Old versus new equipment.

[Duffy]

What do you think about this quote? Do you see any "substantial" truth here?

Note:
("Good" as used here is meant to describe the manufactured "quality", electro-mechanical or electronic integrity, and reliability of the stock product as generally accepted or experienced by yourself. Any supporting comparative reviews or personal experiences are helpful.)

"Believe me when I say that some of the most amazing music in history was made on equipment that's not as good as what you own right now."

Jol Dantzig

It will be interesting to know what your experience has been in this regard, especially from some of you guys that remember using the equipment available back in the old days like the Peavey tower PA's, etc.

Thanks for your valuable feedback.

 

[ZMAN]

I think there is a lot of truth to the quote. I think was was meant by it was that a lot of older gear gave a more "dirty sound" with a lot more breakup and the cleans were not as "clean" as todays guitars. This would give a totally different tone to the music. A lot of guys go to great lengths to re create this tone with modern equipment.

 

[Katastrophe]

Ol' Jol oughta know...

 

[Duffy]

"Ol' Jol" ??

I guess I wasn't around for that one . . . . . What's that one all about?

 

[deeaa]

Heh, ain't that the truth!

 

[omegadot]

As far as the equipment that carried and delivered the signal, I'd totally buy it.

It as in the quote, that is.

 

[Katastrophe]

"Ol' Jol" ??

I guess I wasn't around for that one . . . . . What's that one all about?

Shoulda explained the post a little better, Duffy... That's what posting while sleep deprived will get ya.

Jol Dantzig (the person who was mentioned as the author of your quote) was one of the primary driving forces behind Hamer guitars. As a top notch guitar designer and builder, who's been doing it for about 30 years or so now, he should know a little about guitars and construction. Add in some Texas slang typing (starting the sentence with "ol'," as in "Ol' Hoss done got hit upside the head with a fryin' pan fer comin' in late after drinkin'), mix in a lack of sleep, and you've got yourself one confusing post.

Anyway, I think what Mr. Dantzig was saying with the quote was that manufacturing methods have increased overall quality of musical equipment across the board. Technology has improved the sound of solid state amplification. Overall, the quality of mass produced musical equipment is much better than the equipment used to create the classic music of the past.

I agree!

 

[Duffy]

Interesting Kat. I like learning about things like that. Indeed, who would know better?

You know, one of the nicest amps I've played in recent years is a rebuilt Fender Bassman. That amp has beautiful sound.

 

[NWBasser]

Maybe the simpler equipment of those days facilitated a greater concentration on musicianship versus a greater focus on technological devices in today's music? (autotune!??)

 

[scruff]

Nice quote!

Of course it's absolutely true. It would be hard not to recognize that even less-than-professional home studios today have more advanced equipment than what Elvis or the Stones recorded their first records on. As technological progress advances, I think sometimes we tend to focus a little too much on the tech and maybe not enough on our own musical creativity (at least, I do). Hopefully I'm about to buy a more modern rig myself, but right now I'm playing on a Kasino (by Kustom) bass rig from the late 60s, borrowed from a bandmate. It's a great rig, makes my cheapo Ibanez bass sound like a 50s P-bass, and I can just imagine seeing it on stage behind someone like CCR or Skynyrd back in their early days.

If I understand him correctly, I think what Mr. Dantzig is saying is, play your music, and don't get all hung up on your gear. Because some of the best stuff out there really was made on equipment that was not as "good" as what you have right now.