Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 22, 2009, 09:00:47 AM
true that true that slimO'
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: fraudulentzodiac on September 22, 2009, 09:03:56 AM
so true, especially for musicians who actually make their own music and perform.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on September 22, 2009, 10:17:19 AM
mismooooo i used to end up just tap dancing instead of playing music hahaha. its not for me i guess
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: pitongjerome on September 22, 2009, 10:38:14 AM
correct. my opinion is, play well first then your need for tone will follow...... sayang ang tone kung di ka makapag play ng maayos..... just my opinion
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: jmreyes on September 22, 2009, 10:53:57 AM
I totally agree with this. If gear / tone hunting becomes your only focus, your gonna miss the point in no time... Playing.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: rednas on September 22, 2009, 10:54:41 AM
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: maxi_musikero on September 22, 2009, 11:42:49 AM
How important is gear in getting your fat, sweet mid-range heavy guitar sound?
Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus. Some of the greatest guitarists find a guitar they are so comfortable with it becomes an extension of them as players. You see pictures of Duane with a Les Paul and later on with an SG and it looks so right.
Once you find the right combination of guitar and amp, on a great night you’re not thinking about gear. With my own band when I’m playing my SG through an early ’60s Super-Reverb it’s such a comfortable sound for me that I’m not conscious of the amp and guitar. If you play long enough and are natural enough, that’s just gonna happen.
The only time equipment is a concern is when you’re playing outdoors, maybe, and the wind is blowing the sound around so it’s not just right. Or you’re in a room that doesn’t have good ambience. Of course, professionals work through that, so you’re still gonna have at least one or two moments on-stage that are elevated, and that’s always what we’re striving for.
How important is gear in getting your fat, sweet mid-range heavy guitar sound? The only time equipment is a concern is when you’re playing outdoors, maybe, and the wind is blowing the sound around so it’s not just right. Or you’re in a room that doesn’t have good ambience.
99% of gig venues in this country doesn't have good ambience. Therefore, 99% of the time in this country, GAS is justified. Bwahahahaha. :evil:
De loko lang.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: guitbox on September 22, 2009, 12:56:08 PM
Nice topic. On a sidenote, its cool how Trucks mentions more singers as influence. His playing does sound a lot like a singer belting it out. :)
That's supposed to be the normal way of doing it cuz the guitar solo is supposed to support the song, or complement the vocals. Unfortunately, many guitar players see the ad lib/solo as the opportunity to do show off their skillz and thus end up doing purely guitar stuff that has no connection to the song.
It also helps to hold one's pride/ego in check.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: paolo_du on September 22, 2009, 01:55:43 PM
I admit that I relied on a lot of these whacky pedals before, since I started playing. I totally played like crap without my trippy modulations, delays, and excessive drives. When I downsized my board, I realized I was crap!!!
Now I do not use them anymore except one transparent overdrive at a time, and I can see myself improving. I have yet to get myself a good amp. :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: maxi_musikero on September 22, 2009, 02:07:40 PM
one confession:
since i decided to get an electric guitar, i became more focused on getting the best gear for the best price. i was too focused on completing my simple pedalboard than learning the scales and technicalities, which i think i should devote more time to.
my resolution now is to start working on lessons. i have a definite path in mind and i intend to follow that learning path. :-)
thanks, really for bringing this thread up Joric. kudos. :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 22, 2009, 03:33:09 PM
since i decided to get an electric guitar, i became more focused on getting the best gear for the best price. i was too focused on completing my simple pedalboard than learning the scales and technicalities, which i think i should devote more time to.
my resolution now is to start working on lessons. i have a definite path in mind and i intend to follow that learning path. :-)
thanks, really for bringing this thread up Joric. kudos. :-D
well, i think the article's message is to try to find the sound you hear in your head with the right gear so it's ok to go through that phase. when you've achieved it though, it's time to focus on making better music. it can be uncomfortable to express yourself if you haven't found your tone. but at the end of the day you can't blame the gear if you suck at making music.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Bart on September 22, 2009, 03:39:43 PM
Derek's technique is so awesome, he just swears by going direct to his amp and cranking it, letting his fingers take over.
I've learnt though listening to him and the other minimalist folks that its easy to hide behind your gear if you possess weak technique. If you can hit the spot with a guitar, cord and amp, you're good to go.
Pedals can serve as condiments and seasoning. But come to think of it, these spices have now reached the same fever pitch as spices did in the middle ages... :-D
close your windows and count your spices...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nathanmanansala on September 22, 2009, 07:10:25 PM
otoh, you have a player like the Edge and a band like U2, whose songs almost require him to use effects.
basta. mali si derek trucks. a guy cant be that good AND be right about everything. that would be plain unfair.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Saturn/Return on September 22, 2009, 07:55:52 PM
This is a great read, thanks for sharing this. I like what Dereck said: "Some of the greatest guitarists find a guitar they are so comfortable with it becomes an extension of them as players." I believe it's important to find the guitar/gear your comfortable with. I guess it would be safe to assume it's would be the same with your pedals/gear? :-)
otoh, you have a player like the Edge and a band like U2, whose songs almost require him to use effects.
I agree with Nathan's insight. I guess it really depends on the type of music you play. Besides U2, there are also a lot of "effects-driven/oriented" bands out there.
With this set-up.. Definitely not the kinda tone for blues, but it works for their sound and they probably would require change/upgrade in their gear if needed to create new sounds/textures for their music :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: saijo on September 22, 2009, 08:18:54 PM
this is why i don't put my od pedal and footswitch on the floor
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 22, 2009, 09:22:37 PM
otoh, you have a player like the Edge and a band like U2, whose songs almost require him to use effects.
Nathan - DT's point is not an argument against the use of effects. Basically he's saying: Get a decent tone, and then move on to focusing on making great music with it. Playing with a certain setup for a long time will help you connect with your instrument and make it like an appendage, a direct extension of your body/soul. It should feel natural and you're just expressing yourself, not "playing gear".
But I understand why people make the mistake of taking it differently. Such an amazing musician who needs just a guitar and amp to create awe-inspring music invariably makes people insecure and guilty for "needing" more than just gtr+amp.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on September 22, 2009, 10:31:20 PM
Nathan - DT's point is not an argument against the use of effects. Basically he's saying: Get a decent tone, and then move on to focusing on making great music with it. Playing with a certain setup for a long time will help you connect with your instrument and make it like an appendage, a direct extension of your body/soul. It should feel natural and you're just expressing yourself, not "playing gear".
But I understand why people make the mistake of taking it differently. Such an amazing musician who needs just a guitar and amp to create awe-inspring music invariably makes people insecure and guilty for "needing" more than just gtr+amp.
+1
in fact, The Edge pre-1980 had some very Rush-esque tones without the fancy delays. It was simply Marshalls and Voxes with an old Korina Explorer.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on September 22, 2009, 10:41:46 PM
in fact, The Edge pre-1980 had some very Rush-esque tones without the fancy delays. It was simply Marshalls and Voxes with an old Korina Explorer.
fast forward... Dave Evans need Dallas Schoo to worry about the gear so he could focus on the music...
i had my share of gear hunting and players who do a lot of stuff wt effects gets my attention, but i find players who can take off using just a guitar and amp are more special.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bentoinks on September 22, 2009, 11:31:55 PM
on behalf of everyone in philmusic, i agree lulz
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Chito on September 23, 2009, 12:57:16 AM
I tend to believe what Derek Trucks is referring to, is a lot of people's focus have gone away from what a guitar/amp/pedal is meant to be used for. And that's for making music. It's pretty obvious from what I've seen in almost every gear forum I've been that many guitar players would rather spend their time testing pedals, amplifiers, guitars rather than concentrating on making music. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with being a gearhound. But if someone spends hours and hours of their time looking for the "right" gear as opposed to creating, writing or simply making music, I think it defeats the purpose of what these gear are for. Last January I had an opportunity to watch a bunch of blues artists up close, and it was amazing to see how these great guitar players could sound so different from each other considering they were all playing the same backline, which is either a Fender Super or Deluxe Reverb.
Just my 2 cents...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: mikomiko on September 23, 2009, 06:16:42 AM
the simpler the better.... 8-)
Nice find and very educating
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: samishellacool on September 23, 2009, 06:49:46 AM
YES! SO TRUE(In my opinion) I've been playing without effects for quite some time now(wala rin pambili, LOL!). Less things to worry about also. But I'm still getting a GT-10 in case. HAHAHA
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Phil on September 23, 2009, 06:53:29 AM
That's supposed to be the normal way of doing it cuz the guitar solo is supposed to support the song, or complement the vocals. Unfortunately, many guitar players see the ad lib/solo as the opportunity to do show off their skillz and thus end up doing purely guitar stuff that has no connection to the song.
It also helps to hold one's pride/ego in check.
I absolutely agree with this.
I cannot understand or even play something that doesn't resemble a melody.
I use to do a lot of singing... I think thats how my hearing and taste affects my playing. For me, its more attractive and easy to understand.... just like melodies in singing.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 23, 2009, 07:07:51 AM
otoh, you have a player like the Edge and a band like U2, whose songs almost require him to use effects.
basta. mali si derek trucks. a guy cant be that good AND be right about everything. that would be plain unfair.
good point, I'm agreeing with you to a certain extent there, buddy.
I guess I got selfish think about my music preference, but yes, if we go genre specific, some forms do require gizmos. Trucks is a bare bones, meat and potatoes guy.
To think that I've been listening to alot of David Torn and Bill Frisell lately, and rekindled my fascination on looping... Technology helps too :-) Torn does amazing things with gizmos, and even jazz guys who initially appeared as purists like Jim Hall (who would use a whammy pedal), Pat Metheny (and his synth stuff) and Pat Martino embraced tone tweaking and pedals at some point to inject interesting things.
But still, they possessed killer technique that served the music. Its all complimentary and serves the music,as the Rev also pointed out. Now to find me a looping device for more masturbatory indulgence...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on September 23, 2009, 08:18:26 AM
I tend to believe what Derek Trucks is referring to, is a lot of people's focus have gone away from what a guitar/amp/pedal is meant to be used for. And that's for making music. It's pretty obvious from what I've seen in almost every gear forum I've been that many guitar players would rather spend their time testing pedals, amplifiers, guitars rather than concentrating on making music. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with being a gearhound. But if someone spends hours and hours of their time looking for the "right" gear as opposed to creating, writing or simply making music, I think it defeats the purpose of what these gear are for. Last January I had an opportunity to watch a bunch of blues artists up close, and it was amazing to see how these great guitar players could sound so different from each other considering they were all playing the same backline, which is either a Fender Super or Deluxe Reverb.
Just my 2 cents...
it's worth a thousand
at the and of the day....when everything is striped down to just a guitar and an amp.... can I still make music?... I'd b concerned if I cant :?
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nathanmanansala on September 23, 2009, 01:40:16 PM
Nathan - DT's point is not an argument against the use of effects. Basically he's saying: Get a decent tone, and then move on to focusing on making great music with it. Playing with a certain setup for a long time will help you connect with your instrument and make it like an appendage, a direct extension of your body/soul. It should feel natural and you're just expressing yourself, not "playing gear".
They're players on opposite ends of the pole but, in a lot of ways, they're very similar. They both play for the song.
Thats the key I think. You don't have to use effects just because you have it. The same way you don't have to play a bare bones setup because some guy plays with one. But you do always have to play for the song. That's what DT and the edge have in common, they become the guitar player the song needs but still sound like themselves.
Skunky is right: the gear is just the slave to the master (the player) but the master himself is a slave to the song.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: fusionenigma on September 23, 2009, 01:54:36 PM
less is more. don't really need them pedals for my type of music.
at home, everytime i take out my pedalboard, i play with the pedals more than i actually play. he he. :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Filippo on September 23, 2009, 03:02:17 PM
well, i think the article's message is to try to find the sound you hear in your head with the right gear so it's ok to go through that phase. when you've achieved it though, it's time to focus on making better music. it can be uncomfortable to express yourself if you haven't found your tone. but at the end of the day you can't blame the gear if you suck at making music.
I agree with you on this slim! Just to add, I guess it really helps to know what tone you're after. It makes the slection process a lot faster and cheaper. Plus you get to sell all the other stuff you really do not use and maybe make a few bucks in the process.
I must say though that playing gear you want to play makes learning and playing more inspiring for me. when I hear the tone in my head happen, it encourages me to play more and more and before I know it, I've played more than 2 hours already, i'm half deaf na, and my sweat has already found its way unto the guitar hehe yuck!
@bart ... haha bili na parekoy !!
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: ibysdad on September 23, 2009, 04:27:02 PM
It's all guitar scales, techniques, transcribing and phrasing for me for 3 days in a week.
The remaining two days are all about gear (not that well researched compared to the guys here of course), and also tweaking my pedals and amp so that they will sound right to my ears.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 23, 2009, 05:29:22 PM
I think some people are still misinterpreting it. Let me repeat:
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH USING A LOT OF EFFECTS TO GET YOUR DESIRED TONE.
If that's the tone that inspires you, then get the gear that you need and do what you gotta do. But come performance time, you want to be sure that gear is not your primary concern anymore. Your ultimate goal is to make a connection with your audience through your music.
But, obviously, having too much gear or a complicated setup makes it more challenging to get consistently good tone in all kinds of venues, and that can distract you from your real or main objective.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: masterchoxter on September 23, 2009, 05:38:31 PM
great philosophy from Derek Trucks! great find master Joric!
+100 with what master Joric said...
if you don't see your objective or goal anymore, then that's the time it gets in the way...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nathanmanansala on September 23, 2009, 07:44:50 PM
I don't know about that but bad tone can and has certainly ruined many a performance. Thats speaking from personal experience. :-(
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: RonnieA on September 23, 2009, 09:53:04 PM
Hi Joric,
Good to know you are doing well! One of these days I hope to hook up with you and get an improptu slide lesson. Sa totoo lang, up to this day the slide work you did for "Sleepwalker" (was it the title? :-D) at one of the EB's still haunts me today :-D.
Lets start with the basic. You learn how to play guitar to play a song. Not entirely to copy the tone of the song but to learn the chords of the song and play it. You get a "Jingle Chordbook" and get the song ( sorry ha..pang matandalang yung Jingle--kasi nuon walang internet :-D) Thats entirely your focus. Once you master that then you move on to the gears, guitars, amps, pedals and the whole 9 yards.
But then again, what is your focus? Is it getting the tone of lets say The Edge, Clapton, Beck, Page, Hendrix (sorry ha...old school ako eh)? Then I think the "gear" factor would have to come in to help you getting your Focus (or goal).
Just my 2 centavoes worth rin!
God Bless you Joric! Thanks for the insightful thread!
RonnieA
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: turiguiliano on September 24, 2009, 04:29:29 AM
I think some people are still misinterpreting it. Let me repeat:
THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH USING A LOT OF EFFECTS TO GET YOUR DESIRED TONE.
+1
when less becomes more and more becomes more, the phrase doesn't connotate that the artist is happy to have lessen or added more pedals, nor does it compute to the volume of notes in a song...it simply aims at MUSICALITY.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 24, 2009, 07:04:26 AM
This is what Derek Trucks said: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus. Some of the greatest guitarists find a guitar they are so comfortable with it becomes an extension of them as players. You see pictures of Duane with a Les Paul and later on with an SG and it looks so right.
Once you find the right combination of guitar and amp, on a great night you’re not thinking about gear. With my own band when I’m playing my SG through an early ’60s Super-Reverb it’s such a comfortable sound for me that I’m not conscious of the amp and guitar. If you play long enough and are natural enough, that’s just gonna happen."
So there is no mention about song composition or technique. On the contrary, he highlights the importance of equipment and FINDING THE RIGHT COMBINATION. Take note that he is using a vintage SG -- albeit chosen among many -- and his 60s Super Reverb does not have stock speakers. I think he uses a discontinued line of speakers which are not Jensens.
Let me quote a much respected publication on tone:
"So perhaps you too can imagine our surprise when we traveled to the historic Beacon Theatre in New York for a night with the Allman Brothers Band featuring Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes filling in for Duane and Dickey. yes, the crowd was predictably up for this, the next to last night of a two week run, especially given an appearance by Eric Clapton in celebration of the band's 40th anniversary... The band kicked it off and within a minute or two we were trading frowns as the Beacon crowd lustily cheered. No exchange was necessary we were both frowning because the guitars sounded curiously lame -- not just a little lame, or not quite as good as they could have... No, they sounded absolutely lame -- with thin, trebly and way too distorted weenie tones completely void of the robust mids, sweet presence, bold musical clarity and vocal character that you would expect a crew like this to have dialed in -- especially after having played the same venue for over two weeks straight, and nearly 200 times since 1989... The bewildering irony of this tale is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are both uncommonly gifted and experienced guitarists. But on this night, such inspiring tones were no where to be found until Claption happily strode onto the stage three quarters through the night. He provided a much-needed and welcome boost through the last seven songs...Still, we left the Beacon that night dumbfounded by how two guitarists whom we knew to be so much better could slip into the painfully cliched tone too often typified by humbucking pickups, high gain amps and mediocre production -- a dismal substitute for the melodic guitar tones first created by Duane and Dickey... The original Allman Brothers Band excelled as a potent ensemble whose magnificient sound was expressed so uniquely thorugh the eloquently vocal tone of Duane and Dickey's guitars, which were never obscured or compromised behind a gritty veil of distortion. The 'modern' version of the band we experienced doulbe be compared to listening to an MP3 on an IPOD through ear buds versus an LP played on tube hi-fi."
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: changedmynametojimi on September 24, 2009, 07:21:19 AM
This is what Derek Trucks said: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus. Some of the greatest guitarists find a guitar they are so comfortable with it becomes an extension of them as players. You see pictures of Duane with a Les Paul and later on with an SG and it looks so right.
Once you find the right combination of guitar and amp, on a great night you’re not thinking about gear. With my own band when I’m playing my SG through an early ’60s Super-Reverb it’s such a comfortable sound for me that I’m not conscious of the amp and guitar. If you play long enough and are natural enough, that’s just gonna happen."
So there is no mention about song composition or technique. On the contrary, he highlights the importance of equipment and FINDING THE RIGHT COMBINATION. Take note that he is using a vintage SG -- albeit chosen among many -- and his 60s Super Reverb does not have stock speakers. I think he uses a discontinued line of speakers which are not Jensens.
Let me quote a much respected publication on tone:
"So perhaps you too can imagine our surprise when we traveled to the historic Beacon Theatre in New York for a night with the Allman Brothers Band featuring Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes filling in for Duane and Dickey. yes, the crowd was predictably up for this, the next to last night of a two week run, especially given an appearance by Eric Clapton in celebration of the band's 40th anniversary... The band kicked it off and within a minute or two we were trading frowns as the Beacon crowd lustily cheered. No exchange was necessary we were both frowning because the guitars sounded curiously lame -- not just a little lame, or not quite as good as they could have... No, they sounded absolutely lame -- with thin, trebly and way too distorted weenie tones completely void of the robust mids, sweet presence, bold musical clarity and vocal character that you would expect a crew like this to have dialed in -- especially after having played the same venue for over two weeks straight, and nearly 200 times since 1989... The bewildering irony of this tale is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are both uncommonly gifted and experienced guitarists. But on this night, such inspiring tones were no where to be found until Claption happily strode onto the stage three quarters through the night. He provided a much-needed and welcome boost through the last seven songs...Still, we left the Beacon that night dumbfounded by how two guitarists whom we knew to be so much better could slip into the painfully cliched tone too often typified by humbucking pickups, high gain amps and mediocre production -- a dismal substitute for the melodic guitar tones first created by Duane and Dickey... The original Allman Brothers Band excelled as a potent ensemble whose magnificient sound was expressed so uniquely thorugh the eloquently vocal tone of Duane and Dickey's guitars, which were never obscured or compromised behind a gritty veil of distortion. The 'modern' version of the band we experienced doulbe be compared to listening to an MP3 on an IPOD through ear buds versus an LP played on tube hi-fi."
may i know what publication could this be?
i haven't gone to a live derek trucks concert but i bet the writer was fortunate to have seen old allman and derek trucks
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 24, 2009, 07:55:51 AM
This is what Derek Trucks said: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus. Some of the greatest guitarists find a guitar they are so comfortable with it becomes an extension of them as players. You see pictures of Duane with a Les Paul and later on with an SG and it looks so right.
Once you find the right combination of guitar and amp, on a great night you’re not thinking about gear. With my own band when I’m playing my SG through an early ’60s Super-Reverb it’s such a comfortable sound for me that I’m not conscious of the amp and guitar. If you play long enough and are natural enough, that’s just gonna happen."
So there is no mention about song composition or technique. On the contrary, he highlights the importance of equipment and FINDING THE RIGHT COMBINATION. Take note that he is using a vintage SG -- albeit chosen among many -- and his 60s Super Reverb does not have stock speakers. I think he uses a discontinued line of speakers which are not Jensens.
Indeed. Find the right combination and then move on!
His classic tone involved vintage Super Reverbs with Pyle car stereo speakers. Talk about finding the right combination. It was unintended though. He blew the orig speakers at a gig and had to make do with what was available. :-) He's experimenting w/ Webers now too but still seems to get generally the same tone.
Btw, he is also using reissue Gibson SGs.
Quote
Let me quote a much respected publication on tone:
"So perhaps you too can imagine our surprise when we traveled to the historic Beacon Theatre in New York for a night with the Allman Brothers Band featuring Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes filling in for Duane and Dickey. yes, the crowd was predictably up for this, the next to last night of a two week run, especially given an appearance by Eric Clapton in celebration of the band's 40th anniversary... The band kicked it off and within a minute or two we were trading frowns as the Beacon crowd lustily cheered. No exchange was necessary we were both frowning because the guitars sounded curiously lame -- not just a little lame, or not quite as good as they could have... No, they sounded absolutely lame -- with thin, trebly and way too distorted weenie tones completely void of the robust mids, sweet presence, bold musical clarity and vocal character that you would expect a crew like this to have dialed in -- especially after having played the same venue for over two weeks straight, and nearly 200 times since 1989... The bewildering irony of this tale is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are both uncommonly gifted and experienced guitarists. But on this night, such inspiring tones were no where to be found until Claption happily strode onto the stage three quarters through the night. He provided a much-needed and welcome boost through the last seven songs...Still, we left the Beacon that night dumbfounded by how two guitarists whom we knew to be so much better could slip into the painfully cliched tone too often typified by humbucking pickups, high gain amps and mediocre production -- a dismal substitute for the melodic guitar tones first created by Duane and Dickey... The original Allman Brothers Band excelled as a potent ensemble whose magnificient sound was expressed so uniquely thorugh the eloquently vocal tone of Duane and Dickey's guitars, which were never obscured or compromised behind a gritty veil of distortion. The 'modern' version of the band we experienced doulbe be compared to listening to an MP3 on an IPOD through ear buds versus an LP played on tube hi-fi."
Too bad for those 2 guys but it's still only an opinion from 2 people, no matter which magazine it comes from. I've heard several dozens of DT concert recordings. Even as bootlegs, he almost always sounded the same although some nights he sounded better than others. A friend of mine even called me from HK to let me hear DT in action and it sounded pretty good even thru a mobile phone.
There's lots of reasons 2 people can hear bad tone at a gig. It's pointless to guess based on hearsay but if I had to my best guess is a problem with the sound reinforcement/PA or it not working well w/ DT's setup, and when Eric came up either his gear agreed better w/ the sound system, they got it right just by then, or another engineer could have taken over. But this validates Derek's other point: the only other time that gear becomes an issue is in sound reinforcement, and he recognizes that sound engineers have an important job to do. That's why they need to get the best engineers so that the performers can just focus on making music.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: IncX on September 24, 2009, 10:39:46 AM
i swear, gearheads and musicians are two different creatures and will never agree ...
i mean, one is concerned that an A chord sounds right... while the other figures out the perfect place to put that A chord in.
-*-
as for me, i dont wanna be either.
i wanna be a rockstar.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: guitbox on September 24, 2009, 10:56:12 AM
i swear, gearheads and musicians are two different creatures and will never agree ...
i mean, one is concerned that an A chord sounds right... while the other figures out the perfect place to put that A chord in.
-*-
as for me, i dont wanna be either.
i wanna be a rockstar.
i think i like this comment. short and straight to the point. :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: rennaov on September 24, 2009, 12:16:04 PM
i take the "get what i need or close to the sound i aim for and move on" approach. i just feel a priority to spend my time and energy improving my playing than spending too much of it on gear. nothing wrong w/ getting more or spending more time w/ gear if you have the money and time to spend and if it really excites you then go. just make sure you dont suck on stage coz your gear won't be able to save you.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: arkeetar on September 24, 2009, 12:32:14 PM
give time to adjust on your new gear... yung iba ang ginagawa buy and sell... buy tapos sell agad... after ilang days or after a week...
time may kasamang ng practice at adjustments... kung sa tingin talaga na hindi trip, saka pakawalan yung certain gear na yun
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 24, 2009, 08:18:09 PM
Indeed. Find the right combination and then move on!
His classic tone involved vintage Super Reverbs with Pyle car stereo speakers. Talk about finding the right combination. It was unintended though. He blew the orig speakers at a gig and had to make do with what was available. :-) He's experimenting w/ Webers now too but still seems to get generally the same tone.
Btw, he is also using reissue Gibson SGs.
Too bad for those 2 guys but it's still only an opinion from 2 people, no matter which magazine it comes from. I've heard several dozens of DT concert recordings. Even as bootlegs, he almost always sounded the same although some nights he sounded better than others. A friend of mine even called me from HK to let me hear DT in action and it sounded pretty good even thru a mobile phone.
There's lots of reasons 2 people can hear bad tone at a gig. It's pointless to guess based on hearsay but if I had to my best guess is a problem with the sound reinforcement/PA or it not working well w/ DT's setup, and when Eric came up either his gear agreed better w/ the sound system, they got it right just by then, or another engineer could have taken over. But this validates Derek's other point: the only other time that gear becomes an issue is in sound reinforcement, and he recognizes that sound engineers have an important job to do. That's why they need to get the best engineers so that the performers can just focus on making music.
But what makes you think that your opinion more valid than theirs? Have you attended both Allman concerts? And do you happen to be the editor of Tonequest report? I doubt that you are in the same league as TQR Advisory Board. So, nothing personally against you but you have to be more cautious when you put people down. Likewise, I agree with you but I don't think these two people are worth your statement.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nathanmanansala on September 24, 2009, 08:30:07 PM
maybe they didn't like it kasi they were expecting to hear allman and betts tones because they were watching "THE ABB". trucks and haynes both play with a bit more dirt/drive in their tones than allman and betts.
when you go to watch the ABB these days, you should probably go in expecting to see a good ABB cover band with some of the original ABB members, not the ABB that was recorded at fillmore east.
maybe they'd feel better about the tones if the band stopped calling itself The Allman Brothers Band?
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 24, 2009, 08:39:17 PM
maybe they didn't like it kasi they were expecting to hear allman and betts tones because they were watching "THE ABB". trucks and haynes both play with a bit more dirt/drive in their tones than allman and betts.
when you go to watch the ABB these days, you should probably go in expecting to see a good ABB cover band with some of the original ABB members, not the ABB that was recorded at fillmore east.
maybe they feel better about the tones if the band stopped calling itself The Allman Brothers Band?
Based on the direct comparison of the tones of the Haynes/Trucks tandem vs. Allman/Betts, I'm betting (no pun intended) that the two commentators were sorta "nostalgic"... could be the house PA and room influence too. ABB is a huge-ass band with plenty of things going on, and a sucky sound system and/or sucky sound engineering would equate to mud.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 24, 2009, 09:15:15 PM
Based on the direct comparison of the tones of the Haynes/Trucks tandem vs. Allman/Betts, I'm betting (no pun intended) that the two commentators were sorta "nostalgic"... could be the house PA and room influence too. ABB is a huge-ass band with plenty of things going on, and a sucky sound system and/or sucky sound engineering would equate to mud.
So instead of focusing on gear, should we focus on the sucky sound system and/or sucky engineering instead?
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 24, 2009, 09:23:05 PM
So in the end, Derek should have focused on the sound guy the way clapton did? This gets more funny.
Not funny, it's bordering on ridiculous if we base it on the two commentators perspective.
I recall someone here mentioning in the past that he was present at the Crossroads Festival (plus other fractured accounts I read elsewhere) that Hubert Sumlin had the best tone onstage among the other heavy-hitters that shared it with him, but the odds were tipped in favor of Clapton with regard to the PA aspect coz the sound guys were on God's side :-D
Must be a Papal thing: all cardinals must dress in black around the gleaming white pontiff... gulp...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 24, 2009, 09:43:16 PM
on second thought, to provide comic relief... some blasphemy for everybody :mrgreen:
feature=related
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: boogsy on September 24, 2009, 09:49:09 PM
on second thought, to provide comic relief... some blasphemy for everybody :mrgreen:
feature=related
hahaha.. I've seen a lot of those 'shred' videos and I actually find them really funny. What's funnier are the people who say "this is so fake!!!" hahaha..
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: boogsy on September 24, 2009, 09:56:53 PM
Not funny, it's bordering on ridiculous if we base it on the two commentators perspective.
I recall someone here mentioning in the past that he was present at the Crossroads Festival (plus other fractured accounts I read elsewhere) that Hubert Sumlin had the best tone onstage among the other heavy-hitters that shared it with him, but the odds were tipped in favor of Clapton with regard to the PA aspect coz the sound guys were on God's side :-D
Must be a Papal thing: all cardinals must dress in black around the gleaming white pontiff... gulp...
I read a similar story about a local band fronting an international band. and sounding like crap. nice analogy :)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 24, 2009, 10:04:51 PM
hahaha.. I've seen a lot of those 'shred' videos and I actually find them really funny. What's funnier are the people who say "this is so fake!!!" hahaha..
but what makes it funnier is that its REAL... so very REAL... <queue: twilight zone music>
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 24, 2009, 11:24:39 PM
Not funny, it's bordering on ridiculous if we base it on the two commentators perspective.
I recall someone here mentioning in the past that he was present at the Crossroads Festival (plus other fractured accounts I read elsewhere) that Hubert Sumlin had the best tone onstage among the other heavy-hitters that shared it with him, but the odds were tipped in favor of Clapton with regard to the PA aspect coz the sound guys were on God's side :-D
Must be a Papal thing: all cardinals must dress in black around the gleaming white pontiff... gulp...
The two commentators are TQR Editor in Chief David Wilson & Editorial Board Member Riverhorse. I would NOT take them so lightly. Remember that they are one the same editorial board as Analogman, Tom Anderson (Anderson Guitars), Mark Baier (Victoria), Jeff Bakos, Joe Bonamassa, [sausage] Boak (Martin & Co.), Steve Carr (Carr Amplifiers), Mitch Colby (KORG/Marshall/VOX USA), Jol Dantzig (Hamer Guitars), Ronnie Earl, Dan Erlewine, Bill Finnegan (Klon Centaur), Lindy Fralin (Fralin Pickups), Peter Frampton, Greg Germino (Germino Amplification), BILLY F. GIBBONS (ZZ Top), Joe Glaser (Glaser Instruments), John Harrison (Tone Tubby), Johnny Hilland, Phil Jones (Gruhn Guitars), K&M Analog Designs (Two Rock), Robert Keeley (Keeley Electronics), Gordon Kennedy, Ernest King (Gibson Custom Shop), Chris Kinman (Kinman Pickups), Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Adrian Legg, Rene Martinez, James Pennebaker, Tommy Shannon (Double Trouble), Todd Sharp (Nashville Amp Service), Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow Band), and others.
If I did post what you guys just said on TGP, there would be a lot of flame. These guys know their stuff.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 24, 2009, 11:29:38 PM
Why do you think its so important for Derek to experiment with Webers in his Super Reverb? And why do you think he chooses Gibson Reissue SGs instead of the normal SGs or for that matter a Orville by Gibson SG from Japan? I mean they are both SGs and are suppose to get out of the way if you think about it.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Chito on September 24, 2009, 11:58:53 PM
This 'discussion' on tone and all is exactly what DT was talking about. Did these guys even mention anything about his playing? The music that they have created? Or is it all about how the guitar sounds? Instead of them discussing the merits of the band's performance, it's about how their tone sounded like. I don't know about you, I go to concerts to watch and listen to music not to see if the freaking tone of the guitar player is good or not.
If I get another chance to see DT again when we do the cruise in 2011, I'll make it a point to ask him personally what he thinks of these 2 guys from Tonequest bashing his "tone". :)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: rednas on September 25, 2009, 12:08:01 AM
DT can't please everybody, and probably a bad night for his tone. :|. But yeah - nice comment there by Chito. I'm happy that I'm not at the point where I go to gigs to see if the tone is sucky or not...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nathanmanansala on September 25, 2009, 12:58:28 AM
Why do you think its so important for Derek to experiment with Webers in his Super Reverb? And why do you think he chooses Gibson Reissue SGs instead of the normal SGs or for that matter a Orville by Gibson SG from Japan? I mean they are both SGs and are suppose to get out of the way if you think about it.
IIRC yung reissue SG was a gift from his wife (he doesnt experiment with pickups, he cant even remember what he has in there right now and says "they might be duncans"). at one point he was playing the Washburn WI series too.
As for the speakers, if i had car speakers in my amp, I guess I would experiment with proper guitar speakers too at some point. Lalo na if make money off it anyway. He's obviously not after the "collector's value" if he threw in car speakers in there.
He really does come across as the type who'd play one instrument (and setup) for a very long time kasi its what he's comfortable with. Ian Mackaye is the same way. He's not interested in experimenting with gear. He's into finding out how deep his relationship with just one particular instrument can go.
If I get another chance to see DT again when we do the cruise in 2011, I'll make it a point to ask him personally what he thinks of these 2 guys from Tonequest bashing his "tone". :)
"who? tone what?"
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: changedmynametojimi on September 25, 2009, 01:57:48 AM
But what makes you think that your opinion more valid than theirs? Have you attended both Allman concerts? And do you happen to be the editor of Tonequest report? I doubt that you are in the same league as TQR Advisory Board. So, nothing personally against you but you have to be more cautious when you put people down. Likewise, I agree with you but I don't think these two people are worth your statement.
Nothing personal? By those questions: 1) You are asking Joric to prove that his opinion is more valid 2) Stating his not worthy to speak because he didn't attend both Allman concerts 3) Joric can't speak up because he is not an editor of Tonequest.
And the kicker - you have to be more cautious when you put people down
It never ends. I will not go into the logic of your arguments. I will not comment at all. Awatin nyo ako.... Hold me back...... :-o
Oh... I didn't say anything ha... I just rephrased your questions.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: arkeetar on September 25, 2009, 07:44:05 AM
This 'discussion' on tone and all is exactly what DT was talking about. Did these guys even mention anything about his playing? The music that they have created? Or is it all about how the guitar sounds? Instead of them discussing the merits of the band's performance, it's about how their tone sounded like. I don't know about you, I go to concerts to watch and listen to music not to see if the freaking tone of the guitar player is good or not.
If I get another chance to see DT again when we do the cruise in 2011, I'll make it a point to ask him personally what he thinks of these 2 guys from Tonequest bashing his "tone". :)
yes, nice statement Chito :lol:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 25, 2009, 07:54:06 AM
But what makes you think that your opinion more valid than theirs? Have you attended both Allman concerts? And do you happen to be the editor of Tonequest report? I doubt that you are in the same league as TQR Advisory Board. So, nothing personally against you but you have to be more cautious when you put people down. Likewise, I agree with you but I don't think these two people are worth your statement.
Who said my opinion is more valid than theirs? I'm just giving my own opinion, as are you or any editor/contributor of Tonequest or any gear magazine, or any member of TGP. Each of which just counts for one. As to the value of their opinion versus others, let me share my philosophy: THE VALUE OF ANYTHING IS NOT INHERENT BUT RATHER JUST WHAT PEOPLE ASCRIBE TO IT. So, sorry, I'm not one of those who read Tonequest report like it was the Bible, or browse the TGP to research for facts. :-D
BTW, when and where did I put people down in this thread? Why do I have to be cautious about anything or anyone? Which thread are you watching anyway, and where is all your angst coming from?
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 25, 2009, 07:58:03 AM
Who said my opinion is more valid than theirs? I'm just giving my own opinion, as are you or any editor/contributor of Tonequest or any gear magazine. Each of which just counts for one. As to the value of their opinion versus others, let me share my philosophy: THE VALUE OF ANYTHING IS NOT INHERENT BUT RATHER JUST WHAT PEOPLE ASCRIBE TO IT. So, sorry, I'm not one of those who read Tonequest report like it was the Bible! :-D
BTW, when and where did I put people down in this thread? Why do I have to be cautious about anything or anyone? Which thread are you watching anyway, and where is all your angst coming from?
yes sir! :lol:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 25, 2009, 08:10:44 AM
This 'discussion' on tone and all is exactly what DT was talking about.
Exactly. Hence further arguing and making gear/tone the focus of discussion only strengthens DT's point! Supreme irony! :-D
Thanks for your wisdom, Chito.
Quote
If I get another chance to see DT again when we do the cruise in 2011, I'll make it a point to ask him personally what he thinks of these 2 guys from Tonequest bashing his "tone". :)
Still saving up for that Blues Cruise. Hopefully on my 10th wedding anniversary, also on 2011! Maybe I'll see you there and we can both ask DT. Hehe.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: toybitz on September 25, 2009, 12:47:10 PM
ah..gusto ko na maranasan yang wedding wedding anniv na yan...i
isang taon pa!
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on September 25, 2009, 12:49:37 PM
Musicians always justify how much the gear needs them.
Gearheads always justify how much they need gear.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on September 25, 2009, 12:51:28 PM
Naalala ko tuloy yung logic ng Engineer, Physicist and Mathematician...
One night, a hotel caught fire and an Engineer was in one room, a Physicist was in another, and a Mathematician was in another.
The engineer saw the fire, calculated the amount of water needed to put off the fire for him to escape. He grabbed pails of water and poured 'em and he escaped through the Fire Exit.
The physicist, using his skills, got his shower and calculated the amount of force and trajectory needed to put off the fire. So he got a hose and sprayed water on the fire and successfully escaped.
Finally, the mathematician, woke up from sleep and aware of the raging fire, took a matchstick and a glass of water. He lights up the matchstick and puts it in the glass of water. "The solution exists!" And he went back to sleep.
3 different skillsets....
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: boogsy on September 25, 2009, 12:58:17 PM
because being able to play nicely equates to skills
yung tone kasi, nakukuha sa gears, technology.. nabibili..
baka sabihin niyong nabibili rin ang skills dahil nagbabayad tayo para maturuan ng music teachers...
pero kahit anong turo sayo kung wala kang dedication walarin mangyayari sayo..
yung performance, mastery ng instrument mo, ay napakaimportante sakin.
Sometimes I surmise that people who subscribe to TGP and Tonequest do agree that tone is in the fingers... However, the way most people see corksniffers is that they don't think that talent/skill matters. Maybe it is because gearheads tend to suspend the "tone is in the fingers" paradigm way too much to the point that their search for 2 more seconds of swirl and sustain by acquiring a $5000+ boutique guitar could have been solved by simply getting a Keeley Compressor and a $1000 hand-picked production guitar. After all, the 5% difference may be marginal in some musical situations, such as emo... (not to say compressors are the be-all and end-all solution... they can just bring out more natural overtones without changing the guitar's natural tone too much.)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: badbach66 on September 25, 2009, 01:37:15 PM
Sometimes I surmise that people who subscribe to TGP and Tonequest do agree that tone is in the fingers... However, the way most people see corksniffers is that they don't think that talent/skill matters. Maybe it is because gearheads tend to suspend the "tone is in the fingers" paradigm way too much to the point that their search for 2 more seconds of swirl and sustain by acquiring a $5000+ boutique guitar could have been solved by simply getting a Keeley Compressor and a $1000 hand-picked production guitar. After all, the 5% difference may be marginal in some musical situations, such as emo... (not to say compressors are the be-all and end-all solution... they can just bring out more natural overtones without changing the guitar's natural tone too much.)
Or they spend so much time hunting for good gear, that they don't have enough time to actually USE those said gears for their true purpose..to make good music.. :-D :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 25, 2009, 02:02:39 PM
The two commentators are TQR Editor in Chief David Wilson & Editorial Board Member Riverhorse. I would NOT take them so lightly. Remember that they are one the same editorial board as Analogman, Tom Anderson (Anderson Guitars), Mark Baier (Victoria), Jeff Bakos, Joe Bonamassa, [sausage] Boak (Martin & Co.), Steve Carr (Carr Amplifiers), Mitch Colby (KORG/Marshall/VOX USA), Jol Dantzig (Hamer Guitars), Ronnie Earl, Dan Erlewine, Bill Finnegan (Klon Centaur), Lindy Fralin (Fralin Pickups), Peter Frampton, Greg Germino (Germino Amplification), BILLY F. GIBBONS (ZZ Top), Joe Glaser (Glaser Instruments), John Harrison (Tone Tubby), Johnny Hilland, Phil Jones (Gruhn Guitars), K&M Analog Designs (Two Rock), Robert Keeley (Keeley Electronics), Gordon Kennedy, Ernest King (Gibson Custom Shop), Chris Kinman (Kinman Pickups), Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Adrian Legg, Rene Martinez, James Pennebaker, Tommy Shannon (Double Trouble), Todd Sharp (Nashville Amp Service), Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow Band), and others.
If I did post what you guys just said on TGP, there would be a lot of flame. These guys know their stuff.
I don't think my comment would be flamed, you've misunderstood my message :-)
For the sake of clarity (recap!)- what I was referring to as "ridiculous", were not the commentators, but the actual situation that DT/WH were in :wink: I did refer to the commentators as perhaps feeling "nostalgic", based on their comparison of how the ABB was in the past, to their current inception, but further stated that a possible basis for that was due to the poor sound system, and how ironic it was that clapton saved the night... with my "holistic" view, that was my holistic conclusion. Hence, why I did not reply to your last question, coz it was already answered, and to paraphrase it as another answer for the sake of merely echoing my initial answer is a waste of typing time :-) Perhaps i misunderstood you to... oh well...
It all makes unequivocal sense if you patch together my comments bundled with the humor :-D In no way did I bellittle them. They commented on the gear, I made a holistic comment.
But did you check out the Clapton shred vid?! :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: af_villaruel on September 25, 2009, 03:08:02 PM
I just find it amusing that what Derek says in the interview has become so true in the progression of this thread with all the tone bashing and defense and stuff. :-D Although somehow irrelevant to the topic, I also find it interesting that almost no one (save a handful) has commented on Derek's out-of-this-world playing and how his gear complements his style of playing; or rephrased, how his gear contributes to his musicianship. I just think Derek Trucks is Derek Trucks because of the emotions he can pull out of that SG played through that Super Reverb or whatever. And obviously, it's not the other way around.
By the way, let me stipulate that I don't have the resources to be a gear hound nor do I have the makings of a great musician. So this piece is the opinion of an amateur. So if you can't dig it, FU. LOL. Just kidding.
And yes, I've seen Clapton shred. :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nhojie on September 25, 2009, 03:33:22 PM
Or they spend so much time hunting for good gear, that they don't have enough time to actually USE those said gears for their true purpose..to make good music.. :-D :-D
right on!!! :evil:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: peabrain12789 on September 25, 2009, 05:59:50 PM
I just find it amusing that what Derek says in the interview has become so true in the progression of this thread with all the tone bashing and defense and stuff. :-D Although somehow irrelevant to the topic, I also find it interesting that almost no one (save a handful) has commented on Derek's out-of-this-world playing and how his gear complements his style of playing; or rephrased, how his gear contributes to his musicianship. I just think Derek Trucks is Derek Trucks because of the emotions he can pull out of that SG played through that Super Reverb or whatever. And obviously, it's not the other way around.
By the way, let me stipulate that I don't have the resources to be a gear hound nor do I have the makings of a great musician. So this piece is the opinion of an amateur. So if you can't dig it, FU. LOL. Just kidding.
And yes, I've seen Clapton shred. :-D
So how was the vid for you?! :-D :-D :-D :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 25, 2009, 07:19:19 PM
one word... SUPERB!
feature=player_embedded#t=80
I love his phrasing, the nuances in his lines are intimate, and naturally vocal. His approach to changes are clearly lifted from the jazz idiom, but not uber-complex. The depth isn't in the harmony, its in the personality.
I've been working hard to cop that sh@t sans-slide (slide it delta's department, i aint gonna cross his turf, no sir-eeee... hallowed ground). I'm not even a beginning of a pimple on his butt... but I'm happy listening to it and trying to channel it. it is zen.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluebossa on September 25, 2009, 08:37:50 PM
I love his phrasing, the nuances in his lines are intimate, and naturally vocal. His approach to changes are clearly lifted from the jazz idiom, but not uber-complex. The depth isn't in the harmony, its in the personality.
I've been working hard to cop that sh@t sans-slide (slide it delta's department, i aint gonna cross his turf, no sir-eeee... hallowed ground). I'm not even a beginning of a pimple on his butt... but I'm happy listening to it and trying to channel it. it is zen.
galing talaga. :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: nhojie on September 25, 2009, 08:44:06 PM
pati 'to...
Sahib Teri Bandi
drooling while watching and listening to this...LUPET!!!!
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Chito on September 25, 2009, 09:18:00 PM
I love his phrasing, the nuances in his lines are intimate, and naturally vocal. His approach to changes are clearly lifted from the jazz idiom, but not uber-complex. The depth isn't in the harmony, its in the personality.
I've been working hard to cop that sh@t sans-slide (slide it delta's department, i aint gonna cross his turf, no sir-eeee... hallowed ground). I'm not even a beginning of a pimple on his butt... but I'm happy listening to it and trying to channel it. it is zen.
Here's another video, http://www.moogis.com/ it's part of the official video of that particular 2 week show "Live at the Beacon Theater". I don't know what they are talking about. From what I've seen through videos of that show, Derek was using the same gear I saw him playing last January. Nothing more nothing less. It couldn't be the sound guys either, Derek uses the same guys to setup his rig all the time. Maybe these guys that Alex is quoting are experts but I would trust my ears more than anyone's comment whoever they are, after all I've been listening to guitar music, live and through recordings, for over 40 years now. Do I call myself an expert on tone? No, but I don't need other people specially 2 guys who make their living selling a magazine about tone, to tell me if someone's guitar tone is good or not.
BTW, after seeing him up close, I thought DT is one of the most innovative slide guitar player alive. Clearly Duane was a big influence on his style, but over the years he has improved on it and has added a lot of his own personal style to his playing. His music clearly shows this. Not by any stretch of imagination, I honestly believe Derek Trucks is going to be known as one of the best slide guitar players of all time.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on September 25, 2009, 09:23:13 PM
i can only imagine a bubble over DT's hEAd.....it goes like..."see thats what im talking about" :mrgreen:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: psychic_sushi on September 25, 2009, 10:01:23 PM
Here's another video, http://www.moogis.com/ it's part of the official video of that particular 2 week show "Live at the Beacon Theater". I don't know what they are talking about. From what I've seen through videos of that show, Derek was using the same gear I saw him playing last January. Nothing more nothing less. It couldn't be the sound guys either, Derek uses the same guys to setup his rig all the time. Maybe these guys that Alex is quoting are experts but I would trust my ears more than anyone's comment whoever they are, after all I've been listening to guitar music, live and through recordings, for over 40 years now. Do I call myself an expert on tone? No, but I don't need other people specially 2 guys who make their living selling a magazine about tone, to tell me if someone's guitar tone is good or not.
BTW, after seeing him up close, I thought DT is one of the most innovative slide guitar player alive. Clearly Duane was a big influence on his style, but over the years he has improved on it and has added a lot of his own personal style to his playing. His music clearly shows this. Not by any stretch of imagination, I honestly believe Derek Trucks is going to be known as one of the best slide guitar players of all time.
Amen to that, brutha :-)
As a matter of fact, i feel a stronger, strange attraction to DT's playing more than Sonny Landreth's, though Landreth is a bad mofo himself. But after listening to 5 of his albums for a couple of weeks, my ears are magnetized towards DT's polar coordinates.
Sonny's a fantastic tonesmith, too, and pushed the slide envelope up a notch to the point of madness. But Dt's, to my ears, has a mist about him, must be that indian-influence over the jazz. Mystery is always attractive.
Thanks for the input. God bless out ears :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 26, 2009, 07:35:38 AM
... I also find it interesting that almost no one (save a handful) has commented on Derek's out-of-this-world playing and how his gear complements his style of playing; or rephrased, how his gear contributes to his musicianship. I just think Derek Trucks is Derek Trucks because of the emotions he can pull out of that SG played through that Super Reverb or whatever. And obviously, it's not the other way around.
I thought that should have been obvious to people, and makes his case even more illustrative of the point he makes.
I love his phrasing, the nuances in his lines are intimate, and naturally vocal. His approach to changes are clearly lifted from the jazz idiom, but not uber-complex. The depth isn't in the harmony, its in the personality.
I've been working hard to cop that sh@t sans-slide (slide it delta's department, i aint gonna cross his turf, no sir-eeee... hallowed ground). I'm not even a beginning of a pimple on his butt... but I'm happy listening to it and trying to channel it. it is zen.
Zen indeed. One of the most important things I've learned from DT is that you can build up to a highly emotional climax even by using simple lines based on the pentatonic. Some of the stuff he does aren't even complicated. He repeats and rephrases a lot. But it's very effective because of the way he delivers it and the way he sounds doing it. The jazz and sarod stuff certainly make things more interesting and mysterious.
It couldn't be the sound guys either, Derek uses the same guys to setup his rig all the time. Maybe these guys that Alex is quoting are experts but I would trust my ears more than anyone's comment whoever they are, after all I've been listening to guitar music, live and through recordings, for over 40 years now. Do I call myself an expert on tone? No, but I don't need other people specially 2 guys who make their living selling a magazine about tone, to tell me if someone's guitar tone is good or not.
Word! Conflict of interest, haha. It reminds me of reading reviews by so called experts on guitar mags like TQR and sites like TGP for stuff that I later bought or tried but didn't like. I don't want to be the best sounding version of someone else. I want to be the best sounding Delta Slim.
Quote
BTW, after seeing him up close, I thought DT is one of the most innovative slide guitar player alive. Clearly Duane was a big influence on his style, but over the years he has improved on it and has added a lot of his own personal style to his playing. His music clearly shows this. Not by any stretch of imagination, I honestly believe Derek Trucks is going to be known as one of the best slide guitar players of all time.
IMO, he IS already the best slide player ever, and one of the best guitarists of all time.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 26, 2009, 10:07:45 AM
when I started out I was always chasing after the newest gizmo's to stomp on even going to as far as having a full on four layer rackmount system and a speaker box to lug around. Over the years Ive found my self using less and less of the stuff to just using what I really need. On my last few gigs I was just using one single pedal and often not using it when the venue had a decent enough amp with a drive channel... I guess on my last few stints I was more focused on what I was doing on the guitar than how my tone must sound like... With this setup I was more often complemented for my tone than when I was using more complicated setups...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 26, 2009, 10:19:13 AM
when I started out I was always chasing after the newest gizmo's to stomp on even going to as far as having a full on four layer rackmount system and a speaker box to lug around. Over the years Ive found my self using less and less of the stuff to just using what I really need. On my last few gigs I was just using one single pedal and often not using it when the venue had a decent enough amp with a drive channel... I guess on my last few stints I was more focused on what I was doing on the guitar than how my tone must sound like... With this setup I was more often complemented for my tone than when I was using more complicated setups...
now here's someone who's also living proof and has the goods to back it up...
here he is testing pedals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLMDHzn1Uw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLMDHzn1Uw) ... but sounding so natural and organic, it seems like gtr+amp only but great musicianship makes the whole sound better than the sum of its parts.
you've got that clean gtr+amp sound down pat, bro. it's supposed to be simple but often neglected and under-rated by many of us (including me).
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: dakuykoy on September 26, 2009, 10:58:45 AM
EQUIPMENT is not complete without "U" ... :lol: :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 26, 2009, 11:24:46 AM
now here's someone who's also living proof and has the goods to back it up...
here he is testing pedals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLMDHzn1Uw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymLMDHzn1Uw) ... but sounding so natural and organic, it seems like gtr+amp only but great musicianship makes the whole sound better than the sum of its parts.
you've got that clean gtr+amp sound down pat, bro. it's supposed to be simple but often neglected and under-rated by many of us (including me).
nakaw kaw talaga delta i kikiss na kita hehehe.... that really sounds a lot better coming from you... do you have an opening in your band? I havnt played in months na mimiss ko na tumogs Id love to play with you...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: badbach66 on September 26, 2009, 11:46:27 AM
Here's another video, http://www.moogis.com/ it's part of the official video of that particular 2 week show "Live at the Beacon Theater". I don't know what they are talking about. From what I've seen through videos of that show, Derek was using the same gear I saw him playing last January. Nothing more nothing less. It couldn't be the sound guys either, Derek uses the same guys to setup his rig all the time. Maybe these guys that Alex is quoting are experts but I would trust my ears more than anyone's comment whoever they are, after all I've been listening to guitar music, live and through recordings, for over 40 years now. Do I call myself an expert on tone? No, but I don't need other people specially 2 guys who make their living selling a magazine about tone, to tell me if someone's guitar tone is good or not.
BTW, after seeing him up close, I thought DT is one of the most innovative slide guitar player alive. Clearly Duane was a big influence on his style, but over the years he has improved on it and has added a lot of his own personal style to his playing. His music clearly shows this. Not by any stretch of imagination, I honestly believe Derek Trucks is going to be known as one of the best slide guitar players of all time.
Sir please enlighten me, how could anyone be an "expert" on tone? :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Chito on September 26, 2009, 01:01:06 PM
The two commentators are TQR Editor in Chief David Wilson & Editorial Board Member Riverhorse. I would NOT take them so lightly. Remember that they are one the same editorial board as Analogman, Tom Anderson (Anderson Guitars), Mark Baier (Victoria), Jeff Bakos, Joe Bonamassa, [sausage] Boak (Martin & Co.), Steve Carr (Carr Amplifiers), Mitch Colby (KORG/Marshall/VOX USA), Jol Dantzig (Hamer Guitars), Ronnie Earl, Dan Erlewine, Bill Finnegan (Klon Centaur), Lindy Fralin (Fralin Pickups), Peter Frampton, Greg Germino (Germino Amplification), BILLY F. GIBBONS (ZZ Top), Joe Glaser (Glaser Instruments), John Harrison (Tone Tubby), Johnny Hilland, Phil Jones (Gruhn Guitars), K&M Analog Designs (Two Rock), Robert Keeley (Keeley Electronics), Gordon Kennedy, Ernest King (Gibson Custom Shop), Chris Kinman (Kinman Pickups), Sonny Landreth, Albert Lee, Adrian Legg, Rene Martinez, James Pennebaker, Tommy Shannon (Double Trouble), Todd Sharp (Nashville Amp Service), Peter Stroud (Sheryl Crow Band), and others.
If I did post what you guys just said on TGP, there would be a lot of flame. These guys know their stuff.
I believe these guys that Alex mentioned are considered experts on tone from what I understand from his post.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: cumbersome on September 26, 2009, 06:30:30 PM
Some thoughts on the matter:
-Anything can get in the way of anything, gear can get in the way of music, music can get in the way of work, work can get in the way of family, etc. It's not rocket science, it's common sense. Seriously moot. -The simple setup has its uses. You don't really need a bunch of flangers, phasers or talkboxes to play the blues. -The comprehensive setup has its uses. Plugging straight to the amp for a variety gig? Think again. -Derek Trucks is a great player, learn from him, but think for yourself and make up your own decisions about gear and music. -Mr. Alex Gomez knows a hell lot about gear, learn from him, but think for yourself and make your own decisions about gear and music.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: boogsy on September 26, 2009, 06:32:27 PM
-Anything can get in the way of anything, gear can get in the way of music, music can get in the way of work, work can get in the way of family, etc. It's not rocket science, it's common sense. Seriously moot. -The simple setup has its uses. You don't really need a bunch of flangers, phasers or talkboxes to play the blues. -The comprehensive setup has its uses. Plugging straight to the amp for a variety gig? Think again. -Derek Trucks is a great player, learn from him, but think for yourself and make up your own decisions about gear and music. -Mr. Alex Gomez knows a hell lot about gear, learn from him, but think for yourself and make your own decisions about gear and music.
This. :D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Saturn/Return on September 26, 2009, 07:23:34 PM
-Anything can get in the way of anything, gear can get in the way of music, music can get in the way of work, work can get in the way of family, etc. It's not rocket science, it's common sense. Seriously moot. -The simple setup has its uses. You don't really need a bunch of flangers, phasers or talkboxes to play the blues. -The comprehensive setup has its uses. Plugging straight to the amp for a variety gig? Think again. -Derek Trucks is a great player, learn from him, but think for yourself and make up your own decisions about gear and music. -Mr. Alex Gomez knows a hell lot about gear, learn from him, but think for yourself and make your own decisions about gear and music.
This 'discussion' on tone and all is exactly what DT was talking about. Did these guys even mention anything about his playing? The music that they have created? Or is it all about how the guitar sounds? Instead of them discussing the merits of the band's performance, it's about how their tone sounded like. I don't know about you, I go to concerts to watch and listen to music not to see if the freaking tone of the guitar player is good or not.
If I get another chance to see DT again when we do the cruise in 2011, I'll make it a point to ask him personally what he thinks of these 2 guys from Tonequest bashing his "tone". :)
Let me continue on with the other parts of the article which may be repeated: "We agreed on the way back downtown in the cab that Duane would never have been down with such 'tribute band' tone, ands as for Dickey, if you're an allman Brothers fan and you haven't seen Dickey Detts and Great Southern, go. We've seen them no less than three times in as many years, most recently at Copper Mountain, and all we can say is Dickey & Co. deliver the goods all day in every way with the passion, power, emotion and tone that originally put Allman Brothers Band on the map. And for that, Dickey ges the cover of this edition, with respect.
The bewildering irony of this tale is that Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes are both uncommonly gifted and experienced guitarists. Truck's latest CD release is a solid and imaginative piece of work that fully reveals his considerable talent, and during the last Clapton arena tour with Derek and Doyle III, his SG played through blackface Super Reverb amps brilliantly shone above the rest the entire night. As for Warren Haynes, just cue up any of Tom Dowd-produced Allman Brothers recordings form the early 90s or some Government Mule and crank' em. But on this night, such inspiring tones were no where to be found until Claption happily strode onto the stage three quarters through the night....
We've no axe to grind her, nor did we walk into the Beacon Theartre with the mindset of music critics poised to pounce....
In 2009 'concerts' have de-volved into grossly over hyped and expensive events where only America's uber-boomer class can afford the price of admission. Most of these people don't give a [gooey brown stuff] about the music... it's all about the party... the event... and bragging rights the morning after. On June 26, 1971 the Allman Brothers took the stage at the Fillmore East at 2:30 am and walked off well past sunrise on the stunned audience reverently passed through the doors on Second Avenue in silence, too spent to raise their hands in applause. As Duane said, "Goddamn! It's like leaving church." No, we will never experience any of this again -- the Allman Brother closing the Fillmore... 'Contemporary' interpretations of classic rock do not absolve the artist from playing with passion, sound, emotion and tone."
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 26, 2009, 07:36:10 PM
Let me quote TQR from their Mythology of Tone issue:
THE BIG MYTH#13: Gear doesn't matter - tone is in your hands.
We've come to believe that most of the people who say this really don't believe it, they just think that it makes them sound as if they have figured out something that the rest of us are too dim to understand. YOU'LL ALSO NOTICE THAT THESE SAME PEOPLE ARE USUALLY VERY PICKY ABOUT WHAT THEY PLAY, EVEN THOUGH "it doesn't really matter."
The gear you choose to play will not necessarily make you an accomplished or an interesting player, that we do believe. But instruments are divining rods that tap the soul and allow the music within to be released. If you're ill at ease with a guitar, or you're uncomfortable with what you're hearing, creativity is stifled, while pleasing instruments and sounds have the opposite effect. When your sound your best it's always easier to play your best.
If you must minimize the gear you play and its role in the music you make, consider this: your creative state of mind can be much more challenging to manage from day to day than the mechanics of fretting notes and chords. Try traveling ten hours with only four hours sleep, unloading the bus, setting up and finding instant inspiration ON DEMAND for a living. At that level, tone ain't in your hands brother ... It's all in your mind."
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 26, 2009, 07:49:00 PM
Who said my opinion is more valid than theirs? I'm just giving my own opinion, as are you or any editor/contributor of Tonequest or any gear magazine, or any member of TGP. Each of which just counts for one. As to the value of their opinion versus others, let me share my philosophy: THE VALUE OF ANYTHING IS NOT INHERENT BUT RATHER JUST WHAT PEOPLE ASCRIBE TO IT. So, sorry, I'm not one of those who read Tonequest report like it was the Bible, or browse the TGP to research for facts. :-D
BTW, when and where did I put people down in this thread? Why do I have to be cautious about anything or anyone? Which thread are you watching anyway, and where is all your angst coming from?
"Too bad for those 2 guys but it's still ONLY an opinion from 2 people, no matter which magazine it comes from."
Your quote.... Its easy for you to dismiss people as opinions and I guess there are no experts... And then I would say, DEREK TRUCKS statement is just an opinion. But nope... I will never do that because I recognize him as a fantastic slide player that you are aspiring to maybe equal some day. In fact, I bought an original CD and DVD of Derek Trucks and I have never downloaded anything from Derek Trucks because I respect his right to earn money for his music.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: changedmynametojimi on September 27, 2009, 02:55:14 AM
I love his phrasing, the nuances in his lines are intimate, and naturally vocal. His approach to changes are clearly lifted from the jazz idiom, but not uber-complex. The depth isn't in the harmony, its in the personality.
I've been working hard to cop that sh@t sans-slide (slide it delta's department, i aint gonna cross his turf, no sir-eeee... hallowed ground). I'm not even a beginning of a pimple on his butt... but I'm happy listening to it and trying to channel it. it is zen.
i so, oh oh lalala love his lines in this video, in all of his songs....
he just f*cking owns....he rips...
its his gear complementing his playing or playing complementing the gear which i doubt
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: firemodel55 on September 27, 2009, 05:15:12 AM
"Too bad for those 2 guys but it's still ONLY an opinion from 2 people, no matter which magazine it comes from."
Your quote.... Its easy for you to dismiss people as opinions and I guess there are no experts... And then I would say, DEREK TRUCKS statement is just an opinion. But nope... I will never do that because I recognize him as a fantastic slide player that you are aspiring to maybe equal some day. In fact, I bought an original CD and DVD of Derek Trucks and I have never downloaded anything from Derek Trucks because I respect his right to earn money for his music.
So, really no anger. I just got taken aback. As always, I do understand your point and have in a personal way tried to limit gear purchases. I do separate equipment from music from skill & technique. Thus, PEACE and I have said what I have said and its best for me to leave this thread in PEACE.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: abyssinianson on September 27, 2009, 04:59:58 PM
Sir please enlighten me, how could anyone be an "expert" on tone? :-)
1. you've played music long enough. 2. you have learned to play well enough and your peers recognize that in you. 3. your ability to play outweighs your capacity to purchase equipment - ie, you can actually play what you've got. 4. you have experience playing music in any of the musical genres. 5. you've spent a considerable amount of time in a business that specializes in providing products for musicians...if you aren't a player, you know the technical nature of making the tools that help musicians do what they do best. usually these folks are players as well though...
Being an "expert" can be understood in a variety of ways but a safe bet would be one who is able to put their skills out front to support an opnion on "tone." i've met some of the people on the list over the years and while i respect their experience, their opinion on tone matters little to me at the end of the day because my tone and how i pursue it in my style of playing is still subject to how I play and how I hone my skill as a musician.
i find it interesting how there numerous quotations on here that almost tempts me to break out an End Note bibliography program since I wasn't aware we were writing a paper of sorts..lol.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 27, 2009, 10:31:31 PM
I guess it all boils down to tone being a very subjective matter. We all hear things differently. What may sound good to you may sound like crap to other people. So its really hard to find one true expert on tone. For me tone is a personal affair kind of like a singers voice... One can never sound exactly like someone else...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: pitongjerome on September 27, 2009, 10:34:36 PM
for me, TONE is............ the most common source of misunderstandings here in GC.... :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: fusionenigma on September 27, 2009, 10:44:34 PM
jamming na lang. <--works like kyrptonite :wink:
------
DT worshipper here. his single notes are eerily voice-like; his phrasing, lyrical. a very unique musician. i agree with mr slim, derek trucks IS the best slide player ever. :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 27, 2009, 10:46:10 PM
whoa naging another tone is in the fingers thread nanaman pala ito ah... I guess we can always count on some people to make it as such haaay... hay nako grabeh I guess its still the same old GC hehe though it wouldn't be fun if GC wasn't like this hehehe...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: pitongjerome on September 27, 2009, 10:52:11 PM
baka pwedeng tone is in the fingers + guitar + amp + effects?
but, a big BUT, we still hear tone differently, so who cares? tugtugan nalang!
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on September 28, 2009, 01:23:07 AM
tama tugtugan nalang :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 28, 2009, 07:35:02 AM
san ba ang jamming? gusto nyo dito nalang sa bahay ko na mimiss ko na tumogs...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: pitongjerome on September 28, 2009, 08:11:24 AM
HIYAWAN NA!!!!!!!! :-o :-o :-o
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on September 28, 2009, 08:43:19 AM
tara tara sama na toma hahaha
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: yahoo! on September 28, 2009, 01:16:19 PM
mga masters sa tone post naman kayo ng mga soundclips nyo??
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Van* on September 28, 2009, 08:38:22 PM
mga masters sa tone post naman kayo ng mga soundclips nyo??
this
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluesboy1216 on September 29, 2009, 04:07:03 AM
Decent Amp + Decent Guitar and everything else is in your hands..aint need no darn effects when you play straight blues..kung techno tugtugan prob yan. :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: mikomiko on September 29, 2009, 06:00:39 AM
Decent Amp + Decent Guitar and everything else is in your hands..aint need no darn effects when you play straight blues..kung techno tugtugan prob yan. :-)
+1 blues master
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 29, 2009, 10:23:35 AM
Here I was jamming with tutti, I just borrowed someone's guitar, a yamaha with floyrose which I usualy wouldn't touch on a good day plugged directly to a little cheap O' amp... I didn't even have time to fine tune my sound but all in all I think it sounded quite good in fact watching the video again made me think that it actually sounded bitchin'... watcha think ya'll? yes we are picky on what gear we use but really its just because of personal preference... Like the clothes that you wear or the kind of watch that you use... I think great players like Derek Trucks would still sound phenomenal no matter what gear they use... And to those that think that you cant do variety without any effects, think again, I played variety from 1994 to 2008 for such notable bands as BIG Thing, Vanna-Vanna, NXT Level and Natural High, believe me you can... Ive survived gigs with just drive and reverb from an amp... :-D
sample ng variety gig with no effects...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: fusionenigma on September 29, 2009, 11:21:45 AM
Here I was jamming with tutti, I just borrowed someone's guitar, a yamaha with floyrose which I usualy wouldn't touch on a good day plugged directly to a little cheap O' amp... I didn't even have time to fine tune my sound but all in all I think it sounded quite good in fact watching the video again made me think that it actually sounded bitchin'... watcha think ya'll? yes we are picky on what gear we use but really its just because of personal preference... Like the clothes that you wear or the kind of watch that you use... I think great players like Derek Trucks would still sound phenomenal no matter what gear they use... And to those that think that you cant do variety without any effects, think again, I played variety from 1994 to 2008 for such notable bands as BIG Thing, Vanna-Vanna, NXT Level and Natural High, believe me you can... Ive survived gigs with just drive and reverb from an amp... :-D
sample ng variety gig with no effects...
i believe... :-)
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: rednas on September 30, 2009, 04:21:53 PM
Lots of insights here. Pero ang most important thing is this: Talk is cheap - let your guitar do the talking when it comes to Tone discussions :). Galing ni Bluenote.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on September 30, 2009, 04:37:57 PM
Sometimes I don't get it.
1. Badly-recrowned frets get in the way. 2. Warped necks get in the way. 3. Undesirable action gets in the way. 4. Unclear notes get in the way. 5. Being buried in the mix (due to lack of cut or volume) gets in the way. 6. Harsh sounds get in the way. 7. Uncomfortable necks get in the way. 8. Farty amps get in the way. 9. Bad cables get in the way. 10. Tone sucking gets in the way. 11. Bad acoustics get in the way.
. . .
Anything bad exhibited by your instrument/rig like the manifestations listed above are a result of poor choices in gear. It is not enough that you are playing onstage, THE AUDIENCE MUST BE ABLE TO HEAR YOU. In a recording situation it is much more stringent because flaws in your tone are repeated X times the number of playbacks.
IMO, it is all about setting a bare minimum that conforms to a certain standard that serves the music perfectly.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: deltaslim on September 30, 2009, 06:00:08 PM
"Too bad for those 2 guys but it's still ONLY an opinion from 2 people, no matter which magazine it comes from."
Your quote.... Its easy for you to dismiss people as opinions and I guess there are no experts... And then I would say, DEREK TRUCKS statement is just an opinion. But nope... I will never do that because I recognize him as a fantastic slide player that you are aspiring to maybe equal some day. In fact, I bought an original CD and DVD of Derek Trucks and I have never downloaded anything from Derek Trucks because I respect his right to earn money for his music.
I'm sorry that you've never heard of the phenomenon of 'tapers' and 'taper-friendly' bands, which includes Derek Trucks Band and even older bands like Grateful Dead. Their live concerts since the 90s have been recorded by multiple independent 'tapers' and shared LEGALLY and non-commercially through a community website under open source rules. These bands rightly believe that the taping community enhances their marketing power and sales from concerts and recordings. Btw, I have their dvd, so yes I can afford to buy their music too.
I don't what you are referring to but I didn't dismiss those 2 so-called "experts" opinions. I simply offered a theory, as others did, on why they might have had a lousy experience. You are the one who keeps singling me out and misquoting and misrepresenting my own opinions.
Oh well... same old, same old.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 30, 2009, 07:16:47 PM
I'm sorry that you've never heard of the phenomenon of 'tapers' and 'taper-friendly' bands, which includes Derek Trucks Band and even older bands like Grateful Dead. Their live concerts since the 90s have been recorded by multiple independent 'tapers' and shared LEGALLY and non-commercially through a community website under open source rules. These bands rightly believe that the taping community enhances their marketing power and sales from concerts and recordings. Btw, I have their dvd, so yes I can afford to buy their music too.
I don't what you are referring to but I didn't dismiss those 2 so-called "experts" opinions. I simply offered a theory, as others did, on why they might have had a lousy experience. You are the one who keeps singling me out and misquoting and misrepresenting my own opinions.
Oh well... same old, same old.
yun na mismo same old same old! :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on September 30, 2009, 07:39:24 PM
Lots of insights here. Pero ang most important thing is this: Talk is cheap - let your guitar do the talking when it comes to Tone discussions :). Galing ni Bluenote.
tenk u :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: ermonski on September 30, 2009, 08:03:43 PM
Here I was jamming with tutti, I just borrowed someone's guitar, a yamaha with floyrose which I usualy wouldn't touch on a good day plugged directly to a little cheap O' amp... I didn't even have time to fine tune my sound but all in all I think it sounded quite good in fact watching the video again made me think that it actually sounded bitchin'... watcha think ya'll? yes we are picky on what gear we use but really its just because of personal preference... Like the clothes that you wear or the kind of watch that you use... I think great players like Derek Trucks would still sound phenomenal no matter what gear they use... And to those that think that you cant do variety without any effects, think again, I played variety from 1994 to 2008 for such notable bands as BIG Thing, Vanna-Vanna, NXT Level and Natural High, believe me you can... Ive survived gigs with just drive and reverb from an amp... :-D
sample ng variety gig with no effects...
yun yun oh....
at the end of the day plug and play ka pa rin diba?
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on October 01, 2009, 08:52:59 AM
at the end of the day plug and play ka pa rin diba?
yun na mismo... kaya nga I believe that tone is in the ears... everything will adjust pati technique pag pangit ang nadidinig mo magcocompensate ang kalabit at patunog....
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: pitongjerome on October 01, 2009, 09:06:16 AM
sa nakontra kay DT sabihin niyo nalang yan sakanya ang mga sinasabi niyo ehehe
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on October 01, 2009, 10:20:40 AM
I hope I won't get ragged by the senyors here in the gigging industry, particularly those who do 3 sets a night of covers, 50% of which they ciphered the night before. I respect you, and I am proud that you are so-called HUMAN JUKEBOXES.
But here's my gripe... just because you have the talent (I repeat, YOU have the talent), it doesn't mean that you have the tone. Oftentimes, when I come across a showband/coverband guitarplayer who tries to mimic old and new repertoire on a crappy Marshall MG30 or Fender Princeton 65 onstage, my impression would always be "Wow, he has the fingers, but his tone sucks because of the friggin' amp..." And to compensate for that, you hear a lot of compression in the tone. Thank God digital modelling has made it much less ear-stabbing in the distortion department compared to the days of stomps through SS amps that sounded like a swarm of bees.
Experience pretty much trains a guitarplayer how to adjust to the gear (whatever is there onstage) and how to dial in sounds to least unacceptable standards. But don't claim that because you can do that, you have great tone. Maybe the better way to interpret your skill is, you know how to OPTIMIZE the gear onstage.
Say you plugged through a crappy Marshall MG30, and had a lagare to Ratsky (uy that was so 10 years ago) where you plug to a Twin Reverb, you'd notice a huge improvement in your tone compared to the MG30.
So the be-all and end-all is, THE WHOLE SIGNAL CHAIN MATTERS. Player-->gtr-->-->fx-->AMP* *often neglected.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: pitongjerome on October 01, 2009, 10:31:45 AM
hindi naman niya siguro sinasabi na play thru crappy stuff.. maybe he says na play through a decent guitar and effects that sounds good.. need not to be the best and the most expensive.. and then, let your playing do the rest..
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: badbach66 on October 01, 2009, 10:37:12 AM
I hope I won't get ragged by the senyors here in the gigging industry, particularly those who do 3 sets a night of covers, 50% of which they ciphered the night before. I respect you, and I am proud that you are so-called HUMAN JUKEBOXES.
But here's my gripe... just because you have the talent (I repeat, YOU have the talent), it doesn't mean that you have the tone. Oftentimes, when I come across a showband/coverband guitarplayer who tries to mimic old and new repertoire on a crappy Marshall MG30 or Fender Princeton 65 onstage, my impression would always be "Wow, he has the fingers, but his tone sucks because of the friggin' amp..." And to compensate for that, you hear a lot of compression in the tone. Thank God digital modelling has made it much less ear-stabbing in the distortion department compared to the days of stomps through SS amps that sounded like a swarm of bees.
Experience pretty much trains a guitarplayer how to adjust to the gear (whatever is there onstage) and how to dial in sounds to least unacceptable standards. But don't claim that because you can do that, you have great tone. Maybe the better way to interpret your skill is, you know how to OPTIMIZE the gear onstage.
Say you plugged through a crappy Marshall MG30, and had a lagare to Ratsky (uy that was so 10 years ago) where you plug to a Twin Reverb, you'd notice a huge improvement in your tone compared to the MG30.
So the be-all and end-all is, THE WHOLE SIGNAL CHAIN MATTERS. Player-->gtr-->-->fx-->AMP* *often neglected.
I remember, about 5 years ago we used to play this venue here in Bulacan with a Peavy Bandit 112 amp. God I hated that thing. I'd get to the venue 1-2 hours earlier before our set so I could tweak my sound, then spend the rest of the night during our set bending over in the middle of a song to tweak my sound some more. It's hard to compensate for a sh**ty amp..
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: badbach66 on October 01, 2009, 10:38:42 AM
I'm sorry that you've never heard of the phenomenon of 'tapers' and 'taper-friendly' bands, which includes Derek Trucks Band and even older bands like Grateful Dead. Their live concerts since the 90s have been recorded by multiple independent 'tapers' and shared LEGALLY and non-commercially through a community website under open source rules. These bands rightly believe that the taping community enhances their marketing power and sales from concerts and recordings. Btw, I have their dvd, so yes I can afford to buy their music too.
I don't what you are referring to but I didn't dismiss those 2 so-called "experts" opinions. I simply offered a theory, as others did, on why they might have had a lousy experience. You are the one who keeps singling me out and misquoting and misrepresenting my own opinions.
Oh well... same old, same old.
LMFAO!
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on October 01, 2009, 11:58:43 AM
I think another implication of DT's statement is.... (duh) of course you get yourself a proper signal chain that you would be comfortable enough to translate the music you hear in your head.... be it a complex pedal board or a straight-up setup.... but the heart of it all is the music you hear in your head.... without that theres noting.... that should be your primary focus.... focusing on gear without having a clear idea of the music in your head is just a trip to the rabbit hole. if you have that music clear in your head you can be able to translate it with whatever gear you have (or what to have) in the physical realm. So what if the gadget or electronic piece needed to achieve the sound in your head is not yet invented? will it be a dead end for you in terms of playing or making music? .... in this regard we find jimi hendrix to be the greatest electric guitar player ever..... night in night out... he plays and puts out hendrix show... sometimes with a number of pedals sometimes straight up... but still its a jimi show. .... "Plug and Play"... in the words of Zappa..." shut up and play yer guitar"
"skill is not in the gear...its in the player...the quality of gear augments it (to various degrees)"
i guess not realizing this is the single most reason why we chronically find threads that says something like "ano mas magandang FX"
most of the best written songs since the incarnation of radio... can be played with just an acoustic guitar or a piano and still sound good when stripped down.... yes even most of U2's songs which we all know most of which are FX/Gear driven.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: badbach66 on October 01, 2009, 12:46:11 PM
Yup..gear, no matter how expensive it is,is only a means to an end..
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on October 01, 2009, 01:06:02 PM
I hope I won't get ragged by the senyors here in the gigging industry, particularly those who do 3 sets a night of covers, 50% of which they ciphered the night before. I respect you, and I am proud that you are so-called HUMAN JUKEBOXES.
But here's my gripe... just because you have the talent (I repeat, YOU have the talent), it doesn't mean that you have the tone. Oftentimes, when I come across a showband/coverband guitarplayer who tries to mimic old and new repertoire on a crappy Marshall MG30 or Fender Princeton 65 onstage, my impression would always be "Wow, he has the fingers, but his tone sucks because of the friggin' amp..." And to compensate for that, you hear a lot of compression in the tone. Thank God digital modelling has made it much less ear-stabbing in the distortion department compared to the days of stomps through SS amps that sounded like a swarm of bees.
Experience pretty much trains a guitarplayer how to adjust to the gear (whatever is there onstage) and how to dial in sounds to least unacceptable standards. But don't claim that because you can do that, you have great tone. Maybe the better way to interpret your skill is, you know how to OPTIMIZE the gear onstage.
Say you plugged through a crappy Marshall MG30, and had a lagare to Ratsky (uy that was so 10 years ago) where you plug to a Twin Reverb, you'd notice a huge improvement in your tone compared to the MG30.
So the be-all and end-all is, THE WHOLE SIGNAL CHAIN MATTERS. Player-->gtr-->-->fx-->AMP* *often neglected.
Oh yes madami nga sa pop scene ang d maganda ang tone but the same goes for the underground scene may pag kakaiba ba? As Ive said tone is a very subjective thing... You may say that most pop guys sound too compressed and is too wet but that is just because most pop guitar stuff are meant to sound that way, like the way the guitar sounds on David Benoit’s Key to You… Would you believe that I’ve done a gig with just a Marshall micro stack amp? I did kasi walang amp dun sa venue kaya nilagay ko yung amp sa loob ng isang bag tapos naka mic lang sha dun parang isolation box tapos pinalabas ko lang yung sound sa monitors ok din naman tunog nung tinanong ko sa mga tropa na nanonood nagulat nga daw sila nay un lang ang ginamit ko… In my time sa ratsky wala naman akong nagamit na MG30 nun ah… Marshall na JCM900 2x12 ang amp nila nuon dun…
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on October 01, 2009, 01:07:46 PM
I remember, about 5 years ago we used to play this venue here in Bulacan with a Peavy Bandit 112 amp. God I hated that thing. I'd get to the venue 1-2 hours earlier before our set so I could tweak my sound, then spend the rest of the night during our set bending over in the middle of a song to tweak my sound some more. It's hard to compensate for a sh**ty amp..
baka sira lang yung nagamit mo... kasi ako ok sakin ang bandit 112 eh...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: Letour on October 01, 2009, 02:46:26 PM
I hope I won't get ragged by the senyors here in the gigging industry, particularly those who do 3 sets a night of covers, 50% of which they ciphered the night before. I respect you, and I am proud that you are so-called HUMAN JUKEBOXES.
But here's my gripe... just because you have the talent (I repeat, YOU have the talent), it doesn't mean that you have the tone. Oftentimes, when I come across a showband/coverband guitarplayer who tries to mimic old and new repertoire on a crappy Marshall MG30 or Fender Princeton 65 onstage, my impression would always be "Wow, he has the fingers, but his tone sucks because of the friggin' amp..." And to compensate for that, you hear a lot of compression in the tone. Thank God digital modelling has made it much less ear-stabbing in the distortion department compared to the days of stomps through SS amps that sounded like a swarm of bees.
Experience pretty much trains a guitarplayer how to adjust to the gear (whatever is there onstage) and how to dial in sounds to least unacceptable standards. But don't claim that because you can do that, you have great tone. Maybe the better way to interpret your skill is, you know how to OPTIMIZE the gear onstage.
Say you plugged through a crappy Marshall MG30, and had a lagare to Ratsky (uy that was so 10 years ago) where you plug to a Twin Reverb, you'd notice a huge improvement in your tone compared to the MG30.
So the be-all and end-all is, THE WHOLE SIGNAL CHAIN MATTERS. Player-->gtr-->-->fx-->AMP* *often neglected.
Hey, I have a Princeton 65. And I love it. It gives me the Fender Clean which almost everyone might like or have liked or may like. And the gain channel coupled with the 3 band eq gives me several options from blues to metal.
Of course, this post has nothing to do with the topic because DT doesn't use Princeton 65. I still looking for the honey roasted "nut" though.
Peace :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: monsterbot on October 01, 2009, 03:34:03 PM
sino mga nakapanood ng "Never Ending Story" ? :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on October 01, 2009, 03:43:09 PM
Oh yes madami nga sa pop scene ang d maganda ang tone but the same goes for the underground scene may pag kakaiba ba? As Ive said tone is a very subjective thing... You may say that most pop guys sound too compressed and is too wet but that is just because most pop guitar stuff are meant to sound that way, like the way the guitar sounds on David Benoit’s Key to You… Would you believe that I’ve done a gig with just a Marshall micro stack amp? I did kasi walang amp dun sa venue kaya nilagay ko yung amp sa loob ng isang bag tapos naka mic lang sha dun parang isolation box tapos pinalabas ko lang yung sound sa monitors ok din naman tunog nung tinanong ko sa mga tropa na nanonood nagulat nga daw sila nay un lang ang ginamit ko… In my time sa ratsky wala naman akong nagamit na MG30 nun ah… Marshall na JCM900 2x12 ang amp nila nuon dun…
I saw a Twin Reverb there in Ratsky Morato...
Ditto na marami ring rock gigs na pinapatay ang tenga ko pagdating sa tone, pero ang major difference is maturity. Pag nakakita ako ng teenagers na tunog bandsaw ang gitara, naiintindihan ko kung bakit. Di gaanong problema ang timplahan sa mga may experience na gitarista.
When I said COMPRESSED ang tunog, it simply means the gain/distortion and the clipping nature of the fx pedals through a harsh-sounding SS-amp with the treble attenuated yields this tone.
And one thing about PAs... no amount of 'timpla' through a pocket amp can save you if the PA is gawdawful especially without monitors.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: skunkyfunk on October 01, 2009, 03:44:26 PM
Hey, I have a Princeton 65. And I love it. It gives me the Fender Clean which almost everyone might like or have liked or may like. And the gain channel coupled with the 3 band eq gives me several options from blues to metal.
Of course, this post has nothing to do with the topic because DT doesn't use Princeton 65. I still looking for the honey roasted "nut" though.
Peace :-D
No offense atty, but that amp will really work hard in a rock band scenario...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on October 01, 2009, 03:58:24 PM
Ditto na marami ring rock gigs na pinapatay ang tenga ko pagdating sa tone, pero ang major difference is maturity. Pag nakakita ako ng teenagers na tunog bandsaw ang gitara, naiintindihan ko kung bakit. Di gaanong problema ang timplahan sa mga may experience na gitarista.
When I said COMPRESSED ang tunog, it simply means the gain/distortion and the clipping nature of the fx pedals through a harsh-sounding SS-amp with the treble attenuated yields this tone.
And one thing about PAs... no amount of 'timpla' through a pocket amp can save you if the PA is gawdawful especially without monitors.
Oh yes if the PA system was crap then siguradong yari ako nun... But see most pop venues rarely have bad PA systems... Oh but teenagers aren't the only ones guilty of sounding like crap... Maturity is a state of mind not of being... Kahit naman matatanda na nasa underground scene eh may mga d din maganda ang tone... Pareho lang talaga yan kung sa pop man or sa UG meron lang talagang mga tao na mas marami ang nakakaapreciate ng tone nila... But as I've said it is subjective maaring sayo pangit sa iba maganda... PA sytems aren't the basis of good tone kelangan mo lang eh yung tamang klase hindi kelangan na laging top of the line at boutique para lang maka produce ng magandang tone kahit naman ordinaryong gamit napapatunog din ng maganda eh :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: bluenote on October 01, 2009, 04:00:58 PM
No offense atty, but that amp will really work hard in a rock band scenario...
65 watts hmmmm.. I can make that work... 48 watts nga lang ang ginagamit ko eh... depende lang talaga... kung maingay ang drummer mo kelangan talaga naka mic at nakapatong sa upuan...
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: turiguiliano on October 02, 2009, 02:47:59 AM
DT rocks. His music is an eye opener for me. But has no pedulz. :lol:
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: 24242009 on October 02, 2009, 05:45:36 AM
i think I got his point but first id like to point out that he gets his tune straight via electric guitar and amp as written in the interview. so basically he is a guitar-amp guy, correct me if im wrong here :) because i havent heard his music nor watched any.
but there is a big distinction between playing guitars and playing with stomps/effects. its like using two different weapons but of the same purpose. other guitarist start with clean then add effects, which is what they like. others gain sound straight via effects without looking in the clean side, and when the effects are off sometimes it sounds like crap but with effects on its cool. just like the intro of "bulls on parade" the wah sound, with no wah effects will sound bad as if its only a one-way strumming, but when effects are on it sounds catchy.
i do hope you get my point, if gears are the enemy we might as well go back to acoustic and throw away electric guitar since its limited. well put it this way whateever car we drive its the same car but with different features, its not how fast we drive, its about using it to the full potential. just look at the ae-86 trueno of takumi in the initial d anime, watch it and you will get what i mean.
moreover, creativity in what? what medium? it using full potential about the gears you have. you might only have a single ds-1 and yet you can make chart topping hits, well i guess you got what being a musician meant. you may have truck loads of pedals but you cant even compose a song and all you do is cover songs, where is creativity in that? so its best to use whatever we have to the full potential and upgrading later on
I also agree with him well gears, gutiars whatever are just mediums, whats important is how we express ourselves using the mediums. eventhough its only a ukelele if we can make truly good songs, what ever weapon we choose we can do it. Im not saying that all guitarist must be a pro singer, no! the topic is about expression so I guess we truly must let it out. with imagination anything is possible :-D
well just take a look at beatles, during their early days they hardly had any gears like what we all have now. all they have is clean electric guitar and truck loads of imagination. but on the later part of their career when they had access to various equipments their imagination also expanded. try listening to their albums "sgt pepper" and "abbey road" those albums I can say are the point of beatles maturity in writing music. their early days are catchy as well but so simple but cool. Nirvana's music is next to simple as well.
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: erniebong on October 02, 2009, 11:14:44 AM
I guess just the bottom line is try to write good song and try to play them well regardless of what or were you plug into :-D
Title: Re: "Gear gets in the way if it becomes your focus" - Derek Trucks
Post by: 24242009 on October 02, 2009, 10:09:37 PM