The Shadow Of Your Smile with HJS18 and BassMan amp Simulation

**Max405** · 11-30-2018, 10:27 PM

Hi Guys,
I am trying something a little different with my recordings.
Can you tell me what you think about this Amp Simulation on my Zoom G5N? It is the Fender Bassman amp Simulation. I was using the Fender Twin Reverb before.

Thanks, Joe D.

**citizenk74** · 11-30-2018, 10:53 PM

To my ears the tone is airy, rich, and full; and the playing is masterful. I think Mr. Smith would be pleased. Nice work, Joe!

**neatomic** · 11-30-2018, 11:49 PM

a fave tune...beautiful tone..the bassman (4x10) styled quick response helps to bring out the speed and clarity..beautiful

one of your blazing best yet!! and i don't say that lightly!! bravo..beautiful runs..listening for 3rd time!

yeah bro.. super nice

cheers

ps- Joe D, heard deniro is co-directing musical play version of chaz's bronx tale!

**BigMikeinNJ** · 11-30-2018, 11:51 PM

?Agreed. I know Mr Hale is pleased.

Originally Posted by citizenk74

To my ears the tone is airy, rich, and full; and the playing is masterful. I think Mr. Smith would be pleased. Nice work, Joe!

**Steven Herron** · 12-01-2018, 12:06 AM

Very nice Johnny Smith inspired rendition of The Shadow Of Your Smile!

If I remember correctly that's from a Verve album Johnny recorded called "Phase II".

Thank you for posting that video!

**neatomic** · 12-01-2018, 12:17 AM

cheers

**Max405** · 12-01-2018, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by citizenk74

To my ears the tone is airy, rich, and full; and the playing is masterful. I think Mr. Smith would be pleased. Nice work, Joe!

C74, Great description. Mr Smith would have a million things to criticize. But I hope he is noticing from heaven that somebody is still trying to be just like him! I want him to always be relevant.
My sound is getting there. Only having one guitar allows me focus in and get it right. Thank you buddy.

Originally Posted by neatomic

a fave tune...beautiful tone..the bassman (4x10) styled quick response helps to bring out the speed and clarity..beautiful
one of your blazing best yet!! and i don't say that lightly!! bravo..beautiful runs..listening for 3rd time!
yeah bro.. super nice
cheers
ps- Joe D, heard deniro is co-directing musical play version of chaz's bronx tale!

Neatomic, Thank you sir! Your opinion is important. Thanks for telling me why it sounds the way it does. I just sit down and play. I can’t see the forest from the trees.
i thought he was always directing that show?

Originally Posted by BigMikeinNJ

?Agreed. I know Mr Hale is pleased.

Thank you Mikey!

Originally Posted by Steven Herron

Very nice Johnny Smith inspired rendition of The Shadow Of Your Smile!
If I remember correctly that's from a Verve album Johnny recorded called "Phase II".
Thank you for posting that video!
Regards,
Steven Herron
Learn To Play Chord Melody Guitar

i honestly think you have done the most to keep this great music alive. It’s gonna be gone someday. Thanks for keeping Johnny so relevant.
His talent, accuracy, tastefulness, feel and mastery of the instrument is timeless in my opinion. His ability on the bandstand was unparalleled. His work with Bing Crosby during Bings last tour was amazing.
Thank you.

**BigMikeinNJ** · 12-01-2018, 10:12 AM

Damn Joe,

I can't make mine sound like that at all dude !!!!!!!
LOL !!
It really kills. I'm gonna call you Mr. Bassman from now on.

Big

**Max405** · 12-01-2018, 10:36 AM

Yeah you could bro.
Your just too busy taking care of people to practice enough. Big Mikey. My big ole lovable angel!

**Marty Grass** · 12-01-2018, 10:54 AM

It can be a blessing to have a single guitar. I remember those days. I focused on the tunes and tightness with the band. For long periods of time I didn't think of other instruments because they were not possible.

Cognitive psychologists often describe learning and action as being in the realms of "system 1" and "system 2". System 1 involves concentration. Examples are learning to walk and to drive. These activities are mastered and become automatic, now being in system 1. They become so deeply ingrained that often people can't even describe the sequences anymore. An example is tying a shoelace. You'd probably have to think about the exact steps to it if you needed to teach this to someone. When you habitually tie shoelaces, system 2 does it and allows system 1 to do something else, like listen to the news.

The point is, we do better if we can free ourselves from the need of attention to the basics, like feel, balance, distance, etc., and push that into system 2, giving us more resources in system 1 to be creative.

The problem with all of that is much of the fun we get with guitars is beyond producing music. Those other activities keep us more in system 1, which is a more mindful place.

Hmm.

**lawson-stone** · 12-01-2018, 11:24 AM

Joe
I always love to hear you play. To hear music by players whom I idolize as the apex of our craft, Johnny Smith and Joe Pass, played by a guy who is so devoted to the music, and who also I know to be a man of character, caliber, and integrity, is so meaningful. I can trust every single stage of the music. And your sound is truly wonderful, an extension of all that has gone into the music.

In the old west, they used to say, "Beware of the man who wears only one gun. He can use it."

**QAman** · 12-01-2018, 11:44 AM

Joe,
Beautiful playing with smooth articulation. As for your question about the simulation change, your prior sim provided more of that jazz creamy dark tone. This sim is throarty and clear, but to my ear lacks the richness and depth in tone of the prior, which I believe showcases your playing in perfect unison. The HJS18 is a perfect fit ....and you appear quite comfortable playing this guitar. Thanks for sharing !

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

**vinnyv1k** · 12-01-2018, 12:12 PM

Smoking playing but the Twin emulation sounds better to my ears. The Bassman is too bright. Bro you like a bright tone. I know you want a Wes but that is the absolute wrong guitar for you. You need a LeGrande or Citation IMO. Something with a floater.You are not a humbucker guy. You can't get that JS tone with a Wes L5. Beautiful rendition. I love that song.

**Stringswinger** · 12-01-2018, 12:53 PM

Smooth playing JD. Perhaps being forced to trim down to one guitar was a blessing in disguise.

**TedBPhx** · 12-01-2018, 01:38 PM

Don’t care for the sound and I KNOW it ain’t you or the guitar that sounds off. Must be the emulator I don’t like.

**rob taft** · 12-01-2018, 01:40 PM

Sounds great. The bass strings sound thick but tight i.e. no mush. Treble strings sound clear and have enough treble so that it avoids that dead sounding ES-175 type pick chord melody type of sound. I followed up your post with a listen to one of my favorite archtop solo sounds and that is George Benson's version of Tenderly from the CD of the same name. Very close. Wonderful tone to my ears.

**JazzNote** · 12-01-2018, 04:16 PM

Joe, what a huge sound! Great playing too! Sounds great to my ears. Fits the solo conception well as nothing gets in no other instruments way ;-). If i could tweak the knobs i'd try to somehow get some more analog warmth - if this is possible at all.

**Greentone** · 12-01-2018, 04:54 PM

Joe,

Honestly, I like both simulations a lot. The Twin sim you use sounds exactly to my ears as Stringswinger described it. The Bassman sim does sound brighter and snappy--yet pretty derned full, too. Zoom has gotten some good Fender patches going on, here.

Personal preference? I like the Bassman sim for the Johnny Smith stuff you are doing (and doing tremendously well, I might add). I like the quick response and the way the treble/bass mix. If you listen critically to any JS recording, Johnny had a tight, focused bass and a surprisingly toppy treble sound--which he exploited right up to about fret 20.

To my ear, the Bassman sim gets a bit closer to the old Verve and Roost tones than does the Twin sim. OTOH, my guess would be that 9/10 jazz players would choose the Twin. It is a bit closer to the Twin/L5 "jazz sound" that most guys associate with the iconic sound of jazz guitar.

**Max405** · 12-01-2018, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by Marty Grass

It can be a blessing to have a single guitar. I remember those days. I focused on the tunes and tightness with the band. For long periods of time I didn't think of other instruments because they were not possible.

Cognitive psychologists often describe learning and action as being in the realms of "system 1" and "system 2". System 1 involves concentration. Examples are learning to walk and to drive. These activities are mastered and become automatic, now being in system 1. They become so deeply ingrained that often people can't even describe the sequences anymore. An example is tying a shoelace. You'd probably have to think about the exact steps to it if you needed to teach this to someone. When you habitually tie shoelaces, system 2 does it and allows system 1 to do something else, like listen to the news.
The point is, we do better if we can free ourselves from the need of attention to the basics, like feel, balance, distance, etc., and push that into system 2, giving us more resources in system 1 to be creative.
The problem with all of that is much of the fun we get with guitars is beyond producing music. Those other activities keep us more in system 1, which is a more mindful place.
Hmm.

i just sat for 5 minutes trying to explain how to tie my shoelaces. I’m wearing loafers from now on..
great post Grass.

Originally Posted by lawson-stone

Joe
I always love to hear you play. To hear music by players whom I idolize as the apex of our craft, Johnny Smith and Joe Pass, played by a guy who is so devoted to the music, and who also I know to be a man of character, caliber, and integrity, is so meaningful. I can trust every single stage of the music. And your sound is truly wonderful, an extension of all that has gone into the music.
In the old west, they used to say, "Beware of the man who wears only one gun. He can use it."

Lawson, Thank you sir. I really appreciate that. I thought sound was good. While I’m playing it sounds so different than when I listen to it later. Thank you buddy.

Originally Posted by QAman

Joe,
Beautiful playing with smooth articulation. As for your question about the simulation change, your prior sim provided more of that jazz creamy dark tone. This sim is throarty and clear, but to my ear lacks the richness and depth in tone of the prior, which I believe showcases your playing in perfect unison. The HJS18 is a perfect fit ....and you appear quite comfortable playing this guitar. Thanks for sharing!

thanks QA. See I thought the Bassman had a deeper tone. Great insight though. I appreciate it.

**Max405** · 12-01-2018, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Smoking playing but the Twin emulation sounds better to my ears. The Bassman is too bright. Bro you like a bright tone. I know you want a Wes but that is the absolute wrong guitar for you. You need a LeGrande or Citation IMO. Something with a floater.You are not a humbucker guy. You can't get that JS tone with a Wes L5. Beautiful rendition. I love that song.

Thanks bro. Stop trying to talk me out of an L5. Ill bet my whimpy picking style can make the L5 sound pretty tinny. I’m gonna git one, even if I have to pin you down and tickle the heck out of you. I’ll do it.
Thanks bro. I got my floater. It’s the best guitar I’ve ever had. But I want to feel that way about an L5 too.

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Smooth playing JD. Perhaps being forced to trim down to one guitar was a blessing in disguise.

You ain’t Kidding SS.

Originally Posted by TedBPhx

Don’t care for the sound and I KNOW it ain’t you or the guitar that sounds off. Must be the emulator I don’t like.

Thats cool Ted. I thought it sounded good but every person has there own tastes and I respect that. Thanks Ted.

**Max405** · 12-01-2018, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by rob taft

Sounds great. The bass strings sound thick but tight i.e. no mush. Treble strings sound clear and have enough treble so that it avoids that dead sounding ES-175 type pick chord melody type of sound. I followed up your post with a listen to one of my favorite archtop solo sounds and that is George Benson's version of Tenderly from the CD of the same name. Very close. Wonderful tone to my ears.

Rob, you heard exactly what I hear. I just couldn’t put it into words like you did.
Btw, that Tenderly recording is my all time favorite guitar sound. Benson could make a pile of dog shit sound great, but that one is magical. And anything from the Breezin album.
Thank you Rob. Great post!

Originally Posted by JazzNote

Joe, what a huge sound! Great playing too! Sounds great to my ears. Fits the solo conception well as nothing gets in no other instruments way ;-). If i could tweak the knobs i'd try to somehow get some more analog warmth - if this is possible at all.

Jazznote, thanks bud! I think the analog warmth is missing because of the pickup. It’s just powerful. With little character. It transfers the sound I make with my hands and it doesn’t record the character of the guitar. I’ll figure it out.

Originally Posted by Greentone

Joe,

Honestly, I like both simulations a lot. The Twin sim you use sounds exactly to my ears as Stringswinger described it. The Bassman sim does sound brighter and snappy--yet pretty derned full, too. Zoom has gotten some good Fender patches going on, here.
Personal preference? I like the Bassman sim for the Johnny Smith stuff you are doing (and doing tremendously well, I might add). I like the quick response and the way the treble/bass mix. If you listen critically to any JS recording, Johnny had a tight, focused bass and a surprisingly toppy treble sound--which he exploited right up to about fret 20.

To my ear, the Bassman sim gets a bit closer to the old Verve and Roost tones than does the Twin sim. OTOH, my guess would be that 9/10 jazz players would choose the Twin. It is a bit closer to the Twin/L5 "jazz sound" that most guys associate with the iconic sound of jazz guitar.

thank you Greentone. Great post. And that says it all folks. It really does. I am not going to switch over to the Bassman and abandon the Twin.
Thank you GT.

Thanks everybody.
Joe D

**2bornot2bop** · 12-01-2018, 07:18 PM

That tune is one of my all time favorites too! I must have been about 9 when I first heard it played by Wes. Joe, all you need is 1 good guitar. That Heritage 18" sounds like a dream guitar in your gifted hands! Thanks for sharing!

**Strbender** · 12-01-2018, 07:26 PM

Sounds really, really nice Joe. I'll be back for a few more listens.

**neatomic** · 12-01-2018, 07:27 PM

the bassman has great low end..it was fenders tweed bass amp!!!...but the 4x10's give it a tight low end...not a deep rumble that you'd get from a 15" or even the right pair of 12"s...for a tune with a lot of single note runs in it, the tight quick response (no lag) really lets the player articulate the notes swiftly and cleanly..as Joe D demonstrated!

and of course both sounds are great..and you don't even have to lug around or mic a bassman or a twin!!!...just change a preset...hah

cheers