The Quest for TONE

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 28 Feb 2002 2:38 pm

I have been participating in this forum since it first began.

I see all the posts about Tone, Bars, Picks, Amps, Pickups, Steels, Cords, Effects, etc....

I have learned a TON. I thank you all for that!!!

Today, I was listening to a "off the board" recording of me playing last weekend at the gig.

I noticed one thing: I am totally happy with my tone, effects choice, intonation, sound and chops in general.

It has taken a while...but I am finally at peace with my tone. As I sit here listening and chuckling, I think it sounds great...

I am having the time of my life playing Steel and Lead Guitar.....

Just wanted to share that I don't think I am in constant search for that sound anymore.....I have found it!

What am I using?

Emmons LLII D-10 (with stock single coil PU's)

TranstubeFex into the pwr amp in on a NV 400 (no mod)

Also through a rackmount Valvex Tube mixer so I can get more than one instrument patched into the TTFX rig.

BJS Bar

National Fingerpicks
Plastic Thumbpick

George L cable

Goodrich 120 Vol Pedal.

Hope all your tone quests prove positive!!!

Thanks for letting me rant!

Tim Harr

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 28 Feb 2002 2:54 pm

Congratulations Tim! (Me too!)

I have heard almost all the big-time "Pro" steelers, at one time or another. They all sounded different, and they all sounded good...to me, anyway. To be honest, the only times I've really heard a "bad" tone were from amateurs (and then it was the tone they liked...no accounting for tastes, I guess), or from a dead novice who had a cheap amp, or had the volume pedal hooked up backwards.

In my mind, there is no "king of tone". You either sound good, or you don't. And, 99 times out of 100, when someone doesn't sound good to me, it's because he's not a good player (and that has nothing to do with "tone", thank you).

randy · Post by **randy** » 28 Feb 2002 2:58 pm

Funny you would post this just now Tim. I've been playing little opry's and dances, etc., for about 10 years now. Just last week I was looking at Buddy's site and saw his amp settings on a Nash 400, (That's what I use).

I simply set my amp just like his and I'm completely in love with the tone I'm getting. I guess all of us fiddle with those knobs a little too much and don't pay attention to our hands.

My point is that my amp sound sucked so bad that I spent a whole bunch of my practice time working on getting the tone from my hands. After re-setting the amp, I'm amazed at what I've accomplished in tone.

I still suck, (in case any of my band mates are reading this), just not as bad.

Don't you love this instrument.

randy
Emmons SD10[This message was edited by randy on 01 March 2002 at 07:36 AM.]

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 2 Mar 2002 3:39 pm

Tone??? You don't need a good tone, just get a sound and tell every one it's great and that they don't know what tone is. Just tell them that tone is subjective, you can get away with anything if you do this! Just tell them that Stradivarious costs four million because the wood is old and it would burn good.
Yes, naturally I'm kidding but unfortunatly, many folks don't know or care about tone. What matters is how close to free the guitar is, or what the "ole buddy down the street" says.
Seriously? Tone? It is the only thing that really does matter in the long run. If it's good you'll succeed, if not,you'll have to concede. Mr. Harr, your tone has got to be good! Ya' got sum gud stuph thear!
Editorial by: Dr.J.Ritterhour Snoddwhoofer[This message was edited by BobbeSeymour on 07 March 2002 at 12:30 PM.]

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 2 Mar 2002 5:24 pm

Bobbe wrote

pro players" that will play a guitar that they don't like just because they are getting paid to do so.

Which players got paid, and which guitars?

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 2 Mar 2002 6:37 pm

Hoooo boy! Bobbe, are we "buttin' heads" here or what?

I wouldn't want to have someone trash certain brands of guitars here in public, so maybe someone (Bobbe?) could e-mail me, and tell me the guitars that have "sucky" tones. I'd really like to know! Don't get to see or hear many steels 'round here any more, 'ya know.

I'll be 'a waitin'.

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 2 Mar 2002 10:00 pm

Bobbe, you are a silver tongued dude and I agree with you. Hypocrites, rely on their paychecks over their integrity. Isn't that what prostitutes do?

Ray Montee · Post by **Ray Montee** » 2 Mar 2002 10:48 pm

This game is getting rough! I'm grabbing my marbles and heading for home....

Kevin Post · Post by **Kevin Post** » 3 Mar 2002 9:39 am

Cool Tim, WTG. Time to move down here.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 3 Mar 2002 7:03 pm

Gary Walker, The big difference is, prostitutes arn't as deceitful. Don't take me wrong on this guys,this is not a big issue, I just hate hearing about a new player buying a new piece of equipment because "BIG GUY PLAYER" is using it. Then I talk to "BIG GUY PLAYER" and he laughs and says, "I hate that junk but I get all the free stuff I want from that factory!" Plus they give me $$ to play it. The way I see it , "new guy player" was decived, right?
I will answer private e-mails as I can get to them on this subject.
Lord Hummingham J. Twizzeldorph III

chas smith · Post by **chas smith** » 3 Mar 2002 8:02 pm

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>I am totally happy with my tone, effects choice, intonation, sound and chops in general.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>What a great place to be!!!

Mike Weirauch · Post by **Mike Weirauch** » 3 Mar 2002 10:09 pm

......Reel it in Bobbe because you are about to step on it again!

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 4 Mar 2002 9:00 am

Yep, you guys are right, I should just let this stuff happen and keep my mouth shut. Why should I care who is deceitful and who isn't. It's none of my business. You guys are adults, you can take care of yourselves, besides getting burned bad once or twice is a good way to learn! I'll just be quite and watch. Thanks Mike.

Bobbe

Tim Harr · Post by **Tim Harr** » 4 Mar 2002 3:57 pm

Bobbe,

I respect your opinion. You deal directly with Pros, Builders, etc...

Who else would know ....

As for my gear....you sold most of it to me....

Thanks for your input...

TH

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 4 Mar 2002 5:29 pm

Tone quality is one of the most important aspects of playing steel guitar. Until one realizes this fact,nothing else much can be accomplished. Hot players with bad tones are not as popular as cool players with great tones! (understatement of the year). Think about it.
Bobbe

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 4 Mar 2002 6:10 pm

WELL, are you thinking?

Winnie Winston · Post by **Winnie Winston** » 5 Mar 2002 12:49 am

Years ago I built a steel. It sounded terrible. No sustain. No tone.
Then I got a Kline. It played easier and had better tone. I played it for ten years or more.
Then I went to NZ. I brought my Kline. Six months later I went pack to the states. Left the Kline in NZ. Figureed I had my other one at home and "it would do."
I was most surprised when I took it out that it had pretty good sustain and good tone.
Played it at Scotty's and folks commented on how good it soubded.
What changed?
Simple. I learned how to play better.
The "tone" is a combination of things, but most of all, it resides in your hands-- and *how to get it* cannot be taught.

Winnie

Chuck Campbell Bros · Post by **Chuck Campbell Bros** » 5 Mar 2002 6:53 pm

Well said Winnie as I totally agree with you. Tone sometimes changes with time, as I've seen some players that have tone early as they first start & some gain tone later. I hate to say this but the general public I don't think can tell one steelers tone from another. I also would like to say in my first post on the forum; I have yet to hear a horrible tone from the players I've seen playing the "traditional" styles. Yes I can tell the "Big time" players from less accomplished from other things, but I don't think it's tone. I can tell tone differences in the sacred steel tradition. My point is play those steels as I've just learned to live with my tone!!! BTW I've heard Buddy, Lloyd, Jimmy, Tommy, Winnie, Bobbe, Paul, Dan, Chris, Bob etc,etc,etc on different steels, amps, volume pedals, guitar cords & seats, heard them complain about the sound while I just wanted to hear more!!!!
Thanks.

Bobbe Seymour · Post by **Bobbe Seymour** » 5 Mar 2002 8:16 pm

Little Chuckie Campbell, welcome my brother! We need your input, another perspective from another great player! WELCOME!

Chuck Campbell Bros · Post by **Chuck Campbell Bros** » 6 Mar 2002 6:51 am

Hey Bobbe thanks for the welcome. I've seen you demo a many a steels of which (I may be going out on a limb) I don't think were of the same quality. In your hands they all sound like "top of the line steels". I'll bet you've lost money making a inexpensive steel sound good to buyers. I think tone is most important to the one playing the steel, as a great sound can inspire the player. BTW has anyone ever had a member of the audience (other than another player) say "hey I did'nt enjoy your playing because I didn't like your tone" !!???

Sage · Post by **Sage** » 6 Mar 2002 7:43 am

It's probably true that most of the audience doesn't notice in a direct sort of way- they just want the music. Some probably percieve tone but may not know how to talk about it. Lawyers have a special language for talking about "writs of habius corpus" or whatever. We have a special language for talking tone.
Hey Chuck- VERY cool to have you here on the SGF- Welcome! I've been hoping that you would come around for a long time. [This message was edited by Sage on 06 March 2002 at 07:46 AM.]

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 6 Mar 2002 11:06 am

Chuck,

I have had members of the audience hold there ears in pain because of crappy tone when I was getting started out ! Maybe it was my crappy playing though....

I have been getting a fair amount of work because of my tone these days. I'm not a particularly good steel player but I consistantly get hired because I am able to blend the sound of the steel into different types of musical situations. If my tone is not just right I do not make it to the final mix on recordings. I have learned this the hard way.

Good to see you on the forum !

Bob