It's Saturday!!!
And I am so glad to be here with you! I hope your past week was wonderful and all your weekend plans go just as you planned.
We are drawing close to the end of this interview with Peter Xifaras who so graciously let us into his creative process. I am especially grateful to him for helping me kick-off the blog and for adding some much needed life to The Living Pen's new website.
I rang Peter up this week and we had this conversation, so read on and enjoy!
Blu:
Hello Peter, do you have time for a chat or are you about to lunch?
Peter:
Actually, I’m out in the yard doing a Spring cleaning – but I can clean & talk at the same time. ;>)
Blu:
So you are taking a break from the studio or dare I ask, are you close to the finish line?
Peter:
I’m about half way thru the race with regards to the record. I’m taking a little break because when I started to record the first guitar solo, I got a few measures in and broke the G string. Instead of replacing the string, I decided to send the guitar out to get a setup and have a new set of strings put on.
By the way, while in the front yard this guy came over to greet me – maybe I can get him to pick up the sticks by pretending to play fetch with him!
Blu:
So I understand the replacing of a string and even putting on a set of new strings but what do you mean sent it out for a “setup” along with a new set of strings?
Peter:
Typically because of humidity changes, a guitar’s “action” can fluctuate. The action is the distance from the strings to the fretboard. As humidity sets in, it affects that distance. It can be remedied by adjusting the truss rod and/or adjusting the string height on the bridge. A truss rod is a steel rod that runs along the guitar neck that when tightened, straightens the neck which has the effect of bringing the strings closer to the fretboard – that is done when the action is high which makes it more difficult to play the instrument. On the other hand, if the strings are buzzing, you can loosen the truss rod to alleviate the issue. One other issue with this particular guitar is it has what is called a Floyd Rose system (see pic) on the bridge to keep in it tune when using the vibrato bar. It had been a while since any of it was recalibrated so I thought now was as good a time as any to change the strings and do a setup.
Blu:
I see, so it’s like an instrument checkup. Does humidity affect nylon string guitars differently than steel?
Peter:
Yes, but the same principal applies with regards to humidity. A standard classical guitar (nylon string) does not have a truss rod or an adjustable bridge so it is important that the instrument is properly cared for. The body is much lighter than say a steel string electric. Putting a truss rod in a classical neck would cause the instrument to topple over as the weight of the neck would over power the lightness of the body.
Blu:
You have both types of guitars, do they have different storage requirements? Do you do anything special to keep them in shape?
Peter:
Yes. Ideally, they should be kept in a climate controlled room where the humidity is kept around the 40% mark. You can measure humidity with the help of a hygrometer. The humidity can be controlled by using a humidifier and a dehumidifier to add or remove excess moisture in the air.
Blu:
I guess we are not going to get an audio treat this week since your G-string snapped and your guitar is having surgery, right?
Peter:
I can post the little bit that was recorded.
Blu:
Really, Oh that would be super awesome!! You know Peter this really has been great. I can’t thank you enough for letting me pick your brain, for sharing so much information and for being so generous with your musical snippets. That being said can you tell about this snippet?
Peter:
Well, I re-recorded that snippet of a solo I started way back in an earlier blog because I thought the riff was pretty cool. Unfortunately, that was the riff that broke the camel’s back… Or rather, I guess in this case, it would be the G string’s back! ;>) If I get the guitar back in time for next week’s blog I’ll add the full guitar solo. Here’s the link:
Blu:
Oh I do hope you get it back in time!
Peter:
As we are nearing the end of this blog, I just want to tell you how much fun this was. You asked great questions and covered important topics which I’m sure your audience appreciated. I was thinking, for those folks who sign up or have already signed up for your blog by registering at the bottom of the page, you can forward them the completed song in the form of an mp3 file attachment for their own listening pleasure. This will be a one-off as I won’t release the song to the public when the album gets released – hope you’re good with that!
Blu:
Are you Kidding! I am more than thrilled with that! That would be awesome! Peter, really, thank you so much. Have a great week and I'm looking forward to speaking with you next week.
Peter:
Me too Blu and you are very welcome, bye.
Well, how was that! So for anyone who has already become a blog member you are in for a treat. For those of you who have joined us but have not registered and would like Peter's parting gift please scroll to the bottom and in the right corner click on register, complete the form and hit the Red register button. As always, I loved meeting with you all and I am so very grateful for your support
Blu