Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE VOTING!​

You are voting for your favorite riff in Round 1 of the December 2009 Riff-Off. More information about the Riff-Off can be found here. In this round, there are eight head-to-head matches. Be sure to check out and vote for your favorite riff in the other seven Round 1 matches, also found in the Tips and Clips room. To view the bracket for this month's Riff-Off, go here.

Because not all contestants have access to the same quality of recording equipment, your voting decision should be based first on the actual composition, second on the player's execution of the riff. Try to look past recording quality. Some questions you may want to ask yourself while considering which way to vote: What is the emotional impact of the riff? How original is the riff? Does the riff inspire me? Would I want to hear a whole song built off this riff?

Note that each contestant has chosen a battle name for the Riff-Off; their identities have been hidden from all other contestants and the voting public, and will be revealed at the end of the Riff-Off, when a champion is crowned.

Lastly, while comments are strongly encouraged, please realize that each contestant put personal time and creative energy into his or her submission. If you have any critique to provide in this thread, give the contestants the courtesy of making it constructive. This competition is built on the premises of fun and musical growth.

Here are the links to each clip in this head-to-head:

Maxwell Smart

Dingle Dangle

If you run into any technical issues or have other question regarding the Riff-Off, contact me via email (kgmessier at gmail dot com).

Have fun!

- Keith

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

This one's a toughie. I'll come back after I've reviewed them more

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

After further review, I hadda go with Maxwell. I like both riffs, and even though it's not my entry, Dingle's is a lot like something I'd write. I may even have one that's scarily close to it in my 12 Gigs Of Miscellaneous Riffs folder :lol:

But Maxwell's has that "certain something". I'd definitely love to hear it just a tad slower. Give it more of a "walking through the streets, gun on my hip" vibe.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

When I listen to Maxwell Smart's lick, I realize that nothing else in the competition sounds like it. It's original, catchy, and well-phrased. I also like the fact that there's not a lot of gain hiding the tone. I think he really took a chance (probably without knowing it, since this is the first round), and it worked for him.

And I agree with DocNew, I can see the Wild West Swagger in the riff. It's really, really cool, and it's so far away from anything that would come through my head that it's a refreshing departure.

 

[Markk]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

But Maxwell's has that "certain something". I'd definitely love to hear it just a tad slower. Give it more of a "walking through the streets, gun on my hip" vibe.

That pretty much sums up what I thought too.

 

[elscorcho]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

another tough one....good job guys!

in the end I had to go w/ maxwell for uniqueness of vibe(within the context of other entries)....i also dug what I percieved to be an aerosmith feeling to it

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

voted.

 

[guitfiddle]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

vote in

 

[Fresno Bob]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Voted

 

[tone4days]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

another very tough one - and again both better than mine
very different from each other - makes it hard to compare
and again, i wanna hear the tunes that would build off of these riffs

voted

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Tightest race so far.

 

[Jake]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Wow, both very good contestants here. Maxwell's makes me wanna go to the saloon and shoot whiskey. Dingle's sounds like more something I would write.

 

[ex-250]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

while maxwell's is very badass, dingle's has kind of an emotional quality to it that i really love

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Both very impressive, but Dingle Dangle's riff stood out a little bit higher.

Congrats to you both for some excellent riffs!

 

[crusty philtrum]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Voted. Both good IMO and easier sound quality to listen to that the previous ones (I know the tone doesn't count, but if it's hard for me to listen to, it's hard for me to enjoy the content).

 

[B2D]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Maxwell's got my vote for the neat rhythm and the killer tone. I'd love to know what that was, gear-wise.

 

[sosomething]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Maxwell Smart

YOU OWE ME A SET OF PC SPEAKERS. Sweet baby Jesus is that signal hot!!! It's clipping all over the place. If you win this round, before recording your next riff, find the knob or setting marked "Input Gain" and turn it WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down please.
Now that that's out of the way, you got my vote. Just an awesome, killer riff. It's got groove. It's got swagger. It's got attitude. It's even... dare I say... a little out of tune in a GOOD way. Was this played on a Tele with 3-barrel saddles? Just a hunch.

​

Dingle Dangle

Now here's a tone I can get behind. Nice heavy riff with plenty of mids and not too much saturation. Played tightly and with authority. Great submission here.Paired against almost any other combatant, this would probably win. Alas, Maxwell Smart got the better of the Dangle here on the merit of sheer originality and unexpectedness.
I hope Dingle Dangle, if they do not win this round, still participate in further tourneys because I'd like to hear more from this person.
​

 

[Falstaff]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

I like both but I prefer Maxwell's. A great 70s hard rock vibe...pre-master volume goodness.

 

[Redmist]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Voted

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: Riff-Off 1.1: Maxwell Smart vs. Dingle Dangle

Maxwell's got my vote for the neat rhythm and the killer tone. I'd love to know what that was, gear-wise.

Direct from the man himself: "Strat with H-90's into a Vox AD15/AC30TB setting direct out into my laptop, the track is dual mono comped to stereo."