Re: Sustainer Question

[Jeff Duke <jeffloops@gmail.com>]

You are so right Edward, I have several boxes for batteries and a
voltage meter. My Retrorockets have the two position
(regular/harmonic) sustainer with no intensity control knob. I
sometimes replace the batteries with lower voltage batteries if I need
a gentler sustain for something. Really though, you get so good at
muting strings and controlling the sustain after a while you don't
worry about it much.

My old Fernandes Decade has the three position (regular/mix/harmonic)
w/intensity control knob which I like. The guitars will quit
completely if the battery goes dead but it will get very lo fi first,
of course this can be usable also :)

best,

Jeff

http://jeffduke.bandcamp.com/
http://digitsignal.bandcamp.com/
http://usit.bandcamp.com/




On Thu, Dec 30, 2010 at 10:20 AM, EDWARD                    YUHAS
<ejyuhas@embarqmail.com> wrote:
> I'm using a Fernandes Monterey Elite w/ Sustainer...
>
> Also, I have D'Addario .010s on it, and they work just fine...whether 
>I'm using the sustainer (neck pickup) or my eBow. The magnets move them 
>no problem. I use my sustainer to hold a note, but moreso for the 
>high-pitch sound that's emitted on harmonics...kind of ethereal when 
>processed by my pedals, etc. in looping.
>
> I'll add to what Jeff said about batteries in the Fernandes. It eats 
>9v's! And there is a "sweet spot" in battery life where I find the 
>sustainer works best. When the battery is brand new, the sustaining can 
>be harsh and a bit much, but as the battery "wears in" (wears out?) the 
>sound is much more consistent.
>
> I know one thing...when that battery is nearing the end of its life, 
>there can be some ugly crackling and horrible sonic performance produced 
>by the sustainer. Be forewarned.
>
> Regards,
>
> Edward Yuhas
>