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Fav. Hendrix tone, which year ?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:52 pm
by Tone Slinger
'66-'67 I'm thinking sorta early superlead/bassman/sb type hybrid, maybe similar to the jtm 45/100 ? I like it, but it aint a favorite.

'68- To me Hendrix got a bit more 'control' so to speak, so he shifted locations back to the states. Much of 'ElectricLadyLand' reflects his true desire. Tones here sound like 6l6 equiped Fender combo's (bassman, Deluxe Reverb ?) along with straight ahead 1200 series type Marshall superleads. The live gigs from this era were a 'caravan' of sorts amp wise, as Jimi mixed alot of stuff togather (Sound City head and Fender Dual Showmans) along with his Marshalls. Still, very early brown type break up type tone (el-34).

'69- This is my fav. year for Hendrix tone and playing. His amps were 'tighter' and clearer sounding and his distorted tones were a little more 'present' and articulate. Clear indication of the 'contriversal' 6550 out put tubes of which I'm convinced he used. The Uni-vibe also first made an appearance, giving more 'sonic depth' to his live gigs.

'70- Had its moments, but due to the recording equipment at 'Electric Lady' studios not sounding as good as the recorders at the Record Plant or 'Hit City/factory' etc, The stuff recorded in this year isnt my favorite. There are exceptions, like 'Pali Gap', but as a whole the sound was very 'clinical' and 'sterile' in comparison to previous recordings. Some of the live stuff was incredible though, like the Norman Oklahoma 'Machine Gun'. When I'm sorta loaded I can more accuratly decipher what he's playing on it, cause all you can hear is room reverb, drums and screeching guitar. Wish alot of this stuff had been recorded 'properly'. Still, something wasnt 'right' with brother Hendrix in '70. His ultimate demise wasnt the only sign of this.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 6:51 pm
by byzantinechanter
yeah, the '69 live tone was probably the 'best' as far as how much control he had over some incredible sonic textures. thinking about it, his tone sort of reflected his attitude towards playing most of the time (or vice-versa?). 67 was really more about the 'experience' spectacle than hendrix really focusing on his best possible playing. '68 was similar, but with more experimentation. '69 was probably the apex of creativity (sometimes seemingly out of frustration or boredom), and '70 was a period of some hopelessness. I mean, it just seems like he needed a month or two vacation away from the majority of people and drugs, and just chill with an acoustic guitar and get some sleep. Instead it ended up being his busiest year, its no wonder his guitar sounds like it has a cold at atlanta and isle of wight.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:48 pm
by Michael Patrick
Monterey is what does it for me. The sounds of an amp screaming for mercy...

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:53 pm
by Scumback Speakers
Woodstock, BOG and Berkeley for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5BOf-8v ... re=related

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:34 pm
by basile865
+1

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:34 pm
by basile865
+1

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:10 am
by frenchie
winterland ...lulu tv show ...fillmore east ...

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:34 am
by carlygtr56
LA Forum 4/25/70, BOG, Woodstock, Berkeley

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:41 am
by Roe
I prefer band of gipsies and electric ladyland

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 9:07 am
by mathd
Monterey and woodstock is what i like.
i also like BOG and Berkeley but a little less.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:24 pm
by Billy Batz
BoG & Berkeley. Everything else is cool but seems a little too raw for me. These shows seem to me to be the most refined and in control his tone ever got to.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:05 pm
by shakti
I have a few particular favourites:

- spring 1967, after he added a fuzzface, with the JTM45/100. The Swedish TV performance from May '67 is an excellent example.

- late '67 European tour. It sounds to me like he's using a black flag JTM100 with EL34s, at least on some recordings. The November '67 Dutch radio(?) performance of "Catfish Blues" on the Blues CD has some fantastic tone!

- Band of Gypsies. Impossible to leave out.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 2:28 pm
by basile865
I have to say, his tone on the 69 lulu show, mainly the solo to hey joe has the best fuzz tone I've ever heard.

Re: Fav. Hendrix tone, which year ?

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:15 am
by Tone Slinger
I also really like the tone on that April '69 LA Forum show. To me, that was probably better than his '70 performance there.

Re:

Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:13 pm
by Freedom
Southbay Ampworks wrote:Woodstock, BOG and Berkeley for me.
+1