N3RO PUBLIC SERVICE PICTURES

Welcome to Rick's small recording studio #1 which is a shared room with the N3RO radio shack. I started playing guitar during my college years in the late 60's. The folk music of Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, Judy Collins, Joan Baez and many others were widely popular at that time. And that's where I started.

Today, I enjoy playing: rock n' roll of the 50's and 60's, popular folk music of the 60's and 70's, country music of the 70's and 80's and general pop music from the 40's to today. From almost 4 years of playing guitar and singing with our All Saints Episcopal Church "folk choir" I also enjoy spiritual music. I love to listen to Blue Grass and Jazz, but have not developed a talent for playing it. I stay away from hard rock as it just isn't my "thing". And "rap" doesn't have any music . . . .

From time to time I enjoy playing in public on a " just for fun " basis at camps, picnics, nursing and assisted living homes. I have played "solo" and with other musicians at times. For several years I entertained children at a Hospice run children's weekend camp along with my friend Steve on backup base guitar: Here we are playing " Yellow Submarine " in the top picture and my rendition of " Rocky Top " in the second picture below:

Steve and I enjoying a "jam" session in my back yard:

I also enjoyed entertaining at some of our company picnics:

In this one we are doing a rendition of "How Much Is That Doggie in The Window " : ( The redish dragon on the microphone goes with the song "Puff the Magic Dragon" )

I'm obviously a little "crazy" about props. I've got a "hat" for every song . . . . .

This picture was taken at one of my Christmas "shows" at one of the Frederick area assisted living homes:

Seeing people laugh and sing along has always brought a lot of joy and satisfaction to me. It is the same feeling hams get from finishing a public service activity where you know you helped and "made a difference" for a moment in time.

I taught myself to read music and have enjoyed recording songs in my small "home" studio. Using a multi-track recorder, I am able to lay down a melody track with one guitar and then 2 or 3 other tracks with additional guitar work. Most of this recording activity takes place in my small recording studio #2:

This system can record new CD tracks from old LP records, cassett tapes, live input from microphones and guitars, other CD's and mix them in any combination desired. All CD's that I make are for my OWN use, as I am only doing this for my own pleasure and enjoyment.

The main mixing and recording is done first on the Tascam multi-track recorder:

Then I copy the final mix to blank CD's using the CD recording console:

For the guitarist hams, I have included pictures of my guitars below:

A Martin J-40 ( Jumbo ) acoustic with Fishman electronics:

I use Fishman electronic pickups in several of my acoustic guitars. With dual mics and full tonal / volume controls they are a must for performing:

My favorite full electric guitar is the Fender telecaster: It has an inlaid " Fireburst " design that radiates outward from the pickups

I also enjoy my black Les Paul with 3 gold pickups: The Fender telecaster is best on country type songs while the Les Paul works well with oldies Rock n' Roll.

A 12 string Martin acoustic I used frequently when I was playing with our church "Folk" choir has a wonderful sound: 12 strings aren't that common and from time to time I would switch guitars with other choir members as they also liked to play the 12 string.

My very first guitar was a Guild acoustic that I leaned to play back in my college years. It really got "dragged" around and now looks like an old "Willie Nelson" guitar, but the sounds that come out of that old guitar are beautiful. People who hear it can't believe that something that looks so "old" can sound so "beautiful". Guitars can be just like people, " it's not what's on the outside, but what's on the inside " . . . . . .

Another guitar that I love to use for Folk music is my Washburn black acoustic with Fishman electronic pickup:

All my guitars work through a guitar pedal sound system that can make any guitar sound very different. From reverb and echos to special effects the foot pedal gives complete sound control over the instrument: This multi-pedal controller can easily make a 6 string guitar sound like a 12 string or make an acoustic sound like an electric and visa versa. Just by taping any of the 4 memory pedals you can select from hundreds of sounds while playing a song.

For vocal work I sometimes use an electronic vocal harmonizer. This unit will create harmonies both base and alto and mix it with your own voice to make it sound like you're just one of a group of singers. You can sing the verses as a solo and then kick the footpedal and sing the chorus as a group harmony - is that COOL or what ?

Music is a wonderful diversion and by sharing this hobby with others, has brought both enjoyment and a sense of "giving back", feelings that I also get when helping others through Public Service ham radio activities.