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Great New Guitar Pedals
Source Audio Blog
Great New Guitar Pedals
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Posted in: Artist / Heroes
Issac Newton apparently used the phrase "Standing on the shoulders of Giants" to create a metaphor that gives respect (I guess I should say "props" to sound hip) the the previous figureheads in one's field of choice.
In the world of electric guitars, amplifiers and effects, there are many giants whose shoulders are crowded by the innovators of today.
I remember buying my first vintage Marshall amp about 20 years ago, from a guy that would laugh heartily and condesendingly when I would mention any modern equipment. He had a 1957 goldtop Les Paul, numerous vintage Marshall and Vox amps, as well as vintage effects such as a Univibe and a Fuzz face.
He excitedly called me up one day, urging me to come over to his apartment close to UCLA (where he would regularly crank his plexi Superlead to absolutely sterilizing volumes), to hear a recording of a demo that his band had just recorded. He was a proud sort of fellow, always the first to point out the shortcomings of others, as well as the "greatness" of himself. Knowing this, I ventured over to have a listen - perhaps just to shut him up.
As I heard the competent-yet-uninspired guitar playing come over the speakers, I asked what vintage amp he used along with his old Goldtop. He proudly yelled out "a pink Jackson and a Rockman".
What did he just say?
Ha ha ha. I knew I'd catch you stumbling off your high horse, I said with glee to myself.
Here was a vintage "snob", who had "lowered" himself to use the innovations of the day. I never had a problem using new equipment - there was always something useful being made, and worth trying out. Perhaps the "vintage only" mindset is equal to the guitar makers of the 1950's who laughed at Leo Fender for bolting a neck onto a solid body guitar.
Grover Jackson and Wayne Charvel stood on the shoulders of Leo Fender, and Tom Scholz did the same on Jim Marshall. I think we can all be happy that they did.
The Hot Hand does the same to the Crybaby, the Univibe, and the MXR Phase 90 and 100. I think being a snob is fine - yet only for the best, not just the oldest.