Roland Micro Cube Ween Insanity

So, I'm actually cruising down the road at 70mph right now (thank god my wife is doing the driving) but I really wanted to do a post because it's been for-freaking-ever. Somehow, real life (especially work) got insanely busy. So, here I am in the car and I don't quite have enough room to actually play the ukulele and record myself so I need to use something I've already recorded. After a quick search I came across this crazy-ass video footage of a bachelor party I was at last week.

I'll set the stage for you here.  Imagine, if you will, roughly a dozen dudes decked out in their finest Bavarian attire (think Oktoberfest).  The groom-to-be has already been tied up in the middle of the farmer's market and pelted by water balloons (that were sold to passersby).   Then there were at least three stop-offs at various breweries for refueling.  By the time we got to our campsite there was just enough time to shoot about 3 bags of potatoes, through one of the 4 potato canons onsite, and then enjoy the campfire.

I had my Lanikai CK-TEQ Ukulele, Doug played guitar, Bryan (my brother) had his acoustic bass, I think there were some makeshift drums and Greg had a squeeze box.  So, we were pretty set for merriment.  Well, at least, we thought we were.

Then Greg whipped out his Roland Micro Cube amp and we realized what was missing.  Loudness and total effects insanity, that's what.  Ahhh yeah!  There's just something a little surreal (and totally fucking awesome) about playing through a loud amp with tons of sick effects in the middle of the forest.  It was like if there were such a thing as bad hobbits.  You know, using their magic and whatnot to make bourbon from corn and make their music creepy and slightly evil.

After dicking around with the various effects, we launched into an impromptu version of Captain Fantasy by Ween.  Here's the video:

I didn't know anything about these Micro Cube amp before, but I'm totally getting one.  They're like $129 and you can power them with freaking batteries!  The night in question is a little bit foggy (*cough* Bourbon *cough*) but I remember there were quite a few built-in effects.  Delay, Chorus, Tremalo, Phaser and more, I believe.

Looks like they actually come in Red and White as well, if you'd prefer that over the normal black.  Here's a picture:
Roland Micro Cube Combo Amp Black

Uke Thong (seriously… wtf is it?)

I've talked about the Uke Thong for a few months now and I kept promising that I was going to make a video to show you what it is, exactly.  It has a pretty exciting name, right?  I mean who wouldn't want something cute to match their Uke bra and garters.

Nah nah nah.. think "guitar strap" and you are closer to the mark.  But, that's still good, though, because I've had quite a few people ask me how to modify their ukulele to use a guitar strap (don't do that).  This is the solution for those folks and also for anyone who needs their right hand completely unencumbered for their "shredding".

Anyway, today I finally made the video because I remembered that I was supposed to send this particular Uke Thong to Jon Spencer after he wrote a guest post for the site ("Guest Post: Cigar Box Ukuleles with Jon Spencer" to be exact).  A note to future guest post writers, I guess.  If I promise to send you something, make sure and hound me about it.  I'm liable to see a shiny piece of tin foil, chase it and then completely forget about my promise.

Anyhoo, as you might have gathered, the Uke Thong is the next best thing for those of you who need a strap for your uke.  They are only $10.95 and come in variety of colors.  If I had known this one was going to Jon, I suppose I would have gotten the Camo one.  As it is, he gets pink and black checkers.  But, if he still has his Vanns sneakers from 8th grade then he's likely to match, so that's a bonus.  Here's an image of the Uke Thong and a link to where you can get them on eBay.

And finally, without any more delay.  Here's a video of me describing what you get when you shell out your $10.95.  As you watch the video, keep the following in mind:

  • Ukulele Guy probably shouldn't do anymore close-ups.  Or, if he does, he should probably shave and try to do something with his hair
  • Ukulele Guy (third person reference rules!) should have clipped a battery into his Uke.  The flapping cord drives me nuts.
  • Try and count how many times you can say "That's what she said" during the video.  I'm even considering having a contest based on that premise.  Maybe giving away another Uke Thong?  What do you think?

Review: Intelli IMT500 Clip-on Chromatic Digital Tuner for Strings

Intelli IMT500 Digital Tuner
Intelli IMT500 Digital Tuner

Note:  I guess you could call this part two of this post, "Goodbye pitchpipe! Hello $13 Digital Tuner!"

Huzzah!  I got my $13 digital tuner in the mail today.   And, in case you are wondering, I don't have freakishly gigantic hands.  This little guy is tiny and precious!  Mine actually came with two batteries, for some reason, and I'm not complaining about that one bit.  I opened up the box, popped in the battery and we were off and running.  I just clipped it to the head of my uke and started tuning away.  In seconds, I was in perfect tune.  I feel like I have a pretty decent ear, but with a pitch pipe, it definitely takes me a little bit of time to tune my uke.  No more!  What am I going to do with all this extra time?!  I was going to make a video of me tuning my ukulele with this little gadget but a) I didn't know how to hold everything at the same time and b) it literally took 20 seconds.

So, I'm definitely glad I put my money where my mouth was this time.  This is the best ukulele accessory purchase I've ever made.  Yay!

Accessories: Uke Thongs! Not just for the ladies!

Well, it's not as scintillating as the title would have you believe, but it's pretty close.  For those of you who find yourself playing Uke while standing up, or walking around (or, as in my case, running from the police) you have probably perfected the art of holding the ukulele against your body while you play.  Well, what if I told you that wasn't neccessary?  Yup, here we are, using our hands like suckers when the Uke Thong could be doing all the work.  Check it out!

Ingenious, I tells ya!  Looking at the auction, there are a couple of different color choices.  Woah.  Black and Hot Pink checkers?!  Sweet.  Those will match my Vans from Junior High!