Love Notes: session with 1985 Gibson Les Paul Standard (Alphine White)
Setup: Straight into the Fender Pro Junior IV with the Mimic Mock I and Cool Cat Tremolo.
First 5 minutes – A Minor Soul. Kicked off with classic blues phrasing in A minor (Am–Dm–E), exploring the warmth and response across all pickup positions. The Tim Shaw PAFs carried a smoky, honest voice — the neck full and articulate, the bridge gritty and determined, and the middle position offering that sweet in-between bark. Slapback delay from the Mimic I made every lick bounce with vintage swagger.
Next 5 minutes – E Minor Drone & Tremolo. Switched gears into a gentler, moodier space. Holding the E bass note as a drone, I ran up and down the E minor scale with soft picking on the neck pickup. The Cool Cat Tremolo painted a dusky shimmer across the notes — evoking moments of solitude and calm. There was darkness, yes — but also an odd serenity in how the phrases breathed.
Reflection: She’s not just a benchmark — she’s a quiet queen. One that doesn’t need to shout to be heard.