Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

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llemtt
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by llemtt »

Funkalicousgroove wrote:The release date on that CD was 9/12/95, I have a friend that has 2 ODS's, Purchased from Alexander in the early 90's. His second one was ordered as "The Robben ford thing"

What he recieved was a 100W Skyline EQ amp with Music Man Trannies. That amp sounds Identical to the tone on "Rugged Road" No HRM in that one...
Sounds interesting because 93 - 94 is supposed to be the time when Robben received his second ODS and his first one retrofitted with HRM modification.

Maybe HAD fulfilled the "The Robben ford thing" order referring to the already established sound and disregarding the newer tweaks...

Anyway "Handful of Blues", and any album since then, have been recorded using a lot of different amps, I think anyone can hear that.

cheers
teo
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Mikka
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by Mikka »

Hi,

I didn't want to open a new topic about the Robben tone so I prefered to post here.

I read all other topics about that too and I ask myself about one think that 's seem to be an interesting point.

I feel that the guitare tone of certain songs from the "Talk To Your Daughter" album sound more like HRM for my hears than the " RF 'n The Blue Line" Album. Try to listen to "Help The Poor" and "Tell Me I'm Your Man" and compare them.

The "RF and the Blue Line" guitare sounds less open for me than the precedent album or than "Tiger Walk".

I wonder if the 270pF cap cross the plates and kathode of the OD stage tubes is the key.

I suppose that it's a tweak that Robben tried during the Blue Line recording setions and that he diffinitively let down few time after.

I never hear this tone after on stage or on an other studio recording.

We have to concider too that each albums were recording in different conditions by different guys.
talbany
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by talbany »

For me if you get a sort of frame of reference and know what to listen for you can pretty easily distinguish between the two top-ologys..A good reference tone for the Non-HRM 6L6 tones for me.. Listen to the solo's on Revelation..Talk to your Daughter all obviously early Non HRM.. Then listen to the intro to I ain't got nothin but the blues, Cannonball Shuffle..Politician,. HRM..Those tones to me are the extremes in both directions pretty noticeable..

Determining whether it's a 700v MM or Bluesmaster, or both may be a bit more challenging depending on guitar, Speakers,amp setup, Mic technique.. etc..They are there just not as obvious to me!!!Hope this helps.. By the way Cannonball shuffle..How do you not like that TONE Whew!!!... My 2 cents


Tony VVT
llemtt
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by llemtt »

Don't base your judgements on studio recordings... artists and engineers tend to use lot of different amps when they do studio recordings, some are part of the studio equipment and some get rented.

Postproduction can also mess things a lot but this applies to live recording too.

BTW thanks to Brandon precious info we know that both RF amps have Fender (replacement) trafos and they do have a choke!!

-> no 700v MM there

cheers
Teo
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Mikka
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by Mikka »

Something I'm sure, 'cause I read it in a Daved 's topic on the Robben's Fan Forum, it's that all Robben's Dumbles are 6L6 fited out.
Something else, 12AX7EH seem to be the Daved and Robben preference as preamp tubes.
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Funkalicousgroove
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by Funkalicousgroove »

Mikka wrote:Hi,

I didn't want to open a new topic about the Robben tone so I prefered to post here.

I read all other topics about that too and I ask myself about one think that 's seem to be an interesting point.

I feel that the guitare tone of certain songs from the "Talk To Your Daughter" album sound more like HRM for my hears than the " RF 'n The Blue Line" Album. Try to listen to "Help The Poor" and "Tell Me I'm Your Man" and compare them.

The "RF and the Blue Line" guitare sounds less open for me than the precedent album or than "Tiger Walk".

I wonder if the 270pF cap cross the plates and kathode of the OD stage tubes is the key.

I suppose that it's a tweak that Robben tried during the Blue Line recording setions and that he diffinitively let down few time after.

I never hear this tone after on stage or on an other studio recording.

We have to concider too that each albums were recording in different conditions by different guys.
The tones on TTYD are a "Classic" the later more compressed sounds are the switch to the skyline EQ.

When I looked in robbens amps they all had JJ preamp tubes, one had sovtek 5881's and 1 had either Svetlana or winged c's (Groove tubes label).
Owner/Solder Jockey Bludotone Amp Works
talbany
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by talbany »

Don't base your judgements on studio recordings... artists and engineers tend to use lot of different amps when they do studio recordings, some are part of the studio equipment and some get rented.

Postproduction can also mess things a lot but this applies to live recording too.

BTW thanks to Brandon precious info we know that both RF amps have Fender (replacement) trafos and they do have a choke!!

-> no 700v MM there
I disagree.....I hear an obvious distinction between the two HRM Non-HRM
It would stand to reason why Robben would want to use both..Trying to match the Tone with how he shapes the personality or mood of the song or solo.. I can't speak for Robben but for me it's not a subtle thing...You pretty much know going in what tones you want to use and where to use them...For me a big part of the artists style...A lot of players don't put that much thought into it...Robben does right down to the nuances in the Bluesmaster and MM amps..along w/Fenders and Marshalls.. I'll shut up now!!! LOL!!


Tony VVT
chris_sanford
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by chris_sanford »

talbany wrote:For me if you get a sort of frame of reference and know what to listen for you can pretty easily distinguish between the two top-ologys..A good reference tone for the Non-HRM 6L6 tones for me.. Listen to the solo's on Revelation..Talk to your Daughter all obviously early Non HRM..
According to Paul Rivera, TTYD (the song, not necessarily the whole record) is a modified M-series Rivera amp, with two 'American' channels, instead of the usual Brit/Am setup.

FWIW.

chris
talbany
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by talbany »

Chris I had heard the same thing... Did he say the whole song was done on his amp or a specific track... Anyway I was referring to Revelation on TTYD..Not the song itself..No big deal


Tony VVT
chris_sanford
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by chris_sanford »

talbany wrote:Chris I had heard the same thing... Did he say the whole song was done on his amp or a specific track... Anyway I was referring to Revelation on TTYD..Not the song itself..No big deal


Tony VVT
Hi Tony,

Paul just said TTYD, but I believe that he was referring to the *song* itself, not necessarily the whole record. I mention it only because a lot of people think that TTYD (the song) is one of the signature Dumble tones, and it might have actually been produced with a Rivera.


chris
talbany
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by talbany »

Cool Man Thanks for the verification... Makes me want to go listen again see if I can spot the difference....



Tony VVT
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Cygnus X1
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by Cygnus X1 »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uyH477C ... re=related

I'd like to ask what amps Larry and Robben are playing in this video?
Amazing stuff!
talbany
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by talbany »

AHHH!! 59 Gold top... And Larry's 335...


Tony VVT
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Mikka
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by Mikka »

Thanx guys for all the things you share !

:wink:
pazzo63
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Re: Robben Ford's "Handfull of Blues" HRM or Non HRM

Post by pazzo63 »

THANKS BRANDON , YOU ARE REALLY GREAT!the tf 135 OT is only 4 ohms so i would assume Robben is using 4 ohms cabinets, 2x 12 8 ohms speakers can give 4 ohms but not a marshall 4x 12 with 8 ohms each!!so how he can use a 4 ohms OT with a 4x12 marshall g12 65 8 ohms??it is possible but loosing some of the frequencies Sorry for my english
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