Conference napalm::guitar

    
    
    re: Base Note
    
    	I forgot to mention that Phil Lesh is not among my influences
    either. I'm not much of a Dead fan!
    
    
    -Tom
    

    
    I used to be a died_in_the_wool Dead fan (not to be confused with a 
    Dead-Head). People used to say I played like Jerry and sang like
    Bobby. I believe it was intentional, since at the time they were my
    main influences.
    
    Unlike most musicians who strive to be differant, I have the attitude
    that if you are going to cover a tune (especially in public) you should
    make it sound as authentic as possible. Members of an audience will
    often slight you if you cover a tune and it sounds differant than the
    original. If you are going to *twist* an original, the change should
    be one for the better. If you cover a tune, and your version does
    not sound *as good* as the original, the audience will conclude (and
    rightfully so) that you can't handle it. Therefore I usually try to
    replicate the material I am covering. 
    
    If you want to be differant, do originals, or change the original 
    arrangement enough to make it unique (ie. change tempo, instrumentation, 
    etc). A good example of this is the Dead's version of "Good Lovin". They 
    changed the original rock beat to a Reggae rhythm, and gave the tune a 
    new twist. The singing is lighter, and they lost the harsh edge present 
    in the original vocals.
    
    --One man's opinion--
    
    Mark
    

    
    BTW, although *you* may not have modeled your style after Phil Lesh,
    many people have. His bass style is now found in much of todays music, 
    so you may have picked up on it third-hand.
    
    Same could be said about Jaco. You may have never listened to a single 
    Weather Report album in your life, but you could still pick up his basic 
    style, since it is found in so much of today's music.
    
    Mark
    

    In the beginning I tried to grab Ted Nugent's tone ...
    
    Then I tried to grab Eddie Van Halen's tone ...
    
    Then I went to George Lynch's tone (where the "Scary" camr from) ...
    
    Lately I've been do so many covers I've turned into a patch slut,
    trying to copy the original sound of the song.   But I guess my tone
    and style would still be a strange mix of Nugent/VanHalen/Lynch ...
    
    Scary

    
    Most comments on what I sound like can't be repeated in polite company
    
    8^)  8^)  8^)

    Well, people used to tell me I *looked* like Ritchie Blackmore

    
    	Early on, back in the early 70's, I tended to play like Johnny
    	Winter.  Lots of bluesy riffing.  Then I got into ES335 players,
    	like Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour.  Most people, as a matter
    	of fact - my brother last weekend, tell me I remind them of
    	Lee Ritenour.  Especially his earlier stuff.  I'm not a fast
    	player, just don't have the desire to practice that stuff, so
    	fast scales don't happen for me.  But I sure wouldn't mind if
    	I was suddenly blessed with speed without having to work for 
    	it!!!
    
    	Btw, since I love Rit's style of playing, it does feel real
    	nice to hear that.  You could put words to alot of his solos
    	and get a very melodic vocal.
    
    	Good note.  Let's try not to get into whether it's good to
    	sound like someone, ok?  If more than a few people have told
    	you that "you sound like so-and-so", then let us know.
    

I dunno if I should be proud of this or not:

I'm told I play like a cross between Mic Mars of Motley Crue,
CC DeVille of Poison and Ed King of Skynryd.

Strange combo eh ?

I guess it's cuz I used to (and still do) play a lot of Skynyrd
and I'm too old, slow and ugly to play like VanHalen, Yngwie and
other "Puff Heads" (I love that Puff Head thing).

jc (who sez ask anyone.  I like metal, but I ain't quick enough ;) 

                                        
    Although I love rock players like RandyR and Vai etc.. I guess my 
    style and sound has gotta be along the Ozzy era Jake E Lee.

    I used to want to sound just like EC, to the point where one
    band I was in did White Room pretty much note-for-note. I guess
    a lot of my blues playing still is EC-influenced. 
    
    Otherwise, I think I have a lot of Garcia, and some Albert Lee
    and Duke Robillard in my playing (plus lots of mistakes, of course!)
    
    -Dave

personally I'd like to sound like a mix between 

Blackmore (back when Made in Japan came out)
&
Eric Johnson

dream on...

dbii

Bulldawg is outta town so I'll answer for him:

He sounds like a cross between Tom Johnson (Doobies) and Eric Clapton.  This is
good cuz those are among his favorites...Other faves include James Hetfield,
Dave Mustaine and Kirk Hammett.  Right Bulldawg ?   :)

jc (who was serious about EC and TJ)

	I agree with Mark that covering sound's and tone are important.
I have found with my playing that there is a different theory of when 
I play covers,than when I play myself and I shift gears to do so depending
on whether the music gives me the latitude to do so. I also find that
I fit certain styles of music better such as Jazz and blues(and all there
types) which have more freedom, musically than covers usually do.
	I have always found influences to affect my playing,I've been
told I sounded like Metheny,Martino and Carlton all of which I've listened
to throughout there careers. But I find it very rare that there syles of
music really fit today's needs. Artist's like SRV,Robben Ford,Jeff Healey
Eric Johson add to those influence's which are perhaps are closer to today's 
styles. Anyway I enjoy playing to my personal style regardless of who 
people think I sound like......
	I had hoped that with a new decade we would have exposure to more 
talent of the different and uncommon(unpopular?)styles. Perhap's coming
full circle in music we will see the young Eric,Jimi's and Jeff's define
the next 10 years. What I've seen are really artist's like EJ,and Robben
Ford getting more public exposure even though they've been around for a
long time. "woodwork musicians" like Danny Gatton and Phil Keaggy known in
smaller circles need to exist in the balance.
	Wait a minute what were we discussing????? :^)  I think you can
    really sound like anyone you want or need to....
    
    							Rick
    

    
    Beats the heck out of me who I sound like.  I've listened to so many
    different players over the years that I'd be hard pressed to pin-point
    any influences.
    
    For those of you who have heard me, who do I sound like to you? I
    really want to know.  Send mail, no need to embarrass me in Notes. 8-)
    
    Kevin
     

    Kevin Mcdonough, IMHO, sounds like Jeff Beck on Acid, and a little like
    Slash.

    
    Thanks, Buck.  Now I know why I wanted you guys to send mail. 8-}
    
    Kevin
    

    God knows who *I* sound like?  I stole my vibrato from Ted Nugent,
    that's all I know.

    
    Buck, I'd have to say that you sound like Paul Gilbert, or maybe even 
    Satch when he's playing fast.  You certainly don't shy away from a riff
    'cuz it's complex!
    
    I haven't heard you since you dropped the whammy and rack, though.
    
    Kevin
    

has it ewver happened,, yes, most of the time it came as no surprise.

During the times where people like Beck, Blackmore,, etc. were strong
unfluences it ws only fitting that ones style would fall back to
it's origin.  (Been a blackmore nut for years.. still think he's great)

the surprise was one time, about 10 years ago, I was told that 
I sounded (to the point of bieng scary,, or so they say) like Randy Rhodes.

well, I never thought much about it, or ever listen to much of him when he was
with "Mr Creep Show", there, whats his name,, oh yea, Ozzbourne, (Although 
Crazy Train use to make me squeal) but in listening to some of  our recordings 
at that time, I had to agree.  It was close, if not totally unintentional.

Now-a-days, I'd like to think I've evloved with my own style (Hey, I'd better
someday,, I aint getting any younger..)

someone would have to let me know, cuz I'm just not paying attention anymore.

    My wife says I look like Eric Johnson, but play like Bill & Ted* ;-)
    
    *from the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
    
    Mike

    Well for me, it depends upon who you ask. My wife for example, will
    tell you its not who - but what I sound like it and it rhymes with "hit".
    She cant stand it when I: run riffs and scales, or chunk out an few
    chords to one tune or another and go on to the next, use distortion,
    play bass, crank it up.
    
    I've been told I look like Larry Coryell. Years ago, I was a Santana
    fanatic. I even got to meet him and the band backstage after a concert
    once.  Though nobody ever accused me of playing like Santana, I loved
    his sound and style and it was no doubt evident. He was probably my
    biggest influence.
    
    But to tell you the truth, I think I'd be flattered if someone said I
    played like even old Neil Young (whom I can't stand.  What's that song
    he did where he repeated one pair of notes for about five minutes -
    Cowgirl in the Sand? And everybody goes ga ga 'cept me. Its CA CA.) so
    long as they said it approvingly.
    
    Sakman
       

I would *like* to sound like a cross between EC and SRV! However, with the 
talent I have (or lack thereof), I can't say I sound like anyone who is a 
*real* guitarist!  8^)

Although my bass player (hey Tom!) once said I was the Keith Richards of the 
band. Does that count????  (And no, he was NOT referring to any drug abuse!!!) 
8^)

Alan S.

    -1
    
    Alan, The first time I heard you play (last July's Summerjam), the
    first influence that hit my ears was Mick Jones (of the Clash, not
    Foreigner!).
    
    yes...no..?

>    Alan, The first time I heard you play (last July's Summerjam), the
>    first influence that hit my ears was Mick Jones (of the Clash, not
>    Foreigner!).

Actually, yeah, The Clash are one of my all-time favorite bands (note the 
current personal name, from one of their early albums!). Its funny you 
mentioned them, becuase just over the past few weeks, I've been listening to 
their early stuff a *lot* (like, all the time!), and I'd almost forgotten 
about how much I liked them!

I would say that I could sound like Mick, in that feeling and energy is more 
important to me than technical ability. I guess that fits right in with the 
'punk' attitude of thinking, huh?

I never set out to sound like Mick, but I could see the similarities (and I'm 
quite honored!).....

alan

    .21 (Pelkey) > ...somebody'd have to tell me...
    
    Everytime I listen to "Surfin'...." I think "He sounds like Ray...".
    
    Edd

RE: Alan (or Bucks comment)

Agreed...  Yep, the Clash or Maybe The guy from Gang Of Four.
(Overdriven strat -->Chandler -->Marshall_from_hell)

jc

Just got a nice compliment from CJ (my WTB):

She sez:  You sound like that dude in the Scorpians, not like
          Skynyrd, or Mic or CC.

Sheeesh, I wonder if she means Mathias Jabs or Rudolf Schenker ?  I'll 
take either.  I love the Scorps.

;)

    
    A few years back, I was playing my 12-string (in Indiana, where
    everyone plays acoustic guitar :^), and a guitar player among my social
    circle heard me for the first time.  His first remark was: "You know
    who you sound like?  Leo Kottke!"
    
    Best compliment anyone ever gave me, Leo's my hero!!  Can't say I
    really agree with what he said, though.
    
    Dave                                   

    I sound like Jack Benny.
    
    	db

	Yes! That singeing boogie lead tone....

    
    Personally, I think Greg H sounds like a somewhat of a cross between
    Randy Rhodes and Satch among few others.  Classical style runs with 
    wild whammy bar effects...   I hope Greg's not offended...
    
    As far as my own sound goes, I really can't say that I have my own 
    style, yet, and I am not really sure who I sound like???   Care to 
    comment, Greg???????
    
    J-Dot

    
    
    
    	I've been compared to various power tools and home appliances!

    RE: Coop's opinion....
    
    I'm not sure I *sound* like anyone but me, but my major influences over
    the last 20 years have been Tom Johnston, EC, Duane Allman, Dickie Betz(sp)
    and probably a little Toy Caldwell (Marshall Tucker Band), and of
    course, B.B. King!  I guess I'm just a Bluesman, southern rockin',
    Doobie kinda guy.....|)
    
    Bulldawg

    I wasn't sure where else to put this, but how do you know when you've
    matured to a point where you have YOUR sound?  Or is it just a natural
    growth process?
    
    Mike

    When you can't remember who it is your copying anymore,...
    
    
    								/Bill
    

    You have YOUR sound when you play what you like and don't care if it
    resembles someone elses.
    
    Dave

    It's funny.  I was sorting through some boxes of stuff and
    found a cassette of my band from high school.  I stuck it in the
    tape deck to give it a listen...  I was somewhat amazed that 
    certain aspects of my playing (some good, some bad) were very
    reconizable.  This tape is almost 15 years old...
    
    I have a bit more finesse now, but certain note choices and
    phrases were similar to what I might do today.  My tone settings
    were also similar.  Come to think of it, I've recently migrated
    back to a strat,  the type of guitar I was playing back then.
    
    FWIW, I was never into playing strict covers.  
    
    So, on the plus side,  I guess I have MY OWN sound.  Unfortunately, 
    I still have many of the same limitations that I had 15 years ago.
    
    Jim

    If your sound hadn't changed much in 15 years, you must like it.
    
    Dave

    I sound like ME. Don't you?
    
    Steve

>>    If your sound hadn't changed much in 15 years, you must like it.
    
    	Well, it's MY sound, and I seem to be stuck with it, so maybe
    	I've decided to just try to make the most of it...
    
    	I remember a story about Neil Young.  It was during the sessions
        for the Canadian answer to "We are the world"  (I forget the name
        of the song).  One of the other musicians quietly mentioned to
        Neil that he was singing flat.  Neil responded, "Yea, that's my
        style."
    
    	Jim
    

    
    
    	Even tho' I haven't been playing long (18 mths) I think I tend to
    sound like me, I was listening to a tape of the band jamming last night
    and I was amazed at certain things I do that sound like me, take the
    vibrato for instance, it's wierd but although it's just moving the
    string up and down you can tell it's *me* doing it, even friends who've
    listened to some of our stuff can tell when I start wailing and I've
    asked them how they knew and the answer is 'coz it sounds like you',
    having said all that *I* can spot where I have nicked a technique from
    somebody and practiced it until it turns into me playing that technique
    and no longer the person I nicked it from.......
    
    (rambling again...)
    
    J

    I tend to go through different phases, so that if I listen to a solo
    I played a year ago I'll hear a different approach than I'm playing
    today. Sometimes I hear licks I totally burned out on which sound fresh
    after leaving them alone for a year or so. Lately I've been inspired 
    by Waldo Otto of Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers, to the extent that
    everything I play comes out sounding sort of like him. It's not
    something that I can control, either; if I make an effort to be
    totally spontaneous this is what comes out.
    
    - Dave

Yeah, I gotta say that no one sounds like me.  :)  No one would want to.
Cindi tells me I'm a cross between Mathias Jabs (Scorpions) and Gary Rossington
(Lynyrd Skynyrd).  I say I'm a hack, who poses a lot.  :)

jc

    What would be FAR more interesting than posting who WE imagine WE sound
    like is to have OTHER noters post what they think WE sound like.

    And guys, if we do this, let's try and remain friends OK?
    
    Don't say anything to offend someone (like telling Buck he sounds like
    Eddie Van Halen, even though he does ;-) )

    Thanx db...
    
    I think Kevin McD sounds like a cross between Slash from GnR and 
    Frank Marino.  jmho...

    OK, given those groud roolz, I can safely say my tone/style sounds a
    LOT like SRV meets Mark Knophler.  Note, I didn't say diddle about
    ability here.  I can do a decent Clapton on occasion too.  But that's
    the down side of playing covers since conception, if you're not
    careful, you don't ever really create *your* own style.  Sorta like
    hearing Rich Little speak in his *own* voice.  He sounds like his
    impression of Nixon/Carson/etc ...
    
    Jerry

    I don't know who I sound like these days.  Probably someone who's a
    major hack 'cause I am.  .33 compared me to some amazing players and I
    think that was way off base (and I thought I put a note in saying that
    at the time, but I don't see it now).  
    
    Any ventures as to what I sound like?  (those that have heard me)
    
    Greg

    Buck sounds like Steve Vai,.... in Lydian mode :-)
    
    						/Catitude
    

    Re: last 2
    
    You folks broke the rules!
    
    Re: Buck
    
    I can't think of anyone, off the top of my head, that reminds me of
    Buck.  Maybe George Lynch, but I haven't heard enough of George to be
    sure.
    
    Mike

I'm not sure I feel qualified to hand down my opinion on most of
you - But I feel comfortable telling about my friends.

Buck - I'd love to comment, but I've only really heard you play covers 
and stuff (Crunchberries).  You're an fret-animal, but I don't know if
I can put a finger on the "who" stuff.  :)

Greg House

Dude, you're easy.  

Greg is a cross of the best of Jerry Garcia and Neil Young.
I might put a touch of the B52's dood in there too.  Very original.
Me being an ex-dead head, I feel you should take this as a compliment!


Jerry White

Dude, you're not easy...  

You're fickle and change taste in mid-song.  I hear a lot of VanHalen in 
you (hense your old nickname Jerry Van Halen).  IMHO, your vibrato is too 
metal to be compared to Clapton and the like...  I also hear Lynch in your 
squeels.  :)  I haven't heard you of late, but I bet Da Blues fits you well,
because it forces you to slow down.

IMHO, a guitarists vibrato is where ones style lies...  Thats where the notes
leave off and the personality takes over.

jc

    Your turn Coop...
    
    Like a cross between..
    
    Mick Fleetwood
    
    and Jason Newstead
    
    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAA...........
    (giggle)... Just kidding.
    
    
    To me you sound like yourself (which by the way is very good).
    
    Lowell
    

    Jerry Garcia?  Neil Young?  I sure don't picture myself sounding like
    that at all!  I mean, maybe some of my songs sound like Neil, but I
    don't think I play like he does...
    
    Greg

More the later Greg.

Hey Lowell.  Shame on you dood.  Thats a drummer and a bassist !!

jc (Who knew you'd say that :)
:)

    I never thought about it, but y'know, I listened to the guitarnotes tape
    with "I'm Goin' Down" the other day and...  tonewise, Kev DOES sound
    a lot like Slash.
    
    By the way Kev, you may not like the guy under the hair, but one thing
    I've always given him credit for is having great tone and feel.
    
    I think saying he sounds like Frank Marino is an insult, so I won't
    comment on that.  ;-)  ;-)

    Lesseee...
    
    Tom Desrochers
    
    The way I like to remember TomD, he sounds like Larry Carlton and
    Lee Ritenour.
    
    I say "the way I like to remember TomD" because I thought he was best
    playing the 335 thru the Boogie and I wish he'd go back to that.  I
    think of that as the "natural" Tom D.  This ME-5 stuff has him sounding
    like...  a preset.  
    
    Tom, I love ya dude, but I thought you had something special going with
    the 335/Boogie and it just ain't special with the Ibanez and the ME.
    

    I gotta agree with db ... I really liked what you had happening in
    the 335/Boogie days.  The tone on the GN V4 tape was way different
    for you!!

    I wanna sound like Dickie Betzzz, and Duane Allman, and Billy Gibbons,
    and EARLY Eric Clapton....but I still sound like.....ME!
    
    Steve

    I was watching this documentary on VH1 last night about The Who and it
    suddenly struck me how much my playing style is like Pete Townsend's. 
    Perhaps it's because of the sloppiness he displayed at times.  It's
    like he'll flow between something really beautiful and something really
    sloppy.  I hear myself that way too.
    
    I never played a lot of Who songs, but I always liked their sound and
    style, so he must have been an influence on my playing that I never
    really thought about.
    
    Glancing back over this note, I noticed where Coop said my style was
    like a cross between Jerry Garcia and Neil Young.  At the time I
    protested, but in thinking about it more objectively now, I think he's
    right.  Add in a little Ted Nugent and Pete Townsend and you have what
    I think I sound like.
    
    Greg

    I sound like Jack Benny, only on guitar instead of violin.

db I'm howling...

most of the time I think I sound like sh*t....

any questions?

dbii

>most of the time I think I sound like sh*t....
>
>any questions?

Umm... is that "soft and sloppy" or "hard and painful?"

Bob (who sounds like Neil Young without the technical proficiency)

    I sound like Pete when he's smashing his guitar.

    One could imagine a list:
    
    I play with:
    
    - The technical skill of Neil Young
    - The legato of Al DiMeola
    - The speed of Clapton
    - The economy of Morse
    - The humility of Yngwie
    - The picking technique of Beck
    - The phrasing of Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO)

    -1
    
    You forgot the comping skills of Paul Stanley  ;')
    
    
    db, wots up wif your node??  the notesfile is dead   ;'(

re: Umm... is that "soft and sloppy" or "hard and painful?"

yes :-) depends on the night....

dbii

    The spouse tells me I play/sound like Mathias Jabs...  I didn't give
    much thought to it being true until a guitar-friend and I were
    listening to the Scorpions the other night, and he said, "ya know,
    I think you picked a lot of your style from these guys".  I guess
    I'm flattered, but still skeptical...
    
    jc

    >- The picking technique of Beck
    
    Out of interest, Dave, what is it you don't find convincing about
    Beck's picking technique?
    
    I don't wish to be argumentative here; Beck's by no means my favorite
    guitarist (I've got some of his albums, mainly the older stuff), although 
    I consider him to be a real master, and perhaps *the* most versatile
    player, period. I'm simply curious - I would have thought that his work
    on that recent rockabilly tribute to Gene Vincent would be a more than
    adequate endorsement for his picking capabilities.
    
    Dom

    >>- The picking technique of Beck
    
    > Out of interest, Dave, what is it you don't find convincing about
    > Beck's picking technique?
    
    In interviews he said that he hasn't used a pick in years.
    
    > and perhaps *the* most versatile player, period.
    
    I love Beck (have almost ALL his albums) but I certainly disagree with
    that.  
    
    There's enough guys around who are far more versatile such that I
    think he's well out of the running.  Morse for sure (5 consecutive
    years as "Best Overall" which is really "most versatile") and Steve Howe
    (also 5 straight years) for starters.  
    
    	db

    >In interviews he said that he hasn't used a pick in years.
    
    Well, he played everything on that Gene Vincent cover record *exactly*
    as Johnny Meeks and Cliff Gallup did 30 years back, i.e. metal
    fingerpicks, same picking style, same gear, etc. So I guess it was more
    a question of "didn't want to" rather than "couldn't"...
    
    >There's enough guys around who are far more versatile such that I
    >think he's well out of the running.  Morse for sure
    
    Oh, lordy!
    
    >Steve Howe (also 5 straight years) for starters.                         
    
    Can't say that Steve Howe's versatility has ever particularly bowled me
    over, though I might have been missing something. However, I've heard
    Beck play blues, R&B, classical, jazz, jazz-rock, rockabilly, rock &
    roll, hard rock, psychadaelic, electric, acoustic, 12-string, lead,
    rhythm, and more besides.
    
    So if he has to finish life as a session player, I don't think he'll
    have to struggle *too* hard for his three square meals a day ;-)
    
    Dom
    
    

I'm not trying to dump on Morse/Howe or start another X sucks thing...

but winning the "Best overall" beauty contest is not very meaningful IMHO...
you're assuming that those who vote in such nonsense have any idea what's
good/bad....about as meaningful as the MTV video awards and other such
crap

Personally I think Beck is more tasteful than most players out there, he may
not be the fastest, or the most modal, but I've never heard him play anything
truely distasteful.

with regards to his picking technique, I wish I could finger pick as fast as he 
can, I wouldn't use a pick either...(especially since I keep dropping the darn 
things!)

dbii

    The last interview I read with Beck where he talked about his picking
    technique said that he uses a pick a lot when he's on tour because
    otherwise he wears out his fingernails and hurts his hands. 
    
    Greg

    > However, I've heard Beck play blues, R&B, classical, jazz, jazz-rock,
    > rockabilly, rock & roll, hard rock, psychadaelic, electric, acoustic,
    > 12-string, lead, rhythm, and more besides.
    
    I have NOT heard Beck play classical, and while I have heard him play
    what I would call "jazz rock" I have not heard him play jazz.
    
    What were you referring to in those instances?  Have you ever heard
    him play a fingerstyle gut string classical (as both Morse and Howe
    have done).
    
    So, throw out the ones I've listed as "not having heard" and what
    you're left with is just different kinds of rock.
    
    I think I've heard Stevie Ray Vaughan do more styles than I have heard
    Beck. 
    
    However, one thing we'll agree on is that Beck is one of THE very
    greatest guitarists ever.  I just disagree that he's in the upper
    echelon of the versatility category.

    > but winning the "Best overall" beauty contest is not very meaningful
    > IMHO... you're assuming that those who vote in such nonsense have any
    > idea what's good/bad....about as meaningful as the MTV video awards and
    > other such crap
    
    Dave, we're talking about "Guitar Player" magazine poll here.  Not even
    remotely comparable to MTV.
    
    Hard to imagine targetting a more knowledgeable audience than that.
    
    If it was some of those other Guitar mags, I might agree.
    
    If it were merely a popularity contest than clearly Morse would not
    win - in fact, he probably wouldn't in "place", he might not even
    "show".
    
    The mere fact that a guy whose never cracked the TOP-500 let alone the
    TOP-40 can win that poll is about as good a testimonial for the
    poll and the readership as I can possibly imagine.

re: .76

>    Dave, we're talking about "Guitar Player" magazine poll here.  Not even
>    remotely comparable to MTV.
>    
>    Hard to imagine targetting a more knowledgeable audience than that.
    
Sorry db, I've got to agree with dbii on this one.  You don't have to be 
knowledgable to read Guitar Player, as is often obvious from reading the 
letters to the editor.

>    If it was some of those other Guitar mags, I might agree.
    
I'll admit they're worse, but that still doesn't constitute a seal of 
approval for GP.

-Hal

    
    	Come on, db.  Even the editors can't understand the way the
    	readers vote.  Every poll issue talks about it and they just
    	throw their hands up.  I mean, Charo has won several times
    	for flamenco, ya know?
    
    	However, Morse certainly deserved the awards in my mind.
    
    	What do you think, db...
    
    	;^)
    

GP is just another music comix IMHO. 25 Years ago the magazine had some
integrity, now it's just one of the best of a collection of crap. Just another
advertising front with fragmented articles and writing. The collected opinions
of the unwashed masses are of little value to me.

again MHO....

Morse certainly is one great guitarist, I'll never argue against that. I prefer
Beck though...

dbii

    > GP is just another music comix IMHO.
    
    If the meaning of this is that GP is just like all those other Guitar
    magazines then I certainly disagree.   What do you think the chances
    are of seeing classical, flamenco, and jazz players on the cover
    of "Guitar for the Practicing Musician"?
    
    The other magazines are "rock guitar" magazines.   Guitar Player is
    the ONE magazine that covers all genres.  If any magazine readership is
    likely to understand and appreciate "versatility" (our focus here)
    it is definitely Guitar Player.
    
    You may find fault with it, but I don't think you can reasonably
    compare it to the other mags.
    
    	db
    
    p.s. Also note that I'm not saying that Morse is better than Beck.
    	 I'm saying that he's more "versatile".   Beck, by the way, is
    	 Morse's idol.   Morse cites "Ain't Superstitious" as his #1
    	 "Required Listening" tune.

You'll note that I did say that it was the  best of a bad lot...

IMHO of course...

dbii

    I listened to "Wired" once and couldn't stand it much.  I'd take Morse
    in a heartbeat.

    >I have NOT heard Beck play classical, and while I have heard him play
    >what I would call "jazz rock" I have not heard him play jazz.
    >
    >What were you referring to in those instances?  Have you ever heard
    >him play a fingerstyle gut string classical (as both Morse and Howe
    >have done).
    
    Let's see...my memory's pretty fuzzy, but I vaguely recall seeing Beck
    do "Greensleeves" on a nylon classical, live on TV. It was a benefit
    gig - might have been the "Secret Policeman's Ball" or similar.
    
    As for the jazz, jazz-rock, jazz-fusion issue - well, we're obviously
    talking labels here and I guess it depends how you want to classify
    some of the stuff he did in the band with Jan Hammer.
    
    GP magazine polls? I've nothing against Guitar Player (though I reckon
    Guitarist is a far better mag), but polls of any sort don't
    particularly grab my attention. I think the vast majority of pollers
    invariably end up nominating their *favorite* performers (I'd be no
    exception), and the whole thing becomes a relative farce. And you can bet 
    that the Amos Garretts and the Roy Buchanans of this world will never get 
    a look in.
    
    Personally, I place far more stock on who the artists themselves
    recommmend.
    
    Dom

    Hey Mikey, you may indeed not like it, but based on the stuff you do
    like (at least what I've read about here) I'd be surprised if you
    couldn't become a Beck fan.  One listen ain't exactly a fair shot;
    those tunes need to burrow their way into your brain.
    
    Anyway, I don't listen to "Wired" all that much myself.  "Blow By Blow"
    is the one that always cranks my tranny.
    

>    Let's see...my memory's pretty fuzzy, but I vaguely recall seeing Beck
>    do "Greensleeves" on a nylon classical, live on TV. 
    
    Morse plays an ORIGINAL classical tune on pretty much EVERY album he's
    ever done.  Also he is quite advanced compositionally and technically
    on classical guitar and I believe his degree from U of M was for
    classical guitar.
    
    Morse is "known" for his classical guitar work.  Beck is a guy who
    played one once or twice in an obscure setting.
    
    I have found Morse albums in the rock bin, the jazz bins, the new age
    bins, the instrumental bins and the country bins.  Within the next two
    years we expect to see him in the classical bins as well.   
    
    How many bins have you found Beck albums in?
    
    Look, you won't find me making clearly subjective comparisons of
    folks (other than in jest), but I think one listen to ANY Steve Morse
    album (you pick it) and it's clear that in the "versatility" category
    he's in a higher class than Beck.
    
    However, Morse on his best day will probably never play a solo that
    will get to me as much as Beck's solo on "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat".
    
>    GP magazine polls? I've nothing against Guitar Player (though I reckon
>    Guitarist is a far better mag), but polls of any sort don't
>    particularly grab my attention. I think the vast majority of pollers
>    invariably end up nominating their *favorite* performers (I'd be no
>    exception), 
    
    If the most popular guitarists won, it certainly would NOT be Steve
    Morse.  Do you consider him to be "popular"?  
    
    Also what percentage of the people in this conference (as an example)
    do you think actually own a Morse record?
    
    > And you can bet  that the Amos Garretts and the Roy Buchanans of this
    > world will never get  a look in.
    
    Hah!   Roy Buchanan is considerably more "popular" than Steve Morse
    will ever be and sells more records.   Steve has been dropped by more
    labels than Roy Buchanan could've probably named.
    
    If it were a popularity contest, then Morse clearly would've finished well
    behind Buchanan.

    You know, it just occured to me ... *I* sound just like Beck ...

    yeah, and I'm doing a bad imitation of Rick Calcagni
    

    >yeah, and I'm doing a bad imitation of Rick Calcagni
    
    Woah, dude -- you're like, amazing!

    I'm dying over here!

>    If the most popular guitarists won, it certainly would NOT be Steve
>    Morse.  Do you consider him to be "popular"?  
 
    I agree with most of your arguments, Dave, but this one doesn't quite
    make it for me.  Steve Morse isn't popular with the non-musician
    audience, but from what I've seen he _is_ very popular with musicians,
    especially guitar players who are enamored with his brain-numbing
    technique.  Nothing wrong with that, just how I see it.  You go to a
    Steve Morse Band show and 95% of the audience will be guitar
    players...the other 5% will be people that came with the guitar
    players, most likely other musicians.
    
    Greg

    re: -.1
    
    
      that comment reminds me of the Robben Ford show I went to. Guitar
    player He!!.
    
    								-JR-

    
    OK db, I'll accept that Jeff Beck isn't the most versatile beast on the
    planet (most of the guys I listen to just play I-IV-V, so I guess
    anyone sounds versatile to me ;-)).
    
    However:
    
    >Steve Morse isn't popular with the non-musician audience, but from what 
    >I've seen he _is_ very popular with musicians, especially guitar players 
    >who are enamored with his brain-numbing technique.  Nothing wrong with 
    >that, just how I see it.  You go to a Steve Morse Band show and 95% of the 
    >audience will be guitar players...the other 5% will be people that came 
    >with the guitar players, most likely other musicians.
    
    I think Greg here did a good job in expressing the point I was trying
    to make in an earlier note. Some artists don't sell thousands of
    records to the masses, but in guitar circles you hear about them *all*
    the time. They dominate the guitar publications and their popularity
    amongst guitar enthusiasts is almost inversely proportionate to their
    commercial standing! Danny Gatton (R.I.P.) and Robben Ford spring to
    mind. Sure, these two will doubtless have sold stacks more records than
    Steve Morse, but they also tend to attract guitar "anoraks" (!) to a
    far greater extent than (say) Carlos Santana and Pete Townshend. If we take
    acoustic guitar, the two poles might be Adrian Legg on the one hand, and 
    Richard Thompson on the other.            
    
    So, from this point-of-view, I would say that Steve Morse would have a
    head's start over Roy Buchanan in any guitar poll.
    
    Now shoot me down in flames ;-)
    
    Dom

    > Now shoot me down in flames.  ;-)
    
    OK.  Will do.  ;-)
    
    Steve Morse's popularity is definitely only among guitar players, but
    what *I* was trying to say is that even AMONG guitar players he is
    not even REMOTELY as "popular" as guys like Beck�.
    
    If it was a popularity contest, Beck would beat Morse hands down.
    
    	db
    
    � This is why I asked the "how many people in here do you think
      own Morse albums?"

    Well, I had actually conceded the point about Beck. But if you're going
    to ask me how many people in here own Steve Morse albums, then I'll
    answer you by saying: "Probably a whole lot more than own Roy Buchanan
    albums!".
    
    Now the fact that RB has been dead for some 8 or 9 years will doubtless
    have something to do with it, but I'd venture that he'd have no more
    chance of winning a 1994 GP poll than Robert Johnson, Django Reinhardt
    or Charlie Christian! GP readers will invariably throw their lot in
    with  "state-of-the-art" guitarists who take a break during their sets
    to explain to the drooling audience how to use the latest tube screamer
    or get the best out of their whammy bars. 
    
    Not that I'm equating the tastes of those who participate in this
    conference with the tastes of those who buy GP.
    
    Dom
    
    

    *sigh*
    
    It seems that irrespective of the original intent of a note (e.g. this
    one) and the title that explains the intent, before too long a Morse
    vs. WhoEver "discussion" emerges...
    
    fwiw I sound like Knopfler doing an impression of Hank Marvin :-)
    
    /Jimi-90%-read-only
    
    p.s. I bumped into Sakman last night - he says "Hi". he and I plan to
    be @ Stormy's this monday night...

    I own a Morse album, but not a Beck album! (at least not anymore)

    > I have 3 Morse albums and 1 Beck ["Flash"]
    
    If "Flash" was the only Beck album I had ever heard, I might not have
    bought any others.
    
    You NEED to get "Wired" and "Blow by Blow" and then "Guitar Shop" and
    then... well... anything but "Flash".
    
    "Blow by Blow" is one of my all-time favorites.

    I'm shocked that Shawn doesn't have "Blow by Blow" yet!

    
    	RE: Mike
    
    	Was that genuine surprise. or a crude joke?  8^)
    
    	RE: Dave
    
    	I liked the song "It Gets Us All in the End" when it came out,
    	so I bought the album.  Never really gave too much thought to
    	buying another one, but have always had it somewhere in the
    	back of my mind.
    
    							GTI
    

    Shawn, I guess you'll never know until you flip a coin.

    
    >Shawn, I guess you'll never know until you flip a coin.
    
    
    Shawn chose heads...