That pinch harmonic on the Panama intro…

[harddriver]

I just watched a few live videos on YouTube. It appears he does hit it on the 2nd fret on A string. However, it sounds different every time he does it. Nothing like the album. I guess even Ed couldn’t replicate the album version.

I think that's about where it's at 2nd fret on the A- string.....

I think you are right... it was one of those one take happy accidents captured on tape that Ed was famous for and hard to always reproduce at will.

 

[JiMB]

Nice job. I think you’re right. It’s not a full on harmonic hit. Just a half way executed one.

So you are saying pre-bend the string, hit it, then vibrato?

Not a full pre-bend, the whole step bend is very quick, sounds like the pinch harmonic hits a split second after the bend starts and then it’s released into vibrato.

 

[harddriver]

I agree that he half misses the pinch harmonic, 2nd fret on the A string. Quick bend up and release the bend into vibrato.
Here’s my take on a Les Paul:



Harmonizer, reverb with pre-delay also help on the studio version.

You nailed it JimB.........I think the releasing the bend after the pinch harmonic into vibrato as you do is the technique...

I agree that the Harmonizer gives the guitar response that little something more to the 1984 tone compared to when the tone is dry. I think the H949 was used according to the sources that I have read and the settings that I use and like. Somebody over at VH links had some good settings that work well with the Pitchfactor then tweak to what you like. Some also say Ed used G12-80 speakers on 1984 as well over the typical greenbacks.

Fair Warning H910 Pitch A 1.006 Pitch B 1.000 50% mix -2 Db level
Everything 1984 : 949-1 Pitch A .996 Pitch B 1.004 50-60% mix. -2 Db level
EXCEPTION: Women in Love preset: 910 Pitch A 1.010 Pitch B 1.000 50% mix. -2 Db level
5150 and OU812: 949-2 Pitch A .994 Pitch B 1.006 50%- 60% mix.
F.U.C.K. & Balance: Micropitch Pitch A +9 Pitch B -9 70-75% mix. +1-2 Db level boost

Delays for all of them are only set to 3 and 6ms respectively but sometimes 0ms for both delays sound best it just depends how it sounds to me that day.
Pitch Mix for all are A10/B10

 

[Floyd Eye]

I agree that he half misses the pinch harmonic, 2nd fret on the A string. Quick bend up and release the bend into vibrato.
Here’s my take on a Les Paul:



Harmonizer, reverb with pre-delay also help on the studio version.

That sounds like it to me bro.

 

[RaceU4her]

Sounds like dead string missed pinch harmonic with a Floyd to make it musical to me. I never gave it much attention when I covered it live lol

thats what i said, sounds like a "mistake" where he caught the harmonic half way or something

 

[fek]

I still say he slaps that harmonic somewhere up the neck and just doesn't quite hit it.

 

[tjnx]

The 'proper' way to recreate the album version is to hit the Bb and an overtone (the harmonic) sits on it however many octaves up. So you need to combine the sound of the fretted note on the 2nd fret on the A string with the harmonic along with the bends. If you try to mimic the screechy-ness of Roth's voice or overtone singing that's a good reference. You can do this by fretting the note then slowly adding the harmonic in by gradually hitting it with more flesh on your thumb.

I sometimes do it on the 4th fret which is 'wrong' when just goofing and having fun because it allows me to use my 3rd finger to exaggerate the bend. As long as you hit harmonics that sound good relative to that Bb or the Ab you will be ok.

 

[PiggySmallz]

The 'proper' way to recreate the album version is to hit the Bb and an overtone (the harmonic) sits on it however many octaves up. So you need to combine the sound of the fretted note on the 2nd fret on the A string with the harmonic along with the bends. If you try to mimic the screechy-ness of Roth's voice or overtone singing that's a good reference. You can do this by fretting the note then slowly adding the harmonic in by gradually hitting it with more flesh on your thumb.

I sometimes do it on the 4th fret which is 'wrong' when just goofing and having fun because it allows me to use my 3rd finger to exaggerate the bend. As long as you hit harmonics that sound good relative to that Bb or the Ab you will be ok.

Thats how I do it, 4th fret but watching a bunch of live videos it was definitely a Bb assuming he tunes to Eb and he just missed it