Mix: Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good"

[t4mh]

elserI'm thinking that without modeling you're going to have to stack up a bunch of different amps live or in the studio. You might make it through a live gig with only one amp sound...depends on how drunk they are... Maybe no one will notice... So far the best modeling amp I've seen is the Line 6 stuff but even those aren't THAT great. But its been awhile since I've checked out modeling amps. Maybe there is something really super out there!I know ern talks about an HK.Keith

[elser]

Apr 14, 2009, 4:43pm, t4mh wrote:elserI'm thinking that without modeling you're going to have to stack up a bunch of different amps live or in the studio. You might make it through a live gig with only one amp sound...depends on how drunk they are... Maybe no one will notice... So far the best modeling amp I've seen is the Line 6 stuff but even those aren't THAT great. But its been awhile since I've checked out modeling amps. Maybe there is something really super out there!I know ern talks about an HK.KeithHey Keith,If you're interested in that stuff (and believe me I'm not preaching here, it's just what suits my needs best) you owe it yourself to check out the Vox amps. Do a search on Harmony-Central for the AD120VT and you'll see consistently high marks on the sound. Reliability has been an issue for some people but I used my mine heavily for about 6 or 7 years and didn't have any issues till last month when it took a crap on stage.My belief is it has more to do with playing technique in the end. I mean Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix all went through numerous rigs but always managed to sound pretty much the same despite the setup.And never under estimate the power of a bitchin shirt, Elser

[ernstinen]

Apr 14, 2009, 9:48pm, fretnoise wrote:My belief is it has more to do with playing technique in the end. I mean Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix all went through numerous rigs but always managed to sound pretty much the same despite the setup.Yup, I think that's the answer. It really boils down to a guitar that works for the artist, and how the guitarist's fretting hand (left for most, right for Jimi) reacts to the finger board through years of practice. There is no magic answer besides learning how to train your fingers to react to a particular guitar neck. --- I like rosewood, others like maple, and it depends on the strength and size of your hands, also. But I agree, it's the time a guitarist spends with his preferred axe that makes things sing!Ern

[t4mh]

Not sure how to do multiple quotes here...ElserI have very exact models of all the vox amps. I don't think that I need to purchase one.Elser & ernI agree that a guitar player's technique is a great deal of "guitar sound" as I'd be the first to tell you that I don't really, really sound like anyone else but, lemme see how to explain this... Example: Different effects sort of "cause" me to play "differently" and I'd bet thats true of you guys. Well, in the same way, a really good amp does the same thing and is as much an instrument as the guitar... Its more than JUST getting loud. I also agree with you guys that at least to some extent it is THE guitar. But I have many, some cheap and some expensive. They all have their own voice and I use them for the different things they each excel at. But I can play and get my sound on all of them.I'm probably not communicating this very well... sorryKeith

[Mark Kaufman]

It's how you hold, pluck, touch, intone...it's all in the hands and the expression of the player. Amps and guitars just add color and flavor. When Chris Squire plays a bass, it doesn't matter about the brand or the amp...it sounds like Squire every time.

[derekmcfarland]

I got nothin' Oooooo, but then there's the cool ARP Odyssey synthesizer solo in the middle of the song!!!

[ernstinen]

Apr 15, 2009, 6:52pm, lyle wrote:It's how you hold, pluck, touch, intone...it's all in the hands and the expression of the player. Amps and guitars just add color and flavor. When Chris Squire plays a bass, it doesn't matter about the brand or the amp...it sounds like Squire every time.Yea, I'm a BIG "Yes" and Squire fan (I'm not a bassist, but ya gotta admit the guy has a unique sound!).He DID use a Rickenbacker bass for the most part, and really worked on his amplification so that he had the bottom end, but separate amps to really define the treble and attack. But I'm sure most of his sound came from his talent and this hands!I just finished Eric Clapton's biography, and WOW! the hundreds of guitars that guy had! When he was young, be finally got a Gibson 335, and used that primarily during the Cream era. But when he got some $$, he had always wanted a Stratocaster. What he did is bought a bunch of 'em, and built just ONE with all the best parts --- called it "Blackie." When Clapton finally sold it for a charity auction, it went for almost a million $ or more!Buy Clapton has always sounded like Clapton, McCartney always sounds like McCartney (I can barely tell when he switched from a Hofner to a Rick), and Pete Townsend has played through all kinds of guitars and amps, and has always sounded liked Townsend --- The last time I saw him play in a live concert, he was playing a Strat through some newer Fender amps, whereas he was always a Gibson/Hi-Watt guy. Seems like that proves Elser's theory! Personally, I'm a monogamous Fender guitar guy, and like different amps for different sounds (plus effects, but I'm using them less and less).Ern

[elser]

Right now I'm in the market for a talent pedal. When I find one I'm gonna turn the gain and the mix all the way up and leave it on all the time!

[t4mh]

Apr 16, 2009, 7:50pm, fretnoise wrote:Right now I'm in the market for a talent pedal. When I find one I'm gonna turn the gain and the mix all the way up and leave it on all the time!Damn! When you find it we all need one!Keith

[southpaw]

You guys tried the fender pack for Ik Amplitube. Wow, impressive stuff. I just got it, and it does some pretty good emulations on 57'Deluxes, 65' twin reverb, 64 vibroverb, and has tons of manipulation and adjustment possibilities. I am really impressed with this one.Worth checking out. Although, im willing to negotiate trade for that talent pedal! i hear those are AWESOME!