That pinch harmonic on the Panama intro…

  • Thread starter Thread starter RedPlated
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RedPlated

RedPlated

Well-known member
I’ve never been able to get even close to recreating it. I’ve seen a million covers and no one else seems to be able to, either. It’s perfectly executed on the album.

Not only is the attack and vibrato perfection, but the way it sits slightly behind the beat and has a relaxed, super smooth feel to it is part of its character. It’s always bothered me that I can’t play it right.

Anyone know how it’s done correctly and have you be able to get close?
 
rather than trying to strictly be on time practice so much that you can have fun with it and not care. if you get the intention first then you can polish off the timing later. singing it will help too.

I think if you really want to be like Eddie you should just get passionate about sounds and do whatever your own thing is.
 
I’ve always wondered this myself. That part sounds dumb when I play it. I can be rocking the whole intro perfectly, then hit that and ruin it. Lol
 
SgtThump said:
The part at 21 seconds, right?

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Yes that one!

Yehuda said:
Is it possible it is just a Prebend with a floyd into a natural harmonic- similar to satriani or vai?
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Totally possible. I was wondering if maybe he’s using some obscure technique we aren’t thinking of.

tjnx said:
rather than trying to strictly be on time practice so much that you can have fun with it and not care. if you get the intention first then you can polish off the timing later. singing it will help too.

I think if you really want to be like Eddie you should just get passionate about sounds and do whatever your own thing is.
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I don’t want to be like Eddie. In fact, my amps are not brown sound oriented at all. I’ve listened to this album since I was probably 10 years old and I think it’s absolutely genius. I’ve always wondered how he got that harmonic to sound the way it does. Doesn’t mean I’m putting on spandex and a bandana anytime soon.
 
RedPlated said:
Yes that one!


Totally possible. I was wondering if maybe he’s using some obscure technique we aren’t thinking of.


I don’t want to be like Eddie. In fact, my amps are not brown sound oriented at all. I’ve listened to this album since I was probably 10 years old and I think it’s absolutely genius. I’ve always wondered how he got that harmonic to sound the way it does. Doesn’t mean I’m putting on spandex and a bandana anytime soon.
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It's almost like he 'half misses' it and turns out the way it did. One of my old bands did a 'reunion' show last Saturday, we played it but I of course didn't hit it correctly. At a rehearsal though, I almost got it...it was a 'miss' but kinda sounded close.
 
Racerxrated said:
It's almost like he 'half misses' it and turns out the way it did. One of my old bands did a 'reunion' show last Saturday, we played it but I of course didn't hit it correctly. At a rehearsal though, I almost got it...it was a 'miss' but kinda sounded close.
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I agree with this. I believe I can nail it at times but it can be hit or miss or if I’m trying
 
I watched this vid recently where Dweezil Zappa said and shows how Eddie used a really thin pick to get the tone of his pick slide. The tonal difference is huge. Maybe that also had an influence on his pinch harmonics?

 
Hmmmm the pick thickness might be part of it too. Those pick scrapes are massive.

Some good theories so far. I like the one about the dead string and sort of half- missing the harmonic. Maybe one of those takes that can never be fully replicated.

It sounds so much different in the mix than isolated to me. Sounds less significant isolated. Weird.

At 00:29….

 
Matt300ZXT said:
Is Al Estrada a member here, or is that TGP? Maybe see if you can ask him, he'd know better than anyone.
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Great idea.

Is @Al Chapo his user name?

Now the other question…where do you play it? I’ve always done it on A string, second fret.
 
RedPlated said:
Yes that one!


Totally possible. I was wondering if maybe he’s using some obscure technique we aren’t thinking of.


I don’t want to be like Eddie. In fact, my amps are not brown sound oriented at all. I’ve listened to this album since I was probably 10 years old and I think it’s absolutely genius. I’ve always wondered how he got that harmonic to sound the way it does. Doesn’t mean I’m putting on spandex and a bandana anytime soon.
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fair enough, less gain 2nd or 4th fret on A string just graze it
 
Correct or not, E string 5th fret is where I've always played it. Gotta bend it up a step or so, then relax back, and add some wrist vibrato. Almost exactly like you'd play a Zakk Wylde pinch.

No clue if this is how Ed played it. But it sounds right as long you have the proper technique.

I've seen and heard MANY players butcher this one (simple?) phrase, and it really sticks out if you dont get it right.
YMMV.
 
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