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Post by rjdupe on Nov 22, 2009 12:48:37 GMT
Hi all, Just a few crazy thoughts for the morning and I know I might be 'shot down in flames ' for some of them. It is fascinating to read the posts many of which relate to achieving a certain sought after sound, usually the classic vintage Hank Marvin sound. It is also very interesting to read about the ingenuity that members will resort to to try to achieve this 'Holy Grail'. I suppose if it was simple to do this, and at a cursory glance it should be relatively easy to buy guitar A, amplifier B, echo unit C and when joined together the sound should be achieved. However this does not seem to be the case . When I listen to the sound files they are of a remarkably high standard not only in the playing but also the sounds that members achieve, but it seems that no one is ever satisfied not matter how good it sounds. I wonder what would happen if the sound was achieved, there might be many unhappy members not being able to continue their research. I think this is what drives the interest and makes the site so addictive. There is a old saying that 'it is better to travel than to arrive'.
Regards to all, and perhaps I should add that universal success in achieving 'The Holy Grail' might not be welcomed by all.
Robert
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Post by grip on Nov 22, 2009 13:24:02 GMT
Hi Robert,
There are probably a few "truths" in what you say, and I'm sure that no one will ever fully achieve the sound (to their satisfaction), there will always be something to add, e.g. a bit of authentic 1961 dust from the studio. I think the tendency, should it got so close not to be discernable from the original, would just keep on going because its such a fascinating hobby.
Kind regards,
grip
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Post by Charlie Hall on Nov 22, 2009 17:33:49 GMT
Hi Robert, I know what you mean, it's the same whenever I wanted something and couldn't afford it for a while, then after I bought it, I sometimes later wondered whether I really needed it. I'd call it the thrill of the chase, although personally I am more or less happy with the sound I get for the styles I play most, and I haven't owned a Vox amp since the early 70s. I have used an old AC30 (modified to top boost version) belonging to the lead singer (he no longer owns it) on some occasions and it didn't really do anything wonderful for me, in fact I think I liked the normal channel the best, and that isn't usually what I would recommend for a Shadows sound, without removing some bass. Regards, Charlie
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Post by bill on Nov 23, 2009 0:15:54 GMT
Hi Robert, To me it seems to be like the 'answer to the ultimate question' in the Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy! I've only ever seen one clear explanation of what sound was sought and that depended on the HiFi being used to provide the reference sound.
I've just changed my HiFi speakers and the sound from my records is completely different now.
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Post by rjdupe on Nov 23, 2009 9:32:09 GMT
Hi, Grip, Charlie , Bill and all others.
What you all say is very true. Interesting one Bill about the Hi Fi source I had forgotten all about that part of the equation, as you say the listening equipment especially the speakers also makes a difference. I know what you mean about buying things Charlie, experiencing lots of excitement in the process of looking for a new piece of kit only to get it home and start recriminating on whether you really did need it and that perhaps you should not have spent the money. I bought a Vox AC 30 (has gone wrong twice in 6 months) and on reflection I did not really need it. A quick mention about ' that sound'. I bought my equipment before I knew about this site and probably did not make the best choices. Just for interest I have an American Deluxe Strat (probably the wrong pick ups after reading posts here) but it does give the choice of a wide range of sounds with the two way switching arrangement. I have the Vox AC 30 but use a little Fender Frontman (as I am now worried about sending the Vox back again). To finish I have a Quad plus with Charlie's patches which I think is probably the major sound transformer in the chain. To my ears it does not sound too bad, if only I could play like some of the members here!.
Regards,
Robert
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Post by martyn on Nov 23, 2009 23:06:41 GMT
Hi Robert, I know what you mean, it's the same whenever I wanted something and couldn't afford it for a while, then after I bought it, I sometimes later wondered whether I really needed it. I'd call it the thrill of the chase . . . Regards, Charlie Hi Charlie, I think you just hit the nail on the head - for some bizarre and quite irrational reasons I think if we could all afford to run out to the shops and buy an instant Hank Marvin Outfit in a box to include guitar, amp and echo unit, aside from some differences in playing skills or styles, we'd all sound exactly the same - and where's the fun in that? Eventually we'd all get bored with it and look for something else to chase instead. Whilst we may think we'd be delighted if it were that simple, I doubt we'd get anywhere near as much enjoyment, if that's the right word, in the constant trying of this body, that pickup, those strings; the tweaking of settings, adjustments or modification of equipment, choosing which echo unit/patch - all the ingredients that go into the mix which makes up the perversely pleasurable hobby this unique activity entails. Maybe the enjoyment really is in the journey and not the arrival, daft though this may seem to some . . . Regards, Martyn
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Post by martyn on Nov 24, 2009 1:27:34 GMT
www.guitar-tube.com/search/hank+marvinJust to add to the above, this link takes you to three tracks of Hank playing live and I don't think if I heard this without the video I'd have guessed it was him playing as the guitar tones just don't sound right to my ears. Now there's 'the man' playing his music, plain to see, yet I'd not be particlularly pleased if my guitar sounded like that. I hasten to add I'm talking only of the tone, not the playing skills - doubt I'll ever get even close to attaining those. Just goes to show, don't you think?
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Post by Charlie Hall on Nov 24, 2009 1:46:52 GMT
Hi Martyn, Kinman pickups and Matchless amp for the first and last clips (and set to a more treble sound than his solo tours, I was there at one of the shows), Kinman pickups and KCP amp for the middle clip. I keep saying the sound starts with the guitar. Regards, Charlie
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