Do We Over Analyze Our Gear?

[Andy Summers]

So I have a friend who is in a band. He has solely gigged with a Superchamp XD and a mexican standard Strat for the last 3 years or so. A few months ago he switched over to gigging with a Fender Mustang amp..NO TUBES!?!?! How dare he...BUT...he constantly gets compliments on his tone. And when I see his band, I honestly cant tell a difference from his sound and someone playing through a HR Deluxe..Marshall..etc. Keep in mind..this is a full rock band and most everything is laden with distorion or effects. Solo acts would probably be different.

But..this makes me think of the old saying..shut up and play. And I direct that toward myself...all the thought, money, and "need to haves" is exhausting. Whereas this guy spends about a grand total on his entire rig and goes and tears it up without a worry in the world.

[Lee Harvey]

I will give you the simple answer..

YES!!!!!!

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by Lee Harvey

I will give you the simple answer..

YES!!!!!!

Agreed...I actually like his mustang so much, Im considering getting rid of my Marshall for one AND a Super Champ XD...which I had at one point and feel it is the best bang for the buck amp out there..just need to make sure to mic it at a gig.

[RollingBender]

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

Do We Over Analyze Our Gear?

It depends on what gauge strings you use...

[Bones]

When I was in New Orleans a couple years ago, the hottest player i found was playing a Jay Turser though a Line 6 Spider.

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by RollingBender

It depends on what gauge strings you use...

HAHAHAHA!!!!! That is the one (and only) thing I can honestly say that has stayed consistent over the years. Ernie Ball 10s for 11 years and counting...

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by Bones

When I was in New Orleans a couple years ago, the hottest player i found was playing a Jay Turser though a Line 6 Spider.

I dont doubt it for a moment. I get embarrassed sometimes thinking of all the things Ive tried and bought over the years because I thought it would improve my sound...If I ever saw my purchase-trade-exchange history at GC..I would probably have a heart attack.

[63dot]

Most guitarists I know totally over analyze their gear but it's still a lot of fun. We will all get better shutting up and playing our guitars and improving in technique and tone. Gear has very little to do with major changes 99% percent of the time.

The best guitarists I know now and the best from the past pretty much play what they have and improve, regardless of how long they have played, and regardless of gear. Some of these great players have low end gear, some have middle of the road stuff like an American Standard, and some have Custom Shop gear. The one thing which unifies these players is the dedication to music and little attention to stuff like gear, haircuts, clothing, and the musical trend of the month.

[Lee Harvey]

I bet if you hit Mississippi, went out and saw the real blues guys play. They would have guitars and amps bought at pawn shops.. and still sound like a bluesman. Kicking internet guitarist butts up and down the state.

[mercy]

I was playing yesterday and my deluxe reverb sounded so good... I realized that I don't need more amps, a different dirt box, new saddles on my tele... necessarily!

The "tone is in your fingers" thing is true. Even more, it's in the angle of your right hand attack, the pressure of you left hand on the back of the neck, the strings you don't hit.

Anyway, by and large, you're right--playing in a musical and entertaining way is so much about doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.

[krowbot]

My "acceptable" amp is my trusty Vox AC30. However I also have gigged with my Line 6 Spider IV. With either amp I was able to get a sound that I was satisfied with. I have gotten just as much compliments as far as tone goes with the AC30 as with the Line 6.

[mlove3]

"Whereas this guy spends about a grand total on his entire rig and goes and tears it up without a worry in the world."

I aspire to be that guy. He's my hero. Really.

People make time for what is important to them. If playing and singing are important, you make time for it. If cork sniffing tone control capacitors is your thing, you'll make time for that.

[sax4blues]

I do, but I'm getting better.

I haven't changed any gear for a year and my rig is pretty simple. I often play with just guitar+amp.

But... I'm sure I will be getting a Vox AC15C1 soon.

[Lee Harvey]

Originally Posted by mlove3

"Whereas this guy spends about a grand total on his entire rig and goes and tears it up without a worry in the world."

I aspire to be that guy. He's my hero. Really.

People make time for what is important to them. If playing and singing are important, you make time for it. If cork sniffing tone control capacitors is your thing, you'll make time for that.

This is true wisdom..

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by mlove3

"Whereas this guy spends about a grand total on his entire rig and goes and tears it up without a worry in the world."

I aspire to be that guy. He's my hero. Really.

People make time for what is important to them. If playing and singing are important, you make time for it. If cork sniffing tone control capacitors is your thing, you'll make time for that.

Very true!! My problem is OCD, I think. I get bored way too easily. Id be much better off if GC wasnt so close...that is my biggest "issue"

[kelnet]

I analyze my sound when I don't like it. Therefore, I look for ways to get a sound that I like. Last night, though, I really liked it, but I was playing one of my older guitars. Perhaps I just enjoyed hearing something different, and maybe that's what all the gear focus is about. We just enjoy producing new sounds once in a while.

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by kelnet

I analyze my sound when I don't like it. Therefore, I look for ways to get a sound that I like. Last night, though, I really liked it, but I was playing one of my older guitars. Perhaps I just enjoyed hearing something different, and maybe that's what all the gear focus is about. We just enjoy producing new sounds once in a while.

hmmm...excellent point..didn't think of it that way.

[waparker4]

Yes we do!

I have a number of nice guitars and a DRRI. That should be enough.

OTOH, this over analyzing problem led me to the TDPRI (or perhaps the other way around) where I am learning all different ways to condition the signal to make the DRRI sound as good as it can. If I remained just a casual shopper for effects pedals, for example, I probably would never think about acquiring a "clean boost pedal" but now I know how it can make a big difference in "the tone!"

Now I know a little more about it all, and a storage problem in my house (the basement is full of amps)

[Andy Summers]

Originally Posted by waparker4

Yes we do!

I have a number of nice guitars and a DRRI. That should be enough.

OTOH, this over analyzing problem led me to the TDPRI (or perhaps the other way around) where I am learning all different ways to condition the signal to make the DRRI sound as good as it can. If I remained just a casual shopper for effects pedals, for example, I probably would never think about acquiring a "clean boost pedal" but now I know how it can make a big difference in "the tone!"

Now I know a little more about it all, and a storage problem in my house (the basement is full of amps)

LOL...Guitar Center should really thank the TDPRI and give the "owners" sick deals...because this place has led me to spend lots of money and time there...in a good way, of course

[bigmuff113]

Originally Posted by Andy Summers

Very true!! My problem is OCD.

I love the OCD.
Oh wait, wrong one....