We have a lot of talk about guitars and tone here. And that's great, because one of the reasons we come here is to talk about our passion for this stuff!
But --
But there's only so far that talk will take us. Words do not adequately describe or convey the tone of an instrument. I mentioned this in another thread, but the old saw, "Talking about music is like dancing about architecture," is true.
Several members here post clips of their instruments - in music tracks with other instruments - and solo - regularly. That's the best! Tag was my inspiration for doing so, he started way back in the day on TGP.
You don't have to be a great, or even a very good player, to post clips. It's OK to be yourself. This should be a "zone of encouragement" and not a place where we critique each others' playing.
But...we have these wonderful guitars, amps, processors, etc. And it's so easy, and so inexpensive, to record them - we can do it with a PHONE if need be.
It's cool to ooh and aah over pictures of the guitars. That's fine, but they're designed to make music. NGD? Show me a picture AND post a clip of how it sounds. And how you sound on it. And what you like to play. That's the fun part.
If a friend comes over, do you just pull out a guitar and say, "Look at this?"
Or do you plug it in and play a little, maybe let the friend play it, hear it, etc? Well, my feeling is, if you're going to show it to the world, why not play it for the world?
Don't be shy! It's OK to be you.
For those who don't know me: I've posted clips of every guitar and amp within a few days of getting it. I wish I was a better player, but I do it anyway. I try to set a good example.
EDIT:
I wanted to add a thing or two...
For 16 years I've participated in various guitar forums: the original PRS Forum, TGP, BAM, VR and here. And there'll be statements like, "Pickup A sounds so much better than pickup B." And my thought is always, "In whose hands? And on what style of music? And if it's so much better, WTF, SHOW US!!"
You want to make a point about a guitar you have that you're critical of? How about a clip? This bridge sounds better than that bridge? Your new guitar sounds so great?
I'll believe it if you can demonstrate it in a clip.
Etc.
We are fortunate enough to live in an age where anyone - seriously, anyone - can engage in telecommunications. You are all TV stars and recording artists. You have a point to make - and this goes double for criticisms as far as I'm concerned - show us. You can do it.
The usual saying around here is "Pics or it didn't happen." Well, for me it's "Clips or it didn't happen."
You've probably mention this in another thread, but what are you using for audio interface(s)
File in the department of be careful what you ask for.
I did this one right after I got my HB1 spruce goldtop back from PTC, They changed it from an aftermarket piezo to a PRS piezo and moved the battery compartment from under the bridge pup (really?) to the regular battery position. Hated loosening/removing strings to change the battery - it had been dangling out of the lower f hole for a while.
Painfully out of tune, slow and awkward. Probably take 3,458 as I comment to the cat in the beginning. Still full of clams and I'm not really any better 2 years later.
Piezo because Les hates piezo.
WTF is up with my right hand pinkie?? <-- a favorite subject for my past instructors.
Did I mention painfully out of tune?
Warning: it only goes downhill when you click the play button. You have been warned.
Obligatory equipment notes:
PRS HB1 spruce goldtop piezo
Crate Telluride acoustic amp
no pedals
mic is on the Sony videocam.
Very nice Ruger! I love the Rain Song, and love to play it on my P22. I actually learned to play it in standard tuning as a kid, which is all kinds of painful acrobatics. Then I found out the tuning Page uses, and how much easier it is in that tuning. Doh!
Also, pinky positions, along with ugly solo faces, are always forgiven. It's in the guitar rules! Look it up!
Tom
I thought the playing was really, really nice on that, Bill! Not only that but...the piezo didn't sound too bad!
Actually, I can't play those kinds of chord changes any more until (I hope) my hand heals. So you're one up on me.
As always, just my opinion, and thanks again for the mention Les. We have been friends while both agreeing and disagreeing on many subjects, with no animosity, over many years. Thats a true friend and the way it should be.
I think I got to it. Try pasting the link in a new page.I can't open it either. Would love to hear it!
Preachin' to the choir brother, preachin' to the choir. Quality...I'm never happy. Even when I accept it.For some, the thought of getting up in front of your family and playing is as frightening as facing Godzilla, let alone getting on stage in front of a couple hundred people, or worse, put it on the Intarwebby for everyone to cast stones upon. But if you're not shy, post away!
My concern is more from the quality perspective...performance and recording-wise. I'm a horrific perfectionist and try to break myself of the habit by releasing stuff way before it's "soup" but still I cringe at the thought. I'll do what I can.
\m/ channel 1 AND low output 5708 pickups....beastly!I usually capture some tone tests when I get new gear. The captures are usually done with a phone camera. I switch phones more than I change clothes some weeks, but I do know this was an iPhone. Given the date I believe it was an iPhone 5. I don't think I've ever posted this here, so for your pleasure or perhaps not. Hah!
This is shortly after receiving the first PS I had built at the end of 2013. It's a hog body and neck with a maple top and ebony board. It's covered in gloss nitro and has Elixir 11s tuned to Drop C. The pups are 57/08s. It's a PRS silent jack cable that's 18 or so feet. The amp is a Bogner Uberschall Twin Jet on Channel 1, yeah...channel 1. All knobs set at noon because that's how I roll. The volume was bedroom level. The cabinet is an Orange 4x12. I don't know what pick I was using. I assume a Jazz III, but I might have made the switch to Red Bear Style No. 9 in XH by this time. The wanking is all made up on the spot since I am just trying to get an idea of the tone. While I wouldn't move a knob from noon it's still nice to hear what stuff sounds like while not playing.
Allright, last weekend I modified my DGT with the excellent Abraxas pickups made by Tim Mills of Bare Knuckle, Cornwall, UK.
This is the resulting sound: click
I'm really happy with it, now my DGT rings like a bell and no longer tends to "scream" as with the original pickups. Those were fine with me at first, but proved to be a bit ear-wearing the longer I played them.
Modifications didn't stop on the pickups, I also changed the control layout, using three push/pull-potentiometers, the individual volumes now splitting each pickup separately and the tone pot working as a phase reversal switch, too.