and thats one of the things people including me like about them. If Lone Wolf or me had the dough and the time of course we would and hopefully will rent studios and the best equipment for future outings. For now at least we all spend more time making music and products then fancy videos, those are the battles we've chosen at this juncture. I think most viewers even the ones without your superior abilities know enough about listening to homemade videos to take the quality in question into account and can hear the basic results of the product quite accurately for themselves without 1,000.00 dollar microphones and professional cameras and editing software. In the words of Big Bad Smitty: "Were just trying to hollar for a dollar" best way we know how. Thanks for watching and Lone Wolf has a 60 day, no questions 100% refunded, return policy all the same. ---------- www.mooncat.org
Last Edited by Moon Cat on Dec 29, 2016 7:36 PM
btw, mooncat, I am not suggesting you guys spend big $ on professional recorded video - merely that you really think about the sound and spend a minute or two (or consult w/someone with this knowledge) coming up with an inexpensive concept to give the videos more natural sound reproduction - can probably be done with audacity (free software) and a good mic.
I totally understand that I am not the usual set of ears, and I totally understand where you are coming from.
Looking forward to a live test drive... ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Dec 30, 2016 7:08 AM
Perfect pitch also might not be that "perfect." A 2013 study out of the University of Chicago proved that the pitch recognition of people with absolute pitch is not infallible. It can be thrown off by a gradual manipulation of surrounding tones. Graduate student Stephen Hedger, post-doctoral scholar Shannon Heald and psychology professor Howard Nusbaum tested 27 people with perfect pitch. The researchers had participants listen to a Brahms symphony, gradually adjusting the pitch until it was a full third of a step out of tune. None of the participants noticed the change, even after listening to a full three movements out of song. This research proves to a certain extent that perfect pitch still relies to a great degree on relative pitch — something all normal listeners share.
So people with absolute pitch aren't ultimately as exceptional as our culture suggests. Naming the pitch of a refrigerator's hum is definitely a cool party trick, but it's not necessarily a tremendous boon to musical composition. No musician should ever feel discouraged because they don't share Mozart or Beethoven's perfect pitch. As Oliver Sacks points out, Wagner and Schumann both lacked it, and they got on just fine.
Sounds great to me. I agree that the only way to know if a pedal is right for you is to try it out, live. I got a clean boost pedal last year and it ended up compressing the sound, small-izing (a made up word) the sound, a little more than I wanted. So I haven't touched it since. But this pedal certainly sounds like it's worth checking out.
I heard a little JR playfulness around the 5:30 point. That riff is a Gussow riff, y'all. "Unlucky in Love."
Last Edited by kudzurunner on Jan 01, 2017 9:23 AM
Debating the "perfect" part of "perfect pitch" is interesting, but ultimately pretty much ado about nothing, unless someone wants to make it into a game/contest with cash prize for most accurate "perfect pitch recognition".
As I've said, at least in my case, it is a blessing (fun, interesting, adds to appreciation of music, and leads the way towards very accurate and quick transposing of musical ideas, as well as opening the senses/emotions to the different "FEEL" of different keys (as the Greeks espoused in their definition of MODES) as well a a curse, cause I can't turn it off when listening to music. My brain automatically searches for the correct key until it locks in - sometimes immediately and sometimes it takes a few minutes of listening to lock in. When it does, everything makes even more perfect sense.
Uses for this? A better understanding of music, music theory, and musical line and what makes them successful. Other than that, it is a fun party trick.
My own accuracy is about 90%. Sometimes I just can't connect with that "click" and flounder around (even going so far as to occasionally using my piano to help me orient myself).
Imagine not being able to sit back and enjoy music until you go through these steps to align your brain...this is the curse part. ---------- The Iceman
Hey! Yeah that was total nod to you Mr. Gussow there at the end! I was actually teaching that song earlier that day on a skype call that was less than perfect in quality so it was just blowin around in my less than perfect head. I remember spending countless hours driving back and forth from Maine to Idaho a few time a year for a few years listening to a cassette of you guys (Mother Mojo) rocking over and over...That damn cassette got so worn out and hissy but I could still HEAR the music. I think thats called perfect poverty but it was never really a problem for me. I hear you when you play.
This is a really fun and natural sounding pedal. If this video isn't high quality enough for all of you. North Californians and North Westerners can hear it live this January when I'm on tour with Mark Hummel, Howard Levy, Son of Dave, Duke Robillard and Corky Siegal! Check out my website for the rest of my tour dates all over and thank you everyone for the continued support and amazing blessed life I get to experience everyday!
---------- www.mooncat.org
Last Edited by Moon Cat on Jan 03, 2017 12:53 AM
http://www.lonewolfblues.com/store/harp-effects/clean-cat ---------- --Nathan Heck General Manager, Lone Wolf Blues Co. customerservice@lonewolfblues.com
DAY DATE J A N U A R Y 2017 - ULTIMATE HARMONICA BLOWOUT TOUR! LOCATION Fri 01 - 20 Yoshi's Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Oakland, CA Sat 01 - 21 Harris Center for the Arts Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Folsom, CA Sun 01 - 22 Moe's Alley Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Santa Cruz, CA Tue 01 - 24 Alberta Rose Theatre Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Portland, OR Wed 01 - 25 The Shedd Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Eugene, OR Thu 01 - 26 Dimitriou's Jazz Alley Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Seattle, WA Fri 01 - 27 Dimitriou's Jazz Alley Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Seattle, WA Sat 01 - 28 Dimitriou's Jazz Alley Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Seattle, WA Sun 01 - 29 Dimitriou's Jazz Alley Featuring: Mark Hummel, Duke Robillard, Jason Ricci, Corky Siegel,Howard Levy & Son of Dave! Seattle, WA
Last Edited by tmf714 on Jan 03, 2017 8:20 AM
I just got the CleanCat, and absolutely love it! It pushes my amp perfectly, without the feedback issues of the Strymon OB.1 compression/clean boost pedal I had been using. The 3 LED lights are a nice touch, makes it super fancy looking. Plugged my guitar through it after harp-testing it, and it's my favorite guitar boost now. Might need to get another one...
And I love the video too, Jason. It's got your personality all over it. I had no problem hearing what the CleanCat was doing.
They're available now, I strongly suggest grabbing one.
Thanks for posting here Jackson- just saw you guys are coming to Florida soon-awesome!!
In case you guys don't know-Jackson is the harp player for the band Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds-and they absolutely kick ass!!
Last Edited by tmf714 on Jan 03, 2017 12:27 PM
Sister Sparrow and The Dirty Birds ARE an amazing, hard working band that is currently boasting JJ Appleton on guitar! I'm so glad Jackson your digging the Clean Cat and other Lone Wolf rockers your such a great player man! Definitely check them out if y'all get a chance. As far as the Hummel Tour is concerned ,Tmf714 nailed this tour's line up exactly. I am very grateful to announce that this is now my 4th Hummel Blow Out and will be my second one involving touring The last ones can be found all over youtube y'all and featured Charlie Baty and Anson Funderbergh on guitars and the harp players were Charlie Baty, Curtis Salgado, Aki Kumar myself and some other awesome guys Mark picked up in different cities. The Clean Cat will definitely get tested by some top notch guys on this tour so who knows who might be digging it next! ---------- www.mooncat.org
Last Edited by Moon Cat on Jan 03, 2017 4:38 PM
Mark Hummel is currently using the Clean Cat and the Harp Reverb (reverb not yet in use here). Here is a short clip of Mark nailing some L-Dub with a very traditional tone this really is the pedal for guys who don't like pedals! ---------- www.mooncat.org
Last Edited by Moon Cat on Jan 30, 2017 9:41 PM
Maybe it's me. But hearing some of those blues licks on the harp plugged into that new toy makes me think of the song, 'Nobody loves you, like the way I do' from The Steve Miller Band.
If Mark is giving it a go with the pedal (did he buy or are you just letting him use it?), than that is a positive. Even better if he bought it! However, the clip posted above doesn't really give me a clear idea of the advantage of the pedal. Mark sounds pretty good w/out pedals, too, ya know. ---------- The Iceman
Mark fell in love with the pedal right away. The best part of about the clip above is it STILL sounds like Mark Hummel's tone. Mark likes that he can get his normal tone at a lower volume with the Clean Cat. He used the pedal for the entire tour and the Lone Wolf Harp Reverb. He ie is now a Lone Wolf Blues Company endorser. ---------- www.mooncat.org
If I was Randy at Lone Wolf, I would give Mark Hummel all the pedals he wants gratis. If he wanted harps or custom combs from Blue Moon I would do the same. I am pretty sure that Mark has arrived at a place in his life where he would not use any gear unless he really liked it - even if was given to him for free! His use of any product is a very strong endoresement that is deserving of some form of compensation, including some free stuff.
I agree with Tom-knowing Mark personally, it is just a as Tom states-Mark is at the point where the promoted product would have to work well AND satisfy Mark"s needs for him to use it. The cost,be it in the form of product promotion,discount or gratis would be a moot point.
I don't impress easily but I sure am impressed! ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
What you say is totally true about artists and endorsements. Here we have "blues artists", and they are a breed unto themselves...of course, if given free equipment they will praise it just as a matter of protocol. Manufacturer will jump all over the name recognition of the artist to further their brand.
Most astute is your your last sentence..."if someone gets something for free, and says this is great, and you go see them and they are using something else, that speaks volumes".
I've seen Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, Rick Estrin and even Mark do this over the years. Repeated visits with these artists has revealed to me that they do change equipment often and don't really hold allegiance to just one amp/mic/pedal etc., but they all do LOVE getting free gear.
Addendum: The above is a reality check. This, however, does not mean that the endorsed equipment is lacking in any way. ---------- The Iceman
Last Edited by The Iceman on Feb 01, 2017 3:06 PM
I can assure you Mark IS currently using this pedal. People's taste in gear naturally change over time, obviously I can't guarantee what Mark or myself or any of you will be using in a year. I can promise you all, Mark, along with myself or most any pro''s I know would NEVER use any musical product for even one show if they didn't really like it regardless of how it was acquired. As far as amp endorsements go, often times when we FLY to shows it is impossible to use our amps of choice. So when you see Kim, Mark, myself or any other pro using another amp, it is because we have to or it is what is on stage and there is little time or some difficulty involved in switching the amps. This happens a lot.
Here is what I can tell you about Mark and the Clean Cat: Mark used the pedal for 10 shows in a row, he was not forced, bribed or tricked. One time Duke needed a power supply for one of his pedals and Mark did not wan't to lend him his so he could continue using the clean cat. He was not paid to use the pedal, the pedal was OF COURSE free to an artist like Mark. The pedal had no other hidden pedals below the stage or other tricks. This is the first pedal Mark Hummel has ever endorsed. Mark really likes the Clean Cat pedal and also the Harp Reverb by Lone Wolf Blues Company! The bottom line is the pedal sounds really good to both Mark and myself and others. Hummel is using it and really enjoys it. Mark Hummel would not ruin 10 shows in a row for a 135.00 free pedal. He is an artist that has built his reputation on integrity and adherence to traditional tones and playing and is really talented and that is why he gets free stuff like almost all artists of his caliber. ---------- www.mooncat.org
Last Edited by Moon Cat on Feb 01, 2017 4:39 PM
