Joe and Larry Discussing Dumbles

[donvan]

If you go to 27:30 of this video you can hear an interesting discussion with Larry Carlton telling Joe Bonnamassa about his early concerns with Dumble, how Dumble took care of him (in the beginning), and how L.C. ended up moving on to Bludotone amps.

Larry has really kind words to say about A. D. but listen real close and tell me what you hear with regard to that.
Also interesting is how Bludotone (Brandon) was in the right place at the right time with the right amps...
And, Larry met Alexander and Eric Johnson at the same time.
I found this all to be interesting. Hope you do too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmROnzcjIm0

[ijedouglas]

Interesting how Larry basically contradicts Joe regarding the tone being in the rig vs in the hands

[Charlie Wilson]

Never liked the "tone" is all in your hands thing. Tone is generated by the instrument which includes the amplifier. Manipulation (or control) of the tone is the player, which would include touch, phrasing, and so on. A great player needs both a great instrument and touch to sound great. There is a reason a pro classical violinist spends a million dollars on an instrument.
CW

[fred.violleau]

CW, Totally agree!

I would add that for a resonating instrument like a violin
- 100% of the amplification is produced by the instrument itself;
- vibrations of the wood when the instrument is played alters the tone and the more the instrument is played, the more "elastic the wood is" it helps the instrument to open up.

I was not aware of that until a friend of mine, playing cello, told me she had the luxury to play top cellos from her luthier after setup or repair to help the instrument find back its voice. That process may take multiple weeks sometimes...

I would not compare a violin to an electric guitar because even thought resonance has some impact on the overall tone, it is quite different on the amplification. I totally agree with you that a good instrument and a good amp are the recipe for great tone and inspire the player. But I would argue that what defines a player sonically (to me) is all the little inflection that you produce while playing in order to enhance certain caracteristics of the sound you hear in order to bend the frequencies the way you want them to sound.

Even those classical players passing on those fabulous stradivarius over the years from one player to another, they don't sound the same. They all have in common to have the priviledge to play an extraordinary piece of instrument, that helps them magnify their own and unique voice.

Fred.

[talbany]

Having run an amp company for several years i would get this all time

Which do you think would sound better or if you had to play a show which one would you choose?

1. A cheap Squire Strat or an Epiphone copy of a Gibson through a really good sounding vintage tube amp 59 Bassman or JTM 45 or 4th Generation ODS Skyliner an SSS or?
2. A 1952 Telecaster or 59 Les Paul (any other vintage piece) through a cheap transistor amp made in China/Korea basically for around the same price you would pay for one of the cheap guitars (generally around a couple hundred bucks)

Of course most players who own the high priced guitars can afford a good sounding amp. The choices are meant to drive home the point Guitar vs Amplifier

Hands/Amplifier/Guitar in that order..IMO
Tony

[bepone]

speaker and cabinet like last filters in the chain are more important than amp + guitar...

[fred.violleau]

@talbany and bepone, agreed!

Happy Holidays, and be safe,

Fred.

[Mr. dB]

Even those classical players passing on those fabulous stradivarius over the years from one player to another, they don't sound the same. They all have in common to have the privilege to play an extraordinary piece of instrument, that helps them magnify their own and unique voice.

Most of the Strads and other Cremonese violins are owned by collectors, and given out on long term loan to the top players. A violinist or cellist usually doesn't have the income potential to actually own one of these instruments.