[ddots-l] Re: Guitar Synth Question
- From: rjc@xxxxxxx
- To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 7 Apr 2011 16:04:01 -0400
Thanx Sean, this is very helpful.
I'm gunna look around for that gr55 and at least give it a try in a store.
Later...
-- Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Shawn Brock
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 3:16 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: Guitar Synth Question
Hey Rich,
I'll throw my thoughts out there.
I started on the GR 1, and the external pickup that it used at that time.
Now keep in mind, I can only speak about the GR 1, Gr 33 and GR 20, those
are the ones which I have the most experience with.
I haven't found that the synths track better on acoustic guitar. But I must
admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the external Roland pickups. Now
having said that, I think the external pickups are worlds better than they
were. Not quite as good as having a pickup built into the guitar, but they
are tracking a lot better now than before.
Here are the 2 biggest problems with guitar players and synths that I see.
1: Setting the sensitivity
It seems like most guys always forget to set the sensitivity of the synth to
their playing style and guitar. This is also the problem with trying out a
guitar synth in a store. To really tell anything about it, you would have
to set the sensitivity of the guitar before trying to play on it. I have
most of my strings setting from 5 to 7, depending on which guitar I'm using.
If a guitar has the internal pickup and the sensitivity is set to 10, it
becomes a huge mess. Every slight pull off will trigger a note or 2, or
even 3. It can be hard for us blind folks to go through the menus to set
the sensitivity, but that's the only way you can truly tell anything.
Problem 2, trying to play a guitar synth like a guitar.
Most guys plug in and at once start shredding. They pay no mind to how a
sax player would play. They just start playing AC-DC on a sax patch, or
organ patch. To play guitar synth does take some practice, and I'll be the
first to say that.
So if you are asking do you have to adapt your playing style, the answer is
yes. Do the newer synths track better than the old days, heck yeah!
I have no trouble with having the synth pick up chords or anything like
that. This is only because I set up the sensitivity though. Before setting
it, each chord was a mess!
I could have bought a used GR 30 for $150, but didn't take it. For my money
you can't go wrong with the GR 33, or perhaps the new GR 55.
As for where you can try out Axon stuff, I have no clue. I did a lot of
looking around, and I have never seen one in a store in the US.
Best,
Shawn Brock
----- Original Message -----
From: <rjc@xxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, April 07, 2011 9:15 AM
Subject: [ddots-l] Guitar Synth Question
From this message, I see there are a few git synth players out there. Just
a couple questions..
1. Has your experience been that they work better on acoustic rather than
electric guitars? I did read something about that a few years ago.
Something about nylon strings too - maybe the pickups have more isolation
per string than magnetic pickups which would be used on steel or electric?
2. Can you play chords and fast licks on these newer synths like the axon
with the correct guitar / setup? I had the Roland gr10 (about ten years
ago), and have played the gr30 in a store about 3 years ago and remain
unimpressed. Seemed like I still needed to watch how and what I played,
and chords were still kinda weirdly interpreted. The gr30 I tried was
being driven via a strat-like electric guitar, so I'm thinking the nylon
might give superior tracking.
3. Any idea on where I could try an axon? I've never seen one in a store.
Thanx for any info...
-- Rich
-----Original Message-----
From: Shawn Brock
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 5:27 PM
To: ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: UPS info
You can't beat the Godin stuff.
I use the Multiac nylon stuff on gigs and to drive the Roland. For
recording I go mostly unplugged, but I use the Godin for the rare plugged
tune I record on nylon. I have a "cost deal". Going to get one of the La
Patrie guitars soon for acoustic recording.
I was asked if I would be interested in a deal with Carvin, they also make
a
lot of guitars with synth access. The NS1, (nylon synth guitar), is just
a
clear rip-off of the Godin. Carvin has some features which I like better.
They offer knobs as aposed to sliders, and the knobs are stacked, (guitar
volume on bottom, synth volume on top). Plus the knobs are below the
bridge
in more of a standard electric guitar fashion. They also offer a lot of
color and neck options, and the Graph-Tech, ( spelling?) pickups. The
Graph-Tech stuff is a little better in my opinion, but its still a Carvin.
The body isn't chambered at all, and it just feels like an electric guitar
that was hotrodded to me.
I'm past taking stuff just because its free. Plus, no one wants to give
away free stuff anymore. I would rather just play what I like to play,
even
if it costs me money. I have never gotten a free instrument which I
liked...
The Axon products are better than Roland in a lot of ways. I just don't
like the fact that you have to rack mount them, and you have to pay extra
for the expression peddles. I like that the Roland is all in one box.
Like
I said though, Axon is better.
I use line6 amps, and they are good for what they are. That don't mean
they
are as good as a Fender twin or a Marshall Stack, but they bring both
worlds
together somewhat for a lot less money...
Shawn Brock
----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris Smart" <csmart8@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ddots-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 12:30 PM
Subject: [ddots-l] Re: UPS info
I also use a guitar synth, an Axon AX100 MK2. It works great with the
built-in pickup in my Godin LGXsa.
Chris
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