How important are p/u's, guitars etc

[bob t]

Whilst reading various threads recently re pick ups, amps etc I got to wondering how important they really are when I use, like a good many others I'm sure, a guitar effects console. In my case it's the Zoom G9.2tt. We get all the equipment, guitar, amp, echo unit etc then use a unit like this where we can model various sounds, pedals and amps which must to a certain extent make the guitar, p/u and amp stock sounds redundant as we can change the sound so much with a unit like this.

So my thought is why bother trying different strings, p/u's, pedals etc when we can model a lot of sounds from a effects console to get our desired sound.
Obviously we need a decent sound to start with but how much is that changed once we start messing about with various modules and changing the sound

Anyone else got any views re this thought or is it just me ?

Bob T

[RUSSET]

It depends on how much of a stickler you want to be for a particular guitar tone. Most Shads enthusiasts require the same types of gear as used by the Shads at various periods in their careers. e.g. Fender Strats with vintage spec pickups, Vox AC30s & even Meazzi echo units, if they can get them. Others of us will make the best of what we have in the price range we can afford, & get a good passable Shads sound; anyway, good enough to satisfy ourselves. I myself play in a '60s cover band in West Mids., & use a Jap Hank Marvin signature model (1990s) & push it through a Zoom G2.1ut pedal straight into our PA system, along with our Lead guitarist & drummer. We don't use backline amps & get great sounds that can be easily balanced via the PA mixer. I have set up several 'Hank' patches with appropriate echoes etc., & as I play mainly the Rhythm guitar part with the band, I have a great Acoustic simulation patch set up for using with my Strat for the Bruce parts, & any other artists I require it for. It works great for me without having to hump heavy guitar amps around.

Regards, Tony.

[chas]

I guess what it comes down to is whether you feel any of the various modelling devices you may try are acheiving the sounds that you want. It's sounds as if it's working for you.

Chas.

[Tigerdaisy]

Its a good question. I'd say not that important. Mark Knopfler plays Local Hero on any guitar that comes to hand- like a Les Paul for instance, which is quite different from the original electro acoustic guitar it was recorded on- probably an Ovation.
I think how well you play, how well you phrase is most important. Assuming you had a sufficient amp set up and a reasonable delay you could easily play Shadows stuff on a Les Paul if it had a trem arm- (some do, but obviously not the same as the Strat trem) All things being equal I think the major fault with Shads imitators are use of trem arm and playing/phrasing ability, not so much equipment. I think you can get over obsessed with equipment, whereas playing ability/style is more important.

[Iain Purdon]

Was it Joe Meek who said: "If it sounds right, it is right"?

[dave robinson]

Tigerdaisy wrote

Mark Knopfler plays Local Hero on any guitar that comes to hand- like a Les Paul for instance, which is quite different from the original electro acoustic guitar it was recorded on- probably an Ovation.

Mark Knopfler used a Gibson Chet Atkins CEC (Classical Electric Cutaway) on the intro to 'Local Hero' - had it been an Ovation it would have sounded very different.

I agree about the playing and phrasing though, I have said it many times and it's good to see someone else recognise the impotrance of a person's input and talent apart from owning all the 'right' gear, which is pointless without the talent.

[cockroach]

My goodness Dave- I agree with you!!!

But I mustn't mention the old saying about a bad workman blaming his tools though....