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DI boxes
Apr 1, 2024 10:31:28 GMT
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 1, 2024 10:31:28 GMT
Looking for a bit of advice. I play an Ayers 12 fret parlour. Cracking all solid guitar with a K&K in it. Part of my set is a self written song which some might suggest is unduly influenced by RL Burnside and involves a percussive tap with my right thumb between chords. Finding that when I’m playing it through a PA it sounds a bit crap and the sustain is poor - sounds great acoustically though and rings nicely. This does not change based on how new the strings are. I use Newtone 12’s in phosphor bronze. Wondering if an active DI box that I can twiddle with would help? If so, any recommendations? Just to be sure…Is the percussive tap on the body/soundboard of the guitar? If so, the solution may involve doing a bit of experimenting to find the best point to tap - different parts of the body will get picked up differently by your pickup depending on the location of the tap, the pickup and the type of pickup (ie piezo vs piezo/mic). I did a lot of experimenting with this when I used to do looping. Cheers, Rich Not tapping the body like the percussive style tappy players do. Think more John Martyn on the easy blues or may you never.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 1, 2024 10:52:49 GMT
That is just using a condenser mic and getting the natural sound from the guitar.
And even when plugged in it is still a natural sound, probably EQed out a bit, and we're possibly hearing a room mic more than the DI.
Back in the olden days I went to see John a couple of times at a series of open air shows he was doing in Regents Park in London. If my memory is correct there were no tickets, just free entry. They were not giant affairs, just a couple of hundred people sitting on the grass. It was the done thing at the time to pass joints and beers forward to John on the stage and I don't remember ever seeing him refuse one. Sadly, what seemed cool at the time was eventually to become his undoing.
Just get the Fishman Platinum Pro, nothing I have seen can touch it.
Shine On Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Apr 1, 2024 10:59:10 GMT
Just to be sure…Is the percussive tap on the body/soundboard of the guitar? If so, the solution may involve doing a bit of experimenting to find the best point to tap - different parts of the body will get picked up differently by your pickup depending on the location of the tap, the pickup and the type of pickup (ie piezo vs piezo/mic). I did a lot of experimenting with this when I used to do looping. Cheers, Rich Not tapping the body like the percussive style tappy players do. Think more John Martyn on the easy blues or may you never. Maybe a closer look at Mr.Martyn was doing - he seemed to be fractionally damping with both hands as he tapped thus stopping strings ringing out. Bass players do this subconciously by lifting the finger a gnats cock off the string(s) thus taking the pressure off the fret / fingerboard when they don't want sustain. I'm probably wrong, but I've just had a shufti (see below) and I think that may be part of the trick. Might be worth a try?
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 1, 2024 11:37:52 GMT
That is just using a condenser mic and getting the natural sound from the guitar. And even when plugged in it is still a natural sound, probably EQed out a bit, and we're possibly hearing a room mic more than the DI. Back in the olden days I went to see John a couple of times at a series of open air shows he was doing in Regents Park in London. If my memory is correct there were no tickets, just free entry. They were not giant affairs, just a couple of hundred people sitting on the grass. It was the done thing at the time to pass joints and beers forward to John on the stage and I don't remember ever seeing him refuse one. Sadly, what seemed cool at the time was eventually to become his undoing. Just get the Fishman Platinum Pro, nothing I have seen can touch it. Shine On Michael Sounds not dissimilar to Roy Harper shows.
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Post by richclough on Apr 2, 2024 6:26:45 GMT
I remember trying this in the past and I think the problem is that high frequency part of the sound of the ‘slap/mute’ is coming from string vibration between the right hand and nut. It never gets to the bridge and the pickup. Needs a mic either externally or in the guitar.
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DI boxes
Apr 3, 2024 6:01:07 GMT
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 3, 2024 6:01:07 GMT
I remember trying this in the past and I think the problem is that high frequency part of the sound of the ‘slap/mute’ is coming from string vibration between the right hand and nut. It never gets to the bridge and the pickup. Needs a mic either externally or in the guitar. That makes sense.
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Post by Michael Messer on Apr 3, 2024 7:58:22 GMT
That is because it is an acoustic instrument and if you want to hear what your ears hear, then you have to put a mic in front of it.
Also remember that listening to John Martyn do that, he was a master musician and knew exactly how to get the percussive tone he was looking for. John Hammond is another guitarist that is really good at getting that percussive slap happening while playing.
Shine On Michael
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Post by littlebobby on Apr 3, 2024 20:37:53 GMT
That is because it is an acoustic instrument and if you want to hear what your ears hear, then you have to put a mic in front of it. Also remember that listening to John Martyn do that, he was a master musician and knew exactly how to get the percussive tone he was looking for. John Hammond is another guitarist that is really good at getting that percussive slap happening while playing. Shine On Michael I read this earlier. It got me thinking and I watched the clips of JM again and went back to practicing the technique. Not heard it plugged in though. I think a preamp will help but working on the technique is probably going to help more.
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DI boxes
Apr 3, 2024 23:33:13 GMT
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Post by richclough on Apr 3, 2024 23:33:13 GMT
If you have the equipment, practicing over headphones plugged into a little mixer which is also taking inputs from a mic and your pickup may well help - if you can be bothered!
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