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Anyone know how to get this sound?


gtrmac

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I want to use that old super twangy sound that used to be heard on like Duane Eddy records and such. You know what I'm talking about, the James Bond thing. I want to use it almost like an effect in an instrumental song. It has a very "period" dated thing about it and it really conjures up images for me. Has anyone got any ideas? I tried a Tele through a clean Fender Vibrolux but with .009, .010, and even .011 round wound strings it still didn't get close to the authentic sound. I'm thinking that it must be like .012 Flatwounds, is this the key? I used to hate this sound back in the day but I'm looking for something different at the moment.

Mac Bowne

G-Clef Acoustics Ltd.

Osaka, Japan

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Originally posted by gtrmac@hotmail.com:

I'm thinking that it must be like .012 Flatwounds, is this the key?

 

No, it's picking the string very hard just barely in front of where it crosses over the saddles. Middle pickup or bridge. Lipstick pickups exaggerate it. A certain amount of spring reverb - a good bit up to a very defined point (unless you're doing surf music and not spy music). Slap back delay for a more cliched surf sound; neccessary if what you're doing involves "surf style" chordal wavering/whammy bar stuff, you get a swirl that happens from that. The James Bond thing has a semi-hollow vibe to it as well. That and doing some sort of inverted voice leading around a minor/major 6th.

 

Just pick really hard right in front of the saddles through a Fender amp set really bright.

 

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Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com

Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/

 

/ "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien

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Yeah it gets pretty close to the Super Twang sound back there by the bridge but it's still "almost". I'm just asking about the fat flatwounds because I know most of those guys in the '50's weren't using light guage strings. Well, James Bond was in the '60's, I know. I might try a set of bridge cables on the Tele and see what happens. It has a nice fat neck which looks like it can take it. Come to think of it the Les Paul might be a candidate too, talk about a fat neck. Thanks for the tip BTW.

Mac Bowne

G-Clef Acoustics Ltd.

Osaka, Japan

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Somebody told me I was looking for a Hank Marvin sound. He played a Strat, which I have two of, so at least I may be able to do this without getting a divorce. My friend also said it was a fat/flatwound thing. I guess I gotta pick up a Hank Marvin Cd cause I must admit I don't think I ever heard him.

Mac Bowne

G-Clef Acoustics Ltd.

Osaka, Japan

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Originally posted by gtrmac@hotmail.com:

Somebody told me I was looking for a Hank Marvin sound. He played a Strat

 

I think he used Burns pickups, like what Brian May originally had in his home made guitar. They have a particular mid range sound...

 

 

 

 

------------------

New and Improved Music Soon: http://www.mp3.com/chipmcdonald

Guitar Lessons in Augusta Georgia: www.chipmcdonald.com

Eccentric blog: https://chipmcdonaldblog.blogspot.com/

 

/ "big ass windbag" - Bruce Swedien

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Gee, I wish you hadn't said that. A set of strings is about all I can get away with at the moment. http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/biggrin.gif:

 

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Mac Bowne

G-Clef Acoustics Ltd.

Osaka, Japan

Mac Bowne

G-Clef Acoustics Ltd.

Osaka, Japan

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Since I am old enough to remember the heyday of surf guitar stuff that regularly played on the radio, I remember many many cover bands doing those songs as well. That typical twang is achieved with a strat, bridge pickup position, picking near the bridge as well, plugged into a twin reverb with the verb damn near wide open, as clean as possible...but loud enough where the power tubes getting opened up a bit. Check out Junior Brown's version of a couple of these tunes....dead on. I always liked the Ventures as a kid....really cool.
Down like a dollar comin up against a yen, doin pretty good for the shape I'm in
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