Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

[Diego]

Everyone knows, and you make an outstanding effort in spreading the word, that you're a Gibson guy who loves Green, Kosoff and all the classic LP tones.
And not just a Gibson guy, but someone who REALLY dislikes Fender designs: Strats, Teles, Jags and the like. That's fine.

However, you never fail to praise the likes of Hendrix, Blackmore and all the others who've managed to squeeze out warm, pleasant tones out of Stratocasters, which isn't an easy task IMO.
So in the end, you've kind of got a bit of a soft spot in this matter.

When you do that here, I get the feel that you perceive those tones not only as an achievement, but that you actually like their sounds. Am I correct?
It's not just a "They're good but not my thing" assessment.

I mean, if my favorite tones came from Les Pauls, but I still had a soft spot for what certain heroes of mine did with a Strat, you can bet I'd have one of those, with noisy pickups and the stupid trem that I'd never use. In fact, I do have one.
And it's not my #1, but for certain moments, songs and gigs, it's fantastic.

So my question is, why haven't you got a Strat, man? Just one. With single coils and everything.

I think you could end up appreciating it too.

You definitely wouldn't sound like the amateurs that you despise with it, because that's not what you want.
You'd go out of your way to get warm sounds out of it, like I do, maybe with pure nickel strings, warmer pickups and everything.
Despite being a bit of a struggle, I think it's a good battle to fight. Because nothing sounds like a Strat being played right.

:thanks:

 

[Jessie's ghost]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

C'mon… you know you wanna…

I'm offering my blueman335 sig model, if you're interested.

 

[Kam]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

 

[FuseG4]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

tone control wired on the bridge pickup and a warm amp/speaker are all you need to make a strat sound "normal", and then you may just want some hotter pickups if you wanna get thick.
Seriously.

I played my strat for my family today, at my moms house where I can crank it. I just had to *use* the tone control. People make this **** seem like it must be rocket science or something.

If blueman doesn't need a strat to get his sound, whatever.
Personally, I think SGs can be bright and annoying in the hands of a n00b. Blueman seems to get by on those just fine. I don't doubt that he could get on with a strat if he forced himself to, but why, why would one do that? Just to prove something? if it's not his bag it's not his bag.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

it's totally unhetero not to own at least one strat

totally

un

hetero

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

I didn't think he played Gibsons.

 

[Crane]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

I'm quite sure he has single coils :9:

 

[TheLivingDead]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

I like where this is going.

 

[Stratman]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

Everyone knows, and you make an outstanding effort in spreading the word, that you're a Gibson guy who loves Green, Kosoff and all the classic LP tones.
And not just a Gibson guy, but someone who REALLY dislikes Fender designs: Strats, Teles, Jags and the like. That's fine.

However, you never fail to praise the likes of Hendrix, Blackmore and all the others who've managed to squeeze out warm, pleasant tones out of Stratocasters, which isn't an easy task IMO.
So in the end, you've kind of got a bit of a soft spot in this matter.

When you do that here, I get the feel that you perceive those tones not only as an achievement, but that you actually like their sounds. Am I correct?
It's not just a "They're good but not my thing" assessment.

I mean, if my favorite tones came from Les Pauls, but I still had a soft spot for what certain heroes of mine did with a Strat, you can bet I'd have one of those, with noisy pickups and the stupid trem that I'd never use. In fact, I do have one.
And it's not my #1, but for certain moments, songs and gigs, it's fantastic.

So my question is, why haven't you got a Strat, man? Just one. With single coils and everything.

I think you could end up appreciating it too.

You definitely wouldn't sound like the amateurs that you despise with it, because that's not what you want.
You'd go out of your way to get warm sounds out of it, like I do, maybe with pure nickel strings, warmer pickups and everything.
Despite being a bit of a struggle, I think it's a good battle to fight. Because nothing sounds like a Strat being played right.

:thanks:

Oh yea, Stratman get into this post in a hidden way!

 

[Diego]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

tone control wired on the bridge pickup and a warm amp/speaker are all you need to make a strat sound "normal", and then you may just want some hotter pickups if you wanna get thick.
Seriously.

I played my strat for my family today, at my moms house where I can crank it. I just had to *use* the tone control. People make this **** seem like it must be rocket science or something.

If blueman doesn't need a strat to get his sound, whatever.
Personally, I think SGs can be bright and annoying in the hands of a n00b. Blueman seems to get by on those just fine. I don't doubt that he could get on with a strat if he forced himself to, but why, why would one do that? Just to prove something? if it's not his bag it's not his bag.

I agree with you man. I'm just saying that if he actually digs those particular Strat tones, well he ain't gonna get them with a Les Paul right?

I'm not trying to raise a bad discussion or whatever. In fact I want this to be constructive.

Just to make a point, let's say I'm a Strat guy and I have 20 Strats with different pickups. And let's say that besides that, I also have a soft spot for Metallica's Master of Puppets rhythm tone.

I'd have to get an alder Flying V with a Invader and something in the Mark III ballpark. Anything else wouldn't do it.

 

[tc]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

Well, there's one other thing that'd do it.

If you're like most guys and guitars constitute a very small percentage of your spending and even so you have almost two dozen guitars, which for this post's purposes we'll suppose are high end, unobtainium Strats and vintage pre-CBS pieces, one would think you'd have enough money to just hire Hammett and Hetfield to play in your living room

 

[Diego]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

Funny man.
I'm waiting for Blueman to show up. Just wanna understand y'know?

 

[mwalluk]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

I agree with you man. I'm just saying that if he actually digs those particular Strat tones, well he ain't gonna get them with a Les Paul right?

I'm not trying to raise a bad discussion or whatever. In fact I want this to be constructive.

Just to make a point, let's say I'm a Strat guy and I have 20 Strats with different pickups. And let's say that besides that, I also have a soft spot for Metallica's Master of Puppets rhythm tone.

I'd have to get an alder Flying V with a Invader and something in the Mark III ballpark. Anything else wouldn't do it.

An Explorer with EMG's would get you close to Metallica

 

[Grandturk]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

Just to make a point, let's say I'm a Strat guy and I have 20 Strats with different pickups. And let's say that besides that, I also have a soft spot for Metallica's Master of Puppets rhythm tone.

I'd have to get an alder Flying V with a Invader and something in the Mark III ballpark. Anything else wouldn't do it.

I don't agree with that at all. I don't believe that you need the same gear to get a complimentary tone. I've never sought to copy anyone's sound - I've always used my own things. I can play Master of Puppets all day long on my Super Distortion'd Strat trhough my Soldano.

 

[CapoFirstFret]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

If I tried to have one of every guitar that one of the great guitarists that I love played, I'd have way too many guitars. Just because one guy can do something on a guitar and you love how it sounds doesn't mean it's for you. I'm a Gibson guy, to the core. I love strat players and tele players and gretsch players...but what fits my hands, fits my playing style, and fits the tone I want to create is a Gibson through a Fender amp. Bottom line. to be honest, I'm siding with blueman on this one and he hasn't even responded. I think the logic of the original post is left wanting.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

If I tried to have one of every guitar that one of the great guitarists that I love played, I'd have way too many guitars. Just because one guy can do something on a guitar and you love how it sounds doesn't mean it's for you. I'm a Gibson guy, to the core. I love strat players and tele players and gretsch players...but what fits my hands, fits my playing style, and fits the tone I want to create is a Gibson through a Fender amp. Bottom line. to be honest, I'm siding with blueman on this one and he hasn't even responded. I think the logic of the original post is left wanting.

And here he is, ladies and gentlemen, the fashionably late Blueman...

Diego baby, I think you're a cool guy and you have some good posts. Okay, since you've been up nights pondering this:

- I've seen many local blues and rock bands at lounges and festivals, and the majority of guitarists have Fenders, sometimes all of them. Now, I was raised to be a non-conformist (both parents are strict non-conformists), and I just hate to go along with the crowd on things, unless I'm really sold on what they're doing. I get much more satisfaction showing up on stage with a 335, and having them look at me like I came from another planet. I love the puzzled looks ("What the hell does he think he's doing?"). Then I plug in and cut loose.

- I always get compliments on my tones, which are warm and rich, with some nice crunch and bite. People like the sound, and they like my British style. Muscular and aggressive. I don't know, maybe they just appreciate an occasional break from all the SRV/Allman Brothers sound-a-likes.

- A lot of my heroes play(ed) Strats, but I don't feel the need to personally use the same tools as them. You know, if 3/4's of the local boys didn't have Strats, I might be tempted to get a few (I did have one when I was in college). It comes down to this, a numbers thing: most local blues players here are mediocre and most have Strats. I just want to disassociate myself from that whole scene. I can love Jimi and play his songs, without using a Strat. Jimi played Gibsons too; the music was in his fingers.

- I have a bunch of friends with Strats and Teles; we all get along fine (in spite of what any hysterical teenagers on this forum would have you believe). We all have our own approaches and we all respect each other. We make fun of each other's instruments once in a while, and have a good laugh. All that really matters is what you do with it.

- There's plenty of guys to do everything that can be done with a Strat. They don't need me. I'd rather champion the cause of guitars that I rarely see being played around here, especially 335's and SG's. To me, it's a lot a cooler for a guy to cut loose on one of those. That puts a smile on my face.

- I listen to many genres of music, but when it comes to playing guitar, my heart belongs to the Brits, circa late '60's. I've loved that stuff since I was a kid, when it first came out. My whole life I've wanted to play like that. It's still magic to me, Gibson thru a Marshall: the look, the sound, the vibe. In my own way, that's what I try to offer on stage. People still dig it. Just as powerful as it ever was.

 

[Andrew Lamprecht]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

(in spite of what any hysterical teenagers on this forum would have you believe).

Wow, if that wasn't the biggest shot at me, I don't know what was. Thanks Rick.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

There is really something marvelous about a great Strat! I have played several old vintage Strats that would just bury a Les Paul. That said very few of the new Strats have that capability. I have been playing a long time & I love Strats but I also love Les Pauls & 335's. I just think its a matter of picking the right tool for the job. I wouldn't expect to play a Strat when playing Stormy Monday or the Thrill is gone, yet I wouldn't play a 335 or a Les Paul when doing Little Wing or the Wind Cries Mary either. The right tool for the job!

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

And here he is, ladies and gentlemen, the fashionably late Blueman...

Diego baby, I think you're a cool guy and you have some good posts. Okay, since you've been up nights pondering this:

- I've seen many local blues and rock bands at lounges and festivals, and the majority of guitarists have Fenders, sometimes all of them. Now, I was raised to be a non-conformist (both parents are strict non-conformists), and I just hate to go along with the crowd on things, unless I'm really sold on what they're doing. I get much more satisfaction showing up on stage with a 335, and having them look at me like I came from another planet. I love the puzzled looks ("What the hell does he think he's doing?"). Then I plug in and cut loose.

- I always get compliments on my tones, which are warm and rich, with some nice crunch and bite. People like the sound, and they like my British style. Muscular and aggressive. I don't know, maybe they just appreciate an occasional break from all the SRV/Allman Brothers sound-a-likes.

So then why play blues? Maybe you're just sick of 5 notes over 3 chords for hours at a time

 

[Mr 9finger]

Re: Hey Blueman, got a serious question for you!

Wow, if that wasn't the biggest shot at me, I don't know what was. Thanks Rick.

I think you're reading to much into it man. He's been hazed about his sometimes overbearing posts for a long time. Half the time, it is teenage mockery, regardless of the age of the hazer. I wouldn't take it personal. He has opinion, feels strongly about it, and you do as well.