Robin Trower

[twist]

Any opinions on how he got his sound? My first impression was a strat through a flanger. Could it be that simple, or do you think it was something more sophisticated. Remember, it was a time when we relied a little more on the sound of our basic equipment setup, and a little less on engineers.

Twist

[c7sus]

www.fulltone.com

[Wide Awake]

He used some basic effects. The Uni-Vibe was one of the main ones and probably the MXR Phase 90.

These days he just uses a Fulltone Deja-Vibe and in concert he plays through 3 Marshall stacks. He uses volume pedals to blend sounds from the 3 Marshalls. His drummer (Reg Isadore) is one of the best I've ever seen.

SRV is a legend. Robin is a GOD.

[David]

SRV is a legend. Robin is a GOD. ...tell the truth brutha, the man sho didn't get all the respect he "earned" though.

[psmith66]

Trower was always shredded for being a Hendrix rip-off. Personally, I thought he moved away from the Hendrix influence early in his career. SRV was much more derivative of Hendrix IMO (not only because SRV was into Hendrix directly, but they both had a lot of the same blues influences and interpreted them in similar ways). Also, Trower moved further outside of the "strict" blues genre toward more "blues-based rock" - I think this is what may have brought on a lot of the criticism from so-called purists. Unfortunately, SRV died before he had a chance to grow to his full extent. To make a long story short - Trower got a raw deal.

[toyL]

no input here on his "sound"....just drawn to this thread because the dude is indeed a god....tears the f***king roof down every time he gets on stage....you young cats out there really need to go see trower live.

[faithmonster]

I agree with you, psmith66. Trower always got a raw deal.

For me, it was easy to delineate between Hendrix's style
and Trower's. And comparing them to each other is not
only futile but ignorant. They are unique, therefore there
is no comparison possible.

I think, like you, that SRV would have aged well. Look at
Santana. While I wouldn't compare them either, I think
SRV would have been refined by time, like a damn good
tequila.

There is no greater pleasure than to put on the headphones
to any of these. Even to this day "Bridge of Sighs" still smashes
my ass flat.

Thanks for triggering my old synapses to fire.

Faithmonster

[A Reel Person]

... and great feel for his instrument, which no doubt reflects the decades of serious practice, playing, and writing he's done.

Ok, I don't know what amps and equipment he uses, for the most part, but I can make a few assumptions. Besides the above, how does Robin Trower get his sound?

- Big, loud, punchy amps, and tons of volume, both live and in the recording studio.

- We know he plays a Stratocaster, but he may have custom electronics on his guitar, we don't know, really, do we?

- Wah Wah Pedal

- probably a flanger, and/or phaser

- probably a 'little bit' of delay thrown in there.

- The other ingredient is:

He plays the hell out of the guitar, not just with his hands, but with his entire soul.

[faithmonster]

Reel,

You got it when you said: "He plays the hell out of the guitar,
not just with his hands, but with his entire soul."

It really doesn't matter what he has hooked up!
It's the man playing. Thanks for reminding me- somemore
synapses are firing now. I've seen him live on two occasions.
And he really does play the living hell out of his guitar.

Kudos, man.

Faithmonster

[A Reel Person]

F/I, it really doesn't matter what his setup is, no matter what, when he plays, he gets that 'Robin Trower' sound. The overall sound and feel of what he plays is a reflection of him, not his setup.

On the other hand, you & I could possibly try to match Robin Trower's gear and setup, and probably never get the 'real' Robin Trower sound, but maybe a close approximation.*

*that's 'nice' for "cheap imitation"/DA

[twist]

Thanks for the link C7. I think that's the key to my original question. As for myself trying to duplicate Robin Trowers style......
fat chance!

Twist