My Morning Jacket

Am I a fool?  I just bought a used Q-Chord on eBay.  Its the newest version of the Omnichord that Jim James uses on Touch Me I'm Going to Scream Pt. 2 (Evil Urges), Sooner (Acoustic Chorale), and What a Wonderful Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mVj3FYAF4c), among others.  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380180056750&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (scroll down for photo)

I paid $200.  New ones, with case, AC adapter, etc., run around $275 and up.  My wife thinks I'm crazy, but what else is new?  

Anyway, does anyone out there have experience monkeying around with the Q-Chord or other Omnichord units?  I'm hoping to start my own one-man MMJ cover band (jk).  :)  

Here's a link to info about the Q-Chord: http://www.qchord.net/index.html

haha it's good to hear i'm not the only fool.  I bought a q-chord a couple months ago.  I wanted an old omnichord but i couldn't win any on ebay.

It's fun to play with, but my only gripe is that when you play a beat there's a whole damn orchestration that plays along with.  I just want to play a simple beat and play my "beep bop beep bops" over it like the omnichord does.  

The q-chord does a few more things than a omnichord does.  It has over 100 different sounds.      

I've played one. Very easy to play.

I think the q chord even has different cartridge type things you can put in for more sounds

Quotehaha it's good to hear i'm not the only fool.  I bought a q-chord a couple months ago.  I wanted an old omnichord but i couldn't win any on ebay.

Exactly!  The Omnichord (various models) often go for more than a new Q-Chord on eBay.  Also, some say the analog sound of the Omnichord is nicer than the digital Q-Chord.

I am far from being instrumentally inclined but from the first time I ever heard the omnichord I fell in love with it. I heard it for the first time in 2005 in Birmingham at the Sloss Furnace when Jim played "This magic moment" on one and when I heard them use one on "Touch Me Pt. 2" it was definitely what put me over the top.


I bought one (Suzuki OM-100) in the summer of 2008 after Evil Urges came out and stepped up and bought a Suzuki OM-300 MIDI model in July of 2009. It is a great stress reliever for me out here at sea when there's not a lot of escape from work. (I am in the US navy on a ship stationed out of Sasebo, Japan) I can take a 3 or 4 chord progression and just jam for 45 minutes with my eyes rolled into the back of my head and forget about every care in the world.

I have been doing some brainstorming on design and concepts for an Omnichord enthusist webpage to bring more of us crazy folks together. I've been slow to produce due to lack of time away from work but hopefully with the holiday season I will have more time to start. I just don't want to roll out some halfway-thought out project.

I found that there's little information about these quirky machines available online and you have to find them in all sorts of places (yahoo discussion groups, Qchord page, facebook group, ebay) so it would be nice to bring it all together onto one page.

Also when I look at an omnichord that is almost 30 years old I like to think there's a good story to go along and I'd like to provide a place where people can share stories about theirs. I saw a picture of one on ebay for sale that had a big hole drilled in the front of it so that it could be mounted onto the side of a wheelchair at a nursing home. By the way I do a search for "omnichord" on ebay at least once every 2 weeks, not sure why.

I also spend a really long time playing mine with little to no formal instruction on strumming techniques, and etc. and so I think it would be cool to have a place where people can collaborate and share ideas on that sort of thing.

If anyone is interested in providing ideas or helping me promote this in any sort of way (graphic design, ideas, spread the word, etc) let me know.

No omnichord is complete without the octopus sticker though. ::)
(http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv141/AlexanderD10/erf.jpg)

darkglow, what a cool story!  I've never tried an omnichord but like you I still do the occasional searches on eBay   ;D  Would love to try one out someday!

QuoteNo omnichord is complete without the octopus sticker though. ::)
(http://i678.photobucket.com/albums/vv141/AlexanderD10/erf.jpg)

Of course.

Good to see you around these parts again, darkglow. I love your idea about the omnichord page.  Definitely keep us updated.  I would have an omnichord by now if the wife didn't think they're annoying.

is it possible to re-create the zelda theme song on the omnichord? it seems like the ultimate vintage video game music creator.

QuoteI am far from being instrumentally inclined but from the first time I ever heard the omnichord I fell in love with it. I heard it for the first time in 2005 in Birmingham at the Sloss Furnace when Jim played "This magic moment" on one and when I heard them use one on "Touch Me Pt. 2" it was definitely what put me over the top.


I bought one (Suzuki OM-100) in the summer of 2008 after Evil Urges came out and stepped up and bought a Suzuki OM-300 MIDI model in July of 2009. It is a great stress reliever for me out here at sea when there's not a lot of escape from work. (I am in the US navy on a ship stationed out of Sasebo, Japan) I can take a 3 or 4 chord progression and just jam for 45 minutes with my eyes rolled into the back of my head and forget about every care in the world.

I have been doing some brainstorming on design and concepts for an Omnichord enthusist webpage to bring more of us crazy folks together. I've been slow to produce due to lack of time away from work but hopefully with the holiday season I will have more time to start. I just don't want to roll out some halfway-thought out project.

I found that there's little information about these quirky machines available online and you have to find them in all sorts of places (yahoo discussion groups, Qchord page, facebook group, ebay) so it would be nice to bring it all together onto one page.

Also when I look at an omnichord that is almost 30 years old I like to think there's a good story to go along and I'd like to provide a place where people can share stories about theirs. I saw a picture of one on ebay for sale that had a big hole drilled in the front of it so that it could be mounted onto the side of a wheelchair at a nursing home. By the way I do a search for "omnichord" on ebay at least once every 2 weeks, not sure why.

I also spend a really long time playing mine with little to no formal instruction on strumming techniques, and etc. and so I think it would be cool to have a place where people can collaborate and share ideas on that sort of thing.

If anyone is interested in providing ideas or helping me promote this in any sort of way (graphic design, ideas, spread the word, etc) let me know.

it'd be sick to run the omni through a sampler like the KP3:

(http://img3.musiciansfriend.com/dbase/pics/products/3/3/4/449334.jpg)

that shit has some wicked delay/grain shifter/loop/sampling functions.   it'd be interesting to hear what a super intense omnichord setup sounds like.

I have the OM 100 I bought off ebay about 2 years ago.  Fun unit to play and really simple.  It did not take long to learn Touch me pt 2 and Tonight I want to celibrate.  I had to bid on several on ebay before I got this one.  I also read several reviews that said the older models were better than the new q chord...though I have nothing to compare.

Okay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

QuoteOkay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

That was killer! Don't stop til you get enough johnnyyac!

Quote

QuoteOkay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

That was killer! Don't stop til you get enough johnnyyac!

Thanks, AMC.  I've got a 1984 Omnichord OM 84 coming from Utah, just in time for Christmas.  I think I got it at a steal- $125.  I'll put up a sample so folks can hear the difference.  I like the Q but it lacks the "basic" sounds that you get from the old school version JJ uses.  

Quote

Quote

QuoteOkay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

That was killer! Don't stop til you get enough johnnyyac!

Thanks, AMC.  I've got a 1984 Omnichord OM 84 coming from Utah, just in time for Christmas.  I think I got it at a steal- $125.  I'll put up a sample so folks can hear the difference.  I like the Q but it lacks the "basic" sounds that you get from the old school version JJ uses.  

A friend of mine has a q-chord and said the same exact thing!

Quote

Quote

QuoteOkay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

That was killer! Don't stop til you get enough johnnyyac!

Thanks, AMC.  I've got a 1984 Omnichord OM 84 coming from Utah, just in time for Christmas.  I think I got it at a steal- $125.  I'll put up a sample so folks can hear the difference.  I like the Q but it lacks the "basic" sounds that you get from the old school version JJ uses.  

I love the 84, but I'm gonna shoot for a 100 in the near future...

Quote

Quote

Quote

QuoteOkay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

That was killer! Don't stop til you get enough johnnyyac!

Thanks, AMC.  I've got a 1984 Omnichord OM 84 coming from Utah, just in time for Christmas.  I think I got it at a steal- $125.  I'll put up a sample so folks can hear the difference.  I like the Q but it lacks the "basic" sounds that you get from the old school version JJ uses.  

I love the 84, but I'm gonna shoot for a 100 in the near future...

There's an OM 100 up on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Omnichord-System-100-OM-100-EXC_W0QQitemZ290386515633QQcmdZViewItemQQptZKeyboards_MIDI?hash=item439c6296b1

QuoteOkay, bear with me and be honest if I should stop doing this right now.  

Below is a link to my first recording using the QChord, an instrumental cover of Wonderful (The Way I Feel) by Yim Yames.  

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com/

i'm diggin it!  :)

Thanks for the kind words, everyone.  

I'm thinking of bringing the OM84 on my trek south to catch the first 3 shows.  

If folks want, "Bermuda Hitchhiker" is available for download (Free, of course!):

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7W4E33LT

It was my first recording of the OM84, and a first take.  I stumbled upon the drum beat and liked how it worked with the chords for Bermuda Highway.  

QuoteThanks for the kind words, everyone.  

I'm thinking of bringing the OM84 on my trek south to catch the first 3 shows.  

If folks want, "Bermuda Hitchhiker" is available for download (Free, of course!):

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7W4E33LT

It was my first recording of the OM84, and a first take.  I stumbled upon the drum beat and liked how it worked with the chords for Bermuda Highway.  

We should totally plan a pre-party at a Bham bar (I think you're going to bham, if I'm correct) and chill and have a couple drinks and you could show us your skills.  Just sayin.  Great way to get pumped for the show  :)

Quote

QuoteThanks for the kind words, everyone.  

I'm thinking of bringing the OM84 on my trek south to catch the first 3 shows.  

If folks want, "Bermuda Hitchhiker" is available for download (Free, of course!):

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7W4E33LT

It was my first recording of the OM84, and a first take.  I stumbled upon the drum beat and liked how it worked with the chords for Bermuda Highway.  

We should totally plan a pre-party at a Bham bar (I think you're going to bham, if I'm correct) and chill and have a couple drinks and you could show us your skills.  Just sayin.  Great way to get pumped for the show  :)

Aw, shucks!  Ain't no skills here.  I print the chords from guitar tabs sites and see what happens.  I don't read music and don't have most tunes memorized.  I'll bring it along and set the chords out and you can play just as well.  It is fun and my wife tells me she likes to listen to me jam. That's all I ever wanted.  

I'm trying to find a cool MMJ patch to put on my case, but it doesn't appear there is a patch, unless I robbed one from a beanie.  Anyway, I'm up for a pre-show get together.  My flight arrives in B'ham around noon.  I'll check into the hotel and then start wandering.  I'm sure we'll meet.  Look for the man with a black Omnichord case over his shoulder  :)

Quote

Quote

QuoteThanks for the kind words, everyone.  

I'm thinking of bringing the OM84 on my trek south to catch the first 3 shows.  

If folks want, "Bermuda Hitchhiker" is available for download (Free, of course!):

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7W4E33LT

It was my first recording of the OM84, and a first take.  I stumbled upon the drum beat and liked how it worked with the chords for Bermuda Highway.  

We should totally plan a pre-party at a Bham bar (I think you're going to bham, if I'm correct) and chill and have a couple drinks and you could show us your skills.  Just sayin.  Great way to get pumped for the show  :)

Aw, shucks!  Ain't no skills here.  I print the chords from guitar tabs sites and see what happens.  I don't read music and don't have most tunes memorized.  I'll bring it along and set the chords out and you can play just as well.  It is fun and my wife tells me she likes to listen to me jam. That's all I ever wanted.  

I'm trying to find a cool MMJ patch to put on my case, but it doesn't appear there is a patch, unless I robbed one from a beanie.  Anyway, I'm up for a pre-show get together.  My flight arrives in B'ham around noon.  I'll check into the hotel and then start wandering.  I'm sure we'll meet.  Look for the man with a black Omnichord case over his shoulder  :)

Should be easy enough to spot!  :)

If there's any word on an "official" (and by official i mean MMJ message board fan-planned) pre-get-together, keep me posted.  In the Bham Role Call thread we can put a word out to anyone coming to that show and get some input on a pre-show get together spot.  

I will be there.  

I've updated my website, with a new recording of "Steam Engine".  All of my Omnichord recordings are available as free downloads.  Enjoy!

http://johnnyyac.tripod.com

This guy knows how to use one:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKCraa-tdD4[/media]

Nice cape, too.

QuoteThis guy knows how to use one:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKCraa-tdD4[/media]

Nice cape, too.

;D

Thanks to everyone who's visited my silly little Omnichord website.  It just broke 500 page views today!  

I thought my OM 84 was toast, but now know what it sounds like when the batteries are dying  ;D

I'm planning to bring the OM 84, and possibly the QChord, with me on my trip to B'ham, N'ville, and Atlanta in April.  I don't necessarily want to play for people, but let folks fart around with 'em themselves to see how easy they are, especially with the chords and lyrics in front of you.  
That's what I do.  

Happy Valentines Day!

johnnYYac


http://johnnYYac.tripod.com/

johnnyyac i remember the first time that happened to me. i thought the speaker was blown. i am a die hard omnichord guy myself. i have an om-100 and an om-300 and i play them both pretty equally. kind of hard to get good though most of the time you just have to play it by ear. there is a yahoo group out there for the Qchord and it has a lot of omnichord chord progressions and techniques that are applicable to the old analog omnichords as well. i wish there were more people that i could meet and greet that feel the same as me about them and i also wish someone would develop a full-fledged website dedicated to all things omnichord. i keep saying that i am going to build that website but i cannot find the free time to get it off the ground. your website is great, man! kudos for diving in head first with it

I just bagged an OM-300, so the QChord is going up for sale.  If anyone's interested, email me.  I'll likely put it up on eBay.

Woo hoo!

(http://i.ebayimg.com/20/!BsQuNLQEWk~$(KGrHqMH-EMEvDZBlHeTBL3OUm6jqg~~_3.JPG)

QuoteI just bagged an OM-300, so the QChord is going up for sale.  If anyone's interested, email me.  I'll likely put it up on eBay.

Woo hoo!

(http://i.ebayimg.com/20/!BsQuNLQEWk~$(KGrHqMH-EMEvDZBlHeTBL3OUm6jqg~~_3.JPG)

Awesome!  :D

I know it may not be an omnichord, but if you already have a nintendo ds or if your kids do, try out this little gem the KORG-DS 10 Synth.... just look what it can do it is really awesome and fun to play with.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPtxNhf02zA&feature=related

So I finally got my hands on a Q-chord! Played around with it for a bit and learned how to play What a Wonderful Man... Does anyone know a good site to look up chords for their other songs (particularly Touch Me pt. 2)?

Quote from: kholl44 on Sep 17, 2015, 09:18 AM
So I finally got my hands on a Q-chord! Played around with it for a bit and learned how to play What a Wonderful Man... Does anyone know a good site to look up chords for their other songs (particularly Touch Me pt. 2)?

I'd start here:

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/my_morning_jacket_tabs.htm?no_takeover

I'll post my Touch Me 2 chord sheet next...

Actually, I've included all of the chord sheets I've used and saved in one folder.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/bj2i0asgb6f0q1q/Omnichord_Tabs.zip

Quote from: johnnYYac on Sep 17, 2015, 12:53 PM
Actually, I've included all of the chord sheets I've used and saved in one folder.

http://www.mediafire.com/download/bj2i0asgb6f0q1q/Omnichord_Tabs.zip

Perfect! Thanks John!!

I know Owen Ashworth "Advance Base", AKA "Casiotone for the Painfully Alone", plays an omnichord. Beautifully, I might add... Very, baring his sole, melodic music.
He's also a big John Prine fan(always a plus!)
Ivev seen 2 Advance Base shows and 2 Prine covers :thumbsup:

Check out his lp's
-Nephew in the Wild(beautiful)
-A Shut-In's Prayer(newest lp)

Casiotone for the Painfully Alone(Advance Base)/The Donkey's have a split on Daytrotter  :thumbsup:

He's also got a bunch of 7" (here's a few)
-Our Cat
(Has the theme from WKRP in Cincinnati &
  J. Prines's"Xmas in Prison")
-Casiotone for the Painfully Alone & Concern
  (Has 2 B.Springsteen covers!)