[allthumbs]

http://www.penmachine.com/musicpages/guitartone.html

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

Lastly, it's funny how so many guitarists will spend thousands upon thousands of dollars cycling through various amps, effects, guitars, etc. looking for their tone, and not paying enough attention to the cheapest, most effective source - their HANDS...

Ding ding ding ding ding!! The nail on the head thou dost hit!! The majority of tone, at least how it begins, is in the attack and release of the fings! That and basic techniques about knowing when and how to slide, use vibrato or play it straight and using bending techniques. Add to that learning about different ways to use your pick or hand 'cause there's alot about tone coming from the attack and release there as well! So much of this is ignored over the tendency to want to put notes out in the air rather than sending out music and sound!

[Stratrat]

Absolutely. There's nothing in the world wrong with buying/having the gear that YOU want. Some people are happy with one guitar and one amp, others want rooms full of gear....neither is wrong. It's just all about the fact that "tone" is comprised of many things, and "the fingers" (technique) is just as important as all the gear.

[coldethyl]

A good read AT. Thanks for sharing.

[TwistedLefty]

very valuable lesson here for the beginners and experianced alike.
thanks for the clips.
it does not hurt to start with gear thats easy to play and has a great base tone right out of the box, but i totally agree that it's in the fingers and the heart to bring out that sound bouncing around in your imagination.

[Krister Karlsson]

I don't gig - but I've often heard it said amongst gigging guitarists that the vast majority of the audience couldn't care less whether you were playing through a high-end Dumble or a miked SS Crate practice amp. They're there to party, dance, socialize and hear the music - most of them don't know anything about "tone" and aren't paying attention to it anyways. If your cover version of "Freebird" sounds somewhat close to the original, they aren't concerned with whether you're getting your sound via a Squier guitar through a solid-state modeler, or a 50's original custom-shop axe through a hand-wired PTP all-tube vintage amp head with boutique-built "true bypass" FX pedals.

but still very true.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

I don't gig - but I've often heard it said amongst gigging guitarists that the vast majority of the audience couldn't care less whether you were playing through a high-end Dumble or a miked SS Crate practice amp. They're there to party, dance, socialize and hear the music - most of them don't know anything about "tone" and aren't paying attention to it anyways. If your cover version of "Freebird" sounds somewhat close to the original, they aren't concerned with whether you're getting your sound via a Squier guitar through a solid-state modeler, or a 50's original custom-shop axe through a hand-wired PTP all-tube vintage amp head with boutique-built "true bypass" FX pedals.

I know that's true, they don't know! But the deal is that it's really hard to be confident in the delivery without being confident with your equipment and/or tone. If you, the guitarist, don't believe in your product, how are ya gonna sell it?? I know, lol, it won't make any difference to the drunk patron, but...it's a matter of pride, man!

But point taken...

Steve

[Stratrat]

Originally Posted by solidwalnut

I know that's true, they don't know! But the deal is that it's really hard to be confident in the delivery without being confident with your equipment and/or tone. If you, the guitarist, don't believe in your product, how are ya gonna sell it?? I know, lol, it won't make any difference to the drunk patron, but...it's a matter of pride, man!

But point taken...

Steve

Steve - Although I probably don't have even 1/1000th of your experience, I can see your point also. Even when practicing, I like to feel good about what I'm hearing and be able to feel that if somebody walked into the room while I was playing they wouldn't recoil in horror at the sound. I do play for others occasionally (or at least in front of others), and I can see where it would have a negative effect on your own confidence and comfort level if you were less than happy with what you were hearing/playing.

I've upgraded my guitars, amps and effects in the short time since I've started playing again. At this particular point I'm very satisfied and confident that the equipment I have is capable of producing very good tone, and I could gig with it right this moment (if only I were a gig-quality guitarist!). I'm not obsessing about gear anymore - now it's time for me to "grow into" what I have and develop my tone from the other end of the chain - my own hands. I just don't want to fall into the trap of continually believing that the next piece of gear, the "next level", is all I need to magically transform me into a guitar hero, when in fact it's my own playing that's holding me back.

[solidwalnut]

Originally Posted by Stratrat

I just don't want to fall into the trap of continually believing that the next piece of gear, the "next level", is all I need to magically transform me into a guitar hero, when in fact it's my own playing that's holding me back.

Good on ya! I guess it's a balance thing. I know that I've felt held back when faced with lower-than-I-wanted equipment. I guess there's that fine line. It's personal and I hope everyone finds it.

Steve

[volfan]

Wow, great thread and great article, especially for someone just beginning to explore this universe.

So much to learn, so many callouses to build.

[TwistedLefty]

volfan~ "So much to learn, so many callouses to build. "

i would copyright that immediatly

[volfan]

Good idea. I added it to my sig. Notice the "™"?