Diggey
Joined: Sep 23, 2007
Posts: 571
State College
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 04:21 PM
I generally read more then I post here on the Surf Forum. Mostly because there is so many topics that cover what I have questions about. So usually, I surf the surf forum....
However, this post may address some things here but also a more specific point I'm trying to reach.
So, I commute into Pittsburgh everyday and go through phases where I listen to all types of music. Hands down the Bambi Molesters are one of my all time favorites over any genre or style and I've been going through a Bambi phase.
What I am questioning is how does he get the really crisp, yet, bassey notes to sound so articulate? I know he uses Jazzmasters, and I think Fender silverface twins,and/or dual Showmans (vague memory from this site.)
But, I cannot get a Jazzer to sound like this. I know it is his touch, but is it also the sheer volume? PArt of it may be, that I cannot jam out an 85-100 amp on 9-10. The walls would shake and the dog would cry. But is this also helping get that tone? Almost like a baritone, but not a baritone. And it doesn't sound buzzy or washed out bassey either. I am not sure I am describing this as best as I can, but does anyone here know what I'm putting down?
Either way, they rule, and he rules. Best Jazzmaster tone, I swear.
Thanks in advance,
Diggey
— Peace to you, not on you
Last edited: Aug 25, 2012 16:35:52
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 05:45 PM
Volume is definitely not Dalibor's weapon, his amps do not sound like they are pushing that hard.
The culprits:
1.) His Hands
I'm pretty sure I know how he does this. His playing is really exact and really acute. There isn't a lot of slack there, he really bites hard on the strings and with precise timing and cuts through them fast. This gets you that crisp sound, and how his pick goes through them gives that added pass. Just experiment with different pick angles/speeds/ways the pick passes over the string. They all sound different.
2.) Bambi Molesters songwriting
Lots of space to be found in the Bambi's writing. They don't much the space up with competing frequencies/notes/opposing dynamics. This really allows the lead parts to sound as they are. There is nothing mucking up the tone.
3.) Mic'ing/Recording
Playing in your living room is not going to get you that sound. It just sounds so different when it is recorded, so don't try too hard to get that tone, it should be more about capturing the feel and style of the music instead of going for tone. The tone will be more likely to show itself on recordings.
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 05:54 PM
Since Dalibor has already mentioned his preferred strings in the string thread there is no secret he uses Fender flat-wound stainless steel. I’ve tried quite a few makes of string on my Jazzmaster and i’d say those Fender flats are closer to Dalibor’s guitar sound than most, especially when new. They are quite a stiff string and can be a schwein hund to setup though.
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Diggey
Joined: Sep 23, 2007
Posts: 571
State College
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 06:02 PM
thanks guys,
I thought about the recording aspect, and miking/recording. I forgot to mention that though, so really good point. I am glad you guys know what I mean. It is such a great, very organic, like tone. Flats would also add more to this, so thats a good call as well.
Was I correct from memory that he uses silverface twins?
— Peace to you, not on you
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 06:06 PM
Sune of the Raveonettes gets a very similar tone, just with some gain and he uses different amps/strings/reverb/effects/different genre of music/not trying to be surf music. Strings aren't going to matter unless you get the picking attack/hands/handwriting/recording down.
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 07:07 PM
Absolutely Jake. I saw the Bambis in London playing Jaguars with whatever strings they were given, they still sounded like the Bambi Molesters. Of course you have to actually be the Bambi Molesters if you want that sound immaculately perfect. Strings are just a small part of the equation, however... Strings are basic source of the guitar sound true enough. I found those stainless steel strings quite different from anything i’d used before – very dark sounding.
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 11:41 PM
I 've got stainless flats on my Jazzie and it sounds a lot like the Bambi's sound through my PR clone.
I think the JM p'ups and circuitry are a match made in heaven for flatwounds.
AFAICT Dalibor and Dinko both use vintage Fender amps (BF twin reverb, deluxe reverb etc), and I know also that Dinko makes his own stuff. (Maggie clones etc)
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
Last edited: Aug 25, 2012 23:42:08
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IvanP
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 10331
southern Michigan
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Posted on Aug 26 2012 11:03 AM
Dalibor has mostly been recording with a vintage AC30 for some time now. I think he's moving more in the Vox direction, and leaving behind the Fenders - though I think on A Night in Zagreb he used both a silverface Fender and an AC30.
Given that he visits SG101 fairly frequently, hopefully he can pipe up directly. I also did an extensive interview with him for The Continental magazine two years ago, where we talk gear among many other topics. You may want to check out that interview - in fact, given you're such a big fan of the Bambis, I'd say it's really a must!
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— Ivan
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Last edited: Aug 26, 2012 17:18:57
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Dalibor
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 227
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Posted on Aug 26 2012 11:46 AM
oops, topic with my name on it..I'm really flattered. Thanks for compliments! I guess after years of playing I have a recognizable tone. For better or worse. Honestly, I can't tell exactly where does it come from. I think that big part of it is in my hands (that is what I'm hoping:)) but some of it comes from guitar (Jazzmaster), song arrangement (as suggested by Jake), choice of strings (12-52 flatwounds) and amp (Vox AC 30, Silverface Fender Super Reverb or Dual Showmen). On recordings I used mostly Vox AC 30 non top boost from 1962. and Reverb unit. On some earlier stuff I've used SF Fender Dual Showmen. Actually, I've used many different amps over the years. Hope it helps...If there is anything else that you would like to know feel free to ask
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Las_Barracudas
Joined: Apr 24, 2011
Posts: 1087
Surf City, NC
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Posted on Aug 26 2012 11:50 AM
Great band and stellar guitarist but I don't really hear anything all that unique regarding his tone?
Typical Jazzmaster through a Fender imho.
— METEOR IV on reverbnation
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11079
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Aug 26 2012 11:51 AM
So no pedals Dalibor?
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Dalibor
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 227
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Posted on Aug 26 2012 12:02 PM
DannySnyder wrote:
So no pedals Dalibor?
No. Boss Blues Driver on some rare occasions if we play as The Strange...
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Aug 26 2012 04:41 PM
Las_Barracudas wrote:
Great band and stellar guitarist but I don't really hear anything all that unique regarding his tone?
Typical Jazzmaster through a Fender imho.
Yeah, pretty standard. Diggey is referring to how Dalibor tends to get it deeper sounding. If you listen to soemthing Dalibor is playing versus another Jazzmaste user, Dalibor's notes are deeper/bigger/cavernous. In the end it is typical Jazzmaster, but Dalibor gives it something extra with his playing/songwriting.
Dalibor, do you tune down a half a step?
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Dalibor
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 227
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Posted on Aug 27 2012 07:12 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
Las_Barracudas wrote:
Great band and stellar guitarist but I don't really hear anything all that unique regarding his tone?
Typical Jazzmaster through a Fender imho.
Yeah, pretty standard. Diggey is referring to how Dalibor tends to get it deeper sounding. If you listen to soemthing Dalibor is playing versus another Jazzmaste user, Dalibor's notes are deeper/bigger/cavernous. In the end it is typical Jazzmaster, but Dalibor gives it something extra with his playing/songwriting.
Dalibor, do you tune down a half a step?
No. Just drop D tuning on some songs.
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DeadRanchHands
Joined: Apr 15, 2008
Posts: 1281
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Posted on Aug 27 2012 07:41 AM
I'm another big fan of The Bambis and Dalibor's tone and playing.
+1 on heavy flats to get within the realm of it. Rounds just don't have the same attack on the low strings.
— http://www.reverbnation.com/thedeadranchhands
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZEW74mHjQk
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1569
Brighton UK
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Posted on Aug 27 2012 09:41 AM
crumble wrote:
Absolutely Jake. I saw the Bambis in London playing Jaguars with whatever strings they were given, they still sounded like the Bambi Molesters.
Agreed, but they did sound different.
— Los Fantasticos
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TVTheWiredTurtle
Joined: Dec 03, 2009
Posts: 861
Sandy Eggo
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 06:36 AM
thanks for sharing Dalibor! can you elaborate on your pkups (stock, aftermarket) and speakers in your amps?
— http://www.thenocturnebrain.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nocturne-Brain-Preamp-Zombies/240721872969
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Dalibor
Joined: Apr 29, 2006
Posts: 227
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 10:13 AM
TVTheWiredTurtle wrote:
thanks for sharing Dalibor! can you elaborate on your pkups (stock, aftermarket) and speakers in your amps?
jazzmaster 66 with stock pick ups but I have 250K Ohm ton and volume pots. My main recording amp is VOX AC 30 non top boost from 1962. with original Blue Alnico speakers. The amp is all original except for one tube that was changed sometime in 70s. So... original tubes (unmatched), original electrolytcs (unbelievable:)) and everything else. Some hiss and hum but apart from this no issues. I got the amp 9 years ago for cca. 1000 USD. Crazy price because I think it worths 5 or 6 times more. My gig amp is SF Fender Super Reverb with mix of Weber Speakers (burned 2 already) and CTS ceramics..
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TVTheWiredTurtle
Joined: Dec 03, 2009
Posts: 861
Sandy Eggo
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Posted on Aug 29 2012 11:24 PM
again I appreciate you sharing your gear. One of my favorite vintage "Fender" like sounds is the old grey panel Vox if that makes sense since Vox sort of stole a fender circuit and hi-fi'd it up. Tophat amps here on the east coast makes an amp called the King Royale and the first channel is a non top boost grey panel, with a nice preamp pushing into it it has an almost piano like low end. we love your surf soul music brother & a NIGHT IN ZAGREB is very cool. I'm gonna go put some flatwound 12s on my strat now and see how painful it is to play, thats some manly string gauge there. 
— http://www.thenocturnebrain.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nocturne-Brain-Preamp-Zombies/240721872969
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tubeswell
Joined: Sep 24, 2011
Posts: 1424
Wellington, NZ
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Posted on Aug 30 2012 01:17 AM
TVTheWiredTurtle wrote:
I'm gonna go put some flatwound 12s on my strat now and see how painful it is to play, thats some manly string gauge there.
You may want to tweak the truss and make sure the nut can seat the 12s without leaving the strings too high off the board. Otherwise it'll be a true test of your manliness.
— He who dies with the most tubes... wins
Surf Daddies
Last edited: Aug 30, 2012 01:18:13
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