Is It Worth It To Chase Tone

Questions, concerns all over and only me to address them. First an easy one, radishes (your welcome, Darby from Hialeah, Florida). Exactly what do we have here, a question that is intriguing: is it worth it to chase after tone?

Chasing tone can be expensive, it can be discouraging, and it can be unsuccessful. We all have our heroes. We've all imagined achieving exactly what they have actually done. Is it truly worth copying them? Let's take a look

My Take on Tone Chasing

I have not chased tone by trying to emulate another person, except when however more on that later. I do appreciate a good tone, but I'm not attempting to copy it. My most significant thing is having a rig that works the method I want it to. Having guitars that I have an accessory to.

I put tone chasing in the exact same classification as trademark guitars. If it is your bag then great, but it's not for me. I have just twice been lured by signature instruments, once I saw the price tag it brought me back to truth. Plus, I never wanted to be as compared to another guitarist in such stark terms. If you walk on phase with a guitar like Eddie Van Halen's you much better have the ability to manage a pitch best impersonation, or you'll be laughed off of that phase. How to find the best p90 pickup ?

Chasing after the Sound of Your Heroes

In 2015 I got the possibility to see my favorite band Marillion play 3 nights in a row at the very same location in Montreal. They played a different set each night. On the 3rd night the roadie releaseded Steve Rothery's guitar and played a few chords for a fast sound check. This was the 3rd night they practically had actually the sound called in. The noise that came from the speakers sounded absolutely nothing like Steve. When Marillion took the stage Steve seemed like himself. At that moment I understood for sure what I had always suspect. Sound remains in the hands.

I'm not saying you cannot get near to a sound that you have actually heard another gamer make, however the equipment is just going to take you so far. By all means buy the gear that your hero uses, and in most cases that's not a bad plan. However do not think for a minute that you will amazingly be able to play just like them. Let's be real the tone is nice, however exactly what we really desire is to play similar to our heroes. Study their method. Learn the nuances of their style. That will get you closer to the tone that you long for.

Purchasing the exact same gear as your heroes is not a bad thing. They are expert musicians so I would consider them subject matter specialists. If they use a particular amp, guitar, or pedal, there must be a factor, whether it is since it was complimentary or they really liked the piece of gear. Just understand any adjustments they make. Absolutely nothing frustrates me more then to learn a guitarist's signature model guitar that is sold in stores is not the same as the one the guitar player plays. If you are putting your name on something to offer to your fans, then be truthful with them.

I never ever actually chased after the tone of my heroes. I think it had a lot to do with the fact that either they had so much equipment that it was outrageous to try and buy all the same pieces (Steve Stevens and Alex Lifeson among others), or the info just wasn't out there (Steve Rothery and Julian Swales). The likes of Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Joe Satriani, and others, were constantly in the guitar magazines, and although I liked those people I wasn't attempting to emulate their sound.

Chasing the Tone in Your Head

If by chance you are trying to find something you haven't heard except for inside your head. That is a various challenge. There is no gear review to take a look at to know ways to get that sound. There is only one method to find it, which is trial and error. Play anything and everything you can get your hands on. If absolutely nothing else you can know what that sound is not made of.

Hearing sound clips or seeing videos is inadequate to find what you like. Various gear responds in a different way to other pieces of gear. It also refers how the guitarist you are listening to plays, after all a lot of the noise is in the hands. The best combination amp, guitar, and pedals, is different for each people. You need to find what works for you.

In Conclusion

Chasing what you hear in your head is great and honorable idea. Copying someone else's tone is a cheat. If you are in a tribute band, then by all means copy as much as you like. If you are aiming to create your own tone, then you may want to try something various.

I will admit that I bought a couple of pieces of equipment attempting to get Steve Steven's ray weapon noise, however I must've been purchasing some inexpensive toy guns. What have you bought to attempt and get a specific sound? And, did it work? Let me know.