Ho, ho, how’re ya doin’? Christmas is upon us and the quest for the Holy Grail of guitar sounds continues. Now, you wives and girlfriends of rock and rollers have surely heard the moans of frustration and wiped the tears from your partners eyes as he spent thousands of dollars and hours watching youtube in search of the elusive creature called TONE. Ah, but he is a wily little fella. It appears only those musically gifted, with the most noble of hearts (and a blank check), have what it takes to obtain the unobtainable. That which is rarer that a rainbow unicorn and more desirable than a date with Heidi Klum… great tone.
I once caught a glimpse back in the 70’s when I plugged my ’68 Les Paul Black Custom into a Marshall stack. The feel of my bell-bottoms flapping against my boots as 100 watts of raw power exploded from the speakers was life changing. But was it perfect? Was it THE tone? Hmmm. Later I switched to a ’59 Les Paul Jr. and a Fender tweed deluxe. This set-up screamed rock and roll. Was I happy? Not really.
Years later many, many guitars and amps have come and gone. I suppose if I still had them all I could retire (vintage guitar prices are ridiculous). But I have tried to be realistic. I now buy inexpensive guitars that play well and remove everything I don’t like. Okay, I basically gut them like a deer and replace all the electronics. As for the 100-watt thing? Well, I must conclude that my back, and my ears are much more suited to a Telecaster, a 22 -watt Fender Deluxe Reverb and a tub full of pedals.
Has the itch been scratched? Are you kidding me? As we speak I’m carousing the internet in search of a lovely 50-watt English lass who will ruffle my pant legs as in the days of my youth.
This isn’t a quest, my friends, it’s a sickness.
Just sayin’.
I once caught a glimpse back in the 70’s when I plugged my ’68 Les Paul Black Custom into a Marshall stack. The feel of my bell-bottoms flapping against my boots as 100 watts of raw power exploded from the speakers was life changing. But was it perfect? Was it THE tone? Hmmm. Later I switched to a ’59 Les Paul Jr. and a Fender tweed deluxe. This set-up screamed rock and roll. Was I happy? Not really.
Years later many, many guitars and amps have come and gone. I suppose if I still had them all I could retire (vintage guitar prices are ridiculous). But I have tried to be realistic. I now buy inexpensive guitars that play well and remove everything I don’t like. Okay, I basically gut them like a deer and replace all the electronics. As for the 100-watt thing? Well, I must conclude that my back, and my ears are much more suited to a Telecaster, a 22 -watt Fender Deluxe Reverb and a tub full of pedals.
Has the itch been scratched? Are you kidding me? As we speak I’m carousing the internet in search of a lovely 50-watt English lass who will ruffle my pant legs as in the days of my youth.
This isn’t a quest, my friends, it’s a sickness.
Just sayin’.
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