[HAM] The Killjoy on Tone, Overdrive and Musicianship

[William Mark Bristow]

Scott,

I definitely agree, no matter what I'm playing and I own several rigs of
various makeup 2 of which are clonewheels - or if I'm playing on somebody
else's rig - there is definitely a "sweet spot" or "zone" of sound that I
want to hear.  If I can reach that tone - overall sound with the band - I
think I do my best - rather than trying to emulate a specific tone off a
recording.  

 

That sound to my ear may require different drawbar settings from place to
place - as acoustics, room resonances, etc., vary.

 

However, it does help to know the technical side of things - what equipment
is used, and how something was done - especially for newbies.  It's unlikely
anyone with a stock Leslie will produce anything near Tom Coaster's Santana
sound - you need a Beer High Power Leslie with JBL's.  Now, does it matter
to the audience - probably not.  Does it matter to my ear, that I can't hear
what I want to hear by way of a certain sound - absolutely.

 

On small gigs (I'm 49 years of age) I now use an XK3 and Motion-Sound
Pro145.  Playing pedal part and all from the keyboard - sort-of.  There are
times when I can't get exactly where I want to go with only one split
keyboard and a small Leslie - does the audience know that?  I'm sure they
don't know and don't care.

 

I didn't spend on equipment to get a certain sound - I spent on equipment to
get loud in large venues and out of door venues because I like the sound
from the Leslies rather than miked sound.  Then I spent to be loud and
portable - is that an oxymoron?

Mark