I "Rolphed" today

[Ed A]

Thanks for the compliments but I think I suck. That being said, sure its just about impossible to copy someones personal tone exactly, its amazing how everyones hands sound different. But I think the biggest component is the guitar itself. Trying different pickups in a bad Les Paul is going to do less to improve your sound than playing a good Les Paul. And amps and speakers are probably just as important. I think comparing a '57 classic to a PAF is far more subtle than trying different guitars and amps. Or changing pots and caps too for that matter. I dont think the crowd might notice much difference what pots youre using either. But if youve already got the guitar and amp you like, doing the subtle improvements makes a big difference to the player, if anything at least psychologically...

 

[NewOldCokeDave]

"Thanks for the compliment, but I think I suck"


Ed, the good ones always do, that's WHY they're the good ones...

 

[Sean]

its amazing how everyones hands sound different

Amen. If I learned one thing in Arlington in October from 60burst, RICH, Fred and BrianG, it was that.

 

[NewOldCokeDave]

I blame EdA for educating us with those sound samples.. Without them I would have been blissfully ignorant!! :lolspin

 

[60burst]

Sean,

Each style was very different. I agree with you. You could easily pick out each player no matter what rig we would play through. I remember hearing Rich a good bit. He was very impressive. He approached things totally differently than I do. (that's probably good) I really enjoyed what little I got to hear. He had some interesting runs, that's for sure. A lot of speed and very musical even though it is a 'balls to the wall' style of playing.

I remember hearing some of Fred and his style was closer to mine, but still really far away. As I remember, he had a very heavy vibrato and really a heavy style that was exact and musical. You could tell that this guy had played a ton of gigs and a lot of AC/DC type stuff. Fred sounded to me like he has played it all, at one time or another. Both of these guys are true pros. I would love to cover some ground playing live with these guys. I am sure they have much more up their sleeve than what I got to see........

Really, everyone I heard at Ed's in Arlington hit some good licks. Even Ed. He says he can't play but I remember coming out of the bathroom and I heard this really good lick go by so I looked around and it was Ed! I wish I had that lick on video. I could use it. I haven't added a new lick to my bag of tricks in a long time. There were plenty to try and steal in Arlington. I should have brought a video camera................

 

[Ed Rafalko]

Wasn't me! You can't prove anything!
Brian and Sean sounded completely different, playing Goldie through the same amp at the same volumes. Brian played with a Canadian accent and Sean had that Irish thing goin' on. I have no musical ear at all, but even I could hear that one.
Fred's not showing you anything. I've seen him play on video at a gig, and when he's in a room fulla guitar players he's almost a caricature of himself compared to the video I've seen. He wants to make sure you catch the nuances, I guess, so he exaggerates them a bit. His right hand is crisp and strong at all times, but he's got more dynamics in a band situation than he displays when sitting on the couch in my living room. He's a monster.
RICH displays musicality at all times. He's just a natural, I've said that before. He chooses to express his musicality through a particular genre as opposed to a broader base of expression, is all. It doesn't mean he's not capable, it just means he likes the stuff he plays better.

 

[Dave Paetow]

I enjoyed hearing everyone playing, just hearing the differences in vibrato and touch from person to person.

 

[toni]

I think the best rig is yourself.
Style is often guided by the music we were listening to when we were very young.
And our playing reflects that.
But we all have our own "soul", our own "tone".
So i think you could play through any rig you'd still sound "yourself".
It's amazing how the soul goes right through strings, magnets, wires, tubes, speakers, and keep his perfect signature.
We just add some color to our original impulse...