Somebody posted a link to this video, and I really like the tone he gets on slide. I noticed he seems to lean into the lower strings, and gets what I describe as a vocal tone, somewhat reminiscent of what Derek Trucks gets. Any of y'all get that kind of sound? Ariel Posen
Always remember that you�re unique. Just like everyone else.
That's cool, he's really good. His right hand technique is excellent as well.
I play slide but not enough. I tend to bear down a bit and use a heavy slide, can't have low action. I switched to lap steel, no frets and way high action so I can use a solid Shubb bar and get amazing sustain. No frets, no finger work on the neck.
I've seen David Lindley twice, he is the master of the lap steel. You've probably heard him, he played on Jackson Browne's Running On Empty, Warren Zevon's Werewolves Of London and for Trio (Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
Solo act, he is amazing. Has low tuned string(s) for bass, a hollow body long scale lap steel that he taps with his right hand for drum sounds, it sounds like a band. He can sing on top of it, insane.
I've never seen him but Sonny Landreth kills it too. There's a video on YouTube with him and Derek Trucks jamming. They are having fun and holding their own. The guy on YouTube that makes slide guitars out of shovels is really good too.
Somebody posted a link to this video, and I really like the tone he gets on slide. I noticed he seems to lean into the lower strings, and gets what I describe as a vocal tone, somewhat reminiscent of what Derek Trucks gets. Any of y'all get that kind of sound? Ariel Posen
Wow, thanks, picker! I hadn't heard of him, but as good EXCELLENT as he is all-around, I sure should have.
Now, you got me doin' some searchin' an' some readin', and it turns out, that part of that sound is from his using clean, high-headroom tube-amps and favoring various excellent overdrive and fuzz pedals- I believe it's one of his overdrives he stomps on in that vid, and I'll look further into that in a bit; and another good sized portion of that sound is that guitar, a steel-bodied Strat-stylee, a Mule Resophonic Guitars baritone 25.5" short-scale (for a baritone) Stratomule, custom-made by Matt Eich, with a "gold foil"* type pickup somewhere in the neck/middle position, and a mini-humbucker type at the bridge, both made by Mr. Eich... Tuned Baritone Standard, B - E - A - D - F# - B, lo-to-hi, a Perfect 4th below 'normal' Standard, with .017" or .018" through .064" gauges (which may seem very heavy, but at that lowered tuning on a normal Strat 25.5" scale-length, it'd be fairly normal in tension and feel). *(The "gold foil" style of pickup often found on cheap vintage guitars from the '60s and '70s, currently in vogue with more and more players)
Besides all that, MOST of his sound, his tone, comes from his technique, playing pick, pick-and-fingers, fingerstyle, his "touch", his heart and mind, his vision. The above listed guitar, pickup, pedal, amp, string and tuning choices do contribute...
...but I'm sure he'd still "sound like him" on virtually any guitar and rig one might hand him- you know what I mean.
Every once in a while the Youtube recommended videos really are worth a watch....
They threw this up for me last week. I'd seen him review gear for Andertons in the UK a couple times, and knew he was an excellent player. But somehow I'd never taken the time to explore his music. The gig I've linked to is excellent. Great playing and tone.
I contacted him through his website, and asked him about the tone I mentioned. His reply was pretty short, but confirmed what I thought. It seemed to me that when I heard that, he was picking a note on one of his E,A or D strings, then sliding up to a note 2 or 3 frets higher, and adding some vibrato by shaking the slide. I'm thinking the winding on the strings contributes to it. I'm sure it takes some practice to get it, and yes Caevan, his amp & pedal rig has to have a lot to do with it. With Derek Trucks, he'll get the 1st & 2nd notes, then silde on through to higher ones, which seems to increase what I'm talking about. Got to work on this, it's such a cool sound!
Always remember that you�re unique. Just like everyone else.
I contacted him through his website, and asked him about the tone I mentioned. His reply was pretty short, but confirmed what I thought. It seemed to me that when I heard that, he was picking a note on one of his E,A or D strings, then sliding up to a note 2 or 3 frets higher, and adding some vibrato by shaking the slide. I'm thinking the winding on the strings contributes to it. I'm sure it takes some practice to get it, and yes Caevan, his amp & pedal rig has to have a lot to do with it. With Derek Trucks, he'll get the 1st & 2nd notes, then silde on through to higher ones, which seems to increase what I'm talking about. Got to work on this, it's such a cool sound!
Oh, OK, you were meaning the way he rapidly shoots up into those notes on the lower strings, really giving them some momentum and drive. Good stuff.
In case you're that way inclined heres an interview with Ariel. Loads of info on his roots as a guitar player. Grab yourself a coffee and enjoy some more of his playing too.....
