Hi Guys , 
 
this week my homework assignment was to improvise over the song 500 Miles High 
after getting beat up by my Jazz Box the whole time I attempted to get something happening ( big guitar , heavy strings ) 
I decided to just grab an easy to play  solid body guitar and just go for it in one take 
( btw ....this was done in one take ..but sshhh don't tell anybody that it was probably take 49 or something like that )  
 
Fusion Guitar Playing  
https://soundcloud.com/gu...y-burton-improvisation
 
I hope you like the guitar playing
 
EDIT ......
I have decided to post The Neck And Fingerboard Wrestling Exhibition that took place  on The Jazz Box 
 
Clean Jazz Guitar Playing 
https://soundcloud.com/guitarist-kenny-wilson/500-miles-high-assignment-3
 
I already got slammed on another music forum for playing w too much dirt on my tone ......
 
anyway , one of these two clips are gonna end up as my homework submission ...which one ?
please help me decide 
 
thanks in advance  
Kenny

Kenny - You did a beautiful job on this.  Some very intricate licks in there, and seeing that it was one take - that's a really solid performance!  Excellent job!  Talking about heavy strings reminded me of a time I was in Jamaica for vacation.  The guitarist in a band there was a monster jazz player.  I got together with him and he let me play his guitar.  Huge "piano" strings and the action was set super high.  The neck was warped probably due to the climate down there.  He said "yeah, I should probably adjust the action".  I could hardly push the strings down to the neck, but he could play and improvise no problem.  What kind of gauge on your "jazz box"?

Sweet and tight!  I almost hear you channeling some Santana.

guitartrek
Kenny - You did a beautiful job on this.  Some very intricate licks in there, and seeing that it was one take - that's a really solid performance!  Excellent job!  Talking about heavy strings reminded me of a time I was in Jamaica for vacation.  The guitarist in a band there was a monster jazz player.  I got together with him and he let me play his guitar.  Huge "piano" strings and the action was set super high.  The neck was warped probably due to the climate down there.  He said "yeah, I should probably adjust the action".  I could hardly push the strings down to the neck, but he could play and improvise no problem.  What kind of gauge on your "jazz box"?

Hi Geno , thanks man for giving this a listen 
I wound up adding the Clean version of 500 Miles High to this thread .... here it is 
 
500 Miles High (clean guitar version )
 
https://soundcloud.com/guitarist-kenny-wilson/500-miles-high-assignment-3
if you get a chance let me know if it's any good 
 
one of these 2 clips is gonna have to be my homework ....unless I get a second wind ....
 
the guitar playing here also is a one take recording ...no punch ins ...probably take # 38  or something 
 
I'm goal here is to just be presenting an honest clip of where I'm at with the song as I'm improvising my way through it mistakes and all 
 
The Jazz Guitar I'm playing is a Washburn J -4 ....17  inch body ....looks like the old version of a Howard Roberts 
it has an oval hole as opposed to F holes and it has a floating neck pick up ...
this thing is a Behemoth   I'm using either a set of 12 or 13 's flatwounds and my guitar is set w medium action ...
 
like I said before this Jazz Box  took me into the Championship rounds & showed me no mercy 
 
nice talking w you 
 
Kenny
 

BretB
Sweet and tight!  I almost hear you channeling some Santana.

Yep,  your right Bret on the Santana channeling and sound  
 
on the clip you listened to I'm playing on an SG w P 90's 
 
thank you for giving my playing a listen , 
 
Kenny

I favor the cleaner version. I think it's because the song form is already so harmonically rewarding to listen to.
 
The extra harmonics in the thicker distortion tone seem to distract from the underlying harmonies while the clean tone seems to synergize a sense of complete satisfaction.
 
It left me in state where I could appreciate your phrasing and the way you engage the song as if you are having a conversation.
 
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
 
best regards,
mike 

The clean one sounds really good.  I love the tone of the guitar and the dynamics you get from the non-distorted sound.  Some of the fast licks seem to flow easier on the distorted version.  But I favor the clean version for sure.  You just can't beat the beautiful bell-like tone and the dynamics that you are producing for this kind of tune.  I would love to have a jazz guitar like that some day.  

I think you should play this song with a Gibson ES359, that would sound awesome. I liked the second one better than the clean version because the guitar sounds better with the background music and fits better. Everyone has their own particular vibe for sound, so you have to go with the one you like best and feel will get you the best grade in the class. Both are nicely done. Good luck andgood playing.
 
Peace and Blessings, John

The clean one sounds better to me.  I think too much compression on it though cause I can hear the pop at the attack.  Could be a hair smoother.  Not your playing though Kenny.  I don't care how many or little take you need but your choice of notes is outstanding.  
 
Rimshot
 

mike_mccue
I favor the cleaner version. I think it's because the song form is already so harmonically rewarding to listen to.
 
The extra harmonics in the thicker distortion tone seem to distract from the underlying harmonies while the clean tone seems to synergize a sense of complete satisfaction.
 
It left me in state where I could appreciate your phrasing and the way you engage the song as if you are having a conversation.
 
Thanks for sharing your adventure with us.
 
best regards,
mike 

Hi Mike , 
 
You bring up some valid points ,  I'm leaning more to the cleaner version myself for some of the same reasons ..
 
thank you for giving this clip a listen & giving constructive feedback 
 
Kenny