Tedster Posted November 19, 2000 Share Posted November 19, 2000 Okay, this oughta get a few chuckles... We all know the type. Maybe we are the type and either do or don't recognize it. Some may be placebo effect (tell someone that something is better with authority and chances are they'll believe it). Some may be "The Emperor's New Clothes" (everyone says this piece of gear is better, I'd be stupid if I said otherwise). "Well, I can't stand the '63 blackface version of that amp...I've got to have the '58 tweed covered one". "I took out the stock pickups on my (name of guitar) and replaced 'em with (name of pickup)" (despite the fact that the stock pickups on said model are pretty hot to begin with). I mean, some of this is quantitative..."said pickups really ARE hotter/mellower/sweeter"...some is subjective..."To me they seem hotter/mellower/brighter"...and, to be honest, some is total bullshit..."I read in a magazine that Spike Axegrinder of Outhouse replaced his pickups with these, so that's what I did"... I used the example of pickups, but ANY piece of gear is fair game. Questions: 1. Have you actually played the two pieces of gear in question side by side? 2. Are you easily influenced by "professional endorsements"? 3. Would you be able to tell the difference on a CD if one piece of gear were used over another? (WOW! He's singing through a TLM103 there, not his usual U87)... 4. Are certain brands just cooler than others, and do their products really deserve the reputation they've gotten? 4. How much of it reeeaally matters? "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphajerk Posted November 19, 2000 Share Posted November 19, 2000 98% of everything is the performance. i changed out my pickups because the replacements sounded more like i wanted them to sound. just personal customization of my equipment. but it was never because so and so played them. in fact my bridge pickup on my strat was developed with one of my least favorite guitar players but it sounded like what i was going for. im a gear slut, not a gear snob. alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted November 20, 2000 Author Share Posted November 20, 2000 Well, yeah, 98% is performance...but don't we all perform better when (at least to ourselves) we sound better? When you're fighting with gear to get the sound you want, it affects your performance, don'tcha think? "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not Cereal Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 i can definately hear a difference between an allen & heath mix wizard and a mackie of the same size. one or the other doesn't sound better or worse, just different. i think the a&h sounds more 'earthy' where the mackie sounds more 'crispy' and i'll take a crown over a BGW (eeeww!) any day! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott from MA Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 I don't know if this example was aimed at me, but it did appear right after I said that I changed out the pickups on my Strat with Carvin AP-11's. Well, to answer your questions: 1. Yes, I got to play them side-by-side (my stock Strat vs. a friend's Carvin Bolt) and was blown away by the sound of the Carvin pickups... which is what lead me to putting them in my guitar. (BTW - I wasn't impressed at all by the Carvin guitar, just the pickups. Incedentally, the pickups sound even better in my Strat than in the Bolt. Maybe the body wood effects it??) 2. I really don't care about professional endorsements, "signature" models, or the so-called industry standard. A product either meets my expectations, or it doesn't and I use something else. 3. Recognizing a brand of pickups by hearing them on a CD would be a difficult task. I can, however, hear the difference in stuff that I recorded earlier as compared to stuff I record with the new pickups. 4. I'm not even sure if Carvin pickups are considered cool. Do they have a reputation? 4. Why are there two number 4's? Anyway, yes it does matter, because I was incredibly unhappy with the weak sound of my Fender pickups. Now, I finally get the "bite" that I was seeking. I wish Carvin would make AP-11's for my Tele! What does it all mean? Nothing! But, if I were a "gear snob" I would have spent $450 on Joe Barden pickups (the only pickups I've played that sounded better than the Carvins). Instead, I spent $90 and still got the sound I wanted. Scott (just another cantankerous bastard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott from MA Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 BTW - I just re-read my last post. I didn't mean for it to sound as "matter-of-fact" as it does! Funny how things can read differently without knowing the implied tone. Know what I mean? Anyway... no attitude intended. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif Scott NP: Jeff Buckley - "Mystery White Boy Tour" Scott (just another cantankerous bastard) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 Funny question, Tedster! I am not much of a gear snob when it comes to recording stuff, but I will admit, when it comes to instruments and amps, I'm a TOTAL gear snob! All of my guitars and amps are vintage, and I don't think I could have it any other way. The reason is that yes, I CAN tell a world of difference between these guitars and comparable newer models, both in their sound and the way they play. I also bought a Gretsch Broadkaster drum kit, a reissue of an early jazz kit, which set me back 3 grand for a 4 piece kit. Why? Cuz when I heard it, it sounded so much better than anything I'd heard previously that I had to have it. I don't care about professional endorsements (although if I hear a sound on record that blows me away I WILL at least investigate what gear was being used), I just care about the "makes my backbone shake" factor. The first time I played a friend's '54 Les Paul Gold Top, I had to have one. Took me 8 years to find one I could afford, as I was a starving musician then, but in '84 I finally found the amazing '52 that I have now. And when I crank it up through the Ampeg it still gives me the same rush as the first time I played it. I have heard recorders (like the old Ampex 350's one of which I now have) and consoles (like API's, which I don't expect to have any time soon!) that have given me the same feeling. Outboard gear and mics, very rarely. Some of the 60's tube compressors blow me away especially when compressing reverb plates. Damn, that's an exciting sound. I love some of the digital recordings nowadays that are so detailed and "hyper-real" that they knock you over. But really, I've even heard that quality with some relatively cheap equipment. Besides the performance itself though, by and large I think the most important equipment is the instruments and the room acoustics. Start with something that sounds good to begin with and it will be much less work to get it to sound good recorded. --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonemonkeyyahoo.com Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 Tedster- I guess I am. For one thing, to my ears tweed Fenders and Backface Fenders sound NOTHING alike. Tweeds are much more "primitive" with a nice full midrange - they sound more like Marshalls than Fenders; BF Fenders are more refined and Hi-Fi with a noticeable (to me anyway) mid scoop - the prototypical "Fender clean" sound. I own lots of boutique gear (Clark, Top Hat, Fulltone). I prefer it because I get vintage sound with modern reliability. Also, I find that the boutique stuff FEELS better. It's spongier, more responsive and I don't feel like my rig is fighting me. Any hack can design an amp that sounds and plays like a Carvin (just stiffen up the power supply - "no such thing as too much filtering"). However, to get that last 10% of tone/feel out of an amp requires real work and measurements won't get you there. You have to play many, many iterations of your equipment to eke out that last little bit. Michael Clark, Michael Fuller and Brian Gerhard (Top Hat) are extraordinarily talented guys. Their stuff is easily worth two or three times what I'd pay for a modern Fender, Crate, Peavey, etc. My .02. Your mileage may vary. [This message has been edited by tonemonkey@yahoo.com (edited 11-20-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uh Clem Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 I also bought a Gretsch Broadkaster drum kit -- Lee Lee, how you liking the Gretsch kit? I also picked up one of these a few yrs ago - the wood grain black - I went nuts on them - I'm up to 5 toms now, a 20" kick and two snares. They do sound great. I've been a Gretch drum fan for the past 25 yrs. Steve Powell - Bull Moon Digital www.bullmoondigital.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted November 20, 2000 Author Share Posted November 20, 2000 Scott from MA wrote... >>I don't know if this example was aimed at me, but it did appear right after I said that I changed out the pickups on my Strat with Carvin AP-11's. Nope, not aimed at you at all, Scott. If I aimed this at everyone who changed pickups on their guitar, I'd be aiming at gazillions. And, I think I've seen several posts on varying boards here dealing with pickups. I could have just as easily said "mic pres". Same thing. It was aimed at everyone here, myself included, to ponder how much of the equipment lust we all exhibit is a product of outside influences. We're all gear snobs to varying degrees. And, as Alpha said, we're all gear sluts to varying degrees as well. Oh, yeah, I like the number 4. I just saw it on Sesame Street and thought it was worth repeating http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif . I just thought it would be good to self-analyze, because I think we're all influenced by endorsements as well. As I said in another post, different gear can be like different crayons, different tone colors. Some better, some just different. I guess what I was getting at is go to a golf shop, hunting shop, computer store, stereo store, photography shop etc., and listen to the banter that takes place. A lot of gear snobs in their own fields: "I wouldn't own the brand x club, 'cause the thrust to weight ratio is 6 degrees out of phase with the hoomitz"...(Hey, I know nothing about golf, but you can recognize the talk of a gear snob). And us musician types are certainly not excluded from this... "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Flier Posted November 20, 2000 Share Posted November 20, 2000 Originally posted by stevepow: Lee, how you liking the Gretsch kit? I also picked up one of these a few yrs ago - the wood grain black - I went nuts on them - I'm up to 5 toms now, a 20" kick and two snares. They do sound great. I've been a Gretch drum fan for the past 25 yrs. I am nuts about my kit! I think it is about the best recording drum kit you can find. The smaller drums seem to sound a lot better in the studio than the larger ones (I have a 20" kick also), and the Gretsch shells are just so wonderful - nary a rattle anywhere, just solid and toneful. And yeah I've been a Gretsch fan for a long time too, having first become aware of them because of Charlie Watts using them. Still, I was considering other models (DW, the higher end Tama's, etc.) but the first time I heard those Broadkaster reissues I just went nutty. And have remained nutty. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif --Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 21, 2000 Share Posted November 21, 2000 I would love to be a gear snob or slut or whore or anything else you want to call me as long as it meant I get to go home with the gear. If anyone wishes to sponsor my path to excess let me know. Who knows , it may be tax deductible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ST.Morigeaugte.net Posted November 21, 2000 Share Posted November 21, 2000 I gotta agree with Scott... A Yamaha BBG5S, with a some hotter pick ups?? Hardly snobbish, but truly a tone monster!! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/cool.gif Mo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted November 25, 2000 Share Posted November 25, 2000 There's just one thing I have to get off my chest... Most gear doesn't let you make better music, it lets you make (if properly applied, designed, etc.) better-sounding music. There is a rare breed of gear that does allow you to make better music, because it facilitates the music-making process. But I'd venture that very little of the music-making process has to do with sound quality. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alphajerk Posted November 25, 2000 Share Posted November 25, 2000 you cant polish a terd. i am loking at a piece of gear that i hope will make better music. anyone use the furman headphone distribution amp that give the stereo mix and 4 independant channels. i do [and prefer] to get as much live as possible but consistantly battle with a good mix for every player [even two cue sends doesnt fit the bill all the time]. letting them adjust what they need seems as if it could only facilitate the music. alphajerk FATcompilation "if god is truly just, i tremble for the fate of my country" -thomas jefferson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBartus Posted November 27, 2000 Share Posted November 27, 2000 Dear Gear Snobs: I have a unique piece of analog gear that -- with a little luck -- could be in your studio! Yes friends, it's the venerable Ampex AG-440 1/2 track ANALOG mixdown deck. It's all 100% discrete Class A electronics, a little the worse for wear and age. It's easily rehabilitated, and it could be yours -- just make me an offer and come take it off my hands. Some lucky gear person can own this piece of analog beauty for a real low price! Call me if interested. ------------------ John Bartus Radio Active Productions We Make Great Radio Happen - Guaranteed. 1-888-93-RADIO www.radioactivedigital.com John Bartus Music From The Fabulous Florida Keys www.johnbartus.com www.cdbaby.com/bartus www.radioactivedigital.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brenton Trott Posted November 27, 2000 Share Posted November 27, 2000 Surely buying "brand A" instead of "brand B" because it sounds better is not gear snobbery. Buying "brand A" instead of "brand B" (when the "brand B" is every bit as good) because it is "brand A", is gear snobbery. Example As well as being an engineer, I'm also a drummer.........many years ago I went to buy my first china type cymbal, I tested three, a paiste a zildjian and a no name chinese model. I liked the noname best but decided to buy the paiste because all my other cymbals are paiste and zildjian. Gear snobbery! Well karma bit me on the arse. That cymbal cracked within a week, I took it back and got the noname which is still on my kit 12 years later. A lesson learnt Brenton Cheers Brenton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted November 27, 2000 Share Posted November 27, 2000 Before the complaints roll in -- my first impulse was to delete the ad for the recorder, but this is SUCH a gear snob piece of gear, I figured what the heck. Also John Bartus has been around a while, I doubt that he's going to screw anybody. Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted November 27, 2000 Author Share Posted November 27, 2000 That ad is kinda cool, for a cool vintage piece of gear. Far different from the: "YOU, TOO, can profit from doing in-home mass mailings! Just go to the site: www.spameveryone.com http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 11, 2000 Share Posted December 11, 2000 Heck.... chuckle chuckle, I'm trying to make recordings with an AMD 586 chip and an awe32 and awe64... suppose that leaves me deep on the gear snob wanna-be catagory. William F. Turner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anderton Posted December 11, 2000 Share Posted December 11, 2000 No, that means you're making music instead of worrying about gear!! Craig Anderton Educational site: http://www.craiganderton.org Music: http://www.youtube.com/thecraiganderton Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/craig_anderton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offramp Posted December 15, 2000 Share Posted December 15, 2000 Which I, lately, seem to be unable to do.... I've upped my standards; now, up yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted December 16, 2000 Author Share Posted December 16, 2000 >>No, that means you're making music instead of worrying about gear!! Which was my point in this post! http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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