It's not what you play, but how you play it

[erogenousjones17]

I went to a Staind show with a friend of mine the other day, and something really struck me. Staind is a fairly heavy band, and Mike Mushok plays a baritone (no surprise there), but what did surprise me were the guitars that Aaron Lewis played. Gibson ES-335 with Bigsby, Strat, Danelectro U2, Tele... The only typical "metal" guitar he played was a cherry SG.

I've never been a big fan of saying that one needs a particular kind of guitar for a particular genre (a friend of mine played jazz by day and prog metal by night on a Fender Tornado), but that show really cemented by opinion. I think as long as your guitar feels and sounds right to you, you can do anything with it.

 

[GoDrex]

well some pickups are better suited for metal  - there's no doubt in my mind about that. But it's all a matter of fine tuning. I can get a metal tone out of my strat if I have to. The amp is more important really.

 

[erogenousjones17]

Agreed. Chances are you're not going to get a scathing metal tone out of a Fender tweed, or smooth jazz licks from an EMG 81. But people (maybe not here on this forum) often seem to assume that certain guitars can ONLY do certain styles (i.e. Teles are strictly for chicken pickin' country licks). That's what I've got a problem with.

 

[Wana_make_a_guitar]

Sometimes people assume that different styles of guitars go with different styles of music for asthetic reasons. A tele LOOKS like someone would use it for country music, rock, blues, jazz etc but one of the guys from slipknot uses one. While you can change some aspects of a guitar to suit a style asthetically, the slipknot guy just has a tele with humbuckers. Looks like any old tele. 

 

[smavridis]

Agreed. Chances are you're not going to get a scathing metal tone out of a Fender tweed, or smooth jazz licks from an EMG 81. But people (maybe not here on this forum) often seem to assume that certain guitars can ONLY do certain styles (i.e. Teles are strictly for chicken pickin' country licks). That's what I've got a problem with.

i used to be that guy... then i heard john 5...

 

[erogenousjones17]

Sometimes people assume that different styles of guitars go with different styles of music for asthetic reasons. A tele LOOKS like someone would use it for country music, rock, blues, jazz etc but one of the guys from slipknot uses one. While you can change some aspects of a guitar to suit a style asthetically, the slipknot guy just has a tele with humbuckers. Looks like any old tele. 

But here's an existential question: why does a tele look like a country guitar?  :laughing7:

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Because Country players play them more than say...an Explorer.

 

[blue313]

Because Country players play them more than say...an Explorer.

Exactly, its all image. 

I posted this vid awhile back, bit I think its relevant to those that haven't seen it.  AKA what would Satch sound like on a Strat style?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9v5e1TTwts

 

[Vol. Knob]

Justin Broaderick of GODFLESH played a strat through that bands existence.  GODFLESH were the heaviest band on Earth during their heyday.  When I think "Heavy", a strat is not the first thing to come to mind.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

In the 80s on TNN, Ralph Emory's show "Nashville Now," the house band's lead guitar player routinely played country on an Explorer.

But more to the original poster's observation that the guitar type don't make the sound, the player and the band do, most popular country music is pop music with a pedal-steel guitar and violin (fiddle) thrown in to make it country.

One more thing I'd add too.  Aaron Lewis's guitar sound isn't what makes the sound of that band.  Sure he'll have an intro with an acoustic, or even an acoustic song, and probably writes their songs on a guitar, but his guitar playing is one step above Elvis's IMO.  His guitars are accessories and are worn.  Don't get me wrong, Aaron Lewis's contibution to Staind is his tortured soul songwriting style and voice.  The guitar "sound" of that band is all Mike Mushok. 

 

[Soylent]

now that you mention it, I've seen a vid somewhere of one of the guys from lynard skynard playing freebird on an explorer.. with the whole band.  :tard:

 

[GoDrex]

now that you mention it, I've seen a vid somewhere of one of the guys from lynard skynard playing freebird on an explorer.. with the whole band.  :tard:

That would be Allen Collins. He also played a Firebird.
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS294US294&sa=1&q=allen+collins+lynyrd+skynyrd&aq=0&oq=Allen+Collins+lyn

 

[Soylent]

The GoDrex is correct, that's him.. I always liked that.. seemed kinda.. right.

 

[GoDrex]

btw - anytime you're feeling down about your life, just read up on that guy.

"The Skynyrd plane crashed into a forest in Mississippi killing three band members, including Van Zant. Collins was seriously injured in the crash, suffering two broken vertebrae in his neck and severe damage to his right arm. While amputation was recommended, Collins' father refused and Allen eventually recovered."

"In 1980, Collins' wife Kathy suddenly died of a hemorrhage following a miscarriage. Allen began a downward spiral, using drugs and alcohol to asuage his grief. "

"In 1986 a car accident killed Collins' girlfriend and left the guitarist paralyzed from the waist down, with limited use of his arms and hands. Collins plead no contest to vehicular manslaughter as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. He would never play guitar on-stage again."

"All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited to perform in 1987, but due to his injury Collins was only able to participate as musical director. As part of his plea bargain for the 1986 accident, Collins addressed fans at every Skynyrd concert with an explanation of why he could not perform, citing the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as drugs and alcohol."

"Allen Collins died January 23, 1990 from chronic pneumonia a complication of the paralysis."

 

[DangerousR6]

Because Country players play them more than say...an Explorer.

Exactly, its all image. 

I posted this vid awhile back, bit I think its relevant to those that haven't seen it.  AKA what would Satch sound like on a Strat style?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9v5e1TTwts

Satch could make a Ukulele sound badass...

 

[thumb55]

for years my whole gole was, "you can't tell what I play from the guitar I carry".

 

[NLD09]

for years my whole gole was, "you can't tell what I play from the guitar I carry".

I know the feeling, I want to build a metal looking les paul, and i'm a blues guy.