Guitar Signiture...

[Chipchopper]

What is it that gives a great musician the distinctive and unique sound ?.
Is it the quality of the instrument, the talent of the player, the way its tuned or something more ?

[The Builder]

That's right, Lady B. He had it at the time I met him back then.

[andy-hughes]

As advised, there are many and various ways to adjust the sound made by a guitar.

I interviewed Scott Gorham from Thin Lizzy a couple of years ago, and at the after-gig party, Scott introduced me to the guy who looks after his amps, and confirmed that the work he does on Scott's amps is totally secret, so no point asking him about it!

I did an interview with ben Thatcher, the drummer from Royal Blood, and walking around the stage during soundcheck, I had a good long look at the amps and pedals set-up for Mike Kerr. Mike famously refuses to discuss his set-up with the tech. magazines, and I knew that Bass Guitar - for whom I also write - would love a quick shot of his pedal boards and amps, but that's not ethical so I didn't do it.

Tempting though!!!!

[The Builder]

That's such a shame that they have to be so secretive, Andy. Passing on tips and knowledge is what keeps the whole business going, especially for newbies and students.

Any Sax player will readily bore anyone to death about their reed/mouthpiece setup............. you just can't stop them. :o)

[andy-hughes]

The Builder - "That's such a shame that they have to be so secretive, Andy. Passing on tips and knowledge is what keeps the whole business going, especially for newbies and students."

I take your point, but if your sound - and your career - rests on a unique set of ingredients, then you can be forgiven for making sure that not every tom dick and harry can come along and imitate you in any way.

That said, I have never really understood the notion of signature instruments - if I play an Orianthi Signature PRS, does that mean I can zap out the Beat It solo like she can? I somehow doubt it!!!

[The Builder]

Yep, that's a fair point, Andy. Very different, I guess, for electric/electronic players. Their personal setup is highly specialized, and a large part of their overall performance. Whole careers can depend on it. I can see that.

As for the "Signature" business ....... well, I don't like to be cynical, but I think it has quite a lot to do with the very lucrative area of "product endorsement".

Orianthi definitely has a unique sound. Not easy to copy, I imagine, although I'll bet that doesn't stop thousands of "woodshedders" going for it ;o)

[Gromit]

Practice. Lots of it.

[andy-hughes]

The Builder - "As for the "Signature" business ....... well, I don't like to be cynical, but I think it has quite a lot to do with the very lucrative area of "product endorsement".

Absolutely. The lucrative endorsement system works, but I have always failed to understand why playing the same instrument as your hero would in any way lead to sounding like them.

I could rock up with a black Les Paul, but I couldn't play Jimmy Page's solo on Since I've Been Loving You if I lived through the next millennium!!