Apologist for technology?

[Arpeggiator]

Need I apologise because I can program my Korg AX3000G modelling guitar-effects unit to sound like most guitars/setups of my heroes, such as Metheny, Watkins, Schofield, Howe, Stern, Frisell, Montgomery, Burell, Coryell, di Meola etc?

Or should I court a "greater respect" from my peers by using discreet guitar and amplifier setups?

The question I am really putting is - can technology be this adaptable to a musician's needs? Or am I pursuing - propagating even - false hopes, and forlornly destined to produce a weak and minging 'counterfeit' sound?

[fep]

I wouldn't worry about it. If it sounds good to you then it is good.

[JensL]

I would not worry too much
There are lots of jazz guys who use a lot of effects.

Jens

[docbop]

In the end WHAT you play is all that is important.

Like FEP said if you like the sound its a good sound.

[kenbennett]

My question is:

Forget Metheny, Watkins, Schofield, Howe, Stern, Frisell, Montgomery, Burell, Coryell, and di Meola.

What do you do when you want to sound like YOU?

[Archie]

Originally Posted by kenbennett

What do you do when you want to sound like YOU?

Make lots of mistakes.

[kenbennett]

Originally Posted by Archie

Make lots of mistakes.

Me too!

[mongrel]

Originally Posted by Arpeggiator

Need I apologise because I can program my Korg AX3000G modelling guitar-effects unit to sound like most guitars/setups of my heroes, such as Metheny, Watkins, Schofield, Howe, Stern, Frisell, Montgomery, Burell, Coryell, di Meola etc?

Or should I court a "greater respect" from my peers by using discreet guitar and amplifier setups?

The question I am really putting is - can technology be this adaptable to a musician's needs? Or am I pursuing - propagating even - false hopes, and forlornly destined to produce a weak and minging 'counterfeit' sound?

No. Your question sort of reminds me of an article I read about Jim Hall, who, upon hearing some fellow musicians talking about some cats who "sold out", asked them where he could go to "sell out". Howe, Frisell, Wes, Kenny, Larry et al. are my heroes, also. I'll have to investigate that Korg model.

[max chill]

While I like to get my sound in the simplest manner possible, digital audio is really putting us in the golden age of guitar tone. Nobody has an excuse for sounding like shit anymore.

[kenbennett]

In all seriousness, if you are happy with your sound, that's about the best you can do.

[SamBooka]

Originally Posted by JensL

I would not worry too much
There are lots of jazz guys who use a lot of effects.

Jens

Funny you should say that.. watching a Jim Hall vid today where he talks about how he uses a harmonizer pedal to play 3rds up and down the neck.

[SamBooka]

Originally Posted by max chill

While I like to get my sound in the simplest manner possible, digital audio is really putting us in the golden age of guitar tone. Nobody has an excuse for sounding like shit anymore.

That is a matter of degrees (and as time/technology advances that will lessen)

I have a line 6 pod. About 3 years old. The AC30 sounds like an AC30. The tweed deluxe sounds like.. well not any tweed deluxe I have heard but definitely sounds tweedy. Neither sound like "best of breed" amps.

I have found that (for at least fender amps) no two amps over say.. 30 years old sound the same. Modeling technology gets you in the ballpark (now more than ever). Where that works is that instead of looking at my practice room and seeing fender and marshall and vox and traynor you might someday see an IPAD 2015. Once amp modeling is down then you will see the next step.. guitar modeling

[Bill C]

for me the right guitar has the physical response I'm looking for as well as the sound, for that reason I'm personally sceptical about digital modelling

[cmajor9]

Guitar modeling is here (Line 6 Variax) but while it models the sound (I'll let others decide how well) it doesn't model the feel.

Amp modeling can be really useful, especially to have a wide range of sounds on tap, for songwriting, and to get a sense of what its like to play a lot of different amps, but again can't really model the feel of playing through each amp. Who knows, after trying out different models, you might be inspired to find the 'real thing' of one of them.

[hot ford coupe]

I think technology is a good thing so long as the technology isn't used to take the place of truly learning the instrument. I also don't think that technology that helps you learn faster and better is a bad thing either so long as you learn what's necessary to play what you want. I hate it when guitar players use different effects, modelling or whatever to cover up bad habits and bad technique. To me, technology i.e. effects, modelling etc. are like the seasonings in a stew. They're there to support the basic ingredients and bring out the best in them, not replace them.

[Tom Karol]

I've never been a pedal guy. And I don't use any effects for jazz except a bit of reverb - just a nice warm clean amp with plenty of headroom. But I also play some rock and pop. A couple of years ago on a whim I got a VOX ToneLabST from MF for $160 with a 20% off coupon. At first, I hated it and was going to send it back. But then I invested some time and effort in programming it. The factory patches were way over the top, but mine are much more subtle - mostly just a touch of compression, chorus, and/or delay plus an amp and/or speaker sim here and there. And it's got a built-in tuner and volume pedal. In a rock/pop context it gives me a nice variety of tonal colors, and I can use it with almost any decent amp or even a PA if necessary or direct for recording. So while I'd say it's not as good as having a stable of amps and effects or maybe even a more expensive modeler, it has its place in the scheme of things.

[hot ford coupe]

I should have said this before. Using effects is like an artist using his range of colors to paint a complete work. Unfortunately, I play like I'm using only 3 busted crayons, red green and purple.