Originally Posted by
Jimmy blue note
All this talk of Tal's gear as if it were the key to his sound. Yes, Tal had a great sound, and it's immediately identifiable. But that rolled back soft attack with a horn like decay, that was not something I believe Tal aimed for. His music was an extension of his personality: warm and easy. That's the way he talked, that's the way he observed the world, that's the way he looked at the music he played and that's the way his music was expressed in the instrument he had at hand. I had the great fortune to know that sound up close and live. It was totally him, but that guitar was not a sound I found inspiring. Don't get me wrong, his playing was what made it work. He knew that instrument so well that it had no limitations for him; the way he played.
I work as a luthier and I worked at Ibanez (Hoshino), and I dare say that the quality of instruments these days are so high that even an affordable Ibanez, with Tal's pickups and some break in time, would be an instrument that Tal could and would be at home on...and sound exactly like Tal. Another person playing his guitar, might get a sound out of it like a dog being smothered in a blanket. You get YOUR sound out of an instrument.
What I'm saying is, I know instruments, and I've known great players, and the idea that a singular talent has a sound that originates from and because of a specific instrument, is not something I believe in.
Truth is, these artists were sought out by specific guitar makers at the time, and given great resources to collaborate and create something they could work with. Many times they were not perfect for the endorsees, but they were very playable and a player plays. Like the music, you make it yours. Ask Pat how long it took him to bond with his namesake guitar. As Sco why he wound up with his Ibanez. Ask Barney Kessel what he thought of his Gibson. Ask Bruce Forman about his experience with Ibanez. All these guitars are legendary, because they are good, but really because the players were great. Playing a Joe Pass ain't gonna make you Joe Pass. Jim Hall had a humble 175 that cost him less than $200 and a priceless D'Aquisto-heh, he sounds like Jim on either.
Tal's guitar. Undeniably special. Because those hands put in the time to bond with it.
You put in the time it takes to create a sound you love, and by that time, the guitar is going to be a lot less of the equation.
Just sayin'
HeadRush?
Today, 11:54 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos