VIDEO / AUDIO: 2010 LA Amp Fest - Hemispheres Recording

[Scumback Speakers]

I don't think the cab choice was optimal for every amp, but unless James had every cab that I own would he have been able to do justice to every amp that was there. So running them all through one V30/G12T-75 loaded cab made sense because many players have that setup.

For the optimum recording, James would have needed about 8-10 cabs available to try with each amp head, and that just wasn't feasible in the time frame allotted for this event.

 

[Ancient Alien]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

 

[Ancient Alien]

I don't think the cab choice was optimal for every amp, but unless James had every cab that I own would he have been able to do justice to every amp that was there. So running them all through one V30/G12T-75 loaded cab made sense because many players have that setup.

For the optimum recording, James would have needed about 8-10 cabs available to try with each amp head, and that just wasn't feasible in the time frame allotted for this event.

Bingo

 

[Greazygeo]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

He's saying that you were not in the room while these amps were recorded. Your post makes it sound like you were.

 

[Ancient Alien]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

He's saying that you were not in the room while these amps were recorded. Your post makes it sound like you were.

Maybe I should have changed the word "the" to "a"
Or maybe the amps were dialed in like shit through speakers that did no justice to the amps at all.
I was referring to any amp in any room compared to a recorded clip. Thought I made that pretty clear.
My point is to play those clips and A/B them to the same amp right in front of you.
The ones that stood out to me the most were the CCV, Bones, Herbert, VHT, Mark V, Memphis and VH4.
Maybe it was a combination of bad pups, tubes, speakers, mic position or all the above.
The recordings all had a hairy tone with very loose muddy bass, something I have never heard come out of any of those amps in my studio or when I played them at other places.
But that is what I always expect when listening to any clip, which was my whole point of my original post.

 

[rupe]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

He's saying that you were not in the room while these amps were recorded. Your post makes it sound like you were.

Right on

My opinion on this shootout in general is that whether or not we are hearing what the amps sounded like in the room or not, it's more useful to me (and most likely other gigging/recording guitarists) to hear what it sounds like mic'ed up vs. its room sound. When I record and/or play live, I'm mic'ing my cab so room sound isn't nearly as important as what that mic picks up...that's ultimately what the listener is going to hear. No doubt the cab used may not be ideal for every amp, but its an industry standard that should at least sound good with most.

Although I would never buy an amp based off of clips, I could be intrigued enough to seek one out to try it if a clip impressed me enough. In fact, I plan to find a Wizard that I can put through its paces as a result of what I heard in the shootout. I really dug the clean tones from that little Dr. Z as well...it recorded nicely.

 

[Nico]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

He's saying that you were not in the room while these amps were recorded. Your post makes it sound like you were.

Maybe I should have changed the word "the" to "a"
Or maybe the amps were dialed in like shit through speakers that did no justice to the amps at all.
I was referring to any amp in any room compared to a recorded clip. Thought I made that pretty clear.
My point is to play those clips and A/B them to the same amp right in front of you.
The ones that stood out to me the most were the CCV, Bones, Herbert, VHT, Mark V, Memphis and VH4.
Maybe it was a combination of bad pups, tubes, speakers, mic position or all the above.
The recordings all had a hairy tone with very loose muddy bass, something I have never heard come out of any of those amps in my studio or when I played them at other places.
But that is what I always expect when listening to any clip, which was my whole point of my original post.

I actually thought quite the opposite. I did not like the tones of the Bones and the Herbert especially. I did like the VH4 a lot though.

Highlights for the high gainers were the Bogner Solo 70, Wizard MC, Friedman Marshalls

 

[Ancient Alien]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

He's saying that you were not in the room while these amps were recorded. Your post makes it sound like you were.

Right on

My opinion on this shootout in general is that whether or not we are hearing what the amps sounded like in the room or not, it's more useful to me (and most likely other gigging/recording guitarists) to hear what it sounds like mic'ed up vs. its room sound. When I record and/or play live, I'm mic'ing my cab so room sound isn't nearly as important as what that mic picks up...that's ultimately what the listener is going to hear. No doubt the cab used may not be ideal for every amp, but its an industry standard that should at least sound good with most.

Although I would never buy an amp based off of clips, I could be intrigued enough to seek one out to try it if a clip impressed me enough. In fact, I plan to find a Wizard that I can put through its paces as a result of what I heard in the shootout. I really dug the clean tones from that little Dr. Z as well...it recorded nicely.

Exactly my point. I was referring to what they sounded like recorded.
Since I too am a gigging and recording guitarist, I know what these amps actually sound like in a studio behind a mic.
They were simply not recorded well, and i think thats what most people are saying.
And on the same note, I wouldn't expect every amp to sound accurate under the circumstances.
It's all good.....

 

[Ancient Alien]

Grant it, some of the recording sounded like total ass, and nothing like what the amps sounded like in the room, which is to be expected by anyone with half a brain.
I personally know what some of those amps sound like in person, and no clip in the world is going to capture what is happening in the room.

Ya I don't know how anyone can fault James for anything here, this was a big effort on his part and his studio/recording techniques are all pro- I was there, it was just go from one head to the next, through the industry standard V30 and Marshall-type cab, bam bam bam one after another. What you hear is what it sounded like. If you don't dig the way an amp sounded, and your panties are in a bunch about it well tough f-in luck cause I'll vouch, that's the way they sounded in the room. For the most part I was really impressed with most of the amps there.

So a guy who wasn't there knows more about how things sounded in the room than a pro guitarist (noted for great tone) who was there? Interesting

Re-read what I wrote. You even quoted it.
I have owned many of those amps that were in the clips and played many of them like the Bones, CCV, etc.
And I think after over 25 years of playing pro and as a hobby, I know what great tone is.
One does not have to be in the room to know what those amps sound like in person having played them many times.
So I don't understand your misconception of what I said.

He's saying that you were not in the room while these amps were recorded. Your post makes it sound like you were.

Maybe I should have changed the word "the" to "a"
Or maybe the amps were dialed in like shit through speakers that did no justice to the amps at all.
I was referring to any amp in any room compared to a recorded clip. Thought I made that pretty clear.
My point is to play those clips and A/B them to the same amp right in front of you.
The ones that stood out to me the most were the CCV, Bones, Herbert, VHT, Mark V, Memphis and VH4.
Maybe it was a combination of bad pups, tubes, speakers, mic position or all the above.
The recordings all had a hairy tone with very loose muddy bass, something I have never heard come out of any of those amps in my studio or when I played them at other places.
But that is what I always expect when listening to any clip, which was my whole point of my original post.

I actually thought quite the opposite. I did not like the tones of the Bones and the Herbert especially. I did like the VH4 a lot though.

Highlights for the high gainers were the Bogner Solo 70, Wizard MC, Friedman Marshalls

so then we agree that the Bones and Herbert sounded like ass in the recording, and thats what stood out to me.
So it's an agreement, not the opposite

 

[James Lugo]

The Herbert was weird for sure, we spent a lot of time trying to dial it in (the owner and I owned a Herbert for years), more then most amps and it was what it was. The Bones discussion has been exhausted to death... A lot of amps sounded great and I know it's easier for some to focus on the ones that may not have in their opinion, I guess it's human nature. I just listened to some clips of all the mod type amps with some producer buddies here and they seemed to like the 71 Marshall for it's purity of tone. producer's sometimes have a different perspective of amps then guitarists do. But again it's all opinion.

 

[zee1usa]

Thanks to James, manufacturers, amp loaners and all at Rigtalk

 

[James Lugo]

Thanks to James, manufacturers, amp loaners and all at Rigtalk

thank you man.

I just sold my Dual Rec that was in the amp fest. For me it's a sound I'm over, plus I make almost no metal ever anymore, I'd rather have a Hiwatt, Dirty Shirley or Goldfinger.

 

[charveldan]

The Herbert was weird for sure, we spent a lot of time trying to dial it in (the owner and I owned a Herbert for years), more then most amps and it was what it was. I think it needed tubes. The Bones discussion has been exhausted to death... A lot of amps sounded great and I know it's easier for some to focus on the ones that may not have in their opinion, I guess it's human nature. I just listened to some clips of all the mod type amps with some producer buddies here and they seemed to like the 71 Marshall for it's purity of tone. producer's sometimes have a different perspective of amps then guitarists do. But again it's all opinion.

Your Friedman Super Trem is no accident, that is GOD TOAN!!! It's the best sounding modded Marshall i've heard in 35+ years.

 

[James Lugo]

The Herbert was weird for sure, we spent a lot of time trying to dial it in (the owner and I owned a Herbert for years), more then most amps and it was what it was. I think it needed tubes. The Bones discussion has been exhausted to death... A lot of amps sounded great and I know it's easier for some to focus on the ones that may not have in their opinion, I guess it's human nature. I just listened to some clips of all the mod type amps with some producer buddies here and they seemed to like the 71 Marshall for it's purity of tone. producer's sometimes have a different perspective of amps then guitarists do. But again it's all opinion.

Your Friedman Super Trem is no accident, that is GOD TOAN!!! It's the best sounding modded Marshall i've heard in 35+ years.

Thanks man, that amp always sounds good. So many rich overtones with no artifacts. Yummy.

 

[MARK1970]

I am surprised there was no PT100. I thought it was on the list. Pete Thorn should have taken his.

 

[James Lugo]

I am surprised there was no PT100. I thought it was on the list. Pete Thorn should have taken his.

It was on the list, not sure who didn't bring it.

 

[slyvren]

Someone should get a torrent of these mp3s up or something.

 

[wheelman]

I liked the 68 Marshall the best.

 

[Greg Riley]

Awsome work James.. Your love for guitar and tone goes without saying.. Sharing it, is complete standup for you as a musician and person. So many great amps. Thankyou so much for posting the video's.

Thanks to James, manufacturers, amp loaners and all at Rigtalk

thank you man.

I just sold my Dual Rec that was in the amp fest. For me it's a sound I'm over, plus I make almost no metal ever anymore, I'd rather have a Hiwatt, Dirty Shirley or Goldfinger.

 

[James Lugo]

Awsome work James.. Your love for guitar and tone goes without saying.. Sharing it, is complete standup for you as a musician and person. So many great amps. Thankyou so much for posting the video's.

Thanks to James, manufacturers, amp loaners and all at Rigtalk

thank you man.

I just sold my Dual Rec that was in the amp fest. For me it's a sound I'm over, plus I make almost no metal ever anymore, I'd rather have a Hiwatt, Dirty Shirley or Goldfinger.

Thanks man.