Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
|
Posted on Nov 12 2012 09:18 PM
How many try to duplicate a classic surf sound on their guitars, or try to search for their own signature sound? I find myself doing the latter currently for the reason that our 2nd guitarist is no longer with the band. I feel as though I need to fill up the void. I am now using, along with my other effects, a stereo chorus and getting a stereo sound through 2 amps, as well as reverb, occasional long delay, overdrive, compression and a pickup booster. I love the sound, but it is not classic "surf". Similar experiences? Thoughts? Comments? All welcome.
— How's your digestion now?
|
Tarantula
Joined: Nov 12, 2012
Posts: 6
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted on Nov 13 2012 01:21 AM
I had been going in the other direction myself, stripping away more and more pedals. The last gigs I played, I used only a graphic eq for lead boost, besides the trem and verb in the DRRI.
I've got a gazillion guitar fx, and my feeling (as has been said by many players) that your sound is more in your hands than anything else...that's where I'd look to find your own signature sound.
Personally, I really appreciated the simplicity of using a single stomp box. If you want new tones, there's all kinds of techniques you can use that don't require fx. For inspiration, take a look at Jeff Beck some time...he doesn't even use a pick, and he's a monster!
Last edited: Nov 13, 2012 01:22:38
|
da-ron
Joined: Jan 02, 2009
Posts: 1307
The original Plymouth, UK.
|
Posted on Nov 13 2012 07:28 AM
I plug my guitar into a reverb tank, which then goes into the amp. Eq is on the amp. I've never had the patience, money or desire for pedals, though I am considering breaking with this lifelong habit and buying a tuner pedal...
Surfbones - have you considered putting an octave lower than your guitar through another amp, rather than a chorus? Chorus always sound rubbish. Should give you a beefier sound to cover your missing guitarist.
— http://thewaterboarders.bandcamp.com/
|
killbabykill34
Joined: Apr 03, 2010
Posts: 3201
Jacksonville, AL
|
Posted on Nov 13 2012 07:50 AM
There has certainly been a change in sound going on within my own project. It isn't due to adding pedals and such. It is more just a change due to the collective effort. Member changes bring in their own interpretations and style. Such things force other players to adapt and/or inspire other things. Bringing in a new Bass player earlier this year really pushed us to embrace a side of our music that has always been there, but we kept burried.
— THE KBK ... This is the last known signal. We offer Sanctuary.
www.thekbk.com
http://www.deepeddy.net/artists/thekbk/
www.reverbnation.com/thekbk
www.facebook.com/thekbkal
|
Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
|
Posted on Nov 13 2012 12:06 PM
I set the chorus VERY low. You can barely tell it's on, but it gives a stereo effect.
— How's your digestion now?
|
stevel
Joined: Oct 12, 2012
Posts: 219
Hampton Roads, Virginia
|
Posted on Nov 13 2012 08:21 PM
For me, it depends on what I'm playing.
Playing in Top 40 cover bands I usually try to get as close as practical to the tones of the original.
But I've been sitting in with a horn band recently playing a bunch of standards and a mixed bag of Swing, Jazz, Motown, and Pop tunes - a variety of which can be called at any gig, so it's more important to have a "generic" tone that works in a lot of situations.
The other band I have is a 60s only - and more early stuff - none of the Cream or Hendrix stuff - so I can get by with very few effects, which I've really been enjoying. It's nice not to have to change 3 or 4 settings in a song. I play something like Secret Agent Man and it's just a little louder during the solo.
As far as being the only guitar in a band - if you're coming from a 2 guitar band AND you're still covering the same material, it can be very hard (if not impossible) to get used to hearing it "stripped down". It might help you out to learn some new tunes where you're the only guitar from the git go, and that way you'll be used to hearing it like that and not feeling like you have to "overcompensate".
Best,
Steve
|
GulfofBrass
Joined: Nov 03, 2012
Posts: 36
Winnipeg, Canada
|
Posted on Nov 14 2012 12:02 AM
In my experience, it can be quite difficult to get one guitar to sound like two. All I really have to say about the matter is listen to gun sho gun and play everything he does. There is a seamless blend of chords and tricks and melody and intervals there that could at any point be two guitars I think. I feel like the surf guitar sound is where electric guitar lives and is at its best, you don't want to mess around with it too much. Sometimes less is more, unless you consider putting some loops in there I guess.
Last edited: Nov 14, 2012 00:03:27
|
Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
|
Posted on Nov 16 2012 07:31 PM
So it sounds like I should stick to a trad sound, regardless of it sounding a trifle empty as opposed to developing a new signature sound all my own?
— How's your digestion now?
|
Tarantula
Joined: Nov 12, 2012
Posts: 6
San Francisco, CA
|
Posted on Nov 17 2012 12:17 AM
Surfbones, I think your signature sound is far more related to what and how you play, rather than the stompboxes you use. If things sound a trifle empty, try borrowing ideas (and I don't mean licks) from other players who are really good at filling the sound. Jazz players that come to mind: Wes Montgomery and Kenny Burrel. Listen to their tunes and wrap your head around how they manage to fill the space around a simple lick.
Then make that your own.
edit: Jim Thomas of The Mermen does a pretty good job of this as well.
Last edited: Nov 17, 2012 00:19:13
|
RobbieReverb
Joined: Feb 28, 2006
Posts: 2388
San Jose, Ca.
|
Posted on Nov 17 2012 12:18 AM
You should go for what feels good to you. It sounds to me like you should develop that new sound.
As much as I love the trad sound, the bands that really appeal to me are the more progressive bands that are pushing the limits of surf (the Mermen, Insect Surfers, Pollo Del Mar, Slacktone, the Madeira, the TomorrowMen, the Surf Kings, etc.)
— Bob
|
CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
|
Posted on Nov 17 2012 08:50 AM
The influences are always there but we try to "serve the song" usually, if it means fuzz then great, if it means Jag through a tank......great.
Surfbones, I say create and explore! I do believe that all art forms should progress and evolve. This way there is something for everyone to enjoy.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
|
Surfbones
Joined: Nov 16, 2011
Posts: 106
Illinois
|
Posted on Nov 17 2012 06:05 PM
Some of the songs I haven't changed much, but a few now sound like surf meets The Edge (guitarist of the group U2).
— How's your digestion now?
|
Alex
Joined: Feb 17, 2009
Posts: 17
In a box.
|
Posted on Nov 21 2012 05:20 AM
Hmm searching for your own sound...sounds fun!
I think it's good to find your own sound, especially if you're doing original stuff, though like these guys have said, don't rely too much on effects. How you actually play is most important, it's good to emulate your heroes a bit but don't be afraid of doing your own thing.
|
Jay77
Joined: Nov 22, 2012
Posts: 71
Kitchener, ON
|
Posted on Nov 22 2012 02:11 PM
|
Alex
Joined: Feb 17, 2009
Posts: 17
In a box.
|
Posted on Nov 23 2012 01:04 PM
I think it was my favourite episode ahah!
I'm looking into Reverse Reverb at the moment, it has a pretty creepy feel to it. If I can find a cost effective way to to achieve the effect I think it's going to become part of my own sound =)
(Or I may just train a rabbit to repeat my licks.)
Last edited: Nov 23, 2012 13:21:51
|
May Birthdays 
