Obsessed with Tone

[Hound Dog]

It seems to me that we guitarist are a special breed when it comes to seeking our "tone". I can't readily think of any other instrument whose players obsess about the tone of their instruments to the extent that we do. I am not saying this in a negative way, just an observation. In my experience, most drummers dont constantly fiddle with their equipment changing minute aspects of their tone as I have witnessed many guitarists do on many occasions. We always seem to be searching for that little bit more.

 

(As I go into my old mans voice): Back in the 80s, when sampling become very popular, it seems that almost every instrument I could think of could be sampled and played back with great satisfaction, except the guitar (particularly, distorted electric guitar, a la Les Paul through Marshall). Sampled versions of drums, piano, flutes, oboe, violin, and even electric bass were all pretty convincing to me. (I know some purists are going to jump all over this, but sorry). It just seems that the electric guitar sound is so unique and special that it defies most attempts at replication. That is one thing that makes it so special to me. In some ways as I look back, tweaking tones and finding that right feel is almost an experience unto itself, separate from actually playing songs. It is something in which I have found much enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment when I have found that sound and the feel I was looking for. And I still do.

[Lee Flier]

Well, I don't personally think most sampled sounds are really as "convincing" as most people seem to. And probably neither would anyone as much familiar with their respective instrument as you are with guitar. Whether the "general public" can tell a sampled electric guitar from the real thing, I don't know. I do know other instrumentalists who obsess over their tone as much as guitarists, but they do tend to be fewer and farther between at least in pop/rock music.

 

Know what you mean about finding the right "feel" though. There are a lot of people, even fellow guitarists, who can listen to a recording done with an amp modeler for example, and be "fooled" perfectly well. But it doesn't "feel" the same to the guitarist to play through a modeling device as a tube amp. Same with various effects pedals etc. There are so many variables that can change the character of not only the tone but the performance.

[Shoes]

My appreciation of this is that tone as it relates to a guitar is far less important in isolation and is better understood as part of the overall sound chain. (unplugged notwithstanding)

 

Grains of sand under a microscope = Yep that's sand alright!

 

I also know drummers who are nuts over wood and metal composition, hoop styles, mounting frames and stands not to mention skins! I have a kit in the house and have played enough to know it has a far more dramatic impact on an accustic instrument than a processed one.

 

Just thought I'd toss that out there.

[alanfc]

we're cursed

 

for me, the Tone thing is absorbing alot of energy that may be otherwise put toward more unhealthy obsessions!

[doc taz]

Originally posted by alanfc:

we're cursed

 

for me, the Tone thing is absorbing alot of energy that may be otherwise put toward more unhealthy obsessions!

I agree. Just give me a good amp I can dig, with a little reverb, and I'm there. Well, okay, a delay pedal in the loop.

 

I could do just about the entire Voivod catalog, for instance, with two delay pedals on different settings, a volume pedal, an overdrive for the solos, and of course a good, two channel amp, preferably a Marshall. Simple, yet effective.