Jazz tone

**Woodstove** · 10-11-2023, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by ESCC

THIS!

yes indeed!!

**Nick71** · 10-11-2023, 03:27 PM

Grant Green
Barney Kessel

**Christian Miller** · 10-11-2023, 04:41 PM

I really like Mike Sterns tone

I think it’s unique

**stylo** · 10-11-2023, 05:14 PM

Kurt Rosenwinkel. He doesn't quite get the sax growl thing... but it's more in that direction than any of the clean tone aficionados. The RAT is an inspired choice.

There is no one 'jazz tone', I think that's contrary to the spirit of this music. It's supposed to be what the player is trying to communicate. And if you want to work out of the tradition, the sax/trumpet tradition is as good as any.

I like Grant Green for his thing as well. And Johnny Smith... maybe his playing as much as his tone. He def knew how to get the most out of his right hand.

Sonny Sharrock

I guess you could say I like tones that lean more hot than cool.

**Sydex** · 10-11-2023, 07:39 PM

Chuck Loeb

Gabor Szabo

Herb Ellis

edit: spelling

**D'Aquisto Fan** · 10-11-2023, 09:31 PM

For me, when it comes to strictly tone, I think I have to say Mr. Burrell.

**Cunamara** · 10-11-2023, 11:06 PM

Agreeing with most of the above, for classic jazz tone I'd add Doug Raney.

**yebdox** · 10-12-2023, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by ESCC

THIS!

Any knowledgeable folk know the gear setup here? I’m sure it’s been discussed somewhere, dozens of times.

**Skip Ellis** · 10-12-2023, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by yebdox

Any knowledgeable folk know the gear setup here? I’m sure it’s been discussed somewhere, dozens of times.

I'm guessing a Super 400 (pretty much all I remember him using before the Heritage days) although a 175 earlier? Amp in those days was probably a Twin or whatever similar thing the club provided. Purely guesswork here.....really nice tone. I always liked his version of "Teach Me Tonight".

**Tal_175** · 10-12-2023, 10:47 AM

Somebody should invent an archtop with a sustain pedal already. Tele and L5 in one.

PS. I don't mean a sustain stompbox.

**customxke** · 10-12-2023, 12:00 PM

Django's tone worked really well in his setting. I think the whole "tone is in the fingers" thing is often reductive, but it's hard to separate Django's vibrato (technique) from his tone, at least for me. Not the classic jazz guitar tone I immediately think of, but great nonetheless.

**yebdox** · 10-12-2023, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Skip Ellis

I'm guessing a Super 400 (pretty much all I remember him using before the Heritage days) although a 175 earlier? Amp in those days was probably a Twin or whatever similar thing the club provided. Purely guesswork here.....really nice tone. I always liked his version of "Teach Me Tonight".

Someone did some research, sounds like it was most likely an L5 with a CC pickup, probably through the aforementioned tweed at van Gelder's. Nice upper harmonics in that neck pu tone.

kenny burrel es - Gibson Custom - Gibson Brands Forums

**wintermoon** · 10-12-2023, 01:35 PM

Pretty sure the L-5 was long gone by the time that was recorded in '72
Most likely a Super 400C or his DA NYer if I had to guess, probably the NYer

**customxke** · 10-12-2023, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by yebdox

Someone did some research, sounds like it was most likely an L5 with a CC pickup, probably through the aforementioned tweed at van Gelder's. Nice upper harmonics in that neck pu tone.

kenny burrel es - Gibson Custom - Gibson Brands Forums

That was about Midnight Blue, not Round Midnight. Cool read regardless.

**yebdox** · 10-12-2023, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by customxke

That was about Midnight Blue, not Round Midnight. Cool read regardless.

I stand corrected; the search continues. still sounds pretty great, slight overdrive, not as hard as early Benson, but adds a cool bite.

**John A.** · 10-13-2023, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by yebdox

Any knowledgeable folk know the gear setup here? I’m sure it’s been discussed somewhere, dozens of times.

I don't have any specific info on this, but I'm pretty sure that by the time he recorded it he was exclusively playing a Super 400 through a Twin Reverb. It certainly sounds like that to me.

**grahambop** · 10-13-2023, 08:26 AM

Originally Posted by John A.

I don't have any specific info on this, but I'm pretty sure that by the time he recorded it he was exclusively playing a Super 400 through a Twin Reverb. It certainly sounds like that to me.

That’s what Kenny Burrell was using when I saw him at Ronnie Scotts years ago. It was about the best jazz guitar tone I’ve ever heard live.

**Sleeko** · 10-13-2023, 08:34 AM

Definitely Barney Kessel. I just love that floaty reverb sound.

**omphalopsychos** · 10-13-2023, 09:21 AM

Some combination of the above is the best tone (to me (right now)).

**frabarmus** · 10-13-2023, 10:03 AM

Attila Zoller (classic archtop jazz tone, only a little brighter).

**Greco** · 10-13-2023, 10:29 AM

Emily Remler

**yebdox** · 10-13-2023, 04:45 PM

Did someone mention Anthony Wilson on Krall's Paris album? (like 20 years ago, now. ) I'm going to put that on right now!

**Irishmuso** · 10-13-2023, 07:46 PM

Originally Posted by Sushi313

Among your favorite jazz guitarists, whose tone do you favor the most? For me, it's Ed Bickert

Ed is definitely an archetype. After that, I'd go for Barney playing Joyspring on Bluesology.

**Irishmuso** · 10-13-2023, 07:51 PM

Originally Posted by omphalopsychos

Some combination of the above is the best tone (to me (right now)).

Tap tempo is a wonderful thing!

**Average Joe** · 10-14-2023, 04:22 AM

I know Scofield will show up in the other rgread about tones people hate, and he can be hit or miss, but I do love his early 90s sound, chorus and all - Hand Jive, Grace under Pressure, Meant To Be, etc.

Cardenas has a nice dark and full sound, with a bit of dynamic breakup to the attack.

Of the classic players I'd say Burrell.