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Author
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Topic: Is tone REALLY all in the hands?
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John Kavanagh
Member From: Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
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posted 10 January 2003 07:41 AM
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One of the reasons I've always resented "gear" (by which I mainly mean amplification gear) is that it's so hard (and expensive) to control. You're often let down by your gear. I hate that. It seems that a good player can get his own sound on any decently-maintained acoustic instrument, but there are so many extra variables with an amp, and gadgets plugged into the amp, and speakers, and all. I heard a great sax player play on a cheap horn with a plastic reed once, and I commented to a friend of his (also a sax player) that he still sounded just like himself, and the friend said "yeah, but only he knows how hard he's working." I agree that the sound that's in your head is by far the most important thing.
Only you know how hard you have to work to get it.
[This message was edited by John Kavanagh on 10 January 2003 at 10:32 AM.] |
Dave Robbins
Member From: Nashville, Tnn. USA
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posted 12 January 2003 07:40 PM
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A "good set of hands" can make even a bad guitar sound good, but a bad set of hands can't always make a good guitar sound good!...now, a good set of hands and a good guitar...well...that's another story completely!  Dave |
Mike Perlowin
Member From: Los Angeles CA
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posted 12 January 2003 08:25 PM
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quote:
amplification gear is ...hard...to control.
I wouldn't say that. I think one has to learn how to control it, and that takes a lot of practise, but once you have the skill down, it's not a big deal. I played acoustic guitar for many years before I went electric. I'd say it took me about 2 years to really learn how to properly use my gear. |
Duane Dunard
Member From: Troy, MO. U.S.A.
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posted 13 January 2003 04:21 AM
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Every time I sell a new steel amp to a customer, I worry that it may not satisfy the buyer. I have confidence in our products, but being a steel player myself, I know how hard it is to please a steel player when it comes to tone. Especially if the buyer has played the same old steel amp out on jobs for many years, he will quickly get frustrated trying to make the new amp sound similar to his old familure amp. Manufacturers tend to listen to "name" players when designing their products, then try to market this same over-designed, top-professional product to the hobby-player and semi-pro player. The results are products that have the ability to sound top-notch, but are so difficult to "dial-into", or don't sound their very best until driven up to high volume levels, that the average player quickly gives up on. Then it's not long before the new amp is advertised for sale, and he's out looking for another vintage amp that he "thinks" he will sound better on. Sorry to drift a little off Mike's topic, just ventilating a little. [This message was edited by Duane Dunard on 13 January 2003 at 08:01 AM.] | |
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