Sep 20
There are several methods to consider when cutting a mat for your photographs or works of art. Cutting a mat is generally preferable to purchasing a precut mat because you have greater customization and it is generally cheaper.
The simplest way to do this is with an X-Acto knife and a ruler. Using the ruler to [...] [...more]
Posted: under Mat Cutter.
There are several methods to consider when cutting a mat for your photographs or works of art. Cutting a mat is generally preferable to purchasing a precut mat because you have greater customization and it is generally cheaper.
The simplest way to do this is with an X-Acto knife and a ruler. Using the ruler to measure and keep the straight line, you can produce professional results at minimal cost. It’s a great way to get your feet wet, but you will then want to graduate to a mat cutter.
A simple handheld mat cutter will have a blade at a 45-degree angle for a beveled cut to your mat. Measure and mark the mat as you already have done before and use your ruler again for the straight edge. It takes a little practice, but the results are even better than the X-Acto knife.
If you decide to do mat cutting on a regular basis, or want to do even more sophisticated cuts, consider getting a tabletop mat cutter. Tabletop cutters have guides attached to them, so you don’t have to use your ruler anymore. In addition, most have some form of mat holder that keeps the mat in place, so you do not have to worry about keeping it in place. This speeds up cutting exponentially.
Mat cutting is an art that needs to be practiced. Start small, and work your way up. Your works of art will be complemented by the mats that you can create.
Sep 20
The Chicago art scene is bursting with artists and exhibits designed to satisfy any art lover. The art community is a close and vocal one, coming together for various forums on the state of visual art both in Chicago and around the world. Exhibits pop up every week that showcase artists’ talents from all over [...] [...more]
Posted: under Uncategorized.
The Chicago art scene is bursting with artists and exhibits designed to satisfy any art lover. The art community is a close and vocal one, coming together for various forums on the state of visual art both in Chicago and around the world. Exhibits pop up every week that showcase artists’ talents from all over the city. There are open galleries for the public and other art aficionados to get together and appreciate the work and inspiring pieces that are completed. Groups meet to critique and evaluate each others’ artistic pieces and offer support and guidance for any aspiring artist to grow and learn.
What does this mean to the artist? It means that Chicago is a rich, vibrant city that will welcome you with open arms. Finding art supplies in Chicago could not be easier. Art supply stores are available to satisfy your every need. The public is ready for new and exciting artists to break onto the scene, and your hard work will be viewed and appreciated. Chicago is a dense, well-populated city and there are plenty of opportunities for an artist to get his or her name out in the open. Art supplies in Chicago are abundant and artists are ready to help each other; what are you waiting for?
Sep 12
DR, “The Handmade String”
How much difference can there be in the specialized manufacturing processes and materials used, when each string manufacturing company claims that theirs is the best way to make strings? Check out these three brands out of about a thousand examples of available strings.
#1. Ernie Ball Slinky Acoustic Guitar Strings: feature patented coated [...] [...more]
Posted: under Electric Guitars.
Tags: Electric Guitars
DR, “The Handmade String”
How much difference can there be in the specialized manufacturing processes and materials used, when each string manufacturing company claims that theirs is the best way to make strings? Check out these three brands out of about a thousand examples of available strings.
#1. Ernie Ball Slinky Acoustic Guitar Strings: feature patented coated Titanium RPS Technology that resists rust and grime for bright and powerful tone time after time.
Ernie Ball’s titanium coated Slinky Acoustic strings are stronger and longer-lasting than traditional strings-either coated and uncoated strings. That’s thanks in part to an exclusive protective coating on both the wrap wire and the plain strings as well as a patented winding of titanium wire around the lock twist of the ball end. Staying true to Ernie Ball’s heritage of superb craftsmanship and sound quality, Slinky Acoustic Guitar Strings are made with the finest and freshest raw materials, resulting in a crisp ringing sound with pleasing overtones.
Enhancing the inherent string quality and freshness is Ernie Ball’s new string packaging-the company’s first new string packaging concept in more than 45 years. Produced and now hermetically sealed into their packages. Slinky Acoustic strings are exposed to minimal moisture and humidity from factory to retailer-insuring that all Ernie Ball strings are as fresh upon opening as they were the day they were made.
#2. Pure Blues strings for electric guitars are strings from DR String Company: they are designed with pure nickel wrap wire, round-wound upon round cores. While this is a slow, expensive method of string making, it does produce a guitar string acclaimed for increased sustain, vintage tone, and great low tones for playing music from rhythm to lead. The extra step of winding pure nickel around a round core give Pure Blues strings a punch that players say they are surprised to get in a vintage electric guitar string. Sounds great on any guitar!
Tite-Fit round-wound nickel-plated electric guitar strings from DR are designed to be great all-around strings. They are available in a wide range of gauges. Based upon a round core, the construction techniques for DR Tite-Fit electrics are venerable. However, the core wire and wrap wire in DR’s are the latest, most advanced, and expensive metals available. For flexibility, for tone, for long life; for rock, blues, heavy metal, jazz. Tite-Fits are an incredible all-around string.
Note: There is a growing body of evidence that nickel dust may be hazardous to your health. It really does not bother me since I use a nickel string.
#3. Martin Bronze acoustic-electric guitar strings: are made from 80/20 composition alloy to give brilliance, clarity, and longevity of sound. The bronze winding is ideally suited for making strings that have deep, rich basses and clear, bright trebles.
Advise:
Stronger, longer lasting, better sounding, better packaging, what the heck? Lots of claims. So who am I to determine what strings are best for you? I can’t and won’t. Unless you bring your guitar closer to the phone so I can hear you, I am at a disadvantage. This is confusing, isn’t it?
Realistically, string choice becomes very personal at some point, for example, when you find the right strings. then you will have a brand to swear by.
Bass guitar players and electric guitar players have radically different ideas on strings, as do acoustic guitar players and electric guitar players. Everybody has an opinion.
Simply put, it is a real enigma when you consider the volume of options. Consider this also, what gauge of string suits you best? For example strings come in different gauges or thickness of wire. Some are quite heavy, like bridge support wire and some are very lite gauge for string bending sissies like me.
One of the best strategies for choosing a string is to buy several sets of brands and types and go to town. It is cheap, fun and a good way to improve your string changing skills. Real world experience tells us that at least on electric guitars, most strings lose their brightness after about 45 minutes to an hour of hard playing. It’s true. none of them really last longer.
Bass players and acoustic strings last longer, depending on how much you play.
Incidentally, out of the three company’s that were chosen to use for comparison purposes, I enjoy the Pure Blues strings, this is my personal preference, now you choose your preference. Don’t take my word for it, buy some strings and have some fun.
Enjoy.