|
Author
|
Topic: Asher Ben Harper model questions
|
Justin Gass
Member From: West Columbia, South Carolina, USA
|
posted 26 February 2005 05:55 PM
profile send email edit
I've noticed that there are many experts that use this forum and I hope it would not be too much trouble to ask for your help. I'm an acoustic guitarist-straight acoustic-I've never even plugged into an amp. Therefore, I have very little knowledge concerning "pickups" (or the electrics of guitars). I also have a Superior weissenborn-style lap guitar (again, without a pickup).I am becoming very interested in the Asher Ben Harper model. With its solid body design, I assume it produces a full acoustic tone when amplified. My question is this: can it also produce more of an "electric" sound (more like a hard, "les paul" sound that Ben Harper uses on his records). I notice that this model has two pickups-Does this indicate the ability to switch from an acoustic tone to a more hard-driven electric sound? Does the presence of both a neck and bridge pickup allow for this? If not, what is the purpose of two pickups?
I've noticed that Ben actually uses both an acoustic and electric sound on his Weissenborn in the same song. Is this property inherent in this model guitar, or does it require other means?
I apologize for this question being rather elementary, but like I said earlier, I have little knowledge concerning the electrics of guitars. I would appreciate any help you could give me. I would definately like to have some "know-how" before I consider investing that much money! Thank you so much in advance. |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
|
posted 26 February 2005 06:37 PM
profile edit
HI Justin,- I have an Asher 'Ben Harper' (Electro Hawaiian) lap steel. The standard models are all electrics, and while they have a beautiful tone when played unplugged they have no internal pickup that amplifies the acoustic sound. So they must be considered all-electric lap steels. Some models, like my custom model and the new top of the line "Dual Tone" model, does feature an under-saddle piezo pickup with its own output for acoustic sound, but not the standard models.
The P-90 pickups in my guitar produce a very warm and fat 'Les Paul' type of sound, and I assume the double humbuckers in his new models makes them even more 'Les Paulish'..It is possible for Ben Harper to switch from an acoustic to electric sound in the same song live, by having the signal from the Sunrise pickup in his Weissenborn split. That way he can run one signal to the PA and the other to his amp, and can switch between the two or blend them as he pleases. Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
[This message was edited by Steinar Gregertsen on 26 February 2005 at 06:40 PM.]
|
Travis Bernhardt
Member From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
|
posted 26 February 2005 06:53 PM
profile send email edit
The Asher Ben Harper model is definitely an electric guitar first and foremost--you don't get much sound out of it when it's unplugged (the sound you do get is nice, though)--but the one I played definitely had an acoustic vibe when plugged in. What I mean is, played through an amp it sounded more like an electrified Weissenborn than a standard electric lap steel. I believe it's the guitar he uses on the Will to Live album (at least for the crunchy stuff). If you buy a magnetic pickup for your Superior, you'll end up with a sound that's more or less in the same ballpark as the Asher. A similar ballpark, anyways. -Travis[This message was edited by Travis Bernhardt on 26 February 2005 at 06:55 PM.] |
Justin Gass
Member From: West Columbia, South Carolina, USA
|
posted 26 February 2005 07:11 PM
profile send email edit
Thank you both so much for your help. I will definately take the advice from experts.
Two more questions if you don't mind: what's the benefit of having two custom lap steel pickups (Electro Hawaiian) as opposed to one pickup (Electro Junior)?
What's the significance of the location of the pickup (neck vs. bridge) and can you switch between the two or are they used simultaneously? Thanks so much. |
Steinar Gregertsen
Member From: Arendal, Norway
|
posted 26 February 2005 07:54 PM
profile edit
The advantage of having two pickups is that you'll get a broader range of sounds from you lap steel. The pickup at the bridge will give you a brighter and harder sound, while the one at the neck will give a fatter, softer sound.
On most model you'll have a three-way switch which allows you to choose between bridge pup, neck pup, or both at the same time.Steinar ------------------
www.gregertsen.com
|
Travis Bernhardt
Member From: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
|
posted 27 February 2005 03:25 AM
profile send email edit
Just wanted to add that the Asher I played sounded really good. Warm and fat, and very inspiring to play. As someone else here said a while ago, the tone makes you want to play lots of sustained single notes, because even a single note sounds huge.-Travis P.S. If you're going to "take the advice from experts," you'll want to take everything I say with a big grain of salt...  [This message was edited by Travis Bernhardt on 27 February 2005 at 03:27 AM.] | |
The Steel Guitar Forum
