Sound during the bends

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henryj

Blues Newbie
I've been working on SWS solo 1.  I notice in Griffs play along he gets a nice rich sound with good sustain and even volume when he holds a bend.  My bends sound tinny and the volume drops off quickly.  I know some of it is technic and I am improving but the sound is still light years away from Griffs recording.  Is Griff using any special equipment pedals or such to get that nice sound. 

I have a Fender frontman 25 w and a Line 6 Micro spyder, with a MIM strat, no extra equipment. I have played with the knobs every way shape and form and cannot duplicate that sound.

Do I need to add something?  I don't want to just throw money at it.
 
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wgabree

Blues Newbie
It's in the fingers - he's also using a well developed vibrato which helps the note have a nice singing quality (which is done with fretting fingers).

It comes with time.  You have to build up the finger strength.

The secret?

Practice, practice & practice.

When I first started playing, I thought all my playing issues would be solved with better equipment (I had a cheesy $15 secondhand electric with an equally cheesy $15 radio shack amp).  Fact is, today I could make that rig sound good.
 
luckylarry

luckylarry

Student Of The Blues
Henryj, remember in the end you will have a great sound but it will be your sound. You can't get Griff's exact sound only the notes and style you are an original. Go for it. Practice, Practice and Practice. :)
 
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Lame_Pinkey

Guest
Get a Jackson RR 5 & scream all night !
...oh while your at it get a new avatar as well  ;D

LP
 
S

Spencer

Blues Newbie
Hey Henry, if you're really struggling with it, you may want to skip ahead to page 33 and work on Solo 1 in Bb. It's the same thing, but a lot slower. It would give you a good chance to really feel the bends and work on nailing them at a slower pace. Good luck.
 
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Lame_Pinkey

Guest
Well i see you got a new avatar Henry, does that mean the Jackson RR 5 is also on the way ?

LP
 
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henryj

Blues Newbie
Nothing new for a while.  My Christmas list is going to be for a nicer amp.  Vacillating between new Fender Mustang for versatility or the simplicity of a Bugera V5.  Or not.
 
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henryj

Blues Newbie
Ok two things to help with bending. 
1. Practice

2. Raise the action just about one frog hair to stop fretting out.  The small adjustment made a huge difference.  It wasn't fretting enough to stop the note form playing, but just enough to kill any amount of sustain.

I'm a happy camper tonight.
 
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SunnyOne

Blues Newbie
glad you got it resolved. i was just about to say I HEAR YOU.

sometimes my bends are good and sometimes they suck! i am having a heck of a time with the last 2 measures. i can't seem to finish at the same time as Griff. (sometimes I hate him!  JK!!!!!!!!!!! I could never hate him, he's an awesome teacher!)

anyway, glad it's gotten good for you!
 
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