The Story On Chet's Action, My Action

[Ray Cummins]

You're right Norm. Let's enjoy Chet's music and let's all enjoy playing the guitar. Sending prayers up for Paul!!!

[Ray Cummins]

A few people asked if I had another little Chet story. This was around May 1991. I went to Chet's office and he brought out two nylon Gibson's. Unplugged, you could hear them. We played together, taking turns backing each other. I remember playing Blue Angel and as we played, we laughed because neither one of us were used to playing the rhythm to Blue Angel!! I stayed a while and Chet walked out to the car with me. I was just moving back to Nashville and Chet said, when you get moved in, call and give me your number. He said, he wanted to take trumpet lessons from me. I got a chuckle out of that. I told him I lost my lip years ago. Your tone and technique goes away if you don't practice and keep your lip up. He said he just wanted to learn the fingerings and if I could give him some pointers on developing his lip. ( From the 5th grade to the 11th I was very serious on the trumpet. Studied at Cincinnati College Conservatory, but got really sick so my dad got me a guitar and a Chet LP the Summer before the 11th grade. I took it pretty hard having to give up the trumpet. Lesion on my lung. But guitar took over. 3 or 4 years later went on the road with Kenny Price. )
Chet called me back later after I got moved in. Not long after that I went thru a divorce and moved back to Northern KY so I could be with my little girl, joint custody. We never did get together for Trumpet lessons with actual trumpets. I did tell him about the open notes on trumpet. You are not fingering them but you tighten your lip depending on the note. Some of the E's, G's and C's were open but once you learned you could play them automatically. You knew exactly how much to tighten your lip. I discussed this with Chet at another get together.
By the way, the 2 nylon guitars played very easy. I don't like playing Blue Angel with high action. He said he would check action on guitars sometimes by playing Blue Angel. He said, high action made it too difficult to play.

[Norm]

All that's well and good but I have to say I'm a little troubled here.

I've been archiving Paul's posts from when he first joined the forum and he has always said that Chet preferred a high action particularly on the bass side

On the other thread about Chet's recording techniques, another thing he had posted often about and on that topic I got the impression that Chet used the Standel more than he did going direct althogh he never, to my reccolection, made a flat statement describing percentages. It may have been even fifty fifty or close to it.

People will believe whomever they choose and, as I've pointed out, in the matter of action and even, I guess, in the matter of recording, it is ultimately a matter of personal taste.

Right now Paul is incapable of contributing to these discussions and I have a feeling he would have liked to have been a part of both of them.

Like I said, Paul not being able to have direct input here bothers me just a little...

But that's just me...

[Ray Cummins]

Norm, I was just telling a few Chet stories. Am I not allowed to tell a few Chet stories and describe the way the guitars play. I have on tape Chet's voice, describing the low action. Last count, I have 49 emails agreeing with me, but most of the mail describes how ridiculous this board has gotten. This is why people have left this board. I didn't know I had to have your approval to tell a story Norm. I guess I can't tell the truth if it is something you disagree on. Paul is a friend of mine. I'm am just telling a few stories and it is the truth no matter who says it's not...I haven't gotten one bad e mail.

[Craig_Pratt]

By the way, the 2 nylon guitars played very easy. I don't like playing Blue Angel with high action. He said he would check action on guitars sometimes by playing Blue Angel. He said, high action made it too difficult to play.

Ray, I really enjoyed reading this post, especially the part I quoted. That's very cool!

[Norm]

I'll bow out on this since I don't have any firsthand knowlege or any stories to share.

[Ray Cummins]

Thank you Craig!!! Also thank you for the link!!! Mighty fine pickin', I enjoyed that..I look forward to hearing you next year in Nashville!!! Take care!!!

[Ray Cummins]

Thank you Craig!!! Also thank you for the link!!! Mighty fine pickin', I enjoyed that..I look forward to hearing you next year in Nashville!!! Take care!!!

[Tom Workman]

I usually don't chime in on these argumentative type threads but, here's my two cents; Does it really matter one way or the other how high Chet's action was?! Everyone, just adjust yours to your liking... simple as that! By the way, Ray, I'd like to hear any more Chet stories you may want to share. I never got to hear him perform much less meet him so I really appreciate these little tidbits. While I'm here I would like to say that I really admire your playing... so smooth and you make it look effortless. I put alot of time into my arrangements trying to get them smooth and fluid so I really appreciate your technique. Thanks, Tom W.

[Ray Cummins]

Hi Tom and Thank you very much for the nice compliments. I really appreciate that. Glad you like the stories. I haven't been on here for a year or two. Whenever I post there are always the same 2 people trying to give me a hard time. I will ignore them. I come here in peace. HA...Thanks again. I have had many e mails today asking for more stories. Thanks everyone for all your support....I will put a few more on. Thanks Tom, you're very kind!!!
Ray