VH Isolated Tracks

[rupe]

So I downloaded all of the VH isolated tracks way back in 2009 when they were posted in the Metro forum. I never really listened to them... until today. Honestly, a lot of it is a big let down. Eddies tone is raspy and buzzy. Especially the VH1 tone . My favorite tone seems to be Mean Street album isolated clips. Even Eddies playing is very average, but with attitude . I kinda wish I never listened to these clips as it has seemed to ruin what I thought was killer tone.


Does anyone else feel the same way?

Its obvious just listening to the songs how avg the tone and playing is/was. Surprised it took you this long to "hear" it.

Put me in that camp as well...I was never a VH fanboy but I always thought Ed's tone was pretty good in the mix. I'm actually shocked by how bad it is when isolated. I'll blame my failure to notice this earlier on my destroyed ears

 

[Greazygeo]

Haha, I hear ya I remember buying VHII when I was 9 or 10...back in 1980. So the sound and songs go way back for me. That's why I wish I didnt hear the tracks. I do feel better about my playing though

Yeah its funny I can remember when I first heard VH on the radio in '78 or '79. I didnt play guitar yet. I can remember thinking how crappy the guitar sounded, thought my speakers were broken. It was a big relief when my Hondo II LP copy and EH Muff Fuzz pedal didnt sound like that.

 

[Stramm8]

To me this just proves that we are all a little too focused on finding the ultimate tone or amp or whatever. Considering so many people are chasing that VH I tone it's kind of ironic that it sounds they way it does on those iso tracks. As already mentioned, I chalk it up to the way it's recorded and mastered etc.

That said, his tone was far from just average. The proof is in the live recordings of the day. I have a bootleg "live from hammersmith" recorded on the first tour and the guitar tone on that is flat-out smokin Nothing thin or weak at all If you can find it, have a listen.

The other intersting thing is that the songs they played from VHII which wasn't released yet sounded just like the VHII tone, putting to rest for me a "big change" in his tone on that album. Again, the difference is how it was recorded and mastered IMHO.

 

[mentoneman]

templeman and landee did an amazing job-took an amazing sonic picture of a hungry and talented band and put you on stage in their midst. listen to old vh and you feel like you're flanked by eddie and dave.

you can snap a cheap point and shoot, or hire a master with a high end pro camera with killer lenses and perfect lighting who brings something way more to the picture.

eddie back in the day was reaching for it. his famous falling down the staircase and landing on your feet mentality.

scrappy, cocky, clawing out of the pack of LA bands and rising above with skill and determination. creating a stadium vibe with his sound in small clubs and parties playing for 50 or 500. holdsworth said something interesting in an interview about enjoying a guy who is a decent player taking risks fighting to play things a bit beyond his comfort zone versus the "cat" who sits in 2nd gear all night.

 

[metalsoup]

Well, I'm convinced. Tone is neither in the fingers nor the amp--it's in the mix!

Sig'ed!

Coool.

Of course, in all fairness it would seem that there must be some kernel of great tone inherent to the raw guitar tracks which is brought into the mix and then summed with the other parts to form something greater than the whole. Perhaps a good analogy is the use of spices or seasoning in cooking. Isolated, a spice might taste bad (too “harsh”), but when mixed with the other ingredients becomes ecstasy. Without proper seasoning, the results are bland. So, a degree of “mojo” prior to the mix stage is essential but far from the entire picture.