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Posted on 01/25/2014 10:21:49 AM PST by giant sable
One of the great paradoxes of modern popular music is the endurance of the guitar.
After all, electronic music has now been generally available for a half-century – and logic would suggest that with its wide range of effects (including synthesizing the sounds of traditional instruments), its programmability and editing, and its plummeting price, that the guitar, that ultimate refinement of analog music creation, would by now have gone the way of the harpsichord.
(Excerpt) Read more at nextsound.co ...
I play bass in a couple of bands. My 50’s rock band had a gig last night. In the 90’s, before I became a bass player, I figured synths would replace the guitar. I also thought they would replace the piano.
However, I learned a few things about piano players when I discussed it with them. And I learned a few things about guitar and bass players when I became one. It’s not exactly like this, but it’s in this vein: guitars were not killed by synths (nor were pianos) for the same reason recorded music didn’t kill live music.
The guitar is indeed alive and well. The traditional guitar tube amp, though, has faced some strong digital challengers.
It’s a phallic symbol. Those never get old.
Guitar ping
The history and future of guitar noise.
Adrian Belew.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yM5qTMXJkT0
If you watch and listen, he seems to want to come back to the original “raw” sound for inspiration.
Belew is a digital challenger.
“...the originator of those sounds still rules. The guitar isn’t going anywhere. It helps us to understand what it means to be human.”
Yes, and consider that a strummed C to F to G chord means something slightly different in the ear of every human on the planet who owns a guitar. This is the Signature of God (or one of them at any rate).
bump
Unnatural technical perfection is not what music is about.
He played a lot with Bowie.
The guy is amazing!
Not sure if you have seen this.
He has intentionally de-tuned his guitar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD-GrAMUzO8
So true. Non-tube amps and even hybrids were terrible in the 80's and 90's, but they have come a long way. I use a Peavey Vypyr Tube 60 for noodling around (I'm not currently gigging). It has a great sound. I got it because of all the effects and stompboxes that come with it. Can't beat it when you look at bang-for-the-buck.
The Peavey Vypyr VIP series and the forthcoming VIP Pro (see NAMM) are solid sounding solid-state amps. Cleans aren't that great, but if you play metal, they're outstanding. I play mostly classic rock.
A lot of players are looking to "get back to their roots" and getting single channel amps (JCM 800, etc) or a small two channel amp without all the bells and whistles of, say, a Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Roadster. Big market for old Marshalls.
Then again, a lot of people claim to be able to tell the difference between tube and solid-state amps just by sound. I can't. The only way I can tell is from the feel - the way a tube amp responds to your playing is different than transistor, and also feels more "organic", more "alive". When transistor amps can do that, well, it will be interesting....
Nothing like a tele through tubes.
Tube amps are analog, which is how our ears work.
That is what I play. An American special tele through blackheart tube amps. I use the five watt little giant at home and in the studio and the 15 watt handsome devil live. Best sound I ever had after 35 years of gigging.
Playing a new Guild D-55 made in New Hartford. I have to say, I like it far more than Martin and Gibson. Incredible instrument.
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