Cured of the Tone Obsession...

Shades of Blue · March 15th, 2010, 09:28 AM

For years I obsessed over tone. I bought guitars, pedals, pickups, you name it in search of tone.

I took a break from strats for a while and got into PRS guitars. I had always wanted one since I was 13. Recently I bought an Epi LP because I am getting bitten by the Gibson bug of late.

About two months ago, I built a HWY1 strat build to the specs I like and it is the perfect strat. It sounds sooo good and I have found that recently my tone searching days seem to be over for now.

It was really nice to actually sit and play my strat this weekend without feeling the need to tweak everything so much.

I don't know if it was taking a break away from strats, or building the perfect strat, but all of a sudden my strat sounds like a strat!

carlos404 · March 15th, 2010, 09:35 AM

Congratulations, my I consider myself having a perfect strat too, just need to change pickups :P

Paulbiz · March 15th, 2010, 10:10 AM

Shades, no disrespect intended but theres only one inherent problem with your post....the search for great tone is an endless journey with no final destination ever reached!!!

Congrats on finding that sweet tone but sooner or later your ear will become desensitized to it and your journey will once again commence! Enjoy your sound!

Suthrn_BLU_Sman · March 15th, 2010, 10:48 AM

Congrats on getting what you want. A lot of people never reach that goal.

pfogle · March 15th, 2010, 11:04 AM

I know these things are so personal as to make the question meaningless, but for interest, which pickups did you end up with in the Hway1?

It'll be interesting to see how long the 'honeymoon' period lasts - it might be forever!

-edit- just saw your post in another thread about the classic player neck, so I guess it's the Texas Specials, right?

Shades of Blue · March 15th, 2010, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfogle

I know these things are so personal as to make the
-edit- just saw your post in another thread about the classic player neck, so I guess it's the Texas Specials, right?

Yup!

I'm quite sure that I'll be obsessed with tone again soon, but after owning almost 15 guitars over the past year and a half, this is the first time I have felt completely satisfied with a guitar.

capt_goodvibes · March 15th, 2010, 12:20 PM

Shades of Blue · March 15th, 2010, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_goodvibes

Now if she were holding my strat, I'd really be satisfied lol

johnreardon · March 15th, 2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

Yup!

I'm quite sure that I'll be obsessed with tone again soon, but after owning almost 15 guitars over the past year and a half, this is the first time I have felt completely satisfied with a guitar.

never get obsessed by this mysterious thing called 'Tone'. The only things I ever check is how equipment plays and sounds to my old ears. Dead easy. Rest is down to how I perform on a particular night

thaus · March 15th, 2010, 01:20 PM

The search is ongoing......if you find it you're probably deceased!

gitterfidder · March 15th, 2010, 02:13 PM

Jimi Hendrix wasn't ever satisfied with his tone even...

DKoor · March 15th, 2010, 02:21 PM

Tone is in the fingers anyway... if you have the technique you will sound great on any equipment.

It is a fact...

johnreardon · March 15th, 2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitterfidder

Jimi Hendrix wasn't ever satisfied with his tone even...

I would be surprised if he even mentioned 'Tone', he certainly wouldn't have been as obsessed as some people appear to be these days.

We had limited equipment available, back then, most of us were only interested in playing as loud as we could to be heard in big places. One result of this was the 'sound' we got.

He would have got access to some of the new pedals being developed by the likes of Mayer, so would have experimented, with his sound, a bit more than us 'normals', but he wouldn't have had a 'tone' obsession.

Christian2009 · March 15th, 2010, 02:52 PM

I also have built the 'perfect' HW1 strat. I love it more than any other strat I've ever held. Period. Those guitars are just plain awesome.

By the way...that pic above with the guitar laying nicely between the boobies is awesome. lol.

DKoor · March 15th, 2010, 03:00 PM

I just remember what Kurt Cobain once said... "we played anything we had/could" don't know if that is exact citation but the point is there.

It is and will always be about the player and what he has to say.
That is why you'll see many artist playing different guitars/equipment while still holding their recognizable style/tone. Above mentioned Hendrix played everything he could too, from Strato, Flying V, SG etc. but still his tone was there.

The sad fact is that we all often succumb to agressive (and hideous) marketing...

Great example of that are "artist" models of equipment... ha.
Those guys never became famous by playing their sig models nor many of them play them even when they get them.

Its always about sales/marketing and making money. It is on us to suck it up or simple resist it...

PS. But make no mistake; I'm not slamming anyone if he likes to buy equipment or something, Lord knows I've been guilty for many wasteful purchases, many things that I don't need nor they brought me anything than 3-days joy; another words - total waste (valid for many areas in my life).

Malikon · March 15th, 2010, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnreardon

I would be surprised if he even mentioned 'Tone', he certainly wouldn't have been as obsessed as some people appear to be these days.

We had limited equipment available, back then, most of us were only interested in playing as loud as we could to be heard in big places. One result of this was the 'sound' we got.

He would have got access to some of the new pedals being developed by the likes of Mayer, so would have experimented, with his sound, a bit more than us 'normals', but he wouldn't have had a 'tone' obsession.

I was talking about this subject (in a way) the other day with a friend of mine, mostly about the "signature" pedals that lots of artists have these days. Mostly the topic was about Jimi and Slash and the wah pedals they used. Especially in terms of the Signature Slash Crybaby. Why it is so laughable to me that he has a signature wah. A "regular" Crybaby wah costs $69. but a signature Slash wah costs $169. A $100. price increase.

But looking back at the Appetite for Destruction cd, looking at how broke the band was, there just seems to be no way that Slash used some kind of amazing custom pedal. If he used anything then it would've been a "regular" crybaby wah pedal, especially since at the time there weren't all these signature options to choose from. So rather then buy a regular wah pedal which is almost surely what he would've used back then, for $69. some people would rather spend $169. in search of some elusive "Slash Tone" that really only exists in their mind. Wanna sound like Slash? Drop some Alnico II's into a Les Paul copy (since he used a copy

) and plug it into a Marshall that's cranked to 10. There. Slash tone, lol.

sorry for the small rant, but some of this "Signature" stuff lately has me practically rolling on the floor laughing.

tonyw · March 15th, 2010, 03:15 PM

I dont hunt for tone i hunt for playabilty, the tone will find itself. As long as i can still play a tune i am happy with that. I am a soundmans nightmare, they say another take!! i say nah thats the one, warts and all.

Shades of Blue · March 15th, 2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKoor

Tone is in the fingers anyway... if you have the technique you will sound great on any equipment.

It is a fact...

I always argue this "fact" because if you give the same guitar player two different guitars, he will sound different on each.

Each guitar has it's own unique sound. Sometimes I think that people don't understand the difference between tone and style.

For example, give SRV a squier with ceramic pups versus his signature Strat. Will he sound like Stevie on both guitars? YES Will the guitars sound different? YES

DKoor · March 15th, 2010, 04:34 PM

OK I agree with that from techical point of view, but the sad fact remains that the guy would own most players with Affinity (even if he doesn't find one that doesn't heavily de-tune with slightest look at trem/vibrato).

Another words - he will sound awesome while we most of us will still suck with our custom shops

.

BTW I'm glad for you... sure, from time to time I feel GAS probably like every other player that likes nice guitars and equipment. I just opted for ignore

.

Giant · March 15th, 2010, 06:54 PM

seems to me that some people that are searching for tone, are searching for someone else's tone. not always, but sometimes. you guys know what I mean.

OldFartRocker · March 15th, 2010, 07:54 PM

Give me 6 strings, a pickup and a volume knob. I'm happy.

Shades of Blue · March 15th, 2010, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKoor

OK I agree with that from techical point of view, but the sad fact remains that the guy would own most players with Affinity (even if he doesn't find one that doesn't heavily de-tune with slightest look at trem/vibrato).

Another words - he will sound awesome while we most of us will still suck with our custom shops

.

BTW I'm glad for you... sure, from time to time I feel GAS probably like every other player that likes nice guitars and equipment. I just opted for ignore

.

yes ma' friend, he certainly would own us all!

I guess my point was that since my playing style and technique will always be mine, I just like to tinker with sound to make me sound different.

I am an engineer at heart, so I am doomed to tinker and try new things.

Hugh · March 15th, 2010, 08:51 PM

Congrats on your being at peace w/your build Shades.

Tone is in our hands, but yes, if everyone here was to record the same solo on the same model stock strat, we'd all sound different. Even through the same rig.

tjk3052 · March 15th, 2010, 10:30 PM

I think all that matters is if a piece of gear inspires us to play. If it's the way something sounds or just the brand name on it, if it makes us play for hours, it's done its job.

granter · March 15th, 2010, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

I always argue this "fact" because if you give the same guitar player two different guitars, he will sound different on each.

Each guitar has it's own unique sound. Sometimes I think that people don't understand the difference between tone and style.

For example, give SRV a squier with ceramic pups versus his signature Strat. Will he sound like Stevie on both guitars? YES Will the guitars sound different? YES

This sounds pretty close to "number one" if you ask me and it's not even a Strat.

YouTube - Stevie Ray Vaughan Life Without You

Sandbox · March 15th, 2010, 11:21 PM

.... always love some SRV.

While I agree that sometimes we just like to buy new stuff... I'll never tell someone they should or shouldn't spent their money on whatever. Buy 100 guitars if you want. It's all good.

While I'm in a good habit of playing pretty often, I'll spend a few dollars on along the way, trying to make my guitar a better instrument . Over time, upgrading your guitar with higher quality parts can be a neat thing.

I've been pondering a partscaster in the future, and a HWY One body with a Classic Player neck sounds like tonemania to me.....

StratmanR2S · March 16th, 2010, 01:40 AM

A good sounding guitar from the start always stalls the search for tone.

So what new amp are you gonna buy next.

Its just human nature to tinker and not leave well enough alone.

I am very happy with the sound of the Strats I'm playing right now. So I'm trying a couple different pedals and maybe a new amps in my future. Not to change my basic tone. It's spot on (for now), but just to work in some variations.

johnreardon · March 16th, 2010, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

I always argue this "fact" because if you give the same guitar player two different guitars, he will sound different on each.

Each guitar has it's own unique sound. Sometimes I think that people don't understand the difference between tone and style.

For example, give SRV a squier with ceramic pups versus his signature Strat. Will he sound like Stevie on both guitars? YES Will the guitars sound different? YES

Not necessarily true, at least different enough at loud volumes to tell any difference. Yes guitars have their own sounds, but players can often compensate to make one guitar sound very similar to another.

I heard Clapton play, with Cream back in 2005, where he made his Strat sound just like a Les Paul. I can get close as well with some of my non Gibsons

Textele · March 16th, 2010, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjk3052

I think all that matters is if a piece of gear inspires us to play. If it's the way something sounds or just the brand name on it, if it makes us play for hours, it's done its job.

Wisdom, well said.

countryroads · March 16th, 2010, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjk3052

I think all that matters is if a piece of gear inspires us to play. If it's the way something sounds or just the brand name on it, if it makes us play for hours, it's done its job.

That's easy to say when you haven't done a long practice or gig alongside an 'inspired' plonker with a Peavey Transtube cranked up and spitting out 'amplified 1962 Bell Telephone' distortion and '10 fathoms under water' chorus.

johnreardon · March 16th, 2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by countryroads

That's easy to say when you haven't done a long practice or gig alongside an 'inspired' plonker with a Peavey Transtube cranked up and spitting out 'amplified 1962 Bell Telephone' distortion and '10 fathoms under water' chorus.

That plonker would probably sound the same with an R9 going through the most expensive valve amp.

Shades of Blue · March 16th, 2010, 10:42 AM

R9 through a valve amp....mmmm tasty

John, I have to say that Gibsons are looking sexier to me than ever before. I don't know why I didn't try one sooner! That overdriven tone is just sweeeet.

johnreardon · March 16th, 2010, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shades of Blue

R9 through a valve amp....mmmm tasty

John, I have to say that Gibsons are looking sexier to me than ever before. I don't know why I didn't try one sooner! That overdriven tone is just sweeeet.

I go by a few rules:

Never be put off by the Brand name
Never be taken in by looks
Never listen to what people say on forums

ALWAYS listen to your own ears and hands tell you.

Jimi Hendrix · March 16th, 2010, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitterfidder

Jimi Hendrix wasn't ever satisfied with his tone even...

Actually, i'm very happy with my tone thankyou

Shades of Blue · March 16th, 2010, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi Hendrix

Actually, i'm very happy with my tone thankyou

Strat into an AC-30...yeah I bet you are!

Crimson · March 16th, 2010, 01:30 PM

I had the symptoms too, always after a new guitar, always looking for different kind of pickups, difference between amps, looking for that Awesome Sound!

And now I find out...none of those matter, the only thing that matters..it's the PICK!!!
The Pick Of Destiny!

YouTube - tenacious d - Classico

Frett · March 16th, 2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_goodvibes

I knew my wife was with a red guitar last night.

Little flecks in her hair....

It's OK. I slept with a Fender.