AER vs Henriksen Blue?

[Alter]

Here's an AER mic'ed on stage with an archtop. Go to 55:20 to hear a guitar solo.

Upon hearing that clip, I think I agree with people that it's a little dull. However, I can see how, in a smaller room, with a loud acoustic/electric archtop it blends really nicely.

Below is the same guitar, same amp, same guitarist, incredible tone. The only difference is that it's a smaller venue so the mic captures the acoustic sound of the guitar more. In my opinion, the clip below is some of the nicest guitar tone I've heard.

Gibsons! In the second video he has the guitar body right in front of the amp, gig volume and the archtop doesn't feed back! Not many jazz guitars can do that...

[omphalopsychos]

Gibsons! In the second video he has the guitar body right in front of the amp, gig volume and the archtop doesn't feed back! Not many jazz guitars can do that...

Actually a lot of this has to do with technique. Volume down and heavy right hand attack. Since the volume is low, you reduce the likelihood of feedback. I think the more delicate your right hand, the more you will be on the verge of feedback because your signal needs to be so hot.

[Jim Soloway]

Actually a lot of this has to do with technique. Volume down and heavy right hand attack. Since the volume is low, you reduce the likelihood of feedback. I think the more delicate your right hand, the more you will be on the verge of feedback because your signal needs to be so hot.

It took me a long time to figure that out. That was the point where I mostly gave up and switched to solids and semis.

[omphalopsychos]

Jim,

Yep, I can see that for players with a light touch like you and John Stowell. The good news is you get a really rich and nice sound with a solid body. I always overplay a solid body and my sounds is pretty spiky because i'm used to beating up on my acoustic archtops.

[Jim Soloway]

Jim,

Yep, I can see that for players with a light touch like you and John Stowell. The good news is you get a really rich and nice sound with a solid body. I always overplay a solid body and my sounds is pretty spiky because i'm used to beating up on my acoustic archtops.

I wonder sometimes if playing like this is worth the trouble ... and it is a lot of trouble. I'm way too deep down that particular rabbit hole now to change but it's taken a lot of time to understand just how many problems a really light touch does cause. The upside is that when it works well it feels like magic to me ... like I can reach deep down inside and express exactly what I'm feeling but there have also been countless times when it's just felt like more trouble than it's worth trying to keep it in control and not get overcome by the way all the gear, from the strings to the guitar to the amp to all the recording stuff, all rebels. It's like all the gear is looking for something more substantial to work with.

[medblues]

Actually a lot of this has to do with technique. Volume down and heavy right hand attack. Since the volume is low, you reduce the likelihood of feedback. I think the more delicate your right hand, the more you will be on the verge of feedback because your signal needs to be so hot.

It is also possible he stuffed the guitar or uses soundposts etc

[omphalopsychos]

It is also possible he stuffed the guitar or uses soundposts etc

I can guarantee you that Chris doesn't do that to his guitar.

[Chris236]

It is also possible he stuffed the guitar or uses soundposts etc

Low stage volume with an amp mic’d and run through the house system greatly reduces feedback issues.

[omphalopsychos]

Low stage volume with an amp mic’d and run through the house system greatly reduces feedback issues.

While this is true, I also know that it isn't exactly necessary. I understand that forums like these presuppose an inherent skepticism that technique can determine sonic outcomes.

I play an acoustic archtop just like Chris (an L7 with dearmond). One group I play with is very loud, like twin reverb on 4 loud. I get zero feedback on my guitar and have learned to control the feedback via technique.

In contrast, I have gotten feedback from plywood set pickup archtops at similar volumes simply because those guitars aren't as inviting to a heavy attack and you have to play more delicately.

[Chris236]

Yes - hitting harder with lower volume helps as well as does proficiently muting strings out of action.

[Herbie]

This has not anymore anything to do with Bud vs AER but my whole playing career has been a journey from hitting heavy to play softly. And I consider it progress, maybe listeners don’t!

Hitting hard live makes the thin strings sound thin. If I have enough volume to play softly, the sound stays fuller.

I think I hear soft playing in Joe Pass records. I know that it is only one possible ideal but for me this has been an important way to develope my technique.

[Chris236]

This has not anymore anything to do with Bud vs AER but my whole playing career has been a journey from hitting heavy to play softly. And I consider it progress, maybe listeners don’t!

Hitting hard live makes the thin strings sound thin. If I have enough volume to play softly, the sound stays fuller.

I think I hear soft playing in Joe Pass records. I know that it is only one possible ideal but for me this has been an important way to develope my technique.

while the ‘hit hard’ thing was relevant to the discussion we were having regarding feedback, I’d say being in control of the widest dynamic range possible is important in general…as opposed to being a slave to either extreme.

[omphalopsychos]

Maximize the range you need to feel that you can be expressive. This means different things to different people.

For some people it’s progress to play softer and for some people it’s the opposite. A player’s dynamic range is is the spectrum and distribution of dynamics that each player should choose to best achieve their musical goals. Personally, I like being on the heavier end of the range. Not saying anyone else needs to.

All I was saying was that playing harder also helps with feedback on a large acoustic/electric archtop.

[jorgemg1984]

This has not anymore anything to do with Bud vs AER but my whole playing career has been a journey from hitting heavy to play softly. And I consider it progress, maybe listeners don’t!

Hitting hard live makes the thin strings sound thin. If I have enough volume to play softly, the sound stays fuller.

I think I hear soft playing in Joe Pass records. I know that it is only one possible ideal but for me this has been an important way to develope my technique.

If you use heavy strings, you can hit them really hard and the thin strings won't sound thin - just listen to Pat Martino. I change my bottom strings from 12 16 to 14 18 for that exact reason.